Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward joins The Stacks to discuss her latest novel Let Us Descend. She reveals how the book came to her, and how audience plays into her writing process. We also learn why Jesmyn changed her normal writing process for this book, how she writes to the center of emotions in her fiction, and how her level of success impacts her ability to write.

The Stacks Book Club selection for November is Severance by Ling Ma. We will discuss the book on November 29th with Mitchell S. Jackson.

You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:

https://thestackspodcast.com/2023/11/08/ep-292-jesmyn-ward




Episode Transcript

Connect with Jesmyn: Instagram | Twitter

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Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 292 Writing Toward Beauty with Jesmyn Ward

The Stacks is your one stop shop to talk books and reading. Guests will join the host, Traci Thomas for lively discussions about books and the ways they have shaped their lives, and they way we all understand culture, race, politics, and more. The last Wednesday of each month Traci and guest will break down a book in detail as part of The Stacks Book Club.&nbsp; 
 Make sure to check the website www.thestackspodcast.com for more details, including upcoming The Stacks Book Club picks. 


Society & Culture

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Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Books

Today we are joined by Yahdon Israel - writer, founder of Literaryswag Book Club, and Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster. A Brooklyn native and community-builder, Yahdon breaks down the distinction between the literary world and the publishing industry. Plus, Yahdon breaks down how he thinks about audience as who are you writing to, and who are you writing for?

The Stacks Book Club selection for May is No Name in the Street by James Baldwin. We will discuss the book on May 29th with Yahdon Israel.

You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:

https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/05/01/ep-317-yahdon-israel




Episode Transcript

Connect with Yahdon: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Literaryswag

Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe




SUPPORT THE STACKS

Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon

To support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.

Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 317 The Ill Is Not the Outcome with Yahdon Israel

It's The Stacks Book Club day and writer Hala Alyan is back to discuss this month's pick, The January Children by Safia Elhillo. It is an award-winning poetry collection by the Sudanese-American poet Safia Elhillo. We examine the prevailing themes of displacement and duality, the urgency with which a poet writes, and we ask, how should one judge poetry?

Be sure to listen to the end of today’s episode to find out what our May book club pick will be.

You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:

https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/24/ep-316-the-january-children




Episode Transcript

Connect with Hala: Instagram | Website

Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe




SUPPORT THE STACKS

Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon

To support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.

Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 316 The January Children by Safia Elhillo — The Stacks Book Club (Hala Alyan)

*Patreon- and Substack-only bonus episode teaser*

If you've ever felt like you didn't "get it" when it comes to poetry, The Stacks is here for a little poetry therapy featuring five spectacular poets breaking down their favorite poems. We are joined by José Olivarez, Morgan Parker, Saeed Jones, Nate Marshall and Gabrielle Bates. Each has selected a poem to read with Traci; then they discuss what they notice, how it works, and why it excites them. This episode is for folks who love poetry, those who cower in fear, and everyone in between. 

*This episode is exclusive to members of The Stacks Pack on Patreon and our Substack subscribers. To join a community, get inside access to the show, and listen now, click the link below.




JOIN PATREON OR SUBSTACK TO LISTEN

You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:

https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/19/tsu-33-poetry-therapy




Connect with José: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack

Connect with Morgan: Instagram | Twitter | Website

Connect with Saeed: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack

Connect with Nate: Instagram | Website | Substack

Connect with Gabrielle: Instagram | Twitter | Website

Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe

SUPPORT THE STACKS

Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon

Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unabridged: Poetry Therapy

Journalist and bestselling author Keith O'Brien joins this episode to talk about his new book Charlie Hustle: The Rise and Fall of Pete Rose, and the Last Glory Days of Baseball. Keith reveals his thoughts on Rose's complex story, which is anything but black and white. We also discuss the steroid era of baseball, Pete Rose's legacy around race, and the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Stacks Book Club selection for April is The January Children by Safia Elhillo. We will discuss the book on April 24th with Hala Alyan.

You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:

https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/17/ep-315-keith-obrien




Episode Transcript

Connect with Keith: Instagram | Twitter | Website

Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe




SUPPORT THE STACKS

Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon

To support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.

Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 315 Pete Rose: The Great Anti-hero with Keith O'Brien

First-time novelist and award-winning writer Andrew Boryga talks about his new book Victim, a satirical take on diversity initiatives, self-promotion and the art of the hustle. Andrew reveals how he thought about audience while composing the book, and discusses the difference between attention and privilege.

The Stacks Book Club selection for April is The January Children by Safia Elhillo. We will discuss the book on April 24th with Hala Alyan.

You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:

https://thestackspodcast.com/2024/04/10/ep-314-andrew-boryga




Episode Transcript

Connect with Andrew: Instagram | Twitter | Website | Substack

Connect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | Substack | Subscribe




SUPPORT THE STACKS

Join The Stacks Pack on Patreon

To support The Stacks and find out more from this week’s sponsors, click here.

Purchasing books through Bookshop.org or Amazon earns The Stacks a small commission.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ep. 292 Writing Toward Beauty with Jesmyn Ward

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