Ep 09: Suzy Takacs, Founder of the Book Cellar, on Indie Bookstores, What Stays on Shelves, and How to Have a Great Launch Event

enFebruary 26, 2024

Ep 49: Kat Falls, Author, on Worldbuilding, POV, Genre, and Awe

In this episode, YA and middle grade author Kat Falls discusses worldbuilding, reading aloud, what first person POV can do for your story, how screenplay writing connects to middle grade, loving your genre, and the power of awe.

https://www.katfalls.net/

enJanuary 29, 2024

http://dionnagriffinirons.com/

Ep 48: Dionna Griffin-Irons on Improv, Truth, and How We're All Characters

In this episode, Dionna Griffin-Irons discusses improv, curiosity, how we're all characters, being comfortable with the unknown, and finding truth.

Dionna Griffin-Irons

Stories Matter Foundation

enDecember 25, 2023

Ep 47: Favs of 2023 with the Chicago Review of Books

Rachel

I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times by Taylor Byas (and here's the interview I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/08/24/navigating-form-and-structure-in-i-done-clicked-my-heels-three-times/)

Brother & Sister Enter the Forest by Richard Mirabella (and here's the essay I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/29/writing-my-novel-wasnt-therapy/)

Solito by Javier Zamora

A Country You Can Leave by Asale Angel-Ajani

The In-Betweens by Davon Loeb

Company by Shannon Sanders

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai (and here's the interview I mentioned: https://chireviewofbooks.com/2023/03/02/getting-into-the-gray-area-in-i-have-some-questions-for-you/)

Michael

Who is the City For? By Blair Kamin

I Done Clicked My Heels Three Times by Taylor Byas

Open Throat by Henry Hoke

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty

Enough to Lose by R.S. Deeren

The Quail Who Wears the Shirt by Jeremy T. Wilson

Veniss Underground by Jeff VanderMeer

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

And then a few I didn't get to talk about but want to throw out there:

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Dr. No By Percival Everett

The New Naturals by Gabriel Bump

Greg

Wellness, by Nathan Hill

I Could Live Here Forever, by Hannah Halperin

Bliss Montage, by Ling Ma

Sun House, by David James Duncan

From Dust To Stardust, by Kathleen Rooney

Here are two more Chicago novels I loved this year:

Good Night, Irene, by Luis Alberto Urrea

Hot Springs Drive, by Lindsay Hunter

enDecember 03, 2023

Ep 46: Rebecca Makkai Returns!

Signups are open for the Novelist's Toolkit online class with Rebecca Makkai! Check it out at https://www.storystudiochicago.org/classes/classes/the-novelists-toolkit-six-lessons-on-craft-structure-and-tenacity-with-rebecca-makkai/

Rebecca Makkai

https://rebeccamakkai.com/

Stories Matter Foundation

https://www.storystudiochicago.org/

enNovember 06, 2023

https://www.idranovey.com/

Ep 45: Idra Novey, Author, on Inspiration, Translation, And Asking What You Don't Know

In this episode, author Idra Novey discusses inspiration through imagery, asking what you don't know, translation, deciding what becomes a novel, subtext, taking risks, and allowing for monstrosity.

Idra Novey

Stories Matter Foundation

enOctober 21, 2023

Ep 44: Grant Faulkner, Author and Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, on 100 Word Stories, Prioritizing Creativity, and Time Confetti

In this episode, Grant Faulkner, author and Executive Director of NaNoWriMo, discusses 100 word stories, what is National Novel Writing Month, writing as running, making creativity a priority, writing on your phone, and time confetti.

Find Grant online at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Stories Matter Foundation

enAugust 28, 2023

https://northstareditions.com/product/cold-girls/

Ep 43: Maxine Rae, Author, on Embracing YA, After the Agent, and What Teens Are Saying

In this episode, Maxine Rae discusses embracing YA, what comes after the agent, publication timelines, spacing errors, and what the teens are saying these days.

Maxine Rae

https://www.instagram.com/maxinerae_author/

Stories Matter Foundation

enJuly 31, 2023

Ep 42: Juan Martinez, Author, on Horror, Vegas Inspiration, and Cutting Your Story In Half

In this episode, Juan Martinez discusses growing up with horror, Vegas inspiration, revision through cutting, sensations versus story, writing by hand, and cutting your story in half.

Juan Martinez

http://www.fulmerford.com/about

Stories Matter Foundation

https://www.storystudiochicago.org/

enJune 26, 2023

https://gaylebrandeis.com/

Ep 41: Gayle Brandeis, Author, on Breathing, Listening to Your Body, and Drafting For Yourself While Revising for Others

In this episode, author Gayle Brandeis discusses knowing what we're doing, writing when you can, listening to your body, breathing, engaging with emotionally difficult material, and drafting for yourself, revising for others.

Gayle Brandeis

Stories Matter Foundation

enMay 29, 2023