Wed, 27 January 2016
Elissa Sussman, author of STRAY and its sequel BURN, discusses the “f—k page” of her teen journal, how ‘guilty pleasure’ is a gross term, and what three things every writer needs. Elissa Sussman Show Notes RENT (musical) Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascal Babysitter’s Club by Ann M. Martin Roswell (TV show) X-Files (TV show) Battlestar Galactica (TV show) Star Trek (TV show) REDWALL by Brian Jacques DEALING WITH DRAGONS by Patricia C. Wrede 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (movie) The Secret World of Alex Mack (TV show) Downstage (program at Sarah Lawrence) Adrienne Dawes (playwright) Angels in America (play)
Wicked (play) Into the Woods (play)
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Wed, 13 January 2016
Hear the lovely Kristen Kittscher, author of THE WIG IN THE WINDOW and THE TIARA ON THE TERRACE talk about getting kicked out of high school, writing characters who are getting all growed up, and visualizing our inner writer. Kristen Kittscher Show Notes Ellen Emerson White, THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER HELTER SKELTER by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry STUART LITTLE by E.B. White THE STAND by Stephen King WATERSHIP DOWN by Richard Adams Au Revoir Les Enfants (movie)
Umberto Echo, THE NAME OF THE ROSE Write To The Finish (online class) Kirsten Miller, KIKI STRIKE and NIGHTMARES with Jason Segel Rebecca Stead GOODBYE STRANGER Claire Legrand (her First Draft interview)
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Tue, 8 December 2015
The wondrous Amy Plum (author of the DIE FOR ME series, the AFTER THE END series, and DREAMFALL, due out in 2017) and Lenore Appelhans (author of the MEMORY CHRONICLES series) share stories of starting their literary careers writing letters, the false reality of social media, and psychopaths (real ones).
Amy Plum & Lenore Appelhans Show Notes Madelein L’Engle, A WRINKLE IN TIME Robert A. Heinlein (SF writer) Emma Trevayne, CODA
Flatliners (movie) Wes Craven’s THEY (movie) The Far Side by Gary Larson
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Wed, 2 December 2015
Pour a glass of wine to keep up with me and Kendare Blake, author of ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, the Goddess War series, SLEEPWALK SOCIETY, and the forthcoming THREE DARK CROWNS (due out in 2016), as we talk about her training as a stock trader, screeds about Superman, and living with anxiety. Kendare Blake Show Notes Stephen King, On Writing Fear Street, Freeze Tag Silent Hill (video game) Supernatural (TV show)
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Tue, 17 November 2015
Pour a strong drink and leave your denim culottes at home for this conversation with Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, who together make up blogging and writing duo the Fug Girls (of Go Fug Yourself)! We talk about how terrible the new X Files is going to be, hear behind the scenes stories about America’s Next Top Model, talk writing as a team, and ask the universe for an oral history of how Summer '07 was the best time Hollywood gossip ever.
Fug Girls Show Notes Television Without Pity (previously Mighty Big TV) Tough Enough (MTV show) Wolf Lake (TV show) Linda Holmes, NPR's pop culture reporter Richard Glatzer (director, Still Alice) Sleepover (movie) Brooks Barnes (formerly WSJ, New York Times) The Royals (TV show) Fug Girls articles on The Toast
Direct download: Heather_Cocks_and_Jessica_Morgan_the_Fug_Girls_2.m4a
Category:Literature -- posted at: 12:59pm PST |
Tue, 10 November 2015
Get red lipstick and fill up a goblet to enjoy this chat, wherein Leigh Bardugo, New York Times best-selling author of The Grisha series and the newest book in that world, SIX OF CROWS, talks about being a childhood outsider, making rules for magic, and profesh makeup tips. Leigh Bardugo Show Notes Inside Out (film) DUNE by Frank Herbert Jacqueline Kerry, author of KUSHIEL'S DART Aziz Ansari and Eric Klineberg, MODERN ROMANCE
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Tue, 3 November 2015
For the first First Draft Live event on October 30, Marie Lu (NYT best-selling author of the LEGEND trilogy, THE YOUNG ELITES and its sequel, THE ROSE SOCIETY), Margaret Stohl (NYT best-selling co-author of the BEAUTIFUL CREATURES series, author of ICONS, IDOLS, and of Marvel's Black Widow's YA adaptation, FOREVER RED), Anna Carey (author of the EVE trilogy, and YA thriller BLACKBIRD and its sequel DEADFALL), and Kali Wallace (debut author of SHALLOW GRAVES, due out in January 2016!) got together at Vroman’s bookstore in Pasadena to talk about scary stories and why we love them. Also! Listen to full First Draft interviews with Marie Lu; Margaret Stohl; and Anna Carey. I want to thank three local authors and members of the First Draft Live team for making this possible: Elissa Sussman (author of STRAY and its forthcoming sequel, BURN); Maurene Goo (author of SINCE YOU ASKED and a forthcoming K-Drama rom-com due in 2017); and Kirsten Hubbard (author of middle grade series WATCH THE SKY and its forthcoming sequel RACE THE NIGHT, and YA books WANDERLOVE and LIKE MANDARIN). |
Tue, 20 October 2015
Join me and Samantha Mabry, debut author of A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON*, in Dallas discussing JFK assassination conspiracy theories, grandmothers warnings about witches, and being close but not too close to dangerous things. *Note: In the show, Sam refers to A FIERCE AND SUBTLE poison by its earlier title, LEAVES. Samantha Mabry Show Notes LIBRA by Don Delillo HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS by Isabelle Alende Dennis Covington, SALVATION ON SAND MOUNTAIN Most Haunted (TV show) Nathaniel Hawthorne, RAPPACCINI'S DAUGHTER Esmerelda Santiago CONQUISTADORA William Carlos Williams, The Fountain of Eternal Youth (essay) Donald Judd (NY based artist who built Marfa) |
Tue, 13 October 2015
Join me in chatting with Stephanie Kuehnert, author of BALLADS OF SUBURBIA and I WANNA BE YOUR JOEY RAMONE and a forthcoming memoir of her teen years. We talk about promises made to cats, heart cities, and Riot Grrl. Stephanie Kuehnert Show Notes Story Studio (Chicago, IL) Girl Power! by Hillary Carlip
Joe Meno, HAIRSTYLES OF THE DAMNED Susie X, illiustrator The Writer's Center, Bethesda, MD Pete Holmes’ podcast, You Made It Weird
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Tue, 29 September 2015
Amy Lukavics, debut author of YA horror DAUGHTERS UNTO DEVILS, talks about the appeal of truly scary stories, creepy kids, the tiny details that can drive an entire story, and “candy bar” scenes.
Amy Lukavics Show Notes PAINT IT BLACK by Janet Fitch GOOSEBUMPS, FEAR STREET, R.L. Stine FULL DARK, NO STARS Stephen King IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS by Cat Winters (listen to her First Draft interview) BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by April Tucholke Katy Perry “California Gurls” The Red Dragon (movie) The Woman in Black (movie) Stephanie Perkins’ Love List Storm of the Century, written by Stephen King MISERY by Stephen King SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK by Alvin Schwarz Sumayyah Daud (listen to her First Draft interview) Kody Keplinger THE DUFF
WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE by Shirley Jackson
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Tue, 22 September 2015
Talking to Aaron Hartzler, author of WHAT WE SAW (out Sept. 22!) and RAPTURE PRACTICE, about YA memoir, desert hippies, and taking others off the hook for your happiness. Aaron Hartzler Show Notes DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY by Erik Larson MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL by John Berendt The New Yorker: The Lessons of Steubenville; Life After Steubenville; Trial by Twitter Josh Sundquist WE SHOULD HANG OUT SOMETIME: EMBARRASSINGLY, A TRUE STORY Paige Rawl, Ali Benjamin POSITIVE: A MEMOIR POPULAR: VINTAGE WISDOM FOR A MODERN GEEK by Maya Van Wagenen Nic Sheff TWEAK: GROWING UP ON METHAMPHETAMINES Kate Sullivan, Senior Editor of YA & MG books at Delacorte THE ABSOLUTELY TRUE DIARY OF A PART-TIME INDIAN by Sherman Alexie Michael Bourret, agent with DGLM GLASS CASTLE Jeanette Walls Julia Sweeny, IF IT'S NOT ONE THING, IT'S YOUR MOTHER Ira Glass, This American Life Billy Ray, screenwriter Holly Goldberg Sloan, COUNTING BY 7S Erin Jade Lange, author of BUTTER (listen to her First Draft interview here) New Yorker article: The Scourge of Relatability Melissa de la Cruz OFF THE BOAT David Leviathan, HOLD ME CLOSER: THE TINY COOPER STORY, and Tiny Cooper musical GODLESS by Pete Hautman Laura McNeal DARK WATER FAR FAR AWAY by Tom McNeal Maria Semple THIS ONE IS MINE, WHERE’D YOU GO BERNADETTE Natalie Goldberg WRITING DOWN THE BONES Anne Lamott BIRD BY BIRD: SOME INSTRUCTIONS ON WRITING AND LIFE |
Tue, 15 September 2015
Do you know the difference between a blacksmith and a ferrier? Mackenzi Lee, debut author of THIS MONSTROUS THING (out Sept. 22!), does! Learn about that, Mary Shelley, and so much more in our Harvard Square conversation!
Mackenzi Lee Show Notes The Coop in Harvard Square Pirates of the Caribbean (movie) THE STRANGER by Albert Camus Avi, author of THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE, and CRISPIN: THE CORSS OF LEAD Richard Peck, A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO THE GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale Margaret Murphy (British crime fiction) DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma THE THIEF LORD by Cornelia Funke LEVIATHAN by Scott Westerfeld Mary Wollstonecraft A VINDICATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN THE LADY AND HER MONSTERS by Roseanne Montillo BONES AND ALL by Camille DeAngelis THE ART OF ASKING by Amanda Palmer |
Tue, 8 September 2015
Nicola Yoon, debut author of EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING, talks about her secret foosball skills, the mix tape that won her husband over, and the 4 AM fish that turned her book into an unusual story.
Nicola Yoon Show Notes Nicola Yoon’s one-sentence story on The Butter by Roxanne Gay Life is Strange (video game) Final Fantasy (video game) ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins Wendy Wunder, THE PROBABILITY OF MIRACLES Charlotte Huang FOR THE RECORD Veronica Roth, her First Draft Podcast Harold and Kumar (movie) Before Sunrise (movie) |
Thu, 20 August 2015
Take a siesta with fast-talking goofball C. Alexander London, author of new middle grade series THE WILD ONES, talk diverse sci-fi with smooth-talker Alex London, and even get a glimpse of the elusive non-fiction writer Charles London in the first interview with a built-in drinking game! Also: adorable dog noises. C Alexander London Show Notes IT by Stephen King REDWALL by Brian Jacques Anna Freud child psychologist Robert Coles child psychiatrist at Harvard THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de Saint-Exupery ONE DAY THE SOLDIERS CAME by Charles London Walter Lord A NIGHT TO REMEMBER and DAY OF INFAMY Blood Diamond (movie) Upton Sinclair THE JUNGLE Truman National Security Fellowship ENDER’S GAME by Orson Scott Card (and his homophobia) GIOVANNI’S ROOM by James Baldwin THE GREAT GREENE HEIST by Varian Johnson THE YOUNG ELITES by Marie Lu Tim Federhle BETTER NATE THAN EVER GRACEFULLY GRAYSON by Ami Polonsky |
Thu, 13 August 2015
In which I refer to the trajectory of the life of Adi Alsaid, author of LET’S GET LOST and NEVER, ALWAYS, SOMETIMES as his “plot line,” we discuss the power of imaginary places, and he answers my hundreds of questions about being trilingual. Enjoy! Adi Alsaid Show Notes ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson Emilia Rhodes with Alloy Entertainment She’s All That (movie) THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL SORROWS OF AVA LAVENDER by Leslye Walton SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertali |
Tue, 4 August 2015
Little did I know when I met up with Brandy Colbert, author of POINTE and LITTLE AND LION, due out 2017, that I was meeting my future roommate and one of my best writing buddies. She's the cat's pajamas, and I hope you enjoy our convo as much as I did! Brandy Colbert Show Notes Clueless (movie) NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) CRACKED UP TO BE by Courtney Summers LIVING DEAD GIRL by Elizabeth Scott Center Stage (movie) Brandy’s post on Nova Ren Suma’s blog about the book of her heart I Know My First Name Is Steven (movie) ZZ Packer DRINKING COFFEE ELSEWHERE Colson Whitehead SAG HARBOR Judy Blume’s IGGIE’S HOUSE |
Tue, 28 July 2015
Drink 'em if you got 'em: Join me and Sarah McCarry (aka The Rejectionist), author of ALL OUR PRETTY SONGS, DIRTY WINGS, and the third book in the trilogy, ABOUT A GIRL, as we talk about mosh pits, the gift of anonymity, and waiting for the end of the world in a temperate rain forest. HEADS UP -- this interview has significant background noise, so I'm providing a transcript of our entire conversation (even more than appears in the audio episode)!
Sarah McCarry Show Notes HARRIET THE SPY by Louise Fitzhugh THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt TAM LIN by Pamela Dean Sara Goodman at St Martin’s THE INTERN (aka Hilary T Smith, listen to her First Draft interview here) Nathan Bransford’s blog Francesca Lia Block WEETZIE BAT Gift (movie) Jane’s Addiction (band) GIRL WALKING BACKWARDS by Bett Williams TRIBES OF PALOS VERDES by Joy Nicholson Sarah Hannah Gomez, Sumayyah Daud (her First Draft interview), Kaye
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Wed, 22 July 2015
Nina LaCour, author of Morris Award nominated HOLD STILL, THE DISENCHANTMENTS, and EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU, is a freaking delight. Join us as we discuss west coast travels, novels springing from one beautiful sentence, and Nina’s story about a school visit that makes me cry every time I hear it.
Nina LaCour Show Notes John Green LOOKING FOR ALASKA SPEAK by Laurie Halse Anderson FAT KID RULES THE WORLD by K.L. Going THE FIRST PART LAST by Angela Johnson FOREVER by Judy Blume Zoetrope All Story fiction contest National Center for Lesbian Rights Like Crazy (movie)
SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertali |
Tue, 30 June 2015
Apply SPF 70 and get into the shade with me and John Corey Whaley, author of Printz and Morris award-winning WHERE THINGS COME BACK and National Book Award finalist for NOGGIN, while we talk about vague endings in teenage stories, the magic of librarians, and when books just don’t work. John Corey Whaley Show Notes Jessica Love, and her First Draft interview THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky THE CATCHER IN THE RYE by J.D. Salinger ALLEGIANT by Veronica Roth (her First Draft podcast interview) SLAUGHTERHOUSE-FIVE by Kurt Vonnegut Holly Goldberg Sloan COUNTING BY SEVENS |
Tue, 16 June 2015
Find a spot to sit in the sun and enjoy my conversation with the lovely Robin Benway, author of AUDREY, WAIT!, THE EXTRAORDINARY SECRETS OF APRIL, MAY & JUNE, the ALSO KNOWN AS series, and EMMY AND OLIVER, out now!
Robin Benway Show Notes Rob Roberge, author and teacher at UCLA extension Book Soup in West Hollywood, CA David Leviathan THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky My So-Called Life (TV Show) Freaks and Geeks (TV Show) Rachel Cohn, author of YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME and others, and co-author of DASH AND LILY'S BOOK OF DARES Rooney’s “I’m a Terrible Person” (song) Velvet Underground, Joni Mitchell, Lou Reed, The Smiths, Suede Ally Carter (Heist Society series) Article with Joss Whedon (inspiration for Firefly) Stephanie Perkins ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER John Green THE FAULT IN OUR STARS |
Tue, 9 June 2015
Holy Harry Potter superfans, it’s Adam Silvera! He calls himself tall for no reason, but I think the reason is he is solidly 6 foot something worth of awesome. Grab a comfy chair and enjoy my delightful chat with the debut author of MORE HAPPY THAN NOT about his self-made MFA, reppin’ the Bronx, and the theme of choice in all our lives. Adam Silvera Show Notes Charmed (TV show) Supernatural (TV show) SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater Brooks Sherman, Adam’s agent Hannah Ferguson, literary agent WINGER by Andrew Smith NOGGIN by John Corey Whaley ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE by Benjamin Alire Saenz SIMON VS THE HOMO SAPIEN AGENDA by Becky Albertalli ELEANOR AND PARK by Rainbow Rowell MY HEART AND OTHER BLACK HOLES by Jasmine Warga THE BLUEST EYE by Toni Morrison Joseph Delaney THE LAST APPRENTICE Heidi Schulz HOOK’S REVENGE THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster THE WIZARD OF OZ by L. Frank Baum Courtney C. Stevens FAKING NORMAL
Julie Murphy SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY |
Thu, 14 May 2015
Settle in somewhere quiet and contemplate the beauty around you with Hilary T Smith, author of WILD AWAKE and A SENSE OF THE INFINITE, out May 19! Hilary T Smith Show Notes WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE: EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BIPOLAR BUT WERE TOO FREAKED OUT TO ASK Hilary’s guest post on YA Highway about how to be a nomad DUNE by Frank Herbert |
Fri, 8 May 2015
Petite in stature, big in life experience and YA book feels, join me and Corey Ann Haydu, author of OCD LOVE STORY, LIFE BY COMMITTEE, and MAKING PRETTY, out May 12, as we talk acting, traveling, loneliness, and the shifting, shifty concept of “work.” Corey Ann Haydu Show Notes Corey’s essay on loneliness SAVVY by Ingrid Law LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow RULES FOR STEALING STARS, Corey's new middle grade book, due out September 2015 Susan Van Metre, teacher at the New School MFA program BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA by Katherine Paterson
THE LAST OF THE REALLY GREAT WHANGDOODLES by Julie Andrews Edwards |
Thu, 23 April 2015
Get your taste buds ready for a walk through a farmer’s market, and a kitchen-based adventure with Kristin Halbrook, author of NOBODY BUT US and EVERY LAST PROMISE (out now!). Kristin Halbrook Show Notes TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer BALLADS OF SUBURBIA by Stephanie Kuehnert HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff JELLICOE ROAD by Melina Marchetta HOW TO WRITE THE BREAK OUT NOVEL by Donald Maass
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Thu, 16 April 2015
Join me and Erin Bowman, author of the TAKEN trilogy—the final book, FORGED, is out now!—and the forthcoming VENGEANCE ROAD as we talk imposter syndrome, the lasting impact of Harry Potter, and how the Internet made living in the woods way less lonely. Erin Bowman Show Notes REWORK (book about startups) by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson Pub Rants, Kristin Nelson’s agency website Firefly (TV show)
STEAL LIKE AN ARTIST by Austin Kleon |
Tue, 7 April 2015
Get yourself a Big Gulp of caffeine and sit back as Amy Spalding, author of THE REECE MALCOLM LIST, INK IS THICKER THAN WATER, and KISSING TED CALLAHAN (AND OTHER GUYS), out April 7, talks discovering voice, diving into experiences that scare you, and how soon her books will let you travel every neighborhood in LA without leaving the couch. Amy Spalding Show Notes THE PRINCESS DIARIES by Meg Cabot Studio City tattoo (Mike Erwin) NICK AND NORA’S INFINITE PLAYLIST by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan Easy A (film)
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Tue, 31 March 2015
Join me as I chat with Amy Tintera, author of REBOOT and REBEL, and the forthcoming RUINED series (due out Summer 2016!), about how screenplays are more than just dialogue, living in every time zone in the U.S., and embarking on new starts. Amy Tintera Show Notes Garden State (movie) DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor Nathan Bransford, QueryShark, Absolute Write SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi THE SELECTION by Kiera Cass CINDER by Marissa Meyer DIVERGENT by Veronica Roth SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J Maas GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson GAME OF THRONES by George R R Martin IF I STAY by Gayle Forman ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER by Stephanie Perkins
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Wed, 18 March 2015
Grab a Fiji water and a pillow mint and imagine you’re in a Boston hotel room with me and Veronica Roth, author New York Times bestselling DIVERGENT series, as we talk about writing being the way grown-ups get to play pretend, embracing critique, and marveling at people who think first drafts are fun. |
Fri, 13 March 2015
Join me and Jessica Love, author of PUSH GIRL and the forthcoming IN REAL LIFE, as we hang with her dogs on a sun-soaked southern California balcony to talk pen pals, world travels, and hear what slang the kids are using these days. Jessica Love Show Notes Brand New “Sic Transit Gloria” the inspiration for her first NaNo book Punchline (band) “Ghostie,” “Universe” Blue of Colors (band) “Your Face” THIS LULLABY by Sarah Dessen STORY by Robert McFee THE ART OF FICTION by John Gardner Push Girls on Sundance Catfish (TV show) DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor Jessica BS (@JeskuhBS) 500 Days of Summer (movie) BEAUTIFUL ADDICTIONS by Season Vining Melissa Landers YA sci-fi (four adult romances under Macy Beckett)
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Tue, 24 February 2015
One of my favorite humans, Kate Hart is author of AFTER THE FALL, due out in 2016 from FSG, and is basically everywhere on the internet. She and I took a break from a marathon Twilight series re-watch to talk witches and talking birds, what a gross word “networking” is, and finding the courage to tell our stories. Also Twilight.
Kate Hart Show Notes Badass Ladies You Should Know (my interview here!) Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeleine L'Engle Kate's agent Michelle Andelman Natural State Treehouses, Kate's family treehouse business! R&R = revise and resubmit THE HANDMAID’S TALE by Margaret Atwood "The Yellow Wallpaper" by by Charlotte Perkins Gilman DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE by Laini Taylor Stacked, librarian book blog
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Tue, 24 February 2015
Imagine yourself in sunny San Diego as Stephanie Diaz, author of EXTRACTION and its sequel, REBELLION, out February 10, talks about moving from film to books, querying before high school, and the scary reality of moving cross-country. Stephanie Diaz Show Notes THE EGYPT GAME by Zilpha Keatley Snyder HIS DARK MATERIALS by Phillip Pullman IF I STAY and WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner THIS SHATTERED WORLD, and its sequel, THESE BROKEN STARS Firefly (TV show)
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Tue, 17 February 2015
Grab a seat poolside with Erin Jade Lange, author of BUTTER, DEAD ENDS, and the forthcoming REBEL BULLY GEEK PARIAH, as she talks about abandoning the Midwest, the lasting impacts of bullying, and her personal vendetta against "Larry" McAfee. Erin Jade Lange Show Notes Dark Heart (from Care Bears) WINTERGIRLS by Laurie Halse Anderson Ilsa Bick (ASHES)
Gemma Burgess (agent) |
Thu, 12 February 2015
Have a sunny afternoon coffee with me and Victoria Aveyard, debut author of RED QUEEN (out Feb. 10!), as we discuss the Venn diagram of her screenwriting and author careers, why Hollywood won’t make the next Star Wars without novelists, and Pokemon (obviously)! Victoria Aveyard Show Notes FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY by E.L. James WOOL by Hugh Howey Suzie Townsend, Pouya Shahbazian, and Joanna Volpe of New Leaf Literary Gennifer Hutchison, screenwriter for THE RED QUEEN Looper (film) |
Tue, 27 January 2015
Take a champagne break as I chat with Megan Shepherd, author of A COLD LEGACY, the final installment of THE MADMAN’S DAUGHTER series (out Jan. 27), about the magic of Asheville, Jack versus Sawyer, and the allure of historical fantasy over mimosas! Megan Shepherd Show Notes Blog post of Megan’s YA book event at her parents’ book store STOLEN by Lucy Christopher Alvina Ling (Editor-in-Chief, Little, Brown) THE ISLAND OF DOCTOR MOREAU by H.G. Wells THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE by Robert Louis Stevenson FRANKENSTEIN by Mary Shelley FEAR STREET by R.L. Stine THE CAGE, the first book in Megan’s next series, out May 26! The Chocolate Lounge in Asheville |
Tue, 20 January 2015
I was in nerd heaven chatting with Margaret Stohl, co-author of the New York Times best-selling BEAUTIFUL CREATURES series, author of ICONS and IDOLS, and hard at work at the YA novel based on Marvel’s Black Widow. The frenetic energy of an evil genius, and the degrees to match, Margie talked about her experiences being the only girl in the room for her years running a video game company, always checking wardrobes for Narnia, and the origin of YALLFest/YALLWest. Margaret Stohl Show Notes Jeffrey Wright (actor) William Wordsworth, Clark Coolidge Ron Howard (actor/director) Zork: Nemesis, Zork: Grand Inquisitor (video games) THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE C.S. Lewis THE DARK IS RISING by Susan Cooper Apocalypse (video game) CHILDHOOD’S END by Arthur C. Clarke Ned Vizzini (his obituary) HARRY BOSCH series by Michael Conneley Jonathan Sanchez, Blue Bicycle Books
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Tue, 13 January 2015
YA author Julie Murphy, who wrote SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY and has a new book, DUMPLIN’, coming out this year from Balzer + Bray, meets me in Texas to talk epic homecoming mums, unlikeable characters, and how she thought Twilight was a boy band. Julie Murphy Show Notes ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins Drop Dead Gorgeous (film) TITHE by Holly Black WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr Kristin Travenio (Irving County Library YA librarian) Blue Valentine (film) “Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Alessandra Balzer at Balzer + Bray |
Tue, 6 January 2015
Katie Coyle, debut author of VIVIAN APPLE AT THE END OF THE WORLD, talks about how Thorin Oakenshield taught her she wasn’t cut out to act, writing ghosts and magic into her hometown, and how Neil Gaiman gave her her big break.
Katie Coyle Show Notes Katie’s wedding picture in which she and her friend re-enact THE HOBBIT PRETTY MONSTERS by Kelly Link The Young Writer’s Prize by Hot Key Press Cathy Day, represented by Sarah Burnes, professor at Pitt Rachel Fershleiser of Tumblr THE DISREPUTABLE HISTORY OF FRANK LANDAU BANKS by E Lockhart Tavi from Rookie I CAPTURE THE CASTLE by Dodie Smith |
Tue, 23 December 2014
Boisterous, eloquent, and just the tiniest bit zany, Cynthia Leitich Smith, New York Times best-selling author of TANTALIZE and RAIN IS NOT MY INDIAN NAME, took me out for tacos and taught me a thing or twelve. I loved hearing her wise words on diversity in YA, paying it forward with newer writers, and writing 200 drafts of a single picture book.
Cynthia Leitich Smith Show Notes Ming Doyle, illustrator for Cynthia’s graphic novels Deborah Noyse at Candlewick press (editor) SANTA KNOWS illustrated by Steve Bjorkman (edited by Mark McVeigh at Dutton) FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER by E.L. Konigsburg
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Tue, 16 December 2014
Myra McEntire, author of the HOURGLASS series, is as refreshing as a cool glass of sweet tea, and it was a joy to sit with her and talk British TV, living with intention, and handling life’s unexpected curveballs.
Myra McEntire Show Notes Trixie Belden series Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris WTF With Marc Maron (podcast) Stuff You Should Know (podcast) Stuff You Missed In History Class (podcast) The Spy Museum podcast, SpyCast Mental Illness Happy Hour (podcast) The Domestic CEO (podcast) Get It Done Guy's Quick Dirty Tips (podcast) The Savvy Psychologist (podcast) Welcome to Night Vale (podcast) SIMS homeless blog, Alice and Kev, The Story of Being Homeless in The SIMS 3 Keeping Up Appearnces (BBC sitcom) Kevin Williamson (writer for VD) SUPERFUDGE by Judy Blume THE SHADOW GATE, Myra McEntire’s middle grade series on Storybird with Molly O’Neill CJ Redwine, Jodi Meadows, MG Buehrlen, Courtney C Stevens (hear Court's podcast interview here!) |
Thu, 11 December 2014
The delightful Alison Cherry, author of RED and FOR REAL (out December 9!) talks traumatic revision experiences, life foreshadowing, “guerrilla friending” — and her cats give us some all-star background purring.
Alison Cherry Show Notes Literary agent Holly Root Strauss opera, Die Frau ohne Schatten (The Woman without a Shadow) CHAOS WALKING trilogy by Patrick Ness Wendy Loggia, Executive Editor at Random House Children's Books/Delacorte Press Caela Carter, MY BEST FRIEND MAYBE Kara Thomas (Taylor) Maureen Johnson, "Don't be afraid to suck."
Holly Root, "Keep your eyes on your own paper." |
Tue, 2 December 2014
Talking with the wise and lovely Courtney C. Stevens, author of FAKING NORMAL and THE BLUE-HAIRED BOY, about building a writing community, writing how rock climbing made her a better writer. Courtney C Stevens Show Notes Ruta Sepetys and Sharon Cameron Harper Impulse series |
Thu, 20 November 2014
Talking to Kaitlin Ward, whose debut novel BLEEDING EARTH is due out in Fall 2015, about the SIMS, teen horror, how she recovered from losing her first agent, and what video games inspire her.
Kaitlin Ward Show Notes WHEEL OF TIME series by Robert Jordan THE GIVER by Lois Lowry THE GOLDEN COMPASS by Phillip Pullman REDWALL by Brian Jacques MRS. FRISBY AND THE RATS OF NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien ERAGON by Christopher Paolini TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer THIS IS NOT A TEST by Courtney Summers (and the sequel, PLEASE REMAIN CALM) Goosebumps, Fear Street, Christopher Pike Michelle Schusterman (listen to her First Draft interview here!) ANIMAL FARM by George Orwell |
Wed, 12 November 2014
I meet up with Stephanie Kuehn at a lovely holiday retreat in Vermont, where she set her Morris-award-winning debut, CHARM AND STRANGE. Steph is deeply thoughtful and incredibly silly in equal measure, which makes her simply delightful. As we sat on a back porch with kids playing in a nearby hammock, we talked about Steph’s boarding school days, romanticizing Vermont, movie making, how starting to run gave her the confidence to start writing, and the experience of winning the Morris Award. I also refer to Mark Zuckerberg as a “millionaire.” Sorry for the downgrade, Zucks. Stephanie Kuehn Show Notes THE SECRET HISTORY by Donna Tartt COMMITTING JOURNALISM by Dannie Martin and Peter Y. Sussman The Wicker Man (film) The Conformist (film) Vertigo (film) |
Fri, 7 November 2014
The conversation continues, with Libba Bray, Printz award-winning YA author of THE DIVINERS and GOING BOVINE, discussing how she came to children's literature, the struggle to balance honesty with self-preservation, and writing with depression. Libba Bray Part 2 Show Notes Aaron Zimmerman, New York Writers Coalition SAVE THE CAT by Blake Snyder Save The Movie, by Peter Suderman in Slate (the "why are all movies the same?" article) "Miles and Miles of No Man's Land," Libba Bray’s post about depression Stephanie Perkins' blog post about depression "The Shame of Depression," by Myra McEntire HELTER SKELTER by Vincent Bugliosi, Curt Gentry
CARRIE by Stephen King |
Tue, 4 November 2014
The only thing better than getting to chat with YA icon Libba Bray (author of New York Times best-selling series A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY, Printz award-winner GOING BOVINE, and genuinely terrifying historical paranormal THE DIVINERS, among others) about writing was getting to chat with her about life. Libba is as hilarious as she is wise, and our conversation was so fun, I decided to cut it into two parts rather than leave an hour or more on the cutting-room floor. In this episode, Libba talks about having her rock collection stolen as a kid, that one time Wes Anderson helped stage a play she wrote, and talks about how growing up in Texas set her head at a certain tilt. Libba Bray Show Notes Seven Samurai, directed by Akira Kurosawa CHARLOTTE'S WEB by E.B. White I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS by Maya Angelou THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD by Zora Neale Hurston FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS by Ernest Hemingway THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster Neil Simon plays Agent Sarah Burnes HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT by Natalie Standiford Fitness Focus Form and Function with Marky Mark Peter Marks, theater critic of the New York Times and the Washington Post |
Mon, 20 October 2014
Meeting with Natalie Standiford was like stepping into a world where all my teen fantasies about what life as a writer would look like (amazing NY apartment, effortlessly chic clothes, a separate office with built-in shelves and a bass amp in the corner). It was only made better by the fact that Natalie’s books - HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT, THE BOY ON THE BRIDGE, CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS and so many more - are beautiful, thoughtful, and filled with quirky nuance, just like the books I dreamed (dream!) of writing. Natalie is so sweet and welcoming, and had wise, wise words about building up an immunity to writer’s block, writing about real-world fairylands, and finding creative release outside the written word.
Natalie Standiford Show Notes FEAR STREET (THE CHEATER; LIGHTS OUT; THE SECRET; THE BURNING; THE FEAR STREET SAGA) Sarah Burnes, agent at The Gernet Co., who represents Natalie (and me!) Annie Hall, film Jane O’Connor, FANCY NANCY Hilary Knight (illustrator of Eloise) GOSSIP GIRL by Cecily von Ziegesar THE CLIQUE by Lisi Harrison THE DATING GAME by Natalie Standiford Disney ELLE WOODS books Harold and Maude (movie) BITTERBLUE by Kristin Cashore and her blog post about starting over Darcey Steinke, adult novelist David Levithan, author and editor at Scholastic, the “camp counselor of the YA writers.” Dan Ehrenhaft (Editorial Director, Soho Teen, guitarist of Tiger Beat) Libba Bray (novelist, lead singer of Tiger Beat) Barnabas (Barney) Miller (author, drummer of Tiger Beat)
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Thu, 16 October 2014
Q&A Show Notes NAME OF THE ROSE, Natasha Romanov comic by Marjorie Lu BookPeople in Austin The Strand in NYC Parnassus Books in Nashville The Last Bookstore in LA Politics and Prose in D.C., and Modern Times coffeeshop NIMONA by Noelle Stevenson (aka Gingerhaze)
HYPERBOLE AND A HALF by Allie Bosh |
Mon, 13 October 2014
Cat Winters, author of Morris Award finalist IN THE SHADOW OF BLACKBIRDS and THE CURE FOR DREAMING (out Oct. 14!) is kind, thoughtful, and soft-spoken, but don’t be surprised if she tells you she was wandering the Oregon woods on the last full moon. Cat Winters Show Notes
THE THORN BIRDS by Colleen McCullough REBECCA by Daphne Du Marier SCBWI (The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) The Watcher in the Woods (Disney movie) Something Wicked This Way Comes (movie) SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury THE GHOST NEXT DOOR by Wylly Folk St. John The Man Who Believed In Fairies, article on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Tom Huntington Kristen Lawrence Halloween Carols ("Dark Glass") THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern SLASHER GIRLS AND MONSTER BOYS from Jessica Garrison at Dial DRACULA by Bram Stoker |
Mon, 6 October 2014
Marie Lu is small only in a strictly physical sense. Her books are big - New York Times best-seller big - and her creativity, both as a novelist and an artist, is awe-inspiring. The written word taught Marie a new language, got her through high school, led her to take a chance on leading a creative life at a pivotal moment as college came to an end, and is now giving her the chance to see the world. Marie has truly inspiring things to say about when to recognize that you aren’t good enough for a story, how her visual thinking shows in her work, and what the push for diversity in YA has taught her. Marie Lu Show Notes IN THE FOREST OF THE NIGHT by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes Kristin Nelson, Marie’s agent Pike’s Peak Writer’s Conference The graphic novel of Rachelle Mead’s VAMPIRE ACADEMY Heather Brewer’s vampire series, EIGHTH GRADE BITES Kaari with Caravan Studios Rainbow Rowell’s project writing a graphic novel Kiersten White and Jim DiBartolo on IN THE SHADOWS THE JOY LUCK CLUB by Amy Tan "Yes, No, Meh" With Marie and Veronica Roth on CNN |
Thu, 2 October 2014
A chat with Beth Revis, author of the New York Times best-selling ACROSS THE UNIVERSE series, including a new book from that world, THE BODY ELECTRIC, due out Oct. 7! Beth talks about the ten years she spent writing before her breakout novel, and how invaluable the writing community has been to keeping her sane. Beth Revis Show Notes The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis Sweet Valley High series The Babysitter’s Club series THINGS FALL APART by Chinua Achebe NIGHT by Elie Weisel DEAD MAN’S HAND, edited by John Joseph Adams PETTICOATS AND PISTOLS, edited by Jessica Spotswood Firefly, television show Jessica Spotswood, Marie Lu, Andrea Creamer Beth’s Pinterest board HYPERBOLE AND A HALF by Allie Brosh
RUIN AND RISING by Leigh Bardugo |
Mon, 29 September 2014
Meagan Spooner, author of LARK ASCENDING (out Oct. 1!), the final installment of the Skylark Trilogy, and is co-author of the Starbound Trilogy with Amie Kaufman. Meagan is bright, cheery and welcoming, with the self-assuredness of a girl who has crossed the globe more than once. We talk about her roots in the theater, how fairy tales are the OG fanfic, and that one time her house burned down. Meagan Spooner Show Notes STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert A. Heinlein CONTACT by Carl Sagan THE GIVER by Lois Lowry THE DRAGON RIDERS OF PERN by Anne McCaffrey Odyssey writing workshops Claire Legrand (listen to her podcast interview here!) SIDEWAYS STORIES FROM WAYSIDE SCHOOL by Louis Sachar and Adam McCauley IN A DARK, DARK ROOM by Alvin Schwartz and Dirk Zimmer Delia Sherman and Ellen Kushner The Tolkien quote about the "leaf-mould of the mind" |
Wed, 24 September 2014
Rachel Fershleiser Show Notes Housing Works Bookstore Cafe in NY Eat Your Feelings: Stories of Food, Jews & Your Mom, with Jami Attenberg and friends Booksmith, Book People, and Tattered Cover (bookstores) Stock Tips zine Kickstarter Tumblr's Reblog Book Club ELEANOR AND PARK and FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell Gingerhaze on Tumblr (Noelle Stevenson) Simini Blocker on Tumblr Ampersand from YadyKates on Etsy YA Highway on Tumblr WeNeedDiverseBooks campaign Emily Schultz, author of JOYLAND, Spending Stephen King’s Money SO MUCH PRETTY by Cara Hoffman President Obama Tumblr Q&A YA author Leigh Bardugo Hot Key Books Young Writers competition, previous winner Katie Coyle Emily Hughes, who runs Random House’s Tumblr THE MAN OF MY DREAMS by Curtis Sittenfeld Tana French, Gillian Flynn, Megan Abbott, Laura Lippman NOBODY IS EVER MISSING by Catherine Lacey HIGH AS THE HORSES' BRIDLES by Scott Cheshire Emily Gould, author and co-owner of Emily Books Celeste Ng, author |
Fri, 19 September 2014
Gretchen McNeil, author of YA books POSSESS, TEN, 3:59, and GET EVEN (out this week, from Baltzer + Bray!) welcomed me to her home in L.A. for a great conversation about the pros and cons of fast drafting, grassroots marketing, and how to balance being a writer and an extrovert. And her adorable puppy Wolfgang makes an appearance, too! Gretchen McNeil Show Notes TITHE by Holly Black WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr T.S. Ferguson (Amy's editor at Harlequin TEEN) RT = Romantic Times Book Lover's Convention ALA = American Library Association Diane Setterfield, THE THIRTEENTH TALE |
Sun, 14 September 2014
Heidi Schulz Show Notes
Australorp breed of chickens J.M. Barrie, author of PETER PAN and PETER PAN AND WENDY Peter Pan (2003 film) Brooks Sherman, Heidi’s agent John Hendrix, illustrator for HOOK’S REVENGE Heidi’s drawing of a sad robot being launched into space Claire Legrand, MG author Emma Trevayne, MG author KidLit authors Beverly Cleary, Diana Wynne Jones, and Judy Blume
Authors of creeptastic things, Stephen King and V. C. Andrews |
Fri, 22 August 2014
Michelle Schusterman, author of the I HEART BAND series and the forthcoming THE KAT SINCLAIR FILES and MAUDEVILLE, is the kind of girl whose conversation feels more like a hug than a handshake. She’s so open-hearted, curious, and kind, it’s no wonder she’s always worked with middle and high school students, across the globe. Michelle Schusterman Show Notes Savvy by Ingrid Law Michelle’s agent Sarah Davies Jordan Hamessly, Michelle’s editor
The Coffeehouse Mystery books by Cleo Coyle |
Wed, 13 August 2014
My good friend and YA author Kirsten Hubbard takes the mic to ask me a few questions for this mini-episode Q&A! We talk about why the podcast got started, why it's been so irregular to date, where it's going in the future, and a discussion of writing while traveling. |
Fri, 8 August 2014
Kara Taylor (soon to be Thomas) has a quick wit and an infectious laugh. In addition to being smart, sharp and funny, she’s a gifted and ambitious writer, crafting YA novels by day (the PREP SCHOOL CONFIDENTIAL series and a forthcoming book in 2016 from Random House) and TV shows by night. I caught up with Kara at her home in Long Island, and she gave me the rundown of her almost accidental television writing gig, how having a chip on her shoulder helps get words on the page, and why city life just isn’t for her. Kara Taylor Show Notes Clip from Jon Stewart bit about Long Island wanting to secede Article on how much money California is losing because TV and movie productions are locating in other cities. Article on the writer of Lethal Weapon |
Wed, 6 August 2014
Claire Legrand has a sweet heart and a dark imagination - a combination that has made for two magical middle grade novels (THE CAVENDISH HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS and THE YEAR OF SHADOWS), and a forthcoming YA, WINTERSPELL, due out September 30 from Simon & Schuster. We met at her home in Princeton, New Jersey to talk scary stories for kids, earning honor badges in life, and finding time amidst the "author" madness to actually write.
Claire LeGrand Show Notes Claire LeGrand’s agent Diana Fox Claire’s blog post about leaving New York Graceling by Kristin Cashore A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley Lucy Ruth Cummins with S&S Sarah Watts, artist for covers with S&S Karl Kwasny, artist for Year of Shadows with S&S E.T.A. Hoffmann's original Nutcracker His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik Story by Robert McKee |
Fri, 25 July 2014
Ellen Oh has been called a force of nature, and it’s true - the woman can get things done. But she’s also a fierce friend and loving mom, whose nearly decade-long quest to publication with debut novel PROPHECY was started because she couldn’t find books that reflected her story, or the Korean history she found so fascinating. Ellen can be series, sure (I mean, she _was_ a lawyer), but her laugh is infectious and she’s a laser-focused ball of energy when it comes to talking about history, how her kids are her toughest critique partners, and of course, spearheading the We Need Diverse Books campaign. |
Wed, 23 July 2014
The lovely Cristin Terrill invited me over to discuss theater, Sir Ian McKellen buying tea, and her recent decision to admit a planned sequel to her debut novel, All Our Yesterdays, was not a workable project. Cristin is funny and quick, and her kindhearted vibe may have something to do with the fact that she knows she has a safety net: dog grooming school. |
Tue, 22 July 2014
Petite and a bit quiet, Lindsay Smith has a bit of a mysterious vibe. And once she starts talking, it only gets more interesting! YA's John le Carré, Lindsay is a history buff who is fluent in Russian, and her debut novel, SEKRET, and its follow-up, SKANDAL (due in April 2015 from Roaring Brook Press) explore what would happen if Russia were hiding paranormally-enhanced super-humans behind the iron curtain during the Cold War. Pretty awesome stuff. Lindsay invited me over to talk 20th century politics, the round-the-clock nature of D.C.'s creative types, and the sheer terror of trying to write for adults. |
Mon, 14 July 2014
Caroline Tung Richmond is a smiling, stylin’ ball of endless positive energy, and with her debut novel set to come out in September (THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, 9/30/14 from Scholastic) I was jazzed to meet up with her in Rockville, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. Caroline is full of incredible advice for writers in the trenches, and gives us a perspective on how being a new mother is hurting and, in some ways, helping her writing process. Also, she schools me on awesome sci-fi references — though Stark Trek fans should be warned that Caroline admits her memory of Deanna Troi’s fate may be a bit hazy. (But we won’t hold that against her - she has mad TNG cred.) |
Thu, 10 July 2014
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Sat, 5 July 2014
The inaugural First Draft podcast! A discussion with the lovely Sumayyah Daud, 24-year old author of the forthcoming BEGIN AGAIN, about radical happiness, Bill Shakespeare’s butt jokes, and #WeNeedDiverseBooks.
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First Draft with Sarah Enni (Literature)
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