Writer's Digest Presents: Recent Episodes
Writer's Digest
Writer’s Digest Presents is the official podcast of Writer’s Digest, where we’re writers helping writers since 1920. Hosted by the editors of Writer’s Digest, this monthly podcast features interviews with writing and publishing experts whose insights will help ignite your creative vision, hone your skills, build your platform, and get your work out into the world. Join us on the third Tuesday of each month for conversations, interviews, book recommendations, and a writing prompt connected to our episode theme.
AI has infiltrated the creative process, with ChatGPT and other platforms making writing "easier." But the sinister side of this technology has led artificial intelligence down the road of plagiarism, and even identity theft—stealing the likeness of an author and using their name to profit off of work they didn't actually write. Author and instructor Jane Friedman joins content editor Michael Woodson for a discussion about AI, about her recent experience with AI stealing her name to profit on work she didn't write, and what writers can do to safeguard themselves and their writing.
You ever have that experience reading a book where you think it's about one thing, and then slowly it starts to reveal that it's actually about something else? We call this "misdirection," a narrative device that allows writers to write the story they want to write while allowing an undercurrent of what the story is "actually about." In this conversation with editor-in-chief Amy Jones and content editor Michael Woodson sit down with author Lydia Kiesling about how to intentionally misdirect your readers, writing about climate change in realistic fiction, and her new novel Mobility, available in bookstores August 1.
Every summer, the Writer's Digest team heads to New York City for the Annual Writing Conference—three full days of writing advice, keynote sessions, and more (including an opportunity to pitch your story to agents!) Here, editor-in-chief Amy Jones, senior editor Robert Lee Brewer, and content editor Michael Woodson chat with author and instructor Ryan G. Van Clease about the Writer's Digest Annual Conference, why you should attend, and more! To register for the annual conference, click here: https://writersdigestconference.com/register/
In the second installment of Writer's Digest's official book club, we read The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson. Here, Tiffany sits down for a book club chat with editor-in-chief Amy Jones, managing editor Moriah Richard, and content editor Michael Woodson. Beware: spoilers!
What's a literary agent, and how do you know that you've found the right literary agent for you? In this episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," the editors of Writer's Digest sit down to discuss all things literary agents—from what to look for in one to how to find one to begin with!
Then, managing editor Moriah Richard sits down with Margaret Danko, Literary Agent with Paper Over Board.
In this episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," we're discussing writing communities. Editor-in-Chief Amy Jones leads a roundtable discussion with Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer, Managing Editor Moriah Richard, and Content Editor Michael Woodson, about their experiences engaging with writing communities. Then, editors Michael Woodson and Moriah Richard sit down with the founders of PitBLK, an online writing community that is "answering the call for a literary pitch event that amplifies and celebrates Black writers and our work." Then editors Moriah Richard and Michael Woodson end the episode with a Q&A with NaNoWriMo Executive Director Grant Faulkner.
We're so excited to tell you about our Annual Writing Conference, this July 28-31, 2022 in New York City! Listen as Content Editor Michael Woodson tells you about what you can expect at this year's conference, and why we hope to see you there!
School is out and the sun is high: it's time to take to the road and to bring our vacation reads with us! In this episode, the editors chat about the concept of vacation reads, how we choose what books to bring with us on vacation, and more! Vacation Reads Roundtable: Editor-in-chief Amy Jones and Content Editor Michael Woodson sit down with a chat with authors Steven Rowley and Jessica Strawser about how their books make for great vacation reads, how they feel about that title, and more. Writer's Digest Book Club: Content Editor Michael Woodson and Editor-in-chief Amy Jones sit down with author Grace D. Li in a book club conversation about her debut bestseller, Portrait of a Thief. But beware: spoilers ahead!
In this episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," take a look at how world-building impacts your storytelling! Featuring an editorial roundtable discussion, plus managing editor Moriah Richard sits down with author Whitney Hill, and Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer chats with poet Jeannine Hall Gailey!
April is National Poetry Month, and in this episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," we tackle all things poetry! Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer leads the editorial team in a discussion about poetry in their lives, how it impacts their own writing, and the poets that they're reading today. Then, join Robert as he sits down with poets Kelli Russell Agodon, Kim Dower, Timothy Green, and Joseph Mills to discuss the craft, their work, and more! Be sure to stay tuned to the end of the episode for a new writing prompt!
What makes a debut book memorable enough to dive into the author's later work? In our third episode of "Writer's Digest Presents," the WD team talks all about their favorite debut books, chats with debut authors, and more! Featuring: Editor's roundtable discussion of debut books Managing Editor Moriah Richards hosts a debut author roundtable with Mazey Eddings (A Brush With Love), Nita Prose (The Maid), and Christopher Griffin (You Grow, Gurl!). Featured titles: The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr. Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong Beast of a Little Land by Juhea Kim Golden State by Lydia Kiesling Temporary by Hilary Leichter More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic State of the Nation by David Jackson Ambrose The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
February is Flash Fiction Month at WD, and this episode is all about short and flash fiction, nonfiction, and more! Featuring: —Editors roundtable with Editor-In-Chief Amy Jones, Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer, Managing Editor Moriah Richard, and Content Editor Michael Woodson, discussing flash fiction and short stories. —Information about Writer's Digest daily Flash Fiction Challenge on WritersDigest.com. —Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer speaks with Gina Barreca about writing flash nonfiction. —Managing Editor Moriah Richards and Content Editor Michael Woodson answer the rest of your questions in part two of their MFA program conversation. —Editor-in-Chief Amy Jones discusses flash fiction, drabbles, and dribbles with Ran Walker. —Stick around at the end of the episode for a flash fiction writing prompt!
Welcome to Writer's Digest Presents, a monthly podcast of writers helping writers, brought to you by the editors at Writer's Digest! Catch us every third Tuesday of the month with roundtable discussions, author interviews, tips and techniques, writing prompts, and more!
As we enter a new year, we're talking all about beginnings in our first episode. Featuring: —Editors roundtable with Editor-In-Chief Amy Jones, Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer, Managing Editor Moriah Richard, and Content Editor Michael Woodson. —Senior Editor Robert Lee Brewer speaks with author C. Hope Clark about beginning projects. —Is an MFA program right for you? Managing Editor Moriah Richard chats with Content Editor Michael Woodson about the pros and cons of getting an MFA in this first part of a two-part conversation. —Editor-In-Chief speaks with award-winning writer and professor Susan Shapiro about her newest book, The Book Bible. —Stick around at the end of the episode for a writing prompt around the "beginnings" theme!