The Writer's Story

Episode 49: Jody Hobbs Hesler

Kristin and Meredith talk about how hard it is for them to write short stories (and why), and then interview friend and author Jody Hobbs Hesler about her short story collection What Makes You Think You're Supposed to Feel Better.

Episode 48: BettyJoyce Nash

Kristin and Meredith discuss the different publishing options for books these days, and then welcome friend and author BettyJoyce Nash to the podcast. BettyJoyce's first novel, Everyone Here is Kin, is out this month.

Episode 47: Marie Lamba

Kristin and Meredith talk about genre, and then chat with writer and agent Marie Lamba about balancing writing with agenting and how conferences can help you connect to agents and other writers. Marie writes YA and children's books, and is an agent at the Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency.

Episode 46: Kathy Erskine

Kathryn Erskine, our very first guest is back with new adventures to share! Celebrated author of many books for young readers (including National Book Award winning Mockingbird), Kathy, a.k.a. S. G. Lindisfarne is striking out incognito-ish with Compounding Solutions , a cozy mystery for adults. Meredith and Kristin were all ears - and questions - about the pen-name, the process of independently publishing a novel, and about the story itself.  

Episode 45: Kevin McFadden

Kristin and Meredith talk about books as objects. They are joined by Kevin McFadden, poet, letterpress printer, book artist, and member of the creative community at Virginia Center for the Book in Charlottesville. Kevin talks about creating a unique book of pandemic poetry and reads from his collection.

Episode 44: Trudy Hale

Location, location... schmlocation? Meredith and Kristin talk setting, particularly how the site of a writer's creative work affects her writing. Or doesn't. Enter Trudy Hale, this month's guest - a writer herself, editor-in-chief of Streetlight magazine, and the woman behind the storied Porches Writing Retreat. Trudy tells about her writing journey from L.A. to rural VA and points between, and gives a sneak peek behind the magic of the old farmhouse turned artists' haven in Nelson County, VA. 

Episode 43: Kalela Williams

Kristin and Meredith talk about the value of attending literary festivals as a writer (and as a reader) and interview special guest Kalela Williams. Kalela is the new director of the Virginia Center for the Book which oversees the Virginia Festival of the Book, as well as the author of a YA book (coming 2024) The Tangleroot Papers. They discuss upcoming events at the next festival (March 23-26, 2023) as well as her plans for future festivals.

Episode 42: Katharine Herndon

Kristin and Meredith launch the new year with a new podcast angle: topic or theme. This month's is point of view (POV to you writers out there). What is it? How does it affect the story in writing and reading,...? Guest Katharine Herndon joins in the conversation and also shares her experiences with Richmond, VA-based James River Writers, from attending every (!) annual conference as a writer herself to serving in recent years as the organization's Executive Director. 

Episode 41: Mary Alice Hostetter

Kristin and Meredith talk about self-imposed deadlines and celebrating small wins with your writing community. Their guest is Mary Alice Hostetter, author of the memoir PLAIN: A MEMOIR OF A MENNONITE GIRLHOOD. She talks about her life and her path to publication.

Episode 40: Fran Hawthorne

Kristin and Meredith talk about using their iPhone to record their writing ideas when they're away from the computer. Fran Hawthorne is their guest this month, and she talks about her writing journey from journalist to novelist. Her latest novel, I MEANT TO TELL YOU, will be out in November.