S2 Ep 07: Nocturnal Creatures with Jessica Keller
Jessica Keller drops by the podcast to discuss the short story 'Nocturnal Creatures' by Saïd Sayrafiezadeh. storystudiochicago.org https://chireviewofbooks.com/
Jun 03, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Chicago Writers Podcast
Interviews with authors, storytellers, literary professionals, and more about the craft and business of writing.
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Episodes
S2 Ep 06: Story of Your Life with Anna Sortino
Author Anna Sortino stops by the podcast to discuss Ted Chiang's 'Story of Your Life.' https://annasortino.com/ https://chireviewofbooks.com/ https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
May 05, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 6
S2 Ep 05: Here is My Heart with Megan Stielstra and Sara Cutaia
Megan Stielstra and Sara Cutaia join the pod to discuss Megan's essay 'Here is My Heart' from THE WRONG WAY TO SAVE YOUR LIFE. https://bsky.app/profile/chicagowriterspod.bsky.social https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 5
S2 Ep 04: Busman's Honeymoon with Jen Coffeen
Jen Coffeen drops by the podcast to discuss the prologue and chapter 1 of BUSMAN'S HONEYMOON by Dorothy Sayers and all the complex romance hidden in this classic detective series. https://www.storystudiochicago.org/ https://chireviewofbooks.com/
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 4
S2 Ep 03: 2025 Preview with the Chicago Review of Books
Rachel's Recommendations Favorite 2024: What's Not Mine by Nora Decter Non-2024 book: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez 2024 book no one read: Dead in Long Beach, California by Venita Blackburn Most anticipated 2025 by a Chicago author: Original Sins by Eve L. Ewing Most anticipated by an author with a long gap since last book: Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Small press titles: The Gloomy Girl Variety Show by Freda Epum Leave: A Postpartum Account by Shayne Terry No Offense: A Memoir...
Feb 03, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 3
S2 Ep 02: A Visit From the Goon Squad with Sara Cutaia
Sara Cutaia joins us to discuss a story from A VISIT FROM THE GOON SQUAD by Jennifer Egan. https://www.storystudiochicago.org/ https://chireviewofbooks.com/ https://arcturus.chireviewofbooks.com/
Jan 06, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 2
S2 Ep 01: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie with James Klise
YA author James Klise joins the first episode of season two to discuss the first chapter of THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE. https://www.storystudiochicago.org/ https://chireviewofbooks.com/
Dec 02, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Ep 55: Best of 2024 (So Far!)
It's a mid-year check in with the Chicago Review of Books! Rachel: Shayla Lawson’s How To Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir Lindsay Hunter’s Hot Springs Drive Nora Decter’s What’s Not Mine Ananda Lima’s Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr! Gianni Washington’s Flowers From the Void Greg: Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar Hello, Beautiful, by Ann Napolitano Perris, California, by Rachel Stark Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil, by Ananda Lima There's Always This Yea...
Aug 05, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Ep 54: Claire Lombardo, Author, on Visualizing Stories, Pacing, and Your Second Book
In this episode, author Claire Lombardo discusses throughlines, visualizing a story, outlining after drafting, pacing, working on multiple projects, and how the second book is the hardest you'll write. https://www.clairelombardo.com/ https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Jul 01, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Ep 53: Ian Endsley, Video Game Developer, on Writing for Games, Structure, and Storytelling Through Player Choice
In this episode, Ian Endsley talks writing for video games, player choice, dialogue, constraints, examples of great writing in games, and the feeling of space. Turnfollow's Games https://www.turnfollow.site/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Jun 02, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Ep 52: Ananda Lima, Author, on Framing Short Stories, Projects That Fit, and Having Fun
In this episode Ananda Lima joins us to discuss poetry, framing short stories, what is horror, great editors, the texture of magical elements, finding a project that fits, and having fun. https://www.anandalima.com/ https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Apr 29, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Ep 51: Cyn Vargas, Author, on the Novella, Residencies, and Finding What's Not Said
In this episode, author Cyn Vargas discusses emotion, the novella, discovering the length of a story, trusting the process, family dynamics in fiction, young perspective, providing for the reader, residencies, finishing your story, and finding what is not being said between characters. https://www.cynvargas.com/ https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Mar 25, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Ep 50: Rowan Beaird, Author, on Copyedits, Character Count, and Community
In this episode, Rowan Beaird discusses having two agents at once, the debut novel, revision, reducing character count, copyedits, timelines, a scene's purpose, elements of great short stories, and the importance of community. https://www.rowanbeaird.com/ https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Feb 26, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 50
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/
Jan 29, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 49
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 http://dionnagriffinirons.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Dec 25, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 48
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 Sande...
Dec 03, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 47
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/
Nov 06, 2023•38 min•Season 1Ep. 46
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 https://www.idranovey.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Oct 21, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 45
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 https://www.storystudiochicago.org/...
Aug 28, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 44
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://northstareditions.com/product/cold-girls/ https://www.instagram.com/maxinerae_author/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/...
Jul 31, 2023•34 min•Season 1Ep. 43
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/
Jun 26, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 42
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 https://gaylebrandeis.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
May 29, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Ep 40: Michael Leali, Author, on Writing Middle Grade, Developmental Edits, and Valuing Your Story
In this episode, author Michael Leali discusses middle grade novels, low-residency MFAs, resonating with young readers, using notecards for developmental edits, tackling big topics in books for kids, staying true to the voice of young people, the importance of humor, what young readers are interested in, how to battle book bans and protect communities, and valuing your own story. Michael Leali https://michaelleali.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/...
Apr 25, 2023•36 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Ep 39: Julia Fine, Author, on Getting Started, Taking Breaks, and Writing as the Reward
In this episode, Julia Fine, author, discusses getting started, research, following the call of your work, preparing your concept, revisions, developmental edits, working on projects over the course of multiple years, taking breaks, writing as the reward, and making choices through a goal. Julia Fine https://www.julia-fine.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Mar 27, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Ep 38: Sarah Terez Rosenblum, Author, on Developmental Editors, Sharing Work, and Why You Should Wear Black When Teaching
In this episode, Sarah Terez Rosenblum, author, discusses using teaching to learn craft, developmental editors, figuring out when to share work, listening, giving yourself permission to say 'I don't know,' the right reasons to take a class, and why you should always wear black when teaching. Sarah Terez Rosenblum https://www.sarahterezrosenblum.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/...
Feb 27, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Ep 37: Rebecca George of Volumes Bookscafe, on Backlists, Sales, and Why Authors Shouldn't Call a Bookstore on a Weekend
In this episode, we talk with Rebecca George, co-owner of Volumes Bookcafe, about running a bookstore, the staying power of physical books, crunching the numbers, backlist sales, Tik Tok's influence on a book's success, how to be a better sales ally as a writer, why short books rock, and why authors shouldn't call a bookstore on a weekend. Volumes https://www.volumesbooks.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/...
Jan 30, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Ep 36: Favorite Books of 2022 with Chicago Review of Books
Recommendations for your TBR pile: Greg's Picks Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Last Summer on State Street by Toya Wolfe Mount Chicago by Adam Levin Groundskeeping by Lee Cole I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai Michael's Picks Book of Extraordinary Tragedies by Joe Meno Beyond Measure by James Vincent How to Build a Home for the End of the World by Keely Shinners Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel From Dusk to Stardust by Kathleen Rooney Rachel's Picks ...
Dec 26, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Ep 35: Jeremy Owens, Writer and Performer, on Live Lit, Putting on a Show, and Whatever Is Going On With Twitter
Jeremy Owens, writer and performer, on live lit, putting together a show, newsletters, and the chaos that is trying to hold onto an online writing community in this day and age. Find Jeremy online at https://linktr.ee/JeremyAshleyOwens Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Nov 28, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Ep 34: Jen and Fraser Coffeen Spooky Story Spectacular
In this episode, Jen and Fraser Coffeen, hosts of the Creepy History Podcast, stop by to talk about all things scary stories - telling them, lessons writers can take from them, and what keeps us up at night. Creepy History Podcast https://creepyhistory.buzzsprout.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/
Oct 30, 2022•42 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Ep 33: Lindsay Hunter, Author, on Flash Fiction, Setting Goals, and Community as Motivation
In this episode, Lindsay Hunter, author, discusses flash fiction, accepting your voice, making the most of your time, making reasonable writing goals, spreadsheets for editing, community as motivation, if you should go to grad school, and what makes Chicago special. Lindsay Hunter https://lindsayhunter.tumblr.com/ I'm a Writer But Podcast https://lindsayhunter.tumblr.com/ Stories Matter Foundation https://www.storystudiochicago.org/...
Sep 26, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 33
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