Lucy Bellwood writes seafaring comics. When I saw Lucy speak at XOXO this past September, I was absolutely smitten. Not only has she turned her love of tall ships into two crowdfunded comics, she is also incredibly honest about what it takes to live the life of a creative person. She spoke about finances, dreams, and how having a big year can mean recognition and happiness, but that money still plays into the conversation. It was an incredible speech. I knew I had to have her on the show. Thankf...
Dec 01, 2016•56 min
This week, we have a letter from Dal, who is interested in learning about book proposals... I share how book proposals work, and recommend a guide that will help her get all the way through its creation, should she need one at all. Listen up to learn if you need a proposal and how to make that happen. Show notes | Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to...
Nov 29, 2016•10 min
Theresa Reed is the Tarot Lady. As a tarot lover, I was delighted to learn that Theresa Reed was coming out with a tarot book- and that it was also a coloring book. So cool! And so many things we could talk about on the show. Coloring book creation, picking the images to use, what it takes to create a coloring book? We go into it all. Speaking with Theresa was a complete treat. We talk tarot, different learning styles, why mindset is the most important part of reading tarot AND even dive in to h...
Nov 24, 2016•49 min
Getting an agent can be intimidating. It doesn't have to scare you away from meeting the right person. Terra Chalberg of Chalberg & Sussman talks to us this week from inside the literary world. I am so grateful for her generosity and willingness to share her process of connecting with authors and choosing who she'd like to work with as an agent. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone considering going the traditional publishing route. If you've ever wondered how to get an agent and wh...
Nov 17, 2016•42 min
Are you in a media bubble? I knew I wanted to have Meghan Dowell on the show when I met her. We talked about how our access to media and reading changes who we think we are. I was hooked. We talk about everything from print media to bookless libraries to the #syllabus movement that expands study to social media. If you're ready to get your mind blown by all the possibilities for reading out there, you'll be pumped this week. As someone who could stay in school forever and be perfectly happy, I w...
Nov 10, 2016•47 min
Marissa writes in this week because she's taken the plunge into the spiritual world, but it sounds a little bit like she's drowning in it. I talk about my own experiences with spiritual practice in this episode, and you can find links to my suggested books in the show notes. Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy....
Nov 08, 2016•7 min
Heidi Fiedler has worked on over 300 Children's Books. Can I just say 300 books? 300 titles! As Heidi made clear on the show, she did not write all 300 of these books. She has emphasized that children's books are shorter than adult books. Even so, she's been a developmental or series editor and was involved with significant aspects of all 300. We have a lot to learn from this lady. Whether you are into writing children's books or not, her insights on structure and planning out books for continui...
Nov 03, 2016•46 min
This week's letter comes from Kristy, a self-confessed serial dater who'd like to settle down a bit and get to know herself. Listen up to get my full thoughts, and check out the show notes for the books I recommended to Kristy. Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe...
Nov 01, 2016•6 min
Sometimes we all need a good laugh. Mary Laura Philpott was the perfect person to talk to about humor. Her book, Penguins with People Problems, began as a small personal project that made enough people laugh that it was turned into a book. She's just as funny in this interview and I had a blast talking about everything from her book to the book tv show she does and the biggest list of recommended reads I have ever had anyone share on the show. We also dive into social media for book nerds and he...
Oct 27, 2016•49 min
Logan writes in this week looking for trivia and weird knowledge. I love this sort of thing- reading for the absolute joy of it. Listen up for some hot tips and check out the show notes for links to the books I suggested. Sponsored by Pretty By Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe...
Oct 25, 2016•7 min
Colette Lafia is an author, librarian, and spiritual director. We could have talked for hours. Between the influence of her early study of poetry on her writing today, to the struggle of remembering why she's writing when a publisher turns down a proposal, there's so much to relate to in this interview. Colette is a fantastic example of how living a life with many moving parts can feed you as a writer. We talk about the wonderful messages in children's books and how adults can get so much out of...
Oct 20, 2016•43 min
This week, Jane writes in feeling quote overwhelmed about being pregnant and living far away from her family. She wants to know everything there is to know about babies for she and her partner expect their little one. Listen up to find out what NOT to read in this situation. Also, check out the show notes for links to the books I suggested. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to ...
Oct 18, 2016•7 min
I've known Michelle Wetzel since we were in high school together (not so) many years ago. I've been watching the trend and evolution in the world of young readers who create bookstagram accounts and rack up the follower counts into the thousands. Michelle is a high school librarian in Wayne, PA just outside Philadelphia, so she was the perfect person to turn to as I've wanted to dive into the world of young adult readers. If you want to know where the cool kids get their books, this is the episo...
Oct 13, 2016•37 min
I'm loving this week's letter from Jess. She's looking for something to read that is both practical and woo-woo. I've got a few fun suggestions on the show. Check out the show notes so you can read along with her If you enjoy these minisodes, please write in to get your own prescription. Also, feel free to leave practical woo-woo titles in the comments so Jess gets even more book love. Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episo...
Oct 11, 2016•7 min
Stunt journalism is an amazing practice for writing from personal experience. In this episode, you'll learn how to do stunt journalism and how writing can expand your perspective and enjoyment of your own life. Erin Jourdan has taught this process to hundreds of people, both online and in person, with life-altering results. She's got not only anecdotes but current scientific research that we discuss about how writing about your life can change it for the better. This was such an exciting convers...
Oct 06, 2016•50 min
Hello! Welcome to another Dear Book Dr. Minisode. This week's letter comes from Genevieve who's asking about dating and love. It's a tricky subject, since I don't think there is any easy answer and there's no way to guarantee results in the dating realm. With that said, I do think there are books that can help along the way and I can share resources that helped me when I was dating. Show notes with links to suggested books | Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...
Oct 04, 2016•6 min
Natashia Deón is a wonder. When Julia Callahan gave her incredible ability to build networks and community back in Episode 10, I was impressed. But in reading her book, Grace, and speaking with her, I am now in love. Natashia is a novelist, criminal defense lawyer, law professor, and a mom. How does she do all these things? Even she doesn't know. If you've ever wondered how it feels to "make it" in writing- to publish a book, win a prestigious fellowship, and get a glowing New York Times Review,...
Sep 29, 2016•52 min
Oh girl. This episode is close to my heart. This week's letter comes from Megan, who has just finished reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. Here's how to take care of yourself after you finish this amazing book. Show notes with links to book suggestions | Sponsored by Pretty By Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe...
Sep 27, 2016•7 min
Art Books are a category that we haven't explored on the show until now. Krysta Williams is a photographer and book maker and today we discuss the book as object, creating beautiful books, how photography collections get sequenced and how we feel about the future of physical books. (it's a positive discussion, don't worry) In addition, we nerd out about photography, journals, and planners. Learn one of the coolest ways to modify a journal to make it your own that I have seen so far. Show notes f...
Sep 22, 2016•52 min
How can I get back to me? This is a big question from this week's letter. Sheryl has gotten all of her kids off to school and suddenly has her time back to herself and doesn't even remember what hobbies she wants to pursue herself. Listen up to learn how Sheryl can take care of herself and to get a jump on taking care of YOU. Show Notes for this Episode | Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss th...
Sep 20, 2016•7 min
Editing is one of the more mysterious parts of the book creation process. We all know that editing is necessary, but many of us resist doing it. Sending your manuscript to an editor can be terrifying- it might be the first time someone other than your closest confidants has seen it- if anyone at all has seen your book so far. Lindsay is both an editor and a writer, so she's able to talk about the process from both sides. Learn about the little errors that can give away a lack of editing, the dif...
Sep 15, 2016•54 min
Time Management. (Don't we all have issues with this?) This week, Mara writes in asking for help with her challenges in this area. Listen up for 2 book suggestions and a blog that will get you on track with time. Show notes for this episode | Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe...
Sep 13, 2016•7 min
Have you ever wondered about the story you're living? This week, I chat with Jannelle Hardy, who spends a lot of time thinking about the stories we live out in everyday life. This is a topic that fascinates me. We don't just read and write stories and then walk away from them. They stay with us. And I often wonder about where the stories we write come from and why we have favorite books? Have you ever taken a deep dive inside the story you're running in your life? Jannelle and I really look at t...
Sep 08, 2016•55 min
Book Prescriptions are back. When I first launched the Book Dr. site, I responded to people's letters asking for books to help them with their life situations and any conundrums they were facing. As the site has grown and the podcast has been added to the content, I decided I missed these book letters, so here they are again in audio form! This week's letter comes to us from Arthur, who's had a book idea for a long time and is having a lot of trouble getting started... Listen up on iTunes | Show...
Sep 07, 2016•7 min
Book deals. Who among us hasn't dreamed of getting one, if we're totally honest. April Peveteaux has gotten not one, but THREE books published based on the brilliant brand of her blog, Gluten is My B*tch. April and I share a profound disappointment in our inability to digest gluten as well as a powerful hunger for the baked goods and fried foods we can no longer eat. We talk about the need for humor around health issues, talk about the danger of bake sales, and how she made that enviable leap fr...
Sep 01, 2016•52 min
Covers. How many of us have picked books just because we loved the cover and couldn't stop staring at it? I know I have been guilty of that more than once. I've even bought a book I already owned because I loved the new cover design so much. What goes into the magic power that covers have over us? Where does this come from? This week, I talk to LeAnna Smith about the art and science of covers. She's worked with everything from Big 5 titles to those who really want to set their self-published tit...
Aug 25, 2016•47 min
In the beginning, there is the blank page. We've talked a lot about the later parts of a book's life: publishing and distribution and design. This week we're going all the way back to the start. How do you get a book down on the page? What happens when you face the blank page and there is nothing there? What's up with the feeling of having to make a story come out of your head? What do I do with that nasty critical voice that keeps bashing my work as I write? Where does it all come from, anyway?...
Aug 18, 2016•1 hr 8 min
Tosh Berman is one of my favorites. We had a podcast together back in 2008, which was big in Japan. During our podcasting reunion, Tosh shares about the process of publishing books in translation, his own writing adventures, why he went to see Sparks every single night of their London performances in 2008, and details about his re-released poetry collection." The L.A. Times calls Tosh "a Los Angeles original." They are right. In addition to discussing books and writing, Tosh gives some unusual r...
Aug 11, 2016•58 min
It's here! We've hit episode 10 and we are still going strong. Today I'm so happy to have Julia Callahan of Rare Bird Books on the show. She's Director of Marketing and Publicity and dishes on how to best work with a small press. If you've ever wanted to go this route, this is a must listen. In addition, we talk roller derby and about the book celebrity that makes us both totally weak in the knees and sweaty-palmed. sd6zuzwt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a ...
Aug 04, 2016•57 min
Such a juicy conversation, and one that defies a quick episode title. I changed it twice while writing this description. Elora and I covered the gamut, from writing novels, coaching writers, inspiring creativity, traditional vs. self-publishing, to how necessary it is to connect with other people while writing your book. I felt a little high after this conversation, to be honest. It's just that good. Perhaps it's Elora's background in education that helps her make concepts so clear. If you've ne...
Jul 28, 2016•50 min
