Writers' League of Texas Podcast

Some of the bestselling books in recent years have been historical fiction or nonfiction that examines events from the recent or distant past. The appeal of such books is, in part, the joy of immersing ourselves in these long-gone worlds. Yet anyone who tries to write such a story quickly realizes that research and worldbuilding can overwhelm the actual narrative. Novelists Jame L. Haley, Natalia Sylvester, and Sherry Thomas and nonfiction writer Dan Oppenheimer discuss the ways that writers can both bring a historical world to life and also tell a riveting story in this conversation moderated by WLT Program Director Michael Noll.

Novels and memoirs are often described as cinematic, but the truth is that writing for film and television is quite different than writing prose. This panel discussion will focus on how screenplays and scripts are written: How they begin, what makes them work, how to know when they're finished, and how they become stories you watch on the screen, big or small. For this topic, WLT Program Director Michael Noll spoke with experts Jill Chamberlain (founding director of the Screenplay Workshop), Matt Dy (Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition Director, Joe Gross (culture writer for the Austin-American Statesman), & Maya Perez (screenwriter & producer for the Emmy-winning On Story).

Every writer who is a parent or who once read picture books (which means pretty much everyone) has contemplated writing one at some point--and inevitably learned that it's not easy. This panel will deconstruct the parts and structure of picture books, answer commonly-asked questions, and discuss the business of getting books published. WLT Program Director Michael Noll speaks with children's book authors Chris Barton, Jason Gallaher, and Liz Garton Scanlon and author/illustrator Emma Virjan for this conversation.

Texas has a thriving literary scene – are you taking full advantage of the opportunities in your own state, especially in your own backyard? Whether you’re a Texas writer looking for publication, or a book lover who wants to support Texas-owned and operated businesses, you should know about your local bookstores, literary journals, and publishers. In this podcast, WLT Member Services Manager Jordan Smith talks with experts on being independent in Texas. Colleen Devine Ellis of University of Texas Press, Will Evans of Cinestate, Abby Fennewald of BookPeople, and Sunny Leal of fields magazine and Feminine Inquiry.

Every year, thousands of books are published by major publishing imprints, not to mention books from independent publishers and self-published authors. What makes some books stand out while others seem to vanish as soon as they're released? How do publishing houses decide which books will receive their biggest marketing pushes? In September 2017, WLT Executive Director Becka Oliver spoke with Brian Contine (Sales Manager for Penguin Adult), Gillian Redfearn (National Accounts Manager for Macmillan Publishing ), Deanna Roy (six-time USA Today bestselling author) and Julie Wernersbach (Literary Director at the Texas Book Festival) for an inside look at the book-selling process.

Writing and reading may be solitary acts, but their survival depends upon a thriving, supportive literary community. Now more than ever, we need vibrant conversations about great, challenging books and stories. In January 2017, WLT Program Director Michael Noll spoke with panelists Joe Brundidge, Rebecca Markovits, and Richard Santos about the importance of book reviews, journals, and literary events, and practical ways to support them.

First drafts of novels begin with a spark of an idea and a rush of enthusiasm. But after 70-100 pages, that initial clarity often vanishes, along with any sense of the way forward into the book. In November 2016, WLT Program Director Michael Noll and panelists Carolyn Cohagen, Evelyn Palfrey, Rene S. Perez II, and Stacey Swann discussed strategies for shaping early drafts and giving them direction. This is a must-listen for anyone who has thrown themselves into NaNoWriMo or wants to return to a novel draft that they've put aside.

Horror writers like Stephen King and thriller writers like Gillian Flynn make us fear for their characters and look over our own shoulders. But it’s not as easy as writing, “Suddenly someone jumped out of the dark!” How do novels create that spooky, white-knuckle effect? In October, WLT Program Director Michael Noll spoke about these topics and more with writers Amanda Downum, Meg Gardiner, Amy Gentry, and Scott Johnson.

Attending the upcoming Agents & Editors Conference (or a similar event) and need help honing your pitch for consultations, mingling at receptions and general sessions, and other networking opportunities? Or maybe you're ready to contact literary agents and could use help boiling down your project's plot in a brief, intriguing, and marketable way for query letters. This informative and lively discussion features two publishing professionals: a former literary agent and a current publishing sales executive. They'll go over the ABCs (really, the 4Cs) of pitching, including some time for audience participation that will put our two presenters in the hot seat. You'll learn valuable tips from the experts and get your burning questions answered.

We've all heard the statement, "It's like something out of science fiction." Changes in politics and technology often seem to resemble the invented worlds of writers like Philip K. Dick and Ursula K. Le Guin. But those novelists' most famous books were written more than 40 years ago. What stories is this prescient genre creating today? What worlds do writers invent when reality seems so fantastic? At our September 15 Third Thursday, WLT Program Director Michael Noll discussed these issues and more with panelists P.J. (Tricia) Hoover, Marshall Ryan Maresca, Adam Soto, and Rebecca Schwarz.

Writing can feel like a solitary pursuit, but in reality, a strong community can be key to writing success. If you’re seeking motivation to put pen to paper or looking for feedback on your work, finding a writing/critique partner or group can take you and your work to the next level. But how do you go about finding your writing soul mate(s)? And once you’ve found them, how do you deliver effective feedback on others’ work, and how do you keep your group or partnership going? Writing can feel like a solitary pursuit, but in reality, a strong community can be key to writing success. If you’re seeking motivation to put pen to paper or looking for feedback on your work, finding a writing/critique partner or group can take you and your work to the next level. But how do you go about finding your writing soul mate(s)? And once you’ve found them, how do you deliver effective feedback on others’ work, and how do you keep your group or partnership going? At our July 21 Third Thursday, Jordan Smith discussed these issues and more with panelists Nikki Loftin, Karen MacInerney, Ron Seybold.

The poet Lucille Clifton wrote, "The literature of America should reflect the children of America." We couldn't agree more. In this panel conversation, four accomplished writers (Michael Hurd, Varian Johnson, Doyin Oyeniyi, and Jennifer M. Wilks) will discuss why it’s important for readers to seek out diverse books; what can be done to support writers of color (published and just starting out); the ways that writers, publishers, and literary organizations can support diversity in our literature, our programs, and our communities; and the crucial role that black literature plays in shaping the important conversation on race in our country today. For this August 18 Third Thursday program, the Writers' League partnered with literary organizations and entities across Austin (including ACC's Creative Writing Department, Austin Bat Cave, Austin Public Library Friends Foundation, Austin SCBWI, Free Minds, Huston Tillotson University, Kirkus Reviews, the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies, and the Texas Book Festival) to bring this panel discussion to as a wide an audience as possible and to give away books to those in attendance.

True stories can take the form of memoirs, personal essay, and first-person reportage. But where should the story begin, what is the right frame, how much context and background should the writer provide, and how does the personal fit within larger social and cultural narratives? At our May 19 Third Thursday, Michael Noll discussed these issues and more with panelists Antonio Ruiz-Camacho, Michael Hall, Donna Johnson, and Deb Olin Unferth.

Shorter doesn't always mean easier. Shorter doesn't always mean less important. The short story is a beautiful art form - the perfect choice (perhaps only choice) for many narratives. Many will also say that it is a thriving literary market right now. But how can a writer know when their idea should be a short story as opposed to something else? How deep can a writer go in a short story? How does one know when to end it? How can one tell if a short story can be (or should be) adapted into a novel? Where and how can one publish a short story? At our April 21 Third Thursday, Michael Noll discussed these issues and more with panelists Michael Barrett, Jill Meyers, Chaitali Sen, and Kirk Wilson.

Attending the 2016 Writers' League of Texas Agents & Editors Conference (or another event) and need help honing your pitch for consultations, cocktail mingling, and other networking opportunities? Or do you need help boiling down your book's plot in a brief, intriguing, and marketable way for query letters? At our June 16 panel, "Practice Makes Pitch Perfect," moderator Michael Noll spoke with experts Lance Fitzgerald (VP, Director of Subsidiary Rights for The Crown Publishing Group at Penguin Random House)and Becka Oliver (Executive Director, Writers' League of Texas and former literary agent) on the art of the pitch.