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The Chills at Will Podcast is a celebration of the visceral beauty of literature. This beauty will be examined through close reads of phrases and lines and passages from fiction and nonfiction that thrills the reader, so much so that he wants to read again and again to replicate that thrill. Each episode will focus on a different theme, such as "The Power of Flashback," "Understatement," "Cats in the Cradle," and "Chills at Will: Origin Story."
Episodes
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Notes and Links to Andrew Porter’s Work
Andrew Porter is the author of four books, including the short story collection The Theory of Light and Matter (Vintage/Penguin Random House), which won the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, the novel In Between Days (Knopf), which was a Barnes & Noble “Discover Great New Writers” selection, an IndieBound “Indie Next” selection, and the San Antonio Express News’s “Fictional Work of the Year,” the short story collection The Disappeared (Knopf), which was longlisted for The Story Prize and the Joyce Carol Oates Prize, and the novel The Imagined Life, which was published by Knopf in April 2025. Porter’s books have been published in foreign editions in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand and translated into numerous languages, including French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Bulgarian, and Korean.
In addition to winning the Flannery O’Connor Award, his collection, The Theory of Light and Matter, received Foreword Magazine’s “Book of the Year” Award for Short Fiction, was a finalist for The Steven Turner Award, The Paterson Prize and The WLT Book Award, was shortlisted for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, and was selected by both The Kansas City Star and The San Antonio Express-News as one of the “Best Books of the Year.”
The recipient of a Pushcart Prize and fellowships from the James Michener-Copernicus Foundation, the W.K. Rose Foundation, and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, Porter’s short stories have appeared in The Best American Short Stories, One Story, Ploughshares, The Southern Review, The Threepenny Review, The Missouri Review, American Short Fiction, Narrative Magazine, Epoch, Story, The Colorado Review, Electric Literature, and Texas Monthly, among others. He has had his work read on NPR’s Selected Shorts and numerous times selected as one of the Distinguished Stories of the Year by Best American Short Stories. A graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, Porter is currently a Professor of English and Director of the Creative Writing Program at Trinity University in San Antonio.
Book Review for The Imagined Life from New York Times
At about 3:30, Pete makes a clumsy but heartfelt comparison between The Imagined Life and Hemingway's Old Man and the Sea and Andrew shares feedback from readers of his novel
At about 5:10, Andrew responds to Pete’s question about the book’s seeds and talks about “tinker[ing]” with the book’s opening for years
At about 6:45, Pete remarks on the book’s first-person account, and Andrew and Pete discuss the book’s opening and ideas of naivete and fallible parents
At about 8:45, Pete asks Andrew, who expands about structuring the book and its connection to revision
At about 10:45, Pete compares the setting of the book, 1983 Fullerton, CA, to The Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979,” and Andrew discusses similarities
At about 12:30, Pete reflects on the importance of the age given to the book’s narrator and the two characterize the book’s “father” and Andrew talks about using a 70s/early 80s atmosphere through the young narrator’s lens
At about 17:30, Pete summarizes an important character introduction and Andrew talks about the importance of an embarrassing faux pas by the narrator’s father that might have "professional ramifications”
At about 19:30, Andrew responds to Pete’s question about the visits that Steven takes to speak with his father’s former colleagues in the present-day
At about 23:20, Andrew explains connections between Proust (“Proo-st”) and the father, who is obsessed in some ways with Proust’s work; Andrew notes personal parallels between the father and Proust
At about 26:10, Andrew gives background on Uncle Julian’s connection to his brother and his family
At about 27:40, Andrew responds to Pete’s questions about the importance of the book’s cabana and complicated coupling
At about 29:40, Andrew reflects on Chau’s relationship with Steven and the connection as a shared “escape from their home lives”
At about 33:00, Andrew responds to Pete’s questions about fleeting beautiful moments between father and son
At about 34:25, Pete wonders about how Andrew picks character names
At about 36:10, Andrew discusses the narrator’s son, Finn, and his acting out in school as a function of his parents’ marital shakiness
At about 37:30, Pete asks Andrew about a pivotal party and any “ruptures” in relationships that may have followed
At about 40:00, Andrew reflects on possible foreshadowing through letters and notes left behind by Steven’s father
At about 42:40, Andrew discusses his mindset in writing an important and off-the-wall culminating scene
At about 45:35, The two reflect on ideas of traumas and cycles and anger, especially with regard to Steven’s recognition of same
At about 48:30, Pete compliments the ending of the book, ideas of legacy and wonderful book timing
At about 49:30, Andrew reflects on his book’s setting as key in exploring contrasts between Steven’s life then and now, as well as with the world as a whole
At about 50:30, Swatch Watch discourse! and vague Bel Biv Devoe reference!
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 295 with Wright Thompson, a senior writer for ESPN, contributing writer to the Atlantic, and the New York Times bestselling author of Pappylandand The Cost of These Dreams. The Barn, a captivating story of the tragedy of Emmett Till’s racist murder, is out in paperback on the day the episode airs, today, September 9.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Notes and Links to Melissa Lozada-Oliva’s Work
Melissa Lozada-Oliva is a Guatemalan-Colombian-American writer. Her chapbook peluda (Button Poetry 2017) explores the intersections of Latina identity and hair removal. In her novel-in-verse Dreaming of You (2021, Astra House), a poet brings Selena back to life through a seance and deals with disastrous consequences. Candelaria (Astra House, 2023) follows a Guatemalan grandmother at the end of the world and her three lost American granddaughters who started it. Candelaria was named one of the best books of 2023 by VOGUE and USA Today. Her collection of short stories BEYOND ALL REASONABLE DOUBT, JESUS IS ALIVE! will be released on September 2 through Astra House. Her newsletter READING SUCKS tracks the books she’s read and the distractions she had while reading them, while interviewing authors about their relationship to reading. She is currently adapting Dreaming of You into a film and working on a new novel. Melissa has done brand work with Facebook, Instagram, Google, Armani, and Topo Chico Hard Seltzer. Melissa’s work balances the line between horror and humor. Her work has been featured or is forthcoming in NPR, VOGUE, REMEZCLA, PAPER, The Guardian, BreakBeat Poets, Kenyon Review, Vulture, Bustle, Glamour Magazine, The Huffington Post, Muzzle Magazine, The Adroit Journal, and BBC Mundo. She teaches fiction and poetry at the Center for Fiction and the Red Hook Public Library.
Buy Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, JESUS IS ALIVE
Review of Beyond All Reasonable Doubt, JESUS IS ALIVE from Kirkus Reviews
At about 0:55, Melissa talks about her mindset in the runup to publication and gives purchasing info and info about book events
At about 3:35, Melissa responds to Pete’s questions about formative reading and writing from her childhood
At about 5:40, Pete and Melissa talk "Usted" and "Tu" and "Vos" and writing in Spanish
At about 7:10, Melissa talks about the “real-time satisfaction” of seeing/hearing her work “resonate” with people as a catalyst for her writing career
At about 8:20, Melissa expands on what Button Poetry is and how she worked with the organization-here’s one of her viral videos
At about 9:45, Melissa talks about the difference in performing writing and then writing in a more solitary way
At about 10:50, Melissa talks about writers who have inspired and thrilled her, including Sandra Cisneros, Jhumpa Lahiri, Kelly Link, Julia Alvarez, and Octavia Butler
At about 12:50, Melissa shouts some Kelly Link writing to start with in exploring her great work
At about 13:15, Melissa responds to Pete's questions about throughlines in the story collection and any seeds for the writing
At about 14:35, The two discuss the epigraph’s importance, with another Kelly Link shoutout, and discussion of “nothingness”
At about 16:40, Pete traces the collection’s opening and asks Melissa about her usage of second-person
At about 18:20, Pete makes a Soulja Boy/Spanish joke…does it hit?
At about 18:45, Melissa replies to Pete’s questions about the idolized teacher in the first story
At about 20:45, Melissa reflects on ideas of “cancel culture” as seen in the world and in her collection
At about 22:00, Pete wonders about the inspiration for the collection’s title and the titular story
At about 26:05, “Pobrecito” is discussed as a “curdled short king story” and Melissa responds to Pete’s questions about the storyteller as trustworthy
At about 29:10, “Heads” and the story collection’s “absurd humor” and privilege are discussed, especially through ideas of admiration and connection
At about 32:15, Pete compliments Melissa flashback work
At about 33:00, Melissa talks about inspiration from Joyce Carol Oates’ “Where are You Going, Where Have You Been?” for her poolhouse story
At about 35:15, The body horror story “Tails” is discussed, with its themes of misogyny and competition among women brought on by this systemic misogyny
At about 38:40, Melissa expands on Lucas as a restricted, though incredibly nice, character
At about 39:30, Melissa responds to Pete’s questions about music’s role in “Tails” and in Melissa’s writing life
At about 40:50, Pete highlights some hilarious lines and scenes from the collection
At about 42:00, The two discuss the story “Listening” and Melissa expands on the process that is a family thing and a ritual
At about 45:30, “But I’m Still the King,” a story dealing with a family return to their Guatemalan homeland, and ideas of change and tradition and faith and authenticity
At about 51:00, “Community Hole,” the collection’s novella, is discussed, as Pete lays out the exposition, including a vague “cancellation” of the narrator
At about 53:00, Melissa recounts the beginning of narrator, Farah’s, music career
At about 56:55, Melissa responds to Pete’s questions about the novella’s all-important “hole”
At about 59:30, Melissa reflects on Pete’s quoting a writer friend about horror and noir and their shining on light on the world of 2025
At about 1:01:20, Pete references “Shawn of the Dead”
At about 1:02:00, Melissa, in response to Pete’s questions, casts for “Community Hole”
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 294 with Wright Thompson, a senior writer for ESPN, contributing writer to the Atlantic, and the New York Times bestselling author of Pappyland The Cost of These Dreams. The Barn, a captivating story of the tragedy of Emmett Till’s racist murder, is out in paperback on the day the episode airs, September 9.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Notes and Links to Joan Silber’s Work
Joan Silber was raised in New Jersey and received her B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College, where she studied writing with Grace Paley. She moved to New York after college and has made it her home ever since. She holds an M.A. from New York University.
She’s written ten books of fiction--most recently, Mercy, out in fall 2025. Secrets of Happiness was a Washington Post Best Book of the year and a Kirkus Reviews Best Fiction of the Year. Improvement won The National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award. She also received the PEN/Malamud Award for Excellence in the Short Story. Her other works of fiction include Fools, longlisted for the National Book Award and finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, The Size of the World, finalist for the Los Angeles Times Prize in Fiction, and Ideas of Heaven, finalist for the National Book Award and the Story Prize. She’s also written Lucky Us, In My Other Life, and In the City (to be reissued by Hagfish in 2026), and her first book, Household Words, won the PEN/Hemingway Award.
She’s the author of The Art of Time in Fiction, which looks at how fiction is shaped and determined by time, with examples from world writers. Her short fiction has been chosen for the O. Henry Prize, Best American Short Stories, and the Pushcart Prize. Stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Tin House, The Southern Review, Ploughshares, Zyzzyva, and other magazines. She’s been the recipient of an Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
For many years Joan taught fiction writing at Sarah Lawrence College and in the Warren Wilson MFA Program for Writers. Joan lives on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, with Jolie, her rescued street dog from Taiwan, and she travels as often as she can, with a particular interest in Asia.
At about 2:55, Joan talks about responses about her new novel and how uncertainty is always
At about 3:45, Joan talks about places to buy her new novel and upcoming book events
At about 5:05, Joan traces her early relationship with reading and writing and talks about early inspirations like Louisa May Alcott
At about 6:55, Joan responds to Pete’s question about the catalysts for her writing career, and she references the wonderful Grace Paley and her generative teaching methods
At about 8:35, Joan talks about contemporary writers and influences like Charles Baxter, Andrea Barrett, and Margo Livesy
At about 9:50, Pete bumbles through a vague comparison in complimenting Joan on her depiction of New York in the 1970s and gives some exposition of the book, especially regarding the book’s main protagonist, Ivan
At about 11:25, Joan reflects on Ivan and Eddie as “intellectuallizing” their drug adventures
At about 12:35, Joan responds to Pete asking about Eddie and his mindset and personality
At about 14:45, the two trace the book’s inciting incident, involving Eddie and Ivan indulging in drugs to an extreme
At about 17:30, Joan expands on her initial thoughts for the book, and on the secret that Ivan keeps to himself, as well as how she views Ivan in a “complicated” way
At about 18:45, Joan responds to Pete’s question about whether or not she “sit[s] in judgment of [her] characters”
At about 20:20, Pete highlights Ivan and asks Joan’s about Eddie “hav[ing] his own kingdom” in Ivan’s life, especially with regard to his atonement for Alcoholics Anonymous
At about 21:50, Pete traces Astrid/Ginger’s career arc, as Ivan sees her rise and connects to Eddie, and Joan expands on why her film being done in Malaysia is connected to real-life regulations in China
At about 23:30, Pete asks Joan about how she gets into the mindset to write about “What if?”
At about 24:50, Chapter Two is discussed, with a new narrator in Astrid, and her tragedies and triumphs
At about 26:10, Joan talks about the movie that takes place in the book, with Astrid as a star; Joan expands upon the “circle” of heroin/opioids in the novel
At about 28:30, Joan discusses the “echo in the title” about heroin as the “drug of mercy”
At about 29:00, Joan gives background on her choice in including Cara as a character who is a “bystander” to Eddie’s abandonment
At about 30:15, Joan and Pete discuss the whys of Cara leaving and getting on the road
At about 31:40, Joan talks about Chapter Three as a previously-published chapter/standalone, and how she likes “getting her characters in trouble”
At about 32:00, Joan explains how she “follows” Nini into the next chapter, based on a previous quote, and how Joan’s own travels influenced her writing about the Iu Mien of Thailand and Laos
At about 35:00, Joan describes how Nini’s injury in Southeast Asia serves as a vessel for a description of opium’s uses/the way it’s viewed in a variety of ways around the world
At about 36:15, Pete and Joan discuss the roles of anthropologists and their roles
At about 38:30, Cara’s chapter is highlighted, with Cara’s relationship with her previously-absent father discussed
At about 41:00, Pete asks Joan to discuss the book’s title-its genesis and connections to the book’s events and characters
At about 42:30, Joan differentiates between mercy and forgiveness
At about 43:00, Pete compliments Joan’s work in tracing a long but coherent storyline and her depiction of New York
At about 44:10, Joan discusses an exciting upcoming project
At about 45:20, Pete and Joan discuss youth and innocence and aging as key parts
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 293 with Melissa Lozada-Oliva, a Guatemalan-Colombian-American writer. Her chapbook peluda explores the intersections of Latina identity and hair removal. In her novel-in-verse Dreaming of You (2021, Astra House), a poet brings Selena back to life through a seance and deals with disastrous consequences. Candelaria was named one of the best books of 2023 by VOGUE and USA Today. Her collection of short stories is BEYOND ALL REASONABLE DOUBT, JESUS IS ALIVE! The episode airs on September 2, today, Pub Day.
This episode airs today, September 2, Pub Day.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Notes and Links to Ruben Reyes, Jr.’s Work
Ruben Reyes Jr. is the son of two Salvadoran immigrants. He completed his MFA in fiction at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop.
He is a graduate of Harvard College where he studied History and Literature and Latinx Studies. His writing has appeared in The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, AGNI, BOMB Magazine, Lightspeed Magazine, LitHub, and other publications.
His debut story collection, There is a Rio Grande in Heaven, was a finalist for The Story Prize, and longlisted for the the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, the Carnegie Medal for Excellence, the Aspen Words Literary Prize, and the New American Voices Award. Archive of Unknown Universes is his first novel. Originally from Southern California, he lives in Queens.
Buy Archive of Unknown Universes
Book Review for Archive of Unknown Universes from Washington Post, by Bilal Qureshi
At about 1:45, Ruben describes the experience of having his first novel out in the world
At about 3:30, Ruben talks about feedback he’s received about the novel
At about 4:35, Ruben shares publishing information and shouts out “local indies” and Bookshop.org as good places to buy the book, and he shares a story about his book tour for his story collection
At about 6:10, Ruben talks about his writing timeline and how he wrote his novel and his story collection at around the same time, allowing him flexibility and variety
At about 9:00, Ruben responds to Pete’s questions about how feedback and the writing community worked during the pandemic
At about 11:00, Ruben reflects on seeds for his novel, particularly the “turning point” that was his 2018 research trip to El Salvador
At about 12:30, Ruben talks about the importance of oral histories he did on this 2018 research trip
At about 13:25, Pete asks Ruben about the book’s dedication and how he viewed the specific and universal
At about 16:15, Pete shares the book’s profound epigraphs, and shares the book’s exposition; Ruben responds to Pete’s questions about the book’s structure and his rationale in starting the book with a letter
At about 19:25, Ruben reflects on writers and their views on a “perfect novel”
At about 20:45, Ruben and Pete describe the book’s pivotal machine, The Defractor, and fun with different “Interlocutors” for the machine
At about 23:40, Pete provides background information on Ana and Luis, important characters in the books
At about 25:20, Ruben and Pete discuss the importance of Archbishop Oscar Romero and his coverage in the novel
At about 28:00, Ruben reflects on how the “What if?” question is so resonant in literature and outside
At about 28:50, Ruben and Pete talk about setting the tone for the start of the relationship between Rafael and Neto and an early scene at Havana’s Malecon
At about 30:40, Pete reflects on traumas so understatedly and profoundly rendered
At about 32:00, Ruben talks about Ana’s and Luis’ relationship
At about 33:40, Pete wonders about an important decision made by Neto, and Ruben expands on research he did that showed how youth was largely in control during the Salvadoran Civil War
At about 35:50, Ruben expands on what demands and hopes the revolutionaries/guerrillas had in the Salvadoran Civil War
At about 39:05, The two discuss the book’s parallel storyline
At about 41:55, Ruben and Pete reflect on the fiery passions of youth and what makes relationships works and connections
At about 44:15, The two discuss similarities and differences between Neto and Rafael
At about 46:10, Ruben homes in on how queerness was seen/embraced in the 70s, as shown through Rafael and Neto
At about 47:30, Pete highlights a profound quote as he and Ruben talk about “grasping the lost threads of history” and how Ruben’s book connects to ideas of silences and traumas and "reclaiming history”
At about 49:40, Ruben shouts out Leisy Abrego’s “On Silences” and its argument about silences as “intergenerational” in the Salvadoran diaspora
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he’s @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he’s @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Episode 286 guest Hannah Pittard is up on the website this week. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of noir, horror, and crime fiction, as some of the best ways to match the zeitgeist and crazy timeline that is 2025.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 292 with Joan Silber, a novelist and short story writer. She won the 2017 National Book Critics Circle Award in Fiction and the 2018 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for her novel Improvement. Her latest novel, Mercy, is her 10th book of fiction.
This episode drops today, September 2, Pub Day for Mercy.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Wednesday Aug 27, 2025
Notes and Links to Adnan Virk’s Work
Adnan Virk is an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster who is
currently a host on MLB Network, NHL Network, and Amazon Prime
Canada. Virk has been on television since September 2002 and
worked almost nine years at ESPN, where he was a host primarily
on their baseball and college football coverage, while also filling
in on ESPN Radio. Virk’s podcast Cinephile ran for eight years,
totaling 336 episodes from 2016 to 2024. A graduate of Ryerson
University and a Toronto native, Adnan lives with his wife Eamon
and their four boys, Yusuf, Adeen, Shazz, and Maaz, in New Jersey.
At about 2:30, Adnan provides background on working with Mango Publishing and the process of seeing the book to publication
At about 4:50, Adnan and Pete reminisce over their struggles and triumphs in high school and college intramurals
At about 5:50, Adnan shares exciting feedback from readers, while sharing some favorite stories of his and talking about
At about 7:00, Adnan shares how his son’s middle name is “Scorsese” and talks about an important “informal quiz” that Adnan’s future took to solidify the relationship
At about 9:00, The two reflect on the death of McCluskey in The Godfather
At about 9:30, The two fanboy over the wondrous Dekalog movie series
At about 13:20, Adnan traces the iconic night where he announced the Best Picture mixup at the 2017 Oscars
At about 16:40, Adnan discusses his interview with Monica Bellucci
At about 18:15, Pete and Adnan share their thoughts on the
At about 19:00, Adnan responds to Pete’s leading question about Scorcese’s Silence and reflects on the “special” movie and unique moviegoing experience
At about 21:50, the two reflect on Mahershala Ali’s profound quote on “experiencing” a movie
At about 22:35, Adnan responds to Pete's questions about formative moviegoing experiences
At about 25:10, the two discuss the wondrous Raging Bull
At about 26:40, Pete asks Adnan what movie he can quote at will
At about 28:00, Adnan reflects on movies he enjoyed when he first saw them and then later changed his opinion
At about 28:50, Adnan mentions Hoffa in riffing on underrated/underappreciated movies
At about 30:00, Adnan talks about his fun in writing a sort of miscellaneous last chapter of Cinephile
At about 31:15, Adnan talks about Big Night and Raging Bull as great “brother” movies
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 291 with second time guest Ruben Reyes, Jr. His debut story collection, There is a Rio Grande in Heaven, was a finalist for The Story Prize. Archive of Unknown Universes is his first novel, an inventive and original one, and it was published in July 2025.
This episode airs on August 29.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Notes and Links to Jahmal Mayfield’s Work
Jahmal Mayfield writes gritty crime novels that touch on large social issues. He was born in Virginia but currently resides in New Jersey. In addition to writing, he serves as the director of a nonprofit program that provides employment support to people with disabilities. Mayfield is a husband and father of two young adults who are both embarrassed by his frequent forays down the rabbit holes of YouTube to view old 90s hip hop videos. SMOKE KINGS was inspired by Kimberly Jones’ passionate viral video, “How can we win?”
Book Review for Smoke Kings from Washington Post, by E.A. Aymar
At about 2:00, Pete and Jahmal fanboy over Nas and talk “classic” hip hop
At about 3:40, Jahmal talks about “three phases” of his reading and writing life
At about 4:45, Jahmal talks about being “a reader first, and a writer second,” and responds to Pete’s question about what he has gotten from his favorite writers
At about 6:00, Jahmal responds to Pete’s musings about
At about 7:40, Jahmal expands upon “lean[ing]” into a certain character to use him as a caricature and the reasoning behind the choice
At about 8:25, Jahmal and Pete discuss the wonderful crime fiction community
At about 10:25, The two reflect on Kimberly Jones’ viral video and profound speech and righteous rage
At about 12:30, The two share much about the book’s exposition and dynamic opening scene
At about 13:25, Jahmal gives background on Jackson Keeler’s wonderful editing and how the opening came about
At about 14:45, Jahmal shares how he referenced real historical racist tragedies that informed the racist crimes referenced in the book
At about 15:45, Jahmal provides background on the book’s main characters and their rationale in seeking revenge
At about 17:10, the two discuss the character of Mason, the PI and his arc and treatment
At about 19:30, Jahmal explains how he aimed to have two characters serve as “counterweights” to Mason
At about 20:55, Jahmal and Pete reflect scene
At about 23:15, Jahmal responds to Pete’s question about the book’s title, also riffing on the evolution of the title and how he tried to “honor the spirit of Kimberly Jones”
At about 25:00, The two discuss the book’s parallel storylines and Jahmal talks about how the book’s structure came late in the process
At about 27:50, Pete wonders about Mason and how he views his job
At about 29:15, The two discuss the escalating levels of violence within the Smoke Kings and the different ways they view their mission
At about 31:20, Jahmal responds to Pete’s comments on Joshua, the brother of the murdered Darius, as taking a step back; Jahmal remarks on how/why he “kinda sidelined" him
At about 33:00, Jahmal gives background on Elizabeth and her character as representative
At about 35:35, Jahmal talks about the significance of the names of the white supremacist characters and their characteristics
At about 37:55, Jahmal reflects on a tagline for the book, “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves
At about 39:45, The two reflect on Colin Kaepernick’s protests and how it connects to ideas of racial justice
At about 43:10, Jahmal responds to Pete’s questions about the systematic versus the individual, in connection to the book
At about 46:30, Jahmal gives some previews of his future writing path
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Episode 287’s Hannah Pittard is up on the website. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
I have added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project of Pete’s, a DIY operation, and he’d love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 290 with second time guest Ruben Reyes, Jr. His debut story collection, There is a Rio Grande in Heaven, was a finalist for The Story Prize. Archive of Unknown Universes is his first novel, an inventive and original one, and it was published in July 2025.
The episode airs today, August 26.
Please demand action from your local congressperson in seeking a ceasefire in Gaza by going to https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin.
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Notes and Links to Camille Adams’ Work
CAMILLE U. ADAMS, Ph.D. was born and raised in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago. She is the author of the explosive memoir How To Be Unmothered: a Trinidadian memoir, finalist in the Restless Books Prize in New Immigrant Writing 2023.
Camille is a memoirist, a poet, and a nature writer. She has been awarded Best of The Net—nonfiction 2024. She has received five Pushcart Prize nominations and three Best of the Net nominations for her memoir writing. Camille’s work has also received recognition as a notable essay in Best American Essays 2022. Her writing has been long-listed in the Graywolf Creative nonfiction Prize 2022 and selected as a finalist for The 2021 Orison Anthology Award in Nonfiction.
Her other honours include an awarded fellowship as an inaugural Tin House Reading Fellow, an inaugural Granta nature writing workshop fellowship, an inaugural Anaphora Arts Italy Writing Retreat Fellowship, a McKnight Doctoral Fellowship, a Community of Writers Fellowship, A VONA scholarship, and a Roots Wounds Words Fellowship.
A Tin House Summer Workshop alum, Camille has served as a juried reader for Tin House for two consecutive years and as a moderator for two author panels. She has also received support from Kenyon Writers Workshop, Grubstreet, and others.
In addition, Camille has been an associate CNF editor at Variant Lit and an assistant memoir editor at Split Lip Magazine and at The Account. She has long taught English and creative writing, emphasising the importance of strong craft, beautiful prose, and ugly truths.
Having earned her MFA in Poetry from City College CUNY and her Ph.D. in Creative Nonfiction from FSU, Camille currently teaches creative writing and literature in New York City. She is at work on her second memoir.
Buy How to Be Unmothered: A Trinidadian Memoir
Excerpt from How to Be Unmothered
At about 2:55, Camille talks about her ideal writing environments and she and Pete bond over Pete’s
At about 5:00, Camille responds to Pete’s question about what books and stories resonate with her students-she references Javier Zamora and Derek Walcott and Jamaica Kincaid
At about 8:00, the two discuss purchasing details for How to Be Unmothered
At about 9:15, Camille shares great early feedback for the memoir
At about 11:35, Camille responds to Pete’s question about her early reading loves
At about 14:30, Pete cites Jamaica Kincaid’s masterful work and Camille shouts out George Lanning, Samuel Selvon, Paul Keyes Douglas, and other masterful Caribbean writers
At about 16:50, Camille responds to Pete’s questions about the “push-and-pull” of colonialist language and history in Trinidad
At about 21:00, Camille highlights Daniel José Older’s brilliant work as the two discuss evocative language
At about 22:25, Camille cites calypso and its performances as a keen example of the dynamic nature of language
At about 24:05, Camille and Pete discuss the book’s dedication and epigraph (eek-Pete first calls it an “epitath”), with Camille sharing an insightful story on an idea’s generative appearance in her head
At about 28:40, Camille responds to Pete’s question about the significance of her memoir’s chapter titles as different trees
At about 31:05, Pete and Camille set out the exposition for the memoir, especially the pivotal opening scene; Camille expounds on the long drive recounted and how it serves as a sort of cultural and historical tour of Trinidad
At about 35:00, Camille talks about her
At about 36:25, Camille talks about the Trinidian term “hotfoot,” as the two discuss double standards for men and women
At about 38:20, No spoilers! as Pete highlights an evocative and creative section about rum
At about 40:55, Camille reflects on an “initiation” and on ideas of dominion over nature
At about 44:00, Camille examines ideas of being a child and expectations and tropes around parent-child alienations
At about 46:50, The two discuss an evocative series of scenes and ideas of intimacy and forced burdens
At about 49:40, Camille responds to Pete’s musings about the somatic sensations depicted in the book, including introducing the wise, apt saying: “there is no past tense in the body”
At about 54:00, Camille describes traumatic experiences heaped on children in general and on herself, as she reflects on ideas of “property” and a lack of agency
At about 58:00, Camille talks about why she can’t and won’t live with “unlove”
At about 1:00:00, Camille discusses ideas of joy and resilience and vulnerability and “strip[ping] words of meaning and connections to political and psychological consciousness
At about 1:04:50, Camille highlights a meaningful song, The Journey” by Chris “Tambu” Herbert
At about 1:07:40, Camille teases her second book
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 289 with Jahmal Mayfield, who writes gritty crime novels that touch on large social issues. His stellar SMOKE KINGS was inspired by Kimberly Jones’ passionate viral video, “How can we win?”
This episode airs on August 26.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Notes and Links to Jordan Harper’s Work
Jordan Harper is the Edgar-Award winning author of THE LAST KING OF CALIFORNIA, EVERYBODY KNOWS, SHE RIDES SHOTGUN and LOVE AND OTHER WOUNDS. Born and educated in Missouri, he now lives in Los Angeles, where he works as a writer and producer for television.
Jordan Harper's Author Page for Goodreads
She Rides Shotgun Review from Kirkus Reviews
Buy Tickets for She Rides Shotgun
At about 3:30, Jordan talks about wanting a bullet wound of a main character to be a visceral and realistic for the reader
At about 4:30, Pete shares a perhaps apocryphal story of a damning way that Sicilian Mafiosi would kill
At about 5:20, Jordan further explains a piece of the book that explains an interesting connection to gun violence
At about 6:00, Pete references Mario Puzo and his research for his Mafia writing in asking Jordan about his own research for She Rides Shotgun
At about 8:25, Jordan shares interesting insights into ways to jumpstart research through using RICO files
At about 10:50, Jordan describes his philosophy on realism, and gives credit to Chuck Palahnuik’s approach and advice
At about 13:10, Jordan specifies Slab Town in his book as an example of a possibly unrealistic place that is provided evidence of realism and describes his view on violence in his writing
At about 14:40, Jordan riffs on John Wick and the “ziplessness of the violence”
At about 16:00, Pete quotes a wise writer friend about noir and horror, etc., and how they are the venues for so much important and brilliant contemporary writing; he also means to shout out Jordan’s incredible recent short story, “My Savage Year”
At about 18:00, Jordan talks about “A Violent Masterpiece” as a title of a future book, and its genesis, as well as connections to escapism
At about 21:20, Jordan talks about a shift in subject manner in his latest work, in a more macro-/government
At about 22:55, Jordan replies to Pete asking about what it’s like to see the movie version of She Rides Shotgun in the theater; he quotes Jill Ciment in describing the wonder of having your writing adapted to the big screen
At about 24:50, Jordan provides a summary of She Rides Shotgun
At about 27:00, Jordan talks about the book’s protagonist, Polly, and the ways in which she’s been “oppressed”
At about 29:00, Jordan talks about ideas of hate, oppression, intolerance, fascism, and free speech as connected to Nazism and hate
At about 30:40, Pete compliments the “fish out of water” balance that Jordan uses with Polly, and Jordan responds to Pete’s question about the idea of “gunfighter eyes”-attributed to Polly in the novel
At about 32:40, Pete and Jordan provides a little exposition for the novel, particularly with regard to the father and daughter relationship, or lack thereof
At about 33:40, Pete connects a flashback scene into the novel to a great and intense story by William Carlos Williams, “The Use of Force”
At about 34:20, Jordan responds to Pete asking about what keeps Polly with her father, even when she is-especially at the beginning-scared of him/by him
At about 35:40, Jordan reflects on a mindset towards pain, and how this mindset manifests in the book
At about 37:40, Pete and Jordan reflect on the book’s time lapses and standout flashforward and time compression
At about 39:10, Jordan highlights both the book and the idea of The Lie that Tells the Truth, and an important bear makes a cameo
At about 41:00, Jordan talks about "complicating the machismo” by making the bear an important part of the novel’s storyline
At about 43:50, Pete reflects on the bear’s significance and connection to the high school world; Jordan reflects on seeing himself in Polly, and how readers’ comments made him reflect
At about 46:00, Jordan recounts how a change in POV in the drafts of the book changed the book’s effects
At about 48:55, Pete and Jordan reflect on the traumas in Polly’s short life
At about 52:15, Pete lauds Jordan’s epic opening to the book- he reads the part about “Crazy Craig” and Jordan responds to Pete’s questions about the deified Craig and some chill-inducing lines
At about 53:45, Jordan references great friend and great writer S.A. Cosby in talking about “Old Testament”/ “New Testament” writing
At about 56:10, Pete and Jordan reflect on Detective Park’s “buzz” from the life of an investigator; Jordan cites ridealongs with LAPD or LASD as writing fodder
At about 59:20, Jordan talks about the nuances of creating a “complex character” and dispenses some valuable writing advice
At about 1:04:25, Jordan responds to Pete’s question about what it is like to see his words acted out on the big screen in the hands of skilled actors
At about 1:06:25- Pete reminds listeners to get their tickets to see She Rides Shotgun on the big screen
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, will be up in the next week or two at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 288 with Camille Adams, who was born and raised in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago. Camille is a memoirist, a poet, and a nature writer, and the author of the explosive memoir How To Be Unmothered: a Trinidadian Memoir. The book was a finalist in the Restless Books Prize in New Immigrant Writing 2023, and it is out on August 19, the same day the episode drops.
Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Notes and Links to Hannah Pittard’s Work
Hannah Pittard is the author of six books, including the memoir WE ARE TOO MANY and the novel out as of today, IF YOU LOVE IT, LET IT KILL YOU. She is a winner of the Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award, a MacDowell fellow, and a professor of English at the University of Kentucky. She lives with her boyfriend and stepdaughter in Lexington. Much of her family lives nearby.
Buy If You Love It, Let It Kill You
“Two Writers Fell in Love, Married, Then Divorced. Who Gets the Story?” from The New York Times
At about 1:50, Hannah describes the evolution of her last name’s pronunciation
At about 3:00, Hannah talks about the cover for If You Love It, Let it Kill You and describes her mindset in the leadup to her book’s publication
At about 4:50, Pete shouts out Rachel Yoder’s Nightbitch, both the book and movie, and asks Hannah to cast a possible future movie for If You Love It, Let it Kill You
At about 7:20, Pete compliments the “snappy dialogue” of the book in asking Hannah about her family background and early intellectual life
At about 8:45, Hannah discusses the book as “100% fiction” while talking about her sister and family as “muses”
At about 9:55, Public urination is discussed, both within the book, and without
At about 10:50, Hannah traces her early reading life and how she “fell in love with books” and shouts out Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, and Tim O’Brien (In the Lake of Woods)
At about 14:30, Pete brings up James Frey in discussing the fine line between fiction and nonfiction, as discussed by Hannah with regard to In the Lake of the Woods’ brilliance
At about 15:30, Ann Beattie, Grace Paley, Alice Munro, are referenced as big influences on Hannah’s writing and reading in college and right after, as she traces her semi-accidental foray into MFA
At about 17:20, Hannah talks about updating her contemporary reading as she entered MFA, including her early reading of Infinite Jest!
At about 19:15, Alice Munro’s “upsetting” story is discussed as is Claire Deder’s Monsters, in the larger discussion about problematic and damaging authors
At about 22:50, Hannah discusses her current reading, including Honor Jones’ Sleep, and Lynn Stever Strong’s , and the series Storybook ND
At about 25:40, Hannah shouts out the book’s publisher and places to buy the book, including Good Neighbor Books in upstate NY and Exile in Bookville in Chicago
At about 27:40, the two discuss Margaret Atwood’s “cameo” in the book and Atwood’s epigraph
At about 28:55, Pete takes another opportunity to shout out Jess Walter, Beautiful Ruins, and Edoardo Ballerini
At about 33:00, Hannah shouts out “Dog Heaven” by Stephanie Vaughn in a beautiful audio form read by Tobias Wolff, and the two fanboy/girl about Wolff’s “Bullet in the Brain”
At about 34:40, Pete lays out the book’s opening and Hannah replies to Pete’s question about her original and full chapter titles
At about 36:35, The two discuss the book’s exposition and plotline and how “Today I am restless” sets the scene for the book’s ethos
At about 40:00, Hannah shares some funny real-life stories from which she took pieces for her book’s characters
At about 41:55, Pete playfully laments the incredible veracity of Hannah’s writing
At about 44:40, The two lay out a sort of “existential crisis” and an anxiety about contentment at the book’s beginning; Hannah notes the protagonist’s “place of privilege”
At about 47:10, Pete remarks on the book’s subtlety and Hannah on the protagonist’s “distanc[ing]” based on a past trauma
At about 49:35, Hannah responds to Pete’s asking about the vagaries of memory and its connections to the protagonist’s actions and busy thoughts
At about 52:05, The two discuss the protagonist’s ennui
At about 53:15, Hannah responds to Pete’s questions about the book’s choral/allegorical nature
At about 58:55, Hannah talks about the dynamic between the protagonist and her students, and Hannah’s own evolution in teaching more flexibly
At about 1:02:05, Hannah responds to Pete’s wonderings and musings of “The Irishman” and the character’s implications
At about 1:07:00, Hannah reflects on various iterations of scenes involving a threatening student
At about 1:09:10, Pete cites Jess Walter’s ending for Beautiful Ruins, in raving about Hannah’s wonderful last line and skill in bringing the storyline full circle
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah will be up in the next week or two at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of writing projects that got away, as Pete discusses a particular writing project that had so much potential but is now unfinishable-at least he thinks so.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 287 with Jordan Harper, whose 2017 novel She Rides Shotgun is being adapted and released through Lionsgate Studios on August 1, which is also when the episode airs.
Friday May 16, 2025
Friday May 16, 2025
Notes and Links to The Philharmonik’s Work
The Philharmonik, who was an Episode 58 guest, is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, music producer and genre defining artist. Recently, he has been nationally and globally recognized after winning the 2023 American Song writer contest and NPR’s 2024 Tiny Desk Contest for his song “What’s It All Mean?”
NPR Announcement of Tiny Desk Winner: “What’s It All Mean?”
At about 1:35, Christian talks about the year since he won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest, and his “shift[ing] perspective”
At about 2:50, Christian discusses the importance of his victory in the American Songwriters’ Contest, and the important “domino effect”
At about 5:50, Christian talks about his vision board and manifesting for his NPR victory
At about 7:30, Christian talked about the waiting period between submission for NPR and his victory, and “starting to lose faith”
At about 9:30, Christian talks about his views on competition
At about 10:30, Usher: “Watch this!”
At about 11:10, Christian shares his memories-he mentions being “in disbelief”-of getting the call
At about 13:40, Christian talks about his initial entry in Tiny Desk in 2018 and his philosophy in entering
At about 15:00, Christian responds to Pete’s questions about the logistics and vision for the video for “What’s It All Mean?”
At about 17:40, Pete asks Christian about his interest in music videos and expressing himself through the videos
At about 19:00, The two discuss Office Space, The Office, and other parallels to the working world and Christian’s video
At about 20:00, Chrsitian expands on his band/video mates as “the final piece”
At about 21:45, Christian shouts out the venue and benefactors for his video shoot-shout out the Machados and All-City Homes in Oak Park, Sacramento
At about 23:20, Christian talks about the wonderful feedback from fans
At about 24:00, Pete shares praise from NPR about the song and video
At about 24:50, Christian expands upon the truly “tiny” Tiny Desk and the logistics of the Tiny Desk Concert itself
At about 27:15, Christian discusses the post Tiny Desk Concert tour arranged by NPR
At about 29:10, Christian breaks down “in the pocket” and “dry[ing] out the mix” as he gets his music professor on
At about 30:05, Christian calls Stevie Wonder “the godfather” of “What’s It All Mean” and expands on how he likes the ways Beatles used guitars and connections to amps and reverb
At about 31:50, Christian responds to Pete’s questions about the arrangement of the winning song, especially the opening crescendo
At about 34:10, Christian answers Pete’s question about how the winning song’s meaning ahs evolved over time
At about 36:00, Pete homes in on some meaningful lines from the winning song as the two reflect on the unknowns of life
At about 38:40, Pete mentions Severance and “No Surprises” by Radiohead as reminiscent of the winning song
At about 40:20, Christian reflects on the “ups and downs of the creative process” and the (mostly) special time “in the lab”
At about 41:30, Christian talks about listener data and questioning his music career at times
At about 43:30, Christian shares the exciting news about his upcoming world tour
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. This week, his conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran.
I have added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project of Pete’s, a DIY operation, and he’d love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 286 with Hannah Pittard, winner of the Amanda Davis Highwire Fiction Award and a MacDowell fellow. She is the author of six books, including the memoir WE ARE TOO MANY and the forthcoming novel IF YOU LOVE IT, LET IT KILL YOU, whose Pub Day is July 15, the day this episode drops.
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Tuesday May 06, 2025
Notes and Links to Vanessa Saunders’ Work
Vanessa Saunders is a writer living in New Orleans. She teaches as a Professor of Practice at Loyola University New Orleans. She was the editor-in-chief of Helium Journal from 2013 to 2016.
Her writing has appeared in Writer's Digest, Writer's Chronicle, Seneca Review, Sycamore Review, Los Angeles Review, Nat. Brut, Entropy, PANK, Passages North, Stockholm Review of Literature and other journals. She is at work on a novel of magical realism about whiteness and a book-length prose poem about the ethics of authorship.
At about 1:45, Vanessa recommends places to buy her book, including Baldwin Books
At about 2:55, Vanessa responds to Pete’s question about her expectations for the Pub Day and beyond versus the realities
At about 5:20, the two discuss Kafka’s Metamorphosis and his parables and connections to Vanessa’s The Flat Woman, as well as absurdities and allegory
At about 9:30, Vanessa gives background on her early reading and writing, including her grandfather’s and Sylvia Plath’s influences, and Anne Carson’s influence on The Flat Woman
At about 13:30, Vanessa explains the unique British library system
At about 15:25, Vanessa responds to Pete’s questions about
At about 16:35, Vanessa mentions Kelly Link, Sarah Rose Etter, Aimee Bender, and Hadriana in my Dreams as contemporary writers and writing that inspires her
At about 18:20, Pete and Vanessa shout out the generosity and greatness of Aimee Bender, and Vanessa talks about meetings with inspiring writers
At about 19:20, Pete shouts out Antonya Nelson’s “In the Land of Men” for the 1,987,231 time in Chills at Will history
At about 19:55, The two discuss the book’s epigraph and seeds for the book
At about 22:40, Vanessa expands upon stewardship and community and the environment in the formulation of her book
At about 24:20, Pete wonders about Vanessa’s decision to avoid naming her characters
At about 26:40, Pete asks Vanessa
At about 29:10, the two discuss the lengthy “setups” that are chapter titles, or “headlines”
At about 32:20, “leaky boundaries” and the family dynamic, including the absent father, are discussed
At about 33:35, “Terrorism” and government cover-up in the book and its couching is discussed; Vanessa talks about birds as “indicator species,” as she learned from a group of “elite ornithologists” (!!!) with whom she lived
At about 36:40, Vanessa talks about perpetual archetypes and storylines for “female villainy”
At about 37:40, Bird grief and research and animals as stand-ins for humans as discussed in the book is explored by Vanessa
At about 41:10, Vanessa, in explaining her views of animals and things and dominion, references a wonderful Louise Gluck line
At about 42:35, Pete and Vanessa discuss Bay Area history, anthropology. and its effects on their mindsets and writing
At about 44:00, The two talk about the “patriarch[al]” POPS Cola, and the protagonist’s early life after her mother is arrested and convicted
At about 45:45, Vanessa expands on the patriarchal society and the 2024 election’s connections to the systemic misogyny on display in the book
At about 49:50, The protagonist, depicted 10 years as “The woman,” and Part II are described, as well as the “chaotic aunt” and more ugly realities that confront the woman
At about 51:45, Vanessa cites inspiration from an interview with Toni Morrison regarding family alienation
At about 53:10, Vanessa explores connections between humor and speculative fiction
At about 54:10, The woman’s earliest interactions with and attractions to the man are discussed
At about 55:10, Vanessa responds to Pete’s question about the man being drawn to Elvis, with a trip down memory lane of a San Francisco that may no longer exist
At about 59:20, Vanessa talks about setting the woman as working at the very company that has imprisoned her mother
At about 1:01:25, Vanessa responds to Pete’s question about the grisly displays of hurt and dead animals, and the two discuss ideas of entertainment and willful (or not) ignorance about the brutality in Gaza and climate change
At about 1:05:00, Pete complements Vanessa for humor on the page and asks if the man has “discovered the manosphere”
At about 1:08:35, Vanessa talks about social justice being “commodified”
At about 1:10:40, Vanessa talks about initial hesitat[ion] in depicting the man as having some assorted wisdom, along with many horrible traits
At about 1:11:40, Vanessa discusses a famous writer, who is not related to her :(
At about 1:13:00, Another Maurice Carlos Ruffin shoutout
At about 1:14:20, Movie actors for the book’s characters!
At about 1:16:10, “You are hearing me talk”-Al Gore
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. This week, his conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran.
I have added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project of Pete’s, a DIY operation, and he’d love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 285 with The Philharmonik, Episode 58 guest, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, lyricist, music producer and genre defining artist. Recently, he has been nationally and globally recognized after winning the 2023 American Song writer contest and NPR’s 2024 Tiny Desk Contest for his song “What’s It All Mean?”
The episode marks the one-year anniversary of his NPR Tiny Desk Contest win. This will be released on May 16.
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
Notes and Links to Jason Bailey’s Work
Jason Bailey is a film critic, author, and podcaster. His work has appeared in The Playlist, The New York Times, Vulture, Vice, Rolling Stone, and Slate, among others. He is the editor-in-chief of Crooked Marquee, the former film editor at Flavorwire, and the author of six books-the most recent is Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend. He lives in the Bronx with his wife and two daughters.
Buy Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend
At about 2:25, Jason talks about book events and good places to buy his book, included Matt Zoller Seitz’s dynamic website
At about 4:00, Jason talks about the incomparable Edoardo Ballerini as his audiobook narrator
At about 7:05, Jason talks about his cinematic and reading influences since childhood; he tells a story of seeing “At the Movies” and becoming a cinephile and movie criticism fan
At about 12:10, Jason responds to Pete’s question about career thoughts in his adolescent years revolving around moviemaking/writing about movies
At about 15:10, Jason talks about his approach in watching movies and whether or not he can watch a movie while “cleansing his mind” and not watching for “work”
At about 16:40, Pete asks Jason about him going to movie theaters often
At about 19:15, Jason responds to Pete’s question about favorite movie(s)/movies that explain his aesthetic, and the two discuss The Godfather Part I and Part II (and Part III!)
At about 23:35, Jason talks about being “sympathetic and empathetic and complex” in his depiction of James Gandolfini
At about 27:30, Jason shares feedback he received from Sopranos crew members and Drea DeMatteo in particular about James Gandolfini’s complicated legacy
At about 29:50, Jason talks about how his moviemaking history makes him more sympathetic in reviewing movies
At about 33:45, Jason explains his background as a fan of James Gandolfini in connection to his earlier roles and his Sopranos role
At about 38:50, Jason and Pete talk about post-Sopranos roles for James Gandolfini, typecasting, and delivery for iconic and moving lines
At about 40:35, Jason gives background on James Gandolfini’s view of the acting life and the importance of actors
At about 43:30, Jason responds to Pete’s questions about James Gandolfini’s Italian identity
At about 44:40, Pete and Jason discuss James Gandolfini’s real-life and lack of real-life organized crime connections and Tony Soprano-esque accent
At about 46:10, Jason tells an interesting, seemingly untold, story about James Gandolfini and dropping out of a Mafia movie
At about 47:50, Pete shares a Sammy “The Bull” Gravano story and Jason talks about James Gandolfini choosing roles to “put the last nail in that Tony Soprano coffin”
At about 50:15, The two discuss the haunting of James Gandolfini balanced with the great role of Tony Soprano
At about 53:20, Pete uses a supposed “jump the shark” moment to ask Jason about James Gandolfini being incredibly hard on himself
At about 55:25, Jason comments on the dichotomy between James Gandolfini’s incredibly selfless, and sometimes selfish, behavior
At about 58:00, The two reflect on a sense of seeming-contentment and fading health
At about 1:00:00, Jason responds to Pete’s questions about “treading lightly” regarding revelations and sympathetic coverage of such a beloved figure
At about 1:02:00, The two discuss revisiting The Sopranos dream scenes and the famous last scene after James Gandolfini’s death
At about 1:03:00, the two discuss the last scene(s) shot for The Sopranos
At about 1:04:00, Enough Said and its poignancy is discussed in terms of the potential of James Gandolfini’s acting range
At about 1:07:15, Jason describes the “gift” that is the final quote in the book, from Robert Iler
At about 1:08:00, Jason shares contact info and buying info for his book, from Abrams Books
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he’s @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website this week. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting his one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 284 with Vanessa Saunders, a Professor of Practice at Loyola University New Orleans. Her writing has appeared in Sycamore Review, Los Angeles Review, Stockholm Review of Literature and other journals. Her novel, The Flat Woman, won FC2's Ronald Sukenick Innovative Fiction Prize.
The episode airs on May 6.
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
Notes and Links to Emely Rumble’s Work
Emely Rumble, LCSW, is a distinguished licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and seasoned biblio/psychotherapist with over 14 years of professional experience. Committed to making mental health services more accessible, Emely specializes in the transformative practice of bibliotherapy.
Passionate about advocating for the integration of creative arts in psychotherapy, mental well-being, and self-improvement, Emely champions the social model of disability and embraces a neurodiversity-affirming therapeutic approach. A distinguished member of The National Association of Poetry Therapy, Emely's work has been featured in respected publications such as Parents Magazine, ‘School Library Journal’, Bold Journey Magazine, BronxNet News, and The Bronx Is Reading.
Emely shares her expertise beyond traditional avenues through @Literapy_NYC, her dedicated platform on Instagram, TikTok, and Podia, where she provides valuable educational content.
Having earned her undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and completed her social work degree at Smith College School for Social Work, Emely resides in the Bronx with her husband, two children, and her psychiatric service dog, Montana. She embodies a holistic and compassionate approach to mental health and well-being.
Buy Bibliotherapy in the Bronx
At about 2:10, Emely talks about the work and process involved as the book is about to be published
At about 3:20, Emely talks about early feedback and her dynamic audiobook
At about 4:35, Emely gives a brief summary of the book and talks about where to buy the book and where to find her online
At about 10:30, Emely talks about “escapism” and “realism” and
At about 13:50, Emely responds to Pete’s question about her reading of the Bible and connections to her grandmother as a healer and a Christian
At about 17:15, Maya Angelou, Sister Souljah are among those Emely shouts out as formative and transformative writers, especially in her “adultified” youth
At about 20:30, The two fanboy/girl about Maya Angelou and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
At about 21:30, bell hooks, Audre Lorde, Alexis Gumbs are cited as some inspiring writers for Emely
At about 24:40, Emely responds to Pete’s questions about the pivotal reading from her grandmother’s funeral and seeds for the book; she also shouts out a great editor in Nirmala Nataraj
At about 29:25, Natalie Gutierrez and her foreword are discussed-books as “communal medicine”
At about 30:30, Emely responds to Pete’s questions about bibliotherapy and the intellect and the heart in concert
At about 32:35, Emely responds to Pete’s questions about what she learned from her aunt’s schizophrenia and the ways in which she was treated and ideas of community and racism
At about 38:20, Emely gives background on early days of implementing bibliotherapy with patients and more connections to her aunt
At about 44:20, Ned Ashton and Sonny Corinthos shout outs!
At about 45:15, Pete asks Emely to define/describe bibliotherapy
At about 45:50, The two discuss the great Ms. Parkins and Strega Nona and fairy tales and how “childish” books can work so well with adults
At about 50:30, Making a Godfather II reference (obvi), Pete asks about Emely’s view on fiction and nonfiction and narratives in prescribing her books; Emely cites an interesting mindset of books as “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors,” as posited by Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop
At about 57:10, Emely responds to Pete’s question about what a successful nonfiction prescription
At about 1:00:50, Emely talks about intake for bibliotherapy
At about 1:01:40, The two discuss Andrew Carnegie and problematic authors
At about 1:05:35, Mayte and her story that involves emotional resonance and intersectionality is discussed
At about 1:07:40, Emely expands on ideas of learning and empathy that happen with therapists and clients
At about 1:13:00, Dr. Sadie P. Delaney is shouted out by Emely Rumble as a hero whom she learned about in her book research-The “Godmother of Bibliotherapy”
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he’s @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he's @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website this week. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting his one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 283 with Jason Bailey, a film critic, author, and podcaster whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Vulture, Vice, Rolling Stone, and Slate, among others. He is the editor-in-chief of Crooked Marquee, and the author of five books. The episode goes live this evening, April 29, which is also Pub Day for his exciting new book, Gandolfini, about the legendary actor, James Gandolfini.
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Tuesday Apr 22, 2025
Notes and Links to Alexander Chee’s Work
Alexander Chee is the bestselling author of the novels Edinburgh and The Queen of the Night, and the essay collection How To Write An Autobiographical Novel, all from Mariner Books. A contributing editor at The New Republic and an editor at large at VQR, his essays and stories have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, T Magazine, The Sewanee Review, and the 2016 and 2019 Best American Essays. He was guest-editor for The Best American Essays of 2022.
He is a 2021 United States Artists Fellow, a 2021 Guggenheim Fellow in Nonfiction, and the recipient of a Whiting Award, a NEA Fellowship, an MCCA Fellowship, the Randy Shilts Prize in gay nonfiction, the Paul Engle Prize, the Lambda Editor’s Choice Prize, and residency fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, the VCCA, Leidig House, Civitella Ranieri and Amtrak.
He is a full professor of English and Creative Writing at Dartmouth College and lives in Vermont.
Buy How To Write an Autobiographical Novel
Book Review for How To Write an Autobiographical Novel from The New York Times
At about 2:00, Alexander details his Amtrak residency, later written about in The New Yorker
At about 6:00, Alexander outlines some interesting characters that he met during his Amtrak residency
At about 12:00, Alexander reflects on a book project inspired by an interesting encounter with a former detective and British and American sensibilities
At about 16:30, Pete shares his own Amtrak story, possible fodder for essays and short stories, as Alexander remarks on “immediate friendship”
At about 18:50, Alexander talks about upcoming novel and short story projects and the process of picking a title; he recounts how he arrived at his essay collection’s title, through a Buzzfeed publication
At about 26:30, Alexander highlights Kirkus Review naming How to Write an Autobiographical Novel one
At about 27:35, Alexander gives background on his essay collection’s cover photo
At about 34:10, Alexander talks about the composition of the previous essay collection and his upcoming one, with regards to placement and focuses on his “rose garden”-
“The Rosary”-essay’s development
At about 39:00, Alexander responds to Pete’s questions about the order of the essays in the collections and any throughlines-Garnette Cadogan and Naomi Gibbs are shouted out
At about 43:40, Alexander talks about a manuscript that he has been working
At about 44:45, Pete is complimentary of Alexander’s “The Rosary” essay, and Alexander tells a story of an interested and poignant conversation with
At about 48:00, Pete shouts
At about 49:00, Pete and Alexander talk about the essay collection’s first piece, and Alexander talks about being “Alejandro from Oaxaca” for a short time-he references Yiyun Li’s powerful essay, “To Speak is to Blunder”
At about 55:10, Pete compliments Alexander’s powerful advocacy work and asks him about perspective and time, and how Alexander looks back at the essays from the collection so many years later (for some of the essays)
At about 1:02:00, In talking about modern protest and activist culture, mutual aid, etc., Alexander shouts out Sarah Thankam Mathews’ powerful All This Could Be Different
At about 1:04:30, Alexander discusses a dynamic class that he has mentored at Dartmouth
At about 1:05:30, Alexander responds to Pete’s questions about what fiction allows him to do with his writing
At about 1:06:30, Alexander reflects on ideas of catharsis in his writing
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website this week. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 282 with Emely Rumble, a licensed clinical social worker, school social worker, and seasoned biblio/psychotherapist who specializes in bibliotherapy, the use of literature and expressive writing to heal. Pub Day and episode air day are April 29 for her wonderful book, Bibliotherapy in The Bronx.
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Notes and Links to Désirée Zamorano’s Work
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Désirée Zamorano is the previous author of novels like The Amado Women and Human Cargo. Zamorano heavily focuses on the issues of invisibility, injustice and inequity in her books while also teaching linguistic and cultural diversity at Cal State Long Beach.
Article about Dispossessed for Pasadena Weekly
At about 3:10, Desiree gives ordering information for The Dispossessed and her social media and contact information
At about 4:30, Desiree talks about an exciting 2026 publication
At about 5:10, Desiree gives background on her early reading and language life, and how her identity has been shaped throughout the years, influenced by family and larger societal forces
At about 8:40, Pete and Desiree discuss connections between American racism in different times and the events that inspired her own book
At about 10:00, Desiree provides feedback on seeds for her book
At about 12:30, Desiree talks about formative and informative books and writers from her childhood and adolescence
At about 13:35, Desiree shouts out Kate Atkinson and David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas and other contemporary favorites
At about 14:35, the two explore the book’s opening note, and Desiree shares stunning (or not stats) about Mexican and Mexican-American “repatriation” in the 1930s and 1940s
At about 16:00, Desiree talks about Manzanar and Japanese incarceration and coalitions who have fought to have the ugly history of the incarceration shared
At about 17:25, The two discuss the book’s opening scene at the beach and the book’s inciting incidents
At about 18:40, Desiree gives background on her reasoning for making the book’s opening so action-packed and connections to a chilling quote
At about 19:50, Pete and Desiree chart Manuel’s first years after his parents are taken, and characters and situations that govern Manuel’s life
At about 23:15, Desiree responds to Pete’s questions about Manuel’s surrogate mother, Amparo and depictions of Christianity with connections to Desiree’s own family
At about 26:00, The two discuss reasons as to why Manuel decides to leave high school
At about 28:10, Desiree gives background on sundown towns and talks about misconceptions of racism in our country’s history and all needing to “do the work” to understand
At about 31:15, Pete recounts a stunning (or not so stunning) fact about racism in CA and Rodney King
At about 31:55, Desiree responds to Pete’s questions about depictions of Latino soldiers, particularly in WWII
At about 33:25, Pete and Desiree discuss Manuel’s early work experience, and Desiree expands upon union histories, especially in LA
At about 36:00, Decade of Betrayal, Anything but Mexican and Whitewashed Adobe are discussed as thorough and key research used by Desiree for the book
At about 37:30, Pete asks Desiree about important touches in the book, and she provides important histories of whiteness in American and how birth certificates were filled out
At about 41:00, The two discuss the impending razing of Chavez Ravine in the book, and hope and hopelessness for Manuel-Desiree references another great book with great research, From Out of the Shadows by Vicki Ruiz
At about 44:30, Desiree responds to Pete’s question about crafting a emotional and good man in Manuel
At about 47:00, Pete is highly complimentary of the ways that Desiree uses light touches and writes about fatherhood and motherhood so honestly
At about 50:00, Pete asks Desiree how she knew the book was finished
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. This week, his conversation with Episode 270 guest Jason De León is up on the website. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete’s one-man show, his DIY podcast and his extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
This month’s Patreon bonus episode will feature an exploration of the wonderful poetry of Khalil Gibran.
Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.
This is a passion project of Pete’s, a DIY operation, and he’d love for your help in promoting what he’s convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 281 with Alexander Chee, who is the bestselling author of the novels Edinburgh and The Queen of the Night, and the essay collection How To Write An Autobiographical Novel. He was the 2021 US Artists Fellow and Guggenheim Fellow in Nonfiction, and he is full professor of English and Creative Writing at Dartmouth.
The episode airs on April 22.