The Chills at Will Podcast

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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

Friday Apr 05, 2024

Episode 230 with Chelsea T. Hicks, Author of the Story Collection, A Calm & Normal Heart, Revitalizer and Student of the Osage Language, and Crafter of Poetic, Timely, and Timeless Stories

Friday Apr 05, 2024

Notes and Links to Chelsea Hicks’ Work

For Episode 230, Pete welcomes Chelsea Hicks, and the two discuss, among other topics, her language journey and how she came to study and work to help revitalize the Osage language, her feelings about being named “5 Under 35,” mentors and inspirations like Louise Erdrich and N. Scott Momaday, her writing as alternately “MFA-ish” and experimental, her nuanced view of “The Movie,” and salient themes from her story collection, including identity, celebrations and traumas, rematriation, agency, and family ties.

Chelsea T. Hicks is a Wazhazhe writer with an MA from UC Davis and an MFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her writing has been published in The Paris Review, Poetry, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere. She was selected as a 5 Under 35 honoree by Louise Erdrich for the National Book Award, and her first book, A Calm and Normal Heart, was longlisted for the PEN America Robert W. Bingham Prize.

Buy A Calm and Normal Heart: Stories

Review of A Calm and Normal Heart in The Southern Review of Books

At about 1:30, Chelsea gives kudos to mentors at UCDavis for her MA

At about 2:25, Chelsea discusses her mindset and joy in being named one of the “5 Under 35” by Louise Erdrich for the National Book Foundation

At about 7:15, Chelsea talks about her childhood relationship with language, and she provides a personal language background and a historical context for the loss and revitalization of the Osage language

At about 11:55, Chelsea shouts out Inés Hernández-Ávila and a language challenge through Ines’ connections in Oaxaca

At about 14:50, Chelsea gives background on some teaching and mentoring and promoting of language acceleration that she’s done

At about 17:40-20:10, Chelsea responds to Pete’s question about innate connections to her Osage culture, particularly with regard to the language

At about 20:35, Chelsea provides interesting information about the Osage language, including “masculine” and “feminine” ways of speaking and gendered pronouns

At about 22:40, The two discuss a cool phrase regarding the moon in Wažáže ie

At about 23:50, The two commiserate over linguistics classes

At about 24:45, Chelsea gives background on early favorite books and her literary journey, as well as how Peter Pan, other books, and her classmates and friends shone light on the way she and others in society saw her Native culture

At about 28:35, Chelsea traces her path as a writer, including early, self-guided poetry

At about 30:25, Chelsea describes an “opening of [her] eyes” in reading N. Scott Momaday

At about 32:30, Chelsea references some particular insights of Momdaday from House of Dawn and gives background on a Paris Review article she wrote about his work; Chelsea discusses “rematriation” and land care, while discussing important work by Natalie Diaz and Sogorea Te’ Land Trust

At about 35:50, Pete and Chelsea discuss the book’s introduction and including indigenous language in the book, especially the titles; Pete shouts out a dynamic

At about 37:30, Chelsea responds to Pete’s question about connections in the collection’s opening story to Killers of The Flower Moon and how she sees the movie

At about 43:10, Pete lays out some salient themes and plotlines covered in the story collection

At about 44:25, Chelsea wants to clarify how her work comes off- “direct” and “experimental,” etc.

At about 46:25, Chelsea talks about her writing philosophy, craft, love of poetry, and future academic work

At about 47:30, Pete enumerates some creative methods used by Chelsea

At about 49:50, Pete cites an important and poignant quote from the 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 me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch this and other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.

I am 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. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership! Check out my recent interview with Gina Chung on the website.

Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!

I have added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.

Thanks to new Patreon member, Jessica Cuello, herself a talented poet and former podcast guest.

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m 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 231 with Jazmina Barrera Velasquez, who is a fellow at the Foundation for Mexican Letters. Her book of essays, Cuerpo extraño, was awarded the Latin American Voices prize from Literal Publishing in 2013, and she is the editor and co-founder of Ediciones Antílope, and author of, most recently, Cross-Stitch.

The episode will go live on April 16 or 17.

Friday Mar 29, 2024

Episode 229 with Will Sommer, Author of Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Reshaped America, and Keen and Thorough Chronicler of the QAnon Movement Through The Washington Post

Friday Mar 29, 2024

Notes and Links to Will Sommer’s Work

For Episode 229, Pete welcomes Will Sommers, and the two discuss, among other topics, his early relationship with the written word, his all-encompassing relationships with and love for student journalism, formative times at Georgetown, his lifelong interest in conservative media, and salient themes in his book, including the growth of QAnon through 4chan and 8chan and Trump’s rise to power, QAnon’s pop culture connections, questions of true believers and grifters in QAnon, key personalities in the movement, as well as possible remedies for loosening the hold QAnon has on some many people featured in his book.

Will Sommer covers right-wing media, political radicalization and right-wing conspiracy theories in the United States. His 2023 book is Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Reshaped América. He is also featured as an expert on QAnon in HBO's Q: Into the Storm. He has previously written for The Daily Beast, and now works as a media reporter for The Washington Post.

Buy Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Unhinged America

Will's Wikipedia Page

Review of Trust the Plan in The New York Times

Review of Trust the Plan in The Guardian

Will Discusses his Book with Terri Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air

At about 1:50, Will gives background on the inspiration for QAnon’s motto, derived from the movie White Squall

At about 3:20, Will talks about being “bookish and into writing,” unspooling stories,” high school and college newspapers, and his early love for journalism

At about 6:25, Will talks about inspiring and formative texts and writers, including Patrick Radden Keefe, Janet Malcolm, Charles Bowden, and Mike Sager

At about 10:00, Pete shouts out Mark Arax and a particularly unforgettable piece

At about 10:50, Will responds to Pete’s questions about his upbringing in Texas and Will expounds upon his appetite for conservative media and trends and feuds that he has observed over the years

At about 14:10, Will traces his career journey from Georgetown to The Patch and on

At about 17:20, Pete and Will discuss the book’s Introduction, set during the January 6 rallies and riots; Will expounds upon his mindset during the day, the incredible things he heard rioters say, and the importance of his attendance for his research

At about 21:00, Pete asks about QAnon’s beginnings, its placement in the Trump presidency, and Will gives background on Q’s connections to 4chan

At about 24:05, Will gives a summary of QAnon’s beliefs and the idea of “The Storm”

At about 24:45, Will provides history on “Pizzagate” and its early connections to QAnon

At about 26:05, Will replies to Pete’s questions about QAnon representation at the January 6 rally, and Pete cites a telling quote from the book by Will at the January 6 rally

At about 29:00, Will gives examples of feedback and conversation with QAnon believers, as well as many of their mindsets/motivations and targets for their anger/frustrations

At about 30:20, Pete cites Chapter One’s “Easter eggs” for QAnon, and Will talks about “Q Proofs” and other indicators, according to the believers

At about 32:10, Will points to a definition of “conspiracy theory” from the book and connects to real-life theories passed on by QAnon believers

At about 33:05, Will puts into perspectives some statistics about QAnon tenets and American beliefs in these, as measured by polls from the last few years

At about 35:55, Will gives some history of 4chan and more connections to QAnon

At about 38:15, Will opines on Trump’s ignorance of QAnon versus his manipulating and using their support for him

At about 41:25, Pete asks Will about his views on people who believe in QAnon tenets and about those who promote QAnon

At about 44:00. Pete traces social media’s connections to QAnon and Will describes how Covid led to a resurgence of QAnon

At about 46:00-QAnon Anonymous Podcast shout out-incredible episode regarding Jim Caviezel

At about 47:00, Pete and Will focus on stories of individuals from the book and on QAnon’s future based on its move outside the borders of the United States

At about 49:50, Will, while not extremely optimistic, talks about remedies for breaking the QAnon hold

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 me on IG, where I’m @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 my podcast.

I am very excited to be able to share one or two podcast episodes per month on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership!

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 230 with Chelsea T. Hicks, a Wazhazhe writer with an MA from UC Davis and an MFA from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her writing has been published in The Paris Review, Poetry, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere. She was selected as a 5 Under 35 honoree by Louise Erdrich for the National Book Award, and her first book, A Calm and Normal Heart, was longlisted for the PEN America Robert W. Bingham Prize.

The episode will air on April 2.

Wednesday Mar 27, 2024

Episode 228 with Jennifer Croft, Author of The Extinction of Irena Rey and Award-Winning Translator, and Master of Worldbuilding, Highly-Allegorical Yet Masterfully-Plotted Fiction, and Nuance

Wednesday Mar 27, 2024

Notes and Links to Jennifer Croft’s Work

For Episode 228, Pete welcomes Jennifer Croft, and the two discuss, among other topics, her early relationship with words and geography and later, multilingualism, formative colleagues and teachers who guided and inspired her love of languages and literary translation, her serendipitous path to focusing on Polish and Spanish translations, connections between cultural nuances and translation, and literal and allegorical signposts in her book, including climate change and celebrity “brands,” the fluidity of translation, the relationships between translators and original writing, the intriguing phenomenon that is amadou, and time and perspective and their connections to translation.

Jennifer Croft won a 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship for her novel The Extinction of Irena Rey, the 2020 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing for her illustrated memoir Homesick, and the 2018 International Booker Prize for her translation of Olga Tokarczuk’s Flights. A two-time National Book Award–honoree, Croft is Presidential Professor of English & Creative Writing at the University of Tulsa.

Buy The Extinction of Irena Rey

Jennifer's Wikipedia Page

Review of The Extinction of Irena Rey in The New York Times

Jennifer Discusses her Book with Scott Simon on NPR’s Weekend Edition

At about 2:40, Jennifer discusses the feedback she’s gotten, and the overall experience that has governed the weeks since the book’s March 6 publication

At about 3:40, Shout out to the coolest envelope ever, and to Emily Fishman at Bloomsbury Publishing

At about 4:20, Jennifer talks about the influences that led to her curiosity about reading and geography and knowledge

At about 5:55, Jennifer lays out the books that she was reading in her childhood, and talks about books and writing as ways of “traveling”

At about 8:15, Jennifer talks about inspirations from her reading, including working with Yevgeny Yevtushenko

At about 10:15, Jennifer expounds upon her journey in learning new languages, and how learning Spanish and Polish were connected

At about 13:15, Jennifer and Pete talk about the greatness of Jorge Luis Borges, and Pete shouts out the unforgettable “The Gospel According to Mark”

At about 14:15, Jennifer charts what makes her MFA in Literary Translation different than translation on its own

At about 15:30, Jennifer recounts her experiences in Poland when she was there during the time of Pope John Paul II’s death

At about 17:35, Jennifer talks about the art of translation and how she has evolved in her craft over the years

At about 20:45, Pete uses a Marquez translation as an example of a seemingly-absurd rendering, while Jennifer provides a balanced view of translation challenges

At about 22:30, Pete cites some of the gushing blurbs for the book and asks Jennifer about seeds for the book; she cites a genesis in a nonfiction idea

At about 28:15, Pete reads a plot summary from the book jacket/promotional materials

At about 29:10, Pete and Jennifer discuss the book’s two narrators-Emilia the writer, and Alexis, her English translator-and their conflicts and devolutions

At about 33:40, Pete remarks on the strategic and highly-successful structure of the book

At about 34:20, Jennifer responds to Pete’s questions about her use of images throughout the book

At about 37:30, Jennifer discusses the “dishonest[y] of subjectivity” in discussing translation and the author/translator’s role in the writing

At about 38:20, Pete reads a few key lines from the book, including the powerful opening lines and gives some exposition of the book

At about 40:50, Jennifer responds to Pete’s questions about the importance of amadou in the book, and she expands on its many uses and history

At about 45:35, Jennifer expounds on ideas of the “mother tongue” as posited in the book, and uses examples from her own life to further reflect

At about 48:00, Incredibly-cute twin content!

At about 48:35, Chloe, a character from the book, and shifting alliances are discussed

At about 50:50, Amalia, the “climate-change artist,” a main character in Irena’s Grey Eminence, is discussed, and the two point out similarities to fado singer Amália Rodrigues

At about 53:15, Pete asks Jennifer about the process of writing stories within stories

At about 54:10, The two discuss some of the plot-the book’s unfurling

At about 55:55, The two discuss a cool “Easter Egg” and meta-reference in the book

At about 57:20, Jennifer discusses the connections between fungi, the natural world, and translators

At about 59:30, Art and destruction, as featured in the book, is discussed

At about 1:02:00, Jennifer responds to Pete wandering about what is lost/gained through translation, in connection to the book’s translator Alexis

At about 1:03:40, Jennifer speaks to time and perspective as their forms of “translations”

At about 1:05:10, Jennifer speaks about exciting new projects, including a translation of Federico Falco's work

I have added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.

Thanks to new Patreon member, Jessica Cuello, herself a talented poet and former podcast guest.

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 229 with Will Sommer, who covers right-wing media, political radicalization and right-wing conspiracy theories in the United States. His 2023 book is Trust the Plan: The Rise of QAnon and the Conspiracy That Reshaped América. He is also featured as an expert on QAnon in HBO's Q: Into the Storm

The episode will go live on March 28 or 29.

Lastly, please go to https://ceasefiretoday.com/, which features 10+ actions to help bring about Ceasefire in Gaza.

Monday Mar 11, 2024

Episode 227 with Gina Chung, Author of Green Frog, a Dazzling Collection of Poignant, Offbeat, Chillingly-Realistic and Fantastical Stories

Monday Mar 11, 2024

Notes and Links to Gina Chung’s Work

For Episode 227, Pete welcomes Gina Chung, and the two discuss, among other topics, The Babysitters Club’s lasting impact, her early relationship with words and bilingualism, finding great storytelling in her parents’ example and in folktales and animal myths, her master touch with disparate stories and characters, and salient topics from the story collection like parental/child relationships and expectations, grief and memory, and one’s connection with her forebears.

Gina Chung is a Korean American writer from New Jersey currently living in New York City. She is the author of the novel SEA CHANGE (Vintage, March 28, 2023; Picador, April 13, 2023 in the Commonwealth and in the UK on August 10, 2023), which was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, an Asian/Pacific American Award for Adult Fiction Honor, a 2023 B&N Discover Pick, and a New York Times Most Anticipated Book, and the short story collection GREEN FROG (Vintage, March 12, 2024; out in the UK/Commonwealth from Picador on June 6, 2024). A recipient of the Pushcart Prize, she is a 2021-2022 Center for Fiction/Susan Kamil Emerging Writer Fellow and holds an MFA in fiction from The New School's Creative Writing Program and a BA in literary studies from Williams College. Her work appears or is forthcoming in One Story, BOMB, The Kenyon Review, Literary Hub, Catapult, Electric Literature, Gulf Coast, Indiana Review, Idaho Review, The Rumpus, ***Pleiades, and F(r)iction*, among others.**

Buy Green Frog

Gina's Website

Review of Green Frog-Kirkus

At about 2:35, Gina shouts places to buy her book, Green Frog, and about her feelings a few weeks before the book’s release

At about 4:25, Gina recounts what she’s heard from early readers of her collection

At about 6:05, Gina responds to Pete’s questions about storytellers in her life and her early language and reading life

At about 10:10, Gina talks about her early reading delights

At about 12:10, Babysitters Club love!

At about 13:15, Gina talks about her writing journey and her confidence peaks and valleys

At about 16:40, Gina shouts out “amazing” contemporary writers, such as Rebecca K. Riley and Jiaming Tang

At about 18:40-21:25, Gina talks about seeds for her collection and gives background on the title story and the “Green Frog” folktale

At about 21:25-22:40, Gina talks about daily and informal observation that inspired “Mantis” and other stories in the collection

At about 24:40, Gina speaks to her rationale and the background in picking the Emily Jungmin Yoon-inspired epigraph

At about 26:25, Pete and Gina discuss “How to Eat Your Own Heart,” the collection’s first story, including profound quotes (27:10-30:20)

At about 31:00, Gina speaks to ideas of regeneration in the above story and gives some background on how the story came from a Zoom “Knife Skills” course

At about 34:25, The two further discuss the title story of the collection

At about 36:20, Pete asks Gina about the meanings of “here” in the title story

At about 39:30, Themes of community in “The Fruits of Sin” are discussed

At about 40:35, Belief is discussed in conjunc

At about 41:15, Grief and the importance of rabbits in Korean culture and beyond are discussed in connection to a moving story from the collection

At about 43:40, Pete quotes an important and universal passage as he and Gina talk about memory’s throughline in the collection; the two ruminate on connections to The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

At about 50:20, Gina reflects on a moving story that deals with memory and technology

At about 54:00, The two talk about mother-daughter and parent-child relationships in the collection

At about 57:40, Pete quotes a poignant and skillfully crafted passage

At about 59:15, Gina gives a ballpark for how long of a range the stories were written in and throughlines that she has identified in her collection

At about 1:03:00, Gina talks change in characters and its external and internal characteristics

I am very excited that starting in February with Episode 220 with Neef Ekpoudom and this episode, I will 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. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership!

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 228 with Jazmina Barrera Velásquez, who is a fellow at the Foundation for Mexican Letters. Her book of essays, Cuerpo extraño, was awarded the Latin American Voices prize from Literal Publishing in 2013, and she is the editor and co-founder of Ediciones Antílope, and author of, most recently, Cross-Stitch.

The episode will air on March 19.

10+ actions to help bring about Ceasefire in Gaza

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024

Episode 226 with Priscilla Gilman, Author of The Critic's Daughter and Skilled and Thoughtful Chronicler of the Universal and the Intimately Personal

Tuesday Mar 05, 2024

Notes and Links to Priscilla Gilman’s Work

For Episode 226, Pete welcomes Priscilla Gilman, and the two discuss, among other topics, her famous and accomplished parents, and the perks and drawbacks that came with running in circles with dynamic writers and creatives, her voracious appetite for art and media and books, formational and informative works of art, books and not, her father’s wonderful work, belief in the sanctity of childhood, grief and its manifestations, the ways in which her relationships were nurturing and not, and how she managed to write lovingly and honestly about such a towering and beloved figure.

Priscilla Gilman is the author of the memoir, The Anti-Romantic Child, and a former professor of English literature at Yale University and Vassar College. The Anti-Romantic Child received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist, was selected as one the Best Books of 2011 by the Leonard Lopate Show and The Chicago Tribune, and was one of five nominees for a Books for a Better Life Award for Best First Book. Gilman’s writing has appeared in the New York Times, O, the Oprah Magazine, and elsewhere. She lives in New York City.

Buy The Critic's Daughter: A Memoir

Priscilla's Wikipedia Page

WYNC Episode: "The Critic's Daughter' Explores the Marriage of Lynn Nesbit and Richard Gilman"

New York Times Review of The Critic’s Daughter

At about 2:00, Priscilla shouts out bookstores at which to buy her book and book events

At about 3:00, Pete and Priscilla fanboy and fangirl about Episode 42 guest Edoardo Ballerini

At about 5:00, Priscila talks about early reading, texts, and authors who “enraptured” her

At about 7:05, Priscilla and Pete talk about how her reading and writing life was shaped by her literary and artistic parents, Richard Gilman and Lynn Nesbit

At about 10:50, Priscilla responds to Pete’s questions about what it has been like to know some many literary and artistic giants on a personal level

At about 15:30, Priscilla speaks to early writing and reading and her path to academia and literature, including the wonderful role played by Brearley High School

At about 19:10, Priscilla references some of many contemporary writers like Sarah Watters, Ishiguro, Louise Erdrich, Strout, Leslie Jamison, Claire Keegan, Rachel Cusk, Lore Siegal, and Yaa Gaasi, who inspire and thrill her

At about 22:55, Pete and Priscilla discuss the book’s epigraphs and their significances

At about 28:10, The two geek out about Priscilla’s talented sister

At about 28:40, Pete wonders about

At about 32:20, Shaina Taub is shouted out, as Priscilla talks about a cool collaboration with her son and his high school drama

At about 33:05, Pete points out an interesting opening excerpt that compares and contrasts Priscilla’s father and the NYC oeuvre he lived in; Priscilla also discusses the book’s universality

At about 35:30, Priscilla discusses the old days of being able to live comfortably as an artist/critic and the book as a sort of lament for long-gone neighborhoods

At about 37:45, Priscilla compliments Joan Didion as a wonderful, “kind, thoughtful sweetheart and incredible genius”

At about 38:45, The two discuss ideas of public intellectuals and Wolff’s Old School

At about 40:20, Pete asks Priscilla about being true to her father and to herself in writing her book-the two refer to a memorable George Bernard Shaw quote

At about 44:15, Priscilla alludes to an often-quoted line from her book that speaks to ideas of “moving on” and grief

At about 45:10, The two further discuss Richard Gilman’s public life and fame

At about 48:00, Pete cites a disappointing workshop experience in connecting to a powerful and poignant story that Priscilla relates-her first memory-that is a microcosm of so much in her and her father’s lives

At about 50:40, The two discuss how Richard Gilman “believed in childhood”

At about 54:30, Pete references excerpts about Priscilla’s mindset after her parents’ separation and her father’s as well

At about 55:30, Priscilla reference her father’s vivaciousness and physical and mental frailties

At about 58:30, The two discuss some wonderful years late in Richard’s life with his wife Yasuko

At about 59:40, Priscilla underscores ideas of universality in her writing and beyond

At about 1:02:15, Priscilla talks about “tak[ing] the long view” and a wondrous and moving line about the grieving process and hope

I am very excited that starting in February with Episode 220 with Neef Ekpoudom and Episode 222 with Andrew Leland, I will 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. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership!

Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. New as of this week is the opportunity to be a "Well-Wisher and Cheerleader"-which is just $1 per month.

Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 227 with Gina Chung, author of the novel SEA CHANGE, which was longlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, a 2023 B&N Discover Pick, and a New York Times Most Anticipated Book. The episode drops on March 12, Pub Day for her dynamic short story collection GREEN FROG.

Wednesday Feb 28, 2024

Episode 225 with Andrés N Ordorica, Author of How We Named the Stars and Generous Creator of Poignant, Resonant "Love and Loss" Scenes and Utterly Memorable Characters

Wednesday Feb 28, 2024

Notes and Links to Andrés Ordorica’s Work

For Episode 225, Pete welcomes Andrés Ordorica, and the two discuss, among other topics, his early relationship to the written word, formative and transformative writers and writing, wonderful trips to Borders Books, moments and people that shaped his sensibilities, Shakespeare comparisons, and seeds for and salient themes related to How We Named the Stars, including love and loss, the intensity of young love and first love and college, longing and grief.

Andrés N. Ordorica is a queer Latinx writer based in Edinburgh. Drawing on his family’s immigrant history and third culture upbringing, his writing maps the journey of diaspora and unpacks what it means to be from ni de aquí, ni de allá (neither here, nor there). He is the author of the poetry collection At Least This I Know and novel How We Named the Stars. He has been shortlisted for the Morley Lit Prize, the Mo Siewcharran Prize and the Saltire Society’s Poetry Book of The Year. In 2024, he was selected as one of The Observer’s 10 Best Debut Novelists.

Buy How We Named the Stars

Andres' Website

New York Times Review of How We Named the Stars from Maxwell Gilmer

At about 2:15, Andrés talks about the “surreal” experiences he’s had since the book has been out in the world

At about 3:20, Andrés shouts out Douglas Stuart and advice on dealing with multiple projects

At about 5:40, Andrés calls his new project “part of a similar world” as that of How We Named the Stars

At about 8:15, Andrés fill Pete in on his childhood relationship with libraries and the written word, including how his mother’s storytelling influenced and inspired him

At about 11:00, Andrés shouts out NorCal reading spots and how he “fell in love with the idea of books”

At about 13:05, Andrés discusses writers and writing that catapulted him into writing and reading even more seriously-Cristina Garcia, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Susan Lori Parks, Sandra Cisneros, and Marquez

At about 19:30, Andrés shouts out Jackie Kay and Griffin Hansbury and other contemporaries he’s reading in 2024

At about 22:45, Andrés discusses the stellar work of Jackie Kay’s time as Maker of Scotland

At about 24:10, GoodReads discourse!

At about 25:20, Andrés discusses seeds for the book and its epigraph

At about 28:55, Andrés reflects on love and loss as important themes in general and in his book in particular

At about 30:00, Andrés shouts out places to buy his book, and mentions that his book is a Barnes and Noble Pick of the Month

At about 32:20, Andrés breaks down his “pragmatic” and “poetic” decisions to write the book in the epistolary form and let the trader know very quickly about a shattering death

At about 34:35, Pete and Andrés discuss the Prologue and the cosmos and axolotls being referenced

At about 39:40, Andrés gives history on how Elizabeth DeMeo helped him choose his dynamic title

At about 41:00, Pete references ideas of light and darkness and tells a story about a mistaken symbol in Reyna Grande’s Across a Hundred Mountains

At about 43:55, Andrés talks about how even a novelist “doesn’t have all of the answers” regarding the letter/book that constitutes the book

At about 45:30, Pete makes a controversial comparison, re: Shakespeare

At about 47:15, Andrés gives background on a deleted scene from the book alluding to As You Like It

At about 48:45, Pete references Karim new book on Shakespeare by Farah Karim-Cooper

At about 51:30, The two discuss the intensity of college and “the transitory” experience that characterizes the beginning of college

At about 54:50, Pete asks Andrés about the first interactions between Sam and Daniel in the book and about an early scene as a balancing act

At about 1:00:20, Pete lays out early scenes from the book that deal with ignorant and racist comments and the “generous” Sam-Andrés expands upon the former scene’s significance

At about 1:06:00, The two discuss Andrés’ homesickness and family connections and “family” at college

At about 1:07:00, Themes of masculinity and genuine selfhood are discussed, and Andrés talks about how he shaped parts of the book as an “homage” to figures in his life

At about 1:09:50, Pete highlights Andrés incredible touch in rendering the immediate aftermath of a crushing death on the page

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 226 with Priscila Gilman, author of the memoir, The Anti-Romantic Child, and former professor of English literature at Yale University and Vassar College; Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, O, the Oprah Magazine, and elsewhere. Her memoir, A Critic’s Daughter, was released to critical acclaim in Feb 2023

The episode will air on March 5.

Tuesday Feb 20, 2024

Episode 224 with Peter Coviello, Enthusiastic and Deeply Knowledgeable Critic and Celebrator of Moving Art, and Author of the Essay Collection, Is There God After Prince

Tuesday Feb 20, 2024

Notes and Links to Peter Coviello’s Work

For Episode 224, Pete welcomes Peter Coviello, and the two discuss, among other topics, his early relationship with music and bands that led him on a circuitous route to reading and writing, favorite individual and shared writers, the ways in which fandom and passion for books and music and the like grows and cements friendships, and salient topics from the book like The Sopranos as comfort watching and bringing Peter closer to his Covid-isolated family, the tonic and “jolt” that is passionate and talented artist, Prince as of this world and totally otherworldly somehow, and the visceral pleasures that come with love of the arts and love for the people who make and enjoy these arts.

Peter Coviello is a scholar of American literature and queer theory, whose work addresses the entangled histories of sex, devotion, and intimate life in imperial modernity.

A writer of criticism, scholarship, and literary nonfiction, he is the author of six books, including Make Yourselves Gods: Mormonism and the Unfinished Business of American Secularism (Chicago), a finalist for the 2020 John Whitmer Historical Association Best Book Prize; Long Players (Penguin), a memoir selected as one of ARTFORUM’s Ten Best Books of 2018; and Tomorrow’s Parties: Sex and the Untimely in Nineteenth-Century America (NYU), a 2013 finalist for a Lambda Literary Award in LGBT Studies.

His book, Vineland Reread (Columbia), was listed among the New York Times’s “New and Noteworthy” titles for January of 2021. He taught for sixteen years at Bowdoin College, where he was Chair of the departments of Gay and Lesbian Studies, Africana Studies, and English, and since 2014 has been at UIC, where he is Professor and Head of English. His newest book Is There God After Prince?: Dispatches from an Age of Last Things (Chicago), was selected for The Millions’ “Most Anticipated” list for 2023.

He advises work on 19th- and 20th-century American literatures and queer studies, as well as literary theory, religion and secularism, the history of sexuality, gender studies, poetry and poetics, modernism, and creative nonfiction.

Buy Is There God After Prince: Dispatches from an Age of Last Things

Peter's Website with University of Chicago

New City Lit Review of Is There God After Prince

At about 3:00, Cavatelli! Italian last names! Goodfellas references!

At about 5:00, Peter Coviello talks about his early relationship with the written word, and particularly how “worlds of music and imagination” got him into Rolling Stone and William Faulkner and other wonderful and catchy writing

At about 9:10, Peter highlights the “jolt” and “discovery” of young people/students and coins (?) the term “quotidian miraculousness” that comes with teaching literature

At about 10:50, Pete references the liner notes of Rage Against the Machine albums, as he and Peter discuss talking about great books and other artistic appraisals

At about 12:20, Peter responds to Pete’s question about which writers have influenced him over the years, including more recent writers like Jessica Hopper and Helen Macdonald

At about 15:20, Peter talks about tangential connections to David Foster Wallace

At about 16:20, Peter talks about who he is reading in 2024, including Anna Burns and Sam Lipsyte

At about 19:00, Peter talks about seeds for his essay collections

At about 21:10, Pete and Peter nerd out about a favorite writer of Peter’s and a favorite professor of Pete’s

At about 24:15, Peter discusses love and sorrow and the ways in which critique is intertwined with love, especially when discussing art of all types

At about 25:55, The two discuss contrasts in love of art, and little victories in reading and fandom

At about 28:10, Pete highlights “not nothing” and “and yet” as so crucial and telling in the book

At about 29:20, Pete shouts out the book’s Introduction and he and Peter fanboy again over the Wussy song mentioned in the Intro, “Teenage Wasteland”

At about 31:10, The two talk about fandom and sharing great art, including Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance

At about 33:20, Peter sees grief in some well-known art and talks

At about 34:30, Peter explains what he sees as so beneficial and magic about discussions and “fights” about art

At about 39:00, The two discuss the collection’s title essay and the freedom and camaraderie and joy that came with Prince dance parties from 1999 Maine

At about 41:00, Peter speaks to the “otherworldliness” of Prince and gives background on his greatness and iconic status and how he was also of “carnality”

At about 42:30-Prince and Chappelle Show reference!

At about 43:30, The two discuss lively writing that comes off as funny and/or electrifying, like that of Paul Beatty

At about 46:00, The discussion revolves around the book’s second essay and Pavement , especially their song “Unfair”

At about 47:30, Peter connects the above song with a telling and profound and prophetic quote from Paul Beatty’s Slumberland

At about 48:50, Peter and Pete discuss algorithms and a chapter on a fun discussion/argument over Gladys Knight's "Midnight Train to Georgia"

At about 50:00, Pete highlights Peter’s complimentary writing about current songwriters and the two discuss Steely Dan as treated in the book, and the ways in which strong feelings on either side is mostly a healthy thing

At about 52:50, Peter gives background on how much of the book deals with his relationship with his stepdaughters and the “adjacency” of love and sorrow and how much art

At about 54:45, The two reflect on a meaningful essay about Derek Jeter’s “moment in time”

At about 56:15, The two discuss the three “John’s” of an important chapter and the “terrible double discovery of adolescence”

At about 58:00-Third Eye Blind and Justin Bieber and Chance the Rapper and other music is discussed for aesthetic qualities and connections to Peter’s relationships with his daughters

At about 1:00:05, My So-Called Life is referenced in connection with father-daughter conversations

At about 1:01:50, Chicago is highlighted and Anthony Wa Gwendolyn Brooks

At about 1:02:40, Peter reflects on how The Sopranos’ and its treatment in the book kept him close to his family in Covid lockdown

At about 1:05:10, Peter gives book information and ordering information

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 225 with Andrés N. Ordorica, author of the poetry collection At Least This I Know; his writing has been shortlisted for the Morley Prize for Unpublished Writers of Colour and the Saltire Society’s Poetry Book of The Year. How We Named the Stars, his first novel, was published on January 30.

The episode will air on February 27.

Wednesday Feb 14, 2024

Episode 223 with Sarah Rose Etter, Master Balancer of Surrealism, Realism, Dark Humor, and Themes of Grief and Anxiety that are Timely and Timeless

Wednesday Feb 14, 2024

Notes and Links to Sarah Rose Etter’s Work

For Episode 223, Pete welcomes Sarah Rose Etter, and the two discuss, among other topics, her early relationship to the written word, formative and transformative writers and writing, her love of writing in translation, her and Pete’s shared love of Hemingway’s short stories, and seeds for and salient themes related to Ripe, including housing and economic inequalities and realities, depression and anxiety as represented by the book’s “black hole,” parental/child relationships, and grief.

Sarah Rose Etter is the author of RIPE (published by Scribner), and The Book of X, winner of the 2019 Shirley Jackson Award. Her short fiction collection, Tongue Party, was selected by Deb Olin Unferth to be published as the winner of the 2011 Caketrain Award.

Her work has appeared or is forthcoming in TIME, Guernica, BOMB, Gulf Coast, The Cut, VICE, and more.

She has been awarded residences at the Jack Kerouac House, the Disquiet International program in Portugal, and the Gullkistan Writing Residency in Iceland.

In 2017, she was the keynote speaker at the Society for the Study of American Women Writers conference in Bordeaux, France, where she presented on surrealist writing as a mode of feminism.

She earned her B.A. in English from Pennsylvania State University and her M.F.A. in Fiction from Rosemont College. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.

Buy Ripe

Sarah's Website

New York Times Review of Ripe by Alexandra Chang

NPR Interview

At about 2:00, Sarah shouts out the literary landscape and physical landscape

At about 2:45, Sarah talks about her childhood relationship with the written word

At about 4:30, Pete and Sarah exchange formative stories and writing that opened up analytical and emotional taps, including Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Elephants” and “Cat in the Rain,” as well as Plath’s “Metaphors”

At about 5:40, Sarah talks about how and why she started writing with short stories

At about 6:50, Sarah reflects on ideas of obsession with subject matter when writing

At about 7:22, Sarah shares a few examples of chill-inducing writing for her as a reader

At about 8:55, Sarah discusses contemporary writers who thrill and challenge her: Carmen Maria Machado, Hallie Butler, Kristen Arnett, Melissa Broder, and many works in translation, like Olga T

At about 15:00, Sarah discusses seeds for Ripe, including how her personal life and the world’s recent issues informed the book

At about 19:00, Pete and Sarah talk about grief and sharing

At about 22:10, Pete sets the book’s exposition, and Sarah gives background on the powerful and meaningful first line of the book

At about 25:30, Sarah and Pete compare notes on first draft and heavy editing

At about 27:15, The two discuss the black hole, a common symbol in the book

At about 29:50, Pete compliments the ways in which Sarah presents the narrator Cassie and the frenzied Silicon Valley lifestyle

At about 30:55, Sarah discusses the ways in which Cassie is the person she is due to her parents’ influences

At about 33:00, Sarah charts and breaks down a bit of her writing outlook and style and schedule

At about 34:30, Sarah references Parasite and Uncut Gems as examples of storytelling and escalating tensions as so powerful

At about 35:50, Sarah talks about her black hole research and earlier permutations of the black hole and its place in the book

At about 37:50, Sarah responds to Pete’s questions about a possible history of depression within Cassie's family and without

At about 40:10, Sarah discusses the strengths and beauty of Cassie’s relationship with her father, as well as some of his toxic qualities

At about 41:20, Sarah discusses the issues revolving around money and the high cost of living

At about 43:10, The two discuss the book’s title and the symbolism of the pomegranate and ideas of mythical connections and underworlds

At about 45:25, The two shout out Stephanie Feldman and connections between Ripe and Stephanie’s Saturnalia

At about 46:05, Pete references some cringy and skillful scenes involving the workplace

At about 47:10, Sarah speaks on the often-unchecked CEOs and bigshots in tech companies

At about 50:05, Pete cites a few moments worthy of Cassie’s “crystal jar”

At about 50:40, Pete reads and heaps praise upon a particularly profound and apt passage

At about 52:20, Sarah reacts to Pete’s question about the staying power of her book

At about 54:45, Pete and Sarah discuss the book’s ending

At about 59:00, Sarah talks about exciting new projects

I am very excited that starting in February with Episode 220 with Neef Ekpoudom, I will 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. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership!

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 224 with Peter Coviello, a scholar of American literature and queer theory, whose work addresses the entangled histories of sex, devotion, and intimate life in imperial modernity. He’s also the author of six books, including Is There God After Prince?: Dispatches from an Age of Last Things, which was selected for The Millions’ “Most Anticipated” list for 2023.

The episode will air on February 20.

Thursday Feb 01, 2024

Episode 222 with Andrew Leland, Author of The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, and Masterful Chronicler of His and Other Journeys with Blindness and its Intersections with our World

Thursday Feb 01, 2024

Notes and Links to Andrew Leland’s Work

For Episode 222, Pete welcomes Andrew Leland, and the two discuss, among other topics, his early balance of technology and art and creativity that continues to govern his writing and careers, early formative reading, the philosophy of “going blind” versus “becoming blind,” the spectrum of blindness, and salient themes in his book like intersectionality, ableism, and differing ideas of how society sees the blind and disabled, and how this affects Andrew and others in similar situations.

Andrew Leland is a writer, audio producer, editor, and teacher living in Western Massachusetts.

His first book, The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, about the world of blindness (and figuring out his place in it), was published in July 2023 by Penguin Press.

He has produced audio for a range of entities, including an interview with the DeafBlind poet John Lee Clark for the New Yorker Radio Hour; a story about disabled astronauts for Radiolab; and a story about reading technologies for the blind for 99 Percent Invisible.

From 2013–2019, he hosted and produced the Organist, an arts-and-culture podcast, for KCRW.

He has taught nonfiction writing, radio, and “digital storytelling” (?) at Smith College, UMass-Amherst, and the University of Missouri, he’s been an editor at the Believer since 2003, and he’s edited books for McSweeney’s and Chronicle Books.

Buy The Country of the Blind

Andrew's Website

New York Times Review of The Country of the Blind

NPR Article on The Country of the Blind

At about 3:15, Andrew details his background with reading and writing, including how he was influenced by his parents in different ways, as well as how he was indirectly influenced by his uncle, the playwright Neil Simon

At about 6:25, Andrew talks about a towering gift from his aunt that really energized his reading and writing journeys

At about 9:30, Pete and Andrew discuss David Foster Wallace, his lasting literary legacy, and his marred legacy outside of writing

At about 11:15, Andrew responds to Pete’s questions about how his background in audio engineering, and how it has affected his writing

At about 15:15, Pete reflects on the reading experience and Andrew reflects on how the book moved along due to his audio background, and Andrew shouts out Rachel Cunningham at Penguin Random House as being extremely helpful with structuring his book

At about 17:10, Andrew discusses seeds for his book

At about 21:00, The two lay out some exposition of the book and discuss the book’s opening lines and contradictions; Andrew expands upon Will Butler’s ideas of “going blind” vs. “becoming blind”

At about 25:20, Andrew gives background on the book’s title, and how it’s based on a HG Wells’ book

At about 27:30, Andrew talks about long-held ideas or stereotypes of blind people and the consequences of same

At about 30:05, Andrew discusses the myriad ways in which blindness has been used as metaphor, and shouts out a book that explores these tropes, There Plant Eyes, by M. Leona Godin

At about 32:45, Andrew explains the difficulties he had with a meetup in Missouri that is featured in the book, as well as some immediate and later revelations that came from this

At about 37:30, Andrew delves into his travels and conventions attended that adjusted his mindset and provided many beautiful moments and learning moments

At about 41:55, Andrew discusses genetic testing for his medical condition, and how he and his wife decided whether or not to have their son tested

At about 44:00, The two discuss ideas of intersectionality and in Andrew’s research and reporting and what he found regarding racism and the strong work put forth by queer women of color in disabled communities

At about 48:10, Andrew and Pete reflect on the history of the Bay Area in the fight for disability justice

At about 51:00, The two discuss the medical advancements and artificial sight that are coming to the forefront and the ways in which Andrew writes and thinks about them

At about 54:20, Andrew details the importance of Ben McFall, the legendary bookseller, and how his obituary connects to how Andrew feels as he started to use a screen reader

At about 58:25, Andrew juxtaposes the Carroll Center for the Blind’s philosophy versus that of other organizations that work for and with the blind

At about 1:01:10, Pete and Andrew analyze an important set of encounters with a fellow guest at The Colorado Center for the Blind and the implications of their attitudes and philosophies and experiences

At about 1:05:30, Andrew talks about exciting new projects

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 224 with Sarah Rose Etter, the author of 2023’s Ripe, and The Book of X, which was the winner of the 2019 Shirley Jackson Award. Her short fiction collection, Tongue Party, was selected by Deb Olin Unferth to be published as the winner of the 2011 Caketrain Award.

The episode will air on February 13.

Friday Jan 26, 2024

Episode 221 with Martha Anne Toll, Renaissance Woman, Book Reviewer, Creative, and Award-Winning Writer of the Moving, Contemplative Three Muses

Friday Jan 26, 2024

Notes and Links to Martha Anne Toll’s Work

For Episode 221, Pete welcomes Martha Anne Toll, and the two discuss, among other topics, her early reading and writing and written word-heavy household, her love of music and other artistic pursuits, and the way muses have worked in her life and in her novel, ideas of grief, survivor’s guilt and connection, real-life tragedies and heroes from the Holocaust that informed her writing, and other salient themes from her book like permanence, memory, and connection.

Martha Anne Toll's debut novel, THREE MUSES, was shortlisted for the Gotham Book Prize and won the Petrichor Prize for Finely Crafted Fiction. THREE MUSES has received glowing tributes since it came out in September 2022. She writes fiction, essays, and book reviews, and reads anything that’s not nailed down.

She brings a long career in social justice to her work covering authors of color and women writers as a critic and author interviewer at NPR Books, the Washington Post, Pointe Magazine, The Millions, and elsewhere. She also publishes short fiction and essays in a wide variety of outlets. Toll is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and serves on the Board of Directors of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation.

’ Her second novel, DUET FOR ONE, will be out in early 2025.

Buy Three Muses

Martha's Website

New York Journal of Books Review of Three Muses

At about 2:00, Martha provides a cool definition

At about 2:25, Martha talks about her future project-her book coming out in 2025, and she shouts out places to buy Three Muses

At about 4:20, Martha discusses her early reading and writing life, and the ways in which her parents influenced her habits

At about 7:15, Martha traces her writing journey

At about 8:40, Martha talks about inspiring and beloved writers (like Alex Chee, Garth Greenwell, Kiese Laymon, Vikram seth and shirley hazzard) and writing in contemporary times, as well as how working as a book reviewer affects her own reading for pleasure

At about 10:55, Martha speaks to Pete’s questions

At about 12:10, Martha gives seeds for Three Muses, including how she had ideas based on a real-life story from the Holocaust and the Greek view of three muses

At about 14:10, Pete and Martha lay out some of the book’s exposition

At about 15:30, Martha responds to Pete wondering about how the protagonist John was roused by a dance from Katya/Katherine

At about 16:45, Martha reflects on Katya’s problematic and ongoing collaboration and personal relationship with the director Boris

At about 20:05, Pete lays out some of Katya’s traumas

At about 20:50, Martha talks about Janko/John’s horrific childhood and the loss of his family in Mainz, Germany, in the Holocaust-Martha describes how her cousin Alan Boucher’s memoir informed some parts of the book

At about 22:25, Martha speaks about the guilt-inducing “Sophie’s Choice” that afflicts and saves John/Janko’s; she expounds upon his survivor’s guilt

At about 24:30, Pete and Martha compare Janko’s story with that of Elie Wiesel and the ways in which iit was so gutting to see people killed in the camps so close to Liberation

At about 26:30, The two discuss the idea of reinvention as seen through John in the book, and Martha expands on “unlikely heroes” who helped John to survive

At about 29:20, Martha discusses Barney and Selma Katz, who “adopt” John, and she talks about John’s own psychoanalysis and psychologist training

At about 31:05, The two discuss themes in the book of memorializing, living “in the present tense,” and how memory guides the characters’ actions

At about 33:05, Pete traces John and Katya’s connections, and Martha debates how and if the “innate” connections are there

At about 36:00, Pete asks Martha about any responsibilities/urgency to get Holocaust stories on the page

At about 37:45, Martha speaks of art and its “incredibl[e] importan[ce]” and the power of fiction

At about 38:55, Martha shouts out Forgottenness by Tanja Maljartschuk as an example of the power of memory

At about 39:55, Martha responds to Pete’s question about the emotional toll of writing her book

I am very excited that starting in February with Episode 220, I will 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. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership!

NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 221 with Andrew Leland, a writer, audio producer, editor, and teacher. His first book, The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight, about the world of blindness (and figuring out his place in it), was published in July 2023 by Penguin Press, to great acclaim and receiving many awards.

The episode will air on January 31.

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024

Episode 220 with Aniefiok Epoudom: Keen Chronicler of Hip-Hop, Football Culture and Pop Culture in the UK, and Savvy and Nuanced Master of Telling Personal Stories; Author of

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024

Notes and Links to Aniefiok Epoudom’s Work

For Episode 220, Pete welcomes Neef Epoudoum, and the two discuss, among other topics, his early reading and writing, varied fiction and nonfiction writers and their influences on him, the pull of creative nonfiction on him as he discovered favorite writers and their favorite writers, the ways in which he engenders trust with interview subjects, and salient themes and topic from his book, including the UK's Windrush Generation, the ways in which UK grime and rap have grown together and separately, the racism and classism that has shaped so much of modern UK grime and rap, the standout artists who have carved their names in UK music folklore, how these people are shaped by societal forces, and more.

Aniefiok “‘Neef” Ekpoudom is a writer and storyteller from South London whose work documents community and culture in contemporary Britain. His debut book Where We Come From: Rap Home and Hope in Modern Britain is a social history of British Rap. It will be released via Faber & Faber in August 2023.

As a journalist, he writes longform essays and profiles for The Guardian, GQ and more. From charting a history of Black Football culture in South London to mapping the forces of migration and music that formed J Hus, his writing weaves social, cultural and narrative history to explore the current, lived realities of peoples across the UK.

Aniefiok’s writing has featured in a number of essay collections and anthologies, including #Merky Books titles Keisha The Sket (2021) and A New Formation: How Black Players Shaped The Modern Game (2022), as well as SAFE: On Black British Men Reclaiming Space (Trapeze, 2019).

Aniefiok was named on the Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List for Media & Marketing. He is a British Journalism Award winner for his work with The Guardian. He has also been named Culture Writer of the Year at the Freelance Writing Awards, and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

He has worked with Nike, Netflix, Google, BBC, the Premier League, adidas, YouTube, Metallic Inc, COPA 90 and more.

Buy Where We Come From: Rap, Home & Hope in Modern Britain

Aniefiok's Website

At about 3:20, Neef talks about his mindset being two weeks away from his book’s publication and shares his experience in narrating the audiobook

At about 6:35, Pete shares glowing blurbs for Where We Come From from Caleb Azumah Nelson and Musa Okwonga

At about 7:15, Neef discusses places at which to buy his book, like Pages in Hackney, Seven Oaks Bookshop, and Libreria Bookshop

At about 8:05, Neef talks about his language and reading lives during his childhood

At about 10:50, Neef talks about the impact that US and UK rap had on him as a kid

At about 14:45, Neef talks about the ways in which US rap and its genres and subgenres were/are viewed in the US, and how UK rap has been blended with Jamaican Sound System and US hip hop

At about 17:00, Neef responds to Pete’s question about his formation as a writer

At about 18:15, Neef traces his return to heavy reading in university and his exposure to creative nonfiction/New Journalism legends like Gay Talese and Joan Didion

At about 21:20, Neef talks about the contemporary writers who thrill him and challenge him, like Wright Thompson, Hanif Abdurraqib, David Finkel, Gary Smith, and Jacqueline Woodson

At about 26:25, Pete inquires about how Neef engenders trust from his interview subjects for his profiles

At about 29:30, Neef discusses his evolving goals that informed his book

At about 32:25, Neef responds with why he started the book at a show for Giggs

At about 36:35, Neef explains the importance of UK grime as using 140 beats per minute, as well as some forebears of UK rap and grime-the Windrush Generation and Jamaican Sound System

At about 42:30, Neef gives background on the amazing story of Cecil Morris and “Pirate Radio”

At about 47:05, Neef describes So Solid’s garage music as a forebear of darker grime music that was to come

At about 49:30, Neef and Pete discuss parallels between more raw, honest American rap and some years later with Despa and in UK grime

At about 51:45, The two discuss the immigrant communities of South Wales that Neef so expertly charts when writing about Astroid Boys

At about 56:50, Neef gives background on how class often manifests in British life, and how writing the book changed the ways he saw class functioning

At about 1:00:33, Neef discusses the fusing of rap and grime and Cadet’s and Despa’s and others

At about 1:02:00, Neef talks about the power of Despa’s “Meet the Artist” show

At about 1:04:30, Neef speaks to the legacy of Cadet after his tragic death in an auto accident

At about 1:09:20, Neef and Pete highlight how music helped with Pa Salieu’s anxieties

At about 1:10:00, Neef and Pete discuss the book’s last few chapters and the ways in which Neef depicts the ways in which music has changed

At about 1:12:35, Neef speaks to what he sees for the future of grime and rap and other UK music forms and highlights strong signs of continued substance in the music of current stars

At about 1:16:00, Neef speaks about “lower barriers to entry” in current music for women and others, “flattening the playing field” for those often ignored

At about 1:17:00, Neef speaks about exploring new projects, probably in fiction, and continuing to explore storytelling about contemporary

At about 1:18:00, Southampton FC shout out!

I am very excited that starting in late January with this episode, I will have 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. A big thanks to Rachel León and Michael Welch at Chicago Review-I’m looking forward to the partnership!

NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 221 with Martha Anne Toll, whose debut novel, THREE MUSES, was shortlisted for Gotham Book Prize and won the Petrichor Prize for Finely Crafted Fiction; has worked as a critic and author interviewer at NPR Books, the Washington Post, Pointe Magazine, The Millions, and elsewhere. Martha publishes short fiction and essays in a wide variety of outlets; member of the National Book Critics Circle.

The episode will air on January 24.

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024

Episode 219 with Roxanna Asgarian, Principled and Dogged Reporter, Caring and Clear-Eyed Journalist and Author of We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America

Wednesday Jan 17, 2024

Notes and Links to Roxanna Asgarian’s Work

For Episode 219, Pete welcomes Roxanna Asgarian, and the two discuss, among other topics, her history in working with varied journalistic pursuits, the ways in which she has viewed power and racism and privilege in the child welfare system, and the hideous ways in which the system worked against the adopted children in the infamous Hart family murders.

Roxanna Asgarian is a Texas-based journalist who writes about courts and the law for The Texas Tribune. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and Texas Monthly, among other publications. She received the 2022 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America.

Buy We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America

Roxanna on Twitter

Review on Book from Jennifer Szalai for The New York Times

At about 1:00, Roxanna discusses early reading

At about 2:30, Roxanna discusses her early writing inspirations and the writing lives’ vagaries

At about 4:15, Roxanna responds to Pete’s questions about how student journalism work informed her later writing

At about 7:00, Roxanne discusses contemporary writers and writing that challenge and thrill her

At about 10:10, Roxanna talks about seeds for the book, and what in her personal professional life drew her to the story

At about 14:10, Roxanna gives out contact information and social media info and shouts out Las Vegas’ Writers Block as one of many great places to buy her books

At about 15:25, Roxanna provides some background on the horrific Hart murders and how power came into play in the events surrounding the murders, and how the child welfare system functioned and functions

At about 19:10, Roxanna discusses the rare inquest that took place after the murders

At about 21:15, Roxanna fills in listeners on the “inhumane” way that local detectives called the murders a “Thelma and Louise” situation and ways in which race played in to the stories told by law enforcement and media

At about 23:20, Roxanna explains the power and significance of the “Hug Shared around the World” with Devonte Davis and how it was understood and misunderstood

At about 27:30, The two discuss Dontay Davis’ and the ways in which he was done wrong by The System

At about 30:00, Roxanna explains ASFA (1997 Adoption and Safe Families’ Act), particularly with respect to Sherry Davis’ situations

At about 32:55, Pete refers to Judge Shelton and other paragons of prejudice and racism who were in control in some many family law cases

At about 35:40, Pete mentions adoption incentives and the ways in which those in TX never followed up once the Davis’ kids went to MN, and Roxanna tells the story of how “Bree” was an early foster case that showed the Harts’ unfitness as parents

At about 38:45, Roxanna gives background on gaps and prejudices in the child welfare system and in society that have led to “colorblind” adoptions that have been highly problematic

At about 42:30, The two discuss more about Dontay’s life in recent years, especially after he found out about his siblings’ death

At about 44:25, Roxanna recounts the intense scene in which she helped make the transference of cremains and memories from the children

At about 47:35, Roxanna gives background on the selfless surrogate father, Nathaniel

At about 50:00, Roxanna discusses upcoming projects

NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 220 with Neef Ekpoudom, a writer and journalist from south London who documents the people, voices and communities of modern Britain. He has written for publications including the Guardian, GQ, Vogue, and VICE. In 2022, he was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List in Media & Marketing. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and his newest book, Where We Come From: Rap, Home & Hope in Modern Britain, has today, Jan 18, as its Pub Day.

Monday Jan 08, 2024

Episode 218 with Melissa Rivero, Author of Flores and Miss Paula, Keen Observer of Modern Corporate Life and Nuanced Chronicler of Grief’s Many Permutations

Monday Jan 08, 2024

Notes and Links to Melissa Rivero’s Work

For Episode 218, Pete welcomes Melissa Rivero, and the two discuss, among other topics, her language and writing life growing up in a bilingual household, writing creatively after writing more practically for her legal career, the startup cultures that informed Flores and Miss Paula, and salient themes from the book like loss, cycles in life, grieving, and la tercera edad.

Melissa Rivero is the author of The Affairs of the Falcóns, winner of the 2019 New American Voices Award and a 2020 International Latino Book Award. The book was also longlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel, the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize, and the Aspen Words Literary Prize. Her most recent novel, Flores and Miss Paula, was published in December 2023. Born in Lima, Peru and raised in Brooklyn, she is a graduate of NYU and Brooklyn Law School, where she was an editor of the Brooklyn Law Review. Melissa still lives in Brooklyn with her family.

Buy Flores and Miss Paula

Melissa's Website

Interview for Bomb Magazine with Ivelisse Rodriguez

At about 1:40, The two discuss an interesting title of a book of hers

At about 2:25, Melissa traces the month or so that Flores and Miss Paula has been out in the world, and feedback she has received

At about 4:35, Melissa shares information on an exciting novel project of hers

At about 6:40, Pete shouts out an extremely clever phrase in the book

At about 7:15, Melissa gives background on her bilingual childhood and reading and writing interests and origins

At about 9:20, Miss Nelson is Missing shout out!

At about 11:45, Melissa shouts out some favorite Peruvian writers, past and present, including Claudia Salazar Jiménez

At about 15:00, Melissa responds to Pete’s question about how translation and bilingualism affect her writer’s voice and style

At about 17:35, Melissa puts “Write what you know” into her personal context with regard to her latest novel and gives some seeds for the book

At about 21:30, Melissa talks about her writing rhythms during the Covid lockdown

At about 23:35, Pete asks Melissa about the nomenclature of Flores and Miss Paula and she speaks to the significance of the phrasing

At about 25:50, Melissa responds to Pete’s questions about the book’s four seasons’ structure

At about 28:00, Pete is highly complimentary of the ways in which Melissa depicts grieving and grief

At about 28:35, Melissa reads the book’s opening paragraph, and she and Pete discuss the power of the dynamic beginning

At about 29:35, The two discuss the book’s exposition, including descriptions of the mother’s and daughter’s workplaces and the intriguing coworker of Yoli’s (Flores’), Max

At about 32:00, Melissa discusses the company’s boss, Eric, and how her time in the startup world informed her writing about that culture

At about 34:00, Melissa responds to Pete’s wondering about how Flores’ work habits connect to her emotions, especially with the loss of her father

At about 35:50, Melissa gives background on Paula’s friendship with Vicente and their shared history

At about 38:40, Melissa and Pete talk about the ways in which Flores exercises her creative muscles

At about 39:40, Melissa compares the writing she did in her law career and the more creative work she does these days

At about 41:45, Pete asks Melissa about the themes of identity and assimilation come into play with Flores

At about 44:25, The two discuss the “seasons of grieving” in the 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 me on IG, where I’m @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.

NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 219 with Roxanna Asgarian a Texas-based journalist who writes about courts and the law for The Texas Tribune. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, New York magazine, and Texas Monthly, among other publications. She received the 2022 J. Anthony Lukas Work-in-Progress Award for We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America.

The episode will air on January 11.

Thursday Dec 21, 2023

Episode 217 with Jeff Sharlet, Author of The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War, and Sharp-Eyed Chronicler of Impending Fascism and Previous Fighters in The Movements

Thursday Dec 21, 2023

Notes and Links to Jeff Sharlet’s Work

For Episode 217, Pete welcomes Jeff Sharlet, and the two discuss, among other topics, his father and uncle’s outsized influence on Jeff’s reading and activism, allegory and worldbuilding and their roles in right -wing movements and propagandizing, incredibly-bleak and bright indications of the future, his reasoning in bookending the book with stalwarts in justice movements, the slow, creeping fascism that he charts through the book, and examples of and reason for steadfast activism.

Jeffrey Sharlet is New York Times/national bestselling author of THE FAMILY and C STREET. He is also executive producer of the 2019 Netflix documentary series based on the work, with the documentary also called, THE FAMILY. His newest book is THE UNDERTOW: Scenes from a Slow Civil War. Sharlet is the Frederick Sessions Beebe '35 Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College.]

Buy The Undertow

Jeff's Website at Dartmouth College

Jeff’s Wikipedia Page

Review of The Undertow by Joseph O’Neill for The New York Times

At about 2:30, Jeff drops some about the history of his endowed chair and the origins of his workplace, Dartmouth College, including Samson Occom’s role

At about 5:10, Jeff talks about his early reading and fascinations and how the worldbuilding he loved and now informs his interests in the world building of the Far Right

At about 7:50, Jeff traces some of his family history, and how his father and Uncle Jeff’s amazing lives inform his own

At about 11:00, Jeff notes the mass-scale mutiny of US soldiers that ended the Vietnam War and connects to today’s fascist movements; he calls attention to underground movements of today and yesterday

At about 14:30, Jeff responds to Pete’s questions about his interest in and history with literature and films dealing with the Vietnam War

At about 17:20, Jeff responds to Pete’s questions about the ways in which The Vietnam War has been covered and propagandized in the resultant decades, “redefining the Vietnam story” and being embraced by many on the Far Right

At about 22:00, Jeff connects common tropes regarding veterans to Ashli Babbitt’s story, which is traced in much of his book The Undertow

At about 26:15, Jeff describes the ways in which interview subjects view the idea and possibilities for “civil war”

At about 28:15, Jeff discusses places to buy book and shouts out the library as a great place to rebel against impending book bans

At about 31:15, Jeff notes polls and surveys and how a Trump victory has informed his book and how to “tell stories about fascism”

At about 34:50, Jeff talks about the term “Trumpism” and how there were “parameters of Reaganism” from 1980-2016 that gave way to the “Trumpocene” from 2016 to present

At about 36:20, Jeff references ugly examples of Trumpism enabled and supported in policy

At about 38:10, Jeff shares information from protests in Sacramento that informed his book

At about 39:30, Pete and Jeff discuss the way in which Jeff’s book is bookended by stories involving Harry Bellafonte and Lee Hays, and Jeff discusses why he started and ended the book with the songs and histories that he did

At about 44:10, Jeff recounts the anecdote from the book about a dynamic and legendary hour program that Harry Bellafonte produced in 1959

At about 48:55, Pete notes his piqued interest in Lead Belly and his connection to Kurt Cobain

At about 50:55, Jeff talks about “challenging” American figures who have often been “smoothed out,” such as Leadbelly

At about 52:10, Jeff gives background on how the last line of the book came about

At about 54:10, Jeff describes “safe spaces” in connection to an anecdote about activist Suzanne Pharr

At about 56:05, Pete notes a dynamic photo in the book, and Jeff traces the story and his travels in Wisconsin that led to the photo

At about 1:02:05, Pete asks a question that has mystified him for years, re: MAGA “Merch”

At about 1:04:30, Pete compliments Jeff’s nuanced writing regarding young and not-so-young who are on the frontlines

At about 1:05:40, Pete notes the teaching of Things Fall Apart in his classes and Jeff shares his experience with the book

NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 218 with Melissa Rivero. She is the author of The Affairs of the Falcons and the recently-published novel, Flores and Miss Paula. Melissa won the 2019 New American Voices Award, a 2020 International Latino Book Award, and was longlisted for PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel.

The episode will air on January 2.

Monday Dec 11, 2023

Episode 216 with Kate Maruyama: Author of Bleak Houses, Master Worldbuilder, and Skilled Observer and Chronicler of Family Traumas, Class and Privilege, and Psychological Horrors Modern and Timeless

Monday Dec 11, 2023

Notes and Links to Kate Maruyama’s Work

For Episode 216, Pete welcomes Kate Maruyama, and the two discuss, among other topics, her early reading and writing and love of diverse works from that of James Baldwin to Stephen King’s work, connections between Catholicism and writing horror, the ways in which teaching and writing commingle, writing allegory and its connection to plot, the ways in which she wrote convincingly of the COVID quarantine, and key themes in her novellas, including race and racism, class, generational traumas and family cycles, and privilege and family culpability.

Kate Maruyama was raised on books and weaned on movies in a small college town in New England. She writes, teaches, cooks, and eats in Los Angeles, where she lives with her family.

Her novel, Harrowgate was published by 47North in 2013 and her novella Family Solstice named Best Fiction Book of 2021 by Rue Morgue Magazine was published by Omnium Gatherum. Her novella Halloween Beyond: a Gentleman's Suit appears in Halloween Beyond: Piercing the Veil is out now from Crystal Lake Publishing and Bleak Houses is available from Raw Dog Screaming Press, released in August 2023. Her short work has appeared in Asimov's Magazine, Analog SF among other journals and in numerous anthologies including Winter Horror Days, Halloween Carnival Three, and December Tales.

Buy Bleak Houses

Kate's Website at CA State LA

A Review from The Skiffy and Fanty Show for Bleak Houses

At about 2:15, Kate talks about her reading and writing life as a child, and the town where she grew up

At about 4:00, Kate cites the Oz series and other fantasy/imaginative/horror books that shaped her literary tastes, including “formative” works by Stephen King

At about 6:40, The two discuss the connections between Catholicism and horror writing

At about 8:45, Kate discusses works and authors, especially James Baldwin and Another Country, which have inspired and influenced her

At about 10:00, The two discuss a real-life example from her life/background which made it into Kate’s fiction

At about 11:15, Kate traces the ways in which her teaching informs her writing, and vice versa

At about 13:40, Kate gives background on the publishing journey and seeds for Bleak Houses

At about 15:00, Kate responds to Pete’s questions about the genre(s) for her work

At about 17:00, Pete lays out the book’s exposition and compliments Kate on writing about the early COVID days, asking her how she handled perspective in writing about the time

At about 19:40, Kate provides background on seeds for the book’s first novella, especially Wolf’s Lair and Beechwood Canyon

At about 20:20, Kate and Pete discuss some of the important characters in “Safer”, and Kate describes how working within Hollywood for years gave her inspiration for Celine

At about 23:00, Celine’s son Story and his haunted friends are connected to Mr. Wolf’s real-life story

At about 26:15, Kate discusses a chilling scene from the book that Pete compliments for its tension

At about 29:10, The two discuss themes from “Safer,” including power dynamics based on class and race; Kate talks about twisted ways in which those needing a job were often exploited during the early days of quarantine

At about 33:20, Pete compliments the thrilling action scenes written by Kate in “Safer”

At about 34:05, Pete asks about the history of the real-life house that inspired “Family Solstice,” and Kate talks about the importance of the solstice in general, and the seeds for the novella

At about 37:00, Pete sets out some of the novella’s exposition and highlights key characters and key character traits

At about 39:00, Kate discusses the mother’s passivity and possible reasons for it

At about 40:25, Kate responds to Pete’s questions about “sitting in judgment” of her characters

At about 41:30, The two discuss generational traumas and cycles and questions of culpability in connection to Shea and her sister as differing narrators in the novella

At about 42:50, Pete wonders about how Kate balanced plot and allegory

At about 44:50, Kate discusses writing symbolism and politically and

At about 46:20, Kate shares exciting new projects

At about 49:10, Kate shares contact information

NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast

This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.

Please tune in for Episode 217 with Jeffrey Sharlet. He is the New York Times and national bestselling author of THE FAMILY and C STREET. He was an executive producer of the five-part Netflix series The Family (2019), based on two of his books. His newest book is THE UNDERTOW: Scenes from a Slow Civil War.

The episode will air on December 19.