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

Tuesday Mar 07, 2023

Episode 169 with Justin Tinsley, Tireless Researcher, Gifted Storyteller, Wonderful Interviewer, and Writer for Andscape and Author of It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World that Made Him

Tuesday Mar 07, 2023

Episode 169 Notes and Links to Justin Tinsley’s Work

On Episode 169 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Justin Tinsley, and the two discuss, among other things, Justin’s formative and transformative experiences with reading powerful works like The Autobiography of Malcolm X and by masters who combined sports and culture/politics, his wonderful experiences at Hampton University, his learned love of storytelling from his beloved grandmother, the Blog and Kazaa (!) eras, working on a wide variety of stories for Andscape and ESPN, his life-changing experiences with standout mentors and colleagues like Danyel Smith and Tony Reali, the surreal experiences associated with being a panelist on Around the Horn, and Christopher Wallace and The Notorious B.I.G. and the macro and micro that affected his life and legacy and were affected by his life and legacy.

Justin Tinsley is the author of It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him, and Host of ESPN’s 30 For 30 Nipsey Hussle original podcast, The King of Crenshaw. He is Sports and Culture Senior Reporter at Disney’s Andscape and weekly guest on ESPN’s Around the Horn.

Buy It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World that Made Him

Justin Tinsley's Website

Listen to The King of Crenshaw Podcast Series on Nipsey Hussle

At about 1:50, Justin responds to Pete’s questions about his familial and writerly inspirations, and Justin

At about 5:20, Justin shares an interesting story about his unforgettable and generative conversations with the “phenomenal” Craig Hodges, and Pete and Justin discuss the power of The Jordan Rules

At about 9:40, Justin discusses some of the most formative writers and writing in his life, including the “important” The Autobiography of Malcolm X and work by Ralph Wiley, Danyel Smith and Elliott Wilson

At about 13:25, Justin shouts out his friend and contemporary David Dennis, Jr., and his powerful book and writing

At about 14:15, Justin speaks to the powerful ways in which Hampton University and Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs) have influenced him and enhanced his life, including the “most important class [he] ever took at Hampton”

At about 17:00, Justin talks about his days in the “Kazaa Era” and his work in curating music for friends and followers

At about 19:25, Justin discusses his time at ESPN, starting in 2015, being hired by Jason Whitlock, and his work with The Undefeated (which later became Andscape)

At about 21:50, Justin talks about an incredible story regarding Marvin Gaye’s Detroit Lions’ tryout

At about 24:55, Justin gives a moving backstory regarding drives with his grandmother and what he means by the tagline on his website: “Drawing sophisticated parallels between culture and sport”

At about 28:40, Justin gives background on his beginnings on Around the Horn and how he balances being in awe of the show that has been a lifelong favorite and his own performance on the show

At about 30:50, Justin describes the greatness of Tony Reali and gives background on how Tony helped Justin start with the show, and the talent from Here for It, including Monica McNutt

At about 35:40, Justin and Pete discuss more of what makes the show great, including the lack of points that come with the serious topics

At about 38:45, Pete notes how Justin has gotten some life-changing emails and phone calls, which Justin uses to give backstory on seeds for his book on The Notorious B.I.G.

At about 42:25, Justin relates how the pandemic affected the research for his book on Biggie

At about 43:50, Justin recounts some writing advice that helped him broaden his subject matter for the book

At about 46:45, Pete shares the profound line that Christopher Wallace said in his last recorded interview that informed Justin’s writing and is described in the book’s Introduction

At about 48:45, Justin and Pete reflect on the extreme youth of Biggie and Tupac and ideas of “what might have been”

At about 51:20, Justin talks about the memories of Christopher Wallace and talking with people who still have a lifelong heartbreak, including Chico del Vec’s

At about 54:00, Justin discusses the moving last chapter of the book that deals with CJ Wallace, Christopher Wallace, Jr.

At about 56:50, Pete notes the true appreciation and respect for Voletta Wallace, and how Justin so aptly wrote a nuanced book that reflected both macro and micro and the book’s subtitle

At about 58:30, Justin reflects on the profundity of the mural anecdote mentioned in the book, especially profound as it involves DJ 50 Grand and his recent sad death

At about 1:01:40, Pete brings some “lightning-round” questions, including questions

At about 1:02:50, Pete shouts a friend out and is wowed by a real-life reference

At about 1:05:30, Pete sums up the greatness of the book and connects it back to the guiding quote from Christopher Wallace

At about 1:06:20, Justin reads a passage from the book that serves as a sort of summation of the book, in that it neither glorifies nor assails him-on Page 321

At about 1:10:00, Justin shouts out places to buy his book, Books-a-Million

At about 1:11:00, Justin talks about future projects and ideas

At about 1:13:05, Justin gives out social media-jtinsley86 is his TikTok

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 while you’re checking out this episode.

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!

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.

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 170 with Richard T. Rodríguez, a Renaissance Man and Professor of English at the University of California, Riverside. He is the author of A KISS ACROSS THE OCEAN from Duke Press, and Dr. Ricky on the Radio at KUCR, 88.3FM

The episode will air on March 14.

Tuesday Feb 28, 2023

Episode 168 with Dur e Aziz Amna, Literary Phenom and Subtle and Nuanced Chronicler of Love and Maturity and Ignorance and Home in the Standout American Fever

Tuesday Feb 28, 2023

Episode 168 Notes and Links to Dur e Aziz Amna’s Work

On Episode 168 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Dur E Aziz Amna, and the two discuss, among other things, her early relationship with writing and reading and multilingualism, formational and transformational texts and writers and mentors, and themes of home, ignorance, xenophobia, connection, maturity, misogyny, and so much more, as chronicled in her stellar novel.

Dur e Aziz Amna is from Rawalpindi, Pakistan, and now lives in Newark, USA. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Financial Times, and Al Jazeera, among others. She was selected as Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022, and won the 2019 Financial Times / Bodley Head Essay Prize. She is a graduate of Yale College and the Helen Zell Writers' Program at the University of Michigan. AMERICAN FEVER is her debut novel.

Buy American Fever

Dur e Aziz Amna's Website

Sana Goyal Reviews American Fever for The Guardian

Anandi Mishra Reviews American Fever for Los Angeles Review of Books

At about 6:30, Pete asks Dur e about any secret societies she was part of at Yale

At about 7:25, Pete highlights a standout line from the book

At about 8:45, Dur e speaks about her early language and reading experiences, a “segmented” life of English, Urdu, and Punjabi

At about 12:35, Dur e responds to Pete’s inquiry about the ways in which Urdu as a language informs her writing in English

At about 15:05, The two discuss “I love you” as an interesting use of language logic, particularly with regard to a line from the book

At about 16:50, Dur e responds to Pete’s questions about books and writers that changed her trajectory and how college exposed her to specific writers and genres

At about 18:20, Dur e highlights contemporary reads that thrill and inspire her, and talks of Peter Ho Davies, Nishanth Injam, and Julie Buntin as inspiring mentors

At about 20:05, Dur e gives backgrounds on the book’s genesis

At about 23:40, Pete recounts some key early lines from the book and focuses on the skillful

At about 25:20, Dur e gives background on Kelly, the narrator, Hira’s, host mom and her motivations and reader feedback on the character

At about 27:55, Dur e talks about her curiosity in exploring power dynamics between Kelly and Hira

At about 29:20, The two discuss Hira’s desires to leave

At about 32:40, Dur e gives background on the exchange program that was the basis for Hira’s fictional program

At about 36:50, Dur gives unbelievable stats about the history of tuberculosis and how it’s shaped our world

At about 38:20, The two talk about Hira’s parents and the ways in which their attitudes are representative of ideas about class

At about 43:50, Dur e responds to Pete’s questions about why Hira’s parents let her go to the States

At about 46:30, Pete asks Dur e about a memorable scene involving a car ride and Dur e gives the real-life parallels

At about 49:00, Pete compliments Hira for her nuanced writing

At about 50:30, Pete wonders about Hira’s place as an outsider and as welcomed in her Oregon town

At about 52:40, Pete outlines Hira’s creeping sickness and Dur e reflects on ideas of blame for the sickness

At about 55:30, Pete brings up Ali and Hira’s relationship and her views of the relationship

At about 57:30, Pete asks Dur e to distinguish between the way Hira and Hamid act as exchange students, and this brings up discussion of a “frustrating” thing about Hira for Dur e

At about 1:00:20, Dur e and Pete marvel over similarities between Hira’s quarantine and the world of Covid and talk about the ramifications of Hira’s tuberculosis diagnosis and recovery

At about 1:02:20, Ideas of home are discussed that dovetail with independence

At about 1:03:10, Ideas of gender roles are discussed through the lens of a scene involving a scarf in the book

At about 1:05:20, Saima Sitwat shoutout!

At about 1:06:15, Dur e blithely talks about her upcoming project

At about 1:07:00, Dur e gives backstory on her love for the book’s US cover

At about 1:08:20, Dur e shouts out places to buy her book and social media/contact info

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 169 with Justin Tinsley, the author of It Was All a Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him, and Host of ESPN’s 30 For 30 Nipsey Hussle original podcast, The King of Crenshaw. He is Sports and Culture Senior Reporter at Disney’s Andscape and weekly guest on ESPN’s Around the Horn

The episode will air on March 7.

Friday Feb 17, 2023

Episode 167 with Mai Der Vang, Dogged Researcher, Crafter of the Historically-Accurate and Emotionally-Wrenching Yellow Rain, a Pulitzer Prize-Nominee and Towering Achievement of Advocacy

Friday Feb 17, 2023

Episode 167 Notes and Links to Mai Der Vang’s Work

On Episode 167 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Mai Der Vang, and the two discuss, among other things, her childhood as bilingual and a voracious reader, formative writers and writing in her life, catalysts to write about Hmong culture, and specifically the towering achievement that is Yellow Rain, with its depiction of an often-dehumanized and preyed upon people and other pertinent issues of empire and colonization.

Mai Der Vang is the author of Yellow Rain (Graywolf Press, 2021), winner of the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize from the Academy of American Poets, an American Book Award, and a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, along with Afterland (Graywolf Press, 2017), winner of the First Book Award from the Academy of American Poets. The recipient of a Lannan Literary Fellowship, her poetry has appeared in Tin House, the American Poetry Review, and Poetry, among other journals and anthologies. She teaches in the MFA Program in Creative Writing at Fresno State.

Buy Yellow Rain

Mai Der Vang's Website

“Review: YELLOW RAIN – Mai Der Vang (Graywolf Press),” by Ronnie K. Stephens, The Poetry Question, November 18, 2021

Interviews/Press for Mai

At about 6:40, Pete and Mai Der shout Fresno stars like Lee Herrick, Juan Felipe Herrera,

At about 8:00, Mai gives background on her reading and language relationships, starting from childhood, and leading to an overview of her multigenerational family background and Hmong as her first language

At about 12:00, Mai responds to Pete’s question about representation for Hmong people in the literary world, including the awkward links to Fadiman’s The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down

At about 16:15, Mai discusses writers and writing that have been “game-changers” for her, including the work of Juan Felipe Herrera, Cathy Park Hong, Solmaz Sharif, and Douglas Kearney

At about 19:00, Pete asks Mai about any “ ‘Eureka’ moments” that have guided her into writing as a profession; she cites the Hmong Community Writers’ Collective as a guiding force

At about 21:35, Mai answers Pete’s questions about ideas of dialogue and silence in Hmong communities regarding the “Secret War” and its aftermath

At about 24:15, Pete outlines Yellow Rain’s opening and asks Mai about “following the rains”-she details her research (10 years!)

At about 25:05, Pete refers to a review of the book from The Poetry Question saying the book “defies genre”-Pete asks about goals in mind for the book, regarding its unique and diverse styles

At about 27:40-34:05, Pete cites the Wikipedia article regarding “Yellow Rain” and asks Mai for a background on it in connection to the Hmong and their lives post-”Secret War”

At about 34:05, Pete quotes from and asks about some of the collection’s early poems and refers to ideas of the Hmong as disregarded; Mai discusses an oft-quoted line about “gardening”

At about 36:20, Pete and Mai make comparisons between Roberto Lovato’s incredible work with Unforgetting and Mai’s work

At about 37:10, Pete and Mai discuss a disastrous and racist Radiolab interview regarding the Hmong and yellow rain

At about 39:00, Pete and Mai discuss the theme of dehumanization that runs throughout her collection

At about 40:40, Mai talks about the ineptitude and missteps that led to an inability to make definitive proclamations about yellow rain’s provenance

At about 44:05, The two discuss the double meanings of “specimen” and the ways in which a possible chemical weapon used against the Hmong was incredibly destructive and hard to trace

At about 45:30, The bees are investigated and discussed-ideas that bee feces may have been the reason for the yellow mist were put forth

At about 49:00, Ideas of colonization and American empire are investigated via the book’s poems

At about 52:35, Pete reads a line that sums up so profoundly ideas of “what if’s” and

At about 53:50, Mai talks about ideas of resistance and about any possible political and cultural actions-i.e., the future and any advocacy

At about 59:00, Mai reads the last poem of the collection, “And Yet Still More” and discusses some key lines

At about 1:02:55, Mai gives contact and social media info

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 168 with Dur e Aziz Amna. She is from Rawalpindi, Pakistán, now living in Newark, NJ, her work has appeared in the New York Times and Al Jazeera, among others; was selected as Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2022; her standout debut novel is American Fever.

The episode will air on February 21.

Tuesday Feb 14, 2023

Episode 166 with Kai Harris, Skillful Chronicler of Joy, Grief, Loss, and Beauty through Her Stunningly Good Novel, What the Fireflies Knew

Tuesday Feb 14, 2023

Episode 166 Notes and Links to Kai Harris’s Work

On Episode 166 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Kai Harris, and the two discuss, among other things, her early reading, formative books like Anne of Green Gables and works she read later by Ernest Gaines and Toni Morrison, her current loves in terms of writers and writing, the power of flashback and juxtaposition, as well themes of grief, loss, racism, and many more from her book, and the interesting decision-making that went in to writing the book as she did.

Kai Harris is a writer and educator from Detroit, Michigan. She uses her voice to uplift the Black community through realistic fiction centered on the Black experience, and she is the author of What The Fireflies Knew, the first fiction title from Tiny Reparations Book. She is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Santa Clara University (GO BRONCOS!)

Buy What the Fireflies Knew

Kai Harris's Website

The New York Times “Shortlist” Features What the Fireflies Knew as Part of “The Lives of Black Women, at Home and Abroad”

At about 6:35, Kai shouts out places to buy her book (Keppler’s and BookShop Santa Cruz, among others) and upcoming events, in addition to describing the exciting audiobook and paperback extra features

At about 8:20, Kai describes the playlist she made for the paperback edition

At about 10:50, Kai talks about her early reading habits, including how she often read beyond her age, much like her book’s protagonists

At about 11:45, Kai connects her choice of using Anne of Green Gables in her book to themes and connections in the book

At about 13:40, Kai relates how reading A Lesson Before Dying and other books by Black authors changed her literary mindset and worldview

At about 16:00, Kai recounts the importance of discovering Toni Morrison’s work

At about 17:00, Kai describes Jesmyn Ward (especially Salvage the Bones), as a writer who challenges and thrills her

At about 18:55, Kai compliments some favorites in Destiny Birdsong and Deesha Philyaw

At about 22:10, Pete cites Ecclesiastes and a famous quote on stories as cyclical and related

At about 23:10, Kai responds to Pete’s questions about how Detroit has informed her and her writing, and she also describes how writing became a possibility for her

At about 25:45, Kai talks about working as a professor and how her different classes excite her in various ways

At about 29:10, Pete shares a meaningful quote from Kai’s Acknowledgments and asks Kai about seeds for the book

At about 31:30, Pete cites the book as enjoyable for many ages and wonders about how Kai and her publishers see the book’s place as young adult, etc.

At about 34:50, Pete lists some skillful use of childlike vocabulary and references that make the narrator’s POV so powerful and successful

At about 36:10, Pete highlights the book’s stunning opening line and the two discuss the importance of the book’s setting as a cultural turning point

At about 37:20, Pete lays out early events in the book as the book’s family grieves in different ways

At about 38:30, Pete asks Kai about the chronology of the book, as far as how she wrote it and how its flashbacks serve as strong juxtaposition; she gives background on different iterations of the book

At about 40:15, Kai details her thinking on depicting the father of KB in the book

At about 44:25, The two discuss the events surrounding a friendship and its implications; Pete highlights an especially moving scene involving Granddaddy

At about 46:30, Kai discusses the “lived realities” of racism that motivated her to write her book’s characters and events as she did

At about 49:35, Kai describes her mindset after being the victim of racism at a young age

At about 51:00, Pete lays out the situation between Nia and KB and Kai responds to questions from readers about writing from Nia’s perspective

At about 56:30, Kai talks about manifestations of grief shown by KB’s mom and expands upon her struggles and shares how she made the mother’s experience “radical”

At about 59:25, Pete and Kai discuss the fateful interactions between KB and Rondell and how she decided to write these scenes as they are

At about 1:03:25, Pete and Kai talk about Granddaddy and his life’s arc and guilt that he feels, as well as some wise words that he shares

At about 1:05:30, Kai details her emotions in writing the ending

At about 1:07:10, Kai responds to Pete’s questions about what feedback she’s received regarding the book, as well as the ways in which her characters have become “people” of their own

At about 1:10:00, Kai outlines exciting future projects

At about 1:13:30, Kai describes exciting exposure for her book

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 167 with Mai Der Vang is the author of Yellow Rain, winner of the Lenore Marshall Poetry Prize from the Academy of American Poets, an American Book Award, and a finalist for the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Poetry, along with Afterland, winner of the First Book Award from the Academy of American Poets.

The episode will air on February 17.

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023

Episode 165 with Anna Hogeland, Reflective Psychotherapist and Writer of the Unique, Bold, Moving The Long Answer

Wednesday Feb 08, 2023

Episode 165 Notes and Links to Anna Hogeland’s Work

On Episode 165 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Anna Hogeland, and the two discuss, among other things, her early reading and writing, the formative writers, writing, and UC Irvine MFA program that set her on her own writing path, her embrace of Marvel movies as cathartic, her rationale in structuring her book like she did, and the myriad themes and real-life connections that come from the great losses experienced by mothers and loved ones in her profound book.

Anna Hogeland is a psychotherapist in private practice, with an MSW from Smith College School of Social Work and an MFA from UC Irvine. She lives in Vermont.

Buy The Long Answer

Anna Hogeland's Website

LitHub Article: "After Two Pregnancy Losses, I Wrote the Book I Needed to Read”

Brenda Shaughnessy Reviews The Long Answer for The New York Times

At about 6:30, Anna shouts out contact info and places (like The Bennington Book Shop) to buy her book The Long Answer

At about 7:15, Anna discusses her “interrupted path” to becoming a writer and her early relationships with reading and writing

At about 9:45, The two talk about David Foster Wallace Infinite Jest and the hubbub around it

At about 10:35, Anna discusses her path to the MFA and reading that inspired and thrilled her, as well as her positive experiences with a loving workshop partner and workshops in general

At about 14:25, Anna gives background on her time applying to and being accepted at UC Irvine’s

At about 15:40, Anna lists some formative writers and current favorites, including Elena Ferrante and Thomas Bernhard

At about 18:20, Pete bringing up Anna’s skill with writing using various tones and POVs leads to Anna explaining her philosophy of writing versatility

At about 20:20, Anna responds to Pete’s question about her writing informs her work as a psychotherapist, and vice versa

At about 25:40, Anna gives background on seeds for the book, as well as her initial visions for the book’s structure

At about 29:10, the two focus on Elizabeth’s chapter to start the book and the icy relationship between the narrator and her sister Margot

At about 31:30, Pete asks about how grief and traumas and resulting relationships are connected in the book and in real life, and Anna speaks to ideas of resentment and wrongs

At about 36:10, The two discuss a memorable and clever scene that ends Part I revolving around mother/son bonds

At about 39:30, Pete and Anna recount Part II and Corrie’s page-turning and action-packed and salacious stories

At about 43:35, The short chapter is discussed with regards to its diction and angry tone

At about 46:35, The two discuss our collective inability to grieve and the awkwardness and silence that often is part of this process

At about 49:20, The juxtaposition between Ruth and Anna’s pregnancy losses are discussed, including the moving writing that focuses on the banal

At about 52:00, Anna focuses on the silences that often accompany pregnancy loss and how common these losses are

At about 53:10, Anna and Pete discuss Marvel-Anna finds them “so moving”

At about 55:10, The two discuss Marisol’s chapter in which Anna has taken a weekend away on an important anniversary

At about 57:15, Anna responds to Pete’s questions about Marisol’s mindset and reasons behind an infatuation with her bosses

At about 58:30, Anna lays out ideas of manipulation and vulnerability that characterize the relationship between Marisol and Ellen

At about 1:01:15, Pete highlights a moving scene between Anna and Marisol

At about 1:02:05, Pete recaps (without spoilers) the fitting last chapter and

At about 1:03:25, Anna responds to Pete’s question about meaningful feedback she’s received about the book

At about 1:05:50, Anna talks about future 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 166 with Kai Harris. who is a writer and educator from Detroit, Michigan. She uses her voice to uplift the Black community through realistic fiction centered on the Black experience, and she is the author of What The Fireflies Knew, the first fiction title from Tiny Reparations Book. She is an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at Santa Clara University (GO BRONCOS!)

The episode will air on February 14.

Saturday Feb 04, 2023

Episode 164 with Yasmin Ramirez, Author of ¡Ándale, Prieta! and Professor and Writer of the Sensuous, the Personal, the Profound, and the Unique

Saturday Feb 04, 2023

Episode 164 Notes and Links to Yasmin Ramirez’s Work

On Episode 164 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Yasmin Ramirez, and the two discuss, among other things, her early reading and music loves, her unique and powerful relationship with her beloved “Ita,” her family dynamics, teenage rebellion, the power of Nirvana, the power of her classes at UTEP, and issues and themes revolving around her magnificent memoir.

Yasmin Ramirez is a 2021 Martha's Institute of Creative Writing Author Fellow as well as a 2020 recipient of the Woody and Gayle Hunt-Aspen Institute Fellowship Award. Her fiction/CNF works have appeared in Cream City Review and Huizache among others.

She is an Associate Professor of English, Creative Writing, and Chicanx Literature at El Paso Community College. She stays active in the Borderplex arts community and serves on the advisory board of BorderSenses, a literary non-profit. Her memoir ¡Ándale, Prieta!, by Lee and Low Books, is now available.

Buy ¡Ándale, Prieta!: A Love Letter to My Family

Yasmin Ramirez's Website

Hip Latina Article about ¡Ándale, Prieta!: A Love Letter to My Family

At about 6:50, Yasmin describes the multiple meanings of “Andale, Prieta” in context of her book

At about 7:50, Yasmin shouts out upcoming virtual and in-person Washington Library and Él Paso (UTEP) events, as well as a book club with Las Comadres

At about 8:30, Yasmin highlights her contact and social media info as well as bookstores that she recommends for buying her book

At about 9:55, Yasmin and Pete discuss her early relationships with language and reading

At about 11:55, Yasmin references formative and transformative reading, including some Anne Rice works

At about 14:30, Yasmin responds to Pete’s questions about her ideas of representation in being able to read borderland-inspired books; she cites “The Danger of a S

At about 17:35, Pete and Yasmin discuss cliques from their adolescent years and Yasmin’s love of Nirvana and music’s role in that part of her life

At about 20:00, Yasmin lists some writers she has taught at the college level, like José Olivarez, Luis Alberto Urrea, Maria Hinojosa, Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera, and Black Flamingo by Dean Atta

At about 22:00, Yasmin notes how a reliance on the unchanging “canon” dissuades students from reading

At about 22:55, Yasmin shouts out memoirists, like Sonya Livingston, Joy Castro, and Nick Flynn, who inspire and thrill her

At about 25:05, Yasmin talks about seeds for the book and how it seemingly had a mind of its own in directing her

At about 26:20, Pete asks Yasmin about the role of Dr. Abarca’s UTEP class on food and writing and some of her takeaways from the class and the feedback she received from Lex Wiliford

At about 28:15, Pete notes Yasmin’s skill in making her child’s POV “authentic” and how her book starts in the “middle” with a resonant line regarding breast cancer and her grandma (“Ita”)

At about 29:30, Yasmin discusses meanings of “prieta,” both in the outside world and in her life

At about 31:50, Pete cites Yasmin as her Ita’s “sombra,” and talks about time spent with her as her mom worked “at the bridge”-Yasmin talks about how it “clicked” that her mom had a dangerous job

At about 34:10, Pete asks about what made Yasmin’s mom and Ita clash at times

At about 37:10, Pete reads a moving quote from the book that relates to the significance of scars, and Yasmin talks about the genesis of a part of the book that catalogs her Ita’s scars

At about 40:00, Yasmin thinks of who might play her Ita in a movie version

At about 40:40, Pete references a particularly personal memory from Yasmin and a beautiful passage about her relationship with her Ita

At about 42:20, Pete notes the power and writerly skill that makes up the last part of the book’s Part I; Yasmin gives background on this part and her rationale

At about 45:00, Pete and Yasmin discuss the beginning of the book’s Part II and Yasmin describes her “distancing” from her father and “feeding the wrong wolf”

At about 48:15, Yasmin talks about awkward teenage visits to see her father to try to rekindle something

At about 50:00, Yasmin describes her time working in retail in Dallas and the resulting events in El Paso; she describes how everything was “muted” upon her Ita’s death

At about 53:40, Yasmin talks about the “hambre de Dios” in context of the book

At about 55:25, Yasmin discusses the “rejuvenation” that came with her return to El Paso

At about 59:25, Yasmin describes the true enthusiasm shown by Lex Wiliford and the ways in which

At about 1:02:50, Yasmin and Pete discuss the “heaviness” from a powerful dream and the significance of Yasmin’s mammogram and this revelatory dream

At about 1:06:40, Yasmin describes a future project-YA!-that plays with ideas of music’s influence in an adolescent’s life

At about 1:08:05, Pete compliments the book’s allusions to music that reminds Yasmin of her grandma

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 165 with Anna Hogeland. She’s a psychotherapist in private practice, her novel The Long Answer, has been described by Kirkus Review as “A startling meditation on grief and family and betrayal.”

The episode will air on February 7.

Tuesday Jan 31, 2023

Episode 163 with Margo Candela: Author of the Neapolitan Sisters, Skilled Writer of Dialogue, Page-Turning Drama, and Fleshed-Out, Compelling Characters

Tuesday Jan 31, 2023

Episode 163 Notes and Links to Margo Candela’s Work

On Episode 163 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Margo Candela, and the two discuss, among other things, her love for her local library, her bilingualism, formative books and writers, writing The Neapolitan Sisters between other books, the book’s interesting and skillful takes on POV, sex scenes, and challenging cliches, her love of dialogue. and the storylines and histories that make her characters so interesting and completing and sympathetic.

Margo Candela was born and raised in Los Angeles and began her writing career when she joined Glendale Community College’s student newspaper. She transferred to San Francisco State University as a journalism major, and upon graduation began writing for websites and magazines before writing her first two novels, Underneath It All and Life Over Easy. She returned to Los Angeles to raise her son and wrote More Than This and Good-bye to All That. The Neapolitan Sisters is her fifth novel and her first after a decade-long hiatus from writing. She now lives in San Francisco.

Buy The Neapolitan Sisters

Margo Candela's Website

Booklist Review for The Neapolitan Sisters

Facebook for Author Margo Candela

Instagram: @MargoCandela

Twitter: @MargoCandela

Subscribe to Margo Candela's Newsletter

At about 7:25, Margo describes her earliest reading, her bilingualism, and her relationship with words

At about 9:15, Pete’s got jokes (en español!)

At about 9:40, Margo talks of the enchantment on Pepper Avenue

At about 12:55, Margo responds to Pete’s question: “Did you feel represented in what you read?”

At about 14:50, Margo discusses some honesty/challenges to cliche in her book

At about 17:00, Margo and Pete discuss the book as a “saga,” and how Margo wrote the book through a “hiatus”

At about 19:00, Margo relates how Toni Kirkpatrick and her interacted in the manuscript and publishing phases of the book

At about 21:00, Pete asks Margo about any challenges with continuity/seamlessness around POV

At about 24:00, Margo gives background on the work she did and her philosophy about writing dialogue

At about 26:45, Margo gives some background on the character of Claudia and her dialogue

At about 29:05, Pete recounts the early events of the book and asks Margo about Maritza

At about 32:00, Pete and Margo characterize Auggie and his relationship with Maritza

At about 33:50, Claudia as a “giver” is described, as well as the reasons for her versatile and hardened demeanor

At about 36:10, Margo explains how she wrote the Hollywood scenes in the book, including basing some work dynamics on Margo’s own experiences

At about 38:15, Pete uses a quote from the book that connects the girls’ parenting and Claudia’s mental health awareness

At about 40:20, Margo describes a story involving maraschino cherries that is illustrative of Maritza’s stubbornness

At about 42:30, Pete wonders if Maritza is in love with Auggie, and Margo’s answer is intricate and perhaps surprising

At about 44:40, Dooley and her background and her motivations are described

At about 48:00, Pete wonders about the girls’ parents, especially the father, and their lack of active parenting; Margo notes the reasoning for the parents’ depictions

At about 50:45, Pete shouts out Ethan Jacobs, “too-good-to-be-true” and his relationship with Claudia, including how Claudia’s history plays in

At about 52:20, Margo explains the importance of the sex scenes in the book

At about 54:05, Pete offers to help Margo get Fabio for a future book cover

At about 54:50, The two talk about the sisters reconciling and telling old stories about their childhoods, with beautiful and tragic memories

At about 56:00, Pete highlights a stunning and sad and well-drawn scene involving Dooley

At about 56:50, Margo responds to Pete’s question about how she knew the book was done

At about 1:00:15, Margo does some casting (Selena Gomez! Chris Evans!) in case the book goes to the big or small screen

At about 1:02:40, Margo talks about future projects

At about 1:03:20, Margo shouts out Books, Inc. and Green Apple Books, among others, as good places to buy her book, and Margo reminds readers to do reviews(!) and gives out contact info and her newsletter info and shouts out Porto’s (sooo good)

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 164 with Yasmin Ramirez. She is a 2021 Martha's Institute of Creative Writing Author Fellow as well as a 2020 recipient of the Woody and Gayle Hunt-Aspen Institute Fellowship Award. Her outstanding memoir is ¡Ándale, Prieta!

The episode will air on February 3.

Tuesday Jan 24, 2023

Episode 162 with Erin Keane, Editor-in-Chief of Salon Magazine and Profound and Well-Researched Writer of the Moving, Incisive, and Haunting Runaway: Notes From the Myths that Made Me

Tuesday Jan 24, 2023

Episode 162 Notes and Links to Erin Keane’s Work

On Episode 162 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Erin Keane, and the two discuss, among other things, her early voracious reading, her work as writer and editor and Editor-in-Chief, and ideas from her memoir of life imitating art, art versus artist, patterns of misogyny and burdens laid upon women and girls, a “runway” versus a “missing girl,” and other salient issues and themes that come from her mother and family’s stories.

Erin Keane was born in New Jersey and raised in Kentucky and feels both states are misunderstood.

RUNAWAY: Notes on the Myths that Made Me, her debut full-length nonfiction book, is a memoir in essays about her parents/pop culture/gender.

She’s also the author of three collections of poetry: Demolition of the Promised Land (Typecast Publishing, 2014 — out of print), Death-Defying Acts (WordFarm, 2010), and The Gravity Soundtrack, (WordFarm, 2007).

She’s Editor in Chief At Salon, she writes mostly about culture and drinks, including the cocktails-and-mindfulness column The Oracle Pour, in which she dresses her writing about life up in drink recipe clothes. She’s a public radio alum and daily newspaper-trained, and she cut her teeth in the beautiful wild world of the alt-weekly.

Erin is a member of the graduate faculty of Spalding University’s Sena Naslund-Karen Mann School of Writing, where she teaches creative nonfiction, poetry, and professional writing.

Buy Runaway: Notes on The Myths that Made Me

Erin Keane's Website

“Why do guys like George Santos lie? I asked myself the same thing about my father” from Salon Magazine

Lorraine Berry Reviews Runaway for The Los Angeles Times

Excerpt from Runaway in Salon Magazine: “A girl's skeleton in the museum: On runaways, the Jersey Shore and a cold case that haunted me”

At about 6:25, Erin describes her childhood love of, and experiences with, reading, storytelling, and the written word

At about 10:50, Pete shouts out Shel Silverstein’s legacy, and Erin references being “weirdly seen” in some of the darker literature intended for kids

At about 13:00, Erin lists books by Stephen King as inspirations for her in many ways, including in the ways in which King incorporated pop culture into his work; David Wojahn, too, is cited for his daring and skillful poetry

At about 17:00-20:00, Erin shouts out Predator from Ander Monson as a recent book that has thrilled and impressed her, as well as Liz Prato’s Kids in America

At about 22:45, Erin responds to Pete’s questions about reading for pleasure

At about 24:30, Erin discusses her Dec. 31 article for Salon about George Santos and his lies; she discusses it as a “timely topical book tie-in essay” as the article and Erin’s book discuss her father’s problems with truth

At about 30:00, Erin gives background on seeds for her book Runaway, particularly a 2015 expose by Mariel Hemingway and how it led Erin to completely reexamine Woody Allen’s Manhattan in relation to her parents’ own relationship

At about 33:35, Pete and Erin discuss ideas of cognitive dissonance involving her father and those who saw the marriage between a 15 yr old and mid 30 yr old, including Erin’s grandparents

At about 36:35, Pete and Erin muse about Erin’s grandmother’s phone habits and Erin describes the research she did to find out about phone card “hacks” in the 1970s when Erin’s mom had run away but was able to use public phones

At about 41:10, Erin examines the ways in which her grandparents saw her mother’s years on the road and ideas of generational guilt and penance and lessons learned

At about 42:15, Erin discusses the ways in which her mother/daughter relationship and her and her brother’s behavior was affected by their mother’s history and parents’ reactions

At about 45:00, Pete cites some profound lines from the beginning chapter that deal with misogyny and allowing male artists huge leeway with their art often being dismissed as distinct from their motivations/actions

At about 46:20, Erin speaks about ideas of “wayward” men being “saved” by women and the burdens and unfairness involved

At about 49:20, Pete asks Erin about her usage of “survivor’s guilt” in the book

At about 52:40, Erin discusses the horrific case of “Sandy” at the Smithsonian as a microcosm of the greater runaway “epidemic” of the 1970s

At about 57:25, The two discuss ideas of the connections between women’s agency and men’s comfort and how this played out in her family’s stories

At about 1:01:00, Erin details her mother’s struggles and tries to home in on reasons for her leaving home at age 13

At about 1:04:30, Erin discusses her research for the book in light of a famous journalistic credo

At about 1:07:45, Pete and Erin discusses some happy moments in her mother’s story, and also some scary and traumatic events

At about 1:09:00, Erin analyzes an incident from her high school years that has grown in importance and significance as the years have gone on, as well as how the incident was informed by her mother’s history

At about 1:12:00, Pete reflects on his reaction to the above story, and ideas of projection and “accuser/accused”

At about 1:13:15, Erin expands upon ideas of the leeway and honors bestowed upon men, and how women (including Cait O’Riordan and Yoko Ono and other pop culture/artistic figures) have been minimized by society

At about 1:19:00, Pete compliments the book as a whole, including its profound ending image

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 163 with Margo Candela, whose decade-long hiatus from book publishing ended recently with the beautiful and funny and haunting and profound book, The Neapolitan Sisters.

The episode will air on January 31.

Tuesday Jan 17, 2023

Episode 161 with Matthew Salesses, the Brilliant and Versatile Writer and Educator, and Author of Among Others, The Sense of Wonder, and the Paradigm-Shifting Craft in the Real World

Tuesday Jan 17, 2023

Episode 161 Notes and Links to Matthew Salesses’ Work

On Episode 161 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Matthew Salesses, and the two discuss, among other things, his early relationships with writing and language, his latest book (out January 17!), The Sense of Wonder, its connection to real-life events and Korean dramas, its background and themes and implications, and his processes in writing the book and his 2021 smash, Craft in the Real World and its ideas that shift the paradigms of teaching writing in workshops and reevaluating ideas of “relatability,” bias, and audience.

Matthew Salesses is the author of The Sense of Wonder, national bestseller Craft in the Real World, the 2021 finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction Disappear Doppelgänger Disappear, and two other novels. Adopted from Korea, he has written about adoption, race, and Asian American masculinity in The Best American Essays 2020, NPR's Code Switch, the New York Times blog Motherlode, and The Guardian, among other media outlets. BuzzFeed has named him one of 32 Essential Asian American Writers. He lives in New York City, where he is an Assistant Professor of Writing at Columbia University.

Buy Craft in the Real World

Matthew Salesses' Website

The Washington Post Review of The Sense of Wonder-by Ron Charles

New York Times Discussion of Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Laila Lalami

At about 7:20, Matt shouts out his launch party on publication day (January 17) for The Sense of Wonder, an event at with “BFF” Kirstin Chen at Books are Magic in Brooklyn at 7pm EST: in-person and on YouTube Live

At about 8:40, Matt describes his relationship with language and books as a kid and ideas of agency and reading fantasy

At about 11:00, Matt describes the scant examples of representation that was available

At about 12:45, Matt describes what he read at school

At about 13:40, Matt traces early moments in his writing career, as well as the omnipresence of books in his house

At about 14:55, Matt responds to Pete’s question about who/what his students are reading, and he highlights the resonance of Katie Kiramura’s writing

At about 16:20, Matt gives background on the beginnings of The Sense of Wonder, including connections to Jeremy Lin

At about 19:20, Pete and Matt lay out the book’s main characters, and Matt explains the cool name for the star basketball player,

At about 20:45, Pete cites the book’s epigraph and how the book opens

At about 21:45, Matt explains how Robert Sung and Won Lee, two of the book’s main characters, are similar and dissimilar

At about 23:40, Matt and Pete discuss the connections between Powerball! and Robert Sung and their distinct and shared trajectories, including how a woman loved by both, Brit Young, is a dynamic character

At about 26:00, Pete outlines the hysteria that surrounds Won’s standout play and Matthew details Won’s coach’s behavior

At about 28:30, Matthew expands upon how a “scarcity model” plays out in the book with Sung and Won, and how it manifested in Matthew’s own life

At about 30:50, Matthew describes the significance of a scene that Pete compliments as “icky,” including

At about 33:00, Carrie Kang is described and her and Won’s backstories are laid out as Pete brings up connections to agency as seen in both of Matt’s recent books

At about 35:15, Matt describes the “living funeral” done in the book, and how this storyline with Carrie’s sister K having Stage IV Cancer mirrors the story of Matt’s own wife

At about 37:50, Pete dates himself with a ridiculous movie reference and Matthew talks about the sections in which Carrie lays out basics of K Dramas; his answer touches upon ideas of “audience”

At about 40:30, Pete asks Matthew to define “wonder,” especially as used in the book

At about 41:50, the two discuss the second half of the book, including Matthew’s skillful usage of timing and connections to K Drama storylines

At about 44:35, Pete compliments the ending, including the clever and intriguing last sentence of the book

At about 45:00, Pete highlights a profound quote about wonder from K at her “living funeral”

At about 46:25, Matthew responds to Pete’s questions about Craft in the Real World and ideas of “unlearning” after Pete’s notes the book’s immediate appeal to all readers, including its special place among educators

At about 47:35, Pete asks Matthew about the significant example he uses in the book about “query” versus “ask” with dialogue

At about 49:30, Pete notes the book’s two-half structure and notes the emphasis on craft as necessarily cultural; Matt speaks to ideas of writing as apolitical or “outside

At about 51:40, Matt and Pete discuss ideas of “know[ing] your audience” and its connection to craft

At about 53:10, Matt describes short-sighted criticisms from Western readers/writers

At about 54:35, Matt and Pete discuss the importance of Gish Jen pointing out a survey/experiment that fleshes out differences in types of literature types, and how Western critics often limit and unfairly criticize Asian and American-writing; Matt also refers to ideas of “hybridity” as stated by Lisa Lowe

At about 56:55, Pete asks about how Matthew runs his workshops and responds to Pete’s question about ways in which to keep workshops balanced and

At about 59:00, Matthew shares positive feedback that comes from readers of his book, and Pete shares a quote from the book that sums up its greatness

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 162 with Erin Keane, whose RUNAWAY: Notes on the Myths that Made Me, her debut full-length nonfiction book, is a memoir in essays about her parents/pop culture/gender. Erin is also Editor in Chief at Salon Magazine and the author of three collections of poetry.

The episode will air on January 24.

Tuesday Jan 10, 2023

Episode 160 with Saima Sitwat, Author of American Muslim: An Immigrant’s Journey, Educator, Speaker, and Skilled Chronicler of Profound and Intriguing Stories

Tuesday Jan 10, 2023

Episode 160 Notes and Links to Saima Sitwat’s Work

On Episode 160 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Saima Sitwat, and the two discuss, among other things, her relationship with languages and growing up in Karachi, Pakistan, her early love of reading, her early writing and “chill-inducing” reads, her triumphs and challenges and funny anecdotes mentioned in her book from her days in the United States, her evolving “Americanism” and faith, her activism, places within the American Desi and American Muslim cultures, all chronicled in her 2020 book, and her continuing work to share compelling stories in different media.

Saima A. Sitwat is an author, speaker and educator. She was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan and migrated to the United States of America in 2003.

Saima holds an M.A. in English Linguistics from the University of Karachi, Pakistan and a Master of Public and International Affairs (MPIA) from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh. She is also an alumna of the Leadership Pittsburgh Class XXXV.

Saima believes in the power of storytelling. Her love for stories has taken her from corporate boardrooms in downtown skyscrapers to Punxsutawney, a town in rural Pennsylvania, on Groundhog Day. She puts her faith in the word, written and spoken, to provide healing and challenging pre-existing paradigms. Her writings have encompassed a vast array of topics and genres from penning opinion pieces and investigative reports to policy papers and developing strategic plans.

From professional writings to personal narratives, Saima always strives to find a singular anchor, that is the story at the core. The story might belong to a person, or a business or nonprofit organization, but the vision and mission is always defined by the one true story behind it.

Saima is the author of her newly published memoir, “American Muslim: An Immigrant’s Journey.”

Buy American Muslim: An Immigrant's Journey

Saima Sitwat's Website

Interview with Saima about “Becoming American” Series

At about 7:40, Saima gives background information on studying linguistics at university, as well as her relationship with languages growing up in Karachi, Pakistan

At about 11:00, Saima gives further information on growing up speaking Urdu and English, and Pakistani-inflected English

At about 14:40, Saima talks about her reading choices growing up

At about 17:40, Saima explains her career choices growing up, how writing has been a constant companion and how writing as a career she has come to in recent years

At about 19:00, Saima details two pieces written in Pittsburgh around 2015 and 2016 that received meaningful and positive feedback and that propelled her forward in pursuing writing

At about 21:20, Saima traces an evolution in the type of questions asked in recent years about Muslims and Muslim-Americans

At about 22:20, Saima shouts the book from which she is still “recovering,” the “realistic” Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng.

At about 24:20, Saima discusses the significance of the book’s cover

At about 26:00, Pete and Saima talk about the timing of the book and Saima’s “urgency” in publishing the book

At about 27:15, Saima describes the “conscious choice” she made in selecting her title

At about 28:35, Pete cites the skillful ways in which Saima charts her early days in the United States, and Saima recounts a humorous discrepancy in Fahrenheit and Celsius

At about 31:55, Saima explains “Americanism” and quotes a fellow immigrant writer discussing the unique way in which Americans make plans, as well as things learned from having two school-age children

At about 34:55, Saima gives background on the first chapter and a story involving the bathroom that is a microcosm of her early American days

At about 36:50, Saima further describes some learning moments in her early US days; she also highlights the warp speed with which globalism has led to shared cultural information

At about 40:30, Saima highlights positive attributes of the US that are charted in the book, including a sense of “want[ing] to understand” about other cultures

At about 41:25, Saima talks about her days in being dependent and independent in her early days in Chicago, and how she put up a “facade” in dealing with a new place without a lot of family around

At about 45:50, Saima shouts out Potbelly Restaurants

At about 46:35, Saima discusses the intricacies of her fitting in with, and learning about, Desi- American cultures

At about 51:05, Saima cites two turning points that inspired her to become more involved in writing, public policy, and other avenues

At about 56:55, Saima details a successful and unifying protest that she took part in to effect change in the educational arena

At about 1:04:20, Pete highlights Saima’s own learning and reading in preparing herself to discuss life and religious matters with her daughters

At about 1:05:20, Saima delineates differences between American Muslim practices and customs, and the Islamic and other cultural mores of Pakistan

At about 1:08:30, Saima details trying and triumphant times as the first female president of the Muslim Association of Greater Pittsburgh (MAP)

At about 1:12:30, Pete uses a quote from Saima’s book in framing questions about how Saima and other women are often misjudged and harshly judged for things that males would not be judged for

At about 1:14:15, Pete charts continuing activism from Saima as stated in her book, and Saima responds to Pete’s question about any pressures or burdens felt in being a sort of representative of Islam

At about 1:18:00, Pete focuses on the Covid “chronicle” that is the book’s ending, and he asks Saima how she might update the book

At about 1:21:35, Saima talks about her work with Better Stories work with the MD State Arts Council

At about 1:25:00, Pete and Saima praise Leila El-Haddad, her book The Gaza Kitchen, and her writing and storytelling abilities

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 161 with Matthew Salesses, who is author of, among other stellar works, The Hundred-Year Flood and Craft in the Real World. He is the author of the forthcoming 2023 novel The Sense of Wonder and has written about adoption and race for NPR Code Switch, among other outlets.

The episode will air on January 17.

Wednesday Dec 28, 2022

Episode 159 with Amanda Korz, Pursuer of Truths, Technical and Precise Writer, and Author of The 2021 Nervous Ghost Press Book Prize Winner, The Poetry Collection It’s Just a Little Blood

Wednesday Dec 28, 2022

Episode 159 Notes and Links to Amanda Korz’s Work

On Episode 159 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Amanda Korz, and the two discuss, among other things, formative and transformative texts and classes that changed her mindset and trajectory, her work as both creative and technical writer, her mindset in writing her award-winning poetry collection, seeds for the collection, for whom the collection is intended, and salient themes from her work.

Amanda Korz is a graduate of Mills College and is working on certificates in technical writing and user experience & web design. Her poetry witnesses previous versions of herself and intimately digs into mental illness, disability, and witchcraft. When she isn’t writing or studying, she enjoys hiking, camping, and is just getting into backpacking.

Buy It's Just a Little Blood

Amanda Korz's Page with Nervous Ghost Press

At about 6:25, Amanda talks about how biking and hiking have become big parts of her life

At about 10:40, Amanda details her writing and reading challenges and successes in her childhood

At about 13:30, Amanda discusses the reading analysis and discussion, especially of Frankenstein

At about 17:00, Amanda sets the record straight on misconceptions of Frankenstein from the eponymous novel

At about 19:10, Amanda lists transformative writers and works, including Ginsberg and his “Howl”

At about 21:50, Amanda responds to Pete’s question about how her work as a technical writer affects her poetry, and vice versa

At about 24:00, Amanda explains why she writes in first person and details the beginnings of her poetry writing

At about 27:00, Amanda cites Mills College and its readings and classes and how it expanded her writing ability and confidence-shout outs to Matt Mejia and Arisa White

At about 29:25, Pete wonders if reading analytically affects Amanda’s reading for pleasure

At about 30:50, Pete highlights blurbs from stellar creatives and Pete starts discussion of the book by citing a poem that serves as a “pivot point” in discussing ignorance of menstruation

At about 32:20, Pete asks Amanda about seeds for her collection and its connection to ignorance; she responds by discussing the collection’s beginnings and a frenzy of writing as she was “struck by lightning”

At about 37:15, Pete cites lines from the collection that contrast the violence perpetrated by men and menstruation; this leads to her explaining the double-meaning of the title

At about 39:40, the two discuss a poem that illustrates the pain of IUD placement

At about 40:20, Amanda discusses ideas of “mystery” that have historically governed men’s and women’s roles, and menstruation specifically

At about 41:30, Pete points out “Medieval Period” as a creative and educational poem that Amanda gives background for-both personal and historical

At about 43:50, Pete references some strong imagery in Amanda’s work and generational “surprise”

At about 46:10, After citing her first experiences with menstruation, Amanda talks about how the discussions around the topic are now expanding

At about 49:00, The two discuss the “totality” of menstruation and Amanda responds to pete asking about who is/are the villain in the book

At about 52:30, The two discuss a particular poem, “They Vote Red” that goes from “micro to macro” and connects to political issues of today

At about 55:00, Amanda discusses her book and for whom she wrote the book

At about 58:25, Pete wonders about the writing experience for Amanda and about any future 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 160 with Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, his best-selling memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, was published by HarperCollins in 2018. His second book, White Is Not a Country, will be published by Knopf in 2023.

The episode will air on January 3.

Tuesday Dec 20, 2022

Episode 158 with Javier Zamora, Poet, Compassionate Activist, and Master Craftsman and Purveyor of an Arresting Childlike POV and Creator of the Stunningly-Good and Moving Memoir, Solito

Tuesday Dec 20, 2022

Episode 158 Notes and Links to Javier Zamora’s Work

On Episode 158 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Javier Zamora, and the two discuss, among other things, his early love of learning and influences in his native Él Salvador, the effects of his family members on his world view, the accolades that have come with his writing and his original and continuing goals for his work, his memoir and his light and masterful touch with a young kid’s POV, the ways in which traumas and bonding and love were intertwined in his journey to the US, and how writing the book brought him to a greater understanding of the vagaries of human behavior and his own behaviors.

Javier Zamora was born in La Herradura, El Salvador, in 1990. At the age of nine he migrated to the United States to be reunited with his parents. Zamora holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied and taught in June Jordan's Poetry for the People; and an MFA from New York University. He is the recipient of scholarships to Bread Loaf, Frost Place, Napa Valley, Squaw Valley, and VONA Writer's Conferences; and fellowships from CantoMundo and Colgate University where he is the Olive B. O'Connor fellow. His poems also appear in Best New Poets 2013, Indiana Review, Narrative, Ploughshares, Poet Lore, Theatre Under My Skin (Kalina Press: El Salvador), and elsewhere. Zamora has had his work recognized with a Meridian Editor's Prize, CONSEQUENCE Poetry Prize, and the Organic Weapon Arts Chapbook Contest.e enjoys hiking, camping, and is just getting into backpacking.

Buy Solito

Javier Zamora's Website

The New York Times Book Review of Solito

September 2022 from The Los Angeles Times: “At 9, Javier Zamora walked 4,000 miles to the U.S. At 29, he was ready to tell the story”

At about 7:30, Pete asks the important question: Does Salvadoran Spanish have the best groseria?

At about 8:10, Javier responds to Pete’s questions about his use of Spanish/Spanglish, and Salvadoran-specific words and his rationale/process in using the words

At about 11:50, Pete asks Javier about the awards and acclaim he has received and how it registers compared to the experience of sharing this personal story with the world

At about 14:45, Javier talks about pressures-external and internal-that have weighed him down and how therapy and healing through writing have lifted much of these pressures

At about 19:20, Javier speaks to Pete’s question about the writers who have inspired and thrilled and challenged him; Javier mentions the outsized encouragement provided by Roberto Lovato

At about 21:00, Javier cites the huge influences of June Jordan and Roque Dalton

At about 22:25, Pete asks Javier about his early relationship with the written word, and he mentions his grandfather’s and parents’ educational and political backgrounds and how they shaped his reading

At about 27:05, Javier traces his fairly-circuitous route to becoming a writer, including the impact of Guevara’s Motorcycle Diaries

At about 28:55, Javier responds to Pete’s question about how the Bay Area’s ethic has shaped him

At about 30: 10, Javier discusses the teaching of Salvadoran history in Él Salvador and how he was guided by this

At about 31:00, Javier and Pete highlight Immortal Technique and Rage Against the Machine as educational and radical musicians and inspirations

At about 32:10, Pete asks Javier about the meanings of the book’s title, and Javier focuses on the three main parts/time periods of him being ”solito”

At about 34:20, Pete wonders about Javier’s individual story and how it compares to, and was inspired by, more recent migrations of Salvadorans and Central Americans, particularly minors, and how journalism has erred in covering the

At about 39:30, Pete reads the epigraphs and Javier expands upon their importance and connections to the book

At about 41:00, Javier puts forth interesting ideas about the use of the word “immigrant” and suggests a possible substitute

At about 43:00, Javier expands upon ideas of the natural affinity that people (Americans, for one) have for children, and connections to the American immigration system

At about 44:30, Pete, stunned at the masterful ways in which Javier uses the POV of 9 yr old him, asks Javier how he managed to pull it off, and Javier talks about how his traumas have affected his growth

At about 47:10, Pete outlines the book’s beginnings before Javier goes to the US

At about 48:00, Javier discusses the importance of his bonding time with his grandfather right before he headed North; he highlights The Body Keeps the Score and how he saw his ACES Index.

At about 51:00, Javier explains the Cadejo and its significance for him

At about 52:40, Javier recounts the tortuous boat trip that is depicted in the book and describes the overwhelming fear

At about 54:55, Javier talks about the “Big Four” (formerly the “Big Six” the people who become bonded for life with Javier and ideas of “surviving” as manifested by different people on Javier’s journey

At about 58:30, Pete cites examples of charity depicted in the memoir and Pete compliments Javier’s humanizing his characters; Javier responds with his views of the coyotes and the ways in which the border “world of 1999 that [he] described is different than now”

At about 1:01:20, Pete asks Javier if his stated goal for the writing of the book has been accomplished

At about 1:03:00, Javier talks about his involvement with Undocupoets, and how the writing world deals with issues of citizenship

At about 1:05:55, Javier describes his upcoming project

At about 1:06:45, Loca the Cat makes an appearance!

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 159 with Amanda Korz, whose poetry witnesses previous versions of herself and intimately digs into mental illness, disability, and witchcraft. Her poetry collection, It’s Just a Little Blood.

The episode will air on December 27.

Tuesday Dec 20, 2022

Episode 157 with Ilana Masad: Literary Critic, Former Podcaster, and Author of the Funny, Stirring, Meditative, and Thought-Provoking All My Mother’s Lovers

Tuesday Dec 20, 2022

Episode 157 Notes and Links to Ilana Masad’s Work

On Episode 157 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Ilana Masad, and the two discuss, among other things, Ilana being raised bilingual and bicultural, her early reading and shifting literary interests, formative and transformative classes and mentors and books, her podcasting days, her work as a critic, and the myriad cultural issues and themes that manifest in her standout novel, All My Mother’s Lovers.

Ilana Masad is a queer Israeli-American writer of fiction, nonfiction, and criticism. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, LA Times, Washington Post, NPR, StoryQuartlerly, Tin House’s Open Bar, 7x7, Catapult, Buzzfeed, and many more. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, she has received her Masters in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she is currently a doctoral student. She is the author of the novel All My Mother’s Lovers.

Buy All My Mother's Lovers

Ilana Masad's Website

Ilana Reviews Rachel Monroe’s Savage Appetites for NPR

The Last Episode of The Other Stories Podcast

The Other Stories Podcast

At about 7:00, Ilana discusses her academic work as she finishes up her

At about 7:50, Ilana talks about growing up in Israel and homes in on her bilingual education and writing and reading in her early days

At about 10:30, Ilana responds to Pete wondering if Hebrew in particular in its structure informs her English writing; she cites formative experiences with Etgar Keret and his poetry reading series

At about 15:00, Ilana discusses early reading that inspired and thrilled her-including works by Tamora Pierce

At about 20:15, Ilana talks about the impact of realist fiction on her

At about 22:30, Brian Morton is referenced as Pete asks Ilana about how she began to gain momentum towards becoming a professional writer

At about 24:00, Ilana shares an anecdote about Kieron Winn and her time at Oxford; this anecdote is partly-related in this article printed in December 18, 2022’s Atlantic

At about 26:10, Ilana outlines her plan in transition from publishing into writing

At about 26:50, Pete asks Ilana about reading for “pleasure”/for “business”

At about 28:15, Pete wonders about book criticism involving “bad” books

At about 31:25, Ilana lists some favorite contemporary writers and writing, including Moriel Rothman-Zecher’s Before All the World

At about 34:00, Pete cites some background info on Ilana’s submission process that he learned from the great I’m a Writer…But Podcast, and Ilana responds to his question about the maxim “Kill your darlings”-she quotes R.O. Kwon’s advice

At about 35:45, Ilana gives background on some seeds for the book, including the dynamic opening line

At about 38:00, The two discuss the book’s three epigraphs and the book’s inciting incident in creating significance for the mother-daughter relationship throughout

At about 39:20, Pete compliments the book’s interesting structure and moving scene near the end as he asks Ilana about how she maintained continuity for the storyline

At about 41:50, The two discuss grief as presented in the book, and Pete asks Ilana to expound upon the connections between sex and death

At about 45:50, The two discuss the main character, Maggie’s, father Peter, and Pete makes a guess about his name’s provenance

At about 47:00, Pete asks Iris and her tastes and behaviors and personality and connections to intergenerational traumas and her history with an ex-husband

At about 48:25, Ilana responds to Pete’s questions about Maggie’s behaviors after feeling left out/forgotten by her mom, due to Maggie’s open lesbian lifestyle

At about 49:45, The idea of the shiva and the cool plot device that unveils with the letters to be delivered is brought up and explored; Ilana expands upon Maggie’s feelings

At about 52:00, Ilana discusses the vagaries of grief and how it manifests in life and in the book

At about 53:30, The two shout out Sacramento’s appearance in the book!

At about 55:00, Ilana discusses the varied men that Iris had as lovers and their connections to Maggie and her relationship with her mother

At about 56:00, Ilana compares and contrasts Maggie with herself and talks about Maggie’s “commitment issues” and its “self-sabotage”

At about 58:30, Ilana delineates the ways in which American/WASP cultures often deal with death in such different ways than what she is used to; this leads to discussion of ideas of wellness in the United States

At about 1:02:50, Ilana talks about how mourning and views of death are tied in to the byzantine healthcare system in the US; she uses Erin Brockovich as an example of the system’s faults

At about 1:05:35, Ilana gives background on Mac Lopez from the book as an “homage” to Zahn McClarnon

At about 1:09:00, Pete cites the last scenes as beautiful and stirring and shouts out the “loveable character” Peter-without giving spoilers!

At about 1:09:55, Ilana shares “lovely messages” from readers and highly encourages readers to reach out authors

At about 1:11:10, Ilana discusses her time as a podcast host for The Other Stories Podcast

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 158 with Javier Zamora. Born in El Salvador, he came unaccompanied to the US at age nine, much of the basis for his debut New York Times bestselling memoir, Solito, which has been featured on The Today Show and many other pubs; holds fellowships from, among many others, CantoMundo and the National Endowment for the Arts

The episode will air later tonight, on December 20.

Tuesday Dec 13, 2022

Episode 156 with Dr. Namrata Poddar, Extremely Well-Read Literary Critic, Professor, and Crafter of the Unique and Beautiful and Profound Border Less

Tuesday Dec 13, 2022

Episode 156 Notes and Links to Namrata Poddar’s Work

On Episode 156 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Namrata Poddar, and the two discuss, among other things, Namrata’s multilingual upbringing in Mumbai and abroad, her early reading, her early reading and writers who inspired her with their decolonial and other writing, her “living with her characters” for many years for her wonderful debut novel, how she would label/distinguish the novel, and salient themes of misogyny, home and its shifting definition, class division, and diaspora.

Namrata writes fiction and nonfiction, serves as Interviews Editor for Kweli, and teaches literature and writing at UCLA. Her work has appeared in several publications including Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, Longreads, The Kenyon Review, and The Best Asian Short Stories. Her debut novel, Border Less, was a finalist for Feminist Press’s Louise Meriwether Prize.

Buy Border Less

Namrata Poddar's Website

2022 LA Times Article: “Namrata Poddar’s debut novel traverses borders — and conventional storytelling”

At about 7:10, Namrata discusses the title’s significance and her positioning “borderless” as two words

At about 7:40, Pete shouts out an original usage of language in Namrata’s book

At about 8:10, Namrata responds to Pete’s questions about her relationship with languages and the written word in her childhood

At about 13:40, Pete asks Namrata about how her ancestral lands of Rajahstan and the Tar Desert

At about 15:30, Pete uses the famous Toni Morrison quote in asking Namrata about representation and its connection to her own book; Namrata expands upon her early assigned reading and the “divorce” between colonized readings and the English she heard in her daily life

At about 18:10, Namrata lists writers who inspired her in her younger days; she cites both writers with colonial and non-colonial foci, including her “first brush…with the world of literature” in America’s Children by Rushdie

At about 25:35, The two discuss Frantz Fanon and him as part of the tradition/”legacy” that has inspired Namrata

At about 27:25, Namrata lists and describes some of the many countless writers who thrill and inspire her, including Natalie Diaz and Melissa Febos, and Imani Perry

At about 30:10, The two discuss Sandra Cisneros’ skill and standout stories

At about 31:15, Namrata reflects on the title’s myriad meanings for her book Border Less

At about 34:20, Pete notes the clever book structure and asks Namrata to talk about how she labels her book and why; she notes ideas of “fragments” coming from many non-Western traditions, and how her epigraph from Edouard Glisaant relates

At about 40:25, Pete wonders about the story 9/12 and talks about the alchemy of what makes it a great story/chapter; he asks Namrata what she thinks the story “accomplishes” and she connects the chapter to other parts of the book

At about 43:30, The two discuss the dynamics of the dynamic first story, and Pete

At about 44:50, The two discuss the “Ladies Special” chapter and Pete notes Mumbai serving as a character on its own, and Namrata discusses the myriad significance of som many parts of the story

At about 50:10, Pete notes some salient themes, including financial issues and class divisions, from the book, and Pete highlights

At about 55:00, The two discuss ideas of stability and independence, and Pete shares a simple but powerful quote from the book

At about 56:00, Namrata expands on the hyphens that mark those in the Indian Diaspora and differing views of, and experiences with, a return to India

At about 59:45, Pete discusses ideas of connectedness and ancestral ties

At about 1:00:30, Namrata outlines the paradox that is set up with families that are scattered “yet find family in each other,” as well as the evolving definition of “family”

At about 1:03:10, The two discuss the significance of the haveli that has been in Día’s family for generations

At about 1:04:00, Namrata responds to Pete’s questions about continuity in the book and writing

a book that is a family saga that spreads out over many decades and multiple generations

At about 1:07:40, Namrata and Pete discuss Ricki, Día, and other strong female characters who buck the traditional gender roles and Ricki’s father’s nostalgic writing

At about 1:10, Namrata gives her rationale for ending the book with a chapter that she uses

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 157 with Ilana Masad. Ilana is a queer Israeli-American writer of fiction, nonfiction, and criticism; her work has appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times, LA Times, and many more; she is the author of the critically-acclaimed and awarded novel All My Mother’s Lovers.

The episode will air on December 20.

Tuesday Dec 06, 2022

Episode 155 with Robert Jones, Jr., Exemplary Literary Citizen, Reflective Changemaker, and Founder of the Powerful Son of Baldwin Platform and Author of 2021 National Book Award Nominee, The Prophets

Tuesday Dec 06, 2022

Episode 155 Notes and Links to Robert Jones Jr.’s Work

On Episode 155 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Robert Jones, Jr., and the two mainly discuss, among other things, the festive national Book Awards 2022, his early reading of comic books, his life-changing exposure to James Baldwin’s work, his incredible Son of Baldwin platform, a dearth of representation for Black queer people that led him to write the book he wanted to read, the wonderful literary community and its inspiration for his work, and the work of art that is The Prophets, with its myriad standout lines, memorable characters, and structure that makes it a true classic and work of art.

Robert Jones, Jr., is the author of The New York Times bestselling novel, The Prophets, which won the 2022 Publishing Triangle Edmund White Award for Debut Fiction and the 2022 NAIBA Book of the Year Award for Fiction. It was also a finalist for the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction and was named a notable book by The New York Times and one of the best books of 2021 by Time, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, NPR, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post, among many others. His writings have been featured in The New York Times, Essence, and The Paris Review, as well as in the critically acclaimed anthologies Four Hundred Souls and The 1619 Project. Subscribe to his newsletter Witness at robertjonesjr.substack.com.

Buy The Prophets

Join Witness, Robert Jones, Jr.'s Substack

Robert Jones, Jr.'s Website

July, 2022, from NPR’s All Things Considered-“Son of Baldwin — a place for discussions of race, sexuality and gender — retires”

2021 Review of The Prophets from The Guardian-by Holly Williams: "The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr review – outstanding debut"

At about 7:10, Robert describes the incredible experience he had at the recent National Book Awards

At about 8:10, Robert outlines his early reading and writing influences, and the indelible mark left by comic books, libraries, and Wonder Woman

At about 11:30-15:50, Robert’s response to Pete’s question about representation in what Robert read growing up connects to ideas of connectedness and internalized and external ideas of queerness, acceptance, and inspiration for his own writing

At about 15:50, Robert discusses loneliness versus uniqueness and the ideas of “polic[ing] gender”

At about 18:40, Pete wonders about James Baldwin’s impact on Robert-Robert talks about being introduced to Baldwin “rather late” but being swept away by “Here Be Dragons,” among many other of Baldwin’s works, and how a quote from James Baldwin’s brother in the documentary, The Price of the Ticket was the catalyst for the Son of Baldwin platform

At about 22:35, Pete talks about how closely Son of Baldwin and James Baldwin have been linked in recent years, including an incorrect attribution of an important quote

At about 25:15, Robert lists and describes some of the countless people to whom he gives credit and love for their inspiration and encouragement, as seen in his book’s extensive Acknowledgments

At about 27:50, Pete and Robert sing the praises of Kiese Laymon, and Robert speaks so highly of Kiese tremendous help in getting Robert and his book

At about 30:05, Robert talks about contemporary writers like Deesha Philyaw, Dawnie Walton, Maisy Card, Mateo Askaripour, Jason Mott, and Xochitl Gonzalez whose work thrills and inspires and challenges him, and he shouts out an outstanding upcoming 2023 book from Jamila Minnicks

At about 32:50, Robert gives background on research for The Prophets, the time spent writing it, and the seeds for the books that largely came from his university studies

At about 37:25, Robert responds to Pete wondering what Robert was able to do by making his book fiction and not nonfiction

At about 39:00, Robert and Pete discusses connections between the invasion of African countries by Europeans, and how the forced religiosity connects to an encroaching and new homophobia and white supremacy

At about 41:50, The two discuss Amos from The Prophets and the “conundrum” that he faces with regards to Isaiah and Samuel, as well as Amos’ role as preacher and Christian convert, as well as connections to modern preachers

At about 45:25, the two discuss Isaiah and Samuel, the book’s protagonists, and their love and their backstories and their shared knowledge of being alone and “loaded onto a wagon like stuff”

At about 47:55, Robert responds to historical ideas of homosexuality sometimes seen as a tool to disrupt Black communities and explains how Paul, the book’s slavemaster, sees Isaiah and Samuel’s relationship and a “threat to capitalism”

At about 50:40, The two connect the hypocrisy of Paul and his philandering and

At about 51:45, Pete cites the book’s unique/Biblical structure and talks about the book’s starting with “the ancestors”; he asks Robert about the “you” to whom the ancestors spr

At about 53:10, Robert describes a dream that was hugely influential and transformative for his book

At about 55:00, Robert discusses the ways in which Isaiah and Samuel are unified, and how they are rendered as distinct

At about 58:25, Robert talks about the importance of names for enslaved peoples and for the slave owners, and he talks specifically about Isaiah’s original name, its significance, and its importance in his relationship with Amos

At about 1:01:00, Robert and Pete discuss tovo and toubab, Beninese and Wolof words, respectively, and their connections to early African encounters with European invaders

At about 1:02:35, the two discuss the book’s parallel storyline that involves Isaiah’s familial lineage in Kasongo, a mythical kingdom in Africa; Robert homes in on the vastly-different ideas of gender identity in pre-colonial Africa

At about 1:05:30, Pete wonders about the role of Timothy in the book and Robert expands upon ideas of rapists and rape

At about 1:07:45, Robert discusses sympathy and writing characters who are seemingly 100% detestable, and ideas of oppression and oppressors and their connections with Timothy, Ruth, James, and Paul

At about 1:11:00, Pete focuses on Paul’s behavior and his rush to justify his evil behavior through the Bible and Christianity; a scene from the book involving Adam, Paul’s son, is highlighted

At about 1:12:35, The two discuss a scene of degradation and Robert highlights it as a scene where a lot is happening behind the scenes/under the surface with the crafty Essie and Maggie

At about 1:14:00, Pete highlights the incredibly-skillful ways in which Robert homes in on individual stories to draw the reader’s attention and sympathy/empathy

At about 1:15:20, Robert talks about an exciting upcoming project, a second novel

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 156 with Namrata Poddar. Namrata writes fiction and nonfiction, serves as Interviews Editor for Kweli, and teaches literature and writing at UCLA. Her work has appeared in several publications including Poets & Writers, Literary Hub, Longreads, The Kenyon Review, and The Best Asian Short Stories. Her debut novel, Border Less, was a finalist for Feminist Press’s Louise Meriwether Prize.

The episode will air on December 13.