Literary Speaking connects writers with the publishing industry by featuring conversations with best selling authors, literary agents, publishers and publicity firms. How do I establish a writing practice? Find an agent? Get published? Build a platform?
Discover tips and tricks to build your writing practice and release your story out into the world.
Join me as I interview expert guests as they share their experiences as published authors and industry professionals to inspire and infuse your writing practice.
Season 4 - Episode 1 - The Art of the Anthology with Michele Filgate
Michele Filgate shares how she pitched, placed and edited her anthology - What My Mother & I Don't Talk About. We discuss everything from how she pitched the project, the essay that started it all and how she edited the pieces to fit for publication. Michele also shares how to handle rejection when submitting essays to popular publications and her advice on how to get started.
Michele Filgate is a contributing editor at Literary Hub and the editor of a critically acclaimed anthology based on her Longreads essay, What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About, published by Simon & Schuster.
2/24/2020 • 42 minutes
Publishing Feminist Banshees: Writing Sexy Feminist Books with Rachel Dewoskin
Writing about Sex and Feminism.Can you publish each book with a different publisher? How do you develop your characters as a feminist writer? Rachel Dewoskin, author of BANSHEE discusses how she teaches her students to write characters that are complex and multi-dimensional as well as how she's published each book with a different publisher. A rich experience of writing, editing, publishing and promoting multiple books successfully.
Rachel DeWoskin is the author of six novels, including Someday We Will Fly, Blind, and Banshee. DeWoskin’s memoir, Foreign Babes in Beijing (WW Norton 2005), about the years she spent in China as the unlikely star of a Chinese soap opera, has been published in six countries and is in development at BBC America, where DeWoskin is co-writing a TV series based on the book. She is on the core fiction faculty and is an affiliated faculty member of Jewish Studies and East Asian Studies at the University of Chicago. You can visit her online at www.racheldewoskin.com
6/5/2019 • 55 minutes
Renegade Writing, Book Touring & Ranch Living with Author Pam Houston
Award Winning Author Pam Houston discusses her memoir, Deep Creek Finding Hope In The High Country. Listen in as she shares her writing and editing process, the moment when her editor read the first draft and said it wasn't the book she was expecting and how Pam manages life as a writer, teacher and mentor while raising a family of animals on her beautiful 120 acre Ranch in the Colorado Rockies.
Pam Houston is the author of the memoir, Deep Creek: Finding Hope In The High Country, as well as two novels, Contents May Have Shifted and Sight Hound, two collections of short stories, Cowboys Are My Weakness and Waltzing the Cat, and a collection of essays, A Little More About Me, all published by W.W. Norton. Her stories have been selected for volumes of The O. Henry Awards, The Pushcart Prize, Best American Travel Writing, and Best American Short Stories of the Century among other anthologies. She is the winner of the Western States Book Award, the WILLA Award for contemporary fiction, the Evil Companions Literary Award and several teaching awards. She teaches in the Low Rez MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts, is Professor of English at UC Davis, and co-founder and creative director of the literary nonprofit Writing By Writers. She lives at 9,000 feet above sea level near the headwaters of the Rio Grande.
2/18/2019 • 1 hour, 6 minutes
Perseverance in Publishing with Caroline Leavitt
Best-selling Author Caroline Leavitt discusses her latest best-selling book, Cruel Beautiful World as well as her journey through writing and publishing over 9 novels. We'll discuss topics such as, how do you know your literary agent is a match? Should you hire a publicist to promote your book? We'll also review the benefits of what a wonderful publishing company can do for you. Caroline's wit and wisdom shines as she shares how to navigate your creative writing life through the good, the bad, and the beautiful.
1/13/2019 • 55 minutes
Fathers, Food & Memoir: How to Write & Market a Food Memoir
Fathers, Food & Memoir with Dawn Lerman & Crystal-lee Quibell discusses how to write a memoir that includes recipes and family memories. Dawn also shares how she began writing for the New York Times as a food columnist & secured her literary agent.
Dawn Lerman is the author of My Fat Dad. A certified nutrition expert and contributor to the New York Times Well Blog, as well as the founder of the Magnificent Mommies, a company specializing in personal, corporate and school-based education.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
6/21/2016 • 26 minutes
Publishing A Cookbook: Food Blogger To Published Author
Publishing a Cookbook with Allison Day and Crystal-Lee Quibell discusses how to write, pitch and publish your cookbook. Using her popular food blog as a growing platform to submit recipes to popular publications, Allison shares how she grew her audience, found her agent and published two vegetarian cookbooks.
Allison Day is the cookbook author of WHOLE BOWLS (Skyhorse Publishing, April 2016) and PURELY PUMPKIN (Skyhorse Publishing, September 2016), creator of the award-winning food blog, Yummy Beet, a food photographer and nutritionist (RHN).
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
6/7/2016 • 25 minutes
French Food & Memoir: Writing a Foodoir with Elizabeth Bard
French Food & Memoir with Elizabeth Bard and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss the delicious details of a writer’s life in France, writing about world travel, food and falling in love. Learn how to write a food memoir by interweaving recipes with personal stories.
Elizabeth Bard is the author of, LUNCH IN PARIS: A Love Story with Recipes a New York Times and international bestseller as well as several other awards. Her new book, PICNIC IN PROVENCE: A Memoir with Recipes, is available now.
6/1/2016 • 26 minutes
Finding Your Narrative Voice: Writing Your Memoir with Zoe Zolbrod
Finding Your Narrative voice with Zoe Zolbrod and Crystal-Lee Quibell discusses how to find your unique voice as a writer, the difference between writing fiction and memoir and what she’s learned as both a writer and editor for, The Rumpus.
Zoe Zolbrod is the author of the memoir The Telling and the novel Currency. Her essays have appeared in Salon, Stir Journal, The Weeklings, The Manifest Station, The Nervous Breakdown, and The Rumpus, where she is currently the Sunday co-editor.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
5/24/2016 • 24 minutes
Green-light Your Book: Indie Authors Guide To Publishing
Green-light Your Book with Brooke Warner and Crystal-Lee Quibell discusses how to navigate the publishing world as an indie author. How should you approach booksellers, wholesalers and retailers and, promote your work? Learn how to succeed in the new era of book publishing without breaking the bank.
Brooke Warner is the publisher of She Writes Press, a writing coach at Warner coaching, and devoted ally to aspiring writers. Brooke is the author of several titles including How To Sell Your Memoir and, her latest Green-light Your Book.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
5/17/2016 • 28 minutes
Navigating Book Auctions: An Authors Bidding War Experience
Navigating Book Auctions, Katy Simpson Smith and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss Katy’s experience as a best-selling author going into a book auction, how to navigate the negotiation process and what to expect when more than one publisher is interested in your work.
Katy Simpson Smith is the author of We Have Raised All of You: Motherhood in the South, 1750-1835, and the novels The Story of Land and Sea and Free Men. She lives in New Orleans.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
4/26/2016 • 25 minutes
The Ten Year Novel: An Immersion of Fiction with Sari Wilson
The Ten Year Novel with Sari Wilson and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss how Sari’s debut novel Girl Through Glass took ten years to write, how she incorporated a new character years later to create the perfect story and what she’s learned about writing fiction.
Sari Wilson is a New York-based fiction writer. She has received a Wallace Stegner Fellowship from Stanford University, and a Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship in fiction. Her first fiction novel, Girl Through Glass is available now.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
4/19/2016 • 26 minutes
The Successful Freelancer with Edie Weinstein
The Successful Freelancer with Edie Weinstein and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss how to build a long-term career as a successful freelancer; interviewing the Dali Lama, how to submit articles to popular online magazines and what Edie’s learned from publishing her best-selling book.
Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a colourfully creative journalist, dynamic transformational speaker, interfaith minister, licensed social worker, radio host and author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
4/12/2016 • 25 minutes
The Truth of Memoir: Writing With Integrity with Memoirist, Kerry Cohen
Kerry Cohen and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss The Truth About Memoir, how to write about yourself, and others, with honesty and integrity while honouring your own truth. What to expect from friends, family and the media when your memoir is published and how to navigate writing emotional scenes.
Kerry Cohen is a psychotherapist, writing faculty at The Red Earth Low-Residency MFA, and author of Loose Girl, Dirty Little Secrets, Seeing Ezra, The Truth of Memoir; and the young adult novels Easy, The Good Girl, and It’s Not You, It’s Me.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
4/5/2016 • 26 minutes
Mothers, Monsters & Memoir with Beth Schulman
Beth Schulman and host, Crystal-lee Quibell discuss Mothers, Monsters & Memoir, writing about childhood trauma, coming to a place of empathy for those that have hurt us, and the power of sharing your story with the world.
Beth Schulman McGonagle is a teacher and writer. Beth has devoted her life’s work to creating supportive, creative and literacy rich learning environments for young children. She works with The Penn Literacy Network (PLN) as an instructor and literacy coach.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
3/29/2016 • 24 minutes
J.D. Salinger & Me with Joanna Rakoff
J.D. Salinger & Me with Joanna Rakoff and host, Crystal-lee Quibell discuss what it was like to work for the infamous literary agency, sharing how she answered fan mail for J.D. Salinger and, how working in a literary agency can help develop your career as an author.
Joanna Rakoff is the author of the novel A Fortunate Age, as well as the memoir My Salinger Year. She has written for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Vogue, and other publications. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
3/22/2016 • 27 minutes
Inside The Publishing Mind with Bill Gladstone
Get a look Inside the Publishing Mind with founder of one of the largest literary agencies in north America, Bill Gladstone. Bill and host Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss what makes a book a best-seller, what your publisher expects from it’s authors and whether or not the six figure book deal is really a good thing for your long-term career as an author.
Bill Gladstone founder Waterside Productions, Inc. has personally placed more than 5000 titles. He represents individual authors such as Eckhart Tolle and Neale Donald Walsch. He’s also a best-selling author of THE TWELVEand THE POWER OF TWELVE.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
3/15/2016 • 28 minutes
From Memoir into Film: Documenting Your Memoir with Marie-Rose Phan-Le
Marie-Rose Phan-Le discusses from memoir to film, documenting her memoir, Talking Story: One Woman’s Quest to Preserve Ancient Spiritual and Healing Traditions. She’ll share how she travelled the world to document ancient traditions and what she learned as a filmmaker and a writer as she discovered and embraced her creative calling.
Marie-Rose Phan-Le is a Filmmaker, and Author. Leading as the C.O.O. of a Visual Media Company. She has 25+ years’ experience in film/TV production. Founder of Healing Planet Project and the Chief Operating Officer and Creative Director at High Impact Inc,.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
3/8/2016 • 25 minutes
Love vs. Faith with Brad Harper
Author, Theologian & Speaker Brad Harper discuss Love vs. Faith, how he learned to love his gay son unconditionally and how that love both challenged and expanded his faith as a teacher and father. Brad co-authored the book, Space At The Table, inviting people to the conversation between Christianity and the LGBTQ community.
Brad Harper is an author and professor of theology at Multnomah University & Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Brad has spoken to churches, conferences, and seminary students on the topic of Christianity and homosexuality.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
2/23/2016 • 27 minutes
Writing & Pitching Freelance Articles with Jessica Strawser
Jessica Strawser, editor of Writer’s Digest, and Crystal-Lee Quibell will discuss writing and pitching your freelance articles to popular publications. Jessica shares tips on how to approach an editor, what you need to know before submitting your article for review, and how to secure a long-term freelance position with them.
Jessica Strawser is the chief editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, North America’s leading publication for aspiring and working writers since 1920. Her own debut novel, ALMOST MISSED YOU, is forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press in April 2017.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
2/23/2016 • 27 minutes
Kickstarting Your Memoir with Drew Harper
Drew Harper & Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss Kickstarting Your Memoir, how he crowd-funded his co-authored book Space At The Table.
Drew Stafford Harper is a freelance journalist and actor who splits his time between Portland, New York, and Cairo. Space at the Table: Conversations Between an Evangelical Theologian and His Gay Son, coauthored with his father Brad Harper, is his first book.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
2/16/2016 • 26 minutes
Why We Write About Ourselves with Meredith Maran
Meredith Maran & Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss why we write about ourselves, as well as the risks and rewards of memoir.
Meredith Maran is the author of a dozen nonfiction books and an acclaimed novel, Meredith is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and the MacDowell Fellows West. She writes features, essays, and book reviews for People, Salon, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Real Simple, Mother Jones, Good Housekeeping, and other publications. Her latest book is a collection of essays - Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in the Name of Literature.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
1/26/2016 • 24 minutes
Why You Need A Literary Agent with Carly Watters
Literary Agent Carly Watters of P.S. Literary divulges why you need a literary agent, what she typically looks for in queries and how an agent can help you secure a book deal and build your author brand.
Carly Watters is a VP and Senior Literary Agent with the P.S. Literary Agency. She is a hands-on agent who develops proposals and manuscripts with attention to detail and the relevant markets.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
1/19/2016 • 27 minutes
Writing Out Of The Closet with Laura Leigh Abby
Laura Leigh Abby & Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss Writing Out Of the Closet, how to write with authenticity and handle rejection.
Laura Leigh’s work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Vice, Salon, BuzzFeed, Refinery29, Dame Magazine, The Huffington post, The Billfold, Xo Jane, Modern Loss and others. She is the creator of 2Brides2Be, an online wedding resource providing planning tools and inspiration for the modern lesbian bride. Her book of the same name is forthcoming with Rarebird and Archer Lit in early 2017. Laura Leigh and her wife Samantha appeared on the second season of Bravo TV’s Newlyweds: The First Year and are both active in the LGBT community, most recently teaming up with the Family Equality Council, The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps, and the NYC LGBT Community Center.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
1/19/2016 • 21 minutes
Healing Generational Trauma Through Writing with Judy Batalion
Julie Batalion discusses the dynamic between mothers and daughters healing generational trauma through the power of writing.
Judy Batalion grew up in Montreal. She studied the history of science at Harvard before moving ?to London, where she did a PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art and worked as a curator by day and a comedian by night. She is now an author and essayist, and lives with her husband and daughters in NYC. Her first book WHITE WALLS: A MEMOIR ABOUT MOTHERHOOD, DAUGHTERHOOD AND THE MESS IN BETWEEN was published by NAL/Penguin in January 2016.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
1/12/2016 • 29 minutes
Why You Need An Editor with Kelly Notaras
What a book editor does and why you need them with Kelly Notaras of KN Literary & Crystal-Lee Quibell. How many passes of editing should your book go through before it's published? Why do you need an editor? What types of editing are available and why.
After starting her career in New York City—working as an editor for HarperCollins, Penguin USA and Hyperion Books—Kelly Notaras relocated several years ago to Boulder, Colorado where she served for four years as the VP and Editorial Director at Sounds True. In 2010 she left Sounds True to ghostwrite her first book. Since starting kn literary arts, she has been honored to edit a wide variety of personal growth books including New York Times Bestseller The Tapping Solution by Nick Ortner.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
1/5/2016 • 28 minutes
How My Dog Saved Me From Myself with Julie Barton
Julie Barton discusses how a rescue dog saved her from debilitating depression when no one else could and her pet memoir, Dog Medicine. Julie also shares how she handled rejection and pursued her path to getting her book published.
Julie Barton is a New York Times bestselling author who has been published in Brain Child Magazine, The South Carolina Review, Louisiana Literature, Two Hawks Quarterly, Westview, The Huffington Post, and more. Her memoir, Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself, was initially released by Think Piece Publishing (Nov 2015), then published by Penguin Books, released July 19, 2016.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
12/15/2015 • 28 minutes
Living On The Verge of Death with Lene Fogelberg
Lene Fogelberg discusses surviving two emergency open-heart surgeries after being misdiagnosed and the writing of her memoir. Lene is the author of the award winning memoir, Beautiful Affliction. A national gold medalist in the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
12/8/2015 • 26 minutes
Awakening The Writer Within with Albert Flynn DeSilver
Author Albert Flynn DeSilver discusses how to awaken the writer within and the benefits of attending writer retreats.
Albert Flynn DeSilver is an internationally published poet, writer, speaker, and workshop leader. Albert served as Marin County’s very first Poet Laureate from 2008-2010. His work has appeared in more than 100 literary journals worldwide including ZYZZYVA, New American Writing, Hanging Loose, Jubilat, Exquisite Corpse, Jacket(Australia), Poetry Kanto (Japan), Van Gogh’s Ear (France), and many others. He is the author most recently of “Beamish Boy: A Memoir,” “Letters to Early Street” from La Alameda/University of New Mexico Press (2007), and “Walking Tooth & Cloud,” from French Connection Press in Paris (2007). His new books, “Writing as a Path to Awakening,” based on his popular writing workshops by the same name, and a novel “Brooklyn, Wyoming” are due out in 2017.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
12/1/2015 • 27 minutes
Toltec Wisdom For Writing with don Miguel Ruiz Jr.,
don Miguel Ruiz Jr., shares how to apply Toltec wisdom to your writing practice, why he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps as an author and all about his new book, The Mastery of Self.
don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. is a Naguel, a Toltec Master of Transformation. He is a direct descendant of the Toltecs of the Eagle Knight lineage and is the son of don Miguel Ruiz, Sr. By combining the wisdom of his family's tradition with the knowledge gained from his own personal journey, he now helps others realize their own path to personal freedom.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
11/24/2015 • 27 minutes
Comedy, Tragedy & Celebrity with Lisa Goich
Author Lisa Goich discusses writing about her mothers last 14 days with empathy and comedy. A heartfelt story of a mother and daughters love during hospice care.
When Lisa traveled home to visit her parents in December 2011, she never expected the three-day weekend to turn into a 14-day celebration of her mother’s life – and ultimately – death. 14 DAYS – A MEMOIR, is a 2-week journey of love, tears, laughter, reflection and discovery as a mother and daughter tie up their lives together, and learn valuable lessons along the way. Read more about the memoir here.
Lisa Goich is an award-winning copywriter, major market talk radio host, blogger, journalist and former stand-up comedian. Graduating from Central Michigan University with a degree in journalism, she has spent her life dedicated to the written word. Lisa's first book,The Breakup Diary, was published in 2002. She and her Maltese mix, Angie, work with hospice patients and their families, helping to make their transitions to the other side a loving, bonding and peaceful experience.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
11/17/2015 • 28 minutes
From Author to Publisher with Jeff Brown
Author & Publisher at Enrealment Press, Jeff Brown discusses his new book and the journey from author to publisher.
A former criminal lawyer and psychotherapist, Jeff Brown is the author of Soulshaping: A Journey of Self-Creation and Ascending with Both Feet on the Ground. Producer and key journeyer in the award winning spiritual documentary–Karmageddon. A regular contributor to Elephant Journal and Vivid Life, he has also written a series of inspirations for ABC’s Good Morning America and appeared on over 200 radio shows. He is the owner of Enrealment Press and the creator of a The Soulshaping Institute.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
11/10/2015 • 28 minutes
Editing a Tragedy with Christa Parravani
Crystal-Lee Quibell speaks with author, Christa Parravani on how she wrote her memoir, Her: A Memoir. A story of survival after a twins death and how she finished writing the book her twin sister had begun.
Christa Parravani is the author of the bestselling Her: A Memoir. Her was named an Amazon Debut Spotlight Pick, best book of the month and named a must-read memoir by NPR, Oprah, and Vogue. Parravani’s writing has appeared in Marie Claire, Glamour, The London Times and, The Washington Post. Christa has an M.F.A. in Visual Art from Columbia University & Creative Writing from Rutgers Newark. Currently an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at West Virginia University’s M.F.A. program.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
11/4/2015 • 28 minutes
Which End Is Up? with Chris Cole
Author Chris Cole discusses overcoming his battle with bi-polar disorder and addiction in his memoir, The Body of Chris.
Chris Cole is a life coach for folks in recovery from any number of mood, addiction, or behavioral issues. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Contemplative Psychology from Naropa University and is a certified Strategic Intervention Coach. He is the author of The Body of Chris: A Memoir of Obsession, Addiction, and Madness. http://colecoaching.com/ or http://thebodyofchris.com
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
11/3/2015 • 25 minutes
Writing a Debut Best-Selling Novel with Yangsze Choo
Crystal-Lee Quibell speaks with author, Yangsze Choo on how her debut novel, The Ghost Bride, became a NYT best seller.
Malaysian author Yangsze Choo’s 2013 debut novel, The Ghost Bride, was Oprah.com’s Book of the Week and a New York Times bestseller. Set in 1890s colonial Malaya and the elaborate Chinese afterlife, with its ghost cities and burned paper offerings, it’s about a young Chinese woman who receives a marriage proposal from a dead man. After graduating from Harvard University, she worked in various corporate jobs and carried a briefcase before writing her first novel. Yangsze eats and reads too much and can often be found doing both on her blog.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
10/27/2015 • 25 minutes
Literary Agents 101 with Chuck Sambuchino
Chuck Sambuchino shares his advice for querying writers. Discussing his book How To Get A Literary Agent & his new humour book, When Clowns Attack, A Survival Guide.
Chuck Sambuchino of Writer’s Digest Books edits the annual Guide to Literary Agents and Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market. His Guide to Literary Agents blog is one of the most popular blogs in publishing. His 2010 humor book, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack, was optioned by Sony Pictures. His books have been mentioned in Reader’s Digest, USA Today, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Variety, and more. Chuck is also the author of Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript, Get A Literary Agent, and, Create Your Writer Platform. His latest book, When Clowns Attack: A Survival Guide is available now.
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
10/20/2015 • 27 minutes
From News Article To Best-Selling Memoir with Aspen Matis
Aspen Matis shares how writing about her most traumatic experience for the New York Times Modern Love column led to a book deal and her best selling memoir – Girl In The Woods.
Aspen Matis is the best-selling author of the memoir – Girl In The Woods. After being raped on her second night at college, Aspen Matis dropped out. Trekking into the desert, Aspen left her sheltered suburban life behind, searching for a way to heal. Inspired by the beauty and turmoil enveloping her on the trail, the author wrote poems, personal accounts, and dispatches from her tent. After moving to New York City, she published a popular account of her experiences in The New York Times’ Modern Love column to outstanding praise, which led to this memoir. She now lives in Greenwich Village, where she’s finishing her degree at The New School and working on her next novel.
Crystal-lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.
10/13/2015 • 25 minutes
From Memoir Into Fiction with Susan Shapiro
Crystal-Lee Quibell will welcomes New York Times best selling author and professor at The New School, Susan Shapiro to discuss the benefits of turning memoir into fiction and why she chose to make What’s Never Said a fiction novel.
Susan Shapiro, an award-winning writing professor, freelances for The New York Times, New York Magazine, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, L.A. Times, Newsweek, Elle, Esquire & Oprah.com. She's the New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, including the acclaimed memoirs Lighting Up, Only as Good as Your Word, and Five Men Who Broke My Heart, the coauthored nonfiction books Unhooked and The Bosnia List, and the novel What's Never Said. She and her husband, a TV/film writer, live in Greenwich Village, where she teaches her popular "instant gratification takes too long" classes at the New School, NYU and in private workshops & seminars. You can follow her on Twitter at @susanshapironet or reach her at ProfSue123@gmail.com
Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.