In the Weeds

"Having some sense of stability, even if it's not a ton of money, but a routine and a sense of stability and community—those are things that really help your writing." In this episode, we talk about: Ali’s restaurant jobs including a sandwich shop in Main and Mooncake Foods in NYC The camaraderie found among service industry coworkers How she transitioned into a career in TV, including her work on...

“What I've learned about myself as a writer is that I'll move aside anything for it.” In this episode, we talk about: Mila’s restaurant experience working as a dishwasher, coffee shop worker, bartender, and server. How working in the service industry impacted her writing life and the decision to quit her job to focus on writing. Following your passions and taking risks The challenges of working in...

"I may not be able to tell you where anybody I've ever hired went to college, but I can tell you if they worked in the service industry or not because I tend to favor that on resumes." In this week’s interview, Kathleen shares how hostessing and waiting tables prepared her for future careers in public relations and book publishing. In this episode, we also talk about: Kathleen’s experience working...

“Everyone comes into a restaurant, everyone comes into a cafe and if you're open to it you can actually meet the most interesting people with stories. I think especially as a writer, you will most of the time be alone, so use that [time] to connect.” In this week’s interview, Sophia shares her experiences working in restaurants in Germany during the pandemic, starting her own publishing press, gro...

“I blame MFA programs for not positing restaurant work as a viable option at the beginning of a writer's career”  Courtney Maum is the author of I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You , Touch , And Costalegre , the publishing guidebook “ Before And After The Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide To Finishing, Publishing, Promoting And Surviving Your First Book ” and the memoir The Year Of The Horses...

Welcome to In the Weeds, the podcast where we explore the intersection of writing and working in the service industry. Here is a look at what's to come! *** In the Weeds is a podcast and a weekly newsletter created by Kailey Brennan DelloRusso | subscribe here for letters on novel writing, the creative process, and working in the service industry. Where else you can find me As the editor in chief...

Brittany Ackerman, the author of The Brittanys, discusses writing her debut novel while working in a sports bar in LA, the stigma of "real jobs," and how to pursue writing while working in the service industry. Brittany Ackerman is a writer from Riverdale, New York. She earned her BA in English from Indiana University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Florida Atlantic University. She has led wor...