Sitting in Silence

Hi Sitting in Silence friends! I speak today from the great Kenyon Review Writers Workshop. Today’s pod episode is about the things we writers and creators hold dear. I think it’s a good practice to touch base with our younger selves. Their values and goals are not so different from ours. My best to you. See you in the newsletter. Consider becoming a patron. Oh, and leave a comment or hit like. It...

Hey, y’all. How’s June treating you? In this episode, I talk about some of what’s making me happy—the rebirth of popular cinema, great music, and my Guggenheim trip. We have to take joy wherever it may be found. Some people might say the quiet patch from 22:20 to the 25 minute mark of today’s episode is unprofessional or something. But I would remind those people that “silence” is literally in the...

You ever wonder what’s the point of all this writing? I mean, who needs to write in era where machines can do it in a flash and most people would rather mainline hours of video content? Well, I have an idea: You should write because it makes you feel alive, it makes you feel happy, and it makes you feel human. And if other’s want to join your little party, good for them. Sitting in Silence is a re...

Whew. I just closed out my busiest month of the year. I wrote. I conducted panels and gave talks. That all took a lot of energy. But did you know it’s possible to recharge your battery? How? The secret is other writers. It turns out that being around others who love the written word as much of you can be quite life-affirming. I may feel worn out from a … This is a public episode. If you'd like to...

Hi y’all, This is a brief BREAKING NEWS podcast episode about a very cool thing that happened today. I’ll be back with a regular newsletter but for now: thanks! Here’s a list of fiction winners. Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with oth...

I’ve finally done it. I ran my mouth for well over an hour. But it’s all for a good cause. In an era in which Hollywood is shrinking, streaming services dominate—can you believe people watch films on their cell phones?—and the theatrical experience is going the way of VHS rental stores, it’s a nice to thing to remember why we love going to the movies. I’m a life long film lover. That why you can t...

Every year they say book publishing is dead. Every year they’re wrong. When will they stop saying that? Listen to today’s podcast on what’s really happening in publishing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/subscribe

I still dream that one day AWP will wake up and come to New Orleans (it feels like a no-brainer, right?). But until then, I’ll leave my writing nest like the rest of you and have an adventure. In today’s episode, I’ll talk about how special this conference is as well as how vital our connection to our overall literary community is. If you’re reading this, say hi below. And smash that like button o...

Hi, this is repost of yesterday’s episode, which had a technical problem . Enjoy this year’s final patron podcast on the importance of committing oneself to making good art. Happy holidays! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/subscribe

Hello, Dear Listeners! Isn’t it crazy that January is mostly over? It’s been said that you don’t have to get ready if you stay ready. Are you doing what you can to foster your writing life? Could you do more? What steps have you taken make a path for yourself? Thanks to all the new patrons and Sitting in Silence Club members who have joined over the past month. You make this space possible. Not a...

Happy New Year, friends! In today’s podcast, let’s level-set on dedication. What are you making this year? What are you willing to do to make that dream come to fruition? Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Thanks for reading Sitting in Silence ! This post is public so feel free to share it. Th...

Nothing like a 202-year old poem to get you into that holiday spirit, right? Grab your hot chocolate, marshmallows, and cozy up with the family around the fireplace while I recite this classic for you. Merry Christmas to all who observe! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/subscribe

Hi and welcome to Sitting in Silence , the podcast for thoughtful and curious thinkers. Thanks to patron, Rachel Sams, for today’s topic! Writing a book is an extremely difficult task. But you don’t have to go it alone. Beta readers are one important way to make sure your work is strong before you submit to agents and editors. Still, are they worth troub… This is a public episode. If you'd like to...

Here at the end of 2025, I thought it would be a good time to level set. Hope you’re well. Happy holidays to you and yours! Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruff...

In today’s lesson, I crack open three of my all-time favorite books and show you how author’s display their narrator’s frustration to effectively set up and develop story. Thanks for subscribing at the Patron level! Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to...

A huge thank you to listeners and readers of Sitting in Silence. Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/subscribe

This is a podcast episode about how to deal with the challenges of the late fall and winter season when the days get dark and cold. All the best too you. If you like Sitting in Silence, consider becoming a patron today. Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like...

Hi all, I hope you enjoy tonight’s episode. Not much to say other than, please consider becoming a patron. Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/s...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com Hi all and welcome to my annual quick hitter series for patrons. If you’re a patron, thank you for the support. If not, consider becoming a paid subscriber to my podcasts and newsletters that are chock full of valuable information for writers and creators. Enjoy.

Hi all, this year’s craft series kicked off with the live craft session and continues here with a free podcast on desire. More posts will follow in the newsletter and the podcast. Love what I’m doing with Sitting in Silence ? Consider becoming a patron. It really helps me continue this important work. Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, c...

Thank you Sayu Bhojwani , Claudia Barker , Jackie Kerr , Khadijah Abdul Haqq , TowandaL , and many others for tuning into my live video with Elisa M. Speranza (she/her) ! Join me for my next live video in the app. If you enjoy Sitting in Silence , consider sustaining it by becoming a patron! Sitting in Silence is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider be...

Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes. I turned XXX years old on September 20 and had a truly darling time. In today’s episode, I catch you up on my adventures in America’s publishing capital, New York City, talk about some upcoming excitement in the world of Sitting in Silence , and share thoughts on writing in this very odd political moment. Give a gift to yourself and listen. Also, thanks...

Hi all. Maurice here. I've done many written interviews for Sitting in Silence . But join me for my first live interview. Genevieve Rheams is a brilliant writer and the woman behind the newly released novel, We Will Plant Birds of Paradise . I got to chat with her about becoming an author, overcoming projects that didn't get published, and writing books that speak to the authentic self. Sitting in...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com Thank you to the awesome sponsors of today’s episode: you!

Thanks for listening to today’s show, where I talk about the gumption all successful authors have. The universe can feel like it’s pushing against you, but it’s actually inviting you on a journey of discovery. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mauricecarlosruffin.substack.com/subscribe