The Inner Loop Radio: A Creative Writing Podcast

The Inner Loop Radio is on hiatus this month. Have a great summer!

Can genre fiction rise to the level of literary fiction? Tara Laskowski and Art Taylor give us tips on how to imbue a ghost story with deeper meaning. Plus we hear from local writers Josh Logue, Eric Kozlik, Michael Landweber, Anthony Dobranski, Mike Madden, and Megan Alpert reading satire, sci-fi, noir, and romance!

In honor of Memorial Day and those who have served, this month's episode explores how trauma and conflict influences writers, and how it can often be turned into a creative driver. Navy veteran Jacquelyn Bengfort joins us in-studio; NATOChannel editor Rob Kunzig calls in from Latvia; and we hear readings from Nancy K. Pearson, Samantha De Trinidad, Ruthi Postow Birch and Beth Spesia.

Our April edition explores the art of short works, in honor of National Poetry Month and our Four Year Anniversary! What is the lure of shorter pieces? How does one convey so much in so few words? Kathy Curto explains the allure of flash nonfiction, while Paul Fauteux shows us the power of the shortest poems. Plus, flash readings by Zach Powers, Michelle Junot, and Sam Nelson.

This month we talk to Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Vijay Seshadri, about how to turn a moment of inspiration into a polished piece and how to turn several pieces into a collection. We are treated to moving insights, pregnant pauses, and poignant readings from his collection, 3 Sections. Plus, we celebrate the up-and-coming work of our amazing interns!

Our February episode focuses on animal muses and character development -- we speak to Michael Collier about writing your way into any mind, and hear him read live from new works. Plus... find out what happens when a cat knows no limits, or in a world filled with wasps, or whether goldfish really die.

How many rejections does it take to get one acceptance? Author David Ebenbach discusses the competitive world of publishing short stories in both magazines and as collections. We get to hear him read a story about artistic jealousy. Plus, we hear Lisa Sewell's poems inspired by her favorite books.

The December edition of The Inner Loop Radio is all about family! With the upcoming holidays, our minds tend toward family, whether you're going home or staying home this Christmas season. Rachel and Courtney go in depth on mothers, fathers, big brothers, and big sisters, and how they influence our writing and our lives. Chelsea Horne joins us with her flash piece entitled "Goldfish Mother" and an...

This month, we celebrate immigrants, minorities, and the LGBTQ community with compelling readings and discussions about gentrification in DC, the election last year and how it has affected DC writers, and how writers can contribute to their communities. Plus, we interview writer and community organizer, Danielle Evennou, and hear one of her steamiest poems!

Episode 1 introduces The Inner Loop through readings inspired by the Woodlawn Estate and Pope-Leighey House, flash fiction, nonfiction, and poetry readings, and dramatic readings of exquisite corpses. We also hear Diana Veiga read her story "Summertime" in the studio and find out about the writing process, her inspiration, and the go-go era of DC.

Introducing The Inner Loop Radio with Rachel Coonce and Courtney Sexton, providing you with local literature from Washington, DC, including readings, interviews, and discussions about the writing life! Episode 1 coming October 17th!