The Secret Library Podcast

Colette Lafia is an author, librarian, and spiritual director. We could have talked for hours. Between the influence of her early study of poetry on her writing today, to the struggle of remembering why she's writing when a publisher turns down a proposal, there's so much to relate to in this interview. Colette is a fantastic example of how living a life with many moving parts can feed you as a wr...

This week, Jane writes in feeling quote overwhelmed about being pregnant and living far away from her family. She wants to know everything there is to know about babies for she and her partner expect their little one. Listen up to find out what NOT to read in this situation. Also, check out the show notes for links to the books I suggested.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

I've known Michelle Wetzel since we were in high school together (not so) many years ago. I've been watching the trend and evolution in the world of young readers who create bookstagram accounts and rack up the follower counts into the thousands. Michelle is a high school librarian in Wayne, PA just outside Philadelphia, so she was the perfect person to turn to as I've wanted to dive into the worl...

I'm loving this week's letter from Jess. She's looking for something to read that is both practical and woo-woo. I've got a few fun suggestions on the show. Check out the show notes so you can read along with her If you enjoy these minisodes, please write in to get your own prescription. Also, feel free to leave practical woo-woo titles in the comments so Jess gets even more book love. Sponsored b...

Stunt journalism is an amazing practice for writing from personal experience. In this episode, you'll learn how to do stunt journalism and how writing can expand your perspective and enjoyment of your own life. Erin Jourdan has taught this process to hundreds of people, both online and in person, with life-altering results.  She's got not only anecdotes but current scientific research that we disc...

Hello! Welcome to another Dear Book Dr. Minisode.  This week's letter comes from Genevieve who's asking about dating and love. It's a tricky subject, since I don't think there is any easy answer and there's no way to guarantee results in the dating realm. With that said, I do think there are books that can help along the way and I can share resources that helped me when I was dating.    Show notes...

Natashia Deón is a wonder. When Julia Callahan gave her incredible ability to build networks and community back in Episode 10, I was impressed. But in reading her book, Grace, and speaking with her, I am now in love. Natashia is a novelist, criminal defense lawyer, law professor, and a mom. How does she do all these things? Even she doesn't know. If you've ever wondered how it feels to "make it" i...

Oh girl. This episode is close to my heart. This week's letter comes from Megan, who has just finished reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.  Here's how to take care of yourself after you finish this amazing book.  Show notes with links to book suggestions | Sponsored by Pretty By Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to disc...

Art Books are a category that we haven't explored on the show until now. Krysta Williams is a photographer and book maker and today we discuss the book as object, creating beautiful books, how photography collections get sequenced and how we feel about the future of physical books. (it's a positive discussion, don't worry) In addition, we nerd out about photography, journals, and planners. Learn o...

How can I get back to me? This is a big question from this week's letter.  Sheryl has gotten all of her kids off to school and suddenly has her time back to herself and doesn't even remember what hobbies she wants to pursue herself.  Listen up to learn how Sheryl can take care of herself and to get a jump on taking care of YOU. Show Notes for this Episode | Sponsored by Pretty by Post   Hosted on...

Editing is one of the more mysterious parts of the book creation process. We all know that editing is necessary, but many of us resist doing it. Sending your manuscript to an editor can be terrifying- it might be the first time someone other than your closest confidants has seen it- if anyone at all has seen your book so far.  Lindsay is both an editor and a writer, so she's able to talk about the...

Time Management. (Don't we all have issues with this?) This week, Mara writes in asking for help with her challenges in this area.  Listen up for 2 book suggestions and a blog that will get you on track with time.    Show notes for this episode | Sponsored by Pretty by Post Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with oth...

Have you ever wondered about the story you're living? This week, I chat with Jannelle Hardy, who spends a lot of time thinking about the stories we live out in everyday life. This is a topic that fascinates me. We don't just read and write stories and then walk away from them. They stay with us. And I often wonder about where the stories we write come from and why we have favorite books? Have you...

Book Prescriptions are back. When I first launched the Book Dr. site, I responded to people's letters asking for books to help them with their life situations and any conundrums they were facing.  As the site has grown and the podcast has been added to the content, I decided I missed these book letters, so here they are again in audio form! This week's letter comes to us from Arthur, who's had a b...

Book deals. Who among us hasn't dreamed of getting one, if we're totally honest. April Peveteaux has gotten not one, but THREE books published based on the brilliant brand of her blog, Gluten is My B*tch.  April and I share a profound disappointment in our inability to digest gluten as well as a powerful hunger for the baked goods and fried foods we can no longer eat. We talk about the need for hu...

Covers. How many of us have picked books just because we loved the cover and couldn't stop staring at it? I know I have been guilty of that more than once. I've even bought a book I already owned because I loved the new cover design so much.  What goes into the magic power that covers have over us? Where does this come from?    This week, I talk to LeAnna Smith about the art and science of covers....

In the beginning, there is the blank page.  We've talked a lot about the later parts of a book's life: publishing and distribution and design. This week we're going all the way back to the start.  How do you get a book down on the page? What happens when you face the blank page and there is nothing there? What's up with the feeling of having to make a story come out of your head? What do I do with...

Tosh Berman is one of my favorites. We had a podcast together back in 2008, which was big in Japan. During our podcasting reunion, Tosh shares about the process of publishing books in translation, his own writing adventures, why he went to see Sparks every single night of their London performances in 2008, and details about his re-released poetry collection."  The L.A. Times calls Tosh "a Los Ange...

It's here! We've hit episode 10 and we are still going strong.  Today I'm so happy to have Julia Callahan of Rare Bird Books on the show. She's Director of Marketing and Publicity and dishes on how to best work with a small press. If you've ever wanted to go this route, this is a must listen.  In addition, we talk roller derby and about the book celebrity that makes us both totally weak in the kne...

Such a juicy conversation, and one that defies a quick episode title. I changed it twice while writing this description. Elora and I covered the gamut, from writing novels, coaching writers, inspiring creativity, traditional vs. self-publishing, to how necessary it is to connect with other people while writing your book.  I felt a little high after this conversation, to be honest. It's just that g...

This week, I'm so excited to be speaking with the magical Ruth Bernstein, who I know from my good old Book Soup days. Ruth wrote her thesis at Pitzer College on libraries and I knew everyone would be down to think about that.  Not only do we talk about how amazing libraries are, but we dive into the topic of what role libraries play in society, the way programs for libraries get funded and what mi...

Milda Harris, novelist, is also a mother of twins and has written over 8 novels. She makes me feel like an enormous slacker, if we're being honest.  Get ready for another show-notes-heavy episode. If you're listening on iTunes, make sure to visit SecretLibraryPodcast.com where you can check out links to all the resources Milda and I talked about for the self-publishing world.  Remember the show no...

If you've dreamed of reading books and drinking tea all day instead of staying in a soul-sucking job that creates nothing but stress, this is the episode for you.  Join me as I chat with Christina Orlando, founder of Muse Monthly, as we talk about creating a book and tea subscription service, and how she gets dreamy books to her subscribers every single month.  We talk about searching for first-ti...

This week, I talk with Catherine Theis about poetry vs. prose and how to break into the wide world of reading poetry. We cover everything from how to find poetry you enjoy reading, to how to read poems, to why it's wrong to think of poetry and prose as totally different concepts.  Catherine is a PhD candidate in Creative Writing at USC and generally kicks ass at talking about this topic. She blew...

Edan Lepucki came on the show to celebrate finishing the latest draft of her forthcoming novel, Woman Number 17. Edan's first novel, California, was subject to an intense amount of press and scrutiny when she found herself the sudden beneficiary of Stephen Colbert's feud with Amazon in 2014.  Today on the show Edan talks about dealing with crazy press, how to have a new novel waiting like a lover...