Episode 165 - Brenda Meller - Capturing a Piece of the Publishing Pie
The Make Meaning Podcast
is an entrepreneur, author and social media coach who helps people maximize their presence on . She is the author of Media Pie: How to enjoy a bigger slice of the LinkedIn Pie and host of the podcast. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Brenda about her book and the evolution of her career. She talks about her writing process, including how she wrote the book in just 30 days, and why she opted to self-publish. They talk about the ever-evolving nature of social media, which demands periodic updates to the book along with plans for future books. In this episode, and...
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Episode 164 - Patrick Hicks - Writing Hard Stories Beautifully
The Make Meaning Podcast
is an Irish Catholic writer from Minnesota who has a deep fascination with the Holocaust. He has written three Holocaust novels and has conducted extensive research on the subject, visiting twelve different concentration camps and speaking with survivors. Patrick is also a professor at in South Dakota, where he teaches writing and literature. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Patrick about his newest book, . In his second time on the Make Meaning Podcast, Patrick explains what inspired this novel, driven by research on gender and violence. He reflects on the impact of...
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Episode 163 - Qin Sun Stubis - Writing Inspired by Long-Held Family Lore
The Make Meaning Podcast
is a Chinese-American author of the book , which tells the story of four generations of Chinese women in Shanghai, China during the Great Famine, navigating war and revolution. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Qin about her early life, China’s Cultural Revolution and her love of words and storytelling. Qin explains how the loss of her parents inspired her to write a memoir that brings to life her family’s stories and a fascinating part of China’s history. She also discusses her writing process and the challenges she faced as a first-time author. Qin has received...
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Episode 162 - Elizabeth Conte - Doing Well as an Indie Author
The Make Meaning Podcast
is an author with a passion for bringing 19th-century literature to the 21st-century reader. She is the author of , a time travel historical novel, and , a scintillating story set in Victorian England. Elizabeth is the founder of , a hybrid publishing house for writers who don't fit into traditional publishing boxes. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Elizabeth about her debut novel, , her inspiration for the book and the challenges she faced while writing and editing it. Elizabeth also talks about her marketing strategies and the success she has achieved as an indie...
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Episode 161 - Ana Veciana-Suarez - Historical Literary Fiction
The Make Meaning Podcast
is a journalist and author. She has written for various publications and has published several books, including her latest novel, , which was inspired by her reading of in high school. Known for her meticulous research and attention to detail, Anna spent many years digging up the information she needed to focus on the Spanish Inquisition. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Ana about her writing process, the challenges of researching historical fiction, her experiences with marketing her book, and her insights into the changing landscape of the writing community....
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Episode 160 - Jonathan Whitelaw - Cozy Crime & Escaping into Writing
The Make Meaning Podcast
is a Scottish author and journalist now living in Canada who wrote his first novel at the age of 17. He’s since published several books in the cozy crime genre, including and the popular series. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Jonathan about the cozy crime genre, why he’s drawn to it and the genre’s emphasis on humor, character, and setting. Plus, they discuss his publishing journey, from his first horrible book to being published by a small independent publisher to getting an agent and taking the plunge to become a full-time author. They also explore the...
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Episode 159 – April Davila - Meditation & Writing
The Make Meaning Podcast
Finding an agent and publisher was easy for , an award-winning author who quit her job in 2016 to write full-time. Her debut novel, won the . In this episode of the host chats with April, a fourth-generation Californian who studied marine biology before being called to the written word. She honed her skills in marketing and technical writing jobs, dedicating early mornings to crafting fiction until she could finally make the transition to writing full-time. In this episode, Lynne and April discuss the lessons she learned along the way and why she pairs meditation with writing....
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Episode 158 - Suzanne Nugent - On Character Development
The Make Meaning Podcast
, author of and host of the podcast, uses humor to confront life’s darkest moments. She navigates between various storytelling mediums, from novels to screenplays, finding the right narrative platform for each project. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Suzanne about her creative career and how writing has shaped her as a person. She shares her inspiration for her novel and her journey to publishing. Suzanne also talks about her love for storytelling across platforms, including screenwriting and podcasting. In this episode, and Suzanne discuss: How writing...
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Episode 157 - Blake Kimzey - Creating a Writing Community
The Make Meaning Podcast
is the founder of , a global community offering writing classes taught by experienced instructors, like Make Meaning Podcast host . Blake is also an author, screenwriter and hands-on dad of three. In this episode, Blake recalls a pivotal moment in sixth grade when he wrote a King Arthur rip-off. He and host also talk about his journey as an author, the inspiration behind WritingWorkshops.com and the surprising and very winding journey of becoming an author. In this episode, and discuss: Going from short stories to writing a novel Submitting novels and receiving...
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Episode 156 - Blair Fell - Original Storylines & Unique Characters
The Make Meaning Podcast
While fiction is born from imagination and creativity, many authors explain how they came to the stories they create through lived experiences. This is definitely true for , author of , whose work in the deafblind community taught him about nuances, details and issues facing that community. This debut novel takes readers on a journey through a fascinating community and the lives of compelling characters. In the latest episode of the , host interviews Blair about his writing process, the importance of research and the value of participating in a writing group. He discusses his background...
info_outlineEpisode 153 – Jewish Books, Jewish Authors
In a special two-part episode, Lynne Golodner interviews people who curate and promote Jewish books and Jewish authors. The first part features representatives from America's longest-running Jewish Book Fair -- Lauren Johnson, a librarian and consultant at the J-Detroit, and Brenda Brook, the 2023 chair of the Detroit Jewish Book Fair. The second part is a conversation with Naomi Firestone-Teeter, executive director of the Jewish Book Council. Learn why Detroit is a hub for Jewish literature, and consider the role of Jewish books in shaping identity of and for diverse audiences.
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Brenda, Lauren, and Naomi about the legacy of Jewish book fairs and trends in the Jewish book world, including an increase in Holocaust-related writings and the growth of children's publishing. They also touch on the responsibility of Jewish authors in representing the community and how virtual events are attracting a global audience.
In this episode, Lynne, Lauren, Brenda and Naomi discuss:
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The long history of the Detroit Jewish Book Fair
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Being the "People of the Book"
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Gentile authors writing for a Jewish audience
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Criteria for selecting books for the book fair
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Communicating Jewish identity to global audiences
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Jewish book fairs compared to other book events
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The importance of featuring authors who are not bestsellers
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The value of community engagement
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Growth and diversity in Jewish children's literature
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Personal journeys and passions for Jewish culture
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Changing conversations in the Jewish book world
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Trends in graphic narratives and genre fiction
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Intergenerational growth in the Jewish genre
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Fascination with the Orthodox community in Jewish literature
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Jewish books inspire conversations about identity and culture
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How books reflect the multifaceted Jewish experience and promote diversity
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Portraying Jews responsibly
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Accessibility and opportunities for smaller communities
Links and Resources:
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The Holocaust
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Martha Ann Toll (who will be on the Make Meaning Podcast Dec. 1, 2023)
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
Episode 148 – Woman of Valor – Katie Scott interviews Lynne about her debut novel
Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon – Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
Episode 130 – Merle Saferstein – Journaling & Legacy
Episode 123 – Karen Gordon – On Surviving the Surviving