Truer Words

Melissa and Kathryn talk creativity, hustle, and real life with writers, artists, and other creators.

Michelle Quach 09/19/2021

Michelle Quach In the 68th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Michelle Quach about graphic design, unlikable female characters, and creating a love interest who does more than just the assigned reading. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/20524667

Emma Kress 08/16/2021

Emma Kress In the 67th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Emma Kress about writing girls in sports, taking risks, and social media as an author. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/20151215

Margot Wood 08/02/2021

Margot Wood In the 66th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Margot Wood about Emma retellings, marketing a book as “queer,” and finding community in book lovers. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/20006954

Azadeh Westergaard 07/19/2021

Azadeh Westergaard In the 65th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Azadeh Westergaard about illustration, the joys of research, and Nikola Tesla. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19856417

Cassie Gustafson 07/05/2021

Cassie Gustafson In the 64th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Cassie Gustafson about writing about sexual assault responsibly, loving dark stories, and Tana French. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19713632

Kristy Everington 06/21/2021

Kristy Everington In the 63rd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Kristy Everington about Australian authors, why Americans call everything “cute,” and Ethan Hawke. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19544333

Camryn Garrett 06/07/2021

Camryn Garrett In the 62nd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Camryn Garrett about journalism, film, writing for teens as a teen (and young adult), and DIRTY DANCING. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19385483

Evan Griffith 05/25/2021

Evan Griffith In the 54th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Evan Griffith about writing stories about animals, the magic of Mary Quattlebaum, and the beauty of The Crown on Netflix. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19233629

Laurie Morrison 05/24/2021

Laurie Morrison In the 61st episode of Truer Words, we speak with Laurie Morrison about writing upper middle grade, carving up old manuscripts for parts, and Judy Blume. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19208207

A.S. King 05/10/2021

A.S. King In the 60th episode of Truer Words, we speak with A. S. King about writing EMOTIONS, respecting teens, and astrology. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/19030916

Larissa Theule 04/19/2021

Larissa Theule In the 59th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Larissa Theule about writing picture books, concrete, and being a third-culture kid. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868394

Joy McCullough 03/29/2021

Joy McCullough In the 58th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Joy McCullough about playwriting, castles, volcanoes, and Northwestern University (Go ‘Cats!). /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868397

Tziporah Cohen 03/15/2021

Tziporah Cohen In the 57th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Tziporah (Tzippy) Cohen about chocolate, Jewish children’s literature, and Ted Lasso. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868400

Rachel Lynn Solomon 03/01/2021

Rachel Lynn Solomon In the 56th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Rachel Lynn Solomon about Mad Libs drafting, adult and YA romcoms, and public radio. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868403

Lauren Morrill 02/15/2021

Lauren Morrill In the 55th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Lauren Morrill about going viral, writing contemporary YA, and being adaptable to a changing market. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868406

Ellie Cypher 01/18/2021

Ellie Cypher In the 53rd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Ellie Cypher about ruthless girls, writing to nature documentaries, and alpacas. Ellie is the author of THE GIRL FROM SHADOW SPRINGS, out February 9th. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868412

Kekla Magoon 01/04/2021

Kekla Magoon In the 52nd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Kekla Magoon about writing about recent history, teaching at Vermont College of Fine Arts, and her new cat. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868415

Amanda Gotera 11/30/2020

Amanda Gotera In the 51st episode of Truer Words, we speak with Amanda Gotera about building a life as a freelancer, sci-fi and fantasy for kids, and the best hairstyle for Captain Janeway. Amanda is a writer, filmmaker, and motion graphics artist, and Kathryn’s co-host on their upcoming Tamora Pierce-themed podcast, Tortall or Nothing. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868418

Election Decompression 11/15/2020

Election Decompression In the 50th (!!!) episode of Truer Words, we decompress from the 2020 Election and celebrate the relief that comes with Biden’s victory, as well as look forward to the work that still needs to be done. We also discuss what we’re watching, reading, and listening to as we get back to the work of making art and supporting the Georgia Senate runoffs. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868421

Martha Brockenbrough 10/31/2020

Martha Brockenbrough In the 49th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Martha Brockenbrough about media literacy, writing the encyclopedia, and books that meet expectations. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868424

Tirzah Price 10/19/2020

Tirzah Price In the 48th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Tirzah Price about writing authentic rural teens, historical fiction, and making adaptations of Jane Austen feel fresh. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868427

Hayley Chewins 10/05/2020

Hayley Chewins In the 47th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Hayley Chewins about lyrical middle grade, writing and literature in South Africa, and missing coffee shops in a pandemic. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868430

Samantha Kolber 09/21/2020

Samantha Kolber In the 46th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Samantha Kolber about poetry, motherhood, and indie bookselling in a pandemic. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868433

Sarah Mirk 09/07/2020

Sarah Mirk In the 45th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Sarah Mirk about comics journalism, zine-making, and telling the stories of Guantanamo Bay. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868436

Kristina Forest 08/24/2020

Kristina Forest In the 44th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Kristina Forest about classic Hollywood, acting dynasties, and how working at the library prepared her to write for children. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868439

Micol Ostow 08/10/2020

Micol Ostow In the 43rd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Micol Ostow about writing for Riverdale and Archie comics, making your own opportunities, and Sweet Valley High. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868442

Kate Pentecost 07/27/2020

Kate Pentecost Kate is the author of the young adult novel . Kate can be found on Instagram and Twitter . Her website is . Mentioned in this Episode: by John Steinbeck by Jasmine Guillory by Alexis Hall by Meryl Wilsner by Kwana Jackson by Emily Henry by Timothy Egan Ken Burns documentary by Kathryn Ormsbee by Delia Owens About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter and on Instagram . Contact us via our website, , or email us at [email protected]. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868445

Anna Birch 07/13/2020

Anna Birch In the 41st episode of Truer Words, we speak with Anna Birch about fan fiction, tarot, croissants, and character building. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868448

Ann Dávila Cardinal 06/29/2020

Ann Dávila Cardinal In the 40th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Ann Dávila Cardinal about haunted towers, Puerto Rican horror, and the benefits of low-residency MFA programs. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868451

Robyn Schneider 06/15/2020

Robyn Schneider In the 39th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Robyn Schneider about the ups and downs of publishing, bioethics, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. /episode/index/show/truerwordspodcast/id/18868454

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