The Page & Podium Podcast with Dr. Amanda Nell Edgar

Page & Podium Press

Are you dreaming of writing your memoir but feeling stuck or unsure where to begin? Tune in to the Page & Podium Podcast, the ultimate podcast for first-time memoir writers. We bring you expert advice from Page & Podium Press, a publishing team with over 30 years of combined experience helping new authors craft memoirs that captivate readers and attract publishers. In each episode, we dive into essential topics like structuring your story, outlining your chapters, overcoming writer’s block, and breaking through mindset barriers that stop writers in their tracks. With actionable tips and publishing insights, you’ll learn how to not only finish your book but also how to write a memoir that publishers will want to sign. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the writing process, this podcast will guide you through the ups and downs of memoir writing with a focus on both the creative journey and the end goal—using your story to help others.

  1. 8H AGO

    5 ”Rules” that Sabotage Your Memoir

    So many writers hesitate to start because they’re convinced everyone else knows the “real rules” of writing—rules they somehow missed. That fear often comes from school, where we were taught that mastery comes after learning a tidy list of dos and don’ts. But creative work doesn’t operate that way. In fact, many writing “rules” are oversimplified, outdated, or so broadly applied that they do more harm than good. In this episode, we’re breaking down five common writing rules that deserve a graceful retirement. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 8:47 - The Hero's Journey 12:28 - Wait for Inspiration 18:59 - Show, Don't Tell 24:07 - English-class Grammar 26:25 - Trad or bust 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    32 min
  2. MAR 3

    Anatomy of a Memoir Outline

    An outline isn’t a boring pre draft chore—it’s the backbone that keeps your memoir from collapsing under the weight of endless pages or endless restarts. In this episode, we dig into why outlining is the most powerful antidote to two of the biggest memoir killers: lack of structure and perpetual puttering. You’ll learn how a solid outline becomes both the spine of your book and the map that keeps you moving forward, no roman numerals required—just a clear understanding of what an outline is for and how it supports your writing momentum. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 6:26 - Working title 8:02 - Topic 9:53 - Message 12:18 - Skeleton outline 13:10 - Chapter Breakdown 21:01 - Getting feedback 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    26 min
  3. FEB 24

    Self-Publishing With Excellence

    A polished, professional book doesn’t happen by accident, but it doesn’t require a traditional publishing deal, either. As more authors bring their work to market independently, the old assumptions about what counts as “real” publishing are quickly fading. Today’s self published books can match the quality of major houses, and readers are responding with the same loyalty and excitement. In this conversation, we’re exploring the myths that keep writers from considering self publishing and walking through the essential steps to produce a book you can be proud of. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 1:30- Reaching for quality 4:00- Publishing Paths 5:30- Fears about self-publishing 12:10- Research components 17:34- Setting a plan with dates 21:20- Balance cohesion and the details 23:50- Form your own imprint 26:390 Publish across multiple platforms 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    31 min
  4. FEB 17

    Are you your own gatekeeper?

    We talk a lot about “gatekeepers” in publishing—agents, editors, critics, readers—but the most powerful one is often the person staring back at you in the mirror. In this episode, we explore how writers unintentionally block their own progress by judging their ideas, their voice, and their worthiness long before anyone else ever sees their work. If you’ve ever felt like you’re standing in your own way, this conversation offers four essential questions to help you recognize and dismantle your inner gatekeeper. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 7:19 - Are you comparing your first draft to someone's polished and published book? 9:43 - What scares you about publishing? 11:55- Are you jealous when others publish? 15:05 - Who will you be when the book is finished? 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    19 min
  5. FEB 10

    Finding a Writing Routine that Works

    Writing a memoir isn’t about waiting for the perfect stretch of free time. It’s about building a writing rhythm that fits your real life. In this episode, we dig into why “write every day” is often unrealistic, why relying on rare big blocks of time keeps you stuck, and how to create a sustainable routine that actually supports finishing your book. If you’ve struggled to stay consistent, this conversation will help you rethink what a writing practice can look like. 🔗 You've got the story. You've got the idea. You just don't know the steps in the process. If this is what's holding your memoir back, I have got the solution for you. The memoir method checklist is going to take you through every single step you need from idea to published marketable book. You can download it now at pageandpodium.com/checklist. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 0:00-Intro 6:45- Connect Writing with something already in your routine 12:43- Don't copy other timetables 15:37- Create a chain effect 19:40- Make a full book plan 22:31- Do not punish yourself 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    31 min
  6. FEB 4

    3 Reasons to Define your Memoir’s Topic

    If you’ve ever stumbled through the question “What’s your memoir about?” you’re not alone. Even though memoir springs from lived experience, you can’t—and shouldn’t—try to fit your whole life into one book. Instead, choosing a clear central topic helps you focus, refine your message, and create a more powerful reading experience. Today’s conversation explores three essential reasons to define your memoir’s topic early and how that clarity transforms your writing process. Part of the process of becoming a writer is learning how to read like a writer--to see the bones of structure and past the words to what choices the author is making and why they are (or aren't) working in the interest of the story. That's why Page and Podium is excited to announce our upcoming new Memoir Method Book Club, where each month we will be reading and examining a memoir with a writer's eye to learn more about what we can apply (or avoid) in our own work. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 2:00- The difference between message and topic 14:17- Topic reins you in 14:06- Topic defines your audience 19:41- Topic helps choose your starting point 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    24 min
  7. JAN 27

    4 steps to take before writing your memoir

    Writing a memoir stirs up a whole mix of emotions—excitement, fear, anticipation, and the quiet urge to wait “just a little longer.” Many writers worry about starting too soon, but waiting too long carries its own risks. Memoir is deeply personal, year long work, and stepping into it can feel vulnerable. In this video, we’re breaking down the four foundational steps that help transform early anxieties into creative momentum. These are the same shifts we see again and again in our group program—where writers discover that once they move past the initial hurdle, the process becomes clearer, steadier, and far less intimidating. If you’ve been imagining your book but hesitating to begin, this episode will help you understand why those feelings might actually be signs that you’re ready. Part of the process of becoming a writer is learning how to read like a writer--to see the bones of structure and past the words to what choices the author is making and why they are (or aren't) working in the interest of the story. That's why Page and Podium is excited to announce our upcoming new Memoir Method Book Club, where each month we will be reading and examining a memoir with a writer's eye to learn more about what we can apply (or avoid) in our own work. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 1:30- Where the fear of starting comes from 4:30- Tell your story! 9:00- Speak to professionals 14:30- Make a budget for your support 17:30- Establish a support system 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    23 min
  8. JAN 20

    Reading like a Writer (Part 2)

    Unlock the craft behind the memoirs you love. Last week, we explored why reading like a writer matters: how it sharpens your instincts, deepens your craft, and reveals the invisible architecture that makes a story work. This week, we’re going behind the curtain. Whether you’re drafting your first chapter or revising a full manuscript, reading like a writer is your most reliable training ground. We'll explore how you can shift the way you read to analyze what you love--and don't love--about what you read and apply that to your own writing. Part of the process of becoming a writer is learning how to read like a writer--to see the bones of structure and past the words to what choices the author is making and why they are (or aren't) working in the interest of the story. That's why Page and Podium is excited to announce our upcoming new Memoir Method Book Club, where each month we will be reading and examining a memoir with a writer's eye to learn more about what we can apply (or avoid) in our own work. 📅 New videos every Tuesday - subscribe and never miss an update! Timestamps: 3:00-Decisions 4:00- There is no "right" way 6:00- Examining structure 9:00- Using reverse outlines 14:25- Considering yourself as an audience 15:15- Recognizing show versus tell 16:30- Understanding scene versus exposition 21:30- Reading for details and style 23:00- Guessing at the author's why 👉 **Follow Us:** - **LinkedIn:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.linkedin.com/company/page-and-podium-press/) - **Facebook:** [Page and Podium Press](https://www.facebook.com/pageandpodiumpress) - **Instagram:** [@pageandpodiumpress](https://www.instagram.com/pageandpodiumpress/) 🎵 Music I Use: Bensound License code: FZ3LM4DGUTQYKAES Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more writing tips and strategies. See you next Tuesday! Hashtags: #WritingTips #FirstTimeAuthors #ManuscriptRevision #BookWriting #AuthorAdvice #PageAndPodiumPress #memoirwriting #memoir #journal

    27 min
5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Are you dreaming of writing your memoir but feeling stuck or unsure where to begin? Tune in to the Page & Podium Podcast, the ultimate podcast for first-time memoir writers. We bring you expert advice from Page & Podium Press, a publishing team with over 30 years of combined experience helping new authors craft memoirs that captivate readers and attract publishers. In each episode, we dive into essential topics like structuring your story, outlining your chapters, overcoming writer’s block, and breaking through mindset barriers that stop writers in their tracks. With actionable tips and publishing insights, you’ll learn how to not only finish your book but also how to write a memoir that publishers will want to sign. Whether you’re just starting out or deep in the writing process, this podcast will guide you through the ups and downs of memoir writing with a focus on both the creative journey and the end goal—using your story to help others.