Subway Reads

Leia Menlove and Rachel Reynolds Westerwelle
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Books
  • Weekly

A podcast about writing lives, reading books, and the people behind the literary scenes. subwayreads.substack.com

  1. 3d ago

    Hopping the Fence from Self-Publishing to Traditional featuring Abe Moss (18)

    For our last spooky season episode, Leia shares a true horror story: taking author photos! (And her dearly beloved husband’s attempts at getting the perfect shot). Then Rachel interviews horror writer Abe Moss, whose novel Morsels was acquired by the new horror imprint, Evil Twin, after being a run-away self-published success. Rachel and Abe get down to the bone of impostor syndrome, where our ideas come from, and the differences between the self-publishing and traditional routes (and why he isn’t giving up either, any time soon). Then, as this IS a book podcast, after the interview, we present you with… book recommendations! - Abe’s Subway Read: Old Soul by Susan Barker - Leia’s Picks: Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado and The Eye of Goliath by Diego Muzio - Rachel’s Pick: A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall Dive into the whole conversation: You can find the full episode recap of this and previous episodes on our Substack, as well as listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    Hopping the Fence from Self-Publishing to Traditional featuring Abe Moss (18)

  2. Oct 20

    The Reason of the Witch featuring Kristen J. Solleé (17)

    Spooky season continues as we cat-scratch the surface of the bad words that have historically killed or controlled women with noted witch scholar and fabulous feminist, Kristen J. Solleé. Her first novel, Nightcats, is now available for pre-order. After a quick introduction, we dive into Leia’s interview with Kristen where they discuss the reclaiming of words like slut (and witch) in her work. Kristen’s non-fiction book, Witches, Sluts, Feminists, has been a large influence on Leia, helping her reframe the negative sides of these words and understand them for what they can be: Tools of control against women. We also discussed sex-positivity, who the real monsters are, feminism, and Kristen’s other two non-fiction books: Cat Call and Witch Hunt: A Traveler’s Journey Through the Power and Persecution of the Witch. Then, as this IS a book podcast, after the interview, we present you with… book recommendations! Kristen’s Subway Reads: Magic Maker by Pam Grossman, Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice, The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice, and The Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice Leia’s Pick: The Subversive Stitch: Embroidery and the Making of the Feminine by Rozika Parker Rachel’s Pick: Women Who Run With the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés Other Books Mentioned in this Episode Woman, Church, and State (1893) by Matilda Joslyn Gage. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum Hogg by Samuel R. Delany Dive into the whole conversation: You can find the full episode recap of this and previous episodes on our Substack, as well as listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    The Reason of the Witch featuring Kristen J. Solleé (17)

  3. Oct 13

    Riding the Weird Wave of Fiction featuring Saskia Nislow (16)

    We kickstart our Halloween run of spooky episodes by diving into the true horrors of literary rejections (care of Rachel) and navigating the rapids of the publishing process (as told by Leia). Then Rachel chats with Saskia Nislow, author of the breakout horror indie novel Root Rot. They talk about the surprising origin story for Saskia’s first published novel, the balance of creativity and capitalism, as well as their experience working with the publishing press, Creature. Not to mention, facing the terrifying “inner acquisitions editor.” Then, as this IS a book podcast, after the interview, we present you with… book recommendations! Saskia’s Subway Reads: Harrow by Joy Williams and The Changeling by Joy Williams Leia’s Pick: This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno Rachel’s Pick: Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin Other Books Mentioned in this Episode  A World Lit Only By Your Face by Saskia Nislow. (Available exclusively at The Twisted Spine bookstore.) Carrying by Samantha Josephs Dive into the whole conversation: You can find the full episode recap of this and previous episodes on our Substack, as well as listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    Riding the Weird Wave of Fiction featuring Saskia Nislow (16)

  4. Oct 6

    Rave at the Library featuring Kate Davis and Tony Williams (15)

    It’s National Banned Books Week and we’re highlighting the alarming rise in book bans in schools across the USA, as well as talking to the people in the middle of the storm: librarians. For more information about what you can do this week and beyond, please visit: PEN America’s The Normalization of Book Bans BannedBooksWeek.org (Here you can find comprehensive resources and action items.) Then, for today’s interview, Rachel made the trek to The Jersey City Free Public Library to chat with Kate Davis, the assistant director, and Tony Williams, who runs the library's programming, to discuss the political pressures libraries face, from book bans to demands for religious story hours. They also explore the expanding community role libraries play all over the country, beyond book lending. These include social services, mental-health support, community programming, partnerships with local cultural institutions, lecture series held at local businesses, and, in the case of this particular library, a multi-floor library rave with DJs and salsa lessons. Then, as this IS a book podcast, we present you with… book recommendations! Tony Williams’s Subway Read: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah Kate Davis’s Subway Read: Slow Train Coming by Todd Almond Leia’s Pick: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes Rachel’s Pick: All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson Other Books Mentioned in this Episode  The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, by Nikole Hannah-Jones Ghost by Jason Reynolds Get the full recap of this episode and others on our Substack! And don’t forget to subscribe to get next week’s episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    Rave at the Library featuring Kate Davis and Tony Williams (15)

  5. Sep 29

    Cartoons, Cheez-Its, and True Crime featuring Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell (14)

    It’s not every day you meet a writer with as many talents as Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell. This week we sat down to talk about her funny graphic memoirs, cartoons with The New Yorker, stand-up comedy, and the ways in which a humorous work can elicit serious self-discovery. We also dive into her various works: The Joy of Snacking, a graphic memoir that began as a lighthearted “girl likes snacks” concept and evolved into an account of her grown-up revelations about her invisible eating disorder. Murder Book traces Hilary’s true crime co-obsession with her mother, while foregrounding her mother’s pitch-black sense of humor, and even tracing her own humor to other women in her family. What Did I Do Today?, an anti-productivity journal inspired by Hilary’s practice of writing “today lists” instead of to-do lists, reframing accomplishment. You can find more on her weekly Substack, cartoonsbyhilary.substack.com; her show, Cartoon Strips at Green Point Comedy Club; and on her Instagram. Our Writing Weeks: Rachel shares how she’s making peace with the waiting phase with publishing and finding the joy in where she is in the process. Meanwhile, Leia is getting things ready for the galley for her novel CAUTIONARY TALES FOR WOMEN & FOXES, Union Square & Co. (Summer 2027.) We also make a pact to write 1,200 words over the nor’easter — and we invite you to join us in setting a small, attainable goal for yourself this coming weekend, whenever that happens to be. Rain or shine, 1,200 words ain’t that bad. Then, as this IS a book podcast, we present you with… book recommendations! Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell’s Subway Read: Banal Nightmare by Halle Butler Leia’s Pick: Vernon Subutex by Virginie Despentes Rachel’s Pick: The Rejection Collection by Matthew Diffee Other Books Mentioned in this Episode  Big Swiss by Jen Beagin The Pisces by Melissa Broder The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin Dive into the whole conversation: Get the full recap of this episode and others on our Substack! Thanks for reading and listening! Join us every week on Subway Reads and don’t forget to subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    Cartoons, Cheez-Its, and True Crime featuring Hilary Fitzgerald Campbell (14)

  6. Sep 22

    The Invisible Work of Literary Agents featuring Laura B. McGrath (13)

    This week, Laura B. McGrath, Assistant Professor of English at Temple University and author of MIDDLEMEN: LITERARY AGENTS AND THE MAKING OF AMERICAN FICTION, joins us to discuss the often overlooked but powerful role of literary agents in shaping the publishing industry and even the American literary canon. Her research has received support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Mellon Foundation, among others. Our Writing Weeks: Rachel and Leia reflect on their own life-long awareness of (or blindness to) literary agents, and how different the truth is from their perceptions. Then, as this IS a book podcast, we present you with… book recommendations! Laura B. McGrath’s Subway Read: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe Leia’s Pick: Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively Rachel’s Pick: Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby Other Books Mentioned in this Episode  The Program Era by Mark McGurl Zone One by Colson Whitehead Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney Article Mentioned in this Episode Laura’s explanation and examination of “Encultured Biases: The Role of Products in the Pathways to Inequality” by Clayton Childress and Jean-François Naul Dive into the whole conversation: Get the full recap of this episode and others on our Substack! Thanks for reading and listening! Join us every week on Subway Reads and don’t forget to subscribe! Subscribe for free to get next week’s episode delivered right to your inbox. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    The Invisible Work of Literary Agents featuring Laura B. McGrath (13)

  7. Sep 15

    The Power of Folklore featuring Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (12)

    Novelist Olesya Salnikova Gilmore joins us to chat about her most recent book, The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru. In this conversation, we discuss Olesya's exhilarating (and exhausting) book tour, how Eastern European folklore imbues her writing, and the ways community started her career and has sustained her ever since. Our Writing Weeks: Rachel and Leia share their takes on the inner critic when writing and how the art of wrangling muses isn’t too different from raising toddlers. Then, as this IS a book podcast, we present you with these recommendations! Olesya’s Subway Reads: The  Supper Club Saints by Claire Swinarski,  Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina, Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser, The Mad Wife by Meagan Church, and The Star Society by Gabriella Saab Leia’s Pick: Piranesi by Susanna Clark Rachel’s Pick: Diavola by Jennifer Thorne Other Books Mentioned in this Episode: Red Spectres: Russian Gothic Tales from the Twentieth Century by Murieann Maguire Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clark Get the full episode recap on Substack! Thanks for reading and listening! Join us every week on Subway Reads and don’t forget to subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    The Power of Folklore featuring Olesya Salnikova Gilmore (12)

  8. Sep 8

    When the Monsters are Monsters featuring Nicholas Russell (11)

    Debut novelist Nicholas Russell joins us to chat about his upcoming book, Observer (available now to pre-order!). In this conversation, we discuss the challenges of genre, making an uneasy peace with readers’ expectations, the realities of a two-book deal, and life as a bookseller. Our Writing Weeks: Rachel and Leia talk about the fog of the novel submission and querying process while grappling with the reality of rejection in writing. They keep their morale high while serving up respect and credit to the literary agents of the world. Then, as this IS a book podcast, we present you with these recommendations! Nicholas’s Subway Read: The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Leia’s Pick: Borne by Jeff Vandermeer Rachel’s Pick: Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer Other Books Mentioned in this Episode The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins House of Beth by Kerry Cullen Fingersmith by Sarah Waters The Miniature Wife by Manuel Gonzales City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff Vandermeer Close Relationships with Strangers by Krista Diamond Dive into the whole conversation: Get the full episode recap on our Substack! Thanks for reading and listening! Join us every week on Subway Reads and don’t forget to subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit subwayreads.substack.com

    When the Monsters are Monsters featuring Nicholas Russell (11)
See All (20)

Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

A podcast about writing lives, reading books, and the people behind the literary scenes. subwayreads.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Leia Menlove and Rachel Reynolds Westerwelle
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Subway Reads
  • Show Website
    Subway Reads

You Might Also Like