The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

Courtney Kocak
  • 5.0 (8)
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  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The Bleeders: about book writing & publishing

The Bleeders is a podcast (and support group!) about book writing and publishing. Transparent conversations with authors, agents, and people in the publishing industry about how to write and sell books. The title is a nod to the famous (potentially misattributed) Hemingway quote: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Sign up for The Bleeders companion Substack! https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

  1. Omar Mouallem on Blending Faith, History, Travel & Memoir in "Praying to the West"

    3D AGO

    Omar Mouallem on Blending Faith, History, Travel & Memoir in "Praying to the West"

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Omar Mouallem, author of the historical travel memoir Praying to the West: How Muslims Shaped the Americas. In writing the book, Omar couldn’t explore its subject matter without also reexamining his own relationship with the religion he had grown up with—and grown apart from. In this interview, he takes us through the entire book-writing process, from his early days as a ghostwriter to landing his book deal, securing extra funding for his global research trips, and working through the editing process with Simon & Schuster. Follow Omar on Instagram @omar_aok. The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

    58 min
  2. Allie Rowbottom Shares Her Writing & Publishing Processes for "Jello Girls" and "Aesthetica"

    MAR 17

    Allie Rowbottom Shares Her Writing & Publishing Processes for "Jello Girls" and "Aesthetica"

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Allie Rowbottom. Allie is the author of the memoir/family history/cultural commentary Jello Girls, which I love, and the new novel Aesthetica, which is incredibly zeitgeisty in its subject matter and has been getting rave reviews. Not only is Allie Rowbottom a super hot lit queen who can string together a hell of a sentence, but she’s also really nice and generous with information in this interview. She shares a top-secret tip for writing good fiction, how she handled writing about her family, THE most thoughtful and honest takes on publishing, and more in today’s episode. Follow Allie on Instagram @allierowbottom.  The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

    1h 7m
  3. Hannah Howard on How Her Food Memoirs Became So Much More

    MAR 10

    Hannah Howard on How Her Food Memoirs Became So Much More

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Hannah Howard, author of two food memoirs, Feast: True Love in and Out of the Kitchen and Plenty: A Memoir of Food and Family, that transcend the genre and are also about relationships, motherhood, and finding your tribe. We discuss how an MFA application process helped her crystallize her vision for what became her first book, the difference between first and second books, her experience in a low-residency MFA program (she went to Bennington), reactions she’s gotten to writing about ED, how her niche is expanding into parenting, and more. Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahmhoward. The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: How to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

    54 min
  4. The Story Behind the Story: How Nicole Maggi’s Latest Novel “A Murder in Zion” Came to Be

    MAR 3

    The Story Behind the Story: How Nicole Maggi’s Latest Novel “A Murder in Zion” Came to Be

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Nicole Maggi, who joins me to share the origin story of her latest novel, A Murder in Zion, which hits shelves tomorrow! Inspired by a docuseries about crimes in national parks, Nicole set out to write a mystery series set against some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes. We dive into the highs and lows of publishing, how a close friend became her agent (and how they navigate their multi-faceted relationship), her perseverance through a challenging personal year, and the thrill of finally finding the perfect home for A Murder in Zion. Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolemaggiauthor. The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

    13 min
  5. How Bassey Ikpi Did the Magic with “I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying”

    FEB 24

    How Bassey Ikpi Did the Magic with “I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying”

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Bassey Ikpi, author of I’m Telling the Truth, but I’m Lying, one of my all-time favorite books. She grew up thinking authors were magicians, but it turns out she knows how to cast the spell too! In this episode, Bassey shares how the book proposal was a totally different book but working on it amid a mental health crisis led her down a more authentic path. Bassey talks about having an emotional memory, emotional accuracy vs. chronological accuracy, how she found her agent, the importance of a good editor, her book getting optioned for TV, what’s on her bucket list, and so much more... This episode is a juicy one! Follow Bassey on Instagram @basseyworld. The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminarThe Multi-Passionate Writer's Life: https://writingworkshops.com/products/the-multi-passionate-writers-life-zoom-seminar-with-courtney-kocak

    1h 3m
  6. From Query Hell to Big Five Book Deal: Emily J. Smith on Her Path to Publication with "Nothing Serious"

    FEB 17

    From Query Hell to Big Five Book Deal: Emily J. Smith on Her Path to Publication with "Nothing Serious"

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Emily J. Smith, author of Nothing Serious. Follow Emily on Instagram @emjsmith and Bluesky @emjsmith.bsky.social. The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on Instagram @courtneykocak and Bluesky @courtneykocak.bsky.social. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Podcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarLand Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writeordiemag.com/workshops/p/land-big-bylinesStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

    19 min
  7. Writing a Revealing Book About Your Day Job: Andrew Bomback on "Doctor"

    FEB 10

    Writing a Revealing Book About Your Day Job: Andrew Bomback on "Doctor"

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Andrew Bomback, author of Doctor and Long Days, Short Years: A Cultural History of Modern Parenting. Follow Andrew on Instagram @andrewbomback and Twitter @asbomback. >>> Watch the full interview with Andrew on YouTube: https://youtu.be/boHDw5bhBYE?si=iBmDPjhWsPSFF8c4 The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarPodcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

    7 min
  8. Writing LA’s Juicy History & Publishing Without an Agent with Paul Haddad

    FEB 3

    Writing LA’s Juicy History & Publishing Without an Agent with Paul Haddad

    Welcome, writers and book lovers. The Bleeders is a podcast about book writing and publishing. Make sure you subscribe to the companion Substack: https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome Today's guest is Paul Haddad, generously sharing the research, writing, and publishing process for his latest book Inventing Paradise, which explores the history of early Los Angeles and the power brokers who shaped the city's growth. Follow Paul on Instagram and X/Twitter @la_dorkout. The Bleeders is hosted by Courtney Kocak. Follow her on X/Twitter and Instagram @courtneykocak. For more, check out her website courtneykocak.com. Courtney is teaching some upcoming workshops you might be interested in: Land Big Bylines by Writing for Columns: https://writingworkshops.com/products/land-big-bylines-by-writing-for-columns-zoom-seminarPodcasting for Writers: How to Start, Sustain & Grow Your Podcast: https://writingworkshops.com/products/podcasting-for-writers-how-to-start-sustain-grow-your-podcast-4-week-zoom-workshopHow to Build a “Platform” for Writers Who Shudder at the Thought: https://writingworkshops.com/products/how-to-build-a-platform-for-writers-who-shudder-at-the-thought-zoom-seminarStart a Newsletter to Supercharge Your Platform, Network and Business: https://writingworkshops.com/products/start-a-newsletter-to-supercharge-your-platform-network-business-zoom-seminar

    1h 18m
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5
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8 Ratings

About

The Bleeders is a podcast (and support group!) about book writing and publishing. Transparent conversations with authors, agents, and people in the publishing industry about how to write and sell books. The title is a nod to the famous (potentially misattributed) Hemingway quote: “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Sign up for The Bleeders companion Substack! https://thebleeders.substack.com/welcome

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