164 episodes

Writers figure out what they believe and make sense of the world by putting words on the page.

How authors, writers and those in publishing go from idea to book-length story to published with a sought-after audience is the focus of this podcast!

Make Meaning Podcast host Lynne Golodner is a former journalist, multi-title author, award-winning marketing strategist who knows just how to ask the right questions to yield rich, inspiring responses. She shares her own writing process and creative pursuits in lively conversations with stunning writers of great books, compelling stories, and life-changing articles.

The Make Meaning Podcast Lynne Golodner

    • Arts
    • 5.0 • 16 Ratings

Writers figure out what they believe and make sense of the world by putting words on the page.

How authors, writers and those in publishing go from idea to book-length story to published with a sought-after audience is the focus of this podcast!

Make Meaning Podcast host Lynne Golodner is a former journalist, multi-title author, award-winning marketing strategist who knows just how to ask the right questions to yield rich, inspiring responses. She shares her own writing process and creative pursuits in lively conversations with stunning writers of great books, compelling stories, and life-changing articles.

    Episode 165 - Brenda Meller - Capturing a Piece of the Publishing Pie

    Episode 165 - Brenda Meller - Capturing a Piece of the Publishing Pie

    Brenda Meller is an entrepreneur, author and social media coach who helps people maximize their presence on LinkedIn. She is the author of Social Media Pie: How to enjoy a bigger slice of the LinkedIn Pie and host of the Enthusiastically Self-Employed podcast.
     
    In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner 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, Lynne and Brenda discuss: 
    The story behind the book title
    Her writing process and the power of writers conferences
    Committing to daily writing
    Creating a community-focused book with shoutouts to readers
    Self-publishing with help 
    Creating an audiobook 
    The benefits of multiple book formats 
    Working past retirement age
     
    Links and Resources: 
    Social Media Pie: How to Enjoy a Bigger Slice of the LinkedIn Pie
    Enthusiastically Self-Employed
    Rochester Writers
    How to write a book in 30 days by Don Staley
    NaNoWriMo
    Scotia Road Books
    Dave Stokes - audiobook coach
    Boot Camp with Brenda
     
    Find Brenda Meller:
    Website
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Facebook
    Twitter
    YouTube



    If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
    Episode 21 – Brenda Meller – All About Pie
    Episode 25 – Crosby Noricks – Perfect PR Moments
    Episode 117 – Steven Wingate – How to Find Your Voice Again & Again
    Episode 128 – Becky Robinson – Building Reach for Books
    Episode 142 – Announcing Scotia Road Books
     

    • 37 min
    Episode 164 - Patrick Hicks - Writing Hard Stories Beautifully

    Episode 164 - Patrick Hicks - Writing Hard Stories Beautifully

    Patrick Hicks 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 Augustana University in South Dakota, where he teaches writing and literature.
     
    In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Patrick about his newest book, Across the Lake. 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 writing about such a dark period in human history and the importance of standing up to fascism at any time, especially today. The interview concludes with a discussion on topics that engage students today and a look at the future of writing.
     
    In this episode, Lynne and Patrick discuss: 
    Inspiration for  Across the Lake
    Braided narratives
    How to create compelling characters that are starkly different from the author
    Challenging yourself as an author
    Why it’s so important for an Irish Catholic novelist to write about the Holocaust
    Character development and story visioning
    The art of naming characters
    Gender differences in violence during the Holocaust
    The impact on the author of writing about the Holocaust
    The importance of addressing fascism and hatred in fiction
    Contemporary students' interest in equality and progressivism
     
    Links and Resources: 
    Patrick’s first interview on the Make Meaning Podcast, episode 102
    In the Shadow of Dora
    Ravensbrück concentration camp
    PBS: Public Broadcasting Service
    Hitler's Furies by Wendy Lower
    Aufseherin
    B17 bombers
    Augustana University
    Patriot Front
     
    Find Patrick Hicks:
    Website
    Facebook
    Twitter

    Blog



    If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
    Episode 127 – Ly Tran – Writing Unapologetically 
    Episode 123 – Karen Gordon – On Surviving the Surviving
    Episode 117 – Steven Wingate – How to Find Your Voice Again & Again
    Episode 102 – Patrick Hicks – How to Write Historical Fiction
    Episode 68 – M.L. Liebler – H ow to Use Writing & Performance to be an Activist
    Episode 61 – Merle Saferstein – How to Leave a Legacy Through Journaling
     

    • 21 min
    Episode 163 - Qin Sun Stubis - Writing Inspired by Long-Held Family Lore

    Episode 163 - Qin Sun Stubis - Writing Inspired by Long-Held Family Lore

    Qin Sun Stubis is a Chinese-American author of the book Once Our Lives: A Memoir of Shanghai, Teahouses, and Three Generations of Family, 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 Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner 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 awards for this beautiful book and continues to write essays and short stories.
     
    In this episode, Lynne and Qin discuss: 
    Growing up in poverty and how that influenced her writing
    A mother's influence on her love of words
    Early memories of writing – quoting Mao Zedong’s quotations
    Attending the Shanghai Institute of Foreign Languages
    Being a late-blooming writer 
    A mission to preserve family stories and reputation
    Why history and humanity is the same around the world
    First-time author challenges along the publishing journey
    The importance of the first sentence and first chapter
    Forming a support group for older women writers
    Her column for the Santa Monica Star
     
    Links and Resources: 
    Chinese Cultural Revolution
    Thomas Hardy
    Shakespeare’s Sonnets
    Louisa May Alcott
    Bessie Streeter Aldrich
    Tess of the d’Urbervilles
    F. Scott Fitzgerald
    The Great Gatsby
    Nonfiction Author Association
    Miami Book Fair
    PenCraft Book Awards
    Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes
     
    Find Qin Sun Stubis:
    Website
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Facebook



    If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
    Episode 156 – Blair Fell – Original Storylines & Unique Characters
    Episode 149 – Anne-Marie Oomen – Writing through Family
    Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon – Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
    Episode 139 – Desiree Cooper – Being “Genre Agnostic”
    Episode 131 – Weina Dai Randel – The Last Rose of Shanghai
     

    • 26 min
    Episode 162 - Elizabeth Conte - Doing Well as an Indie Author

    Episode 162 - Elizabeth Conte - Doing Well as an Indie Author

    Elizabeth Conte is an author with a passion for bringing 19th-century literature to the 21st-century reader. She is the author of Finding Jane, a time travel historical novel, and Chosen Mistress, a scintillating story set in Victorian England. Elizabeth is the founder of Jane Writes Press, a hybrid publishing house for writers who don't fit into traditional publishing boxes.
     
    In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Elizabeth about her debut novel, Finding Jane, 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 author. She introduces her next book, Chosen Mistress, which explores the dark side of Victorian life and women's roles during that time. She also explains her decision to self-publish and her vision for her imprint, Jane Writes Press.
     
    In this episode, Lynne and Elizabeth discuss: 
    The story behind Finding Jane, an homage to Pride and Prejudice
    Making 19th century literature more accessible
    What it means to "do really well" with book sales
    Book marketing strategies 
    The importance of consistent marketing efforts
    Pitching media outlets for author interviews
    The purpose of writing & target audience
    Perspectives on adverbs – listen to a fierce debate on adjectives & adverbs around the 10-minute mark!
    The indie author’s journey
    Frustrations with fitting into traditional publishing categories
    Starting a publishing house
    The importance of professional editing
    Creating a new category called Literary Romance
    What is the purpose of your writing & how do you want people to know you?
     
    Links and Resources: 
    Pride and Prejudice
    Nathaniel Hawthorne
    Writing Coaching
    Woman of Valor
    The Los Angeles Times article about Elizabeth Conte
    Lynne’s class, Demystifying Show, Don’t Tell
     
    Find Elizabeth Conte:
    Website
    Facebook
    Twitter
    TikTok
    Blog
    LinkedIn
    Instagram



    If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
    Episode 152 – Ami Irmen – Character-Driven Narratives
    Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon – Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
    Episode 136 – Tammy Pasterick – Writing & Publishing Your Way
    Episode 129 – Rosina Lippi – Author of the Wilderness Series
    Episode 128 – Becky Robinson – Building Reach for Books
     

    • 30 min
    Episode 161 - Ana Veciana-Suarez - Historical Literary Fiction

    Episode 161 - Ana Veciana-Suarez - Historical Literary Fiction

    Ana Veciana-Suarez is a journalist and author. She has written for various publications and has published several books, including her latest novel, Dulcinea, which was inspired by her reading of Don Quixote 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 Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner 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.
     
    In this episode, Lynne and Ana discuss: 
    Juggling writing as a journalist and author
    Process of writing her novel, Dulcinea
    Marketing and response to the book
    Different challenges, writing fiction as opposed to journalism
    Balancing writing with life and work
    Advice for aspiring writers: read and have self-discipline
    Finding historians who are subject matter experts in the era you are writing about
    Focusing on the characters at the edges of a story
    Golden Age Spain
     
    Links and Resources: 
    Don Quixote
    Miguel de Cervantes
    The Miami Herald
    Readers Digest
    O magazine
    Woman’s Day
    The Washington Post Magazine
    Goodreads
    Women's Fiction Writers Association
    Michigan Writers
    Catalonia
     
    Find Ana Veciana-Suarez:
    Website
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Instagram
    LinkedIn



    If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
    Episode 146 – Barbara Stark-Nemon – Tracing the Path of Historical Fiction
    Episode 136 – Tammy Pasterick – Writing & Publishing Your Way
    Episode 132 – Merryn Glover – Literary Fiction About Place
    Episode 127 – Ly Tran – Writing Unapologetically
    Episode 118 – Elizabeth Gowing – How to Know a Place by Living its Stories

    • 21 min
    Episode 160 - Jonathan Whitelaw - Cozy Crime & Escaping into Writing

    Episode 160 - Jonathan Whitelaw - Cozy Crime & Escaping into Writing

    Jonathan Whitelaw 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 Morbid Relations and the popular Bingo Hall Detectives series.
    In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner 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 differences and similarities between the publishing industry in the UK and Canada and how Jonathan has adapted his marketing to reach a North American audience while still appealing to his loyal UK readers. 
     
    In this episode, Lynne and Jonathan discuss: 
    Why you can write at any age
    Audience differences between Canada and the UK
    Genre talk
    The expansiveness of writing and publishing
    The popularity of cozy crime during times of crisis
    The challenge of writing humor
    Inspiration from in-law relationships
    The need for luck and endurance in the author journey
    Writing practice & daily routine
    Juggling writing, parenting and income-earning
    Importance of a supportive family and the "village" of the publishing industry
    Book cover differences between countries
    Lynne’s writing sabbatical in Nova Scotia
    Finding your audience in different geographical locations
     
    Links and Resources: 
    The Hobbit
    Die Hard
    Lynne’s Writing Classes & Programs
    Nova Scotia Retreat
    When Words Collide
    Cozy Mystery
    Agatha Christie
    Terry Pratchett
    The Bingo Hall Detectives
    Ringwood Publishing
    Harper North
    Harper Collins
    The Village Hall Vendetta
    LJ Ross
    Indigo
    Colleen Hoover
     
    Find  Jonathan Whitelaw:
    Website

    Facebook
    Twitter
    Instagram



    If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
    Episode 158 – Suzanne Nugent – On Character Development
    Episode 149 – Anne-Marie Oomen – Writing Through Family
    Episode 134 – Andrew McDiarmid – Simply Scottish
    Episode 132 – Merryn Glover – Literary Fiction about Place
    Episode 70 – Elena Reads – How to Stoke a Love of Reading in Kids
     

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

Melmayevolve ,

A beautiful and meaningful podcast!

Great for writers and anyone who enjoys meaningful conversation!!!

NellyBolle ,

Intriguing & Informative

It was Rosina Lippi/Sara Donati whose interview led me to this podcast; I am now a follower because of the host’s adept interviewing style and professional knowledge. This podcast is an anecdote for anyone with the “itch” to delve more deeply into a favorite author, or the world of authorship and publishing. Very enjoyable.

M. R. Saferstein ,

Excellent podcast

Lynne Golodner has a comfortable, conversational way of interviewing her guests. In each episode, she asks thought-provoking questions which lead to meaningful discussions. What I like best is that she touches on issues that guide the interviewees to discuss what matters most to them in their lives and why. Each episode is different and results in the listener feeling engaged and enlightened.

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