The Make Meaning Podcast Lynne Golodner

Desiree Cooper was once a Detroit Free Press columnist, a Pulitzer Prize nominee, a Kresge Artist Fellow, an attorney and now she’s a children’s book author – which explains why she considers herself “genre agnostic.”


The latest author to share her story on the Make Meaning Podcast, Desiree started writing professionally before social media was a thing, and readers regularly sent her letters and pictures in response to her columns. Her children’s book NOTHING SPECIAL was three years in the making – and it might be her best creation yet.
 
In this episode, host Lynne Golodner interviews Desiree Cooper about how much books ignited her when she was a child, the friendship between her grandson and her father, moving from Detroit to Virginia to care for her parents, and the fabrication artist who helped bring her book to life.
 
In this episode, Lynne and Desiree discuss: 
Launching the book in her yard The joy of being a featured book at the Miami Book Fair The Great Migration away from Jim Crow & the terrorism of the South The Great Reverse Migration trend of African-American families to gather for reunions in the South despite segregation and white supremacy All the touchpoints in the book – including a USAF hat, a University of Michigan shirt and a UVA pennant Author branding Themes of motherhood, family and one life making way for another  
Links and Resources: 
Booklist Know the Mother The Choice film Marilyn Nelson Flash fiction  
Find Desiree Cooper:
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TikTok
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
 
Episode 127 – Ly Tran – Writing Unapologetically Episode 121 – Stephanie Steinberg – On Personal Passions & Creating Communities Episode 118 – Elizabeth Gowing – How to Know a Place by Living Its Stories Episode 102 – Patrick Hicks – How to Write Historical Fiction Episode 97 – Eric Hale – How to Give Every Child a Chance, Even in the Most Poverty-Stricken Communities Episode 70 – Elena Reads – How to Stoke a Love of Reading in Kids

When your mother is an English teacher and your favorite TV show is Masterpiece Theater on PBS, it’s almost inevitable that you’ll take to writing creative, compelling, fantastical stories that captivate readers. “Writing was something I knew I could do,” says Sara Bennett Wealer, the latest author to share her story on the Make Meaning Podcast.
 
In this episode, host Lynne Golodner interviews Sara Bennett Wealer about how to make a living as a writer, how to earn money writing books and how they are not often the same thing. Sara discusses the importance of the author hustle to keep enough books in the pipeline so readers will keep returning to your words, and what to do when your first book goes nowhere.
 
In this episode, Lynne and Sara discuss: 
What to do when your first agent is a “hot mess” What it’s like when you finally click with an agent (shout-out to Holly Root and Root Literary!) Getting over publishing heartbreaks What to do when your books don’t sell The importance of a tight time frame and compelling conflict Book tours How to market your books & your author brand How publishing is a long game  
Links and Resources: 
Books Forward Grave Things Like Love Rival Now & When Plotter or Pantser Harper Teen Rush Bloomsbury Spark  
Find Sara Bennett Wealer:
Website 
Facebook
Instagram 
Twitter
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
 
Episode 128 – Becky Robinson – Building Reach for Books Episode 117 – Steven Wingate – How to Find Your Voice Again & Again Episode 103 – Katie Yamasaki – How to Create a Mural That Represents a Community Episode 87 – Rasheda Kamaria Williams – How to Emerge Stronger After Being Bullied Episode 84 – Andrew Meloche – How to Make Every Student in a High School Feel Special & Noticed

The key to great writing, says Christopher P. Locke, is to be vulnerable. Don’t worry about what people will think. Don’t censor yourself. Just share your realness and that will help others feel less alone.
 
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Christopher P. Locke about his writing journey, their shared memories in the MFA program at Goddard College, the importance of great mentors and taking yourself seriously as a writer.
 
In this episode, Lynne and Chris discuss: 
The arrogance of youth Straddling genres Believing that you and your voice matter Why you’ll be the most passionate promoter of your work Why you can’t be a good writer if you’re not an avid reader How writing allows for exploration of loss, discontent, struggle and suffering Why bad choices make good stories  
Links and Resources: 
Michael Klein Jane Wohl 25 Trumbulls Road Music for Ghosts Without Saints Black Lawrence Press NYQ Books Black River Chapbook Award Denis Johnson  
Find Christopher P. Locke:
Website 
Facebook
Instagram 
Twitter
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
 
Episode 133 – Sara Henning – Poetry about Loss & Redemption Episode 120 – Jacqueline Suskin -  A Poem Every Day Episode 79 – Laura Munson – How to Find Refuge in Writing Episode 73 – Jim Reese – Why Teaching Writing in Prisons Helps Everyone Episode 68 – M.L. Liebler – How to Use Writing & Performance to be an Activist Episode 2 – Barbara Jones – Stories Can Change the World

Tammy Pasterick didn’t intend to become a historical fiction novelist. But when a deep dive into her family’s immigrant history unearthed fascinating storylines about Eastern European emigres who settled in Pennsylvania, she knew she had a great story on her hands.
 
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Tammy Pasterick about her journey of writing Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash, why she went for hybrid publishing, growing up in a family of steelworkers and coal miners, and her career as an investigator with the National Labor Relations Board, a paralegal and a German teacher.
 
In this episode, Lynne and Tammy discuss: 
Mining your family history for ideas & identity Self-publishing and managing book marketing How Americans perceive immigrants What it takes to make a life in America Launching a writing career Beta readers Character development, literary arcs and voice  
Links and Resources: 
San Francisco Writers Conference NetGalley She Writes Press IngramSpark Penn State University Book Sparks Bookstagram Blog tour with the Coffee Pot Amor Towles Kristin Hannah Outlander  
Find Tammy Pasterick:
Website 
Facebook
Instagram 
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
 
Episode 129 – Rosina Lippi – Author of the Wilderness Series Episode 131 – Weina Dai Randel – The Last Rose of Shanghai Episode 123 – Karen Baum Gordon – On Surviving the Surviving Episode 102 – Patrick Hicks – How to Write Historical Fiction Episode 80 – Iris Lee Underwood – Author & Descendant of the McCoys of Appalachia

As a first-generation college student, Camille Pagan thought she’d study medicine. She ended up writing about health and then penned her first novel after the birth of her daughter, selling it at auction in a six-figure deal. But all was not easy after that. While Camille has enjoyed a hearty career as the bestselling author of eight novels, she endured ups, downs and redirects along the way and now guides other writers in staying the course to build success as an author.
 
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Camille Pagan about being an author coach, query letters and mindset shifts, career strategy and setting goals for your writing.
 
In this episode, Lynne and Camille discuss: 
How thoughts influence feelings, which lead to actions Why query letters are her superpower Why coaching is as rewarding as writing Being the brand for your author career Overcoming self-doubt Getting specific on your goals to make them happen  
Links and Resources: 
QueryTracker Publishers Marketplace Julie Buxbaum Jenny Bent Allison Winn Scotch Shutters on the Beach, Santa Monica Lake Union Jane Friedman’s newsletter Radcliffe Publishing Course Colleen Hoover  
Find Camille Pagan:
Website 
Facebook
Twitter 
Instagram 
LinkedIn
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
 
Episode 128 – Becky Robinson – Building Reach for Books Episode 121 – Stephanie Steinberg – On Personal Passions & Creating Communities Episode 117 – Steven Wingate – How to Find Your Voice Again & Again Episode 110 – Margaret Trimer – How to Define & Live by Your Core Values Episode 23 – Crazy Whole Life with Rev. Josephine Robertson

What began as penance for speeding has become a beloved radio show-turned-podcast called Simply Scottish that allows writer Andrew McDiarmid to stay connected to his heritage and his homeland. “Being an immigrant has enriched my life,” says Andrew, who emigrated to the United States from Scotland at the age of 11 and straddles cultures and countries in his identity and his affiliations.
 
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Andrew McDiarmid about the influence of the Scots on North America, what they both love about podcasting, building community around great ideas and ways to impact people through writing.
 
In this episode, Lynne and Andrew discuss: 
The Scottish diaspora How travel enlarges your perspective Relating to the underdog Stepping back to understand perspective Writing to inform and inspire Understanding where ideas & issues come from Lynne’s Scottish writing sabbatical  
Links and Resources: 
Braveheart Your People marketing company Northwaters/Langskib Thistle & Shamrock with Fiona Ritchie Robert Burns Sir Walter Scott Nessie Lynne’s Nova Scotia writers retreat Calum MacPhail C.S. Lewis  
Find Andrew McDiarmid:
Website 
Facebook
Twitter 
Instagram 
LinkedIn
 
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
 
Episode 132 – Merryn Glover – Literary Fiction About Place Episode 77 – Jason Kadlitz – Building Community in a Barber Shop Episode 68 – M.L. Liebler – How To Use Writing & Performance to be an Activist Episode 67 – Clay Carnill – How to Podcast Episode 48 – The NFHS Reunion Episode: Reflecting on 30 Years Since Graduation