The Make Meaning Podcast Lynne Golodner
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 -
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
Customer Reviews
A beautiful and meaningful podcast!
Great for writers and anyone who enjoys meaningful conversation!!!
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.
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.