Unpublished

Amie McNee and James Winestock

Join Amie McNee from @inspiredtowrite and her writer husband James Winestock for a podcast about building a sustainable creative life. A place to take your art seriously where you can go to reflect on your journey and build a thriving creative practice.

  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    How NOT to Finish Projects and Improve as an Artist


    00:00 Introduction 02:13 Housekeeping and Upcoming Events03:39 25 Things to Avoid 03:45 Obsessing Over Details04:57 The Pitfalls of Excessive Research09:09 Setting Unrealistic Goals10:16 Managing Expectations and Pressure15:40 The Importance of Planning16:48 Guarding Your Creative Time19:31 Sharing Ideas and Seeking Validation22:38 Avoiding Comparisons and Judgments28:32 Over-Education and Procrastination31:30 Finding Your Own Rhythm33:23 The Importance of Consistency35:16 Navigating Critique and Feedback39:14 Embracing the Challenges of Writing46:28 Balancing Creativity and Well-being50:38 Avoiding Distractions and Staying Focused58:01 The Growth Mindset in Writing01:00:26 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts


    USA EAST COAST

    The BookMark Shoppe Brooklyn 11th March 2025 7pm - BUY TICKETS HERE

    Head House Books, Philly, 13th March 2025 6:30pm - BUY TICKETS HERE

    Taylor Co Books, Brooklyn, 14th March 2025 7:30pm - BUY TICKETS HERE (just scroll down the home page!)

    UNITED KINGDOM & AMSTERDAM

    Morocco Bound Bookshop", 25th March - BUY TICKETS HERE

    Scheltema, 5th April, 2pm - BUY TICKETS HERE!

    BERLIN TBA


    27 February 2025, 4:04 pm
  • 52 minutes
    We Need Men's Art Too!

    Today we're talking to the boys! Or, given our audience demographics, we're talking to the girls and gender non conforming folks about the boys...

    Buy We Need Your Art here and be our best friend forever!

    00:00 Introduction and Preamble00:47 Discussing Men and Creativity00:49 Housekeeping and Personal Updates03:13 How we're trying to be less tired07:10 Book Launch and Pre-orders12:12 The Importance of Men's Art27:37 The Gendered Nature of Art and Craft27:48 Men's Role in Art: Historical Context29:13 The Struggle of Monetizing Art for men and women32:33 Cultural Influences on Art Monetisation 33:33 The Australian Male and Creativity35:10 Encouraging Men to Embrace Art40:53 Breaking Gender Norms Through Art50:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement


    TOUR DATES

    BROOKLYN event at the Bookmark Shoppe on the 11th of March ( I refuse to bow to the ludicrous American style of writing the date)


    PHILLY Event at Head House books on the 13th


    BROOKLYN event at Taylor & Co on the 14th (scroll down home page and you'll find it!)

    Note those dates are actually different to the ones I've been talking about... misread an email!


    Save the date for LONDON: 25th of March at Morocco Bound


    And the 27th of March at the Marlow Book shop (our local!)


    Save the date for Amsterdam: April 5th, 2-3pm at Scheltema


    20 February 2025, 1:57 pm
  • 54 minutes 26 seconds
    How to Make Heaps of Art

    Yes I kept Amie's preamble in on purpose because I thought it was funny!

    Today we're talking about locking in, getting stuff done, and thriving as creatives. Expect a discussion about how to treat ourselves and our bodies well, not striving for perfection, and how to go from small steps to big goals.

    TOUR THINGS:

    We have LOCKED IN two bookshops in Brooklyn in the evenings of the 11th and 13th of March, so if you're in the NYC area, please save those dates. Plus we'll be in Philly on the 12th also in book stores. More to come as well as official links to the events.

    We'll be hitting the UK hard after getting home on the 18th. So expect AT LEAST a London event and an event in the South Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire area.

    Berlin will be something between the 31st of March and the 3rd of April. Amsterdam probably either the 4th or the 5th of April.

    Sydney and Melbourne will happen some time between the 9th and the 23rd of April.

    Sorry we can't give you more info. We are organising most of this ourselves and there are lots of balls in the air as we have to liase with each book shop individually.

    We are excited though!


    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup02:24 Book Tour Announcements03:54 Locking In and Productivity23:26 The Myth of the Perfect Day29:53 The Illusion of Freedom for Successful Creatives30:56 Balancing Offers and Autonomy31:24 Media Consumption and Influences35:51 The Level System for Creative Productivity38:07 Maintaining Creative Identity43:38 Navigating Different Levels of Productivity47:55 The Challenges of Professional Creativity52:45 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

    13 February 2025, 1:03 pm
  • 39 minutes 17 seconds
    Can Ambition be Healthy?

    We talk about ambition! How ambitious are we? Is it good to be ambitious? Is it HEALTHY to be ambitious?

    Inspired by Amie's substack post.

    We Need Your Art pre-order giveaway is now live! A chance to win a custom canvas love note when you submit your pre-order receipt here!

    00:00 Introduction: Ambition and the Hustle 00:26 Recording Struggles and Podcast Delays 01:25 Guilt and Ambition: A Personal Reflection 02:08 The Toxicity of Ambition in Society 03:30 Money and Ambition: A Complex Relationship 05:19 Hustle Culture: Is It Still Relevant? 06:40 Historical Perspectives on Work and Leisure 12:23 Personal Ambitions and Creative Drive 18:21 Navigating Life as a Neurodiverse Individual

    20:07 Facing the Fear of Misalignment 20:24 Struggles with Traditional Employment 20:58 Discovering Autism and Its Impact 21:46 Systematizing Ambition 22:47 Healthy Ambition and Personal Growth 23:39 Ambition in the Context of Capitalism 24:37 Community and Connection 25:21 Exploring Vulnerability and Teaching 30:13 Balancing Personal and Structural Ambition 36:04 Podcast Updates and Housekeeping

    5 February 2025, 11:03 am
  • 55 minutes 58 seconds
    How to Be Consistent When You Have Multiple Projects, How We Rest, and Artists' Money Issues (Q+A)

    MORE AUDIENCE QUESTIONS PLS

    00:00 Welcome to the Unpublished Podcast 01:16 Audience Questions Introduction 03:34 Multidisciplinary Creativity 16:18 Self-Publishing Insights 24:30 The Emotional Side of Money for Artists 28:56 Financial Stress and Relationships 29:24 The Myth of Pure Art 31:21 Collective Members' Questions 32:05 Balancing Work and Rest 35:43 Supporting Each Other's Strengths 42:09 The Importance of Shitty Art 53:27 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events


    Pre-order Amie's book here!

    28 January 2025, 2:29 pm
  • 59 minutes 34 seconds
    We Don't Want Jobs!

    We don't want jobs, we want to make art! You can read Amie's viral substack article here and pre-order WNYA here.

    00:00 Introduction and Podcast Captain Hat

    01:22 Discussing the Viral Essay on Not Wanting a Job

    01:59 The Taboo of Not Wanting a Job

    03:09 Capitalism and Meaningless Work

    05:36 Artists and the Value of Work

    15:21 Anti-Work Movement and Personal Reflections

    18:44 Outsourcing Drudgery and Job Satisfaction

    28:33 Middle-Class Jobs and Psychological Impact

    30:08 Navigating New Territory: Vulnerability in Work Discussions

    30:40 Viral Post Impact: Emotional and Psychological Strain

    32:13 Criticism and Personal Reflections

    33:42 Privilege and Its Role in the Conversation

    39:03 Systemic Issues vs. Personal Empowerment

    46:31 The Future of Work in the Age of AI

    51:44 The Value of Education and University Degrees

    54:31 Empowering Artists: A Call to Action

    55:34 Book Launch and Community Engagement

    59:03 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

    21 January 2025, 3:19 pm
  • 53 minutes
    Artist, You're Allowed to Stay Small and Sustainable

    WTF why is the video so bright after I export it? Y'all, video is hard!

    Don't Forget to pre-order We Need Your Art, out 11th of March in e-book, audiobook, and hardback! Martha Beck, you cannot lie said this about it:

    "This book is desperately needed medicine for our hearts, our lives, and our culture. I will read it over and over until its many truths sink into every one of my cells. If you have ever felt the slightest impulse to create anything, I urge you to do the same. Well researched, beautifully written, and powerfully healing, WE NEED YOUR ART is not only a great read, but a manifesto for our personal and collective freedom. Thank you, Amie McNee!"

    Timestamps for the ep:

    14 January 2025, 3:30 pm
  • 58 minutes 5 seconds
    What Can Artists Expect in 2025 (Last Prediction Will Shock You [Because it's So Not Any More Interesting Than Any Other Prediction and Just as Likely to be Wrong])?

    Join us as we predict creative trends for 2025! It's all speculation and probably going to be wrong... but we had fun.

    Unfortunately, the video didn't work, but we will try again next week.


    00:00 Welcome to the Unpublished Podcast 01:46 Why You Should Be Hopeful for 2025 01:57 The Importance of Hope in Creativity 02:41 Challenges and Pessimism in the Creative Community 06:30 Predictions and Hopes for Creatives in 2025 07:46 Building Personal Connections with Your Audience 08:05 The Rise of Micro Communities 15:48 Curating Media Consumption 20:01 The Value of Free Content 25:12 Podcast Production Costs and Realities 27:27 Competing with Industry Giants 28:53 Artists and Business 31:14 Class Consciousness Among Artists 34:00 The AI Dilemma for Artists 41:38 The Future of Human Art 52:09 The Importance of Art for Wellbeing 56:02 Final Thoughts and Housekeeping


    Pre-order We Need Your Art Today and we will love you forever!

    7 January 2025, 11:16 am
  • 1 hour 1 minute
    How Artists should Set Intentions for the New Year

    Let's go!!! Lachlan and Lachlina here getting ready to Lock In for 2025. Or are we? Come with us!

    James did the mix/audio for the first time in two years. Let us know if you have any notes!

    00:00 Welcome to the 2025 Intentions Podcast 00:45 Introducing the Captaincy System 01:59 Goals vs. Intentions 02:46 Balancing Freedom and Structure 03:28 The Unique Approach of Artists 04:43 Setting Realistic Goals 06:58 Navigating Uncertainty 09:55 The Importance of Consistency 15:44 Taking the Podcast Seriously 22:55 Setting Kind Goals 32:02 Reflecting on Past Goals 33:26 Reflecting on Past Goals 33:45 Achievements and Challenges in 2017 35:03 Goals for 2022 and Beyond 39:13 Setting Intentions for the Year 39:47 James' Fitness and Writing Goals 40:56 Discussing Control and Goals 48:24 Amie’s Intentions and Goals 49:46 Building Community and Creative Goals 57:41 Fostering Patience and Trust 59:27 Wrapping Up and Looking Forward


    Pre-order We Need Your Art now and we will be your best friend!

    30 December 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 29 minutes 8 seconds
    We Don't Want to Learn from Perfect People

    We're back from 3 months of family and work travel and ready to pod... just in time for the holidays...

    Join us for a 15 minute cozy catchup and a little 15 minute rant about why perfect people are boring.


    Preorder Amie's guide to creative living

    Sign up to Amie's substack

    And James'

    18 December 2024, 10:01 am
  • 26 minutes 17 seconds
    Collaborating With Your Partner: How We Wrote Our Sci-fi Novel Together

    We finished our joint novel!


    We take you behind the scenes of the on and off year and a half long project. Topics:

    Writing to delight each other

    The importance of planning

    The number one mistake we noticed in each other's writing

    Dealing with conflict


    And much more!


    30 October 2024, 4:00 pm
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