Melissa and Kathryn talk creativity, hustle, and real life with writers, artists, and other creators.
In the 68th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Michelle Quach about graphic design, unlikable female characters, and creating a love interest who does more than just the assigned reading. Michelle is the author of the debut YA, NOT HERE TO BE LIKED. Michelle can be found on Twitter @michellequach and Instagram @_michellequach. Her website is michellequach.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Gold-Plated Girls newsletter: ‘Never Have I Ever’ & Dead Dads & Me by Victoria Edel
A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin
The Other Two on HBOMax
Schitt’s Creek on Netflix
Why a Christmas Episode Supercharged the Ted Lasso Debate by Kathryn VanArendonk
Reservation Dogs on Hulu
Only Murders in the Building on Hulu
Moving On, A Love Story - Nora Ephron Apthorp article
Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore
League of Extraordinary Women series
The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser
Suddenly You by LIsa Kleypas
Fated Mates podcast
Why is the Sex in Sally Rooney’s Novels So Good? by Amil Niazi
Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Merritt
Life: A User’s Manual by Georges Perec
If You, Then Me by Yvonne Woon
The Ezra Klein Show: How Blue Cities Became So Outrageously Unaffordable
The Ezra Klein Show: That Anxiety You’re Feeling?
Hana Kh Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 67th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Emma Kress about writing girls in sports, taking risks, and social media as an author. Emma is the author of DANGEROUS PLAY, available now! Emma can be found on Twitter @emma_kress, TikTok @emma_kress, and Instagram @kress.emma. Her website is emmakress.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Bluey is the Best Kids’ Show of Our Time by Kathryn VanArendonk for Vulture
Drawn That Way by Elissa Sussman
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Born in Fire / Born in Ice / Born in Shame (Irish Born trilogy) by Nora Roberts
The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery
Sterlin Harjo on WTF with Marc Maron
Killers of the Flower Moon movie
Brendan Fraser Joins Killers of the Flower Moon
Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Our episode with Nova Ren Suma
Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
In the Same Boat by Holly Green
When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 66th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Margot Wood about Emma retellings, marketing a book as “queer,” and finding community in book lovers. Margot can be found on Twitter @margotwood and Instagram @margotmwood. Her website is margotwood.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin
While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory
Emma by Jane Austen
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Insurgent movie
Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Fraser
The Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 65th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Azadeh Westergaard about illustration, the joys of research, and Nikola Tesla. Azadeh is the author of A LIFE ELECTRIC: THE STORY OF NIKOLA TESLA. She can be found on Twitter @ahwestergaard and Instagram @ahwestergaard. Her website is ahwestergaard.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Vermont College of Fine Arts Writing for Children and Young Adults
Heartburn by Nora Ephron audiobook read by Meryl Streep
Nora Ephron’s “Heartburn” is an Ideal Audiobook by Helen Rosner
Fresh by Margot Wood
Emma by Jane Austen
Thanks for Waiting by Doree Shafrir
Júlia Sardà (illustrator of Azadeh’s book)
She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton
Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Júlia Sardà
Andrea Bartz and Laura Hankin Talk About Accidentally Writing Similar Novels
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
Theatre on Film and Tape Archive
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne
Ooh-La-La Max in Love by Maira Kalman
Patent Pending bar
Patent Pending in Nomad is a Cafe by Day, Speakeasy by Night
The Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy
Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe
The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 64th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Cassie Gustafson about writing about sexual assault responsibly, loving dark stories, and Tana French. Cassie can be found on Twitter @cassiegusty and Instagram @cassiegusty. Her website is cassiegustafson.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Our episode with Nova Ren Suma
World of Our Fathers: The Journey of Eastern European Jews and the Life They Found and Made by Irving Howe
The Cinematic Traumas of Kenneth Lonergan
Melissa’s Bright Wall / Dark Room essay
Margaret issue of Bright Wall / Dark Room
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
Truly Devious Trilogy by Maureen Johnson
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Finding Water by Julia Cameron
Earshot - Buffy saves Jonathan
The Secret Place by Tana French
The Trespasser by Tana French
In the Woods by Tana French
Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz
The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu
Land directed by Robin Wright
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 63rd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Kristy Everington about Australian authors, why Americans call everything “cute,” and Ethan Hawke. Kristy is the author of the debut picture book ISOBEL ADDS IT UP. Kristy can be found on Twitter @kmeverington and Instagram @kristyeveryington. Her website is kristyeverington.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey
Our episode with Kerry Winfrey
Starstruck on HBO Max
Ted Lasso on Apple+
Dickinson on Apple+
Hacks on HBO Max
Succession on HBO
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Our episode with Rachel Lynn Solomon
Kirkus review of Isobel Adds It Up
Praise by Andrew McGahan
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Tomorrow, When the War Began series by John Marsden
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
Buffy on Hulu
Angel on Hulu
THE X-FILES TWEET (allegedly, please don’t sue us)
Our episode with Laurie Morrison
Mare of Easttown on HBO Max
Cruel Summer on Freeform
Vampire’s Promise by Caroline B. Cooney
You by Caroline Kepnes
You TV series
Dig by A.S. King
The Project by Courtney Summers
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 62nd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Camryn Garrett about journalism, film, writing for teens as a teen (and young adult), and DIRTY DANCING. Camryn is the author of two young adult novels, FULL DISCLOSURE and OFF THE RECORD. Camryn can be found on Twitter @dancingofpens and Instagram @camryngwrites. Her website is camryngarrett.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
#1000wordsofsummer on Twitter
#1000wordsofsummer/Craft Talk newsletter by Jami Attenberg
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
High on the Hog host Stephen Satterfield
High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America by Jessica D. Harris
Legacy by Nora Roberts
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Our episode with Rachel Lynn Solomon
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
We Can’t Let Physical Media Die by Kieran Fisher
The Chris Farley Show on Saturday Night Live
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Mike Nichols: A Life by Mark Harris
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 54th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Evan Griffith about writing stories about animals, the magic of Mary Quattlebaum, and the beauty of The Crown on Netflix. Evan is the author of SECRETS OF THE SEA: THE STORY OF JEANNE POWER, REVOLUTIONARY MARINE SCIENTIST as well as an upcoming middle grade novel tentatively titled MANATEE SUMMER. Evan can be found on Twitter @Evan_Griffith. His website is evangriffithbooks.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai
The Magician and The Spirits by Deb Noyes
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Call My Agent! on Netflix
Buffy on Hulu
Angel on Hulu
The Dry by Jane Harper
The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Our episode with Yamile S. Mendez
Furia by Yamile S. Mendez
Our episode with Jenny Torres Sanchez
We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez
Joanie Stone (illustrator of Evan’s book!)
Our episode with Salima Alikhan
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth Bunce
The Crown Style Archives from Tom + Lorenzo
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 61st episode of Truer Words, we speak with Laurie Morrison about writing upper middle grade, carving up old manuscripts for parts, and Judy Blume. Laurie is the author of the middle grade novel UP FOR AIR, the just-released SAINT IVY: KIND AT ALL COSTS, the upcoming COMING UP SHORT, and the co-author (with Cordelia Jensen) of EVERY SHINY THING. Laurie can be found on Twitter @LaurieLMorrison and Instagram @laurielmorrison. Her website is lauriemorrisonwrites.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Amy’s OUTFOXED book announcement
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Beach Read by Emily Henry
The Canada Geese Quilt by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock
Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume
Goodbye, Stranger by Rebecca Stead
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret? by Judy Blume
Losers at the Center of the Galaxy by Mary-Winn Heider
The Comeback by E. L. Shen
Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Our episode with Joy McCullough
Lost in Space (Netflix version)
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
In the 60th episode of Truer Words, we speak with A. S. King about writing EMOTIONS, respecting teens, and astrology. Amy is the author of multiple middle grade and young adult novels, including her newest, SWITCH, which comes out May 11th. Amy can be found on Twitter @AS_King and Instagram @as_king. Her website is as-king.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Jacques d’Amboise in China: The Other Side of the World
Jacques d’Amboise dancing “Apollo”
Jacques d’Amboise in the dream ballet in Carousel
Jacques d’Amboise in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin’ Oscar-winning documentary directed by Emile Ardolino
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
Whiteout by Adriana Anders
I Crawl Through It by A. S. King
Dig by A. S. King
The Dust of 100 Dogs by A. S. King
Vonnegut’s Shape of Stories diagram
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson
The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King
The Handmaid’s Tale (audiobook version read by Claire Danes) by Margaret Atwood
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins
The Man Suit by Zachary Schomberg
Scary No Scary by Zachary Schomberg
The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry
About Us:
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
Larissa is the author of the picture books A Way with Wild Things, Born to Ride, How Do You Do? and the just-released Kafka and the Doll, as well as the short story collection Fat & Bones. Larissa can be found on Twitter @larissatheule and Instagram @larissa.theule. Her website is larissatheule.com.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Whatfranwore on Instagram
The Switch by A.S. King
Dig by A.S. King
Kafka and the Doll by Larissa Theule and illustrated by Rebecca Green
Kafka’s Last Love: The Mystery of Dora Diamant by Kathi Diamant
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
On Being with Krista Tippett Podcast
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
The Broken Earth trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
Outside, Inside by LeUyen Pham
Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy.
About Us:
You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].
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