Writing & Editing

239. Magic Realism and Fabulism

Thu, 07 Dec 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Wayne’s guest for this episode is Lâle Davidson, and the topic is just as it says on the tin: magic realism and fabulism.
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Lâle’s Site
https://laledavidson.com/

238. Irony, Art, and the Art of Irony

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Wayne is solo today and he talks about a concept that he and his co-host Jennia D’Lima were discussing recently—important in approaching any kind of fiction. Irony. What exactly is it? Why is it important to be aware of as you read fiction, or frankly experience any art form? And how can an appreciation of irony help you perhaps even enjoy a novel that you might otherwise despise or avoid outright?
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David Cross
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTz9x_RFq94&t=220s&ab_channel=DavidCross-Topic

Ricky Gervais
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovSe80zSptE

A Dictionary of Critical Theory, 2nd ed., by Ian Buchanan (Oxford, 2018)
https://doi.org/10.1093/acref/9780198794790.001.0001

237. Standardizing Profit and Loss Statements in American Publishing

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Jennia D’Lima talks to Jackie Krantz, who discusses the paper she wrote at Portland State University as part of her publishing degree.
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Jackie’s Website
https://jackiekrantz.com/

Jackie’s Paper
https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/eng_bookpubpaper/74/

236. Writing and Teaching and Learning about the World

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

SeeMy guest on today’s episode is Leigh Shulman, who writes and who teaches writing. She’s also led an interesting life, part of it instigated by 9/11, after which she left the US with her family and travelled.
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Leigh’s Website
https://leighshulman.com/

Leigh’s Course
http://courses.leighshulman.com/pl/280287

235. The Professor, the Curious Podcaster, and the Best Novel Ever Written

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 04:30:00 -0500

My guest on today’s episode is Professor Stephen Blackwell, who teaches at the University of Tennessee Knoxville in the US. His scholarship focuses on the work of the great Russian-born writer, Vladimir Nabokov, who spent much of his life in the United States and died in 1977 in Switzerland. Professor Blackwell was kind enough to indulge me in a discussion of a novel that Nabokov published in 1962, called Pale Fire. I have of course read only a tiny percentage of all the books written and a tiny percentage of all the literary fiction ever written, but for me this is the best work of the art of literary fiction I have ever read. I can’t even imagine anything being better. And please especially take a look at the show notes for this episode, where I include mention of some of the modern references to Nabokov that I forgot to ask about during our conversation.
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Prof. Blackwell’s Profile
https://russian.utk.edu/blackwell.php

Pale Fire (1st ed.)
https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31462049592

Pale Fire and Nabokov These Days: Modern References

The album Lolita Nation by Game Theory, led by the late Scott Miller (“the album is a masterpiece, by the way, and the artist is on Nabokov’s level”)
Other bands and artists with Nabokovian titles: Picnic, Lightning; White Widowed Male; Pale Fire
Molly Young, “The Essential Vladimir Nabokov,” New York Times, October 15, 2023
Pale Fire shows up in Blade Runner 2049

234. You Can Start It, Write It, and Finish It If …

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

On today’s episode Jennia D’Lima interviews Tim Vandehey about the book he’s co-written, Swipe: The Science Behind Why We Don’t Finish What We Start. This is “You Can Start It, Write It, and Finish It If …,” episode 234 of the podcast.
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Swipe Website
https://swipethebook.com/

233. Digitizing a 250-Year-Old Dictionary of English

Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:00:00 -0500

Beth Young is an associate professor in the English department at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, United States. She is also the coordinator of the ongoing project to digitize the dictionary of English compiled by Samuel Johnson and first published in 1755.
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Beth’s Profile
https://cah.ucf.edu/english/faculty-staff/profile/163
Johnson’s Dictionary Online
https://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/

232. Wayne Chats with the Narrator of His Audiobook

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Wayne published My Sam Johnson: A Biography for General Readers on October 24, 2023 (in paperback and ebook). The audiobook version, narrated by Veronica Saretsky, was published on the 26th. Wayne chats with Veronica about the process and technicalities of how audiobooks are made. And stay tuned till the end when Veronica reads a snippet of how English was spoken about 11 centuries ago.
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Veronica’s Website
https://www.veronicasvoiceover.org/

Wayne’s Book
https://www.amazon.com/My-Sam-Johnson-Biography-General/dp/B0CL12NDSS/

231. Editing Essentials 7: The Human Side of Editing

Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Jennia and Wayne talk about the importance of paying attention not only to the structure and style and punctuation, but also to the person whose work you are entrusted with.

230. A Frightful Festivity

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 13:00:00 -0400

Jennia D’Lima is the host today, and her guest is Harry Carpenter, founder of Fright Reads.
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Fright Reads Book Festival
https://www.frightreads.com/

229. To Speculate or Not to Speculate

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Jennia’s guests are Lillah Lawson and Tim Coman, both writers of speculative fiction.
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Lillah’s Website
https://lillahlawson.wordpress.com/

228. Reporting the Facts as You See Them and the Elusive Truth

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks to journalist Sean Carberry about writing and reporting for all sorts of media, and about the media ethos today in general.
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Sean’s Book
https://passport-stamps.com/

227. Editing Essentials 6: Developmental Editing

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Jennia and I talk about one of her specialities today.

226. You Have to Write It and Edit It Before You Can Perform It

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Alfie Noakes, who’s a standup comedy MC and coach based in London.
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We Are Funny Project
https://www.wearefunnyproject.com/

225. A Literary Magazine, a Woke Editor, and the Indigenous Issue

Thu, 12 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Wayne is solo today, talking about some important writing issues that are reflected in the title.

224. Teaching and Writing Virtually and in the Classroom

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Before I get started with the interview with my guest today, I have a happy announcement to make … Jennia D’Lima, whom you’ve heard as an occasional co-host on the show, is now becoming my permanent co-host. I’m really thrilled. She’s smart and funny, has deep experience in editing and publishing, and frankly is also a joy to work with. We haven’t worked out all the details yet, but sometimes you’ll hear me, sometimes Jennia, and sometimes both of us. She’s a freelance editor based in Maryland: you can see a link to her website in the show notes. I’m excited to be starting this new phase of the podcast. Speaking of which …

My guest today is Meghan Sheriff. She’s an experienced teacher, academic, and educational consultant, and passionate about helping students, parents and schools manage post-pandemic academics. We talk about issues broadly but also focus on writing specifically, how it’s changed and how it continues to be an important skill for students.
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Meghan’s Website
https://www.smartsolutionsva.com/

Jennia’s Website
https://jenniaedits.com/

223. So, I’ve Published a Book: How Do I Launch and Promote It?

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Lauren Erickson. She’s an author who’s written a memoir, her (as the subtitle has it) “Summertime Chronicles of a Yellowstone Housekeeping Employee,” and now she works to help other authors launch and promote their books. We talk about launching virtually and in real life, and of course the role of social media.
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Lauren’s Website
https://www.laurenericksonwrites.com/
Lauren’s Book
https://laurenericksonofficial.com/the-finer-things-club/
Lauren’s Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/laurenericks0n/

222. Editing Essentials 5: Editing Agreements between the Editor and the Author

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My co-host for the series on Editing Essentials, the great Jennia D’Lima, is back for another episode. Our topic is contracts, that is, the editing agreements that editors generally sign with their writer-clients. Are they necessary? Who do they serve? What should they contain?
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Jennia’s Website
https://jenniaedits.com/

221. The Path of a Mystery Writer and Teacher

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Liz Mugavero. Her writing career, and finding her creative niche, have been interesting. She wrote from an early age, studied writing at college, and ultimately wrote a mystery novel. But somewhere along the path of trying to get it published, she lost her “mojo,” as she puts it. It took her years to get it back, but now she writes several mystery series, some under her own name and some under the name Cate Conte. The cosy mystery is her specialty, but I also talk to her about a course she is developing for aspiring mystery writers. Again, as she puts it, “helping other writers fulfill their creative dreams with a touch of woo woo.”
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Liz as Cate Conte
https://cateconte.com/

220. Podcasting Requires a Lot of Writing

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Alex Sanfilippo. Alex is an entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of PodPros, a software company focused on the podcasting industry. He is also a podcast host of the top-rated podcast called Podcasting Made Simple. I invited Alex on the show to talk a bit about those things, but mostly to talk about the various kinds of writing he needs to do in order to carry out the numerous lines of his business. Does he plan and make notes? Does he just make lists? Does he just let the text stream out of him, so to speak? This is “Podcasting Requires a Lot of Writing,” episode 220 of the podcast.

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Alex’s Website
https://alexsanfilippo.com/

219. Editing Essentials 4: Editing and the Author’s Voice

Thu, 21 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My co-host for the series on Editing Essentials, the great Jennia D’Lima, is back for another episode. Our topic is the author’s voice and we talk about the care and attention that an editor has to devote in order to recognize it and (mostly) not interfere with it. In both fiction and non-fiction.
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Jennia’s Website
https://jenniaedits.com/

218. Getting Under Your Skin: A Conversation about Horror

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Miles Tritle. He is the writer and narrator of The Warning Woods, a podcast of horror stories. He’s also published two novels. We talk mostly about horror, though, not only examples of it but also how he defines it and what are its characteristics. Spoiler alert: he comes up with a pretty succinct definition of the genre.

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Miles’s Podcast
https://linktr.ee/thewarningwoods

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Miles’s Books
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Miles-Thomas-Tritle/author/B09DW2T7VY

217. Drawing Conclusions and Not Just Writing Summaries

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Ashton Rodenhiser. Ashton sometimes describes herself as a professional doodler, and she has published a book called The Beginner's Guide to Sketchnoting. She’s a consultant who uses drawing or visual note-taking as a tool to inspire thinking. She’s helped everyone from students in the classroom to executives in the boardroom.
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Ashton's Website, https://www.mindseyecreative.ca/

216. Simple Creative Copy, Creative Writing, and Life in General

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Stephanie Cansian. She runs a small copywriting agency called Say It Simply, but along the line she had an epiphany that affected both her work and her personal life, notably her emotional eating habits. She lost weight, became re-engaged in her work, wrote a book, and is now working on another book. It’s a fascinating and very open discussion.
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Stephanie’s Website
http://www.stephaniecansian.com/

215. Your Website, Front and Back

Thu, 07 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Charles Johnston, who is a writer and blogger with an interest in anything tech. He’s also got years of experience working in IT in the corporate world. I asked him to come on the podcast to talk about writer’ and editors’ and anyone’s website: what they should look like on the web, and what tools are used these days to create and manage them.
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Charles’s Website
https://heartwireddigital.com/

214. How to Copy Edit Fiction the Chicago Way

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Amy J. Schneider. Amy is a copy editor and proofreader, and most recently an author as well: her book is The Chicago Guide to Copyediting Fiction, one of the guides in the series by the University of Chicago Press. We talk about her career and mostly delve into and discuss some of the details in the book. This is “How to Copy Edit Fiction the Chicago Way,” episode 214 of the podcast.
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Amy’s Website
https://www.featherschneider.com/

213. In Fiction, Crime Can Pay and Be Funny, Too

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:00:00 -0400

hi, I’m Wayne Jones. Welcome to Writing & Editing, the podcast about books and language, for people who write, edit, read, or listen. My guest today is Tyler Schwanke, who’s a writer and filmmaker based in Minneapolis in the US. His debut novel Breaking In, which he calls a “comedic crime thriller,” was published earlier this year. In it, a young filmmaker uses her heist movie knowledge to pull off a real-life heist after a crooked Hollywood director steals her script. We talk about that, as well as about how he manages to write when he already has a full-time job, and also about the influence of film on his writing.
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Tyler’s Website
https://www.tylerschwanke.com/

212. Writing Across Genres in Fiction and Non

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Natasha Tynes. She is a Jordanian-American author and communications professional based in Washington, DC, and also hosts her own podcast as well. We talk about the various genres she works in, including They Called Me Wyatt, which she describes as a “speculative literary novel,” and also about her writing process.
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Natasha’s Website
http://natashatynes.com

211. Editing Essentials 3: I’m Sorry, I’ll Need to See Some Proofs First

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Welcome to Writing & Editing, the podcast about words and language, for people who write, edit, read, or listen. This is the third episode of the series called “Editing Essentials” that I’m doing with my co-host, Jennia D’Lima. Hi, I’m Jennia, a freelance editor based in Maryland. Wayne and I will be having open conversations about a whole range of editing topics that a writer at any level should know about editors and the editing process. Our plan is to do two of these per month, and ultimately combine them into a website and webinar that we would offer to listeners. Today’s topic is “I’m Sorry, I’ll Need to See Some Proofs First,” episode 211 of the podcast.
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My guest on the next episode is Tyler Schwanke, who’s a recruiter in health care by day, and a writer even earlier in the day. He has a great novel out called Breaking In, and we talk about that, writing in general, and the influence of film on his style and content. That’s on Monday. Please join me.
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Proofreading Summary Guide
https://tinyurl.com/wae211
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Jennia’s Website
https://jenniaedits.com/

210. Getting Certified as a Book Coach

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Kathy Otten. Kathy has published fiction in many forms and genres, and has won awards for her writing. She teaches writing as well, and has been a freelance editor for a few years. I asked her to come on the podcast to talk about not only being a book coach, but also the certification process for that, which she completed last year.
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Kathy’s Website

209. Learning to Talk about the Words on the Page

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Susan Murphy. Susan has worked in broadcasting for over 40 years. A radio news director. A TV news reporter. And, as she says, a “‘weather girl’ back when they called them that.” She’s hosted a talk show and worked in production for both TV and radio. And much more. I asked her to be a guest on the show to talk about voice, in the literal sense of the sound you make with your mouth, and not, say, the voice of your book’s narrator. When you get that book published, you may want to be talking about it, on local television and radio, on podcasts, in interviews. Susan gives practical advice on how to talk in what she calls an “authentic voice.”
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FULL TRANSCRIPT
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Susan’s Website
https://susanmurphyvosot.com/

208. I’m Sure I Can Finish This without Cleaning the House First, Right?

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Cathy Perez. Among many other accomplishments and abilities, Cathy is a Worldwide Certified KonMari Organizing Consultant. We talk about organization, in the sense of being organized, and how the lack of it can have a real effect on how you feel and on how productive you are able to be. She provides information based on her training as well as on personal and professional experiences. Writers? Editors? Anyone? Is the mess around you stopping you from doing what you want to get done?
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TRANSCRIPT
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1912968/13398894-208-i-m-sure-i-can-finish-this-without-cleaning-the-house-first-right?activetab=transcript
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Cathy’s Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/cathyhannahperez

207. The Craft of Writing Children’s Books

Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Tonya Ellis. She’s a children’s author who has independently sold over 150,000 books in her Sophie Washington chapter book series and recently signed a deal for a picture book with HarperCollins. I invited her on the show though to talk in more general terms about writing books for children, how a writer writes for their level without writing down to them, and how the whole thing differs from writing for adults.
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Tonya’s Website
https://tonyaduncanellis.com/

205. How to Be Better at Freelancing

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 08:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Rai Cornell. She has worked in copywriting, content creation, and web development for 15 years, and now runs a successful marketing firm providing advice to a range of clients, large and solo. I asked her to be on the show to talk about the business of being a freelancer, especially as a writer or editor. And she came through, talking articulately from a base of solid knowledge, experience, and training about what a freelancer can do to improve their business.
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Cornell Content Marketing
https://www.cornellcontentmarketing.com/

Rai’s Free SEO Deployment Checklist
https://cornellcontentmarketing.ck.page/seo-checklist

Rai’s Free Course on “Mindset”
https://pages.chironconsulting.us/

204. On a Mission to Help Struggling and Reluctant Readers

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Danny Brassell. He’s a former inner-city school teacher in the US, and now does many things as a writer, coach, and speaker. But I’d asked him if we could focus on his efforts to increase the habit of reading by children. He was a pleasure to talk to: articulate, enthusiastic, and funny too.
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Danny’s Website
https://dannybrassell.com/

Get Danny’s Book for Free
https://freegiftfromdanny.com/

203. Editing Essentials 1: Copy Editing and Line/Stylistic Editing

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I’m thrilled to say that this is the premiere of a series of episodes called “Editing Essentials” that I will be doing with my co-host, Jennia D’Lima. Jennia is a freelance editor based in Maryland. She and I will be having open conversations about a whole range of editing topics that a writer at any level should know about editors and the editing process. Our plan is to do two of these per month, and ultimately combine them into a website and webinar that we would offer to listeners. Today’s topic is “Editing Essentials: Copy Editing and Line/Stylistic Editing,” episode 203 of the podcast.
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Jennia’s Website
https://jenniaedits.com/

202. Creativity, Self-editing, and the Practical Aspects of Just Writing

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Michael Stangeland. He published a sci-fi novel earlier this year called Junkworld: The Ballad of Leroy Brown. We talk about this a little, but we mostly concentrate on the desire to create things in the first place, how it often starts young, and how a writer manages to get things finished.
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Michael’s Junkworld on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Junkworld-Ballad-Leroy-Mk-Stangeland/dp/1637924291/

201. “Writing It Down in Pen or Pencil First”: Making and Editing Funny

Thu, 20 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Haji Outlaw, who is a former touring standup comedian, and now is a comedy writer, and has written a series of books called Hey Doorman, about his experiences as a bouncer at comedy clubs. We talk about his career, his writing method, and some of his favourite out comedians.
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Haji’s Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00NY5KH9M

200. Vive la Différence: Teaching and Coaching English Speakers in French

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Angel Pretot. He’s a teacher and coach for people who want to learn French. He’s written two novels in French, but our discussion focuses on pedagogy—how does one teach another language?—and well as the differences between English and French and some of the difficulties teaching English.
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Angel’s Website
https://www.frenchfluency.net/about

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Writing & Editing Website
https://writingediting.ca/

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199. Reading and Improving Myself

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is David McBee. David is a podcast host, children’s book author, and public speaker. He’s read a lot of self-improvement books, and then wrote his own, Everyday Lessons Every Day, the story of how reading helped him overcome anger issues that nearly destroyed his family. We have a wide-ranging, open, and fascinating conversation about all that, plus the effect of his cancer diagnosis on his life.
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David’s YouTube Page
https://www.youtube.com/davidmcbee

198. Making Complicated Things Easy to Understand

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Cleoniki Kesidi. Cleoniki is a freelance copywriter who writes marketing materials for various clients. As she puts it, she uses her storytelling skills to write “compelling marketing materials that spark emotion and drive action.” I also noticed in her profile that she said she has “a knack for explaining complex concepts clearly.”
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Cleoniki’s Website
https://cekcopywriting.com/

197. Is It the Story or the Words That Really Count?

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Fernanda Barajas. She’s a copywriter who does work for several different companies. She also hosts a podcast, and writes a blog, called My Impression Of, where she reviews and discusses books, movies, series, authors, and songwriters. She mentions in her profile the importance of stories, and I asked her to be a guest on the podcast to talk about the importance of words—instead of or in addition to. It was a fun and informative chat.
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Blog
https://myimpressionof.com.mx/

Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/7mewBmfT9XtGFWRd3nMh1V

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/myimpressionof/

Linktree
https://linktr.ee/myimpressionof

196. After Snorting Crank for Three Days

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Mary Beth O’Connor. She’s a retired judge now, but in January she published a personal memoir that was far from legalese. The title kind of covers it: From Junkie to Judge: One Woman’s Triumph Over Trauma and Addiction. The language is frank and the story has got compelling built in.
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Mary Beth’s Website
https://junkietojudge.com/

The Book
https://www.amazon.com/Junkie-Judge-Womans-Triumph-Addiction/dp/0757324568/

195. My Bonds and Mutual Funds Are Doing Great, but My Stonks Are Way Down

Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I’m solo today and the topic is the English language, specifically one of its very recent words: stonk. It’s a nice case study of one of the ways in which new words come into the language. First, they’re known by only a few people; then there’s a niche who know about the meme (if it was coined online, as stonk was); and then it starts to gain some acceptability (appears in dictionaries, for example).
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Words We’re Watching: The Story Behind “Stonks”: Buying Low and Selling High in the Meme Market
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/stonks-stocks-meme-words-were-watching

What Meme Man Looks Like
https://imgflip.com/i/7p7jqr

Urban Dictionary
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Stonks

Wiktionary
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stonk

Memes Dictionary
https://www.dictionary.com/e/memes/stonks/

194. Prompting You to Keep a Journal

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Before I start the show and the conversation with my guest, I want to let you know that I’m changing the frequency of the podcast from three episodes a week to two episodes a week. The main reason is that I am now in the process of working with the folks who are helping me edit and ultimately publish the book I’ve written. (It’s called My Sam Johnson, and I am aiming for publication in September. It’s a biography of the great 18th-century English writer Samuel Johnson, but with a difference: it’s written for general readers and not for scholars.) Once that’s done, I plan to start another book, and I just need a little more free time in my life to do all three of the pursuits that I’m passionate about in my life: podcasting, editing, and, yes, writing. So, there will be episodes on Monday and Thursday as usual, but not on Saturday, though I will devote the occasional episode to the English language and its words, as I used to do on my Saturday feature. So, please keep listening. It’s the same podcast, just a little slimmer than it used to be—just like its host, I’m happy to say!

My guest today is Jen Hardy. She was raised by an entrepreneur and started working in the family business at the age of 12. She’s now a writer who has published several books, and is also a longtime blogger. Jen is also the host of two podcasts, “Fabulous Over 50” and “Medical Gaslighting.” I asked her to join me on my podcast to talk about journaling, and the books she has published to encourage and guide people in the practice.
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Jen’s Website
https://jenhardy.net/

Jen’s Books
https://jenhardy.net/books/

193. Foster Parent, Lawyer, and Writer

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Debbie Ausburn, who says that she makes a living as a lawyer but what she does with her life is, as she puts is, “take care of other people’s children.” In fact, children, and especially at-risk children, are the focuses of many aspects of her life—as a foster parent and a stepmother, but also as a now former federal prosecutor of child abuse and violent crimes. The circle was of love and care got created recently as she and her husband found themselves raising the child of one of her former foster children. Debbie published a book a couple of years ago called Raising Other People’s Children, and we talk about it and her extraordinary volunteering.
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Debbie’s Website
debbieausburn.com/

Debbie’s Blog
debbieausburn.com/blog

Debbie’s Book
amazon.com/Raising-Other-Peoples-Children-Parenting/dp/1578268990/

192. Not Just a Lesson, but Fun and Funny Too

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Steph Katzovi. She has a law degree, but she has spent most of her career as a speechwriter and strategic communications consultant. Now, though, she’s published a middle-grade novel about a girl who is away at camp when a hurricane comes. There are intentional life lessons in the book, and part of what I was interested in was how she maintained the balance between the book being an entertaining novel versus one full of wholesome lessons for kids.
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Steph’s Website
https://stephkatzovi.com

191. Being in Politics and Writing about Politics

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Robin Schepper. For more than thirty years, she served at the highest levels of American politics and government, including presidential campaigns, and she was also executive director of Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity initiative, Let’s Move! She’s just published a memoir, and I was interested in some of the details in it as well as how she went about writing it. How do write about something when you’re so busy? Do you take notes along the way? Do you just hope you have a good memory?
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Robin’s Website
https://robinfschepperauthor.com/

190. What Was COVID Anyway?

Sat, 10 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Michael Wallach. He’s a screenwriter, but he’s also now produced a timely documentary about COVID-19, calling it a “viral delusion.” He’s worth listening to for an alternative take on the three years of lockdown and crisis we all went through.
—–
The Viral Delusion: The Tragic Pseudoscience of SARS-CoV2 & the Madness of Modern Virology
https://paradigmshift.uscreen.io/

189. An Essential Deliverable from Your Editor: The Editorial Letter

Thu, 08 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I’m solo today and I want to talk about one of the three things that you should get back from your editor when they send you back your edited text. One is that document. The other is the style sheet, which I covered in a previous episode (see the show notes). And the other is a carefully and clearly written cover letter.

Writing & Editing Episode 155: What Is An Editor’s Style Sheet and What Is It For?
https://writingediting.ca/episode/155-what-is-an-editors-style-sheet-and-what-is-it-for/

Joke-Telling Scene from Sling Blade
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUfMgc-b9zw&ab_channel=hotamuh

188. Caveat Scriptor: Watch Out for Scam Self-Publishers

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Amy Bernstein. She’s a writer and book coach, but also has an excellent knowledge of the current publishing landscape. I invited her on specifically to talk about those publishers and services that some writers pay to help self-publish your book—and especially the dubious services and the outright scams to watch our for. This is “Caveat Scriptor: Watch Out for Scam Self-Publishers,” episode 188 of the podcast.

Amy’s Website
https://amywrites.live/

Writer Beware Blog
https://writerbeware.blog/

187. The Joy and Stress of Writing and Change

Sat, 03 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

A couple of short announcements before the episode. First is that I’m not doing my usual “A Few More Words” feature today. I’ve done a lot of interviews over the past month or so, and I want to get those posted. I still have well over 150,000 words to go in English, so that feature will be back in a week or so. Second is that I was interviewed on a podcast hosted by the guy—his name is Matt Balaker—I co-wrote a book with about 4 years ago now, a bio of a standup comedian. Our topic is, well, that book (and a few other things). If you want to listen to or watch it, check out the link in the show notes. So, on to today’s episode. My guest today is Diane Hatz. We talk about transitions in one’s writing career, not only psychologically but also technically, as in: should I have my own blog? should I be on YouTube? should I stick to Substack? It’s a great chat. This is “The Joy and Stress of Writing and Change,” episode 187 of the podcast.

Diane’s Blog
https://wholehealthygroup.com/blog/

Diane’s Substack
https://substack.com/@dianehatz

Diane on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weaf80bvfhM&ab_channel=DianeHatz

Wayne Being Interviewed by Matt Balaker
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZg19Z-IvI8&t=3s&ab_channel=TheMattBalakerPodcast

186. This Is What I Mean by Literary Fiction

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I’m solo today and this episode is a kind of prequel. I’m going to be interviewing the great American writer Lorrie Moore in a few weeks about her new novel, I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, due to be published later this month. I’ve been a lifelong fan of her work, and in this episode I will give an overview of her past works, and my views on what it is about her books and her style that makes her exceptional. The title of this episode is “This Is What I Mean by Literary Fiction,” number 186 of the podcast.

Loorie Moore’s Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lorrie-Moore/author/B000APWFEY

Lorrie Moore’s First Published Story in “Seventeen” Magazine (1977)
https://archive.org/details/sim_seventeen_1977-01_36_1/mode/2up
(scroll to page 92)

185. Writing, Illustrating, and Editing Books for Kids

Mon, 29 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Heidi Fiedler. She’s a writer, editor, coach, and teacher, with a focus on children and pre-teen adolescents. I asked her to come on the show to talk about the whole process of putting together a successful book for these readerships.

Heidi’s Website
https://www.helloheidifiedler.com/

184. A Few More Words: Deprecate

Sat, 27 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about the two most known uses of this word in English, one the very common “self-deprecating,” and the other, the less well-known sense in computing. Along the way, I discover that the two big dictionaries, the Oxford English Dictionary and the Merriam-Webster Unabridged, don’t include the latter meaning, and the definition in the OED hasn’t been updated fully in a long time.

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicode_character_property#Deprecated

Collins COBUILD Dictionary
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/deprecate (scroll down)

Dictionary of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology (editor: Philip A. Laplante), Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2017

183. Worse Writing Is Harder to Get Through

Thu, 25 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Before I get to today’s conversation, I have an announcement about swag. In the next few weeks I will publish my 200th episode and I wanted to celebrate a little by giving thanks to you, the listeners. I started the show in January last year, and both listenership and downloads have increased steadily, which makes me very happy. And I’ve been very grateful for the nice things some of you have said in reviews. I don’t have hard-to-find first editions for you, or cold hard cash, but a mousepad inside a small cotton totebag, both with the show’s logo. Small tokens, yes, but my thanks are big. Just go to the contact form at WritingEditing.ca and send me your mailing address, and I’ll send them to you (until they run out). Again: thank you.

So, for today’s episode …

My guest is Todd Brison, who describes himself as an “optimist who writes.” He’s an Amazon best-selling author and award-winning ghostwriter. I met him on Substack, where he writes What Makes Great Writing? We had a great discussion about the importance and impact of the quality of writing in all sorts of media. This is “Worse Writing Is Harder to Get Through,” episode 183 of the podcast.

Todd’s Website
https://www.toddbrison.com/

Substack
https://www.whatmakesgreatwriting.com/

Twitter
https://twitter.com/ToddBrison

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbrison/

182. Enhancing the Oxford English Dictionary

Mon, 22 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Dr. David Williams, who is an associate professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Waterloo, located in Waterloo, Canada. He has a five-year academic grant of over $250,000 to continue his work on the Oxford English Dictionary, with two main goals, which we talk about.

David Williams
https://uwaterloo.ca/english/people-profiles/david-williams

The Life of Words: Poetry, Lexicography, and Computing
https://thelifeofwords.uwaterloo.ca/

181. A Few More Words: Doomscrolling

Sat, 20 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about the word doomscrolling and make some searches in dictionaries, in a linguistics corpus, and in Google advanced search to try to get an idea of when it first started being used. I end with a brief etymology of the very old word, doom itself.

Merriam-Webster: Words We’re Watching
“On ‘Doomsurfing’ and ‘Doomscrolling’”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/doomsurfing-doomscrolling-words-were-watching

OED
https://www.oed.com/

NOW Corpus (News on the Web)
https://www.english-corpora.org/now/

The Decibel
“The Problems with the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive”
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the-decibel/article-the-problems-with-the-first-time-home-buyers-incentive/

180. A New Author Talks about His Disappointment with Hybrid Publisher Friesen Press

Thu, 18 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Furkhan Dandia . He’s a first-time author of Pursuit of Self-Love: 30 Uplifting Messages and Reflections, which he paid to have published by the hybrid publisher Friesen Press, in Manitoba, Canada, just this past March.

A bit more background here before I get to my conversation with Furkhan. If you’re a regular listener to the podcast, you may remember episode 152 in March, when I told the general story of my efforts to get Friesen to answer two simple questions for me: why are there books priced anywhere from 30 to 100 percent more on Amazon than they are on the Friesen site, and do they inform authors of this before contracts are signed? I ended up talking directly to the president, who hinted she might sue me, but refused to answer the questions.

Furkhan is one of two Friesen authors who told me that in fact they were never informed of the Amazon pricing issue, and he agreed to come on the podcast to talk about his experiences regarding the editing of his book as well.

This is “A New Author Talks about His Disappointment with Hybrid Publisher Friesen Press,” episode 180 of the podcast.

Furkhan’s Website
https://www.eunoiazen.com/

Furkhan’s Book on Friesen’s Site: $21.99
https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000249077816/Furkhan-Dandia-Pursuit-of-Self-Love

Furkhan’s Book on Amazon.ca: $48.13
https://www.amazon.ca/Pursuit-Self-Love-Uplifting-Messages-Reflections/dp/1039156177/

179. Two Christians, One Atheist, and No Lyin’

Mon, 15 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guests today are Susan Gabriel and Steven Eurioste. Susan runs a Christian publishing house with an eight-member team, including Steven. She’d contacted me about being a guest on the podcast, and I agreed as long as we could also talk about theism and atheism. She was amenable to that and brought along Steven as well. We don’t agree on much, but we have a good discussion.

Soul Sonshine
https://soulsonshine.com/

Susan Louise Gabriel
https://susanlouisegabriel.com/

178. A Few More Words: Bad Faith

Sat, 13 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Sitting on a bench by a beach in my home city of Ottawa makes me think of “bad faith,” and in this episode I talk about one very specific meaning of the term, one fairly specific, and the general meaning that most people are familiar with (but I also give a bit of its etymology).

Being and Nothingness, by Jean-Paul Sartre
https://archive.org/details/beingnothingness0000sart/page/n5/mode/2up

“Bad Faith,” Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_faith#Negotiation_theory

177. Mental Health, Suicide, and Comedy

Thu, 11 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Frank King. Frank has a long career in comedy, even as a writer for The Tonight Show. After, in his words, he held a gun in his hand and found out what the barrel tastes like, he changed. He didn’t pull the trigger and now focuses on public presentations for corporate and other groups in which he uses comedy as a way to talk about the difficult topic of suicide.

Frank King
https://thementalhealthcomedian.com/

176. Writing, Satire, and the Artistic Drive

Mon, 08 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Sebastian Schug. I invited him on the show to talk about the indie publishing house he ran, but the conversation shifted to his many other interests and talents and experiences. He’s smart and articulate, and we talked mostly about satire and multimedia art. He’s a man in his 20’s who’s accomplished a lot already, and a name to watch for.

Seabass
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL3XHwlaRxEnyxEr_wM-WkQ

175. A Few More Words: Empath

Sat, 06 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about this relatively new word in English, which actually has its origin in science fiction. The word follows a common pattern for words that start with a very specific meaning in a field or discipline, and then once they’re in use in standard English they develop their own meanings and history. I wrap up by comparing it to the word schizophrenic, which has behaved similarly, but with a bit of a twist.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR)
https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm

Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
https://sfdictionary.com/

Dictionary of Psychopathology, by Henry Kellerman
https://cup.columbia.edu/book/dictionary-of-psychopathology/9780231146517

174. Avoid Verbal and Narrative Clichés in Your Writing

Thu, 04 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about these two types of clichés to avoid. I use “verbal cliché” to mean hackneyed phrases and worn-out imagery that may have been imaginative and fresh at some time in the history of the language now, but has since gone stale. I use “narrative cliché” to mean the use of familiar tropes and situations in the story you are telling. This episode mostly is about fiction and film.

Garner’s Modern English Usage
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/garners-modern-english-usage-9780197599020

Imagining and Knowing: The Shape of Fiction, by Gregory Currie
https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780199656615.001.0001

173. Teaching Elementary School Students How to Write

Mon, 01 May 2023 05:00:00 -0400

Have you ever wondered how kids in elementary school are taught how to write these days? Do they learn the ins and outs of grammar, or do they learn writing through practising? My guest today is directly involved in teaching this important skill as a full-time teacher in rural Vermont. Samantha Bovat is a writing practitioner as well, with a blog called The Life of a Teacher and a book that was published just last year: The Little Kids: Lessons Learned from Our Perspectives.

Book: The Little Kids, https://www.thelittlekids.us/

Website: https://www.samanthabovat.com/

172. A Few More Words: Paraprosdokian

Sat, 29 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0400

I talk about the figure of speech called paraprosdokian, and how it fits into the universe of rhetorical figures. It includes puns, too, and I provide examples of it in use.

LINKS

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraprosdokian

From a Monty Python Sketch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmD8y0PJ2Vo&ab_channel=DougMonthy

171. Nutritious Love

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Nancy Perpall, who is a former nurse as well as a former attorney who used to practice family law. She saw a lot of people from broad and diverse backgrounds experience the same despair when going through divorce. Last year she published a novel with characters looking for a life partner. Now she’s turned to non-fiction, and will soon be releasing her new book, The Malnourished Marriage: 5 Essential Emotional Nutrients for a Healthy Relationship. The book is not full of dull text and statistics: it is practical advice for those who want to know how to get the love and connection back that they once felt with their life partner. This is “Nutritious Love,” episode 171 of the podcast. Please listen.

Nancy’s Website
https://nancyperpall.com/

Nancy’s Novel
https://www.amazon.com/Around-Which-All-Things-Bend/dp/1665726105/

It’s Not About the Nail
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4EDhdAHrOg&ab_channel=JasonHeadley

170. Self-Reflection and Staying Calm

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Steve Vincent, who talks about self-reflection and examining the issues and characteristics that make you who you are, and has some ideas for how to stay calm in the hectic and stressful world that most of us live in.

Steve's Website
https://stevevincentonline.com/

Steve's Book
https://stevevincentonline.com/finding-you/

169. A Few More Words: Metathesis

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about this word, its prefix, and other words that share the same prefix, meta- .

168. Cancer & Musical Theatre: “What Is Happening to Me?”

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Edward Miskie, author of a book with the great title, Cancer, Musical Theatre, and Other Chronic Illnesses, published in 2017 but now being adapted into a musical TV series. He was a simple joy to converse with: serious, funny, laid-back, honest and open.

LINKS

Edward Miskie's Website
https://linktr.ee/edwardmiskie

Cancer, Musical Theatre, and Other Chronic Illnesses
https://www.amazon.com/Cancer-Musical-Theatre-Chronic-Illnesses/dp/0578191881/

167. Even Social Media Require Manners, Right?

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Kristin Johnson, who is a writer, screenwriter, and ghost writer. She is the author of the award-winning and award-nominated book, Ain’t “U” Got No Manners?, a great book about social media etiquette that’s both accessible and well researched. She was a joy to talk to, not only about this book, but about parts of the rest of her writing career as well.

LINKS

Ain't "U" Got No Manners?
https://www.amazon.com/Aint-U-Got-No-Manners-ebook/dp/B01N9KX3YI/

Kristin Johnson's Website
https://www.kristinjohnson.net/

166. A Few More Words: Book Banning

Sat, 15 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I discuss the small town in Texas where they considered closing the public library system rather than follow a judge's order to reinstate 20 books of "pornographic filth" to the shelves.

Link:

"Texas county roiled by book ban considered closing libraries," CTV News, April 13, 2023
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/texas-county-roiled-by-book-ban-considered-closing-libraries-1.6355212

Credits:

Book cover images from Amazon.ca

165. Modern Dating, Relationships, and Apologies

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Bethany Nicole, who is a writer and relationship expert based in Los Angeles. She uses astrology as part of her work with individuals and couples. She has completed a book called Apologies I Never Got, which literary agents are now considering.

Links:

Bethany Nicole’s Site
https://www.bethanynicole.com/

Bethany Nicole’s LinkedIn Profile
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethanybarton

Bethany Nicole’s Instagram Page
https://www.instagram.com/bethanynicoleauthor

About Apologies I Never Got
https://www.bethanynicole.com/my-work

164. How Was Your Weekend, Fin de Semaine, or Fine Settimana?

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I discuss the recent announcement by the Italian government that it is introducing legislation to levy fines on those who use foreign terms, when there is an Italian equivalent, in official documents. I also talk about similar prescriptive tendencies by the governments of France and of the province of Quebec in Canada.

Sources:

"Italian government seeks to penalize the use of English words" (CTV News)
https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/italian-government-seeks-to-penalize-the-use-of-english-words-1.6338822

Grande dizionario della lingua italiana
https://www.gdli.it/

Dictionnaire de l’Académie française
https://www.dictionnaire-academie.fr/

Vitrine linguistique (Office québécois de la langue française)
https://vitrinelinguistique.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/

Oxford English Dictionary
https://www.oed.com/

163. A Few More Words: “Incent”

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about the use and origin of the word “incent,” and its relationship to “incentive” and “incentivize.” Plus, I may have developed a screenplay for a movie based on quotations from two separate definitions in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Credit: Excerpt from The Decibel, March 29, 2023 (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/podcasts/the-decibel/article-the-2023-federal-budget-in-23-minutes/)

162. Literary Fiction, Aesthetics, and Me at Midnight

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about literary fiction, using the example of one of the great novels of all time, Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov.

161. Editing Articles for Academic Journals

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I describe my own experiences in editing articles for academic journals published by a university press, both copy editing and proofreading.

Wayne Jones's site
https://waynejonesediting.ca/

160. A Few More Words: “Sensitivity Readings”

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about the revision and censorship of books that are carried out so as to rid them of words and situations that are considered too sensitive for some in the politically correct and woke ethos that we all now inhabit.

■ How to give me a rating or review on Apple Podcasts

– visit WritingEditing.ca

– go to Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/writing-editing/id1603753102

– Google these words: how do I rate a podcast on Apple
———————————————————————
■ News stories about authors whose works have been subjected to sensitivity readings

– the James Bond books
https://nationalpost.com/news/world/james-bond-books-rewritten

– Agatha Christie's novels
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/mar/26/agatha-christie-novels-reworked-to-remove-potentially-offensive-language

– Roald Dahl's books
https://www.economist.com/britain/2023/03/23/editing-roald-dahl-for-sensitivity-was-silly

– an episode of Matt Taibbi's "Racket" podcast about sensitivity readings
https://www.racket.news/p/episode-27-america-this-week-with#details

– an article about sensitivity readings by CJ Hopkins in "OffGuardian"
https://off-guardian.org/2023/02/22/the-war-on-insensitivity/

159. The People Side of Editing

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Audrey Jamieson, who is an editor and writer. On the editing side, she does developmental, stylistic, and copy editing. On the writing side, she does ghostwriting but also writes and has published fantasy fiction. We talk about editing as a business where people work with people. How to treat clients. How to collaborate. How to communicate tactfully.

Audrey Jamieson’s Site
https://www.audreyj.ca/

158. My Exclusive Interview with ChatGPT

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I have a one-on-one interview with ChatGPT while I am in my home office, and it is in a hotel room in downtown Ottawa, Canada, after it has somehow managed to stow away on Air Force One, the plane which brought President Joe Biden to Canada for an official visit. ChatGPT remained in Ottawa for a few days after the president returned to the US. My interview took place on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

157. One More Word: “In Terms Of”

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about the scourge of this phrase, which is much over-used in English these days, usually either joining two thoughts together without establishing the exact relationship between them, or as a clunky alternative to another word that could easily and more clearly replace it.

156. Bringing Literary Fiction to Readers

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Frances Peck, who was an editor and ghostwriter for 30 years, but last year began her career as a novelist, with The Broken Places, published by NeWest Press. The novel received much praise and excellent reviews. Her second novel will be published later this year. We talk a little about ghostwriting, but mostly about her novel, how she engages with book clubs, and about literary fiction generally.

Frances Peck’s Site
https://francespeck.com/

NeWest Press
https://bookshop.newestpress.com/products/the-broken-places

155. What Is an Editor’s “Style Sheet” and What Is It For?

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0400

I discuss the purpose of a style sheet and walk through some of the details of what is included in a typical one.

Wayne Jones Editing: Style Sheet Template

https://writingediting.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Writing-Editing-podcast-example-of-style-sheet.pdf

154. One More Word: Nice

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about the origin of this 700-year-old English word as well as the numerous, diverse, and even contradictory meanings it has had over the course of its history. And wait for it: at the end is a saying using "nice" which, alas, we no longer have in the language any more.

153. Why Do Even Librarians and Executives Like Murder So Much?

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

My guest is Joe LeValley, who is a former executive as well as a former journalist, but is now an award-winning writer of mystery/thriller novels. He has published five in the last five years, starting with Burying the Lede in 2018 and very recently with The Sophocles Rule, which was published earlier this month. We talk about the appeal of novels about murder in general, as well as the development and changes he has consciously made in the character of his narrator, Tony Harrington. Joe lives in Dallas County, Iowa.

Joseph LeValley’s Site
https://josephlevalley.com/index.html

Joseph LeValley’s Amazon Author Page
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joseph-LeValley/author/B07L81Z5BH

152. Amazon’s Steep Pricing Markup on One Hybrid Publisher’s Books

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400

I talk about my experience trying to get answers from FriesenPress about why their book prices are so substantially (30–50%) marked up on Amazon sites, and whether Friesen authors/clients know about this markup before they sign on with Friesen.

FriesenPress
https://www.friesenpress.com/

FriesenPress Bookstore
https://books.friesenpress.com/

Writing & Editing
Episode 143
https://writingediting.ca/episode/143-publishing-and-all-the-self-publishings/

151. One More Word: Abuse

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

I talk about the origin of the word, its use in sexual and other senses, and the way it can be a euphemism shielding ugly truth.

150. Always Writing Films

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Pat Bradley, who is a Screenwriter and Director from Queens, New York. He has produced many short films, as well as the excellent full-length feature, Into the Valli, which is available for free viewing on his website.

148. One More Word: Existential Threat

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

147. This Episode Is 0.00159 Scaramuccis Long

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Hi, I’m Wayne Jones. Welcome to Writing & Editing. This is episode 147, which is 0.00159 Scaramuccis long. My guest is Neil Berliner, who is a comedy writer and coach. In his career, he’s also performed standup, and his writing has appeared in media from Mad Magazine to the New York Times to the Village Voice. He’s now also an author, having co-written the Ha Ha History joke book, which was published in January.

146. The Basics You Should See in Any Contract You Sign with an Editor

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

I talk about the basic clauses you should expect in any contract you sign with an editor, as well as some of the things that the editor should deliver or provide to you apart from the edited text.

145. One More Word: Onomatopoeia

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

144. One Thriller Writer’s Technique: Less Dialogue by Characters, More Dialogue with Book Clubs

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Matt Witten, who now writes thrillers for a living after spending 20 years writing for television, including shows such as Law & Order and CSI.

143. Publishing and All the Self-Publishings

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Jane Friedman, who is an internationally known publishing expert based in New York. Jane has over 25 years experience in the publishing business, having worked as President and CEO of HarperCollins as well as holding senior executive positions at other major publishers. She’s the author of the book The Business of Being a Writer, produces the biweekly email newsletter called The Hot Sheet, which covers the publishing industry for authors, and offers classes online.

142. One More Word: Etymology

Sat, 18 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

This is the premiere episode of a weekly series I am going to be doing on Saturdays about words in the English language. This week’s word is “Etymology.”

141. How to Stay Busy: Writing, Coaching, Getting Unstuck, and World Peace

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

Before I introduce today’s guest, I wanted to talk briefly about a new feeature—and a new episode—that I’m adding weekly to the show. I’m calling it “One More Word,” and it will be just me talking about an English word. It could be a word in the news, it could be some new jargon, it could be a word you’ve used for years but which has an interesting history. The episode will be short (5 minutes or so) and I hope you’ll find it interesting. The premiere episode is this Saturday, February 18. Please listen.

So for today’s show … This is episode 141 — How to Stay Busy: Writing, Coaching, Getting Others Unstuck, and World Peace.

My guest is Murielle Marie, who has over 20 years experience in business, most recently as a thriving international career in coaching and helping creatives and entrepreneurs get unstuck. She’s got a large social media following, and in the midst of everything she is also writing a thriller.

140. The Writing and Everything Else of Films for Young People

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is actor Mollie Leivars, who is also the owner of Spirit Productions, a film production company she founded in 2019 when she was only 15 years old. Beyond making films centred on issues about youth, she gives online classes for young people wanting to learn various aspects of filmmaking and acting.

139. The Language of American Mass Shootings

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

I talk about some of the words and rituals around the seemingly intractable problem of mass shootings in the US.

138. The Worklady

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Jan McInnis, whose activity schedule for the past 25 years has been incredibly varied. “Worklady,” BTW is the apt name of her website. She started in standup comedy and eventually was working in the niche of comic keynote speaking. She also has a podcast called Comedian Stories, and has sold comedy material to Leno’s Tonight Show and to radio stations across the US. She’s been featured for her clean material in several magazines. And somehow in the middle of all that, she’s also published two books: Finding the Funny Fast, and Convention Comedian. We talk about her amazing career and as well as the genre she finds hardest to write in.

137. Memoir of a Female Doctor and Immigrant to Canada

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Gigi Microys, who is now a retired family physician. She graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1963, and has held academic positions as teacher in the departments of family medicine. She has written and lectured about physician health, the medical marriage, and women in medicine. She published her memoir, A Journey Through Medicine: Memoirs of a Female Immigrant, in 2019. Gigi lives in Ottawa with her husband, a retired structural engineer.

136. The Play and the Audiobook Are the Things

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Alex Freeman, who is a theatre director who also does voicework. He has directed plays across the US and has voiced over 50 audiobooks. He’s done acting and teaching as well, and has an MFA in directing from Western Illinois University. We talk about how a director works with the playwright’s script and with the actors, how audiobooks are made, and the differences between directing theatre and directing film.

135. Editing: Flow in Writing, Getting Clients, and Writing Social Media

Thu, 26 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Louise Harris, who is an editor and writer based in St. Petersburg, Florida. We focus on her editing work, including blog posts and press releases, but also have an extended discussion about the importance of flow to the reader.

134. Indie-Publishing Books with Your Own Publisher Imprint

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Colleen Tews, who is an author with a taste for writing about strong women who take strength even from their weaknesses. Colleen has established her own imprint, Delphian Hope Publishing, to publish her work and hopes that she can also some day publish others’ as well. Her novel Onyx is forthcoming in March.

133. A New Method for Generating Ideas

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Robin Landa, who holds the title of Distinguished Professor at Michael Graves College of Kean University in Union, New Jersey. She’s also a “creativity guru” who advocates for industry inclusion and equity, and provides scholarships for meritorious students or students in need. Robin’s expertise is in creative advertising, branding, graphic design, and social media. Her new book, just published in November, is called The New Art of Ideas: Unlock Your Creative Potential. This is a followup conversation to episode 58 last summer, and again she was a joy to talk to and a font of knowledge. We talk about her new ideas framework, solving the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and how to make the best-shaped pasta.

132. Multimedia from a Gay Love Story to Editing to Slasher Movies

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Harker Jones (no relation), who provides a witty self-bio, but of whom I can say more newscastery, so to speak, that he’s an artist who works and has worked in many different media for a few decades now. He published the Amazon #1-bestselling gay love story called Until September. Harker has also written many screenplays, and directed and produced several short thrillers that have played at film festivals and won awards. Somewhere in there he also was managing editor or Out magazine for 7 years. In my conversation, he was modest and self-effacing about his many achievements. And as for his self-bio, I liked this best: “He’s a member of both the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle and Mensa, loves cats and carbs and would like to be a one-hit wonder but would settle for being killed in a slasher movie.”

131. A Conversation about Conversation, Part 2

Thu, 12 Jan 2023 05:00:00 -0500

My guest is Oscar Martens, who is a writer based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Oscar is also a good friend of mine whom I’ve known for over 30 years, when I met him in a writing class in Ottawa. He has since published two collections of literary short stories to excellent reviews: The Girl with the Full Figure Is Your Daughter in 2002, and No Call Too Small in 2020. In this second part of my conversation with him, we continue on the same topic, but also discuss the use of conversation in fiction and in film. Please also check out Part 1, the previous episode of the podcast, in which we still talk about conversation, but in broader terms, and introducing some of the concepts referred to in this episode.

131. A Conversation about Conversation, Part 1

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Oscar Martens, who is a writer based in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Oscar is also a good friend of mine whom I’ve known for over 30 years, when I met him in a writing class in Ottawa. He has since published two collections of literary short stories to excellent reviews: The Girl with the Full Figure Is Your Daughter in 2002, and No Call Too Small in 2020. In this second part of my conversation with him, we continue on the same topic, but also discuss the use of conversation in fiction and in film. In the second part, we continue on the same topic, but also discuss the use of conversation in fiction and in film.

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

130. Editors Canada

Thu, 05 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Heather Buzila, who is past president and a current member of the national executive council of Editors Canada, the professional association for editors in Canada. She has been an editor for over 15 years and currently works for Athabasca University in Edmonton, Alberta, where she edits materials for online courses in humanities and the social sciences. Heather also has broad experience in editing both fiction and nonfiction, as well as web materials for many organizations. We talk about Editors Canada, the association, what its purpose is, what it does for editors, and other topics.

129. LGBTQIA+ and Young Adult Fiction

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Emily McPherson, who writes for young adult readers, with several fantasy projects in the works. She describes herself as “an Irish dancer with a slight obsession with mythological creatures.” Emily lives in Connecticut, and her debut novel, Mother of the River, will be published by Eyebright Books in March.

128. Taking Photographs and Writing Words

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Les Madewell, who is a professional photographer with a wide range of experience, from event photography to fashion. We also talk about his interest and forays into writing.

127. Full-Service Indie Publishing

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Julie Ann, who is the founder and CEO of Influence Publishing in British Columbia, Canada. She also hosts retreats for writers in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where she also lives. We talk about her own life story, as well as some of the aspects of her corner of publishing, with discussion of how hers differs and the current state of traditional publishing.

126. A Toxicology Expert Writes a Sci-Fi Novel with a Twist

Thu, 22 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Alan Kolok, who is a professor at the University of Idaho and Director of the Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, based in Moscow, Idaho. He is an expert in toxicology and author of the Modern Poisons: A Brief Introduction to Contemporary Toxicology. He’s also author of the sci-fi novel Twist. We talk about poisons as well as making the transition from science to science fiction in writing.

125. Clutter: The Messy Effects on Your Home and Your Emotions

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Julie Coraccio. She is a professional organizer, who writes books and gives talks about the effects that go way beyond just having a messy home. Julie is based in Wheeling, West Virginia, and also hosts a podcast called Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out. We talk about clutter and the various reasons that some people can’t help themselves from doing it. Please listen.

124. The State of the Arts, the State of the World

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Doug MacLeod, who has a doctorate degree from SUNY Albany and is an associate professor at SUNY Cobleskill—teaching intercultural communication, script writing, visual media, cinema, mass media, literature and composition (the latter by using standup comedy). He has published widely as well, on topics as diverse as religion and Bonnie and Clyde. He lives in Cobleskill, New York, about 250 kilometres north of New York City. We talked about his many interests as an interdisciplinarian.

123. Mental Health and Writing Poetry

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Mercedes Killeen, who has extensive experience as a poet, a freelance writer and editor, and a digital marketer. She is based in the Niagara area in Ontario, Canada. Our conversation covers the theory of writing, the place of poetry in modern culture, and mental health, among other things. Please listen.

122. Life as a Freelance Editor

Thu, 08 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Jennia D’Lima, who is a freelance editor offering the full range of editing services.

121. The Big Bang, a Brief Human Stay on Earth, and Space Colonies

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Richard Anderson, who has written a book called The Evolution of Life, with a broad timeline: starting 13.8 billion years ago, and then a new phase for humans around 2120.

120. Getting Out of Your Head to Live with Anxiety

Thu, 01 Dec 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Brian Sachetta, who has published books about both anxiety and depression, and maintains a website and a blog. He also does personal coaching. We talk about his approach as well as the various other methods that are used to deal with these increasingly prevalent mental illnesses.

119. Coding, Happiness, and the Memoir of a Wife’s Death

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Rob Broadhead, who has written about the practicalities and pleasures of his coding career—and about the death of his wife.

118. Writing and Blogging and Making Sure It Gets Read

Thu, 24 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0500

My guest is Alison Ver Halen, a writer who writes for her clients or helps them do it themselves.

117. How to Shave

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Douglas Smythe, who describes himself as a “Male Grooming & Shaving Guru.” He’s written, blogged, and podcasted about shaving—yes, that kind of shaving, of your face—and has a website where he sells all manner of shaving stuff. This is not using an electric razor: this is using one of those old-timey-style blade shavers and shaving soap (not lather or cream). He had lots of information and was a hoot to interview.

116. An Open and Personal Conversation about Dissociative Identity Disorder

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Lyn Barrett, who is a writer as well as a facilitator of Writers’ Workshops and Memoir Classes for People with Dissociative Disorders. Her latest book is called Crazy: Reclaiming Life from the Shadow of Traumatic Memory.

Note: Lyn is grateful for the work of her *second* editor, Sarah Chauncey, who skillfully coached her through the writing of the book.

115. Flawed and Snarky Heroes

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is bestselling writer Tom Fowler. He is the author of the C.T. Ferguson mysteries and the John Tyler thrillers, both of which are set in his home town of Baltimore.

114. A Memoir of South East London in 1963

Thu, 10 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Jill Phillips, the author of Lamlash Street: A Portrait of 1960’s Post-War London Through One Family’s Story.

113. Book Coach on Land, Historian at Sea

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0500

My guest is Caroline Malloy, who is a former academic, but now is a book coach as well as a resident historian onboard cruise ships.

112. A University Professor and Anesthesiologist Who Writes Medical Thrillers

Thu, 03 Nov 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest is Tammy Euliano, who is all of the things in the title of this episode. She’s published two medical thrillers, Fatal Intent and Misfire, and teaches at the University of Florida.

111. The Mess of Overthinking, Anxiety, and Loving Everything

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest is Sarah Chauncey, who is a writer, editor, and book coach. She also maintains a website called Living the Mess, where she writes and blogs about anxiety, depression, and rewiring your brain for inner peace.

110. Intuitive Design and the Future of Work

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest is Kyle Evans, who is a product designer, writer, podcaster, and general thinker about creativity.

109. Short

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

I talk about shortness and spareness in writing, film, and jokes.

108. Writing about Depression

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest is Cathy Jean-François, who talks about the incorporation of details about her own depression into her novel The Box, for which she is looking for a literary agent.

107. Using Illustrations and Spare, Focused Writing to Tell the History of Healthcare

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest is Tegan Kehoe, who is a public historian specializing in healthcare and science at the Russell Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Her book, Exploring American Healthcare through 50 Historic Treasures, was published in February 2022.

106. Self-Love, Indie Publishing, and Building a Community

Thu, 13 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest is Diane Hatz, who indie-published her book Rock Gods & Messy Monsters in September 2022. She also has a substack called Next Draft. In the 1990s, Diane worked at major and indie record companies. She is the co-founder of The Relay, a fanzine on The Who.

105. A One-Woman Comedy Show about Infertility

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Meirav Zur. She is a theatre performer, producer, writer, and director. Her latest show is Inconceivable: The Totally True One-Woman Semi-Fertile Quasi-“Musical.”

104. Of Writing and Vaginas

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Karin Freeland, who is a life coach and the author of The Ins and Outs of My Vagina: A Penetrating Memoir.

103. The Changing Usage of “Not Necessarily”

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400

I discuss how the phrase "not necessarily" seems to be taking on a new meaning.

102. In Memory of Smart Comic Writing

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

This episode, published on the 12th anniversary of the death of standup comedian Greg Giraldo, covers his life, his writing, and his character.

Further info:

– Greg Giraldo: A Comedian’s Story, by Matt Balaker and Wayne Jones (book)

– Give It Up for Greg Giraldo (video documentary)

– Dark Side of Comedy: Greg Giraldo (TV series episode)

***
NOTE: Apologies for the sometimes poor audio of this episode: I was recording on a laptop with spotty wifi and with none of my regular audio editing tools – Wayne

101. What a Voiceover Actor Does

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 09:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Maccabee Griffin. He’s a voiceover actor and podcaster.
■
Announcements:
– I successfully appealed the removal of episode 60 of my podcast from YouTube because they had said it violated community standards (questioning the integrity of the 2020 US election). I'm happy to say that YouTube has now reinstated the episode.
– As of this episode, the frequency of Writing & Editing changes from 3 times weekly to twice weekly (Monday and Thursday). The idea is to give me a little more free time, to give me more time to work on episodes, and to give you, the listeners, a bit more time to listen to each one by making them a little less frequent.

100. I’ve Been Censored

Tue, 20 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Wayne reacts to the notice he received from YouTube that one of the podcast audio episodes he had uploaded there had been removed for violating community standards.

99. The Book I'm Writing

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Wayne provides an update on the book he's writing, My Sam Johnson: A Biography for General Readers.

98. Editing and Publishing Scams

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Wayne discusses two examples of what may be scams he came across on Instagram, one to get your short book published and making money for you (and with a double-your-money-back guarantee), and the other an offer to make money selling books on Amazon without you actually writing any books.

97. Indie Writing, Music, Filmmaking—and Editing

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0400

My guest today is James Noll, who practices those first three arts and also has a friend who helps him with the fourth one. (One of his books is available for free BTW.) He has also been a teacher for the last 20 years.

96. Media, the State of the World, and Irreverence

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Natasha Mott. Natasha is many things. A neuroscientist, a writer, a host of two podcasts, Syllojism and NeoAcademia. She describes herself as an "ex-academic, former seller of science/biotech shill … now, depending on the day I might be a podcaster, an educator, a scientist, a meme-r, a world builder, a creator, an organizer, a friend, a mother, a writer, a musician." You can find links to most of her work on the Theory Gang substack.

95. Adult Problems and Children’s Books

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 13:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Marcy Pusey. Marcy has a wide range of ability and experience. She’s a writer of books on adult trauma as well as books for children. She says that her "jam" is "anything related to story (the ones we tell ourselves and the ones we tell the world) and how it interacts with the brain."

Marcy is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Certified Trauma & Resilience Practitioner, an international speaker, story coach—and a bestselling, award-winning author of books for adults and for children. You can also check out her TEDx Talks: “How Story Empowers Kids to Shape our World” and “You Are More Than Your Traumatic Experiences.” Marcy also provides a free guide that walks people through telling their story in a way that both impacts their audience and brings unexpected healing to themselves. Get it here.

She also prefers Pepsi to Coke, and can tell the difference.

94. Two Aspects of the Singular They, and How Texting Is Not Destroying Your Kids’ Literacy

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 12:00:00 -0400

Today’s episode is a continuation of my conversation with Dr. Valerie Fridland, who is a professor of linguistics in the English department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She’s also more publically engaged than many linguists, with a regular column in Psychology Today, and an upcoming book called Like, Literally, Dude. In this second part of our chat, we concentrate on a couple of language things that Professor Fridland was happy to discuss and elucidate. And BTW the first part of our conversation can be found as episode 93 from Wednesday.

93. Dictionaries, and Changes and Development in the English Language

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 17:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Dr. Valerie Fridland, who is a professor of linguistics in the English department at the University of Nevada, Reno. She’s also more publically engaged than many linguists, with a regular column in Psychology Today, and an upcoming book called—you heard it here first!—Like, Literally, Dude, which is about modern English, its beauties and controversies, and how it changes and adapts. This is the first part of my conversation with her: you can hear the rest on Friday in episode 94.

92. A Book about the Worst Movie Ever Made

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 23:00:00 -0400

My guest for this episode is Adam Rosen, who has been a writer and editor in both print and digital publishing since 2008. He has spent his time editing nonfiction books and articles, as well as writing articles and essays for print and online publications. He’s been freelancing since 2016. My chat with him is about an anthology he edited and contributed to called You Are Tearing Me Apart, Lisa!: The Year's Work on The Room, the Worst Movie Ever Made. Depending on your tastes, the movie The Room is just a bad movie to be dismissed, or a bad movie to be talked about, read about, and rewatched. I feel the latter. And Adam has produced a very readable, accessible, funny, and informative book about it. Please have a listen to our conversation.

91. (Hand)writing Analysis

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 02:00:00 -0400

The topic of this episode is a bit of an indulgence for me. It’s about writing, yes, but specifically about handwriting, and even more specifically about handwriting analysis. I’ve always been kind of fascinated by the whole idea of it. And any writers out there who are writing crime novels or psychological thrillers might be interested as well. My guest is an internationally renowned handwriting expert named LaurieAnn Campbell. She is one of only five people in the world with a Masters Certification. She was knowledgeable to talk to, to say the least, but also a lot of fun—and, talking of even more indulgence, she even agreed to analyze a page of my own handwriting. Take a listen …

90. Clarity and Style in Academic and Creative Writing

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0400

Becca Babcock teaches creative and academic writing at Dalhousie University, as well as English and Canadian Studies. She has also published two works of fiction, a collection of linked stories and a novel, and has another novel forthcoming next spring.

89. 15 Details Your Proofreader Will Notice but You Won’t

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 07:00:00 -0400

Wayne provides examples of minute, exquisite details that a professional proofreader is likely to notice, and makes a plea that you have a professional look at your proofs and not just yourself.

88. Differences between Academic Writing and Fiction Writing for a New Novelist

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 11:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is Nancy K. Napier, who is Distinguished Professor Emerita at Boise State University. She has published widely on organizational creativity, innovation, and emerging economies over the years, with a special focus on Vietnam. In the last few years, she has received two of Vietnam’s top honors for foreigners, the Medal of Honor, for contributing to the advancement of education in the country, and the Medal of Friendship, for helping to build relationships between the U.S. and Vietnam. She’s now writing novels, and experiencing the joys and challenges of being a beginner again.

87. Philosophy, Comedy, and the World’s Problems

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is John Gibbs, who’s a retired lecturer in cultural studies and US politics, as well as a podcaster on philosophy and popular culture. He and his fellow members of the Spinoza Triad like to use philosophy to understand contemporary culture. John also created and maintains the Politics Shed site, and hosts a Friday morning slot on Teachers Talk Radio. And to top it all off, he’s performed standup comedy, focusing on surreal storytelling.

Note: view this episode also on the Writing & Editing YouTube channel.

86. Monetizing, Branding, and Videorecording Your Podcast

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400

This episode is a continuation of the conversation I had in the previous episode with Lindsay McMahon. Lindsay is co-host of the wildly popular All Ears English. It’s an English as a Second Language podcast aimed at intermediate to advanced English speakers who are also professionals, university students, or ESL teachers. They teach listeners how to use everyday English vocabulary, and carry on regular conversations on the widest variety of topics. Lindsay and her co-host have been podcasting since 2013, and have made All Ears English into a huge success: 100,000 downloads per episode, four times a week. The podcast has won numerous awards. We had a great conversation, which ended just as she was getting into the details of monetization. And these are details you don’t want to miss. Please listen.

85. Increasing Downloads and Monetizing Your Podcast

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 14:00:00 -0400

My guest for this episode is Lindsay McMahon, who is co-host of the wildly popular All Ears English. It’s an English as a Second Language podcast aimed at intermediate to advanced English speakers who are also professionals, university students, or ESL teachers. They teach listeners how to use everyday English vocabulary, and carry on regular conversations on the widest variety of topics. Lindsay and her co-host have been podcasting since 2013, and have made All Ears English into a huge success: 100,000 downloads per episode, four times a week. If you are a podcaster, as I am obviously, you’ll know that this is really exceptional. The podcast has won numerous awards. I had a great conversation with her: she knows what she’s talking about, and I learned a lot even during our chat. You will too: please listen.

84. The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 21:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about his participation in the contest, especially as part of a group of friends including Mel and Martin, who also provide thoughts on their history, strategy, and general experience with it as well.

83. Friendliness and Meaning in Life

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is Hillary Webb. She has a background touching on very diverse aspects of life and living. Her bachelor’s degree is in journalism from New York University, her masters is in philosophy from Goddard College, and her doctorate is in existential psychology from Saybrook University. Hillary now teaches at Goddard and is a cultural anthropologist. She also writes books (four so far) and studies, as she puts it, “cross-cultural perspectives on human consciousness.” And so her latest book is called The Friendliest Place in the Universe: Love, Laughter, and Stand-Up Comedy in Berlin: An Anthropological Memoir. I found her really fascinating to talk to. She combines a deep knowledge of her subjects with a very clear, accessible, and personal way of expressing it in both writing and speaking. Please listen.

82. 10 Things That Will Make Your Novel Better

Tue, 02 Aug 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Wayne presents a 10-item admittedly non-comprehensive list.

81. God, Love, Sex, and Atheism

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 21:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is Miracle Sims. She’s a busy and creative person, but our discussion focused on religion generally, and on her podcast God, Sex, and Love. Miracle has published several books, including her very open memoir about single life as a Christian, The Cultivation Period: A Single Christian Journey. She has an associate’s degree in theatre from Gordon College, and in addition to being a writer, she is also an actor, singer, and songwriter. She was a genuine pleasure to talk to—smart, funny, and open—and we proved that a Christian and an atheist can in fact have a civilized conversation.

80. Memoir, Storytelling, and Engaging the Audience

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 17:00:00 -0400

My guest for this episode is Mark W. Travis, a film and video director, and author of the #1 bestselling book Directing Feature Films as well as The Film Director’s Bag of Tricks. People call him the “director’s director,” because he has trained and guided directors, writers, and actors on how to bring their stories and characters to life. His focus is always on storytelling and characters, and he's able to read each artist, re-aligning them with their unconscious creative intentions, and so elevating their stories and performances. I was kind of blown away by my conversation with Mark. He is extremely knowledgeable and insightful about his craft, and my interview itself turned out to be a mini-lesson in film for me. Please have a listen to this outstanding practitioner and teacher.

79. Donnie Boivin on going from f*cked to focused

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 16:00:00 -0400

My guest for this episode is Donnie Boivin. After serving in the Marine Corps, he he eventually landed his first sales job and has spent over 20 years learning what it takes to be successful in sales, business, and life. He is the Founder and CEO of the Success Champions family of companies, which among other things includes consulting, a podcast, and a magazine. Donnie was an excellent guest, straight-talking, genuine, and funny. What he says in his own profile came to life in my conversation with him: “Get ready to have your fire lit and start chasing your own dreams.”

78. making and teaching film with Jesse Filipko

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 16:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is Jesse Filipko. He’s been teaching young people filmmaking for 15 years, and has produced podcasts for over a decade with shows about film, high school, and virtual reality. He is also one of the brothers on the excellent podcast The Brothers Dim, where there’s modesty and self-deprecation in the title, because the episodes are casual but intelligent discussions about film and many other things. He was a great guest on Editing Writing. Please listen.

77. Shanti Hershenson: Teen Sci-fi Novelist

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 21:00:00 -0400

Shanti Hershenson’s first two novellas were published when she was in the sixth grade, although she had been writing even before then. Shanti writes in a variety of genres, mostly Science Fiction but Fantasy and Historical Fiction as well. She has now published 12 novels and she’s only 14 years old. She was fascinating to talk to: she was enthusiastic, she knew what she was talking about, and she was confident and smart in a very sort of casual way. Please have a listen to our conversation.

#75 – illustration and design with Wendy Fedan

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0400

My guest for this episode is Wendy Fedan. Wendy is an award-winning full-time freelance illustrator/designer, and last year she launched Create a Way Design & Publishing. She calls herself a “book shepherd,” leading and helping other authors through the self-publishing process. In addition to the books she’s designed (mostly picture books which she’s also illustrated), Wendy also has her own novel series called Somewhere In-Between, exploring her personal interest in the paranormal. She graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art where she now teaches continuing education courses for teens and adults.

#73 – Erin Ollila: copywriting, SEO, and conversion

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 20:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is Erin Ollila. She calls herself a “Conversion copywriter. Copywriting coach. Word slinger. Wing woman.” She has over 15 years of publishing experience and (backed by an an MFA in Creative Writing), she creates and implements smart SEO website copy and strategic content campaigns. She also hosts her own podcast called Talk Copy to Me. Please listen.

#74 – Jennifer Westbrook: copywriting and strategic web design

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 20:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode is Jennifer Westbrook. She describes her passion as “helping women entrepreneurs earn a full-time income doing the work they love.” Jennifer is a former practicing lawyer, advising clients in the area of antitrust and trade practices. She now owns JenWestWriting, created based on her love for business strategy, web design, and copywriting. Please listen.

#71 – book coaching, 2

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0400

As a professional writer since the age of 20, ROmana supports people who want to get started with their own writing. She offers different programs on how to get started with your first book—how to persist and publish it. Her online workshops strive to give writers a happier mindset. She has written 8 books and has 3 more on the way. She helps a writer get past the overwhelming feeling of just getting started. Please listen.

#72 – book coaching, 3

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Dr. Heather Davis is a storyteller, certified book coach, copy editor, and an author platform expert. She has a B.S. in biology from Salisbury University, a PhD in molecular and cellular biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and has spent over ten years as a teacher. She also has a creative writing certificate from Stanford University, and loves helping passionate writers make the life-changing leap from dreamer to published author. Heather also writes about the writing process (here, here). Please listen.

#70 – book coaching, 1

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Marjorie Turner Hollman has completed four Easy Walking guide books, and the backstory is essentially her memoir of learning to find joy in the face of difficult life circumstances. Partially paralyzed, she gets outdoors using hiking poles for support. She is now a writer and editor and book coach. Please listen.

#69: running and teaching creative writing

Tue, 12 Jul 2022 12:00:00 -0400

Nita Sweeney is the award-winning wellness author of the running and mental health memoir, Depression Hates a Moving Target: How Running with My Dog Brought Me Back from the Brink. She has written other books since, but is also a certified meditation leader, mental health advocate, and ultramarathoner. Nita founded Mind, Mood, and Movement to support well-being through meditation, exercise, and writing practice, and another group called The Writer’s Mind, to share writing practices in order to produce publishable work. She lives in central Ohio with her husband, Ed, and their yellow Labrador retriever, Scarlet. She was a really informed guest, and exuded a feeling of calm and content. Please have a listen to our conversation.

#68: censorship and woke cancellation, case 2

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 15:00:00 -0400

Wayne discusses the case of standup comedian Andrew Schulz. He bought his standup special back from Amazon for $1 million (his life's savings) after they requested that he delete some "wild" jokes about abortion. The special is now being shown as a pay-per-view event on July 17. Wayne is offering to pay the price of the show to the first 10 listeners who contact him. Email wayne@waynejones.ca. Text 613-884-8953.

#67: censorship and woke cancellation, case 1

Sat, 09 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Pete Zaborszky is a serial entrepreneur who previously founded a privacy advocate organization, and now is the CEO and founder of Retalk.com. He was born in Soviet Hungary, and grew up in both the UK and Hungary. Pete strongly believes in individual liberty and freedom of speech. This led him to create Retalk, a new social network for people frustrated with censorship. Retalk is built to encourage civil discussion. It is run by people who welcome conservative/right-wing and center-right views. I had an excellent conversation with Pete, who is smart and thoughtful at the same time as he is modest. Please listen.

#66: what is “comprehensive editing”?

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Hannah Lyon is a professional editor who has assisted dozens of authors in both fiction and nonfiction, working with them to achieve successful publication. Some of the books she has edited or ghostwritten have made it to #1 bestseller lists both nationally and internationally. Hannah practices what she calls “comprehensive editing,” and I was curious to find out from her what exactly she meant by that. She has also been a guest expert on writing and editing at virtual and in-person conferences and writers’ retreats. She lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Please have a listen to our conversation.

#65: helping writers with procrastination

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 12:00:00 -0400

Deb Courtney hosts the popular Write Drunk, Edit Sober Improv Writing sessions online and in-person in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The sessions focus on microskills in fiction writing to improve how writers make progress on what they’re writing. She frequently speaks on Project Management for Writers, The Procrastination Myth, and the psychological and chemical underpinnings of procrastination. Deb herself has also published many short stories and her book on Write Drunk, Edit Sober is forthcoming. She was a pleasure to talk to, and I learned a thing or two. Please listen.

#64: literary fiction and genre fiction

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Based partly on his interviews of many writers over the past month or so on the podcast, Wayne offers his opinions and thoughts about literary fiction and genre fiction. Their differences, what they have in common. He provides some definitions and examples, including an extended analysis of Vladimir Nabokov's novel, Pale Fire (1962).

#63: author interview – Dave Milbrandt, novels and screenwriting

Sat, 02 Jul 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Dave Milbrandt is the author of Fool's Luck and the Jim Mitchell series of novels (Chasing Deception, Undue Pressure, and Running). Dave was born in southern California and spent five years in journalism and public relations before becoming a teacher. In addition to working at several area colleges, he has taught high school English and social studies classes since 2005. Dave also has written a parenting book titled High School Declassified: An Insider's Guide to Helping Your Student Succeed.

#62: author interview – Molly O’Connor, novel (general fiction)

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:00:00 -0400

Molly O'Connor describes herself as truly a country gal. She lives in a large, century-old, farmhouse, teeming with four active grandchildren, their parents, three cats, a rabbit, and one dog, not to mention a busy bird feeder outside her office window. Her novels have underlying themes of lesser-known and lesser-understood emotional anxieties and the hidden abuse of women. But her writing is not meant to be a lecture. She says that she tries to take the reader on a journey as the characters grow as individuals, deal with mysteries, and travel to different locations in Canada and beyond.

#61: author interview – Kirsten Weiss, cozy steampunk mystery

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Kirsten Weiss writes mysteries for people who want to escape but with real, complex, and flawed but likable characters. If there’s magic in the story, she insists that it must work consistently within the world’s rules and be based in history or the reality of current magical practices. She’s best known for her cozy mystery and witch mystery novels, though she’s written some steampunk mystery as well. (Media kit here.)

#60: author interview – Nancy O’Brien, political satire

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0400

Nancy O’Brien was raised in small-town southern Ontario and ventured to Ottawa in her early twenties with dreams of making a difference in Canada’s capital. Throughout her career she has written about everything from local news to fishing to online dating. She also worked in municipal politics for over five years and volunteered in multiple elections. She is a proud millennial mother of three beautiful girls, who loves animals, working with the community and following her intuition.

#59: StoryBilder – helping new writers write their novels

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0400

Tanya Gough is the founder of StoryBilder, a creative writing platform for new and aspiring writers. It’s built to foster creativity no matter what or how you write. Tanya also writes middle-grade fantasy fiction and science-infused fantasy short stories for adults.

#58: design, creativity, and the three g’s

Sat, 25 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Robin Landa holds the title of Distinguished Professor in the Michael Graves College of Kean University in Union, New Jersey. She’s also “creativity guru” who champions her students, advocates for industry inclusion and equity, and provides scholarships for meritorious students or students in need. Robin’s expertise is in creative advertising, branding, graphic design, and social media. Her 26th book, called The New Art of Ideas: Unlock Your Creative Potential, will be published this fall. I thoroughly enjoyed talking to her. She is intelligent and engaging, but also modest and very down to earth. Not to mention her comprehensive knowledge of her field and her ability to write about it clearly.

#57: how audiobooks are voiced and produced

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Sheri Saginor is an audiobook narrator and producer based in Boston. She has over 20 years experience as a speaker, writer, and performer. Sheri specializes in nonfiction, including business, self-development, and memoir. She also loves narrating fiction, especially mysteries. For listeners to this episode of Editing Writing, Sheri is offering a complimentary, 30-minute consultation call. Just mention the podcast when you contact her.

#56: editing subversively

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Carol Saller describes herself succinctly as “helping writers and editors on behalf of the reader.” She has written six books for young children, including her latest, Eddie’s War. She’s best known in the editing world for her work for The Chicago Manual of Style, but after a long career in editing of one kind or another, she is now writing full-time, focusing on middle-grade contemporary and historical. I interviewed her about her great book, now in its second edition, called The Subversive Copy Editor, which in true writer style has not only a subtitle (“Advice from Chicago”) but an alternative subtitle (“or, How to Negotiate Good Relationships with Your Writers, Your Colleagues, and Yourself”). She was a true joy to talk to. Quick-witted and funny. Comprehensively knowledgeable about editing. And as down to earth and smart as you would want a person to be. Please listen.

#55: write about your past fast (life-writing, episode iv)

Sat, 18 Jun 2022 05:00:00 -0400

Lauren Hunter is a writer and consultant, with a career spanning more than two decades in public relations, content marketing, freelance writing, and publishing. Her latest book is Write Your Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide to Write Your Life Story Fast. She also maintains a twice-monthly newsletter, and if you sign up you’ll receive as a gift a PDF of the introduction and first chapter. Lauren walked me through the seven sections of her book during our conversation. Please listen.

#54: writing biography (life-writing, episode iii)

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 14:00:00 -0400

My guest today is Rachael Hanel. She’s a writer and also an associate professor of Mass Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Raechel also teaches narrative nonfiction and memoir at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. She has a master’s degree in history and a Ph.D. in creative writing. She has an interesting book coming out, which we discuss in our conversation. It’s called Not the Camilla We Knew: One Woman's Life from Small-town America to the Symbionese Liberation Army, and is due for release this fall. She was a really great guest: knew what she was talking about, enthusiastic, but also able to speak clearly to complicated or nuanced issues. We compared Minnesota and Canadian accents before we started recording, and then got right into it. Please listen.

#53: the how and why of memoirs (life-writing, episode ii)

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 04:00:00 -0400

My guest on this episode of Editing Writing is Donna Mazzitelli. She is a writing coach who helps writers particularly with memoirs. Donna says herself that “everyone has stories to tell, and how we grow through our life experiences is what others want to read. The more we share our stories from our hearts, the more our readers will connect with us and be transformed.” She is the founder of Merry Dissonance Press, and also continues with her own writing. She’s published three children’s books, and earlier this year her first memoir, called Mosaic Heart: Pieces of an Unfinished Life. She’s now at work on her second one, called Madonna Blue Heart. Donna was insightful and empathetic, and a pleasure to talk to. Please listen.

#52: coaching a memoir writer (life-writing, episode i)

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 20:00:00 -0400

Barbara Boyd says on her website that a book coach is a combination of “an editor, a project manager, a mentor, and an honest BFF … [providing] editorial feedback, emotional support, and project management and accountability.” In my conversation with her, she was extraordinarily sensitive, intelligent, and articulate. I concentrated on her work with people who are writing memoirs. It was really a fascinating interview of a person whose centredness and empathy I could sense on Zoom all the way from her olive farm in Italy to my condo in Canada. Please listen.

#51: writing, rewriting, but not being published

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Jody Sperling is a fiction writer, and one of the few who at one time has had a literary agent to represent his book to publishers. But after failing to attract a willing publisher, in his words, his “dream wilted.” He ultimately went on to found the podcast The Reluctant Book Marketer, appealing to people such as himself who have tried and tried to get published by a traditional publisher, but never succeeded. He now tries to help writers with their marketing mindset. We had a great conversation—Jody is thoughtful and articulate and open—that ranged well beyond the vagaries and frustrations of publishing. Please listen.

#50: does your self-published book have the parts in the right order?

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 18:00:00 -0400

Wayne provides details about how the various parts of a self-published book should generally be organized, drawing on information in three style manuals. You can find a PDF with all the details here.

#49: a funny thing happened on the way to the podcast

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 15:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing consists of an interview I did with Meryl Klemow. She’s a standup comedian, performing mostly around California, but much more. Meryl co-hosts and co-produces Campfire Sht Show (with the “i” discreetly omitted from the s-word), a weekly comedy podcast with her podcast partner Beau Hufford. She’s also founded Pre-Canceled apparel, so that both she and you can cancel yourself before our woke and cancel culture does. I ordered a T-shirt right after the interview. She was an absolute hoot to talk to.

#48: sex, dystopia, and satire

Tue, 31 May 2022 04:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing consists of an interview I did with Lindsay Lees. Lindsay is originally from Los Angeles, but grew up in both the US and the UK. She has a BA from Manchester Metropolitan University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the California College of the Arts. Her debut novel is called The Willing, and is available in paperback and kindle formats on Amazon. We had a really interesting chat about literary technique and dystopia.

#47: writing movies and writing fiction

Sat, 28 May 2022 06:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing consists of an interview I did with Ali Khamseh. He describes himself on a website as "a bearded nerd from Iran in his mid 20’s, with a particular interest in the motion pictures as a hobby, career and general life. Has a very high opinion of Jeremy Irons, adores Westerns and Musicals and loves movies from the 1960s." I can add to that that he has an extremely detailed knowledge of film from around the world, and was also very articulate and thoughtful about both art forms.

See his YouTube channel here.

#46: writing concisely and clearly

Fri, 27 May 2022 02:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing consists of an interview I did with Erin Lebacqz. Erin has been teaching writing for over 25 years. Her clients include businesses and non-profit organizations. Erin’s book High-Value Writing: Real Strategies for Real-World Writing was published just earlier this year. I wanted to focus our conversation on clear and concise writing, and Erin came through with practical examples as well as smart explanatory answers to my questions. (You can also check out Erin's YouTube channel.)

#45: book coaching

Mon, 23 May 2022 14:00:00 -0400

This episode consists of an interview I did with Katie Wall. She is an editor and certified book coach who works with authors to improve the books they are writing. She and her husband Andrew co-founded Craft Better Books. They offer a variety of packages and services to potential clients. She is articulate and enthusiastic and was a lot of fun to talk to.

#44: writing fiction about grief (part 2)

Wed, 18 May 2022 12:00:00 -0400

Wayne continues with the example of an excerpt from his own published novel, Will's Dead Wife, to illustrate some aspects of literary fiction. Part 1 here.

#43: writing fiction about grief (part 1)

Sun, 15 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Wayne uses the example of his own published novel, Will's Dead Wife, to illustrate some aspects of literary fiction.

#42: why you can write even though you think you can’t

Fri, 13 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

This episode consists of an interview I did of Mike Ulmer, who’s a writer based in Hamilton, Ontario. He often writes for a business readership, but I was curious about asking him about the psychology of writing, about how and why someone thinks they might not be able to write any kind of book, or any kind of anything, at all. Mike’s latest book is Show and Tell Writing, and he was a lot of fun to talk to.

#41: the musky stench of Twitter

Wed, 11 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about his messy relationship with Twitter, including about a half dozen break-ups, and one just last week.

#40: book indexing

Sat, 07 May 2022 15:00:00 -0400

This episode consists of an interview I did of Mike Oppenheim, whose day job is compiling back-of-the-book indexes. I was interested in some of the nitty-gritty of practical indexing, and Mike came through with the details. He does a lot more than indexing though: he writes, podcasts, and makes music. He has a podcast about death with the great title of Coffin Talk, which I am looking forward to bingeing on a bit.

He’s published three novels and has a slew of other accomplishments. And yet with all of that he was super easy to talk to, explained things well, and had a great sense of humour.

If you’re looking for more info about him, check out his website at mikeyopp.com.

Have a listen to our conversation and find out a bit about those pages at the end of a book that can be so helpful to you …

#39: don't edit that

Sun, 01 May 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Wayne discusses the importance of an editor not editing a writer's ideas, but rather the writer's expression of those ideas. He ends with a half-remembered joke that ironically ended up getting him a fun editing gig with a great client.

#38: the heartbreak of small-press publishing

Sat, 23 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing is an interview I did with my good friend Oscar Martens, who has published two collections of short literary collection with small presses. One is called The Girl with the Full Figure Is Your Daughter, and the most recent one is No Call Too Small. Both were very well reviewed—but there’s a but.

It’s that even though being published by a small press involves the same waiting for acceptance and publishing in literary journals that publishing with one of the big famous publishers does, often there is not the publicity machine to help sell copies. It can be discouraging for any author who has written high-quality work, but then doesn’t see a “return,” so to speak, on it.

#37: marketing your book good enough

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing is an interview I did with Emily Enger. She runs a marketing service for writers of all kinds—though perhaps mostly those who have self-published or have published with a small press—called Good Enough Book Marketing. She’s a book marketing coach, and as she puts it, she is “helping authors cut through the marketing noise to stay true to their first calling of writing great books.”

If you want to find out more about her, or sign up for her service, check out her website.

#36: writing funny: an interview with a standup comedian

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 19:00:00 -0400

The comedian who’s my guest today is actually someone I’ve known personally for the past 5 or 6 years. Matt Balaker. He and I co-wrote a biography of the great standup comedian named Greg Giraldo, which was published in 2019. Matt is a really great guy, generous, easy to talk to, and very funny. It was a real hoot working with him. I’ve never actually seen Matt perform standup—he lives in the US and I live in Canada—and when I visited him while we were writing the book, we were concentrating on the book. So I wanted to ask him about the writing process in standup comedy, and also about his relatively new venture as a podcaster himself.

#35: the importance of detail in writing

Sat, 16 Apr 2022 16:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about two aspects of detail in writing: le mot juste and the telling detail. All inspired by another podcaster oversharing a little …

#34: how do I start writing?

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 03:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing consists of an interview I did with Ashley Kalagian Blunt. Ashley is a writer with three books to her credit and is currently working on her fourth.

She also teaches writing as well as creativity generally, and co-hosts with her husband the podcast James and Ashley Stay at Home. She was really fun to talk to, and she has a lot of practical advice for writers.

#33: telling lies

Tue, 12 Apr 2022 08:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about the lies in our culture, but the truth among pornographers and standup comedians.

#32: writing and editing porn

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 21:00:00 -0400

This episode of Editing Writing consists of an interview and chat I had with Robert Rosen on April 10. He was in New York City and I was, as usual, in Ottawa, Canada. Robert is a writer and editor who has produced several books and whose work has appeared in many magazines and periodicals.

I was particularly interested though in his book about when he worked in the porn industry as an editor and writer in the 80s and 90s. It’s called Beaver Street, and when it came out in 2010 it was well reviewed in both popular magazines and academic journals.

It was a really fun (and funny) and informative talk—and stay tuned till the end, when he reveals how he came up with the title.

#31: the language of COVID

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 04:00:00 -0400

Wayne discusses some of the new words and uses of words that have come into English in the last couple of years since COVID began, and also how they illustrate some typical ways in which the language works.

#30: from the personal micro story to an historical novel

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:00:00 -0400

This episode consists of an interview I did via Zoom with Lauca (she is in Germany and I am in Canada). I had come across her website and I was interested in several aspects of her work, including the different genres she writes in, reactions to her decision to write from the point of view of a man, and her experience with self-publishing. You can check out some of her work on her website, lauca.eu.

#29: tone

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 22:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about the importance of tone, and consistency of tone, in writing. He defines the term, provides some examples to illustrate the meaning, and also some cases from his editing work where issues of tone need to be addressed.

#28: the five possible fates of any word in the English language

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about dictionaries and words, specifically the Oxford English Dictionary, and the five possible things that happen to any word that ever enters the English language.

#27: writing comedy and getting slapped in the face for it

Tue, 29 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Wayne makes some comments about Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during the Academy Awards ceremony, and extrapolates to talk about art in general and how it is separate from real life.

#26: “can we stop writing short stories, please?”

Sat, 26 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0400

In this episode, Wayne interviews young fantasy writer Sarah Humpherys, who had her first novel published when she was just 16 years old. You can check out her website here, and purchase her novel on amazon, where (as of March 26, 2022) she has an impressive 4.5 rating based on 70 reviews. Sarah lives in Utah.

#25: the uses and abuses of euphemism

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about the use of euphemism not only in our everyday personal lives, but also in society in general as well as in contexts such as war or where the stakes are high for an organization that cannot really come out and say in plain language the truth about what it is up to.

#24: the book was way better than the movie

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0400

Wayne discusses in general how it's inappropriate to make comparisons between versions of the same work done in two different art forms, and then talks about some of his favourites: American Psycho; Hamlet; Glengarry Glen Ross; A Clockwork Orange; and The Exorcist.

#23: the most common errors that an editor sees in your writing

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Wayne provides a list of 11 things that, as an editor, he commonly sees in the writing by his clients. How many do you know?

#22: three ways to improve your writing

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0400

Wayne talks about blocks, sentences, and transitions.

#21: I receive an email from NATO and the EU

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 03:00:00 -0400

Wayne receives an assignment from NATO and the EU to write a communiqué tomorrow about the war in Ukraine.

#20: writing and lying

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 07:00:00 -0500

Wayne talks about lying in in writing, in film, and in real life.

#19: some reference works a writer should have

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 18:00:00 -0500

As they say, it's like it says on the tin: Wayne discusses and gives some examples of some of the basic reference works (dictionaries and much more) that any writer should have handy.

#18: the different ways to write sex scenes

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 20:00:00 -0500

Wayne uses examples from fiction and from film to talk about the 4 (or 5) different ways in which sex scenes are done:

Clinical
Euphemistic
Vernacular
Literary
(Evasive)

17. Writing Poetry and Writing Non-fiction

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0500

Wayne interviews and chats with his friend Mel Simoneau, who's written and published both poetry and non-fiction, about the similarities and differences between the mindsets and methods in writing them both.

16. Writing War

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 08:17:00 -0500

Wayne analyzes the writing in the speech that Vladimir Putin gave on Russian television before the invasion of Ukraine. There are similarities in the rhetoric to speeches given in the past by Western leaders. Along the way, George Carlin and Jonathan Swift are invoked to bring some sense to everything.

15. The Importance of Consistency in Editing

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 08:18:00 -0500

Wayne discusses why and how editors keep all aspects of their clients' work consistent. One of the main tools in this effort is the "style sheet."

14. "Accurately Rendered"—An Opinion about Great Fiction

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 08:21:00 -0500

Wayne talks about his valuing the style and the how of fiction (and film), and along the way has some comments on non-fiction, editing, the Talking Heads, and figure skating.

13. Self-publishing Your Book

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 08:22:00 -0500

Wayne talks about the various things you need to do in order to self-publish your book, and also identifies a new player in the overall publishing business: the company specifically designed to provide full service for self-publishing authors.

12. Editing Controversial Subject Matter

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 08:23:00 -0500

Wayne discusses his own practices and those of others in handling "hard material." He goes on to talk about freedom of expression generally in the woke cancel culture that we are unfortunately living in now. (Note: he makes a reference to and also discusses briefly an episode of Bari Weiss's podcast Honestly.)

11. Mixed Metaphors: What's Wrong with This Picture?

Thu, 10 Feb 2022 08:24:00 -0500

Wayne discusses mixed metaphors and makes a case for why they should be categorically avoided in your writing. Along the way, he has some comments also about metaphors generally and about clichés.

10. The Singular They: An Interview with Linguist Dr. Kirby Conrod

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 08:25:00 -0500

Wayne interviews Dr. Kirby Conrod, who is a lecturer in linguistics at the University of Washington. Dr. Conrod’s commentary, especially on what is called “the singular they,” has appeared in many other publications, in print, on the web, and in podcasts.

9. How to Pick an Editor

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 08:26:00 -0500

Wayne goes through his list of the most important things you should keep in mind when you are choosing an editor.

8. The Semi-colon: Punctuation's Most Endangered Species

Tue, 01 Feb 2022 08:27:00 -0500

Wayne talks about the origin of the semi-colon and makes a case for why it may become extinct on its own, or perhaps should be eliminated anyway;

7. Editing and Not Editing a Writer's Style

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 08:28:00 -0500

Wayne talks about the care that an editor must take when working with the particular writing style of a client. All are different. Hear a little about the Beatles and J. D. Salinger, and Northrop Frye and Neil Young. Something for everyone …

6. An Editor's Eye for Minute Details and for the Whole Structure

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 08:29:00 -0500

Wayne discusses the two opposite poles of editing: attention to minutiae and attention to overall structure.

5. Things in Fiction Reviews That Are Irrelevant

Fri, 21 Jan 2022 08:31:00 -0500

Wayne discusses reviews of fiction in the broad sense, focusing on things that reviewers ask that are irrelevant—and suggesting things they could ask about that would be more revelatory about the author and their book.

4. Good Writing Means Leaving Things Out

Mon, 17 Jan 2022 08:33:00 -0500

Wayne discusses the importance of a type of spareness in writing fiction, and cites a short story by Raymond Carver, novels by Vladimir Nabokov, a song by Leonard Cohen, and two movies (Unforgiveable and Glengarry Glen Ross)—to illustrate his points.

3. Changes in the Publishing Business

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 08:34:00 -0500

Wayne discusses some changes that have happened in traditional publishing in the last decade or more, and speculates on how these changes may expand and other changes may come.

2. Four Examples of Good and Bad Writing

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 08:35:00 -0500

Wayne discusses the four types of editing and the "deliverables" that an editor owes to their client.

1. How an Editor Makes Your Writing Better

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 08:36:00 -0500

Wayne discusses the four types of editing and the "deliverables" that an editor owes to their client.