The Creative Nonfiction Podcast with Brendan O'Meara

Paul Lisicky, author of Later: My Life at the Edge of the World (Graywolf Press, 2020), talks about his latest book. Big thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing and to HippoCamp 2020 for the support.  Head over to brendanomeara.com for show notes and to sign up for the monthly newsletter.

Alexander Norman, author of The Dalai Lama: An Extraordinary Life (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2020), joins me to talk about his new book and how he has struggled to find his voice as a writer. Thanks to Bay Path University, HippoCamp2020, and my monthly newsletter for the support.

The author Adrienne Brodeur is here to talk about her memoir Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover, and Me (HMH, 2019) Thanks to our sponsors in Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing. Thanks also to HippoCamp 2020. Use the promo code CNFPOD2020 to receive $40 off your registration! And, of course, my monthly newsletter.

Damon Brown is the author of Bring Your Worth and he joins me to talk about that, creativity, and a whole lot more.  Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing for the support. Be sure to sign up for the my monthly newsletter. 

Katherine Keith, author of Epic Solitude, talks about resilience in the face of unspeakable tragedy. Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing made this show possible. As did my monthly newsletter.

The writer Ander Monson, whose True Story essay "My Monument" came out in December, is here to talk about the essay and his approach to writing essays. Podcast made possible by Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing.

Brin-Jonathan Butler has a new podcast called Tourist Information. Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing for the support.

Tim O'Brien, author of Dad's Maybe Book, talks all things writing, reading and turning a maybe something into an actual something. Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing made this show possible. As did my monthly newsletter. Go get it.

Hey, CNFers! It's Kristina Gaddy, author of Flowers in the Gutter. This episode is sponsored by Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing. It's also sponsored by my monthly newsletters. Reading recommendations, riffs, and what you might have missed from the world of the podcast. First of the month. No spam. Can't beat it.

Um, what? No interview this week?

Sonia Hamer talks about her story Pig: An Essay. This show is sponsored by Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction. It's also sponsored by my monthly newsletter. Once a month. No spam. Can't beat it. 

Jake Gronsky, author of A Short Season and a Best American Sports Writing 2019 Notable Selection joins me to talk about writing and always having that apprentice mindset. This episode is sponsored by Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing.  It's also sponsored by my monthly newsletter. Sign up at brendanomeara.com.

Amy Fish, author of I Wanted Fries With That, joins me to talk about her writing and coming to the genre later in life. Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing for the support.  This podcast is also brought to you by my monthly newsletter. Head to brendanomeara.com to sign up. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, man.

Lindsay McCrae jumps on the podcast to talk about his book My Penguin Year: Life Among the Emperors. Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing helped make this show possible.

John O'Connor talks about his "True Story" piece "Everything Gets Worse" and how every story needs a donkey. Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing for the support. Keep the conversation going on Twitter and Instagram @CNFPod and find show notes at brendanomeara.com

"Time is doing so much work," says Elisa Gabbert, the essayist and poet. This episode's patron is Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction writing.  Follow the show on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook @CNFPod.

Steven Moore is here to talk about his memoir The Longer We Were There: A Memoir of a Part-Time Soldier (University of George Press, 2019). Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support. Link up to the show on Twitter and Instagram @cnfpod.

"I'm still trying to figure out why the greats are great," says Kevin Robbins, @kdrobbins on Twitter. Kevin Robbins returns to the show to talk about The Last Stand of Payne Stewart.  Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support.

Thanks to Austin Kleon sharing a Stephen Harrigan quote to inspire this pod.

"Writing is not a competitive sport," says Cassandra King Conroy, author of Tell Me a Story, her memoir of her time with Pat Conroy. This show is made possible by Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing. Follow the show on Twitter @CNFPod.  I hope you dig it.  Party on, CNFers!

My favorite book on writing might be a bit unexpected and certainly not 100% in the genre of nonfiction.

"I worked to write this as the longest screenplay possible," says Bob Batchelor, author of The Bourbon King. Thanks to Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction and to Riverteeth for the support. Follow the show at @CNFPod.

A riff on success with the freelance writing AC Shilton.

Sonja Livingston returns to talk about The Virgin of Prince Street: Expeditions into Devotion (University of Nebraska Press, 2019). Thanks to Bay Path's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support and to Riverteeth for the promotional support. Keep the conversation going on Twitter and Instagram @cnfpod. 

A CNF Snack (tapas?) on the nature of fun featuring Christopher McDougall.

"All writing is re-writing, all reporting is re-reporting," says Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, Natural Born Heroes, and Running with Sherman. Thanks to Bay Path University and Riverteeth for the support. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod!

Some wisdom from Henry Rollins.

"Somebody else's success doesn't limit your own," says AC Shilton, a freelance journalist and farmer. Thanks to Bay Path University for the support and Riverteeth for the promotional support.  Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod. 

A CNFin' snack. Creating without Judgement with Chase Jarvis, author of Creative Calling.

"Essays took on this energy for me in part because they're unofficial and in part because they brought me in contact with the world that felt really generative," says Leslie Jamison. Make It Scream, Make It Burn by Leslie Jamison is the occasion. It is published by Little, Brown. Leslie is the bestselling author of The Empathy Exams and The Recovering. We dig into a lot of great stuff about her process and how she came to nonfiction from a background in fiction. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and Instagram @cnfpod and Facebook @cnfpodcast.  Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction, Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction and River Teeth for the support. I hope you enjoy what we made for you.

Chase Jarvis is here to talk about his incredible book Creative Calling.  Chase is a world-class photographer, CEO and founder of Creative Live, and a riser of tides.  I hope you enjoy this conversation. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and Instagram @cnfpod. If you dig the show, share it with a friend. Thanks to our sponsors in Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction. Also a shoutout to River Teeth.

"My writing life is being surrounded by 15 half-empty coffee cups which I keep dipping my paint brush into accidentally," says Rachel Dougherty. Rachel Dougherty is a Philadelphia-based illustrator, children's author, and lifelong knowledge-hunter.  She works in acrylic paint, ink, and pencil smudges, using humor and color to inspire curious young minds. Rachel is passionate about US history, scruffy little dogs, and board games. This episode is brought to you by Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction, Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction, River Teeth and my kick-ass editing services.  Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and Instagram @cnfpod. Also Facebook.

"You tend to agree more with the people who don't like what you do more than the people who do like what you do," says Steven Hyden, rock critic for Uproxx and the host and producer of Break Stuff. We talk about him always wanting to be a rock critic, how he still has passion for music, and his incredible podcast on Woodstock '99 titled Break Stuff. Support for this podcast comes from Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction, Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction and River Teeth, a journal of nonfiction.  Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod, Instagram @cnfpod, and Facebook @CNFPodcast. There's a sandbox for everybody!

Kate Hopper, author of the essay "Stumbling into Joy," stopped by the show to talk about this essay and how she approaches the work. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and Instagram @cnfpod. I hope you find what I made for you is worth sharing. Thanks to Goucher's MFA in Nonfiction, Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction, and River Teeth for the support. Head over to brendanomeara.com for show notes and to sign up for the newsletter!

Steven Kurutz, features writer for The New York Times and author of Like a Rolling Stone, stopped by CNFPod HQ to talk about libraries, getting to New York, and his incredible True Story essay "Fruitland." Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to you podcasts and keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and on Instagram @cnfpod. Thanks to Goucher's MFA in Nonfiction, Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction and River Teeth for the support.

"I like to joke that this is my investment in literary citizenship," says Donna Talarico (@donnatalarico). Hey, CNFers, Donna Talarico makes her return to the show after two years to promote this year's Hippocamp, a creative nonfiction conference.  This is a shorter-than-normal interview, but it's got the goods nevertheless. Subscribe to the show if you haven't already and consider leaving a kind review on Apple Podcasts. Share with a friend. That's how this spreads.  Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and Instagram @cnfpod.  Thanks also to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction, Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction, and Riverteeth for supporting this show.

"A great story for me is one that engages me emotionally. It's like a love affair," says Fred Waitzkin, author of several books, including his latest Deep Water Blues.  Fred Waitzkin comes by the show to talk about his love of writing, how he developed his knack for story, how his parents influenced him, and how breaking into other disciplines cracked the code of his latest book. Support for this episode comes from Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction. Keep the conversation going on Twitter by tagging the show @CNFPod, on Instagram @cnfpod and Facebook. Party on, CNFers!

"Let me be your sounding board for how the piece should come together," says Seyward Darby. Seyward Darby is the executive editor of The Atavist Magazine. She's also a writer and a brilliant mind.  Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonficiton and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for supporting the show. Twitter: @CNFPod. Instagram: @cnfpod Subscribe and share widely, CNFers!

"This is not something that comes over night. It's a long, arduous road," says Mark Kram Jr. Mark Kram Jr. is on the show to talk about his incredible career and his latest book Smokin' Joe.  We talk about how he was a late bloomer and through hard work, long work, he grew into his own skin as a writer. This show is brought to you by Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction.  Keep the CNFin' conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod.

"I spend the most time on making my writing more clear and straightforward," says Chuck Klosterman (@CKlosterman).  Hey, CNFers, Chuck Klosterman, author of eleven books, including his latest Raised in Captivity: Fictional Nonfiction, joined me for a nice conversation about how books can be anything you want them to be and how he structures his day so he can get the work done. Keep the conversation going on Twitter by pinging the show @CNFPod and @BrendanOMeara. Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support.

"Talent is not enough. You have to have luck. You have to have drive," says Allie Rowbottom (@allierowbottom) Allie Rowbottom, author of Jell-O Girls: A Family History is on the show to talk shop. She grew with an artist mother who empowered her to pursue her own art.  Keep the conversation alive on Twitter @CNFPod or Instagram @cnfpod. Subscribe to the show and consider leaving a kind review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support. 

"There's always gonna be people who are better than you and there's also people who're gonna be worse than you. That really can't be the reason you write or don't write," says Naomi Gordon-Loebl. Naomi Gordon-Loebl, a journalist and essayist comes on the show to talk about her work. Find her on Twitter @naomigordonloebl and visit her website at naomigordonloebl.com. Keep the conversation going on Twitter by tagging the show @CNFPod and on Instagram @cnfpod. Thanks to our sponsors Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction.

"I want to hear more of you in this. I want this weirder. Let loose," says Eric Ducker (@ericducker). Eric Ducker, freelance writer for The Ringer, among others, came on the show to talk about music, his time at Fader, and his Ringer piece on Jenny Odell (check out Ep. 151 for her). Thanks to Goucher's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod and on Instagram @cnfpod. 

"I think that's why people stop writing. It's the not knowing what you're doing that feels so terrible." —Sonya Huber (@sonyahuber). Sonya Huber, author of five books and countless essays, joins me on the pod. Shoutout to our patrons in Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod or on Instagram @cnfpod. 

"You can persevere and you can grind, but you have to get lucky at times," says T.D. Thornton, @thorntontd. T.D. Thornton, author of Not By a Long Shot and My Adventures with Your Money came by the show. Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for sponsoring the show. Twitter: @CNFPod. Instagram: @cnfpod Subscribe where you get your pods!

"You gotta fall in love with your subject, and sometimes people have to pull you out," says Julian Smith (@juliansmith on Twitter). Julian is the co-author of Aloha Rodeo: Three Hawaiian Cowboys, the World's Greatest Rodeo, and a Hidden History of the American West. It is published by William Morrow. Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @CNFPod. 

"It's like wet jeans, that's the feeling of generating a bunch of crappy writing," says Amanda Petrusich, a staff writer for The New Yorker.  Amanda can be found @amandapetrusich on Twitter. She's the author of Don't Sell at Any Price and she came by the show to talk about her career and early struggles. Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support.  You can join me on Twitter @BrendanOMeara and @CNFPod. Instagram is @cnfpod. Subscribe to the show and share with your fellow CNFers!

"For a writer, ignorance and curiosity are a magical combination," says Philip Gerard. Philp Gerard, author of The Last Battleground: The Civil War Comes to North Carolina and the novel Cape Fear Rising, returns to CNF to talk about his latest book. Philip is a professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and has written several books. Visit philipgerard.com for more information. Keep the conversation going on Twitter @BrendanOMeara and @CNFPod, and Instagram @cnfpod. Facebook @CNFPodcast. Thanks to Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support.  Be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you get your pods!

"Find something else that is so absorbing to you. That is a place you can go to get away from [social media]," says Jenny Odell.Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing, came by the show.Thanks to Goucher's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path's MFA in Creative Nonfiction for the support.Be sure keep the conversation going on Twitter @BrendanOMeara and @CNFPod. Head over to brendanomeara.com for show notes and to sign up for the newsletter.

"A good idea knows no experience level or age," says Ian Frisch, @IanFrisch on Twitter. Ian Frisch, author of Magic is Dead: My Journey into the World's Most Secretive Society of Magicians. We dig deep into the book, as well his approach to freelancing. Thanks to our show's patrons in Goucher College's MFA in Nonfiction and Bay Path University's MFA in Creative Nonfiction.