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Elissa Bassist is an award-deserving author, humor writer, teacher, and speaker. Her first book is HYSTERICAL, a semi-finalist for The Thurber House Prize for American Humor. Her latest, co-authored with Caitlin Kunkel, is INSIDE JOKES: A Comedy and Creativity Guide for All Writers. In this episode, Elissa and Annmarie discuss hair-care products, female medical symptoms and how they’re often dismissed by male doctors, and whether or not writers can be taught to be funny.  Bookstore Shout-outs: Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we’re about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Hysterical, by Elissa Bassist Inside Jokes: A Comedy and Creativity Guide for All Writers, by Elissa Bassist and Caitlin Kunkel Like This, But Funnier, by Hallie Cantor Acne: A Memoir, by Laura Chinn Here’s a trailer for Florida Girls.  Follow Elissa Bassist: Instagram: @elissabassist Facebook: @elissa.bassist LinkedIn: @elissabassist Substack: @elissabassist elissabassist.com **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here. For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nathan Batchelor is the author of the collection The Judas Goat and Other Southern Horrors. In this episode, Nathan and Annmarie talk about unlikely midlife friendship, diving into books across genres, and how to keep both the reader and the writer surprised by the sometimes tedious work of drafting sentences. Bookstore Shout-outs: Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we’re about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com. Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Titles to Explore Based on This Episode: The Judas Goat and Other Southern Horrors, by Nathan Batchelor Edgar One, written by Nathan Batchelor and performed by voice artist Kristin Holland The Heart Response, by Nathan Batchelor Hellraiser: Resurrections Vol. 0, by Clive Barker Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng White Noise, by Don DeLillo The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri Here’s a scene from the 1987 film Moonstruck, one of the only movies that Nathan and Annmarie both enjoy. Follow Nathan Batchelor: Twitter/X: @NateBatchelor **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here. For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa Hua is the award-winning, best-selling author of Forbidden City,  A River of Stars, and Deceit and Other Possibilities. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Newsweek, among other publications. In this episode, Annmarie and Vanessa talk about her latest book, Coyoteland, which asks “vital questions about race, class, and what it takes to truly belong.”  Bookstore Shout-outs: Booksmith – An independent bookstore and mainstay of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district since 1976. Booksmith offers signed copies by local authors and ships worldwide. Shop online at booksmith.com. Orinda Books – An independently-owned bookstore just 30 minutes east of San Francisco. We are open six days a week with free parking, and the Orinda BART station is a pleasant half-mile walk away. We provide a    diverse range of books and our children's department is extensive and inviting. Besides books, we also carry puzzles, toys, cards, and calendars, as well as locally-made chocolate, olive oil, ceramics, and artwork. We love to read and recommend our favorites — so don't hesitate to ask! Stop by or shop online at orindabooks.com. Books by Vanessa Hua: Forbidden City Coyoteland Deceit and Other Possibilities A River of Stars Other Titles Discussed in This Episode: How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder, by Nina McConigley Where the Girls Were, by Kate Schatz Bad Asians, by Lillian Li When We're Born We Forget Everything, by Alicia Jo Rabins Here’s a Link to the Recipe for Summer Cake on SmittenKitchen.com Follow Vanessa Hua: vanessahua.com **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here. For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here. Photo Credit: Marc Puich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Milan Carter-Gilkey is a writer, a lover of books, and a bookseller. She writes personal essays, articles, creative nonfiction and occasionally, fiction. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, mater mea, Mutha Magazine, the anthology All the Women in My Family Sing, and elsewhere. In this episode, Meilan and Annmarie talk about favorite books of the past, present, and future, and how to reach for a title to transport you to a world you didn’t know was possible. Episode Sponsors: Octavia’s Bookshelf – An independent bookstore in Pasadena, California where readers of all walks of life can enjoy our store full of books written by BIPOC writers. Octavia’s Bookshelf is a place to find your new BFF inside a book, a space to find community, enjoy a cup of coffee, read, relax, find unique and specially curated products from artisans from around the world and in our neighborhood. Stop by or shop online at octaviasbookshelf.com. Porter Square Books: Boston Edition – A welcoming space to gather with neighbors, linger over books, read with kids, chat with booksellers, and feel part of the community. Whether it’s an author series, book club, or regular story hour, we’ll work to make it happen. Shopping with us also supports GrubStreet, one of the nation's leading creative writing centers. Learn more or shop online at portersquarebooks.com. Titles Recommended in This Episode: Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, by Judy Blume A Handful of Earth, a Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler, by Lynell George Beloved, by Toni Morrison Sula, by Toni Morrison Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison Kin, by Tayari Jones Silver Sparrow, by Tayari Jones An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones The Untelling, by Tayari Jones Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead, by Angela Nissel Oreo, by Fran Ross The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, by Deesha Philyaw Long Division, by Kiese Laymon Heavy, by Kiese Laymon Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy There’s Always This Year, by Hanif Abdurraqib The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros Wild Seed, by Octavia E. Butler Dawn, by Octavia E. Butler Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy Running in the Family, Michael Ondaatje Things in Nature Merely Grow, by Yiyun Li Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution, by R. F. Kuang The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, by Dawnie Walton Good Talk, by Mira Jacob Follow Meilan Carter-Gilkey: Instagram: @meilancg Substack: @meilancartergilkey **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie Carrick Dalton’s most recent novel, THE FOREST BECOMES HER, has been described as “a lush, lyrical exploration of sisterhood, rage, and the sacred ties between women and the wild.” In this episode, Julie and Annmarie talk about Transcendentalism, favorite trees, the blessings of mugwort, and how to open our eyes more fully to the beauty of the natural world. Episode Sponsors: Porter Square Books: Boston Edition – A welcoming space to gather with neighbors, linger over books, read with kids, chat with booksellers, and feel part of the community. Whether it’s an author series, book club, or regular story hour, we’ll work to make it happen. Shopping with us also supports GrubStreet, one of the nation's leading creative writing centers. Learn more or shop online at portersquarebooks.com. Belmont Books – An honest to goodness real mom-and-pop brick-and-mortar bookstore in beautiful Belmont, MA. Why would we open a bookstore in the age of Kindles, Kobos, iPads and eBooks? Because: Every town needs one; People still love to browse real books on real shelves; Traditional bookstores provide more help, expertise and personal service than online ones; Small town stores are centers where people come together in the most impromptu fashion and exchange ideas and stories, make new friends, and find support. Plus, real bookstores often come with coffee shops. Stop by or shop online at belmontbooks.com Titles by Julie Carrick Dalton Waiting for the Night Song The Last Beekeeper The Forest Becomes Her Titles and Author Discussed in This Episode: Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward The Gatepost, by Tim Weed Westerly, by Susan Donovan Bernhard Follow Julie Carrick Dalton: Twitter/X: @JulieCarDalt Instagram: @juliecdalton Facebook: @JulieCarrickDalton Substack: Julie’s Plot Twist juliecarrickdalton.com Photo Credit: Sharona Jacobs **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in an August weekday accountability hour, you can sign up here. For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Searles is the best-selling author of the novels Her Last Affair, Help for the Haunted, Strange but True, Boy Still Missing, and his latest, Single Girls, which is out now. In today’s episode, John and Annmarie discuss the joys and risks of the writing life, and the legendary career of Helen Gurley Brown, the most famous and transformative editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine. Bookstore Spotlights: Three Lives & Company Booksellers – Three Lives is an anachronism.​ It’s the shop around the corner. A touchstone in a neighborhood. A place with a human face and a cast of characters. 84 Charing Cross Road colored by the time and place. A haven for people who read. We (the store and our customers) have grown up and evolved together. People come here to see and buy what we consider to be some of the best books available today. We thrive on discovering literary books that might otherwise be overlooked, and we are thrilled to give them to our customers. Stop by our West Village shop and learn more at threelives.com. BookHampton – Situated in the village of East Hampton on Long Island's storied East End, BookHampton provides a vibrant year-round environment for discovering books that intrigue, amuse, educate, and inspire. A dedicated and knowledgeable staff, lively events with fascinating authors, and a warm, welcoming space all combine to create a community for book lovers. Stop by or shop online at bookhampton.com. Books by John Searles: Her Last Affair Help for the Haunted Strange but True Boy Still Missing Single Girls Additional Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Foursome, by Christina Baker Kline Take Me with You, by Stephen Rowley The Amateur, by Chris Bohjalian Helpless, by Jessica Knoll Follow John Searles: Instagram: @johnsearles Facebook: @JohnSearlesAuthor john-searles.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in an August weekday accountability hour, you can sign up here. For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whitney Vale is the author of two chapbooks, Journey with the Ferry Man, and her latest, Sermon of Swallows, which is out now. Her poetry and prose have been published in Anti-Heroin Chic, Rogue Agent, Black Fork Review, and The Rumpus, among many others. In today’s episode, Whitney and Annmarie discuss the joy of a creative life, the pain of beginning again, and what it might look like if we committed ourselves to filling the world with just a little more beauty. Bookstore Spotlights: Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. Learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Carmichael's Bookstores – In Louisville, Kentucky. From the very beginning Carmichael’s has been committed to being a community gathering place, open seven days a week and every evening. Our stores are in neighborhoods that hum with activity—walkers, joggers, dogs and children, families and couples—lively streetscapes never darkened by the shadow of a big box store. Carmichael’s is actively committed to Keeping Louisville Weird and spreading the word about the importance of buying from locally-owned businesses. Stop by any of our locations or shop online at carmichaelsbookstore.com Authors and Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Journey with the Ferry Man Sermon of Swallows Kelli Russell Agodon Beth Ann Fennelly  Maggie Smith  Ada Limón Kathleen Driskell  Sarah Freligh Alison Hurwitz Kristi Maxwell Lung Hours, by Jessica Purdy Diane Seuss Aimee Nezhukumatathil Joy Harjo Follow Whitney Vale: Instagram: @whitneyvale Facebook: @whitneyvale whitneyvale.org **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in an August weekday accountability hour, you can sign up here.  For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Lippmann is the author of the novel Lech and the story collections Doll Palace and Jerks. Her fiction has won the Lilith Prize and been honored by the New York Foundation for the Arts, and her nonfiction has appeared in The Millions, The Washington Post, The Chicago Review of Books, Lit Hub and elsewhere. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Sara discuss the 80s, the 90s, the joy and pain of writing workshops, and what healing can look like when we must reach deep into the past to find our way forward again. Bookstore Spotlights: Narberth Bookshop – At Narberth Bookshop, we’re a community of readers, writers, and lifelong learners, and we look forward to welcoming you to our store. Stop by our Narberth, Pennsylvania store or learn more at narberthbookshop.com. Powerhouse Arena – A laboratory for creative thought in Brooklyn, New York. Home to world-renowned art book publisher POWERHOUSE BOOKS, the Arena is a gallery, boutique, book store, performance, and events space. The POWERHOUSE ARENA showcases a series of landmark exhibitions, performances, and controlled mayhem fusing the worlds of art, photography, design, fashion, pop culture, advertising, music, dance, film, and television into a glorious whirlwind of captivating spectacle. And they’re opening a new location this summer at the Upper West Side in the Shops at Columbus Circle. Learn more and shop online at powerhousearena.com.  Titles by Sara Lippmann:  Hidden River Lech Doll Palace Jerks Smashing the Tablets, co-edited with Seth Rogoff Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Delegation, by Avner Landes  Consolation, by Deborah Shapiro  The World Between, by Zeeva Bukai Everybody Needs Something, by Melanie Pappadis Faranello Follow Sara Lippmann: Instagram: @sara.lipp Twitter/X: @saralippmann Bluesky: @saralippmann.bsky.social Facebook: @saralippmann Threads: @sara.lipp Substack: @saralippmann saralippmann.com **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in an August weekday accountability hour, you can sign up here.  For anyone looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jill Christman is a 2020 NEA Prose Fellow and the author of If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays and two memoirs, Darkroom: A Family Exposure and Borrowed Babies: Apprenticing for Motherhood, and The Heart Folds Early: A Memoir. In today’s episode, Jill and Annmarie discuss healthcare, heartaches, and how to make it through when the thing we fear most comes true.  Bookstore Spotlights: Barrett Bookstore – The oldest and largest independent bookstore in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Woman-founded in 1939 and woman-owned today, Barrett booksellers develop relationships with authors (hosting many events like our yearly Ladies of Summer panel), partnerships with local schools and libraries, and friendships with our loyal patrons. Visit Barrett in Darien, CT or at barrettbookstore.com. Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. And learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Titles by Jill Christman:  If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays  Darkroom: A Family Exposure Borrowed Babies: Apprenticing for Motherhood The Heart Folds Early: A Memoir. Follow Jill Christman: Instagram: @jillchristmanwriter  Bluesky: @jillchristman.bsky.social Substack: @riverteethjill jillchristman.com **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Priya Parmar is the author of the novel, Vanessa and Her Sister, a New York Times Notable Book, and her latest novel, The Original, is out now. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Priya discuss their shared obsession with movie star, Katharine Hepburn, gender norms in old Hollywood, and how to know when a book is really finished.  Bookstore Spotlights: Barrett Bookstore – The oldest and largest independent bookstore in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Woman-founded in 1939 and woman-owned today, Barrett booksellers develop relationships with authors (hosting many events like our yearly Ladies of Summer panel), partnerships with local schools and libraries, and friendships with our loyal patrons. Visit Barrett in Darien, CT or at barrettbookstore.com. Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. And learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Titles by Priya Parmar: Exit the Actress Vanessa and Her Sister The Original Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Foursome, by Christina Baker Kline Desk Set The Philadelphia Story Adam’s Rib Sylvia Scarlett Follow Priya Parmar: Facebook: @priyaparmar Instagram: @priyaparmarwriting Substack: Plum Bean Notes @priyaparmarwriting priyaparmar.net **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelli Russell Agodon is a poet, writer, editor, and book designer whose Dialogues with Rising Tides, was named a Finalist for the Washington State Book Awards. In today’s episode, Kelli and Annmarie discuss texting Emily Dickinson, how to write a poem, and Kelli’s latest book Accidental Devotions which Traci Brimhall describes as “the kind of beauty you wish to hold forever.” Episode Sponsors: Open Books: Poem Emporium – A poetry bookstore and community space located in historic Pioneer Square, in Seattle, Washington. Stop by our Seattle location or shop at open-books-a-poem-emporium.myshopify.com. Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. And learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Titles by Kelli Russell Agodon: Accidental Devotions Dialogues with Rising Tides Hourglass Museum Everything Is Writable, co-authored with Annette Spaulding-Convy The Daily Poet: Day-By-Day Prompts, co-authored with Martha Silano Demystifying the Manuscript: Essays and Interviews on Creating a Book of Poems, co-edited with Susan Rich Additional Titles and Authors Mentioned in This Episode: The New Economy, by Gabrielle Calvocoressi Blue Atlas, by Susan Rich Dear Selection Committee, by Melissa Studdard Glitter Road, by January Gill O’Neil Terminal Surreal, by Martha Silano Follow Kelli Russell Agodon: Facebook: @agodon Instagram: @kelliagodon Bluesky: @kelliagodon Threads: @kelliagodon Twitter/X: @kelliagodon Substack: Postcards from a Poet @kelliagodon YouTube: @PoemsYouNeed agodon.com twosylviaspress.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in a May weekday accountability circle, you can sign up here. For anyone in search of an evening class to jumpstart their creative practice, you can sign up here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martha Conway is the author of several novels including The Underground River, which was a New York Times Book Editor’s Choice. Her novel Thieving Forest won the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction, and her novel The Physician’s Daughter has been called “historical fiction at its finest.” In today’s episode, Annmarie and Martha discuss multiverses, theater kids, and how her latest book We Meet Apart was both a puzzle Martha created and a puzzle she needed to solve.   Episode Sponsors: Green Apple Books – Connecting curious San Francisco readers to great books since 1967. Browsing at Green Apple is a unique experience. From our handmade signs and book recommendations to the many nooks and crannies, you can both get lost in here and find serendipity. Our friendly, well-read employees also stand ready to help you in any way. For your next great read, stop by or go to greenapplebooks.com. Orinda Books – An independently-owned bookstore just 30 minutes east of San Francisco. We are open six days a week with free parking, and the Orinda BART station is a pleasant half-mile walk away. We provide a diverse range of books and our children's department is extensive and inviting. Besides books, we also carry puzzles, toys, cards, and calendars, as well as locally-made chocolate, olive oil, ceramics, and artwork. We love to read and recommend our favorites — so don't hesitate to ask! Stop by or shop online at orindabooks.com. Titles by Martha Conway: Thieving Forest The Underground River 12 Bliss Street Sugarland The Physician’s Daughter We Meet Apart Titles Mentioned in This Episode: And The Ancestors Sing, by Radha Lin Chaddah Bug Hollow, by Michelle Huneven Skylark, by Paula McLain Recipe for Joy, by Monica Comas Follow Martha Conway: Instagram: @marthamconway Threads: @marthamconway Substack: @marthaconway marthaconway.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in a May weekday accountability circle, you can sign up here. For anyone in search of an evening class to jumpstart their creative practice, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Annie Hartnett is the award-winning author of three novels: Rabbit Cake, Unlikely Animals, and the national bestseller The Road to Tender Hearts, which won the 2025 New England Book Award for fiction and was named a best book of 2025 from NPR, LitHub, and Southern Living. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Annie discuss parenting worries, janky rental houses, and how to write a road trip book with or without a cat that can predict death. Episode Sponsors: Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. And learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Blue Willow Bookshop – A locally-owned, independently-minded West Houston bookstore. Blue Willow is run by a team of opinionated, well-read women. Our staff meetings are full of laughter, our back room is full of snacks, and we absolutely love putting the right book into a reader’s hands. We’ve got recommendations. We’ve got pizzazz. And we look forward to welcoming you to our happy place. Stop in or shop online at bluewillowbookshop.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode:  Rabbit Cake, by Annie Hartnett Unlikely Animals, by Annie Hartnett The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett Margot’s Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe Follow Annie Hartnett: Instagram: @annie_hartnett Threads: @annie_hartnett Substack: @anniehartnett anniehartnett.com accountabilityworkshops.com Photo credit: Traer Scott **Writing Workshops:  If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below.  For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here.  For anyone interested in a May weekday accountability circle, you can sign up here. For anyone in search of an evening class to jumpstart their creative practice, you can sign up here.And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tara Pringle Jefferson is the founder of The Self Care Suite, a digital wellness community for Black women. Her voice has been featured on New York magazine’s The Cut, Black Enterprise, and Essence. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Tara discuss Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing, and the importance of both self-care and community care as a sustaining force for Black women. Episode Sponsors: Tastes & Tomes – A Black woman-owned, mission-driven, pop-up/mobile bookshop in Columbus, Ohio. Founded during the pandemic by author, poet, advocate, and educator, Tracy Ramey (pen name Tracy D.F. Resonance), Tastes & Tomes centers historically underrepresented stories, banned and challenged books, and indie authors. Find Tastes & Tomes online at bookshop.org/shop/tastesandtomes. And if you’re in the Columbus area today, April 7, 2026, come on out to Zora’s House for the Inaugural National Black Bookstore Day. Come support your local Black bookstore. Let’s celebrate and recognize literacy, knowledge, and those who paved the way before us. Literary Cleveland – Developing writers, amplifying voices, and transforming our community through storytelling. Explore other voices and discover your own. Search for classes and find your creative community at litcleveland.org. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing, by Tara Pringle Jefferson Firstborn Girls, by Bernice L. McFadden Dominion, by Addie E. Citchens The Price of Exclusion: The Pursuit of Healthcare in a Segregated Nation, by Nicole Carr Follow Tara Pringle Jefferson: Facebook: @wherewomenbloom Instagram: @wherewomenbloom Threads: @wherewomenbloom Substack: The Well Rested Black Woman tarapringlejefferson.com theselfcaresuite.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Melody Chu is a writer and attorney. The daughter of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan, she graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School and has practiced as an attorney in Hong Kong, Beijing and the United States. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Melody discuss her debut novel Mathey Girls. They also talk about independent publishing and the power of female friendships across distance, time, and grief.  Episode Sponsors: Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com. Mac’s Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your new favorite book and shop online at macsbacks.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Mathey Girls, by Melody Chu Kundun (1997) Official Trailer The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Official Trailer Follow Melody Chu: Facebook: @MelodyChu Instagram: @MelodyChu_author Threads: @melodygchu melodychuauthor.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us! Photo Credit: Melissa Lipnick, Life Unscripted Photography Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices