The Write Atmosphere: A Podcast for Writers

An MFA in Creative Writing can open creative and professional doors for writers, from giving you a consistent like-minded community to connecting you with agents. It can also be a significant expense that requires considerable lifestyle changes. Rhonda Zimlich, the Director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at American University, explains the benefits of getting an MFA and what to consider before you apply.

Whether you're writing fiction, memoir, or even poetry, there's a balance to be struck between telling the truth and telling an interesting story. How do you preserve narrative interest and personal truths? Short fiction writer Rhea Thomas shares insights and examples to help you infuse your writing with creative authenticity.

You’ve written a book, you’ve gone through all this work to get it published, and you arrive at release day to realize: you had no idea how much work it takes to publicize your book. Nicki van Ingen Schenau, a published author and accomplished entrepreneur, is here to help. She advises us on how to put on the entrepreneur hat to sell your book, from overhauling your approach to maximizing your social media content.

Teri M. Brown's books are all highly decorated with award wins. How does she know which awards to submit her book to, and what pros and cons does she weigh when she makes these decisions? In this episode, Teri lays out all the important information and advice to get you set up for success as you dive into your own book award submissions.

Writing residencies are the publishing industry's version of a getaway vacation. They give you the chance to push yourself creatively and focus on your writing with none of the distractions of everyday life. Sounds like a writer's dream, right? Allyson S. Barkley, author of the Kirkus-starred Until the Stars Are Dead fantasy series, talks about the invaluable experiences she gained from attending writing residencies.

Whether your book is traditionally or self-published, whether you want to appear at in-person events or stick to virtual opportunities, whether you want to work with a PR firm or do everything yourself: you can craft a publicity campaign that will be perfect for both your book and your goals. Marika Flatt, owner of PR by the Book, gives us an overview of what to expect and how to create your book's ideal publicity campaign.

Whether you have an established audience or you're building one from scratch, producing consistent and exclusive content for potential readers is the key to utilizing email marketing to your advantage. If you're not sure where to start, Kali Stevens is here to help. As Atmosphere Press's marketing manager, Kali has tried-and-true ideas and guidance to get the creative juices flowing.

As writers, we all know how important it is to set ourselves apart from the crowd in order to get our books into the hands of readers. But how do we design a brand that readers will like and -- perhaps more importantly -- remember? British-born author, speaker, and blogger Gabi Coatsworth uses her experience designing her own author brand to make an overwhelming task approachable.

The world of book awards is vast and labyrinthine. And like a labyrinth, some paths will lead you to success -- while others should be treated with caution. Jendi Reiter, award-winning author and judge of the Winning Writers North Street Book Prize, discusses what they've learned about writing from their work as a judge, as well as what authors should look out for in an award worth submitting to.

You've written your manuscript, you've come out on the other side of its publication date, and now you need to sell your book. As saturated as the publishing industry is, you need a way to stand out quickly. Writer, editor, and reviewer Ekta R. Garg walks us through how to craft an elevator pitch that will get your book into the hands of readers with just 15 seconds of to-the-point language.

As with any art form, holding yourself accountable to your writing goals is half the battle when it comes to finishing your manuscript. But with everything from busy schedules to impostor syndrome, so many factors work against aspiring authors. Amy Kelly, writer and CEO of Lone Star Literary Life, talks through some of the common mental obstacles you might be facing and how to shift your mindset to overcome those obstacles.

The publishing industry is a minefield for debut and seasoned authors alike. To help us navigate it, writer and editor Trista Edwards talks us through some common misconceptions about hybrid publishing. Trista has experience on either side of both publishing and academia. She draws from this wealth of knowledge to explain what you should know before you pick the publishing model best for you.