Writers on Writing: A Weekly Podcast for Writers, Readers, & Book Lovers
Books & Literature
About
A weekly podcast hosted by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone on the art and business of writing.
Episodes
- Jayne Anne Phillips, author of SMALL TOWN GIRLS
Jayne Anne Phillips, author of "Small Town Girls," discusses her new memoir-in-essays, previous works like "MotherKind," "Quiet Dell," and "Night Watch," and her lifelong relationship with writing. The discussion covers personal and histor…
- T.C. Boyle, author of NO WAY HOME
T.C. Boyle, author of "No Way Home," joins the podcast episode to discuss his approach to writing, including how he decides on format, develops themes, and uses multiple points of view. He also shares insights into concerns that appear in…
- Louise Erdrich, author of PYTHON’S KISS
Louise Erdrich, a National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner, discusses her latest story collection, "Python's Kiss," on Writers on Writing. She covers various writing topics, including point of view, world-building, and endings.
- Dylan Landis, author of LIST OF ALL POSSIBLE DESIRES: A Novel in Stories
Dylan Landis, author of "List of All Possible Desires," discusses her writing process, including developing a novel with standalone stories, creating original similes, and character development. She also shares insights on dramatic arc, re…
- Anne Enright, author of ATTENTION: WRITING ON LIFE, ART, AND THE WORLD
Anne Enright, author of "Attention: Writing on Life, Art, and the World," joins Marrie Stone on the Writers on Writing podcast. She discusses her essays, reading, writing, and how being a woman influences these topics, referencing authors…
- Allegra Goodman, author of THIS IS NOT ABOUT US
Allegra Goodman, author of "This Is Not About Us," discusses literary fiction, writing in different genres, revision, and short stories. She also talks about her creative process and relationship with readers.
- Kate Schatz, author of WHERE THE GIRLS WERE
Kate Schatz, author of "Where the Girls Were" and the "Rad Women" series, joins Marrie Stone on Writers on Writing to discuss bringing history and culture into fiction, introducing characters, creating suspense, and the publishing process.…
- Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of LAKE EFFECT
Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of Lake Effect, joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss writing multiple point of view characters, why she based the book in the ‘70s, themes, structure, and naming characters. Her novels include The Nest a…
- Jordy Rosenberg, author of NIGHT NIGHT FAWN
Jordy Rosenberg, author of Night Night Fawn, joins the podcast to discuss his new novel. The conversation covers the book's engagement with themes of transgenderism, homophobia, Marxism, and Zionism, along with discussions of writing craft…
- Larissa Pham, author of DISCIPLINE
Larissa Pham, author of the novel Discipline, joins Writers on Writing to discuss various aspects of writing, including plot, narrative tense, and revision. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Nation and the New York Times Bo…
- Bret Anthony Johnston, author of ENCOUNTERS WITH UNEXPECTED ANIMALS
Bret Anthony Johnston, author of "Encounters with Unexpected Animals," joins Marrie Stone on the Writers on Writing podcast to discuss his latest collection. They cover various aspects of short fiction writing, including managing time, eff…
- Reena Shah, author of EVERY HAPPINESS
Reena Shah, author of Every Happiness, is interviewed by Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. They discuss the journey of writing her debut novel, from short story to publication, including the challenges and rewards of the creative process, and engag…
- Mark Haddon, author of LEAVING HOME: A MEMOIR IN FULL COLOUR
Mark Haddon, author of "Leaving Home: A Memoir in Full Colour" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," talks about his creative process, using constraints in writing, and how his childhood influenced his work. He also disc…
- Richard Lange, author of JOE HUSTLE
In this episode, author Richard Lange discusses his recent novel, Joe Hustle, and his approach to writing with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. They cover topics such as character naming, voice, structure, and overcoming challenges like rejec…
- Ann Packer, author of SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE
Author Ann Packer joins host Marrie Stone to discuss her novel Some Bright Nowhere, its rapid writing process, and the craft involved in her storytelling. They also touch on her previous work and her 2015 essay, Between Books.
- Andrea Bartz, author of THE LAST FERRY OUT
Journalist and author Andrea Bartz discusses her latest novel, The Last Ferry Out, and her writing process with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. The conversation covers her experience with the Anthropic class-action lawsuit, genre writing, an…
- Elizabeth McCracken, author of A LONG GAME: NOTES ON WRITING FICTION
Author Elizabeth McCracken discusses her craft book, A Long Game: Notes on Writing Fiction, and her career in writing and teaching with host Marrie Stone. The conversation covers her approach to writing, the nature of craft rules, and her…
- Marrie Stone’s BEST OF 2025
Marrie Stone presents a collection of highlights from past Writers on Writing episodes, featuring literary advice and insights from authors such as Adam Johnson, Wally Lamb, Chris Whitaker, Laila Lalami, Amy Bloom, and others.
- Nicholas Boggs, author of BALDWIN: A LOVE STORY
Nicholas Boggs, author of Baldwin: A Love Story, discusses his path to writing nonfiction, the process of researching and structuring his biography of James Baldwin, and how his musical background influences his craft.
- A. Muia, author of A DESERT BETWEEN TWO SEAS
Author A. Muia discusses her journey to publishing her award-winning novel, "A Desert Between Two Seas," without an agent. She covers topics including working with a university press, submitting to literary journals, and lessons learned fr…
- Tod Goldberg, author of ONLY WAY OUT
Author Tod Goldberg joins host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss his novel Only Way Out, covering topics such as writing multiple viewpoints, character development, setting, outlining, and his personal writing process.
- Megha Majumdar, author of A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF
Author Megha Majumdar joins host Marrie Stone to discuss her novel A Guardian and a Thief, covering topics such as narrative structure, character development, and maintaining pacing in a story set during a climate crisis.
- Eric Beetner, author of REAL BAD, REAL SOON: A Carter McCoy Novel
Author Eric Beetner discusses his Carter McCoy crime novel series, his writing process, and his approach to storytelling in this episode of Writers on Writing. Host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews Beetner about outlining, character deve…
- Adam Johnson, author of THE WAYFINDER
Author Adam Johnson discusses his novel, The Wayfinder, exploring his research process, the influence of oral storytelling traditions, and insights into his writing craft. He also shares perspectives on teaching and reads a passage from hi…
- Paul Trammell, author, podcaster, sailor
Author and podcaster Paul Trammell joins Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss his writing career and experience with self-publishing. They cover his background as a writer, his journey into self-publishing, and the importance of accountabili…
- Joan Silber, author of MERCY
Joan Silber, author of Mercy, joins host Marrie Stone to discuss her latest book, the craft of managing time and point of view in fiction, and her influences, including Alice Munro, Anton Chekov, and Grace Paley.
- REPLAY: fiction writer Melissa Bank
In this episode of Writers on Writing, hosts remember fiction writer Melissa Bank, who passed away in 2022. The episode is a replay of a 2007 interview where Bank discussed her writing process and published works, including Girls’ Guide to…
- Gish Jen, author of BAD, BAD GIRL
Author Gish Jen discusses her 10th book, Bad, Bad Girl, a work blending novel, memoir, and autofiction. She joins host Marrie Stone to explore her creative process, the distinction between therapy and fiction, and how writing helped her pr…
- REPLAY: Literary agent MATTHEW CARNICELLI
Literary agent Matthew Carnicelli discusses his work representing authors of nonfiction and fiction, his process for developing book ideas, and insights on the publishing industry in this episode of the Writers on Writing podcast.
- Janelle Brown, author of WHAT KIND OF PARADISE
Novelist Janelle Brown joins Marrie Stone to discuss her latest book, What Kind of Paradise, and how her background in tech journalism informs her fiction. They also explore writing techniques, such as using first-person perspective and co…
- Replay: ELMORE LEONARD, legendary writer
In this 2007 archive episode of Writers on Writing, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett interviews legendary American author and screenwriter Elmore Leonard about his career in crime and western fiction. The discussion covers his body of work, film ad…
- Bruce Holsinger, author of CULPABILITY
Author Bruce Holsinger discusses his novel Culpability and his career trajectory on Writers on Writing. He covers topics including writing contemporary family dramas, jumping genres, and techniques for incorporating modern technology into…
- Barbara DeMarco-Barrett, author of POOL FISHING
Host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett discusses her latest story collection, Pool Fishing, with Marrie Stone. They explore the creative process, the importance of setting in noir fiction, and DeMarco-Barrett's experiences as an author and teacher.
- Patrick Ryan, author of BUCKEYE
Author and editor Patrick Ryan joins host Marrie Stone to discuss his debut novel, Buckeye. The conversation covers his transition from short stories to novel-writing, his editing career, and the process of crafting multi-generational stor…
- Paul Bradley Carr, author of THE CONFESSIONS
Author Paul Bradley Carr joins hosts Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone to discuss his latest novel, The Confessions, as well as his writing process and his experience running a bookstore. Topics include character development, outlin…
- Michelle Huneven, author of BUG HOLLOW
Author Michelle Huneven discusses her latest novel, Bug Hollow, her writing process, and the experience of writing through personal tragedy. In this episode of Writers on Writing, she also shares insights on overcoming perfectionism and th…
- Crissy Van Meter, author of CREATURES
Author Crissy Van Meter joins host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss her novel Creatures and share insights on writing climate fiction, naming characters, research, and setting.
- Richard Curtis, literary agent & digital pioneer
Literary agent Richard Curtis discusses the publishing industry, the impact of AI tools like NotebookLM, and how writers can adapt to technological changes. He also offers advice on finding the right agent and navigating shifting industry…
- Stefanie Leder, author of LOVE, COFFEE, AND REVOLUTION
Author and TV writer Stefanie Leder discusses her debut novel, Love, Coffee, and Revolution, and her transition from scriptwriting to fiction with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. They cover her approach to plotting, structure, and the proces…
- Ed Park, author of AN ORAL HISTORY OF ATLANTIS
Author Ed Park joins Marrie Stone to discuss his story collection, An Oral History of Atlantis. He also talks about his writing career, his professional experiences in editing and publishing, and advice for other writers.
- Jill Ciment, author of THE BODY IN QUESTION
Author Jill Ciment joins host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss her novel, The Body in Question. The conversation covers various writing topics and includes an in-depth analysis of the book's conclusion.
- Amy Bloom, author of I’LL BE RIGHT HERE
Author Amy Bloom discusses her novel I’ll Be Right Here, her writing process, the use of varied structures, and advice from her father with host Marrie Stone.
- Richard Bausch, author of THE FATE OF OTHERS
Author Richard Bausch discusses his career, his short story collection The Fate of Others, and his approach to writing fiction. He joins hosts Barbara DeMarco-Barrett and Marrie Stone to explore the craft of writing novels versus short sto…
- Chris Whitaker, author of ALL THE COLORS OF THE DARK
Author Chris Whitaker discusses his journey into becoming a writer, his unique writing process, and his novel All the Colors of the Dark with host Marrie Stone. He shares insights into overcoming trauma through writing and his methods for…
- Caroline Fraser, author of MURDERLAND
Author Caroline Fraser joins host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss her nonfiction book, Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers. They cover the book's research and structure, the inclusion of memoir elements, and th…
- Wally Lamb, author of THE RIVER IS WAITING
Author Wally Lamb joins host Marrie Stone to discuss his new novel, The River is Waiting, and his writing process. They explore his experiences working with inmates at York Correctional Institution, incorporating personal elements into fic…
- Gillian McAllister, author of FAMOUS LAST WORDS
Author Gillian McAllister discusses her latest novel, Famous Last Words, and explains her process for plotting, structure, and revision. She joins host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to share insights into writing compelling storylines and managi…
- Jess Walter, author of SO FAR GONE
Author Jess Walter joins Marrie Stone on Writers on Writing to discuss his latest novel, So Far Gone, set in Spokane, Washington. They also explore his career, his approach to different writing genres, and his experience as an educator.
- Darrow Farr, author of THE BOMBSHELL
Darrow Farr discusses her debut novel, The Bombshell, with host Barbara DeMarco-Barrett. They cover topics including character development, narrative structure, the choice of setting, and the writing process.
- Richard Russo, author of LIFE AND ART: ESSAYS
Author Richard Russo joins host Marrie Stone to discuss his collection of essays, Life and Art. They explore themes including the writer's role in the current cultural moment, the process of character creation, and finding meaning in creat…