The Secret Library Podcast
Episodes
#67 Scott Stabile on the Rawness of Real Life
07 Sep 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Scott Stabile has earned the right to share advice. There are many books out there that share life advice. There are whole sections in bookstores ded...
#66 Kim Krans August Archive Episode
31 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there: podcast bankruptcy. Having so many episodes stacked up in the queue to listen that it feels like the only way to proceed is to g...
#65 Susan Orlean August Archive Episode
24 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there: podcast bankruptcy. Having so many episodes stacked up in the queue to listen that it feels like the only way to proceed is to g...
#64 V.E. Schwab August Archive Episode
17 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there: podcast bankruptcy. Having so many episodes stacked up in the queue to listen that it feels like the only way to proceed is to g...
#63 Natashia Deon August Archive Episode
13 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there: podcast bankruptcy. Having so many episodes stacked up in the queue to listen that it feels like the only way to proceed is to g...
#62 Sarah Selecky August Archive episode
03 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there: podcast bankruptcy. Having so many episodes stacked up in the queue to listen that it feels like the only way to proceed is to g...
#61 Kameron Hurley on the Feminist Geek Revolution
27 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Kameron Hurley is a marvel. The first thing I noticed about Kameron Hurley is how incredible her laugh is. She has a laugh that dares you not to jo...
#60 Megan Hannum goes Draft by Draft
20 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Megan Hannum is about to help you face your first draft without fear. Have you ever been writing away, actually building some momentum in your writ...
#59 J. Ryan Stradal explores the Middle
13 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
J. Ryan Stradal's hit novel Kitchens of the Great Midwest came out in 2015. Most often, we hear from writers right when their book has just come out. ...
#58: Dal Kular on being at the beginning of the writing process
06 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Dal Kular didn't plan on becoming a novelist. After recording nearly sixty episodes of The Secret Library, I realized I had a full catalogue of int...
#57 Wesley Brown on Dialogue, Fiction, and Jazz
29 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I had never thought about how dialogue was like jazz until I spoke with Wesley Brown. Wesley Brown knows dialogue and he knows jazz. His latest colle...
#56 Doree Shafrir on Startup and Satire
22 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Doree Shafrir knows Startup culture. This is immediately obvious when reading her first novel, Startup, out now and gracing more and more must-re...
#55 Autumn Witt Boyd Demystifies Book Contracts
15 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Once you sell a book, you're going to have to sign a book contract. Thanks to Autumn coming on the show, this doesn't have to be a terrifying proce...
#54 Manjula Martin on Getting Paid as a Writer
08 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Manjula Martin is fearless. She gets to the heart of the matter: why don't writers get paid like other professions? Why does everyone expect to read c...
#53 Jade Chang on Where Fiction and Real Life Collide
01 Jun 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Jade Chang looked at the economic crash of 2008 and saw a novel. This is just one of the many miraculous things about her. While the rest of us wer...
#52 Bari Tessler on the Price of Publishing
25 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Bari Tessler is all about shining the light on money, and books are no exception. But first, a moment to celebrate! As we reach episode 52, we come ba...
#51 Ruby Warrington on Material Girl Mystical World
18 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Ruby Warrington is the force behind the Numinous. I adored Ruby Warrington even before we spoke. I knew we would be kindred spirits because she admitt...
#50 Natalie Obando and the Mysteries of Good PR
11 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Natalie Obando knows how to get your book in front of the right people. PR is one of those topics that seems to scare writers to death. It feels li...
#49 Rob Cohen & Christine Roth Revolutionize Publishing
04 May 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Cohen and Christine Roth didn't plan to start Rothco Press. But watching the explosion of content that eBooks and self-publishing has created, the...
#48 Madelyn Kent Unlocks Writers Block with the Body
27 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Madelyn Kent has found a surprising way into creativity. For many of us who write, we spend a lot of time up in our heads. We might even pend most of ...
#47 Cory Doctorow on Walkaway and the Future of Publishing
20 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Cory Doctorow not only writes about the future, he's also advocating for a better one in reality. As I get more familiar with the world of Science Fi...
#46 Guinevere de la Mare and The Silent Book Club
13 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Guinevere de la Mare is a renaissance woman, with books. I met Guinevere because I stumbled upon a meeting of the Silent Book Club at the XO conferenc...
#45 Katie Dalebout on After the Book Deal
06 Apr 2017
Contributed by Lukas
After winning a contract with the publisher of her dreams, Katie Dalebout sat down to write her first book. She submitted the proposal in the 11th hou...
#44 Susan Orlean on Making Writing Your Career
30 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I knew I loved Susan Orlean the moment she mentioned the Vikings. Ok, I loved her writing already. Of course. And not many people get to say they've b...
#43 Ben Winters takes on Trump with Fiction
23 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The day after the election, Ben Winters decided it was time to get writing. As we move ahead in unprecedented times here in the US, I knew I wanted to...
#42 Ezzie Spencer on Writing by the Light of the Moon
16 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
I really just love me some Ezzie Spencer. Dr. Ezzie Spencer didn't begin writing and teaching about the impact the Moon can have on our lives. Quite t...
#41 Elizabeth Hess on Writing About Animals
09 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Elizabeth Hess was an art critic before she began writing about animals. I love speaking with writers whose careers have evolved as they have writte...
#40 Paul Scheuring goes from Screenwriter to Novelist
02 Mar 2017
Contributed by Lukas
First-Time Novelist Paul Scheuring was already a professional screenwriter when he started his book. Not only was he a professional screenwriter, he h...
#39 Tasha Harrison on how to write a sex scene
23 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Tasha Harrison knows how to make a sex scene, well – sexy. Up to this point in the show we have stayed in the "safe for work" territory. But if y...
#38 V.E. Schwab on Writing Through Fear
16 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Victoria Schwab is a professional novelist. What I mean by this is, Victoria Schwab has had exactly one career: novelist. New York Times-bestselli...
#37 Alexandra Franzen on Hope & Making it Through
09 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Alexandra Franzen's daily mantra is "Today isn't over yet." I wanted to talk to Alexandra because I was so impressed when, a couple of months ago, she...
#36 Kim Cooper on Writing from History and Weirdos
02 Feb 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Kim Cooper knows L.A. history like it's an old friend. I've been an Angeleno for over ten years, but Kim Cooper is a big part of why I fell in love wi...
#35 Amy Kuretsky on the Healthy Writer
26 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Amy Kuretsky is over the suffering artist: She's ushering in the healthy creative instead. Amy Kuretsky is a health coach for creatives and an acupu...
#34 Scott Carney on journalism, writing books, & rolling in snow
19 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Scott Carney knows how to write a pitch. Not only do his articles get published, he's now on his third book. Scott has an impressive resume: he's gi...
#33 Kate Newburg has you covered on Digital Covers
12 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Newburg has you covered. Pun intended. Kate Newburg makes me laugh. She's got a wicked sense of humor (not in the Boston sense - she's from Atla...
#32 J.H. Moncrieff writes the next Gone Girl
05 Jan 2017
Contributed by Lukas
J.H. Moncrieff is writing the next Gone Girl. When Harlequin put out a request for writing submissions to create the next Gone Girl, J.H. Moncrieff wo...
#31 Kim Krans from The Wild Unknown
29 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Kim Krans comes from the Wild Unknown. This is how she introduced herself when I met her a couple of months ago. She was touring for the Wild Unknow...
#30 Sarah Selecky on Joyous Revision
22 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah Selecky is back! It's time to get into revision... I must admit, I was a little nervous to have this conversation with Sarah Selecky. As a NaNoW...
#29 Susannah Conway on Creating Non-Fiction Books
15 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Susannah Conway knows how books get made. Having authored two and co-authored a third, Susannah has seen the process through, from proposal to publica...
#28 Gary Wilson on Structure and Novels
08 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Gary Wilson has been writing fiction for decades. He was the first person I thought of speaking to when people started asking me to talk about structu...
#27 Lucy Bellwood on Kickstarter and Comics
01 Dec 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Lucy Bellwood writes seafaring comics. When I saw Lucy speak at XOXO this past September, I was absolutely smitten. Not only has she turned her love ...
#11 Minisode from Dal
29 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we have a letter from Dal, who is interested in learning about book proposals... I share how book proposals work, and recommend a guide tha...
#26 Theresa Reed on The Tarot Coloring Book
24 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Theresa Reed is the Tarot Lady. As a tarot lover, I was delighted to learn that Theresa Reed was coming out with a tarot book- and that it was also a ...
#25 Terra Chalberg on Finding an Agent
17 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Getting an agent can be intimidating. It doesn't have to scare you away from meeting the right person. Terra Chalberg of Chalberg & Sussman talks to ...
#24 Meghan Dowell on Reading and Media Bubbles
10 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Are you in a media bubble? I knew I wanted to have Meghan Dowell on the show when I met her. We talked about how our access to media and reading chang...
#10 Minisode from Marissa
08 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Marissa writes in this week because she's taken the plunge into the spiritual world, but it sounds a little bit like she's drowning in it. I talk abou...
#23 Heidi Fiedler Rocks Structure and Kids Books
03 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Heidi Fiedler has worked on over 300 Children's Books. Can I just say 300 books? 300 titles! As Heidi made clear on the show, she did not write all 30...
#9 Minisode from Kristy
01 Nov 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week's letter comes from Kristy, a self-confessed serial dater who'd like to settle down a bit and get to know herself. Listen up to get my full ...
#22 Mary Laura Philpott on Making it Funny
27 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we all need a good laugh. Mary Laura Philpott was the perfect person to talk to about humor. Her book, Penguins with People Problems, began ...
#8 Minisode from Logan
25 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Logan writes in this week looking for trivia and weird knowledge. I love this sort of thing- reading for the absolute joy of it. Listen up for some ho...
#21 Colette Lafia on Memoir and a Monk
20 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Colette Lafia is an author, librarian, and spiritual director. We could have talked for hours. Between the influence of her early study of poetry on h...
#7 Minisode from Jane
18 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Jane writes in feeling quote overwhelmed about being pregnant and living far away from her family. She wants to know everything there is to...
#20 Michelle Wetzel from Inside the High School Library
13 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
I've known Michelle Wetzel since we were in high school together (not so) many years ago. I've been watching the trend and evolution in the world of y...
#6 Minisode from Jess
11 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
I'm loving this week's letter from Jess. She's looking for something to read that is both practical and woo-woo. I've got a few fun suggestions on the...
#19 Erin Jourdan on Stunt Journalism
06 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Stunt journalism is an amazing practice for writing from personal experience. In this episode, you'll learn how to do stunt journalism and how writing...
#5 Minisode: Dear Book Dr. from Genevieve
04 Oct 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Hello! Welcome to another Dear Book Dr. Minisode. This week's letter comes from Genevieve who's asking about dating and love. It's a tricky subject,...
#18 Natashia Deón on Fiction and Grace
29 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Natashia Deón is a wonder. When Julia Callahan gave her incredible ability to build networks and community back in Episode 10, I was impressed. But i...
#4 Minisode: Dear Book Dr. from Megan
27 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Oh girl. This episode is close to my heart. This week's letter comes from Megan, who has just finished reading A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. He...
#17 Krysta Williams on Art Books and Photography
22 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Art Books are a category that we haven't explored on the show until now. Krysta Williams is a photographer and book maker and today we discuss the boo...
#3 Minisode: Dear Book Dr. from Sheryl
20 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
How can I get back to me? This is a big question from this week's letter. Sheryl has gotten all of her kids off to school and suddenly has her time ...
#16 Lindsay Smith on Working With an Editor
15 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Editing is one of the more mysterious parts of the book creation process. We all know that editing is necessary, but many of us resist doing it. Sendi...
#2 Minisode: Dear Book Dr. from Mara
13 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Time Management. (Don't we all have issues with this?) This week, Mara writes in asking for help with her challenges in this area. Listen up for 2 b...
#15: Janelle Hardy on Personal Mythmaking
08 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered about the story you're living? This week, I chat with Jannelle Hardy, who spends a lot of time thinking about the stories we li...
#1 Minisode: Dear Book Dr. from Arthur
07 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Book Prescriptions are back. When I first launched the Book Dr. site, I responded to people's letters asking for books to help them with their life si...
#14 April Peveteaux Goes From Blog to Book Deal
01 Sep 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Book deals. Who among us hasn't dreamed of getting one, if we're totally honest. April Peveteaux has gotten not one, but THREE books published based o...
#13: LeAnna Smith on the Secrets of Cover Design
25 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Covers. How many of us have picked books just because we loved the cover and couldn't stop staring at it? I know I have been guilty of that more than ...
#12 Sarah Selecky on Where the Magic Comes From
18 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
In the beginning, there is the blank page. We've talked a lot about the later parts of a book's life: publishing and distribution and design. This w...
#11 Tosh Berman on Butter, Sparks, Translation and Other Madness
11 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Tosh Berman is one of my favorites. We had a podcast together back in 2008, which was big in Japan. During our podcasting reunion, Tosh shares about ...
#10 Julia Callahan on Small Press Publishing
04 Aug 2016
Contributed by Lukas
It's here! We've hit episode 10 and we are still going strong. Today I'm so happy to have Julia Callahan of Rare Bird Books on the show. She's Direc...
#9 Elora Ramirez says Everything You Need to Hear Right Now
28 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Such a juicy conversation, and one that defies a quick episode title. I changed it twice while writing this description. Elora and I covered the gamut...
#8 Ruth Bernstein and the Future of Libraries
21 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I'm so excited to be speaking with the magical Ruth Bernstein, who I know from my good old Book Soup days. Ruth wrote her thesis at Pitzer ...
#7 Milda Harris on Self-Publishing and Writing a Serial Novel
14 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Milda Harris, novelist, is also a mother of twins and has written over 8 novels. She makes me feel like an enormous slacker, if we're being honest. ...
#6 Christina Orlando is Your Monthly Muse
07 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
If you've dreamed of reading books and drinking tea all day instead of staying in a soul-sucking job that creates nothing but stress, this is the epis...
#5 Catherine Theis on Reading Poetry Before Coffee
01 Jul 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This week, I talk with Catherine Theis about poetry vs. prose and how to break into the wide world of reading poetry. We cover everything from how to ...
#4 Edan Lepucki talks Novels and Writing After the Colbert Bump
23 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Edan Lepucki came on the show to celebrate finishing the latest draft of her forthcoming novel, Woman Number 17. Edan's first novel, California, was s...
#3 Sam Potts on the Secrets of Interior Book Design
15 Jun 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Join me on a huge journey through the aspects of interior design. Not of your house, but the inside of books. Learn the most important thing about wha...
#2 Esmé Weijun Wang :: The Border of Paradise
26 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
This episode, we welcome author Esmé Weijun Wang to discuss her debut novel, The Border of Paradise. Kirkus Reviews called it “Gothic in tone, epic...
#1 Bari Tessler and The Art of Money
15 May 2016
Contributed by Lukas
Bari Tessler joins us to talk about her upcoming book, The Art of Money, coming out June 14, 2016. Bari is an educator and pioneer in the field of fin...