Listening is Writing, Too

February 2, 2023

Dear Writers,

Thank you for signing up for Writing with Hart: News and Opportunities for Writers. I’m so glad you’re here!

Enormous congratulations to two of my former writing students on their publications last month. Diane Gottlieb, editor of Emerge Literary Journal, had this piece published I Didn't Have Sex For Almost A Decade. Here's Why. | HuffPost HuffPost Personal

And Trish McDonald, author of the memoir Paper Bags, had this piece published: When Our Words Become a Commodity | BREVITY's Nonfiction Blog (wordpress.com)

Let me know if you have a publication you’d like me to help promote; I’m always happy to do so, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

So . . . like the rest of you, I’m on the computer a lot. And even though I take a break every 25 minutes (I’m devoted to the Pomodoro technique), I deal with eye strain, muscle aches, and sheer restlessness from sitting and staring at a screen while I research for my historical novel.

Enter podcasts! I’ve found amazing podcast resources as I study the 1920s and the history of vaudeville for my novel. I can listen while I’m out for a long bike ride. I can listen while I’m cleaning the bathroom and walking the dog. And I’m researching the whole time. Absolutely brilliant.

When I Googled “podcasts about 1920,” I discovered American History Tellers which provides a wildly entertaining and immersive look at Prohibition, the Jazz Age, and other key aspects of the Roaring Twenties.

As my great-grandfather was a World War I pilot and flew the mail, and then himself and my great-grandmother all over the U.S. to their vaudeville engagements, I needed to learn about the early history of aviation. In my travels, I discovered “The Disappearance of the Lindberg Baby” from the podcast Stuff You Missed in History Class, and gained a powerful subplot for my novel.

And. . . bonus! While I’m studying to become an Oregon Master Naturalist, I’m listening to Alie Ward’s Ologies science podcast—particularly the episodes about flora and fauna. I adore her humor; for those who like their podcasts without F-bombs, however, she also publishes a kid-friendly version of many of the episodes. And the episodes on ADHD are a life-changer.

I’d love to know about all your favorite podcasts, as well! I mean, who knew I could write (or at least research for my writing) while going on a trail run?!

What I’m Publishing

·        I’m in the midst of some pretty awesome in-person and Zoom school and library visits for newest middle-grade novel Daisy Woodworm Changes the World . If you’re so motivated, invite me to speak to your students, and ask your local library and bookstore to order a copy of the novel, as well! I have a terrific slide show & great swag. 😊

·        This essay, below, was so much fun to write. I hope it’s useful to those of you who loathe promoting your writing and other creative projects. “How My Vaudevillian Great-Grandparents Taught Me to Love Shameless Self-Promotion” in Brevity

·        Many of you know that my brother has Down syndrome, and he’s the inspiration for one of the main characters in Daisy Woodworm Changes the World. I really love what this filmmaker is doing to bring actors with this genetic condition to the big screen; I profiled him for PrideSource: “Meet the Pansexual Filmmaker Showcasing Stories That Star Neurotypical and Neurodivergent Actors - Pride Source”

·        Finally, I started an Etsy shop in order to offer autographed copies of my books, plus my Oregon photography greeting cards! I’m not really sure what I’m doing, so any tips from Etsy veterans are much appreciated. (It’s absolutely terrifying to put my photos out there!)

A Few Cool Resources for Writers

·        Oh wow, there’s Should You Self-Publish Your Book? (If the answer is yes, then you need this amazing Book Launch Survival Guide.)

·        There’s Atlas Obscura if you love to explore and write about unusual places in your hometown and beyond.

·        There’s Concentration Tips: How to Focus Like It’s 1990 - The New York Times (nytimes.com).

·        Cat-loving and bibliophiles need to read this: The Tradition of Library Cats - Explore Cats .

·        And don’t forget MapCat, which allows you to see which libraries have (or used to have) cats over several decades!

Conferences, Residencies, and Calls for Submissions

·        If you’ve never attended the AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Programs) Conference, you’re in for a treat! It’s in Seattle this year, March 8-11, and it’s packed with panels, readings, performances, a Book Fair with over 3,000 booths loaded with literature and swag, karaoke, publisher parties . . . it’s a blast. Let me know if you go, and I’ll send you all sorts of survival tips . . . AWP can be a lot. I’m the moderator for the panel “Double-Dipping? You Bet! Promote Your Book with Short Articles and Literary Essays.” Pop in and say hi!

·        The 9th Annual Southwest Washington Writers Conference takes place September 8th and 9th this year, and organizers are actively soliciting workshop proposals. Email me for details!

·        One of my favorite literary journals and small presses, Barrelhouse, is actively looking for nonfiction book manuscripts—the weirder and more hybrid, the better!

·        The Every Animal Project seeks stories about courageous animals (your own or someone else’s for an anthology. This is a paid opportunity.

·        And oh, nature lovers! Check out this six-day writing workshop and sea kayaking adventure with my colleague Ana Maria Spagna!

That’s all for now! Feel free to share this newsletter these opportunities with everyone you know! And email me if something wonderful comes across your inbox. I’ll share it in the March newsletter.

Much gratitude,

Melissa