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Artwork for QWERTY: A Podcast for Writers on How to Live the Writing Life

QWERTY: A Podcast for Writers on How to Live the Writing Life

Marion Roach Smith
Memoir Writing
Grief
Memoir
Writing Process
Motherhood
Family Dynamics
Writing
Holocaust
Narrative Structure
Khadijah Vanbrackle
Diversity In Literature
Mental Illness
Language
Graphic Memoir
Shanghailanders
Birding
Mental Health
Conservation
BIPOC Inclusivity In Birding
LGBTQIA Inclusivity In Birding

Welcome to Qwerty, the podcast for writers on how to live the writing life. Host Marion Roach Smith interviews the best writers in all genres to discover their process. Qwerty is by, about and for writers and explores the real challenges of writing and the steps anyone can take to become a better storyteller. Listen in for writing tips, publishing advice and encouragement on how to live the writin... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes173Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsEducationHow To

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Artwork for QWERTY: A Podcast for Writers on How to Live the Writing Life

Latest Episodes

Hester Kaplan is the author of two story collections, The Edge of Marriage (University of Georgia Press, and Norton), which received The Flannery O’Connor Prize for Short Fiction; and Unravished (Ig Publishing); the novels The Tell (HarperCollins) an... more

Writer, scholar, and award-winning teacher, Marian Yee teaches writing, literature and contemporary art to performing art students at Berklee College of Music. Her published writings include poems, reviews, and scholarly articles. Her debut novel is ... more

Rachel Weaver is a writer, author, essayist, memoirist and teacher. She is the author of the novel, Point of Direction which Oprah Magazine named a Top Ten Book To Pick Up Now, and won the 2015 Willa Cather Award for Fiction. Her new book, a debut me... more

Nicole Walker is the author of several books, including, “Processed Meats: Essays on Food, Flesh and Navigating Disaster” and “The After-Normal: Brief, Alphabetical Essays on a Changing Planet.” She edits the “Crux” series at the University of Georgi... more

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Recent Guests

Hester Kaplan
Author of Twice Born, Finding My Father in the Margins of Biography
Author, Catapult
Episode: Ep. 172 Hester Kaplan
Marian Yee
Writer, scholar, and award-winning teacher at Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Episode: Ep. 171 Marian Yee
Rachel Weaver
Writer, author, essayist, memoirist and teacher
West Virginia Press (publisher of Dizzy)
Episode: Ep. 170 Rachel Weaver
Nicole Walker
Author of Processed Meats; editor and professor
University of Georgia Press, Journal Diagram, Northern Arizona University
Episode: Ep. 169 Nicole Walker
Hilary Plattner
Author of The Momma Puzzle; writer of fiction, non-fiction and poetry
Apprentice House Press (publisher)
Episode: Ep. 168 Hillary Plattner
Jed Alexander
Author and illustrator of The Fairy Tale Color Collection and The Black Market
Union Square Kids, The Fairy Tale Color Collection series
Episode: Ep. 167 Jed Alexander
Davin Malasarn
Writer and author of The Outer Country
Author, The Outer Country; One World Random House
Episode: Ep. 166 Davin Malasarn
Scott Eden
Investigative reporter and author
Independent journalist / Author
Episode: Ep. 165 Scott Eden
Marion Winik
Author and memoirist; professor at the University of Baltimore; longtime NPR contributor
University of Baltimore
Episode: Ep. 164 Marion Winik

Host

Marion Roach Smith
Host of the interview show; guides conversations with writers about craft and the writing life

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 170 ratings
  • The pick of the pods

    Practical?

    Yes.

    Inspiring?

    Absolutely. Fascinating?

    Of course it is.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laurielegit
    Australiaa year ago
  • Qwerty is awesome

    I love listening to the podcasts. I’m an emerging writer and often hear wonderful tips and advice to advance my writing journey. I even listen to the Gardening podcast now since I heard Marion’s sister on Qwerty.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Emerging writer
    Canadaa year ago
  • warm personality

    i love marion roach smith’s voice, questions and (graphic) memoirs, what a great theme for a podcast! i wish the Netherlands would catch up with other countries to give more spotlight to graphic memoir books - because we love them and are ready for them, as well as background from its makers. xox chanti colorintact

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ChantiBhanti
    Netherlandsa year ago
  • The best interviewer

    Marion Roach Smith is a no nonsense pro in every sense of the word. She does indepth homework on every single person she interviews, poses relevant and thoughtful questions, digs deep for answers and conversations that enlighten listeners, and has a delightful sense of humour. Every episode is a treat!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CarmenRK
    Canadaa year ago
  • New and loving it

    I just took my first class with Marion this week so I’m diving headlong into the podcast now. Every one I’ve listened to has given me strength, fresh ideas, and a feeling of camaraderie. Well done!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lunagirl75
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show is described as consistently high-quality, with engaging interviews that balance craft and life as a writer.
Fans highlight the motivational and educational value for writers at all levels.
Listeners praise the host's preparation and depth of questions, noting deep, actionable insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#241
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#41
Norway/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#47
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#117
Norway/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#123
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 170 Rachel Weaver
Q: How do you think about and teach the idea of putting people in pressure for their writing?
Weaver explains that writers should push characters into situations that create tension but always consider how the reader will interpret the pressure, using driving questions to keep the narrative moving and to ensure every scene adds forward momentum.
Ep. 168 Hillary Plattner
Q: Why did you pursue a student-run press like Apprentice House, and how did that shape the publishing experience?
It felt like a collaborative, educational environment similar to graduate school, where a cohort of authors supports each other and the process is deeply engaged and communal rather than purely commercial.
Ep. 168 Hillary Plattner
Q: How do you balance the desire to tell a truthful, raw story with the need to protect readers and those involved?
I learned that readers expect honesty, so I added clear feelings when needed, while also managing responsibility for how the story could affect others; it's a balance between reanimating emotion and keeping the narrative accessible.
Ep. 168 Hillary Plattner
Q: What was your sense of the initial material when you first confronted the documents and memories around your mother's death?
I felt overwhelmed by the amount of material but determined to begin; I kept reminders to write a tiny thing every day and allowed myself to write for myself first, without self-consciousness.
Ep. 165 Scott Eden
Q: What makes a lead effective and memorable in your view?
Leads should set up the journey, establish mood, and place the reader in a scene of peril or curiosity, with the lead potentially expanding beyond a single paragraph into chapters or longer sections.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on writers and the craft of storytelling, featuring in-depth conversations with authors across fiction, memoir, journalism, and children's literature. Episodes emphasize writing process, publishing realities, and practical craft strategies—often revealing how guests build narratives, manage interviews, and navigate the publishing world. A notable strength is the host's preparation and thoughtful questioning, which consistently surface concrete tips, behind-the-scenes industry insights, and motivation for aspiring writers. The format tends to balance craft technique with personal storytelling, making it useful for both new writers and seasoned authors seeking career guidance and inspiration.

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How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 173 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Hester Kaplan
2. Marian Yee
3. Rachel Weaver
4. Nicole Walker
5. Hilary Plattner
6. Jed Alexander
7. Davin Malasarn
8. Scott Eden

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