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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
Language
Memoir
Mid Air
Other People's Words
Writing Process
Trauma
The New York Times
Mental Illness
Baseball
New York
The Only Way Through Is Out
Hal Schrieve
Queer Identity
The Paris Library
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade
Grief
Friendship
Starry Field
Vulnerability In Writing

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 monthlyEpisodes157Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToBooksEducationArts

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

Latest Episodes

Today my guest is writer and author Jane Hamilton. Her first novel, The Book of Ruth, won the PEN/Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award for best first novel and was a selection of the Oprah Book Club. Her second novel, A Map of the World, was an internat... more

Matthew White is an author, interior designer, antiquarian, preservationist, and a former ballet dancer. He is the author of Italy of My Dreams: The Story of an American Designer’s Real-life Passion for Italian Style. He is an emeritus board member a... more

Winnie M Li is an American author and activist who has written for travel guidebooks, produced independent feature films, programmed for film festivals, and developed eco-tourism projects. Her first novel Dark Chapter was nominated for an Edgar Award... more

Writer and author Kyle Austin Young has a debut book that is for anyone who has ever dreamed of having a side-hustle, starting a business or following a dream. The book, Success is a Numbers Game: Achieve Bigger Goals by Changing the Odds, is just ou... more

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Recent Guests

Jane Hamilton
Writer and author, known for her bestsellers, including "The Book of Ruth" and "A Map of the World"
Zibby Publishing
Episode: Ep. 156 Jane Hamilton
Matthew White
Author and noted interior designer
Abbeville Press
Episode: Ep. 155 Matthew White
Winnie M Li
American author and activist, known for her novels addressing themes of trauma and violence.
University of Birmingham
Episode: Ep. 154 Winnie Li
Kyle Austin Young
Award-winning strategy consultant and author
Hay House Business
Episode: Ep. 153 Kyle Austin Young
Jon Kinally
Writer known for TV shows and author of the memoir 'I'm Prancing as Fast as I Can.'
Permuted Press
Episode: Ep. 152 Jon Kinally
Khadijah VanBrackle
Writer and author currently focusing on diverse narratives in young adult literature
Holiday House Books
Episode: Ep. 151 Khadijah VanBrakle
Tia Levings
New York Times bestselling author and educator
St. Martin's Press
Episode: Ep. 148 Tia Levings
Calliope Nicholas
Co-director and manager of residency programs at Millay Arts
Millay Arts
Episode: Ep. 147 Calliope Nicholas
Melissa Hafting
Ecologist, bird guide, author, and photographer with a focus on bird conservation and youth engagement in birding.
British Columbia Young Birders Program
Episode: Ep. 146 Melissa Hafting

Host

Marion Roach Smith
Host of the podcast and an expert interviewer known for her thoughtful questions and deep engagement with her guests, often focusing on the writing process and personal stories behind authors' works.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 168 ratings
  • The pick of the pods

    Practical?

    Yes.

    Inspiring?

    Absolutely. Fascinating?

    Of course it is.

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Laurielegit
    Australia3 months 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
    Canada4 months 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
    Netherlands4 months 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
    Canada6 months 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 Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many highlight the quality of guests and their diversity of backgrounds, contributing to rich and varied discussions on writing and personal narratives.
Audience members appreciate the blend of encouragement with practical advice, highlighting the supportive community fostered by the show.
The podcast is noted for its insightful tips on writing and the creative process, making it particularly helpful for emerging writers.
Listeners praise the host for her professional interview style and the depth of questions she poses to her guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#156
South Africa/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 156 Jane Hamilton
Q: How do you portray time in the characters that you choose?
Hamilton emphasizes the importance of authenticity and detail in representing the era accurately, reflecting her own experiences growing up in the 1970s.
Ep. 156 Jane Hamilton
Q: Talk to me about the use of Jane Eyre, the decision, and whether it was your first choice for making the distinction about these two young women in the world.
Hamilton explains that while the idea to use Jane Eyre wasn't immediate, it eventually became clear as a perfect choice, reflecting the heroine's internal conflict between autonomy and submission.
Ep. 153 Kyle Austin Young
Q: Talk to us a little bit about not talking yourself out of a good idea.
Stay committed to your ideas, seek advice selectively, and leverage accountability, such as being under contract with a publisher, to motivate success.
Ep. 153 Kyle Austin Young
Q: Do you write to who you plan to be or do you become who you were meant to be as you write?
It's a bit of both; it's important to have clear goals and a plan while also discovering aspects of oneself along the way.
Ep. 155 Matthew White
Q: How did you pitch the personal aspects of your book?
I knew that my experience and coming to New York were crucial, which was laced throughout the book, even if not the primary focus.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

This podcast provides an enriching exploration of the writing life, showcasing interviews with prominent authors across varied genres. Each episode focuses on the intricate processes and challenges associated with writing, from memoir creation to publishing insights. The discussions address themes of personal storytelling, authenticity, and the coping mechanisms writers employ when faced with adversity—including navigating family histories and societal issues through their works. By featuring a range of writers, the series is tailored for aspiring authors seeking guidance, inspiration, and practical advice to hone their craft, making it an invaluable resource for anyone engaged in the art of writing.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
2. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
3. Essential Guide to Writing a Novel
4. Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
5. Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 157 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. Jane Hamilton
2. Matthew White
3. Winnie M Li
4. Kyle Austin Young
5. Jon Kinally
6. Khadijah VanBrackle
7. Tia Levings
8. Calliope Nicholas

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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