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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
Writing Process
Motherhood
Memoir
Family Dynamics
Writing
Holocaust
Narrative Structure
Khadijah Vanbrackle
Diversity In Literature
Mental Illness
Graphic Memoir
Language
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 monthlyEpisodes165Founded7 years ago
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Artwork for QWERTY: A Podcast for Writers on How to Live the Writing Life

Latest Episodes

Marion Winik is a writer and author whose memoir, First Comes Love, was originally published 30 years ago, featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and loved by reviewers and readers everywhere. Perhaps the words most often used for it were "pioneering" an... more

Writer and author Huda Al-Marashi writes for both children and adults. She is a coauthor of the middle grade novel Grounded, which won the Walter Dean Myers Honor award, and the author of the memoir First Comes Marriage: My Not-So-Typical American Lo... more

Award-winning journalist and author, Matti Friedman has worked as a reporter in Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, Moscow, the Caucasus, and Washington, DC. A former Associated Press correspondent, his work has appeared in the New York Times, Smithsonian Maga... more

Shelley Noble is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Well-known for her gripping historical novel, The Tiffany Girls, in which the author unearths the previously little-known true story of the women artists responsible for much of Tiff... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Huda Al-Marashi
Writer for children and adults; co-author of Grounded; author of First Comes Marriage; founder/participant in Muslim Storytellers programs
Penguin Young Readers (Hail Miriam), Grounded publisher Abrams
Episode: Ep. 163 Huda Al-Marashi
Matti Friedman
Award-winning journalist and author, former AP correspondent
Freelance, writing from Israel for The Free Press
Episode: Ep. 162 Matti Friedman
Shelley Noble
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author focused on historical fiction and women's history
Author
Episode: Ep. 161 Shelley Noble
Antonio Michael Downing
Memorist, novelist, children's author, and musician
Simon & Schuster (Black Cherokee)
Episode: Ep. 160 Antonio Michael Downing
Ruchin Kansal
A professor who advises companies on transformation.
Seton Hall and Brown
Episode: Ep. 159 The Kansals
Neil Kansal
A graduate of Washington and Lee University and a car enthusiast.
Deloitte
Episode: Ep. 159 The Kansals
Tarpley Hitt
Writer, editor, and author, known for her work in The Drift Magazine and her debut book, Barbieland, Unauthorized History.
Simon & Schuster
Episode: Ep. 158 Tarpley Hitt
Melissa Fraterrigo
Author of the novel Glory Days and the story collection The Longest Pregnancy, as well as the new book The Perils of Girlhood.
University of Nebraska Press
Episode: Ep. 157 Melissa Fraterrigo
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

Host

Marion Roach Smith
Host of QWERTY: A Podcast for Writers on How to Live the Writing Life; guides discussions on craft, memoir, and publishing.

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
    Australia7 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
    Canada8 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
    Netherlands8 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
    Canada10 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.

Professional and well-prepared host who asks deep, insightful questions.
Consistently thoughtful, engaging, and instructive for writers.
High-quality production and consistently strong guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#22
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#63
New Zealand/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 163 Huda Al-Marashi
Q: Can you speak a little about the thinking behind the opening scene of Hail Miriam and how you settled on starting earlier than the sleepover scene?
The opening needed to place Miriam in a moment of cultural collision—casting Mary in a Catholic school plays a way to show religious nuance from a minority perspective, and starting earlier allowed the reader to see the character's internal struggle and context before the sleepover scene.
Ep. 163 Huda Al-Marashi
Q: So we're told to write what we know, but being a first puts a particular kind of pressure on a writer. Did you know that at the time and how did that affect your thinking?
Yes, there was pressure to situate a Muslim American love story within a broader narrative; I chose to center the lived experience and avoid forcing a reaction to 9/11, so the memoir could speak to intimate themes without being co-opted by current events.
Ep. 161 Shelley Noble
Q: While you're writing, do you read the work of others?
She avoids reading other historical novels while actively writing to prevent imprinting or misconstruing sources, preferring to watch 1990s British police procedurals for plotting and rhythm inspiration.
Ep. 159 The Kansals
Q: How comfortable were you writing from that vulnerable space?
It took us two years to write this and it wasn't easy to expose our family story.
Ep. 159 The Kansals
Q: What is it about the manual car that you saw lacking from your life?
Cars have always been more to me than just a car, just a means to get from point A to point B.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A thoughtful interview series that centers writers across genres, focusing on craft, process, and the writing life. Across episodes, the host pulls apart how successful authors approach scene rhythm, research, voice, and structure, often tying memoir, historical fiction, journalism, and culture to practical takeaways for listeners. Guests range from memoirists and novelists to editors and educators, offering actionable tips on writing, editing, publishing, and sustaining a writing practice. The show's strength lies in its deep, respectful conversations that illuminate both craft and the emotional realities of being a writer, making it a strong fit for aspiring and established authors seeking guidance and inspiration.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Writers on Writing
2. Writer's Routine
3. Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
4. Kelly Corrigan Wonders
5. The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 165 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. Huda Al-Marashi
2. Matti Friedman
3. Shelley Noble
4. Antonio Michael Downing
5. Ruchin Kansal
6. Neil Kansal
7. Tarpley Hitt
8. Melissa Fraterrigo

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