#112 - Kern Carter: Read Between the Grind

#112 - Kern Carter: Read Between the Grind

From Was It Chance? by Alan Seales, Heather Vickery & Broadway Podcast Network

May 13, 2026 · 1h 5m · Episode 112

About this episode

Kern Carter discusses his journey as an artist, exploring themes of creativity, anxiety, and the realities of the publishing industry.

This week on Was It Chance?, we sit down with author Kern Carter for a conversation that starts with collective grief, simulations, and angry Brooklyn cab drivers, then unfolds into one of the most honest discussions we’ve had about creativity, anxiety, ambition, and what it really takes to build a life as an artist. Kern shares how writing became both an emotional outlet and a survival tool while growing up as a quiet, anxious kid who hid his love of books behind a basketball identity. From self-publishing his early work as practice, to getting rejected by dozens of literary agents, to eventually landing deals with Penguin Random House and Scholastic, Kern walks us through the years of strategy, persistence, and emotional resilience that shaped his career. Along the way, he opens up about imposter syndrome, fear of failure, hyping himself up before literary events, and why writers deserve to see themselves as superstars. We also dive into the realities of the publishing industry, Canadian arts funding, learning in public, creative rejection, and the difference between loving writing and choosing the life of an author. Plus, Heather invites herself to guest lecture in Kern’s…

People in this episode

Hosts: Heather Vickery, Alan Seales

Guest: Kern Carter

Topics covered

  • creativity
  • anxiety
  • ambition
  • publishing industry
  • self-publishing
  • imposter syndrome
  • kindness

Keywords

  • Kern Carter
  • creativity
  • anxiety
  • publishing
  • self-publishing
  • imposter syndrome
  • literary agents
  • Canadian arts funding
  • kindness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Penguin Random House, Scholastic

More episodes of Was It Chance?

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Was It Chance? podcast page.