Wild Precious Life

Jill Christman is a 2020 NEA Prose Fellow and the author of If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays and two memoirs, Darkroom: A Family Exposure and Borrowed Babies: Apprenticing for Motherhood, and The Heart Folds Early: A Memoir. In today’s episode, Jill and Annmarie discuss healthcare, heartaches, and how to make it through when the thing we fear most comes true. Bookstore Spotlights: Barrett Bookstore – The oldest and largest independent bookstore in Fairfield County, Connecticut. Woman-founded in 1939 and woman-owned today, Barrett booksellers develop relationships with authors (hosting many events like our yearly Ladies of Summer panel), partnerships with local schools and libraries, and friendships with our loyal patrons. Visit Barrett in Darien, CT or at barrettbookstore.com. Newtonville Books – An independent bookstore located at 10 Langley Rd, in Newton, Massachusetts -- in the old stone building at the north corner of the triangle parking lot. Come for the books. Stay for the books. And learn more and shop online at newtonvillebooks.com. Titles by Jill Christman: If This Were Fiction: A Love Story in Essays Darkroom: A Family Exposure Borrowed Babies: Apprenticing for Motherhood The Heart Folds Early: A Memoir. Follow Jill Christman: Instagram: @jillchristmanwriter Bluesky: @jillchristman.bsky.social Substack: @riverteethjill jillchristman.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coauthors Anne Burt and Christina Baker Kline join us to discuss their recent collaboration, Please Don’t Lie, which has been described as both “psychologically rich and bone-chilling.” In this episode, Anne, Christina, and Annmarie discuss the magic of writing partnerships, making room for more feminism in the thriller genre, and how to research, stare down, and reimagine all those things that go bump in the night. Episode Sponsors: Watchung Booksellers – Proud to be the go-to bookstore for a thriving literary community, with well over 100 published local authors, and innumerable publishing and media professionals. We are fierce supporters of small businesses and civic organizations through donations and promotions. We stand with advocates who support the right to read banned books and we proudly carry a large selection of books that represent all people, families, and cultures. Our favorite thing to do is meet readers and introduce them to new books. We thrive on the challenge of helping a reluctant reader or finding a new gem for a voracious reader. We hope you’ll visit and talk books with us soon! Or listen to our community of writers, readers, and book lovers on The Watchung Booksellers Podcast. And you can find us online at watchungbooksellers.com. Hidden Barn Books – An independent bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine. Come browse for books! Isn't searching for that next book, not knowing what you might find, wonderfully stimulating and relaxing? We invite you to come and linger, pore through our books, and enjoy your time exploring. Or find us online at hiddenbarnbooks.com. A Selection of Titles by These Authors: Please Don’t Lie, by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt About Face: Women Write about What They See When They Look in the Mirror, edited by Anne Burt and Christina Baker Kline The Dig: A Novel, by Anne Burt My Father Married Your Mother: Dispatches from the Blended Family, edited by Anne Burt The Exiles, by Christina Baker Kline Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline The Foursome (May, 2026), by Christina Baker Kline Follow Anne Burt: Instagram: @anne_burt_writer Facebook: @Anne Burt anneburtwriter.com Follow Christina Baker Kline: Instagram: @bakerkline Facebook: @Christina Baker Kline Twitter/X: @BakerKline christinabakerkline.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. If you’re interested in growing your own practice as a writing instructor, you can learn more about an upcoming teacher training class here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is co-leading a women’s writing workshop in Santa Fe, NM in April. Reservations are now open. Photo Credit: Cowbird Creative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly Sundberg is a writer and Capricorn and teacher and redhead and recent author of The Answer Is in the Wound. In this episode, Kelly and Annmarie talk about trauma, rage, grief, healing, and everything in-between, as they interrogate what it takes for someone to move beyond domestic violence and learn to love again. Content Warning: Domestic Violence If you or someone you know is in search of assistance to break free from partner abuse, there are people standing by 24-7 to help. Call 1-800-799-SAFE, that’s 1-800-799-7233. Do not suffer in silence. Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City’s premier indie bookstore since 1978. Perhaps the strength of our reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on stations WSUI and WOI and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we’re about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com Writing by Kelly Sundberg: It Will Look Like a Sunset Goodbye, Sweet Girl The Answer is in the Wound: Trauma, Rage, and Alchemy Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Molly, by Blake Butler Hotshot: A Life on Fire, by River Selby American Bloodlines: Reckoning with Lynch Culture, by Sonya Lea In case you’ve missed it, here’s a trailer for Gilmore Girls. Follow Kelly Sundberg: Instagram: @ksundber kellysundberg.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. For women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Photo Credit: Rachel Barehl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ren Cedar Fuller is a writer, preschool founder, and parent facilitator at TransFamilies, an online hub for families with gender diverse children. And she’s the author of Bigger, a collection of personal essays and winner of the 2024 Autumn House Nonfiction Prize. In this episode, Annmarie and Ren talk about neurodivergent parenting, collective sibling memories, and how to be loving advocates for gender nonconforming children. Episode Sponsors: Brain Lair Books – A black-owned, woman-owned children's bookstore located in South Bend, Indiana. At Brain Lair, we partner with local schools and universities to help build an inclusive, welcoming community. We specialize in juvenile and young adult literature written by and for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, and Disabled communities, as well as adult nonfiction about ending white supremacy, promoting anti-racism, and becoming a social activist. We can help you find the books you need. Drop by or browse online at brainlairbooks.com. Browsers Bookshop – Olympia's downtown independent bookstore since 1935. At Browsers, we make it our work to support both emerging and established literary voices, and our staff work tirelessly to match readers of all ages with their next favorite book. Stop by or shop online at browsersolympia.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Bigger: Essays, by Ren Cedar Fuller On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, by Ocean Vuong Here’s a trailer for the series The Leftovers. Follow Ren Cedar Fuller: Instagram: @RenCedarFuller rencedarfuller.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. Or if you’re in Northeastern Ohio and looking for an in-person class to jumpstart your writing, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Karen Walrond is an award-winning author, speaker, and leadership coach. And she’s on a mission to create a kindness revolution. She’s the author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto and Radiant Rebellion, and she’s out now with a new book, In Defense of Dabbling, in which she urges all of us to stress less and play more. In this episode, Karen and Annmarie talk about cultivating curiosity, self-compassion, and even failure in order to do the things we love– even if we’re not any good at them. Episode Sponsors: Blue Willow Bookshop – A locally-owned, independently-minded West Houston bookstore. Blue Willow is run by a team of opinionated, well-read women. Our staff meetings are full of laughter, our back room is full of snacks, and we absolutely love putting the right book into a reader’s hands. We’ve got recommendations. We’ve got pizzazz. And we look forward to welcoming you to our happy place. Stop in or shop online at bluewillow bookshop.com. Lit Youngstown – A literary community proud to support beginning and experienced writers who seek to hone their craft, foster understanding, and share and publish their creative work. Read, write, and tell your story at lityoungstown.org. Books by Karen Walrond: In Defense of Dabbling: The Brilliance of Being a Total Amateur Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell The Lightmaker’s Manifesto: How to Work for Change Without Losing Your Joy The Beauty of Different: Observations of a Confident Misfit And here’s our previous conversation with Karen about Radiant Rebellion. Follow Karen Walrond: Instagram: @heychookooloonks Facebook: @chookooloonks Substack: Karen Walrond www.chookooloonks.com **Writing Workshops: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing together, please consider the opportunities below. Or if you’re looking for an online class to jumpstart your memoir, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cleyvis Natera is a novelist, short story writer, essayist, and critic, whose debut novel, Neruda on the Park, was a New York Times Editor’s Choice and awarded a Silver Medal by the International Latino Book Awards. Her second book, The Grand Paloma Resort, is out now. In today’s episode, Cleyvis and Annmarie discuss the often long and winding road to literary publication, marathons versus triathlons, and the high cost of luxury travel both on and off the resort. Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Books Are Magic – A family-owned independent bookstore in Brooklyn, committed to being a welcoming, friendly, and inclusive space for all people. We believe that books are indeed magic and that literature is one of the best ways to create empathy, transportation, and transformation. Stop by or shop online at booksaremagic.net. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Neruda on the Park, by Cleyvis Natera The Grand Paloma Resort, by Cleyvis Natera The Farming of Bones, by Edwidge Danticat In the Time of Butterflies, by Julia Alvarez How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water, by Angie Cruz (You can listen to our WPL conversation with Angie here.) Here’s the trailer for the Netflix series Envidiosa. Follow Cleyvis Natera: Instagram: @cleyvisnatera Twitter/X: @cleyvisnatera Bluesky: @cleyvisnatera.bsky.social‬ cleyvisnatera.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or if you’re looking for an online class to jumpstart your memoir, you can find that here. Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Young is an award-winning writer and journalist, and the author of the narrative non-fiction book The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland, which is longlisted for the 2025 American Library in Paris Book Award. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Michelle talk about Rose Valland, an unsung hero of the French war effort, and how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world’s most treasured masterpieces. Episode Sponsors: McNally Jackson – Independent booksellers with locations in Nolita, Williamsburg, Seaport, Rockefeller, and Downtown Brooklyn. To find your next great read, drop by or shop online at www.mcnallyjackson.com Bluestockings – A collectively-run NYC activist center, community space and feminist bookstore that offers mutual aid, harm reduction support, non-judgemental resources, and a warming/cooling place that is radically inclusive of all genders, cultures, expansive sexualities and identities. Bluestockings seeks to empower all people to challenge oppression and participate in creating a society which is equitable, cooperative, and free, and we strive to empower our worker-owners through non-hierarchy, cooperation, and consensus-based decision making, providing an example of the society we are working toward. Stop by or shop online at bluestockings.com. Titles Mentioned in This Episode: The Art Spy: The Extraordinary Untold Tale of WWII Resistance Hero Rose Valland, by Michelle Young The Aviator and the Showman: Amelia Earhart, George Putnam, and the Marriage that Made an American Icon, by Laurie Gwen Shapiro, the aviator and the showman Here’s the trailer for the 1964 film, The Train, starring Burt Lancaster. Follow Michelle Young: Instagram: @michelleyoungwriter Threads: @michelleyoungwriter Twitter/X: @michelleyoungny Bluesky: @‪michelleyoung.bsky.social michelleyoungwriter.com **Writing Workshops and Wish Fulfillment: If you liked this conversation and are interested in writing abroad, consider joining Annmarie for a writing retreat in Italy in September, 2025. You can travel to a beautiful place, meet other wise women, and write your own stories. We’d love to help you make your wishes come true. This will sell out. Act now and join us! Or for women interested in an online Saturday morning writing circle, you can sign up here or message Annmarie to learn more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices