Why We Write Podcast | Lesley University

Join the conversation with authors from within the Lesley community.

Why We Write brings you conversations with authors from the Lesley community about books, writing, and the writing life. Our show library features dozens of episodes with alumni, faculty, and visiting authors who share the inspiration behind their work while offering insight into their writing processes. We cover just about every genre, from poetry to sci-fi to memoir and young adult.

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Find the show notes and transcript for our latest episode.

National Poetry Month

We love poetry and we love our Lesley poets, so every week in April (aka National Poetry Month) we've invited one Lesley author onto the show to share a poem and why they wrote it — all in 10 minutes or less.

Visit the episode page for more information.

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Visit the episode page for more information.

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Visit the episode page for more information.

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Visit the episode page for more information.

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Photograph of Sara Farizan leaning forward smiling at the view.

Chucky Dolls, an Evil Pinball Machine, and Horror

Sara Farizan shares her love and fear of spooky stories and how she developed her first horror novel.

Listen to Sara Farizan's episode

Bringing K-dramas to the page

Grace K. Shim, author of 'The Noh Family,' discusses her debut full of twists, turns, and korean drama.

Listen to Grace K. Shim's episode

Book cover of Beneath the Wide Silk Sky. Image of a woman walking away imposed over the image of a woman in a kimono.

Emily Inouye Huey's deput explores her family history

'Beneath the Wide Silk Sky,' tells a heartbreaking and beautiful story of a Japanese-American family.

Listen to Emily Inouye's episode

'A Fractured Infinity'

Creative Writing alum Nathan Tavares ’11 talks about his debut novel, "A Fractured Infinity," a sci-fi love story that he describes as "like the movie 'Arrival,' but really gay."

Listen to Nathan Tavares' episode

Why We Write: Season 4

The Many Meanings of Meilan book cover, Andrea Wang

Chinese-American identity in the midwest

Andrea Wang's two new books for young readers explore what the Asian American experience in the Midwest.

Listen to the episode with Andrea Wang.

Making 'Memoirs of a Black Girl'

Filmmaker Thato Mwosa celebrates the lives and stories of Black and African people through her work, including her award-winning film, "Memoirs of a Black Girl."

Listen to the episode with Thato Mwosa.

Portrait of Celeste Mohammad sitting, wearing a white shirt.

Celeste Mohammed's 'Pleasantview' of Trinidad

Celeste Mohammed dispels myths about Trinidad while revealing its complex culture.

Listen to the Celeste Mohammed episode.

MFA in Creative Writing faculty Tony Eprile portrait.

Writers Should Write Book Reviews

MFA faculty Tony Eprile gives us a peak into his workshop on book reviews and why authors should write them.

Hear Tony Eprile's book review advice.

Debut novel is no 'Ordinary Wonder'

On the podcast, Buki Papillon talks about her acclaimed first novel, "An Ordinary Wonder," and why she's driven to write, even when it's really painful.

Listen to our interview with Buki Papillon.

Julia Leef sitting on a bench writing on an autumn day.

How to Survive NaNoWriMo

Lesley alums Hurley Winkler and Julia Leef share their experiences and advice for tackling National Novel Writing Month.

Listen to our episode on NaNoWriMo.

Margaret Chen's 'Suburban Gothic'

Margaret F. Chen discusses her collection of short stories that explore the complexities of life and the suburbs.

Listen to the episode with Margaret Chen

A Journey into the 'Blue Desert'

Listen as author Celia Jeffries discusses writing about cultures and times different separate from her own in her debut "Blue Desert."

Listen to the episode with Celia Jeffries

'The Art of Talking with Children'

In her book, Rebecca Rolland ’17 shares advice on how to get more comfortable talking (and listening) to children.

Hear Rebecca Rolland's advice on talking to kids.

A debut author on addiction, parenting, and David Sedaris

Alum Cindy House's "Mother Noise" offers a harrowing but hopeful look at addiction, motherhood, and friendship.

Listen to our conversation with Cindy House.

Starting a literary podcast

Friends Tavi Taylor Black ’08 and Christine Junge ’08 celebrate the art of essays with their podcast, The Personal Element.

Listen to this podcast episode.

A joyful look at death (no really)

For our special National Poetry Month podcast series, Bonita Lee Penn contemplates dying with joy in "Death Doula's Song."

Listen to Bonita's poem.

Contemplating the wilds of New York City

For our special National Poetry Month podcast series, Staci Halt shares her poem "Soft."

Listen to Staci's poem.

July Westhale sits in an arm chair. Black and white photo

Imagining the moon's moon

For our special National Poetry Month podcast series, July Westhale takes us to outer space with her poem "the world as it is."

Listen to July's poem.

A poem to the border patrol

For our special National Poetry Month podcast series, Robbie Gamble shares his poem "Memo to the Border Patrol Agent Who Poured Out the Water We Left in the Desert."

Listen to Robbie's poem.

How to Read Poetry (and Why)

If you find poetry intimidating, this is the podcast episode for you. Poet Kevin Prufer debunks the myth that it has to be difficult and offers a way to engage with the genre.

Listen to our poetry discussion

'Mean Girls' meets 'Cheer'

In "The Falling Girls" by Hayley Krischer ’09, a mysterious death, friendship, betrayal, and social media mix to create a compulsively readable YA novel.

Listen to our interview with Hayley Krischer.

Pamela Petro with sunglasses and water in the landscape behind her. in wales.

A uniquely Welsh word

Pamela Petro's book, The Long Field, explores the deeply human experience of hireath, a word that encompasses nostalgia, homesickness, and longing.

Listen to our interview with Pamela.

Margaret Chen's 'Suburban Gothic'

Margaret F. Chen discusses her collection of short stories that explore the complexities of life and the suburbs.

Listen to the episode with Margaret Chen

A Journey into the 'Blue Desert'

Listen as author Celia Jeffries discusses writing about cultures and times different separate from her own in her debut "Blue Desert."

Listen to the episode with Celia Jeffries

How to Survive NaNoWriMo

Lesley alums Hurley Winkler and Julia Leef share their experiences and advice for tackling National Novel Writing Month.

Listen to our episode on NaNoWriMo.

Why We Write: Season 3

Cowboys and 'the dread'

For our special National Poetry Month series, MFA in Creative Writing student Lydia Leclerc shares her poem "Cowboys Will Come Up with New Terms for Psychological Conditions."

Listen to Lydia Leclerc's poem.

'As for the Heart'

For our special National Poetry Month series, MFA faculty Erin Belieu performs her thoughtful pandemic poem, "As for the Heart."

Listen to 'As for the Heart.'

'The Translator'

For our special National Poetry Month series, MFA faculty Kevin Prufer reads "The Translator" and shares the poem's origins.

Listen to 'The Translator.'

'We Be Womxn'

For our special National Poetry Month series, U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo shares two poems and talks about the first verses she wrote as a teen in Zimbabwe.

Listen to U-Meleni's poetry.

Nigerian-American author debuts novel in verse

Candice Iloh's buzzy debut book for teens, "Every Body Looking," explores sexuality, religion, and identity.

Listen to our interview with Candice Iloh

Debut poet Jennifer LeBlanc on myth and mysteries

MFA in Creative Writing graduate Jennifer LeBlanc discusses her debut poetry collection, Descent.

Listen to our interview with Jennifer LeBlanc.

Matthew E. Henry wearing graduation robes with other people in the background. Standing outside.

'Teaching While Black'

Matthew E. Henry, PhD, gives an unflinching portrayal of teaching while black in his debut poetry collection of the same name.

Listen to our interview with Dr. Matthew E. Henry

Starcrossed book cover - two children looking at each other, one from space, the other from earth.

Author, illustrator Julia Denos is 'Starcrossed'

Julia Denos talks about her new book, gives advice to young creators, and discusses her creative process.

Listen to our podcast episode with Julia Denos.

Sybelia Drive book cover - painting of flowers

Coming of age during the Vietnam War in 'Sybelia Drive'

Karin Cecile Davidson talks about her debut, a coming of age novel set in the turbulent Vietnam Era.

Listen to our episode with Karin Cecile Davidson.

Photo of MFA Creative Writing Faculty Sophie Goldstein

Sophie Goldstein's 'Embarrassment of Witches'

Graphic novelist, illustrator and former faculty Sophie Goldstein talks about her latest book.

Listen to our interview with Sophie Goldstein.

Conspiracy, Nixon and Watergate...for kids

P. O'Connell Pearson's latest nonfiction book for middle graders explains the inner workings of Watergate.

Hear our conversation on Watergate.

Boston poet Steven Cramer on writing, rewriting and adaptation

Professor Steven Cramer discusses his newest book of poetry, "Listen."

Listen to our interview with Steven Cramer.

My Captain America

Alumna Megan Margulies's debut is a memoir about growing up and her relationship with her beloved grandfather, comic book creator Joe Simon.

Listen to our interview with Megan Margulies.

Writing Under Pressure: Creating During the Pandemic

Author and MFA faculty Tracey Baptiste shares advice for creating a healthy writing practice.

Hear Tracey's advice for writing.

On the High Seas with Chaney Kwak

Chaney Kwak (MFA in Creative Writing ’09) talks travel writing and the harrowing story of his ill-fated cruise on the Viking Sky, now immortalized in his debut, "The Passenger."

Listen to our interview with Chaney Kwak.

Why We Need to Talk About Mental Health

In her debut YA novel, "The Stepping Off Place," Cameron Kelly Rosenblum ’91 tells a story of friendship, mental illness, suicide, grief and love.

Listen to our podcast with Cameron Kelly Rosenblum

Why We Write: Season 2

An ice skater who broke racial barriers. Singapore's sarong party girls. God, politics, and middle America. These are just some of the topics from Why We Write's Season 2.

Writing Master Class with A.J. Verdelle

This episode of the Why We Write podcast is a must-listen for aspiring authors as A.J. Verdelle explains the importance of scene in your writing.

Listen to our workshop with A.J. Verdelle.

God, politics, and Middle America with Lyz Lenz

Lyz Lenz explores the church, politics, and the failure of her own marriage as she canvases America's heartland.

Listen to our interview with Lyz Lenz

The sound of 'Silence' with Jane Brox

Silence can be a punishment and a contemplative reprieve. In her latest book, Jane Brox explores the nuances and consequences of quiet in history.

Listen to our interview with Jane Brox

Michelle Knudsen black and white author photo

Demon fighting teens and musical theater

On the podcast: We talk demon librarians, musical theater, and teenage love in Michelle Knudsen’s "Evil Librarian" trilogy.

Listen to our interview with Michelle Knudsen.

Axie Oh's 'Rogue Heart'

Alumna Axie Oh tells us about her new young adult sci-fi novel, set in Neo Beijing circa 2201.

Listen to our podcast interview with Axie Oh.

Singapore's 'Sarong Party Girls'

Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan gives us a peek into the glitzy world of Singapore’s Sarong Party Girls and talks home cooking, writing, and more.

Listen to our episode with Cheryl Tan.

Sheila Alexander head shot in black and white

Graphic memoir explores infertility

Alumna Sheila Alexander’s graphic memoir, "If," chronicles her struggles to get pregnant, with the hopes of helping others facing infertility.

Listen to our interview with Sheila Alexander

Illustrated book cover with an African-American girl wearing a purple dress and ice skating

An ice skater who broke racial barriers

Alumna Rose Viña's debut children's book profiles the little-known African-American skater who fought for diversity on the ice.

Hear more on our podcast with Rose Viña.

Caribbean mermaids and evil spirits

Tracey Baptiste talks about her New York Times op-ed, her creepy middle-grade Jumbies series, and diversity in publishing.

Listen to our interview

Tracy Strauss author photo in black and white

Debut memoir discusses trauma and 21st-century dating

Alumna Tracy Strauss writes "an open love letter" to her future spouse in her new book "I Just Haven't Met You Yet."

Listen to our interview with Tracy Strauss.

laurie foos black and white, sitting outside on doble quad

Funny, fantastic and weird books

In Laurie Foos's fabulist fiction, a blue girl consumes moon pies by night and a woman loses her uterus at the mall. Weird? Yes. Compelling? Always.

Listen to our interview with Laurie Foos.

A Syrian kid moves to Ohio in 'Other Words for Home'

Jasmine Warga's middle-grade novel is a hopeful story in verse about a young immigrant adjusting to life in the U.S.

Listen to our episode with Jasmine Warga.

Mariama Lockington photo in black and white

Middle grade novel explores adoption, racism, mental illness

Alumna Mariama Lockington's own voices debut novel doesn't flinch from tough topics.

Listen to our interview with Mariama Lockington.

Memoir explores a family torn apart by the Holocaust

Alumna Lisa Gruenberg's memoir pieces together her heartbreaking and hopeful family history.

Listen to our interview with Lisa Gruenberg.

30 Years of Commonthought

The past and present editors of Lesley's literary magazine discuss its history and importance.

Listen to our discussion on Commonthought.

Why We Write: Season 1

Writing books for kids who don't read. Searching for the real Shakespeare. And forgotten black history. These are just some of the topics we explored in Why We Write's first season.

Katie Cotugno black and white author photo

Bestselling YA author & love junkie

In our inaugural podcast episode, New York Times best-selling author Katie Cotugno tells us about her messy, complicated, feminist love stories.

Listen to Katie Cotugno's podcast episode

Women, History, and The Weight of Ink with Rachel Kadish

The acclaimed author discusses her novel—a literary page-turner about two women living centuries apart.

Listen to Rachel Kadish's podcast episode

Searching for the real Shakespeare

In this episode of Why We Write, Cheryl Eagan-Donovan talks about her documentary, which posits that an A-list playboy was the real Shakespeare.

Listen to Cheryl Eagan-Donovan's podcast episode

Writing books for kids who don't read books

Best-selling author and Newbury Award honoree Jason Reynolds writes novels that are unfailingly compelling, compassionate, and timely with diverse characters.

Listen to Jason Reynolds' podcast episode

From the page to the stage

On the podcast, Jami Brandli discusses "making it" as a playwright, writing strong female characters, and her Greek mythology trilogy.

Listen to Jami Brandli's podcast episode

Scott Loring Sanders on Surviving Jersey

On the podcast, Sanders speaks about murder and mayhem in his home state, the advice he gives to young writers, and going on a police ride for his new novel.

Listen to Scott Loring Sanders' podcast episode

What an MFA in Creative Writing Can Do For You

If you've ever contemplated getting your MFA in Creative Writing, this is the Why We Write episode for you.

Listen to the podcast episode

Monster trucks and The Truth About Poop

Susan Goodman talks about her adventures as a writer and telling kids the truth in her books.

Listen to Susan Goodman's podcast episode

Watch Us Rise author Renée Watson

New York Times bestselling author, educator, and activist Renée Watson talks about her latest novel for teens and writing strong, black, female characters.

Listen to Renée Watson's podcast episode

Poetry for the broken spaces

Alumnus Enzo Silon Surin talks about his poetry, which gives voice to experiences that take place in the “broken spaces.”

Listen to Enzo Silon Surin's podcast episode

Recommending kids books

The educators behind The Classroom Bookshelf blog encourage teachers to try new and diverse books in their classrooms.

Listen to The Classroom Bookshelf podcast episode

Making hard science easy

On the Why We Write podcast, children's author and alumna Sara Levine ’06 talks about her lifelong love of science and the humanities.

Listen to Sara Levine's podcast episode

Chasing poetry with Jess Rizkallah

Jess Rizkallah first realized she wanted to 'chase poetry' as a Lesley undergrad. She writes about being a Lebanese-American woman, family, love, religion, and gender.

Listen to Jess Rizkallah's podcast episode

Dreaming about Joan of Arc

David Elliott tells us about washing pickles, singing opera, and writing a book that's been compared to Hamilton (yes, that Hamilton).

Listen to David Elliott's podcast episode

Risky memoir writing

Janet Pocorobba's new book, "The Fourth String: A Memoir of Sensei and Me," is both a biography of her leather jacket-wearing sensei and her own complicated experiences abroad.

Listen to Janet Pocorobba's podcast episode

Black and white photo of Fabiola Decius speaking into a microphone.

Teaching teens to WRITE

Playwright Fabiola Decius discusses her path to become a playwright and how she's teaching the next generation of theater enthusiasts.

Listen to Fabiola Decius's episode

Sara Farizan is 'Here to Stay'

Young adult author Sara Farizan talks about her new book on basketball and Islamophobia.

Listen to Sara Farizan's podcast episode

Richard Blanco looks at the camera and holds a book.

Poet Richard Blanco on 'How to Love a Country'

One of America's most popular poets explores family, place, and his Cuban-American identity with his latest book.

Listen to Richard Blanco's podcast episode

A memoir of family and the Holocaust

Caroline Heller's memoir explores not only her family's experiences during World War II, but also how the Holocaust affected her as the child of a concentration camp survivor.

Listen to Caroline Heller's podcast interview

A digital illustration of three adolescence racing down the sidewalk on bicycles, one with a speak bubble that says, "Go!"

Strange Fruit and forgotten black history

Artist Joel Christian Gill tells the stories of extraordinary black people from American history.

Listen to Joel Christian Gill's podcast episode

Self-publishing, ghost hunting lesbians, and Dolly Parton

Nicole Mello ’18 talks about the gumption it takes to call yourself a writer....plus advice from Dolly Parton.

Listen to Nicole Mello's podcast interview