Episodes
S2E3 Why Writers Need to Fail More with Stephen Marche
June 6, 2023
Cultural critic Stephen Marche discusses his new book On Writing and Failure, the challenges faced by writers in the digital age, the the inherent failures that are part of writing process, and the struggle to bridge the gap…
S2E2: Susan Olding on Essays and Rereading Classics
May 23, 2023
In this episode, Susan Olding discusses her journey as an essayist, and her newest essay collection Big Reader. She also discusses the power of writing essays, the challenges of writer's block, the power of re-reading classi…
Josh Lambert on the Jewish Literary Mafia
May 9, 2023
In this episode of "The Book I Had to Write" podcast, Paul interviews Josh Lambert, author of The Literary Mafia: Jews, Publishing, and Postwar American Literature. Josh shares the story of how the term 'Jewish literary maf…
Season 2 Trailer
May 1, 2023
Paul is back with a new season of The Book I Had to Write. This time around, the show explores nonfiction writers and stories from Canada. Upcoming interviews will be published every other Tuesday starting on May 9, 2023.
How Do You Write About Yourself and Others? with Sari Botton
July 5, 2022
In this episode, I talk with writer and editor Sari Botton. Back around 2010, Sari started an interview series at The Rumpus called “Conversations with Writers Braver Than Me.” At the time, as a writer of first-person nonfic…
Bonus Episode: Chloe Caldwell Does It Her Way (The Bleeders)
June 28, 2022
This week, we’re featuring an episode from a great new show called The Bleeders. The Bleeders is a podcast (and support group) about book writing and publishing. The podcast emphasizes “transparent conversations with authors…
The Memoir as Detective Story with Lilly Dancyger
June 21, 2022
It can be difficult for writers to learn to put our stories front and center. That was originally the case with today’s guest, Lilly Dancyger. She originally set out to memorialize her father, Joe Schactman, through a book t…
Your Book is Ready When It's Ready with Brad Listi
June 14, 2022
Today’s guest on TBIHTW is Brad Listi, best known as the creator of the OTHERPPL with Brad Listi podcast. Hailed by everyone from The New Yorker to Electric Literature as a go-to literary podcast, OTHERPPL boasts over 770+ e…
Why You Need to Cut Your First 50 Pages w/ Allison K. Williams
June 7, 2022
If you’ve spent time in the world of creative nonfiction, chances are you’ve come across today’s guest, Allison K. Williams (read more below).
How Gayle Jessup White Discovered her Family’s Legacy
May 31, 2022
Growing up, Gayle Jessup White had heard that her African American family was somehow related to Thomas Jefferson. But it wasn’t until advances in DNA technology, along with methods pioneered by historians exploring the Afri…
Getting Over Fear of Success with Dr. Robert Glover
May 24, 2022
Paul talks with the best-selling author Dr. Robert Glover about how the publication of the book, No More Mr. Nice Guy, helped him to create a platform, and to launch himself as internationally-recognized men’s dating and sel…
A Masterclass in Writing and Living with Abigail Thomas
May 17, 2022
Paul talks with the NYT-bestselling memoirist and teacher, Abigail Thomas. Her memoir, Safekeeping (2000), is a marvel of technical innovation, enviable humor, and just plain old heart. She’s clear-sighted about her own fail…
From Journal to Book with Karen Propp
May 10, 2022
What do you do when you want to read a book that’s not already out there? And what’s the difference between keeping a journal and writing for publication? In S1E1 of TBIHTW, writer and editor Karen Propp explores these and o…
Season 1 Trailer
April 18, 2022
Coming May 8, 2022, a new podcast where leading nonfiction authors talk about writing their most compelling books -- and why that journey matters to anyone who wants to publish. Season 1 guests include Abigail Thomas, Gayle …