Season 1 Trailer
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 Jessup White, Robert...
NARRATOR: A few months ago. I was listening to an interview on NPR and it stopped me in my tracks. I had to listen more closely as Gayle Jessup White explained why she had to write a book about her African-American families relationship to Thomas Jefferson.
NPR SOUNDBITE (GAYLE JESSUP WHITE): “My dad was 6’2”. Had red hair and freckles. Jefferson was 6’2”, had red hair and freckles, so there was no way that I could have have pieces to the puzzle and not want to put it together.”
NARRATOR: As a kept listening to Gayle. I felt her incredible emotional connection to her story.
NPR SOUNDBITE (GAYLE JESSUP WHITE): ”I feel that I was actually called to do this work. I feel that the ancestors pulled me out of my hometown — my beloved Hometown Washington DC — to come to Richmond, Virginia, so that I could become a vehicle for them.”
NARRATOR: And it got me thinking, why do other authors feel driven to write their books?
I'm Paul Zakrzewski. I'm a writer, book coach, and the host of a new podcast, THE BOOK I HAD TO WRITE.
In season one, you'll hear from leading memoir writers, coaches journalists, thought leaders, and more.
Authors just like Gayle Jessup White herself.
You'll get the stories behind how they wrote some of today's most influential nonfiction.
You'll learn tips and secrets to getting your own book done. And why publishing that could change your life.
Subscribe in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite shows, and go to TheBookIHadtoWrite.doc to sign up for transcripts, show notes, special offers and more.
I'm looking forward to sharing a great season with you.