Wild Precious Life

Martha Conway is the author of several novels including The Underground River, which was a New York Times Book Editor’s Choice. Her novel Thieving Forest won the North American Book Award for Best Historical Fiction, and her novel The Physician’s Daughter has been called “historical fiction at its finest.” In today’s episode, Annmarie and Martha discuss multiverses, theater kids, and how her latest book We Meet Apart was both a puzzle Martha created and a puzzle she needed to solve. 



Episode Sponsors:

Green Apple Books – Connecting curious San Francisco readers to great books since 1967. Browsing at Green Apple is a unique experience. From our handmade signs and book recommendations to the many nooks and crannies, you can both get lost in here and find serendipity. Our friendly, well-read employees also stand ready to help you in any way. For your next great read, stop by or go to greenapplebooks.com.

Orinda Books – An independently-owned bookstore just 30 minutes east of San Francisco. We are open six days a week with free parking, and the Orinda BART station is a pleasant half-mile walk away. We provide a diverse range of books and our children's department is extensive and inviting. Besides books, we also carry puzzles, toys, cards, and calendars, as well as locally-made chocolate, olive oil, ceramics, and artwork. We love to read and recommend our favorites — so don't hesitate to ask! Stop by or shop online at orindabooks.com.

Titles by Martha Conway:

Thieving Forest

The Underground River

12 Bliss Street

Sugarland

The Physician’s Daughter

We Meet Apart

Titles Mentioned in This Episode:

And The Ancestors Sing, by Radha Lin Chaddah

Bug Hollow, by Michelle Huneven

Skylark, by Paula McLain

Recipe for Joy, by Monica Comas

Follow Martha Conway:

Instagram: @marthamconway

Threads: @marthamconway

Substack: @marthaconway

marthaconway.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.

For anyone interested in a May weekday accountability circle, you can sign up here.

For anyone in search of an evening class to jumpstart their creative practice, you can sign up here.

And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us!
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Annie Hartnett is the award-winning author of three novels: Rabbit Cake, Unlikely Animals, and the national bestseller The Road to Tender Hearts, which won the 2025 New England Book Award for fiction and was named a best book of 2025 from NPR, LitHub, and Southern Living. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Annie discuss parenting worries, janky rental houses, and how to write a road trip book with or without a cat that can predict death.

Episode Sponsors:

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.

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 bluewillowbookshop.com.

Titles Mentioned in This Episode: 

Rabbit Cake, by Annie Hartnett

Unlikely Animals, by Annie Hartnett

The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett

Margot’s Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe

Follow Annie Hartnett:

Instagram: @annie_hartnett

Threads: @annie_hartnett

Substack: @anniehartnett

anniehartnett.com

accountabilityworkshops.com

Photo credit: Traer Scott

**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. 

For anyone interested in a May weekday accountability circle, you can sign up here.

For anyone in search of an evening class to jumpstart their creative practice, you can sign up here.And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us!
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Tara Pringle Jefferson is the founder of The Self Care Suite, a digital wellness community for Black women. Her voice has been featured on New York magazine’s The Cut, Black Enterprise, and Essence. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Tara discuss Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing, and the importance of both self-care and community care as a sustaining force for Black women.

Episode Sponsors:

Tastes & Tomes – A Black woman-owned, mission-driven, pop-up/mobile bookshop in Columbus, Ohio. Founded during the pandemic by author, poet, advocate, and educator, Tracy Ramey (pen name Tracy D.F. Resonance), Tastes & Tomes centers historically underrepresented stories, banned and challenged books, and indie authors. Find Tastes & Tomes online at bookshop.org/shop/tastesandtomes. And if you’re in the Columbus area today, April 7, 2026, come on out to Zora’s House for the Inaugural National Black Bookstore Day. Come support your local Black bookstore. Let’s celebrate and recognize literacy, knowledge, and those who paved the way before us.

Literary Cleveland – Developing writers, amplifying voices, and transforming our community through storytelling. Explore other voices and discover your own. Search for classes and find your creative community at litcleveland.org.

Titles Mentioned in This Episode:

Bloom How You Must: A Black Woman’s Guide to Self-Care and Generational Healing, by Tara Pringle Jefferson

Firstborn Girls, by Bernice L. McFadden

Dominion, by Addie E. Citchens

The Price of Exclusion: The Pursuit of Healthcare in a Segregated Nation, by Nicole Carr

Follow Tara Pringle Jefferson:

Facebook: @wherewomenbloom

Instagram: @wherewomenbloom

Threads: @wherewomenbloom

Substack: The Well Rested Black Woman

tarapringlejefferson.com

theselfcaresuite.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.

For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here.

And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us!
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Melody Chu is a writer and attorney. The daughter of Chinese immigrants from Taiwan, she graduated from Princeton University and Harvard Law School and has practiced as an attorney in Hong Kong, Beijing and the United States. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Melody discuss her debut novel Mathey Girls. They also talk about independent publishing and the power of female friendships across distance, time, and grief. 

Episode Sponsors:

Loganberry Books – An independently owned and operated bookstore in the historic Larchmere neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Loganberry features a carefully curated collection of new, used and rare books in all genres for both readers and collectors, with an inventory over 100,000 volumes. Find your next great read and shop online at loganberrrybooks.com.

Mac’s Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your new favorite book and shop online at macsbacks.com.

Titles Mentioned in This Episode:

Mathey Girls, by Melody Chu

Kundun (1997) Official Trailer

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) Official Trailer

Follow Melody Chu:

Facebook: @MelodyChu

Instagram: @MelodyChu_author

Threads: @melodygchu

melodychuauthor.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.

For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here.

And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us!

Photo Credit: Melissa Lipnick, Life Unscripted Photography
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Natalie Haynes is a writer, broadcaster and “rock star mythologist.” Her retelling of the Trojan War, A Thousand Ships, was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction and has been translated around the globe. She’s out now with No Friend to This House, a reimagining of the story of Medea. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Natalie poke fun at Perseus, demystify Greek myths, and discuss the relevance of classic literature in our modern world. 

Episode Sponsors:

Pocket Books – An independent, queer, feminist bookstore committed to the idea that bookstores are places for communities to share knowledge, wisdom, resources, and connections. We stock an intentional and eclectic selection of books that we hope will help you feel safe exploring something new. Pocket Books is a place of discovery where readers find support for their ideas and new interests. Stop by one of our Lancaster, Pennsylvania locations or shop online at pocketbooksshop.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 by Natalie Haynes: 

No Friend to This House

A Thousand Ships

The Children of Jocasta

Stone Blind

Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth

Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths

Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode 

The Overstory, Playground, and Bewilderment, all by Richard Powers

O Brother, Where Art Thou? Official Trailer

Clash of the Titans (1981) Official Trailer

Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics

Follow Natalie Haynes:

Facebook: @nataliehaynesstandupclassicist

Twitter/X: @officialnhaynes

Instagram: @NatalieHaynesAuthor

Threads: @nataliehaynesauthor

Bluesky: @NatalieHaynes

nataliehaynes.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. 

For anyone interested in an evening class to jumpstart your creative practice, you can sign up here.

And if you’d like to travel with your writing, Annmarie is co-leading a writing retreat in Paris this June. Join us!Photo Credit: James Betts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices