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. 
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Priya Parmar is the author of the novel, Vanessa and Her Sister, a New York Times Notable Book, and her latest novel, The Original, is out now. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Priya discuss their shared obsession with movie star, Katharine Hepburn, gender norms in old Hollywood, and how to know when a book is really finished. 

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 Priya Parmar:

Exit the Actress

Vanessa and Her Sister

The Original

Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode:

The Foursome, by Christina Baker Kline

Desk Set

The Philadelphia Story

Adam’s Rib

Sylvia Scarlett

Follow Priya Parmar:

Facebook: @priyaparmar

Instagram: @priyaparmarwriting

Substack: Plum Bean Notes @priyaparmarwriting

priyaparmar.net

**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.
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Kelli Russell Agodon is a poet, writer, editor, and book designer whose Dialogues with Rising Tides, was named a Finalist for the Washington State Book Awards. In today’s episode, Kelli and Annmarie discuss texting Emily Dickinson, how to write a poem, and Kelli’s latest book Accidental Devotions which Traci Brimhall describes as “the kind of beauty you wish to hold forever.”

Episode Sponsors:

Open Books: Poem Emporium – A poetry bookstore and community space located in historic Pioneer Square, in Seattle, Washington. Stop by our Seattle location or shop at open-books-a-poem-emporium.myshopify.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 Kelli Russell Agodon:

Accidental Devotions

Dialogues with Rising Tides

Hourglass Museum

Everything Is Writable, co-authored with Annette Spaulding-Convy

The Daily Poet: Day-By-Day Prompts, co-authored with Martha Silano

Demystifying the Manuscript: Essays and Interviews on Creating a Book of Poems, co-edited with Susan Rich

Additional Titles and Authors Mentioned in This Episode:

The New Economy, by Gabrielle Calvocoressi

Blue Atlas, by Susan Rich

Dear Selection Committee, by Melissa Studdard

Glitter Road, by January Gill O’Neil

Terminal Surreal, by Martha Silano

Follow Kelli Russell Agodon:

Facebook: @agodon

Instagram: @kelliagodon

Bluesky: @kelliagodon

Threads: @kelliagodon

Twitter/X: @kelliagodon

Substack: Postcards from a Poet @kelliagodon

YouTube: @PoemsYouNeed

agodon.com

twosylviaspress.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.
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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!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices