Wild Precious Life

Sarah Freligh is the author of seven books, including Sad Math, winner of the 2014 Moon City Press Poetry Prize, Hereafter, winner of the 2024 Bath Novella-in-Flash Contest, and A Brief Natural History of Women. Her work has appeared in numerous literary journals and is anthologized in New Micro: Exceptionally Short Fiction, Best Small Fiction 2022, and several editions of Best Microfiction. In this episode, Sarah and Annmarie discuss holiday traditions, the importance of both maintaining and breaking with creative routines, and how writing can be an invaluable way to process life’s heartache and joy. 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. Hidden Barn Books – An independent bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine.  Come browse for books! Isn't searching for that next book, not knowing what you might find, wonderfully stimulating and relaxing? We invite you to come and linger, pore through our books, and enjoy your time exploring. Or find us online at hiddenbarnbooks.com. Books by Sarah Freligh: Other Emergencies Sad Math A Brief Natural History of Women We Hereafter Dear You Sort of Gone Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore Long Bright River, by Liz Moore Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout The Intentions of Thunder, by Patricia Smith You Could Make This Place Beautiful, by Maggie Smith How the Word Is Passed, by Clint Smith   Follow Sarah Freligh: Facebook: @SarahFreligh Twitter/X: @sfreligh Instagram: @sfreligh sarahfreligh.com Photo Credit: Walter Colley Images **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 online Saturday afternoon writing circle, you can sign up here. If you’re interested in growing your own practice as a writing instructor, you can learn more about an upcoming teacher training class here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is co-leading a women’s writing workshop in Santa Fe, NM in April. Reservations are now open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Baer is a writer and #1 New York Times bestselling author of four books, including her latest, How About Now. In this episode, Kate and Annmarie discuss women’s health, the importance of vulnerability and connection, and how in order to write you have to be willing to fail. 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. Hidden Barn Books – An independent bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine. Come browse for books! Isn't searching for that next book, not knowing what you might find, wonderfully stimulating and relaxing? We invite you to come and linger, pore through our books, and enjoy your time exploring. Or find us online at hiddenbarnbooks.com. Books by Kate Baer: How About Now And Yet What Kind of Woman I Hope This Finds You Well Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans Heart the Lover, by Lily King The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar Where’d You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple Here’s a trailer for the TV show Arrested Development. Follow Kate Baer: Instagram: @katejbaer Twitter/X: @KateJBaer katebaer.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 online Saturday afternoon writing circle, you can sign up here. If you’re interested in growing your own practice as a writing instructor, you can learn more about an upcoming teacher training class here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is co-leading a women’s writing workshop in Santa Fe, NM in April. Reservations are now open. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coauthors Anne Burt and Christina Baker Kline join us to discuss their recent collaboration, Please Don’t Lie, which has been described as both “psychologically rich and bone-chilling.” In this episode, Anne, Christina, and Annmarie discuss the magic of writing partnerships, making room for more feminism in the thriller genre, and how to research, stare down, and reimagine all those things that go bump in the night. Episode Sponsors: Watchung Booksellers – Proud to be the go-to bookstore for a thriving literary community, with well over 100 published local authors, and innumerable publishing and media professionals. We are fierce supporters of small businesses and civic organizations through donations and promotions. We stand with advocates who support the right to read banned books and we proudly carry a large selection of books that represent all people, families, and cultures. Our favorite thing to do is meet readers and introduce them to new books. We thrive on the challenge of helping a reluctant reader or finding a new gem for a voracious reader. We hope you’ll visit and talk books with us soon! Or listen to our community of writers, readers, and book lovers on The Watchung Booksellers Podcast. And you can find us online at watchungbooksellers.com. Hidden Barn Books – An independent bookstore in Bar Harbor, Maine. Come browse for books! Isn't searching for that next book, not knowing what you might find, wonderfully stimulating and relaxing? We invite you to come and linger, pore through our books, and enjoy your time exploring. Or find us online at hiddenbarnbooks.com. A Selection of Titles by These Authors: Please Don’t Lie, by Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt About Face: Women Write about What They See When They Look in the Mirror, edited by Anne Burt and Christina Baker Kline The Dig: A Novel, by Anne Burt My Father Married Your Mother: Dispatches from the Blended Family, edited by Anne Burt The Exiles, by Christina Baker Kline Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline The Foursome (May, 2026), by Christina Baker Kline Follow Anne Burt: Instagram: @anne_burt_writer Facebook: @Anne Burt anneburtwriter.com Follow Christina Baker Kline: Instagram: @bakerkline Facebook: @Christina Baker Kline Twitter/X: @BakerKline christinabakerkline.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 or message Annmarie to learn more. If you’re interested in growing your own practice as a writing instructor, you can learn more about an upcoming teacher training class here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is co-leading a women’s writing workshop in Santa Fe, NM in April. Reservations are now open. Photo Credit: Cowbird Creative Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ann Packer is the author of six works of fiction, including the bestselling novels The Children’s Crusade and The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, which received the Kate Chopin Literary Award, among many other honors. In this episode, Annmarie and Ann discuss Ann’s new book, SOME BRIGHT NOWHERE, a novel about all the messy, complicated, beautiful, and impossible decisions when it comes to end-of-life care for someone you love.  Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City’s premier indie bookstore since 1978. Perhaps the strength of our reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on stations WSUI and WOI and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Green Apple Books – In San Francisco, connecting curious 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. Writing by Ann Packer  Some Bright Nowhere Swim Back to Me Mendocino and Other Stories The Children’s Crusade  Songs Without Words The Dive from Clausen’s Pier Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Loved and Missed, by Susie Boyt And here’s a recipe for butterscotch pudding from Gjelina in Venice. Follow Ann Packer: Instagram: @annpacker Facebook: @annpacker **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 or message Annmarie to learn more.  If you’re interested in growing your own practice as a writing instructor, you can learn more about an upcoming teacher training class here. And if you’re interested in traveling with your writing practice, Annmarie will be leading workshops in Santa Fe, NM and Paris, France in 2026. Reservations for both open soon. Photo Credit: Beowulf Sheehan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kelly Sundberg is a writer and Capricorn and teacher and redhead and recent author of The Answer Is in the Wound. In this episode, Kelly and Annmarie talk about trauma, rage, grief, healing, and everything in-between, as they interrogate what it takes for someone to move beyond domestic violence and learn to love again.  Content Warning: Domestic Violence If you or someone you know is in search of assistance to break free from partner abuse, there are people standing by 24-7 to help.  Call 1-800-799-SAFE, that’s 1-800-799-7233. Do not suffer in silence.  Episode Sponsors: Prairie Lights Books – Iowa City’s premier indie bookstore since 1978. Perhaps the strength of our reputation lies in the reading series of local, national and international writers who have read their works which were broadcast live on stations WSUI and WOI and which was the only regular literary series of its kind. All of this could not have been possible without a loyal customer base and a dedicated staff. Learn more or shop online at prairielights.com. Gramercy Books – A locally-owned, independently-minded neighborhood bookstore located in the heart of Bexley, Ohio. Our philosophy at Gramercy Books is simple: we’re about inspiration and discovery, community and adventure. We connect readers and writers with books they love, and host special events and ongoing visits by authors, poets and songwriters who provoke conversation. Stop by or shop online at gramercybooksbexley.com Writing by Kelly Sundberg: It Will Look Like a Sunset Goodbye, Sweet Girl The Answer is in the Wound: Trauma, Rage, and Alchemy Other Titles Mentioned in This Episode: Molly, by Blake Butler Hotshot: A Life on Fire, by River Selby American Bloodlines: Reckoning with Lynch Culture, by Sonya Lea In case you’ve missed it, here’s a trailer for Gilmore Girls. Follow Kelly Sundberg: Instagram: @ksundber kellysundberg.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 or message Annmarie to learn more.  Photo Credit: Rachel Barehl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices