Wild Precious Life

Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer is a poet, teacher, speaker and writing facilitator who co-hosts Emerging Form, a podcast on creative process. Her recent collections are All the Honey and The Unfolding, and she’s out now with The Wonderment. In this episode, Annmarie and Rosemerry discuss grief, joy, how to write a poem, how to launch grown-up-but-still-our-babies children into the world, and the playful possibility of a daily writing practice.

Bookstore Shout-outs:
Between the Covers Bookstore – Telluride's locally owned and independent bookstore since 1974. Called "Telluride's living room," the bookstore and Bruno coffee welcome thousands of locals and visitors each year with stunning views of Bear Creek Canyon and sunny sidewalk cafe seating. Stop by or shop online at between-the-covers.com.
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.

Titles Mentioned in This Episode:
The Wonderment, by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
All the Honey, by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
The Unfolding, by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Sidekick, by Naomi Shihab Nye
Alhamdulillah Anyway, by Moudi Sbeity
The Sacred Everyday, by James Crews
Accidental Devotions, by Kelli Russell Agodon

Follow Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer:
Instagram: @rosemerry.trommer
Facebook: @rosemerry.trommer
Threads: @rosemerry.trommer
Substack: @rosemerrywahtolatrommer
wordwoman.com
ahundredfallingveils.com ← Sign up to get a poem a day from Rosemerry.

**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 looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here.
For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here.

Photo Credit: Joanie Schwarz
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Elissa Bassist is an award-deserving author, humor writer, teacher, and speaker. Her first book is HYSTERICAL, a semi-finalist for The Thurber House Prize for American Humor. Her latest, co-authored with Caitlin Kunkel, is INSIDE JOKES: A Comedy and Creativity Guide for All Writers.

In this episode, Elissa and Annmarie discuss hair-care products, female medical symptoms and how they’re often dismissed by male doctors, and whether or not writers can be taught to be funny. 

Bookstore Shout-outs:

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.

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.

Titles Mentioned in This Episode:

Hysterical, by Elissa Bassist

Inside Jokes: A Comedy and Creativity Guide for All Writers, by Elissa Bassist and Caitlin Kunkel

Like This, But Funnier, by Hallie Cantor

Acne: A Memoir, by Laura Chinn

Here’s a trailer for Florida Girls. 

Follow Elissa Bassist:

Instagram: @elissabassist

Facebook: @elissa.bassist

LinkedIn: @elissabassist

Substack: @elissabassist

elissabassist.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 looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here.

For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here.

For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nathan Batchelor is the author of the collection The Judas Goat and Other Southern Horrors. In this episode, Nathan and Annmarie talk about unlikely midlife friendship, diving into books across genres, and how to keep both the reader and the writer surprised by the sometimes tedious work of drafting sentences.

Bookstore Shout-outs:

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.

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.

Titles to Explore Based on This Episode:

The Judas Goat and Other Southern Horrors, by Nathan Batchelor

Edgar One, written by Nathan Batchelor and performed by voice artist Kristin Holland

The Heart Response, by Nathan Batchelor

Hellraiser: Resurrections Vol. 0, by Clive Barker

Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng

White Noise, by Don DeLillo

The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri

Here’s a scene from the 1987 film Moonstruck, one of the only movies that Nathan and Annmarie both enjoy.

Follow Nathan Batchelor:

Twitter/X: @NateBatchelor

**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 looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here.

For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here.

For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Vanessa Hua is the award-winning, best-selling author of Forbidden City,  A River of Stars, and Deceit and Other Possibilities. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Newsweek, among other publications. In this episode, Annmarie and Vanessa talk about her latest book, Coyoteland, which asks “vital questions about race, class, and what it takes to truly belong.” 

Bookstore Shout-outs:

Booksmith – An independent bookstore and mainstay of San Francisco's Haight Ashbury district since 1976. Booksmith offers signed copies by local authors and ships worldwide. Shop online at booksmith.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.

Books by Vanessa Hua:

Forbidden City

Coyoteland

Deceit and Other Possibilities

A River of Stars

Other Titles Discussed in This Episode:

How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder, by Nina McConigley

Where the Girls Were, by Kate Schatz

Bad Asians, by Lillian Li

When We're Born We Forget Everything, by Alicia Jo Rabins

Here’s a Link to the Recipe for Summer Cake on SmittenKitchen.com

Follow Vanessa Hua:

vanessahua.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 looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here.

For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here.

For women looking for a weekend beach retreat to Florida, early bird pricing is available here.

Photo Credit: Marc Puich

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Milan Carter-Gilkey is a writer, a lover of books, and a bookseller. She writes personal essays, articles, creative nonfiction and occasionally, fiction. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, mater mea, Mutha Magazine, the anthology All the Women in My Family Sing, and elsewhere. In this episode, Meilan and Annmarie talk about favorite books of the past, present, and future, and how to reach for a title to transport you to a world you didn’t know was possible.

Episode Sponsors:

Octavia’s Bookshelf – An independent bookstore in Pasadena, California where readers of all walks of life can enjoy our store full of books written by BIPOC writers. Octavia’s Bookshelf is a place to find your new BFF inside a book, a space to find community, enjoy a cup of coffee, read, relax, find unique and specially curated products from artisans from around the world and in our neighborhood. Stop by or shop online at octaviasbookshelf.com.

Porter Square Books: Boston Edition – A welcoming space to gather with neighbors, linger over books, read with kids, chat with booksellers, and feel part of the community. Whether it’s an author series, book club, or regular story hour, we’ll work to make it happen. Shopping with us also supports GrubStreet, one of the nation's leading creative writing centers. Learn more or shop online at portersquarebooks.com.

Titles Recommended in This Episode:

Their Eyes Were Watching God, by Zora Neale Hurston

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume

Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, by Judy Blume

A Handful of Earth, a Handful of Sky: The World of Octavia Butler, by Lynell George

Beloved, by Toni Morrison

Sula, by Toni Morrison

Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison

The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison

Kin, by Tayari Jones

Silver Sparrow, by Tayari Jones

An American Marriage, by Tayari Jones

The Untelling, by Tayari Jones

Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom Is Dead, by Angela Nissel

Oreo, by Fran Ross

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, by Deesha Philyaw

Long Division, by Kiese Laymon

Heavy, by Kiese Laymon

Martyr!, by Kaveh Akbar

O Sinners! by Nicole Cuffy

There’s Always This Year, by Hanif Abdurraqib

The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros

Wild Seed, by Octavia E. Butler

Dawn, by Octavia E. Butler

Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler

The God of Small Things, Arundhati Roy

Running in the Family, Michael Ondaatje

Things in Nature Merely Grow, by Yiyun Li

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution, by R. F. Kuang

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev, by Dawnie Walton

Good Talk, by Mira Jacob

Follow Meilan Carter-Gilkey:

Instagram: @meilancg

Substack: @meilancartergilkey

**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 looking for support writing their memoir, Annmarie is teaching a class here.

For anyone looking for a month of accountability writing hours and workshops, learn more here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.