Truer Words

In the 68th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Michelle Quach about graphic design, unlikable female characters, and creating a love interest who does more than just the assigned reading. Michelle is the author of the debut YA, NOT HERE TO BE LIKED. Michelle can be found on Twitter @michellequach and Instagram @_michellequach. Her website is michellequach.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Gold-Plated Girls newsletter: ‘Never Have I Ever’ & Dead Dads & Me by Victoria Edel Laura Hankin A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin The Other Two on HBOMax Munich Schitt’s Creek on Netflix Ted Lasso on Apple+ Constance Grady Why a Christmas Episode Supercharged the Ted Lasso Debate by Kathryn VanArendonk Reservation Dogs on Hulu Only Murders in the Building on Hulu Moving On, A Love Story - Nora Ephron Apthorp article Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore League of Extraordinary Women series The Bookshop of Second Chances by Jackie Fraser Suddenly You by LIsa Kleypas Fated Mates podcast Sally Rooney Why is the Sex in Sally Rooney’s Novels So Good? by Amil Niazi She’s All That Writing the Romantic Comedy by Billy Merritt Macbeth Life: A User’s Manual by Georges Perec The Book Doctors PitMad If You, Then Me by Yvonne Woon In-Between Girl The Ezra Klein Show: How Blue Cities Became So Outrageously Unaffordable The Ezra Klein Show: That Anxiety You’re Feeling? Hana Kh Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].

In the 67th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Emma Kress about writing girls in sports, taking risks, and social media as an author. Emma is the author of DANGEROUS PLAY, available now! Emma can be found on Twitter @emma_kress, TikTok @emma_kress, and Instagram @kress.emma. Her website is emmakress.com. Mentioned in this Episode: All I Wanna Do Bluey Bluey is the Best Kids’ Show of Our Time by Kathryn VanArendonk for Vulture Flat Stanley The Nanny Drawn That Way by Elissa Sussman A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Born in Fire / Born in Ice / Born in Shame (Irish Born trilogy) by Nora Roberts The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery Reservation Dogs Sterlin Harjo on WTF with Marc Maron Killers of the Flower Moon movie Brendan Fraser Joins Killers of the Flower Moon Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann The Great House Revival Cynthia Leitich-Smith Mary Quattlebaum Amy King David Macinnis Gill A.R. Capetta Cory McCarthy Nova Ren Suma Our episode with Nova Ren Suma Ruth Ware Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price Our episode with Tirzah Price In the Same Boat by Holly Green Sarah Dessen When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris Mare of Easttown Ted Lasso About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].

In the 66th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Margot Wood about Emma retellings, marketing a book as “queer,” and finding community in book lovers. Margot can be found on Twitter @margotwood and Instagram @margotmwood. Her website is margotwood.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Epic Reads Immersive Van Gogh exhibit Carrieres de Lumières Georges Méliès Hieronymous Bosch L’Atelier des Lumières Paris A Black Lady Sketch Show Issa Rae’s wedding photos A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin While We Were Dating by Jasmine Guillory Our episode with Jasmine Emma by Jane Austen Emma (2020 film) The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Adrienne Kisner Our episode with Adrienne Meisner technique Kiersten White Alphasmart Neo Typewriter The Princess Diaries Love, Simon Insurgent movie Cheer Up: Love and Pompoms by Crystal Fraser The Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon Bones Buffy the Vampire Slayer Freddie Prinze Jr. About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].

In the 65th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Azadeh Westergaard about illustration, the joys of research, and Nikola Tesla. Azadeh is the author of A LIFE ELECTRIC: THE STORY OF NIKOLA TESLA. She can be found on Twitter @ahwestergaard and Instagram @ahwestergaard. Her website is ahwestergaard.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Vermont College of Fine Arts Writing for Children and Young Adults Heartburn by Nora Ephron audiobook read by Meryl Streep Heartburn movie Nora Ephron’s “Heartburn” is an Ideal Audiobook by Helen Rosner Quotation from Heartburn Fresh by Margot Wood Emma by Jane Austen Clueless Hacks Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work Never Have I Ever Virgin River Black Widow Seven Days in June Thanks for Waiting by Doree Shafrir Forever35 podcast Amelia Bedelia Roseanne Rosannadanna Júlia Sardà (illustrator of Azadeh’s book) She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Júlia Sardà Laura Hankin Andrea Bartz and Laura Hankin Talk About Accidentally Writing Similar Novels Elizabeth Gilbert Ann Patchett Big Magic Newspapers.com Nikola Tesla Museum New York Public Library Archive.org New York Public Library for the Performing Arts Theatre on Film and Tape Archive Oklahoma! on Broadway On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne Liz Garton Scanlon Maira Kalman Ooh-La-La Max in Love by Maira Kalman School of Visual Arts Monica Wellington Mary Quattlebaum Martha Brockenbrough Linda Urban Patent Pending bar Patent Pending in Nomad is a Cafe by Day, Speakeasy by Night Call My Agent! The Worst Witch The Worst Witch books by Jill Murphy Sing Sing 2 Misery Pokko and the Drum by Matthew Forsythe The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction Jhumpa Lahiri “Brownies” by ZZ Packer The Aspiring Poet’s Journal About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].  

In the 64th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Cassie Gustafson about writing about sexual assault responsibly, loving dark stories, and Tana French. Cassie can be found on Twitter @cassiegusty and Instagram @cassiegusty. Her website is cassiegustafson.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Djerassi Nova Ren Suma Our episode with Nova Ren Suma World of Our Fathers: The Journey of Eastern European Jews and the Life They Found and Made by Irving Howe Norma Klein Just Friends Margaret The Cinematic Traumas of Kenneth Lonergan Melissa’s Bright Wall / Dark Room essay Margaret issue of Bright Wall / Dark Room Smith-Cameron Succession You Can Count on Me Manchester by the Sea Angels in America West Side Story Gosford Park The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson Truly Devious Trilogy by Maureen Johnson The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Finding Water by Julia Cameron By Now, Burnout is a Given Band Candy Earshot - Buffy saves Jonathan Danny Strong Laurie Halse Anderson Speak Tana French The Secret Place by Tana French The Trespasser by Tana French In the Woods by Tana French Laurie Faria Stolarz Jane Anonymous by Laurie Faria Stolarz The Last Secret You’ll Ever Keep by Laurie Faria Stolarz Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu Land directed by Robin Wright Songland About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].

In the 63rd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Kristy Everington about Australian authors, why Americans call everything “cute,” and Ethan Hawke. Kristy is the author of the debut picture book ISOBEL ADDS IT UP. Kristy can be found on Twitter @kmeverington and Instagram @kristyeveryington. Her website is kristyeverington.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey Our episode with Kerry Winfrey Starstruck on HBO Max Ted Lasso on Apple+ Dickinson on Apple+ Hacks on HBO Max Succession on HBO One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon Our episode with Rachel Lynn Solomon Kirkus review of Isobel Adds It Up Kathi Appelt Praise by Andrew McGahan Sara Zarr Looking for Alaska by John Green Twilight by Stephenie Meyer Jaclyn Moriarty Melina Marchetta Tomorrow, When the War Began series by John Marsden Martine Leavitt Jane Kurtz An Na Not Great, Bob! The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron Buffy on Hulu Angel on Hulu The X-Files THE X-FILES TWEET (allegedly, please don’t sue us) Dawson’s Creek Our episode with Laurie Morrison Mare of Easttown on HBO Max Cruel Summer on Freeform Vampire’s Promise by Caroline B. Cooney You by Caroline Kepnes You TV series Dig by A.S. King The Project by Courtney Summers About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].

In the 62nd episode of Truer Words, we speak with Camryn Garrett about journalism, film, writing for teens as a teen (and young adult), and DIRTY DANCING. Camryn is the author of two young adult novels, FULL DISCLOSURE and OFF THE RECORD. Camryn can be found on Twitter @dancingofpens and Instagram @camryngwrites. Her website is camryngarrett.com. Mentioned in this Episode: #1000wordsofsummer on Twitter #1000wordsofsummer/Craft Talk newsletter by Jami Attenberg Jami Attenberg Film at Lincoln Center World of Wong Kar-Wai In the Mood for Love Chungking Express Criterion Channel High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America High on the Hog host Stephen Satterfield Magnolia Plantation Michael Twitty High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America by Jessica D. Harris Legacy by Nora Roberts One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston Red White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston Mare of Easttown Dirty Dancing Girls5eva Rutherford Falls We Are Lady Parts We Can’t Keep Meeting Like This by Rachel Lynn Solomon Our episode with Rachel Lynn Solomon The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon We Can’t Let Physical Media Die by Kieran Fisher Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Time for Kids Reporters Nicola Yoon Jacqueline Woodson Almost Famous The Chris Farley Show on Saturday Night Live Shruti Ganguly NYU MBA/MFA program Spike Lee Kasi Lemmons Ang Lee Martin Scorsese Tamara Jenkins NYU MFA Acting shows The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot Mike Nichols: A Life by Mark Harris Who? Weekly Leah Johnson The Movies That Made Us Eleanor Bergstein Love & Basketball About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].  

In the 54th episode of Truer Words, we speak with Evan Griffith about writing stories about animals, the magic of Mary Quattlebaum, and the beauty of The Crown on Netflix. Evan is the author of SECRETS OF THE SEA: THE STORY OF JEANNE POWER, REVOLUTIONARY MARINE SCIENTIST as well as an upcoming middle grade novel tentatively titled MANATEE SUMMER. Evan can be found on Twitter @Evan_Griffith. His website is evangriffithbooks.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Girl Gone Viral by Alisha Rai The Magician and The Spirits by Deb Noyes The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon Call My Agent! on Netflix Buffy on Hulu Angel on Hulu The Dry by Jane Harper The Lady Rogue by Jenn Bennett You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson 2021 ALA Awards Our episode with Yamile S. Mendez Furia by Yamile S. Mendez Our episode with Jenny Torres Sanchez We Are Not From Here by Jenny Torres Sanchez Our episode with Kekla Magoon Workman Publishing Mary Quattlebaum Joanie Stone (illustrator of Evan’s book!) The Writing Barn Katherine Applegate Salima Alikhan Our episode with Salima Alikhan Austin SCBWI We Are Okay by Nina LaCour Premeditated Myrtle by Elizabeth Bunce Avatar: The Last Airbender The Crown The Crown Style Archives from Tom + Lorenzo About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].  

In the 61st episode of Truer Words, we speak with Laurie Morrison about writing upper middle grade, carving up old manuscripts for parts, and Judy Blume. Laurie is the author of the middle grade novel UP FOR AIR, the just-released SAINT IVY: KIND AT ALL COSTS, the upcoming COMING UP SHORT, and the co-author (with Cordelia Jensen) of EVERY SHINY THING. Laurie can be found on Twitter @LaurieLMorrison and Instagram @laurielmorrison. Her website is lauriemorrisonwrites.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Dawson’s Creek Amy Spalding Our episode with Amy Spalding Amy’s OUTFOXED book announcement People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry Beach Read by Emily Henry The Nanny Crossing Delancey Mare of Easttown Buffy the Vampire Slayer The Office Sex and the City The Bachelor Six Feet Under Law & Order: SVU SyndicatedBK Y Tu Mama Tambien In the Heights Film at Lincoln Center Jill Santopolo Cordelia Jensen Eighth Grade The Canada Geese Quilt by Natalie Kinsey-Warnock Judy Blume Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume Goodbye, Stranger by Rebecca Stead Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret? by Judy Blume Alan Cumyn Franny Billingsley Mary Quattlebaum Shelley Tanaka Never Have I Ever Losers at the Center of the Galaxy by Mary-Winn Heider The Comeback by E. L. Shen Get A Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert Joy McCullough Our episode with Joy McCullough Lost in Space (Netflix version) Lost in Space (movie) Lost in Space (1960s) Ted Lasso Schitt’s Creek About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].

In the 60th episode of Truer Words, we speak with A. S. King about writing EMOTIONS, respecting teens, and astrology. Amy is the author of multiple middle grade and young adult novels, including her newest, SWITCH, which comes out May 11th. Amy can be found on Twitter @AS_King and Instagram @as_king. Her website is as-king.com. Mentioned in this Episode: Jacques d’Amboise Jacques d’Amboise in China: The Other Side of the World Jacques d’Amboise dancing “Apollo” Jacques d’Amboise in the dream ballet in Carousel Jacques d’Amboise in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers He Makes Me Feel Like Dancin’ Oscar-winning documentary directed by Emile Ardolino National Dance Institute Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert Whiteout by Adriana Anders Fated Mates podcast Stacey Abrams romance novels I Crawl Through It by A. S. King Dig by A. S. King The Dust of 100 Dogs by A. S. King David Gill Vonnegut’s Shape of Stories diagram David Levithan The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing by M. T. Anderson The Realm of Possibility by David Levithan Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A. S. King Paul Zindel John Mulaney Kae Tempest The Handmaid’s Tale (audiobook version read by Claire Danes) by Margaret Atwood Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins The Man Suit by Zachary Schomberg Scary No Scary by Zachary Schomberg Louise Glück The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry Aaron’s Books About Us: Truer Words is created and produced by Melissa Baumgart and Kathryn Benson. Our music was composed by Mike Sayre, and our logo was designed by Marianne Murphy. You can follow us on Twitter @truerwordspod and on Instagram @truerwordspodcast. Contact us via our website, truerwordspodcast.com, or email us at [email protected].