Hugh Ryan on Writing Lifestyles and Learnings, and uncovering Queer History
Hugh is a writer, historian and curator focused on all things queer and New York city. His debut book When Brooklyn Was Queer received numerous accolades, including writeups as an editor's pick in the New York Times and it was listed as one of Harper Baazar's best LGBTQ books of 2019.
His most recent book, The Woman's House of Detention was discussed with none other than Terry Gross of NPRs fresh air and talks about the 20th century women's house of detention in the West Village. It has already received numerous praise from many outlets, and by some of my own personal favorite writers like Melissa Febos. Hugh is a fantastic writer and also an educator now back teaching at Bennington College, where he received his MFA.
And you can get some of that education through our conversation, as I sure did. Make sure to stick around for his recommendations on some craft picks to read.
Mallika Rao on honing your voice, the importance of nuanced writing, and making freelance work, work for you
Welcome back to the Creation Stories Media podcast, where we make each day, a day to make. I know there's been a bit of a hiatus so thanks for joining us again with a really exciting episode with writer Mallika Rao. As I was in need of some creative community and support while feeling a bit burned out, Mallika was such an energetic breath of fresh air and I know you will enjoy this episode. Mallika is a freelance writer, whose creative nonfiction has been featured in the top outlets of the genre including Vulture, NY Mag, Huffington Post, Jezebel, The Believer. The Believer piece, Three Bodies in Texas, we talk about the most in this episode and it was part of the last volume of that great magazine. Her work has been recognized by the LA Press Club for best industry feature for her writing on Apu from the Simpsons and Longreads best of the year for a piece on Dallas Strip Mall Restaurants. She herself has done a podcast, called HiberNation, set in the realm of sleep which was Ambie nominated. You can check out some of her most recent work at Vulture and the link to her full website mallika-rao.com for more work on our website - I'll link some of the great work she mentions throughout this episode online.
Lessons from Olivia de Recat, Illustrator and Writer
Olivia de Recat chats with us about her success in illustrating and writing for the New Yorker and wittily capturing the modern experience of being in your 20s. Her comedic touch on her comics have made her a standout hit and her lessons on creativity expand to all creative fields