Literary Speaking

Navigating Book Auctions, Katy Simpson Smith and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss Katy’s experience as a best-selling author going into a book auction, how to navigate the negotiation process and what to expect when more than one publisher is interested in your work. Katy Simpson Smith is the author of We Have Raised All of You: Motherhood in the South, 1750-1835, and the novels The Story of Land and Sea and Free Men. She lives in New Orleans. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured

The Ten Year Novel with Sari Wilson and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss how Sari’s debut novel Girl Through Glass took ten years to write, how she incorporated a new character years later to create the perfect story and what she’s learned about writing fiction. Sari Wilson is a New York-based fiction writer. She has received a Wallace Stegner Fellowship from Stanford University, and a Provincetown Fine Arts Work Center Fellowship in fiction. Her first fiction novel, Girl Through Glass is available now. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the

The Successful Freelancer with Edie Weinstein and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss how to build a long-term career as a successful freelancer; interviewing the Dali Lama, how to submit articles to popular online magazines and what Edie’s learned from publishing her best-selling book. Edie Weinstein, MSW, LSW is a colourfully creative journalist, dynamic transformational speaker, interfaith minister, licensed social worker, radio host and author of The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming The Ordinary Into The Extraordinary. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books

Kerry Cohen and Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss The Truth About Memoir, how to write about yourself, and others, with honesty and integrity while honouring your own truth. What to expect from friends, family and the media when your memoir is published and how to navigate writing emotional scenes. Kerry Cohen is a psychotherapist, writing faculty at The Red Earth Low-Residency MFA, and author of Loose Girl, Dirty Little Secrets, Seeing Ezra, The Truth of Memoir; and the young adult novels Easy, The Good Girl, and It’s Not You, It’s Me. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is bette

Beth Schulman and host, Crystal-lee Quibell discuss Mothers, Monsters & Memoir, writing about childhood trauma, coming to a place of empathy for those that have hurt us, and the power of sharing your story with the world. Beth Schulman McGonagle is a teacher and writer. Beth has devoted her life’s work to creating supportive, creative and literacy rich learning environments for young children. She works with The Penn Literacy Network (PLN) as an instructor and literacy coach. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese b

J.D. Salinger & Me with Joanna Rakoff and host, Crystal-lee Quibell discuss what it was like to work for the infamous literary agency, sharing how she answered fan mail for J.D. Salinger and, how working in a literary agency can help develop your career as an author. Joanna Rakoff is the author of the novel A Fortunate Age, as well as the memoir My Salinger Year. She has written for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Vogue, and other publications. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the o

Get a look Inside the Publishing Mind with founder of one of the largest literary agencies in north America, Bill Gladstone. Bill and host Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss what makes a book a best-seller, what your publisher expects from it’s authors and whether or not the six figure book deal is really a good thing for your long-term career as an author. Bill Gladstone founder Waterside Productions, Inc. has personally placed more than 5000 titles. He represents individual authors such as Eckhart Tolle and Neale Donald Walsch. He’s also a best-selling author of THE TWELVEand THE POWER OF TWELVE. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described merm

Marie-Rose Phan-Le discusses from memoir to film, documenting her memoir, Talking Story: One Woman’s Quest to Preserve Ancient Spiritual and Healing Traditions. She’ll share how she travelled the world to document ancient traditions and what she learned as a filmmaker and a writer as she discovered and embraced her creative calling. Marie-Rose Phan-Le is a Filmmaker, and Author. Leading as the C.O.O. of a Visual Media Company. She has 25+ years’ experience in film/TV production. Founder of Healing Planet Project and the Chief Operating Officer and Creative Director at High Impact Inc,. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid an

Author, Theologian & Speaker Brad Harper discuss Love vs. Faith, how he learned to love his gay son unconditionally and how that love both challenged and expanded his faith as a teacher and father. Brad co-authored the book, Space At The Table, inviting people to the conversation between Christianity and the LGBTQ community. Brad Harper is an author and professor of theology at Multnomah University & Biblical Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Brad has spoken to churches, conferences, and seminary students on the topic of Christianity and homosexuality.  Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she

Jessica Strawser, editor of Writer’s Digest, and Crystal-Lee Quibell will discuss writing and pitching your freelance articles to popular publications. Jessica shares tips on how to approach an editor, what you need to know before submitting your article for review, and how to secure a long-term freelance position with them. Jessica Strawser is the chief editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, North America’s leading publication for aspiring and working writers since 1920. Her own debut novel, ALMOST MISSED YOU, is forthcoming from St. Martin’s Press in April 2017. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life,

Drew Harper & Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss Kickstarting Your Memoir, how he crowd-funded his co-authored book Space At The Table. Drew Stafford Harper is a freelance journalist and actor who splits his time between Portland, New York, and Cairo. Space at the Table: Conversations Between an Evangelical Theologian and His Gay Son, coauthored with his father Brad Harper, is his first book. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Ins

Meredith Maran & Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss why we write about ourselves, as well as the risks and rewards of memoir. Meredith Maran is the author of a dozen nonfiction books and an acclaimed novel, Meredith is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and the MacDowell Fellows West. She writes features, essays, and book reviews for People, Salon, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Real Simple, Mother Jones, Good Housekeeping, and other publications. Her latest book is a collection of essays - Why We Write About Ourselves: Twenty Memoirists on Why They Expose Themselves (and Others) in the Name of Literature.  Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing a

Laura Leigh Abby & Crystal-Lee Quibell discuss Writing Out Of the Closet, how to write with authenticity and handle rejection. Laura Leigh’s work has appeared in such publications as Cosmopolitan, Vice, Salon, BuzzFeed, Refinery29, Dame Magazine, The Huffington post, The Billfold, Xo Jane, Modern Loss and others. She is the creator of 2Brides2Be, an online wedding resource providing planning tools and inspiration for the modern lesbian bride. Her book of the same name is forthcoming with Rarebird and Archer Lit in early 2017. Laura Leigh and her wife Samantha appeared on the second season of Bravo TV’s Newlyweds: The First Year and are both active in the LGBT community, most recently teaming up with the Family Equality Council, The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps, and the NYC LGBT Community Center.  Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a

Literary Agent Carly Watters of P.S. Literary divulges why you need a literary agent, what she typically looks for in queries and how an agent can help you secure a book deal and build your author brand. Carly Watters is a VP and Senior Literary Agent with the P.S. Literary Agency. She is a hands-on agent who develops proposals and manuscripts with attention to detail and the relevant markets. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is better with books, chocolate, and the occasional cheese board. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir:

Julie Batalion discusses the dynamic between mothers and daughters healing generational trauma through the power of writing. Judy Batalion grew up in Montreal. She studied the history of science at Harvard before moving ?to London, where she did a PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art and worked as a curator by day and a comedian by night. She is now an author and essayist, and lives with her husband and daughters in NYC. Her first book WHITE WALLS: A MEMOIR ABOUT MOTHERHOOD, DAUGHTERHOOD AND THE MESS IN BETWEEN was published by NAL/Penguin in January 2016. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she

What a book editor does and why you need them with Kelly Notaras of KN Literary & Crystal-Lee Quibell. How many passes of editing should your book go through before it's published? Why do you need an editor? What types of editing are available and why. After starting her career in New York City—working as an editor for HarperCollins, Penguin USA and Hyperion Books—Kelly Notaras relocated several years ago to Boulder, Colorado where she served for four years as the VP and Editorial Director at Sounds True. In 2010 she left Sounds True to ghostwrite her first book. Since starting kn literary arts, she has been honored to edit a wide variety of personal growth books including New York Times Bestseller The Tapping Solution by Nick Ortner. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir.

Julie Barton discusses how a rescue dog saved her from debilitating depression when no one else could and her pet memoir, Dog Medicine. Julie also shares how she handled rejection and pursued her path to getting her book published. Julie Barton is a New York Times bestselling author who has been published in Brain Child Magazine, The South Carolina Review, Louisiana Literature, Two Hawks Quarterly, Westview, The Huffington Post, and more. Her memoir, Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself, was initially released by Think Piece Publishing (Nov 2015), then published by Penguin Books, released July 19, 2016. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Mag

Lene Fogelberg discusses surviving two emergency open-heart surgeries after being misdiagnosed and the writing of her memoir. Lene is the author of the award winning memoir, Beautiful Affliction. A national gold medalist in the 2016 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. Her upcoming essay is to be featured in the forthcoming book, The Magic Of Memoir: Inspiration for the Writer's Journey.

Author Albert Flynn DeSilver discusses how to awaken the writer within and the benefits of attending writer retreats. Albert Flynn DeSilver is an internationally published poet, writer, speaker, and workshop leader. Albert served as Marin County’s very first Poet Laureate from 2008-2010. His work has appeared in more than 100 literary journals worldwide including ZYZZYVA, New American Writing, Hanging Loose, Jubilat, Exquisite Corpse, Jacket(Australia), Poetry Kanto (Japan), Van Gogh’s Ear (France), and many others. He is the author most recently of “Beamish Boy: A Memoir,” “Letters to Early Street” from La Alameda/University of New Mexico Press (2007), and “Walking Tooth & Cloud,” from French Connection Press in Paris (2007). His new books, “Writing as a Path to Awakening,” based on his popular writing workshops by the same name, and a novel “Brooklyn, Wyoming” are due out in 2017. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-sellin

don Miguel Ruiz Jr., shares how to apply Toltec wisdom to your writing practice, why he decided to follow in his fathers footsteps as an author and all about his new book, The Mastery of Self. don Miguel Ruiz, Jr. is a Naguel, a Toltec Master of Transformation. He is a direct descendant of the Toltecs of the Eagle Knight lineage and is the son of don Miguel Ruiz, Sr. By combining the wisdom of his family's tradition with the knowledge gained from his own personal journey, he now helps others realize their own path to personal freedom. Crystal-Lee Quibell is the host of Literary Speaking, a weekly podcast dedicated to helping writers learn from best-selling authors, literary agents, and publishers. Founder of The Magical Writers Group, a private teaching forum for writers specifically focused on memoir. She is a champion for the written word, student of publishing and an obsessive book collector with a serious case of wanderlust. A self-described mermaid and witchy woman for life, she believes that life is b