Wild Precious Life

Keeper of Lost Children with Sadeqa Johnson

Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times Bestselling author of six award-winning novels, including Yellow Wife and The House of Eve. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Sadeqa discuss her latest novel, Keeper of Lost Children, and how one American woman’s vision in post WWII Germany changed the course of countless lives. Episode Sponsors: Fountain Bookstore – An independent, general, full-service bookstore serving the Metro Richmond area and the world! Fountain hosts more author programming than any other entity in the state of Virginia. We also ship autographed copies worldwide. Come check us out! You’ll find enthusiastic booksellers happy to talk about their favorite titles. Or find us online at fountainbookstore.com. Politics and Prose – DC’s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub. At Politics and Prose, we’re devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas. And we’re committed to exceptional customer service and to the values of independence, inclusion, and diversity. Stop by one of our Washington, DC locations or shop online at politics-prose.com. Titles by Sadeqa Johson  Keeper of Lost Children Yellow Wife The House of Eve Second House from the Corner And Then There Was Me Additional Titles Mentioned in This Episode  Broken Country, by Clare Leslie Hall Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray Follow Sadeqa Johnson: Facebook: @SadeqaJohnson Instagram: @sadeqasays TikTok: @sadeqasays www.sadeqa.net **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 a memoir writing class, you can sign up here. And if you’re looking to write and learn with Sadeqa, she’s hosting a writing retreat in Arcachon, France this April. You can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with Annmarie is leading a writing workshop in Paris this June. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Opera Wars with Caitlin Vincent

Caitlin Vincent is an award-winning librettist, trained vocalist, opera company director and arts commentator. Her librettos have won all three of America’s top opera prizes, her vocal work is featured on the Grammy Award-nominated album 40@40, and her latest book, OPERA WARS, is out now. In today’s episode, Caitlin and Annmarie discuss the riotous world of opera and the battle for its future. Episode Sponsors: Rizzoli Bookstore – For over 60 years, Rizzoli has been recognized as one of America’s premier independent booksellers. Known for its curated selection of illustrated books on architecture, interior design, fashion, photography, cookery, and the fine and decorative arts, as well as literature and foreign language titles, Rizzoli remains a literary landmark of New York City and a destination for distinguished authors and book lovers from around the world. Stop by our Broadway location, or shop online at rizzolibookstore.com. Politics and Prose – DC’s premier independent bookstore and cultural hub. At Politics and Prose, we’re devoted to cultivating community and strengthening the common good through books, programs, and a respectful exchange of ideas. And we’re committed to exceptional customer service and to the values of independence, inclusion, and diversity. Stop by one of our Washington, DC locations or shop online at politics-prose.com. Title Mentioned in This Episode  Opera Wars: Inside the World of Opera and the Battles for Its Future   Follow Caitlin Vincent: Facebook: @Caitlin.Vincent Instagram: @CaitlinCVincent LinkedIn: @CaitlinVincent Photo Credit: Ruth Schwarzenholz Photography **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 late morning writing circle, you can sign up here. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is leading a writing workshop in Paris this June. Reservations open soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Skylark with Paula McLain

Paula McLain is the author of the New York Times bestselling novels, The Paris Wife, Circling the Sun, and Love and Ruin, and the instant bestseller When the Stars Go Dark. In today’s episode, Annmarie and Paula discuss McLain’s latest novel, Skylark, and the parallel stories of courage and resistance that transcend time. Episode Sponsors: 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. Mac’s Backs – A proud Cleveland indie bookstore with three floors for browsing, great online service, and chocolate milkshakes right next door. Find your next great read and shop online at macsbacks.com. Books by Paula McLain: The Paris Wife Circling the Sun Love and Ruin When the Stars Go Dark Skylark Like Family: Growing Up in Other People’s Houses, a Memoir A Ticket to Ride  Follow Paula McLain: Facebook: @PaulaMcLainAuthor Instagram: @Paula_McLain paulamclain.com Photo Credit: Liesa Cole **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. And if you’d like to travel with your writing practice, Annmarie is leading a writing workshop in Paris this June. Reservations open soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sad Math with Sarah Freligh

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

How About Now with Kate Baer

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