Ami Irmen’s favorite storyteller was her grandfather, who set her on the path to becoming an educator and a writer. Her first traditionally-published novel is coming soon from Scarsdale Publishing, while she self-published another novel, Wherever Would I Be. Her short stories and poems have appeared in Sinister Wisdom, The Copperfield Review, and Glass: A Journal of Poetry. Ami teaches writing at Kishwaukee College.
In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Ami Irmen about her creative process, how to turn an idea into a book, which publishing route to take and how to fund a book on Kickstarter.
In this episode, Lynne and Ami discuss:
Teaching writing at the university level
The writing process
Finding a publisher without an agent
Finding time to write when you work another job
Jane Adeny Memorial School for Girls in Kenya
Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
Finding a cover designer
The teachers who inspire us to write
Finding community with other writers
Period Poverty
Why having a good editor is so important
Links and Resources:
Peaker Writers
My Peak Challenge
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
Friends of JAMS
Northern Illinois University
Artist Pascal Campion
Revise & Resub
University of Detroit-Mercy
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Find Ami Irmen:
Website
Blog
If you enjoyed this episode, you’ll like these other Make Meaning Podcast episodes:
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Episode 142 – Announcing Scotia Road Books
Episode 136 - Tammy Pasterick - Writing & Publishing Your Way
Episode 113 – Ramona Pintea – How to Make Art a Path for Serving Others
Episode 107 – The Hon. Jan Tinetti – How to Eliminate Period Poverty
Episode 105 - Helen Taylor & Gina Nicholas - How to really protect the environment by being a true part of it
Episode 104 - Crystal Blanchette - How to make food your friend
Episode 103 - Katie Yamasaki - How to make murals for Community Expression
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Episode 101 - Margaret O'Gorman - Why bicycling through countries is the BEST way to learn local culture
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Episode 85 - Michele Cuomo - Recognizing the value in state and community colleges
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