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:
Episode 145- CL Walters - Young Adult & New Adult Fiction from Hawai’i
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 64 - Communicating Faith with Rev. Dr. Maidstone Mulenga
Episode 63 - Purpose at the Core with Nikki Little
Episode 62 - Finding “Soul Purpose” with Jen Coken
Episode 61 - Merle Saferstein - How to leave a legacy through journaling
Episode 60 - Vickie Thompson-Sandy - How to lead a nonprofit by inspiring others to reach their potential
Episode 59 - Higher Learning with Molly Worthen
Episode 58 - Being Grateful: A special Thanksgiving episode with Kristi Nelson and Nedal Al-Hayek
Episode 57 – Positive Public Health with Tista Ghosh
Episode 56 - Ken Budd - How to be a voluntourist
Episode 55 - Understanding Adolescence with Lisa Damour
Episode 54 - Quilting Advocacy with Sandy North
EPISODE 53 – RERUN: Just Be Nice with Paul Saginaw
Episode 52 - Journey to the Self with Stacy Dockins
Episode 51 – Storytelling Marketing & Strategic Messaging with Lynne Golodner and Christina Weaver
Episode 50 - Strengthening Intellect With Gautam Jain
Episode 49 - Saving The Bees
Episode 48 - The NFHS Reunion Episode: Reflecting on 30 Years Since graduation
Episode 47 – Quieting the Mind with Linda Makowski
Episode 46 – Creating Communities with Amy Haimerl and David Dwaihy
Episode 45 - Life from Death with Dr. Joshua Mezrich, MD
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Anne of Green Gables
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends