Nana Nkweti is the author of Walking on Cowrie Shells, a book that spans genres – literary realism, horror, mystery, YA, science fiction – and features complex, fully-embodied characters. The stories aim to entertain readers while also offering a counterpoint to prevalent “heart of darkness” writing that too often depicts a singular “African” experience plagued by locusts, hunger, and tribal in-fighting.

“Boisterous and high-spirited debut stories by a talented new writer.” - Kirkus Reviews

In this episode, we discuss her writing process, and:

• Keeping runnings lists on your phone
• Staying engaged with the world as a writer
• And more

I would love to hear from you. Please visit my Contact Page and tell me about your writing challenges.

Follow this Writer

• Follow her Website
• Buy her book, Walking on Cowrie Shells

Follow the Podcast

• Visit the podcast’s Website

Follow the Host

• Slide into Sara Gallagher’s DM’s on Instagram

Follow our Partners

• Learn more about our partner, We Need Diverse Books, whose mission is to put more diverse books into the hands of all children

Become an Advertiser

• Use my Contact Page or hit me up on Insta

This Week’s Writing Prompt

This week’s writing prompt: Close your eyes. Imagine your body. Do a complete and full inventory and think of all the things that make you you. Hone in on scars, physical and emotional. Write from the perspective from that scar, or about how you received that scar. Let that scar tell you about yourself and your life.

Explore Womxn Authors

In this episode, they recommended these womxn writers:

• Yaa Gyasi - Author of Transcendent Kingdom
• Kwoya Fagin Maples - Author of Mend

Ensure the Podcast Continues

Love what you’re hearing? Show your appreciation and become a Supporter with a monthly contribution.

Check Out More Womxn Authors

• Episode 78: Jennifer Craven - Author of All That Shines and Whispers
• Episode 77: Marina Carreira - Author of Save the Bathwater 
• Episode 76: Kathleen Basi - Author of A Song for the Road
• Episode 75: Tashie Bhuiyan - Author of Counting Down With You

Jennifer Craven is the author of All That Shines and Whispers, a re-imagining of what happens after the credits roll on The Sound of Music. The book explores themes of betrayal, sacrifice, consequences, and redemption, set against the backdrop of Nazi-era Europe.

In this episode, we discuss her writing process, and:

• That words have power and that we can use them for positive or negative purposes
• How her book was inspired by The Sound of Music
• And more

I would love to hear from you. Please visit my Contact Page and tell me about your writing challenges.

Follow this Writer

• Follow her Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Website
• Buy her latest book, All That Shines and Whispers

Follow the Podcast

• Visit the podcast’s Website

Follow the Host

• Slide into Sara Gallagher’s DM’s on Instagram

Follow our Partners

• Learn more about our partner, We Need Diverse Books, whose mission is to put more diverse books into the hands of all children

Become an Advertiser

• Use my Contact Page or hit me up on Insta

This Week’s Writing Prompt

This week’s writing prompt: Write a story in which you are disconnected from someone society tells you you should inherently be close to. Write how you navigate the distance, remain true to yourself, and explain your choice to those who just don’t understand.

Explore Womxn Authors

In this episode, they recommended these womxn writers:

• Kiersten Modglin - Author of My Husband’s Secret
• Ashleigh Renard - Author of Swing

Ensure the Podcast Continues

Love what you’re hearing? Show your appreciation and become a Supporter with a monthly contribution.

Check Out More Womxn Authors

• Episode 77: Marina Carreira - Author of Save the Bathwater 
• Episode 76: Kathleen Basi - Author of A Song for the Road
• Episode 75: Tashie Bhuiyan - Author of Counting Down With You
• Episode 74: Cassandra Lane - Author of We Are Bridges

Marina Carreira is a queer, Luso-American poet artist and the author of Save the Bathwater, a poetry collection, and the curator of Divine Feminist: An Anthology of Poetry and Art by Womxn and Non-binary Folx, both published by Get Fresh Books.

“Her poet soul sings—like a Portuguese saudade—in service to safeguarding what has been lost and what should never be forgotten, “to remember it all—sweat and tears, / Luso ancestry, to run roots through/ my future great-granddaughter’s bones.” — Rigoberto González

In this episode, we discuss her writing process, and:

• The stories that you are too afraid to tell
• Being part of a local writing community
• And more

I would love to hear from you. Please visit my Contact Page and tell me about your writing challenges.

Follow this Writer

• Follow her Website
• Buy her book, Save the Bathwater, and the book she recently curated, Divine Feminist: An Anthology of Poetry & Art by Womxn & Non-Binary Folx

Follow the Podcast

• Visit the podcast’s Website

Follow the Host

• Slide into Sara Gallagher’s DM’s on Instagram

Follow our Partners

• Learn more about our partner, We Need Diverse Books, whose mission is to put more diverse books into the hands of all children

Become an Advertiser

• Use my Contact Page or hit me up on Insta

This Week’s Writing Prompt

This week’s writing prompt: Where or how do you locate the divine in your own life?

Explore Womxn Authors

In this episode, they recommended these womxn writers:

• The WriteOnPoetryBabes

Ensure the Podcast Continues

Love what you’re hearing? Show your appreciation and become a Supporter with a monthly contribution.

Check Out More Womxn Authors

• Episode 76: Kathleen Basi - Author of A Song for the Road
• Episode 75: Tashie Bhuiyan - Author of Counting Down With You
• Episode 74: Cassandra Lane - Author of We Are Bridges
• Episode 73: Ellen Hagan - Author of Reckless, Glorious, Girl and Blooming Fiascoes