The Inkdrop

Thank You, PEN America. Thank You, Suzanne Nossel

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This is more of a rant, than an episode. Last week PEN America held its annual gala at the Museum of Natural History, where they awarded Salman Rushdie its prize for free expression. Before the event, PEN America's chief executive, Suzanne Nossel spoke with The New York Times about the mission of her organization. Her comments sparked a mini uproar from the usual suspects on Twitter, who think censorship and the curbing of free expression is something that can only come from the right.

This episode has a lot of outside references, so check here for links to all the things I talk about. Enjoy the episode.

Links:

New York Times article that started the whole kerfuffle

That stupid Free Speech cartoon everyone loves to reference

Alberto Gullaba Jr.'s "University Thugs" controversy

Kosoko Jackson feeds that hand that bites him

Amelie Wen Zhao cancels her own debut, "Blood Heir"

Chandler Morrison grosses people out at a gross out contest. Grossed out people get upset that they got grossed out.

Michael Dickman's "Scholl's Ferry Road" removed with apologies

Myriam Gurba's searing review of Jeanine Cummins' "American Dirt."

Roald Dahl's books are bowdlerized

The fig leaf over Mark Twain's books

Craft Series: Writing Mysteries

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 15 May 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This episode is part of a series on the craft of writing, recorded in partnership with Kaylie Jones Books. This week we spoke with Laurie Loewenstein, the author of (most recently) "Funeral Train" as well as earlier novels "Unmentionables" and "Death of a Rainmaker."

Laurie shares her experience and wisdom when it comes to writing a mystery novel: the pitfalls, considerations and challenges of revising a long-form work of mystery. She also stuck around to answer some rapid fire questions at the end of this interview.

Links:

Craft Series: Historical Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 01 May 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This episode is another in a series on craft in partnership with Kaylie Jones Books. In this "Craft Series" we interview a KJB writer in a discussion that centers on one particular aspect of the craft of writing. From point of view to crafting plot, we break down some of the things writers should consider while working on their projects.

This week, Deirdre Sinnott joins the podcast to discuss the multi-faceted challenges of writing historical fiction. Sinnott is the author of "The Third Mrs. Galway," a literary novel of historical fiction that dramatizes the Abolitionist Movement in Utica, New York in the 1830s. She spoke at length about the research process and the ways historical fiction resonates to teach us lessons in the 21st Century.

Stick around for the Rapid Fire questions at the end! And if you wish to see our conversation, a video version of this episode is available on YouTube.

Links:

Purchase The Third Mrs. Galway on Amazon

The Inkdrop YouTube Channel

Craft Series: Point of View

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This episode is part of a mini series I'm conducting in partnership with Kaylie Jones Books. In each episode we'll discuss a specific aspect of the craft of writing. This week, we speak with Kaylie Jones, an author and the founder of Kaylie Jones Books. She is also a former professor of mine at Southampton College's MFA program and was the publisher of my debut novel in 2015. In this episode, Kaylie discusses the nuances and guidelines that govern the proper use of Point of View in fiction.

This audio is also available as a video. Follow my YouTube Channel to see the video version of this conversation.

Links:

Information about Kaylie Jones Books

Sensitivity Readers

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:30:00 +0000

In this episode I discuss some of the questions I have about sensitivity readers, their purpose, and what potential worries I have connected to art and publishing. I also discussed the recent bowdlerization of Roald Dahl and Agatha Christie's work after sensitivity readers provided feedback to the publishing companies who reserve the rights to reprint their work posthumously.

Here are some links:

A Q&A with a Sensitivity Reader

Kate Clanchy's experience getting feedback ahead of the (canceled) reprint of her memoir: "Some Kids I Taught, and What They Taught Me"

Other thoughts on the revisions to Agatha Christie's novels

The official website of "Inclusive Minds"

Episode 9. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 27 Mar 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 9 and the final episode of my discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

A potentially helpful series for college students and aspiring writers. If you're visiting this series for the first time, go back and listen to Episode 1, as each episode builds upon the ideas of the previous.

Notes:

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

It's Time To Finally Retire The Myth of The Tortured Artist

Episode 8. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 8 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

Notes:

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

Episode 7. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 12:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 7 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

Notes:

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

Episode 6. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 13:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 6 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

Notes:

The Sholl's Ferry Road controversy

Sensitivity Readers strike again

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

Episode 5. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 13:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 5 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

A brief video on the folk tale of John Henry, The Steel Driving Man.

Episode 4. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 13:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 4 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

Episode 3. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 13:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 3 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

A potentially helpful series for college students and aspring writers. If you're visiting this series for the first time, go back and listen to Episode 1, as each episode builds upon the ideas of the previous.

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

Episode 2. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 13:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 2 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

A link to David Bowles critique of "American Dirt," where he discusses her use of the screech owl.

Episode 1. Discussion Series: On Moral Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 13:30:00 +0000

This is Episode 1 of a 9-episode discussion of John Gardner's often overlooked, but important and timely treatise "On Moral Fiction." On Moral Fiction is described in its reprinted jacket copy as "a genuine classic of literary criticism, On Moral Fiction argues that "true art" is, by its nature, moral."

The book is divided into two parts. Part one is called "Premises on Art and Morality," and part two is called "Principals of Art and Criticism."

The book was published in 1979, but contains wisdom that still applies to today. In this 9-part series, I analyze the book chapter by chapter and offer my 2 cents worth of analysis.

A potentially helpful series for college students and aspring writers.

Link to John Gardner's book on Amazon.

Journalist Gianna Volpe

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 04:58:00 +0000

Gianna Volpe is a print and broadcast journalist and the host of "Heart of the East End" which airs on WLIW 88.3 FM in New York. We actually held this conversation shortly before Christmas, but the conversation was about the state of journalism, both local and national. We talked about her past experiences as a cub reporter, right up to how she became the replacement for Bonnie Grice, a beloved broadcaster for decades.

In the intro, I mentioned Long Island Noir. If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the anthology, click here.

Gianna's "Heart of the East End" can be visited here.

Writing Historical Fiction

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 20:44:00 +0000

In this solo recording, I talk about my experience writing historical fiction for the first time in my career. I'm not an expert on historical fiction by any means, but what follows are some basic things I've learned along the way. The podcast covers research, how research can influence your plotlines, writing about people who share an identity outside your own, and other thoughts on why we write.

Mentioned in the show:

John Gardner's "On Moral Fiction" is available in Kindle format on Amazon. Otherwise you might need to hit up your local library for a loan, since it appears the book is out of print.

Alexander Chee's thoughtful essay in New York magazine "How to Unlearn Everything."

Student Debt Forgiveness

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:34:00 +0000

If you have lingering student debt, this podcast episode is for you! Anthony Manza is a student loan consultant with the National Student Loan Forgiveness Center. Over his years as a loan consultant he has helped countless people get out from under six-figure student loan debts through the federal government's student loan forgiveness programs.

I know for many writers, like myself, we earned MFAs in Creative Writing and then have found it difficult to generate earnings from our writing that would help us pay down our student debts with ease. Many of us become public servants, teaching English or ESL in public schools or non-profit organizations.

Since Joe Biden's election as president, a national conversation is underway about the prospect of student loan forgiveness. Some are vehemently opposed and some are strongly in favor.

Despite what President Biden plans, there is relief out there already in existence. But there are also some predatory and deceiving aspects of student lending you should be aware of. Give this episode a full listen; Anthony provides his personal contact information if you want to inquire more about this crisis.

Links mentioned:

Forbes Magazine Statistics on National Student Debt

The National Student Debt Forgiveness Center (Anthony's employer)

Photo Credit: Chris Potter; ccPix.com

Morals Clauses and Cancel Culture?

Matthew McGevna — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 03:51:00 +0000

This is a solo podcast where I discuss a trend in publishing to include a "morality clause" that would allow publishers to nullify a contract if the author hits any of the myriad tripwires that could cause public "condemnation," "hatred," or "ridicule" and hurt sales.

This is the statement from the Author's Guild opposing these clauses.

Some good information here too.

William Wilkerson's resentful takedown of the Hollywood 10 during McCarthyism is documented by his son, here.

On Fatherhood w/ McKenzie Cassidy

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 02:22:00 +0000

McKenzie Cassidy is a journalist and debut author of "Here Lies A Father," which is loosely based on his life when he discovered that his father had multiple families besides his. In this episode we discussed fatherhood in general and the many things that plague and trouble fatherhood in our current age.

"Here Lies A Father" can be found on Amazon here. His book will hit the shelves tomorrow, January 5.

During the intro I talked about "Bean Dad." That whole internet kerfuffle is explained here.

McKenzie's Twitter is @MT_Cassidy. His Instagram is @hereliesafather.

Jehovah's Witnesses Banned in Russia?

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 02:49:00 +0000

UPDATED CORRECTION: During our conversation we discussed a Jehovah's Witness named Dennis Christensen who is serving 6 years in a Russian prison for practicing his faith. In the conversation I referred to him as a Dutch citizen. He is, in fact, from Denmark and is a Danish citizen. I regret the error.

A topic many in America are not aware of! This week's guest is a Russian citizen and blogger named Anton Chivchalov. Anton has been following a disturbing campaign happening in Russia whereby members of Jehovah's Witnesses are being arrested, tried and sentenced to prison for practicing their faith in the Russian Federation, a country that has provisions to protect freedom of speech and freedom of religion. This podcast episode discusses the bizarre application of the country's "anti-extremism" law to ensnare Jehovah's Witnesses and outlaw their organization. We also discusses some of the methods used to investigate and try Jehovah's Witnesses under the statute, as well as the inhumane treatment some Witnesses are reporting at the hands of Russian law enforcement officials.

Who Killed JFK? (part 2)

Matthew McGevna — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

In part 2 of this conversation with the JFK assassination research community, I speak with Jim DeEugenio, an author and researcher who continues to compile documentation and declassified records as they come to light.

DeEugenio is the author of "Destiny Betrayed: JFK, Cuba and the Garrison Case," now available in its Second Edition.

In this episode, Jim talk about the botched autopsy of the president, the motivation behind killing President Kennedy and the other attempts on JFK's life just before Dallas: first in Chicago and then in Tampa!

Enjoy the conversation.

Who Killed JFK? (part 1)

Matthew McGevna — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 02:26:00 +0000

57 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, TX just before he was scheduled to speak at a luncheon filled with Texas-based business owners. The alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested at a movie theater a short time after. Claiming to be a patsy, Oswald denied his involvement in the assassination, even after hours of questioning at the Dallas police station. Two days after JFK was killed, Oswald joined him, shot dead by a local strip joint owner (and low-level mob associate) Jack Ruby on live television.

Months after the assassination, the U.S. government released its official "investigation" of the murder, assembled by a commission headed by Chief Justice Earl Warren. The Warren Report, as it is known, has since been held up as both the final word about what happened, and a completely fictional account of what happened, utlized to satisfy a thirsty public.

Years later, the U.S. government would contradict some of the findings of the Warren Commission and admit that, in all likelihood, JFK's murder was a conspiracy: meaning more than one person was involved in the plot. Since then, an entire community of assassination researchers have used FOIA requests, interviews, and expert witnesses to get at the truth behind JFK's assassination.

In this 2-part special, I spoke with two such experts in the research community. Part 1 is a conversation with Larry Hancock, an author and historian who has been researching the JFK assassination for the past 30 years. Part 2 will be released tomorrow.

James Jones Turns 99

Matthew McGevna — Fri, 06 Nov 2020 14:00:00 +0000

Today, November 6, 2020 is James Jones 99th birthday. His debut novel “From Here to Eternity” was published in 1951 and received the 1952 National Book Award. What most people didn’t know, when they read the novel in 1951 was that there were some incredibly truthful references taken out of the book because his editor feared it wouldn’t get past the censors, or be delivered by the U.S. Postal service.

In 2011, the book was re-released digitally unexpurgated, after his daughter, Kaylie, struck a deal with Open Road Media to publish the book. Now, millions can read the novel as Jones intended it to be read: honest, raw, and authentic to the experiences of average rank-and-file soldiers stationed in the South Pacific during WWII.

My conversation with Jones’s daughter got me thinking about censorship in general, and how it still can plague us in the 21st century. So...meet the new boss...same as the old boss. Here’s my conversation with the novelist and publisher, Kaylie Jones, on the day her dad turned 99.

Laurie Loewenstein

Matthew McGevna — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 21:28:00 +0000

In this first episode of “So Let It Be Written,” I speak with Laurie Loewenstein about her latest novel “Death of a Rainmaker,” which is currently in bookstores from Kaylie Jones Books, an imprint of Akashic Books in Brooklyn.

Buy “Death of a Rainmaker” on Amazon. Leave a review! Visit Laurie’s website for updates, readings, events and her blog, which is really rich and informative.

Adam Penna

Matthew McGevna — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 21:24:00 +0000

In this episode of “So Let It Be Written” I speak with poet and professor of English Adam Penna. We talk MFA programs, #MeToo, cultural appropriation, and minivans.

Adam’s books are available on Amazon here, (Talk of Happiness) and here (Little Songs & Lyrics to Genji) and here (The Love of a Sleeper).