All things writing & publishing creative nonfiction with book coach, editor & lit mag publisher Janna Marlies Maron, on a mission to help as many woman as possible write the books they need to write. <br/><br/><a href="https://moretothestory.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">moretothestory.substack.com</a>
More to the Story Podcast with Janna Maron
Claim This Podcastby Janna Marlies Maron
5.0(13 reviews)
57 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
All things writing & publishing creative nonfiction with book coach, editor & lit mag publisher Janna Marlies Maron, on a mission to help as many woman as possible write the books they need to write. <br/><br/><a href="https://moretothestory.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">moretothestory.substack.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
2/5/2016
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Recent Episodes
April 7, 2026
Following the Energy of Your Writing
<p><strong>Today on More to the Story Podcast: Writing, Energy, and the Creative Life with Susie Pratt</strong></p><p>On essay collections, self-doubt, literary community, and following the energy of your work</p><p>Today I’m joined by my client <a target="_blank" href="https://www.susannahqpratt.com/">Susannah (Susie) Pratt</a>, author of More or Less: Essays from a Year of No Buying, a prize-winning essay collection that explores what it means to raise a family inside consumer culture and how our identities are shaped by what we own—and don’t.</p><p>In this conversation, Susie and I talk about the evolution of her essay collection, the structural challenges she faced early on, and the mindset shift that helped her move from feeling stuck to finishing her book. We also go beyond craft and into something a little more unexpected—energy, attention, and what it means to follow your creative instincts rather than force your way through the work.</p><p>We talk about self-doubt, the writing life after publishing a book, and how community and environment can make all the difference in sustaining a creative practice.</p><p>About Susie</p><p>Susannah Pratt is the author of, More or Less: Essays from a Year of No Buying (EastOver Press, February 2022). More or Less, Pratt’s debut collection, reflects on the challenges of raising a family in a consumer society, and seeks to understand the degree to which we are defined or confined by what we own. The book won the 2021 EastOver Prize for Nonfiction.</p><p>Pratt’s writing has appeared in a variety of print and online publications including Literary Mama, Essay Daily, The Mindful Word, Motherwell, The Week and bioStories, among others. She has also served as a regular contributor to The Waking, the blog at Ruminate Magazine.</p><p>Pratt has a Masters in Social Work from the University of Chicago, but her writerly roots can be traced to her degree in English Literature from Colgate University, and even more deeply to taking first place the Young Authors contest in second grade. Pratt, her husband, three sons, two dogs and a tortoise make their home – still full of too much stuff – in Evanston, IL.</p><p><strong>In today’s episode:</strong></p><p>* how Susie came to identify as a writer—and why that felt difficult at first</p><p>* the origin of More or Less and the “year of no buying” as a framework for exploring consumer culture</p><p>* why the book isn’t really about not buying things—but about meaning, value, and entanglement in consumerism</p><p>* the early structural struggle: trying to organize the book chronologically and how the collection ultimately took shape around theme instead of timeline</p><p>* the concept of “problem essays” vs. “foothold essays” and how that became the organizing structure of the book</p><p>* why writers often feel stuck if they don’t know where a piece belongs—and why you don’t actually need to know</p><p>* the importance of continuing to write before the structure is clear</p><p>* how coaching supported her not just with editing, but with confidence and momentum</p><p>* the difference between being edited vs. being coached—and why both matter</p><p>* navigating the “slush pile,” rejection, and the emotional toll of submission culture</p><p>* how proactive pitching (inspired by the book Pitchcraft) can shift a writer’s sense of agency</p><p>* the challenge of consistency in a writing practice—and what helped her rebuild it</p><p>* the impact of creating a dedicated writing space outside the home</p><p>* how literary community (a shared writing studio) helped her recommit to her work</p><p>* what she’s working on now: essays on attention, nostalgia, and what it means to be human in an AI-driven world</p><p>* the importance of following creative energy—and recognizing when a project isn’t “alive” anymore</p><p>* how quickly writing can move when energy is aligned vs. when it’s not</p><p>* a deeper conversation on attention, imagination, empathy, and consciousness as central human experiences</p><p><strong>Links mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p>* <strong>Susie’s website</strong> → <a target="_blank" href="https://www.susannahqpratt.com/">susannahqpratt.com</a></p><p>* <strong>Susies’s Book:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9781958094211">More or Less: Essays from a Year of No Buying</a><a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9781958094211"> on bookshop.org</a></p><p>* <strong>Susie’s Essay:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://theamericanscholar.org/puzzled/">“Puzzled” in </a><a target="_blank" href="https://theamericanscholar.org/puzzled/">The American Scholar</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9780593837122https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9780593837122">Pitch Craft</a><a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9780593837122">, by Lauren Goode</a></p><p>* <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9780593854280">A Marriage at Sea</a><a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9780593854280">, by Sophie Elmhirst</a></p><p>* More about Under the Gum Tree → <a target="_blank" href="https://underthegumtree.com/">underthegumtree.com</a></p><p>* Book a free <strong>15-minute Book Diagnosis Call</strong> → <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.co/book-diagnosis">moretothestory.co/bookdiagnosis</a></p><p>* Learn more about retreats with me & sign up for the waitlist → <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.co/retreats/">moretothestory.co/retreats</a></p><p>* Get 10% off your first order of whole bean coffee → <a target="_blank" href="http://caffesantoro.com/janna">caffesantoro.com/janna</a></p><p>Follow & Connect</p><p>* Follow the show & find all show notes at <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.substack.com/">moretothestory.substack.com</a></p><p>* Follow me on Instagram <a target="_blank" href="https://instagram.com/jannamarlies">@jannamarlies</a></p><p>* Follow Under the Gum Tree: <a target="_blank" href="http://instagram.com/undergumtree">@undergumtree</a></p><p><strong>Question for you</strong></p><p>Where in your writing life are you forcing something that might not have energy right now? And what would it look like to follow the energy instead?</p><p>Share in the comments, I’d love to hear. </p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to More to the Story with Janna Maron at <a href="https://moretothestory.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">moretothestory.substack.com/subscribe</a>
March 24, 2026
When Linked Essays Become a Memoir
<p>Today on More to the Story Podcast,<strong> </strong>I’m talking with my client, Margaret Whitford, whose forthcoming memoir The History We Carry (She Writes Press, June 2026) explores the impact of generational trauma, a mother–daughter relationship shaped by wartime history, and how personal narrative becomes a place of refuge.</p><p>Margaret and I began working together several years ago on the early draft of her book, and in this conversation she shares the long, patient journey from dense essays to a full manuscript—and ultimately to publication.</p><p><strong>About Margaret</strong></p><p>Margaret Whitford served in leadership positions within the nonprofit world for twenty years, including ten years in the social justice field, before turning to writing. She is fascinated by the ways in which each of us seek to create places of refuge in both a metaphorical and physical sense. The History We Carry is her first memoir. A dedicated Francophile, she and her husband divide their time between a small village in the South of France and their home in Concord, Massachusetts. Find more about Margaret and her book at her website, <a target="_blank" href="http://margaretwhitford.com/">margaretwhitford.com</a>.</p><p><strong>In today’s episode:</strong></p><p>* how Margaret came to writing later in life after a 20-year career in nonprofit leadership</p><p>* what drew her back to school for an MFA and the community she was seeking</p><p>* the early spark that shifted her work from essays to a book-length project</p><p>* how interviews with her mother became the backbone of the memoir</p><p>* why writing about generational trauma required “containers” and linked-essay structure</p><p>* the moment she realized she was writing the same 80–100 pages over and over</p><p>* the turning point where developmental editing revealed themes and structure</p><p>* how permission to “animate her mother on the page” unlocked the storytelling</p><p>* the years-long process of drafting, researching WWII history, and shaping narrative arc</p><p>* navigating acquisitions, titling, and the publishing journey with She Writes Press</p><p>* what she’s working on now and how she’s preparing for the launch of her book</p><p><strong>Links mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p>* Margaret’s website & book information: <a target="_blank" href="https://margaretwhitford.com/">margaretwitford.com</a></p><p>* Pre-order <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9798896363231https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9798896363231">The History We Carry</a><a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9798896363231https://bookshop.org/a/11987/9798896363231"> from bookshop.org</a>, or wherever books are sold</p><p>* More about Under the Gum Tree: <a target="_blank" href="https://underthegumtree.com/">underthegumtree.com</a> </p><p>* More about my book coaching & editing services: <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.co/">moretothestory.co</a></p><p>* Download the free Book Outline Formula worksheet: <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.co/bookoutline">moretothestory.co/bookoutline</a></p><p>* Book a 15-minute Book Diagnosis call: <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.co/bookdiagnosis">moretothestory.co/bookdiagnosis</a></p><p>* Get 10% off your first order of whole bean coffee from Caffe Santoro: <a target="_blank" href="https://caffesantoro.com/janna">caffesantoro.com/janna</a></p><p>Follow & Connect</p><p>* find show notes for this episode at <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.substack.com/">moretothestorypodcast.substack.com</a></p><p>* follow me on Instagram <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/jannamarlies">@jannamarlies</a></p><p>* follow Under the Gum Tree on Instagram <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/undergumtree">@undergumtree</a></p><p><strong>Question for You</strong></p><p>Have you ever felt “stuck” in the same 80–100 pages of your writing, like Margaret described? What helped you move forward? Share your experience in the comments!</p><p>Thanks so much for listening and for being here! </p><p></p> <br/><br/>Get full access to More to the Story with Janna Maron at <a href="https://moretothestory.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">moretothestory.substack.com/subscribe</a>
March 3, 2026
How a Private Blog Became a Memoir that Resonated with Hundreds
<p><strong>Today on More to the Story Podcast: Returning Home, Rewriting Life — A Conversation with Chick Morgan</strong></p><p>Today I’m talking with my client Eileen “Chick” Morgan, a writer, singer-songwriter, podcaster, cabaret performer, and arts entrepreneur whose creative life is as rich and layered as her memoir, Everything’s a Two-Step But a Waltz: The Reluctant Texan Comes Home.</p><p>Chick spent decades building a global corporate career before eventually returning—reluctantly—to Texas. What began as a deeply personal, private email blog shared with a handful of close friends grew into a powerful story of heartbreak, reinvention, identity, and creativity. Over time, and through the guidance of structure, community support, and perseverance, her pages became a full memoir that has now been published in print, e-book, and audio formats—all produced within her own small arts-centered Texas town.</p><p>In this conversation, Chick and I talk about her path from corporate strategist to artist, the years-long process of transforming fragmented notes into a cohesive narrative, and how returning home unexpectedly opened every door she needed to bring her book into the world.</p><p>About Chick</p><p><strong>Eileen S. (“Chick”) Morgan, PhD</strong>, is a writer, singer-songwriter, cabaret performer, podcast host, radio host, and arts entrepreneur. After a full career working globally with large companies and non-profits in leadership, strategy development, and execution, Chick now uses those skills as an arts entrepreneur, producing such experiences as Wimberley Alive! Arts and Music Festival; creating the inaugural Wimberley Storytelling Fest; Co-Visionary and Founder of Descanso Creatives International Writers’ Retreats, and Co-Founder and Board President of the Wimberley Literary Salon. Chick is an active musical performer in Wimberley, sharing her own songs and those of the American Songbook and Contemporary Cabaret in her musical groups The Cashmere Cowgirls and Women with Standards.</p><p>Everything’s a Two-Step but a Waltz: The Reluctant Texan Comes Home is Chick’s third book. She previously published books about conducting business in the Soviet Union and navigating cross-cultural business ethics. She lives outside of Austin in the Hill Country town of Wimberley with her fiancé, Robert Smith, and their excellent canine companions, Chase and Najee.</p><p><strong>In today’s episode:</strong></p><p>* Chick’s background as a writer, singer-songwriter, cabaret performer, podcaster, radio host, and arts entrepreneur</p><p>* How her return to Texas—after 43 years away—unexpectedly sparked the story</p><p>* The “double-barreled heartbreak” that began the writing: losing her mother and her marriage on the same day</p><p>* How a private email blog grew from 30 to 300 readers in six months</p><p>* The moment she realized her story resonated far beyond her inner circle</p><p>* The slow, intuitive method she used—Post-its on a long roll of white paper—to discover themes and shape the book</p><p>* How coaching and deadlines helped her move from scattered scenes to an actual manuscript</p><p>* Learning to bridge intuition with structure so the story became more than anecdotes</p><p>* The role of community in publishing: how her local poet/publisher friend produced the print book</p><p>* Creating the e-book and audio book with resources in her own town</p><p>* What it felt like to publish vulnerable material in a small community (“I might as well walk naked through the town square”)</p><p>* The surprise of how many readers related to her experiences: military life, Southern Baptist upbringing, Texas vs. New York identity, heartbreak</p><p>* Her current writing projects:</p><p>* A nonfiction exploration of long-term women’s friendships</p><p>* A fiction project set in the artsy town of Wonderly, Texas</p><p>* How memoir writing helped her find the emotional truth needed to write fiction</p><p>* Where listeners can find her work, her newsletter The Reluctant Texan, and her cabaret performances</p><p><strong>Links mentioned in this episode:</strong></p><p>* Chick’s website → <a target="_blank" href="https://www.chickmorgan.com/">chickmorgan.com</a></p><p>* Under the Gum Tree → <a target="_blank" href="https://underthegumtree.com/">underthegumtree.com</a></p><p>* Book a free Book Diagnosis Call → <a target="_blank" href="http://moretothestory.co/bookdiagnosis">moretothestory.co/bookdiagnosis</a></p><p>* Download the Book Outline Formula Worksheet → <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.co/bookoutline">moretothestory.co/bookoutline</a></p><p>* Café Santoro — get 10% off your first order → <a target="_blank" href="https://caffesantoro.com/janna">cafesantoro.com/janna</a></p><p>Follow & Connect</p><p>* Follow the show at: <a target="_blank" href="https://moretothestory.substack.com/">moretothestorypodcast.substack.com</a></p><p>* Follow me on Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/jannamarlies">@jannamarlies</a></p><p>* Follow Under the Gum Tree on Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/undergumtree">@undergumtree</a></p><p><strong>Question for You</strong></p><p>Have you ever had a moment in your creative life that felt like everything suddenly aligned? How has community shaped your writing journey?</p><p>Share your experience in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! </p><p>(AI Disclaimer: These show notes were generated by AI using the transcript of this episode.)</p> <br/><br/>Get full access to More to the Story with Janna Maron at <a href="https://moretothestory.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">moretothestory.substack.com/subscribe</a>
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