We go on the journey of how Corey's newest novel, Mothers and Other Strangers, came to be. Also: how and if we share work in progress, and Sara's Song Sung Blue crisis.

Approximate chapters:

0:00 - 29:00: Intro and still writing check-in

29:00 - 45:00: The tale of Corey selling her adult debut and why your agent matters so much. Plus bonus weird instrumental transition!

45:00 - end: Margin Notes

Some of those Margin Notes:

Heaven's Gate: The Cult of Cults (HBO)

Forever, or a Long, Long Time by Caela Carter

Little One by Olivia Muenter

Focus: Adults in the Room (Slate)

Anastasia Krupnik series, Lois Lowry

More about Sara Zarr

More about Corey Ann Haydu

Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

We talk about if, how, and what we're still writing, and the inaugural Secret Question is asked. Also, once again we don't stick the landing.

Some Margin Notes:

• Being Gordon Ramsay on Netflix
• The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya
• Linkater's Blue Moon
• Welcome to the Moon and Other Plays by John Patrick Shanley
• All the President's Men as read by Richard Poe
• Hate Radio, Milo Lau

Pre-order Corey's new book, Mothers and Other Strangers

More about Sara Zarr

More about Corey Ann Haydu

Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

We record our very first full episode and are bad at ending it! Topics covered: What we've been doing the last 20 years, and what we'll be doing the next 2 weeks.

Some Margin Notes:

• Safekeeping: Some True Stories From a Life by Abigail Thomas
• Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart (Netflix)
• I Love L.A. (HBO)
• Secret Mall Apartment (Netflix)

Pre-order Corey's new book, Mothers and Other Strangers

More about Sara Zarr

More about Corey Ann Haydu

Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

We introduce ourselves ever so briefly!

For more about the origins of this podcast, check out This Creative Life, the podcast Sara hosted for a decade, and its version of this trailer.

More about Sara Zarr

More about Corey Ann Haydu

Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

More about Sara Zarr

More about Corey Ann Haydu

Theme music: Creative Commons Deep Friendship by Lobo Loco is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0