Buildwriting: Poetry | Fiction | Non Fiction | Creative Writing

✍️ Join the BuildWriting newsletter for writing prompts, craft lessons, behind-the-scenes ideas, and conversations for serious creative writers: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/How do you write poetry about painful history without turning the poem into a history lesson—or telling the reader exactly what they should think?In this episode of BuildWriting, poet Julie L. Moore, author of Devil’s Backbone, joins me to explore the craft and responsibility involved in writing about difficult history. We talk about research, historical truth, finding your place inside a story, knowing when you may be crossing a line, avoiding sentimentality and preaching, and why some subjects require years of reading, revision, and humility.Julie also shares the decade-long journey behind Devil’s Backbone, how feedback changed poems she initially thought would work, why writers need to read far more than they write, and what it means for a poem to create a full-body experience rather than simply communicate an idea.In this conversation, we explore:How Julie returned seriously to poetry after years of teachingWhy reading became her substitute for an MFAThe experiences that eventually became Devil’s BackboneResearching history before trying to write about itFinding your ethical position inside a historical storyWriting beyond your own lived experience without appropriating another voiceKnowing when discomfort means “keep going” versus “stop”How to avoid making political or historical poetry preachyHistorical fact versus poetic truthWhether poems about horrific subjects can still be beautifulWhy humility and feedback matter when writing difficult materialWhat writers should do when they're terrified of getting history wrongWhy curiosity may be a writer's most important qualityConnect with Julie L. MooreWebsite: https://julielmoore.com/Book: Devil’s Backbone — available through Wildhouse Publishing, Bookshop, and other major booksellers.If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to BuildWriting, share it with another writer, and leave a rating or review. It helps more poets and creative writers discover the show.Keep writing. Keep building your craft.Chapters00:00 — Writing painful history without preaching01:01 — Julie's earliest life as a writer06:32 — The moment she returned to writing11:28 — The fear of never writing her book13:50 — Reading as a writing education14:07 — Where Devil’s Backbone began18:35 — When individual poems became a collection22:28 — Artistic curiosity vs. fascination with trauma25:15 — How much research is enough?29:24 — Where do you belong in the story?31:21 — Knowing when you've crossed a line37:07 — When does a poem become preachy?40:43 — Historical fact vs. poetic truth46:38 — Can horrific poetry still be beautiful?49:14 — How Devil’s Backbone changed Julie as a writer52:25 — Advice for writing difficult history55:12 — What should a historical poem do to the reader?57:43 — Rapid-fire questions1:01:57 — Persistence, curiosity, courage & discipline1:04:13 — Where to find Julie and Devil’s Backbone

You can spend months polishing a short story and still wonder: Is this actually ready to submit?In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I talk with Trish L. Rodriguez, writer and Editorial Director of Philadelphia Stories, about what editors actually notice when they read short fiction—and how writers can revise their work more effectively.Trish explains why an editor can often tell within the first 200–250 words whether a story is working, why point of view and structure should come before sentence-level polishing, and how to know when you need another revision—or simply need the courage to submit.We also explore feedback, literary magazine submissions, writing contests, rejection, speculative fiction, building a writing community, and the “lingering meaning” that makes a short story memorable.If you're revising a short story, preparing to submit to literary magazines, or trying to become a stronger fiction writer, this conversation will help you look at your work through an editor’s eyes.Join the BuildWriting NewsletterGet writing prompts, publishing tips, creative reflections, and behind-the-scenes notes for writers.👉 https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/Connect With Trish L. Rodriguez🌐 Website: https://www.trishlrodriguezwriter.com/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tljrod/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trish-rodriguez-530aa7226/Philadephia Stories: https://philadelphiastories.org/Chapters00:00 What Editors See That Writers Often Miss01:04 How Trish Became a Writer and Literary Magazine Editor03:27 Why Trish Writes Speculative Short Fiction05:08 How Do You Learn to Become an Editor?06:18 Revising a Short Story Without Over-Editing It08:37 What Editors Look for in the First 200 Words10:02 When Writers Try Too Hard to Hook the Reader12:08 How an Editor Diagnoses a Short Story That Isn't Working13:48 Why You Should Fix Structure Before Polishing Prose14:54 What Makes a Short Story Stand Out in Writing Contests?19:39 A Practical Short Story Revision Process22:24 How to Know When Your Story Is Ready to Submit24:52 When to Stop Revising Old Writing and Move On25:09 How Literary Magazines Build Writing Communities27:18 When a Short Story Wants to Become a Novel30:18 Discovery Writing vs. Outlining a Novel32:10 Writing to Discover Something Outside Yourself33:11 Rapid-Fire Writing and Submission Advice34:10 The One Quality Every Great Short Story Needs34:40 Where to Find Trish and Philadelphia Stories36:08 Closing Thoughts

What does it really take to start a literary magazine—and keep it alive for 20 years?In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I speak with poet, writer, editor and Midway Journal founding editor Ralph Pennel. Ralph takes us behind the scenes of running an independent online literary journal, from selecting boundary-crossing work to navigating rising publishing costs.But creating a literary journal is only the beginning. Keeping one alive requires money, time, editorial labour, community and difficult decisions.In this conversation, Ralph explains:How Midway Journal developed its distinctive editorial identityWhy the journal embraces multimedia and experimental literatureWhat writers gain from thinking like editorsHow literary magazines cover their operating expensesThe role of contests, editing services, merchandise and sponsorshipsWhy many literary magazines struggle to surviveHow online journals make literature more accessibleWhat editors consider before launching a new projectWhy discovering an unpublished writer remains deeply rewardingWhat Midway Journal hopes to build nextIf you are a poet, fiction writer, literary editor or someone considering starting a literary magazine, this conversation offers an honest look at the creative and financial realities behind independent publishing.Listen now to discover what happens on the other side of the submission button—and what it takes to build a literary home that lasts.Connect with Ralph PennelRalph Pennel’s website:https://ralphpennel.com/Ralph on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ralph.l.pennel/Explore Midway Journal:https://midwayjournal.com/Submit your writing to Midway Journal:https://midwayjournal.com/submissions/Follow Midway Journal on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/midway.journal/Subscribe to the Midway Journal Substack:https://midwayjournal.substack.com/Join the BuildWriting NewsletterGet writing prompts, publishing opportunities, creative reflections and practical advice to help you keep writing and strengthen your craft.https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the BuildWriting Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with a writer who would enjoy seeing what happens behind the scenes of a literary magazine.Chapters00:00 What Happens After You Submit to a Literary Magazine?00:49 Why Midway Journal Was Inspired by the Minnesota State Fair04:30 Creating a Distinctive Literary Magazine Identity07:35 Multimedia Poetry, Audio Fiction and Experimental Literature11:48 Is Ralph Pennel a Poet, Writer or Literary Editor?12:31 How Midway Journal Began in 200613:12 Becoming an Early Online Literary Magazine14:29 What Is the AWP Writing Conference?16:49 Ralph Pennel’s Journey from Writer to Editor18:45 How Midway Journal Survived for 20 Years19:17 Why Literary Magazines Struggle Financially20:19 Submission Fees, Submittable and Publishing Costs22:03 How Literary Magazines Make Money24:01 Contests and Editing Services as Revenue Streams26:32 Advertising and Sponsorships for Literary Journals29:00 Building a Podcast for a Literary Magazine30:32 Using Merchandise to Support Independent Publishing33:24 Who Actually Reads Literary Magazines?35:51 How Literary Journals Can Reach More Readers37:16 The Benefits of Publishing Literature Online38:55 Print-on-Demand and Literary Magazine Anthologies40:13 The Challenges of Operating as a For-Profit Journal42:36 How Editors Decide Which Projects to Prioritise44:32 Becoming a Small-Business Owner Through Publishing46:13 The Joy of Discovering New Writers47:27 Why Literary Magazine Acceptance Matters to Writers48:00 What Is Next for Midway Journal?49:11 Online Readings, Podcasts and the Midway Substack50:15 Where to Find Ralph Pennel and Midway Journal51:13 Join the BuildWriting Writing Community

How do you know when a poem has found the right first line? How much can you cut before it loses what makes it alive? And how do you know when a poem is finally finished?In this episode of BuildWriting, poet, editor, and professor Wayne Miller joins me to explore the craft of writing poetry and short-form literature. We unpack why compression matters, how rhythm gives language its power, what poetry and short stories share, and why every word has to earn its place.Wayne also takes us behind the editor's desk to talk about revision, rejection, literary magazines, first lines, originality, and what years of reading thousands of poetry submissions have taught him about writing that stands out.If you write poetry, flash fiction, short stories, or simply care about making language stronger, this conversation will give you plenty to take back to the page.Connect With Wayne MillerWayne Miller's Websitehttp://waynemillerpoet.com/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/waynemillerpoet/Copper Nickelhttps://copper-nickel.orgWayne mentions his website, Instagram, and Copper Nickel as places to connect with him and explore his work.Join the BuildWriting NewsletterGet writing prompts, craft ideas, publishing insights, and behind-the-scenes notes to help you keep writing and build your craft.Join the BuildWriting newsletter:https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/Chapters00:00 Building a Life Around Writing with Wayne Miller00:48 When Poetry Becomes Something You Have to Write04:39 Why Poetry Needs Compression06:32 How a Poet's Craft Changes Over a Lifetime11:15 The End of Childhood and the Collision of Personal Life and History13:02 The Poem About Violence That Helped Unlock the Book15:03 How Much of a Poem Should Be Autobiographical?18:59 Poetry vs Short Stories: Which Is Harder to Write?23:54 The Secret to Rhythm in Poetry and Prose25:47 How Do You Find the Right First Line?29:25 How Do You Know When a Poem Is Finished?30:34 Why Some Poems Take Years to Finish32:24 How to Keep Writing When Life Gets Busy34:07 Wayne Miller's Poetry Revision Process35:24 When to Listen to Writing Feedback and When to Ignore It37:27 Why Even Successful Poets and Editors Get Rejected37:59 What 16,000 Poetry Submissions Reveal About Publishing39:15 Why Promising Poetry Still Gets Rejected41:15 The Push It Further Lesson Every Writer Needs44:33 What Editing Thousands of Poems Teaches You About Writing47:22 What Wayne Miller Is Reading Right Now49:00 What Wayne Miller Is Writing Next49:43 Where to Find Wayne Miller50:36 Keep Writing and Keep Building Your Craft

What if the stories worth writing aren't hiding in extraordinary experiences, but in the ordinary moments you usually overlook?In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, award-winning poet and essayist Sarah Marie Wells joins us to explore how paying closer attention to everyday life can make us better writers.Sarah shares how ordinary conversations, family life, nature, road trips, parenting, and even seemingly insignificant observations can become the starting point for poetry and creative nonfiction. We talk about how she decides whether an idea should become a poem or an essay, why some pieces take an afternoon while others take years, and how writers can capture ideas before they disappear.And if you struggle with editing while you're still trying to create, Sarah offers one of the simplest writing principles from the conversationWhether you write poetry, personal essays, memoir, or other forms of creative nonfiction, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, notice more, and discover how much material already exists in the life you're living.Connect with Sarah M. WellsWebsite:https://sarahmariewells.com/Palace in Time:https://palaceintime.substack.com/Learn more about Sarah's books, poetry, essays, and latest work, To Say One Million Times, Wow!, through her website.Join the BuildWriting NewsletterBecome a better writer one piece at a time.Get writing prompts, practical ideas, behind-the-scenes notes, and resources to help you keep writing and building your craft.https://buildwriting.com/newsletterChapters00:00 Meet poet and essayist Sarah Marie Wells01:20 The inspiration behind To Say One Million Times, Wow!03:52 Why paying attention matters for writers05:41 What does “paying attention” actually mean in writing?07:34 Why every ordinary moment can be worth writing about09:36 How writers know which moments to explore12:53 Turning mundane experiences into meaningful writing15:39 How ordinary moments become deeper stories19:40 Why great writing feels universal21:53 Combining poetry and creative nonfiction24:28 How to decide whether an idea should be a poem or essay27:31 Poetry vs. essays: If Sarah could only choose one28:32 How long does it really take to write a poem or essay?30:46 Turning an old poem into a new essay33:44 Making a living as a professional writer35:46 Why writing doesn't have to feel like suffering37:29 Is your life interesting enough to write about?41:40 Using journals, photos, and notes to capture writing ideas43:45 Building a daily practice of paying attention46:24 Project-based writing vs. writing every day48:22 Write recklessly, edit ruthlessly50:48 Where to find Sarah M. Wells and her work

Join the Buildwriting newsletter for writing prompts, publishing opportunities, practical advice, and behind-the-scenes notes for creative writers:⁠Subscribe to the Buildwriting Newsletter⁠How do you know which literary magazine is right for your writing? What are editors actually looking for—and what should you do when the rejection letters keep arriving?In this episode, I speak with Becky Tuch, a fiction and nonfiction writer and the founder of Lit Mag News. Becky previously founded The Review Review, where she spent years reviewing literary magazines, interviewing editors, and helping writers better understand the submission process.We explore how writers can research literary magazines without becoming overwhelmed, decide whether a publication is the right fit, and build a submission strategy that reflects their goals.Becky also explains why rejection letters often mean far less than writers assume. Whether you are preparing your first literary magazine submission or trying to recover from another round of rejections, this episode offers an honest and practical guide to navigating literary publishing.Connect With Becky TuchRead Lit Mag News:⁠https://litmagnews.substack.com⁠Visit Becky’s website:⁠https://www.beckytuch.com⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction00:52 How Becky entered the world of literary magazines03:17 Why writers should read literary magazines04:59 What causes a promising submission to miss the mark06:26 What editors want from creative nonfiction07:21 Can writers avoid the work of researching publications?09:28 Should you write first or target a magazine first?12:24 Using themed submissions as a writing exercise13:44 Why writers should submit in batches15:07 How to determine whether your work fits a magazine16:45 Researching literary magazines efficiently18:35 Making submissions less stressful and more social19:56 What editors mean when they ask for voice22:28 Why rejection letters mean less than writers think24:42 Becky’s Chicago Quarterly Review acceptance25:51 Do famous writers receive special treatment?27:53 Matching your publication strategy to your goals30:24 The 100 Rejections Challenge32:49 AI, magazine closures, and changes in publishing35:17 The end of NaNoWriMo and what writers can learn from it36:11 Creating more specialized writing challenges40:00 What excites Becky about literary magazines42:10 Opportunities writers may be overlooking43:05 What every writer should understand about publishing45:34 Advice for writers receiving constant rejections47:57 Why Becky continues to write49:39 Where to connect with Becky50:21 Closing

Join the BuildWriting newsletter for writing prompts, publishing tips, and behind-the-scenes notes for creative writers: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I talk with poet, literary arts advocate, and publishing resource creator Trish Hopkinson about how poets can find the right literary magazines, submit their work with more strategy, and stay encouraged through rejection.Trish shares how she built her poetry blog, why university literary magazines are a great place for emerging poets to start, how to use submission trackers, and why community, revision, and persistence matter so much in a writer’s journey.We also talk about the difference between simply submitting poems and building a real submission strategy, what editors wish poets understood, and why having an online presence can open more doors for writers.Connect with Trish Hopkinson:Visit Trish’s website: https://trishhopkinson.comYou can also find her through: https://selfishpoet.comTimestamped Chapters 00:00 Introduction00:59 Why Trish started sharing literary magazine resources04:01 The story behind “A Selfish Poet”05:24 How to know where to submit a specific poem06:36 Why university literary magazines are great for poets08:52 Why poets should avoid unnecessary submission fees10:29 Why university journals are often overlooked12:50 Submission habit vs submission strategy15:02 Why Trish kept submitting one poem for 10 years17:33 Submission trackers for poets19:25 How many poems should you have before submitting?21:43 When should you revise a rejected poem?23:54 How workshops help poets improve their work27:50 What to track when submitting poems31:14 The decision that changed Trish’s writing career35:00 What literary magazine editors want poets to know37:10 Audio, readings, and performing published poems39:43 Why writers need community and visibility today42:21 Selling poetry books and building an audience44:20 How Rock Canyon Poets started46:44 Tools for running a poetry workshop group49:35 Why Trish writes poetry50:15 Where to find Trish Hopkinson51:22 Closing thoughts

It's National Poetry Month — and I didn't want to just talk about poetry. I wanted to give you something to actually write.So I took three classic prompts from Ted Kooser, Mary Oliver, and William Carlos Williams and put a creative spin on each one. These aren't assignments. They're warm-ups. Pick one, try it, see what comes out.Here's what I cover:— Ted Kooser's "small thing" prompt, but with higher stakes— Mary Oliver's "pay attention" prompt, but from a different perspective— William Carlos Williams' "this is just to say" prompt, but you write the replyYou don't need to be a poet to try these. You just need to be willing to write something small and see what happens.Happy writing.Subscribe to the Build Writing newsletter for more prompts, ideas, and honest writing conversations — https://buildwriting.com/newsletter

Writing consistently sounds simple — but for most writers, it's the hardest part. In this episode, I sit down with Julie Duffy, founder of Story a Day, a global writing community best known for its short story challenges that help writers build consistency without pressure. Julie has been helping writers show up and rediscover joy in the craft for over a decade, and this conversation is full of practical, human, and deeply writer-centered wisdom.We talk about how to stop overthinking and start writing, why finishing a short story teaches you what no amount of drafting ever will, and how a simple Writer's Manifesto can help you stop chasing trends and finally write the stories only you can tell.Whether you're stuck in perfectionism, struggling to write consistently, or just need someone to remind you that creativity takes time — this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 — Introduction: What it really takes to build a daily writing habit00:45 — Julie's origin story: From childhood writer to founding Story a Day03:54 — The moment she realized it wasn't just about her anymore05:39 — How 100 people showed up before she was even ready07:30 — The power of constraints: Why writing prompts work even when you hate them08:45 — Why our brains resist writing (and how to push through anyway)11:27 — Why short stories are a great entry point for writers13:00 — The Writer's Manifesto: A tool to discover what you truly want to write16:05 — How your core values shape your writing (even when you don't realize it)20:46 — Julie's own writing manifesto: prolific, open-hearted, optimistic22:26 — What surprises writers most when they take the Story a Day challenge25:42 — How to define a "successful writing day" (it's not what you think)29:35 — What finishing a story teaches you that endless drafting never does31:14 — Why short fiction is a destination, not just a stepping stone33:23 — Skills you build writing short stories that transfer to everything else36:47 — "My writing isn't good enough yet — should I still write every day?"39:26 — Show up for your inner writer: The long game of creative life40:56 — Story a Day May 2025: What's coming and how to joinConnect with Julie Duffy:🌐 Website & Community: https://storyaday.org📄 Free Writer's Manifesto Workbook (made for Build Writing listeners): https://storyaday.org/buildwritingEnjoyed this episode?Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, leave a quick review or rating, and share it with a writer friend who needs to hear this. It really helps others find the show.📬 Subscribe to the Build Writing newsletter for writing prompts, behind-the-scenes experiments, and more.https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/

What happens when writing isn’t just a creative outlet—but a lifeline?In this deeply honest conversation, poet, publisher, and author Patricia Harris opens up about what it means to live with poetry—not as a hobby, but as a way of surviving the world. From writing her first poems as a child to running her own publishing company, Patricia shares how poetry became her language for processing trauma, insomnia, migraines, loneliness, and life itself.If you’ve ever written to cope, read poetry to feel seen, or wondered whether your words matter—this conversation will stay with you.In This Episode, We Explore:How poetry became Patricia’s lifelong coping mechanismThe role of poetry marathons in building creative enduranceWhy discipline and inspiration aren’t oppositesThe importance of learning poetic forms before breaking themHow reading poetry helps writers feel less alonePublishing poetry, running a small press, and supporting other writersRedefining success as showing up and telling the truthWriting through trauma without losing love for the craftConnect with Patricia HarrisExplore Patricia’s poetry, books, and publishing work on her personal blog:https://pattymouseblog.comLearn more about her publishing company and the authors she supports:https://faecorpspublishing.comYou can also find her books across major retailers through Books2Read links available on the Faecorps Publishing site.About the GuestPatricia Harris is a poet, children’s author, and publisher. She writes poetry, nonfiction, and children’s books under her own name, and dark fantasy and horror under the pen name Serena Musgraves. She is the founder of Faecorpse Publishing, where she helps indie authors bring their work into the world. Patricia has been writing poetry since childhood and publishing since 2010.Join the BuildWriting NewsletterIf today’s conversation inspired you, join my BuildWriting Newsletter — where I send writing prompts, creative reflections, and weekly reminders to return to the page.👉 Join here: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/A creative life grows when we grow it together.Chapters00:00 Poetry as a Lifeline01:03 What Patricia Writes and Why02:10 Publishing Poetry and Building a Press03:52 What a Poetry Marathon Really Demands06:10 Prompts Pressure and Creative Freedom07:25 Knowing the Rules Before Breaking Them09:40 Writing Without Forcing the Work11:04 Creativity Cooking and Chaos14:59 Confidence Rejection and Finding Your Reader17:35 How Poetry Changed Patricia’s Life20:28 Why Reading Poetry Matters23:15 The Poems That Stay Close26:54 What Patricia Hopes Readers Feel29:06 Defining Success as a Writer31:49 Writing in Themes35:11 Cover Design and Creative Control41:08 Rapid Fire Poetry Rebels and Icons43:06 If Her Poems Could Speak43:54 Where to Find Patricia’s Work45:02 Closing Thoughts Keep Writing