Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 8 of 64 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

SWRT 332 | Culture, Trauma, and Memory in Somia Sadiq’s Gajarah

Sep 25, 2025

In this week’s episode, Alida and Kathryn are honored to host Somia Sadiq, an award-winning entrepreneur and global peace negotiator, who shares her journey into the world of storytelling through her debut novel, Gajarah. Somia discusses the importance of exploring the complexities of identity, trauma, and belonging through literature, emphasizing the power of storytelling to foster understanding and connection. Join us as we delve into the intricate relationship between the storyteller and the listener, and how Somia’s unique experiences shape her narrative style.

SWRT 331 | Taking Up Space with Susan Swan

Sep 11, 2025

In this week’s Story Works Round Table, Alida welcomes Susan Swan, an acclaimed novelist and professor emerita at York University, join us to discuss her new memoir, Big Girls Don’t Cry. As Susan reads an excerpt from her book, she invites us into her world of growing up as a tall girl in a society that often discourages women from taking up space. We delve into themes of body image, the societal expectations placed on women, and the journey of finding one’s voice and identity. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on the importance of asserting oneself in a world that often tries to diminish women’s presence.

SWRT 281 | Bookends

Sep 28, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss bookending a story, drawing on our recent discussion of Ethan Frome. Edith Wharton masterfully uses prologues and epilogues to frame the story and provide meaning. We analyze how the framing devices are essential to understanding the themes and events. Then explore examples of other books that also use framing devices well to provide narrative distance and allow readers to understand the story’s significance.

SWRT 280| Writers Book Club: Ethan Frome

Sep 14, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, we talk about Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton’s great American tragic love story.

SWRT Summer 2023

Aug 18, 2023

At this week’s Story Works Round Table, writers discuss the benefits of group coaching. Next month begins the writers book club and more!

SWRT 279 | The Storyteller’s Workbook

Apr 20, 2023

This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Adrienne Young and Isabel Ibañez to the Story Works Round Table to chat about their new book, The Storyteller's Workbook. This is a novelist's dream tool and you're going to want to get your hands on a copy - just ask Kathryn! We...

SWRT 278 | Outlining Your Novel

Apr 5, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn discuss the process of outlining. There is more to talk about than we might first think. Why is outlining useful? How should we go about it to make sure it’s a time saver and not a time waster? Does it help to outline more than once in the writing process?

Outlining (or storyboarding) is a great way to assess the story you’re writing before and during the lengthy process of novel drafting. The more experienced a writer you are, the more valuable the tool seems to be!

Are you ready to get more out of your writing, to grow your writing skills, and get that novel done faster? Do you want community, feedback, and mentoring? Check out group coaching for novelists. A new session begins in May. www.wordessential.com/fictioncoaching

SWRT 277 | Contests with Paula Sheridan

Mar 23, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida has Paula Sheridan of the Page Turner Awards joining me at the Round Table to discuss contests. We talk the reasons for entering contests, what judges look for, and getting your manuscript in shape before placing it in judge’s hands.

I’m especially excited about today’s show, because Paula founded the Page Turner Awards. She and her husband, Ken, are doing something unique—at least I’ve never of heard of it being done before.

They are bridging the traditional and indie worlds, holding an annual contest for writers of all stripes and any genre in one place. Not only that, a trophy is nice and a gold seal on your cover does boost sales, but how about winning a mentorship with a developmental editor? How about winning your book being adapted to audio or a screenplay?

Visit www.storyworkspodcast.com to grab Paula’s gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and get links to all the great craft episodes you’ll want to get your work in shape for the judges!

Fiction Group Coaching new session begins in May. Schedule a discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/editing/coach.

Visit www.storyworkspodcast.com to grab Paula’s gifts to Story Works Round Table listeners and get links to all the great craft episodes you’ll want to get your work in shape for the judges!

Fiction Group Coaching new session begins in May. Schedule a discovery call with Alida today. www.wordessential.com/editing/coach.

SWRT 276 | Things We Say

Mar 9, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Kathryn turns the table on Alida. We talk “things we say,” all those bits and bobbles of craft speak that get tossed around but not always defined. What does it mean to be tightly plotted? Does every character need a lie or core wound, and are those the same thing?

SWRT 275 | Craft and Conscience with Kavita Das, part 2

Feb 23, 2023

This week, Alida & Kathryn welcome Kavita Das to the Story Works Round Table. Kavita has a new book out, Craft & Conscience, all about writing that is concerned with social issues. And really, what writing isn’t in one way or another getting at the aspects of being human and being human together that could use some work? This conversation is equally beneficial for fiction and nonfiction writers.

This is part 2 of our conversation with Kavita.

SWRT 274 | Craft and Conscience with Kavita Das

Feb 9, 2023

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn welcome Kavita Das to the Story Works Round Table. Kavita has a new book out, called Craft & Conscience, all about writing that is concerned with social issues. And really, what writing isn’t in one way or another getting at the aspects of being human and being human together that could use some work? This conversation is equally beneficial for fiction and nonfiction writers.

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