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Craig Crawford's avatar

Where are you at on specific areas we would go to? Or are you trying to figure out how many stops, etc? I ask because I am in Iowa City which has the University of Iowa Writer's Workshop which is pretty well known and our university puts a lot of emphasis on its writing community. There is a Memorial Union here which rents out for "Thieves Markets" for local artists but it's something I could look into.

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Heather O'Brien's avatar

Craig, can you send that suggestion to Juliette? We're funneling basic info through here. Yes, we're looking to see "where" our participants are coming from, and also happily taking suggestions as we make the decision on route, venues, length of the tour, etc. The more people who sign up, the better.

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Craig Crawford's avatar

Will do!

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

Hey, and if you happen to be friends with Marylinne Robinson, let her know I'd love to take her to coffee some time. I got rejected from the Iowa Writers Workshop in 2011.

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Craig Crawford's avatar

I do not. I hate to say it but my impression of the Writer's Workshop is that is it much more focused on "literary" and I haven't submitted to them for years :)

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

They are only literary. That said, Kurt Vonnegut came out of Iowa, as well as Flannery O'Connor and Paul Harding, so I definitely love a host of their alum.

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Craig Crawford's avatar

Yes it's surprising given some of the people coming out of here. On the other hand maybe I'm just biased, but I've always considered the FWW as pretentious :)

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Heather O'Brien's avatar

I need better mic levels and my stupid raspy voice just kills me. My goodness. LOL

I hope the authors of Twitter take this episode to heart and make the decision to hang out with "the cool kids" (um, that would be us).

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

Your mic level was fine, and if I'm honest, I love your voice. I also understand hating certain elements of how we show up in public, as I have a laundry-list of nitpicks about my appearance, speech, and cadence, so please don't hear me invalidating your experience.

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Heather O'Brien's avatar

Let's just say I'm not aging well, or graciously, or whatever. LOL

You know me well enough that I'll do it anyway, but it is rather excruciating.

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Rich Hosek's avatar

Thanks for the shoutout and your support!

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

You're a true talent.

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Heather O'Brien's avatar

Of course! My goodness, how could we not shout you out? You're an awesome talent.

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Robin Marberry's avatar

That would be awesome! My website is still in development. Once it is launched, I'll contact you. I'm just delighted by the opportunity and generosity.

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

I look forward to it! Thank you, Robin.

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Robin Marberry's avatar

Hi Jody, yes I do. I haven't published yet. My husband and I are starting a voice production studio with the aim of recording indie books for audible. We are mutuals on twitter. You would recognize me as Madame Robinska. I'm really digging your work, man. This is great, and Heather is awesome.

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

Awesome! I really think audiobooks are the future of reading for many. I now think I recall your comments on Heather's twitter page about her audiobooks. (And yes, Heather is awesome. She's my fav!) Let me know if you ever want to guest on the pod with your husband. I'd love to discuss your work in audio and illuminate the process for my audience.

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Rich Hosek's avatar

Would love to hear what you think of my fiction podcast. https://bedtimestories.studio

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Rich Hosek's avatar

Looking forward to it! I'll have 2 more books ready by summer.

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

Yay! Make sure, too, to let us know if you have any ideal venues we should book in your area.

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Rich Hosek's avatar

I'll start looking into it!

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Craig Crawford's avatar

Talking about editing--my best friend and I talk about this all the time and we both do not believe you can edit your own works 1/10 as well as someone else because you're too close to your own stories and you overlook your own words and how you use them.

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Robin Marberry's avatar

What an interesting endeavor!

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Jody J. Sperling's avatar

We're so excited for it. Do you write, Robin?

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