Maysoon Zayid on Writing, Criticism, and Finding Another Dream

Episode 80 of the Book Is the Hook podcast, hosted by Eric Koester, titled "Maysoon Zayid on Writing, Criticism, and Finding Another Dream" was published on March 16, 2026 and runs 22 minutes.

March 16, 2026 ·22m · Book Is the Hook

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Summary

Writing is solitary. Revision is relentless. And you have to be able to sit with your own work long enough to make it better. In this live, in-class conversation, comedian and author Maysoon Zayid shares an unfiltered look at what it actually takes to write with honesty, humor, and resilience. We talk about how to take criticism without breaking, why memoir can be harder than fiction, and why Maysoon dictated her entire book the way she tells stories on stage. She also reflects on disability, representation, and the hard-earned mindset behind her mantra: if a dream turns into a nightmare, find another dream. This episode is hilarious, sharp, and deeply real.

Episode Description

Writing is solitary. Revision is relentless. And you have to be able to sit with your own work long enough to make it better.

In this live, in-class conversation, comedian and author Maysoon Zayid shares an unfiltered look at what it actually takes to write with honesty, humor, and resilience.

We talk about how to take criticism without breaking, why memoir can be harder than fiction, and why Maysoon dictated her entire book the way she tells stories on stage.

She also reflects on disability, representation, and the hard-earned mindset behind her mantra: if a dream turns into a nightmare, find another dream.

This episode is hilarious, sharp, and deeply real.

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