Yay Books. Go Sports. Sheila Moeschen Joins the Pod

SilentPunt Podcast #215 / June 4, 2026Author, photographer, humorist, and fellow Substacker Sheila Moeschen joins me to talk about her new book, Book Lovers’ New England: A Guide to Literary Landmarks, which takes readers through the homes, museums, towns, and landscapes connected to some of New England’s most iconic writers.We also get into the strange persistence required to make creative work, why New England has produced so many iconic writers, whether Catcher in the Rye still holds up, the Statue of Liberty play, and a book giveaway challenge involving New England-ifying famous titles.Subscribe to SilentPunt before we send you to the chocolate factory📚 CHAPTERS00:00 — Intro01:10 — Welcome back, Sheila03:00 — Humor Saves, Willy Wonka, and Sheila’s new book04:00 — Creating Book Lovers’ New England10:40 — The dedication page and “Shakespeare used many words too”14:20 — A year of literary road trips through New England20:25 — Why New England produced so many iconic writers24:20 — Dr. Seuss, pen names, publishing, and creative persistence34:25 — Sheila’s New Hampshire roots, school years, and PhD path39:00 — Leaving academia and finding a creative life42:40 — Football detour: the Statue of Liberty play and the Hail Mary47:30 — J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, and unfinished work53:00 — Stephen King, Anthony Bourdain, archives, and wanting more from artists58:35 — Giveaway challenge, gift ideas, & why this book makes a great day-trip guide1:03:20 — Go books. Go sports. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.silentpunt.com