Notes from Erin Podcast

In this episode, I sit down with poet and memoirist Anne-Marie Wells to talk about her debut travel memoir Happy Iceland, out June 27th from Star Belt Press. In the conversation we cover what it took to write a book from scratch over ten years with no format training, what Icelandic strangers taught her about happiness, and the simple daily practice she now uses to stay connected to joy. If you've been feeling the weight of the world lately, this one is for you. Pre-order Happy Iceland, here. Subscribe to the Notes from Erin newsletter, here. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Anne-Marie Wells02:28 The Evolution of Reading and Writing05:02 Role Modeling Reading for the Next Generation07:33 Exploring 'Happy Iceland': The Journey Begins10:25 The Writing Process: From Notes to Manuscript13:01 Overcoming Challenges in Writing15:54 Lessons on Happiness from Iceland18:44 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments22:34 Finding Joy in Everyday Delights26:49 Building Confidence Through Experience31:20 The Importance of Community and Connection36:39 Lessons in Happiness and Mindfulness40:09 Connecting Through Stories and Experiences

Carlie of She's Becoming Bookish joins Notes from Erin for a conversation about historical fiction, building a BookTube presence, and the music that mirrors her reading life. She breaks down three historical fiction picks for three different types of readers, makes a case for why audiobooks absolutely count, and names the one album she thinks deserves to be a novel. Come for the book recommendations, stay for the Death Cab for Cutie mention.Subscribe to She's Becoming Bookish on YouTubeSubscribe to Notes From ErinChapters: 00:00 Introduction02:35 Early reading memories and influences05:21 Rediscovering reading during the pandemic07:55 Reading formats: physical, digital, and audiobooks10:36 The audiobook debate — does it really count?13:32 Note-taking and book reviews15:57 Carlie's YouTube journey and why she made the pivot18:30 Building confidence on camera26:57 Navigating your digital footprint as a creator28:11 Why authenticity keeps people coming back29:35 Connecting through personality and recommendations31:26 With Love from Harlem and the world of biographical historical fiction38:31 What draws Carlie to historical fiction41:28 Three historical fiction picks for three types of readers45:44 The music that speaks to her reading life

What happens when fairies decide to make TV? Author and entertainment journalist Randee Dawn joins Erin to talk about her Tuniverse series — contemporary fantasy that swaps swords and sorcery for soap operas, cozy mysteries, and mythical creatures navigating the modern world.Randee's latest book, We Interrupt This Program, drops readers into a magically constructed cozy mystery village — think Murder, She Wrote meets Irish folklore — where the showrunner fairy won't leave his house, the Greek muses have gone on vacation, and a silver-haired writer named Winnie has to figure out why everything has stopped working. It's funny, it's warm, and it's the kind of fantasy that sneaks up on you.In this episode, Erin and Randee dig into the resurgence of contemporary fantasy (and what CGI, Harry Potter, and romantasy have to do with it), how Randee's background covering music and TV for outlets like Variety and the LA Times shaped her fiction, what it actually feels like to write a novel, and why community — writers groups, reading series, conventions — is what made her publishing journey possible.They also talk soundtracks as creative fuel, the writing advice that changed how Randee thinks about character, and why New Zealand might just be the most functional country on earth.Paired this episode: We Interrupt This Program by Randee Dawn — a cozy, witty fantasy that rethinks what entertainment is even for.If you loved this episode, the full conversation — and Erin's album pairing — lives on Substack. Subscribe to Notes from Erin for more books, music, and the conversations that connect them.Chapters(00:00) Welcome & Meet Randee Dawn(01:52) Earliest Reading Memories(03:33) The Fantasy Resurgence Explained(08:20) From Music Journalism to Fantasy Novels(13:37) The Origin of the Tuniverse(16:33) Writing Books vs. Writing Everything Else(21:28) Brooklyn Books & Booze(26:18) We Interrupt This Program — Synopsis(29:08) Building Trope Town(37:57) Character, Conflict & What Makes a Story Work(43:25) Shared Universe Easter Eggs(44:04) How the TV-Phrase Titles Work(48:05) Quick-Fire Round(49:59) Writing with (or without) Music(52:05) Why Everyone Should Visit New Zealand

Leonor Mamanna has sent Leave It to Leonor every single Thursday for almost 10 years, 492 editions and counting. In this episode, we talk consistency, curation, and what it means to be the person people come to for recommendations. We also get into her three-book-at-a-time reading routine and the social campaign she built around A Little Life that took on a life of its own.Subscribe to Leave It to LeonorSubscribe to Notes from Erin Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Leonor and Her Newsletter(03:04) The Journey of Consistency in Writing(05:57) The Evolution of Leonor's Newsletter(09:04) Curating Content: Essays and Recommendations(11:59) The Influence of Leonor's Career on Her Writing(15:02) Favorite Podcasts and Ideal Guests(17:59) Reading Habits and Influences(25:14) Exploring Literature: Nonfiction and Romance(26:07) Book Recommendations: Must-Reads for Everyone(28:11) The Impact of A Little Life on Social Media(30:19) Creative Marketing: The Evolution of Book Promotion(34:17) The Influence of Social Media on the Book Industry(38:02) Pop Culture Reflections: TV Shows and Characters(44:35) The Value of a Curated Newsletter

As a reader, cultivating a community of fellow readers is important both digitally, and in person and this is one thing that Jordan Hernandez of Completely Booked has thought about and equally perfected. In this interview, I spoke with Jordan about her community, the importance of reading diverse books, lessons she pull from both her reading and running life and so much more. Connect with Jordan: Instagram | TikTok | Threads | SubstackConnect with me: Newsletter | Instagram | Threads Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Reading02:57 Building a Community Around Books06:01 The Evolution of Completely Booked09:10 The Importance of Diverse Reading11:58 Navigating Social Media for Community Growth14:58 Empathy Through Literature26:44 Exploring Audiobooks and Their Impact34:06 Highlighting Upcoming Black Women Authors40:41 The Importance of Reading in Relationships44:22 Building Community Through Books

In this episode, I sit down with author ReShonda Tate to talk about her new novel With Love from Harlem, a sweeping historical fiction set in 1940s and 50s Harlem following jazz prodigy and civil rights advocate Hazel Scott and her complicated relationship with Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. We get into Hazel's erased legacy, the sisterhood between Hazel and Billie Holiday, what Black women in exile have in common across generations, and what ReShonda believes Hazel would say to artists navigating this moment.Read more on Substack: http://notesfromerin.substack.comConnect with me on social media: Instagram Threads Connect with ReShonda Tate: Instagram WebsitePurchase With Love from HarlemChapters: (00:00) Introduction to ReShonda Tate and Her Journey as a Reader(02:42) The Creative Process Behind Writing Historical Fiction(05:50) Exploring Hazel Scott's Life and Legacy(08:48) The Complex Relationship Between Hazel Scott and Adam Clayton Powell Jr.(11:37) The Importance of Sisterhood and Friendship in Harlem(14:56) The Cultural Significance of Harlem and Its Artists(17:43) Reflections on Black Womanhood and Resilience(20:07) Looking Ahead: ReShonda's Future Projects

Interview with Bsrat Mezghebe, author of the debut novel I Hope You Find What You're Looking For, published by Liveright. We talk about Eritrean independence and the real women who inspired the book, her earliest reading memories, the role of music in her storytelling, being featured as a Well-Read Black Girl, and how she balanced personal and political narratives in her fiction.Chapters: (00:00) Meet Bsrat Mezghebe, Author of I Hope You Find What You're Looking For(02:55) Bsrat's Earliest Reading Memories and What Made Her a Writer(05:58) Being a Well-Read Black Girl Pick and What It Meant(08:45) How I Hope You Find What You're Looking For Came to Be(11:52) Writing Eritrean Independence Into a Personal Story(14:50) The Real Women Who Became the Heart of the Book(17:59) How Music Shaped the Writing of This Novel(22:03) Artistic Influences, Cultural References, and the World Behind the Book(25:49) Why the Title I Hope You Find What You're Looking For and Where the Characters Go(28:31) What Bsrat Wants Readers to Take Away(30:58) On Community, Connection, and Who This Book Is For(33:08) Bsrat's Music Picks and Book RecommendationsYou can watch the full episode on Substack: https://notesfromerin.substack.com/p/bsrat-mezghebe-debut-novel Connect with Bsrat: https://bmezghebe.com/

Random notes on book tracking, music memoirs and reading/listening goals for the new year. Get full access to Notes from Erin at notesfromerin.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Notes from Erin podcast, Erin speaks with Stephanie, the writer behind the Substack newsletter 'The Bookish Life.' They discuss Stephanie's journey as a reader, her transition from Instagram to Substack, the impact of audiobooks on her reading habits, and the importance of diverse reading. They also share their favorite reads, the role of music in literature, and the significance of tracking reading habits. The conversation highlights the joy of connecting with fellow readers and the excitement of discovering new books. Get full access to Notes from Erin at notesfromerin.substack.com/subscribe

What does home taste like? In this conversation, Erin sits down with artists Diana Albrecht and Ryan Stopera to discuss their collaborative photobook cookbook, 'Back of House'—a collection of twelve immigrant stories told through food. They explore how food serves as a universal language that connects culture, memory, and identity, the intentional curation of diverse voices, and why celebrating invisible caretakers matters more than ever. From the complexity of answering "what food is home?" to the beauty of cooking failures, this conversation celebrates the stories we carry through the meals we make. Get full access to Notes from Erin at notesfromerin.substack.com/subscribe

Hi friends —I took an unplanned break last week, but I’m so happy to be back in your inbox the week of Thanksgiving. Thank you for being here and reading this newsletter.A few weeks ago, I was reading one of my favorite newsletters, SNOBHOP, and came across an edition about AI’s impact on the music industry. It got me thinking—while AI seems to be everywhere lately, I’d never really considered what it means for music specifically. The implications are fascinating and complex, both challenging and full of possibility.That’s why I’m excited to share my conversation with John Wright of John Wright, where we dive deep into music, marketing, and the questions AI raises for the industry.We explore things like: How do you handle logistics and royalties when AI gives a song like “21 Questions” a sudden resurgence? What role does race play in AI-generated music? What does all of this mean for artists, fans, and the future of music? Clipse album rollout, and their well-deserved Grammy nominations, artists like LaRussell, and how they promote their music, and so much more.Please check out the interview on video, or listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Podcasts or Pocketcasts.Also, be sure to subscribe to SNOBHOP which drops every Friday. Here are a few things I thought were worth sharing this week: THINGS TO READ: Telisha “Nikki” Jones who created the viral AI artist, Xania Monet, just landed a 7-figure music contract. Also, watch her interview with Gayle King which connects to what John and I discuss. Heart the Lover by Lily King was as emotional as people said it would be. I cried so hard reading it on Sunday that I gave myself a mild headache and could not sleep. While it’s devastating, I really enjoyed the writing and recommend you read it. If you do and/or have, let me know your thoughts. I wrote this on here a few years ago, and someone read it over the weekend so sharing it here: Tips on how to be a better reader. I have new tips for this, so will probably update this in the coming weeks. Loved this piece from my friend Kristen L. Berry on what she’s willing to give up for her dream. If you have not, be sure to purchase her debut novel, We Don’t Talk About Carol. I dibble dabble in Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, so naturally, I was intrigued about this article about how a black ex-Mormon seeing Layla from the show brings up some things from her past. Please read this newsletter from Ava DuVernay. THINGS TO LISTEN TO: I have not stopped listening to “It Must Be Magic,” by Teena Marie. It both put, and kept me in a great mood these past few days, so you should listen to it too. I don’t think I’ve mentioned Summer Walker’s new album, Finally Over It, but I love it. Truthfully, while her personal life is a little wild, musically, Summer never lets me down. Also, loving the new Wale album and Odeal’s new EP. Enjoyed Reese Witherspoon’s interview with Emma Grede on the Aspire podcast. If you’re watching “The Morning Show,” let’s discuss. Also enjoyed both the Arianna Grande and June Squibb interviews on the Good Hang with Amy Poehler podcast (which is maybe my favorite podcast right now). That’s it for this week, I’ll catch you next week. Also, if you enjoy this newsletter and want to support it, I’m offering 50% off annual subscriptions through the holidays. It would mean the world to me—like, actual tears of gratitude. No pressure, but if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s a good time. Okay, love you. Get full access to Notes from Erin at notesfromerin.substack.com/subscribe

In this interview, I chat with Slanting Towards the Sea author Lidija Hilje, For the conversation we discuss: Her transition from law to writing, influenced by her early reading experiences.She kept a diary as a child, which helped her process emotions and develop her writing.Her background as a lawyer helped her understand storytelling and character development.The writing process involved balancing her book coaching with her own writing projects.Themes of loss, grief, and motherhood are central to her book, reflecting real-life struggles.Character dynamics in 'Slanting Towards the Sea' explore emotional truths and personal growth.Feedback from critique partners and publishers is crucial, but she emphasizes emotional truth in her writing.The book covers were designed to resonate with the story's themes and cultural context.Writing in English as a second language added a unique perspective to her storytelling.Cultural authenticity plays a significant role in her writing, especially regarding Croatian identity.Read more at http://notesfromerin.substack.com Get full access to Notes from Erin at notesfromerin.substack.com/subscribe

Interview with Kate, aka BookWild, a bookstagrammer and podcast host who started her show by cold DMing authors and turning four yeses into a career. We talk about her reading journey from Christian bookstores to thrillers to historical horror, why she got deep into audiobooks this year and which narrators she can't stop following, her thoughts on banned books and reading as a tool against gaslighting, pandemic books, Storygraph vs. Goodreads, and her TBR heading into the end of the year.(00:00) Introduction to BookWild and Podcasting Journey(03:14) The Evolution of BookWild and Community Building(06:06) Early Reading Experiences and Influences(12:11) Diverse Reading Preferences and Genre Exploration(17:55) Podcasting Challenges and Consistency in Content Creation(23:59) The Importance of Banned Books and Historical Context(29:58) Audiobooks: A New Frontier in Reading(32:58) Exploring the Power of Memoirs(35:35) Diving into Fiction: A New Journey(38:59) The Impact of Audiobook Production(42:18) Genre Blending: Unique Storytelling Experiences(49:03) Navigating Audiobook Platforms and Recommendations(52:22) Tracking Reading Progress: StoryGraph vs. Goodreads(01:00:07) Connecting Through Stories: The Role of Narratives

Interview with Alexis Relliford, writer and creator of the Substack newsletter Feeling My Shelf. We talk about her reading journey from YA to romance to horror, why messy characters in fiction make us look at ourselves differently, her summer reading list including Love You to Death and The Best Man, her fall TBR, her junk journaling practice, and why two Libras should never date each other.Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Alexis and Her Newsletter(03:02) Beyoncé Favorites and Their Impact(05:59) The Birth of a Newsletter(08:56) Reading Preferences and Genres(11:59) Recommendations for Horror and Romance(15:03) Balancing Reading with Life(18:03) The Complexity of Messy Characters(21:02) Reflections on Personal Growth Through Literature(23:54) Book Recommendations and Summer Reads(27:12) Discussion on 'The Best Man' Series(29:47) Final Thoughts and Future Reading Plans(39:32) Audiobook vs Print: A Unique Experience(40:55) Character Analysis: Zuri's Complexity(43:44) Cultural Context: Southern Dynamics in Storytelling(45:13) Character Connections: Dez and Maverick(48:15) TBR Lists and Reading Goals(51:54) Journaling Practices: A Personal Reflection(56:19) Crafting Memories: The Art of Junk Journaling(01:00:04) Astrology and Relationships: A Lighthearted Discussion

Interview with Isaiah Diaz-Mays, writer and artist behind the Substack newsletter Echoes. We talk about building community on Substack, his love of R&B and neo soul, how streaming has changed the way we listen to and value music, the Ticketmaster/Live Nation monopoly, and his five favorite R&B albums of all time — plus his short story series The Emancipation of Catalina De Valle and his debut novel in progress.Connect with Isaiah on Substack ⁠⁠ Subscribe to Notes From Erin Chapters: (00:00) Meet Isaiah Diaz-Mays: Writer, Artist, and Creator of Echoes(04:02) Why Community Matters More Than Metrics on Substack(10:06) Writing Consistently While Working Full Time and in Grad School(16:09) Growing Up on R&B: Mary J. Blige, SWV, and the Family Stereo(20:02) From Best Buy CD Runs to Streaming: How Music Listening Changed(34:10) Why Streaming Doesn't Pay Artists — and What That Actually Means(36:45) Millions of Streams, Thousands of Dollars: The Math That Doesn't Work(39:12) Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and the Fee That Has a Fee(41:42) Attention Spans, Album Culture, and Sitting With Music(46:53) Giveon, Leon Thomas, Maggie Rogers, and What's on Rotation Right Now(56:28) Five Favorite R&B Albums: Mary J., Sade, Maxwell, Bryson Tiller, and Naomi Sharon

Interview with debut author Christina Dotson about her novel Love You to Death — a thriller exploring friendship, paranoia, and the chaos of young adulthood. We discuss her creative process, the characters Kayla and Zory, the road trip at the heart of the story, and her love of Bravo reality TV. Purchase Love You to Death by Christina Dotson Chapters: (00:00) Meet Christina Dotson, Author of Love You to Death(06:00) Christina Dotson's Path to Debut Author(11:06) What Is Love You to Death About?(17:45) Kayla and Zory: The Friendship at the Heart of the Story(23:58) The Road Trip, the Chaos, and the Characters(29:59) Friendship, Paranoia, and Psychological Tension(32:50) Pop Culture Nostalgia and Y2K References(37:04) Being Young, Messy, and Figuring It Out(42:16) Dream Casting the Book and the Art of Storytelling(49:05) Bravo, Reality TV, and Vanderpump Rules(55:44) Where to Find Christina Dotson Online