700-Page Novels, Agent Misunderstandings, And The Best Food Descriptions The NYT Has Ever Read

05/06/22 • 20 min

We are so happy to introduce today’s podcast guest. The New York Times Book Review calls her work, SEARCH, “A wicked pleasure... Huneven is a wise storyteller...this novel has plot, character, structure and a delicious, deeply human pettiness that I think most honest readers will relate to... [Huneven's] descriptions of food are the best I've ever read." We loved our conversation with Michelle! Not only did her career start with a 700-page novel—and a great misunderstanding that lead to getting her agent—but she’s now had the freedom to explore her passions in her (many) successful books. We talk with Michelle about the line between memoir and fiction, how she got her agent, and what she’s learned along the way. Plus, if you’re looking for it, the salmon recipe is below. Learn more about her here: https://www.michellehuneven.com/ Michelle says: I was born in Altadena, California just a mile from where I live now. I college-hopped (Scripps, Grinnell, EWU) and landed at the Iowa Writer1s Workshop where I received my MFA. My first two books, Round Rock (Knopf 1997) and Jamesland (Knopf 2003), were both New York Times notable books and also finalists for the LA Times Book Award. My third novel, Blame, (Sarah Crichton Books, FSG, 2009), was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award and also a finalist for the LA Times Book Award. My fourth novel, Off Course, (Sarah Crichton Books, FSG, 2014) was New York Times Editor’s Choice. My fifth novel, Search, comes out April 26, 2022. Along the way, I’ve received a GE Younger Writers Award, a Whiting Award for Fiction, and a Guggenheim fellowship. For many years my “day job” was reviewing restaurants and writing about food for the Los Angeles Times, the LA Weekly and other publications. I’ve received a James Beard award (for “feature writing with recipes”) and an assortment of other awards for food journalism. I’m presently teaching creative writing to undergraduates at UCLA, working on my next novel and writing the occasional bit about food. I live in Altadena with my husband Jim Potter, our dog (Tatty Jane), the memory of our cat (Mr. Pancks), a talkative African Grey parrot (Helen) and nine chickens (names on request). * As Promised, The Salmon! Click here to view and print: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q6eZZNNyeVQ4N5SI4eoQ7U1Ls4rEZ1WcYvf35dAybvA/edit?usp=sharing

Previous Episode

Storytelling For A Living with Celia Anne Browne

We are thrilled to bring you our interview and Q&A with Celia Anne Browne who, from the age of seven, has been exploring various forms of storytelling—from acting on a children’s show through being a ballerina and, now, as a writer, director, producer, agent, and more. Celia is at a wonderful intersection of these storytelling mediums—and we are thrilled to ask her (and let you ask!) your questions about how to share your buskin with the world. This was originally recorded as part of our Member Lounge. Learn more here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/member-lounge Want to meet with Celia to discuss your work? Schedule a time here: https://manuscriptacademy.com/celia-browne Celia Anne Browne is an International Actor Coach & Teacher based in Paris, France. She has taught the Int-Adv Film/TV program for six years at Bilingual Acting Workshop in Paris, as well as providing professional coaching and training for celebrities, working actors and writers worldwide. She has experience in theater, film, and television working across the industry as an actress, producer, director, writer, casting director and agent. Previous work includes assisting writers as a reader and development, including at New York Stage & Film Company, MTP, Ensemble Studio Theatre (NY).

Next Episode

Bestselling Author Emily Henry on Snappy Dialogue, Enemies-to-Lovers & Character Likability

We are so excited to speak with bestselling author Emily Henry (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation) about all things character—how to make a character intense yet likable, how to make dialogue snappy yet believable—and how to make the most of an enemies-to-lovers dynamic. We also discuss over-editing, the (false!) idea that there’s a magic formula for getting published, and how Emily got her first agent the traditional "Google and cold query" way. We also discuss what makes female (versus male characters) "likable"--and when we care to cater to those expectations. We had so much fun having this discussion. Hope you love listening as much as we enjoyed talking with her. * Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation and Beach Read, as well as several young adult novels. She lives and writes in Cincinnati and the part of Kentucky just beneath it. Her books have been featured in Buzzfeed, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, The Skimm, Shondaland, and more. Find her on Instagram @EmilyHenryWrites.