Buildwriting is a podcast for the intersection of creative writers that are both poets and short fiction writers.
While we explore writing craft through a variety of podcast show formats we look at how we can make and find time to write in our busy lives.
We look at poetry, short fiction and creativity.
This is a podcast from a writer figuring how it works and sharing generously with those that care.
Buildwriting releases episodes to educate, entertain and inspire you.
Answering your questions,exploring ideas and going deep in tutorials with weekly episodes.
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How to Revise a Short Story: What Editors Look For — Trish L. Rodriguez | Ep 101
Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 36:58
You can spend months polishing a short story and still wonder: Is this actually ready to submit?
In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I talk with Trish L. Rodriguez, writer and Editorial Director of Philadelphia Stories, about what editors actually notice when they read short fiction—and how writers can revise their work more effectively.
Trish explains why an editor can often tell within the first 200–250 words whether a story is working, why point of view and structure should come before sentence-level polishing, and how to know when you need another revision—or simply need the courage to submit.
We also explore feedback, literary magazine submissions, writing contests, rejection, speculative fiction, building a writing community, and the “lingering meaning” that makes a short story memorable.
If you're revising a short story, preparing to submit to literary magazines, or trying to become a stronger fiction writer, this conversation will help you look at your work through an editor’s eyes.
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00:00 What Editors See That Writers Often Miss 01:04 How Trish Became a Writer and Literary Magazine Editor 03:27 Why Trish Writes Speculative Short Fiction 05:08 How Do You Learn to Become an Editor? 06:18 Revising a Short Story Without Over-Editing It 08:37 What Editors Look for in the First 200 Words 10:02 When Writers Try Too Hard to Hook the Reader 12:08 How an Editor Diagnoses a Short Story That Isn't Working 13:48 Why You Should Fix Structure Before Polishing Prose 14:54 What Makes a Short Story Stand Out in Writing Contests? 19:39 A Practical Short Story Revision Process 22:24 How to Know When Your Story Is Ready to Submit 24:52 When to Stop Revising Old Writing and Move On 25:09 How Literary Magazines Build Writing Communities 27:18 When a Short Story Wants to Become a Novel 30:18 Discovery Writing vs. Outlining a Novel 32:10 Writing to Discover Something Outside Yourself 33:11 Rapid-Fire Writing and Submission Advice 34:10 The One Quality Every Great Short Story Needs 34:40 Where to Find Trish and Philadelphia Stories 36:08 Closing Thoughts
How to Start and Sustain a Literary Magazine for 20 Years—Ralph Pennel | Ep 100
Tuesday, August 25, 2026 • Duration 52:02
What does it really take to start a literary magazine—and keep it alive for 20 years?
In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I speak with poet, writer, editor and Midway Journal founding editor Ralph Pennel. Ralph takes us behind the scenes of running an independent online literary journal, from selecting boundary-crossing work to navigating rising publishing costs.
But creating a literary journal is only the beginning. Keeping one alive requires money, time, editorial labour, community and difficult decisions.
In this conversation, Ralph explains:
How Midway Journal developed its distinctive editorial identity
Why the journal embraces multimedia and experimental literature
What writers gain from thinking like editors
How literary magazines cover their operating expenses
The role of contests, editing services, merchandise and sponsorships
Why many literary magazines struggle to survive
How online journals make literature more accessible
What editors consider before launching a new project
Why discovering an unpublished writer remains deeply rewarding
What Midway Journal hopes to build next
If you are a poet, fiction writer, literary editor or someone considering starting a literary magazine, this conversation offers an honest look at the creative and financial realities behind independent publishing.
Listen now to discover what happens on the other side of the submission button—and what it takes to build a literary home that lasts.
How to Write Better Poetry: Compression, Rhythm and the Right First Line—Wayne Miller | Ep 99
Saturday, August 15, 2026 • Duration 51:26
How do you know when a poem has found the right first line? How much can you cut before it loses what makes it alive? And how do you know when a poem is finally finished?
In this episode of BuildWriting, poet, editor, and professor Wayne Miller joins me to explore the craft of writing poetry and short-form literature. We unpack why compression matters, how rhythm gives language its power, what poetry and short stories share, and why every word has to earn its place.
Wayne also takes us behind the editor's desk to talk about revision, rejection, literary magazines, first lines, originality, and what years of reading thousands of poetry submissions have taught him about writing that stands out.
If you write poetry, flash fiction, short stories, or simply care about making language stronger, this conversation will give you plenty to take back to the page.
How to Turn Ordinary Life Into Powerful Writing—Sarah Marie Wells | Ep 98
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 • Duration 49:41
What if the stories worth writing aren't hiding in extraordinary experiences, but in the ordinary moments you usually overlook?
In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, award-winning poet and essayist Sarah Marie Wells joins us to explore how paying closer attention to everyday life can make us better writers.
Sarah shares how ordinary conversations, family life, nature, road trips, parenting, and even seemingly insignificant observations can become the starting point for poetry and creative nonfiction. We talk about how she decides whether an idea should become a poem or an essay, why some pieces take an afternoon while others take years, and how writers can capture ideas before they disappear.
And if you struggle with editing while you're still trying to create, Sarah offers one of the simplest writing principles from the conversation
Whether you write poetry, personal essays, memoir, or other forms of creative nonfiction, this conversation is an invitation to slow down, notice more, and discover how much material already exists in the life you're living.
How do you know which literary magazine is right for your writing? What are editors actually looking for—and what should you do when the rejection letters keep arriving?
In this episode, I speak with Becky Tuch, a fiction and nonfiction writer and the founder of Lit Mag News. Becky previously founded The Review Review, where she spent years reviewing literary magazines, interviewing editors, and helping writers better understand the submission process.
We explore how writers can research literary magazines without becoming overwhelmed, decide whether a publication is the right fit, and build a submission strategy that reflects their goals.
Becky also explains why rejection letters often mean far less than writers assume.
Whether you are preparing your first literary magazine submission or trying to recover from another round of rejections, this episode offers an honest and practical guide to navigating literary publishing.
00:52 How Becky entered the world of literary magazines
03:17 Why writers should read literary magazines
04:59 What causes a promising submission to miss the mark
How Poets Can Get Published in Literary Magazines—Trish Hopkinson | Ep 96
Saturday, June 27, 2026 • Duration 52:16
Join the BuildWriting newsletter for writing prompts, publishing tips, and behind-the-scenes notes for creative writers: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/
In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I talk with poet, literary arts advocate, and publishing resource creator Trish Hopkinson about how poets can find the right literary magazines, submit their work with more strategy, and stay encouraged through rejection.
Trish shares how she built her poetry blog, why university literary magazines are a great place for emerging poets to start, how to use submission trackers, and why community, revision, and persistence matter so much in a writer’s journey.
We also talk about the difference between simply submitting poems and building a real submission strategy, what editors wish poets understood, and why having an online presence can open more doors for writers.
Timestamped Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:59 Why Trish started sharing literary magazine resources 04:01 The story behind “A Selfish Poet” 05:24 How to know where to submit a specific poem 06:36 Why university literary magazines are great for poets 08:52 Why poets should avoid unnecessary submission fees 10:29 Why university journals are often overlooked 12:50 Submission habit vs submission strategy 15:02 Why Trish kept submitting one poem for 10 years 17:33 Submission trackers for poets 19:25 How many poems should you have before submitting? 21:43 When should you revise a rejected poem? 23:54 How workshops help poets improve their work27:50 What to track when submitting poems31:14 The decision that changed Trish’s writing career35:00 What literary magazine editors want poets to know37:10 Audio, readings, and performing published poems39:43 Why writers need community and visibility today42:21 Selling poetry books and building an audience44:20 How Rock Canyon Poets started46:44 Tools for running a poetry workshop group49:35 Why Trish writes poetry50:15 Where to find Trish Hopkinson51:22 Closing thoughts
3 Creative Poetry Prompts to Sharpen Your Writing | Ep 95
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 • Duration 05:50
It's National Poetry Month — and I didn't want to just talk about poetry. I wanted to give you something to actually write.
So I took three classic prompts from Ted Kooser, Mary Oliver, and William Carlos Williams and put a creative spin on each one. These aren't assignments. They're warm-ups. Pick one, try it, see what comes out.
Here's what I cover:— Ted Kooser's "small thing" prompt, but with higher stakes— Mary Oliver's "pay attention" prompt, but from a different perspective— William Carlos Williams' "this is just to say" prompt, but you write the reply
You don't need to be a poet to try these. You just need to be willing to write something small and see what happens.
How to Build a Daily Writing Habit Using Short Stories —Julie Duffy | Ep 94
Monday, March 9, 2026 • Duration 42:39
Writing consistently sounds simple — but for most writers, it's the hardest part. In this episode, I sit down with Julie Duffy, founder of Story a Day, a global writing community best known for its short story challenges that help writers build consistency without pressure. Julie has been helping writers show up and rediscover joy in the craft for over a decade, and this conversation is full of practical, human, and deeply writer-centered wisdom.
We talk about how to stop overthinking and start writing, why finishing a short story teaches you what no amount of drafting ever will, and how a simple Writer's Manifesto can help you stop chasing trends and finally write the stories only you can tell.
Whether you're stuck in perfectionism, struggling to write consistently, or just need someone to remind you that creativity takes time — this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00 — Introduction: What it really takes to build a daily writing habit00:45 — Julie's origin story: From childhood writer to founding Story a Day03:54 — The moment she realized it wasn't just about her anymore05:39 — How 100 people showed up before she was even ready07:30 — The power of constraints: Why writing prompts work even when you hate them08:45 — Why our brains resist writing (and how to push through anyway)11:27 — Why short stories are a great entry point for writers13:00 — The Writer's Manifesto: A tool to discover what you truly want to write16:05 — How your core values shape your writing (even when you don't realize it)20:46 — Julie's own writing manifesto: prolific, open-hearted, optimistic22:26 — What surprises writers most when they take the Story a Day challenge25:42 — How to define a "successful writing day" (it's not what you think)29:35 — What finishing a story teaches you that endless drafting never does31:14 — Why short fiction is a destination, not just a stepping stone33:23 — Skills you build writing short stories that transfer to everything else36:47 — "My writing isn't good enough yet — should I still write every day?"39:26 — Show up for your inner writer: The long game of creative life40:56 — Story a Day May 2025: What's coming and how to join
Connect with Julie Duffy:🌐 Website & Community: https://storyaday.org📄 Free Writer's Manifesto Workbook (made for Build Writing listeners):
Poetry as Survival: Writing Through Trauma, Loneliness, and Healing with Patricia Harris | Ep 93
Monday, February 2, 2026 • Duration 45:38
What happens when writing isn’t just a creative outlet—but a lifeline?
In this deeply honest conversation, poet, publisher, and author Patricia Harris opens up about what it means to live with poetry—not as a hobby, but as a way of surviving the world. From writing her first poems as a child to running her own publishing company, Patricia shares how poetry became her language for processing trauma, insomnia, migraines, loneliness, and life itself.
If you’ve ever written to cope, read poetry to feel seen, or wondered whether your words matter—this conversation will stay with you.In This Episode, We Explore:
How poetry became Patricia’s lifelong coping mechanism
The role of poetry marathons in building creative endurance
Why discipline and inspiration aren’t opposites
The importance of learning poetic forms before breaking them
How reading poetry helps writers feel less alone
Publishing poetry, running a small press, and supporting other writers
Redefining success as showing up and telling the truth
Writing through trauma without losing love for the craft
Connect with Patricia Harris Explore Patricia’s poetry, books, and publishing work on her personal blog: https://pattymouseblog.com
Learn more about her publishing company and the authors she supports: https://faecorpspublishing.com
You can also find her books across major retailers through Books2Read links available on the Faecorps Publishing site.
About the Guest
Patricia Harris is a poet, children’s author, and publisher. She writes poetry, nonfiction, and children’s books under her own name, and dark fantasy and horror under the pen name Serena Musgraves. She is the founder of Faecorpse Publishing, where she helps indie authors bring their work into the world. Patricia has been writing poetry since childhood and publishing since 2010.
Why We Write: Fear, Courage, and the Human Story —Cindy Watson | Ep 92
Friday, November 28, 2025 • Duration 01:00:41
In this episode of the BuildWriting Podcast, I sit down with the incredible Cindy Watson—social justice lawyer, award-winning author, founder of Women On Purpose, and someone whose writing journey blends activism, vulnerability, courage, and deep human insight.
What starts as a conversation about writing turns into one of the most reflective, honest, and transformative discussions I’ve ever had on this show. We talk about fiction vs. nonfiction, fear, creativity, parenting, mortality, advocacy, poetry, authenticity, and the real reason we write.
This episode changed me. I think it might change you too.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction & who Cindy is 02:00 Why fiction scares her more than nonfiction 05:00 Vulnerability, validation, and the fear of being judged 09:00 Making time to write vs. waiting for the “right time” 14:00 Her daughter’s surgery & how it changed her life and writing 18:00 What publishing really feels like 23:00 Writing for love vs. writing for validation 30:00 Poetry, emotion, and finding your inner voice 36:00 The surprising origin of The Art of Feminine Negotiation 51:00 My metaphysical questions on writing, success, and poetry 56:00 Where to find Cindy + our closing reflections
Connect With Cindy Watson
Learn more about Cindy’s work and mission:
🔗 Women On Purpose — https://womenonpurpose.ca 🎙️ Check out her podcast:The Art of Feminine Negotiation Podcast
She’d love to connect with listeners who care about writing, advocacy, and living with intention.
Join the BuildWriting Newsletter
Connect with Ralph Pennel
Ralph Pennel’s website:
https://ralphpennel.com/
Ralph on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/ralph.l.pennel/
Explore Midway Journal:
https://midwayjournal.com/
Submit your writing to Midway Journal:
https://midwayjournal.com/submissions/
Follow Midway Journal on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/midway.journal/
Subscribe to the Midway Journal Substack:
https://midwayjournal.substack.com/
Join the BuildWriting Newsletter
Get writing prompts, publishing opportunities, creative reflections and practical advice to help you keep writing and strengthen your craft.
https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the BuildWriting Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with a writer who would enjoy seeing what happens behind the scenes of a literary magazine.
Chapters
00:00 What Happens After You Submit to a Literary Magazine?
00:49 Why Midway Journal Was Inspired by the Minnesota State Fair
04:30 Creating a Distinctive Literary Magazine Identity
07:35 Multimedia Poetry, Audio Fiction and Experimental Literature
11:48 Is Ralph Pennel a Poet, Writer or Literary Editor?
12:31 How Midway Journal Began in 2006
13:12 Becoming an Early Online Literary Magazine
14:29 What Is the AWP Writing Conference?
16:49 Ralph Pennel’s Journey from Writer to Editor
18:45 How Midway Journal Survived for 20 Years
19:17 Why Literary Magazines Struggle Financially
20:19 Submission Fees, Submittable and Publishing Costs
22:03 How Literary Magazines Make Money
24:01 Contests and Editing Services as Revenue Streams
26:32 Advertising and Sponsorships for Literary Journals
29:00 Building a Podcast for a Literary Magazine
30:32 Using Merchandise to Support Independent Publishing
33:24 Who Actually Reads Literary Magazines?
35:51 How Literary Journals Can Reach More Readers
37:16 The Benefits of Publishing Literature Online
38:55 Print-on-Demand and Literary Magazine Anthologies
40:13 The Challenges of Operating as a For-Profit Journal
42:36 How Editors Decide Which Projects to Prioritise
44:32 Becoming a Small-Business Owner Through Publishing
46:13 The Joy of Discovering New Writers
47:27 Why Literary Magazine Acceptance Matters to Writers
48:00 What Is Next for Midway Journal?
49:11 Online Readings, Podcasts and the Midway Substack
50:15 Where to Find Ralph Pennel and Midway Journal
51:13 Join the BuildWriting Writing Community
00:00 Building a Life Around Writing with Wayne Miller
00:48 When Poetry Becomes Something You Have to Write
04:39 Why Poetry Needs Compression
06:32 How a Poet's Craft Changes Over a Lifetime
11:15 The End of Childhood and the Collision of Personal Life and History
13:02 The Poem About Violence That Helped Unlock the Book
15:03 How Much of a Poem Should Be Autobiographical?
18:59 Poetry vs Short Stories: Which Is Harder to Write?
23:54 The Secret to Rhythm in Poetry and Prose
25:47 How Do You Find the Right First Line?
29:25 How Do You Know When a Poem Is Finished?
30:34 Why Some Poems Take Years to Finish
32:24 How to Keep Writing When Life Gets Busy
34:07 Wayne Miller's Poetry Revision Process
35:24 When to Listen to Writing Feedback and When to Ignore It
37:27 Why Even Successful Poets and Editors Get Rejected
37:59 What 16,000 Poetry Submissions Reveal About Publishing
39:15 Why Promising Poetry Still Gets Rejected
41:15 The Push It Further Lesson Every Writer Needs
44:33 What Editing Thousands of Poems Teaches You About Writing
47:22 What Wayne Miller Is Reading Right Now
49:00 What Wayne Miller Is Writing Next
49:43 Where to Find Wayne Miller
50:36 Keep Writing and Keep Building Your Craft
00:00 Meet poet and essayist Sarah Marie Wells
01:20 The inspiration behind To Say One Million Times, Wow!
03:52 Why paying attention matters for writers
05:41 What does “paying attention” actually mean in writing?
07:34 Why every ordinary moment can be worth writing about
09:36 How writers know which moments to explore
12:53 Turning mundane experiences into meaningful writing
15:39 How ordinary moments become deeper stories
19:40 Why great writing feels universal
21:53 Combining poetry and creative nonfiction
24:28 How to decide whether an idea should be a poem or essay
27:31 Poetry vs. essays: If Sarah could only choose one
28:32 How long does it really take to write a poem or essay?
30:46 Turning an old poem into a new essay
33:44 Making a living as a professional writer
35:46 Why writing doesn't have to feel like suffering
37:29 Is your life interesting enough to write about?
41:40 Using journals, photos, and notes to capture writing ideas
43:45 Building a daily practice of paying attention
46:24 Project-based writing vs. writing every day
48:22 Write recklessly, edit ruthlessly
50:48 Where to find Sarah M. Wells and her work
06:26 What editors want from creative nonfiction
07:21 Can writers avoid the work of researching publications?
09:28 Should you write first or target a magazine first?
12:24 Using themed submissions as a writing exercise
13:44 Why writers should submit in batches
15:07 How to determine whether your work fits a magazine
16:45 Researching literary magazines efficiently
18:35 Making submissions less stressful and more social
19:56 What editors mean when they ask for voice
22:28 Why rejection letters mean less than writers think
24:42 Becky’s Chicago Quarterly Review acceptance
25:51 Do famous writers receive special treatment?
27:53 Matching your publication strategy to your goals
30:24 The 100 Rejections Challenge
32:49 AI, magazine closures, and changes in publishing
35:17 The end of NaNoWriMo and what writers can learn from it
36:11 Creating more specialized writing challenges
40:00 What excites Becky about literary magazines
42:10 Opportunities writers may be overlooking
43:05 What every writer should understand about publishing
45:34 Advice for writers receiving constant rejections
Enjoyed this episode?Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, leave a quick review or rating, and share it with a writer friend who needs to hear this. It really helps others find the show.
📬 Subscribe to the Build Writing newsletter for writing prompts, behind-the-scenes experiments, and more.
https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/
Join the BuildWriting Newsletter
If today’s conversation inspired you, join my BuildWriting Newsletter — where I send writing prompts, creative reflections, and weekly reminders to return to the page.
👉 Join here: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/ A creative life grows when we grow it together.
Chapters
00:00 Poetry as a Lifeline
01:03 What Patricia Writes and Why
02:10 Publishing Poetry and Building a Press
03:52 What a Poetry Marathon Really Demands
06:10 Prompts Pressure and Creative Freedom
07:25 Knowing the Rules Before Breaking Them
09:40 Writing Without Forcing the Work
11:04 Creativity Cooking and Chaos
14:59 Confidence Rejection and Finding Your Reader
17:35 How Poetry Changed Patricia’s Life
20:28 Why Reading Poetry Matters
23:15 The Poems That Stay Close
26:54 What Patricia Hopes Readers Feel
29:06 Defining Success as a Writer
31:49 Writing in Themes
35:11 Cover Design and Creative Control
41:08 Rapid Fire Poetry Rebels and Icons
43:06 If Her Poems Could Speak
43:54 Where to Find Patricia’s Work
45:02 Closing Thoughts Keep Writing
If today’s conversation inspired you, join my BuildWriting Newsletter — where I send writing prompts, creative reflections, and weekly reminders to return to the page.
👉 Join here: https://buildwriting.com/newsletter/ A creative life grows when we grow it together.
