web02.fireside.fm Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:20:24 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Writing It! - Episodes Tagged with “Literary Agent” https://writingit.fireside.fm/tags/literary%20agent Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400 "Writing It! The Podcast About Academics & Writing" dives deep into the world of academic writing and publishing. Join us for conversations with academics and editors as we discuss challenges, strategies, and insights from our writing lives. As we share our experiences and helpful hacks, we make the process of writing and getting published a bit more transparent and a bit less overwhelming. en-us episodic The Podcast About Academics & Writing The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida "Writing It! The Podcast About Academics & Writing" dives deep into the world of academic writing and publishing. Join us for conversations with academics and editors as we discuss challenges, strategies, and insights from our writing lives. As we share our experiences and helpful hacks, we make the process of writing and getting published a bit more transparent and a bit less overwhelming. no academia, academic publishing, writing, literary agents, literary non-fiction, creative writing, academic careers The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida writingit@jst.ufl.edu Episode 73: Luck & a Lot of Preparation: What It Takes to Move to Trade Press for Book Two with Prof. Max Mueller https://writingit.fireside.fm/73 825dbc8a-7afd-41c5-ad1d-3030cafab102 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 -0400 The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida full The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida We talk with Max Perry Mueller, associate professor of religious studies in the Department of Classics & Religious Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about why he made the move from academic press, for this first book, to a trade press for his second book, and what that involved. We talk about finding an agent, the agent-author relationship, writing a trade press book proposal, creating your own peer review, how Max writes differently for trade versus academic, why we don’t always get the book title we want, why shorter is better, getting tenure and promotion credit for your trade press book, the role of an academic mentor in writing, and the money reality for first-time trade press authors. 1:01:28 no We talk with Max Perry Mueller, associate professor of religious studies in the Department of Classics & Religious Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about why he made the move from academic press, for this first book, to a trade press for his second book, and what that involved. We talk about finding an agent, the agent-author relationship, writing a trade press book proposal, creating your own peer review, how Max writes differently for trade versus academic, why we don’t always get the book title we want, why shorter is better, getting tenure and promotion credit for your trade press book, the role of an academic mentor in writing, and the money reality for first-time trade press authors. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact Wakara, Mormon history, trade press, literary agent, tenure and promotion, American religion, religious studies We talk with Max Perry Mueller, associate professor of religious studies in the Department of Classics & Religious Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about why he made the move from academic press, for this first book, to a trade press for his second book, and what that involved. We talk about finding an agent, the agent-author relationship, writing a trade press book proposal, creating your own peer review, how Max writes differently for trade versus academic, why we don’t always get the book title we want, why shorter is better, getting tenure and promotion credit for your trade press book, the role of an academic mentor in writing, and the money reality for first-time trade press authors.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> We talk with Max Perry Mueller, associate professor of religious studies in the Department of Classics & Religious Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln about why he made the move from academic press, for this first book, to a trade press for his second book, and what that involved. We talk about finding an agent, the agent-author relationship, writing a trade press book proposal, creating your own peer review, how Max writes differently for trade versus academic, why we don’t always get the book title we want, why shorter is better, getting tenure and promotion credit for your trade press book, the role of an academic mentor in writing, and the money reality for first-time trade press authors.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> Episode 59: When dissertations do not become tenure books & research becomes NYT Op-eds with Miriam Udel https://writingit.fireside.fm/59 a3500718-81cc-45a7-b421-0a4c106ef13d Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:45:00 -0400 The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida full The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida We’re talking with Emory Professor Miriam Udel about lessons from a career full of writing highs and challenges, beginning with the realization that the dissertation will not become the first book. We talk about learning how to understand the gradations of rejection letters; the value of pitching editors in person; why spending time on works of translations may be highly worthwhile even when they do not count for tenure and promotion; when hiring a book publicist is useful for academics; writing Op-Eds; mentoring younger scholars; and having a memoir-in-progress in the drawer. 58:02 no We’re talking with Emory Professor Miriam Udel about lessons from a career full of writing highs and challenges, beginning with the realization that the dissertation will not become the first book. We talk about learning how to understand the gradations of rejection letters; the value of pitching editors in person; why spending time on works of translations may be highly worthwhile even when they do not count for tenure and promotion; when hiring a book publicist is useful for academics; writing Op-Eds; mentoring younger scholars; and having a memoir-in-progress in the drawer. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact We’re talking with Emory Professor Miriam Udel about lessons from a career full of writing highs and challenges, beginning with the realization that the dissertation will not become the first book. We talk about learning how to understand the gradations of rejection letters; the value of pitching editors in person; why spending time on works of translations may be highly worthwhile even when they do not count for tenure and promotion; when hiring a book publicist is useful for academics; writing Op-Eds; mentoring younger scholars; and having a memoir-in-progress in the drawer.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> We’re talking with Emory Professor Miriam Udel about lessons from a career full of writing highs and challenges, beginning with the realization that the dissertation will not become the first book. We talk about learning how to understand the gradations of rejection letters; the value of pitching editors in person; why spending time on works of translations may be highly worthwhile even when they do not count for tenure and promotion; when hiring a book publicist is useful for academics; writing Op-Eds; mentoring younger scholars; and having a memoir-in-progress in the drawer.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> Episode 40: Finding courage to write the broader story https://writingit.fireside.fm/40 251a60ff-edcf-4a6f-891b-456066a65342 Mon, 30 Dec 2024 04:30:00 -0500 The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida full The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida In this episode we talk with history professor Robin Judd of the Ohio State University about writing her most recent book, Between Two Worlds: Jewish War Brides After the Holocaust. Figuring out how to write up her research as a book appealing to a broader audience was a challenge that required new skills and a willingness to edit, while staying true to her sources’ voices. 51:12 no In this episode we talk with history professor Robin Judd of the Ohio State University about writing her most recent book, Between Two Worlds: Jewish War Brides After the Holocaust. Figuring out how to write up her research as a book appealing to a broader audience was a challenge that required new skills and a willingness to edit, while staying true to her sources’ voices. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact history, Holocaust, survivors, book publishing, literary agent, In this episode we talk with history professor Robin Judd of the Ohio State University about writing her most recent book, Between Two Worlds: Jewish War Brides After the Holocaust. Figuring out how to write up her research as a book appealing to a broader audience was a challenge that required new skills and a willingness to edit, while staying true to her sources’ voices.
Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> In this episode we talk with history professor Robin Judd of the Ohio State University about writing her most recent book, Between Two Worlds: Jewish War Brides After the Holocaust. Figuring out how to write up her research as a book appealing to a broader audience was a challenge that required new skills and a willingness to edit, while staying true to her sources’ voices.
Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contact us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> Episode 25: The Book Seminar with Sam Freedman https://writingit.fireside.fm/25 a7a43c18-b2bb-4294-963f-6b3ce9b40fc6 Mon, 03 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0400 The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida full The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida Today, we’re speaking with the award-winning author, columnist, and professor Sam Freedman, of Columbia Journalism School, and the author, most recently, of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights (winner of the 2024 Hillman Prize for Book Journalism), about his class at Columbia School of Journalism, The Book Seminar. We talk about what Sam teaches his lucky students (this very successful Columbia seminar has been offered for over 30 years, and has resulted in over 100 published books), and about his own decades-long career as an author, and the view of the publishing industry it has provided him. We address what it means to craft a good book proposal; the importance of making the case for your book’s readership; the benefits of landing in an academic press, even if you were aiming for a trade press; how to think about the “comp. titles/authors” section of your proposal; pre-publication blurbs; pitching an agent; planning your own book promotion; and finally, why timing is sometimes everything. 57:18 no Today, we’re speaking with the award-winning author, columnist, and professor Sam Freedman, of Columbia Journalism School, and the author, most recently, of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights (winner of the 2024 Hillman Prize for Book Journalism), about his class at Columbia School of Journalism, The Book Seminar. We talk about what Sam teaches his lucky students (this very successful Columbia seminar has been offered for over 30 years, and has resulted in over 100 published books), and about his own decades-long career as an author, and the view of the publishing industry it has provided him. We address what it means to craft a good book proposal; the importance of making the case for your book’s readership; the benefits of landing in an academic press, even if you were aiming for a trade press; how to think about the “comp. titles/authors” section of your proposal; pre-publication blurbs; pitching an agent; planning your own book promotion; and finally, why timing is sometimes everything. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact trade press, academic press, journalism, Columbia University, literary agent, book proposal, book promotion Today, we’re speaking with the award-winning author, columnist, and professor Sam Freedman, of Columbia Journalism School, and the author, most recently, of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights (winner of the 2024 Hillman Prize for Book Journalism), about his class at Columbia School of Journalism, The Book Seminar. We talk about what Sam teaches his lucky students (this very successful Columbia seminar has been offered for over 30 years, and has resulted in over 100 published books), and about his own decades-long career as an author, and the view of the publishing industry it has provided him. We address what it means to craft a good book proposal; the importance of making the case for your book’s readership; the benefits of landing in an academic press, even if you were aiming for a trade press; how to think about the “comp. titles/authors” section of your proposal; pre-publication blurbs; pitching an agent; planning your own book promotion; and finally, why timing is sometimes everything.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> Today, we’re speaking with the award-winning author, columnist, and professor Sam Freedman, of Columbia Journalism School, and the author, most recently, of Into the Bright Sunshine: Young Hubert Humphrey and the Fight for Civil Rights (winner of the 2024 Hillman Prize for Book Journalism), about his class at Columbia School of Journalism, The Book Seminar. We talk about what Sam teaches his lucky students (this very successful Columbia seminar has been offered for over 30 years, and has resulted in over 100 published books), and about his own decades-long career as an author, and the view of the publishing industry it has provided him. We address what it means to craft a good book proposal; the importance of making the case for your book’s readership; the benefits of landing in an academic press, even if you were aiming for a trade press; how to think about the “comp. titles/authors” section of your proposal; pre-publication blurbs; pitching an agent; planning your own book promotion; and finally, why timing is sometimes everything.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

Contacts us with questions, possible future topics/guests, or comments here: https://writingit.fireside.fm/contact

]]> Episode 18: “Why is this a must-read book?” How to show a literary agent/editor that your book is important: a conversation with literary agent and former editor, Susan Rabiner https://writingit.fireside.fm/18 cc32eb4b-1ffb-40d0-8f25-d58cda6966bb Mon, 26 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0500 The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida full The Center for Jewish Studies at the University of Florida In this episode we speak with Thinking Like Your Editor author and agent, Susan Rabiner about how academics can best present their book project to an agent or editor. We talk about what a strong book proposal, cover letter, and sample chapters need to do. We also talk about what it means to write your academic book with strong narrative; the significance of the table of contents; why academic writers cannot rely on facts alone to make a point; the importance of figuring out your “core audience”; understanding your book’s central questions; what to expect (and not expect) from a literary agent and from a trade press; why an academic press might be a better fit for your book; and why it’s okay not to earn out your advance. 1:00:27 no In this episode we speak with Thinking Like Your Editor author and agent, Susan Rabiner about how academics can best present their book project to an agent or editor. We talk about what a strong book proposal, cover letter, and sample chapters need to do. We also talk about what it means to write your academic book with strong narrative; the significance of the table of contents; why academic writers cannot rely on facts alone to make a point; the importance of figuring out your “core audience”; understanding your book’s central questions; what to expect (and not expect) from a literary agent and from a trade press; why an academic press might be a better fit for your book; and why it’s okay not to earn out your advance. Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here: https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast Book proposal, literary agent, editor, narrative non-fiction, publishing, trade press, academic press, publishing trends, table of contents In this episode we speak with Thinking Like Your Editor author and agent, Susan Rabiner about how academics can best present their book project to an agent or editor. We talk about what a strong book proposal, cover letter, and sample chapters need to do. We also talk about what it means to write your academic book with strong narrative; the significance of the table of contents; why academic writers cannot rely on facts alone to make a point; the importance of figuring out your “core audience”; understanding your book’s central questions; what to expect (and not expect) from a literary agent and from a trade press; why an academic press might be a better fit for your book; and why it’s okay not to earn out your advance.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

]]> In this episode we speak with Thinking Like Your Editor author and agent, Susan Rabiner about how academics can best present their book project to an agent or editor. We talk about what a strong book proposal, cover letter, and sample chapters need to do. We also talk about what it means to write your academic book with strong narrative; the significance of the table of contents; why academic writers cannot rely on facts alone to make a point; the importance of figuring out your “core audience”; understanding your book’s central questions; what to expect (and not expect) from a literary agent and from a trade press; why an academic press might be a better fit for your book; and why it’s okay not to earn out your advance.

Don't forget to rate and review our show and follow us on all social media platforms here:
https://linktr.ee/writingitpodcast

]]>