S6E3 Ancestry and Adventure Writing | Judith Turner Yamamoto | Meghan J. Ward

In today's episode Kat covers two interviews. The first is with Judith Turner Yamamoto, author of Loving the Dead and Gone, covering how reader’s own experiences are brought into the story, how she became an ‘accidental’ historical novelist, her research and drafting process, finding a treasure trove of 19th century ancestral ‘stuff’ to help with research, winning the Petrichor Prize, publishing with Regal House, the found family feeling of small publishers, her article writing and world travelling, working with her husband who’s a visual artist, teaching at writing conferences, sense memory and how it can transport us and open up our creativity, ‘hiraeth’ and nostalgia, and advice for writers of historical fiction.

Find Judith online at turneryamamoto.com, on Twitter @jturneryamamoto, and on Instagram @jturneryamamoto

Following this is Meghan J. Ward, author of the memoir Lights to Guide Me Home, covering the inspiration behind the book, how moving from Ontario to BC sparked this journey, how she remembered everything she ultimately included in the book, how social media helped uncover lost memories, a writer’s ‘second brain,’ where her interest in travel comes from, culture shock vs reverse culture shock, re-visiting places to fully immerse yourself in a culture and society, how travelling with kids differs from travelling alone, publishing books with her adventure photographer Paul Zizka, how she began adventure writing, giving a talk about crafting the perfect pitch at the Adventure Writing Workshop (part of the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival), her drafting process, writing out of order, and tips for travelling with kids.

Megan can be found online at meghanjoyward.com, on Twitter @meghanjward, and on IG @meghanjward (and check out hubby Paul Zizka's incredible travel photos on Instagram @paulzizkaphoto!)

Kat is on Twitter @kfoxx_writes @_badasswriters @FoxxEditorial and @moodpitchers. On IG, she's @kathleenfoxxwrites @badasswriters_podcast @FoxxEditorial and @moodpitchers. Her websites are kathleenfoxx.com foxxeditorial.com, kathleenfoxxagent.com, and moodpitch.org.

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If you would like to submit a pitch for critique on the show, please fill out ⁠this form⁠.

For questions for the podcast (to be answered in an episode), book recommendations or shoutouts to those who've helped on your path to publication, see details on Kat’s website ⁠here⁠. Please note interview bookings are currently by referral only. The podcast is booked solid until October 2023. WOW! As Kat may be starting to take on clients at that time, she needs to ensure a schedule that will work and can still include the podcast. Hang tight for more details over the coming months!

Music: Bathtime Funk by All Good Folks (uppbeats.io), Ask Me When by Mica Emory (epidemicsound.com)