Write the Good Fight

Rise Literary is taking its writing off the page with the launch of Write the Good Fight, an impactful podcast exploring the power of storytelling in disrupting the status quo, enacting real change, and sharing how the craft of writing can change the cultural conversation. The podcast invites listeners into deep, real conversations about the creative journey, featuring the fiercest minds in literature, publishing, and the creative arts to explore how and why they fight the good fight, through their words and the storytelling they support.

Co-Writing to Solo-Writing with Nicola Kraus

In this episode, Publisher and CEO Kristen McGuiness sits down with Nicola Kraus, co-author of The Nanny Diaries, which became an international #1 best-seller, selling over 6 million copies in 32 languages. Kraus continued to co-author 9 more novels, but is now entering the publishing world solo. From making money as an author to the struggles and joys of solo writing, this is an enjoyable episode you don't want to miss.

10-03
26:30

Learning to Live a To-Die-For Life with Karen Salmansohn

CEO & Publisher Kristen McGuiness is joined by multi-bestselling author and leading Behavioral Change Expert Karen Salmansohn. An inspiring conversation, not to be missed, these two dive into topics about life and death, writing the book that needs to be written, and the power of female friendships.

09-25
37:59

Loathing to Living and a Lot of Hustling with Sarah Gormley

On this episode, Publisher Kristen McGuiness and CMO Lauren Porté Schwarzfeld are joined by author and art gallery owner Sarah Gormley to discuss how she went from loathing her life to living it to the fullest. From writing a book to successfully marketing said book and finally feeling like life is how it should be, this is truly an uplifting episode.

09-18
38:03

Sacrifices, Suppression, and Stardust with Dr. Gertrude Lyons

Live from the Ojai Playhouse, publisher Kristen McGuiness interviews Rise author Gertrude Lyons for this special edition episode of Write the Good Fight. From a disappointing dissertation experience, to a dream-fulfilling book, and around to a suppressive stage, Lyons shares the ups and downs of her journey rewriting the mother code.

09-11
35:48

Swimmers, Storytelling, and Rough Magic with Christopher Rivas

On this episode, publisher Kristen McGuiness ⁠⁠is joined by the first-ever Rise client, Christopher Rivas, as they dive into everything from creativity to the real James Bond, and sperm! It’s hilarious, nostalgic, insightful, and so fun. You’ll definitely want to listen to this one!

09-04
41:33

Life, Death and Hilarity with Kristen and Raya

In this special episode of Write the Good Fight, Publisher Kristen McGuiness and Content Director Raya Whittington discuss their personal journeys as writers, the challenges of balancing a busy career with creative aspirations, murder, and more. Both starting to solidify their careers in screenwriting, they emphasize the importance of writing consistently and writing because you have to, to survive. This is a random, funny, and informative episode that you won’t want to miss!

08-28
28:28

Storytelling from Book to Screen and Back Again with Lynnette Ramirez

On this episode, publisher ⁠Kristen McGuiness⁠ is joined by president of Bassett Vance Productions and long-time friend Lynnette Ramirez as they take a deep dive into the very long and winding road of TV and film development. Lynnette shares her background and how storytelling has shaped this journey. If you want to peek behind the industry curtain, you’ll want to listen to this one!

08-21
39:22

Supporting a Writing Community that Supports You with Gina Frangello

On this episode, publisher Kristen McGuiness is joined by author, editor, and book coach Gina Frangello to discuss their writing journeys and the ways writing is so much more than a profession: it’s a way to save lives. For tips and tricks for doing it all and doing it with grace, you’ll want to listen to this one! And make sure to stay till the end for a special announcement from these two!

08-14
43:11

Courting Luck - From Script to Screen with Krista Vernoff

On this week's episode, CEO and Publisher Kristen McGuiness and CMO ⁠Lauren Porté Schwarzfeld⁠ sit down with award-winning screenwriter and producer Krista Vernoff to chat about everything from her time on Grey’s Anatomy and Shameless to sobriety and saving your soul from dying through expressive and embodied writing. If you want to learn how to make your dreams a reality, this is the episode for you. 

08-07
53:13

Grab a Buddy, Writing isn't a Solo Sport with Courtney Caldwell

In this episode, Publishing Manager (and multi-talented podcast producer) Raya Whittington is joined by Courtney Caldwell as they discuss their own writing journeys, creating community, the path to becoming writing buddies, and how their endless curiosity fuels their writing and their lives.

07-31
52:13

Listening to Your Characters and Dropping Bodies with Katie Sise

On this week's episode, CMO Lauren Porté Schwarzfeld and bestselling author Katie Sise sit down to chat about everything from her writing process and her latest book titled You Must Be New Here, to tennis and the importance of waiting to drop the body.

07-24
29:31

The Humanity Archive with Jermaine Fowler

CEO Kristen McGuiness reunites with NY Times bestselling author Jermaine Fowler after years apart to discuss the importance of documenting and sharing human history. At a time when everything feels like a radical act, how can we intentionally change the world by speaking to readers? From podcasting to history to falling into authorship, this episode really tackles what it means to Write the Good Fight.

07-17
38:36

The Power of AI and the Evolution of a Book Proposal with Shira Lazar

Hosted by CEO Kristen McGuiness, this wide-ranging conversation with Emmy-nominated host, interviewer, and What’s Trending creator Shira Lazar covers everything from hostile AI takeovers, the neutrality of this new pocket assistant, addictiveness, and book proposals - should they take five months or five years.

07-10
32:37

Reparations and Witty Repartee with Krystal Joy Brown

The gang is back together! This week’s episode, hosted by CEO Kristen McGuiness, rejoins her with her former podcast cohost Broadway sensation Krystal Joy Brown. KJ 2.0 sits down and talks all things Broadway, civil disobedience, and Beyoncé. This episode is hilarious but poignant and one you won’t want to miss!

07-03
50:23

Live from the Ojai Playhouse: Slow Burns and Late Night Scribbles with Rob Bell

Live from the Ojai Playhouse, CEO Kristen McGuiness and CMO Lauren Porté Schwarzfeld interview author Rob Bell for this special edition episode of Write the Good Fight. From creativity and writing books to navigating money and staying true to what you love, this inspiring and emotional conversation feels like a warm hug from your new best pal, Rob Bell.

06-26
50:41

Addicted to Whiteness and Why Book Titles Matter with myisha t hill

Hosted by CEO Kristen McGuiness, in this powerful episode for Juneteenth, author and activist myisha t hill discusses her journey in antiracism work from its peak in 2020 through her most recent censure by Meta, when they disabled her massive activism account, Check Your Privilege, with over 600K followers. myisha shares the heartbreaking truths behind writing about anti-Blackness but also what it truly means to be antiracist - and how it is the path of recovery for all of us.

06-19
38:47

Secrets to Page-Turning Fiction with Janelle Brown

On today’s episode, NY Times bestselling author Janelle Brown joins CEO Kristen McGuiness and CMO Lauren Porté Schwarzfeld to discuss her latest book, What Kind of Paradise, and dive into her career as a novelist. We discuss Janelle's early career as a journalist, California as a backdrop and character in her books, and the importance of having a writing community.

06-12
34:11

From the Page to the Stage with Rise Literary Author and TEDxOjai Speaker Maggie Boxey

This week's episode of Write The Good Fight, hosted by CEO and Publisher Kristen McGuiness, features Rise Literary author Maggie Boxey, whose book The 3 Things came out in May 2024. Maggie was also a TEDxOjai speaker, and her talk currently has over 26k views. Maggie and Kristen discuss the writing process and what it means to write through chronic illness and finding community in writing.

06-06
57:50

The Hard Truths Behind Book Publishing with Literary Agent Stacey Glick

On this episode of Write the Good Fight, longstanding literary agent Stacey Glick shares what it takes to make it in book publishing, the pieces of a book proposal that most catch her eye (and that of other agents and authors) and how the book industry has changed for both the better and the worse over the last two decades. With real tips on how to position yourself as an expert in your field and as a storyteller who is offering a new take on a proven concept, Stacey shares what helps writers to become celebrated authors - and finally break through the traditional publishing ceiling. Hint: Having a great book is just the beginning.

05-30
37:43

Building Your Career as an Author with Emily Lynn Paulson

On today’s episode, CEO Kristen McGuiness and CMO Lauren Porté Schwarzfeld sit down to chat with Emily Lynn Paulson, the author of Highlight Real: Finding Honesty and Recovery Beyond the Filtered Life, and Hey, Hun: Sales, Sisterhood, Supremacy, and the Other Lies Behind Multilevel Marketing. MLMs, ditching social media, defamation, and giving your life’s truth to the world are all topics that are on the table today.

05-30
42:27

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