In this episode of "Inside the Writer's Head" Writer-in-Residence Dani McClain interviews author Sheila Williams. Sheila Williams is the author of Dancing on the Edge of the Roof, On the Right Side of a Dream, The Shade of My Own Tree and Girls Most Likely. She is a contributor to an anthology entitled A Letter For My Mother, compiled and edited by writer Nina Foxx. Sheila is a reformed corporate borg (she drank the Kool-Aid but it made her sick), loves to read, listen to music (most kinds), travel, and eat popcorn, preferably served dripping with butter. She lives in northern Kentucky.

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 6, Episode 1: Sheila Williams

Warlock Vorobock Reads is a monthly storytime for grownups. In this episode, Adam reads an excerpt from 'The Yellow Wallpaper' by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Oscar Wilde once said, “either this wallpaper goes or I do.” Find out if there is something more sinister beyond the pattern in this feminist classic!

Warlock Vorobock Reads is a monthly storytime for grownups. Each episode features Librarian Adam Vorobock reading one fantastical, shiver-inducing tale. If you enjoy sitting around a campfire, listening to a storyteller as the flames leap higher into the darkness and the trees seem to inch a little closer, this podcast is for you. A production of the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library.

Episode 12: The Yellow Wallpaper

In our 6th installment of the West End Stories Project, we spoke with Helen Shank, a retired homemaker and retail worker. She lived in the Laurel Homes Housing Project in the 1940s and attended St. Joseph Catholic School.  

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Helen: https://cincinnatilibrary.org/blogs/post/helen-shank-west-end-story/

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project: Episode 6 - Helen Shank

In our seventh  installment of the West End Stories Project, we spoke with award-winning photojournalist, Melvin Grier who worked for the Cincinnati Post from 1974 until it ceased publication in 2007. Mr. Grier was at the top of our interview wish list, and responded to our write-up in the Cincinnati Enquirer where we expressed interest in interviewing him for the project. He grew up in the old West End, on W. Fifth Street, and attended Holy Trinity School in the forties.  

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Melvin: https://cincinnatilibrary.org/blogs/post/i-thought-it-would-last-forever-melvin-grier-shares-his-west-end-story/

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project

West End Stories Project: Episode 7 - Melvin Grier

On this episode of the “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, Writer-in-Residence Dani McClain reflects on her process with a recent writing project. She wrote an introductory essay for a new edition of Of Woman Born: Motherhood as Experience & Institution. In April, WW Norton reissued Adrienne Rich’s classic feminist text. Dani shares how she approached this assignment and insights to support writers of nonfiction. https://cincinnatilibrary.org/writer-in-residence/

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 6, Episode 2: Dani McClain

In this installment of the West End Stories project, we follow up with Ralph Moon Jr., who we initially spoke with in Episode 4, Part 1.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Mr. Moon: https://cincinnatilibrary.org/blogs/post/he-was-always-hustlin-roey-moon-shares-his-west-end-story/

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project: Episode 4, Pt. 2 - Ralph Moon Jr.

In our eighth installment of the West End Stories project, we spoke with another member of the Moon family, Mr. Roey Moon. Mr. Moon is Ralph Moon Jr.’s (Episode 4, Part 1) youngest sibling, and he disclosed pertinent details about their father’s various businesses.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Mr. Moon: https://cincinnatilibrary.org/blogs/post/he-was-always-hustlin-roey-moon-shares-his-west-end-story/

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Podcast

West End Stories Project: Episode 8 - Roey Moon

In our ninth installment of the West End Stories project, we spoke with Mauvis Evans, who lived near the Cotton Club in the 1940’s and 50’s. Located in the Kenyon Barr redevelopment area, her building and the Cotton Club were demolished for the construction of Interstate 75. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Mauvis: https://cincinnatilibrary.org/blogs/post/there-was-loud-music-and-laughter-mauvis-evans-shares-her-west-end-story/

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project: Episode 9 - Mauvis Evans

On this episode of the “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, Writer-in-Residence Dani McClain interviews poet, teacher, and artist Murray. Dive into the language arts as Dani and Murray share their experiences with performance poetry and how literary concepts can be taught through movement and music. Connect with the world of poetry beyond “Dead, White Poets” as Dani and Murray talk about poetry’s power to reach moments of honesty and authenticity. https://cincinnatilibrary.org/writer-in-residence/

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 6, Episode 3: Murray

On this episode of the “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, Writer-in-Residence Dani McClain interviews poet and professor Felicia Zamora. Join in a wide-ranging conversation ranging from the experiences of having a career in writing to exploring poetry as activism. Dani and Felicia discuss art as a catalyst for change and share their creative writing process. https://cincinnatilibrary.org/writer-in-residence

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 6, Episode 4: Felicia Zamora

Cincinnati is bursting with writers’ communities of various types, both old and new. From the venerable Literary Club, founded in 1849, to Hit the Mic, founded in 2019, writers find inspiration and connection by coming together around the written—and spoken—word. In this episode of our “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, Writer-in-Residence Pauletta Hansel speaks with representatives of four such literary groups:

Joanne Greenway, Greater Cincinnati Writers League President
Richard Hague, Literary Club of Cincinnati President
MoPoetry Phillips, Hit the Mic Cincy Founder

Lisa Cors Rocklin, Women Writing for (a) Change Executive Director
Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about finding the balance between solitude and support, growing Cincinnati’s literary community, and more! https://cincinnatilibrary.org/writer-in-residence

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 7, Episode 1: The Benefit of Writing Communities

On January 27, the West End Stories Project podcast returns with a conversation featuring Fannie Mallory, whose roots run deep in the West End.  

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project: Episode 11 Preview - Fannie Mallory

In our eleventh installment of the West End Stories Project podcast, we spoke with Cincinnati mother, Fannie Mallory, whose roots run deep in the West End.  

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Fannie Mallory: https://cincinnatilibrary.org/blogs/post/west-end-stories-project-fannie-mallory/

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project, Season 02

West End Stories Project: Episode 11 - Fannie Mallory

For episode twelve of the West End Stories Project, we spoke with Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Famer and Consultant, Roland West, who spent the first twelve years of his life in the West End. While in the West End, he attended Dyer School and was the school’s spelling bee champ.  

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

For photographs and additional info about today's show, visit the library's blog post about Roland West: https://cinlib.org/347weVg

Stay tuned for more installments of the West End Stories Project!

West End Stories Project: Episode 12 - Roland West

In episode 13 of the West End Stories Project, we spoke with retired nurse, Betty Connors. Mrs. Connors lived with her family on Barr Street for almost two decades and attended Harriet Beecher Stowe School. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 13 - Betty Connors

Donald Coaston grew up on Barr Street, a road that would be cleared to make Interstate 75, in the West End. On episode 14 of the West End Stories Project, Donald remembers his parents, childhood in the West End, service in the Vietnam War, and a crime forever changing his family. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 14 - Donald Coaston

Ella Wooten lived a few blocks west of Cincinnati’s City Hall on Richmond Street. In this episode of the West End Stories Project, Wooten remembers her relationship with her family, attending church services in the West End, and a decision that changed the trajectory of her life. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 15 - Ella Wooten

After talking with Ella Wooten on episode 15 of the West End Stories Project Podcast, we spoke with Denise Steward about a program that would have benefited Ms. Wooten when she became a teen mother in the 1950s. In this episode, Steward, Senior Director of Diversity and Donor Relations for Children Inc., discusses the origins of VISIONS Early Learning Center in the West End. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 16 - Denise Steward

Dorothy Blackburn lived in the West End neighborhood between where the West End Branch Library and Richie’s Restaurant currently stand. In this episode of the West End Stories Project Podcast, Dorothy discusses Washburn School, temporarily relocating to Millvale and dances at St. Joseph Catholic Church. 

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 17 - Dorothy Blackburn

Walter Longmire and his family moved to the West End from Avondale in 1955. They lived in the Laurel Homes Housing project and he attended Washburn Elementary, Bloom Junior High School, and Taft High School before he entered the military at the height of the Vietnam War.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 18 - Walter Longmire

Cheryl Meadows, who served as the Village Manager for Lincoln Heights, Director of Employment and Training for the City of Cincinnati, and Interim Executive Director of the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission, spent her formative years in Cincinnati’s West End. Her family owned a home at 928 Gest Street, which was part of the Kenyon Barr Urban Redevelopment Project that was demolished for the construction of Interstate 75.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 19 - Cheryl Meadows

For our 20th episode and season finale, host and West End Branch Manager Ke Parks spoke with her dad, David Parks, who lived in the Lincoln Court Housing Project with his mother and seven siblings from the 1960s to early 1970s. During his short time in the neighborhood, he attended both Hays Elementary School, which was surrounded by Cutter, Clark, Mound, and West Court Streets; and Sixth District School on Elm Street in Over-The-Rhine. His family moved to Evanston in the early 1970s.

With the COVID-19 pandemic in mind, the West End Stories Project has shifted from a video series to a podcast, so interviews are being conducted over the phone. If you or someone you know lived or spent a significant amount of time in the West End, please consider sharing your story. Call 513-369-6900 or email westend@cincinnatilibrary.org for more information.

West End Stories Project: Episode 20 - David Parks

The Library Foundation's Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne talks with Gene Luen Yang, author of the "Secret Coders" series.

Inside the Writer's Head Season 3 Episode 4: Gene Luen Yang

On this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne talks with children's book author Aubre Andrus. Andrus has authored more than 25 nonfiction books for kids, including "101 Small Ways to Change the World." She is the former Lifestyle Editor for American Girl magazine, and they discuss how she transitioned to writing full time. Andrus talks about what it's like working alone as a freelance writer, and the stress that comes along with finding your own work - but also the freedom and reward. Listen in for some great career writing insight!

Season 3 Episode 9: Aubre Andrus

On this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne talks with the former editor for Writer's Digest Books, Chuck Sambachino. Sambachino is a full-time freelancer, instructor, and humor writer and if you need any advice about getting a literary agent then he's your guy. 

In this episode, you'll get tips on how to get a literary agent and why it is so important you have one. Sambachino also discusses social media's role in publishing today, what agents actually do for you, and what they can't do for you. If you've ever thought about publishing a book, this is the writer whose head you definitely want to get inside.

Inside the Writer's Head Season 3 Episode 10: Chuck Sambachino

On this episode of Inside the Writer's Head, our Writer-in-Residence Emma Carlson Berne speaks with Michael Bourret. Bourret is a partner of Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret - a well-known literary agency that represents authors from a myriad of genres. In this podcast, they discuss how to get a literary agent, and what it's like working with an agent to get a book published. Bourret also gives some tips on writing a query letter, namely not to stress too much about it. This is the last episode of Season 3 of Inside the Writer's Head with Emma Carlson Berne! And it's a good one. Tune in!

Inside the Writer's Head Season Three Episode 11: Michael Bourret

In this episode of “Inside the Writer’s Head,” our Writer-in-Residence Jessica Strawser chats with D.M. Pulley about her experiences behind the scenes in Amazon Publishing, the historical real-life inspiration behind her suspenseful new release, and more. 

D.M. Pulley lives just outside of Cleveland with her family. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a professional engineer, rehabbing historic structures and conducting forensic investigations of building failures. It was a structural survey of a vacant building in Cleveland that inspired her debut novel, The Dead Key, which was the grand-prize winner of the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. The book, a dark, haunting thriller, went on to be published by Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer imprint and to date has a staggering 10,000+ reviews on the site (with a 4+ star average). She has since published three other stand-alone novels in a similar vein: The Buried Book, The Unclaimed Victim, and No One’s Home (debuting on September 1). Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @DMPulleyAuthor and on Instagram @d.m.pulley.

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 4, Episode 7: D.M. Pulley

In this episode of our “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, Dani McClain speaks with bookstore owner Gregory Kornbluh. They discuss his vision and goal for opening a book store, adapting to COVID-19, and more. A product of Sands Montessori and Walnut Hills High School, Kornbluh got his start in bookselling while doing graduate work in American Studies at UMass Boston. He went on to spend a decade in the Sales & Marketing Department of Harvard University Press, a leading publisher of nonfiction in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, where he worked closely with authors, booksellers, librarians, and media members to help new books and ideas find their audience. After thirteen years on the East Coast, he returned home in November 2018 and opened Downbound's doors late the following year.

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 5, Episode 6: Gregory Kornbluh

In this episode of our “Inside the Writer’s Head” podcast, Dani McClain reflects on her time as Writer-in-Residence in a tumultuous year, and announces that her residency has been extended through 2021!

Inside the Writer's Head: Season 5, Episode 10: Dani McClain

You're listening to part 3 of 5 extra-special episodes of Warlock Vorobok Reads featuring readings from a Christmas Carol! In this stave, Scrooge witnesses a lot of socially (un)distanced Xmas celebrations.

A Christmas Carol Stave 3: The Second of the Three Spirits

Intended for aspiring writers, avid readers, and anyone in between, our monthly Inside the Writer's Head podcast features conversations on books, writing, and creativity from the people who know it best.

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