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AARON POOCHIGIAN earned a PhD in Classics from the University of Minnesota and an MFA in Poetry from Columbia University. His thriller in verse, Mr. Either/Or, was released by Etruscan Press in the fall of 2017. A recipient of an NEA Grant in translation, he has published translations with Penguin Classics and W. W. Norton. His latest book American Divine, the winner of the Richard Wilbur Award, came out in 2021. His other poetry collections are Manhattanite (Able Muse Press, 2017), winner of the 2016 Able Muse Book Award, and The Cosmic Purr (Able Muse Press, 2012). His work has appeared in such publications as Best American Poetry, the Paris Review and POETRY.   In this interview, Ryan and Aaron talk all things poetry. How to find ideas, where to publish poetry, Aaron's essential advice for all creative people, and much more. You can find Aaron at: https://www.aaronpoochigian.com/   Mentioned on the Show: Join the newsletter for latest updates: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/newsletter/ Leave a rating or review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-creator/id1185387038

Emily Crookston spent a bunch of years mucking around creating marketing content before Emily realized she's better suited to longform writing. Since launching her business, Emily has worked with dozens of clients ranging from professionals in medicine and finance with disruptive philosophies to powerhouse CEOs who are sick and tired of the status quo to mountain climbers with harrowing survival stories to share. She brings an objective eye to every project she tackles and absolutely loves her job. In this interview Ryan and Emily talk about her ghostwriting journey, what makes for a good book, fidning your process, and much more.  Mentioned on the Show: Pocket PHD: https://www.thepocketphd.com/ Join the newsletter and other free resources: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/newsletter/

Daniel Grothe is a writer, pastor, and musician from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is a proud husband to Lisa, and has three amazing kids: Lillian, Wilson, and Wakley. Daniel has written a new book called: "The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Rootless Age." In this interview, Ryan and Daniel talk about the importance of place (and his new book), how good art can come from tragedy, what living on a farm is teaching his family, Daniel's hard hat approach to writing, and much more. You can find Daniel at: https://danielgrothe.com/ Mentioned on Show: Daniel's new book: https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B08ZMBY9LZ&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_SE331Y8F20S0R0APAY9D Books: Annie Dillard "The Writing Life" https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B000W93CNG&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_ZD8HAN8VS935BF7FFKF0 National Novel Writing Month: https://nanowrimo.org/ Free writing resources and Motivation Monday's newsletter: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/tools/ Leave a rating/review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-creator/id1185387038  

Samantha Hanni is a writer, blogger, and freelance editor. She has helped over 60 authors get their manuscripts ready for publication. In this episode, Ryan and Samantha explore what to look for in an editor, Samantha's reader-first approach to editing, the different kinds of editing, how to build a solid relationship with an editor, and much more. You can find Samantha and her services at: https://mrshanni.com/ Mentioned in the Show: Work with Samantha: https://mrshanni.com/work-with-me/ Get latest updates and other creator resources: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/tools/ Leave a rating/review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-creator/id1185387038  

Vikrant Shaurya is the Founder/CEO of bestsellingbook.com. Over the years, Vikrant and his team have helped hundreds of authors write popular and bestselling books. In this episode, Ryan and Vikrant talk about how to write a winning outline, the elements of a bestselling book, why perfection is killing your writing, and much more.  Mentioned in the Show: Free checklist for writing a bestselling book: https://bestsellingbook.com/checklist/ Work with Vikrant: https://bestsellingbook.com/call/ Leave a rating/review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-creator/id1185387038 Free writing and creativity tools: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/tools/ Join the Motivation Monday's newsletter: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/newsletter/  

A native Missourian and US Air Force Veteran, Jason stays busy in both his professional and personal life. He's a devoted family man, has a day job he still enjoys, hosts a weekly podcast, and makes time to write anywhere, and everywhere that he can. He completed one of his books on his phone, sitting in the theater while waiting for a movie to start! Ryan and Jason chat about the journey of writing, where ideas come from, and which ones to pursue, in-person marketing, and much more. You can find Jason at: https://www.jasonameuschke.com/ Mentioned in the Show: Jason's podcast: https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/samplechapterpodcast Get latest updates and other insider goodies by joining the newsletter: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/newsletter/ Ryan's merch shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ProlificCreationsUS?ref=seller-platform-mcnav Leave a rating/review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-creator/id1185387038

In this episode, Ryan explores the need for play in our work. Somewhere along the line we'll succumb to short term thinking, and forget about the long term reasons we create things. What does it mean to incorporate play, awe, and wonder into our work? Mentioned in the Show: Join the newsletter for latest updates (ryanjpelton.com).  Check out Ryan's new side project (ETSY Shop). Leave a rating/review on wherever you listen to your podcasts. 

Christiana N. Peterson is the author of Mystics and Misfits: Meeting God through St. Francis and Other Unlikely Saints and Awakened by Death: Life-giving Lessons from the Mystics. Her writing on the mystics, community, the spiritual disciplines of motherhood, and death has been featured in such places as Christianity Today, Art House America, Geez Magazine, The Christian Century, and Bearings Online. She lives in Ohio with her husband and their four children.  In this episode, Ryan and Christiana explore where ideas come from, which ones to pursue, why artist's are essential for expressing reality, her writing process, and much more. You can find Christiana at: http://christiananpeterson.com Mentioned on the Show:  Join Motivation Monday's for latest updates, creative inspiration, and much more.  Support the show and buy some merch: https://prolificcreationskc.com/products/consume-less-create-more-mug Support the show by leaving a rating/review wherever you listen to podcasts. 

In this episode, Ryan explores the myth of writer's or creator's block. Is it a thing, or is there something else lurking beneath the surface in our stuckness? Ryan will explore this topic and give steps for getting unstuck in whatever you are making.  Mentioned in the Show: Say hello, and tell us what you're working on. Where are you stuck? hello@ryanjpelton.com Join the Motivation Monday's newsletter for latest updates and other inspiring content: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/newsletter/  Check out Ryan's new shop: https://prolificcreationskc.com/ Please leave a rating/review on whatever platform you listen to your podcasts.   

In this episode, Ryan talks with poet and teacher Christian Shockley. Christian believes art and poetry help us live more meaningful lives. Ryan and Christian explore the power of poetry, art, learning, and much more. You can find Christian and his work at: https://www.crs.work/ Mentioned on the Show: Christian's Poetry Course: https://www.crs.work/poetry-theology Book recommendations: My Bright Abyss by Christian Wiman, Joy by Christian Wiman, and Mary Oliver's poetry.  Blackout Poems with Austin Kleon: https://youtu.be/wKpVgoGr6kE Stay updated and join Motivation Monday's: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/newsletter/  

J. Mark Bertrand writes novels. “A major crime fiction talent” (The Weekly Standard) in the vein of Michael Connelly, Ian Rankin, and Jo Nesbø, Mark has written three books about about Houston homicide detective Roland March, including Back on Murder (2010), Pattern of Wounds (2011), and Nothing to Hide (2012). Mark has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Houston. In this episode, Ryan and Mark talk about balancing creative work and the day job, the challenges of faith-based publishing, writing dark stuff, and much more. You can find Mark at: https://www.bibledesignblog.com/about-bdb Mentioned in the Show: Mark's books Sign up on The Prolific Creator newsletter.  Leave a rating/review on iTunes (or wherever you listen to podcasts). 

Jay Wilburn lives with his wife and two sons in beautiful Conway, South Carolina. He is a full-time writer of horror and speculative fiction. Jay left his job as a teacher to become a full time writer and has never looked back. Jay received a life-saving living donor kidney transplant in February 2017 and is working through all the medical particulars of this new life. He credits his donor, family, friends, and generous strangers for his survival and new life. In this episode, Ryan and Jay chat about calling, faith, writing and creating with pain, and much more. You can find Jay and his work at: https://www.jaywilburn.com/ Mentioned on the Show: Jay's article on LitReactor: (https://litreactor.com/columns/surviving-a-decade-as-a-fulltime-author-no-one-has-heard-of) Leave a review or rating on iTunes. Get free resources, updates, and other cool stuff on Ryan's website: https://www.ryanjpelton.com/tools/ Say hello, and tell Ryan what you're working on: hello@ryanjpelton.com. 

In this episode, Ryan explores a reality for us all... we're going to die. But woven into the fabric of death is great wisdom. A wisdom that often motivates us to do your best work, make our best art, and to become the best versions of ourselves.  Mentioned in the Show: Val Kilmer documentary  Ryan's newsletter and free tools Leave a rating or review on iTunes. 

In this episode, Ryan shares an ancient practice for creating a rule of life. What would it look like to craft a rule of life for our creativity? Ryan explores this idea, and much more, for getting your creativity into high gear.  Mentioned in the Show: 10 Rules for the Prolific Creator (PDF) (ryanjpeton.com/tools) Stay updated and get cool insider goodies by signing up to the newsletter.   

I screwed up, I gave up too soon... The Prolific Writer was dead, was lost, and now is found, and resurrected as The Prolific Creator. In this first episode of the new show, I explain why "I'm back baby!" Mentioned in the Show: Check out the website, and sign up for the newsletter, for latest updates and cool insider goodies: ryanjpelton.com. 

Ryan interviews Sashka Hanna-Rappl and Peter Seth for his final show. Thank you for joining the ride for these last three plus years. Over a hundred thousand downloads and so blessed and honored to be part of the indie writing and publishing community. You can still listen to the 144+ episodes, and buy courses at: https://theprolificwriter.net/ Check out Ryan J. Pelton for a new podcast on spirituality, creativity, and culture. 

Phillip McCollum hails from the normally sunny expanses of Southern California where he writes “fantastic fiction”: speculative fiction in many different genres, usually with a twist. He wrote “52 Stories in 52 Weeks” which includes his inspiration and writing process along with each story. In this conversation, Ryan and Phillip discuss the inspiration for writing 52 stories in 52 weeks and what he learned, how he finds time to write with kid's, a job, and other responsibilities, and much more. Find Phillip here: https://phillipmccollum.com/  

Jorjeana Marie is a television writer, author and produced playwright. After attending NYU’s Dramatic Writing Program at TISCH, Jorjeana had several plays produced at the 78th St Rep, The Neighborhod Playhouse, The Douglas Fairbanks Studio Theater and PS 122 (as part of the 24 Hour Plays). She has written three solos shows, one short film, hours of stand-up material and on three animated television series. She is currently writing at Disney. Her book Improv for Writers (Ten Speed Press/Penguin Random House) is the focus of Jorjeana's and Ryan's conversation. How can comedy and improv improve your writing and get you unstuck? Find Jorjeana and her work: https://jorjeanamarie.com/

Harvey Stanbrough is an award-winning writer who by the middle of December 2019, Harvey had written and published 50 novels, 7 novellas, over 200 short stories, and hundreds of poems. He also compiled and published 30 collections of short fiction and 5 critically acclaimed poetry collections. Ryan and Harvey chat about the blessings of longevity in writing, traditional versus indie publishing, why being prolific is essential in today's world, and much more. Find Harvey and his books: https://harveystanbrough.com/

Edgar Swamp lived the rock and roll life before realizing his real passion: writing. Ryan and Edgar discuss his new book Amber Hallow, and why Edgar used multiple genres, to reach a broader audience. They discuss why day jobs aren't always bad, writing for the long haul, and much more. You can find Edgar Swamp at: http://www.edgarswamp.com/ Mentioned on the Show: More writing resources on The Prolific Writer website: https://theprolificwriter.net/ Support the show and leave a rating/review on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-prolific-writer/id1185387038 45 Day Novel Course (Udemy): https://www.udemy.com/course/45daynovel/?referralCode=E6740797FC00269532FC