"Online talk radio limps a bit in terms of reaching readers, and not every show is worthy of your limited time. Few writers make much of an impact in their sales with Internet radio. The Writing Show is the exception to the rule. "
C. Hope Clark, Funds for Writers
"One of the things that makes The Writing Show so useful is that Paula B is such a mensch. Lots of people can help you deal with the sting of rejection by telling you how great you were, but what a writer wants most is to write better. Paula really cares about good writing, and brings a mix of acumen, generosity and personal warmth to her work that shines through everything she does. Paula is a real friend to the aspiring writer."
Matt Leo
Since 2005, The Writing Show has provided engaging information and inspiration for writers of all kinds. We deliver high-quality, in-depth interviews, reality shows, and other features designed to shed light on some aspect of writing, publishing, and other topics of interest to people who write or aspire to do so.
Paula Berinstein
Writing Show producer Paula B.
Producer and Host
Paula Berinstein (Paula B) is the author of seven geeky nonfiction books, including Making Space Happen and Business Statistics on the Web, and numerous magazine articles. Paula has been "Publishing Trends" columnist for Searcher magazine, ran her own research business serving the entertainment and other industries for 15 years, and has been a computer programmer, systems analyst, and librarian.
She has a B.A. in English and an M.L.S. in library science with a specialty in information science, both from UCLA.
Paula considers herself first and foremost a journalist. Her heroes are Jim Lehrer and Margaret Warner of the PBS NewsHour, whom she admires for their low-key manners and thoughtful questions.
Blake Snyder, 1957-2009
Screenwriting commentator Blake Snyder
Commentator
Screenwriting guru Blake Snyder died on August 4th.
There was no one in the world like Blake. He helped so many people become better writers. He was always upbeat, ever offering encouragement and support. He was a treasure, and we will miss him.
Our condolences to his family and friends.
Condolences, tributes, and reminiscences:
Blake's Screenwriting Commentary on The Writing Show
October 8, 2008: "Working with Theme in Your Screenplay"
November 12, 2008: "How to Bury Exposition in Your Screenplay"
December 10, 2008: "How to End Your Screenplay"
February 1, 2009: "Screenwriting Is Fun!"
March 1, 2009: "The Two Types of Heroes"
Blake Snyder wrote Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You’ll Ever Need and Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter’s Guide to Every Story Ever Told. His Web site at BlakeSnyder.com is still very much alive.
Listen to our tribute to Blake, which features some of his friends, colleagues, and students
Alanna Klapp
Writing Show guest host Alanna Klapp
Guest host
Alanna Klapp writes short stories, essays, and poems. She graduated from Kent State University in 2002 with a B.S. in fashion merchandising. In 2005, she won second place in the Lea Leever Oldham essay contest. She is a member of The Lit: Cleveland’s Literary Center, and an online member of the Stow-Munroe Falls Writing Group. She lives near Cleveland, Ohio with her husband, and is working on her first novel.
Mick Halpin
Writing Show guest host Mick Halpin
Guest Host
Born in Iowa, Mick Halpin now resides in Dublin, Ireland. After earning a BA in History, Mick taught school for three years in South Louisiana and then worked briefly in the publishing industry in Orlando. A nine-to-five job in the IT industry now enables him to devote evenings to book fandom. Mick was a senior fiction editor at NFG Magazine and still heartily recommends the original, innovative fiction available in back issues.
Since May 2005, Mick has been webmaster of Critical Mick: “Reviews Free of Rules.” His “Unruly Reviews” of Irish and crime fiction try to capture the reviewed book’s spirit and flavor. Often they fail, but he hopes they provide entertaining reading all the same. The site also features author interviews, news, and some offbeat notes on ex-pat living.
Listen to Mick's Writing Show interviews:
The View from Ireland, with Kevin Stevens
Wearing Many Hats: It’s Just About Wanting to Write, with John MacKenna
You Found What in a Bog? Writing the Archaeological Mystery, with Erin Hart
A Conversation with Irish Horror Writer/Filmmaker Darryl Sloan
Jeffrey R. DeRego
Writing Show commentator Jeffrey R. DeRego
Commentator
Jeffrey R. DeRego is a “know it all loudmouth” who lives in Derry, New Hampshire (one-time home of both America’s poet, Robert Frost, and America’s first man to orbit the earth, Alan Shepard). He has a wife, Cindy; two amazing kids, Ian and Margaret; two cats; and one horse. Jeff is the author of the Union Dues series of stories, among others, available for free download from Escape Pod. He also writes under the pseudonym Big McLargehuge for Horrorview.com.
David Schembri
Official Writing Show artist David Schembri
Official Writing Show artist