Memoir Isn’t Dead (and Never Will Be) with Rachel Kramer Bussel
About this episode
This week, I chat with Rachel Kramer Bussel—editor, essayist, and founder of Open Secrets Magazine—about a lifelong love of reading, writing and editing. Listen to hear about:
- How memoirs allow readers to experience others' lives in highly personal ways
- Rachel’s journey from editing 70+ erotica anthologies to building a personal essays literary magazine
- How “ordinary” lives still make compelling, meaningful essays
- The behind-the-scenes reality of running a submission-based publication
- The emotional and ethical tightrope of writing about real people, relationships, and personal struggles
Rachel's "Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to ban books" T-shirt
Books We Talked About
I'm Glad My Mom Died — Jennette McCurdy
Razorblade Tears — S. A. Cosby
Hologram Boyfriends — Mike Albo
Somebody I Used to Know — Wendy Mitchell
Agorafabulous — Sara Benincasa
Actress of a Certain Age — Jeff Hiller
Do What Godmother Says — L. S. Stratton
Destroy this House – Amanda Uhle
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Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
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