Writers getting Paid
I can accurately describe myself as both fan and friend of the extraordinary Jenna Blum, and during the two decades I’ve known her, I have been in awe of her talents, passions, productivity (!), and humility. What makes her truly special is that she also is the literary citizen by which all literary citizens must be measured: she not only cares, deeply, but she makes things happen (!!). She has been a ceaseless supporter of other writers, she appreciates readers, and she’s done as much as any human being is capable of doing to help connect artists and audiences. (Be sure to check out A Mighty Blaze, which began as a necessary miracle during the pandemic and continues to showcase and celebrate storytellers.) She has been featured in a 1455’s Author Series interview, and was our Keynote Speaker for the 4th annual Storyfest. She’s also a best-selling author and knows virtually all aspects (the good, bad, and ugly) of all-things literary — the industry, how to navigate it, and importantly, how to get paid. Please enjoy her insights, which are invaluable for writers with all levels of experience.
Jenna Blum
Jenna Blum is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of novels Those Who Save Us, The Stormchasers, and The Lost Family; the novella “The Lucky One” in the collection Grand Central; and memoir Woodrow on the Bench. Jenna is one of Oprah’s Top Thirty Women Writers, with her work published in over 20 countries, and cofounder/CEO of literary social media marketing company A Mighty Blaze. Jenna is based in Boston, teaching at Grub Street Writers, where she has been running master fiction and novel workshops for over 20 years.
Website: jennablum.com
Twitter: @jenna_blum
Instagram: @jenna_blum
Facebook: facebook.com/JennaBlumAuthor
Sean Murphy
Sean Murphy is the Founding Director of 1455, a non-profit that celebrates storytelling. He has appeared on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and been quoted in USA Today, The New York Times, The Huffington Post, and AdAge. A long-time columnist for PopMatters, his work has also appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, Washington City Paper, The Good Men Project, Sequestrum, Blue Mountain Review, and others. His chapbook, The Blackened Blues, was published by Finishing Line Press in 2021. His second collection of poems, Rhapsodies in Blue was published by Kelsay Books in 2023, and This Kind of Man, his first collection of short fiction, is forthcoming in 2024. He has been nominated four times for the Pushcart Prize, twice for Best of Net, and his book Please Talk about Me When I’m Gone was the winner of Memoir Magazine’s 2022 Memoir Prize.
Website: seanmurphy.net | bullmurph.com
Twitter: @bullmurph
Instagram: @bullmurph
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy
