In this episode, author–editor Rennie Dyball gets wonderfully candid about crossing genres and the imposter feelings that flare whenever she switches lanes, the craft mantra that unlocked her fiction, and how time in the saddle quiets her brain so ideas can land on the drive home. We dig into why picture books are deceptively hard, plus practical, ADHD-friendly focus tricks (short timers, one-task sprints, writing anywhere). Rennie also shares what’s new and what’s next, including a neurodivergent-friendly field guide and a spicy equestrian romance under a pen name. It’s an energizing, nuts-and-bolts conversation about creativity, confidence, and building a body of work across forms.

This week, we hang out with two brilliant weirdos who absolutely live for story: Christina Baker Kline and Anne Burt. Their new novel, Please Don’t Lie, is our jumping-off point for a candid, generous, energizing conversation. We go inside their creative friendship, from late-night draft swaps to “trust falls” that make the writing braver. They discuss building a novel with joy and discipline, explore what immersive writing retreats entail, and examine how themes of grief and trauma shape the emotional spine of their work. We also get into the pull of self-help culture, the true-crime lens on modern narratives, and how to balance page-turning momentum with literary heart. If you love books, collaboration, and the messy magic of making art with your people, this one is a delight.

Liz and Greg sit down with novelist Cleyvis Natera, whose acclaimed debut Neruda on the Park was a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and whose latest, The Grand Paloma Resort, released last month and is available everywhere. They talk impostor syndrome, perseverance after rejection, and how class and privilege shape her stories. Cleyvis opens up about building community, staying authentic while shifting genres, and why cultural commentary belongs at the heart of contemporary fiction. It is a candid look at craft, career evolution, and the personal growth that fuels great writing.