Megan Stielstra

The author of The Wrong Way to Save Your Life—winner of the 2017 Book of the Year Award from the Chicago Review of Books—as well as Everyone Remain Calm and Once I Was Cool. Also a professor, also an editor. Megan will make you feel.

In this episode...

we explore the journey of finding one's unique voice in the realms of writing, performing, teaching, and editing, probing into themes of personal philosophy, transformation, vulnerability, inspiration, solitude vs. community, mentorship, legacy, and the anticipation of future works, all through the lens of our guest, Megan Stielstra.

A little more…

Meet Megan Stielstra, an acclaimed writer, performer, professor, and editor. She's made quite the name for herself in the literary world with her three book collections— 'Everyone Remain Calm', 'Once I Was Cool', and 'The Wrong Way To Save Your Life'.

Her journey began in local haunts like Webster's Wine Bar. There, she started her narrative arc, honing the skills to masterfully navigate both fiction and non-fiction genres. If you've ever cracked open one of her works, you'll notice she often dives deep into themes of vulnerability and personal philosophy.

But her talents aren't confined to the page. Once a professor at Columbia, now gracing the halls of Northwestern, she's no stranger to the academic world. Her role in these institutions? She strives to strike a balance between the solitude of crafting words and the bustling community of inspired minds, encouraging others to discover their unique voice.

Fast forward to today. Megan holds a pivotal role as an editor-at-large for Northwestern University Press. In this capacity, she's like a literary truffle hound, sniffingout new voices and providing them a platform to reach a broader audience. All the while, the literary world eagerly awaits her next offering. And knowing Megan, it'll be well worth the wait.