In today's episode, we're diving into the power of storytelling shaped by identity, the emotional weight of writing through grief, and what it means to grow as a writer from a young age while navigating life's challenges.

Author Max Moreno Sastre joins the podcast to share his journey from publishing his first book at just 16 to winning the Literary Titan Silver Book Award for Ain't No Way This Is Real. We talk about how his multicultural identity influences his storytelling, the evolution of his voice over time, and the deeply personal experiences that shaped his most recent work. He opens up about writing through loss, honoring real-life emotions in fiction, and the balance between vulnerability and creative freedom. We also explore his current work-in-progress and how his passion for storytelling connects with his future goals in mental health.

In this episode, we cover:

• When his dream of becoming a writer began and how his journey has evolved
• How his cultural identity influences the stories he tells
• Publishing his first book, My Little Hannah-Marie, at just 16
• The inspiration behind Ain't No Way This Is Real and winning the Literary Titan Silver Book Award
• Writing through grief and processing the loss of a best friend
• Moments in the writing process that surprised him emotionally
• Balancing real-life experiences with creative storytelling
• The biggest challenges he faced while writing and publishing—and how he overcame them
• A look into his work-in-progress, What We Did To Survive
• How studying English Literature and pursuing a future in therapy shape his perspective
• Advice for writers struggling with self-doubt, writer's block, or telling difficult stories
• What he would tell his younger self about writing and publishing

Max's Links:

Website: https://maxmorenosastre.my.canva.site/

Facebook: Facebook Page

Instagram: Instagram Page

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