Life of JEM

JEM interviews Suzanne Weerts, author of the just released "Champagne Girl in a Budweiser Family, a memoir in stories". They talk about blue collar life growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, writing in young adult voice, memorializing the nostalgia inherent in childhood and how performance and narrative storytelling played a role in Suzanne's process of writing this memoir. A must listen to conversation on theme and craft that will both educate and inspire! Listen in and get Suzanne's book! Available via all retailers!!!

JEM reads her story that was just published in the Inlandia journal. It's a Christmas themed piece inspired by bell hooks. Find the Inlandia journal here:
https://inlandiajournal.net/fall-2025-vol-16-juanita-e-mantz-jem/

JEM is gifting you a special story episode for her favorite holiday, Halloween! This story is on her blogspot (see http://wwwlifeofjemcom-jemmantz.blogspot.com/?m=1) and details her  interaction with a mime! It's called "The Mime & Me". Enjoy! 

Listen in to JEM highlight "Not Your Papi's Utopia: Latinx Visions of Radical Hope", an anthology recently released by Mouthfeel Press. She interviews editor Sara Rivera, and then three amazing writers from the anthology read an excerpt aloud, Lesley Téllez, Joy Castro & Rolando Lopez. Then, they all chat about the readings. A must listen to conversation about a book you must read. It's an anthology for the times! Listen in and get this book! 

JEM reads her most recently published story aloud, a story appearing in the upcoming Flowersong Press anthology "The White Picket Fence: Stories of Individuality as Rebelliousness" (curated & edited by Gina Duran). JEM's story is an intimate true tale titled "Wonder Twins Reactivated: a search for connection" & about her relationship with her twin sister.  Listen in. 

JEM interviews a repeat guest and one of her favorite people, Tim Kirk, a writer, filmmaker and producer. They talk about his brilliant latest novel "All His Damned Mother's Sons", which was just released by Pelekinesis & about how Tim had to kill Elvis in the book. They get deep into craft and discuss how to write realistic characters and dialogue, the power of music and myth and why genre writing is Tim's forte. Listen in! It's an epic episode that will draw you in and inspire creativity! And get his book!! 

JEM talks with poet and essayist Elizabeth Galoozis about her beautiful new poetry book "Law of the Letter" published recently by the Inlandia Institute. They discuss craft, process, how to blend music and pop culture into a collection and why poetry is always personal  for Elizabeth. Winner of the regional Hillary Gravendyk prize, this intimate conversation will illuminate and inspire! Listen in!!

JEM and Sezin talk all about her new book, "Much Ado About Keanu", a brilliant and mind blowing pop culture, philosophical nonfiction  explication of movie star and musician Keanu Reeves. JEM & Sezin talk about movies at length and they chat about their shared obsession for David Bowie, & about how their love of music impacts their literary lives. Sezin explains her writing process and craft, and about how River Phoenix started it all for Sezin. This is a must listen episode and Sezin is a pop culture aficionado expert. It is a wonderful conversation with a knowledgeable and engaging writer! Listen in! And go get "Much Ado About Keanu" from Chicago Review Press (2025).

JEM interviews Writer & Professor Alex Espinoza, author of The Sons of El Rey (Simon & Schuster, 2024), a sweeping family saga about a family of Mexican wrestlers Luchadoras. JEM talks with Alex about his writing process for this masterpiece of a novel and about writing compelling characters in first person, as well as the role of culture and language in his work, and how music and television plays a role in his inspiration. Tune in for a compelling conversation that will inspire you between JEM and one of her favorite writers and people! And go buy Sons of El Rey!! 

JEM interviews one of her favorite writers, Kate Maruyama, author of Alterations, an engrossing novel about three generations of women. They talk about the author's use of films and Hollywood history to create her fictional world and how she builds compelling characters, as well as her masterful use of multiple female perspectives and voices. JEM and Kate do a deep dive into craft and the editing process while emphasizing the joys and struggles of living a writing life. Kate is a fascinating guest and she discusses the decade it took her to bring her latest beautiful book to fruition and how she stays motivated to keep writing. Listen in! And get Kate's book Alterations (Running Wild Press, 2025).