“Opening up is one of the first ways depression loses its power.” -Hannah Brencher
Today’s episode features Hannah Brencher, TED Speaker and author of “If You Find This Letter”. Hannah founded the global organization More Love Letterswhose mission is to use social media to write and mail letters to strangers all over the world, and she was named one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good.”
In Hannah’s episode proudly brought to you by VCFA, we uncover the inspiration behind the love letters written to strangers and how it impacts people’s lives. Hannah is incredibly honest when we dive into a discussion about depression, and why it’s so important to be present with those around us.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
“Be present and let people know what they mean to you.” -Hannah Brencher
“I love the idea that you have to go out and you have to live a good life in order to write about it.” -Hannah Brencher
About "If You Find This Letter":
"A heartwarming memoir of love and faith from Hannah Brencher—founder ofThe World Needs More Love Letters—who has dedicated her life to showing total strangers that they are not alone in the world.
Fresh out of college, Hannah Brencher moved to New York ready to change the world. Instead, she found a city full of people who knew where they were going and what they were doing and didn’t have time for a girl still trying to figure it all out. Lonely and depressed, she noticed a woman who looked like she felt the same way on the subway. Hannah did something strange—she wrote the woman a letter. She folded it, scribbled “If you find this letter, it’s for you…” on the front and left it behind."
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM TODAY'S EPISODE:
Hannah Brencher is a TED Speaker, and blogger dedicating her life and work to the brokenhearted. She founded the global organization More Love Letters in 2011. Her memoir “If You Find This Letter” is now in bookstores across the country. Named as one of the White House’s “Women Working to Do Good” and a spokesperson for the United States Postal Service, Hannah and her work have been featured in publications such as CNN World News, the Wall Street Journal, Oprah.com, and Glamour among others. She calls Atlanta, Georgia home.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Scary Close: Dropping the Act and Finding True Intimacy by Donald Miller
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Hey Storytellers! Quick update in today's episode.
Xo,
Yin
“If you don’t know the craft, your talent can’t be unleashed.” -David Grae (click to tweet)
We have Executive Producer and TV writer David Grae on the show with us today! His episode is proudly brought to you by Gotham Writers. David started his television career as a staff writer on the Emmy-nominatedJoan of Arcadia. He has also been a writer on Without a Trace, Gilmore Girls andCastle. He is currently an Executive Producer on CBS’s hit show Madam Secretary. His play Moose Mating has received several regional and international productions and is published by Dramatists Play Service. He is also the co-founder of Gotham Writers.
In David’s episode, we really get to pick his brain about the TV industry, how to break in as a TV writer, and what goes on in the writers’ room at the studios. We also talk about the opportunities David created for himself and the importance of building relationships with people. We unpacked the business side of how David helped to start and build Gotham Writers from ground up, one of America’s leading private creative writing schools whose interactive online classes was selected “Best of the Web” by Forbes.
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Please share it with someone you think the episode can inspire!
PPS. Your honest feedback helps to shape the show. Please leave a review about the podcast by clicking here. When prompted, either enter your iTunes info on your phone, or click ‘Launch Application’ on your computer. Once you’re at the 88 Cups of Tea iTunes page, click on the tab that says “Ratings and Reviews”. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
“Writers write because you keep getting better the more you write.” -David Grae (click to tweet)
“Read books that inspire you.” -David Grae (click to tweet)
Building relationships with people in your field
Adventures in the Screen Trade: A Personal View of Hollywood and Screenwriting by William Goldman
Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York’s Acclaimed Writing Schoolby Gotham Writers Workshop
Writing Movies: The Practical Guide to Creating Stellar Screenplays by Gotham Writers Workshop
HEY STORYTELLER TRIBE!
Jumping in super quick with a special announcement—-88 Cups of Tea turned 1 years old TODAY! On August 8th!
Please take a quick moment to listen into today's episode. I’m so grateful to you listeners for being there every step of the way of our podcasting journey. To celebrate together, we're hosting the most EPIC giveaway contest we've ever done.
DIRECTIONS FOR GIVEAWAY CONTEST:
1) The giveaway contest is held for U.S. residents only and it starts today on August 8th and ends on August 15th.
2) Follow us on social media & share your favorite 88 CUPS OF TEA podcast episode
3) Tag a friend you think who would love the podcast.
4) Super important to tag @88cupsoftea and include #88cupsturns1
5) Good luck and have so much fun!
Thank you all for the incredibly touching birthday wishes and shout-outs so far— you guys are AMAZING.
Xo,
Yin
https://www.patreon.com/88cupsoftea
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We have another amazing literary agent on the show! Molly Jaffa is a literary agent and the Co-Director of International Rights at Folio Literary Management in New York City. Her extremely selective and small list of clients include authors like Julie Murphy, a #1 New York Times bestselling author of DUMPLIN' whose novel is currently being developed into a teen movie by Disney.
In today's episode proudly brought to you by Vermont College of Fine Arts, Molly walks us through what it's like to be a literary agent on the daily, the kind of hard work it takes to advance in the world of literary agents, and of course we dive into the topic of query letters and what stands out to her. Writers, you don't want to miss this episode!
Xo,
Yin
PS. Did today’s episode help you in any way? Share it with someone who needs a boost of inspiration!
Could you help us spread the word about this podcast by clicking here and leaving a review? Your honest feedback not only helps others find the show, but it also helps to shape the show. Thank you for your time and for helping with the ranking of the show when leaving a review and rating!
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“It’s really important that an author and an agent have the same editorial vision for a project.” -Molly Jaffa (click to tweet)
“To be a literary agent you have to be really entrepreneurial.” -Molly Jaffa (click to tweet)
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SAY 'HI' TO MOLLY:
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ABOUT FOLIO LITERARY MANAGEMENT:
Everyone at Folio Literary Management strongly believes that books can and do change lives, and that well-told stories make a difference in the world. They are the people who help bring an author’s vision to life, and help open readers’ eyes to new vistas, new experiences, and new perspectives. For Folio agents, their work is not a job – it’s a passion and an adventure they dive into every day.
They like to think that at Folio, they have the best of both worlds. With over 20 agents, they have the experience, expertise, and strength people would expect from a company that is among the largest agencies in the business, but because of the types of people they attract, they have that same spark and ingenuity people expect from much smaller agencies.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE:
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LEARN MORE ABOUT MOLLY JAFFA:
Molly Jaffa is a literary agent and the Co-Director of International Rights at Folio Literary Management in New York City, where she has been since 2008. She represents exclusively middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction, along with the rare picture book. Her clients include Julie Murphy (#1 NYT bestselling author of DUMPLIN’), Jeramey Kraatz (the Cloak Society series), Mahtab Narsimhan (MISSION MUMBAI), and Paula Garner (PHANTOM LIMBS, forthcoming from Candlewick Press in September 2016).
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MOLLY'S RECOMMENDED BOOKS AND RESOURCES:
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy
Phantom Limbs by Paula Garner
Nebraska Writers Conference