Good Moms on Paper

Announcing: FALL WRITING CAMP! Nov 7 - 11 in New Hampshire! Aug 26, 2024

Tessa and Annie talk the details of Fall Writing camp -- 5 days and 4 nights of writing time, campfires, readings, craft talks, agent chats... but probably no karaoke. Nov 7-11 at Purity Springs Resort in NH.
More details here: https://www.accountabilityworkshops.com/writing-camp
We also talk hot writers and Annie says "anxiety" 400 times.
Happy almost fall!!!
xo
The Good Moms

Ellen and Annie reunite to shoot the s&^% May 08, 2024

Ellen and Annie reunite after many months and we talk about the cutest baby and Ellen reveals a secret we've kept from listeners. We talk disciplining children, and why Drew isn't starting a home daycare any time soon.
We love you, you're doing a good job.
xx
Annie Ellen and Tessa

FREE* upcoming novel/memoir classes & How to write with a newborn Apr 13, 2024

We're back! Hoping to start more regular programming...
For free admission to the Novel & Memoir classes, preorder Tessa's novel The Red Grove from any bookstore and email receipt to goodmomsonpaper@gmail.com
Novel Class, April 23 at 8 pm est on zoom
Memoir class, April 30 at 8 pm est on zoom
One place to preorder: https://riffraffpvd.com/the-red-grove-a-novel/
Also mentioned: Lucas Mann's Attachments and Clare Beams's The Garden
Speechify code: https://share.speechify.com/mzuRNGP

Good Moms with LUCAS MANN, quadruple threat: author, bookstore owner, professor, dad Nov 08, 2023

Annie and Tessa got to hang with Lucas Mann, the author of the forthcoming essay collection ATTACHMENTS (May, 2024) and the new co-owner of the bookstore/bar Riff Raff in Providence with his wife, Ottavia De Luca. He is also the author of Captive Audience: On Love and Reality Television, Lord Fear: A Memoir, and Class A: Baseball in the Middle of Everywhere.
Here is Lucas's website: https://www.lucasmann.com/
His bookstore: https://riffraffpvd.com/
No preorder link for Attachments as of Nov 8, but I'll update when there is one!
xx
The Good Moms

Season 3! Tessa and Annie talk traveling with a toddler, THE RED GROVE, and getting YOUR NAME tattooed Sep 20, 2023

We're back! We missed you! In this casual return episode, we talked about Tessa's great adventures spending a few months in Portugal with a toddler, about Tessa's upcoming book THE RED GROVE (preorder now!), about our writing contracts and our accountability group -- and new website!!! Oh, and Annie cries at the end.
The Red Grove preorder!
New website: https://www.accountabilityworkshops.com/

Sara Peterson, author of MOMFLUENCED: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture Jul 10, 2023

Ellen & Annie got to talk with Sara Peterson, author of Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture. We have been waiting for this episode and Sara didn't disappoint!
About her work, Sara says: "I want to understand why our culture idealizes motherhood (online and off) but fails again and again to give moms what they need to thrive (like universal preschool, paid family leave, subsidized childcare)."
Buy Momfluenced here
Subscribe to Sara's newsletter here
This is the Brandon Taylor "review" we referenced
This is our final episode until the fall -- have a great summer, you're doing a great job!
xx
The Good Moms

Yael Goldstein-Love, author of The Possibilities, on writing as Meaning Making Jul 10, 2023

Tessa and Annie got the chance to talk to Yael Goldstein-Love, author of The Possibilities, about postpartum anxiety and writing as a meaning making practice. Yael is on tour now -- try to see her!
Buy The Possibilities here
xx
The Good Moms

Szilvia Molnar, author of THE NURSERY, on uncomfortable literature and rethinking what happens after birth Jun 26, 2023

Hi friends --
Tessa and Ellen chatted with Szilvia Molnar and she had wonderful things to say about her new book, The Nursery, literature that makes you uncomfortable, mental health, and about the urgency to "stitch yourself back together after birth" and what she learned between her first and second pregnancies.
Buy The Nursery here
Read Ellen's Fleishman essay
xx
The Good Moms

Disha Bose, author of GMA pick DIRTY LAUNDRY on ambition, potential, and writing in the dark Jun 26, 2023

Hi friends --
Tessa and Annie connected with Disha Bose, author of the April Good Morning America Bookclub pick Dirty Laundry. She talks about writing after having a kid, writing during the pandemic, the man who said her career was over after kids and: how she showed him!!!
Get Disha Bose's book here:
DIRTY LAUNDRY
xx
The Good Moms

Julia Fine, author of Maddalena and the Dark, on writing gothic fairy tales & teenage girls Jun 20, 2023

Tessa and Ellen caught up with our friend Julia Fine -- we talked writing schedules, her new novel Maddalena and the Dark, finding a book that fits your interests, and her super supportive husband.
Get Julia's new book now!
Maddalena and the Dark

and her other books!
The Upstairs House
What Should Be Wild
xox
The Good Moms

Accountability Workshops with Annie and Tessa -- A Deep Dive! Jun 01, 2023

Hi friends --
We've gotten so many great members for the accountability groups who are listeners of the podcast, but when people join they always say: this community is so much more than we expected! So we wanted to take a deep dive to explain everything the accountability workshop community offers. Even if you don't join us, there are great tips in this episode for how to keep your writing on track, so feel free to use as your own.
A quick rundown of what we offer:
a writing contract to keep your writing on track
bi-weekly group zoom meetings to share and get support
monthly speakers
zoom writing sessions
a slack group
and one-on-one coaching and brainstorming sessions.
Oh, and a book club!
Price: $150 a month, with a secret code for a discount on your first month. The discount is in the episode :) You pay as you go, and can drop out at any time.
Here's the Aimee Bender essay where it all came from:
https://www.oprah.com/spirit/writing-every-day-writers-rules-aimee-bender
Meeting times (every other week):
Mondays:
1-2:30 pm est
8-9:30 pm est
Weds:
1-2:30 pm est
8-9:30 pm est
anniehartnett.com/workshop
tessafontaine.com/accountability-workshop
xo
The Good Moms

M.M. de Voe, author of Book & Baby and Founder of Pen Parentis May 18, 2023

Hi friends!
In this episode, Ellen and Tessa interviewed M.M. de Voe, author of A Flash of Darkness, Book & Baby, and Founder of Pen Parentis, a literary non-profit designed to help parents get their work done.
MM de Voe's books:
Book & Baby
A Flash of Darkness
Also mentioned:
7 Writer Residencies that Are Family Friendly
xx
The Good Moms

Krys Malcom Belc, transmasculine essayist/dad/teacher/baker and author of The Natural Mother of the Child May 12, 2023

Hi pals!
In this episode, Annie and Ellen talk about being together IN REAL LIFE at the Boston marathon and how fast (and kissable! and heroic!) Ellen's husband is. Then Ellen and Tessa interview Krys Malcom Belc, a transmasculine essayist/dad/teacher/baker and the author ofThe Natural Mother of the Child.
Get Krys's book here:
The Natural Mother of the Child: A Memoir of Non-Binary Parenthood
If you missed it last episode, we are running a sale for podcast listeners to try out accountability workshop, charging half off for the month of June. Find out more: http://www.anniehartnett.com/workshop
Until next time, you're doing a good job.
xo
The Good Moms

Bees, Kids, and Lighting your Hair on Fire with Julie Carrick Dalton, author of The Last Beekeeper May 04, 2023

Hi friends!
Today we talked with Julie Carrick Dalton about raising bees, raising kids, climate anxiety, hope for the future, and a fiery message from the beyond.
Julie's books:
The Last Beekeeper
Waiting for the Night Song
Tessa and I are offering a deal for our accountability workshop for podcast listeners if you sign up for the month of June. To read more about the accountability workshop and to sign up, visit either
http://www.anniehartnett.com/workshop
https://www.tessafontaine.com/accountability-workshop
1/2 off for podcast listeners for the month of June!
xx
The Good Moms

Jennifer De Leon, author of Borderless: "We can be both, a writer and a mother" Apr 19, 2023

Hi friends --
Tessa and Annie talked with Jennifer De Leon, author of the novels Borderless and Don't Ask Me Where I'm From, and the essay collection White Space: Essays on Culture, Race, and Writing.
We also talk about what we learned when Rufi Thorpe visited our accountability groups as the guest speaker.

Event on April 25th!: Celebrate the release of Borderless with author Jennifer De Leon, in conversation with Celeste Ng. Event is free but RSVP is required.

Buy Jenn's books:
Borderless
Don't Ask Me Where I'm From
White Space
xox
The Good Moms

S2E10: The Good Moms read FIGHT NIGHT by Miriam Toews Apr 14, 2023

Hi friends,
In this episode, we catch up a bit on life stuff, talk about this incredible Maggie Smith essay: My Marriage Was Never the Same After That (also we're so excited to buy her book!) and discuss our book club pick: Fight Night by Miriam Toews.
Listen to the NPR segment about Ellen's book here!
For our next book club, we'll read Tomorrow Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin.
Read with us! We'll release the episode in June.
xx
The Good Moms

Marisa Crane, author of I KEEP MY EXOSKELETONS TO MYSELF, on their new book, queer community, and the OG gay couple Apr 05, 2023

Hi friends --
It's been a month since we last spoke, but we've recorded some great episodes!
Ellen and Tessa spoke with Marisa Crane, author of I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself, which received a great review in the NYT.
You can buy Mac's book here:
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself
Until next time, you're doing a great job.
The Good Moms

S2E8: The Power of Checking in with Friends with Christie Tate, author of BFF Feb 27, 2023

Hi friends --
This week, we were lucky to be joined by the writer and NYT bestseller Christie Tate. Christie talks about writing success after having kids, rejection and professional envy, and the power of the 10 minute check-in phone call.
It's such a great and helpful conversation -- don't miss it.
Christie's books:
BFF: A Memoir of Friendship Lost and Found
Group: How One Therapist and a Circle of Strangers Saved My Life
Essay mentioned:
Why I Let My Children See Me Argue with My Husband
Authors mentioned:
Lauren Groff
Carry the Dog Stephanie Gangi
xox
The Good Moms

S2E7: How can I find a writing community when I have a toddler? Feb 22, 2023

Hi friends,
Today on the podcast, we discussed a great listener question:
How can I find/build a writing community when I’m the primary caregiver for my toddler? Or—can I get by as a writer without one? Momming is a job I love, but it’s all-consuming. Every hour that I have childcare is spent adjunct teaching (need to give that up—too little pay for too much time) or writing, because I have a book coming out and have hard deadlines I can’t ignore.

I can’t figure out how to carve out the time to nurture friendships with other writers, and even though I’m fresh out of grad school, I’ve let too many of those relationships fall through the cracks of early motherhood. Also, so many readings, master classes, workshops, etc. are held smack in the middle of my little girl’s bedtime, which I hate missing. Don’t even get me started on conferences and retreats. I’d love to spend six weeks in the French alps doing nothing but writing and eating croissants, but I also can’t imagine missing six weeks of my daughter’s life. It’s a weird problem, because I’m sort of okay with the isolation and I absolutely adore being a mom, but I’m aware that it’s probably not healthy and not great for my writing career to be so forever alone. Who am I going to hit up for blurbs if I don’t have any writer friends? My toddler’s kindermusik classmates?

We tried our best to help! If you have questions for us to answer on future epsiodes, email goodmomsonpaper@gmail.com

Ellen's essay: About that Horrific Birth Scene in Fleishman is in Trouble
Update on the leopard gecko: he has a real cage now, and a heat lamp. Doing well, thanks.
xx
The Good Moms

S2E6: Diksha Basu on the joys of motherhood and why you should get tattoos after having kids Feb 17, 2023

Hi friends,
This week we're back with Diksha Basu, the author of internationally bestselling novels Destination Wedding and The Windfall.
Articles/podcasts mentioned:
Gretchen Rubin, podcast: More Happier
Rebranding Motherhood - New York Times
Restraint Is My Family's Love Language - The Cut
Gabe Hudson, podcast: The Twitterverse
Buy Diksha's books here:
Destination Wedding
The Windfall
More information about our accountability workshops here.
Annie's paperback events for Unlikely Animals:
Newtonville Books - March 1st at 7 pm
White Birch Books - North Conway NH March 2nd at 6 pm
Don't forget: You're doing a good job!

S2E5: Good Moms on Paper Bookclub! SPARE us, Prince Harry Feb 03, 2023

Hi friends,
We've always wanted to be part of a bookclub (where we mostly drink and brag about our kids), so we started our own! We read SPARE by Prince Harry, and highlighted some of the best gossip so you don't have to read the book (but you can if you want to! It's fun! Unless you're Tessa. Then it would be torture.)
In February, we'll be reading: Fight Night Miriam Toews

S2E4: L'Oreal Thompton Payton on perfectionism, jealousy, and rest as resistance Jan 25, 2023

Hi dear friends--
This week, we talked about Leora's Moana costume and also Halloween (even though, yes, it's January....) and then we had a wonderful conversation with the writer L'Oreal Thompson Payton, a health and wellness writer at Fortune magazine, and author of the forthcoming STOP WAITING FOR PERFECT. We discuss perfectionism as a writer and a parent, IVF, sleep regressions, publishing as a debut Black woman author, managing professional jealousy, and rest as resistance for Black women. And a magical moment where she sees her preorder link for the first time!
Writers and articles mentioned:
My Daughter Wanted to Be Elsa, I Made Her Go as a Dumpy Owl
Jen Sincero - How to Be A Badass
Jen's Non-Fiction Book Proposal Course
Fortune magazine articles
Jasmine Guillory
Inner Workout - Taylor E. Morrison
Chelsea Bieker and Kimberly King Parsons
Tracee Ellis Ross
How I Learned About the Power of Rest for Black Women
L'Oreal's book & preorder link!
STOP WAITING FOR PERFECT: Step out of your comfort zone and into your power
Until next time, we want you to know: You're doing a good job.

S2E3: New podcast name & listener questions! Jan 19, 2023

We are back this week with a new podcast name -- Good Moms on Paper! We hope you love it, we spent *a lot* of time texting about it.
This week, we responded to questions from listeners... we hope we were helpful! If you have questions for us about writing or parenting or both, write to us: goodmomsonpaper@gmail.com
If you want to be part of the bookclub and get a delightful monthly email, subscribe to our newsletter: https://goodmomsonpaperapodcast.substack.com/
Also, please follow us on twitter and instagram.
Until next time, we want you to know: You're doing a good job.

S2E2: RUFI THORPE on the cost of motherhood, stubbornness, & writing without fear Jan 13, 2023

Your hosts Ellen Annie & Tessa talk with Rufi Thorpe on the cost (and gift) of motherhood, stubbornness, f*&k you energy, and being a fearless, feral writer. Also announcing our bookclub! Read along with us!
Authors mentioned:
Prince Harry
Jane Smiley
Jodi Picoult
Rufi's books:
The Knockout Queen
The Girls from Corona Del Mar
Dear Fang, With Love

Season 2! Holiday Madness & New Years Writing Goals Jan 06, 2023

Catching up with your hosts, Ellen Annie & Tessa, about various holiday plagues and new years writing plans. Plus, bumpkins!
Send your questions for the podcast to HTSYpod@gmail.com

#20: KATIE RUNDE, author of The Shore Nov 09, 2022

Ellen and Annie and Katie Runde talk acknowledgements, Fleabag, prologues, freelance editors, and not quitting on your book.
Katie's book is here:
THE SHORE

#19: VANESSA A. BEE, author of Home Bound Oct 06, 2022

Tessa and Annie talk accountability groups (find out more at anniehartnett.com/workshops and then chat with Vanessa A. Bee, author of HOME BOUND, out October 11
See Vanessa on tour: https://vanessaabee.com/
Vanessa's book:
HOME BOUND

#18: JOSEPH SCAPELLATO author of the The Made-Up Man Sep 16, 2022

Ellen and Tessa and our guest Joe Scapellato talk writing 2 books at once, writing for middle grade audiences, and how parenting can enrich your writing.
Joe's books:
The Made-Up Man
Big Lonesome

#17: Nancy Reddy and Emily Pérez, editors of The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood Sep 04, 2022

Ellen and Annie talk agents and non-fiction projects put on the back burner, and then chat with Nancy Reddy and Emily Pérez, the editors of The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood.
The Long Devotion: Poets Writing Motherhood
Article mentioned
Folding Clothes is a Scam by Kathleen Donahoe

#16: Antonia Angress, author of SIRENS & MUSES Sep 01, 2022

Antonia Angress, author of SIRENS & MUSES, doesn't have children, but hopes to have one someday soon.
Antonia's book:
SIRENS AND MUSES

#15: Amy Jo Burns, author of SHINER AND CINDERLAND Aug 17, 2022

Amy Jo’s Books:

SHINER

CINDERLAND

Also mentioned:

Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlisle concert

Empathy Exams by Leslie Jamison

Everything I Have is Yours by Eleanor Henderson

#14: Shannon Sanders, author of forthcoming COMPANY Aug 03, 2022

Shannon Sanders's book COMPANY, is forthcoming from Graywolf Press in 2023. Her short story “The Good, Good Men” was a 2020 winner of the PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers. She is a mother of three, including a set of twins, and she writes on the back porch.
We met her on twitter, so you should follow her too, @ShandersWrites
Also mentioned:
Reiko Davis, Shannon's agent
Laura van den Berg
Monica Wood
Tony Tulathimutte

#13: Jericho Vincent, author and spiritual entrepreneur Jul 22, 2022

Tessa and Annie talk with the wise and earnest Jericho Vincent, author, parent, and spiritual entrepreneur.
Jericho's books:
Cut Me Loose: Sin and Salvation After My Ultra-Orthodox Girlhood
Legends of the Talmud: A Collection of Ancient Magical Jewish Tales
Also mentioned:
The Crane Wife: A Memoir by CJ Hauser

#12: Chloé Cooper Jones, author of EASY BEAUTY Jul 14, 2022

Your hosts Tessa and Annie talk with Chloé Cooper Jones about being her memoir and tour, her son, tennis, philosophy, and being a master of everything and nothing.
Chloé's book:
EASY BEAUTY

#11: Phuc Tran, tattooist & author of SIGH, GONE Jul 08, 2022

Such a wonderful and inspiring chat with Phuc Tran -- this one is for all the writers working many different jobs!
Phuc's book:
SIGH, GONE a memoir

#10. Getting to know your hosts! Jul 03, 2022

A quicky episode to get to know your hosts a little better.
Annie's books:
Rabbit Cake
Unlikely Animals
Tessa's books:
The Electric Woman: A Memoir in Death Defying Acts
And an untitled novel forthcoming from FSG
See Tessa eat fire here:
https://fsgworkinprogress.com/2018/03/30/the-electric-woman/
Ellen's book:
What You Become in Flight
and a novel in progress!

#9: Courtney Maum, author of The Year of the Horses Jun 25, 2022

Tessa and Annie talk about their own voices, vaccinations, and then have the great pleasure of talking about writing with Courtney Maum, author of five books, most recently The Year of the Horses, a memoir of conquering depression through reclaiming a childhood passion
The Year of the Horses
Costalegre
Before and After the Book Deal
Touch
I am Having So Much Fun Without You

#8. Katie Gutierrez, author of More Than You'll Ever Know Jun 17, 2022

Ellen and Annie finally get to meet Katie Gutierrez, their friend from twitter and author of MORE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW, Good Morning America's Book Club pick -- (we called it!!!)
We left the kiddo interruptions in this episode because they were so sweet.
Katie's book:
More Than You'll Ever Know
Also mentioned:
Julia Fine, author of The Upstairs House and What Should Be Wild

#7 Getting witchy and militant with Susannah Cahalan, author of Brain on Fire and The Great Pretender Jun 07, 2022

Annie and Tessa talk with Susannah Cahalan, author of Brain on Fire and The Great Pretender. She is maybe the coolest person we've ever met, and we hope you love the conversation.
Susannah's books:
Brain on Fire
The Great Pretender
Also discussed:
Deep Work by Cal Newport

#6: Jessamine Chan, Author of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS Jun 01, 2022

All three hosts got together to fangirl over Jessamine Chan, the bestselling author of The School For Good Mothers.
Jessamine's book
THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS

#5 Holding Space for Grief May 30, 2022

Tessa, Annie, and Ellen hold space for grief after the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo.

#4: Introducing co-host Ellen O'Connell Whittet! Author & Lover of the birth story May 18, 2022

Annie and Ellen discuss their friendship, writing with small kids, crying in front of Cheryl Strayed, and what drives us to tell birth stories.
BOOKS and BOOK PEOPLE discussed:
What You Become in Flight by Ellen O'Connell Whittet
Annie and Ellen's agent, Katie Grimm
Amy Jo Burns, author of Shiner and Cinderland
Becca Worby, rebeccaworby.com
Cheryl Strayed
A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ní Ghríofa

#3: Taylor Harris, author of THIS BOY WE MADE May 17, 2022

Tessa and Annie discuss adding a cohost, the impossibilities of working with a newborn who doesn't nap, and then we talk to Taylor Harris, the author of This Book We Made.
BOOKS and AUTHORS DISCUSSED:
What We Become in Flight by Ellen O'Connell Whittet
This Boy We Made by Taylor Harris
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Nicole Chung, author of All You Can Ever Know
Julie Buntin, editor and author of Marlena
Amy Kurzweil, cartoonist and author of Flying Couch
The Essay about The Contract:
https://www.oprah.com/spirit/writing-every-day-writers-rules-aimee-bender

#2 -- Complicated feelings after publishing -- but Clare Beams is Here to Save Us! May 10, 2022

Annie and Tessa discuss why publishing a book doesn't seem to ever bring complete joy and fulfillment, and then Clare Beams joins us to give us her sage advice on writing, parenting, scheduling, and happiness. Clare is a gem of a human being, and no one should miss this episode.
The essay that inspired our contract: Why the Best Way to Get Creative Is to Make Some Rules
More info about our accountability workshops: http://www.anniehartnett.com/workshop
Books discussed:
THE ILLNESS LESSON by Clare Beams
WE SHOW WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED by Clare Beams
THE GARDEN by Clare Beams (forthcoming in 2023)

#1 Introduction: Tessa and Annie and The Accountability Contract May 10, 2022

An introduction to your Here to Save You hosts Tessa Fontaine and Annie Hartnett. We share the details of the "writing accountability contract" we signed in 2018-- which is how we were able to write second books and also how we became friends.
This contract we signed came from this Aimee Bender essay: Why the Best Way to Get Creative Is to Make Some Rules
Books mentioned:
Deep Work by Cal Newport
I'll Show Myself Out by Jessi Klein
Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett
Bewilderment by Richard Powers
Spoiler: You will meet our third co-host Ellen O'Connell Whittet in episode 4!

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