Today’s guests are dynamic duo and my favorite creative husband and wife team Karen E. Bender and Robert Anthony Siegel. Karen is author of the story collection Refund, which was a Finalist for the 2015 National Book Award in Fiction and also a Los Angeles Times bestseller. Her third collection of stories, The Words of Dr. L, will be published by Counterpoint Press in May, 2025. Robert is a writer, writing coach, and author of the memoir Criminals and two novels, All Will Be Revealed, and All the Money in the World. In addition, they have taught creative writing at the college level for more than two decades and are deeply dedicated literary citizens.
During our very busy conversation, we covered their recent—and forthcoming—writing, how teaching has changed (and, importantly, the ways it hasn’t), and how the state of the literary industry is ever-evolving. Key themes involve the necessity of adapting, embracing available technologies, and why community is a necessary, if often overlooked component of the artistic existence. Karen and Robert remain positive forces of inspiration, because they consistently operate at the highest levels of achievement (as writers, as teachers), but they are also incredibly kind and generous human beings; we need their example more than ever right now. Please enjoy this wonderful conversation!
ABOUT KAREN E. BENDER & ROBERT ANTHONY SIEGEL
Learn more about Karen's work at karenebender.com
Learn more about Robert's work at robertanthonysiegel.com
ABOUT SOME THINGS CONSIDERED
Award-winning author Sean Murphy in conversation with creative thinkers, spanning the literary, music, art, politics, and tech industries. As a cultural critic, professor, founder of a literary non-profit, Sean is always looking to explore and celebrate the ways Story is integral to how we define ourselves, as artists and human beings. This Substack newsletter and weekly podcast peels back the layers of how creativity works, why it matters, how our most brilliant minds achieve mastery. Join us to explore how our most successful and inspired storytellers engage by discussing craft, routines, brand, and mostly through authentic and honest expression.
ABOUT HOST SEAN MURPHY
Website: seanmurphy.net
Substack: seanmurphy.live
Twitter: @bullmurph
Instagram: @bullmurph
Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorSeanMurphy
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sean-murphy-4986b41
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