Contacts
Info
Write of Passage is where history, culture, and creativity meet. Hosted by author Vanessa Riley, this weekly essay podcast unpacks the news and moods of today through the long lens...
show more
Write of Passage is where history, culture, and creativity meet. Hosted by author Vanessa Riley, this weekly essay podcast unpacks the news and moods of today through the long lens of history.From Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime symbolism to the politics of representation, from lessons on writing resilience to meditations on empathy, each episode blends cultural critique with storytelling and a reverence for history.Part personal reflection, part cultural commentary, Write of Passage is written in love: a place to wrestle with wrong takes, dig into symbolism, and celebrate the power of words to make sense of the world.🎧 What you’ll find here:
vanessariley.substack.com
VanessaRiley.com
show less
- Cultural & Historical Commentary — current events examined with historical depth.
- Encouragement for Writers — reflections on the craft, resilience, and community of writing.
- Booklists & Recommendations — curated reads that expand each week’s themes.
- Storytelling with Heart — opinionated, thoughtful essays written to inspire dialogue, not just hot takes.
vanessariley.substack.com
VanessaRiley.com
Episodes & Posts
Episodes
Posts
Transcribed
13 OCT 2026 · What does it take to build a writing life you can sustain? Author Vanessa Riley reflects on a Vermont writing retreat, three book proposals, and choosing the stories she wants to tell next. This episode of Write of Passage explores realistic word-count goals, daily writing habits, research, author identity, and balancing creative ambition with everyday life. Whether you write every day or only on weekends, learn how understanding your pace can help you finish your book. Includes a free StoryMetric™ writing goals tool.
https://vanessariley.com/blog/product/writing-goals-calculator/
https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/a-writing-life-you-can-actually-live
Keywords: writing life, writing habits, writing routine, writing goals, word count goals, how to finish a book, how to write a novel, realistic writing schedule, daily writing practice, weekend writing, writing motivation, writing discipline, sustainable writing habits, writing productivity, work life balance for writers, author identity, author brand, historical fiction writing, novel research, book proposals, writing retreat, writing goal calculator, StoryMetric, Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage, writing podcast, creative writing podcast Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
6 OCT 2026 · How do you turn a book idea into a story worth writing? Vanessa Riley shares her StoryMetric™ Idea Assessment process for brainstorming story ideas, choosing genre, identifying reader expectations, finding comparable books and Story Neighbors, and deciding whether an idea is ready to develop. A practical episode for fiction writers exploring novel planning, story development, genre conventions, writing motivation, historical fiction, romance, mystery, commercial fiction, and the creative writing process.
Keywords: StoryMetric, Vanessa Riley, writing craft, creative writing, fiction writing, novel writing, story ideas, book ideas, brainstorming, story development, novel planning, writing process, how to write a novel, genre, genre conventions, reader expectations, story structure, Story Neighbors, comparable books, writing motivation, finding story ideas, developing story ideas, choosing a genre, fiction writers, aspiring authors, authors, writers, historical fiction, romance writing, mystery writing, commercial fiction, writing advice, writing tips, author podcast
https://vanessariley.com/blog/product/story-idea-storymetricassessment/t.
https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/finding-the-idea-you-have-to-write Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
29 SEP 2026 · Who gets the book thrown at them—and who gets grace?Vanessa Riley examines a turbulent week in American justice through the cases of Crystal Mason, asylum seeker E.L.A., the reopened Cornell University Chi Phi sexual-assault investigation, and Chanel Miller’s case against Brock Turner. What do race, immigration status, privilege, education, and institutional power have to do with who receives second chances—and whose future gets protected?Then Write of Passage turns from justice to the power of storytelling. In a time of book bans, cultural division, and battles over whose voices deserve to be heard, Vanessa challenges writers to document their experiences, confront fear, and put their stories on the record.Plus: favorite writing craft books, Black Pearl Bookstore, and the beginning of a new writing and learning quarter on Write of Passage.
More on https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/who-gets-the-book-thrown-at-them
Keywords: Crystal Mason, Chanel Miller, Brock Turner, E.L.A., Cornell University, Cornell Chi Phi, Chi Phi fraternity, Cornell sexual assault case, National Book Awards, Bret Stephens, voting rights, illegal voting case, Texas voting case, immigration, asylum seeker, deportation, immigration court, American justice system, criminal justice, racial inequality, privilege, institutional privilege, sexual assault, campus sexual assault, fraternity culture, book bans, DEI, diversity in publishing, writing, storytelling, writing craft, writers, authors, finding your voice, telling your story, writing your story, creative writing, writing podcast, author podcast, Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage, Black Pearl Bookstore, writing books, writing community Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
22 SEP 2026 · What happens when being a good parent collides with doing what you believe is right?In this deeply personal episode of Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley explores parental guilt, education, learning disabilities, school inequality, and the price children sometimes pay for the choices and ideals of adults.After discovering late in her daughter’s senior year that she had been struggling for years with an undiagnosed learning disability, Vanessa was left with a painful question: How did I miss it?That question returned while reading Nikole Hannah-Jones’s New York Times essay, “In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?” Her examination of school integration, educational inequality, and the experience of her own daughter opens a larger conversation about what parents owe their children—and what happens when fighting for systemic change asks our children to bear the cost.From Ruby Bridges and Leona Tate, who entered segregated New Orleans schools as six-year-old children, to modern debates over public schools, private schools, school choice, race, resources, and educational equity, Vanessa wrestles with an uncomfortable truth: We celebrate the children who changed history, but rarely ask what those victories cost them—or their parents.Because you can love your child fiercely, advocate for them, invest in their education, and believe you’re doing everything right—and still miss the moment when they need you most.Sorry matters. But sorry doesn’t give time back.
Keywords: Ruby Bridges, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Sorry Doesn’t Give Time Back, Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley, parental guilt, parenting, Black parents, Black children, education, public education, public schools, school integration, school segregation, educational inequality, education equity, school choice, learning disabilities, undiagnosed learning disability, homeschooling, special education, student accommodations, parenting guilt, motherhood, mothers and daughters, Black history, civil rights, Civil Rights Movement, Leona Tate, William Frantz Elementary School, New Orleans school integration, Norman Rockwell, The Problem We All Live With, race and education, Black education, educational disparities, private schools, charter schools, school vouchers, children and education, parenting and education
More information including pictures go to https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/sorry-doesnt-give-time-back Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
15 SEP 2026 · Before She Says A Word : What Jane Austen and Bob Mackie Taught Me About Dressing a Character
What can Jane Austen and Bob Mackie teach us about dressing a character? Vanessa Riley explores how clothes speak before a character does—from Austen’s restrained observations to Mackie’s sequins, feathers, comedy, glamour, and unforgettable entrances. Along the way: Cher, Tina Turner, Carol Burnett, Ebony Fashion Fair, and the power of dressing for the room and the moment.
Jane Austen used five words. Bob Mackie used sequins. Vanessa Riley explores how clothes define character, command a room, and tell a story before we speak.
SEO Keywords: Bob Mackie, Jane Austen, Before She Says A Word, costume design, fashion and storytelling, dressing a character, character development, Persuasion Jane Austen, Cher Bob Mackie, Tina Turner Bob Mackie, Carol Burnett curtain dress, Gone With the Wind dress, Ebony Fashion Fair, Eunice W. Johnson, Fantasy Goddess of Africa Barbie, Bob Mackie Barbie, Black fashion history, fashion history, historical fashion, Regency fashion, Georgian fashion, costume history, fashion in literature, clothes and character, writing craft, writing characters, visual storytelling, women and fashion, Black beauty, celebrity fashion, iconic costumes, sequins, fashion and identity, Vanessa Riley
For more, including pictures, check out my https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/before-she-says-a-word. Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
8 SEP 2026 · What happens when AI writes the book—but a human wants to sell the rights? Vanessa Riley follows the money into one of publishing’s biggest emerging questions: AI-generated writing and copyright. After a trademark lawyer raises questions about AI, authorship, and publishing deals, Vanessa goes down the research rabbit hole and finds a surprising U.S. Copyright Office position: purely AI-generated material does not receive copyright protection. So what does that mean for authors using ChatGPT, Claude, and other generative AI tools to write scenes, chapters, or entire books? What happens when publishers, literary agents, Hollywood studios, and producers want to acquire intellectual property but can’t be certain who—or what—actually wrote the manuscript? Vanessa examines AI-assisted writing versus AI-generated writing, human authorship, copyright protection, book and film rights, chain of title, and the potentially expensive consequences of taking shortcuts. Then she returns to the thing AI can’t replace: the writer doing the work. As she prepares to write the next Lady Worthing Mystery, Vanessa reflects on the fear of the blank page, creating Black characters in historical mysteries, and why authorship still begins with putting your butt in the chair.
Keywords: AI, artificial intelligence, generative AI, AI writing, AI-generated books, AI-generated content, AI authorship, AI copyright, copyright, copyright law, U.S. Copyright Office, human authorship, authorship, writers, writing, novel writing, fiction writing, authors, publishing, book publishing, publishing industry, book deals, literary agents, publishers, intellectual property, IP rights, book rights, film rights, television rights, Hollywood, chain of title, ChatGPT, Claude AI, AI prompts, AI-assisted writing, AI-generated writing, copyright protection, writing with AI, AI and writers, AI and publishing, AI books, writing advice, author advice, creative writing, historical fiction, historical mysteries, Black authors, Black historical fiction, Black mystery writers, Lady Worthing Mysteries, Murder in St. James’s Park, Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage podcast
Get more information on https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/ai-is-hiding-bodies-and-money. Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
1 SEP 2026 · What do GPS and rhinestones have in common? Vanessa Riley explores the surprising parallels between GPS pioneer Dr. Gladys Mae West and country music icon Dolly Parton. Born into rural Southern America sixteen years apart, both women confronted stereotypes about class, gender, intelligence, and where they came from—but chose very different ways to overcome them. Discover how Gladys West’s groundbreaking mathematics and satellite geodesy helped lay the foundation for modern GPS, and how Dolly Parton transformed an Appalachian childhood into a legendary career as a singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and philanthropist. Vanessa also explores Parton’s Imagination Library, which has placed hundreds of millions of free books into children’s hands around the world. It’s a story of education, literacy, mathematics, Jim Crow, Appalachia, country music, determination, and two women who refused to let their beginnings determine their endings. Plus, Vanessa celebrates the release of Book 32, Murder in St. James’s Park, the latest Lady Worthing Mystery.
GPS pioneer Gladys West meets rhinestone icon Dolly Parton: two Southern women who beat stereotypes, dreamed bigger, and changed the world.
Keywords: Gladys Mae West, Dr. Gladys West, Gladys West GPS, Dolly Parton, Dolly Rebecca Parton, GPS, GPS history, women in STEM, Black women in STEM, Black mathematicians, women mathematicians, satellite geodesy, mathematics, Black history, women’s history, Jim Crow, Virginia history, Virginia State University, Dolly Parton history, country music, Jolene, I Will Always Love You, Whitney Houston, 9 to 5, Appalachia, Appalachian history, Tennessee history, Imagination Library, Dolly Parton Imagination Library, children’s literacy, free books for children, literacy, education, women overcoming stereotypes, Southern women, women in history, inspirational women, rural America, American history, Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley podcast, Murder in St. James’s Park, Lady Worthing Mystery, historical mystery
For More information, go to https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/from-gps-to-jolene Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
25 AUG 2026 · Euphoria: The Joy of Hitting Send
In this episode of Write of Passage, Vanessa Riley talks about the euphoria of finishing a book and finally hitting Send. She shares her writing process, from outlining, character development, historical research, and messy first drafts to working with a personal editor and polishing a manuscript for publication. Vanessa explains why writers should stop endlessly revising their first three chapters, embrace dirty writing, write out of order when necessary, and sprint toward THE END. Plus, get the latest on Murder in St. James Park, the Lady Worthing Mystery series, Fire Sword and Sea, upcoming book events, and encouragement to keep writing, reading, creating, and finding hope.
Finish the book! Vanessa Riley shares why writers should stop chasing perfection, embrace messy drafts, reach THE END, edit, and finally hit Send.
Keywords: Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage, writing podcast, author podcast, writing advice, writing tips, how to finish a book, finish your novel, novel writing, fiction writing, writing process, author writing process, manuscript, manuscript editing, editing a novel, book editing, developmental editing, line editing, personal editor, traditional publishing, indie publishing, publishing advice, author advice, dirty writing, messy first draft, first draft, write to the end, THE END, stop editing, stop polishing, writing out of order, writing sprints, character development, character arcs, tension arcs, outlining a novel, novel outlining, writing spreadsheets, historical fiction, historical research, historical mystery, mystery writing, Regency mystery, Lady Worthing Mysteries, Lady Worthing, Murder in St. James Park, Murder in Westminster, Murder in Drury Lane, Murder in Berkeley Square, Fire Sword and Sea, Black historical fiction, Black authors, women authors, book podcast, books and reading, writing motivation, writer encouragement, writing inspiration, how to get published, publishing process, traditional author, professional author, Bookmiser, Sandy Springs Library
For more info, check out myhttps://vanessariley.substack.com/p/euphoria.
https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/euphoria Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
18 AUG 2026 · Young, Black, and Digitally Lynched
Professor Jason Arday became the center of an extraordinary media storm following plagiarism allegations at the University of Cambridge. An analysis by NewsCord counted 188 articles about Arday in the final nine days before his death—nearly 21 articles per day.Vanessa Riley examines the media pile-on, race and academia, digital cruelty, social-media amplification, accountability, and the human cost when a person becomes a public target. She also reads the powerful statement released by Jason Arday’s grieving family, including their haunting reminder: “Kindness is needed in life, not just in death.
”https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/young-black-and-digitally-lynchedhttps://vanessariley.substack.com/p/young-black-and-digitally-lynched
Keywords: Jason Arday, Professor Jason Arday, Jason Arday Cambridge, University of Cambridge, Jason Arday family, Jason Arday statement, Jason Arday media coverage, Jason Arday plagiarism, Black academics, Black professors, academia, higher education, media pile-on, digital lynching, digital cruelty, online harassment, social media, media accountability, racism in academia, race and academia, Black scholars, plagiarism allegations, NewsCord, mental health, suicide prevention, 988 Lifeline, Samaritans, Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage podcast Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Transcribed
11 AUG 2026 · What is deadline hell—and how do writers escape it? Vanessa Riley shares a behind-the-scenes look at finishing book #32 while facing an August 15 deadline. From managing daily word counts and limiting social media to outlining, research, revision, and knowing when a deadline needs to move, this episode of Write of Passage explores the discipline and reality of finishing a novel. Learn practical writing productivity tips, how to revise faster, why writers don’t always know their endings, and how to keep going when life collides with your writing schedule. Plus, Vanessa shares this week’s book recommendations and a glimpse at what’s next.
Deadline hell is real. Vanessa Riley shares writing, revision, research, productivity, and deadline tips while racing to finish her 32nd book. https://vanessariley.substack.com/p/deadline-hell-exposed
Keywords: writing deadlines, deadline hell, writing tips, writing advice, author life, writing process, how to write a book, how to finish a novel, novel writing, fiction writing, writing productivity, writer productivity, writing discipline, daily writing, word count goals, book deadlines, manuscript deadlines, manuscript revision, revising a novel, editing a novel, writing research, novel research, plotting a novel, outlining a novel, plantser, writing routine, writing motivation, overcoming writing distractions, social media for authors, publishing deadlines, traditional publishing, indie publishing, author productivity, behind the scenes publishing, finishing a first draft, professional author, novelist, book recommendations, Vanessa Riley, Write of Passage Episode Notes & Extras
Find my full show notes, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and extras on Substack → https://vanessariley.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast
Join the conversation
Drop your thoughts in the comments — I love hearing from you!
Support & Stay Connected
- Like 👍 if this episode resonated with you
- Share ↗️ with a friend who’d enjoy it
- Subscribe 🔔 so you don’t miss the next one
Thank you for being part of the Write of Passage community.
Write of Passage is where history, culture, and creativity meet. Hosted by author Vanessa Riley, this weekly essay podcast unpacks the news and moods of today through the long lens...
show more
Write of Passage is where history, culture, and creativity meet. Hosted by author Vanessa Riley, this weekly essay podcast unpacks the news and moods of today through the long lens of history.From Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime symbolism to the politics of representation, from lessons on writing resilience to meditations on empathy, each episode blends cultural critique with storytelling and a reverence for history.Part personal reflection, part cultural commentary, Write of Passage is written in love: a place to wrestle with wrong takes, dig into symbolism, and celebrate the power of words to make sense of the world.🎧 What you’ll find here:
vanessariley.substack.com
VanessaRiley.com
show less
- Cultural & Historical Commentary — current events examined with historical depth.
- Encouragement for Writers — reflections on the craft, resilience, and community of writing.
- Booklists & Recommendations — curated reads that expand each week’s themes.
- Storytelling with Heart — opinionated, thoughtful essays written to inspire dialogue, not just hot takes.
vanessariley.substack.com
VanessaRiley.com
Information
| Author | Vanessa Riley |
| Organization | Vanessa Riley |
| Categories | Society & Culture , Fiction , Books |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| vanessa@vanessariley.com |
Copyright 2026 - Spreaker Inc. an iHeartMedia Company
