Courtney Maum, to invoke Whitman, truly contains multitudes: she is a widely published and successful writer (fiction, non-fiction, essays, criticism, etc.) and a one woman ambassador for literary apprentices. Her deep knowledge, gained from years of experience, of all-things publishing is nicely captured in her indispensable book Before and After the Book Deal (2020), and is alive and well via her super popular newsletter of the same name. Courtney has assisted countless writers, and deeply believes in Community (with a capital C). We delve into how one becomes part of this world, how one can aspire to do meaningful work (creatively, within communities, spiritually) while also being a champion for others. All too often in recent years, so many stories coming from inside the publishing world are about lack of resources, closed doors, decreased opportunities; Courtney is proof that one person can make a difference, and she’s an inspiration for all of us to look beyond our own work and be involved in lifting up creatives—both the apprentices and the established. We are certain you’ll subscribe to Courtney’s substack after seeing her in action!
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Ep. 4: Courtney Maum on The Continuing Story of Literary Citizenship