The Roundtable Podcast

photo by "Sam UL" on flickr

Fear is the great un-balancer.  It distorts and narrows our awareness until we can only see what’s directly in front of us, whether it’s the blank page, or that query letter to an editor, or the send button on an email to someone who doesn’t know you.

When Brion and I made the commitment to launch this podcast, the first step was to make a list of authors to have on the show as Guest Hosts.  We set our sights high… we wanted great discussions with credible and creative individuals. We built our wish list of dream hosts and, looking at it, I remember thinking, “Oh yeah… I’d listen to that podcast.”

First on the list was J. Daniel Sawyer.  I knew his site and clicked the “Contact” link… and froze.  I had drafted a brief introduction – very formal without being stiff – hoping it conveyed that we were more than just a couple schmucks on a lark.  I pasted it into the contact page… and my pulse started pounding in my ears.  I was scared… terrified, to be honest. (more…)