Episode 159 with Amanda Korz, Pursuer of Truths, Technical and Precise Writer, and Author of The 2021 Nervous Ghost Press Book Prize Winner, The Poetry Collection It’s Just a Little Blood

Episode 159 Notes and Links to Amanda Korz’s Work 

 

    On Episode 159 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Amanda Korz, and the two discuss, among other things, formative and transformative texts and classes that changed her mindset and trajectory, her work as both creative and technical writer, her mindset in writing her award-winning poetry collection, seeds for the collection, for whom the collection is intended, and salient themes from her work. 

 

    Amanda Korz is a graduate of Mills College and is working on certificates in technical writing and user experience & web design. Her poetry witnesses previous versions of herself and intimately digs into mental illness, disability, and witchcraft. When she isn’t writing or studying, she enjoys hiking, camping, and is just getting into backpacking.

 

Buy It's Just a Little Blood

 

Amanda Korz's Page with Nervous Ghost Press

 

At about 6:25, Amanda talks about how biking and hiking have become big parts of her life 

 

At about 10:40, Amanda details her writing and reading challenges and successes in her childhood 

 

At about 13:30, Amanda discusses the reading analysis and discussion, especially of Frankenstein

 

At about 17:00, Amanda sets the record straight on misconceptions of Frankenstein from the eponymous novel 

 

At about 19:10, Amanda lists transformative writers and works, including Ginsberg and his “Howl”

 

At about 21:50, Amanda responds to Pete’s question about how her work as a technical writer affects her poetry, and vice versa

 

At about 24:00, Amanda explains why she writes in first person and details the beginnings of her poetry writing

 

At about 27:00, Amanda cites Mills College and its readings and classes and how it expanded her writing ability and confidence-shout outs to Matt Mejia and Arisa White

 

At about 29:25, Pete wonders if reading analytically affects Amanda’s reading for pleasure 

 

At about 30:50, Pete highlights blurbs from stellar creatives and Pete starts discussion of the book by citing a poem that serves as a “pivot point” in discussing ignorance of menstruation

 

At about 32:20, Pete asks Amanda about seeds for her collection and its connection to ignorance; she responds by discussing the collection’s beginnings and a frenzy of writing as she was “struck by lightning”

 

At about 37:15, Pete cites lines from the collection that contrast the violence perpetrated by men and menstruation; this leads to her explaining the double-meaning of the title  

 

At about 39:40, the two discuss a poem that illustrates the pain of IUD placement  

 

At about 40:20, Amanda discusses ideas of “mystery” that have historically governed men’s and women’s roles, and menstruation specifically

 

At about 41:30, Pete points out “Medieval Period” as a creative and educational poem that Amanda gives background for-both personal and historical

 

At about 43:50, Pete references some strong imagery in Amanda’s work and generational “surprise”

 

At about 46:10, After citing her first experiences with menstruation, Amanda talks about how the discussions around the topic are now expanding 

 

At about 49:00, The two discuss the “totality” of menstruation and Amanda responds to pete asking about who is/are the villain in the book

 

At about 52:30, The two discuss a particular poem, “They Vote Red” that goes from “micro to macro” and connects to political issues of today

 

At about 55:00, Amanda discusses her book and for whom she wrote the book

 

At about 58:25, Pete wonders about the writing experience for Amanda and about any future projects

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The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.

   Please tune in for Episode 160 with Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, his best-selling memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, was published by HarperCollins in 2018. His second book, White Is Not a Country, will be published by Knopf in 2023.

The episode will air on January 3.