That is Jesse Kuntz, the producer of the Guildy Pleasures Podcast.  Without him, we wouldn’t have a podcast.   Every Monday, he directs and records us at The Shumway, which is located on a busy thoroughfare in downtown Rockford.

He listens very carefully during our recording sessions to make sure we are only recording talent; not snowplows, ambulances, motorcycles, cement mixers, cars minus mufflers, and/or alien spacecraft.

While he is on the lookout (listenout?) for interference, he also directs the authors so that their stories and essays are perfectly paced.

Later in the week, he tweaks audio levels, deletes pauses or gaps, and inserts musical interludes and sound cues into the stories. Finally, after checking, rechecking, and adjusting the podcasts, he uploads them to the Guild’s website, iTunes, and GooglePlay.  New podcasts are released every Monday.  They are free of charge and contain zero ads.

While it’s true just about anyone can record a podcast and upload it to the internet, Jesse takes the time to professionally and artfully curate each episode.

Why?

We have a tremendous amount of literary talent in the midwest and we at the Guildy Pleasures Podcast are motivated to help writers connect to a new, intelligent audience.  We believe our podcasts help bridge the literal and literary gap between writers and busy people.  Many people have admitted to me that while they don’t have time to read, they do enjoy listening to audio books and podcasts.

After much discussion and research, the Rockford Writers’ Guild Board of Directors agreed that a literary podcast would be a smart, exciting way to broaden the author’s platform while enhancing the literary lives of listeners across the United States and beyond.  It truly takes a village of talent and expertise to make this happen, but it is Jesse who makes Guildy Pleasures so professional.

To listen to the Guildy Pleasures podcasts that feature the work of Dan Klefstad (January author), Sharon Nesbit-Davis (February writer), George Davis (Special Guest Interview), Connie Kuntz (Host), and Dan Libman (March author), please click here.

Thanks, Jesse, for all that you do. And thanks, readers and listeners, for making the world a more literary place.  Connie Kuntz

Our March author, Dan Libman, encourages daily journal writing.  In fact, he has been journaling most of his life. His process is such that he writes until he finds a specific anecdote; that “one good thing that happened today.”

I respect that so much.

The day I met him, he told me about that morning’s journal entry:  a woman stole his pen!

That simple crime is one we can all relate to; whether we are the pen stealer, or the victim, or both.

I write every day, but I often write to get it over with, or to meet a deadline.   Until I had that first conversation with Dan, I hadn’t noticed that my attitude about writing morphed from joyful to borderline cynical.

Some cynicism will always have a home in my heart, but I don’t want it to lead or frame my writing.  Since that first meeting, I changed my approach. One month later, I can say that I notice a positive difference in my writing and my daily attitude.  I am grateful.

Yesterday, I included a link to Dan’s story, “Finding Elian”, but today I am including a link to his first podcast with us.  His story “In the Belly of the Cat” is from his novel Married but Looking.  In this episode (#11), after he shares his story, he talks about his journaling and writing process.  Here is that link:  “In the Belly of the Cat” by Dan Libman

I learn many things from the Guildy Pleasures Podcast and I hope you do, too. Most importantly, I hope you are writing.

Thanks for reading.  Connie Kuntz

Blogs aren’t exactly the new hot thing,  but Rockford Writers’ Guild is implementing one anyway.

Q: Why?                                                                                                                                          A:  Ever since we launched the Guildy Pleasures Podcast on January 1, 2018, we have had 51,597 new hits to our website.  Since people are already “here”, the Rockford Writers’ Guild Board of Directors agreed at the Sunday, March 18 board meeting to add a literary blog to the website. So here we are, on Monday March 19, 2018.  This is our first blog. *Hi!*

Since I am here, I will tell you a little bit about our popular podcast.  It features excellent writing and lively, candid interviews from authors who make the world a better place.  Thus far, we have featured Dan Klefstad, Sharon Nesbit-Davis, George Davis, and Dan Libman.  Tonight, when we record episodes 14 and 15 with Dan Libman, we will also meet and introduce author Molly McNett.  Next month, we will feature Bahiyyih El-Shabbaz.  I, Connie Kuntz, am your host, and Jesse Kuntz is the producer.  We record at The Shumway Studio in downtown Rockford and work with Rockford Area Arts Council and Dan Klefstad to keep the podcast fresh.

Thank you for reading.  Now go write!

-Connie Kuntz

*Rockford Writers’ Guild Board of Directors:  Cindy Guentherman (Treasurer), Connie Kuntz (President), Jesse Kuntz (Webmaster/Cover Artist/Producer), James Marshall (Vice President of Events), Lori Marshall (Secretary), Wilda Morris (Email Director)