88 Cups of Tea

88 Cups of Tea is an online platform and podcast for creative writers who look for guidance in their storytelling journey and connection to a community, nurturing year-round conversations around the personal and professional life of a writer.

By Popular Request


A conversation on the power of story

Curious to learn the power story can have in our healing processes? How about tips on navigating the financial side of the publishing industry? Or ways to vividly craft emotion in your story? We talk about it all and more with author Jason Reynolds. Jason is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of his many books... Click here to listen to the full episode!

Featured Articles & Essays

Featured Podcast Episode


LAURIE HALSE ANDERSON: Healing Through The Pages

What are some resources to visit to help towards healing and recovery from sexual violence? How do we discover strength through our writing process and use kindness in our revision process? What are some ways to approach sensitive topics during the research process? We take a deep-dive in our conversation with Laurie Halse Anderson. Laurie is an award-winning young adult author widely known for her novels Speak and Chains, both of which are National Book Award finalists. In her newly released poetry memoir, Shout, she shares deeply personal stories to advocate for survivors of sexual assault and highlight how little our society has changed to help combat sexual assault and support victims. Click here to listen to her full episode!

Top Pick for Inspiration Overload

TOMI ADEYEMI: Storytelling with Heart and Soul

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VICTORIA ‘V.E.’ SCHWAB: Cultivating Stubborn Hope & Earning Your Way Into The Tribe

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Top Pick for Pushing Past Your Writing Struggles

LEIGH BARDUGO: Pushing Past Writing Struggles & Outlining Your Story Idea

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Top Pick for Co-Author & Friendship Goals

AMIE KAUFMAN & MEAGAN SPOONER: Building a Healthy and Successful Collaboration as Co-Authors

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Conversations with Literary Agents

JL STERMER: The Journey of a Literary Agent

THAO LE: On Being A Literary Agent

SUZIE TOWNSEND: On Becoming A Literary Agent

ERIC SMITH: Breaking Down the Query Letter & Life as a Literary Agent and Author

JENNY BENT: The Path of a Literary Agent and Founder of The Bent Agency

BARRY GOLDBLATT: The Journey of Leading Young Adult Fiction into Mainstream

PARK LITERARY & MEDIA: Pete Knapp, Emily Sweet, Andrea Mai

GAIL HOCHMAN: Literary Agent and President of Brandt & Hochman on Query Letters and Finding Mentors

MOLLY JAFFA: The Entrepreneurial & Emotional Grit of a Successful Literary Agent

JOANNA VOLPE: New Leaf Literary & Media President and Literary Agent Discusses Entrepreneurialism, Leadership, Artist Representation

Top Pick for Advice on Tackling The First Draft

MARIE LU: Confronting The Blank Page and Writing Tips on Creating a Complex Villain

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Top Pick for Creative Minds Looking for Crazy Motivation

KATIE LOWES: “SCANDAL” Actor Discusses What It Takes To Have A Successful Creative Career

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Top Pick for Listeners Who Hustle

JEFF ZENTNER: Writing Strong Character Relationships & Being Creative Around The Edges of A Normal Life

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Most Popular Episodes

MAGGIE STIEFVATER: Staying Motivated During Challenging Times

JASON REYNOLDS: The Power of Story

MADELINE MILLER: Redefining The Narrative

AN NA: Writing with Emotional Resonance

SARAH DESSEN: Finding Your Voice On The Page

THAO LE: On Being A Literary Agent

NAOMI NOVIK: Making Your Worlds Come Alive

SAMANTHA SHANNON: On Writing with Intention

NATASHA NGAN: On Finding The Courage to Write The Book of Our Hearts

STEPHANIE GARBER: Overcoming Fear By Letting Go

TOMI ADEYEMI: Storytelling with Heart and Soul

NNEDI OKORAFOR: The Power of Listening for Storytelling

SUSAN DENNARD: The Revision Process & Overcoming Perfectionist Tendencies

HOLLY BLACK: Navigating The World of Contemporary Fantasy & Finding Your Community

ROUNDUP: Jacqueline Woodson, Victoria V.E. Schwab, Rita Williams-Garcia, Jeff Zentner, Angie Thomas and Leigh Bardugo

KIERSTEN WHITE: Writing Page-Turners & Crafting Memorable Characters

VICTORIA ‘V.E.’ SCHWAB: Cultivating Stubborn Hope & Earning Your Way Into The Tribe

BETH REVIS: Writing Unreliable Characters & Approaching Emotional Scenes

JEFF ZENTNER: Writing Strong Character Relationships & Being Creative Around The Edges of A Normal Life

ANGIE THOMAS: Crafting Powerful Narratives & Finding Your Writing Community

MARIE LU: Confronting The Blank Page and Writing Tips on Creating a Complex Villain

ALEX BRACKEN: Being Brave with Your Writing

SARAH J. MAAS: Championing Heroines & Writing with Relentless Determination

MATT DE LA PEÑA: 2016 Newbery Medal Winner Exploring What It Means to Write a Dance

JOANNA VOLPE: New Leaf Literary & Media President and Literary Agent Discusses Entrepreneurialism, Leadership, Artist Representation

R.J. PALACIO: On Choosing Kindness & Creating Characters That Enhance Your Story

KATIE LOWES: “SCANDAL” Actor Discusses What It Takes To Have A Successful Creative Career

CHLOE ZHAO: On Directing and The Telling of Stories

LEIGH BARDUGO: Pushing Past Writing Struggles & Outlining Your Story Idea

TYLER KNOTT GREGSON: Poet Discusses Living Transparently & Honoring Life’s Uncelebrated Moments