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


PITCH WARS: Extra! Extra! Hear all about it!

Curious to learn all about Pitch Wars: the game-changing writing mentorship program? And how you can apply to be mentored by some of your favorite storytellers? Or how to stand out amongst the crowd during the application process? We talk about it all and much more with Pitch Wars’ founder Brenda Drake, managing director Sarah Nicolas, board member Kellye Garrett, and 2019 mentors Adalyn Grace, Graci Kim, and Susan Lee. 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

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

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TOMI ADEYEMI: Storytelling with Heart and Soul

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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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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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Top Picks for Conversations That Will Empower You

JACQUELINE WOODSON: A Fearless Changemaker Discusses Realities & Writing

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

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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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