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1: Cheston, Applied Science, and Star Anna
On the first episode of what Sherman calls the “middle-aged writer fading jock show,” Jess reads from “Cheston,” about a nihilist 4-year-old and his parents. Sherman reads from “Applied Science,” about...
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2: Psalms, Spokane, Stusser, and Seeping Gunk
Sherman and Jess lead off with poems on this episode: Sherman’s “Psalm Like It Hot,” and Jess’ “Song of Spokane.” They then welcome writer/documentarian Michael Stusser. In order, the men break...
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3: Pilot Season, The Mermaid, and a Chat with Steve Almond
On this episode… Sherman and Jess talk about deadlines, and blowing right on past them. In the wake of Robin Williams’ death, they discuss the “overwrought,” “sentimental,” “overwritten” Dead Poets...
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4: Jess Walter Is Taking His Talents to the Grave, With Special Guest John...
Both Sherman and Jess have been playing basketball for decades. And they have the scars to prove it: Sherman has a busted mandible, pinky surgery, and back trouble on his resume, while Jess has...
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5: ‘Why Do You Always Write About White People?’
“Why do you always write about Native Americans?” people ask Sherman Alexie. “Why do you always write about white people?” asks no one of Jess Walter. And that provides the linchpin for a provocative...
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6: Ellen Forney and the Literary Mendoza Line
Sherman and Jess talk rejection and unfinished work to open the show. Jess says the goal for his writing is to reach the batting average of a 1970s shortstop, or the Literary Mendoza Line, as Sherman...
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7: Molly Ringwald On Writing, Singing, and Work Clothes
Actress/Novelist/Jazz singer Molly Ringwald joins Sherman Alexie and Jess Walter to talk about singing at the Carlyle, what authors wear to work, and her suspicion of people who say they love to write....
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8: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Toilet and Aaron Guest of Polecat
Sherman and Jess read from some of their shortest stories in this episode. Sherman’s is called Loyalty, which he figures is just three sentences short of being done. Jess reads from The Famous Actor,...
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9: Peter Himmelman, Writing for Hollywood, and the Six-Word Short Story
Singer/songwriter Peter Himmelman is the special guest on this episode. (That’s him singing the “A Tiny Sense Of Accomplishment” theme music.) He and Sherman commiserate on the collapse of their...
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10: Other People’s ‘Stuff,’ Sharma Shields, and Roundball Roundtable
“To be a great writer, you have to be an even better reader.” Sherman says that as a way of introducing their readings for this episode, which are not their own, but rather, “other people’s shit”...
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11: Works in Progress and the Best of 2014
Sherman Alexie and Jess Walter read new works in progress, pick their favorite books and movies from 2014, and answer a delicate listener question. PULL QUOTES: “It destroyed me and it immediately...
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12: The Virgin of Menace and Flying Spiders
Every A Tiny Sense of Accomplishment is about works in-progress, but these works could not be more in-progress. Hear very fresh writing from Sherman Alexie and Jess Walter. Then, the guys interview...
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13: ‘The Car Talk of Scribes’
Jess Walter and Sherman Alexie continue their quest to become “the Car Talk of scribes” by answering another question from an aspiring writer. Then Jess interviews author Manuel Gonzales about writing,...
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14: So You Want To Be a Writer, with Melissa Febos and Jon Davis
Want to be a writer? Sherman Alexie and Jess Walter say you’ll have to give up one of two things. And most likely TV. Don’t forget to disable your wi-fi, too. We also hear from writers Melissa Febos...
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15: A Live Sense Of Accomplishment
Sherman Alexie and Jess Walter present the first-ever live taping of the show. It features extended readings from both authors, advice for the audience, and a cab driver who really loves the Green Bay...
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16: Climate Change, Taking Stock, and Saying Farewell to a Dog
Jess Walter says goodbye to his favorite “weird, weird” dog, Sherman Alexie reads an amazing unpublished short story, and they both take stock of the podcast 6 months in.
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17: Lemony Snicket and Lost in Translation
Sherman Alexie runs into Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) at a bookstore in Portland, and Jess Walter talks about his involvement (or sometimes lack of involvement) in the translation of his...
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18: Marlon James and Reading Your Own Audio Book
Sherman and Jess are back with an interview with acclaimed novelist Marlon James, whose most recent book is A Brief History of Seven Killings. The guys also talk about the pros and cons of reading...
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19: Haley Bonar and the Nature of Poetry
Singer/songwriter Haley Bonar performs a song she hasn’t played for any other humans. It’s really good. Also, our listener question asks: What, exactly, is poetry?
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20: Live with Kerri Miller
Sherman and Jess are (recorded) live at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Host Kerri Miller, a big fan of the show, prods the guys about things they’ve said on past episodes.
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