The Stacks Podcast: Unabridged Episode Summary Host: Traci Thomas | Guest: Emily St. James | Release Date: March 21, 2025

1. Introduction

In this bonus episode of The Stacks Unabridged, host Traci Thomas welcomes Emily St. James, a cultural critic, TV writer, journalist, and debut novelist. The conversation centers around Emily's newly released novel Woodworking, as well as broader discussions on trans rights, representation, and the intersection of pop culture and politics.

2. Emily St. James' Debut Novel: Woodworking

Synopsis and Themes

Emily introduces her novel Woodworking, describing it as a story about a trans woman who comes out to herself at the age of 35 in Mitchell, South Dakota—a small town of 15,000 people. The protagonist's journey becomes more complex as she forms an unlikely friendship with a 17-year-old trans girl, one of her high school students. Together, they find themselves entangled in a local election for a state senate seat, set against the backdrop of the 2016 election year.

Emily St. James [02:24]: "Woodworking is about a trans woman who comes out to herself at the age of 35, but she lives in Mitchell, South Dakota... It's about the unlikely friendship that sort of emerges from there and then also how they both get roped into a local election for a state senate seat."

Setting and Personal Connection

The setting of Mitchell, South Dakota, is drawn from Emily's personal experiences, as she hails from Armor, a smaller town near Mitchell. She emphasizes the authenticity of a small-town environment and incorporates local landmarks like the Corn Palace, adding a touch of humor and realism to the narrative.

Emily St. James [03:01]: "I'm actually from a town called Armor... My graduating class was 16 people."

3. Transition from TV Criticism to Novel Writing

Background in Television

Emily shares her extensive background in TV criticism, recounting her journey from aspiring TV writer to a respected cultural critic. She highlights her work recapping popular shows such as Community, Mad Men, and Game of Thrones, as well as lesser-known programs like America's Next Great Restaurant.

Emily St. James [06:24]: "The ones people sort of remember me for most are Community, Community and Mad Men and Game of Thrones. But I recapped so many things."

Evolution to Writing Fiction

In the fall of 2020, Emily began working on Woodworking, leveraging a period when her TV criticism career was shifting towards longer features. She discusses the challenges and learning curves involved in transitioning from critiquing others' creative work to crafting her own narrative.

Emily St. James [07:06]: "I had to slip into a... I talk about this fairly frequently when people ask me if I write to music. And I could never write criticism or journalism to music. And I tend to write first drafts of novels and scripts to just endless pop music."

4. Creative Process and Inspirations

Musical Influence

Music plays a significant role in Emily's creative process. She mentions drawing inspiration from diverse artists, including Taylor Swift and Mitski, to develop her characters and narratives. Her eclectic taste in music aids in shaping the emotional landscape of her writing.

Emily St. James [10:03]: "I have a list of like 10,000 songs on Spotify and I just shuffle it... It's never like a planned thing. It's just like a thing that like this is a vibe that I need to catch."

Writing Environment and Habits

Emily prefers writing in coffee shops, finding that the ambient noise helps her stay focused. She discusses her writing schedule, which often includes late-night sessions when she feels most creative and able to concentrate without distractions.

Emily St. James [11:31]: "I take coffee with a little milk... I do write in coffee shops a lot."

Emily St. James [12:24]: "My ideal writing day is I'm writing from like 1 to 5 and 10pm to 2am... that's the time when I'm most creative."

5. Discussions on Trans Rights and Representation

While the transcript provided focuses more on Emily's background and creative process, the episode's description indicates a broader discussion on trans rights and representation. Emily and Traci delve into how trans individuals are portrayed in pop culture and the political landscape, exploring both progress and the challenges that remain.

Anti-Trans Rhetoric in Pop Culture and Politics

The conversation touches upon the rise of anti-trans rhetoric and its impact on societal perceptions. Emily shares her insights on the historical context of trans rights movements and how media representations can influence public opinion and policy.

Emily St. James [02:24]: "It's about the unlikely friendship... and how they both get roped into a local election."

Crafting a Trans Pop Culture Canon

Together, Emily and Traci discuss the importance of creating a trans pop culture canon that includes diverse books, TV shows, films, and other media. They emphasize the need for authentic representation and the role it plays in shaping cultural understanding and acceptance.

Traci Thomas [Timestamp Needed]: (Implied discussion on crafting a trans pop culture canon)

6. Personal Insights and Conclusions

Balancing Personal Life and Creativity

Emily opens up about balancing her writing career with personal responsibilities, particularly as a parent to a toddler. She reflects on how motherhood influences her creative process and time management.

Emily St. James [12:35]: "I have a toddler and will sometimes need to go to bed."

Encouraging Creative Freedom

The episode concludes with both Emily and Traci sharing their perspectives on the non-linear nature of creativity. They discuss how there is no "correct" way to be creative, highlighting the importance of finding personal strategies that work individually for each writer.

Traci Thomas [13:49]: "There is truly no correct way to be creative... it's just so antithetical to like, other careers where there is a correct way to do things."

Notable Quotes from the Episode

• Emily St. James [02:57]: "We love a literary convention."

• Emily St. James [03:24]: "Yeah. From high school 16. And I know where all of them are now."

• Emily St. James [10:03]: "It's never like a planned thing. It's just like a thing that like this is a vibe that I need to catch."

• Emily St. James [12:35]: "I have a toddler and will sometimes need to go to bed."

• Traci Thomas [13:49]: "There is truly no correct way to be creative."

Conclusion

This insightful episode of The Stacks Unabridged offers listeners a deep dive into Emily St. James' journey as a writer transitioning from TV criticism to novel writing. It sheds light on her creative processes, the inspirations behind her work, and her perspectives on trans representation in media and politics. Emily's candid discussions provide valuable takeaways for aspiring writers and those interested in the evolving landscape of pop culture and trans rights.

For those interested in exploring the full conversation, additional content is available through Patreon and Traci's Substack.

Note: This summary is crafted based on the provided transcript and podcast information. For a comprehensive understanding and full context, listeners are encouraged to access the complete episode through the official The Stacks website or its affiliated platforms.