Hi! I’m Michelle Kennedy and I’m a writer, speaker, podcast host, and occasional comic – when I can get out of the house! My mission is to inform and entertain as much as possible.
I have been a writer, blogger, author – you name it – professionally, since 1998. I attended American University after a stint as a page, and then an intern in the U.S. Senate.
After beginning my adulthood a little early and having my first baby at the age of 19 – I was thrust into motherhood quickly – and loved it. While a stay at home mom, I embraced the advice my mother always gave me and became a journalist and then a writer.
I spent years as a freelance journalist and then as a daily news reporter and editor for the Green Bay News-Chronicle and later, the Green Bay Press Gazette. During her time as a reporter, she started to explore writing essays for major publications and has been published in The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, Redbook, Family Circle, and was a featured author in Entertainment Weekly, Elle Magazine, Mother Jones, Publishers Weekly, and the Sunday New York Times Book Review.
My first books were short, parenting books for Barron’s Educational Publishing called The Last Straw Strategies. This is a series of eight books tackling all sorts of parenting issues.
Shortly after, my memoir, “Without a Net: Middle Class and Homeless (with kids) in America,” was published by Viking in 2005. It was then picked up as a paperback by Penguin Putnam and has been in print ever since.
I am devoted to the art of the essay and began the Real Quick podcast because I love reading and writing essays – and then reading them out loud. One of my dreams was always to read my work on NPR, and I had the joy of doing that a couple of times.
https://www.npr.org/player/embed/4568815/4568816
Unfortunately, it’s difficult as a new writer with a emerging voice to get those opportunities and have that experience. Real Quick gives a place for emerging – and re-emerging essay writers a place to read their work.
We are not all David Sedaris – nor should we be – but there are many funny, insightful writers that are worth hearing. Although if David Sedaris would like to contribute a piece to the podcast, I might fall over from the thrill (I’m a little anxious at heart).
On a sidenote, I once went to a David Sedaris event and found myself standing next to him at the book signing table before he spoke. I couldn’t think of a thing to say that would be even reasonably pithy enough. So quiet I remained. You’d think I’d regret that – but I don’t really. I just really wish I could have thought of something entertaining to say!
Anyway – I am a frequent speaker at events, especially for writers, homeschoolers, podcasters, parents, and anyone who wants or thinks they want to live off-grid. As a non-profit professional for many years, I am certified in development and frequently consult and speak to companies on communications and development on both a small and large scale.
If you would like to contact me about speaking, contributing a piece or just want to say hi, please email me at writermisha1313@gmail.com