44 Comments
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Judith Lindbergh's avatar

Wow, Caroline! This is big news. As a regular listener for years, and as a guest last season, I've been grateful for your candor, insights, wonderful guests, and absolutely beautiful voice. I think I told you I consider you the Krista Tippett of literary podcasts? While I am sad to see the Secret Library end, moving on is a wise move for your spirit and your own writing. I am confident that you'll always be a precious literary light, finding ways to brighten all of our journeys.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

You are so so kind, Judith. That means a tremendous amount coming from you and YOUR beautiful voice. 🩷🩷🩷

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Aleksandra Merk's avatar

Caroline, your podcast has made a profound difference in my life. In 2020, during the pandemic lockdowns, I listened to so many SLP episodes. There, I found comfort and community during a time of great isolation and uncertainty. In the years since, I've continued to listen eagerly, knowing that your guests and your excellent insights would likewise make me feel less alone as a writer. And there are so many incredible takeaways: Taking my character to a bookstore? Yes, please. And "Just do the next indicated thing." Brilliant!

Some of my favourite episodes include those with Ruth Reichl, Sarah Selecky, Chip Cheek, Jacqueline Winspear, Amy Cooper-Wright, Natalie Goldberg...but the list goes on...

Thank you so much for this gift of a podcast.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Awww, Sandra. Thank YOU for these incredibly kind words. Your feedback and thoughts have always meant so much to me. I've often finished recording an episode KNOWING you will get it and love it. (As is most definitely the case for the one coming out tomorrow). I'm so lucky to have you as a listener, but even more importantly, as a friend. 💗

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Aleksandra Merk's avatar

This is so beautiful. Thank you for all of this, and as you say, most importantly, for this friendship. 💛

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

😘😘😘

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Stephanie Kohnen's avatar

I connected with this podcast and Caroline in 2019, before Covid hit. Her calm voice was balm during the isolation that followed. Her podcast and online classes reconnected me with my creative self. It is impossible to choose a favorite episode. But a more recent episode I really enjoyed featured Kern Carter (2/29/2024). I also loved the season focused on revision, the episode with J Thorn and Rachel Herron (2/12/2020) was particularly informative. Looking at the long list of guests, I am grateful they will remain a resource to me and my writing life. I will keep listening! Thank you, Caroline!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you Steph!! Agreed - I adored speaking with @Kern Carter and J and Rachael. I’m so thrilled the show connected you and me during such a wild time. What a gift. 🩷

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Nisha Mead's avatar

250 plus episodes ! How impressive and what a brilliant run. Thank you for the rich resource and all your hard work. Looking forward to the next chapter as well !!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

You are so welcome. It's been an honor to run it and I am grateful that it can still be a resource to you in the future. So happy you're in the community! Huge hugs to you from here.

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Barry McWilliams's avatar

It's been a heck of a run. Proud as hell of you and thrilled to be a part of whatever comes next.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thanks love. Don't worry -- you'll get plenty of notice when we need another logo for a new project 🤣😘

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Rachel's avatar

Gutted but excited to see what you'll do next. Loved the podcast and completely understand your reasoning. It will continue to be a favorite resource for me. Thanks for all you've done with this over the years!!!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

You are so welcome. I'm gutted too, but also so excited for the next stage. It's been a joy and I can't wait to create new things, too. Glad you'll be part of the community and be able to join us for the adventure!

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Debra Peterson's avatar

I love SLP! That was the way that I first "met you." I have appreciated your insight, humor and intrigue. Thank you for making a difference in my creative life!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Aww, thank you! It’s been my absolute pleasure. Looking forward to sharing the next stage!

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Raine Fraser's avatar

Congratulations on building a wonderful archive for all of us.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

It has been a joy to build it! I hope it stays useful and enjoyable for years to come

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Tara Calihman's avatar

So in awe of you and all you've done with the Secret Library. Endings are hard but you've done well with this one. Thanks for everything, but especially for always being a writing cheerleader and magic creator. ✨

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

My pleasure, love. And thank YOU,

both for being a guest on the SLP

and letting me keep getting my podcast fix with you and GTFO 🥰

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Shauna McIntyre's avatar

When I started listening back in 2016 (is that possibly right?!)I had just decided to let writing take up space in my life. This podcast kept me company on so many walks and rounds of dishes over the years. I have listened to pretty much every episode and your voice is now like a creative mindset trigger. Thank you for filling the years with your wisdom! I am excited for what comes next!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Oh my goodness, Shauna! I didn't realize that you had been listening all the way through. This really made me tear up. I'm gutted we didn't get to meet up in person this year while you were in France to deliver this in person, (major user error on my part) but I'm sending you a giant hug through the interwebs. I can't wait to keep building together. xx

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G.G. Law's avatar

Congratulations on hitting this milestone, Caroline! Your contribution to the community with the SLP is invaluable. And you’ve made writing seem less scary and lonely with all your amazing guests! Thanks to you, I began taking my writing more seriously several years back. Can’t wait to see what you’ll do next!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you SO MUCH love. I'm so grateful you joined the community and that everyone in Your Writing Year gets to have you as their support as well. The more of us cheering each other on, the better. You and me both on being excited about what comes next... the ideas are flowing!

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Steph Rae Moran's avatar

Thank you for so many wonderful episodes! I have always been impressed with your interviews--I have learned so much from them. Wishing you the very best in this new chapter! :)

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you so much, love. That means a ton! 😘

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Anna Brones's avatar

What an amazing run!!! Proud of you for listening to your gut and knowing when to complete this journey (opening a door to whatever is next!)

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you, love. And so grateful we got the writing gnomes on record for the ages. I knew I could rest easy after we added that to the catalogue. 🥰

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Anna Brones's avatar

The gnomes are very happy that you are finishing this up and moving on to whatever is next. But they do request treats and hand knit sweaters in order to support whatever endeavor is next 😜

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you for sharing this message! Please let the gnomes know that I have just received a package of yarn and more is on the way in my mother-in-law's suitcase very soon. 🤣

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Erinia's avatar

End of an era and the beginning of something even more awesome, aligned, and spacious. I was so grateful that you took the time to interview me waaaaaaay baaaack in the day and since then you have added so much to the conversation about writing and scored some incredible interviews with stellar writers! You have so much to be proud of - enjoy the extra space to imagine something new.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you so much Erinia! I am so appreciative of those who came on a tiny show at the beginning. Look what we all built? 🩷🩷🩷

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Erinia's avatar

It was all YOU! If you can build a podcast from scratch going back to 2018 you can do anything - what an amazing journey!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you so much!

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Jude Clay's avatar

Thank you so much for the show Caroline! I definitely do use it like a reference library, often opening the episode list and perusing past episodes for the one that feels right for where my writing is in that moment. I'm sad it's ending, but pleased for you that you have completed such a magnificent project. Can't wait to see what's next!

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

Thank you Jude! I hope it continues to help. It was such a special time, during the pandemic, getting to check in with you when we all met on those lives. I’m so grateful for all the connections the show built. Thank you so much for being a part of this. 🩷

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Congratulations dear one! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

So thrilled we got to squeeze an episode in there for Table For One. What a supreme treat. Thank you love! So many hugs to you.

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Emma Gannon's avatar

Omg me too. How lucky am I, to have just squeezed in!! Xx I loved our conversation.

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Caroline Donahue's avatar

We both lucked out! xxxx

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