Writer and literary agent Cody Caetano

Lauren's Best

I’ve been looking forward to interviewing writer Cody Caetano since reading his debut memoir. I read it quickly, washed with emotion and enjoying the gripping ride of comedy and compassion, carried by relentless clarity and childhood imagination. The compelling style and deeply reflective storyline drew me in. I knew that speaking with Cody would be fascinating.

After listening to this episode, I think you’ll agree that the reading experience is somehow enriched by the pleasure that Cody takes in the writing process.

This conversation felt honest and patient, giving a gracious view into carefully considered craft. We talk about:

• the process behind writing and publishing his bestselling debut memoir, Half-Bads in White Regalia

• his collaborative approach as a literary agent supporting authors and unique perspective on publishing pipelines

• drawing inspiration from small-town Ontario life, 2000s culture, music, and podcasts

“Cody Caetano is a writer. His debut memoir, Half-Bads in White Regalia, came out through Penguin Canada’s Hamish Hamilton imprint and was a national bestseller. It won the 2023 Indigenous Voices Award for Best Published Prose, made the shortlist for the 2023 Edna Staebler Award for Creative Non-Fiction, and made the longlist for the 2023 Toronto Book Award, the 2023 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour, and Canada Reads 2023. He works as a literary agent at CookeMcDermid, where he represents both emerging and acclaimed writers. Recently, Cody served as a judge for The Fiddlehead's 2023 Creative Non-Fiction Contest, The Ex-Puritan's 2023 Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence, and as the Writer in Residence for the 2023 Whistler Writers Festival. He lives in Toronto.”

• Website: www.codycaetano.com

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/cody_caetano

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Lauren’s Best invites you to curiously consider art and life as host, Lauren Best, reveals what has unlocked success in her own creative journey. Through healing and growth, she illuminates the creative process as an entrepreneur, mother and interdisciplinary artist. Join one-on-one reflections with Lauren, and delve into intriguing conversations with compelling creators, as together we discover insightful connections over surprising common ground.

Lauren’s Best is co-produced by Sam Blake and Lauren Best.

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