Welcome!
Marianne Manzler is a fiscal year 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
I am a writer, editor, and educator based in Minneapolis, MN. My essays have been published in Fourth Genre, The Seventh Wave, 5280, and more. Over the past decade, I’ve taught literature and writing in high schools, universities, hospitals, literary arts nonprofits, and my work explores culture, race, illness, identity; the myths we grow up with and the stories we carry. In my most uncertain moments, writing has always been a container for those experiences. A source of stability, inspiration, escape, and connection that I hope to share with my readers.
I started this newsletter and podcast to dig into family history, superstitions, ancestral stories, musings, and the mythologies that shape us — the ones we inherit, the ones we make, and the ones we hear and retell, their meanings shifting slightly with each retelling. I started this newsletter to call upon my family members, friends, beloved writers, artists, and leaders and learn about the early stories that shaped them into who they are today.
Mumu Stories aims to amplify marginalized voices through an upcoming podcast series, where I’ll draw on my interviewing and technical editing skills to highlight a local and national network of acclaimed BIPOC writers, artists, and creators. Through conversations about their creative journeys, careers, and practices, I’ll explore how they’ve navigated challenges, embodied their art, and built community.
Through Mumu Stories, I’ll share personal essays, reflections, media, what I’m reading, listening to, and generative writing prompts to inspire the creative juices. Inspired by my book project, I seek to know: What haunts you? What stories shaped who you are today? And how can they guide us through personal, cultural, and creative challenges?
Mumu Stories is a place to listen and connect; collaborate and learn; practice, practice, practice.
Thanks for joining me here. Let’s lean in together!
Why subscribe?
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter, publication archives, and chatroom.
Stay up-to-date
Never miss an update—every new post is sent directly to your email inbox. For a spam-free, ad-free reading experience, plus audio and community features, get the Substack app.
Join the crew
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
To learn more about the tech platform that powers this publication, visit Substack.com.
