This week, we welcome back Brendan O’Meara, a seasoned journalist, author, and podcaster to celebrate the release of his new book, The Front Runner. Brendan discusses his extensive experience in the world of narrative non-fiction, highlighting his works on Six Weeks in Saratoga and The Front Runner: The Life of Prefontaine. He delves into the process of writing unauthorized biographies, including dealing with uncooperative subjects, the importance of thorough research, and the emotional investment in crafting a detailed and respectful portrayal of his subjects. Brendan shares his unique journey of writing about Steve Prefontaine, the challenges he faced, and the editorial rigor involved in bringing a biography to life. Plus, he spills the tea on his book advance and the schedule/timeline for his payments. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to write narrative nonfiction, you’ll want to hear this!

Brendan O’Meara is the founder and host of the Creative Nonfiction podcast. As a sportswriter, he’s covered a wide swath of events including the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, as well as several local and professional sports for Trail Runner Magazine, Bleacher Report and the Associated Press. His essays and craft pieces have appeared in Writer’s Digest, Brevity, Creative Nonfiction Magazine, and Longreads. He lives in Oregon.