Lisa Smith is a returning HippoCamp speaker. Last year, she joined us for the debut author panel (and wowed the audience with her memoir Girl Walks Out), and this year, she’s half of a presenting team in a session called Professionally Naked: Living a Dual Life. We asked Lisa a few questions about her participation in our annual conference for creative nonfiction writers.
HM: Tell us a little about your involvement in HippoCamp this year. What are you most excited to share during your panel?
I’m running a break-out session with my best friend since the first day of college, Gwen Erkonen. I couldn’t be more excited! She’s a doctor, I’m a lawyer, and we both write memoir. We have revealed our deepest feelings and most vulnerable (OK, in my case pretty embarrassing) moments one day and walked back into our offices the next. If you’re trying to balance work and writing, or if you have reservations about how putting your story out there might impact your professional life, come join us!
Why do you love true stories?
Humans are fascinating! We are complicated and wonderful and hateful and smart and so, so stupid sometimes. in the midst of horrible adversity we find a way to survive and thrive. And in the best of circumstances we fall apart. True stories give us hope, horror, comfort and caution. How did you do that? What happened to you? I want to know!
What made you decide to participate in HippoCamp this year as a speaker? If you’re a returning speaker, how did your past experiences encourage to want to come back?
Last year I was fortunate enough to speak on the Friday night Debut Authors Panel. I loved every minute of that panel and the rest of the weekend. Being together with so many warm, welcoming and motivated nonfiction writers was so special and I couldn’t wait to return, in any capacity.
Share a fun fact with us—something attendees may be surprised to know:
I got my writing bug from my dad, who passed away almost five years ago. He was a judge with an incredible sense of humor. When my brother and I were young he would read us Dr. Seuss books. It inspired him to write and publish a judicial opinion entirely in Dr. Seuss verse! It was a First Amendment case. He titled it “The Cop In A Hat,” in tribute to “The Cat In The Hat.” It sits proudly on my office desk today.
Aside from preparing for HippoCamp 2018 (of course!), what are you working on? Any recent or upcoming projects/publications you can share?
In addition to continuing my day job as the deputy executive director at a New York City law firm, I’m honored to be able to do a lot of speaking around the country. I talk to law students, law firms, bar associations, and other organizations about substance abuse and mental health disorders. I’ve continued to write articles on these issues. And I was thrilled to be on Megyn Kelly TODAY and BBC World News! All of my events and writing can be found at www.lisasmithauthor.com.
Since you’ll also be attending the conference, what are you most looking forward to learning or doing when you’re not wearing your “speaker hat?”
Discovering all of the great new books and writers this year! I’m excited about this year’s Debut Authors Panel. And I get to spend tons of time with Gwen. With me in New York City and her in Houston, the chance to spend a weekend together – around books and writers, no less – is beyond delicious!
We love introducing Lancaster to attendees. If you live here or have been here before, what would you recommend to other attendees? And, if this will be your first time here, what are you looking forward to?
No question – must have the egg sandwich out of the window at BUZZ! I had it on an everything bagel and I’m still dreaming about it!
Who is your favorite memoirist?
Easy for me – Mary Karr!
Lisa — we have some sort-of bad news: BUZZ no longer has the window store — however, it IS now a food truck, and we hope to see Mike making the rounds with the BUZZ truck during HippoCamp!
Register to reserve your place today.
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