From Policy to Prose: Iris Mitlin Lav’s Journey Into Fiction
“I’ve always believed that within the realm of what’s possible, I can do it—and fiction was just another challenge to embrace.” — Iris Mitlin Lav
In this episode of Uncorking a Story, Michael Carlon uncorks the remarkable second act of Iris Mitlin Lav, a seasoned public policy expert who turned to fiction writing after retirement. Iris shares how her real-life experiences and family history shaped her second novel, Gittel’s Freedom, a moving portrayal of three generations of immigrant women navigating identity, hardship, and hope. She opens up about the steep learning curve of fiction, the importance of editing, and the confidence it takes to pursue creativity at any age.
Reinventing yourself in retirement Transitioning from policy writing to fiction The immigrant experience across generations The role of women in shaping family legacy The emotional and technical journey of writing a novel Working with hybrid publishers and editors Encouragement for aspiring writers later in life
Buy Gitel’s Freedom
More conversations
Becoming Your Own Best Friend
Janice Erlbaum left home at 15 for New York City's shelter system. Twenty years after Girlbomb, she talks about owning her part of the story, the teachers who saw her, and why she tells everyone to keep writing it down.
Listen →
When Small Towns Censored Hollywood
Novelist Glenn R. Miller on the small-town ministers who once censored Hollywood's silent films, the family note cards that inspired his satire Rough Cuts, and why censorship is never black and white.
Listen →
Living Your Own Truth
Singer Machan Taylor, who toured with Pink Floyd and Sting, on the loneliness behind a glamorous life on the road, writing a memoir she never meant to write, and why holding the finished book finally let her let go.
Listen →