Online Appearances
WriteHive 2025: Writing to Heal with I Know Why She Stayed
When Kasey Rogers and K. J. Harrowick teamed up to write their memoir, I Know Why She Stayed, they realized their work was only the beginning of a movement. Join them and their business partner, Justine Manzano, as they talk about how their memoir led to the beginning of an anti-financial abuse initiative and how writing memoir can help you cope with the more difficult moments of your life.
Interview with Bold Journey
In this interview, Justine talks about how musical theater performances in high school gave her confidence and the qualities that have meant most to her on her journey.
Let's Get Chattin' Podcast From Storytelling to Survival: Justine Manzano on Writing, Parenting & Advocacy
In this powerful episode of Let’s Get Chattin’, host Joshua James sits down with author, editor, and advocate Justine Manzano to talk about her journey as a writer, a mom, and a passionate voice for those affected by abuse and coercive control.
They dive deep into:
The creative highs and lows of becoming a writer
Balancing parenting with ADHD and a creative career
The emotional toll of trauma bonds and financial abuse
Why community support and mental health resources matter
Justine’s love for geek culture and favorite sci-fi/fantasy franchises
An exciting FREE writing conference and how you can get involved!
This is more than just a chat—it’s an honest look at the intersections of art, advocacy, and everyday life. Whether you’re a writer, a parent, or someone navigating trauma and healing, this conversation has something for you.
Fearlessly You Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Fearless Women Podcast, Denise Copeland, founder of Fearless Women, sits down with Justine Manzano, author and director of operations at *I Know Why She Stayed*, to discuss the journey of personal empowerment, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing the power within. Justine opens up about her experiences of setting boundaries, navigating life with empathy, and discovering the strength she never knew she had. They also explore the importance of recognizing and tapping into our unique strengths as women, whether it’s in our careers, personal lives, or roles as caretakers. From the challenges of balancing multiple roles to the power of confidence and taking risks, Justine and Denise share valuable insights into building resilience, taking ownership of your story, and embracing your true potential. Tune in to hear their conversation on how recognizing your power can help you break through barriers and make an impact in your life and the lives of others.
Rebel Reads Podcast
Cheryl sits down with Bronx author Justine Manzano, whose New Yorker spirit shines through tales of Keys & Guardians, and the magic of saying “never say never.” They connect over their shared love of novels, strong family ties, and living outside society’s norms. Justine opens up about the inspiration behind her imaginative stories and the power of connection through fiction. This episode is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and finding your voice—both on and off the page. This is a must listen!
Write Hive Lite 2024: Punch Up Your Prose Giving Your Battle Scenes a Fighting Chance
Are you new to writing action? Have you been writing fight scenes but they’re falling flat? she takes you on a journey through the dos and don’ts of action. This class will discuss realism in battle, how to apply point of view for maximum effect, using the environment for the most kick (pun intended) and much more!
WriteHive 2024: How To Create Superheroes and Villains to Match
Superheroes and villains often feature in powerful stories that incite excitement and wonderment from audiences. But how can you best approach stories like these to make your heroes pack a special punch and keep your villains in the fight? This panel of superhero writers have all the tips to keep the tropes interesting…or defy them altogether.
WriteHive 2024: Penny For Your Thoughts? Giving Insightful Critiques
Critiques can do so much to help writers learn about their work and their skills. Most writers swap stories to critique to better their stories. So how do you make sure your critiques are as helpful as possible? This panel looks at both sides of the swap, to tell you how to get and give the most out of your critiques.
Pages Promotions: The Seance at The Whitney
Join this group of authors as they act out their murder mystery tale, for an hour a day for an entire month, maintaining twists and turns and doing readings from their work all the while Check out the whole playlist or choose only Justine’s starring days.
WriteHive Lite 2023: Lights, Camera, Write!
There’s a lot of advice and inspiration that can be taken from tv and movies that can be applied to novel writing. This class is taught using loads of tv and movie references and comparisons.
WriteHive 2023: How to Make the Most of Live Events as an Author
It’s time to hit the road! As more and more events return to live venues, are you going to post up at writers’ conferences and events? It may sound simple to set up shop, but there’s more involved than you may think.
WriteHive 2023: The Value of Fanfiction
Some of us don’t know how we would have made it through adolescence, teen years, and young adult life without fanfiction. It may have a stigma, but we’re here to break it and discuss how it proves to be valuable and beneficial for writers.
WriteHive Lite 2022: How Could You? Crafting Memorable Antagonists
Join this class as I teach you how to write an antagonist your readers can’t forget, why antagonists and villains are different… and how to write both.
WriteHive 2022: And Action...Writing Fight Scenes
Some of us don’t know how we would have made it through adolescence, teen years, and young adult life without fanfiction. It may have a stigma, but we’re here to break it and discuss how it proves to be valuable and beneficial for writers.
WriteHive Presents: The Word Nerd Cafe
The Word Nerd Cafe is a short-form writing craft podcast Hosted by S. Kaeth and Tiffany Cristina Lewis and our Resident Editors Justine Manzano and Hannah Kates all of whom have tons of professional experience in the writing world.
WriteHive Lite 2021: Lights, Camera, Write!
Join me to learn the ins and outs of plotting. Which is that thing you need to make your story’s vibes work.
WriteHive 2022: Body Positive Representation in Fiction
You don’t want to miss this great panel discussion about body positivity. The panelists dive in deep to talk about why it’s important for different body types to be represented in books and how they’ve each tackled issues of body image in a positive way. Who knows — you might also get some good book recommendations too!
WriteHive Lite 2022: Storytelling with an Ensemble Cast
We love great characters, and we love a great ensemble. The more the merrier! But what are some precautions to think about when telling your stories with a stellar cast? Join this panel discussion to get tips and tricks on engaging your reader without overwhelming them with confusion.
WriteHive 2022: Mental Health Representation in Fiction
Join this diverse group of authors as they discuss what mental health representation means to them, what strong representation means to them, the frustrations of poor representation and the struggles of the ever-changing nature of language surrounding diversity.
WriteHive Lite 2022: Trauma in Kidlit
Join me and fellow WriteHive Editor-in-Residence Hannah Kates as we discuss why representing traumatic experiences in Kidlit is essential to the growth and evolution of young readers.
Flights of Foundry 2023: Making Magic Systems
If only creating a new magic system was as simple as waving a wand and having it appear on the page! How can you make magic systems that are fun, creative, mysterious, intricate, or all of the above? What are some things to keep in mind when designing a magic system? What are some different ways to think about magic and how it interacts with the story you want to tell? A panel about what goes into making a functional magic system in a second world fantasy.
WriteHive 2021: My Novel is Finished! Now What?
Completing your novel is an enormous accomplishment! But once you get there, where do you go then? I’ve been there both as an editor and as an author, and I’ll take you through the next steps between a finished novel and putting that novel in the hands of readers.
WriteHive 2021: Avoiding Scams as a Writer
In this digital age, scams are more prevalent than ever. Learn from editors, authors, and a business manager how to protect yourself as a writer and how to recognize problems within contracts, along with other red flags.
WriteHive 2021: Catharsis Through Art: Writing Trauma and Painful Experiences
Writing about trauma can be challenging, but there’s also catharsis in the act. Four authors give insight on how to approach trauma with characters, when it’s helpful versus harmful, and managing your mental health while writing.
WriteHive 2021: Power and Consequences: Creating Magic With Limitations
Magic systems are a huge component of many fantasy books, but how do we balance them? What costs can be associated with the power magic brings, or where do we find the limits of magic? This panel delves into the ins and outs of gripping magic systems that will keep your plot rolling and your reader strategizing along with your characters.
WriteHive 2020: Tech Saavy Authorpreneur
Writing–as an activity and as a business–has come a long way since the Internet boom. Authors can self-publish books, make covers, create websites, format their novels, and outline with software that didn’t exist even five years ago. As trends move toward tech, it’s important to understand what tech to use AND how to use it. Check out this panel for tips on getting tech-savvy!
Flavour of Fantasy 2015: The Price of Fantasy
The panelists share their insights on how to build a magical world and make it believable. What are the pit falls and things not to do when delving into this realm?