Meet the LITERARY LOOKBOOK, a comprehensive but not exhaustive collection of 182 upcoming 2024 releases curated by Kelly Hooker and me. The Lookbook includes titles from January-May 2024 from a variety of genres and features cover designs organized by publication date. Buy it here: Literary Lookbook

Historical Fiction Episodes

Jan. 30, 2024

ReShonda Tate - THE QUEEN OF SUGAR HILL

In this interview, I chat with ReShonda Tate about The Queen of Sugar Hill, how she became interested enough in Hattie McDaniel to write about her, how Hattie opened doors for others, the research she did for the book, how …

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Nov. 17, 2023

Amanda Peters - THE BERRY PICKERS

In this interview, I chat with Amanda Peters about The Berry Pickers, how she decided to write this story, writing in first person, choosing who would narrate the story, writing a character study, the Barnes and Noble Discover Prize and …

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Nov. 7, 2023

Elizabeth Crook - THE MADSTONE

In this interview, I chat with Elizabeth Crook about The Madstone, Texas during Reconstruction, how she wanted to write another book with Benjamin Shreve as a central character, the definition of a madstone and how she chose that as her …

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Sept. 8, 2023

Interview with Gill Paul - A BEAUTIFUL RIVAL

In this interview, Gill and I discuss A Beautiful Rival, her research for this book, what surprised her the most when writing this book, the connections between her books, the impact these two women had on the cosmetics industry, and …

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Sept. 5, 2023

Interview with William Kent Krueger - THE RIVER WE REMEMBER

In this interview, Kent and I discuss The River We Remember, creating a strong sense of place in his stories, how his father was changed by fighting in World War 2, the time period following this war in the U.S., …

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Aug. 16, 2023

Interview with Alice Hoffman - THE INVISIBLE HOUR

In this interview, Alice and I discuss The Invisible Hour, why she incorporated Nathanial Hawthorne and The Scarlet Letter into this book, the impact books have had on her life, book banning, mother/daughter relationships, the one author she would want …

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Aug. 7, 2023

Interview with Madeline Martin - THE KEEPER OF HIDDEN BOOKS

In this interview, Madeline and I discuss The Keeper of Hidden Books, how she decided to write this story, her research trip to Poland, writing books about books, and much more.

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July 28, 2023

Interview with Pip Williams - THE BOOKBINDER

In this interview, Pip and I discuss The Bookbinder, creating the book trailer for this book, actually learning to bind books herself, creating a strong sense of place, her stunning book cover, how she first learned about the subject matter …

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June 27, 2023

Interview with Ruth P. Watson - A RIGHT WORTHY WOMAN

In this interview, Ruth and I discuss A Right Worthy Woman, writing about Maggie Lena Walker and including her in all of her books, the cover process, her research, how the title came about, and much more.

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June 13, 2023

Interview with Fiona Davis - THE SPECTACULAR

In this interview, Fiona and I discuss The Spectacular, how she decided to write about Radio City Music Hall and the Rockettes, the Book Club kit created for this book, taking the cover in a different direction than her previous …

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June 6, 2023

Interview with Kathleen Grissom - CROW MARY

In this interview, Kathleen and I discuss Crow Mary, how she learned about Crow Mary, researching the Crow culture, the use of the name Mary for Native American women, how Kevin Red Star designed the book cover, what surprised her …

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May 3, 2023

Interview with Patti Callahan Henry - THE SECRET BOOK OF FLORA LEA

In this interview, Patti and I discuss The Secret Book of Flora Lea, the origin of Whisperwood and how much fun she had creating it, the legend of the Pied Piper, her love of fairy tales, what surprised her the …

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April 4, 2023

Interview with Rachel Beanland- THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE

In this interview, Rachel and I discuss The House Is On Fire, the Richmond Fire of 1811, her stunning cover, how she chose who would tell the story, her research, and much more.

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March 24, 2023

Interview with Jacqueline Winspear - THE WHITE LADY

In this interview, Jacqueline and I discuss The White Lady , the woman who inspired Elinor, the emotional impact writing this book had on her, what surprised her the most when drafting The White Lady, writing a standalone, an...

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March 21, 2023

Interview with Laura Spence-Ash - BEYOND THAT, THE SEA

In this interview, Laura and I discuss Beyond That, the Sea, exploring how someone moves forward when they can't quite figure out who they are and where they belong, telling the story through multiple points of view and why she …

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