Episodes

In this interview, I chat with Brandy Schillace about The Framed Women of Ardemore House, writing a mystery series, creating an authentic neurodiverse character, her title and cover, how she named the house in the book, her Peculiar Book Club and why she launched it, and much more. Brandy's recommended reads are: Books by Ngaio Marsh, Louise Penny and Donna Leon Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian The Kingdom of Bones by Stephen Gallagher Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn Want to know whi...

In this interview, I chat with Brandy Schillace about The Framed Women of Ardemore House, writing a mystery series, creating an authentic neurodiverse character, her title and cover, how she named the house in the book, her Peculiar Book Club and why she launched it, and much more. Brandy's recommended reads are: Books by Ngaio Marsh, Louise Penny and Donna Leon Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian The Kingdom of Bones by Stephen Gallagher Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn Want to know whi...

In this interview, I chat with Karen Outen about Dixon, Descending, how she came upon with the idea for this story, the mental component of climbing Mt. Everest, her research and the way she depicts the mountain, having to decide what to leave out, choosing the correct year to set the story, her title and cover, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Karen Outen about Dixon, Descending, how she came upon with the idea for this story, the mental component of climbing Mt. Everest, her research and the way she depicts the mountain, having to decide what to leave out, choosing the correct year to set the story, her title and cover, and much more. Karen's recommended reads are: Time's Undoing by Cheryl A Head The Leavers by Lisa Ko Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2024? Check out ...

In this interview, I chat with Jessica Bryant Klagmann about This Impossible Brightness, how she came up with the idea for this novel, climate change and incorporating it into the story, focusing on the idea of listening, echoes, genre mashups, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Jessica Bryant Klagmann about This Impossible Brightness, how she came up with the idea for this novel, climate change and incorporating it into the story, focusing on the idea of listening, echoes, genre mashups, and much more. Jessica's recommended reads are: The Comet Seekers by Helen Sedgwick The Bear by Andrew Krivak All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson (editor) and Katharine K. Wilkinson (editor)...

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Adam Vitcavage and I chat about Debutiful, how Debutiful got started, his First Taste Reading series, why he focuses on debuts, why he doesn't believe in spoilers, how he decides who to interview, and much more.

In this Behind the Scenes interview, Adam Vitcavage and I chat about Debutiful, how Debutiful got started, his First Taste Reading series, why he focuses on debuts, why he doesn't believe in spoilers, how he decides who to interview, and much more. Adam's recommended reads are: All-Night Pharmacy by Ruth Madievsky The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan Night Bitch by Rachel Yoder Real Life by Brandon Taylor In West Mills by De'Shawn Charles Winslow Want to know which new titles are...

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 she decided what years of Hattie's life to focus on for the story, looking at historical events through the lens of the time period versus a 21st-century lens, and much more.

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 she decided what years of Hattie's life to focus on for the story, looking at historical events through the lens of the time period versus a 21st-century lens, and much more. ReShonda's recommended reads are: The Other Princess by Denny S. Bryce The Inmate by Freida McFadde...

In this interview, I chat with Benjamin Stevenson about Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect, subverting the unreliable narrator trope, setting this book on the Ghan and his trips on the train, creating homages to Golden Age mysteries, weaving humor into his stories, his screen adaptation news, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Benjamin Stevenson about Everyone On This Train Is a Suspect, subverting the unreliable narrator trope, setting this book on the Ghan and his trips on the train, creating homages to Golden Age mysteries, weaving humor into his stories, his screen adaptation news, and much more. Benjamin's recommended reads are: The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton The Hunter by Tana French Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2024...

In this interview, I chat with Laurie Frankel about Family Family, exploring adoption in a positive manner, her research, unpacking the idea of chosen family, infusing humor into her stories, cancel culture, how much the book transformed over time, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Laurie Frankel about Family Family, exploring adoption in a positive manner, her research, unpacking the idea of chosen family, infusing humor into her stories, cancel culture, how much the book transformed over time, and much more. Laurie's recommended reads are: The Future by Naomi Alderman We Must Not Think of Ourselves by Lauren Grodstein Percival Everett's books Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2024? Check out the new Liter...

In this interview, I chat with Karl Marlantes about Cold Victory, how he came up with the idea for this story, why the Cold War enthralls people even today, his title and cover, educating people about the past because it informs the present, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Karl Marlantes about Cold Victory, how he came up with the idea for this story, why the Cold War enthralls people even today, his title and cover, educating people about the past because it informs the present, and much more. Karl's recommended reads are: The Road to Reality by Roger Penrose Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Foster by Claire Keegan The Women by Kristin Hannah Want to know which new titles are publishing in January - May of 2024? Check ...

In this interview, I chat with Julie Chavez about Everyone But Myself, her publishing journey including working with Zibby Books, what surprised her the most about writing a memoir, how involved the editing process can be, her title and cover, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Julie Chavez about Everyone But Myself, her publishing journey including working with Zibby Books, what surprised her the most about writing a memoir, how involved the editing process can be, her title and cover, and much more. Julie's recommended reads are: The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley If You Want to Make God Laugh by Bianca Marais The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza Shark Heart by Emily Habeck The House of Plain Truth by Do...

In this interview, I chat with Amy Pease about Northwoods, writing about addiction and how her health care background helped her depict it authentically on the page, why she decided to write a mystery, getting the cover right for the book, the Facebook group Cops and Writers, her research, avoiding drug addiction stereotypes, and much more.

In this interview, I chat with Amy Pease about Northwoods, writing about addiction and how her health care background helped her depict it authentically on the page, why she decided to write a mystery, getting the cover right for the book, the Facebook group Cops and Writers, her research, avoiding drug addiction stereotypes, and much more. Amy's recommended reads are: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Don't Know Tough by Eli Cranor The Wager by David Grann The Paleontologist by Luke D...

For today’s episode, I am running an episode of one of my favorite podcasts, Book Bumble. This is their Episode 7 of Season 2 and focuses on the theme of surprises.

For today’s episode, I am running an episode of one of my favorite podcasts, Book Bumble. This is their Episode 7 of Season 2 and focuses on the theme of surprises. Here are their original Show Notes: "Today, our stack of books is tied together with a common theme of surprises! There are many different ways to be surprised while reading a great book. We will also share our Books in Hand. So settle in and enjoy a few surprises we are sending your way! Featured Books: North Woods by Daniel Maso...

In lieu of my January Behind the Scenes episode, today I am running a joint episode with Victoria Wood, founder of Bibliolifestyle and The Reader’s Couch, and Amy Allen Clark, founder of MomAdvice.com and the Book Gang podcast. We are excited to be launching this collaboration for 2024.

In lieu of my January Behind the Scenes episode, today I am running a joint episode with Victoria Wood, founder of Bibliolifestyle and The Reader’s Couch, and Amy Allen Clark, founder of MomAdvice.com and the Book Gang podcast. We are excited to be launching this collaboration for 2024. Books mentioned in this episode: Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder Nancy Drew by Carolyn Keene Trixie Belden The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson...