Authors Love Readers, a Weekly Conversation on Writing

The conference presented by Novelists, Inc. (NINC) is a unique experience that brings together multi-published authors who publish traditionally, independently, or both. Speakers are selected from the top echelons of the industry, and the conventions and networking opportunities rise far above what authors experience anywhere else. Host Patricia McLinn talks about her experience at the 2022 Novelists, Inc. conference in St. Petersburg, Fla., and gives an update on the latest self-publishing conversations and industry trends. Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Another way to contribute is through Buy Me a Coffee, a one-time "tip" with no ongoing obligation. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Michelle Monkou is a multi-platform author, spanning 20 years in the business and with over 25 titles. She began her career writing romance for Black Entertainment Television (BET) Arabesque and then with Harlequin Kimani. Michelle is currently writing short fiction, from sweet to steamy, under her pen name Thea Monk, and shortly will launch her other pen name, Aria Bancroft, for epic fantasy and urban fantasy stories. She heads That Joyful Spark, LLC, an author coaching service, along with co-hosting a weekly platform for Prickly Pens Podcast with her daughter, Gabby Samuels and writer-BFF Julia Canchola. The podcast is available on most streaming services. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Michelle, discussing her career, experience with traditional publishing and independent publishing, and exploring new genres. In Michelle's words: “I see all of those (preview books) as my own workshop into getting better. It's the best I did at that time and you put it out there… I'm not the same writer I was in 2002.” [17:14] To connect with Michelle Monkou: Aria Bancroft Instagram Thea Monk Instagram Thea Monk Website & Newsletter    Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Another way to contribute is through Buy Me a Coffee, a one-time "tip" with no ongoing obligation. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Former newspaper journalist, magazine editor, and company director, author Jenny Wheeler writes historical suspense and mystery. Jenny is currently working on her fifth book of the “Of Gold & Blood” series (Book 1, “Poisoned Legacy,” released 2018) set in Gilded Age California. Born in New Zealand, Jenny Wheeler grew up in a farming community and fell in love with books and radio dramas. After teaching and being a physics data collector, she joined the New Zealand Herald as a general new reporter. She also wrote for the New Zealand Woman's Weekly and the Auckland Star. Jenny also hosts her weekly ‘Joys of Reading' podcast where she is joined by authors of mystery, suspense, thriller, and romance, answering questions that readers always wanted to ask. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Jenny about research, exploring history, and crafting stories using her a journalism background. In Jenny's words: “I love stories that are semi-based on fact. I guess that's the journalist (in me) once again; and I really enjoy being able to inject real fact, historical fact, into my stories.” [39:50] You can connect with Jenny: Website Facebook Twitter BookBub Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Another way to contribute is through Buy Me a Coffee, a one-time "tip" with no ongoing obligation. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Matty Dalrymple, member of Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, writes suspense, thriller, and mystery. Matty is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers (Book 1 published in 2017), “Rock, Paper, Scissors,” “Snake and Ladders,” and “The Iron Ring.” She also writes the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels (Book 1 published in 2013), “The Sense of Death, “The Sense of Reckoning,” “The Flacon and the Owl,” “A Furnace for Your Foe,” and “A Serpent's Tooth;” as well as the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including “Close Your Eyes” and “Write in Water.” Matty lives with her husband, Wade Walton, and their dogs in Chester County, Pa. She enjoys sailing and visiting Mount Desert Island, Maine, and Sedona, Ariz., providing the settings for her work. Host Patricia Mclinn talks with Matty about the writing process, finding inspiration, and building a new story from just a scene. In Matty's words: “I think you have to not fight against what your natural tendency is. You have to find ways of managing this (writing) as sufficiently as possible.” [1:09:12] You can find Matty at: Her website Facebook Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Another way to contribute is through Buy Me a Coffee, a one-time "tip" with no ongoing obligation. Thank you!  Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Jean Oram is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of feel-good, tingle-inducing, heartwarming romances. They'll make you want to stay up all night laughing, crying and falling in love with her realistic characters. She loves to sweep readers away while making opposites attract in tear-jerking, laugh-out-loud romances set in small towns. Her most popular series include The Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek, Texas (Book 5, "The Cowboy's Surprise Return," released in 2021), Veils and Vows, and Blueberry Springs. Her latest release, "The Cupcake Cottage," is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance that starts a new series, Hockey Sweethearts Jean, who grew up in an old schoolhouse in a small Canadian town (population 100), still lives in Canada with her husband, kids, cat, dog, and the pesky deer (and moose) that wander into her yard to eat her rose bushes and apple trees. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Jean about the charm of small towns, crafting your characters and connecting with readers In Jean's words: "I never quite know how a book is going to be perceived by a reader because what is in my head doesn't always make it to the page, and the way I feel about a book isn't always how a reader with a different life experience will feel about this story as well." [50:24] You can find Jean at: Her website Facebook Instagram  TikTok and Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Another way to contribute is through Buy Me a Coffee, a one-time "tip" with no ongoing obligation. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Author Becca Syme is the creator and founder of the Better-Faster Academy. She has been teaching the popular Write Better-Faster course on author success alignment for six years, and has individually coached thousands of authors toward better success in their careers and lives. She believes that an individualized approach is the most effective, so she's brought on other certified coaches who are also writers, to help coach even more writers to maximize their strengths. If you want to get coaching with Becca, the best place to come is on the Insiders level of her Patreon, where she runs monthly topical coaching calls on topics that are relevant to the writing community. She also writes mystery as R.L. Syme and has written several genres of romance in the past, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, and romantic suspense. She lives in the snowy mountains of Montana, where it is always winter and never Christmas. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Becca about the Clifton Strengths test and how it can be applied both in the writing and reading world. In Becca's words: "Not everyone naturally comes by the knowledge of just how different we are. Just how different our brains are and how much that makes a difference in what we like." [8:25] You can find Becca Syme at: Her website Facebook Patreon and Better Faster Academy Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Author and career coach Becca Syme writes mystery as R.L. Syme, including the cozy culinary series The Matchbaker Mysteries, and has written several genres of romance, including historical, contemporary, paranormal, and romantic suspense. She was nominated for a Genesis Award in Contemporary Romance and has won several writing contests in historical romance, young adult romance, and contemporary fiction. She holds membership in Romance Writers of America, Novelists, Inc. (NINC) and Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.    Becca lives in the snowy mountains of Montana and has worked with kids in various nonprofit settings that involve music, theater, dance, food, and after-school fun. She's the creator and founder of the Better-Faster Academy, and has been teaching the popular Write Better-Faster course on author success alignment for six years. In a broad-ranging conversation, host Patricia McLinn talks to Becca about learning throughout a writing career both by listening to others and, sometimes, ignoring them. In R.L.'s words: "I have a mantra that's, 'question the premises.' and so its, the advise that might be really great for you might actually make me not able to write." [37:10] You can find R.L. Syme at: Her website Facebook Patreon and Goodreads Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Nicole Burnham is the RITA award-winning author of more than 20 novels, including the popular Royal Scandals series. Her stories center on family and romance, whether they're set in small-town America or centuries-old palaces, and are populated by characters who work to make the world a better place. As an army brat, Nicole grew up moving around the world. She graduated from an American high school in Mannheim, Germany, then completed her BA in Political Science at Colorado State University and her JD/MA at the University of Michigan. Nicole and her family live in Boston. She spends as much time as possible at Fenway Park and travels abroad whenever she can score cheap airfare. If she isn't writing, she's likely hiking or trail running. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Nicole about writing pace and the pre-planning and development of characters for serial writing. In Nicole's words: "I had that book in my head for a very long time. An so I had worked through an awful lot of...not just the plot but who the characters were in advance." [25:00] You can find Nicole at: Her website Facebook Instagram and Twitter

In late May, host Patricia McLinn was a guest on fellow independent author Joanna Penn's The Creative Penn podcast. Joanna writes nonfiction for authors and is an award-nominated, bestselling thriller author as J.F. Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster and creative entrepreneur.   In the Creative Penn podcast “Discovery Writing And Sustaining A Long-Term Writing Career With Patricia McLinn,” they discussed discovery writing (a.k.a. pantsing), how to write a novel with structure if you don't plot in advance, and building a writing career for the long-term. In this Authors Love Readers “Continuation” episode, Patricia reflects on her interview with Joanna about the current trends and the future of the publishing industry, shares more tips for writers, and talks about why she wrote Survival Kit for Writers Who Don't Write Right. In Patricia's words: “I wanted to write the book to encourage writers who don't write 'right' to respect their process, test it against reality, but not to throw it away. You're given this ability (at least this is the way I feel). I've been given this ability and this is the way the stories come to me and I am not going to turn my back on that. I'm not going to refuse those gifts.” [39:15] For a full Authors Love Readers interview with Patricia and Joanna, check out Episode 54: You Have to First Be a Reader, with J.F. Penn. You can find Patricia at her: Website Facebook or Twitter And: Patricia's Word Watch page You can also go to Joanna Penn's The Creative Penn podcast site, which includes both the original podcast interview with Patricia and a transcript of the show. Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

A native Texan, USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett grew up reading and dreaming of writing books. Her stories and essays have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Military Wife’s Soul, Georgia Magazine, The Writer and Romantic Times Book Review. She is the author of the High Society Lady Detective series, the Murder on Location series, the On the Run series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara also teaches an online course, How to Outline a Cozy Mystery. Publishers Weekly called Sara’s books “satisfying,” “well-executed” and “sparkling.” She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime and Novelists, Inc. Sara talks with host Patricia McLinn about completing her first book, and nurturing a writing career. In Sara’s words: “I said, if I'm going to spend any time doing anything, I want to write a book because that's something I'd always wanted to do. I thought, if I'm going to take time away from being a mom and running the household and all that, 'cause I had two kids under 3, I would try and write. So that's what I did. I wrote during nap time and it took me forever, but I finally got a book finished." [32:04] You can follow Sara at: Her website Amazon  Goodreads  And Facebook   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Born and raised in Texas, Jami Albright is a multiple award-winning author of the Brides on the Run series – fun, sexy, snarky, laugh-out-loud love stories. Her newest novel, the small-town sports romantic comedy Homecoming King, was just released, and she switches from football to tennis for Duke-ing It Out, another enemies-to-lovers rom-com due out in spring 2021. Jami also is a wife, mother, and an actress/comedian. She used to think she could sing until someone paid her to stop. She took their money and kept on singing. Jami loves her family, all things Outlander, puppies and the Houston Texans pro football team. Jami talks with host Patricia McLinn about the difference between her high concept ideas and building a story from those ideas. In Jami’s words: “You only fail if you give up. And so, I'm just not gonna give up" [30:33] You can follow Jami at: Amazon  Goodreads  And BookBub   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Host Patricia McLinn talks with Kevin Tumlinson, director of marketing for the ebook creation and distribution service Draft2Digital, supporting both indie and traditionally published authors. Books2Read, D2D's author services resource, is a fast-growing tool for the industry, with services such as Universal Book Links offering authors increased discoverability with readers, and offering readers a simple, one-click method of finding new authors and new books online.  In his words: "Books2Read has always been built around the idea that eventually we want readers to be able to discover there new favorite author on that site. ... Discover new books, new authors that they love and follow, and then interact with them and support them by sharing things." [21:45]  Kevin also is an award-winning and bestselling thriller author, and host of the Wordslinger Podcast. His archaeological thriller series featuring protagonist Dan Kolter has won awards and reached top rankings on Amazon and iBooks. You can find Kevin on:   *His website, *Facebook and  *Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Audrey Derobert works on the Partners Team at BookBub, a free service that helps millions of readers discover limited-time ebook deals. Members receive a personalized daily email alerting them to the best free and deeply discounted titles matching their interests. Audrey is an Account Manager, supporting independent authors and small publishers who are using BookBub's tools as part of their marketing strategy. BookBub now has an audiobook retail website, Chirp, and is offering deals on titles there, too, including classic books as well as newer titles.  Audrey invites you to check out the BookBub Partners Blog here. Authors can subscribe to get weekly book marketing ideas, publishing insights, and BookBub tips delivered to your inbox. A graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, Audrey previously has worked with the Foundation for Responsible Robotics in the Netherlands, and as a legislative intern for Massachusetts state Rep. Bill Driscoll. In her own words: "It's such a low stakes way of trying out a new author. So if you're not sure, or if you're just curious about learning more about what that author has to offer, that's a really easy way to try out one of their books." (10:22) Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.

In this special episode of Authors Love Readers, host Patricia McLinn shares parts of her conversation with writer Mary Alice Monroe that were not included in the original episode. The conversation moves from McLinn's "getting to know you" questions to deeper issues about plagiarism and being in the moment during writing and research.  Monroe, a New York Times bestselling author, found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to coastal South Carolina. Already a successful writer, she was captivated by the beauty and fragility of her new home. Living in the midst of a quickly changing habitat gave her a strong and important focus for her novels. In the authors words: "When I'm doing my research, I'm observant and my antennas are up, but I don't have a story. I'm just totally in the moment ... whether it's a turtle or a dolphin or whatever animal I'm with." [23:24] More about Mary Alice Monroe can be found at her: website Facebook Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Authors Love Readers host Patricia McLinn, recently returned from her favorite Novelists Inc. annual gathering in Florida, talks about what writers do when they go to conferences. A NINC past president, she has attended all but two of its annual conferences, which provide networking and learning opportunities for multi-published authors of popular fiction. Patricia discusses the business side of writing, what happens when a bunch of socially deprived writers get together in one place and how she found a future podcast topic. Patricia is a USA Today bestselling author of mystery, romance and women’s fiction known for strong characters, touches of humor, connected stories, and settings that make you want to move in. She wrote 27 books in 25 years in traditional publishing, then began indie publishing in early 2010. In mid-2015, she left her final traditional publisher and has been happily 100% independent since; she has now published more than 50 novels and two nonfiction writers' guides. In Patricia's words: "What do we talk about? Readers! What readers want, how best to communicate with them, how to encourage readers to read our books. ... If we can encourage you to actually read these books [already on your readers], then you can determine if we are  -- or are not --  a good reader-author match." [8:28]   You can find Patricia at: Her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast. NINC 2019 meeting photo courtesy of Novelists Inc.  

New York Times bestselling author Mary Alice Monroe found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to coastal South Carolina. Already a successful author, she was captivated by the beauty and fragility of her new home. Living in the midst of a quickly changing habitat gave her a strong and important focus for her novels. Mary Alice talks with host Patricia McLinn about using her fears of natural disasters and her desire to educate people on the impact of climate change as the catalysts for her writing. In her own words: 'That's why I write about [climate change]. I think evacuation is going to become a major concern of every American, all humans on this planet, in the next decade as we face natural disasters and also droughts and food shortages.' [14:18] You can learn more about Mary Alice at her: Website, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Betsy Moore is a stage and film actress who also does vocal work for video games and commercials. Her expansion into audiobooks began spontaneously when Patricia McLinn's previous narrator for her mystery series Caught Dead in Wyoming retired, and Betsy was tapped to continue the series. Betsy has a regular role on The Baxters, a TV series for Roma Downey’s Lightworkers Media based on Karen Kingsbury's faith-based novels. She has had lead roles in several short films, including this year's The Odd Bird. After performing at Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Betsy’s career in southern California began with the famed Tony ‘n Tina’s Wedding. Work with experimental writer/director John Sinner led to successful productions at REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theatre) and the New York and Amsterdam Fringe Festivals. Her solo show Freebird Goes to Mars won best avant-garde honors at the United Solo Festival in 2017. Betsy will be performing this summer in Sonora, Calif., in the Sierra Repertory Theatre comedy production Ripcord.  Betsy and host Patricia McLinn talk about becoming a voice actor and what Betsy has learned along the way. You can find Betsy at: her website and her Internet Movie Database (IMDb) page In Betsy's words: "I credit that to becoming even more familiar with my voice. ... I'm making the decisions and directing myself in those moments so I'm learning a lot." [25:15]   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Host Patricia McLinn shares never before heard clips from conversations with authors Paty Jager, right, and Julianne MacLean. These conversations focus a singular subject: How their own stories often have surprised them.   Paty Jager developed as a freelance writer for local newspapers. Now as a published and award winning author, she works from her alfalfa farm in Eastern Oregon. All her work has Western or Native American elements in it, along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story. Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including historical romance and the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven series. MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won the Booksellers’ Best Award, the Book Buyers Best Award, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from the Romantic Times for Best Regency Historical Romance of 2005 (Love According to Lily). You can follow Paty at her:   website   Facebook   or   Twitter   You can find Julianne on: *Her website *Facebook *Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

USA Today bestselling author Ann Charles writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance and whatever else sounds fun. Ann lives in the Northern Arizona mountains with her husband, children and a sassy cat. After many years and several colleges, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. When she’s not dabbling in fiction, she’s penning writing-themed articles or standing on her workshop soapbox, sharing what she has learned over the years about the writing craft and self-promotion. Ann Charles and host Patricia McLinn compare and contrast setting stories in real versus imaginary places, talk about deadlines, goals and more in this extras episode. You can find Ann at: her website Instagram or Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

Brenda Hiatt is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly 25 novels, including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery, and the young adult science fiction Starstruck series. Brenda began in traditional publishing with Harlequin, HarperCollins and Avon Books and later made a transition to indie publishing. She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc, where she has served as president. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (more  than 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (she's attained her 3rd degree black belt), hiking and traveling. In this short "extras" episode, host Patricia McLinn talks with Brenda about the business of writing, being self-published and the editing and promotional aspects that entails. In her own words: "Nobody can do as much justice to your idea as you can. So you should write the idea yourself.” [12:40] You can find Brenda at: Her website Facebook or Twitter    Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

This week's Authors Love Readers episode is a compilation of insights and conversations that didn't make it into previous episodes. Host Patricia McLinn talks with authors Brenda Hiatt, Paty Jager, Ann Charles, Julianne MacLean, Nancy Warren and Pamela Fagan-Hutchins. Conversations range from getting-to-know-you moments, to deep insights into the motivations of the writers, and the growth they've experienced over a career of writing.    Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

In this compilation episode, Authors Love Readers brings you more bonus interview conversation that didn't make it into previous episodes. (So little time, so much to talk about!) Host Patricia McLinn talks with podcast guest authors Jeff Carson, Rebecca Forster, R.J. Patterson, Jennifer Stevenson, Laura Durham, J.F. Penn, Melissa F. Miller and Nicole Jordan. Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- what a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Award-winning author Paty Jager and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. On her road to publication she wrote freelance articles for local newspapers and enjoyed her County Extension job as a 4-H Program Assistant. Raising hay and cattle, riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her penchant for research takes her on side trips that eventually turn into yet another story. Paty talks with host Patricia McLinn about what it takes to move from a concept to a book and all the iterations in between. This "long time coming" reflects Paty's own road to becoming a novelist.   In Paty's words: "My ideas come from everywhere ... I'll be listening to a song and I'll come up with a story that goes with it because it won't go away. So then I put it aside and write it down." [17:20]   You can follow Paty at her:   website   Facebook   or   Twitter   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

Host Patricia McLinn takes on an episode solo to give listeners an update on Author World and an alleged case of plagiarism. Patricia forgot to say in the podcast that if you want to read the history or follow what's happening, the hashtag is #copypastecris. If you think you've spotted plagiarized work, we hope you'll contact the original author via his/her website. Remember to look for word-for-word chunks, not ideas, tropes, situations, set-ups, occupations, etc. Patricia's blog with tips for spotting scammers: https://www.patriciamclinn.com/uh-oh-scammer-messes-oh-my/ Courtney Milan's first blog post on the plagiarism topic: http://www.courtneymilan.com/ramblings/2019/02/18/cristiane-serruya-is-a-copyright-infringer-a-plagiarist-and-an-idiot/ Another issue with plagiarism on Amazon: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1099622364877328385.html?fbclid=IwAR10LsQGjdA9ryYSidnvnrKOiCaKGAXuhp6aO6v4QBDuwx2dAWIybcl8UKE A list of the plagiarized authors and the original, real, true books, with links to buy them: https://caffeinatedfae.com/2019/02/20/copypastecris/?fbclid=IwAR2hIr8XvIi1OOyN_wOtwFPsyiQmFB5bmb9OjiuivKmz-pUDnac19f7AFec Nora Roberts, who has fought plagiarism in traditional publishing but also is a supporter of indie authors, has been covering the issue in her Falling Into the Story official blog. Start here: http://fallintothestory.com/plagiarism-then-and-now Catch Patricia's new book for writers! SURVIVAL KIT FOR WRITERS WHO DON'T WRITE RIGHT will be available soon at Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play and Amazon for $2.99 or at Patricia's eBookstore for just 99¢. Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

North Carolina-based Laura Durham has been writing for as long as she can remember and plotting murders since she began planning weddings. Better Off Wed, inspired by her wedding planner work, won the Agatha Award for Best First Novel. The Annabelle Archer wedding planner mystery series is now up to 12 with the Feb. 4 release of The Truffle With Weddings, which involves a Valentine's Day wedding and a poisoned box of chocolates. When Laura isn’t writing or wrangling brides, she loves traveling with her family, paddleboarding, perfecting the perfect brownie recipe, and reading. Laura talks with host Patricia McLinn about how stories have a mind of their own and, as much as the writer might desire the story to go one place, she or he must heed the story. In her words: "I feel like when you're writing and something is stuck, or you feel like you are ... sometimes we're fighting against what needs to happen in the story." [26:02] You can follow Laura at her: website Twitter or Instagram Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Jeff Carson is an Amazon bestselling author of the David Wolf thriller/mystery/suspense series set in the high country of Colorado and mountain west. The first David Wolf novel, Foreign Deceit, is an international mystery-thriller Jeff wrote while living in Italy for a year with his family. The David Wolf series is now 12 books and counting.  Jeff and his wife, Cristina, live with their two sons in Colorado. When not writing, Jeff enjoys golfing, hiking, camping and whatever his sons are into at that particular moment.    Jeff talks with host Patricia McLinn about how he began writing while missing things familiar but digging into the freedom of writing things that are unknown.   In his words: "One of the biggest mantras I was telling myself was 'what would I not do in this situation?'. I'm a super cautious person in real life -- probably like a lot of people -- but David Wolf goes into danger head on! So I ended up not writing what I knew." [8:10]   You can follow Jeff at:   His website   Facebook   or   Twitter   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

Brenda Hiatt is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly 25 novels, including sweet and spicy historical romance, time travel romance, humorous mystery, and the young adult science fiction Starstruck series. Brenda began in traditional publishing with Harlequin, HarperCollins and Avon Books and later made a transition to indie publishing. She is an active member of Romance Writers of America and Novelists Inc, where she has served as president. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (more  than 60 dives to her credit), Taekwondo (she's attained her 3rd degree black belt), hiking and traveling. Brenda talks to host Patricia McLinn about her experiences of growing up creative but learning to plot and research their stories. In her words: “I did’t start out as much of a plotter. I kinda made it up as I went along [but] after selling that first book I became much more of a plotter, I would outline.” [24:05]  You can find Brenda at: Her website Facebook or Twitter    Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

Former attorney Melissa F. Miller is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 bestselling legal thrillers, suspense thrillers, romantic comedy mysteries and forensic thrillers. Her books share two common threads: pulse-pounding, tightly plotted action and smart, unlikely heroines and heroes. Born in Pittsburgh, Melissa followed life and love to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and ultimately south central Pennsylvania. But she secretly still considers Pittsburgh home. As a lawyer, she clerked for a federal judge, practiced in the offices of major international law firms and ran a two-person law firm with her lawyer husband. Now, powered by coffee, she writes legal thrillers and homeschools her three children. More than 1 million readers have downloaded Irreparable Harm, the first book in her 11-title Sasha McCandless series. Twisted Path, Book 4 of her Bodhi King series, is set to release Feb. 19. Her most recent release (December) is the fifth story in the We Three Sisters romantic mystery series, Wedding Bells and Hoodoo Spells: Sage's Wedding. Melissa talks with host Patricia McLinn about source envy, how deadlines affect your writing, and what to do when you're ready to throw out your half-written book. In her own words: "I never go hunting for ideas. And I'm sure you've had this experience: people will tell you they have a great idea for a book and maybe you want it. And you think, I have more ideas than I could possibly write." [11:09] You can find Melissa at: Her website, Facebook Twitter and Instagram Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Illinois native Jennifer Stevenson is a Chicago-based fantasy and romance author who mixes romantic comedy with magical realist, regional (usually Chicago-set), working-class and sex-positive storytelling. She has published both short stories and several novel series, most of them blending urban fantasy with other popular storytelling genres. Humor is a hallmark in all of Jennifer's books. Her fantasy series range from urban romantic fantasy (Hinky Chicago) to paranormal romance (Slacker Demons) to fantasy paired with women's fiction (Coed Demon Sluts). She's also penned the contemporary romantic comedy series Backstage Boys and Liars in Love, her most recent releases. Jennifer co-founded and is a member of the publishing cooperative Book View Cafe. Jennifer talks with host Patricia McLinn about her self-described "snarky humor," how she fell in love with romance (despite her parents' protest), and how she came up with such unique series. In her own words: "I don't try to be loud. You have to understand; I was born loud, but I don't try to be loud." [30:01] You can find Jennifer at: Her website, Facebook and Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

R.J. Patterson, an award-winning writer and mystery/thriller author, grew up in a military family and spent some of his formative years living on the estate of an English baron and baroness. Upon returning to the United States, R.J. entered the field of journalism where he won numerous writing awards and was published in prestigious U.S. newspapers, including The New York Times. He later left journalism full-time to pursue writing books, starting with the sports reporter Cal Murphy series of murder mysteries. The Man From Leningrad, Book 5 of his Ed Maddux spy thriller series, came out in November. Book 16 of his popular Brady Hawk series is due to be released in February. R.J. now resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and four children. R.J. talks with host Patricia McLinn about plotting ahead to create continuity while maintaining the flexibility to bring back beloved characters. In his own words: "I have a big arc that I scripted out a long time ago -- this is where the story is going and where it's going to end up. And so about 10 percent of it is that thread in all the novels ... that strings them together." [20:35] You can find R.J. at: His website Facebook and Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

British author J.F Penn has traveled the world in her study of religion and psychology. She brings these obsessions as well as a love for thrillers and an interest in the supernatural to her writing. Her fast-paced ARKANE thrillers weave together historical artifacts, global locations, and a hint of the supernatural. Described by readers as "Dan Brown meets Lara Croft." Joanna talks to host Patricia McLinn about using traveling at motivation for her books and how she spent many years as a reader before becoming an author. In Joanna's own words: “All readers are intelligent people, and they know books, they love books, and it intimidates them. And they think, 'I could never do that.' But the problem with being a reader is you're reading a finished product. SO the thing that kind of changed my life as a writer was realizing that there was a first draft.” [10:06]  You can find Joanna at her: Website Facebook or Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

California-based Rebecca Forster started writing novels on a crazy dare. Now she is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of more than 35 mysteries and thrillers that have been called “Perfect ... impossible to put down” by famed law professor Laurie Levenson. After earning her MBA, Rebecca spent 14 years as a marketing executive before taking the leap to a creative career. A full-time author, speaker and teacher, Rebecca focuses on legal and political thrillers, but is known for bringing an uncommon sense of character and compassion to her work. Her most recent title, Secret Relations (Book 3, Finn O'Brien Thriller Series), released last year. Rebecca teaches the craft of writing and the cultivation of creativity at programs that have included the acclaimed UCLA Writers Program and as a guest speaker at legal associations, writer’s conferences, women’s symposiums and philanthropic groups. Rebecca speaks with host Patricia McLinn about how she got into writing, not only the dare but the things in life that got her to say yes and write her first novel. In her own words [about loving books before writing them]: "I was a really avid reader, and still am, and I just always had a book in my purse [or] in my hand." [13:50] You can find Rebecca at her: website Twitter or Facebook   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Host Patricia McLinn offers her readers seasons greetings and wraps up the first year of the Authors Love Readers podcast, talking about the unexpected benefit of providing good advice for aspiring writers and why lining up author interviews is sometimes like herding cats. She also urges readers to send to her questions they'd like her to ask future guest authors, and she looks forward to next year. And to those new to Patricia's author world, that's her rescue dog Kalli in the Santa hat. If you keep up with Patricia on her twice-monthly readers newsletter or Facebook page, you'll see more photos and news about the charismatic collie, along with book updates and special deals. In Patricia's words: "I would love to have more reader questions. I am your designated question-asker ... but I want to know what questions you all would like to have answered. Not to mention, you've come up with some fabulous questions. ... It points out the variations among the authors and it shows how individual each of us is." [6:40] You can find Patricia at her: website Facebook or  Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Host Patricia McLinn gives tips from her 28 years in the publishing industry, using a "theoretical numbering system." Topics include dialogue, character arc, writing process, editing, business and marketing, and hard truths.  Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan has penned more than 30 historical romances that simmer with passion and sensuality. Set in numerous eras and locales, Nicole enjoys chronicling the sparks that fly when Regency lovers play the matrimonial mating game. Her latest novel, My Fair Lover (2017), earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly, a Best Book nod from Amazon, a Fresh Pick from Fresh Fiction, and a Top Pick from RT Book Reviews. Other honors include RITA finalist, Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Historical Romance, and the Dorothy Parker Award of Excellence, presented by a group of more than 100 romance reviewers. Nicole grew up an Army brat, earned a civil engineering degree from Georgia Tech and worked as a manufacturing manager making disposable diapers and toilet tissue. She now lives in Cincinnati with her beloved show horse, EZ. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Nicole about transitioning from an engineer to an author, how secondary characters make great sequels, and why characters must suffer. In Nicole's words: "[I] just tried to write the emotional stories that had a lot of conflict; with a wonderful, happy ending and strong characters who overcome their own obstacles. Because that's what appealed to me." (51:52) You can find Nicole at: Her website or  Facebook Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

In our second compilation episode, we bring you bonus interview material that didn't make it into previous episodes. (So little time, so much to talk about!) Host Patricia McLinn talks with podcast guest authors Tawdra Kandle, Lou Aronica, Debra Salonen, Kevin Tumlinson, Barbara O’Neal, Steven Womack, Kate Moore, Yvonne Lindsay and Mary Buckham. Topics include: Recognizing a story at a young age [2:23] The Power of Words [2:52] Music [4:13] Food [20:45] I Don't Have a Favorite Color [26:22] Life in The 1800s [28:33] Parents [36:57]  Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.  Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Author, screenwriter and film school professor Steven Womack began his first novel when he was 18 years old. A short 18 years later, he finally published one. Murphy’s Fault was the only first mystery named to the 1990 New York Times Notable Books List. Since then, he has published 10 more novels, winning Edgar and Shamus awards and multiple nominations with his Harry James Denton mystery series. In 2014, he co-authored with New York-based screenwriter Wayne McDaniel on Resurrection Bay, a mystery based on the real-life story of Alaska serial killer Robert Hansen. His most recent work is the nonfiction short read Why Politics Sucks: With Just A Few Modest Proposals That Might Make It All Suck A Little Less (2016). Host Patricia McLinn talks with Steven about his background as a journalist, why book design matters, and choosing which book ideas to pursue. In Steven's words: "It's usually the ones that haunt you... it's that one that you can't stop thinking about. Once it takes up enough of your headspace, it takes over." [29:17] You can find Steven at: His website Facebook or Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Mary Buckham is the author of the USA Today bestselling Invisible Recruits urban fantasy series, praised for its unique voice, intense action and rich emotion. Mary co-authors the young adult sci-fi/fantasy Red Moon series with New York Times bestselling author Dianna Love, using the combined pseudonym of Micah Caida. Mary also collaborated with Love on the nonfiction Break Into Fiction and has published several writers' guides, including A Writer's Guide to Active Setting and Writing Active Hooks. She has spoken at the Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference and other author conferences. Mary, who lives in Washington State with her husband, says her years of international travel and curiosity about different cultures resulted in creating her high-concept urban fantasy and romantic suspense stories.   Host Patricia McLinn talks with Mary about technique, mechanics, character depth and the excitement of storytelling. In Mary's words, “Writers take that what-if question and play it out. ‘What can give this character the most conflict, the biggest challenge.’ ...I am always playing with what-if.” [18:40]  You can find Mary on: Her website, Facebook or Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast. 

A finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award, Chris Keniston is a USA Today bestselling author of several popular book series, from contemporary romance to women's fiction to sweet and clean romance -- all with happily endings. Her newest releases are Keeping Eileen, book 11 of the Farraday Country contemporary romance series set in cattle-ranching west Texas, and Flirting with Paradise, a novella in the "closed-door" Sweet Aloha Series in Hawaii. (The original Aloha Series offers steamier versions from this tropical setting.) Coming soon is Hart Land, a series centering on a lakeside small town, a retired Marine Corps general, his artistic wife and nine single granddaughters.  Chris also partners with friends and bestselling authors Addison Cole, RaeAnne Thayne and Nancy Naigle in the new sweet world, Main Street Romance. Set in the fictional town of Romance, Virginia, the Main Street romances offer readers and fans a place to find HEA sweet stories. A native New Yorkier, Chris lives in suburban Dallas with her husband, two human children and two canine children, including a German Shepherd rescue. After all, even dogs deserve a happily ever after. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Chris about past life experiences, location and how they play into the process of a "pantser" -- one who writes by the seat of her pants (as opposed to a "plotter").     In Chris's words: "I remember closing a Nancy Drew novel and once trying to write my own mystery. I had to have been ten years old. ... I wrote the first few paragraphs and there was a scene with something in the kitchen ... a combination of a stove and a this and a that. ... I remember thinking I'm going to have to go back and figure out what that is. Now all these years it turns out, I'm still a crazy-ass pantser who doesn't know what things are when I put them on the page." [9:08]   You can find Chris at:   Her website,   Facebook or   Twitter   Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.      

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including historical romance and the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven series. MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won the Booksellers’ Best Award, the Book Buyers Best Award, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from the Romantic Times for Best Regency Historical Romance of 2005 (Love According to Lily). She earned a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She has also lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England, and currently resides on the east coast of Canada. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Julianne about making characters suffer and moving on from them.  In Julianne's words: "So the ones that I've written about before... I’ve given them their story... and set them on their way. ... I will think about my books, and I will think about my characters fondly, but I don’t miss them. I don’t feel like I need to tell more of their story." [21:30] You can find Julianne on: *Her Website *Facebook *Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

In our first compilation episode, we bring you bonus interview material that couldn't make it into previous episodes. (So little time, so much to talk about!) Hear host Patricia McLinn's conversations with podcast guest authors Eve Gaddy, Tawdra Kandle, Debra Salonen, Rachel Grant, Julia Kent, Kelly McClymer, Barbara O’Neal, Lori Ryan and Donna Kauffman. Topics include technology, audiobooks, cursing and first jobs. Plus, we share outtakes to show you not only the stories behind the stories, but the talk behind the talk! Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

  Patricia McLinn is a USA Today bestselling author with more than 45 romance, women's fiction and mystery novels and the creator and host of the Authors Love Readers podcast. After 25 years of traditional publishing, Patricia converted to the self-published world in 2015. Host Patricia McLinn walks through news about the developing world of publishing, the life of an author and writer terminology. In Patricia's words: "[Having my own e-bookstore] gives me more flexibility and more autonomy to be able to offer books and deals to my reader...and this is why I think lots of authors are doing this."   You can find Patricia at her: Website Facebook or Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

USA Today bestselling author Ann Charles writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance and whatever else sounds fun. Ann lives in the Northern Arizona mountains with her husband, children and a sassy cat. After many years and several colleges, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. When she’s not dabbling in fiction, she’s penning writing-themed articles or standing on her workshop soapbox, sharing what she has learned over the years about the writing craft and self-promotion.  Host Patricia McLinn talks with Ann about creating story worlds as they are revealed from the imagination instead of from a premeditated path.  In Ann's words: "When I wrote that first book [Nearly Departed in Deadwood] I intended to write a single title ... but it went deep and wide. It's a story world that I learn about as I go." (22:30) You can find Ann at: her website Instagram or Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Donna Kauffman is passionate, driven and more than just a little bit romantic. She's also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than 70 novels, translated and sold in more than 26 countries around the world. She has won multiple RT Book Awards, Readers Choice and PRISM awards and has been a RITA Award finalist. Born into the maelstrom of Washington, D.C., politics, she now lives in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, where she is a volunteer transporter for the Wildlife Center of Virginia and Rockfish Sanctuary. She's also an avid DoItYourselfer, baker and gardener. She's been involved in paper crafting, both as a maker and a teacher, for more than 20 years.   Donna always has had a love affair with the romance genre. An avid reader, she spent her childhood poring over various types of fiction, but she later gravitated toward romance. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Donna about consistency and change in her writing process and style, throughout her career. In Donna's words: "I don't worry so much what I'm supposed to be doing with my life or with my characters[now] ...because, by my standards and by what makes me happy, I'm doing great." (8:23) You can find Donna at: Her website Facebook Instagram You can also check out her crafting works, including step-by-step DIY instructions, at www.minibooksrme.com and her YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/c/DonnaKauffman Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

After a decade spent tracing her ancestors' roots in Georgian-era Britain, Deborah Hale learned a great deal about the period and uncovered enough fascinating true stories to inspire her fiction plots for years to come. A Golden Heart Award winner and RITA Award finalist, Deborah has written more than 30 novels and novellas in the genres of historical romance, inspirational romance, historical fiction and otherworld fantasy. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Deborah about being consistent with facts and history in fantasy novels; and busts myths about historical fiction. In Deborah's words: "I find usually the heroines are really strong... and manage to forge a relationship to change their own character... and have and expect wonderful sex. What's anti-feminist about that?" (12:04) You can find Deborah on: Her website  Facebook Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

Host Patricia McLinn reports from Author World with an update on "Cockygate"  lawsuits, patent and trademark issues and Amazon scammers. She also dials up the Authors Love Readers Translation Service, taking readers behind the author curtain with explanations of terms in the craft and business of writing. Next week, Authors Love Readers will resume its regular format with a guest interview. We hope you'll consider supporting these discussions of the stories behind the stories and how writers write. Thank you! Patreon Patricia's website Authors Love Readers' Facebook page Patricia's Facebook page Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

Bestselling author Barbara Ankrum was a successful commercial actress until her love of romance novels led to a publishing contract. Many books later, she still believes in happy endings and feels very lucky to do what she loves, with her husband, two children, two cats and one scruffy, unrepentant dog at her side. Her contemporary and historical romances have won numerous awards, including Romantic Times' K.I.S.S Awards. She was a 2016 finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest and has been nominated twice for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Barbara about her experience as an actress and screenwriter, why she has to write a book straight through, and why deadlines are necessary. In Barbara's words: "I would say that we are all different ... we all approach it differently. Thank goodness, because that makes for a lot of great, interesting stories." (28:10). You can find Barbara on:   *Her website *Facebook *Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.  

A USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 novels, Nancy Warren is known for her funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. Nancy is a three-time RITA Awards finalist, a winner of the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, and was featured in an A1 New York Times story on her Harlequin Nascar romance series. Her latest releases include The Daisy Games, Book 7 of her Take a Chance series, and If the Dress Fits, Book 5 of The Almost Wives Club. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Nancy about taking others' advice, starting a book in the middle, and collaborating with other writers. In Nancy's words: "I take people's advice too easily, without sometimes thinking, maybe this was right for you but is this right for me?" (12:46). You can find Nancy on:   *Her website *Facebook *Twitter Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month -- that's only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! -- by pledging at Patreon. It's vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you! Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

USA Today bestselling author Tawdra Kandle writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy in many forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include young adult and new adult paranormal romance, new adult and adult contemporary romance and paramystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Tawdra about what connects all her books, considering perspective and how she got her name. In Tawdra's words: "I write a lot of different types of books, but they all have in common romance. I am, at heart, a romance novelist... At the heart, it's always a love story." (1:10). You can find Tawdra on:   *Her website *Facebook *Twitter Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Barbara O’Neal is a seven-time Romance Writers of America RITA award winner and a recent inductee into the RWA Hall of Fame. She has written 11 novels of women’s fiction, about dogs and food, families and second chances. Her most recent novel, The Art of Inheriting Secrets, was released in July. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Barbara about her transition from romance to women's fiction, killing off a former teacher in one book and doing whatever is necessary to support her work. In Barbara's Words: "This is not an easy path ... everything that I managed to pull off, including college. I put myself through college, [by] doing things like UPS, and I waited tables for 15 years. ... I've always been willing to do whatever was necessary to support the work." (21:31) You can find Barbara on:   *Her website *Facebook *Twitter Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.

Kate Moore studied English Lit near Boston and returned to her native California to teach generations of high school students (now her Facebook friends), while she not-so-secretly penned romances. In Kate’s stories, an undeniable attraction brings honorable, edgy loners and warm, practical women into a circle of love, from Regency England to contemporary California. Kate is a Golden Heart, Golden Crown and Book Buyers Best award winner and three-time RITA finalist. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Kate about how essential story is to being a person and how she has become more flexible with her writing process. In Kate's words: "We read stories all the time. It's interesting how essential the experience of story is, whether you're the consumer or the creator, it is so essential to being a person... I can't imagine not having some connection to story if you're a human being" (23:42). You can find Kate on:   *Her website *Facebook *Twitter Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.