Podcasts about american authors

What a thrill to talk to the prolific author Will Self on the occassion of his latest novel, The Quantity Theory of Morality. We discuss the book and a lot more besides!  Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-MolinaEdited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

 This is the 279th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'.  For this episode, I interview American Author Ms. Tracey Savell Reavis as we discuss her book, ‘United States Soccer On This Day: A 365-Day Journey of Games, Goals, and Moments in U.S. Men's National Team History.' (2026))  Ms. Reavis is a veteran sports journalist and author of The Life and Career of David Beckham. She has worked for Sports Illustrated, the National Basketball Association, CBS Sports, and the U.S. Olympic Committee, and is a member of the Society for American Soccer History and the International Society of Olympic History. She is the founder and editor of The Club, a long-running newsletter dedicated to U.S. national teams and world football culture. Tracey is a Brooklyn, NY native and a Fordham University alum.  For any questions/comments, you may contact us: You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. https://linktr.ee/sp1873  Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague   You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast' Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. Ms. Tracey Savell Reavis' contact info: Twitter (X): @tsavellreavis Link: https://www.savellgroup.com/ Link to Ms. Tracey Savell Reavis' books: https://www.amazon.com/United-States-Soccer-This-Day/dp/B0GX7KHDSH https://www.amazon.com/Life-Career-David-Beckham-Football/dp/1442229926   Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6UqmATXC9XApRkh79KUsxr?si=MoGEPJmdSxurP3FzLK3MUQ&nd=1&dlsi=14e2ca5d4b73486ahttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-279-interview/id1601074369?i=1000768658381 YouTube Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LivfoQQwAXE Blog Link:  https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/05/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_02104867099.htmlSupport the show

This is the 277th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'. For this episode, I interview American Author, Journalist and Journalism Professor Mr. Clemente A. Lisi as we discuss the USA National Team during the years (2000 to 2010). Mr. Lisi is a Journalism Professor at The King's College. He has been a Journalist for the likes of New York Post and the New York Daily News. He has also worked as Senior Editor for ABCNews.com. Mr. Lisi is also a contributor to Religion Unplugged. Mr. Lisi is the author of ‘The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story (2010)' and his new book ‘The World Cup: A History of the Planet's Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition', which is an update to his book in 2022, ‘The FIFA World Cup: A History of the Planet's Biggest Sporting Event)'Mr. Lisi also has a website ‘Planet Soccer' on substack at https://planetsoccer.substack.com/ For any questions/comments, you may contact us: You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. https://linktr.ee/sp1873 Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague  You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast' Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. Mr. Lisi's contact info: Twitter: @ClementeLisi Email: clisi@tkc.edu Substack: https://planetsoccer.substack.com/  Link to Mr. Lisi's books: https://www.amazon.com/FIFA-World-Cup-History-Sporting/dp/1538156431 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TFE1GM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1 https://www.amazon.com/World-Cup-History-Planets-Sporting/dp/B0FP8TKMJ3 Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4rlSk3pS0W48qmYwueS2di?si=i-8XgT18RCiPGPOWjyWRUA&nd=1&dlsi=18510457dbf74911https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-277-interview/id1601074369?i=1000767832832YouTube Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE1GBr4A8moBlog Link: https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/05/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_0207469344.htmlSupport the show

Galley Beggar Press's forthcoming books, and we talk to Professor Caroline Bicks about her  new book, Monsters in the Archives: My Year of Fear With Stephen King, which draws on her time researching King's notes and early drafts, her talks with him, and finding synergies between King's work and Shakespeare's. Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-MolinaEdited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Join us for a really fun, fascinating discussion with writer David Keenan discussing his latest novel, Boyhood.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-MolinaEdited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

This is the 270th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'. For this episode, I interview American Author, Journalist and Journalism Professor Mr. Clemente A. Lisi as we discuss the 1986 World Cup.Mr. Lisi appeared previously on the podcast discussing the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Mr. Lisi is a Journalism Professor at The King's College. He has been a Journalist for the likes of New York Post and the New York Daily News. He has also worked as Senior Editor for ABCNews.com. Mr. Lisi is also a contributor to Religion Unplugged.Mr. Lisi is the author of ‘The U.S. Women's Soccer Team: An American Success Story (2010)' and his new book ‘The World Cup: A History of the Planet's Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition', which is an update to his book in 2022, ‘The FIFA World Cup: A History of the Planet's Biggest Sporting Event)'Mr. Lisi also has a website ‘Planet Soccer' on substack at https://planetsoccer.substack.com/For any questions/comments, you may contact us:You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia.https://linktr.ee/sp1873 Mr. Paul Whittle, @real1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeagueYou may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast.Mr. Lisi's contact info:Twitter: @ClementeLisiEmail: clisi@tkc.eduSubstack: https://planetsoccer.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clemente.lisi/Link to Mr. Lisi's books:https://www.amazon.com/FIFA-World-Cup-History-Sporting/dp/1538156431https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TFE1GM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1https://www.amazon.com/World-Cup-History-Planets-Sporting/dp/B0FP8TKMJ3Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/546jm40G0lWsHqLsNkzmJz?si=l8HG-drvQc2-GQDxROSytg&nd=1&dlsi=c919b91561be4a54https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-270-interview/id1601074369?i=1000763415714YouTube Link:Blog Link:https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/04/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_24.htmlSupport the show

Our guest is writer Angela Flournoy who joined us to talk about her novel, The Wilderness, a book about sisterhood and chosen family that explores four friends' experiences during our turbulent times. Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-MolinaEdited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

  This is the 265th episode of my podcast, 'Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast'.  For this episode, I interview American Author Mr. Hal Phillips as we discuss his book, ‘Sibling Rivalry: How Mexico and the US Built the Most Contentious, Co-Dependent Feud in World Soccer.' (2026))  Mr. Hal Phillips is also the author of "Generation Zero: Founding Fathers, Hidden Histories & The Making of Soccer in America” (Dickinson-Moses Press, 2022).   For any questions/comments, you may contact us: You may also contact me on this blog, on twitter @sp1873 and on facebook under Soccernostalgia. https://linktr.ee/sp1873  Mr. Paul Whittle, @1888letter on twitter and https://the1888letter.com/contact/ https://linktr.ee/BeforeThePremierLeague   You may also follow the podcast on spotify and Apple podcasts all under ‘Soccernostalgia Talk Podcast' Please leave a review, rate and subscribe if you like the podcast. Mr. Hal Phillips' contact info: Twitter (X): @mandarinhal Email: hphillips@mandarinmedia.net Link: https://siblingrivalry.halphillips.net/ Blog: www.halphillips.net Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siblingrivalry.halphillips/  Link to Mr. Hal Phillips' book: https://www.amazon.com/Sibling-Rivalry-Mexico-Contentious-Co-Dependent/dp/1538196190   Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/6ygwgNt66UOerKyIB9WElZ?si=1YtTghDhSgOSNIdcvEUL4Q&nd=1&dlsi=435b115055ab4f3fhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode-265-interview/id1601074369?i=1000760356253 YouTube Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlAxks4Kcd8 Blog Link: https://soccernostalgia.blogspot.com/2026/04/soccernostalgia-talk-podcast-episode_8.htmlSupport the show

In 1949, aspiring writer Nelle Harper Lee moved from her home in small-town Alabama to New York City. She was following in the footsteps of her childhood friend, author Truman Capote. Within a few years she had penned a novel of her own, and called it To Kill a Mockingbird.To Kill a Mockingbird catapulted Harper Lee to the heights of literary fame. But just as she found success, she withdrew, overwhelmed by being in the public eye, and the pressure to produce another book as good as her first. Decades would pass before anyone mentioned the possibility of her publishing again - and this time, people wondered how much of a voice she really had in the publication of her second book.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our host Darriel Roy interviews American Author & Entrepreneur, Becky Jackson. She is the author of the book, Seeking, Finding, Healing: The Complete Guide to Self Directed Inner Family Healing.

Len Deighton, a British master of the spy thriller has died. Sam's a fan. And we had a great time talking with writer Eoghan Walls about his latest novel, Field Notes From An Extinction.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-MolinaEdited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Born into poverty in Harlem in 1924, James Baldwin rose to become a celebrated novelist, essayist, playwright, and poet, and a leading voice in the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. In his debut novel, Go Tell It on the Mountain, and in his essay collections, Notes of a Native Son and The Fire Next Time, Baldwin wrote eloquently and provocatively about race, religion, sexuality, politics and class. To distance himself from the racial hatred and discrimination at home, Baldwin spent much of his adult life in France, helping to create a vibrant community for other Black artists, such as Nina Simone, Miles Davis and Josephine Baker. But he returned to America often to provide a fearless and incisive testimony to the events that defined his tumultuous era.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Growing up in the Salinas Valley of Northern California, John Steinbeck dreamed of becoming a professional writer. In his youth he took on odd jobs and worked amongst ranch hands and migrant workers, who would inspire some of his greatest work, including The Grapes of Wrath. Published in 1939, the book captured the struggles of everyday Americans during the Great Depression, and Steinbeck became famous for his empathetic portrayal of the working class.Steinbeck would go on to become one of the most decorated authors of the 20th Century, winning the Pulitzer Prize and the Nobel Prize for Literature, but he was plagued by marital struggles and chronic illness that threatened to cut short his writing career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam finally makes it to the movie theater to see Wurthering Heights, and writer Joanna Kavenna talks to us about her engaging novel, Seven, which hops around the globe following a group of philosopher friends obsesssed with box theory, lost things, and a board game called Seven.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

In the late 1850s, a young man named Samuel Clemens started out piloting steamboats on the Mississippi River. Within a few years, he embarked on a writing career, adopting the pen name that became famous: Mark Twain. Armed with a wry sense of humor and a natural flair for storytelling, Twain gained wide acclaim for his short stories, travel sketches, and novels.In 1885, he published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, a story of two runaways on a quest for freedom. It would become one of the most celebrated, and controversial, books in American literature. But at the height of his popularity, his risky business ventures and his critiques of American policy abroad threatened to ruin his legacy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In 1840, eight-year-old Louisa May Alcott moved to the small town of Concord, Massachusetts with her family. There, she spent her days wandering through the woods, putting on plays with her sisters, and learning from famed writers and philosophers such as Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.For years, Alcott struggled to achieve success as a writer. Then in 1868, she drew inspiration from her youth to write her beloved coming-of-age novel Little Women. ​​By exploring the aspirations and challenges faced by young women, she defied 19th century norms that sought to confine women in both life and literature.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We talk to author Álvaro Enrigue about his latest novel in English, Now I Surrender, an account of the mythlogized Apache warrior, Geronimo, and the contemporary narrator's reflections on colonization and identity. Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

In February 1826, 17-year-old Edgar Allan Poe was a promising student at the University of Virginia. But within a few months, gambling debts forced him to abandon his studies. It was just one of many setbacks Poe endured in a life marked by financial struggle, alcoholism, and personal tragedy.But Poe launched a remarkable career in writing, helping to establish American literature with a bold, new voice. From short stories including “The Fall of the House of Usher,” to the poem that made him famous, “The Raven,” he transformed the horror genre by delving into the dark recesses of the human subconscious and pushing the boundaries of fiction and verse.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sam looks forward to the lastest film adaptation of Wurthering Heights, and we talk to writer and art critic James Cahill about his latest novel, The Violet Hour.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

We talk to Caleb Klaces about his wonderful, Sebaldian novel, Mr. Outside.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Kurt Vonnegut Jr. (1922-2007): Author of “Slaughterhouse-Five” and other novels. Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007), interviewed on September 23, 1991 by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff while on tour for his collection of essays, “Fates Worse Than Death,” recorded for the “Probabilities” radio program It's hard to describe the impact Kurt Vonnegut has had over the years on American culture and politics. His science fiction novel “Slaughterhouse-Five” brought the world's attention to the fire-bombing of Dresden during World War II. His several other novels tackled a wide variety of themes including free will, the absurdity of human existence, and the impact of technology on society. His other novels include God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Cat's Cradle, Breakfast of Champions, Slapstick, Player Piano and others. During the latter years of his life, he wrote essays and opinion pieces. This was the last interview of any kind to occur in the off-air studio in KPFA's old offices on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley. The new radio station on Martin Luther King Jr Way was already operational but we were able to squeeze in this last one in the old building. Complete 31-minute Radio Wolinsky podcast.     Mavis Gallant (1922-2014): Anti-Fascist ‘New Yorker' Short Story Writer. Mavis Gallant (1922-2014, noted anti-Fascist short story writer for the New Yorker magazine, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff on Ocrober 6, 1993 while on tour for her collection, Across The Bridge. Mavis Gallant, who died in 2014 at the age of 91, was a Canadian short story writer who spent most of her life in France. During her lifetime, she had 118 stories in the New Yorker, which made her one of that magazine's most published writers. Along the way she did write two novels, but it was because of her shorter fiction that she was very much a writers' writer. A very private person, she only rarely gave interviews – but she did go on a book tour for her short story collection, Across the Bridge, and it's then, on October 6, 1993, that Richard A. Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky had a chance to speak with her. Wikipedia notes that her subject was frequently fascism, in particular about what she called “the small possibilities in people” which leaned them toward fascism. In a roundabout way, she discusses that in this interview. New York Review Books Classics has published several volumes of her stories, most notably The Collected Stories, which features fifty two examples of her best work, and Paris Stories, curated by Michael Ondaatje. Across the Bridge is available in an e-book edition from Amazon.     The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – January 22, 2026: Kurt Vonnegut Jr., Legendary American Author appeared first on KPFA.

Author Simón López Trujillo joins us to talk about his novel Pedro the Vast, a multitudinous novel that explores manuel labor, parenting, religion, and corporate greed. Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Sam's farming career, and we talk to writer and musician Austyn Wohlers about her intriguing and beautifully written novel, Hothouse Bloom.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Send us a textIn this episode of Great American Authors, we take an unforgettable look at two astonishing works born from the tumultuous aftermath of Nixon-era Washington — The Canfield Decision by Spiro T. Agnew and The Company by John Ehrlichman.Today, The Canfield Decision enjoys a surprisingly warm reception online, with roughly 87% of readers awarding it three to five stars on Goodreads and similar platforms. But that wasn't always the case. Upon its release, critics and much of the media savaged the book, dismissing it as thinly veiled political wish-fulfillment from a disgraced Vice President. We unpack the striking discrepancy between that early panning and the thoughtful, often affectionate audience it's gained in recent years — readers who find nuance, ambition, or just plain fun in a novel penned by a man few expected to ever write fiction.We place the book in the context of Agnew's political fall from grace. Once the second-in-command in the nation, Agnew's public resignation and subsequent legal troubles left him a pariah. Remarkably, The Canfield Decision became his first major step back onto the national stage — a work that speaks volumes about ambition, image, and reinvention. What did Agnew hope to say with this book? And why do modern readers connect with it in ways early reviewers didn't anticipate?From there, we pivot to another Nixon-era insider turned novelist: John Ehrlichman, author of The Company. A former aide to Richard Nixon and one of the central figures of Watergate, Ehrlichman wrote a sprawling fictional chronicle of power, corruption, and betrayal in America's secretive intelligence community. Unlike Agnew's quietly redemptive tone, Ehrlichman's The Company bristles with bitterness toward the very system he once served — especially toward Nixon himself.We explore the reviews then and now for The Company, and how Ehrlichman's own disillusionment shaped a narrative that many readers and critics call prophetic, sprawling, and ethically complex. As we compare and contrast these two presidential novels, we also ask: what happens when real political trauma is transmuted into fiction? What does each author reveal about themselves — and about American power — in the act of storytelling?Join us for a deep, insightful, and sometimes surprising conversation about politics, prose, reputation, and the curious afterlives of The Canfield Decision and The Company — two books that defy expectations and challenge how we think about presidential literature. Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textThis episode is a tribute to a great actor, Gene Hackman, who decided to retire from the silver screen and write novels. He wrote five of them and all got some level of acclaim. They were : “Wake of the Perdido Star” with Daniel Lenihan (1999) “Justice for None”  with Daniel Lenihan (2004)“Escape from Andersonville” with Daniel Lenihan (2008)“Payback at Morning Peak” (2011)“Pursuit” (2013)While this episode is a focused examination at his second career it is also a retrospective of his amazing life. Hackman passed away on most likely February 18, 2025, he was 95 years old. Hackman was one of our host, Randal Wallace's favorite actors and he plans to read a couple of his novels this coming year in 2026. Gene Hackman's writing tips emphasize the importance of discipline, rigorous editing, and emotional connection to the material. Write with discipline: Hackman writes in the morning, stopping by early afternoon, to maintain a routine.Edit heavily: He stresses the importance of the editing process, advising writers not to fall in love with their first draft and to be open to criticism. He would go over his work many times.Write what you care about: To be fulfilled as a writer, he suggests focusing on subjects close to your heart.Keep dialogue minimal: Drawing from his acting experience, he often cut his own lines, saying, "I can act that," highlighting the power of non-verbal communication in storytelling.Use research: He incorporated extensive research into his historical fiction and thrillers, including scouting locations and consulting experts.Stay in the moment: He advises against over-analyzing and to "let the characters tell the damn story," focusing on action and immediate events rather than excessive introspection or backstory.Seek feedback: Hackman worked closely with his co-author and relied on his wife for critique and typing up his longhand manuscripts. Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textErnest Hemingway's life was a testament to his belief in living authentically and drawing from rich, personal experience for his writing. His three primary homes in Key West,  Havana, and Ketchum were more than just residences; they were essential backdrops and sources of inspiration for his work, each intrinsically linked to his lifestyle and creativity. Unifying these locales, and a symbol of his deep connection to the sea, was his beloved fishing boat, the Pilar.In Key West, Florida (his home during the 1930s), Hemingway found a laid-back, "bohemian" atmosphere that fostered a disciplined writing routine in the mornings and deep-sea fishing adventures in the afternoons with local friends, later dubbed the "Key West Mob". The house on Whitehead Street, a National Historic Landmark, provided a stable base where he wrote works like To Have and Have Not and numerous short stories.His time in Key West served as a gateway to Havana, Cuba, where he eventually moved and lived for over two decades, longer than anywhere else. His home there,  Finca Vigía (Lookout Farm), offered the quiet and space where he wrote some of his most celebrated work, including For Whom the Bell Tolls and the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Old Man and the Sea. It was from the nearby village of Cojimar that he and his captain, Gregorio Fuentes, would set out on the Pilar.The 38-foot custom Wheeler yacht, the Pilar, was a constant companion for 27 years, serving as an escape from the pressures of fame and the setting for big-game fishing exploits that earned him a reputation as a founder of sportfishing. The boat was a personal and literary anchor, its name a nickname for his second wife Pauline and a character in For Whom the Bell Tolls. It became a literal and figurative vessel that carried him to the experiences he translated into raw, real stories.Finally, Ketchum, Idaho, became his autumn retreat and final home in the late 1950s, after planning to leave Cuba amidst political tensions. In the rugged landscape of Idaho, he hunted and fished the rivers and plains, finding a different kind of solace. It was here, struggling with deteriorating health and depression, that he ultimately ended his life in 1961, leaving behind a legacy deeply tied to the physical locations that shaped his life and literature. Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a text Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textThis episode is the first of three episodes that centers on the biggest star in all of American Literature, the great Ernest Hemingway. Ernest Hemingway's writing tips center on a minimalist style, a disciplined work ethic, and his famous "Iceberg Theory" (or theory of omission), which suggests that the deeper meaning of a story should be implied rather than explicitly stated. Here are his core writing tips and advice:Style and TechniqueBe brief and use simple language: Employ short sentences and paragraphs to create a direct, clear, and impactful prose style. Avoid flowery or ornamental language, adverbs, and adjectives wherever possible.Write one true sentence: When experiencing writer's block or starting a new piece, focus on writing one simple, honest, and factual sentence you know to be true. This can provide the anchor to build the rest of the story.Show, don't tell: Instead of describing emotions or themes directly, present the specific actions, dialogue, and details that allow the reader to infer the underlying meaning and emotion for themselves.Master the "Iceberg Theory": The visible part of your story (the words on the page) should only be a fraction of the whole. The majority of the meaning, informed by the writer's deep knowledge of the subject and character motivations, should reside as subtext beneath the surface.Use vigorous English and strong verbs: Employ active voice and precise, powerful verbs to drive the narrative and avoid passive constructions or weak language. Process and DisciplineEstablish a consistent routine: Hemingway was highly disciplined, waking early (often between 5:30 and 6 a.m.) to write in a quiet, distraction-free environment for several hours each morning.Stop while you're still "going good": To avoid writer's block, always stop writing for the day when you still know what will happen next. This leaves something in the "well" for the next morning, making it easier to start again.Edit ruthlessly: Expect the first draft to be poor and embrace the revision process. Hemingway famously rewrote the ending of A Farewell to Arms 47 times, believing that all good writing requires meticulous editing and rewriting.Read widely and compete with the "dead greats": A writer should read everything to understand what has been done and set a high standard for their own work by competing with established masters.Live first, write later: Draw heavily on personal experience, observation, and research. The authenticity in his writing came from truly knowing his subjects (hunting, fishing, war, love) and filtering them through an intimate viewpoint. By adhering to these principles, Hemingway aimed to create prose that was honest, authentic, and emotionally resonant, allowing the reader to experience the story as if it happened to them personally.  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

What we will be reading over the holidays, and we welcome writer Xiaolu Guo to talk about her latest novel, Call Me Ishmaelle. (Hint: There could be a white whale!). Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Send us a textTwo Great authors and one inspirational city are the focus of this episode. Sinclair Lewis Sinclair Lewis's writing advice, often delivered directly to his students or in letters, focused on the practicalities of a writing life and the raw discipline required. Some of his most memorable guidance includes the reminder that "real writers" are unstoppable and the emphasis that writing is simply hard work. Focus and disciplineDon't fool yourself. Lewis advised writers, "You can fool the critics but never yourself". Embrace the hard work.Ignore discouraging words. Turn off distractions. Writing craftWrite with your ear. Lewis insisted that writers and readers should use their ears, not just their eyes.Write what truly interests you. He advised, "Write about what really interests you... and nothing else". Be painstakingly clear. Save your drafts. He suggested that if you give up on a piece of writing, you should put it in a drawer instead of throwing it away. He found that much of his best work came from revising or rewriting things he had abandoned years earlier.Know your words.Consider not using a typewriter.Advice to his studentsWhen Lewis taught at the University of Minnesota, he had some pointed words for his class. : Compete with the best. Possess a "divine egotism". Lewis encouraged a form of confidence and ambition in his students.Live righteously. Tennessee Williams Based on his journals and interviews, Tennessee Williams' writing advice centers on honest, emotionally-driven storytelling and consistent practice. He encouraged writers to focus on the human heart, avoid distractions, and embrace the fragile, conflicted parts of themselves and their characters. Write honestly and from withinFocus on inner tension. Be autobiographical. Identify with vulnerable characters. Williams found it easier to write about people who were fragile, lonely, or on the verge of hysteria,Embrace the full messiness of your characters. He encouraged writers to let their characters "fight," "claw their way toward something," and be "messy and holy and tired" instead of being quiet and acceptable. Overcome your inner criticBelieve in your first draft.Believe in yourself.Recognize the dual nature of your work. After the first draft, Williams noted that a play is never as good or as bad as you think it is. The truth lies somewhere in the middle, and a writer must push past these self-assessments. Cultivate a strong work ethicWork every day.Revise relentlessly. Be a "wasteful writer." Williams admitted to generating a lot of material that he didn't use, going through multiple drafts before finalizing a work. For him, a lot of writing was necessary to arrive at what was good. Capture and express emotional truthDon't bore the audience. Tell the truth, even if it's shocking. Find inspiration in small observations. Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textThis episode gathers some great advice from the best authors of our current time. It is a fun episode. The collective writing advice from these authors emphasizes core principles of discipline, clarity, honesty, and reader engagement, while acknowledging that individual processes can vary (e.g., plotters vs. "pantsers").Common and Diverse ThemesDiscipline and Consistency: King, Mosley, and Oates all stress the importance of a regular, consistent writing schedule, often daily, to build momentum and allow ideas to "bubble up" from the subconscious.Clarity and Simplicity: Vonnegut, King, and Mosley advocate for clear, simple language, avoiding jargon or overly "fancy" words to ensure the reader is engaged and can easily understand the story.Reader Empathy: A central tenet for Vonnegut and King is to respect the reader's time and attention, making sure every sentence moves the story forward or reveals character, and that the reader feels their time was not wasted.Honesty and Personal Voice: The authors encourage finding your own natural voice and writing about subjects you genuinely care about, believing this authenticity is what truly connects with readers.The Primacy of Story/Character over Plot: King and Mosley are notably skeptical of rigid plotting, preferring to place interesting characters in a situation and discover the story as they write. Conversely, Vonnegut suggests starting as close to the end as possible, implying a clear destination is necessary.Rigorous Editing: There is universal agreement on the necessity of editing. King suggests cutting 10% of a first draft and letting it "marinate" before revisiting, while Vonnegut talks about having the "guts to cut" anything that doesn't advance the narrative.Individual Author HighlightsKurt Vonnegut: Famous for his "8 Rules," including the instruction to make awful things happen to characters "so that the reader may see what they are made of" and to use the time of a stranger wisely.Walter Mosley: Emphasizes that writing is a form of self-discovery and encourages writers to "write without restraint" in the first draft, exploring the darker sides of characters to make them believable.Stephen King: Strongly advocates for reading a lot and writing a lot, viewing writing as a form of "telepathy" where the writer transmits thoughts to the reader. He advises avoiding passive voice and adverbs.Lee Child: Stresses that "character is king" and that the writer's main qualification is being a reader. He also has specific advice on pacing, suggesting writing "fast stuff slow, the slow stuff fast".John Grisham: (Specific tips were not available in the provided snippets, but his work is a prime example of effective, fast-paced plotting that aligns with many of the above principles, particularly the idea of starting close to the action and keeping the reader engaged).Joyce Carol Oates: Focuses on using physical details and setting to reveal characters' interior psychological conditions, with details carrying implicit meaning within the story. Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textPat Conroy's writing tips focus on using personal experience to craft honest, passionate prose. His advice emphasizes deep exploration of one's inner world, dedicated hard work, and the importance of reading widely. On finding your subjectWrite to understand your own life. Conroy wrote to make sense of his own story and invited readers to join him in the journey. He believed a writer's "central agony cowers in the limestone cave, licking its wounds, awaiting my discovery of it".Draw from your memories. Conroy frequently mined his difficult childhood, particularly his father's violence, as the central truth of his work. He wrote for the "people who can't speak" and explored where his life and relationships had gone off course.Use your life as fuel, not as a script. As a "creative non-fiction" writer, Conroy used his experiences to inform his fictional stories and craft complex characters, rather than simply presenting estranged family members with their names changed.Gather stories. Conroy was an avid collector of stories, treating them like "rare stamps" or a library of music. He was known to claim a good story for his own writing if he heard it. On the writing processWrite the first draft by hand. Conroy famously wrote the first drafts of his books on long yellow legal pads with a pen, preferring to lose himself in the narrative flowing from his hand.Dedicate yourself to hard, fanatical work. Conroy described writing as "hard labor and one of the most pleasant forms that fanaticism can take." He believed nothing lazy should ever enter his books.Practice with an "ironclad" schedule. Writing requires discipline and a consistent schedule. Conroy committed to a routine no matter where he was, knowing that the process "does not permit much familiarity with chaos".Go deeper, then go deeper again. He instructed writers to dive past the surface of their narratives. Your job, he said, is to discover the angels or demons—the enigmas—buried within you.Write for yourself. While Conroy loved his readers and answered every letter he could, he believed that ultimately, you write for yourself. Your art is "desperately trying to make its own voice heard to you"—you just need to listen. On language and craftListen to the sound of your sentences.  He insisted words had to "come out right".Pursue amplitude and exactness. Early in his career, Conroy was drawn to extravagance, but over time, he learned that "exactness is a virtue in even the most word-possessed writer". His writing balances lyrical, lush prose with simple and well-stated truths.Capture the spirit of a place. Conroy was a master of place, especially the South Carolina Lowcountry. He advised writers to make locations concrete, exact, and so vivid that they are indispensable to the story.Trust the power of story. The most powerful words, according to Conroy, are, "Tell me a story." On reading and learningRead everything, especially your contemporaries. Read 200 pages a day. Embrace the long apprenticeship. Conroy believed that his first, "naive" book, The Boo, taught him that he had a long way to go and would have to work as hard as any writer alive to master his craft.  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

In this episode of The Travel Tidbits Podcast, host Jamie Weitl, owner of Pineapple Escapes Travel, sits down with special guest and Pineapple Escapes agent Samantha Harris, fresh off her experience at the ALGV Diamond Elite Event in Punta Cana. Samantha represented the agency among top-performing advisors, attended exclusive ALGV meetings, previewed upcoming industry changes, toured brand-new resort openings, and even enjoyed a private concert by American Authors.Together, Jamie and Samantha break down: • What it really means for Pineapple Escapes Travel to be a Diamond Elite agency• How this status directly benefits clients through service, support, and exclusive opportunities• First impressions of the brand-new Secrets Playa Esmeralda and Dreams Playa Esmeralda resorts• Key insights from ALGV's private sessions, including trends and updates coming in 2026• Highlights from the Diamond Elite event — from networking moments to the unforgettable American Authors concertWhether you're dreaming of an adults-only escape, planning a family getaway, or simply curious about how top-tier agencies stay informed, this episode offers insider perspective straight from the source.Support Jamaica Relief Efforts Pineapple Escapes is helping raise funds for the Sandals Foundation to support ongoing relief efforts in Jamaica. If you'd like to contribute, you can donate via our Venmo: ➡️ https://venmo.com/PineappleEscapes

Send us a textJames Bond meets Harry Potter in this episode of our series. Two favorites of mine from across the pond in this special edition. Ian Fleming's writing tips emphasize speed, research, clarity, and sensory detail to keep the reader engaged and "turn over the page". He wrote primarily for "pleasure and money," aiming to create compelling thrillers rather than "Literature with a capital L". Here are his key writing tips and habits:The Writing ProcessWrite Fast and Never Look BackEdit LaterEstablish a Routine Style and ContentBlend Fact with Fantasy: Use real-world facts, locations, and brand names to ground the more fantastical plot elements in reality. This gives the story authenticity and stimulates the reader's senses, a technique known as the "Fleming effect".Prioritize Clarity and ConcisionFocus on Sensory Details:  Describe food, drink, clothes, and locations to provide a vivid, vicarious experience.Create Strong VillainsHook the Reader: The most important rule: "You have to get the reader to turn over the page". He used plot hooks (often involving sex or violence) at the end of chapters to compel the reader to continue.Vary Sentence LengthListen to Your Audience: Fleming was sensitive to feedback from his readers and adjusted his approach based on their expectations, such as ensuring Bond traveled to exotic locations after a UK-only novel ( Moonraker). MindsetWrite for Pleasure and Money: He was unashamed about his motivations, believing a writer's life was a good one, offering a decent living if film deals and other rights were secured.Be Aware of the WorldView Writing as a Craft: He considered himself a "writer" rather than an "author" or "artist," viewing writing as a craft where one constantly learns by studying peers. J.K. Rowling emphasizes discipline, extensive planning, and resilience as core to her writing process. Her tips focus on the craft and the emotional connection to the story. Key writing tips from J.K. Rowling include:Read Extensively Rowling consistently advises aspiring writers to read as much as possible. This helps you analyze what works and what doesn't, discover your preferences, and eventually find your own distinctive voice.Plan Meticulously Rowling is a thorough planner who mapped out the entire seven-book Harry Potter series before completing the first novel, using detailed, color-coded spreadsheets and outlines. Knowing the overall arc and destination provides structure, allowing for creative freedom along the way.Be DisciplinedRewrite and Edit Develop Complex Characters Give characters flaws and contradictions, making them morally complex and realistic. This allows readers to relate to them on a deeper, more human level.Write What You Know (Emotionally) While not a literal tip to only write from personal experiences, Rowling suggests drawing from your own emotions, truths, and instincts. She used her personal struggles with depression as the raw material for the Dementors, for example.Minimize Adverbs Be Resilient a Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textIn this episode we look back at the man who can lay claim to having written the longest sentence in American Literature. He also wrote the story, "A Rose For Emily" which is a play that our host, Randal Wallace,  once played the part of Homer Barron, the unfortunate beau of Ms. Emily, who they would later find dead in her bed years after he disappeared.  William Faulkner offered extensive advice on writing during his time as a writer-in-residence at the University of Virginia and in various interviews. His tips emphasize passion, discipline, and a ruthless dedication to craft over commercial success or style. Core PhilosophyBe writing, not "a writer": The act of writing is about movement and activity; adopting the static label of "a writer" can lead to stagnation.Write for pleasure, not money: Relying on writing for income or external approval can compromise artistic integrity. Keep your writing amateur in spirit and get another job to pay the bills.Embrace failure as growth: You will never achieve absolute perfection, and that is a healthy condition. The goal is a "splendid failure" that drives you to improve with each new work, always striving to be better than your past self.Be ruthless for your art: The writer's only responsibility is to their art. Everything else—honor, pride, security—goes by the board to get the book written. Craft and TechniqueFocus on core human conflicts: Faulkner believed that enduring stories focus on "the problems of the human heart in conflict with itself," such as love, honor, pity, and sacrifice.Prioritize character: According to Faulkner, if you understand your characters, they will drive the narrative, and the writer's job is to record their actions and words.Don't overthink style: Style should serve the story and is not a goal in itself. There are no mechanical rules for writing.Use dialect sparingly: A few touches of recognizable dialect are better than extensive use, which can confuse readers. Process and HabitsRead extensively: Faulkner advised reading all kinds of literature, good and bad, to learn from other writers.Stop while you're inspired: To maintain momentum, stop writing for the day when you're in a good flow and know what you'll write next.Make time for writing: Faulkner contended that anyone claiming they lack time to write is mistaken; even ten minutes can be used, and ideas should be written down immediately.Combine experience, observation, and imagination: These elements are crucial for a writer, and they can compensate for each other's absence.  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textIn this episode we examine the life and work of two authors who actually knew each other and corresponded as they wrote their literary masterpieces. Nathaniel HawthorneFrom a modern perspective, Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing tips emphasize the importance of deep psychological exploration, moral complexity, and meticulous craft. His advice challenges writers to move beyond simple storytelling and engage with the more difficult truths of the human condition. Embrace the difficulty of good writingHawthorne's most famous writing maxim is: "Easy reading is damn hard writing". Editing is keyThe illusion of easeFocus on psychological and moral depthAs a key figure in Dark Romanticism, Hawthorne's work delves into the complexity of the human mind and its dark side. Explore complex inner strugglesExamine sin and guiltUncover hypocrisyUse symbolism and allegoryHawthorne masterfully used symbolic imagery and allegorical narratives to create layered, meaningful stories. Go beneath the surfaceEmploy symbolsCraft evocative narrativesDevelop a strong writing ritualHawthorne was known for his very structured, solitary, and monotonous daily routine, which created the ideal conditions for deep and sustained thought. Embrace solitudeMake it a habitRecognize the power of wordsHawthorne viewed words as an instrument of immense power that a writer must learn to wield skillfully. Combine words carefullyLet the narrative unfold naturallyHis storytelling technique was focused on telling a story as a process, allowing it to reveal itself naturally. Character-driven choicesCreate richly detailed narrativesHawthorne's elaborate, ornate prose style was intentional, designed to force readers to examine every word. Craft intricate sentences: His notoriously long, winding sentences were used to add layers of meaning and complexity to his ideas.Encourage reader interpretationHerman MelvilleFrom his letters, essays, and fictional works, Herman Melville's writing tips emphasize originality, ambition, and the pursuit of truth beneath surface appearances. He encouraged a deep, unyielding commitment to art, even if it meant commercial failure. Pursue originality over imitationMelville deeply valued originality and considered it a measure of a writer's potential for greatness. "It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation".Choose a "mighty theme"For Melville, a book's substance was directly related to the ambition of its topic. He advised writers to grapple with "great and enduring" subjects "To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme".- Uncover the truth beneath the surfaceTruth is often elusiveChallenge assumptions Embrace creative struggle and even failureUse your own experiencesBe prepared for your work to be misunderstoodWriting from the heart, Melville was famously undervalued in his lifetime, and in a letter to Nathaniel Hawthorne, he resigned himself to this fact.   Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

We celebrate the publication of Galley Beggar Press's latest book, Telenovela by Gonzalo C. Garcia, and Gonzalo joins us for a wonderful discussion about the novel's themes of artistic failure, family dynamics, and political-social upheaval in Pinochet's Chile.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Send us a textThese three writers all wrote just one novel of renown but they were gargantuan titles. We celebrate their impact on American Literature in this episode. Harper Lee offered several writing tips centered on persistence, humility, and the importance of craft over reward. She emphasized a love for language and a dedication to writing for oneself. Key Writing Tips from Harper LeeDevelop a thick hide Write for yourself A writer worth their salt writes to please an audience of one: themselves. Writing is a self-exploratory process, an exorcism of "divine discontent," not a pursuit for external validation or monetary gain.Be a steady, slow worker Embrace the revision process Master the English sentence Write what you know and use vivid imagery Nurture the creative spirit  Fundamentally, Lee's advice was to focus on the integrity of the work and the process itself, hoping for the best but expecting nothing in return.J.D. Salinger's writing approach prioritized authenticity, a distinctive narrative voice, and emotional depth achieved through minimalist prose and realistic dialogue. His tips for writers can be distilled into the following principles: Write for yourself, first and foremostPrioritize a strong, authentic voiceEmbrace minimalism and precisionKnow your characters inside and outUse naturalistic dialogueWork with focus and disciplineRead extensivelyMargaret Mitchell's writing tips and style emphasize thorough research, relentless rewriting, and a simple, direct prose. She prioritized her creative work and was known for working methodically on a single project at a time. Key Writing TipsPrioritize writing above all elseEmbrace rewriting: She famously said, "I do not write with ease, nor am I ever pleased with anything I write. And so I rewrite". She emphasized that "Pulitzer-type writing... comes in the rewriting".Research thoroughlyWrite with simplicity and clarityFocus on the story and what mattersPlan meticulously but be flexibleWork with discipline and enduranceAvoid digressionsWork on one project at a timePersonal Habits and Style"Show, Don't Tell" (selectively)Character and dialogue-drivenGumption is keyAnswer fan mail Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textThis episode looks at two literary giants and includes their writing tips. It also features the only writer in our entire series our host, Randal Wallace,  actually met, Maya Angelou. Mrs. Morrison was at the time of her passing, America's only living Nobel Laureate for writing. This is an inspiring episode for any aspiring authors and for everyone else too. Toni MorrisonToni Morrison advised writers to embrace the revision process, to write without considering an audience, and to trust the stories that demand to be told. Her writing method was deeply personal, relying on a pre-dawn ritual and an intimate focus on her characters. Begin with self-authorshipWrite the book you want to read. Ignore the "white gaze."  for honesty and truth rather than for applause.Write for the characters, not an audience. Trust the creative processFind your ideal creative space.Start with an image. Be open to what your writing tells you.Embrace revision and growthRevision is where the real work begins. Know the difference between revision and "fretting." Recognize missed opportunities. Maya AngelouMaya Angelou emphasized discipline, emotional truth, and mastery of language as essential for writers. Her own writing process was a dedicated ritual that supported her creative work. Embrace a disciplined routineAngelou held great respect for the craft of writing and maintained a consistent, structured process.Create a separate workspaceWrite consistentlyEdit and reviseWrite from the heartFor Angelou, the goal of writing was to reach the reader's heart and help them feel connected to the shared human experience.Tell the truth, not just the factsShare your story to help others : She said, "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song".Move beyond bitterness. Master the craft of languageAngelou believed that creative inspiration was nothing without the discipline to master one's tools.Use words to create emotion Take familiar words and make them new: Engage the sensesBelieve in your creative capacityAngelou taught that creativity is an endless resource that only grows through use.Creativity is a muscle: She famously stated, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have".Dare to be creative: Make writing a necessity:   Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textThis episode looks at three giants of American Literature who all wrote about the struggles of forgotten America. One of them, Mark Twain, is considered the Father of American Literature. John Steinbeck is known for sharing six practical writing tips in a letter to a friend in 1962. These rules prioritize flow, discipline, and authenticity over immediate perfection: Focus on the daily work: Write one page each day instead of thinking about the entire length.Write the first draft rapidly and freely: Avoid correcting or rewriting until the entire draft is complete to maintain flow and rhythm.Imagine a single, specific reader: Address your writing to one person you know or imagine, rather than a general audience.Bypass difficult scenes: Skip troublesome sections and return to them later; they may not fit the overall work.Be willing to cut favorites: Be cautious of scenes you are overly fond of, as they may be "out of drawing" or not fit the overall piece.Read dialogue aloud: Speak dialogue out as you write it to make it sound like natural speech. Steinbeck also highlighted the importance of discipline and persistence. He viewed writing as a "clumsy attempt to find symbols for the wordlessness". Thomas Wolfe, the novelist (1900–1938), is primarily known for his voluminous, autobiographical fiction. His editor, Maxwell Perkins, heavily shaped his sprawling manuscripts into publishable novels like Look Homeward, Angel. The "writing tips" associated with Thomas Wolfe often relate to his personal habits and the nature of his expansive, autobiographical style. Here are the key takeaways regarding Thomas Wolfe's approach to writing:Write everything, use everything. Embrace the "flood" of language.Trust your instincts over convention. Establish a consistent routineWriting is life. Wolfe's legacy is one of a "splendid failure" in terms of self-editing and structure, but a master of language, description, and the power of memory in autobiographical fiction. Mark Twain, the Father of American Literature: Mark Twain's writing tips emphasize clarity, simplicity, and revision, encouraging writers to prioritize the reader's experience above all else. His advice often uses humor and sharp wit to make memorable points about avoiding common writing pitfalls. Here are key writing tips attributed to Mark Twain: .Use plain, simple language"Kill" adjectives (most of them)"Use the right word, not its second cousin"Show, don't tellRewrite and revise: Writing is an iterative process.Start writing after you finishEnsure dialogue sounds humanMake all episodes and characters necessary.Avoid clichés and "stage directions" in dialogue:Write without pay (initially): He advised aspiring writers to "write without pay until somebody offers pay. If nobody offers within three years, the candidate may look upon this circumstance with the most implicit confidence as the sign that sawing wood is what he was intended for".  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

Send us a textIs there a more terrifying writer in the world than Edgar Allan Poe, nor a more fun one to read with a child with than Theodore Geisel, "Dr. Seuss" ?  I don't think so. In this episode we chronicle two of the most extremely different authors of our entire series. Edgar Allan Poe wrote some of the strangest and most horrifying stories ever written. "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" "The Mask of the Red Death" The Fall of the House of Usher", "Tell Tale Heart", The Pit and the Pendulum" the list goes on and on. But for all of that he is actually considered the father of the modern detective novel which is what he actually made his living doing. Though he struggled financially his entire life. His poetry is equally famous and perhaps no other poem stands out at all like "The Raven" which we will feature in this episode. The actor most closely associated with Poe is Vincent Price who made some of the best movies ever made in the 1950s and 1960s. Poe's life was as interesting as his writing and his death just as mysterious, we will tell you the story and feature his writing tips too, through the episode. Dr. Seuss, was a part of every child's life under the age of 8 in every home I have ever visited, you at least see one of his books. "The Cat in the Hat", "The Lorax", "Green Eggs and Ham," "Oh the Places we will Go" , "The Sneeches" , "One fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish", "Horton Hears a Who?" , my personal favorite "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas", and even a book found two decades after he passed away, hidden in a box at his house, titled "What Pet Should I get" What an extraordinary legacy to have had such an impact on the lives of children everywhere, with characters that never existed until he dreamed them up, mixed with timeless themes, that match perfectly with his rhymes. In this episode we introduce you to the man, his books, and his writing advice.  Questions or comments at , Randalrgw1@aol.com , https://twitter.com/randal_wallace , and http://www.randalwallace.com/Please Leave us a review at wherever you get your podcastsThanks for listening!!

The wonderful writer Sarah Hall returns to the podcast, this time to talk about her latest novel Helm, in which the Helm Wind of Cumbria, England's Eden Valley has her own puckish point of view about the folly of humans through the centuries.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Hour 1 of Rush to Reason kicks off with a sense of urgency, akin to a political intervention. John Rush and Andy Peth plunge into the pressing issue of Colorado's GOP crisis, posing the crucial question that everyone is hesitant to address: are conservatives truly striving to win elections, or are they merely fixated on winning battles? Why are factions dedicating 23 months to internal conflicts and neglecting the unaffiliated voters, who hold the key to every statewide race? Could the uncompromising purists, single-issue advocates, and online “rage influencers” be inadvertently paving the way for Democratic triumph even before the primary commences? The hosts, leveraging their deep understanding of the political landscape, uncover the pervasive internal strife—from ardent Victor Marx supporters to staunch Scott Bottoms defenders to moderates retaliating—and reveal how each skirmish serves as free intelligence for the left. They caution against the influence of political “grifters,” opportunists, and potentially even Democratic infiltrators who are stoking the discord, all the while failing to broaden the conservative base. HOUR 2 Hour 2 of Rush to Reason becomes a crash course in political reality—and the art of persuasion. John and Andy pull back the curtain on why Colorado's GOP keeps losing, exposing how a tiny activist minority hijacks the caucus system while 99% of Republicans have no idea how their leadership is chosen. This lack of understanding is not just a problem, but a significant barrier to the GOP's success. But the hour doesn't stop at diagnosis—it pivots to strategy, asking the crucial question: What if conservatives could win simply by learning how to talk to people differently? From test scores to EV mandates, healthcare costs to inflation, John and Andy illustrate how authentic conversations should not start with lectures or demands, but with potent, disarming phrases like “You deserve better” and “I want you and your kids to be safe.” They demonstrate how these simple shifts can open minds, dismantle assumptions, and create opportunities for genuine dialogue—a transformation that the GOP urgently requires to reconstruct a winning coalition. If you want to understand how elections are won—and why they're being lost—this hour is essential listening. HOUR 3 Hour 3 of Rush to Reason unleashes a potent mix of history, politics, and raw intra-party drama. John and Andy welcome David Cancio (https://gabriellock.net), Cuban-American author of Gabriel Locke: Bound by Law and Bound by Fate, who reveals how his family's escape from communism shapes his warnings about America's growing flirtation with socialism. But how can New York City elect a self-proclaimed socialist while its wealthiest residents flee in droves? And why do voters keep embracing systems that have failed catastrophically in places like Cuba and Iran? From there, the hour pivots to Colorado's political battlefield, asking whether Republicans can find a candidate who resonates with normal, everyday voters the way John Fetterman unexpectedly did. Is Victor Marx that candidate—or is he being sabotaged before he even gets started? Online mudslinging, bizarre accusations, and activist infighting explode as John and Andy expose how personal vendettas and fringe theatrics threaten to derail the GOP's already-fragile chances in 2026. This hour forces listeners to confront the big question: Is the conservative movement losing to the Left—or destroying itself from within?

Brad Fox makes his second appearance on the podcast, this time with Another Bone-Swapping Event about his year in the Peruvian jungle under the direction of a local traditional medicine healer. Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

Writer Anbara Salam joins us for a discussion of her binge-worthy new novel, The Salvage, about a sunken shipwreck off the coast of Scotland and the mystery surrounding its disappeared treasure. Oh, and there's a ghost as well!Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

This week we're joined by Dave Rublin of the band American Authors who introduces us to his rescued Australian Shepherd/Husky mix Eevee who the universe gifted to him in the Spring of 2024. Dave recounts his journey from cat guy to eventual dog foster fail, how Eevee is a lot more chill than your typical Aussie, her encounter with a possum and much, much more. Another great talk from an engaging dog Dad.Catch American Authors live on one of their last three concert dates of 2025. They'll be in Skokie, IL November 25, Vail, CO December 5 and Denver, CO December 6. For more info go to ⁠weareamericanauthors.com⁠Dave gave his shout outs to Metro Animal Care & Control (MACC) Nashville who are committed to the delivery of humane and responsive animal care and control services to and for the residents and animals of Nashville-Davidson County. They work to help domestic animals find caring homes, decrease over-population of cats and dogs through spaying and neutering, support widespread rabies vaccinations, and promote responsible pet ownership. To adopt, foster, volunteer or donate visit ⁠MACC⁠.For a good vet experience go to Mobley Veterinary Clinic who are a full-service veterinary office, offering state-of-the-art testing and diagnostics, an array of advanced care, routine and advanced surgical procedures, and many other services to provide your pet with the best possible care. To make an appointment go to ⁠mobleyveterinaryclinic.com⁠For pet treats, supplies and dog wash check out both ⁠Wags & Whiskers⁠ and ⁠Spots⁠ in East Nashville.And for the best pup cup according to Eevee bring your pup along to ⁠Mr Aaron's Goods⁠. For more pics and clips of Dave and Eevee follow the show on Instagram at ⁠@rockerdogpodcast⁠

Chris Kraus is our guest as we explore her new book, The Four Spent the Day Together, a riviting account of a murder in rural Minnesota that complements a novelistic reflection of Kraus's own childhood and life as a writer.Thank you for listening! If you like what you hear, give us a follow at: X: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonInstagram: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang Books, Lori Feathers, Sam JordisonFacebook: Across the Pond, Galley Beggar Press, Interabang BooksBluesky: @acrossthepondbooks.bsky.socialThe Big Book Project https://substack.com/@thebigbookprojectTheme music by Carlos Guajardo-Molina Edited and Mixed at ATX Audio Post

"I was always incredibly struck by not only Rajiv's sincerity and his wisdom but the ability to sincerely engage different ideas and give nimble, sharp, cogent responses to those. I find him to be an extraordinary human. He's one of the few public intellectuals who brings both a scalpel and a sledgehammer to the problem. He sacrificed considerably, spoke truth in the face of power, was honest about the nature of the problem, and was one of the few voices that attempt to preserve what was best in the civilization in a sincere, open, and even kind way."- Peter Boghossian, American philosopher and author, shares his thoughts as we celebrate 30 years of Infinity Foundation @InfinityMessageTo be part of our 30th anniversary celebrations this April 2025, register here (limited Passes): http://rajivmalhotra.com/30thWho Is Raising Your Children? - https://whoisraisingyourchildren.com/Battle For Consciousness Theory - http://battleforconsciousnesstheory.comSnakes in the Ganga - http://www.snakesintheganga.comVarna Jati Caste - http://www.varnajaticaste.comThe Battle For IIT's - http://www.battleforiits.comPower of future Machines - http://www.poweroffuturemachines.com10 heads of Ravana - http://www.tenheadsofravana.comTo support Infinity Foundation's projects including the continuation of such episodes and the research we do:इनफिनिटी फ़ौंडेशन की परियोजनाओं को अनुदान देने के लिए व इस प्रकार के एपिसोड और हमारे द्वारा किये जाने वाले शोध को जारी रखने के लिए: http://infinityfoundation.com/donate-2/