Award for authors and literary associations
POPULARITY
Categories
Marlon James is the author of the novel The Disappearers, now available from Riverhead Books. It has been longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize. James is the Booker Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author of A Brief History of Seven Killings; the bestselling and National Book Award finalist Black Leopard, Red Wolf; as well as the bestselling Moon Witch, Spider King; The Book of Night Women; and John Crow's Devil. In addition to the Booker Prize, James's novels have won the American Book Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, and the Los Angeles Times Ray Bradbury Prize for Science Fiction, and have been finalists for the National Book Critics Circle Award and the NAACP Image Award. The recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and named in 2019 one of Time magazine's one hundred most influential people in the world, James lives in New York City. *** Otherppl with Brad Listi is a weekly podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers. Available where podcasts are available: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Get How to Write a Novel, the debut audio course from DeepDive. 50+ hours of never-before-heard insight, inspiration, and instruction from dozens of today's most celebrated contemporary authors. Subscribe to Brad's email newsletter. Support the show on Patreon Merch Instagram TikTok Bluesky Email the show: letters [at] otherppl [dot] com The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How should Christians respond when Scripture verses are used as tools (and as weapons) in political debates? That question is raised in this episode of Deacons Pod featuring Thomas Bolin, author of the Liturgical Press book "An Inspired Word in Season: Reading the Bible Responsibly in a Polarized World," which received a first-place honor in the Catholic Media Association's 2026 Book Awards in the "Religion in the Public Square" category. Dr. Bolin joins Deacon Mark Asselin and Deacon Patrick Ouellette (both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates) for this timely conversation.
We end season three with a look back over the books we have covered this season in our version of the Oscars, the Book Jam Book Awards 2026.
Ted Olczak, president of Printed Word Reviews, offers invaluable insights into the competitive world of independent publishing. The discussion dives into the strategic importance of literary awards and book reviews. Ted shares expert guidance on navigating programs like the Independent Press Award and the New York City Book Award. Listeners will learn how these accolades can significantly boost an author's visibility and credibility. Additionally, the episode covers the crucial role that professional book reviews play in a book's marketing. Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established indie author, this conversation provides actionable tips to help your work stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Ted Olczak, president of Printed Word Reviews, offers invaluable insights into the competitive world of independent publishing. The discussion dives into the strategic importance of literary awards and book reviews. Ted shares expert guidance on navigating programs like the Independent Press Award and the New York City Book Award. Listeners will learn how these accolades can significantly boost an author's visibility and credibility. Additionally, the episode covers the crucial role that professional book reviews play in a book's marketing. Whether you are an aspiring writer or an established indie author, this conversation provides actionable tips to help your work stand out in a crowded marketplace. United Public Radio & UFO Paranormal Radio www.uprntalkradio.com
William Huhn is a critically acclaimed, award-winning writer of poetry and narrative essays. Huhn, the grandson of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Henrietta Seiberling, graduated from Vassar College with a degree in chemistry. He works for a testing and certification company, overseeing its East Coast laboratories. But despite the science side to him, he is really a creative artist at heart.He studied classical violin from age five and then took up old-time fiddle. He played fiddle across Europe after graduating from college, hoping to raise enough funds to live as a poet. He wrote much poetry during that period and others, many examples of which were published in journals and magazines.Now, years later, his debut poetry collection was released. Bachelor Holiday, which has been praised by Midwest Book Reviews, Literary Titan, and by notable award-winning writers. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review and the book was a finalist at American Book Fest's 2024 Book Award for Poetry. It also was the winner of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Poetry.He's had numerous narrative essays published in American Literary Review, Sport Literate, Pembroke, Rosebud, and other publications. Eight of these essays were listed as “Notable Essay” in The Best American Essays series. His writings received two honorable mentions in the New Millennium Award (for nonfiction) and twice he received Pushcart Prize nominations for nonfiction.His poetry has been published in Verse Daily, The Carolina Quarterly, Talking River Review, 34th Parallel, San Pedro River Review, Grey Sparrow Journal, Blue Moon Literary and Art Review, and elsewhere. BlazeVOX, his book publisher, is among the most prestigious independent literary presses in the nation.Born in Bryn Mawr, and raised in Devon, Pennsylvania, he also lived in Southern California and New York. He resides in a suburb of New York City with his wife and two young children. For more information, please see: www.williamhuhn.com. Connect on social media:https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBucklerHuhn/https://www.instagram.com/willhuhn/https://x.com/WillHuhnBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
Mark Stevens is the author of The Flynn Martin thriller series including No Lie Lasts Forever (2025) and Two Truths and a Lie (2026) both from Thomas & Mercer, The Fireballer (Lake Union 2023) and the Allison Coil Mystery Series including Antler Dust, Buried by the Roan, Trapline, Lake of Fire and The Melancholy Howl. Buried by the Roan, Trapline, and Lake of Fire were all finalists for the Colorado Humanities Center for the Book Award. Stevens has published short stories in the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune and Denver Noir (Akashic Books 2022). Denver Noir went on to win the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology in 2023. Stevens was a co-editor for Four Corners Voices, and anthology of fiction, essays, and poetry which won the Colorado Book Award for best anthology in 2025. The Four Corners marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. In 2016 and 2024, Stevens was named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year. He hosts a regular podcast for that organization. It can be found at https://www.rmfw.org/podcast.php or on any of your favorite podcast platforms. Stevens has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. He also publishes book reviews on his review website https://markhstevens.wordpress.com/. He lives in Mancos, Colorado in the shadow of Mesa Verde where for more than 700 years the ancient Pueblo people made their homes. See more about this author and his books at htpps://writermarkstevesn.com Host Sue Hinkin's website https://www.suehinkin.com Music by Peter Tavalin at https://www.petertavalin.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/UVkTjy5jHtk Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mark-stevens-two-truths-and-a-lie-ep-2/id687959058?i=1000779907646 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mark-stevens-two-truths-and-a-lie-ep-2/id687959058?i=1000779907646
Mark Stevens is the author of The Flynn Martin thriller series including No Lie Lasts Forever (2025) and Two Truths and a Lie (2026) both from Thomas & Mercer, The Fireballer (Lake Union 2023) and the Allison Coil Mystery Series including Antler Dust, Buried by the Roan, Trapline, Lake of Fire and The Melancholy Howl. Buried by the Roan, Trapline, and Lake of Fire were all finalists for the Colorado Humanities Center for the Book Award. Stevens has published short stories in the Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Tribune and Denver Noir (Akashic Books 2022). Denver Noir went on to win the Colorado Book Award for Best Anthology in 2023. Stevens was a co-editor for Four Corners Voices, and anthology of fiction, essays, and poetry which won the Colorado Book Award for best anthology in 2025. The Four Corners marks the quadripoint in the Southwestern United States where the states of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet. In 2016 and 2024, Stevens was named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year. He hosts a regular podcast for that organization. It can be found at https://www.rmfw.org/podcast.php or on any of your favorite podcast platforms. Stevens has served as president of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. He also publishes book reviews on his review website https://markhstevens.wordpress.com/. He lives in Mancos, Colorado in the shadow of Mesa Verde where for more than 700 years the ancient Pueblo people made their homes. See more about this author and his books at htpps://writermarkstevesn.com Host Sue Hinkin's website https://www.suehinkin.com Music by Peter Tavalin at https://www.petertavalin.com YouTube: https://youtu.be/UVkTjy5jHtk Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mark-stevens-two-truths-and-a-lie-ep-2/id687959058?i=1000779907646 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mark-stevens-two-truths-and-a-lie-ep-2/id687959058?i=1000779907646
The first list of the 2026 Chanticleer Int'l Book Awards is here with the Cygnus Awards for Science Fiction! Good luck, and welcome to the Long List!
In book news this week, Magda and Lindsay discuss the bestseller thus far in 2026, some sad stats on readership, an AI book award bombshell, the revival of the Texas Monthly publishing arm, and what the heck is going on with "Children of Blood and Bone." Books mentioned in the episode: “Theo of Golden“ by Allen Levi “Project Hail Mary“ by Andy Weir “The Let Them Theory“ by Mel Robbins “The Correspondent“ by Virginia Evans “Oh, the Places You'll Go!“ by Dr. Seuss “The Housemaid“ by Freida McFadden “Heated Rivalry“ by Rachel Reid “Dungeon Crawler Carl“ by Matt Dinniman “Yesteryear“ by Claire Caro Burke “The Serpent in the Grove“ by Jamir Nazir “The Children of Blood and Bone“ by Tomi Adeyemi “Of Blood and Bone“ by Nora Roberts “It Ends With Us“ by Colleen Hoover “Station Eleven“ by Emily St. John Mandel
A major traditional publisher is making a surprising move toward indie authors. We also cover a KDP payment change, new details about Audible's royalty model, and fresh opportunities for book promotion and AI discoverability. Plus, the Rapid-Fire Newsflash features author resources, timely discounts, and more publishing updates. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) KDP Community: EUR Check Payments Changing in August 2026 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/EUR-Check-Payments-Changing-in-August-2026?language=en_US ACX: Suggested Price - https://help.acx.com/s/article/suggested-price PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link) Draft2Digital: The Draft2Digital Promotions Team - https://draft2digital.com/blog/the-draft2digital-promotions-team/ Publishers Weekly: Pocket Books Relaunched as Home for Self-Published Authors - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/100756-pocket-books-relaunched-as-home-for-self-published-authors.html ALLi: How to Make Your Books Discoverable by AI, with Orna Ross and Rob Prime - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-how-to-make-your-books-discoverable-by-ai/ ALLi's Community Hub: SelfPubConnect - https://selfpubconnect.mn.co/ The Alliance of Independent Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash IngramSpark: A Definitive List of Writing Contests and Book Awards for 2026-2027 - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/2025-book-awards-contests-for-indie-authors Authors Guild: Do Authors Need an LLC or S-Corporation? - https://authorsguild.org/resource/do-authors-need-an-llc-or-s-corporation/ Gemsy (the book review exchange platform) - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link) Use DALESUMMER50 for 50% off the annual plan (good till August 20, 2026) The Indy Author Podcast: Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - Ep. 345 - https://youtu.be/tb7U7_15jzk?si=oBYwzp3hgpqw3WAG The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712 Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts
In this episode of BookQuest, we’re celebrating what makes every single mind work differently! Whether you’re learning to embrace the unique way your brain processes the world or watching your teachers go head-to-head with extraterrestrial invaders, we’re exploring how our differences can become our greatest super powers. On the Shelf This Week: Scott Evans joins the show to discuss All Brains Are Wonderful. This uplifting and accessible guide is a celebration of neurodiversity, exploring how every brain works differently and why those unique strengths should be understood, valued, and celebrated across our classrooms and communities. Steve Williams also features with his laugh-out-loud sci-fi adventure, Teachers vs Aliens. Get ready for absolute chaos as normal school life is turned upside down when an alien invasion forces teachers and pupils to team up in a wildly unexpected battle to save the planet!
https://mattpallamary.com/ Matthew J. Pallamary's works have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Norwegian, French, and German. His historical novel of first contact between shamans and Jesuits in 18th century South America, titled, Land Without Evil received rave reviews along with a San Diego Book Award for mainstream fiction. It was also adapted into a full-length stage and sky show, co-written with and directed by Agent Red and performed by Sky Candy, an Austin Texas aerial group. The making of the show was the subject of a PBS series, Arts in Context episode, which garnered an EMMY nomination. His nonfiction book, The Infinity Zone: A Transcendent Approach to Peak Performance is a collaboration with professional tennis coach Paul Mayberry that offers a fascinating exploration of the phenomenon that occurs at the nexus of perfect form and motion. The Infinity Zone took 1st place in the International Book Awards, New Age category and was a finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. His first book, a short story collection titled The Small Dark Room Of The Soul was mentioned in The Year's Best Horror and Fantasy and received praise from Ray Bradbury and has been released as an audio book. His second collection, A Short Walk to the Other Side was an Award Winning Finalist in the International Book Awards, an Award Winning Finalist in the USA Best Book Awards, and an Award Winning Finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. It has been released as an audio book. DreamLand a novel about computer generated dreaming, written with legendary DJ Ken Reeth won first place in the Independent e-Book Award in the Horror/Thriller category and was an Award Winning Finalist in the San Diego Book Awards. It has also been released as an audio book. It's sequel, n0thing is titled after the main character, who in the real world is his nephew, an international Counter-Strike gaming champion. After winning what amounts to the Super Bowl of gaming, n0thing and his winning teammates, are recruited as a literal “dream team” whose mission is to go into the nightmares of battle scarred veterans and rescue them from their traumatic memories while becoming ambassadors for a gaming platform that exceeds virtual reality with an experience that pushes the boundaries of reality itself. Eye of the Predator was an Award Winning Finalist in the Visionary Fiction category of the International Book Awards. Eye of the Predator is a supernatural thriller about a zoologist who discovers that he can go into the minds of animals. CyberChrist was an Award Winning Finalist in the Thriller/Adventure category of the International Book Awards. CyberChrist is the story of a prize winning journalist who receives an email from a man who claims to have discovered immortality by turning off the aging gene in a 15 year old boy with an aging disorder. The forwarded email becomes the basis for an online church built around the boy, calling him CyberChrist. It has also been released as an audio book. Phantastic Fiction – A Shamanic Approach to Story took first place in the International Book Awards Writing/Publishing category. Phantastic Fiction is Matt's guide to dramatic writing that grew out of his popular Phantastic Fiction Workshop. Night Whispers was an Award Winning Finalist in the Horror category of the International Book Awards. Set in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester, Night Whispers is the story of Nick Powers, who loses consciousness after crashing in a stolen car and comes to hearing whispering voices in his mind. When he sees a homeless man arguing with himself, Nick realizes that the whispers in his head are the other side of the argument.
The Series Hall of Fame is here! We are honored to be promoting five years of excellent writing through the Chanticleer Int'l Book Awards!
The Jewish Book Council celebrates its honorees with remarks from winners, special guests, and host Jonah Platt, in a gala supporting its mission to enrich and strengthen the community through literature.
In this main stage message from the 2025 Rooted Conference, Liz Edrington walks through Acts 10:10–20, 27–28, and 34–36 to show how God works to deepen unity among His people. She highlights how we often prefer what is familiar, while Christ is leading us toward His Kingdom. Through this passage, Liz reveals a pattern of how God deepens our relationship with Him in order to unify us with others, calling the Church to embrace His redemptive vision. Liz Edrington serves as the Associate Director of Care for McLean Presbyterian Church. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida, and she's taught as an adjunct professor in the psychology department at Covenant College. She is an emeritus member of the Rooted steering committee, and she's the author of Anxiety: Finding the Better Story (P&R Publishing, 2023), which won The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award for Bible Study & Devotional Literature. Pickled things delight her, as does her snuggle beast, Bella the Dog. Unity and the Gospel: Two Safeguards to Teach Our Students by Taylor Mendoza Mediating in a Divided World and a Divided Home by Clark Fobes Luke & Acts: A ROOTED YEARLONG CURRICULUM Follow @therootedministry on Instagram for more updates Register for Rooted 2026 Conference in Nashville Hosted by: Danny Kwon, author of Teenagers and Mental Health; Becca Heck, M. Div. from Reformed Theological Seminary; Isaiah Marshall, Rooted's Director of Ministry Development; and Josh Hussung, M. Div. in Pastor Studies from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
This year's shortlist for the New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults is out - and what better way to find out what kids like than ask the kids themselves?
Leave a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/AntiWokePodcastAI Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3YKcAnUItKpN7y85cGZyM0?si=aJEHr5cTSHKuHVt-c6YxxQTwitter: https://twitter.com/AntiWokePodcastYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@antiwokepodcast8381/featuredTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anti_woke_podcast
This episode, Bex is joined by Week Junior writers Eve and Joe to explore the biggest stories from the latest issue, including: The Week Junior Book Awards 2026: Find out which books made the shortlist, how judging works, and how YOU can vote for your favourite book cover and Children's Choice Award! Get all the voting details and your chance to win a big bundle of books. A Teeny Octopus Discovery: Hear about the newly discovered, golf-ball-sized octopus off the Galápagos Islands, including its remarkable colour and name. Big Debate: Is it okay to miss school for sport? With huge sporting events coming up, including the World Cup, the team tackles whether skipping class for sports is a good idea, and your opinions are wanted! Get involved: Send your voice notes, share your opinions on the big debate, and tell us what you’ve been doing with The Week Junior! Visit funkidslive.com/theweekjunior or email hello@theweekjunior.co.uk.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, I sit down with Dave Seitter to talk about his book, Quiet Plans, Exciting Results. We discuss the importance of planning ahead, especially when it comes to business continuity, succession, and long-term legacy. Dave shares practical wisdom from decades of experience helping business owners think through the decisions that often get delayed, avoided, or left unspoken. This conversation is a reminder that strong planning is not just about protecting a business. It is about protecting people, relationships, value, and the future you have worked hard to build. The book is available on Amazon. Learn more at www.davidseitter.com.
In this episode of It Just Takes One, we celebrate Tracy Markley, winner of the 2025 Scriptor Publishing Group From Pen to Prose Book Award in Non-Fiction: Fitness for her book, The Stroke of an Artist. Tracy shares the story behind her work with Gary, a stroke survivor, and how that experience became the foundation for her first book. The conversation highlights the power of sharing meaningful work, the impact one story can have on readers, and Tracy's continued mission to educate, encourage, and support others through fitness, stroke recovery, and the written word. The Stroke of an Artist, and Tracy's other books are all available on Amazon. You can find them on her bookshelf here. Website: www.tracymarkley.com Social Media: @TracyLMarkley IG: @motivate_healthyfit
There were nine prize categories up for grabs tonight the country's premier literary honours for books written by our very own New Zealanders.
Backyard Gardening for Birds with guest Laura Erickson, Award-Winning Author, 100 Plants to Feed the Birds Native birds require native habitat, and the Spring season arrives with many opportunities to shop locally for native plant species that will support birds, pollinators and other important insect life... but how does one decide where to look and what to plant? Birding expert Laura Erickson combines indepth research with her own unique manner of storytelling to answer these questions. Erickson has received many national, state, local, and organization awards for her conservation and education work, as well as for her writing. She has written thirteen books about birds and was a columnist and contributing editor for BirdWatching magazine. She is the recipient of the American Horticultural Society's Book Award (in 2023) for 100 Plants to Feed the Birds. Since 1986 Erickson has been producing the long-running “For the Birds” radio program, played on many public and community radio stations. Her website provides access to her books, articles, photos and podcasts, as well as her bird search app. She has been a scientist, teacher, writer, licensed wildlife rehabilitator, blogger, public speaker, photographer, Science Editor at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and contributor to the popular Journey North educational website. This podcast will inspire both birders and gardeners. INFORMATION RESOURCES Read Wendy's Substack Article, Counting Robins - https://storywalkerwendy.substack.com/p/counting-robins-and-eco-art-materials Explore 110 Ways to Help Birds - https://www.lauraerickson.com/ways-to-help/ Order 100 Plants to Feed the Birds - https://www.lauraerickson.com/book/100-plants-feed-birds/ Find Laura Erickson's Books and Articles - https://www.lauraerickson.com/writing/ Listen to the “For the Birds” Podcasts - https://www.lauraerickson.com/radio/ Subscribe to Laura Erickson's blog on Substack - https://lauraerickson.substack.com/ Search for Birds - https://www.lauraerickson.com/birds/ Learn more about the Story Walking Radio Hour at https://storywalking.com Reach Out to Wendy with Comments and Queries - email storywalkerwendy@gmail.com or text 401 529-6830. Subscribe to Story Walking - https://storywalking.com/the-listening-grove/ Follow Story Walking on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StoryWalkingRadioHour/ or instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storywalkerwendy/ RELATED EPISODES Bird Building Collision Monitoring: Migratory Bird Conservation - https://dreamvisions7radio.com/bird-building-collision-monitoring/ Nature as Teacher: Stories and Reflections from Nature Journaling - https://dreamvisions7radio.com/nature-as-teacher/ Nature-Inspired Creative Expression - https://dreamvisions7radio.com/nature-inspired-creative-expression/ Subscribe to Wendy's substack to receive notifications of new podcast and product releases -https://storywalkerwendy.substack.com/ Purchase Wendy's book, The Angel Heart - https://www.amazon.com/Angel-Heart-Wendy-Nadherny-Fachon/dp/1967270279/ref=sr_1_1 Read about DIPG: Eternal Hope Versus Terminal Corruption by Dean Fachon begin to uncover the truth about cancer - https://dipgbook.com/ Learn more at https://netwalkri.com email storywalkerwendy@gmail.com or call 401 529-6830. Connect with Wendy to order copies of Fiddlesticks, The Angel Heart or Storywalker Wild Plant Magic Cards. Subscribe to Wendy's blog Writing with Wendy at www.wendyfachon.blog. Join Wendy on facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio
What hidden truths about compassion and bravery might these ancient Tibetan tales reveal for our lives today? Tune in for an inspiring discussion with Laura Burges on her new children's book Wisdom Stories of Tibet: Tales of Magic, Adventure, and Bravery. Moments with Marianne Radio Show airs in the Southern California area on KMET1490AM & 98.1 FM, an ABC Talk News Radio Affiliate! https://www.kmet1490am.comLaura Burges (Ryuko Eitai) is a Soto Zen teacher who received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. She teaches at San Francisco Zen Center and other practice centers in Northern California. Her book Buddhist Stories for Kids won Gold in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards. Her children's books have been translated into several languages. To learn more about the show and interview opportunities contact us at: https://www.mariannepestana.com
William Huhn is a critically acclaimed, award-winning writer of poetry and narrative essays. Huhn, the grandson of Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Henrietta Seiberling, graduated from Vassar College with a degree in chemistry. He works for a testing and certification company, overseeing its East Coast laboratories. But despite the science side to him, he is really a creative artist at heart.He studied classical violin from age five and then took up old-time fiddle. He played fiddle across Europe after graduating from college, hoping to raise enough funds to live as a poet. He wrote much poetry during that period and others, many examples of which were published in journals and magazines.Now, years later, his debut poetry collection was released. Bachelor Holiday, which has been praised by Midwest Book Reviews, Literary Titan, and by notable award-winning writers. Kirkus Reviews gave it a starred review and the book was a finalist at American Book Fest's 2024 Book Award for Poetry. It also was the winner of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award for Poetry.He's had numerous narrative essays published in American Literary Review, Sport Literate, Pembroke, Rosebud, and other publications. Eight of these essays were listed as “Notable Essay” in The Best American Essays series. His writings received two honorable mentions in the New Millennium Award (for nonfiction) and twice he received Pushcart Prize nominations for nonfiction.His poetry has been published in Verse Daily, The Carolina Quarterly, Talking River Review, 34th Parallel, San Pedro River Review, Grey Sparrow Journal, Blue Moon Literary and Art Review, and elsewhere. BlazeVOX, his book publisher, is among the most prestigious independent literary presses in the nation.Born in Bryn Mawr, and raised in Devon, Pennsylvania, he also lived in Southern California and New York. He resides in a suburb of New York City with his wife and two young children. For more information, please see: www.williamhuhn.com. Connect on social media:https://www.facebook.com/WilliamBucklerHuhn/https://www.instagram.com/willhuhn/https://x.com/WillHuhnBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
Peggy J. Kleinplatz, Ph.D. is Professor in the Faculty of Medicine and Director of the Optimal Sexual Experiences Research Team at the University of Ottawa. She is a clinical psychologist, Board Certified in Sex Education and is a Diplomate and Supervisor of Sex Therapy. She is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association. She was awarded the Prix d'Excellence in 2000 for her teaching of Human Sexuality. She has a particular interest in sexual health among older people, disabled and marginalized populations. Kleinplatz has edited five books, notably New Directions in Sex Therapy: Innovations and Alternatives, (Routledge, 2nd Edition), winner of the AASECT 2013 Book Award, Sadomasochism: Powerful Pleasures with Dr. Charles Moser (2006) and Sexuality and Ageing (2015) with Dr. Walter Bouman. She is the author with A. Dana Ménard, Ph.D. of Magnificent Sex: Lessons from Extraordinary Lovers, winner of the Society for Sex Therapy and Research Consumer Book Award 2021. In 2015, Kleinplatz received the Professional Standard of Excellence Award from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counsellors and Therapists. In 2021, Kleinplatz received a Distinguished Sexual and Gender Health Revolutionary Award from the Medical School of the University of Minnesota. Her clinical work focuses on eroticism and transformation. Her research, writing, teaching and clinical work have been intended to challenge, expand and diversify the field of sex therapy. Listeners, you can get in touch with Peggy and her team of researchers at Optimal Sexual Experiences and learn more about her bio and publications through the University of Ottawa! If you want to catch up on other shows, just visit our website and please subscribe! We love our listeners and welcome your feedback, so if you love Our Better Half, please give us a 5-star rating and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. It really helps support our show! As always, thanks for listening!
Yanara Friedland is a writer, translator, and educator born in Berlin. She is the author of Uncountry: A Mythology (2016) winner of the Noemi Press Fiction Book Award and Groundswell (2021) selected for Essay Press's Book Award and Thanatographies (U Alabama Press, 2026). Her work explores the effects of dislocation on memory and language, engaging with multilingual and transhistorical spaces through archival research and in collaboration with other artists. She teaches creative writing and literature at Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies and co-runs the reading series Mutter Courage in the Pacific Northwest. Thanatographies is a genre-defying meditation on disappearance, memory, and the porous boundaries between the living and the dead. In poetic prose, Yanara Friedland weaves together dreamscapes, historical fragments, personal recollections, and philosophical inquiry to explore the afterlives of loss and survival. Moving through rooms, cities, forests, and archives, the text becomes a living document of insomnia, exile, and the spectral presence of women across time, including artists, revolutionaries, caretakers, and ghosts. Structured in four sections titled Room, Night, Medusas, and Burials, the book traverses inner and outer landscapes, from Berlin's haunted streets to the intimate terrain of the body. Friedland's voice is both lyrical and incisive, drawing on figures such as Unica Zürn, Rosa Luxemburg, and Else Lasker-Schüler to illuminate the intersections of gender, violence, and historical erasure. The result is a deeply embodied poetics of wakefulness, where hidden life remembers and speaks. Thanatographies is written for readers of experimental literature, feminist theory, and contemporary poetics. The book resonates with artists, scholars, and seekers who are compelled by the aesthetics of mourning, the politics of memory, and the radical potential of language to hold what is otherwise unspeakable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme, “Holy Week,” with Dr. Michael Rydelnik, Dr. James Coakley, and Todd Nettleton. Dr. Michael Rydelnik joined us to discuss how Jesus is the Passover Lamb and why we must reconnect Easter to its roots in Passover and the story of redemption. Dr. Rydelnik is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Bible at Moody Bible Institute and host of Open Line on Moody Radio. A Bible teacher specializing in the Hebrew Bible, the Jewish people, Israel, and biblical prophecy, he is also the author of “50 Most Important Bible Questions,” “The Messianic Hope,” and “How Should Christians Think About Israel?” Dr. James Coakley joined us to discuss how studying Scripture more deeply reveals God’s intentional work and how Jesus is in control, even in the details of Holy Week. Dr. Coakley is Professor of Bible in the Bible and Theology Department at Moody Bible Institute, where he received the Faculty Citation Award in 2025. He is also a current elder at 180 Chicago Church and a former senior pastor. He is the author of “14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible,” a Christianity Today 2024 Book Award winner, and a regular writer for Today in the Word. Todd Nettleton joined us to share what Holy Week is like for persecuted Christians around the world. Todd Nettleton is Vice President of Message for The Voice of the Martyrs-USA and host of The Voice of the Martyrs Radio, a ministry serving persecuted Christians around the world. During more than 25 years with VOM, he has interviewed hundreds of persecuted Christians in more than 30 nations. He is also the author of “When Faith Is Forbidden.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on the Karl and Crew Showcast. If you're looking to hear a particular segment from the show, look at the following time stamps:Dr. Michael Rydelnik’s Interview [ 07:09 ]Todd Nettleton’s Interview [ 28:49 ]Dr. James Coakley’s Interview [ 40:26 ]Ally's Jokes [ 53:15 ]Donate to Moody Radio: http://moodyradio.org/donateto/morningshowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of 10X Growth Strategies, host Preethy Padmanabhan sits down with Dr.Vivek Mansingh — technologist, entrepreneur, author, and former Silicon Valley leader — to unpack what meaningful success truly looks like beyond titles, money, and conventional achievement. Drawing from a career that spans Silicon Valley, Bengaluru, startups, and leadership roles alongside icons such as Steve Jobs, John Chambers, and Michael Dell, Dr. Vivek reflects on the principles that shaped his journey — from aspiring big and becoming number one in his field, to understanding why professional success alone is never enough. The conversation centers around ideas from his award-winning book Achieving Meaningful Success, where he introduces frameworks such as the “Wheel of Goals” and the importance of balancing professional ambition with health, relationships, spirituality, and inner growth. Through personal stories, he explains how some of life's most defining decisions came not from career milestones, but from choosing family, purpose, and long-term fulfillment. The episode also explores the power of mentors, books, role models, and lifelong learning — including lessons drawn from leaders such as Ratan Tata, N. R. Narayana Murthy, Rahul Dravid, and John Chambers, all featured in Dr. Vivek's interviews on excellence, leadership, and grounded success. A thoughtful conversation for anyone trying to build ambition without losing balance — and success without regret. ⸻ 00:00 – Introduction & Dr. Vivek's Career Journey 02:00 – From India to Silicon Valley 05:00 – What “Meaningful Success” Really Means 08:30 – The Wheel of Goals: Beyond Career Alone 11:00 – Mentors, Role Models & Becoming Your Best Self 16:30 – Books, Learning & Continuous Growth 19:00 – Thinking Big: Setting Bold Goals 23:00 – Steve Jobs, Excellence & Professional Achievement 25:00 – Family, Relationships & Life Priorities 30:30 – Why Goals Matter in Life 31:30 – Lessons from Extraordinary Leaders 34:30 – Book Awards, Giving Back & Final Advice 37:00 – Closing Thoughts
Karen and Irma talk about the importance of writers centres, and urge listeners to sign the Writers Victoria petition.Then Irma chats to Tasma Walton about novelising the story of her ancestor Nannertgarrook, how she protected herself in the process of writing about trauma, the reclamation of her Boonwurrung language and the importance of language in her novel, how writing and acting feed into each other, the challenges of writing versus acting, how writers rooms for TV and film work, and an embarrassing green room encounter with an Australian music legend.About TasmaTasma Walton is a proud Boonwurrung woman from the saltwater country of Melbourne and surrounding coastlines. She has had a hugely successful career as an actor in film and television, with acclaimed roles in everything from Blue Heelers and The Secret Life of Us to Mystery Road and How to Please a Woman. In 2009, her first novel, Heartless, was nominated for an ABIA Award, and the first book in her children's series Nerra: Deep Time Traveller was longlisted for the DANZ Children's Book Award. Her most recent novel, I am Nannertgarrook, won the 2025 ARA Historical Novel Prize.Show notesWriters Victoria petitionI am NannertgarrookFind out more about Irma and KarenVisit Irma Gold's website, or follow her on Instagram and FacebookVisit Karen Viggers' website, or follow her on Instagram and FacebookFollow Secrets From the Green Room on Instagram and Facebook
Time for Bookmarks, that's our weekly feature where we spend some time chatting to interesting people about what interests them. Today Laura Vincent is going to share what she likes to listen to, watch and read. Laura is a writer who recently published her first ever novel Hoods Landing, and just today she was announced as a finalist for the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards!
Book awards! There are a lot of them out there. Our books have even won a couple!But are they success indicators? Does a book or author winning an award mean anything for the publisher? How can a publisher use an award in their marketing?Jane Friedman of The Bottom Line is back to chat with Elly and Joe about awards, cash grabs, and the array of experiences out there.Check out "The Bottom Line" here: https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/************Thank you for catching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast! We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************
Today I am deeply honored to speak with novelist, essayist, and scholar Yuri Herrera about his new novel, Season of the Swamp, which is a deeply researched and dazzlingly imagined account of Benito Juarez's time spent in exile in New Orleans. We talk about what that time and place offered to Juarez's understanding of a world coming into being—one of créolité and carnival, of mixedness and multiplicity, and what these sometimes hallucinatory moments offered his political vision. We talk about what kinds of new visions of freedom are discovered in the midst of forms of slavery that horrify Juarez. Very importantly, we relate all of this to the present day—to the genocide in Gaza, the violent ICE attacks in the United States, and the descent into unbridled, and unmasked fascism. We are especially grateful to Yuri for reading from his novel, and talking in depth about the importance of mixed languages and the new social worlds they reflect.BioYuri Herrera (Actopan, México, 1970). His first three novels have been translated into several languages: Kingdom Cons, Signs Preceding the End of the World, and Transmigration of Bodies. In 2016 he shared with translator Lisa Dillman the Best translated Book Award for the translation of Signs Preceding the End of the World. That same year he received the Anna Seghers Prize at the Academy of Arts of Berlin, for the body of his work. His latest books are A Silent Fury: The El Bordo Mine Fire, Ten Planets, and Season of the Swamp. He is a professor of creative writing and literature at Tulane University, in New Orleans.
This week, we dive into the 2026 Youth Media Award winners from the American Library Association, highlighting standout titles in children's and teen literature perfect for snowy days indoors. The team discusses the Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and more—plus why these award-winning books are flying off the shelves (and available digitally via Libby and Hoopla). Then, cozy up for a deep dive into comfort food: the fascinating history, origins, and endless varieties of French fries, from classic straight cuts to curly, waffle, Belgian-style, and creative toppings like poutine or truffle. Learn tips for making them at home with library recommendations for potato-focused cookbooks to try during the next winter storm. Whether you're a book lover or a fry enthusiast, this episode has something to warm you up!
Click here for full SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT The winners of the 2026 Sydney Taylor Book Awards, recognizing the best Jewish children's and young adult literature of the year, were announced on January 26, 2026 at the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards event. Melanie Koss is the current chair of the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee, and she joined me on the podcast to discuss the 2026 winners of the award. LEARN MORE: Sydney Taylor Book Awards The Sydney Taylor Portal ALA's YouTube channel, where you can watch a recording of the announcement Heidi's unofficial 2026 Sydney Taylor shortlist 2026 Sydney Taylor Book Awards GOLD Picture Book Winner: Shabbat Shalom, Let's Rest and Reset written and illustrated by Suzy Ultman, published by Rise x Penguin Workshop Middle Grade Winner: Neshama by Marcella Pixley, published by Candlewick Young Adult Winner: D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. by Abby White, published by Levine Querido SILVER Picture Book Honors The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Leanne Hatch, published by Clarion Books The Keeper of Stories by Caroline Kusin Pritchard, illustrated by Selina Alko, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers My Body Can by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo, published by Apples & Honey Press Middle Grade Honor Beinoni by Mari Lowe, published by Levine Querido Young Adult Honor The Rebel Girls of Rome by Jordyn Taylor, published by HarperCollins NOTABLE Picture Book Notables Fanny's Big Idea: How Jewish Book Week Was Born by Richard Michelson, illustrated by Alyssa Russell, published by Rocky Pond Books Finding Forgiveness by Rebecca Gardyn Levington, illustrated by Diana Mayo, published by Farrar, Straus & Giroux The Remembering Candle by Alison Goldberg, illustrated by Selina Alko, published by Barefoot Books Middle Grade Notables A World Worth Saving by Kyle Lukoff, published by Dial Books The Daughter of Auschwitz: The Girl Who Lived to Tell Her Story by Tova Friedman, published by Quill Tree Books Right Back at You by Carolyn Mackler, published by Scholastic Press Same Page by Elly Swartz, published by Delacorte Press The Trouble with Secrets by Naomi Milliner, published by Quill Tree Books Young Adult Notable Leaving the Station by Jake Maia Arlow, published by Storytide OTHER 2026 Sydney Taylor Body-of-Work Award Winner: Uri Shulevitz 2026 Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award Winner: "How to Catch a Mermaid (When You're Scared of the Sea)" by Jessica Russak-Hoffman CREDITS: Produced by Feldman Children's Library at Congregation B'nai Israel Co-sponsored by the Association of Jewish Libraries Sister podcast: Nice Jewish Books Theme Music: The Freilachmakers Klezmer String Band Newsletter: bookoflifepodcast.substack.com Facebook Discussion Group: Jewish Kidlit Mavens Facebook Page: Facebook.com/bookoflifepodcast Instagram: @bookoflifepodcast Support the Podcast: Shop or Donate Your feedback is welcome! Please write to bookoflifepodcast@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at 561-206-2473. Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 2.5 License.
Author Noam Sienna unveils a vast Sephardic world created by these books. This literary network transcended geographical boundaries, connecting Jewish communities from Fez and Tunis to Salonica, Jerusalem, and Livorno. By examining cultural centers and tracing the journey of these texts, Sienna provides depth to our understanding of a remarkably global and worldly book culture, and its evolving role in the growth of Jewish modernity.While the content of Jewish books has long fascinated scholars, Jewish Books in North Africa shifts our focus to the physical context. These books were not isolated artifacts; they were embedded in cultural networks during a period of religious, political, and cultural transformation. Sienna's work sheds light on the intricate interplay between books and the dynamic world in which they existed. Noam Sienna is the Jerome and Lorraine Aresty Visiting Scholar in Jewish Book Arts at the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rutgers-New Brunswick. He received his PhD in History and Museum Studies from the University of Minnesota and is also a Senior Fellow with the Andrew W. Mellon Society of Fellows in Critical Bibliography. His monograph received the 2025 Book Award from the Middle East Librarians Association. Geraldine Gudefin is a modern Jewish historian researching Jewish migrations, family life, and legal pluralism. She is currently a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Asian Legal Studies at the National University of Singapore, and is completing a book titled An Impossible Divorce? East European Jews and the Limits of Legal Pluralism in France, 1900-1939. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
Author Noam Sienna unveils a vast Sephardic world created by these books. This literary network transcended geographical boundaries, connecting Jewish communities from Fez and Tunis to Salonica, Jerusalem, and Livorno. By examining cultural centers and tracing the journey of these texts, Sienna provides depth to our understanding of a remarkably global and worldly book culture, and its evolving role in the growth of Jewish modernity.While the content of Jewish books has long fascinated scholars, Jewish Books in North Africa shifts our focus to the physical context. These books were not isolated artifacts; they were embedded in cultural networks during a period of religious, political, and cultural transformation. Sienna's work sheds light on the intricate interplay between books and the dynamic world in which they existed. Noam Sienna is the Jerome and Lorraine Aresty Visiting Scholar in Jewish Book Arts at the Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life, Rutgers-New Brunswick. He received his PhD in History and Museum Studies from the University of Minnesota and is also a Senior Fellow with the Andrew W. Mellon Society of Fellows in Critical Bibliography. His monograph received the 2025 Book Award from the Middle East Librarians Association. Geraldine Gudefin is a modern Jewish historian researching Jewish migrations, family life, and legal pluralism. She is currently a Visiting Scholar at the Centre for Asian Legal Studies at the National University of Singapore, and is completing a book titled An Impossible Divorce? East European Jews and the Limits of Legal Pluralism in France, 1900-1939. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies
It's that time, Book Besties — our 2025 Book Awards are officially HERE
Happy New Year to all the listeners and readers! As we step into 2026, I gave my second annual Gospel Tangents 2025 Book Awards. (Click the link for 2024!) It is the perfect time to look back at the milestones, challenges, and incredible content that defined 2025. While the past year was personally difficult due to several significant health challenges, it was a prolific year for the podcast, featuring 115 episodes! https://youtube.com/live/Jy-QsGSU4bA Hits of 2025 One of the most fascinating aspects of 2025 was seeing which videos resonated most with the audience. Some of the most-watched content actually came from the archives, proving that great history is timeless. This is 4 of my top 10 list. Mark Scherer Spike: A 2023 interview with Mark Sheerer saw a massive, unexplained spike in May, gaining tens of thousands of views and becoming the most-watched video of the year. See our conversation on Emma Smith's 2nd husband Lewis Bidamon. The Mormon Cave: A 2021 episode featuring KC Kern and Greg Pavone rediscovering a cave in New York blew up in October. It turns out the surge might have been tied to the property being put up for sale. Fired from the First Presidency: The 2024 interview with Matt Harris remained a powerhouse, sitting at number three for the year. Sandra Tanner: Her discussion on Joseph Fielding Smith and the “ripped out” 1832 First Vision account was the most popular interview actually recorded in 20256. Gospel Tangents 2025 Book Awards The podcast isn’t just about interviews; it's about highlighting the best scholarship in the field. Here are the standout winners for the 2025 Book Awards: Best Book: John Turner's Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. Best Temple Book: Holiness to the Lord by Jonathan Stapley, which offers what may be the best “temple prep” explanation ever written in its first chapter. Best Social Science Book: Goodbye Religion by Ryan Cragun, which explores why people are leaving organized religion across various faiths. Best Biography: Matthew Bowman's work on Joseph Fielding Smith: A Mormon Theologian. Best First Book: Rich Hanks for To Be a Friend of Christ, a biography of his father, Marion D. Hanks. Best Mormon Feminism Work: Katie Rich and Heather Sundal for their work on Exponent II. Katie also won an award for her article on the Relief Society and Brigham Young. Looking Ahead to 2026 As we enter our 10th year of Gospel Tangents, there are big things on the horizon. There is a second podcast in the works, likely featuring a more informal YouTube Live format once or twice a month. However, growth comes with its own hurdles. We are currently about 12 months behind on transcripts1 If you are a fan of the show and want to help preserve these histories, please reach out at Gospel Tangents at gmail dot com to assist with transcribing. Your support on Patreon also remains vital to keeping this project running as we balance a busy production schedule. If you can help me with Instagram and Substack marketing, please reach out, knowing that my budget is extremely tight. Reviewing a year of history is much like excavating a cave; you never know which artifacts will suddenly catch the light and gain new value, but the effort of digging ensures that the story is never truly lost. Which of these titles did you like best? AI gave me these: 1. Ripped Pages and Rediscovered Caves: The Gospel Tangents 2025 Year in Review 2. A Decade of History: Celebrating the 2025 Book Awards and Most-Watched Moments 3. From Mark Sheerer to Sandra Tanner: The Surprising Viral Hits of 2025 4. The Best of Mormon History: 2025's Award-Winning Books and Must-See Interviews 5. Looking Back to Leap Forward: Gospel Tangents' Recap of 2025 and 2026 Predictions
It's that time: The Floppies! Awards season has officially begun with, as Doc and Friar recognize the best comics and creators of the year.
On October 11, The Eleanor Roosevelt Center in partnership with PEN America presented the 2025 Banned Book Awards at The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, New York. This year's Eleanor Roosevelt Lifetime Achievement honoree was best-selling author Margaret Atwood and Joe Donahue had the great honor of speaking with her at the event.In her latest work, "Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts," Atwood explores her past and reveals connections between real life and art.
2025 Maya Angelou Book Award winner Alison C. Rollins joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V. V. Ganeshananthan to discuss her 2024 poetry collection Black Bell. She explores the history and symbolism of a bell-laden iron device used to control and torture enslaved people and describes the replica she created after studying metalworking. She also recounts the story of Harriet Jacobs, who spent seven years hidden in her grandmother's attic before escaping slavery. Rollins talks about how her poems engage in call and response with other texts, including the music of Sun Ra and Stevie Wonder and images connected to ornithology, anatomy, Afrofuturism, and the history of slavery. She reflects on who has historically been granted the title of “poet” in America and discusses the archival research behind her writing. Rollins rings a glass bell and reads several poems from Black Bell.To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video versions of our interviews on the Fiction/Non/Fiction Instagram account, the Fiction/Non/Fiction YouTube Channel, and our show website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/This podcast is produced by V.V. Ganeshananthan, Whitney Terrell, Amelia Fisher, Victoria Freisner, Wil Lasater, and S E Walker. Alison C. RollinsBlack BellLibrary of Small CatastrophesOthers:Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet JacobsThe Divine Comedy - Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso by Dante AlighieriThe Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. LewisThe Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienWu - Tang Clan - Enter The Wu - Tang (36 Chambers) [Full Album Mix] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
This story originally appeared in Wild & Wishful, Dark & Dreaming: The Worlds of Alethea Kontis (2016).Alethea Kontis is an actress, storm chaser, and New York Times best-selling author. She has received the Scribe Award, the Garden State Teen Book Award, and is a two-time winner of the Gelett Burgess Children's Book Award. She was twice nominated for both the Andre Norton Nebula and Dragon Award. Alethea narrates stories for multiple award-winning online magazines and does freelance work for Writing the Other. Born in Vermont, Alethea currently resides on the Space Coast of Florida where she watches K-dramas with her teddy bear, Charlie. Together they are ARMY, VVS, and Black Roses.Narration by: Will StaglWill Stagl lives in Tucson Arizona and is a proud member of the StarShipSofa team. This month you'll likely find him tearing through some fantasy epic at a local café or waiting for the next sci-fi TV show to air.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/starshipsofa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Award-winning poet Mary Jean Chan on emotional truth in contemporary poetry, the imagery and juxtaposition that hold big feelings on the page, writing queerness, family and grief with care, and what submissions and prize judging reveal about poems that endure.You'll learn:Why emotional truth sits at the centre of Mary Jean's work and how you can use it as a compass in your own poems.How to move from a single striking line into a finished poem by working on rhythm, line breaks, and imagery.What juxtaposition and understatement can do for poems about grief and other intense subjects (and how to avoid tipping into melodrama).How to decide whether a memory or idea belongs in a poem, a short story, or another form.Ways to write about queerness, family, and other vulnerable themes while setting boundaries that protect your relationships and your wellbeing.How to approach submissions, rejections, and prize lists so they support a long-term poetry practice rather than define your worth.What reading and judging for major prizes can teach you about sentences, images, and books that stand out in a crowded field.How to sustain a poetry life alongside teaching, study, and care by staying attentive to everyday moments and small pockets of time.Resources and Links: