Podcasts about Debut novel

In this Jessica Guerrieri interview, we discuss her debut, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, and how 12 years of sobriety shaped this unforgettable tale.Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea is a raw and emotionally resonant debut that examines the insidious nature of alcohol addiction and how it distorts relationships, parenting, and one woman's self-perception. In this conversation, Jessica shares how her twelve-year sobriety journey shaped the story and why telling the truth about addiction matters.In this heartfelt and powerful conversation, Jessica and I discuss:How Jessica's sobriety journey helped her write Leah's addiction story with such emotional clarityThe mental gymnastics of addiction—and what she wants readers to understand about recoveryHow the sober community rallied around her and helped usher her novel into the worldThe truths about AA meetings that might surprise readersWhy she chose to blur the lines between literary fiction and women's fiction in her genre-bending debutBONUS BOOK LIST: This week, I'm sharing a companion book list of 19 addiction fiction reads, including new releases and backlist titles, that speak to the ripple effects of substance use across families and generations.Meet Jessica GuerrieriOriginally from the Bay Area, Jessica Guerrieri lives in Davis, California, with her husband and three young daughters. Jessica has a background teaching special education but left the field to pursue a career in writing. Her debut novel, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, won the Maurice Prize for Fiction from her alma mater, UC Davis. With over a decade of sobriety, Jessica is a fierce advocate for addiction recovery.Mentioned in this episode:Browse the 2025 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide (with ads) or download the 39-page reading guide  ($7) to support our show. If you are a show patron, check your inbox for your copy as part of your member benefits—thank you for supporting my small business!  Join the May Book Club Chat (Beautyland)19 Addiction Fiction Books to Read NowBetween the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by Jessica GuerrieriThe Bright Years by Sarah DamoffLara Love HardinHappy Women DinnersThe Shit No One Tells You About WritingBoth Can Be True by Jessica GuerrieriConnect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Jessica on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals NewsletterBuy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

Bestselling Canadian writer Eliza Reid has written plenty of non-fiction, but she's just released her first novel, “Death on the Island.” It's a murder mystery involving diplomats in Iceland — a place that's quite familiar to her, considering she served as the country's first lady from 2016 to 2024. Eliza sits down with Tom Power to talk about her new book and the challenges she faced switching from writing fact to fiction.

TikTok star, lifestyle creator, and podcast host Christina Najjar—widely known as Tinx—joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her debut fiction novel, Hotter in the Hamptons, which follows the story of an influencer facing cancellation. Tinx opens up about her journey into content creation, the responsibilities influencers carry, and the vital role of female friendships. She also shares her candid perspective on modern dating and some of her favorite reads!

This week, we're diving into a debut thriller that's frothy, funny, and unhinged in the best way. Liann Zhang joins me for a laugh-out-loud conversation about her new novel, Julie Chan Is Dead—a genre-blending con-artist thriller about identical twin sisters whose lives split in dramatically different directions… until one of them winds up dead.When the authorities mistake Julie for her famous sister, she makes a bold choice: to step into Chloe's perfectly curated shoes and steal her life. What follows is a fast-paced, satirical exploration of influencer culture, viral content, and the dark side of social media fame.In the spirit of the influencer theme, we share the most bizarre influencer swag we've ever received before digging into how a pandemic-fueled fascination with influencer culture allowed Liann to take a break from her dreams of writing about the Ming Dynasty.We also talk about what it's like to write a morally murky protagonist, the grotesque cult subplot that takes things to the next level, and why this book just might be Bunny meets Yellowface with a touch of The Bling Ring.In this fun conversation, Liann and I discuss:How Liann pivoted from writing about the Ming Dynasty to a con-artist thrillerWhy influencer culture during the pandemic was the perfect satirical settingCreating the character of Julie: an intriguing anti-heroine who fully leans into her morally gray side.The ongoing need for critical consumption of influencer content

Jessica speaks with Emily J. Smith, a writer and tech professional based in Brooklyn, New York. Her debut novel, NOTHING SERIOUS, published by William Morrow (HarperCollins), is out now wherever you buy books. Emily studied Electrical and Computer Engineering at Cornell and earned an MBA from UC Berkeley. She has led teams at top tech companies and nonprofits, and she is the founder of the dating app, Chorus. Her writing has appeared in The Rumpus, Catapult, Slate, Hobart, The Washington Post, Vice, and other publications. Follow Emily's work at emjsmith.com, and buy NOTHING SERIOUS wherever you get your books.~Are you a high achiever, a leader, or an Ampersand looking for a sounding board? Jessica helps executives, leaders, and founders like you gain clarity and lead bravely. As your trusted advisor and growth partner, I work with you to make the invisible visible and develop an action plan to fulfill your goals. For nearly two decades, Jessica led marketing teams, launched products, and grew businesses at places like Apple, the San Francisco Opera, Smule, and Magoosh. As an Ampersand in many facets, she knows personally what it's like to hold many roles simultaneously, to sit on the executive team, and to find fulfillment. With a BA in Music and a BS in Product Design from Stanford, coupled with an MBA from UC Berkeley and coach training from the Center for Executive Coaching, her unique mix of analytical & creative allows her to bring both depth and breadth of perspective into the coaching process.As a coach, Jessica works to champion you – the full, multifaceted you – so you can thrive.Visit ⁠jessicawan.com⁠ or BOOK AN INTRO CALL: ⁠https://calendly.com/jessicawancoaching/intro-call-coaching⁠CreditsProduced and hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos Schmitt

Zadie Smith's White Teeth marked its 25th anniversary in January. The now canonical novel tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a shy Englishman named Archie Jones and his friend Samad Iqbal, a devout Bengali Muslim. Both men are trying to pass on their religious and moral beliefs to their children. In today's episode, we revisit a conversation between Smith and NPR's Liane Hansen that aired shortly after White Teeth's release. Then, we'll hear some of Smith's conversation last month on NPR's Wild Card with Rachel Martin in which Smith reflects on the novel's anniversary. The two discuss the author's distance from the person she was when she wrote White Teeth and the novel's place among the canon of books for teenagers.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedayLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Jeremy D. Baker is a former US Army counterintelligence agent and combat veteran. He's served alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan and is a PTSD survivor. Over the past 20 years, his work in national security has focused on intelligence, counterterrorism, transnational organized crime, human trafficking, climate risk and resilience, and cybersecurity. That experience was an integral part in the writing of his debut novel, “The Guilty Sleep,” out in print, e-book and audiobook this May. Here's a look at the story: Afghanistan vet Dexter Grant is broke, reeling from PTSD, and on the verge of divorce when he's approached by his old Army buddies to help rescue their former interpreter, the man who once saved Dex's life. It means ripping off a vicious queenpin's drug proceeds — but not to worry, they have it all worked out. And if anyone can pull it off, it's Dex's former team lead, Staff Sgt. Saenz.  Tempted by an easy score that could make his own problems disappear and imbued with new purpose, Dex agrees to play his part. But just as in combat, the best-laid plans don't survive first contact with the enemy. When the heist goes off the rails, Dex's wife and daughter become targets for bloody revenge. Dex must face down his spiraling inner darkness and call on all his strength and training to save his girls. In his quest, he'll learn there was much more to this heist than he ever imagined.  Jeremy holds nothing back as he talks about how his time in the Army and working with the government helped shape his protagonist and the story itself. He talks about the elements he sought to avoid, so as to keep the story more authentic. He also goes into how writing helped him deal with the challenges he faces today. His book has received a lot of advance praise, including Lee Child, who called it “A terrific debut—fast, tough and hard, shot through with hard-won authenticity and deep humanity.” Jeremy shares his reaction to this and how, as an author, it feels to receive such high praise. Jeremy is an avid reader and name-drops quite a bit, which of course leads us to ask about his favorite authors and dream collaborations. He's a big horror fan and we go into a potential shift to this genre and the type of book he'd like to write. And naturally, we talk about a potential future for Dexter Grant in other stories.   

We'll be talking about the unique challenges of publishing a debut novel. Breaking into the literary world should be exciting and celebratory, and it definitely is! Still, there are a few considerations that debut authors should be aware of as they begin their publishing journeys, so we're going to cover them here today!Picks of the Week:  BJ: Star Wars: Thrawn by Timothy ZahnH: We Solve Murders by Richard OsmanMentioned in the Episode:Bonnie Garmus InterviewBonnie Garmus and Felicity Blunt InterviewS5E9 What's a Commercial Hook and How do I write one?S6E2 Pacing the First Five PagesBrandon Sanderson's BYU Writing Course

Writing your first novel is a rollercoaster—exciting, overwhelming, and, let's be honest, a little terrifying. But when you finally reach that finish line? It's incredible.In this episode of Write It Scared, I'm joined by debut author Alexandria Faulkenbury. Her debut novel, Somewhere Past the End, will be released in May 2025. Alexandria generously shares the highs, the lows, and all the messy moments in between on her journey from childhood storytelling dreams to becoming a published author.We dive into:Alexandria's personal path—from early passion, to academic detours, to rediscovering writing amidst life's busy chaos.Her experience navigating the notoriously challenging query trenches (the struggle is real!).What it's like working with a small press—and why that path can be rewarding.How she handled the complexity (and occasional panic!) of writing dual POVs.Practical advice on balancing writing with real-life responsibilities (spoiler alert: it's tough, but doable!).Why it's crucial to celebrate every small win along the way.Whether you're an aspiring writer, deep in the query trenches, or just dreaming about writing someday, Alexandria's story will inspire you and remind you that every step matters.Episode Breakdown00:00 – A quick personal epiphany (because those happen!)00:25 – Welcome back to Write It Scared!01:28 – Meet Alexandria Faulkenbury02:53 – Alexandria's writing journey: twists, turns, and surprises05:01 – Inside the story of Somewhere Past the End09:38 – Real talk: navigating the query process15:10 – What it's really like to work with a small press17:40 – The very real struggles of writing (it's okay—we all have them!)26:16 – Balancing writing with the chaos of everyday life30:30 – Alexandria's final words of wisdom and encouragementGuest info:Alexandria Faulkenbury holds an M.A. in multicultural and transnational literature and lives in South Carolina with her family. She is a part of the 2025 debutante ball, a collective that celebrates the journey of women writers as they publish their first book. Her work has been featured in The Maine Review and MER Literary, among others. Find her at alexandriafaulkenbury.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amfaulkenbury/Twitter/X: https://x.com/LexiBuryBluesky: Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy: Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co https://www.writeitscared.co/ https://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/ Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Sarah Damoff shares how The Bright Years evolved from an epistolary draft into a powerful multi-POV family saga exploring addiction across generations.Every so often, a debut novel arrives so confident and assured it's hard to believe it's the author's first. Sarah Damoff's The Bright Years is one of those rare books. Deeply informed by her work as a social worker, Sarah offers readers an empathetic and profoundly immersive exploration of addiction and its reverberations across generations. Deftly weaving their family's personal history with political and cultural moments creates a layered portrait of a family navigating love and loss through the generations.In this intimate and insightful conversation, Sarah and I discuss:Her savvy and scrappy journey to landing a book deal with Simon & SchusterHow The Bright Years began as an epistolary novel and evolved into a multi-POV sagaThe challenge of writing addiction and redemption with compassionHow setting the story across decades helped her explore shifting perspectives and memory

After tourists flooded to Dorset after Broadchurch became a huge hit, Chibnall's revisiting the area in Death at the White Hart

Jim gets together again with fellow Booktubers Matt of Geaux Read Books and Derek of D&J's Epic Quest to break down and discuss thoughts on a book we've each recently read, this time the fantasy novel Lightfall by Ed Crocker. This is a full spoil episode; don't enjoy THIS one until you've taken time to enjoy the book first. Which we DO recommend - good stuff! Assuming you HAVE already read it, join us today to see how much we agree with you, and each other, on the various aspects of the book.#FantasyForTheAges #readingrecommendations #fantasy #Lightfall #TBR #DarkFantasy #vampires #werewolves #sorcerers #booktube #booktuberWant to purchase books/media mentioned in this episode?Lightfall: https://t.ly/ZVSkwChannels mentioned in this episode:Derek at D&J's Epic Quest: https://www.youtube.com/@djsepicquest226Matt at Geaux Read Books: https://www.youtube.com/@geauxreadbooksMike's Book Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/@mikesbookreviewsWays to connect with us:Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @FantasyForTheAges@nerdculture.de Email us: FantasyForTheAges@gmail.com Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim's Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 ————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/

This Filmmaker Friday we are joined by our buddy, the hilarious screenwriter/director/novelist Joshua Hull. We discuss his early days making independent movies, how Glorious changed his career, getting back in the director's chair and how he approaches his writing process with so much going on. Josh always makes us laugh and gives us interesting insights into the process of making wild stories come to life. Enjoy! Youtube: https://youtu.be/TwqYhc7jlA0 Follow Joshua on Instagram: @joshuathehull Pre-Order 8114, Joshua's Debut Novel:  https://www.amazon.com/8114-Joshua-Hull/dp/1960988603  Join the Misfit Parade: https://www.misfitparade.com/ Support the show on the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/messedupmoviespod Watch our newest short film Sugar Tits Now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sz7leFqqo4g  

Ashley N Roth is a rising star in the Nashville literary scene, debuting her first novel, We Never Took a Bad Picture, a la April Gloaming. This novel explores the friendship and lives of four lifelong friends – the ups and downs, lights and darks. It will ring many bells for those on the generational mend. Enjoy! Grab a copy through the link below. We Never Took a Bad Picture

Trans stories are not confined to political rhetoric and headlines. The world of creative writing is replete with narratives that explore complex worlds of gender and how identity intersects with people's lives and relationships. In a new collection of one novel and three stories, bestselling author Torrey Peters's keen eye for the rough edges of community and desire push the limits of trans writing.  In Stag Dance, the titular novel, a group of lumberjacks working in an illegal winter logging outfit plan a dance that some of them will attend as women. When the most unlikely of the axmen announces his intention to dance as a woman, he finds himself caught in a strange rivalry, inviting a cascade of obsession, jealousy, and betrayal that culminates on the big night in an exploration of gender and transition. A trio of shorter tales surround Stag Dance: “Infect Your Friends and Loved Ones” imagines a gender apocalypse brought about by an unstable ex-girlfriend. “The Chaser” presents a secret romance between roommates at a Quaker boarding school, and “The Masker” details a Vegas party weekend that turns dark when a young crossdresser must choose between two guides: a mystery man who thrills but objectifies her, or a veteran trans woman who offers sisterhood and cynicism. Peters' talk and work is especially timely surrounding ongoing conversations about trans rights in our nation but is an invitation to any fiction reader. Torrey Peters is the bestselling author of the novel Detransition, Baby, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and was named one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times. It was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, a finalist for the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize, and longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. She has an MFA from the University of Iowa and an MA in comparative literature from Dartmouth. Peters rides a pink motorcycle and splits her time between Brooklyn and an off-grid cabin in Vermont. Aster Olsen is the author of the novella Performance Review. She lived most of her life in the gorgeous swampy parts of Florida people don't visit on vacation, but now lives in Seattle, where she spends her time swimming in alpine lakes alongside aquatic insect larvae. A professional scientist, she rejects the binary oppositional positioning of STEM and Art and seeks to collapse and expand imposed categories and narratives to further understanding. Her writing is found in Lilac Peril, Hey Alma, Autostraddle, Inner Worlds, Itch.io, and elsewhere. She is the creator, editor, and publisher of TRANSplants Zine, a zine series about transness and place, and runs the trans open mic reading and art series please (t)read with me.  Find more at asterolsen.com. Ebo Barton comes from salt— from the moment before worlds converge. You may have seen Ebo's work in the book Black Imagination and heard in the audiobook read by Grammy and Tony award winner Daveed Diggs. You have also seen Ebo's work online on Write About Now, Button Poetry, and All Def Poetry channels. In 2016, they placed 5th in the World at the Individual World Poetry Slam. In 2017, they co-wrote and co-produced the award-winning play Rising Up. In 2018, they played “Invisible One” in Anastacia Renee's Queer. Mama.Crossroads and reprised the role in 2019. Ebo debuted his first published collection of poetry, Insubordinate, in 2020. As the Director of Housing Services at Lavender Rights Project, and a Washington State LGBTQ Commissioner, Barton's impact transcends artistic endeavors. A leader in arts and activism, Ebo Barton is committed to creating opportunities for others to organize, heal, and rejoice. Corinne Manning is the author of the acclaimed story collection We Had No Rules. Once upon a time, they reimagined the publishing industry with the literary project The James Franco Review (it made sense from 2014-2017). Their creative work and literary criticism are published widely, including in The New York Times. Corinne lives in Seattle and works as a teaching artist through Seattle Arts & Lectures and their own mentorship project Deeper, Wider. Amber Flame is an interdisciplinary artist garnering residencies with Hedgebrook, Baldwin for the Arts, Millay Arts, and more. A former church kid from the Southwest, Flame's first collection of poetry, Ordinary Cruelty, was published in 2017 through Write Bloody Press. Flame's second book, apocrifa, a love story told in verse, launched in May 2023 from Red Hen Press. Flame is Deputy Publisher at Generous Press, a new romance venture publishing inclusive love stories, and Program Director for Hedgebrook, a literary organization serving women. Amber Flame is a queer Black dandy mama who falls hard for a jumpsuit and some fresh kicks. Presented by Town Hall Seattle and Seattle Public Library. Buy the Book Stag Dance Charlie's Queer Books

Vice President JD Vance will join his wife Usha Vance and national security adviser Mike Waltz on a controversial trip to Greenland, marking the highest-level U.S. visit since President Trump reignited calls to bring the territory under U.S. control. A new report finds consumer confidence in the economy has plunged this month to its lowest level in more than four years. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger breaks down what it means. Investigators continue to look into the sudden death of retired Yankee Brett Gardner's son. Officials ruled out asphyxia as the cause on Tuesday, but authorities are still waiting for toxicology results that would determine if food poisoning played a role. Prince Harry is walking away from a charity that he started in 2006. Sentebale helps young people in southern Africa, but Harry says he cannot continue to work with the organization's chairman of the board after she challenged the other trustees. Bryan Kohberger, who is accused in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, is set to go on trial in a few months. Court documents reveal prosecutors could call his family to testify against him and they could be barred from attending the trial. Online gaming platforms topped the list for suspected digital fraud in the U.S. in 2023, with TransUnion flagging nearly 11% of transactions. After years of gaming online, Ricardo Rivera was hoping to cash in big to pay for his mother's cancer treatment. Instead, he became a victim of fraud. Prince Harry is walking away from a charity that he started in 2006. Sentebale helps young people in southern Africa, but Harry says he cannot continue to work with the organization's chairman of the board after she challenged the other trustees. Award-winning actor Rosamund Pike stars as Moiraine in "The Wheel of Time," now in its third season on Prime Video. Based on the bestselling novels, the series follows a young man destined to save or destroy the world—guided by Pike's powerful and determined sorceress. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sarah Harman shares the journey behind All the Other Mothers Hate Me, from journalism to fiction, a fierce book auction, and its upcoming FX adaptation.You'll know immediately if this book is for you from the opening line: "The missing boy is ten-year-old Alfie Risby, and to be perfectly honest with you, he's a little shit."That audacious beginning sets the tone for All the Other Mothers Hate Me, a compulsively readable thriller perfect for fans of Big Little Lies and Finlay Donovan.Sarah Harman's journey to publication is just as gripping as her novel. A former foreign correspondent for NBC News, Harman's background in breaking news reporting brings a sharp, fast-paced edge to her storytelling. Her debut became the subject of a fierce bidding war, ultimately securing a major deal—and soon, it'll hit the screen, adapted for FX by The Bear's Christopher Storer.In this episode, we discuss:How All the Other Mothers Hate Me subverts the missing-child thriller tropeThe surreal experience of a nine-way auction for her book dealHer involvement in adapting the novel for televisionThe cultural and feminist themes woven into her storyNEW BONUS BOOK LIST: This week's book list features 30 Amateur Sleuth Novels that will keep you on your toes. From upcoming releases to backlist gems, we've got plenty of whodunits to explore.JOIN THE CONVERSATION!Who is your favorite amateur sleuth in fiction? Drop a comment on Spotify—I'd love to hear your recommendations!Meet Sarah HarmanSarah Harman is an American journalist-turned-thriller writer living in London. Before making her fiction debut, she spent over a decade covering major global news stories. Her novel All the Other Mothers Hate Me is out now from Putnam, with translation rights sold in 15 countries and a TV adaptation in the works.Mentioned in this episode:Download Today's Show TranscriptNEW BONUS BOOK LIST: 30 Unlikely Amateur Sleuths Are On The Case In This Book StackJoin the March Book Club Chat (Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson)All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah HarmanProfessional Book Nerds: Spring's Best New Books with Amy Allen ClarkEmancipation of MimiGone Girl by Gillian FlynnSorrow & Bliss by Meg MasonFleabagYoung AdultBad TeacherConnect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Sarah on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals NewsletterBuy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)

Nadine Matheson lives in London and is a criminal solicitor. In 2016, she won the City University Crime Writing Competition and completed the Creative Writing (Crime/Thrillers Novels) Master's Degree with distinction in 2018. In 2019, Nadine signed with A.M. Heath Literary Agents and her debut crime fiction novel, The Jigsaw Man, was won by HQ (HarperCollins) in a six-publisher auction. The best-selling ‘The Jigsaw Man' was published in 2021, has been translated into fifteen languages and has been optioned for television. She also has her own podcast where she interviews authors called The Conversation with Nadine Matheson.We had great fun chatting with Nadine all about her writing career, how she nearly didn't do the Creative Writing Masters, and how that helped her career. Plus, we talk about the things that aren't always discussed, like choosing between agents and why having your book go to auction can be a very scary process (but it worked out okay!)Links:Buy Nadine's booksFollow Nadine on BlueskyVisit Nadine's websiteListen to The ConversationSupport us on Patreon and get great benefits!: https://www.patreon.com/ukpageonePage One - The Writer's Podcast is brought to you by Write Gear, creators of Page One - the Writer's Notebook. Learn more and order yours now: https://www.writegear.co.uk/page-oneFollow us on FacebookFollow us on InstagramFollow us on BlueskyFollow us on Threads Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘If my childhood were a thread it would connect all the vibrant colours into a phulkari and remind me to be proud of my parivaar, my family.'- from Pardes by Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa In this episode of 3CR's Spoken Word show which aired on Thursday 20 March 2025, you will hear multiform artist Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa talk about racism, representation in the arts and her debut novel. Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa OAM is a writer, performer, producer and cultural leader based in Boorloo. Her work as a multi-form artist for the last decade has been recognised at the Performing Arts WA Awards, Mona Brand Writing Awards, WA Multicultural Awards and Australian Sikh Awards. Her passion for storytelling began as a finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam in 2014, semi-finalist on Australia's Got Talent in 2016 and winner of The Moth GrandSLAM in 2019.Sukhjit has supported Missy Higgins and L-FRESH the Lion on their national tours in 2016 and 201717 and and her debut hip-hop single ‘Collectables' is now streaming on global music platforms. Sukhjit was selected to participate in a Broadway producing program with Theatre Producers of Colour in New York (2023). She is currently producing ‘A Hairy Tale', a documentary exploring female body hair.Her debut novel Fully Sikh: hot chips and turmeric stains (Upswell Publishing) is available now. Poems written and performed by Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa in this episode:To Advance Australia FairPardesCollectibles (song) NoteSpoken word and poetry come from the heart and touch on all the topics peculiar to the human condition. As such there may be content in this show that could cause distress. Please practice self-care when listening and seek help if you need it. CreditsRecorded and produced by Indrani Perera.Thank you to Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa for sharing her poetry and to you for listening!

Host Jason Blitman talks with Kristen Arnett (Stop Me If You've Heard This One) about grief, art, optimism, and their shared Florida experience. Jason is then joined by Guest Gay Reader Torrey Peters, who discusses what she's been reading and shares insights into Stag Dance, her latest book following her breakout novel, Detransition, Baby.Kristen Arnett is the author of the New York Times-bestselling novel Mostly Dead Things and the award-winning collection Felt in the Jaw. A queer writer based in Florida, she has written for The New York Times, Guernica, McSweeney's, The Guardian, and elsewhere. She has been a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award and a winner of the Ninth Letter Literary Award in Fiction and the Coil Book Award.Torrey Peters is the bestselling author of the novel Detransition, Baby, which won the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and was named one of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century by The New York Times. It was also a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize, a finalist for the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize, and longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction. She has an MFA from the University of Iowa and an MA in comparative literature from Dartmouth. Peters rides a pink motorcycle and splits her time between Brooklyn and an off-grid cabin in Vermont.Buy Stop Me If You've Heard This OneBuy Stag DanceBOOK CLUB!Use code GAYSREADING at checkout to get first book for only $4 + free shipping! Restrictions apply.http://aardvarkbookclub.com SUBSTACK!https://gaysreading.substack.com/ WATCH!https://youtube.com/@gaysreading FOLLOW!Instagram: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanBluesky: @gaysreading | @jasonblitmanCONTACT!hello@gaysreading.com

EPISODE 513 - M.T. Solomon - Women's SciFi Fantasy, Liar Queen, Setting Down Past TraumaAboutBorn in the American South and raised in the remote wilderness of Alaska, M.T. Solomon has been writing books since she was six years old. At the age of eleven she wrote and hand-stitched the binding to her own story: a riff of Calvin and Hobbes with a female protagonist. She graduated from Portland State University in 2012 with a B.S. in Liberal Studies and a Minor in Writing.Her work has appeared on the cover of Gotham Writers Class Schedule and has been featured on The Spinning Pen, and Wow! Women on Writing. Solomon's writing takes cues from her childhood, where the vast setting of Alaska seemed just as much a character in her life story as she did. She favors broken or imperfect characters and utilizes a lyrical, repetitive style within her prose. Her work is heavily influenced by the female authors she grew up loving: Margaret Atwood, Lois Lowry, and Alice Hoffman.Winner of Gotham Writers #storieseverywhere for July 2016.Story as Cover Art for Gotham Writers Winter Class Schedule 2016-2017Contributor on Ad Hoc Fiction.Short Story Winner on The Spinning Pen (December 2016).Dual POV Prompt Flash Fiction Contributor on The Spinning Pen (March 2017).Guest Writer on The Spinning Pen (February 2017 & March 2017).Runner Up for Wow! Women on Writing Winter 2023 Flash Fiction contest. Interview Here.Semi-Finalist in Tulip Tree Publishing's Stories That Need to be Told 2023 Contest.Long Listed for the Realm Awards 2024 in Fantasy and Debut Novel categories.https://themtsolomon.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Journalist Steve Wick recently published his debut novel, "The Ruins," a gripping tale of murder, espionage and Nazis on Long Island inspired by a trial he covered in 1980 as a young reporter at Newsday. Wick joins the editors on the podcast this week to discuss the true crime story and the process of creational a fictional work.

Contemporary fiction writer, Sanam Mahloudji joins us to chat about her debut novel, The Persians, the ups and downs of her publication journey and how her personal experiences influenced the novel.

Send us a textDiscover the intricate layers of family dynamics and cultural identity in The Magnificent Ruins, the debut novel by Nayantara Roy. Set against the vibrant backdrops of Brooklyn and Kolkata, the story centers around Lila, a millennial who inherits her grandfather's crumbling mansion, unleashing a wave of family secrets and legacies that challenge her understanding of self and history. Nayantara enriches our conversation with her multicultural experiences, navigating the dual identities of a television executive and novelist. Her reflections on the cultural nuances of silence in familial relationships and the complexities of unspoken expectations within traditional Indian contexts resonate deeply, inviting listeners to explore their backgrounds. As we delve into essential themes, including the process of writing across different mediums, Nayantara shares her unique insights into storytelling, emphasizing the interplay between words and visual narratives. This dialogue addresses sensitive subjects such as inherited trauma and the delicate balance between tradition and personal choice, making it relevant to anyone who has wrestled with their family's legacy.Join us on this thought-provoking journey as we uncover the inspirations behind The Magnificent Ruins and gain a deeper understanding of how stories shape our identities. Check out the episode for a fascinating look into Nayantara's creative world, and be inspired to explore your own stories. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review!Nyantara RoyThe Magnificent RuinsThe Way You Make Me Feel, Nina SharmaEvents, Mandy Jackson-BeverlySupport the showThe Bookshop PodcastMandy Jackson-BeverlySocial Media Links

Contemporary fiction author, Éric Chacour is here to chat about the incredible success of his debut novel, 'Ce que je sais de toi' and the journey he and the novel have been on. We also chat a bit about publication and all the discovery that comes with that.

In writer Ada Calhoun's debut novel, a happily-married woman finds herself with a new crush after her husband suggests they open their marriage. Calhoun joins us to discuss Crush: A Novel, as part of our day celebrating debut novels. 

Eli Zuzovsky is the author of “Mazeltov,” it is a debut novel. It is a book about a boy who confronts queer lust, shame, the threat of war, and the plague of family on the day he becomes a man. It all takes place in a banquet hall in the onset of war where Adam's bar mitzvah party turns into a glorious catastrophe.

Beth Golay recently spoke with Sophie Madeline Dess about the different artistic mediums featured in her debut novel, "What You Make of Me."

I'M SO EXCITEDDDDDDDDDDDDD. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. That is all. With love, Nixalina. ​For more awesome content to read including beauty, fashion or dating & love features, please do head over to my digital platform www.nixalina.com. Don't be shy, come say hai! Head over to my Instagram or Tiktok @nixalina to slide into my DMs.

Erin Crosby Eckstine discusses her debut novel, Junie, and how her family history transformed her life from English teacher to chosen GMA Book Club novelist. In this episode, Erin Crosby Eckstine shares the moving inspiration behind her debut novel Junie, a profoundly personal story rooted in her own family's history.Erin reveals how Junie's character is inspired by her great-great-great-grandmother, Jane Cotton, who escaped slavery and became one of the Black founders of Coosada, Alabama. We discuss the importance of balancing joy and trauma in narratives like these and why it is essential to bring both to readers and those represented in these stories.You can also discover Erin's unconventional publishing methods, which led to her becoming a GMA Book Club pick, and how her family legacy catalyzed her going from Google Docs to a finished novel.BONUS BLACK HISTORY MONTH BOOK LIST:Don't miss this week's Black History Month book list, featuring 36 phenomenal books by Black authors to celebrate this historic month. All books purchased from today's list will be fulfilled through Brain Lair Books, a Black-owned bookshop that has been financially struggling and needs your support to keep its doors open.Patrons can join us for a bonus spoiler-filled conversation with Erin Crosby Eckstine, where we discuss the surprising plot twists in Junie and the details of this story that she has always wanted to share with her readers.Meet Erin Crosby EckstineErin Crosby Eckstine is an author of speculative historical fiction, personal essays, and anything else she's in the mood for. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, she grew up between the South and Los Angeles before moving to New York City to attend Barnard College. She earned a master's in secondary English education from Stanford University and taught high school English for six years. Erin lives in Brooklyn with her partner and their cats. JUNIE is her debut novel.Mentioned in this episode:Today's Show TranscriptNEW BONUS BOOK LIST: Black History Month Books You Need to Read NowJoin the February Book Club Chat (The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate)Junie by Erin Crosby EckstineThe Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda TateGone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellSarah MaddenWuthering Heights by Emily BronteJane AustenErin as Lady Catherine de BourghThe Favorites by Layne FargoKindred by Octavia ButlerDanya KukafkamoNotes on an Execution by Danya KukafkaGood Morning America Book PickThe Celebrity Book Club Deep Diver Episode You NeedSilvia Moreno-GarciaSing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn WardIsabel AllendeThe House of the Spirits by Isabel AllendeThe Neapolitan Novels by Elena FerrantePachinko by Min Jin LeeOur Share of Night by Mariana EnriquezBookshop.org pays a 10% commission on every sale and matches 10% to independent bookstores!Connect With Us:Join the Book Gang PatreonConnect with Erin on Instagram or her WebsiteConnect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdviceGet My Happy List NewsletterGet the Daily Kindle Deals NewsletterBuy Me a Coffee (for a one-time donation)  

Discover how a debut author turned her first novel into an Amazon #1 bestseller using strategic marketing tactics instead of relying on social media.Meet Margaret Mantor, a science-fantasy romance author from Denver whose novel Air And Ashes hit Amazon's bestseller list one month after launch. Tune in to hear us talk about why giving away books for free can lead to more sales, how to use BookBub promotions and newsletter features to skyrocket your Amazon rankings, and why using social media to promote your book doesn't always work.Episode Highlights [03:45] Meet Margaret, a science-fantasy romance author from Denver[05:03] Celebrating becoming an Amazon bestseller one month after launch[05:51] How Margaret's high school story idea became an Amazon bestseller[07:24] Working with a developmental editor and handling feedback[13:35] The revision process: Beta readers, line editors, and proofreaders[18:26] Why Margaret chose self-publishing vs. traditional publishing[20:33] Book marketing strategies that actually worked without social media[26:55] Key lessons learned and best advice for aspiring authors[34:35] Looking ahead to book 2 and how it's already betterIf you're an aspiring fiction author who wants to successfully self-publish your book (without using social media to market it), this episode is for you!

Looking for a faith-filled romance novel to celebrate St. Valentine's Day? In this episode of Hey Everybody, It's Fr. Edward, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Rebecca Martin, author of Love in the Eternal City, to discuss her debut novel published by Chrism Press. You'll hear: ❤️ Why Catholic romance fiction exists and why it matters. ❤️ The love story of Elena and Benedict, a Swiss Guard, and how a real Swiss Guard helped shape the novel. ❤️ How the book portrays a healthy Catholic dating relationship. ❤️ How Rebecca balances writing with a busy family life. ❤️ The role of NANOWRIMO in fast-drafting her novel. ❤️ Her advice for aspiring Catholic novelists, including Fr. Edward! ❤️ The influence of other clean romance writers like Roseanna M. White, Emma St. Claire, and Katherine Center. If you love faith-based fiction, Catholic romance, or just a good love story, don't miss this episode!

Sarah Seltzer|Overcoming rejection and doubt and life's ups and downs to write your debut novel (Edited) Sarah is writer in New York City where she lives with her family surrounded by books, records, CDs—and a lot of snacks. Her debut novel THE SINGER SISTERS, about a family of folk rock singers who express their conflicts, secrets, betrayals and love through music, was published by Flatiron Books in summer 2024 and was a USA Today Bestseller! She is an editor at Lilith Magazine and has been a journalist for many big and small publications from Jezebel to the New York Times reporting on activism and culture, and writing essays, cultural criticism, and the occasional opinion piece. Link: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250907646/thesingersisters Support PEG by checking out our Sponsors: Download and use Newsly for free now from www.newsly.me or from the link in the description, and use promo code “GHOST” and receive a 1-month free premium subscription. The best tool for getting podcast guests: https://podmatch.com/signup/phantomelectricghost Subscribe to our Instagram for exclusive content: https://www.instagram.com/expansive_sound_experiments/ Subscribe to our YouTube  https://youtube.com/@phantomelectricghost?si=rEyT56WQvDsAoRpr PEG uses StreamYard.com for our live podcasts https://streamyard.com/pal/c/6290085463457792 Get $10.00 Credit for using StreamYard.com when you sign up with our link RSS https://anchor.fm/s/3b31908/podcast/rss

Pippa speaks to Kaliane Bradley the author of Ministry of Time, her debut novel which is part comedy, part sci-fi, part historical fiction, but also a very modern commentary on inter-generational trauma.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iowa native Luke Stoffel wrote coming-of-age story that blends outrageous schemes, deeply personal moments and sharp cultural critiques in a journey through the 1980s and beyond.

Send us a textJoin us on the Living the Dream podcast with Curveball as we explore the captivating journey of Rodney carpentier, a seasoned law enforcement professional and self-published author. Discover how he weaves two decades of police experience into his debut novel, set against the mysterious backdrop of the Catskill Mountains. Rodney shares his passion for writing, his transition from law enforcement, and his love for hiking. Dive into the intriguing stories from his career and learn about his upcoming projects. Don't miss this inspiring episode!www.rlcarpentierwriter.comWant to be a guest on Living the Dream with Curveball? Send Curtis Jackson a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1628631536976x919760049303001600

This week on Excelsior Journeys: The Road to Creativity, host & producer George Sirois welcomes John David Graham, the Executive Director of Good Samaritan Home, a housing & mentoring program for men and women returning to everyday life after time in prison. John has been involved in this organization since he founded it in 2001, and at the age of 75, he added published author to his already impressive resume. His debut novel "Running as Fast as I Can" is currently available on all formats and has been called by Kirkus Reviews an "often profound historical novel."For those who would like to get involved with the Once Upon a Podcast Network, please message onceuponapodcastnetwork@gmail.com with your contact information and the name & description of your show. And if you have an idea for any of the concepts listed below, definitely let us know! We'd like to add shows that focus on the following:Indie Comics / Cosplaying / Book Club (roundtable show with indie books & authors) / Indie Films / Conventions / Fan Fiction / Self-Help (a creative host focusing on ailments all creatives deal with such as anxiety, depression, imposter syndrome, etc)Subscribe to all shows in the Once Upon a Podcast Network by clicking HERE.The Excelsior Journeys podcast exists primarily as a platform for creatives of all kinds (authors, filmmakers, stand-up comics, musicians, voice artists, painters, podcasters, etc) to share their journeys to personal success. It is very important to celebrate those voices as much as possible to not only provide encouragement to up-and-coming talent, but to say thank you to the established men & women for inspiring the current generation of artists.If you agree that the Excelsior Journeys podcast serves a positive purpose and would like to show your appreciation, you can give back to the show by clicking HERE.

Guest for this Episode is KE Semmel. KE Semmel spoke to us about his life in Literature and his debut novel ' The Book of Losman'. He is a writer and a translatorfrom Danish to English. His fiction and nonfiction have appeared in Lithub, The Millions, Electric Literature, The Writer's Chronicle, Washington Post, and elsewhere. The Book of Losman (SFWP) is his debut novel. "Daniel Losman, an American translator living a solitary life in Copenhagen, grapples with loneliness after his girlfriend's departure. His only solace comes from his three-year-old son, whom he fears may inherit his Tourette Syndrome, a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements and sounds. When he learns of a groundbreaking drug trial promising to address the root of his condition by accessing childhood memories, Losman, despite his initial skepticism, finds himself drawn in. The unexpected consequences of his participation form the heart of this compelling novel." - You can buy 'the book of Losman' and the books by Danish Writer Simon Frueland using the link given in the show notes.To buy the book - https://tinyurl.com/semmelnbTo buy 'Milk and other stories' of Simon Frueland -https://tinyurl.com/simonfmilkTo Buy 'The Wold adn Varvara ' of Simon Fruelandhttps://tinyurl.com/varvarasimon* For your Valuable feedback on this Episode - Please click the link below.https://tinyurl.com/4zbdhrwrHarshaneeyam on Spotify App –https://harshaneeyam.captivate.fm/onspotHarshaneeyam on Apple App – https://harshaneeyam.captivate.fm/onapple*Contact us - harshaneeyam@gmail.com ***Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Interviewees in interviews conducted by Harshaneeyam Podcast are those of the Interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Harshaneeyam Podcast. Any content provided by Interviewees is of their opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything.This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

In this final episode in the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Suzanne Mattaboni discusses her debut novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime', and shares excerpts from the story. Set in 1984, where punk reigns and Andy Warhol rules, 20-year-old art student Jessica longs for a life beyond her reach. Dreaming of an avant-garde study program in London, she's stuck waitressing and navigating drama with her boyfriend Drew, who wants to date others. Life takes a turn when she meets Whit, a magnetic guitarist, and dives into a post-punk scene full of quirky characters—cheating waiters, mystics, a military drag queen, and a Svengali bouncer—all while grappling with the specter of AIDS. Jessica must decide if chasing her dreams is worth risking heartbreak and self-discovery. With a smart, edgy '80s vibe, ‘Once in a Lifetime' is a coming-of-age story exploring friendship, love, and ambition. Suzanne Mattaboni is a former Newsday reporter and a Pushcart Prize-nominated author of women's fiction, horror, and pop culture essays. She's also a retro podcaster and a past winner of Seventeen magazine's Art and Fiction Contest. Her work has also appeared in The Huffington Post, Chicken Soup For The Soul, Mysterious Ways, Guideposts.com, Seventeen, Child, Parents, Motherwell, Dark Dossier, Turtle, Humpty Dumpty's, Long Island Weddings, and LA Parent. She's had pieces featured in anthologies including Pizza Parties and Poltergeist (horror stories set in the 1980s), Writes of Passage, The Little Demon Digest, and The Running Wild Anthology of Stories.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can't Stop” “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads “Catch Me I'm Falling” by Real Life “Purple Rain” by Prince “Sweet Dreams” by The Eurythmics “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Suzanne's websites: https://www.suzannemattaboni.com/ and onceinalifetimenovel.com Suzanne on Facebook: facebook.com/suzanne.mattaboni Suzanne on X: @suzmattaboni Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s Suzanne on TikTok: suzannemattabonibook ‘Once in a Lifetime' Spotify playlist Christy Alexander Hallberg's website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living just west of the Continental Divide, in the traditional homeland of Shoshone and Bannock peoples, sid sibo has won the Neltje Blanchan Memorial Writing Award, and has work selected for the Best Small Fictions 2022 anthology, along with excerpts highlighted in the craft book Reader Centered Writing. Bison Books published a debut novel, The Scent of Distant Family, in 2024. Published stories can be found in the charity anthology Maine Character Energy, honoring victims of the 2023 mass shooting in Maine, as well as Fourth River (Tributaries), The Hopper, Orca, The Literary Hatchet, Cutthroat, Cardinal Sins and Brilliant Flash Fiction, among others. Positive news about people and planet can be found on the Acoustic Burro blog at sidsibo.com.   Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com   Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Ever wish you could go behind-the-scenes and ask an author how they went from idea to finished manuscript, how they overcame writing challenges, and how they went about the business of self-publishing their first book? Good news, I'm doing that today with author Saleema Ishq. Please join me as we dive into Saleema's journey from short story writer to debut novelist!You can find more about Saleema and her book at fearlessphrases.comTo find Nicole:Website | Instagram | Free Guide✨

Ann Lowry, Ph.D. is an author and expert in human interaction. Her debut novel, The Blue Trunk, was inspired by the discovery of a family heirloom—a travel trunk from Norway. Ann's writing dives deep into the complexities of relationships, conflict, and the human condition. Reviewers have noted that she provides sharp social commentary in her writing. She has made significant contributions to academic journals, authored insightful opinion pieces, and crafted content for various platforms, including Writer's Digest, Women's Writers/Women's Fiction, and Girl Talk HQ. She's also appeared on several podcasts and has been interviewed on television and radio discussing genealogy research and the treatment of mentally ill patients in the early 1900's. When not writing, Ann enjoys a range of activities, from swimming and golfing to baking cookies and bread. She treasures moments with her therapy dog, Loki, and cherishes time with her family. She is always eager to explore new adventures in life and storytelling. Ann lives in Timnath, Colorado. More: www.annlowry.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com Watch these interviews on YouTube (and subscribe)! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBP81nfbKnDRjs-Nar9LNe20138AiPyP8&si=yl_seG5S4soyk216

Episode 457 - Bella Ellwood Clayton - Her gripping debut novel, Weekend Friends is UnputdownableDR. BELLA ELLWOOD-CLAYTON was born on Valentine's Day in Melbourne, Australia; the daughter of avant-garde composer and playwright, Syd Clayton, and enlightenment-seeker, Gwenda Ellwood.At a young age, Bella moved to Vancouver, Canada, with her mother. They lived in Kits (Kitsilano) in different basement suites. Bella's mother went back to school, studying IT. Bella had a chaotic childhood with lots of freedom. She loved dancing and being with her friends. In elementary school, Bella had a bad knee accident and on the way to the hospital, wrote her first poem—a topic fitting a Vancouverite.Raindrops on the window meet like lovers after a long separation During her recovery in the hospital, a friend's mother visited Bella and read aloud Dylan Thomas' poem, “Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night,” as well as gifting her a book of poetry. From that moment on, Bella never stopped writing. She always had a journal and found deeper companionship with the page than almost anything or anyone else.After high school, Bella moved to Montréal and completed a Bachelor of Arts from Concordia University, majoring in anthropology. Her honours thesis examined beauty historically and cross-culturally. She received first class honours and was the recipient of the Mark Doughty Scholarship. She had a studio apartment in the McGill Ghetto, a long-distance (toxic) relationship, and a desire explore the world.Her first short story was published, as well as some poetry.Soon after, with a crew from National Geographic, Bella took to the jungle to explore tattoo and social change in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. This documentary continues to air from a wide range of international locations.Her nonfiction book, Sex Drive: In Pursuit of Female Desire, was published by Allen & Unwin. She published more short stories and poetry and wrote for The Huffington Post and Daily Life, and frequently appeared on radio programs such as Triple M and TV programs including, The Project and Sunrise. She's given many talks about relationships, including a TEDx talk.Bella hosted The Science of Sex Drive on Love Destination, a global video-on-demand network on 8 million devices.Now, Bella is the Head of Editorial at NAC (New Authors Collective) Literary Agency and has a freelance editing business, Dr. Bella Editorial. She was the resident creative writing teacher at Kensington Neighbourhood House.After writing her first poem about raindrops all those years ago, her debut novel, WEEKEND FRIENDS, was published in November 2023 (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster).https://www.drbella.com.au/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Elizabeth Devecchi spent her formative years in Rhode Island, setting out after high school to travel and gather degrees. She writes in a variety of genres and styles, but lately has focused on horror. Her debut horror novel, A Whisper in the Dark, was released by Wicked House Publishing in October, 2024. Other recent releases include: “Oh, Brother,” found in Volume II of Black Spot Books's annual women in horror poetry showcase, Under Her Eye (November 2023); a recipe accompanied by a flash fiction story in Nightmare Fueled Inc's anthology Cooks of Horror (August 2024); and horror poem “In the Belly of the Mills,” which appears in the anthology Monsters in the Mills, launched at NecromoniCon in Providence, RI (August 2024). Upcoming releases include: “A Corporate Family,” a tech-gone-wrong horror short which will appear in Rabid Otter Horror's anthology Error Code this November; short horror story “Open House,” to appear in a Running Wild Press anthology in 2025; and debut thriller/suspense novel, A Twist of the Lens, to be published by Wicked House Publishing in 2025. Elizabeth is a member of the Horror Writer's Association, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Castle Rock Writers, and the Italian American Writers Association. She currently resides in Parker, Colorado with her husband, children, and an ever-changing menagerie of pets and “guest creatures.”  For more info: elizabethdevecchi.com Intro Music by Moby Gratis: https://mobygratis.com/ Outro Music by Dan-o-Songs: https://danosongs.com/ Host Mark Stevens www.writermarkstevens.com

Selling 5,000+ copies of a debut novel in 18 months (without a massive social media following) might seem out of reach to most aspiring authors. But, in fact, it's not. And our incredible podcast guest, Jennifer Lauer, is here to show you how it's done.When we last spoke, Jennifer was on the brink of launching her debut sci-fi novel, The Girl in the Zoo. Fast-forward to today, and she's sold over 5,000 copies, launched a successful fiction podcast, and released a new paranormal mystery novella series.In the episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:[05:01] Jennifer's honest breakdown of book launch setbacks, including how she handled unexpected Amazon delays and a COVID diagnosis[07:49] How Jennifer leveraged NetGalley to rack up over 200 Amazon reviews and 250 Goodreads reviews—and why she says it was worth braving the potential for harsh feedback[10:57] Jennifer's persistence in securing BookBub features for international and US markets that drove her novel to #1 on multiple Amazon lists[21:48] How Jennifer sold just over 5,000 copies in 18 months with minimal social media presence (plus, the importance of releasing your work, even if it's imperfect, and how this mindset contributed to her success)[28:03] How Jennifer's fiction podcast, The Strange Chronicles, helped her overcome writer's block and draft her latest novella in one summer[38:24] The marketing plans for Jennifer's new series launch, including which strategies she's keeping, which she's ditching, and why influencer boxes might not be worth the hypeWhether you're gearing up to launch your first novel or looking to breathe new life into your backlist, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can use today.⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Holly Wilson will be at the Ulrich Museum on Wednesday, October 30, beginning at 5:30 pm for the Writing Now Reading Now program.

Ever wonder what happens when you ditch your agent and decide to self-publish instead? This episode is a must-listen if you're curious about the ins and outs of self-publishing and how it can possibly safeguard your creative control. In this episode, Stefanie Medrek is back on the podcast—and boy, has her story changed! The last time we chatted, she had just landed an agent and was about to go out on submission. But now she's releasing her debut romantic suspense novel as a self-published author. So what happened?Tune in to hear why Stefanie parted ways with her agent, how she navigated the world of self-publishing, and what it's like to prepare for a self-published book launch (happening this week). In the episode, you'll hear things like:[07:39] A recap of Stefanie's journey since our last chat: from landing an agent to trusting her gut instinct and choosing self-publishing over traditional publishing for creative control.[16:00] The nitty-gritty production details involved in preparing a book for self-publishing (including the cover design mistake that led to a complete do-over)[24:02] The unexpected challenges (and absolute joys) of self-publishing, how she's learning to roll with the punches, and manage delays.[26:43] How Stefanie tackled book marketing, including working with a fantastic PR firm and creating special edition ARCs (advanced reader copies), and her super-savvy strategies to reach readers and build buzz for her book launch. [33:00] The importance of building an author email list and a smart reader magnet to connect with your audience (and why this matters for your book launch).[37:35] The heartwarming story of Stefanie's dad, a successful self-published author, his influence on her publishing journey, and how they celebrate each other's milestones.If you've ever felt unsure about which publishing path to take, or if you're just curious about what goes on behind a self-published book launch, you'll LOVE this episode!⭐ Rate + Review + Follow on Apple Podcasts"I love the Fiction Writing Made Easy podcast!" ← If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing this show! Your rating and review will help other writers find this podcast, and they're also super fun for me to read. Just click here, scroll all the way to the bottom, tap five stars to rate the show, and then select "Write a Review." Be sure to let me know your favorite episodes, too! Also, if you haven't done so already, make sure you're following the podcast! I'll be adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you're not following the show, there's a good chance you'll miss them. Click here to follow now!

Regina Porter is the author of the novel The Rich People Have Gone Away, available from Hogarth Books. Porter is an award-winning playwright and author of The Travelers, a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel and longlisted for the Orwell Prize for political fiction. A graduate of the MFA fiction program at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, her writing has been published in the Harvard Review, Tin House, and the Oxford American. *** 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. Subscribe to Brad Listi's email newsletter. Support the show on Patreon Merch Twitter 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