Podcast appearances and mentions of ellen byron

John Charles in conversation with Ellen Byron and Marjorie McCown

Our author this week is New York native and author extraordinaire, Maria DiRico (pen name of Ellen Byron), who shares her love for the Big Apple, her career path from playwright to TV writer to a master of mysteries, and the personal connections and life experiences that enhance her stories.   With a career that spans both coasts, Maria talks about her pivot to novel writing as a result of the harsh realities of ageism in Hollywood comedy writing, and how she found happiness writing cozy mysteries.   For more books set in New York, check out episodes 87 and 40!   CLICK HERE to sign up for the BOOK CLUB!   CLICK HERE to check out the SHOW NOTES for this episode!   Are you an author who would like to join me for a conversation on the podcast? CLICK HERE to get more information and fill out the form.   Thanks so much for listening to my podcast! If you'd like to support me, there are a few ways that would be helpful: 1. Leave a review on iTunes 2. Share this episode on social media 3.  Buy me a coffee!

Prolific author Ellen Byron stops by the Corner to chat about Cozies and Cocktails, a new Bouchercon 2023 event! Everyone is welcome to come to hear their favorite cozy authors read from their works. If you're at Bouchercon, in San Diego, this year, attend Cozies and Cocktails for cozies, cocktails, and fun! It's free! What's your favorite cozy-themed cocktail? Send me your suggestions and I'll forward them to Ellen! Learn more about Bouchercon 2023--Murder at the Marina here: https://bouchercon2023.com/ Find Ellen here: https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Prolific author Ellen Byron stops by the Corner to chat about Cozies and Cocktails, a new Bouchercon 2023 event! Everyone is welcome to come to hear their favorite cozy authors read from their works. If you're at Bouchercon, in San Diego, this year, attend Cozies and Cocktails for cozies, cocktails, and fun! It's free! What's your favorite cozy-themed cocktail? Send me your suggestions and I'll forward them to Ellen! Learn more about Bouchercon 2023--Murder at the Marina here: https://bouchercon2023.com/ Find Ellen here: https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Prolific author Ellen Byron stops by the Corner to chat about Cozies and Cocktails, a new Bouchercon 2023 event! Everyone is welcome to come to hear their favorite cozy authors read from their works. If you're at Bouchercon, in San Diego, this year, attend Cozies and Cocktails for cozies, cocktails, and fun! It's free! What's your favorite cozy-themed cocktail? Send me your suggestions and I'll forward them to Ellen! Learn more about Bouchercon 2023--Murder at the Marina here: https://bouchercon2023.com/ Find Ellen here: https://www.ellenbyron.com/

Episode 7 WriterSpark: Tips and Tricks for Fiction Writers Podcast How writers in a writer's room write is different from fiction writers. But there are lots of lessons to be learned from those writer's rooms. Really, wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall in a Hollywood Writer's Room? I would!   Reality Unfortunately, most of us don't get that chance, but mystery author Ellen Byron spent years in a variety of Writer's Rooms. On the podcast today, she is sharing lessons she learned from those experiences. You don't want to miss this. She's a delight, and offers so much information.   Martha Stewart Plus, she worked for Martha Stewart in Martha's early days. That's pretty cool.   Listen Now!   Listen to other Episodes Check out more WriterSpark: Tips and Tricks for Fiction Writers episodes and ignite your WriterSpark!   Start with Daryl Wood Gerber and our talk on Plotting and Panting!     Please LIKE this episode, follow the podcast, and leave a review! I appreciate you!   Resources Sign up for the WriterSpark newsletter: https://writersparkacademy.com/newslettersignup/ WriterSpark Website: http://writersparkacademy.com Learn more about the host, Melissa Bourbon: http://melissabourbon.com Subscribe to WriterSpark on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnKN2ZVZwjoAOeHlBO-cRIw/videos Follow WriterSpark on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWriterSpark Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheWriterSpark Instagram: http://instagram.com/bookishly_cozy Visit Ellen Byron's website: https://www.ellenbyron.com/ Thank you for listening!

This episode features the mystery short story The Artists of Chartres Street by Ellen Byron and it is read by local actor Amelia Ryan. The Artists of Chartres Street was published in 2021 in Suspense Magazine. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and performed by Kevin Memley. If you enjoyed this episode please review or rate it as that helps more people be able to find us! Also, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode-both to this podcast and to our podcast newsletter. If you would like to help support this podcast and Kings River Life financially, and get some fun rewards, check out our Patreon Page. You can also make a one time donation through Paypal and you can purchase some fun Mysteryrat's Maze merchandise on Redbubble. You can find more mystery fun on our websites Kings River Life Magazine and KRL News and Reviews.

Ellen's Cajun Country Mysteries have won two Agatha Awards for Best Contemporary Novel and multiple Lefty Awards for Best Humorous Mystery. Bayou Book Thief will be the first book in her new Vintage Cookbook Mysteries. She also writes the Catering Hall Mystery series under the name Maria DiRico.Ellen is an award-winning playwright, and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. She has written over two hundred articles for national magazines but considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.An alum of New Orleans' Tulane University, she blogs with Chicks on the Case, is a lifetime member of the Writers Guild of America, serves on the national board for Mystery Writers of America, and will be the 2023 Left Coast Crime Toastmaster.Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/ellenbyronauthor/Twitter @ellenbyronlaInstagram https://www.instagram.com/ellenbyronmariadirico/Website https://www.ellenbyron.com/*****************Sisters in Crime was founded in 1986 to promote the ongoing advancement, recognition and professional development of women crime writers. Through advocacy, programming and leadership, SinC empowers and supports all crime writers regardless of genre or place on their career trajectory.www.SistersinCrime.orgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/sincnational/Twitter: https://twitter.com/SINCnationalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sistersincrime

Author Ellen Byron joins us on Get Cozy Podcast today to chat all about her new cozy mystery, Bayou Book Thief! We're also talking about vintage cookbooks, New Orleans, how cozies are the quintessential feminist reads, and so much more! Thanks for listening!

Dante O'Donnell is white, gay and getting older every day. He has wasted his better years on starstruck dreams and the wrong men, so now he's working as a concierge for a vacation-rental outfit in Palm Springs, where the guests have far more baggage than what's packed in their suitcases. But when he finds a dead body floating in the swimming pool at one of his rentals, his own troubled past comes back to haunt him. So he turns for help to Jazz Friendly, a Black woman who, when she was a Palm Springs cop, nearly arrested him for murdering his husband, which he didn't do...not that he knows who did. Now Jazz is a struggling PI, her career derailed by racism. And with her marriage broken by booze, she's desperate to get custody of her kid. Dante and Jazz need each other to solve this murder...and to save themselves from personal and professional disaster."A wild romp through Palm Springs' glittery underbelly. Fast, funny, and thoroughly enjoyable. An instant classic.” Tod Goldberg, New York Times bestselling author of The Low Desert"Michael Craft delivers an irresistible high camp twist to the classic detective mystery. A fast-paced and captivating opening to a promising new series." J.D. Horn, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Line"A quick-witted, entertaining mystery loaded with Palm Springs atmosphere. Smart, sophisticated, and ingeniously plotted. I loved it." Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author of the Cajun Country MysteriesSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/houseofmysteryradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode features an excerpt from Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico aka Ellen Byron and it is read by local actor Ariel Linn. Here Comes the Body was published in February of 2020 by Kensington and is available for purchase. You can learn more about the author on her website. In each episode, we share with you mystery short stories and mystery novel first chapters read by actors from the San Joaquin Valley. Our theme song was written and performed by Kevin Memley. If you enjoyed this episode please review or rate it as that helps more people be able to find us! Also, consider subscribing so you never miss an episode-both to this podcast and to our podcast newsletter. If you would like to help support this podcast and Kings River Life financially, and get some fun rewards, check out our Patreon Page. You can also make a one time donation through Paypal and you can purchase some fun Mysteryrat's Maze merchandise on Redbubble. You can find more mystery fun on our websites Kings River Life Magazine and KRL News and Reviews.

Merry Christmas! Book blogger Kristopher Zgorski and authors Maggie Toussaint and Ellen Byron share their Christmas stories with you on this holiday episode of The Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon. Tune in to hear tales of scary Christmas cats, blazing Christmas bonfires, and warm family Christmas memories. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating or review. Web: https://thecozycornerwithalexiagordon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecozycornerpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_cozy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_cozy/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexia_gordon/the-cozy-corner-with-alexia-gordon-podcast/ Support the podcast on Patreon! Gain access to patron-only posts, thank you gifts, and giveaways! A donation of as little as $3/month gets you a shout-out on The Cozy Corner. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordon and thank you for your support. Find me, your podcast host, at: Web https://alexiagordon.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaGordon.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexiagordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiagordonauthor/ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/alexiagordon/poc2pov

Merry Christmas! Book blogger Kristopher Zgorski and authors Maggie Toussaint and Ellen Byron share their Christmas stories with you on this holiday episode of The Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon. Tune in to hear tales of scary Christmas cats, blazing Christmas bonfires, and warm family Christmas memories. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating or review. Web: https://thecozycornerwithalexiagordon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecozycornerpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_cozy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_cozy/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexia_gordon/the-cozy-corner-with-alexia-gordon-podcast/ Support the podcast on Patreon! Gain access to patron-only posts, thank you gifts, and giveaways! A donation of as little as $3/month gets you a shout-out on The Cozy Corner. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordonand thank you for your support. Find me, your podcast host, at: Web https://alexiagordon.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaGordon.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexiagordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiagordonauthor/ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/alexiagordon/poc2pov

Merry Christmas! Book blogger Kristopher Zgorski and authors Maggie Toussaint and Ellen Byron share their Christmas stories with you on this holiday episode of The Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon. Tune in to hear tales of scary Christmas cats, blazing Christmas bonfires, and warm family Christmas memories. Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating or review. Web: https://thecozycornerwithalexiagordon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecozycornerpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_cozy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_cozy/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexia_gordon/the-cozy-corner-with-alexia-gordon-podcast/ Support the podcast on Patreon! Gain access to patron-only posts, thank you gifts, and giveaways! A donation of as little as $3/month gets you a shout-out on The Cozy Corner. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordon and thank you for your support. Find me, your podcast host, at: Web https://alexiagordon.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaGordon.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexiagordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiagordonauthor/ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/alexiagordon/poc2pov

Author Ellen Byron, writing as Maria DiRico, joins me in the Corner to chat about It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, her newest, Catering Hall mystery. With a Christmas-themed murder as our centerpiece, we discuss Christmas in California vs New York, over-the-top holiday parties, and life in the Outer Boroughs. Tune in hear Ellen's memories of Christmas in the parts of New York City that don't always end up in the glossy holiday movies. And find out how her family is connected to Tony Bennett. Find Ellen at https://www.ellenbyron.com/ Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating or review. Web: https://thecozycornerwithalexiagordon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecozycornerpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_cozy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_cozy/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexia_gordon/the-cozy-corner-with-alexia-gordon-podcast/ Support the podcast on Patreon! Gain access to patron-only posts, thank you gifts, and giveaways! A donation of as little as $3/month gets you a shout-out on The Cozy Corner. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordon and thank you for your support. Find me, your podcast host, at: Web https://alexiagordon.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaGordon.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexiagordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiagordonauthor/ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/alexiagordon/poc2pov

Author Ellen Byron, writing as Maria DiRico, joins me in the Corner to chat about It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, her newest, Catering Hall mystery. With a Christmas-themed murder as our centerpiece, we discuss Christmas in California vs New York, over-the-top holiday parties, and life in the Outer Boroughs. Tune in hear Ellen's memories of Christmas in the parts of New York City that don't always end up in the glossy holiday movies. And find out how her family is connected to Tony Bennett. Find Ellen at https://www.ellenbyron.com/ Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating or review. Web: https://thecozycornerwithalexiagordon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecozycornerpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_cozy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_cozy/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexia_gordon/the-cozy-corner-with-alexia-gordon-podcast/ Support the podcast on Patreon! Gain access to patron-only posts, thank you gifts, and giveaways! A donation of as little as $3/month gets you a shout-out on The Cozy Corner. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordon and thank you for your support. Find me, your podcast host, at: Web https://alexiagordon.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaGordon.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexiagordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiagordonauthor/ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/alexiagordon/poc2pov

Author Ellen Byron, writing as Maria DiRico, joins me in the Corner to chat about It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Murder, her newest, Catering Hall mystery. With a Christmas-themed murder as our centerpiece, we discuss Christmas in California vs New York, over-the-top holiday parties, and life in the Outer Boroughs. Tune in hear Ellen's memories of Christmas in the parts of New York City that don't always end up in the glossy holiday movies. And find out how her family is connected to Tony Bennett. Find Ellen at https://www.ellenbyron.com/ Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star rating or review. Web: https://thecozycornerwithalexiagordon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecozycornerpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/podcast_cozy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podcast_cozy/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alexia_gordon/the-cozy-corner-with-alexia-gordon-podcast/ Support the podcast on Patreon! Gain access to patron-only posts, thank you gifts, and giveaways! A donation of as little as $3/month gets you a shout-out on The Cozy Corner. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordonand thank you for your support. Find me, your podcast host, at: Web https://alexiagordon.net/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexiaGordon.writer Twitter: https://twitter.com/alexiagordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexiagordonauthor/ Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/alexiagordon/poc2pov

Want to know about Ellen or to watch the live interview, refer to this link: https://sheblurbs.wixsite.com/sheblurbs/post/let-s-talk-with-ellen-byron --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/sheblurbs/support

John Charles in conversation with Elizabeth Blake, Lucy Burdette, Ellen Byron, Betty Hechtman, Audrey Keown, and Katharine Schellman

Co-host Ellen Byron joins Eric to talk cozy mysteries and help introduce legendary thriller writer Linwood Barclay (Find You First) and debut author Mia Manansala (Arsenic and Adobo) Eric and Ellen are joined by Jennifer J Chow and Olivia Matthews to discuss the origins of the cozy mystery as we know it today. Plus a visit from resident reviewers The Malmons who talk up The Wild by Owen Laukkanen and the latest Eric Carter Urban Fantasy Thriller by Stephen Blackmoore. All music used by permission under the creative commons license. Music in this episode includes: Blueprint by Jahzzar Finland by TrackTribe Jazz Mango by Joey Pecoraro South Street Strut by The Great North Sound Society The Bywater by The Mini Vandals The Shepherd by The Mini Vandals Magic In The Other by Cruiser Walk With Me by TrackTribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For today’s guest, Ellen Byron, writing frequently and on a deadline is not a challenge. She began her career as a playwright before moving to LA and transitioning to sitcom writing. As she says in this interview, there was no time to be precious with words or to not be inspired. If you weren’t contributing to the team, there was a line of writers waiting to take your seat.Now, as a multi-published author of three cozy mystery series, Ellen is putting her writing skills to use to reach new readers, specifically through blogs and newsletters. Today, she shares how she approaches what she calls “shameless shilling”, how by approaching her newsletter differently she actually grew to love it, and how blogging has not only helped her connect with new readers, but a community of writers as well.About Ellen ByronEllen Byron is the Agatha Award-winning author of the Cajun Country Mysteries. The USA Today bestselling series has also won multiple Best Humorous Mystery Lefty awards from the Left Coast Crime conference. She also writes The Catering Hall Mysteries (under the pen name Maria DiRico), which launched with Here Comes the Body.Ellen’s TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents. She’s written over 200 national magazine articles, and her published plays include the award-winning Graceland. She also worked as a cater-waiter for the legendary Martha Stewart, a credit she never tires of sharing. A native New Yorker who attended Tulane University, Ellen lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and rescue chi mix, Pogo. She still misses her hometown - and still drives like a New York cabbie.Resources MentionedEllen's website and newsletter: https://www.ellenbyron.comEllen's workshops: https://www.ellenbyron.com/workshopsChicks on the Case blog: https://chicksonthecase.com/Canva: http://canva.com

This month’s theme is Writing for Readers. So many authors complain and lament about all the promotional responsibilities falling on their shoulders, throwing up their hands and saying, “But I’m not a marketer! I’m just a writer!”What many authors don’t realize is their skills as a writer can be their greatest asset as a marketer.Any type of promotion begins with storytelling. For books, you tell the story of how your book came to exist, what inspired you to write it, and why it’s important. You share your author journey, your path to publication, your research process, and sometimes insight into your personal life. You may do this through blog posts, newsletters, or social media content. You may apply these skills to your media pitches, op-eds, or written interviews. Writing skills are necessary for so many aspects of promotion that I’d argue you, as an author, have an advantage over many of the so-called professionals.You have the skills, but how can you apply them to launch Your Breakout Book? That’s exactly the question I’m posing to this month’s guests. I’ll speak with content strategist Eman Ismail who will share the power and principles behind email marketing. We’ll hear from award-winning author and Your Breakout Book member, Ellen Byron, about the impact guest blogging has had on growing her audience. And tomorrow, I’ll share my personal journey of applying my writing skills to marketing and publicity.Hit subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast and ensure you never miss an episode. I’ll be back in your earbuds tomorrow.

Recent college graduates expected to enter one of the strongest job markets in history, only to see their plans derailed by the pandemic. Personal Journal's Ellen Byron explains. Plus, recent graduate De Andre King explains how he adapted to the collapsed labor market and landed a job. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Cozy Ink Podcast features an interview with cozy mystery author Ellen Byron. We discuss her Cajun Country and Catering Hall (written as Maria DiRico) cozy mystery series.For more information, visit my website.Support the show (https://paypal.me/cozyinkpodcast?locale.x=en_US)

After a long and spooky October, Etta and Deb review Fly Me to the Moon by Diane Vallere #1 in the Sylvia Striker Space Case Mystery Book Series.https://www.dianevallere.com/Then we are joined by Agatha award winning Author Ellen Byron. Here about her multiple series and all around awesomeness:https://www.ellenbyron.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Happy Tuesday! There's events every day this week, so Gary gets right to talking about those, before a quick rundown of several of the new books out now!    Events This Week: Tuesday, September 29th: Brian Freeman, in conversation with Marcia Freeman  Wednesday, September 30th: Naomi Novik, in conversation with Cassandra Khaw  Thursday, October 1st: Tracy Wolff, in conversation with Sherry Thomas  Friday, October 2nd: L.C. Shaw, in conversation with Wendy Walker Saturday, October 3rd: Steven Chbosky  Sunday, October 4th: David Weber and Jacob Holo  Monday, October 5th: Ellen Byron, in conversation with Vicki Delany and Daryl Wood Gerber    New This Week: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik  Crush by Tracy Wolff  Dying in a Winter Wonderland by Vicki Delany  Battle Ground by Jim Butcher  The Midnight Library by Matt Haig  Skyhunter by Marie Lu  Dear Justyce by Nic Stone  Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke  The Glass Queen by Gena Showalter  A Neon Darkness by Lauren Shippen    You can now find us on Patreon! Unlock exclusive content by subscribing today! Special thanks to Austin Farmer for letting us use the track "Kill the Farm Boy", from his album Bookshelf Symphony Orchestra!  Send us your questions to podcast@mystgalaxy.com Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!  And support the store by ordering books at mystgalaxy.com!

As the race to find treatments for COVID-19 intensifies, scientists have identified 69 drugs that may be effective in treating coronavirus. Still, many of the drugs must be studied and tested. There is no antiviral drug proven to be effective yet and doctors can just offer supportive care such as managing fever and using a ventilator in severe cases. Carl Zimmer, author of A Planet of Viruses, joins us for how scientists are scrambling to find a treatment. Next, back to biology class for why it is so hard to kill coronavirus. The virus itself isn't technically alive and uses proteins in our own bodies to create millions of copies of itself, in the process making us sick. It's also worth looking back at history, as some viruses have been responsible for some of the most destructive outbreaks in the past 100 years. Sarah Kaplan- reporter at the Washington post, joins us for a biological look at what we are up against. Finally, amid the extreme social distancing that is being practiced, some are privately mourning special moments in life that have been cancelled or postponed. People giving birth at this time are video conferencing to show their new child to the family, proms and graduations are cancelled, and funerals are also being canceled, forcing some to mourn alone. Ellen Byron, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Amid the extreme social distancing that is being practiced, some are privately mourning special moments in life that have been cancelled or postponed. People giving birth at this time are video conferencing to show their new child to the family, proms and graduations are cancelled, and funerals are also being canceled, forcing some to mourn alone. Ellen Byron, reporter at the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://news.iheart.com/podcast-advertisers

Author, TV writer, and playwright Ellen Byron reveals her distant connection to the mob! 'Writers write what they know.' That's the adage and it's true. We pull from our real lives and mix our experiences with imagination and creativity and create something that is both grounded in reality and imaginary at the same time. Ellen Byron is doing just that with her new Catering Hall mystery series, set in Astoria, Queens, a place she is very familiar with. On this episode, Ellen reads from book 1 in that series, Here Comes the Body, and in the interview shares with us the fascinating story of one of her grandfather's possible connections to the actual mob. (Yes, really!) It was a delight to talk to Ellen about this new series. If you'd like to know more about Ellen's writing, you can also find our conversation about her Cajun Country mysteries in episode 61 of It's a Mystery podcast. Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher. You can also click here to listen to the interview on YouTube. This Week's Mystery Author Ellen Byron’s Cajun Country Mysteries have won an Agatha award and multiple Leftys for Best Humorous Mystery. Her new series, the Catering Hall Mysteries, written as Maria DiRico, was inspired by her real life. She’s an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning TV writer of comedies like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly Odd Parents. But she considers her most impressive credit working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. You can learn more about Ellen and all her books, including the Catering Hall series, at EllenByron.com Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico (Ellen Byron) After her philandering husband’s boat went down, newly single Mia Carina went back to Astoria, the bustling Queens neighborhood of her youth. Living with her nonna and her oversized cat, Doorstop, she’s got a whole new life—including some amateur sleuthing . . . Mia is starting work at Belle View, her father’s catering hall, a popular spot for weddings, office parties, and more—despite the planes that occasionally roar overhead on their way to LaGuardia and rattle the crystal chandelier. Soon she’s planning a bachelor party for a less-than-gentlemanly groom. But it goes awry when the gigantic cake is wheeled in and a deadly surprise is revealed . . .Since some of her family’s associates are on the shady side, the NYPD wastes no time in casting suspicion on Mia’s father. Now, Mia’s going to have to use all her street smarts to keep him out of Rikers Island . . . Italian recipes included! Interview with Ellen Byron / Maria DiRico Alexandra: Thank you so much, Ellen, that was fantastic. My goodness. You're such a good reader. Is that part of your TV background, do you think?  Ellen: Well, you know, I started as an actress. I did improv for years but that career didn't last very long.  I kind of fell into writing. I wrote plays. And then I quickly segued. I did comedy improv and I was writing and as I wrote plays and friends that freelance magazine articles. And I actually did it for about 10 years until I did TV and then I didn't have the time anymore to do the improv on the side.  Alexandra: Today, as we're recording this at the end of February, you released an article about Here Comes the Body and mentioned that you're kind of going back to your roots, that you grew up in Queens and are familiar with that neighborhood. I could really feel the flavor of the place as you were reading. So the neighborhood where Elisabetta lives and and then and even the event venue close to the airport. Has it been fun for you to write about Queens?  Ellen: Oh, it's it's so much fun because I'm reliving it. I moved out to California in 1990 to pursue my TV career. And I always miss that aspect of my life. Where Mia lives is where my Nonna lives.

Rod Arquette Show Daily Rundown - Wednesday, December 18, 20194:20 pm: Senator Mike Lee joins Rod to discuss ways of fixing the FISA Court following the release of the Horowitz Report4:35 pm: Hal Boyd, Associate Professor of Family Law and Policy at Brigham Young University, joins the show to discuss his recent Deseret News op-ed applauding the financial holdings of the LDS Church6:05 pm: Deseret News Opinion Editor Boyd Matheson joins the show for his weekly visit with Rod about the world of politics6:20 pm: Utah County Commission Chair Tanner Ainge joins the show to discuss the reasons behind the decision to approve a more than 67% property tax increase in the county6:35 pm: Ellen Byron of the Wall Street Journal joins Rod to discuss how the changing definition of the American family

Ellen Byron, who also writes as Maria DiRico, joins me in the Cozy Corner to chat about Fatal Cajun Festival, the fifth book in her Cajun Country mystery series and Here Comes the Body, the first book in her new Catering Hall mystery series. The Cajun Country Mysteries, which have won Agatha and Lefty Awards and hit the USA Today bestseller list, immerse readers in small town Louisiana. The Catering Hall Mysteries will take readers to New York City. Both contain recipes. Fatal Cajun Festival is available now and Here Comes the Body debuts February 25, 2020 under the pen name Maria DiRico. Find out more about Ellen at https://www.ellenbyron.com Find out more about Ellen as Maria DiRico at https://www.amazon.com/Maria-DiRico Ellen/Maria is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/ and https://www.facebook.com/ellen.byron

Ellen Byron, who also writes as Maria DiRico, joins me in the Cozy Corner to chat about Fatal Cajun Festival, the fifth book in her Cajun Country mystery series and Here Comes the Body, the first book in her new Catering Hall mystery series. The Cajun Country Mysteries, which have won Agatha and Lefty Awards and hit the USA Today bestseller list, immerse readers in small town Louisiana. The Catering Hall Mysteries will take readers to New York City. Both contain recipes. Fatal Cajun Festival is available now and Here Comes the Body debuts February 25, 2020 under the pen name Maria DiRico. Find out more about Ellen at https://www.ellenbyron.com Find out more about Ellen as Maria DiRico at https://www.amazon.com/Maria-DiRico Ellen/Maria is also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CateringHallMysteries/ https://www.facebook.com/ellen.byron

As chaos continues to grow in Syria, President Trump has ordered all U.S. troops to withdraw from the north to avoid a conflict between Turkey and the Kurds.  This will likely be a pullback of about 1,000 troops.  Ginger Gibson, political reporter for Reuters, joins us for this, another resignation at the top of DHS, and the latest on the impeachment inquiry. Next, a Florida inmate filmed a secret documentary about the conditions inside Martin Correctional Institution.  With oversized glasses that had cameras attached to them and a hollowed out Bible with a hidden camera in it, Scott Whitney filmed other inmates passed out on synthetic drugs, fights, mold covering kitchen walls and more.  Romy Ellenbogen, reporter for the Miami Herald, joins us for what these hidden recordings show. Finally, how do you feel about eating alone?  At home, Americans eat 45% of all meals alone and single diners at restaurants comprise about a quarter of party sizes.  But while hectic schedules are a main cause of solo dining, many people say that they like to eat alone and food companies are taking notice.  Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Girlfriends Chat: Season 2: Episode 6: Incorporating 'Black Business School For Children - Black Millionaires of Tomorrow' by Dr. Boyce Watkins into your homeschooling. Ellen shares how her children have become strong entreprenuerial minded in their way of thinking and being as they utilize Dr. Watkins online program into their homeschooling. Learn more at www.TheBlackBusinessSchool.com and www.TheBlackBusinessSchool.com/courses/category/Children Ellen Byron Is a Single mother of 2 children. A son that is 13 years old and a daughter that is 6 years old. She has been home schooling for the last 7 years and for the last 4 years she has assisted others in their home schooling journey by tutoring their children. She also started a homeschool group in her local area where they meet to do you field trips, game day (where they meet to play board games), PE, Art, geography fairs and science fairs. For the last 17 years Ellen has worked in the health care field as an EMT on an ambulance. She still works full time 3 days a week 12 hr shifts. ************************************************************* Weekly Interviews premiers: Thursdays 2 p.m. EST Podcast release: Tuesdays at 3 p.m. EST View interview premiers on Facebook page and YouTube on Girlfriends' Guide to Homeschooling Podcast at: Girlfriends Chat with Angela Jordan Perry on all podcast platforms, specifically Anchor.fm Blog/website: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/gg2hwithangelajordanperry Connect also to Educating Our Own Now on Facebook Peace and blessings, Angela --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/girlfriendschat/support

More Americans are living solo and the companies that want their business are upending generations of family-focused products and marketing and catering to single person households with smaller appliances, individual packaging, and GIANT toilet-paper rolls. Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ joins us for how many people are living alone now and how they buy things differently. Next, a new study is exposing the health risks of gene editing human embryos.  It appears that the genetic variation that a Chinese scientist was trying to re-create when he edited twin girls' DNA may be more harmful that helpful to their overall health. A study shows that people with this gene mutation were 21% less likely to live until the age of 76.  Megan Molteni, who covers DNA technologies for Wired, joins us for the unintended consequences of gene editing. Finally, when bills pile up, some young people are turning to strangers on Venmo to raise cash.  While crowdfunding has been around for a while on platforms like GoFundMe, people are now just throwing out their mobile payment app handles and asking for money for a range of things: rent, medical expenses, family funerals and even small things like a cup of coffee or a trip to the nail salon. Suhauna Hussain, reporter for the LA Times, joins us for more. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Round four of our special Agatha Nominee interviews. Ellen Byron nominated for Best Contemporary Novel for Mardi Gras Murder (Crooked Lane Books), L.A. Chandlar nominated for Best Historical Novel for The Gold Pawn(Kensington), Bruce Robert Coffin nominated for Best Contemporary Novel for Beyond the Truth (Witness Impulse) and Dianne Freeman nominated for Best First Novel for A Lady's Guide to Etiquette and Murder (Kensington)

Attorney General William Barr's summary of Special counsel Robert Mueller's report is out and it did not find evidence that President Donald Trump's campaign “conspired or coordinated” with Russia to influence the 2016 election but it also did not make a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice.  The president was very happy and declared it a “complete and total exoneration.”  While this is a victory for the president, the fight still continues as Democrats are demanding that the full report made public.  I'll break down what we know so far. Next, you've heard of genetically modified foods, we now have the first gene-edited food being served in the Midwest, but no one knows exactly where just yet. A product known as Calyno oil which was made from gene-edited soybeans to have fewer saturated fats and zero trans fats is being served as some Midwestern restaurants. Megan Molteni, science reporter at Wired, joins us for how this gene-edited soybean came to be. Finally, we have been told for years to watch what we post on social media to protect your privacy and you data.  Now posting suspect behavior could make your insurance more expensive. Insurers are likely to add social media to the data they review before issuing policies.  Ellen Byron, reporter for the WSJ, joins us for why it might not be a good idea to post pics of your latest rock climbing adventure or even happy hour. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

Ellen Byron (@EllenByronLA), author of the Cajun Country Mystery series, stops by to discuss the craft of mystery writing. Ellen explores how writing for television influences her mysteries, teaches Matt and Gillian the difference between pantsers and plotters, and reveals that Stormy Daniels is the perfect casting for one of her characters. Visit ellenbyron.com to learn more about her latest work and subscribe to her newsletter.

My interview this morning with Ellen Byron, who wrote the Wall Street Journal piece "What’s the Rush? The Power of a Slow Morning" about people that are waking up early to meditate, read, exercise or do nothing at all. Do you do this? Do you think you should start doing this?

Our last long form episode features Kellye Garrett, Alex Segura and Naomi Hirahara. The Unpanel features comedic crime writers Bill Fitzhugh, Ellen Byron, Mike McCrary and Alex Shaffer. Plus an excerpt from "May" by Marietta Miles. All music used by permission under the creative commons license. Music in this episode includes: Real Swing Shet by Menage Quad Swing 39 by Latche Swing Ground Cayenne by The Good Lawdz I Found a New Baby by Underscore Orkestra Bonbon by Hicham Chahidi Super Bubbly by Jesse Spillane Hungaria by Latche Swing Lostfrevr by Ars Sonor Smooth Actor by Podington Bear Violet by Podington Bear All Hot Lights by Podington Bear

Body on the Bayou, the second book in Ellen’s Cajun Country Mystery Series, recently won the Left Coast Crime Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery, and is nominated for an Agatha Award in the category of Best Contemporary Novel. Ellen's debut novel in the series, Plantation Shudders, was nominated for Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne awards, and made the USA Today Bestseller list. Book three, A Cajun Christmas Killing, launches October 10th. She’s written over 200 national magazine articles; published plays include the award-winning Graceland; TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, Fairly OddParents, and pilots. Visit her at http://www.ellenbyron.com/  

Just in time for Christmas, award-winning author Ellen Byron visits with A Cajun Christmas Killing. Ellen is a native New Yorker, transplanted to LA, who writes about Louisiana, a part of the country dear to her heart. And writing mysteries isn't all that Ellen is up to. She writes for television as well, and has a blog post up today at Chicks on the Case, about working with Martha Stewart. You can find out more about today's guest, Ellen Byron, and all her books on her website EllenByron.com. You can also find her on Twitter @ellenbyronla and on Facebook. Links and resources mentioned in this episode Ellen's newsletter sign-up Louisiana links on Ellen's site Ellen's post at Chicks on the Case about what it's like working for Martha Stewart (!) Press play (above) to listen to the show, or read the transcript below. Remember you can also subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts. And listen on Stitcher. You can also click here to watch the interview on YouTube. Transcription of Interview with Ellen Byron Alexandra: Hi, mystery readers, I'm Alexandra Amor, this is It's A Mystery podcast and I'm here today with Ellen Byron. Hi, Ellen. Ellen: Hi. Alexandra: How are you today? Ellen: I'm great. Thank you. Alexandra: Good. Good. You're not in a turkey coma yet? Ellen: No. No. Actually, I'm starting to really kind of go like, "Okay, I've had enough turkey." But, you know, I'm still kind of...still into it. Alexandra: Excellent. And you were telling me about pastalaya just a minute ago which is jumbalaya, but with pasta. Ellen: But made with pasta. Alexandra: Nice. Ellen: It's actually, I cheated and used a Zatarain's mix. But I'm very proud of myself because I created, I'll call it, cauliflower-alaya because I made jumbalaya and instead of using rice or pasta I used riced cauliflower and that actually came out great. So I actually gotta put a recipe together for that. Alexandra: Oh, nice. Okay. And I'm going to ask you about your recipes that are in your books in just a second. So let me introduce you to our listeners. Ellen Byron writes the "Cajun Country Mystery Series" and, obviously, she's interested in Cajun food. In a starred review Publisher's Weekly called her new book "A Cajun Christmas Killing" superb. "Body on the Bayou" won the Lefty Award for best humorous mystery and was nominated for a Best Contemporary Novel Agatha Award. "Plantation Shutters" which is the first book in the series was nominated for Agatha, Lefty, and Daphne Awards and made the U.S.A. Today best seller list. Ellen has written over 200 national magazine articles, she's published plays including the award winning "Graceland" and her TV credits include Wings, Just Shoot Me, Fairly Oddparents, and Pilots. Ellen is a native New Yorker and she now lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and two spoiled rescue dogs. So, welcome, Ellen. Let's talk about "The Cajun Country Mysteries". Introduce us to Maggie Crozat, I'd like to hear more about her. Ellen: Well, Maggie, she's 32, she's an artist, and she went to school in New York, she went to college art school in New York and then she was there for years and she had a relationship that didn't work out so she's come back home to Pelican, Louisiana where the town motto is, "Yes, we peli-can." And she's trying to get her footing again. She always kind of felt like a bit of a fish out of water. But her parents own a plantation that they turned into a B&B and she also works a day job at one. All the while she's trying to get her art career going again. So she's using some of her talent to make souvenirs that they're selling at some of the plantations but then she's also doing her own, finding her own voice now that she's moved back to Louisiana. Alexandra: Finding her own voice artistically or in other ways, as well? Ellen: Artistically. Alexandra: Oh, okay.

The copy was straight to the point. Wanted: Information on the hit-and-run murder of Haley Joseph. Tuesday, August 18th, 11:30 p.m., Vermont Ave near Hillside St. And across the bottom, right over her press-on French manicure, $15,000 reward. I peered closer at the billboard, looking for a hint that this was a brilliant marketing scheme for some new movie. I was tempted to call the number, sure I'd hear some prerecorded message letting me know what time and day it would be airing on Lifetime. But I realized this was real. The address was right up the block. They wouldn't put the cross streets on there if it was for some silly movie. Haley Joseph had died. -- Kellye Garrett, Hollywood Homicide Such a delight to chat with Kellye Garrett, whose marvelous debut, Hollywood Homicide, launches the investigative career of Dayna Anderson, a semi-famous, mega-broke black actress. A cozy sensibility combines with a fresh voice and an insider's look at Hollywood to create a terrific new series. Kellye will, in the near future, be giving away an annotated copy of the novel -- and in the meantime, she's posting the annotations online. So if you needed another reason to visit her website, well, that's a fun one. ;) We talk about a lot of authors we like, including Alexia Gordon, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing. You can find our chat right here. Kellye gives a shout out to her fellow Chicks on the Case, where she blogs, including Ellen Byron (whose Destination Mystery interview you can listen to here), Cynthia Kuhn, Vickie Fee, Lisa Q. Mathews, and Marla Cooper. She also admires Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich, and one she terms "an old-school favorite," the beloved Joan Hess. Me, I give a shout out to Steph Cha, who also has a series about a woman who grows into being a private eye, and set in Los Angeles, although her series has a far more Noir sensibility, as does Danny Gardner's debut novel. Kellye also mentions V.M. Burns, whose book is not yet out (though you can pre-order) and I am thrilled to say that I have an interview scheduled with her for her launch day in November, so stay tuned! So many books! So little time! As always, if you'd rather read than listen, the transcript is below. Enjoy! -- Laura Transcript of Interview with Kellye Garrett Laura Brennan: My guest today is Kellye Garrett, whose debut mystery, Hollywood Homicide, is the first in a cozy series featuring Dayna Anderson, a former actress hot on the trail of a hit-and-run driver. Library Journal’s August Debut of the Month, and full of warm friendships and quirky characters, Hollywood Homicide is a lighthearted mystery that delivers surprises, twists, and an insider’s view of Hollywood. Kellye, thank you for joining me. Kellye Garrett: Thank you for having me. LB: Hollywood Homicide is your first novel, but being a novelist is not your first writing career. KG: Right. I've been writing professionally my whole career. I started off as a magazine editor for a publication called Vibe Magazine. And then I wasn't really happy just writing about people doing cool stuff, I wanted to do cool stuff myself. So I went to film school at USC, and then I spent eight years in Hollywood working in television, I did some developing, and I also was staff for the TV show Cold Case for a year. After that, you know, Hollywood is not the most secure place, for job security -- LB: No, I tell people that if they want job security, Hollywood is not the place to be because your contract in television, your contract is actually in weeks. KG: Yes, it's one of those things where you could, your show could be canceled tomorrow and you could not work again for years. And so when I turned 30, I wanted more job security so I came back home to New Jersey and I started over into more corporate writing. And so now I'm a communications writer for a media company in New York. LB: I remember Cold Case. I loved Cold Case. KG: People,

“Papà.” I looked into my father’s eyes, deep blue and set off by leathery skin and rows of wrinkles—the result of age, but also a lifetime of long hours in fishing boats out in the sun. “Oh, Papà,” I said again and then started to cry. I hadn’t meant to; I’d convinced myself I could do this, that I could hold it together and be strong for my dad. But now, standing there in front of him, it hit me: I was about to tell him that his sister had been viciously murdered. -- Leslie Karst, Dying for a Taste Cozy mystery lovers are in for a treat! Leslie Karst's Sally Solari series is set in not one, but two restaurants on the California coast. Sun, sand, recipes, and murder. What more could one ask for? Leslie and I chat about her multiple careers -- waitress, passionate chef, attorney, writer -- and how they all come together in her wonderful cozy mysteries. You can check out her website here and her Facebook Author page over here. The first book in the series is Dying for a Taste, and gives an insider's view of running a restaurant. The second, A Measure of Murder, blends music with the mystery, as Sally joins a local chorus to be able to sing Mozart's Requiem. An appropriate piece of music, as it turns out... Meanwhile, we also bond over a shared love of Dorothy Sayers, Sue Grafton, Sarah Caudwell, and Ellen Byron. Ellen and I had a chat a few months ago, and you can check her out, along with her hilarious Louisiana cozies, right here. And if you are a Dorothy Sayers fan (and who isn't?), I recently found a terrific group on Facebook, The Lord Peter Wimsey Appreciation Society, should you be looking for like-minded people with whom to chat about all things DLS.  Finally, Leslie gives a big shout-out to her fellow Guppies at Sisters in Crime. Woot! As always, if you'd rather read than listen, the transcript is below. Enjoy! -- Laura Transcript of Interview with Leslie Karst Laura Brennan: Author Leslie Karst combines her background as an attorney with her English Lit degree and culinary passion to create a cozy series as delightful and unique as she is. In a starred review, Publishers Weekly calls her a "dab hand with the red herrings" while her fans call the Sally Solari Mysteries "smart, thoughtfully plotted, and laugh-out-loud." Leslie, thank you for joining me. Leslie Karst: Thank you so much, Laura, for inviting me. This is very exciting. LB: So you came to writing after a career in the law. LK: Yes, I did. LB: But you started out as a Lit major. Was writing always in the back of your mind? LK: Well, when you're a literature major, all you do -- you do a lot of reading, but you mostly do a lot of writing. So that's probably when I would date my earliest decent writing, anyway, back to that time in college, yes. LB: But then, when you left college, you bounced around for a bit, let's say. LK: I absolutely did. I was one of those people, you know, with an English lit major, there's not a whole lot of jobs you can get. You can be an English literature teacher, but those are pretty much impossible to get. And by the time I had finished my four years doing that, I realized that literary criticism was not my passion. Even though I love to read. So I spent about seven years having all sorts of strange jobs. I washed baby diapers for a while, which is sort of embarrassing to admit. [Laughter.] I wanted to stay in Santa Cruz and so I did all different jobs. One of the jobs I did was waitressing, which I liked a lot. But I eventually decided I needed to grow up and get a real job. My father was a law professor, and I'd always been told that I was argumentative. "You'd be such a great lawyer!" So I ended up going to law school. Which my writing really helped with that, too, because most lawyers cannot write to save their lives. They're very good at maybe standing on their feet and arguing in court or whatever, but I actually ended up being pretty good about putting together a l...

Today's guest is the multi-talented Ellen Byron. Her Cajun Country Mysteries are charming, funny and lightly romantic -- the perfect cozy capers to keep you turning the pages. The series is set in Louisiana, a state Ellen loves. As this interview goes live, Louisiana faces a massive natural disaster with deadly flooding. For people who want to help, Ellen suggests the Red Cross. Here are pictures from the first week of the flood, and Charity Navigator's view of top charities working the crisis.  Ellen's passion for Louisiana comes through in her writing and the world she creates for her heroine, Maggie. She named one of her characters after her friend Gaynell Bourgeois Moore (here she is on YouTube singing The Nascar Blues and here's her very own CD!) Ellen also talks about a Facebook page she loves, New Orleans Plantation Country, and mentions two real plantations, Houmas House Plantation and Ashland-Belle Helene. I give a shout-out to one of the TV series she worked on, Maybe It's Me, which (criminally!) is not available on DVD. Yet. I continue to hold out hope. You can check out her plays, Graceland and Asleep on the Wind, and if, like me, you are a fan of her Cajun Country Mysteries, you can pre-order Body on the Bayou, which comes out on September 13th. The delightful first book in the series, Plantation Shudders, was nominated for an Agatha, a Daphne, and a Lefty (for best humorous mystery).  As always, if you'd rather read than listen, here is the transcript. Enjoy! Transcript of Interview with Ellen Byron. Laura Brennan: My guest today is multitalented writer Ellen Byron. Ellen has written over 200 magazine articles, her published plays include the award-winning Graceland, and her many television series include "Just Shoot Me," "Wings," and “Maybe It’s Me,” one of my all-time favorite sitcoms. Most of all, she is the author of the Cajun Country Mysteries, set in Louisiana.   Ellen, thank you for joining me. Ellen Byron: Thank you for having me. LB: You are such a prolific writer! Articles and books and plays and television -- which came first? Where did you start? EB: I started writing plays. I actually started as an actress, quote unquote. Because it feels so silly to say that now. Got my union card doing a commercial while I was in college. I ended up writing a play that was inspired by my friends and I, I cast my friends in their roles and none of them did a really good job of playing themselves. And after that I took a class at Ensemble Studio Theater in playwriting because I'd never studied it. I wrote one play there and then I wrote Graceland. And then I kept writing plays, but I couldn't support myself that way so I started writing freelance magazine articles. And the playwriting path was so torturous in terms of readings and readings and readings until you got productions, that I remember I was on the phone with the man who ran the workshop at Circle Rep Theater, which was a great theater in New York that is no longer in existence, sadly. I was taking notes from him, and I remember the exact moment when I thought, you know, if I'm going to take this many notes, do this many rewrites, someone should be paying me for it. And that's when I decided to switch over to TV. LB: So were you in New York at the time? EB: Yes. I'm from New York, I went to school in Louisiana, Tulane. But I didn't really want to leave New York because I love New York, it's really where my soul is. But unfortunately there are way more TV options in California than in New York so in 1990 I made the move to Los Angeles. Kicking and screaming. LB: I totally understand. Especially, there is such a culture difference between New York and Los Angeles. EB: Yes. LB: If someone hasn't yet picked up your series, could you give me just a brief overview of what launched the series? EB: Maggie Crozat, she is an artist and she went to school in New York. And she had a boyfriend,