Podcast appearances and mentions of gigi pandian

John Charles in conversation with Gigi Pandian

WALTER MOSLEY - CWA DIAMOND DAGGER WINNER - chats to Paul Burke about EVERY MAN A KING, his writing, his characters, personal inspiration, American politics, good thoughts for writers and hope & belief.The most prestigious Dagger of all, the Diamond Dagger is for a lifetime contribution to crime writing in the English language and is nominated by CWA members.WALTER MOSLEY was born in LA in 1952. His African-American father Leroy from Louisiana joined the great migration north. His mother Ella, of Russian Jewish descent, was politically engaged which resonates in Mosley's work.  Mosley took up writing at 34 with Gone Fishin' but it was Devil in a Blue Dress that was first published to acclaim in 1990, winning the John Creasey New Blood Dagger in 1991. Set in LA in 1948, Easy Rawlins is facing a murder charge when he takes a job searching for a white woman. Then stone-cold killer Mouse arrives from Houston, he's more terrifying than any of the chiselled giants in Mosley's novels. Devil in a Blue Dress was filmed in 1995 starring Denzil Washington as Easy and Jennifer Beal as Mosley's first femme fatale Daphne Monet, Don Cheadle chills the blood as Mouse. Yet there are too few screen incarnations of Mosley books. Lawrence Fishburne played Socrates Fortlow in 1998's Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey starring Samuel Jackson appeared on Apple TV+ in 2022. Mosley has worked as a scriptwriter on, amongst other shows, Snowfall, 2018, and Star Trek Discovery, 2019. In all Mosley has written 60+ books; crime, literary, sci-fi and erotic fiction, two graphic novels, two plays, short stories and six nonfiction titles. He has often written features for the New Yorker and The Nation.Mosley's fiction centres on irresistibly engaging antiheroes, one would be an achievement but five such is remarkable - PI Easy Rawlins (15 novels), ex-con Socrates Fortlow (3), New York bad man making amends Leonid McGill (6), Fearless Jones (3) and ex-cop Joe King Oliver (2). The novels are about race, rampant capitalism and inequality in American society. Mosley lives in LA and Brooklyn and engages with the history of both places. He chronicles America, post-WWII to the present day, the story of African-American America and the lives of the poorest people in society. Mosley has received acclaim throughout his career including the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Award in 2016. Down the River unto the Sea, 2018, won an Edgar the following year and Mosley was the first black male recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2020. There's also the PEN America Lifetime Achievement Award, the NAACP Image Award (3 times) and a Grammy and this list is by no means exhaustive.In June 2018 Mosley with Kellye Garrett and Gigi Pandian set up Crime Writers of Color, a collective for authors from underrepresented backgrounds, now with over 350 members internationally. The organisation won the prestigious Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgars in April.He has no intention of putting down his pen...Recommendations Killer Of Sheep - D. Charles BurnettA Woman Under The Influence - D. John Cassavetes Paul Burke writes for Crime Time, Crime Fiction Lover and the European Literature Network. He is also a CWA Historical Dagger Judge 2023.Produced by Junkyard DogMusic courtesy of Southgate and LeighCrime TimeCrime Time FM is the official podcast ofGwyl Crime Cymru Festival 2023CrimeFest 2023&CWA Daggers 2023

Barbara Peters in conversation with Gigi Pandian

Welcome to the Indie Writer Podcast where we talk about all things writing and indie publishing. Today, host Cari Dubiel talks about Organizing Your Writing Life with guest authors Gigi Pandian and Kaytalin Platt.    Gigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and accidental almost-vegan. The child of cultural anthropologists from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, she spent her childhood being dragged around the world on their research trips and now lives outside San Francisco. She's the author of more than a dozen mystery novels. The latest is Under Lock & Skeleton Key, which the New York Times called "wildly entertaining." She's been awarded Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Derringer awards, was a finalist for the Edgar Award, and is a co-founder of Crime Writers of Color.   Kaytalin Platt is an author and graphic designer living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Platt was raised on a farm in rural Deer Park, Alabama—a place which offered inspiration for her short stories Eleanor and Only God Can Tell. Platt's debut novel, The Living God, was published in 2019, with the follow-up arriving in 2021. She has several short stories appearing in Writing Bloc anthologies, and the third installment to her Equitas series arrives late 2022. KEEP UP WITH OUR GUESTS!   GIGI PANDIAN Twitter - @GigiPandian Instagram - @GigiPandian Author Website - https://www.gigipandian.com/ The Alchemist of Fire & Fortune by Gigi Pandian   KAYTALIN PLATT Twitter - @KaytalinPlatt Instagram - @KaytalinPlatt Author Website - https://kaytalinplatt.com/ The Ever War by Kaytalin Platt     RESOURCES/BOOKS MENTIONED: Dropbox Scrivener Google Docs Sisters in Crime Prowriting Aid Be Focused Campfire Write Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas Screenwriting Tricks for Authors by Alexandra Sokoloff The Secrets of Story by Matt Bird _______________________________________ Check out the following books by our Patrons!  Deadly Declarations by Landis Wade Mission 51 by Fernando Crôtte Want to see your book listed? Become a Patron! 

CWoC co-founders Kellye Garrett, author of Like a Sister and Gigi Pandian, author of Under Lock & Skeleton Key return to discuss their new books with Robert Justice. Links Kellye's Website Gigi's Website Robert Justice's Website Crime Writers of Color Website Subscribe to the Crime Writers of Color Podcast: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Play iHeartRadio Podcast Music Provided by Chris Lang Jazz

John Charles in conversation with Gigi Pandian

Gigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and accidental almost-vegan. The child of cultural anthropologists from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, she spent her childhood being dragged around the world on their research trips and now lives outside San Francisco. She writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and forthcoming Secret Staircase mysteries. She's been awarded Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and is a co-founder of Crime Writers of Color.Mentioned in podcast: Alexandra Sokoloff's Writing Workshops: https://alexandrasokoloff.com/writing-workshops/Twitter Handle @GigiPandianFacebook Page www.facebook.com/GigiPandianInstagram Handle @GigiPandianWebsite URL www.gigipandian.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

Gigi Pandian, author of the Accidental Alchemist and Jaya Jones mysteries, joins me in the Corner to chat about the first mystery in her new Secret Staircase series, Under Lock and Skeleton Key. Tune in to learn the difference between a locked room and a closed circle mystery. Hear Gigi's locked room classic recommendations. Find out who wished she had a hidden staircase and a secret garden. And, of course, there's food! Listen for a preview of the wonderful dishes you can enjoy. I think I may have promised to prepare one. Find Gigi at https://www.gigipandian.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

Gigi Pandian, author of the Accidental Alchemist and Jaya Jones mysteries, joins me in the Corner to chat about the first mystery in her new Secret Staircase series, Under Lock and Skeleton Key. Tune in to learn the difference between a locked room and a closed circle mystery. Hear Gigi's locked room classic recommendations. Find out who wished she had a hidden staircase and a secret garden. And, of course, there's food! Listen for a preview of the wonderful dishes you can enjoy. I think I may have promised to prepare one. Find Gigi at https://www.gigipandian.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

Gigi Pandian, author of the Accidental Alchemist and Jaya Jones mysteries, joins me in the Corner to chat about the first mystery in her new Secret Staircase series, Under Lock and Skeleton Key. Tune in to learn the difference between a locked room and a closed circle mystery. Hear Gigi's locked room classic recommendations. Find out who wished she had a hidden staircase and a secret garden. And, of course, there's food! Listen for a preview of the wonderful dishes you can enjoy. I think I may have promised to prepare one. Find Gigi at https://www.gigipandian.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 Catriona McPherson returns to the Corner to chat about Scot Mist, her newest Last Ditch/Lexie Campbell mystery. Tune in to learn the difference between a locked room and a closed circle, who Catriona credits for setting her straight on the difference (hint: it's Gigi Pandian), and why a lockdown lends itself to the latter. Hear what Kellye Garrett thinks of Catriona's uber-germ-conscious character. Find out how the Last Ditch mysteries got their titles. And more!* Listen to the Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon wherever you listen to podcasts. (*So much more, in fact, I couldn't fit it all in this episode. Catriona and I tend to forget we're recording when we chat. Our conversation was almost 2 hours long. I hated to cut out so much great material. If you want to hear the full-length version of this podcast episode—of course you do—become one of my patrons on Patreon. I'll post the whole chat there as a patron-exclusive. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordonand thank you for your support.) Find Catriona at http://catrionamcpherson.com/ Cocktail hour listening idea: Enjoy my chat with Catriona with a Scotch Mist. Pour 2 ounces of Scotch whisky into a tall glass over crushed ice and add a lemon twist. 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 Catriona McPherson returns to the Corner to chat about Scot Mist, her newest Last Ditch/Lexie Campbell mystery. Tune in to learn the difference between a locked room and a closed circle, who Catriona credits for setting her straight on the difference (hint: it's Gigi Pandian), and why a lockdown lends itself to the latter. Hear what Kellye Garrett thinks of Catriona's uber-germ-conscious character. Find out how the Last Ditch mysteries got their titles. And more!* Listen to the Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon wherever you listen to podcasts. (*So much more, in fact, I couldn't fit it all in this episode. Catriona and I tend to forget we're recording when we chat. Our conversation was almost 2 hours long. I hated to cut out so much great material. If you want to hear the full-length version of this podcast episode—of course you do—become one of my patrons on Patreon. I'll post the whole chat there as a patron-exclusive. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordon and thank you for your support.) Find Catriona at http://catrionamcpherson.com/ Cocktail hour listening idea: Enjoy my chat with Catriona with a Scotch Mist. Pour 2 ounces of Scotch whisky into a tall glass over crushed ice and add a lemon twist. 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 Catriona McPherson returns to the Corner to chat about Scot Mist, her newest Last Ditch/Lexie Campbell mystery. Tune in to learn the difference between a locked room and a closed circle, who Catriona credits for setting her straight on the difference (hint: it's Gigi Pandian), and why a lockdown lends itself to the latter. Hear what Kellye Garrett thinks of Catriona's uber-germ-conscious character. Find out how the Last Ditch mysteries got their titles. And more!* Listen to the Cozy Corner with Alexia Gordon wherever you listen to podcasts. (*So much more, in fact, I couldn't fit it all in this episode. Catriona and I tend to forget we're recording when we chat. Our conversation was almost 2 hours long. I hated to cut out so much great material. If you want to hear the full-length version of this podcast episode—of course you do—become one of my patrons on Patreon. I'll post the whole chat there as a patron-exclusive. Sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/AuthorAlexiaGordon and thank you for your support.) Find Catriona at http://catrionamcpherson.com/ Cocktail hour listening idea: Enjoy my chat with Catriona with a Scotch Mist. Pour 2 ounces of Scotch whisky into a tall glass over crushed ice and add a lemon twist. 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

Amanda and Jenn discuss secretly bad-ass female characters, Belgitude, adventure chapter books, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Feedback The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan (rec’d by Megan) Alastair MacLean: The Navarone series, Where Eagles Dare (rec’d by Wynnde) Questions 1. Something that I’ve been very interested in reading about is the strong bond between people forged by unique experiences. Some examples of this in literature that I’ve enjoyed are the characters in Never Let Me Go who are bonded by their childhoods and their shared horrific destiny or Ask Again, Yes who are bonded by being childhood neighbors as well as a shared tragedy. I even enjoyed this about the Hunger Games and the way the shared trauma of the games forged a tight bond between the tributes. I’m looking for other novels that have these very intimate bonds between characters brought about by certain circumstances. Other books I’ve enjoyed that also have examples of these sort of bonds: The Mothers by Brit Bennett, Commonwealth by Ann Patchett and A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet. Thanks! -Emily 2. Hi! I’m looking for a recommendation for a friend’s birthday. She just finished The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and has been raving about the housewife superpowers angle it takes. I’d love to get another book for her in a similar strain. She also likes the Amy Dunne of Gone Girl type of genius-borderline-crazy female characters in any book/TV show/movie so it can also lean in that direction. Thank you!! -Carol 3. I just got a new job that is for a company based in Belgium. Eventually after Covid I will get a chance to go out and visit the main office. Can you suggest some books based in Belgium or with a general Belgium- feel (this is called Belgitude!) Thanks! -Jordan 4. My name is Andy and I’m writing to ask for three different book recommendations (all in one email hehehe). First, I’m looking for a book, either fiction or nonfiction (or both, if you can) about archaeology. It seems such an exciting field. I’m looking for a book that gives those adventurous vibes but that also teaches me something about history and what that entails.  Secondly, a fiction book set in a museum. I’m looking for something exciting that makes me think, too! And finally, if you can, a nonfiction book about countries that had recovered from a civil war and how they did it. I had not mentioned before but I’m originally from Venezuela and though my country hasn’t gone through a civil war (in the strict sense), the recovery (if it ever does recover) would probably be something similar. I’ll like to read about other history cases so that, maybe, I could find some answers.  Now that that “business” is done, I wanted you to know how much happiness you bring to all of us book lovers all across the globe (I’m a Venezuelan currently living in Spain). Thank you thank you thank you. Keep doing what you are doing! I love your podcast!  Much much much love from Madrid, -Andreina  5. First, I just want to say thank you so much for this podcast. It’s my absolute favorite, and I look forward to it every week (and am super happy that I now get to listen twice a week). I have read some truly amazing books thanks to you!   I have found historical fiction cozy mysteries to be especially comforting in these wild times. I love to read mysteries that have a strong female main character and are written by women. The only problem is that almost every historical fiction series that I’ve read has white main characters and are almost all written by white authors. Do you have any recommendations for own voices historical cozy mysteries by BIPOC women?  Some historical mystery series that I have enjoyed are: The Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas The Perveen Mistry series by Sujata Massey The Veronica Speedwell and Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn The Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear The Sparks & Bainbridge series by Allison Montclair The Jane Prescott series by Mariah Fredericks The High Society Lady Detective Books by Sara Rosett The Lady Hardcastle Mysteries by T.E. Kinsey The Kendra Donovan series by Julie McElwain The Countess of Harleigh Mysteries by Dianne Freeman The Rose Gallagher Mysteries by Erin Lindsey Kitty Weeks Series by Radha Vatsal Some contemporary mysteries series by women of color that I’ve started reading are the Jaya Jones series by Gigi Pandian, An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery by Abby Collete, and the Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien. I loved Death by Dumpling. I didn’t love Jaya Jones as much as I thought I would because I couldn’t stand how much they talked about how skinny and petite she is. I liked A Deadly Inside Scoop but felt like the main character seemed very young. -Marissa 6. I’m loving dark academia media right now, which is an aesthetic that joins dark themes, such as murder, theft, and sin, with academic settings. I read The Secret History, by Donna Tartt, in February, and have not stopped thinking about it since. I have also read The Goldfinch, by the same author, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, and loved both of them tremendously. Dead Poets Society and Kill Your Darlings are examples of movies with this setting. Could you help me find other books with a similar style? -Maria 7. Hi! Thanks for your podcast; I love it. I wonder if you can help me. I have a 7-year-old and I’m looking for a book to read aloud together as a family. We loved Thomas Taylor’s Malamander and the sequel, and we are looking for books like those–thrilling, sly, dark, funny, suspenseful middle-grade fantasies with lots of friendship and at least one girl MC. We don’t like to slog through pointless dialogue and tedious set-up. (Also, no racism, sexism, or homo-/transphobia, please–I like reading J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Eva Ibbotson, Chris Riddell, and Roald Dahl because they are so funny, but also they can STFU with their dumb jokes about Asia, queer-coded villains, and sidelined heroines.) My kid has enjoyed audiobooks of the Unicorn Rescue Society, Love Sugar Magic, Princess Pulverizer, Alice in Wonderland, Anna Hibiscus, Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Magic Treehouse, Dory Fantasmagory, Dragons in a Bag, and Questioneers series, as well as the first Dark is Rising book. She heard the Audible sample of Akata Witch and was mesmerized (so was I) but I think it’s a little too old for her. Some violence is fine, but we’d like to stay away from heavy romance/crushes/bullying (middle-school stuff), and from really dark stuff like genocide, horrible forms of murder, any hint of sexual violence or suicide, etc. POC and queer characters a plus. Thank you so much! Best, -Mo Books Discussed Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (tw: racism, child abuse) Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth (tw: self harm, fatal overdose, torture, gore) Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff Lady Killer by Joelle Jones, Jamie S. Rich, and Chelsea Cain La Femme de Gilles by Madeleine Bourdouxhe (tw: suicide) Brussels Noir, edited by Michel Dufranne Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe The Flanders Panel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March (rec’d Nicole Hill) The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas Bunny by Mona Awad (tw: animal cruelty/death) Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy (rec’d by multiple Rioters) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month, we’re focusing on what it takes to quit your day job and become a full-time author. We learned how Rachael Herron used Patreon to fill in the financial gap left by her day job. We heard how Keir Graff write both his own books, as well as the books of others by ghostwriting.It’s clear, there’s no wrong way to be a full-time writer. But it’s also that having a successful author career doesn’t mean you have to do it full time.Today, I’m speaking with bestselling author, Gigi Pandian, who had the opportunity to take a sabbatical from her day job and fulfill a dream of being a full-time author. But, as you’ll here in this interview, Gigi learned that she actually missed her day job, and decided to return to her 9-5.Gigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and Anthony, Agatha, Derringer, and Lefty Award-winning mystery author. The child of cultural anthropologists from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, she spent her childhood traveling around the world on their research trips, and now lives in Northern California. Gigi writes lighthearted traditional mysteries including the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, and locked-room mystery stories. She has served on the national board of Sisters in Crime, currently sits on the board of her local Mystery Writers of America chapter, and is one of the co-founders of Crime Writers of Color.If you’d like to continue the conversation around what it takes to write full time, I encourage you to become a member of Your Breakout Book. All month, we’re trading ideas, answering questions, and sharing experiences to help you launch your own breakout book and move closer to the full-time writer dream. Visit KayePublicity.com/yourbreakoutbook for more information.

Join some of our favorite book nerds from Geek Elite Media as we explore novels of every genre with an accompanying beverage recipe, for the full book club experience. Jessica, Elizabeth, and Stephen conlude the 2015 mystical adventure novel 'The Accidental Alchemist' by Gigi Pandian, and to go along with the tale of the vegan herbalist a "kid friendly green smoothie", make sure to check out @Love.Of.Pages on Instagram to get the recipe. Theme Song: "Study And Relax" by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join some of our favorite book nerds from Geek Elite Media as we explore novels of every genre with an accompanying beverage recipe, for the full book club experience. Jessica, Elizabeth, and Stephen continue with the 2015 mystical adventure novel 'The Accidental Alchemist' by Gigi Pandian, and to go along with the tale of the vegan herbalist an "apricot blossom", make sure to check out @Love.Of.Pages on Instagram to get the recipe. Theme Song: "Study And Relax" by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Join some of our favorite book nerds from Geek Elite Media as we explore novels of every genre with an accompanying beverage recipe, for the full book club experience. Jessica, Elizabeth, and Stephen continue with the 2015 mystical adventure novel 'The Accidental Alchemist' by Gigi Pandian, and to go along with the tale of the vegan herbalist a "sweet teatini", make sure to check out @Love.Of.Pages on Instagram to get the recipe. Theme Song: "Study And Relax" by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://filmmusic.io/song/5764-study-and-relax License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

It's a cornucopia of accents on the show this week as four authors from all over the world discuss four very different books. With Gigi Pandian, David Joy, Poppy Gee and Jax Miller. All music used by permission under the creative commons license. Music in this episode includes: Rocker Chicks by Audionautix Soma by teeho x VYVCH Enchanter by The Polish Ambassador Oxygenating Mars by The Polish Ambassador Self Driving by Sro Ramona by Macchiato Funky They Went Shopping by Captive Portal Sunday by Otis McDonald

Gigi Pandian, author of the Accidental Alchemist and Jaya Jones series and co-founder of Crime Writers of Color, is interviewed by Robert Justice. GigiPandian.com CrimeWritersofColor.com

In this CREW REVIEWS exclusive, L.A. Chandlar persuades Thriller/Mystery authors Edwin Hill, Gigi Pandian, and John Copenhaver to answer some serious (and several not-so-serious) questions about the writing profession. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel, hit the "LIKE" button, and leave a comment. And if you want to learn more about the guys from The Crew or see additional author interviews, visit us at http://www.thecrewreviews.com Follow us on social media Twitter | https://twitter.com/CREWbookreviews/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/thecrewreviews/ Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/thecrewreviews/

Gigi Pandian, author of The Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries and the Accidental Alchemist Mysteries, winner of multiple awards, and locked-room mystery aficionado, joins me in conversation. We chat about organizations that support writers, where she gets her ideas, and the joys of a locked room. Find Gigi's books on Amazon, through indiebound.org, and wherever fine books are sold. https://gigipandian.com/books/ JAYA JONES TREASURE HUNT MYSTERIES: Artifact ’12 Pirate Vishnu ’14 Quicksand ’14 Michelangelo’s Ghost ’16 The Ninja’s Illusion ’17 The Cambodian Curse & Other Stories ACCIDENTAL ALCHEMIST MYSTERIES: The Accidental Alchemist ’15 The Masquerading Magician ’16 The Elusive Elixir ’17 The Alchemist’s Illusion ’19 SHORT STORIES/ANTHOLOGIES: Other People’s Baggage ’12 (w/ Kendel Lynn & Diane Vallere) Murder Most Conventional ’16 (anthology edited by Katherine Hall Page) “The Hindi Houdini” “The Library Ghost of Tanglewood Inn”

Steve and Eric talk to author Angie Kim about her debut novel, Miracle Creek. Eric heads to Chicago for Murder & Mayhem and comes back with an interview with Sophie Hannah, as well as chats with Bryan Gruley, Julie Hyzy, Jess Lourey, Mindy Mejia, Cheryl Head, Tim Hennesy, David Hagerty, Tracy Clark and Amelia Brunskill. Plus an UnPanel segment featuring Kellye Garrett, Frankie Bailey, Alex Segura and Gigi Pandian of Crime Writers of Color. All Music used by permission under the creative commons license. Music in this episode includes: Ground Cayenne by Good Lawdz Dollar Dub by Midnight North Reckoning by Podington Bear Grand Navy Plaza by Silent Partner Palmtrees by The Brothers Records Sunday by Otis McDonald Once by Silent Partner Companheir by A Magnifique Bande dos Homes sen Medo Pomade by Silent Partner

When Rory bent down to inspect the flowerbed, she caught sight of something twinkling in the dirt. She knelt down on the grass and plunged her hand into the cool earth, clearing away the soil from around the sparkling object.  An involuntary cry of alarm sprang from her lips. Her tennis shoes slid on the damp grass as Rory leapt to her feet and gaped at the finger sticking out of the dirt. She closed her eyes and said to herself over and over again: It's not real. It's all in your mind. Once she'd convinced herself the finger was a vision caused by too many hours at the computer, she opened her eyes and stared down at the ground again. The finger was still there.   -- Sybil Johnson, Fatal Brushstroke   Such fun to chat with Sybil Johnson about her cozy series, the Aurora Anderson mysteries. Her heroine combines the logic of a computer programmer with the ability to see -- and notice details -- with an artist's eye. The warmth of her circle of family and friends -- not to mention a good-looking detective and a steady supply of mysteries to solve -- makes this series a great find for cozy fans. Sybil gives a shout-out to one of my favorite cozy authors, Gigi Pandian, whom I interview here, and also Leigh Perry's Family Skeleton mysteries. Also, if you -- like me -- happen to be a sucker for holiday mysteries, let me send you over to Janet Rudolph's website, Mystery Fanfare, where she routinely publishes lists of mysteries involving holidays both major and obscure.  There are three books in the Aurora Anderson Mystery series so far, and three more to come. Book Four, Designed for Haunting, will be out for Halloween, but you can preorder it now.  Aurora Anderson books in order: 1 - Fatal Brushstroke 2 - Paint the Town Dead 3 - A Palette for Murder 4 - Designed for Haunting You can find Sybil online at her website (her questions for book groups are here), on Twitter, and on Facebook. And you can find her blogging at the fun group site, Type M for Murder. The group includes Vicki Delany and Frankie Y. Bailey, both of whom I've had the pleasure of interviewing. As always, if you'd rather read than listen, the transcript is below. Enjoy! -- Laura ********************************* Transcript of Interview with Sybil Johnson Laura Brennan: Author Sybil Johnson began her love affair with reading in kindergarten, with The Three Little Pigs. She then discovered Encyclopedia Brown, and the die was cast. Her Aurora Anderson mysteries are perfect cozies, combining art, friendship, a good-looking cop, and a hefty dose of murder. Sybil, thank you for joining me. Sybil Johnson: Thank you for having me. LB: So, like most of the mystery writers I chat with, you had another career in another field before you started writing novels. SJ: That's right. I was in software development, I was a computer programmer, I also managed computer programmers, which is a little bit like herding cats. And I did that kind of thing for 20 years. LB: What I found with mystery writers -- and I'm sure it's true of all writers, but I like mysteries, so with mystery writers -- writers write themselves and their world into their books. Which is fantastic, I think it's one of the reasons why every series is unique. So you were in computers and your heroine Rory is a computer programmer. How did you develop her character? SJ: Well, first off, I decided to do that, I decided to make her a freelance one. Anytime you have an amateur sleuth, you always have to have them have time during the day to go out and detect. And if she's a freelance computer programmer, she can work whenever she wants. She can work at 2 AM if she wants, and she can do her stuff during the day. So that was one of the reasons. And also, I thought it would be nice character because she's very analytical, which most computer programmers are, which I am. But she also has an artsy side, which is where the Tole painting comes in.

USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian spent her childhood being dragged around the world by her cultural anthropologist parents, and now lives outside San Francisco with her husband and a gargoyle who watches over the garden. A cancer diagnosis in her thirties taught her that life’s too short to waste a single moment. Gigi writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and locked-room mystery short stories. Her fiction has been awarded the Malice Domestic Grant and Lefty Awards, and short-listed for Macavity and Agatha Awards. How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chair, tricks to stay in it, and inspiration to get your own words flowing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

She grabbed a paperweight and faced the large man, drawing back her arm. "I'm warning you. I was starting pitcher in the Girls' State Fastpitch Softball Championships."  The man laughed, rich and throaty. "Go ahead. Throw it." Gethsemane hurled the weight. It sailed through the man's chest, disappearing into him like a sugar cube into hot coffee... -- Alexia Gordon, Murder in G Major I am always thrilled to find a new series I like, and Alexia's Gordon's Gethsemane Brown Mysteries did not disappoint. Cozy with a paranormal twist (and set in Ireland, swoon!), Murder in G Major launches a wonderful new voice. Alexia is a fan of music, whiskey and classic puzzle mysteries, and all three of those play a part in her series. Like Dr. Kwei Quartey, whom I interview here, Alexia is a medical doctor as well as a mystery writer. We also talk about fellow Henery Press writer Gigi Pandian, whose interview can be found here. Alexia credits Southern Methodist University's The Writer's Path with helping her wrangle her first novel. I also loved her sweet dedication to her parents, who, among other things, let her "have an unrestricted library card." My kinda folks! I realize these aren't books, but Alexia gave a shout-out to two of my favorite series: Northern Exposure and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. While I loved the movie -- Rex Harrison, c'mon! -- it was the TV series that made me want to live in a cottage by the sea, ideally with a ghost in the attic. It just seemed so fun to have one around. And, if you haven't read it, both are based on a charming book by R.A. Dick, the pseudonym for Scottish writer, Josephine Leslie. Two writers she talks about are Walter Mosley and Eleanor Taylor Bland. Alexia also loves Irish music, and if you want to check out the band she mentions, they are the Dropkick Murphys.  Check out Alexia's website and her Facebook Page for more info about her work. And if you'd rather read than listen, the transcript is below. Enjoy! Transcript of Interview with Alexia Gordon Laura Brennan: My guest today is Alexia Gordon, novelist and Renaissance woman. Among her many accomplishments, she’s a writer, a medical doctor, and a lover of music. It’s this last one that defines her series protagonist, Gethsemane Brown, an African American classical musician who finds herself stranded in Ireland -- and befriended by a ghost who just wants one little favor… For Gethsemane to solve his murder. Alexia, thank you for joining me. Alexia Gordon: Hi. LB: Before we dig into your wonderful new series, let’s talk a little bit about you. You started out writing at an early age. AG: Yes, ever since, elementary school, ever since I was old enough to write. I think it was in the 6th grade, we had a poetry unit and one of our assignments was to write a poem for our classroom poetry contest. And I wrote something that looking back on it, it was completely ridiculous, it went on for, I think, a few pages, about a superhero named XY. But my classmates voted that their favorite poem, so I won a Shel Silverstein book, Where the Sidewalk Ends, and I still have it somewhere at my parents’ house. LB: It’s amazing, isn’t it, how just a little encouragement can push you along on the path? AG: Yes. I credit my parents for encouraging me. I wouldn’t have done it if they had said, no, go do something more practical. So I do give them credit for that. LB: Although you did have a competing passion. Because you became a medical doctor. AG: Yes. Well, my parents did also say that I needed to be able to pay my bills someday. So they said, writing is fine, it’s wonderful, keep doing it, take all the writing classes you want, go to the library, buy books… But you also have to go to school and get a degree that will allow you to get a job and move out of our house and pay your bills. They love me but they wanted me to be financially independent. LB: It’s interesting, though,

"I find it puzzling, don't you? The rabbit, I mean. Very puzzling." As a magician, I am accustomed to people asking me about rabbits... As a writer, John Gaspard is accustomed to people asking him about magic. His wonderful Eli Marks Mystery Series features magician and reluctant amateur sleuth, Eli Marks, and his cranky Uncle Harry, also a magician and a debunker of magic scams.  Soft-boiled, humorous, and taking place in the -- dare I say? -- enchanting world of professional magicians, this series is a treat.  Let's do the important stuff first. Poof! -- John has pulled a free short story for you out of his hat! You can download it here, or listen to the incomparable Jim Cunningham read it here. John also makes movies! Check out his film blog, Fast, Cheap Movie Thoughts, which riffs off the name of one of his own books on movie making, Fast, Cheap and Under Control. In the interview, he recommends a book by William Bayer, Breaking Through, Selling Out, Dropping Dead and other notes on Film Making. You can keep abreast of Johns' many activities on Facebook. John gives a shout-out to fellow Minnesota writer Judith Guest (of Ordinary People fame, but also the writer of suspense novel, The Tarnished Eye) as well as mystery writer Lawrence Block, a long-time favorite of mine as well. He also talks about the great work The Amazing Randi has done in debunking frauds. Other magicians mentioned in this conversation: Dai Vernon, Lance Burton and Eugene Burger, and of course Harry Houdini. And I want to give a shout-out myself to Henery Press, which is doing a great job of publishing soft-boiled and cozy series, especially ones that are a little outside the lines, at a time when other publishers are ending many long-time series. They also publish Gigi Pandian's Jaya Jones series, another favorite of mine. If you missed my conversation with her, you can check it out here. This was such a fun conversation. Enjoy! -- Laura Transcript of Interview with John Gaspard Laura Brennan: My guest today may not be a professional magician, but he certainly creates magic on the page. John Gaspard’s novels are clever, funny and satisfying mysteries, with a flourish of stage magic. John, thank you for joining me. John Gaspard: Happy to be here. LB: Before we start talking about your novels, I'd like to talk a little bit about you. You also have a career in film and television, is that right? JG: Well, career might be a strong word. I have sold things to television and I have produced a number of low-budget feature films on my own. I started out as a teenager making films and I was directing them, so I was just always the director. LB: Well, I love that. I love that you take what you have and instead of letting it languish in a drawer somewhere, you actually went out and made it. And you started doing this when you were a teenager? JG: I did! I am one of the first people in the country or maybe even the world to make a feature-length Super 8 single sound system film. Which meant that the sound was right there on the film when you recorded it, as opposed to double system, where it is recorded separately. I did a couple of 16mm films in the '90s, they were all features, and then three digital features since around 2001. LB: So you have always wanted to write? JG: I always wanted to make movies, and since no one was handing me scripts I sort of fell into the writing part. LB: I like that because when you're writing a novel, you are both a writer and the director. JG: Yes. Yes, there's a lot more control going on in writing a novel. LB: So let's move into novels. How did you get started then, moving away from writing and directing features and into novels? JG: Well, I'd always figured that as I got a little bit older, I'd be doing less schlepping of film equipment and low-budget filmmaking. And I had read a book in my teens by William Bayer called, Breaking Through, Selling Out,

  With two delicious series going, each with a new book out over the next six months, author Gigi Pandian still managed to find time to chat with me, and I'm thrilled. Her adventure-filled mysteries are among my favorite series. How do you know if you'd like them? If you're a fan of Elizabeth Peters, either her Vicky Bliss or her Amelia Peabody series, then you will love Gigi's books. We talk about a lot of things, and one of them is food. Dorian, the gourmet chef (and living gargoyle) from The Accidental Alchemist grumbles about it, but he manages to create masterful dishes with only vegan ingredients. Gigi has a treasure trove of recipes on her site for you to try as well, and don't miss her Pinterest board!  Gigi's interests are so wide-ranging -- alchemy! mythology! world travel! -- that I'm not going to try to encapsulate it all here. Instead, let me suggest you follow her on Facebook and subscribe to her newsletter. Little doses of wonderment await. And joy -- did I mention what joyous romps the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries are? There, now I did. Plus Gigi just shared some great news about The Accidental Alchemist series: her original three-book series has been extended! There will be more adventures for Zoe and Dorian ahead. Here are the two series, in order: The Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series 1 - Artifact 2 - Pirate Vishnu 3 - Quicksand 4 - Michelangelo's Ghost The Accidental Alchemist 1 - The Accidental Alchemist 2 - The Masquerading Magician 3 - The Elusive Elixir As always, if you'd prefer to read rather than listen, here is the transcript. Enjoy! Transcript of Interview with Gigi Pandian: Laura Brennan: My guest today is USA Today bestselling author, Gigi Pandian. The Accidental Alchemist won this year’s Best Novel Lefty Award, while Artifact, a Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery, was named a Best of 2012 Debut Novel by Suspense Magazine. Lucky for us, both of these mysteries launched excellent series. Gigi, thank you for joining me. Gigi Pandian: Thanks so much for having me today. LB: Your very first novel was Artifact. GP: Yes. LB: And that was the first outing for Jaya Jones. GP: Yup. LB: The subheading for that is “A Treasure Hunt Mystery.” Which came first? Did the treasure hunt aspect of it come first or did you come up with the character first? GP: So the whole idea for the series was always there right from the start, mixed up with Jaya and her friends and the whole adventure of it. But I hadn’t really figured out that it was a treasure hunt mystery series because when I wrote the first book, I was just concentrating on the first mystery. And so I knew that it was an adventure that became a treasure hunt, but it wasn’t until I was thinking about, as all authors have to do, how do you actually pitch your book to other people, that’s when I realized that that was really what I wanted to be doing for a whole series. Because I love adventure mysteries, and so it was definitely the thing that I wanted to hook the series around. LB: It is such a joyous romp. I love that book. GP: Oh, thank you. LB: It’s so full of the twists and the surprises. You said it kind of sprang full-formed? GP: The idea for the adventure of it, that it wouldn’t be something that was just set in one place. That it would be an adventure that was following clues that lead to different foreign destinations and that there would be twists and turns. I just, when I started writing it, I hadn’t figured out exactly what those twists and turns were. And it’s actually one of those things that is really funny when I look back on it, that I’ve always thought of myself as an outliner, someone who knows exactly what the story is before I sit down to write. But what I've realized is that every single book I've written, whenever I start with an outline but then I sent my characters free to go follow that outline, they do not follow my outline.