Podcasts about novelists

What does it take to transition from a high-pressure newsroom to the world of mystery novels? And how can personal tragedy shape a writer's voice? Join us as Merry and Cathy dive into these questions with the remarkable John DeDakis, a former CNN senior copy editor turned novelist and writing coach.

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. This episode of Writer's Voice features two leading voices confronting the defining challenges of the 21st century — corporate monopolization and climate breakdown. Together, these conversations show that both the digital and planetary crises share a root cause — the concentration of power — and that … Continue reading Cory Doctorow on Big Tech's “Enshittification” & Bill McKibben on Solar Hope for the Planet →

HT2428 - Volumes 1, 2, and 3 Large bodies of work are difficult to consume. Think War and Peace versus haiku. Novelists know the advantages of breaking their narrative into smaller parts — chapters, sections, volumes. We can do that, too, as long as we remember that each section is its own entity and doesn't repeat the previous ones. Show your appreciation for our free weekly Podcast and our free daily Here's a Thought… with a donation Thanks!

Planet Poet-Words in Space – NEW PODCAST!  LISTEN to my WIOX show (originally aired September 23rd, 2025) featuring returning guests, award-winning poet Lee Slonimsky and award-winning novelist Carol Goodman.  Lee and Carol will discuss and read from their new books - Lee's latest bilingual poetry collection Pythagoras in Exile, which is published in Greece and translated by Katerina Mardakioupi, and Carol's latest Literary Mystery - Writers and Liars, set on a Greek Island. We'll also hear about their life together as mutual literary muses, and their fascination with the ancient world.   Lee Slonimsky has published twenty books of poetry around the world, ten in the U. S. and ten others in countries ranging from Greece to Italy to Israel to India.  His work has been anthologized several times, including in Everyman Library's Buzz Words.  His latest book, a bilingual edition of Pythagoras in Exile, was published by Enipnio Press in Athens, Greece this past May. Visit: Enipnio Press and Mod.Lunar - The River Carol Goodman's rich and prolific career includes novels such as The Widow's House and The Night Visitor, winners of the 2018 and 2020 Mary Higgins Clark Awards.  Her books have been translated into sixteen languages.  She lives in the Hudson Vallley. Visit:  carolgoodman.com Praise for Lee Slonimsky “If Pythagoras and Sappho had ever met, they might have written soulful poems like these to each other.” – Anne Carson “The sonnet turns out to be the perfect—maybe even the Platonic—form for Lee Slonimsky's Pythagorean meditations…These variations on themes serve as an entrance into the philosopher's mind, as if we are thinking and discovering along with him.” -- A. E. Stallings (2011 winner of the MacArthur Foundation  “Genius Prize”: Praise for Carol Goodman “An excellent riff on And Then There Were None unfolds within a setting steeped in sinister mythology.... An absolutely perfect vacation read.” —Booklist (starred review) “Goodman's latest delivers a mash-up of Greek mythology and Agatha Christie's classic mysteries, to delightful effect.”—Library Journal (starred review) 

The Dingle Distillery International Film Festival returns this winter to venues around Dingle from 7 – 9 November. Renowned Hollywood screenwriter, director, producer and acclaimed novelist Todd Komarnicki will appear at the festival for ‘Writing and Directing Your Way To Success'. Todd will talk his creative process, pitching tips and working in Tinseltown, from writing the screenplay for Clint Eastwood and Tom Hanks blockbuster Sully, to co-producing Christmas hit Elf, and his most recent Hollywood film in 2024, Bonhoeffer, the true story of pastor turned WW2 spy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Ahead of his appearance Todd spoke to Pat this morning on the show.

Send us a textC4 Leaders – the ONLY nonprofit to utilize the pizza making process to create space for our companions to be seen, heard, and loved.   We work with businesses, sports teams, hospitals, churches…anyone looking to RISE TOGETHER.  We also write children's books and use the most amazing handmade, hand-tossed, sourdough pizza to bring out the best in each other.   Please check out PIZZADAYS.ORG to support our important work. Season 5 Episode #22 Heather Colley is coming from London, England  (inform, inspire, & transform)You can find Heather via her website heathercolleyauthor.comAbout our guest: Heather Colley is a PhD student in English Literature at the University of Oxford (Regents Park College). Her current research is focused on late 19th and early 20th century jazz and blues aesthetics in transatlantic modernist literature, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of musical forms and tropes on literary experimentation and cultural development. Heather completed her Master's in Modern and Contemporary Literature with Distinction at St Andrews, where she studied lyric and form in the work of mid-twentieth century African American women novelists. She received her Bachelor's in English Literature/Creative Writing and Sociology at the University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Heather's writing won The Oxford Review of Books Short Fiction Prize, the Hopwood Award, and inclusion in the Desperate Literature anthology. The Gilded Butterfly Effect is Heather's debut novel. Thanks for sharing your many gifts and creativity with the world, having the courage to take your gift and put it on paper and for being our guest on Life's Essential Ingredients…welcome to the show.TOTD – “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”  Maya AngelouBuild a habit - to create intention - to live your purpose! In this episode:What was life like growing up?What are your life's essential ingredients?What was your inspiration to study literature?  And to go abroad…50k students to use health services…what are some of the challenges that college students face in finding someone to talk to…The importance of connection and where fraternities and sororities attempt to fill that gap…The writing process…what is yours and how do you overcome the challenges and joys that come with it…How great did it feel to finish your book and to receive the author's copy…October 21st…released your first book…Beautiful book cover…Stella, Penny, Millie, Leah…Thoughts on substances to help with mental health challenges…Study drugs that help enhance focus… what are your thoughts on the rewiring of our brain leading to needing drugs to help us focus, leading to emotional uncertainty…What characteristics do college students need to be successful?  What characteristics do colleges need to create success for their students?What is the main takeaway you want the reader to take from your book?  How do you want to be perceived as a writer?Plans for book 2 and so on… dealing with the pressure or excited to get to writing…Book you recommend?Legacy 

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Sam J Miller and Mary Robinette Kuwal, both award-winning authors of one-half of a new science fiction "Saga Double."0:00 Opening ThoughtsHow are you celebrating Halloween?05:03 News1) Lawsuit Over Amazon Prime Cancellations Settled2) TikTok and Spotify Launch New Joint Hub12:43 Craft CornerBetsey Kulakowski, author of the Veritas Codex series, offers advice on character and world-building, and how the two interact. 15:35 Interview with Mary Robinette Kuwal and Sam J MillerParting WordsMark your calendar for the WriterCon Cruise!MARCH 7TH - 15TH 8-DAY EASTERN CARIBBEAN: GREATER ANTILLES & LEEWARD ISLANDSWhen the boat is at sea, we'll offer more than 20 hours of writing instruction, group and individual, plus we'll have Katharine Sands of the Sarah Jane Freymann Agency on board to meet privately with each participant. Don't miss it! Click here for more information.

Conor Power (Journalist, Ghostwriter and Novelist) speaks to Kieran about his recent visit to Ukraine as a volunteer with a mission group, to deliver essential aid including ambulances, and a minibus with aid and supplies.

In this episode Simon and Rachel speak to the novelist Dean Koontz. The author of over 120 books, Dean is published in 38 countries and has sold 500m copies to date. His suspense thrillers blend science fiction, horror, crime and comedy. Fourteen of Dean's novels - including "One Door Away From Heaven", "The Bad Place" and "77 Shadow Street" - have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His titles have also been major bestsellers in countries as diverse as Japan and Sweden. Many of his books, including "Whispers," "Demon Seed" and "Odd Thomas", have been made into films too. We spoke to Dean about the role of books as an escape during a difficult childhood, the challenges of navigating agents and editors, especially early in his career, and his latest novel, "Going Home in the Dark". Alongside listening to us in audio as usual, the podcast is now available on video. You can check us out, and get a glimpse of Dean's adorable golden retriever, on YouTube under Always Take Notes.  We've made another update for those ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We've added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we're now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel. A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julian David Stone is an author, photographer, and filmmaker whose novel It's Alive! recounts the frantic days leading up to the filming of Universal's 1931 classic, Frankenstein. Co-hosts: Jonathan Friedmann & Joey Angel-Field Producer-engineer: Mike Tomren Julian's websitehttps://www.juliandavidstone.com/Amusing Jews Merch Storehttps://www.amusingjews.com/merch#!/ Subscribe to the Amusing Jews podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/show/amusing-jews Adat Chaverim – Congregation for Humanistic Judaism, Los Angeleshttps://www.humanisticjudaismla.org/ Jewish Museum of the American Westhttps://www.jmaw.org/Atheists United Studioshttps://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios

Kenneth Roberts wrote intense novels about the early years of the American Republic. He also tried to rehabilitate the reputation of American traitor Benedict Arnold.

Bebe Moore Campbell (1950-2006), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded August 23, 2001 while on tour for her novel, “What You Owe Me.” In her books, she explored racial justice, childhood obesity and the tensions in friendships between Black and white people; she shared the stigma of mental illness and memories of the summers she spent with her father in North Carolina. Bebe Moore Campbell died of brain cancer on November 27, 2006 at the age of 56,  and was on the verge of recognition as a major African American novelist and journalist at the time of her death. Her first novel, published in 1992, Your Blues Ain't Like Mine, won the NAACP Image Award for Literature that year, and was a notable book in both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times. Her second novel, Brothers and Sisters, hit the New York Times best seller list after two weeks. Along the way, she became a regular commentator on NPR's Morning Edition. I interviewed Bebe Moore Campbell on August 23, 2001 while she was on the publicity tour for her fourth novel, What You Owe Me. Most of the interview focuses on that book. Bebe Moore Campbell would only write one more novel before her untimely death 72 Hour Hold. As for October, 2025, none of her works have been adapted for film or television. This was one of the final Bookwaves interviews recorded on analog tape, and was digitized and edited on October 20, 2025. This podcast is the first time the entire edited interview has been heard. The interview itself has not aired since 2002. The post Bebe Moore Campbell (1950-2006), Novelist focusing on Racism and Mental Health, “What You Owe Me,” 2001 appeared first on KPFA.

Perceptions of the American Economy: Rich vs. Poor. Jim McTague, a novelist and former editor, approached a wealthy couple who described the economy as "really great for rich people" but "hell" for the poor. They claimed to have seen terrible poverty while driving across the country. However, when pressed to identify where, the woman named "Indiana," a state McTague observes has a booming economy. When asked if they personally knew anyone unemployed or unable to find a job, the couple could not name anyone.

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. In this episode of Writer's Voice, we talk with Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent for The New York Times and former Beijing bureau chief, about his new book At the Edge of Empire: A Family's Reckoning with China. Part memoir, part history, and part frontline … Continue reading Edward Wong on China's Imperial Past and Present: AT THE EDGE OF EMPIRE →

SPECIAL DROP FOR SATELLITE SISTERS WHO DREAM 0F WRITING ROMANCE! It's never too late to totally switch it up. Just ask Sue Fleishman who went from being a Communications Guru at big entertainment companies like Universal, Amblin and Warner Brothers to rebranding herself Campbell Linden, Romance Novelist! On today's episode, she shares her story including a juicy Hollywood bad-behavior- behind-the-scenes tale and how she came up with her nom de plume. Millennial Mentor Leah is jealous and tests out her own potential pen name.To follow Campbell Linden and her books: Buy the latest Settle For More on amazon.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCampbellLinden/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campbelllindenauthor/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@campbelllindenWebsite: https://campbelllinden.com/Check out the trailer for Robert Evan's film The Kids Stays In The PictureArticle in Stanford Longevity Magazine RX Creativity for Health Life and Fun by Laura Holson featuring Sue Fleishman.Novel Liz mentions by Lian Dolan about Gen X Couple: The Marriage Sabbatical HOMEWORKWhere to go for your own creative inspiration.Sue recommends: Find a class at Grub StreetLeah recommends:Stephen King On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.Anne Lamott. Bird By Bird.Liz recommends: Mr. Scorcese 5 part doc by Rebecca Miller. A new series on Apple TV + about Martin Scorcese and his life's work.Love, Gilda. Documentary about Gilda Radnor. Weaving together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern day comediennes (including Amy Poehler).If you are new to Lizness School, we suggest you listen to Season 1 to hear all about Liz's year as a Stanford Fellow. Everything from Neuroscience and Chinese History to Pickleball! Plus a great community experience with her fellow DCI Fellows.Season 2 is about how she puts her lessons to work in the wild.To listen to Liz +. Leah's recap of Lizness School Season 1, go to our FINALE here.For more on Liz Dolan, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠For more on Liz's work in podcasting, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Satellite Sisters⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Lizness School on all podcasting platforms including ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify.⁠⁠⁠⁠On Instagram, follow the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/liznessschool/⁠⁠⁠⁠ and follow Liz at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/satellitesisterliz/⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow Producer and Millennial Mentor Leah Sutherland @leahhsutherlandd on Instagram and Leah Sutherland on LinkedIn. To email Lizness School with your own voicememos/questions/thoughts/suggestions for Liz or Leah, use ⁠⁠⁠⁠liznessschool@gmail.comThe Distinguished Careers Institute is a unique program for late career people. Fellows are graduate students at Stanford University, able to take classes in any area. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Complete information here.⁠⁠⁠⁠Email the podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠liznessschool@gmail.com ⁠See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Debut novelist Carys Shannon on how to stay true to your voice through submissions and agent feedback, why an editorially led indie press was the right home for her book, and the craft that brought it to life.We discuss:How to decide what your book wants to be and center its emotional life.Submission strategy after competitions: reading agent feedback without losing your vision.Indie presses 101: editorially led models, scale, and alignment.Contracts with a small press: advances, rights splits, and what to expect.Publicity with an indie: bespoke support and realistic reach.Craft choices that unlocked the book: first-person present vs close third, “killing your darlings.”Landscape as character.Redefining success through integrity of voice. Resources and Links:

In the wake of the brazen heist at the Louvre in Paris this past weekend, many are saying, “real life has once again echoed fiction.” In Dan Brown's "The Da Vinci Code," a crime unfolds in the Louvre. We spoke with Dan Brown about the recent heist at the Louvre and the relationship to his book, "The Da Vinci Code."Brown's brand new novel is "The Secret of Secrets" and he will be our guest on the Book Show on November 4 at 3 p.m.

Episode #104 – Michael Wendroff: Marketing Mastermind Turned Thriller Author In this week's episode, I sit down with Michael Wendroff — a global marketing consultant with an MBA from New York University (and an induction into their Hall of Fame) who pivoted into writing to publish his debut thriller. We talk about what it takes to go from business-strategy to bestselling pages, the craft of storytelling, and the unexpected crossover between marketing and fiction. What we dive into ·         Michael's background in marketing and how his business acumen shaped his approach to writing and publishing. ·         The journey of writing his debut novel, What Goes Around, including the role his parents played and how early exposure to publishers influenced him. ·         Key lessons in thriller writing: plotting with precision, building tension, and structuring a story that keeps readers turning pages. ·         The importance of feedback, editing, and revision. ·         The big role of self-marketing as an author today — how storytelling isn't just what you write but how you bring it to the world. ·         Advice for anyone considering a creative pivot or literary debut: that the skills you already have might just be your springboard. Why this episode matters If you're a writer (or aspiring one), a creative shifting from one career to another, or someone curious how business skills translate into art — you'll find plenty here. Michael shows that storytelling isn't just for authors: it's for anyone with something to say, and that craft + strategy can move mountains. Connect with Michael Wendroff https://michaelwendroff.com/

This week, Tiberius Boy sits down with the amazing Ryan Estrada — artist, writer, world traveler, and accidental lion-dodger — to talk about creativity, courage, and the adventures that come with following your passion. In this episode:•    What it's really like to work on Garfield and Star Trek•    How a six-year-old landed his first professional comic gig•    The wild stories behind Banned Book Club — a book so powerful it became banned itself!•    Life lessons from sleeping through typhoons, skinny-dipping with piranhas, and almost being eaten by lions •    Why mistakes and “not-my-jam” moments can become your greatest teachers•    The truth about AI in the creative world — is it helping or hurting artists?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-tiberius-show--3352195/support.

I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture's economic systems. This leads to a discussion of our current day economics systems and government corruption. How do we move our current corrupt systems to one like The Culture's where there is true democracy and equality?LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.LinksSubscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series withConsider Phlebas or The Player of Games

How do the untold stories of history's tenacious women shape our understanding of today? Author Cinda Gault, drawing from her unique journey as a prison guard and criminologist, brings these powerful figures to life. Discover how she weaves fact and fiction to explore the adventures of women in the wilderness and the transformative 1970s. Learn why recovering these stories is crucial for understanding our past and inspiring our future.

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. In this episode of Writer's Voice, we hear from two authors illuminating the human cost of broken systems — one through fiction, the other through investigative memoir. In the first half of the show, we speak with Evanthia Bromiley about her haunting and lyrical … Continue reading Lives on the Margin: Evanthia Bromiley's CROWN and Judy Karovsky's DISELDERLY CONDUCT →

Bestselling author John Irving is about to publish a sequel to one of his biggest books. But he won't be promoting it in one of his biggest markets -- because of Donald Trump. John Bolton is the latest Trump critic to be indicted on federal charges. He's accused of sharing classified information while working on a book. But a former US attorney says there might be more to this case -- than revenge.One of the physicians behind a new Ontario standard for menopause care says it doesn't get half as much attention as it should for something that affects half the population. Trailblazing activist Miss Major Griffin-Gracy spent her life carving out a safe space for fellow Black trans women. One of her many adopted trans daughters says she's forever indebted to the woman who changed her life.A new study into how toads managed to spread across large parts of the world millions of years ago found the key is what most of us thought it was: the poisonous glands behind their eyes. For the 30th year in a row, a band of mysterious pranksters have stuck a pumpkin on a clock tower at the University of Montana and vanished -- like their equally mysterious pumpkin-piercing forebears.As It Happens, the Friday Edition. Radio that guesses they've faded into obscurity -- emphasis on "skewer".

Acclaimed debut novelist Penny Zang spoke with us about making friendship bracelets for readers, why the world doesn't stop when you lose a loved one, hanging out with Sylvia Plath, and her psychological thriller DOLL PARTS I am joined by a co-host this week, none other than The Book Babe, Milena Gonzalez. Penny Zang is an English professor at Greenville Technical College and the debut author of DOLL PARTS, described as “... a dark, poetic, dual-timeline psychological thriller that blends sad girl lit and feminist horror with a heavy dose of 90s grunge nostalgia.” International bestselling author Samantha Downing said of the book, "Doll Parts is the most mesmerizing and original book I've read in a long time. It's eerie and addictive, a story that pulls you in and won't let go," and Library Journal wrote, “Zang's compelling debut delves insightfully into topics such as friendship, grief, and Plath's place in literature...” Penny Zang holds an MFA in Creative Writing from West Virginia University and is the 2024 Elizabeth Boatwright Coker fiction fellow via the South Carolina Academy of Authors. Her work has appeared in New Ohio Review, Louisville Review, Superstition Review, Potomac Review, and South 85, among others. [Discover ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠⁠⁠⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠⁠⁠⁠writerfiles.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠⁠⁠⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠⁠⁠⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Penny Zang, Milena Gonzalez, and I discussed: How she formed the #5AMWritersClub Writing as a form of grief after losing a good friend Reminding her parents that her fiction didn't really happen Wending pop culture iconography into her work Why finding your writing community is so important And a lot more! Show Notes: pennyzang.com  Doll Parts: A Novel by Penny Zang (Amazon) Penny Zang on Facebook Penny Zang on Instagram Penny Zang on Twitter Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Shanna Hatfiled, the author of more than one hundred novels about her new Christmas novel, The Bridge.0:00 Opening ThoughtsWelcome to Season Five of the WriterCon Podcast! We're going to reach our 200th episode in December and we're looking for suggestions on how to celebrate this momentous event. Post your ideas in the Comments section!02:56 News1) New Developments in the Anthropic SettlementHere's a link to the site where you can determine whether any of your books were impropoerly used by Anthropic. You can also submit a Claim Form so you can participate in the settlement—if you qualify.Searchable database: https://secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/?_gl=1x16ddk_gcl_auMjExNTg2NTEzMi4xNzU5NDE1NTc0Submitting Claim Forms: https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/2) New "Book Club" Scam Floods Writers' Email InboxesSupport and follow Writer Beware! https://writerbeware.blog/13:32 Craft CornerBarry Friedman (author of Jack Sh*t 3: I'm the Father) offers suggestions on bringing reality to your fiction.15:52 Interview with Shanna Hatfield30:58 Parting WordsThe 2026 WriterCon Cruise in March leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary. Come join us!

Novelist and screenwriter Bruce Wagner returns to discuss his exceptionally timely new novel Amputation—a strange, exuberant, and ultra meta work set against a topic I've talked about a lot this year, the January LA wildfires. Bruce, an L.A. native and prominent literary figure in the city, explains how the book came together in less than two months, why he resists “political novels” even when writing inside a political moment, and how language (not legacy) keeps him making art. We also talk about real-life figures who appear as characters (Stephen Colbert, Mayor Karen Bass, Debra Winger, and a Timothée Chalamet student double, among others), the surrealism of driving through miles of leveled neighborhoods, and the deranged comic-tragic chorus of the Nextdoor app. Bruce also reflects on being an L.A. “outsider who outsided his way inside,” why the book is opera, not noir, and what it means to keep walking the “narrow, burning road to the palace.” Guest Bio: Bruce Wagner is the author of fifteen novels, including the “cell phone” trilogy, The Marvel Universe, The Met Gala and Tales of Saints and Seekers, Roar: American Master, and now Amputation. A longtime Hollywood insider/outsider, he has written for film and television and is currently published by Arcade.

Rachel and Simon speak to the novelist Sarah Perry. Sarah is the internationally bestselling author of four novels - "After Me Comes the Flood" (2014), "The Essex Serpent" (2016), "Melmoth" (2018) and "Enlightenment" (2024) - as well as two works of non-fiction, "Essex Girls" (2020) and "Death of an Ordinary Man" (2025). Waterstone's and the British Book Awards both named "The Essex Serpent" Book of the Year and in 2022 Apple TV+ adapted the novel into a mini-series starring Claire Danes and Tom Hiddleston. Sarah's work has been nominated for major literary prizes including the Women's Prize for Fiction, the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Folio Prize and the Costa Novel Award. We spoke to Sarah about growing up in a Strict Baptist household, her breakout success with "The Essex Serpent", and her latest novel, "Enlightenment".We've made another update for those ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We've added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we're now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel.A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.You can find us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alwaystakenotes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar.

H. Lee Barnes, author of ten books, including four novels and four short story collections. His newest, EMERALD CITY BLUES (University of Nevada Press; October 14, 2025), is a searing historical novel set in San Pedro, California during World War II that paints a vivid and memorable picture of forbidden romance, war-time culture, and the human fabric of our shared identities in times that seek to divide us, illustrating the many surprising similarities between then and now. Lee Barnes has lots to talk about. His life before he became a writer was thrilling and fascinating and led to him becoming a writer and professor. He was a Green Beret in the Vietnam War and was honored by the Vietnam Veterans of America with an Excellence in the Arts Award for his Vietnam War books. He was employed as a detective, and then as a sergeant. He worked for Griffin's Detective Agency as a Private Investigator and for the Nevada Division of Investigation and Narcotics. He's even gone undercover. In 2009, he was inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame. He earned his MFA in creative writing from Arizona State University and taught English and creative writing at the College of Southern Nevada, retiring emeritus in 2017. His short fiction has received the Willamette Fiction Award and the Arizona Author's Association Fiction Award. His last collection, Life Is a Country Western Song, garnered the 2019 New Mexico/Arizona Book Award for Fiction Other. Barnes lives in the Hualapai Valley in northern Arizona.H. Lee Barnes - Biography

My guest this episode is Judith Hutchinson Lepore, a Canadian writer from British Columbia whose work spans fantasy, historical fiction, and memoir. Her latest book, Finding the Phoenix, tells how she and her family escaped a devastating wildfire that destroyed much of their community. What began as personal loss became a story of renewal and connection. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Judith Hutchinson Lepore is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy The Magic of Miraven, which has sold in eight countries. A longtime freelance writer and editor in film, radio, and television, she also worked as a personal trainer and health columnist while raising two children. In 2022, she and her husband moved to West Kelowna, British Columbia. The following year, they survived the region's worst wildfire on record—an experience she recounts in her memoir Finding the Phoenix.

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Today, a gripping story of courage, faith, and friendship in one of the most dangerous countries on Earth. Ross Halperin joins us to talk about his extraordinary book Bear Witness: The Pursuit of Justice in a Violent Land. It's the true story of two … Continue reading Ross Halperin on BEAR WITNESS: Fighting Gang Violence & Restoring Justice in A Violent Land →

David CaryD.L. Cary | Faith-Fueled Suspense Novelist Unmasking Evil in The Veil ChroniclesD.L. Cary is a faith-fueled suspense novelist who detonates the boundaries of clean fiction.His breakout thriller Maria's Shadow thrusts readers into the perilous journey of a trafficked young mother who, less than two months pregnant, vows to outwit a powerful cabal to save her unborn son and expose their crimes.The danger escalates in The Veil Strikes—Book 2 of The Veil Chronicles—where a newly sanctioned, off-the-books task force assembles on a Texas ranch with a single mandate: root out the corruption strangling America's highest institutions, no matter the cost.Cary's work ignites high-octane action, redemptive faith, and razor-sharp social commentary into stories that leave readers breathless yet hopeful, proving that courage and conviction can still prevail over darkness.Want to be a guest on Book 101 Review? Send Daniel Lucas a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/17372807971394464fea5bae3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode we are joined by Adam Rapp! Adam is a Tony nominated and award winning playwright who also was a finalist for the Pulitzer Price. He is also a novelist, screenwriter, musician, and director. Some of his works include Nocturne, Blackbird, Red Light Winter, American Sligo, Ghosts in the Cottonwoods, Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling and Wolf in the River. Adam made his Broadway debut with his play The Sound Inside and co-wrote the book for the Tony winning musical The Outsiders.We talk with Adam about what got him into writing, his time with and at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, how he got involved with The Outsiders and much more!

This episode was recorded LIVE at WriterCon 2025 on August 31, 2025. Our fifth season will begin next week. See you there!Bestselling authors William and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Laurie L Dove (Mask of the Deer Woman) and Nova McBee (Calculated), the keynote speakers for WriterCon 2025.Opening ThoughtsWe're recording LIVE from the third day of WriterCon 2025. Lara enjoys the fun, especially karaoke night. Jesse is disgruntled because he found James Patterson books in his hotel room. News1) Enterpreneur Replaces Speed Dating with Read Dating2) New Platform Allows you to Choose Your Own Adventure in Famous Fictional Worlds3) Stephen King and Benjamin Percy Launch Novel Serialized in Newspaper FormatInterview with Laurie L Dove and Nova McBeeParting WordsSorry to tell you, but if you're listening to this at home, you have missed WriterCon 2025. But there will be another one in 2026 during Labor Day weekend (Sept 4-7, 2026), so start making your plans now. www.writercon.com.WriterCon has its own free newsletter and you don't want to miss the next issue, which has wonderful articles and news about breaking issues. Go to Substack and search for WriterCon.And if you'd like a daily dose of WriterCon, join our Facebook Group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/113141678727273

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!A single question on a cold Hudson Valley walk: What if there's a body in that hunter's tent? sparked the debut thriller The Gallagher Place by Julie Doar. In this episode, we chat about how she wrote the first draft by instinct, then shifted gears into precision: charting dates, timelines, and cause-and-effect until every twist landed in a way that made sense. When the manuscript worked its way to 100K+ words, cutting became an act of getting clarity on what stays, what goes, and how much weight the opening chapter really has to carry.As it turns out, her years working at Starbucks trained the same muscles that make a thriller work: anticipating and executing under pressure. We talk about turning that fast-twitch instinct into a writing rhythm, plus the art of finishing one idea before chasing the next.We also chat about how querying parallels sales strategy: staggering submissions, treating rejections as market data, and refining pages until they convert. The mindset shift from “why not me?” to “what did I learn?” keeps momentum alive until the right agent says yes. ✍️ You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's start writing (for real this time). No incense, inspirational playlists, or fancy mantras. Just a clear, doable plan to get your nonfiction or memoir draft written in 33 days.

Award-winning, acclaimed debut novelist Jinwoo Park spoke to me about breaking out of a creative rut, writing as “self-therapy,” cracking the #BookTok code, and his literary espionage thriller OXFORD SOJU CLUB Jinwoo Park is a Korean Canadian writer based in Montreal. He completed a master's degree in creative writing at the University of Oxford, and currently works as a marketer in the tech industry. His first novel, Oxford Soju Club, is a literary espionage thriller exploring themes of identity and the Korean diaspora. Park's manuscript for Oxford Soju Club won the Jim Wong-Chu Emerging Writers' Award in 2021. A Booklist starred review wrote of the book, “In stylistically rich prose, the author carefully portrays complex characters, distilling the intricate workings of the Korean psyche with riveting tension. Under the cover of a compelling espionage drama…” Jinwoo is also a literary translator and received the LTI Korea Translation Award for Aspiring Translators in 2023.  [Discover ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Writer Files Extra⁠⁠⁠⁠: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at ⁠⁠⁠⁠writerfiles.fm⁠⁠⁠⁠] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please ⁠⁠⁠⁠click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews⁠⁠⁠⁠. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Jinwoo Park and I discussed: How his notes from "self-therapy" became a breakout book Posting to TikTok every day to build a following Sharing a name with a character from K-Pop Demon Hunters In rewriting his debut novel five times to distill it to its essence What authenticity means to him And a lot more! Show Notes: jinwoo-park.com  Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park (Amazon) Jinwoo Park on Instagram Jinwoo Park on TikTok Jinwoo Park on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer's Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform. Today, a remarkable conversation with Reality Winner, the NSA whistleblower who leaked proof of Russian interference in the 2016 election and paid for it with the harshest sentence ever imposed under the Espionage Act. Reality Winner's new memoir, I Am Not Your Enemy, tells … Continue reading Reality Winner on I AM NOT YOUR ENEMY: The Intercept's Betrayal, Trump's Double Standard, and the Egregious Espionage Act →

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!What happens when a traditionally published debut novel suddenly appears on Kindle Unlimited while still showing wide? That unexpected twist opens into a bigger conversation about publishing decisions (and what's actually within an author's control).In this episode, Turner Gable Kahn, author of The Dirty Version (Harper Perennial), shares how she honored her grandmothers with a pen name, threaded #MeToo-era questions into a contemporary romance, and wrestled with multiple endings before landing on the one that aligned with her feminist lens.We also dig into her writing process. And, the publishing side. A sharp agent and editor helped shape her manuscript, but much to many authors' chagrin, even with a major publishing house, you're still the one creating assets, posting, and doing the lion's share of marketing.  If you're weighing traditional vs. indie, fighting the mid-book slump, or simply trying to finish without losing your mind, this conversation offers both clarity and solidarity.

My guest today, Kit Karson, is the author a series of books, The Anderson Chronicles: A Sheriff Elliott Mystery, which currently comprises five novels, including: Land Grab, Innocence Slain, Justice Rendered, Nefarious Intent, and Savage Malice. All five take place in a small Montana town. Interestingly, as prolific as Kit is as an author, writing is not her principal occupation.Born and raised in the mountains of western Montana, Kit spent her childhood traipsing around forests, streams, and meadows, either on foot or horseback, exploring, fishing, and shooting. After earning undergraduate degrees in Medical Technology and professional Microbiology, she ultimately earned a Master of Science from the University of North Dakota. Subsequently, Kit spent more than 3 decades under a microscope as a medical technologist and lab manager for various medical, hospital, and health care facilities. She's currently a laboratory director at Granite County Medical Center. I've read Nefarious Intent, the 4th book in the Anderson Chronicles Mystery series, and can tell you it's an engrossing, page-turning thriller that kept me wanting to know how the intricate puzzle would unravel.  If you like mysteries set outside of urban landscapes, I highly recommend Kit's books to you.Kit's website: https://www.kitkarson.comFacebook: facebook.com/kitkarsonauthorTwitter: twitter.com/kitkarson11

In the spotlight is Judith Valente and her new book The Italian Soul: How to Savor the Full Joys of Life. Valente — a journalist, poet and the author of six spirituality titles and three poetry collections — worked previously as an on-air correspondent covering faith and values for PBS and was also a staff writer at The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal and was twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in journalism. Valente grew up in Bayonne, N.J., where she was surrounded by a large, boisterous Italian American family.  We discuss: >> The contemplative life >> How Italians make an art of conversation >> The sanctity of the dinner table>> “Slow tourism” >> The life expectancy of Italians >> Why procreation among Italians has slumped >> The Catholic Church >> Italy's reverence for its art and architecture >> Elena Ferrante and her Italy-based Neapolitan novels >> Etc.  Learn more about Judith Valente here: https://www.judithvalente.com/ Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no       Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com 

Rachel and Simon speak with the screenwriter and novelist James Alistair Henry. James first started writing while working as a bookseller. He joined the writing team for Channel 4's "Smack the Pony" and went on to write the BAFTA-award winning "Green Wing", ITV comedy "Delivery Man" and sitcom "Campus" as well as episodes for the children's television shows "Bob The Builder" and "Hey Duggee". His Radio 4 sketch show, "Wosson Cornwall", was selected as BBC Radio Comedy of the Week and his newest sitcom, "Piglets", has been commissioned for a second series. James's recent debut novel, "Pagans", set in an alternate 21st-century Britain where Christianity, the Norman Conquest and the Industrial Revolution never happened, has been optioned for TV by production company Media Res. We spoke to James about comedy writing, his children's TV work, and his new novel. We've made another update for those ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠who support the podcast on the crowdfunding site Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. We've added 40 pages of new material to the package of successful article pitches that goes to anyone who supports the show with $5 per month or more, including new pitches to the New York Times, the Washington Post and the BBC. The whole compendium now runs to a whopping 160 pages. For Patreons who contribute $10/month we're now also releasing bonus mini-episodes. Thanks to our sponsor, Scrivener, the first ten new signs-ups at $10/month will receive a lifelong license to Scrivener worth £55/$59.99 (seven are left). This specialist word-processing software helps you organise long writing projects such as novels, academic papers and even scripts. Other Patreon rewards include signed copies of the podcast book and the opportunity to take part in a monthly call with Simon and Rachel.A new edition of “Always Take Notes: Advice From Some Of The World's Greatest Writers” - a book drawing on our podcast interviews - is available now. The updated version now includes insights from over 100 past guests on the podcast, with new contributions from Harlan Coben, Victoria Hislop, Lee Child, Megan Nolan, Jhumpa Lahiri, Philippa Gregory, Jo Nesbø, Paul Theroux, Hisham Matar and Bettany Hughes. You can order it via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Waterstones⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.You can find us online at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠alwaystakenotes.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, on Twitter @takenotesalways and on Instagram @alwaystakenotes. Always Take Notes is presented by Simon Akam and Rachel Lloyd, and produced by Artemis Irvine. Our music is by Jessica Dannheisser and our logo was designed by James Edgar.

On this episode of Bounced From The Roadhouse:Special Guests in 4B: Ria from Solid WasteFamily Diamond Trash DiggersGood NewsMerriam WebsterRH5: 5 Words to get Rid ofRia Solid Waste Oct 4th Unsolicited AdviceBJs New Phone Don't Knock til ya try it!That's a Great QuestionLil MikeStolen Man HolesStolen SandbagsQuestions? Comments? Leave us a message! 605-343-6161Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review and some stars Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveToday we have a return guest: Jordan Castro. Jordan is a writer and the deputy director of the Cluny Project, a think tank of sorts for cultural entrepreneurs. The last time Jordan appeared on Wisdom of Crowds, we discussed his first novel, The Novelist. Now Jordan has a second book, Muscle Man, about a disgruntled middle-aged academic who tries to find an answer to…

Novelist, essayist, and publishing coach Leigh Stein returns to the show to discuss her new gothic-inspired novel, If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You. Set in a Los Angeles “hype house,” the book follows a 39-year-old woman managing a mansion full of TikTok influencers—and confronting the realities of aging out of digital media. Leigh talks about the inspirations behind the novel, from a Frank Lloyd Wright house to parasocial relationships to the controversies around Joan Didion's private papers. We also explore bigger questions: the future of Substack, fandom as a cultural force, the blurred line between art and content, and how young writers can navigate the creator economy. Along the way we get into Coldplay-Gate, public shaming as a modern scarlet letter, and what it really means to make a living while making art. About the Guest: Leigh Stein is the author of six books, including the satirical novel Self Care and her latest gothic novel, If You're Seeing This, It's Meant for You. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker online, Airmail, Allure, ELLE, BuzzFeed, The Cut, Salon, and Slate.

PREVIEW: Jim McTague, former Washington editor of Barron's and now a Lancaster novelist, investigates signs of an economic slowdown. Despite national press reports, he hasn't found significant evidence locally. Interviewing "Phil the painter," McTague learned his workload remained consistently busy for five years. While some Lancaster business segments experience moderated foot traffic, potentially seasonal, the only clear slowdown sign McTague observes is in housing, where prices are being cut for the first time since 2021, suggesting a localized or nascent shift. 1913 GETTYSBURGH REUNION.

Novelist and poet, Ocean Vuong, traces his family's path from Vietnam to a refugee camp in the Philippines to a new life in Connecticut. He reflects on the beauty and the brutality of American fast food, and how long days on a tobacco farm shaped both his writing and his sense of self. Plus, he shares his family's recipe for canh chua—a delicious Vietnamese soup that's less time-intensive than pho! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.