Podcasts about novels

693. Part 2 of our conversation with Patricia Knight Meyer about her adoption. In her gripping memoir, Wonderland: Memoir of a Black Market Adoption, Patricia unravels the complex and harrowing story of her origins within a illegal adoption ring, exploring the deep psychological ripple effects of a childhood built on hidden truths. Raised under the shadow of secrecy, Meyer masterfully weaves personal memory, investigative persistence, and raw emotional vulnerability to illuminate how illicit adoptions break identity apart and how truth can ultimately piece it back together. Her voice brings vital light to the silenced histories of black market adoptees, offering listeners a compelling exploration of belonging, family ties, and the relentless search for self-discovery. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. A Scribe Called Quess? “Education.”     As recently as October of 2009, a group of teachers imported from the Philippines pressed charges for being treated like… and paid no more than… indentured servants. My only question… what the hell were they doing here in the first place? I'm here… more than apt and completely capable of teaching children that look just like I did 20 years ago… and now walk a similar path     But in the game of political ponzi that is Post-Katrina, New Orleans… it's bigger than books and study baby… EDUCATION IS BIG BUSINESS! Unions are shut down wholesale… veteran teachers fired before they can cash in on their pensions — God forbid healthcare… Teachers are outsourced… bussed in — flown in — hell! Prison beds are forecasted based on the amount of children at grade level! Does it get more insidious than that…? This week in Louisiana history. August 28, 1956. Lake Ponchartrain Causeway opened. This week in New Orleans history. August 28, 2005: Mayor Ray Nagin issued the first-ever mandatory evacuation order for New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina approached the Gulf Coast. This week in Louisiana. Vermilionville Living History Museum & Folklife Park Year‑Round Attraction 300 Fisher Rd. Lafayette, LA 70508 Website: bayouvermiliondistrict.org Vermilionville is a 23‑acre living‑history village along Bayou Vermilion, interpreting Acadian, Creole, and Native American cultures from 1765 to 1890. The site features restored and recreated historic homes, costumed artisans, live music, and hands‑on demonstrations that bring early Louisiana to life. Historic Structures: Original and replica buildings including Acadian homes, Creole houses, a chapel, a schoolhouse, and craft workshops ' all documented in the village's architectural listings. Costumed Interpreters: Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts, domestic skills, and cultural practices from the 18th and 19th centuries. Live Music & Cultural Events: Regular Cajun jams, dances, and French‑language gatherings appear on the Vermilionville calendar. Hours: Open Tuesday'Sunday, 10 a.m.'4 p.m.; last admission at 3 p.m. because the full tour takes 60'90 minutes. Experience: Visitors can explore the grounds independently or book guided tours (24‑hour notice recommended). Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

Description:Jodi Picoult is back, and she brought her thirtieth novel with her.If you have been in a book club at any point in the last thirty years, you know the name. Forty million copies in print. Thirty four languages. And, as of this year, the fourth most banned author in America, which Jen considers a five star review.Jodi and Jen get into all of it: what thirty years of publishing actually teaches you (start with the underwear), why she refuses to coast when she could easily phone it in, what she believes AI will never do to a reader, and the career she never asked for as an advocate against book banning. Then they turn to Hollow Bones, out September 15, a novel that began with an anonymous postcard and a letter from a jail cell and carried Jodi deep into postpartum psychosis, the dismissal of women by medicine, and the long shadow of 9/11. She also brings back a character you have wondered about since My Sister's Keeper.One heads up before you press play: this conversation includes discussion of postpartum psychosis, suicide, the death of a child, and school shootings. Please take good care of yourself. Support resources are linked below.Thought-provoking Quotes:If I'm not challenged by a book, why should you be?AI will never be human. Novels work because an author is reaching deep into the heart and soul of a reader and finding a chord to pluck that resonates. AI can imitate that. It can never really do it.It's fine for a parent to decide what his or her child should be reading. I advocate that. It is not fine for that parent to decide what everyone else's child should be reading.When we remove books from schools, we are not protecting children. We are taking away resources that help them deal with an increasingly complex world. And that is the opposite of protecting kids.Women are failed at every turn of their lives by the medical industry.The more you lie, the easier it gets to lie. And we are living in a time right now when lies are being peddled as truths.Resources Mentioned in This Episode:Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult (Ballantine, September 15)Pre-order signed copies plus an exclusive overlay from Still North BooksPre-order from Barnes & Noble for the sweepstakes and a letterNineteen Minutes, My Sister's Keeper, and Mad Honey (with Jennifer Finney Boylan) by Jodi PicoultThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak, adapted for the stage by Jodi PicoultPostSecretPEN America on book bansPostpartum Support InternationalNational Maternal Mental Health Hotline: call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988Guest's Links:Website - https://jodipicoult.com/Instagram - https://instagram.com/jodipicoultTikTok - https://tiktok.com/@jodipicoultFacebook -

[REBROADCAST FROM June 1, 2026] Our May 2026 Get Lit book club selection was Ghost Town by Tom Perrotta. The story follows a 13-year-old boy in 1970s New Jersey as he grapples with the loss of his mother. Perrotta speaks with Alison Stewart about the novel from the May Get Lit with All Of It book club event. Cover art courtesy of Simon and Schuster Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's show is brought to you by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com and use the discount code COMICLAB10 for 10% off. Dave Kellett is back from San Diego Comic-Con 2026, and he brought receipts! After 27 years of exhibiting at the show, Dave just had his best Comic-Con ever — including an absolutely bonkers $6,000 Sunday. But a big gross number doesn't necessarily mean a big payday. Brad and Dave dig into the actual economics of exhibiting at one of the world's biggest conventions: booth fees, sales tax, travel, merchandise, lost studio time, and the advantages Dave has because he lives within driving distance of San Diego. After roughly $19,600 in gross sales, Dave estimates his actual profit at about $11,000. Then, they get into the stuff you can actually use at your next convention: Track your sales throughout the day When sales slow down, get active Use drawing as theater Pay attention to your product mix Think about revenue per square inch Let the market prune your merchandise Your merchandise should say something about the buyer — not about you SPONSORED BY HOGAN'S ALLEY This week's episode is sponsored by Hogan's Alley, the fantastic magazine devoted to comics history, cartoonists, and the art form we love. Visit HoganMag.com and use the discount code COMICLAB10 for 10% off. MORE COMIC-CON ADVICE ON PRO TIPS Dave had another 15–20 Comic-Con topics he wanted to cover, so we're continuing the conversation on ComicLab Pro Tips with a deeper dive into conventions, exhibiting, merchandising, and Dave's approach to making a convention financially worthwhile. To hear those episodes, join us at Patreon.com/ComicLab. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

[REBROADCAST FROM July 22, 2026] Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead discusses the final installment in his Harlem Trilogy, Cool Machine, which follows furniture seller and fence Ray Carney in 1980s New York as he gets pulled into one last heist. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

[REBROADCAST FROM July 6, 2026] Set in 1930s New York, a historical fiction novel follows two women on opposite sides of the law, a prosecutor and a madam, who form an unlikely partnership to take down a notorious mob boss. Authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray discuss their new book, A Pair of Aces. Cover art courtesy of Penguin Random House/ Berkley Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bridget, Caitlin, and Hilda are back to wrap up their discussion on book 1 of "Dungeon Crawler Carl" the latest #booktok sensation by Matt Dinniman. And yes, Princess Donut is still the best character ... but also, there may be a short ACOTAR tangent at the end of the episode, because you know these three can never stay on task. Join our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and let's be friends!Instagram > @Booktokmademe_podTikTok > @BooktokMadeMe

Marlon and Jake take on violence in fiction: what makes it effective, what makes it gratuitous, and whether “gratuitous violence” is even a useful distinction. Tune in as they discuss the difference between violence on the page and on screen and why extended cruelty can be harder to stomach than violence itself. Subscribe to our River-herd digital newsletter and our print newspaper, The Eddy, for sneak peeks of our upcoming books, free giveaways, and exclusive content: https://sites.prh.com/the-eddy-newspaper. Lord of the Flies by William Golding All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque Cities of the Red Night by William S. Burroughs Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy The Godfather by Mario Puzo The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess 2666 by Roberto Bolaño Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Titus Andronicus by William Shakespeare The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Hamlet by William Shakespeare King Lear by William Shakespeare Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck A Distant Mirror by Barbara W. Tuchman Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

The latest novel from acclaimed writer Edwidge Danticat follows a woman named Magnolia after she survives a mass shooting at a Miami mall, and decides not to tell her family what happened. Danticat discusses "Dèy," out now. Cover art courtesy of the publisher Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

692. Part 1 of our conversation with Patricia Knight Meyer about her adoption. In her gripping memoir, Wonderland: Memoir of a Black Market Adoption, Patricia unravels the complex and harrowing story of her origins within a illegal adoption ring, exploring the deep psychological ripple effects of a childhood built on hidden truths. Raised under the shadow of secrecy, Meyer masterfully weaves personal memory, investigative persistence, and raw emotional vulnerability to illuminate how illicit adoptions break identity apart and how truth can ultimately piece it back together. Her voice brings vital light to the silenced histories of black market adoptees, offering listeners a compelling exploration of belonging, family ties, and the relentless search for self-discovery. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Frank Gee Patchin. Pony Riders in Louisiana.    Tad and Ned were each equipped with a bush-knife, with a horn to each party. Lilly considered that the boys needed no further advice from him, the lads having had experience with bear before this and all being good shots and well-tried hunters at big game.    “Look out that you dont get lost if you get on a chase,” he warned. “One is likely in the excitement of a chase to forget to blaze his trail. It isn't any use to get game if you can't get back to camp with it.” This week in Louisiana history. August 21, 1769. Gov. O'Reilly arrests leaders of revolution that ousted Gov. Ulloa.  This week in New Orleans history. August 21, 1853: During the peak of the Great Yellow Fever Epidemic, the city reported a record 269 deaths in a single 24-hour period. This week in Louisiana. Alexandria Zoological Park Year‑Round Attraction 3016 Masonic Dr. Alexandria, LA 71301 Website: thealexandriazoo.com The Alexandria Zoo is one of Central Louisiana's most beloved attractions, home to more than 500 animals representing 160 species from around the world. Open since 1922 and accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the zoo features immersive habitats, a narrated train ride, and family‑friendly amenities throughout its landscaped grounds. Themed Habitats: Explore the Land of the Jaguar, Louisiana Habitat, African Experience, and Australian Walkabout, each designed to showcase wildlife in naturalistic settings. Animals: Tigers, jaguars, lions, crocodiles, monkeys, bears, otters, and more than 500 animals in total. Amenities: Train ride, playground, gift shop, concessions, picnic areas, stroller rentals, and free parking. Hours:  9 a.m.-5 p.m. (seasonal variations possible). Admission Prices: Attractively priced from free to $8.95. Postcards from Louisiana. Original Hurricane Brass Band at the French Quarter Fest.  Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

Cartoonist Fran Sundblad, creator of Tiff & Eve, joins Brad for a wide-ranging conversation about creating character-driven comics, finding an audience on Reddit, and learning when not to chase the algorithm. Fran traces Tiff & Eve from its beginnings in her sketchbook to a comic that regularly reaches thousands of readers. She explains how Tiff and Eve represent two very different impulses — Tiff as the superego and Eve as the id — and shares a terrific character-development exercise: Lock your character in a room and ask what they do next. If you don't know the answer, you probably don't know the character well enough yet. Fran and Brad also talk about finding humor in the characters themselves rather than building every strip around a traditional punchline. That approach has helped Tiff & Eve explore Fran's experiences as a trans woman while remaining first and foremost a funny comic about two friends. In this episode: How Tiff & Eve grew out of Fran's sketchbook Writing two characters as opposing parts of your own personality Fran's “locked room” test for determining whether a character is fully developed Character-driven humor vs. setup/punchline comedy Using comedy to make personal experiences relatable What happens when readers interpret your comics differently than you intended Why Fran refuses to explain a joke Surviving hostile comments, Reddit Cares abuse, and the stranger side of online audiences Why cartoonists should post comics to their Reddit profile, not only to individual subreddits Learning the culture of each subreddit instead of treating Reddit as one giant audience Formatting comics differently for different communities — including designing images so Reddit's mobile crop doesn't hide important information Why fewer clicks usually means more readers The danger of chasing trends, politics, and viral Reddit “meta” events simply for upvotes Why a huge viral hit may produce surprisingly few new followers or Patreon supporters Why effort and artistic complexity don't necessarily translate into social-media success The value of clarity, brevity, and consistency on Reddit Knowing when a topical comic is nevertheless necessary because it's true to the characters Sunday Comix, a webcomic collective and email newsletter designed to help cartoonists reach readers without depending entirely on social-media algorithms Fran's experience offers an especially useful reminder for cartoonists trying to build an audience online: don't confuse attention with audience growth. A trendy comic might earn tens of thousands of upvotes, but the work that builds a lasting readership is the work that gives people a reason to come back for your characters. Find Fran Sundblad and Tiff & Eve: Website: FranSundblad.com Bluesky / Instagram: @TiffAndEveComics Reddit: u/CrazyGnomenclature Sunday Comix: https://sundaycomix.com/ You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

When your criminal indictment and decision to prosecute against a political critic of Trump, Former FBI Dir. James Comey, comes down to (a) excerpts from his fictional novel; (b) his appearance on Late Night television; and (c) and email from a disgruntled cousin, it may be by very definition an admission of prosecutorial misconduct to justify the dismissal of the case. Popok takes a close look at the new filings. Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@LegalAFMTN?sub_confirmation=1 Become a member of Legal AF YouTube community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgZJZZbnLFPr5GJdCuIwpA/join Become a member of the Legal AF Substack: https://michaelpopok.substack.com/20off Follow Legal AF on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/legalafmtn.bsky.social Follow Michael Popok on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mspopok.bsky.social Subscribe to the Legal AF podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legal-af-by-meidastouch/id1580828595 Subscribe to the Intersection with Michael Popok podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intersection-with-michael-popok/id1818863274 Subscribe to Unprecedented with Michael Popok and Dina Doll podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unprecedented-by-legal-af/id1867023089 Subscribe to Court of History with Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-court-of-history/id1867022920 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although this book is in a genre they don't normally cover, since everyone on Booktok is talking about it, you know that your favorite booktok girlies had to weigh in on book 1 of "Dungeon Crawler Carl," by Matt Dinniman. Important things to call out as they cover the first 50%: Princess Donut is the best, listening to the audio book is the elite way to consume this series,, and did we mention Princess Donut is the best. I mean Carl is alright I guess, but you know the feline is proud to be the crowning achievement of this series.  Join our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and let's be friends!Instagram > @Booktokmademe_podTikTok > @BooktokMadeMe

Marlon and Jake explore the power of setting in novels—and why the best stories feel like they couldn't have happened anywhere else. They discuss settings that become characters in their own right, fictional worlds they'd love (or absolutely hate) to inhabit, and books that made unexpected places fascinating. Plus: why a modern-day Captain Nemo might just be a tech bro. Amerika by Franz Kafka Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Mutiny on the Bounty by Charles Nordhoff and James Norman Hall Moby-Dick by Herman Melville Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Masters of Atlantis by Charles Portis Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse Gormenghast trilogy by Mervyn Peake Dubliners by James Joyce The Ballad of the Sad Café by Carson McCullers Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne The Bridge of San Luis Rey by Thornton Wilder One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Amos Tutuola The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow A Room with a View by E. M. Forster Macbeth by William Shakespeare Dune by Frank Herbert The Last Man by Mary Shelley Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Brooke and Tyler read through the letters from the Sleepless, the shard of Endowment, and Hoid as we try to understand the hints hidden within the epigraphs. #AllSpoilers Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon Original music by David Gruwier. "Radiant" by David Gruwier.

Liars, Lisa Ridzen, and Debbi Voisey – welcome to episdoe 153! In the first half, we talk about our expectations of truth in the non-fiction we read, inspired by the hoo-ha over The Salt Path. In the second half, we compare When

Robert B. Parker (1932-2010), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff, recorded June 13, 1992 while on tour for the Spenser novel, “Double Deuce.” Mystery and suspense author Robert B. Parker died at the age of 77 on January 18, 2010. His career encompassed 38 novels in his popular Spenser detective series during his life, with another three published posthumously, plus nine novels in the Jesse Stone series, four in the Cole and Hitch series, six in the Sonny Randall series, nine other novels, and four books of non-fiction. There were two Probabilities interviews with Robert B. Parker. The first time, co-hosted with Lawrence Davidson, was recorded in Parker's hotel room in the spring of 1981. At the time he'd just switched publishers and with Looking for Rachel Wallace and then Early Autumn, he was finally having success as an author. His success would explode exponentially over the next eleven years, and by the time of this interview. Robert Parker had written an additional ten Spenser novels, the TV series Spencer for Hire starring Robert Urich had run for three seasons, and a spin-off, A Man Called Hawk had had a 13 episode run. In addition, he'd completed an unfinished Philip Marlowe novel by Raymond Chandler, and followed that up with a sequel. Four Robert Urich Spenser films were produced after the interview was recorded, each based on a different Spenser novel by Parker. Three Spenser TV movies, based on three other novels with Joe Mantagna as Spenser ran from 1999 to 2001. A 2020 Netflix film with Mark Wahlberg, Spencer: Confidential, was based on a Spenser novel written by another author, Ace Atkins, who continued the series. In the interview, Robert Parker insists he won't start other series. In fact, of course, he did. The Sonny Randall series, featuring a female former cop turned private eye; the Cole & Hitch series of western detective novels, and the Jesse Stone series, featuring the police chief of a small town in Massachusetts. There have also been nine made for television films starting Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone. This interview was digitized, remastered and re-edited in January 2024 by Richard Wolinsky and was first posted on January 7, 2024. The post Probabilities Archive: Robert B. Parker (1932-2010), The Spenser novels, 1992 appeared first on KPFA.

Today's episode features two novels with tech at the center. Climate journalist Nathaniel Rich's Cloudthief is the story of a hacker and a journalist who team up to rob a data center in Oklahoma. Rich spoke with Here & Now's Indira Lakshmanan about how he came up with the idea for the heist. Then, horror writer Paul Tremblay is out with a new novel about a gamer who takes on an odd job involving a man in a vegetative state. Tremblay spoke with Here & Now's Tiziana Dearing about Dead but Dreaming of Electric Sheep.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

692. Part 2 of Derby Gisclair's presentation on dueling in old New Orleans. Derby is a New Orleans historian, author, and researcher specializing in 19th-century Gulf Coast culture, social customs, and affairs of honor. Known for his deep archival work, Gisclair unpacks how rituals like dueling under the Dueling Oaks defined Southern gentlemanly culture, local politics, and public life in early New Orleans. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Huey Long. My First Days in the White House.     Today extreme inequalities in the distribution of wealth have closed the doors of opportunity to millions of our children.     Education is a function which the states can handle adequately only if helped by the federal government, and the government ought to see that such benefits of education are extended to all classes of citizens; but here in our beloved America we find inequalities in the benefits of the public schools. Some children are given excellent educational facilities in great, sanitary buildings with ample equipment, with well-fed, well-trained teachers. Other children have poor educational facilities, unsanitary buildings, meager equipment,untrained, poorly-paid teachers. The bitter fruits of these inequalities of opportunity, which endure for generations, must and shall be corrected. This week in Louisiana history. August 14, 1903. Albert Batson hanged in Calcasieu Parish Jail for murder of six members of Welsh family. This week in New Orleans history. August 14, 1812: The first Louisiana State Legislature convened in New Orleans following the state's admission to the Union earlier that year. This week in Louisiana. Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum Year‑Round Attraction 323 Walnut Street Monroe, LA 71201 Website: nelcm.org The Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum is a hands‑on learning space on the Ouachita River in downtown Monroe, offering interactive exhibits for children of all ages. The museum features creative play environments, science‑based activities, and rotating traveling exhibits, making it a favorite destination for families across North Louisiana. Interactive Exhibits: Permanent installations include the Firehouse with a sliding pole, Health Hall where kids can play paramedic, Toddlertown for ages 4 and under, Kids' Cafe, Bubbleworks, and The Big Mouth -- a walk‑inside anatomy exhibit. Special Events: Seasonal programming includes traveling exhibits and the annual transformation into Santa's Christmas Village with ice skating, crafts, and storytime. Hours:Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.Saturday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Sunday: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $7 per person (ages 2+); group rate $5 for groups of 15 or more. Location: The museum sits on the Ouachita River in downtown Monroe -- look for the purple building. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

[REBROADCAST FROM January 26, 2026] We present highlights from our live conversation with Ocean Vuong from our Get Lit with All Of It book club event. We spent a month reading his novel, The Emperor of Gladness.   Cover art courtesy of the publisher Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Romance fiction is hugely popular. So why do critics still look down on it?

Although we typically focus on the bright side of being independent cartoonists, a listener asks us to address the downside of webcomics. We'll talk about time management, burnout, financial insecurity, and reader interactions. Then we realize that all those drawbacks have one very important thing in common — and it's not what you'd expect! TODAY'S SHOW ComicLab gets someone engaged! The worst parts of being a webcartoonist. Creativity isn't always consistent. Success doesn't eliminate insecurity. The business work never disappears. Webcomics demand interaction. The drawbacks are the flip side of the benefits! Is the direct market disappearing? Grieve the comic-shop dream—and move forward. Getting outside your comfort zone. Comedy can strengthen dramatic storytelling. Beware the shiny object. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Kevin Wade is a screenwriter and show-runner, behind some of the biggest films and series of recent times. After acting for a bit, he started off penning Off-Broadway plays. Kevin moved on to write on 'Working Girl', 'Meet Joe Black', 'Maid in Manhattan', before getting huge success as the exec producer and showrunner for most of the 'Blue Bloods' series. The show was a police procedural starring Tom Selleck. It ran for years, and meant Kevin and his team needed to write over 20 mysteries a season, that individually wrapped up and all contributed towards the overall was series arc.His debut novel, 'Johnny Careless', was nominated for an Edgar Award, and he's followed that up with 'One Good Eye'. It tells the story of Police Chief Jeep Mullane, who sets off on a lonely and dangerous path to find out who attacked one of his oldest, closest friends.We discuss the marathon of writing 20+ episodes of a show every year, and learning to hit the beats and fit the format of network television. Also you can hear why he ditched the initial idea for the novel, and why a fire isn't really exciting.Get a copy of the book - uk.bookshop.org/shop/writersroutineSupport the show - patreon.com/writersroutineko-fi.com/writersroutineFind the newsletter - writersroutine.substack.com@writerspodwritersroutine.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By chance, authors Annie Hartnett and Kevin Wilson published road trip novels last year within just a few weeks of each other. The Road to Tender Hearts follows a 67-year-old man, his estranged daughter and his newly adopted grandniece and nephew on a road trip to reunite with the man's high school crush. Run for the Hills is about four half-siblings who set off to track down the father who abandoned them. In today's episode, Hartnett and Wilson join All Things Considered's Juana Summers for a conversation about road trip stories and their favorites in the genre.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

The 10 Commandments of Successful Corporate Narratives – Jeff Gomez & Alan Berkson – Intelligist Press – Paperback – 9798218853914 – 138 pages – $24.00 – February 15, 2026 – Kindle version $14.99 (Amazon only) Jeff Gomez is an amazing guy. We met years ago in some now forgotten business connection, but I always remembered […] The post Jeff Gomez: The 10 Commandments of Successful Corporate Narratives first appeared on WritersCast.

Lovers of thrillers will especially enjoy this episode, which kicks off with the hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist discussing the recent New Yorks Times list of The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century. Then they transition to a thriller disguised as a memoir by a talented writer who (to their surprise) didn't make the list. Two debut novels entranced Ellison, especially a tense, atmospheric one set in rural Wales. The host duo concludes with two DNF books for which they had high hopes. The books reviewed:The Amateur: Chris BohjalianThe Great Wherever: Shannan SandersThe House of Boleyn: Tracy BormanThe Hill in the Dark Grove: Liam HigginsonFeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

An Ashland librarian and bookstore owner share the books drawing Southern Oregon readers this summer, from cozy novels to mysteries and social satire.

Summer continues on and the anime this season are as hot as the weather itself!This week on the AniTAY podcast, Hybridmink, Requiem, Doctorkev and Marquan (with Reikaze handling the editing duties) talk about the Summer 2026 season as well as how anime is a bad influence.The AniTAY Podcast is a bi-weekly podcast brought to you every other Wednesday. It is available on all your favorite podcast services! If you like us, be sure to subscribe to your favorite service and give us 5 stars! Your support is much appreciated and will help us grow and continue to provide this style of content.ItineraryIntro : 0:00:00–0:01:03Housekeeping : 0:01:03–0:08:55ShowsDraw This, Then Die! : 0:08:55–0:14:53THE GHOST IN THE SHELL: 0:14:53–0:22:48Young Ladies Don't Play Fighting Games: 0:22:48–0:30:33Goodbye, Lara : 0:30:33–0:38:16Jaadugar: A Witch in Mongolia : 0:38:16–0:43:46From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordsman II: 0:43:46–0:45:49Sparks of Tomorrow : 0:45:49–0:51:04The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, REALLY Love You Season 3: 0:51:04–0:54:37Misc. : 0:54:37–0:55:54Iron Wok Jan! : 0:55:54–1:00:27More Misc. : 1:00:27–1:02:34News 1:02:34 1:14:58Question of the Week — Has an anime ever gotten you into a hobby or even a bad habit?: 1:14:58 1:32:42Ending: 1:32:42 -EndMissed the previous episode of the AniTAY Podcast? Check it out here:https://medium.com/anitay-official/anitay-podcast-s11-e13-marquan-likes-to-dress-up-as-a-gothic-lolita-a3b44cbafe47You're reading AniTAY, a reader-run blog whose writers love everything anime related.To join in on the fun, please fill in this form and read our FAQ page!Otherwise, check out our website, visit our official subreddit, follow us on Twitter, or give us a like on our Facebook page.

Part 1 of Derby Gisclair's presentation on dueling in old New Orleans. Derby is a New Orleans historian, author, and researcher specializing in 19th-century Gulf Coast culture, social customs, and affairs of honor. Known for his deep archival work, Gisclair unpacks how rituals like dueling under the Dueling Oaks defined Southern gentlemanly culture, local politics, and public life in early New Orleans. Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Christian Woman's Exchange. Creole Cookery Book. It's a fund raiser for a Christian charity. They still own the Hermann-Grima House, which is now a museum. And they still cook these old recipes there. Epicurean Oysters. Take 3 tablespoonfuls of butter, one of strong, dry mustard; put them in a chopping dish; add pepper and salt; when they commence boiling put in one-half pint of oysters without the liquor; have a hot dish in readiness. Take out the oysters with a fork when cooked, and continue to replace them until all are done. This week in Louisiana history. August 7 1927 Gov. Edwin Edwards born in Marksville, La., son of a sharecropper and a local midwife, a Cajun. This week in New Orleans history. August 7, 1956: The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway officially opened, becoming the longest continuous bridge over water in the world. This week in Louisiana. Visit Louisiana's Old State Capitol Year‑Round Attraction 100 North Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70801 Website: louisianaoldstatecapitol.org Louisiana's Old State Capitol is a National Historic Landmark overlooking the Mississippi River, known for its dramatic Gothic Revival architecture and its role in the state's political history. Built between 1847 and 1852, the structure resembles a medieval castle from the outside, while the interior features marble, rich woodwork, and a soaring stained‑glass dome. Today, it houses the Museum of Political History, offering exhibits on Louisiana's governors, the democratic process, and pivotal moments such as the state's 1861 secession and the impeachment proceedings of Gov. Huey P. Long. Architecture: A Gothic Revival 'castle on the river,' complete with towers, battlements, and a cast‑iron spiral staircase. Stained‑Glass Dome: One of the most photographed interiors in Louisiana ' a kaleidoscope of color rising above the central rotunda. Political History Museum: Exhibits on voting, citizenship, past governors, and major legislative events that shaped the state. Free Admission: The museum offers free entry, with guided group tours available Tuesday through Friday and audio tours in four languages. Postcards from Louisiana. The Brass-A-Holics at The French Quarter Fest.

Luke Aldred returns to discuss the life and work of Brett Ewins, with a particular focus on The Haunting of Sector House 9. Chase down a copy of The Art of Brett Ewins.You can find Luke's work on covers at Daft Notions and on his Instagram.You can find a list of all the upcoming books on the Facebook page, follow the podcast on instagram, Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. And email me comments and suggestions to MCBCpodcast@gmail.comMusic used in this episode is Circuit Breaker by the artist Robodub. Click here to listen to the episode online. Or Download here Right click and choose save link as to download to your computer.

Abu⁠ and ⁠Leo⁠ close out the book club with a live listener Q&A, the first one recorded with every page of Frank Herbert's saga behind them. It's a reflective hang about how this series thinks about power, governance, and the limits of art as political commentary, and about what it feels like to reach the end of a six-year read-through. This episode contains SPOILERS for all six of Frank Herbert's Dune novels. IN THIS EPISODE Whether the Bene Gesserit's surveillance-and-no-confidence structure is Frank's ideal government, or a system he builds up only to critique through the Honored Matres Our theories for why Abomination disappears after Children of Dune, from the inner Mohalata to Siona's descendants being immune What Daniel and Marty really represent, and why Chapterhouse works as Frank's farewell with no seventh book needed What the Dune Encyclopedia's contraception entry reveals about the Bene Gesserit breeding program, axolotl tanks, and their opposition to abortion Whether Dune: Part Three can handle the jihad honestly, with Andor Season 2 held up as the gold standard for political storytelling A live, no-holds-barred re-ranking of all six novels, with Leo putting Dune fifth and God Emperor dead last SUPPORT THE SHOW Get ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/GomJabbar Say thank you with a tip: https://buymeacoffee.com/gomjabbar Watch video versions of select episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@loreparty Get yourself some custom-designed Dune swag: https://www.gomjabbar.shop Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The topic: In a follow up to her book But Have You Read the Book?, author Kristen Lopez focuses on romance movies that were adapted from or inspired by famous works of literature. From beloved classics like Anna Karenina to modern cult favorites like Bridget Jones’ Diary, But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition will give you the perfect reading (and corresponding watch) list for the summer. Guest: Kristen Lopez, freelance entertainment journalist and author of the new book But Have You Read the Book? Romance Edition

Bridget, Caitlin, and Hilda are wrapping up "Broken Dove," book 2 in the Silver Elite series by Dani Francis. And ... !@#$%&* ... THERE ARE FEELINGS. FEELINGS. Mostly coming from Hilda. But still feelings. This was unexpected, so listen now to get all the details about how this book ends, but we will say it's Twisted Sisters-coded.  Join our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and let's be friends!Instagram > @Booktokmademe_podTikTok > @BooktokMadeMe

Patreon backers have access to an exclusive ComicLab Churn Rate spreadsheet — it does the math for you! Is your Patreon actually growing—or are new members disguising a retention problem? Brad walks Dave through the process of calculating churn rate and shows how one number can unlock a much clearer understanding of a membership business. They discuss subscriber retention, lifetime value, onboarding, well-timed interventions, and how to determine whether advertising or convention appearances are truly worth the investment. Then, Dave asks whether publishing a children's book page by page on his existing webcomic could finally help him finish it. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 What churn rate means for a Patreon creator Why total membership and revenue can give you an incomplete picture Finding the necessary numbers in Patreon Insights Two methods for calculating churn rate What constitutes a healthy churn rate Why one month of data isn't enough Calculating your average churn rate over time Calculating your retention rate Estimating average subscriber lifetime Calculating average monthly revenue per member Determining the lifetime value of a Patreon backer Why retaining a current member is cheaper than acquiring a new one Using Patreon Autopilot to reduce cancellations Evaluating the quality and value of your Patreon rewards Improving the onboarding experience for new members Welcome messages, digital gifts, and personalized Bonjoro videos Brad's one-week Patreon check-in Helping new backers navigate a complicated archive Using average subscriber lifetime to schedule a retention intervention Brad's 18-month check-in and longtime-backer gift Repackaging older work into valuable digital rewards Rewarding and recognizing your longest-serving supporters Exclusive livestreams, previews, and “inner circle” benefits Calculating an acceptable customer-acquisition cost Evaluating paid advertising with lifetime-value data Tracking whether a comic convention was financially worthwhile Why free webcomics may still be the best customer-acquisition strategy Dave's productivity tip: drawing to Brazilian Carnival music Using a webcomic schedule to force yourself to complete a children's book Why serialized children's-book pages may not satisfy online readers Publishing complete thematic sections instead of individual pages Building a new project into an established comic's schedule The difficulty of building an audience for an independent children's book When a traditional children's-book publisher may be helpful Creative control, editorial notes, and refusing unwanted revisions Breaking publishing rules and trusting your own experience Releasing a finished independent book before seeking wider distribution Why experienced cartoonists may resist redrawing or revising completed work ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards   You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

If you've ever felt intimated by old books, or haven't been sure you're reading them “correctly”, it is NOT just you. We regularly hear from readers seeking tips and advice on how to read the classics. Earlier this season New Yorker Lizzey McFarlin sent us her guest submission asking for help to approach the classics in a different way. She'd been trying to read them the way she'd approach any other book—late at night, hoping to sink in and quickly turn the pages—but was too often growing so bored she would abandon them. She knew that strategy wasn't working, but she wasn't sure what to do instead. Lizzey would appreciate some fresh ideas, and Anne has those to share today. You'll also hear about Lizzey's local book club and the themed excursions they pair with the classics they read each quarter. We hope you'll find this conversation inspiring and empowering. Find the list of titles mentioned today and share your ideas for excursions over on our show notes page. We're excited to share that beginning today, August 4, we are adding a new option to enjoy our weekly What Should I Read Next? episodes without ads. When you sign up for our new ad-free tier on our Patreon platform and add your personal subscriber link to your favorite podcast player, you'll get an ad-free version of our weekly episode automatically each week. Learn more about our Patreon options and join us at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Chapters: 04:00 Meet Lizzey 15:26 How Lizzey's reading habits have changed recently 19:54 East of Eden by John Steinbeck 22:38 The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 24:30 A Room with a View by E.M. Forster 27:14 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky 35:35 What Lizzey is hoping for in today's conversation 54:46 Passing by Nella Larsen 58:01 The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton 1:03:26 Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin 1:08:27 What will Lizzey read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marlon and Jake dive into one of literature's trickiest subjects: sex. Why do some writers capture intimacy with honesty while others veer into the unintentionally hilarious? Along the way, they discuss why writing about sex is really writing about people, the differences between American and French attitudes toward sexuality in fiction, ghost stories as a vehicle for taboo desires, and the delicate balance between telling the truth and keeping readers engaged. Tune in for a conversation about why the best writing on sex is rarely just about sex. Subscribe to our River-herd digital newsletter and our print newspaper, The Eddy, for sneak peeks of our upcoming books, free giveaways, and exclusive content: https://sites.prh.com/the-eddy-newspaper. Portnoy's Complaint by Philip Roth  “The Diamond Mine” by Nadine Gordimer The Late Bourgeois World by Nadine Gordimer Death of Venice by Thomas Mann The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig Miracle of the Rose by Jean Genet Maurice by E. M. Forster The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton Ernesto by Umberto Saba Tropic of Cancer by Henry Miller London Fields by Martin Amis The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe Sex and the Single Girl by Helen Gurley Brown G. by John Berger  Flashman series Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis The Old Devils by Kingsley Amis The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel The Godfather by Mario Puzo Jaws by Peter Benchley

Brooke and Tyler read up on the epigraphs from Masha-daughter-Shaliv that bookend Wind and Truth. This will mark the beginning of a series as the best questions and theories always flow from the small details found within the epigraphs. #AllSpoilers It's our birthday season and you can help by writing a review and rating the podcast! Support this podcast by becoming a Patron on Patreon Original music by David Gruwier. "Radiant" by David Gruwier.

[REBROADCAST FROM Jun 2, 2026] Celebrated author and bookstore owner Ann Patchett discusses her latest novel, Whistler, which tells the story of a woman and her old step-father who reconnect many years after the events that separated them.   Cover art courtesy of the publisher Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

EPISODE 747 - Spencer Hixon - Urban fantasy novels and short stories - A Sinister Love and Fate and FortuneAuthor Spencer Hixon joins the podcast to discuss his journey as a writer, the creative process behind his novels, and the imaginative world he is building through interconnected stories that blend fantasy, romance, and philosophical ideas about fate and time.Spencer shares how his life has taken him across the United States, from California to Washington DC, South Carolina, and eventually Indiana. Each move was tied to career and family opportunities rather than a desire to relocate, shaping his perspective and experiences along the way. Today he lives near South Bend while continuing to develop a growing body of fiction.At the center of Spencer's writing process is organization and structure. With many ideas constantly forming, he keeps a running system of notes and outlines he jokingly calls “Spencer's brain.” While he often develops multiple story ideas at once, he focuses on writing one project at a time to maintain continuity and clarity. Detailed outlines, character histories, and color coded notes help him track character motivations, reveal background information gradually, and ensure every scene serves the larger narrative.Character psychology plays a central role in his storytelling. Spencer approaches scenes by mentally stepping into the perspective of every character involved, allowing each one to act according to their own motivations. This method often leads to unexpected turns in the story as characters evolve beyond their original roles. While he usually knows the ending before he begins writing, the journey toward that ending frequently shifts as the characters develop.His books often experiment with storytelling structure and genre. While they are generally categorized as urban fantasy, Spencer describes them as hybrid stories that combine elements of romance, adventure, and philosophical exploration. He enjoys challenging traditional narrative frameworks such as the hero's journey and sometimes reverses familiar tropes to create new dynamics between characters.Spencer's fictional universe spans two connected trilogies. The first begins with A Sinister Love, a story about a demon named Scribble who works a desk job in purgatory before being sent to Earth to tempt a human. What begins as a humorous romance evolves into a much larger mystery involving conspiracies and the structure of the afterlife. The second storyline, beginning with Fate and Fortune, explores the consequences of altering destiny. In that story, a man who once made a deal to change his fate must travel back through key moments of his life to prevent disastrous outcomes, while each trip through time costs him precious moments from his remaining lifespan.Through these stories Spencer explores universal questions about choice, destiny, and the moments in life that shape who we become. His work invites readers to consider how small decisions can create lasting consequences and whether changing the past would truly lead to a better future.https://www.spencerhixon.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Welcome back everyone! Apologies, apologies, and apologies a thousand times over, but the ever-late Novel Spirits gang delivers yet another episode and another Battle of the Genres!!! As promised, this time it's a SciFi battle, where Halo: The Rubicon Protocol by Kelly Gay (Presented by Michael) takes on Autonomous by Analee Lewitz (presented by Jacob). Grab your drinks, your books, gather around, and mind the shenanigans. As always, we are bound to dive deep into lore and analysis for your viewing and/or listening pleasure.   Halo: The Rubicon Protocol - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1982147881?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Autonomous - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250174686?lv=shuf&channelId=500&plpRedirect=mhFallback Drink of the night - https://www.bacardi.com/us/en/ 0-0-8 Studios - https://linktr.ee/Zero0Eight   Be sure to like and subscribe. Novel Spirits is brought on by 0-0-8 Studios, and there are many projects on the horizon. Stay tuned for the latest and greatest, our monthly vids, and claim your chance to win some cool merch. Cheers!

The 1990s were one of the greatest decades in the history of speculative fiction—but which debut novels have stood the test of time?In this episode of Fantasy for the Ages, Jim explores the entire decade, selecting one fantasy debut, one science fiction debut, and one horror debut for every year from 1990 through 1999. These are the books that introduced some of the biggest names in the genres, launched beloved series, won major awards, and, in some cases, changed fantasy, science fiction, and horror forever.Every selection follows one strict rule: it had to be the author's very first published novel. That means several famous books didn't qualify, while a number of remarkable—and often overlooked—debuts earned their place on the list.Whether you're searching for your next great read, love discovering hidden gems, or simply enjoy looking back at one of the most influential decades in speculative fiction, this episode has something for every fan.Featured authors include:• Diana Gabaldon• Stephen Baxter• Poppy Z. Brite• Terry Goodkind• Tananarive Due• J. K. RowlingNalo HopkinsonMartha Wells• John Connolly…and many more!

Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show's perks include sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.Two new novels use death to shed new light on life, but these aren't depressing reads. In Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt, the Grim Reaper gets a little too attached to the people he meets along the way. In today's episode, author Ben Reeves speaks with All Things Considered's Scott Detrow about publishing his debut novel after 20 years of writing. Then, Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library, talks with Here & Now's Indira Lakshmanan about his new book, The Midnight Train, about a man who boards a magical train that gives him a chance to review his past.To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookofthedaySee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

689. We talk to Amanda Skenadore about her novel on the Carville Leprosy Colony, The Second Life of Mirielle West. Amanda Skenandore is a registered nurse turned historical fiction author whose medical background deeply shapes her storytelling. In her novel The Second Life of Mirielle West, she takes listeners into 1920s America to follow a Hollywood socialite whose life is upended when a diagnosis of leprosy forces her into exile at Carville, Louisiana — the nation's only leprosarium at the time. Blending rigorous medical history with emotional depth, the story explores one woman's fight against systemic isolation and social stigma as she seeks purpose, belonging, and redemption in the most unexpected place.  Now available: Liberty in Louisiana: A Comedy. The oldest play about Louisiana, author James Workman wrote it as a celebration of the Louisiana Purchase. Now it is back in print for the first time in 222 years. Order your copy today! This week in the Louisiana Anthology. Gaspar Cusachs. "Lafitte: The Louisiana Pirate and Patriot." Here in Barataria, amid the innumerable branches of bayous, passes, and inextricable cypress swamps, persons may lie concealed from the strictest scrutiny. In 1811, Lafitte fortified the eastern and western points of this island, and established a regular depot. Here the prizes were brought and sold to the inhabitants of the adjoining districts, who resorted to these places for the purpose of obtaining bargains in matters of trade and without being at all solicitous to conceal the object of their journey. No effective measures having been taken to expel the pirates they continued their depredations upon the Spanish commerce and sometimes ventured to attack vessels of other nations. They were generally regarded as pirates, but it is probable that most, if not all of them, were commissioned by the Carthagenian government. This week in Louisiana history. July 31 1976. U.S. Rep. F.E. Hebert of N.O. completes longest term in office, 35 yrs, 6 m, and 28 days. This week in New Orleans history. July 31, 1919: Iconic jazz saxophonist Earl Bostic was born, later influencing the New Orleans R&B sound with his unique technical style. This week in Louisiana. Satchmo SummerFest August 1'2 New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 Website: frenchquarterfest.org Satchmo SummerFest is New Orleans' annual celebration of Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, held each year on the first weekend of August to honor his August 4 birthday. The festival is free, thanks to support from New Orleans & Company, and takes place on the grounds of the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint. The weekend features live music, lectures, food vendors, and a Sunday second‑line salute: Live Music: Outdoor stages featuring traditional jazz, brass bands, swing, and local legends, all presented by French Quarter Festivals, Inc. Satchmo Legacy Stage: Indoor talks and presentations exploring Armstrong's life, recordings, and cultural impact, led by scholars and musicians. Food Vendors: New Orleans cuisine served on‑site, curated by the same team behind French Quarter Fest. Jazz Mass & Second‑Line: A Sunday morning tradition honoring Armstrong with a church service followed by a second‑line parade to the festival grounds. Postcards from Louisiana. The Rock Block Band at Felix's Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Listen on audible. Listen on Spotify. Listen on TuneIn. Listen on iHeartRadio. The Louisiana Anthology Home Page. Like us on Facebook. 

What belongs at the beginning of your book? Brad and Dave discuss whether an anti-AI statement offers creators any meaningful protection, break down the information that belongs on a copyright page, and explore the many ways cartoonists can approach the first page of a story or chapter. The best opening isn't determined by a universal rule—it should establish the right expectations, reflect the story you're telling, and give readers a reason to keep going. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 Do anti-AI statements offer creators legal protection? Why a standard copyright notice may already cover AI training The difference between creating, declaring, and registering a copyright What information belongs on a copyright page Copyright and trademark ownership When to use ™ and when to use ® Print location, printing numbers, and edition information ISBNs and Library of Congress numbers Combining copyright, title, credit, and dedication pages Should a comic begin with a splash page? Does the main character need to appear on page one? Using the opening page to establish tone and make a promise to the reader Why different stories require different kinds of openings Brad's two-page system for beginning a new Evil Inc chapter Creating separate covers for SFW and NSFW editions Using chapter openers as archive markers, promotional art, and production buffers Dave's approach to prologues, chapter openings, and world-building vignettes The difference between the first page and the first chapter ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Bridget, Caitlin, Hilda and cover the first part of "Broken Dove," book 2 in the Silver Elite series by Dani Francis. Unsurprisingly, there are LOTS of opinions on what's happening in this book, so they're going to talk them out, all for your listening pleasure.  Join our Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content and let's be friends!Instagram > @Booktokmademe_podTikTok > @BooktokMadeMe

Fans of well-crafted fiction will enjoy this episode: Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist delve deeply into the latest from Daniel Mason, the author of the highly acclaimed 2023 novel North Woods. Ellison rhapsodizes about a debut, multi-generational novel set in coastal Louisiana, then she details another family saga that takes place at a Midwestern island resort. Next up is a buzzy thriller by the author of the popular novel Dietland. The duo wraps up with a lively discussion about a debut novel sparked by a real-life controversy. The books covered:Country People: Daniel MasonShould the Waters Take Us: Stephanie SoileauMake Nice: Ryan EffgenFurious Violet: Sarai WalkerThe Simp: Roshan SethiFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Cozy Earth: Use code: AMR to receive 20% off at https://cozyearth.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

Marlon and Jake tackle the writers they have no interest in revisiting, asking when it's worth giving a beloved (or notorious) author another chance and when it's perfectly fine to walk away for good. Tune in as they debate literary canon, books that simply aren't for them, the difference between a difficult author and a difficult book, and why sometimes the most honest review is, "Nobody needs to go back to that" Subscribe to our River-herd digital newsletter and our print newspaper, The Eddy, for sneak peeks of our upcoming books, free giveaways, and exclusive content: https://sites.prh.com/the-eddy-newspaper. The Executioner series by Don Pendleton Hotel by Arthur Hailey Airport by Arthur Hailey Wheels by Arthur Hailey The Moneychangers by Arthur Hailey Advise and Consent by Allen Drury Shōgun by James Clavell Tai-Pan by James Clavell King Rat by James Clavell Whirlwind by James Clavell Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson The Rum Diary by Hunter S. Thompson Light in August by William Faulkner Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner Pylon by William Faulkner In Cold Blood by Truman Capote Music for Chameleons by Truman Capote Answered Prayers by Truman Capote “Where Is the Voice Coming from?” by Eudora Welty The Ballad of the Sad Café by Carson McCullers The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy The Return of a Native by Thomas Hardy The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing The Summer Before the Dark by Doris Lessing Children of Violence series by Doris Lessing Pentimento by Lillian Hellman Scoundrel Time by Lillian Hellman An Unfinished Woman by Lillian Hellman The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara Butterfield 8 by John O'Hara A Rage to Live by John O'Hara Sophie's Choice by William Styron Grendel by John Gardner October Light by John Gardner The Art of Fiction by John Gardner On Moral Fiction by John Gardner The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett Giant by Edna Ferber Soul on Ice by Eldridge Cleaver A Distant Mirror by Barbara W. Tuchman Once Is Not Enough by Jacqueline Susann Burr by Gore Vidal The Godfather by Mario Puzo In the Hand of Dante by Nick Tosches Delina Delaney by Amanda McKittrick Ros Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl Stuart Little by E. B. White The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews Jaws by Peter Benchley

Elizabeth Strout, Willa Cather, and women’s lives – welcome to episode 152! In the first half, Rachel and Simon discuss whether we prefer reading novels about women’s professional lives or their home lives. In the second half, we compare two

Cartoonist and author Dylan Meconis joins Dave Kellett to discuss marketing middle-grade webcomics, working with fans who offer to translate your work, and finding the right balance between control and accessibility. They also share practical advice for cartoonists creating an autobiographical avatar — including how simplification, posture, clothing, line quality, and tone can make a character feel unmistakably like you. Topics include: Marketing and monetizing middle-grade webcomics Reaching young readers through parents, newsletters, libraries, and local events Using print editions, zines, and snail-mail clubs to complement online comics Deciding whether to permit fan translations Maintaining quality control with beta readers and creator-hosted translations Balancing copyright concerns with the desire to reach new audiences Designing a cartoon version of yourself for memoir and autobiographical comics You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Marlon and Jake explore why we're so eager to revisit the worlds of our favorite stories, asking whether great characters are better left where their authors left them—or if there's value in imagining what came before or after. Tune in as they unpack the appeal of sequels, the pitfalls of origin stories, and why some fictional worlds are more powerful when they remain a mystery. Subscribe to our River-herd newsletter for sneak peeks of our upcoming books, free giveaways, and exclusive content. https://sites.prh.com/riverhead-reader-newsletter A High Wind in Jamaica by Richard Hughes Lord of the Flies by William Golding Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë The Life and Loves of a She-Devil by Fay Weldon Auntie Mame by Patrick Dennis Flashman series by George MacDonald Fraser Mansfield Park by Jane Austen To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding The Merry Wives of Windsor by William Shakespeare Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Lost Horizon by James Hilton Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Little Men by Louisa May Alcott David Copperfield by Charles Dickens The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Bleak House by Charles Dickens Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson Big Blonde by Dorothy Parker The Tempest by William Shakespeare