Literary Lines: Interviews with Indie Authors

Why can't we stop scrolling? And what happens when we mistake watching other people improve their lives for actually improving our own? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with nonfiction author and digital wellness advocate Heather Henderson, whose ten years inside Big Tech—at Google, Uber, and Visa—gave her a front-row seat to the technology shaping how we think, work, and live. Heather sh...

What if you landed a traditional publishing deal for an entire six-book series—before writing a single manuscript? That's exactly what happened to authors Sabina Berlin, Lindsay Flanigan, and Cambria Williams, and in this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with Sabina and Lindsay to share the wild story behind Holiday Magic , a young adult romance series where every holiday brings a new love story...

What do you do when life hands you circumstances you never would have chosen? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with Christian inspirational author Russ Hedge for an incredibly moving conversation about faith, cancer, perspective, and the power of choosing how you live. Russ shares the story behind his book Life Happens and Then You Choose , and why his cancer diagnosis pushed him to publicly...

What if the people who hurt us most were never meant to be avoided—but were souls we chose to meet? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with author Kelly O’Hearn for one of the most compassionate and thought-provoking conversations yet, exploring soul connections, past lives, and the stories we tell ourselves about the pain we carry. Kelly's books—including Whispers in the Forest and Secrets...

What does it take to write from the perspective of a woman carrying profound childhood trauma—and do it with honesty and compassion? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with literary fiction author Mitchell Hadley for a fascinating deep dive into his latest novel, The Book of Revelations , and the challenge of portraying a protagonist piecing together her identity while confronting PTSD, survivo...

What happens when a completed trilogy inspires a major plot twist that changes everything—and suddenly three books become six? In this episode, GiGi Meier welcomes back award-winning fantasy author Peter Gribble for a celebratory and deeply fascinating conversation about the evolution of his City of Magicians saga. Since their first interview, Peter has completed his award-winning trilogy—which to...

What does it take to build an entire fantasy world while working full-time, raising four children, and navigating the challenges of ADHD? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with dark fantasy author M.T. Riverbooke for an honest, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation about creativity, persistence, and the winding path to publication. M.T. shares the story behind his upcoming dark fantasy novel,...

What happens when a simple goal to "write a book" turns into a thirteen-year journey of perseverance, mentorship, and accidentally discovering you're writing romance? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with debut novelist Amy Lorowitz for an honest and inspiring conversation about the unexpected path to publication. Amy shares the story behind her debut novel, Summer Husband —a roma...

What happens when horror becomes a mirror for identity, grief, and healing? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with horror author Candice Lola for a deeply fascinating conversation about body horror, folklore, and the stories that refuse to let us go. Candice opens up about how she unexpectedly found herself drawn to horror—not as mere shock value, but as a powerful metaphor for growing up, con...

What happens when nearly 30 years of entertainment industry experience collides with fantasy storytelling and cutting-edge AI? You get the kind of inspiring, forward-thinking conversation that Debbie Bishop brings to the table. In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with award-winning fantasy author and entertainment executive Debbie Bishop for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, risk-tak...

What happens when you mix Romeo and Juliet with Godzilla? You get the kind of creative, genre-bending storytelling that comic book writer, graphic novelist, and video game narrative director Adam Tierney has built his career on. In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with Adam for a fascinating conversation about writing across comics, graphic novels, video games, television, and even children'...

What happens when a six-week community college writing course ignites a multi-award-winning career in children's literature? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed children's author Kelly Bennett for a warm, insightful conversation about the unexpected paths that lead to a life in storytelling. Kelly opens up about her journey—from articles to picture books, from chapter book...

What does it take to push through nearly a decade of rejection letters and become a million-selling author? Award-winning legal thriller writer William Bernhardt joins us to share his incredible journey—from Primary Justice to his 19-book Ben Kincaid series—and why writers should never be afraid to evolve. We also dive into his riveting new book, The Superman Wars , uncovering the heartbreaking tr...

GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed sci-fi dystopian author, D.A. Murray, to dissect her thought-provoking novel Dominion: Ascension and its powerful exploration of human freedom. This isn’t just a story about a futuristic world; it's a deep dive into the enduring questions of power, control, and what truly defines humanity. We discuss how Dominion examines the intersection of technology, auth...

GiGi Meier welcomes bestselling romance and romantic suspense author D.W. Brooks for a deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of storytelling. D.W. shares how her writing began in childhood – creating one-chapter mysteries with her cousin on dot matrix paper – revealing a creative spark that never faded. We delve into her extraordinary journey: from medical scho...

GiGi Meier welcomes bestselling author Annie Dike for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation about reinvention, storytelling, and the courage to begin again. Dike’s debut novel, Clovis , is rooted in her childhood growing up in New Mexico – a gritty coming-of-age story that blossomed from real memories and vivid recollections. We delve into the emotional core of the book, including the beaut...

GiGi Meier sits down with award-winning author Patricia Leavy – a sociologist who revolutionized fiction with her term “social fiction” – for a powerful and expansive conversation. Leavy dismantles the notion of “beach reads,” arguing that depth, healing, and truth can absolutely thrive within contemporary stories. We delve into how her research background fuels her storytelling, why she publishes...

Join GiGi Meier on Literary Lines as we delve into the captivating world of award-winning author Eric Magun and his groundbreaking psychological thriller, Thank God for the Sinners . Magun reveals how a staggering thirty years spent living and working in China – a period he describes as “real-life madness” – directly fueled the creation of Rick Price, a protagonist grappling with a fractured psych...

In this episode of Literary Lines , host GiGi Meier sits down with author Danielle Blum for a powerful conversation about the research and responsibility behind her upcoming psychological thriller, Fragments of Affection . Danielle shares her meticulous process of researching over 100 systems to accurately portray Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), delving into the realities of switching, "...

Rev your engines and get ready for a high-octane episode of Literary Lines ! Host GiGi Meier sits down with the fierce and fabulous Sienna Gypsy, the powerhouse behind the gritty Angels of Fire MC series and the mystical anthology Mystical Embrace . Sienna pulls back the curtain on why she’s drawn to the dark side of romance, explaining how "love blooms in the darkness" and how her writing...

In this inspiring episode of Literary Lines , host GiGi Meier talks with paranormal romance sensation Lux Raven about her incredible journey from writing as a coping mechanism during a debilitating health crisis to winning a Watty Award and amassing 3.5 million reads on Wattpad. Lux shares how, while navigating the uncertainty of undiagnosed chronic illness, she found solace and strength in creati...

In one of the most courageous and profound conversations on Literary Lines , host GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed author and teacher Sue William Silverman. A winner of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) Award in Creative Nonfiction, Sue opens up about the difficult genesis of her writing career: her therapist’s suggestion to write about being molested by her father as a ch...

In this enchanting episode of Literary Lines , host GiGi Meier chats with debut author Rebecca Byron, whose lifelong love of vampire lore and a fateful trip to Scotland collided to create her spellbinding novel, A Memory Not Mine . Rebecca shares how the stars aligned for her to write the book in a whirlwind four months, and why the misty, historic landscapes of Scotland became the perfect backdro...

In this compelling episode of Literary Lines , host GiGi Meier sits down with debut author Michelle Park Lazette to discuss her gripping dystopian novel, The Descended —a must-add to your TBR list! Michelle opens up about her unique journey from journalist and social media strategist to novelist, revealing how the "domino effect" of life events during COVID-19 ignited her creative spark an...

In this deeply human episode of Literary Lines , host GiGi Meier sits down with retired law enforcement veteran and crime fiction author Alphonso Williams Jr.—a man who’s lived the stories he writes. With 27 years on the force (plus three in the military), Alphonso worked nearly 500 homicide cases, rose to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Florida’s Orlando FDLE region, and endured the devastat...