RedPubPod

The “Best Town in North Carolina” has some explaining to do. Steve Hill returns to RedPubPod with Statesville After Dark: The Worst of the ‘Best Town in North Carolina’, this time bringing the skeletons out of the closet. Richard Eller, Patty Thompson, and Jane St. Clair talk with Steve about murders, the liquor trade, ghost stories, and local scandals behind the familiar streets of his hometown....

What happens when stories written to be heard become stories meant to be read? In this episode of RedPubPod, host and Redhawk Publications publisher Patty Thompson welcomes guest host Tom Dyer, founding publisher of Florida's Watermark, for a lively conversation with Greg Triggs, project editor of This Happened: Yarnslingers Book One, and contributing writer Janice Meyerson. Published by Redhawk P...

Do you have to leave home to find your purpose... or is home exactly where you'll find it? This week on Red Pub Pod, we sit down with debut author Aaron Kohrs to discuss his inspiring memoir, Big Dreams Back Home: Finding Purpose and Building Community in Small-Town America. After earning a graduate degree in Ireland, Aaron expected his future to unfold in a major city. Instead, life brought him b...

Rocks, Rivers, and the Stories We Carry What lies just below the surface? In this episode, Jane St. Clair and Patty Thompson sit down with debut author Howard Pearre to talk about Rocks Just Below the Surface, a moving collection of short stories that follows boys and men through childhood, military service, family, hard choices, and the quiet moments that shape a life.   Howard shares how real pe...

"Write what you don't know about what you already know" - Brad Lott    From pinto beans and corn bread to guns and hooper swans, this episode with debut novelist Jim Haughey will keep you on your toes. And it's not just his charming Irish brogue!    Join Redhawk staff Richard and Jane as they interview Jim, along with decades-long friend and trusted editor, Tom Rash.    The crew all get down to bu...

“I wanted readers to read along and say, ‘I’m not alone.’ I wanted to be intentional about the universal.” In this episode, Redhawk talks with poet Angela Leigh about her debut poetry collection, Tattoos, Tacos, and Time . Angela’s poems explore the transformation that comes from saying yes to love. She uses a fearless resolve to see, feel, and capture moments that defy gravity, shatter our shells...

“I like making people laugh when they come in. Especially the serious ones. It’s a goal. Even if it’s at my expense.” In this episode, Redhawk chats with independent bookstore owner, David Fiorentino, who recently opened Libreria Books with his wife Crystal, in downtown Newton. Libreria is their retirement dream come true… before retirement. And David is Redhawk’s new best friend. He’s dedicated p...

In this episode, Redhawk chats with notable North Carolina-based poet Tony Robles about “Soup for the Storm,” his latest poetry collection born in the dark (literally), written by candlelight in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. These aren’t polished-from-a-distance poems; they are raw, immediate, scribbled-in-the-moment snapshots of survival, community, and the strange,...

For our 50th episode, RedPubPod hands the mic to two master-level poets who came to co-host… and accidentally became each other’s best critics. With new books recently released by Redhawk Publications, Scott Owens (The Song Is Why We Sing) and Michael Hettich (Waking Up Alone) begin with what feels like a mutual admiration society. It quickly deepens into a candid examination of craft, free of pre...

“Every drama should make you laugh at least once, and every comedy should make you cry at least once.”   In this episode of RedPubPod , we talk storytelling—why it works, why it matters, and why it still beats doom-scrolling every time. We’re also officially kicking off an exciting new partnership between Redhawk Publications and Akula Literary Partners , a near-nonprofit collective focused on lif...

“I have a good memory…”   And Earl’s not kidding. Charlotte native and lifelong fan Earl Gulledge joins Richard and Patty to explore the mid-century Queen City—when neon signs brightened the streets, the skyline was still taking shape, and “hauling around town” was a way of life.   Part memoir, part history, and part urban love letter, Charlotte: Haulin' Around Town Streetside captures the city’s...

What makes a good poet? Never underestimate the impact of a great instructor who both nurtures and challenges their students. In this episode, Patty and Richard dive into the art and craft of poetry with two writers who represent both sides of that relationship — the teacher and the student.   Scott Owens, a longtime poet, instructor, and owner of Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse in Hickory, joins the...

Author Jason Parker and editor Tom Rash drop by the RedPubPod studio to dive into PROSECUTOR BOY , Jason’s memoir! What follows is a laid-back, insightful, and often hilarious conversation. Redhawk Publications hosts Patty Thompson and Richard Eller, who are in their element, riffing with Jason and his editor not only about the ups and downs of the writing journey, but also about the bigger pictur...

Academic Writer turned Published Author Jane Everson discusses her debut book:  Everyday Women, Extraordinary Wisdom We’re excited to have North Carolina author Jane Everson in the studio today. Gather 'round as she shares her writing journey—one that almost led her down the path of Scandinavian murder mysteries. (Yeah, imagine that!) Lucky for us, she chose instead to spotlight everyday women—and...

In this episode of RedPubPod, retired criminal attorney and author John Rhea discusses his writing journey. John admits to some half-hearted attempts at writing in his earlier years—but the world waited patiently. Was it worth the wait? Lifer absolutely was. And we’re lucky it’s finally out in the world. With razor-sharp dialogue and a plot that’s nothing short of “final level,” Rhea masterfully w...

In this episode of RedPubPod, we welcome Georgia poet Rupert Fike to discuss his powerful new poetry collection, All Things in Common, published by Redhawk Publications . With special guest host Cecilia Woloch an internationally renowned poet and Fulbright scholar—this lively conversation explores Fike’s poetic chronicle of "The Farm," a legendary counterculture commune he helped found in the 1970...

In this insightful and entertaining episode of RedPubPod, Richard and Patty sit down with local author Chris Nelson, whose debut short story collection, Where You Are From , is already making waves. Chris's path—from bouncer to paralegal to English instructor to published author—is a fascinating ride through real-life plot twists, all grounded in a deep sense of place. While many writers talk abou...

In this vibrant episode of RedPubPod, we sit down with the brilliant and bold Maeve Fox, a North Carolina poet whose debut collection, Letting Go of Me , is turning heads and opening hearts. This convo is hosted by Redhawk Publications' own Patty Thompson and featuring special guest Jay Orlando (author of Tangled Lineage and featured poet on RedPubPod episode #033), and deepens into the power of t...

“That’s what’s important about poetry; you have to wager something you can lose.” Award-winning author Michael Loderstedt reveals the key to impactful poetry Welcome to another episode of RedPubPod, where poetry, art, and a little bit of Southern charm collide in the most unexpected ways. Hosted by Acquisitions Editor Patty Thompson , this episode features a dynamic duo: poets Tim Peeler and Micha...

“Having a passionate acquisitions editor encourages you, but it’s also accountability. Someone knows you are writing a book, so you have to write a book. And you know you’ll be disappointed if you don’t.” Chrissie Dixon, Author In this episode of RedPubPod, co-hosts Robert Canipe and Patty Thompson welcome author Chrissie Dixon to discuss her new inspiring book, No Jump in My Trunk . Chrissie shar...

Famed Vermont Author Joseph Citro Tells it Like it Is Regarding 21st Century Publishing Whoa! Patty gets her secret wish. It doesn’t happen often, but our acquisitions editor becomes the solo host and takes the crown as “Queen of the Pod” with guest veteran storyteller and Vermont’s own Joseph Citro. Joseph isn’t new to publishing—back in the day, he was an author with one of the largest publisher...

We're always pumped to have poet Scott Owens drop by for a podcast chat! Not only is he a natural storyteller, but you walk away a little brighter every time. It's been a whole year since his last visit, and true to form, he hasn’t been resting on his laurels—he’s released two poetry collections: An Augury of Birds and Eventually. An Augury of Birds pairs Scott’s insightful poetry with the breatht...

“Every Serious Writer Needs to be Reading Craft of Writing Books Every Day!”... Renowned Southern Author Rhonda Browning Puts All Writers on Notice Get comfy for this jam-packed, fun episode with award-winning author Rhonda Browning White as she spills the inside scoop on her debut novel, Filling the Big Empty. Inspired by her earlier short stories, this story follows a young couple navigating lif...

Dr. Hinshaw Gets to the Root of Redhawk Publications...Its Humble Beginnings and Its Continued Mission that’s Growing Exponentially Go ahead, laugh it up. Redhawk Publications might be the Isle of Misfit Toys, but guess what? We wear that title like a badge of honor—and we deliver! As we close in on our ninth anniversary (yeah, nine years!) and nearly 200 books published, our little pirate ship is...

David Dickson’s short story collection, “Down to the Root" , is an homage to a life richly lived. It makes sense: the author has spent a lifetime collecting people and developing stories. And the folks he meets along the way are incorporated into vibrant characters you can’t forget. The RedPubPod crew had a great time interviewing this clever North Carolina author in July to discuss the impetus of...