Author in the Headlights

Award-winning author and entertainment executive Debbie Bishop joins Strider Klusman to discuss Pillywiggin Awakening: The Complete Story Arc , a fantasy adventure twenty-five years in the making. The conversation explores world-building, comics, Hollywood storytelling, writing for fantasy readers, and the creative lessons Debbie learned while working with major studios before becoming a full-time...

David Beaumier joins Author in the Headlights to discuss The Mourning Fields ,: https://books2read.com/u/3JQBGJ, a contemporary fantasy inspired by Greek mythology. We also discuss upcoming writers conferences and how they help authors grow their careers.

Author D.A. Murray joins Strider Klusman to discuss her debut speculative fiction novel, Dominion Ascension . Set thirty years after a biochemical war transforms America into a new nation known as Dominion, the story follows investigative reporter Dani Matthews as she uncovers truths hidden beneath the surface of society. The conversation explores worldbuilding, plotting, writing discipline, balan...

Award-winning author Brock Meier joins Author in the Headlights to discuss The Stone Cutter , the Nabataeans, Petra, and the historical research behind bringing an ancient civilization to life through fiction. From archaeology to storytelling, this conversation explores how historical fiction preserves the people and cultures often forgotten by history. The Stone Cutter: https://books2read.com/u/b...

Award-winning fantasy author Peter Gribble joins Author in the Headlights to discuss his acclaimed City of Magicians trilogy. Winner of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Peter created a fantasy world unlike most in the genre: a city without armies, weapons, or violence. As invasion approaches, strategy, telepathic communication, political intrigue, and unlikely heroes become the key to surv...

Bestselling author Avanti Centrae joins Author in the Headlights to discuss her award-winning thriller The Picasso Job. We also discuss her writing of suspenseful mysteries, and the lessons she's learned, from crafting compelling plots to winning major literary awards,. This conversation offers valuable insights for readers and writers alike. Featured Books: The Phoenix series:          The Pi...

What happens when a box of forgotten family letters uncovers one of the most dramatic true stories of World War II? In this episode of Author in the Headlights, Strider Klusman sits down with debut author and USA Today bestselling author Jan Cress Dondi to discuss The Navigator's Letter , the remarkable true story of her parents, her uncle, and one of the most dangerous military missions of Wo...

“Building community one book at a time.” In this episode of Author in the Headlights , Chloe Hovind discusses the Chuckanut Writers Conference, Village Books, and the importance of literary communities that connect readers, writers, and indie authors. If you love discovering new books, supporting authors, and exploring the world behind publishing and writing conferences, this conversation is for y...

What happens when love, loyalty, and espionage collide during the Manhattan Project? In this episode of Author in the Headlights , Strider Klusman sits down with author Leslie Shover to discuss Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak: https://books2read.com/u/m0yDgy — a historical fiction story inspired by her parents’ real experiences working on the Manhattan Project during World War II. The conver...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights , Strider S.R. Klusman interviews Derrick M. Jackson, a retired Air Force Special Investigator turned author of the Shadow One series. Drawing from 21 years of investigative experience, Jackson shares how real-world cases involving human trafficking and international crime shaped his writing—blending truth with fiction to create authentic military thrill...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with Monte Schulz to explore his novel Undercity —a powerful and unsettling story about what happens when a society tries to perfect itself. Set in a world that diverged from our own, Undercity examines eugenics, human ambition, and the cost of deciding who belongs—and who doesn’t. We also discuss Monte’s writing process, the challenge of w...

Drawing from personal experiences with bullying, Kidwell created a story designed not only to entertain but to help young readers build resilience and confidence. We discuss the inspiration behind the book, the challenges of writing a first novel, and practical advice for new authors. If you enjoy coming-of-age fantasy with real-world meaning, all in a fantasy world, this episode is for you.

What does it take to craft a truly chilling suspense thriller—and collaborate with some of the biggest names in publishing? In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with J.D. Barker, a New York Times and international bestselling author known for his gripping psychological thrillers and high-profile collaborations.  From working alongside James Patterson to co-authoring a prequel...

Discover new books and meet the authors behind them.  In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we explore the journey from professional expertise to creative storytelling. Today we sit down with Dr. James R. Gregory, once a leader in business branding, now transitioned into writing novels. With his novel series, Small Fortunes , we discuss how his background in branding influenced his storyte...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with mystery author Sandy Jacobsen to talk about her journey from a horse-riding Oregon girl to writing gripping mystery novels. If you enjoy exploring new books, discovering authors, and finding your next great read , this conversation dives into Sandy’s inspiration, writing process, and the stories behind her growing collection of mysteri...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we welcome back science fiction author Andrew Sweet (Chuck Sweet) . Known for writing future history, speculative fiction, and socially driven science fiction , Andrew explores how technology, culture, and human nature collide in tomorrow’s worlds. We discuss his major series—including Virtual Wars and Reality Gradient —along with his stand-alone novel...

In this week's on Author in the Headlights , we sit down with Steve Berry , NY Times and #1 internationally bestselling master of historical thrillers. With over 26 million books sold in 52 countries , Berry returns with the explosive new Cotton Malone adventure, The Devil’s Bible . We dive into the secrets behind his writing process, the 12-year journey and 85 rejections before success, and h...

In this steamy and insightful episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with romance author Lynda Bailey , whose stories range from sizzling contemporary romance to paranormal, fantasy, and horror. From the heat of her romance catalog to the intrigue of Alyce – Through the Lycan Glass , Lynda shares what drew her into writing hot romance , whether the genre has ever caused her challenges,...

What would you have done? In this powerful episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with Christine Kuehn and her husband Mark Schiponi to discuss their gripping nonfiction book, Family of Spies — the true story of a German family sent to Hawaii prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. 📘 Family of Spies : https://books2read.com/u/mlVlXB 📚 Duramen Publishing Bookstore: htt...

From the poor neighborhoods of Boston to Harvard Medical School , from training at UCSF’s world-renowned neurosurgical program to a distinguished career and retirement in Topeka, Kansas—Dr. Craig Yorke’s story is more than a memoir. It’s a powerful exploration of ambition, resilience, race, and the true cost of success. In this episode of Author in the Headlights , debut author Dr. Craig Yorke dis...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with Rusty Austin , a longtime reality TV producer turned author , to talk about storytelling across mediums—from unscripted television to children’s books and deeply personal nonfiction. Rusty is the creator of the delightful Goofy Things by Rusty series, a collection of charming, educational books designed to spark curiosity, laughter, an...

In this episode we delve into The Mechanic’s Diary series , a serial tale of strange sciences and stranger souls. At its core is a being not created by God—one that does not know what it is, yet dreams of what it might become. The conversation explores how Ian’s real-world experiences inform his fiction, the philosophy behind artificial life, and the unsettling beauty of transformation through kno...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we sit down with award-winning author Kevin G. Chapman, the voice behind the gripping Mike Stoneman Mystery/Thriller series—hard-hitting police procedurals packed with suspense, moral complexity, and relentless pacing. Kevin talks about crafting authentic crime fiction, building long-running series characters, and the real-world influences behind his st...

How do book awards really work—and are they worth it for your book marketing? In this episode of Author in the Headlights , we sit down with Hannah Jacobson of Book Award Pro to demystify the world of literary awards and reviews for authors at every stage. Hannah explains how Book Award Pro works with indie-published, traditionally published, and even unpublished authors to identify the right awar...

In this episode of Author in the Headlights , Strider sits down with Stephen Ford , a bold voice in satirical and dystopian fiction . Ford’s novels challenge how we think about freedom, truth, safety, and authority , using sharp wit and unsettling “what ifs” to explore societies pushed to ideological extremes. We discuss how good intentions can slide out of control control, how competing authorita...