Book Talks with Keith

🎙️ Book Talks with Keith Episode Title: Letting Go of the Final Draft Book Talks with Keith is where southern storyteller, author, and speaker J. Keith Brown invites you behind the scenes of the writing life. Each episode explores the heart, humor, and humanity behind great stories — from the creative process to the moments that shape us along the way. Finishing a book should feel like crossing th...

🎙️ Book Talks with Keith Episode Title: Reading Between the Lines: How Fiction Teaches Us About Real Life 🌟 Episode Summary In this episode, Keith Brown—southern storyteller, novelist, and lifelong reader—invites you to explore how fiction does more than entertain. It teaches. It mirrors. It transforms. Through thoughtful reflection and a few charming stories, Keith shares how the characters we m...

Episode Show Notes Episode Title: Writing for Your True Audience Every writer faces it—the sting of criticism. It’s that fear that can keep us from putting words on the page or from sharing our stories with the world. But here’s the truth: your writing isn’t for everyone. And it doesn’t need to be. In this episode of Book Talks with Keith, I encourage you to release the pressure of trying to pleas...

My author guest today is Sheryl Bass. Sheryl holds a master’s degree in Social Work and Journalism. She has also studied child development. She uses these insights to inform her picture book writing. Bass is a member of The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and Children’s Book Insider (CBI). Bass also holds a master’s degree in Journalism and is currently working in publi...

Marco was born in Chicago but has also lived in Mexico City and San Antonio. He holds two bachelor’s degrees in English and Psychology, as well as a Master of Jurisprudence. With 15 years of experience in the corporate sector, his roles have spanned product management, operations, governance, and call center positions. In 2011, after the birth of his first daughter, Marco began to feel ill. For ni...

Welcome to another episode of Book Talks with Keith! Today, we’re tackling one of the most essential yet often overlooked parts of the writing process: proofing and editing your manuscript before it goes to print. In this episode, you’ll discover: Why editing matters: Avoid turning your masterpiece into an accidental comedy. The three layers of editing: Developmental, copyediting, and proofreading...

My guest on this episode of Book Talks with Keith is author, John Dion. John was a former truck driver who earned his MBA through night school. He also served as an Operations Manager for over 20 years. He turned to writing to better himself and improve his mental health status. In this episode, John and I talk about his book, "The Dark Side Of My Mind." In this powerful book, John tells the good...

Do you rate your books? Most people don't. What's more, often people only rate things when they aren't happy. Maybe they got bad service at a eatery. Maybe the new doctor made them wait too long. Perhaps they thought the art display was a waste of time because the paintings looked like a third grader painted them. Or perhaps they didn't like a podcast because the host said, "like," too often. Sadl...

The one thing I most often hear from new authors is: "Promoting my book is so hard." Well...it can be. In truth, for many authors, the writing is the easy part, or at least, the fun part. But it takes more work to get it into the hands of your readers. In this episode, I want to suggest three ways you can better promote your book as a new author. Grab a listen and be sure to share it with a friend...

Today's episode is a solo episode and in it, I simply want to encourage any new author to remember these three tips. In fact, all of us may need to be reminded at times. So, grab a coffee, have a seat at my table, and let's chat. To apply to be a guest on the show, visit HERE. To visit my website: www. JKeithBrown.com

Arlene tells us: "I started writing after an innocent comment by a coworker just prior to retirement. She said I should do something from my bucket list. I immediately replied that I would write a novel. I wondered why I had replied so quickly and with such conviction. I wrote Beneath A Blanket Of Snow and published it in 2020. It's a story of secrets, friendship, crime, adversity, betray...

My guest this week is author Kelly Allegretti. Kelly is a mother of three. Law school grad. Local san franciscan. Kelly has just begun her writing career and is here to share a little of this with us. Her first book is a detective series based in San Francisco. Father-daughter detective team. The daughter, Kelsey, graduates and comes home from college to help her dad with his detective agency, all...

Today on the podcast, I welcome the artistic entrepreneur known as Marlena “Zen Ase” Johns who has lived an adventurous life, raising twin sons, and teaching high school for twenty-six years in the inner city. She was Teacher of the Year for AHS in 2011-2012 and 2017-2018, a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction and a University of Chicago Distinguished Educator. One of her plays was performed at a...

Today's guest is author John Salmon, Psychologist, Author, and Christian Husband and Father. John's work combines his education, experience, and passion for Jesus Christ to share work that he hopes will help you. Website blogs: Approximately 1300 blogs at this site related to various marriage, family, & parenting topics. Blog | Family by God's Design | a Celebrating Community of Ho...

On today's episode, I invite author Rachel Grosvenor to the table to chat. Rachel is a writer from Birmingham, UK, with a PhD, MA and BA in Creative Writing. With a passion for telling fantastical tales, Rachel has written poetry and short stories for reviews and anthologies worldwide. When she's not writing, she spends her time editing, coaching, and wondering what's for elevenses. Bl...

Andrea Putting is a conscious entrepreneur and the founder of Chocolate and Coffee Day for Religious Harmony. Her best-selling and award-winning books, "Compassionate Prosperity" and "Compassionate Purpose," weave together the threads of social mission with the quest for deeper meaning in our lives. As a speaker and podcast host, Andrea advocates for unity and the potent impact...

Today, I invite author Brooke French onto the "Book Talks with Keith" podcast. Brooke is a recovering lawyer turned writer who lives with her husband and sons between Atlanta and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. She spends most of her days gleefully researching and writing about fatal viruses, terrorism, and murder. Brooke is likely on numerous watch lists. Brooke’s most recent book, The C...

My guest today is author Dan Klefstad. Dan is a longtime radio host and newscaster. His latest novel, Fiona’s Guardians, is about humans who work for a beautiful vampire named Fiona. The book was adapted by Artists’ Ensemble Theater for their Mysterious Journey podcast. A short film adaptation is currently in pre-production. Dan is working on the sequel but first will release a title for fellow au...

Many people, including our young people, are suffering with trauma resulting from any number of types of abuses. With that said, I want to introduce you to today's author, Yasmine Brown. Yasmine has already written three books that share her personal journey in this area as well as the healing work she has done. In them, you will find connection, encouragement, and tools to help you do the sam...

On this episode of Book Talks with Keith, I invite author Marrisa Lima (M. D. Lima) to join me in a chat. This YA dystopian series is being released in installments and Book 1, entitled, "The Knowing," is now available through Amazon. Book 1 introduces us to a fascinating plot idea. If you could know the age you would be when you die, would you want to know? That is exactly the journey t...

This is the introduction to the podcast. We will begin releasing episodes in January 2024. I hope you will follow or subscribe to this podcast and support these authors as they bring you their work. My Website: www. JKeithBrown.com . Join me on Instagram: @jkeithbrown.author