Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast

In this warm and engaging episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, Jed Doherty welcomes back author and folklorist Kelly Jarvis to celebrate her new gothic historical romance, Sea and Stars . Kelly begins by sharing the real-life “fairy tale” behind her own Belle-inspired library , a promise made by her high school boyfriend—now husband—that beautifully echoes the romance at the heart of...

In this warm episode of The Ct Book Festivals Podcast Jed welcomes Dr. Dale Atkins. Dr Dale joins us to celebrate her touching picture book The Turquoise Butterfly. Inspired by her late mother Sylvia, whose favorite color was turquoise and who was fondly associated with butterflies, the story explores what Dr. Dale calls the “eternality of love.” Through the relationship between a grandmother and...

In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast , Jed welcomes back Mary Keating , lawyer, poet, and author of Recalibrating Gravity , to celebrate Disability Pride Month and reflect on the legacy—and limits—of the Americans with Disabilities Act . Mary shares the story of the car accident at age 15 that left her a paraplegic and completely changed her life in a single moment. W...

Lee Driftwood joins the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast to talk about his dark urban fantasy series, Forgotten Flame , and the unforgettable city that shapes it— New York . Lee shares how, as a third-generation former New Yorker, he couldn’t imagine setting his fantasy anywhere else. For him, the city is more than a backdrop; it’s a living, listening character that’s always present in the story...

In this moving episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Jed sits down with K.G. Mach (pen name of author Kimberly Mach), creator of the middle grade novel Present, Still Missing, to talk about war’s invisible wounds and the power of stories to open hard conversations at home. K.G. Mach introduces us to Irene, a baseball‑and‑football loving girl growing up just after World War II. Irene’s...

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast , host Jed Doherty welcomes author, stand-up comedian, and personal trainer Andrew Ginsburg to celebrate his powerful picture book, The Colors of My Sky . Andrew shares the story of Lester , a blue butterfly whose mother only lets him play with other blue butterflies. At school, Lester wants to be friends with butterflies of many colors, bu...

In this inspiring episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Jed Doherty welcomes AndreYah Maria Hernandez Black, author of the 30-day devotional Revelations for Resilience: Whispers from the Divine for Soul Care. Andrea shares the deeply personal story behind the book—her journey through a devastating season of spousal abandonment in 2015–2016, which led to post-traumatic stress disorder,...

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes romantic suspense author Katelyn Marie Peterson to talk about her gripping trilogy, focusing on the second book, Led by His Past . The story follows Lynn Callahan and her private investigator boyfriend, Jake Connolly, as they’re pulled into a tense new case when Jake’s ex-girlfriend shows up asking him to investig...

On this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast , Jed welcomes CS Kelleher , author of the dark contemporary romance novel Scorched Boundaries —the first in a planned four-book series. CS shares how the book began in an entirely different direction: a romantic suspense involving mistaken identity and South Korean gangs. After hitting a massive bout of writer’s block, inspiration struck o...

JP Ferris joins the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast to talk about his long-running Cat Carmichael Detective Series and the latest installment, Catnap , book 13 in the saga. JP introduces Cat Carmichael , a tough, emotionally rich NYPD homicide detective shaped by the loss of her father, who was killed in the line of duty right in front of her. That trauma fuels Cat’s vow to become the best homi...

In this engaging episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes Diana Sussman , author of the middle grade mystery The Neighbor’s Secret . Diana introduces us to Maddie , a curious and imaginative 12-year-old who becomes convinced her new neighbors are Russian spies after witnessing something very strange. Maddie’s big imagination sometimes gets her into trouble—like the time she thought a neigh...

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast , host Jed Doherty welcomes back middle-grade fantasy author Greg Slomba to talk about his brand-new series, the Dragon Island Legend books, beginning with Fire and Ice . Greg explains that this new series grows out of the world of his earlier Deliverers books, particularly The Golden Dragon of Aang , which introduced the mystical Dragon Is...

On this episode, Jed welcomes author and neuroscientist Gail Martino , whose new picture book “Feathered and Famous: Meet America’s All Star Birds” celebrates the national and state birds of the United States and the stories behind them. Gail explains how her book helps kids (and parents) discover the unique traits that made each bird worthy of representing a state—from the clever chickadee of Mas...

In this engaging episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast , Jed Doherty welcomes AJ Alanson , author of the Admiral Inn mystery and adventure series , to celebrate book ten, Wolf in the Cove . AJ introduces us to June Faust , a former Treasury Department “super accountant” who buys a derelict mansion on the coast of Maine through a government auction—sight unseen. The locals wish the plac...

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast , host Jed Doherty sits down with Sarah Crowne to talk about her new YA thriller, Tune In . The novel follows Nikki Scott , a telepathic pop star who’s investigating her mother’s mysterious death. As Nikki uncovers her powers, she also discovers a shadowy organization that’s weaponizing her voice—blending high-stakes conspiracy with a glitt...

In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author, advocate, and writing mentor Melissa B. Lombardo , creator of Hurt, Healing, and Hope: Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault . Melissa shares how, after being sexually assaulted in her 20s, she found her way to counseling at the New Britain YWCA and was encouraged to write about her experiences. Wh...

Freddy the Frog hops onto the Connecticut Book Festival Podcast in this lively episode featuring debut author-illustrator Devon (DL) Torres.  Jedlie welcomes Devon from Hartford to talk about his joyful new rhyming picture book, “Freddy the Frog,” a story all about confidence, imagination, and good old-fashioned playground fun. Devon describes Freddy as a confident, energetic frog who’s always rea...

Join us for a special episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast as host Jed Doherty welcomes celebrated author Robin Cannon for an in-depth conversation about her latest cozy mystery, "Into the Shallows Darkly." As the highly-anticipated sequel to her popular novel "Into the Attic Darkly," this engaging episode dives into the compelling world of Connecticut-based crime fiction. Discover ho...

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Emily Raymond and her mother, illustrator Gail Striegel, to discuss their collaborative children’s book, "Danny the Goat Does Not Like Pears." The conversation begins with Emily recounting the inspiration drawn from her childhood habit of hiding vitamins—a quirk that became the heart of Danny the goat’s sto...

In the latest episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Mary Karnes, the brilliant mind behind the captivating wedding planner mystery series that's taking the literary world by storm. Karnes shares her fascinating journey from real-life wedding planner to cozy mystery author, offering listeners a peek into the world of "Save the Fate" and the art of crafti...

In an inspiring episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, author Timothy Craig shares the compelling story behind his young adult novel, "The Second". This emotional journey follows 17-year-old Kyle Castleman as he navigates life after a devastating car accident leaves his father in a coma. Craig's novel was born from a deeply personal experience with his own father's hospitalization in 2...

In the latest episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, author Jordan Lopez opens up about his powerful "Look Down Upon" young adult trilogy, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of neurodiversity that's been missing from literature for too long. Lopez, who is himself on the autism spectrum, created protagonist Luke Ramirez as a way to challenge stereotypes and provide meaningful repres...

In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Amanda Halpin, a special education teacher and debut children's book author who's bringing a splash of color to the literary world with her enchanting picture book, "Onyx Pearl." Halpin's journey is as vibrant as her storytelling. Inspired by a student on the autism spectrum and her lifelong pass...

In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Sarah P. Blanchard, a dynamic author who proves that great storytelling knows no age limit. At 73, Blanchard is making waves in the literary world with her gripping psychological suspense novel, "Grab Town." The story behind the book is as intriguing as its plot. Inspired by a real-life location...

In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author Paul Sargia to explore the fascinating journey behind his latest thriller, "The Catch." Set in the vibrant landscape of 1978 New York and New Jersey, this novel is more than just a page-turning adventure—it's a profound exploration of personal transformation. Sargia's writing journey is an...