Craft Chat Chronicles

Send us Fan Mail Ryan Coogler's "Sinners" has captivated audiences with its fresh take on vampire mythology set against the racially charged backdrop of 1930s Mississippi. This Southern Gothic tale follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both masterfully portrayed by Michael B. Jordan) as they return home to open a juke joint, only to encounter supernatural forces that mirror the ver...

Send us Fan Mail The supernatural world of vampires has captivated audiences for generations, but how these stories represent Black characters reveals much about our evolving cultural consciousness. In this thought-provoking episode, we dissect three influential vampire shows through a craft and representation lens, tracking a remarkable evolution from tokenism to authentic storytelling. Starting...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it’s like to face a life-threatening illness in a foreign country during a global pandemic? Join us for a conversation with debut author Robin Allison Davis, who shares her deeply personal journey of living in Paris while battling cancer. Robin gives us a window into the complexities and emotional toll of navigating the French healthcare system as an American ex...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles , hosted by J.D. Myall, we’re excited to bring you a dynamic Debut Author Panel featuring some of the most promising new voices in literature: Arriel Vinson, M.C. Benner Dixon, Shalini Abeysekara, Dami Salako, Jill Tew, and Ashley Jordan. Join us as these authors share their journeys from manuscript to publication, offering a rare glimpse i...

Send us Fan Mail Every writer knows the paralyzing feeling of staring at a blank page, unable to move forward. But what if writer's block isn't actually about your skills or talent? In this candid conversation, we unpack the surprising truth: most writing blocks stem from anxiety, self-doubt, and the notorious imposter syndrome rather than any lack of ability. Our panel of writers shares...

Send us Fan Mail What if the loss of a dear friend could spark a new beginning that transforms the literary landscape for Black authors? Join us in this heartfelt episode as we welcome Beatrice Winifred Eicher, Chelsea Gayden, and Jill Tu, the dynamic team behind the Afro Knots podcast, which began as a tribute to their late friend KL Bird and flourished into a supportive community for Black write...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how to seamlessly transition from corporate life to becoming a successful author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with debut author Rebecca Dazenbaker, who shares her incredible journey from professional photographer to YA novelist. You'll discover her unique social media strategies for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, and pick up practical t...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to the inaugural episode of "A Writer's Journey," where we peel back the curtain on the creative process with honesty, humor, and heart. Co-hosts JD Myall, Jay Marie, and Mo kick off this series by sharing their personal paths to becoming writers—from childhood escapes into imagination to formal education and professional milestones. What begins as a simple...

Send us Fan Mail Could your next favorite children's book be waiting inside this episode? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with the incredibly talented author and editor Hena Khan. From a childhood immersed in storytelling to an inspiring career in public health, Hena reveals the pivotal moments that led her to write for children. Discover how a chance opportunity at Scholastic...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the secrets behind captivating storytelling with debut author Veronica Bane in this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles. Veronica shares her inspiring transition from ghostwriting in adult romance to unveiling her young adult debut novel, "Difficult Girls." She opens up about the challenges and triumphs of balancing her writing career with her role as a high school...

Send us Fan Mail How did a script editor in the UK television and film industry transform into a best-selling author? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with Holly Race, the remarkable mind behind the debut adult fantasy novel "Six of Crowns." Holly takes us on her riveting journey, candidly discussing her tumultuous transition from script editing to writing, including the c...

Send us Fan Mail What if the key to captivating storytelling lies not just in creativity but in the rigorous study of literature? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we uncover the journey of an emerging author, who turned an unexpected collaboration with an agent in 2020 into a successful debut with Little Brown. Our guest takes us through the joys and challenges of traditional publishing, sharin...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could transform setbacks into a launching pad for success? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Ladarian Williams, the debut author behind the best-selling novel "Blood at the Roots." Ladarian takes us on his journey from the small town of Helena, Alabama, to the bustling streets of Los Angeles, sharing how his early passions in theater and the hurdle...

Send us Fan Mail Disney author Emma Theriault is here to share the captivating journey behind her debut novel, Rebel Rose. Join us as she recounts the unexpected creative freedom she experienced while working on this Disney IP project set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. From the exhilarating highs of signing with her first agent in 2016 to the unique challenges of debuting during th...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to turn a childhood passion for stories into a published novel? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with debut author Jamie D'Amato also known as J.L. D'Amato to discuss her journey to bringing "The Good Vampire's Guide to Blood and Boyfriends" to life. Jamie's delightful and humorous gay vampire rom-com embodie...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a former clown from Ringling Brothers transitions to writing a Joker graphic novel for DC Comics? Join us on this episode of Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with Kimberly Latrice Jones, a New York Times bestselling author and NAACP Image Award nominee. From her early ambitions of becoming a picture book author to co-writing a novel inspired by the civil unre...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how fan fiction could pave the way to a bestselling author career? Tune into this inspiring double episode of Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with the multifaceted Denny S. Bryce, who transitioned from running a PR and marketing firm to becoming a celebrated author and faculty member at Drexel University. Denny takes us through her early days writing "Buffy...

Send us Fan Mail What if your storytelling dreams could transform into an award-winning career? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with the remarkable Connie Schofield Morrison, who shares her journey from managing her illustrator husband Frank Morrison to carving out her own path as a celebrated author. Connie's candid conversation covers everything from the importance of settin...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a ghost story can turn rejections into a celebrated book launch? Join us on Craft Chat Chronicles as we sit down with award-winning YA and children's picture book author, Sarah Glenn Marsh. Hear about Sarah's inspiring journey from a book-loving teenager encouraged by a high school teacher to an accomplished author with Penguin's support. She share...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as New York Times best-selling author Gilly Segal shares lessons on crafting bestsellers. Transitioning from law to literary stardom, Gilly unfolds her remarkable journey from hidden manuscripts to her collaboration with Kimberly Jones on the acclaimed YA hit "I'm Not Dying With You Tonight." She offers invaluable insights on persistence, the magic of the ri...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as New York Times bestselling author Sadiqa Johnson shares lessons on crafting bestsellers. Embark on a literary voyage with us as I, JD Myall, sit down with Sadiqa Johnson, a celebrated author known for her gripping novels like 'The Yellow Wife.' Sadiqa's journey is a testament to the power of storytelling and persistence, marked by her significant accolade...

Send us Fan Mail When the blank page becomes a canvas for a bestselling novel, what's the secret behind the first stroke of genius? Ava Reid, acclaimed author of dark academia's gripping tales, joins us to unravel the artistry of hooking readers from the get-go. She opens up about her own transformation from writing in solitude to embracing the glaring spotlight of success. Her frank dis...

Send us Fan Mail From childhood notebook scribbles to groundbreaking queer YA novels, New York Times bestselling author Tess Sharpe's journey exemplifies resilience and creativity. On "Craft Chat Chronicles," Tess shares the thrill and challenges of seeing her novel "The Girls I've Been" adapted for Netflix. She discusses the importance of community support and detail...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could transform stress-filled corporate days into successful storytelling? Our guest, Jill Tu, did just that. We talk about her inspiring journey from high-demand corporate jobs to becoming the debut author of "The Dividing Sky," a cozy dystopian romance set in a hyper-capitalist future. Jill's story begins with a pivotal moment of inspiration after watc...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to leave a tech career for the unpredictable world of full-time writing? Join us as we sit down with debut author KM Fajardo who shares her inspiring journey from programming to penning her own cyberpunk retelling of "The Great Gatsby." KM opens up about the joys and hurdles of transitioning genres from literary fiction to science fiction and...