Five Compelling Questions with Shawn

Shawn and Marlie talk about true crime and fiction, Marlie's unique road to becoming a published author, animals, why we have three names, and finding your voice at any stage of your career. 

Shawn and Jim chat about dogs, cats, and squirrels, the power of words, keester stashes, meth marrow, and how having a career in the criminal justice system influences Jim's writing. 

Shawn and Linda chat about how HOAs can inspire murderous thoughts, the theory that goat yoga is really devil worship, and how a young woman with the surnames Lovely Hooker went from her childhood career inspiration, Perry Mason, to journalism and crime fiction writing.    

Shawn chats with debut crime fiction author Mark Leichliter about how professional eavesdropping has developed their writing skills, being free-spirited rule breakers, and which are easier to make fun of, cats or dogs.  

Debut novelist William Ade turns the tables on the podcast's host by asking Shawn the questions this week. Shawn and Bill discuss what role gender plays in writing compelling fiction, and things they've learned as writers through their careers. 

Linda and Shawn chat about advice for writers just starting out, Writer's High, the importance of reading when writing, and more things they'd tell their younger writing selves.

Shawn chats with Author and Professor Christopher Chambers about writing in multiple genres, superpowers we'd like to have, what we should tell our younger selves, and navigating landmines. Real ones. 

Shawn chats with Lori about finding inspiration through real-life events, the value of patience, Mom Guilt, raising identical twins, and writing as therapy. 

Shawn chats with Author and Musician Jonathan Brown about writing, music, things we don't want our moms to read or see, arson in real life, and how to make friends at mystery conventions. 

Shawn chats with Lida about meeting characters, writers and the movie business, the ups and downs of teleportation, and pigs as murder suspects. 

Shawn chats with Marco about his debut novel BLACKOUT, thinking in two different languages, their mutual love of music, setting great scenery, and what would be on Marco's life's playlist.  Songs: "Love Has Fallen on Me" by Chaka Khan; "Simplify" by Omar; "New York Bars" by Brenda Russell Find the BLACKOUT playlist on Spotify: https://soundcloud.com/marco-carocari/sets/blackout-playlist

Shawn chats with Kerry K. Cox about writing what you know, different kinds of markets to sell your work (men's magazines!), advocating for animals, and creating informative fiction while staying entertaining. 

Shawn chats with former television producer and current travel crime writer about early inspirations in writing, which is crazier, TV or publishing (spoiler alert, it's hard to tell!), the world's worst teacher, and which actors should be cast in fictional roles. 

Shawn and Tina discuss writing, life on the beach and in the mountains, the many benefits of writing short fiction, what it's like to have your book be mentioned in the same breath as Louise Penny's, and the similar parallels they shared growing up and becoming writers. 

Shawn chats with first time author Mally Becker about cocktails, writing in different time periods, dealing with a world of ideas, and which famous writer would be wonderful to have dinner with. 

Shawn chats with Justin M. Kiska, writer, producer, and director of over one hundred stage productions about his debut novel, life in a charming small town (while still keeping murder on your mind), the differences between writing for stage and writing novels, and why everyone loves a mystery. 

Shawn talks with Author Kerry Peresta about the power of words, creating worlds, Kerry's unique path to her writing career, and their mutual love of Sue Grafton. 

Shawn talks with C.L. Tolbert about researching a novel during a pandemic, social justice, the strength of working moms, and how rage can fuel creativity. 

Shawn chats (and laughs) with author Liz Milliron about writing, ultimate revenge, and the most entertaining answer to the question "coffee or tea?" ever given. 

Gabriel Valjan, the Agatha and Anthony Award nominated author of the Roma and Shane Cleary Mystery Series, joins Shawn to talk about juggling multiple series, short story writing and what he wanted to be when he grew up. 

Shawn talks with Lori Robbins, ballet dancer turned award-winning author, most recently of Murder in First Position, An On Pointe Mystery. 

Cathi Stoler is the author of three mystery series and a three-time finalist, and winner of the 2015 Derringer Award for Best Short Story. Bar None and Last Call are the first two books in her Murder On The Rocks Mystery series. Cathi is a board member of Sisters In Crime New York/Tri-State, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She lives in New York City with her husband...

Gerald Elias leads a double life as a world class musician and critically acclaimed author. His award-winning Daniel Jacobus mystery series takes place in the dark corners of the classical music world. Devil’s Trill, his debut novel, was a Barnes & Noble Discover: Great New Writers selection. Elias’s prize-winning essay, War & Peace. And Music , excerpted from his memoir, Symphonies &...

Join Award-Winning Author and Editor Shawn Reilly Simmons as she gets to know her guests by asking 5 Compelling Questions .  Shawn's very first guest is Author Peter W. J. Hayes   Peter was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and lived in Paris and Taipei before settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked as a journalist, advertising copywriter and marketing executive—including six...