Five Compelling Questions with Shawn

Shawn chats with Mark Greaney about the new Gray Man novel, MIDNIGHT BLACK, the evolution of his character, the importance of thorough research in writing, his writing process and work ethic, the surreal experience of seeing his work adapted into film, the challenges of writing, and personal anecdotes that shaped his journey as a writer.

Shawn chats with James T. Bartlett, a travel and lifestyle journalist turned True Crime author, his books THE ALASKAN BLONDE & GOURMET GHOSTS series, Bartlett's journey into writing, the appeal of true crime, surprising discoveries during research, the process of crafting compelling narratives, Los Angeles, a new True Crime book focused on Burbank, the importance of sensitivity in true crime w...

Shawn chats on Valentine's Day with professional wedding planner and author Mary Karnes about the most recent book in her cozy wedding planner mystery series, the inspiration behind her books, the challenges of balancing her writing career with her growing wedding planning business, the impact of being a published author on her life and family, her writing process, her multi-cultural roots, future...

Shawn chars with Rose Kerr about her debut novel, DEATH AT THE SCOTTISH BROCH, Rose's journey into writing, her character, archaeologist Maya Reed, the research process behind the book, the challenges of writing a mystery, inspirations, Agatha Christie, and the future of the series.

Shawn chats with AX Foster about his unique journey from a prosecutor to an author of legal thrillers, his debut novel GAVEL TO GAVEL, inspiration, justice, Foster's background in law and acting, societal fascination with legal dramas, Agatha Christie, John Grisham, James Patterson, and the importance of justice in the courtroom.

Shawn chats with Jeff Markowitz about his novel THE OTHER, social justice, the historical context of Nazi activity in New Jersey, the significance of storytelling, addressing uncomfortable truths, crafting dual timeline narratives, the importance of standing up against hate, and the power of fiction to evoke empathy and understanding.

Shawn chats with bestselling author Robert Crais about his latest novel, THE BIG EMPTY, which marks the 20th book featuring private investigator Elvis Cole, the evolution of his characters, internet influencers, family secrets, loyalty, betrayal, the nuances of plotting and character development, and the emotional stakes involved in Crais's storytelling.

Shawn chats with Daphne Silver about her Agatha Award-winning author Cozy Mystery series, rare books, museums, Edgar Allan Poe, communities in writing, the balance between character and setting, and valuable advice for aspiring authors.

Shawn chats with Brian Freeman about his latest novel, his creative process, the challenges of writing thrillers, the importance of collaboration with his wife, Marsha, his evolution as a writer, his experiences in different genres, and the literary influences that have shaped his storytelling.

Shawn chats with debut author Kate Michaelson about her novel HIDDEN ROOMS, medical mysteries, murder investigations, the importance of representing chronic illness in literature, teaching, the journey of becoming a published author, and the themes of homecoming and personal growth.

Shawn chats with Tom Coffey about SPECIAL VICTIM, the second book in the Devine Trilogy, themes surrounding justice and media responsibility, New York City, character development, the Central Park jogger case, the challenges of writing from multiple perspectives, and the importance of withholding judgment in today's media landscape.

Shawn chats with D.M. Barr (Dawn Barclay) about her writing journey, her latest psychological thriller, DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED, the unique intersection of her real estate background with her fiction, her character development process, community among writers, the challenges of the creative process, her advice for aspiring writers, and an exciting project she and Shawn will be working on for many ye...

Shawn chats with Lisa Williamson Rosenberg about her new novel, MIRROR ME, the themes of identity, belonging, the influence of psychology on writing, the significance of her characters, the challenges of crafting a compelling narrative, the importance of backstory, and the journey of self-discovery that her protagonist, Eddie, undergoes throughout the novel.

Shawn chats with award-winning author John Shepphird about his journey as a film director and writer, the nuances of writing novels versus short stories, the enduring appeal of crime fiction, John's newest novel, their experiences in the film industry, the importance of attending writing conferences, and their upcoming anthology collaboration TENNIS NOIR.

Shawn chats with returning guest Greg Stout about his writing journey, his new novel LONG TIME GONE, the Jackson Gamble series, Nashville, the intricacies of character development, plotting a long-running series, noir, realism, respectful representation of characters, Greg's new radio show, and the enduring appeal of detective fiction.

Shawn chats with Ellen Butler about her journey from traditional to independent publishing, experiences in the writing community, the creative process, inspirations, character development, and the importance of mentorship for aspiring writers.

Shawn chats with Julie Sampson about her middle-grade novel RUBY AND THE BOSS CRICKET, the creative process behind writing for children, the importance of inspiring young readers, friendship, self-discovery, writing fiction and non-fiction, personal experiences, and valuable advice for aspiring writers.

Shawn chats with the writing duo of Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson about their latest book, DEFENSE PROTOCOL, their collaborative writing process, the themes in their work, the character development of Katie Ryan, the importance of honoring military traditions, adapting their stories for film and television, the excitement of releasing new books, and their commitment to providing readers with a...

Shawn chats with Kevin Kleesner about his writing journey, his latest novel, THE KILLERS' TERMS, the importance of community among authors, societal issues woven into Kevin's thrillers, authenticity of settings, character development, the creative process, the challenges of publishing, resilience, personal growth, innovative marketing strategies for authors, family, the joy of artistic collaborati...

Shawn chats with Robin Cook, renowned physician and #1 NYT and international bestselling author of over 40 novels, about his most recent book, BELLEVUE, the historical significance of Bellevue Hospital, medical science, the supernatural, the evolution of medical thrillers, film and television adaptations of his work, the impact of COMA (book and film) on his career, the challenges posed by the US...

Shawn chats with bestselling and prolific author Brett Battles about his newest book, STUART WOODS' GOLDEN HOUR, his collaboration with the late author, European settings, travel, research, the dynamics of co-authoring, the discipline of a writing routine, inspiration or the lack thereof and not allowing it to impact the work, challenges writers face, their mutual love of Stephen King, and valuabl...

Shawn chats with Tracy Clark, a celebrated crime fiction author, about her latest book, Echo, Tracy's journey to becoming a writer, the creative process, the inspiration she finds in everyday life, the power of words, the challenges and joys of writing, and the importance of community involvement in the writing world.

Shawn chats with return guest Kerry Peresta about her latest psychological suspense novel, he Crushing, the process of writing, character development, the importance of titles, Kerry's journey from advertising to writing, her inspirations, and the challenges of creating suspenseful narratives.

Shawn chats with #1 NYT Bestselling author Graham Brown about his various careers and his latest book, Desolation Code, the themes of technology and villainy, his collaboration with the late Clive Cussler, his writing process, and the importance of maintaining one's voice in co-authorship.

The 200th Episode of Five Compelling Questions!! In this inspiring discussion, Shawn chats with Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author Barbara Nickless about her latest book, The Drowning Game, her adventurous travels, the inspiration behind her espionage novel, female friendships, and the complexities of sibling relationships.