Northwest Book Talk

Feature writer Monika Spykerman of The Columbian joins Patty Grasher to discuss human-interest storytelling, local journalism, and the art of finding compelling stories in everyday life. Monika shares her journey from newsroom assistant to feature writer, explains how she develops feature articles, and discusses why readers connect most strongly with stories about people. They also explore local n...

How do movies begin? In this episode of Northwest Book Talk , Patty Grasher talks with screenwriter Dawn Sellers of POV Filmmakers, a Vancouver, Washington–based creative collective supporting independent film through collaboration, education, and production. Dawn shares insights into screenwriting, story structure, character development, and the growing independent film community in Southwest Was...

Award-winning children’s author Barbara Herkert joins Northwest Book Talk to discuss the art of writing historical and biographical picture books for young readers. Barbara shares how she uncovers hidden stories from history, turns research into engaging children’s books, and inspires creativity through storytelling. We also talk about her newest book, Heronry , publishing, school visits, and the...

Author Evan Kidwell (E. K. Kidwell) joins Northwest Book Talk to discuss writing Timeaous Spark and the Luck Curse , how fantasy helped him overcome childhood bullying, and the journey from public promise to published author. A thoughtful conversation about resilience, creativity, worldbuilding, and finding courage through storytelling.

Award-winning Regency romance author Shirley Karr talks with Northwest Book Talk about writing historical romance, researching Regency England, sailing on the Lady Washington , and building stories filled with humor, adventure, and emotional connection. Shirley shares her publishing journey, from selling to HarperCollins/Avon to returning as an indie author, and explains why romance remains one of...

Poet, educator, and musician Jesse Morse discusses place-based writing, poetry, nature writing, and teaching creative writing at Clark College. In this episode of Northwest Book Talk , Jesse explores how writers can capture the spirit of a place through observation, sensory detail, and storytelling. He also shares insights into teaching poetry, balancing music and writing, and leading a workshop o...

Author Michelle St. Romain shares the story behind Song of Belonging , exploring ancestry, memory, and the creative process behind her debut novel.

Illustrator Craig Orback shares how visual storytelling brings books to life, his work with major publishers, and the influence of Charles Schulz.

Temple Lentz—author of Not Quite Home and an international award-winning novelist—joins Patty Grasher on Northwest Book Talk . In this episode, Temple discusses how her debut novel explores homelessness, community-building, and unlikely partnerships between women from different backgrounds. Drawing from her work in public service and nonprofit leadership, Temple shares how real-life experiences sh...

Deb Miller, award-winning author of Forget the Fairy Tale and Find Your Happiness , joins Northwest Book Talk to discuss breaking free from expectations and creating your own path to fulfillment. In this conversation, Deb shares: • Her journey from corporate executive to author • Creative, real-world book marketing strategies • How authors can “start where they are” • The connection between storyt...

How can one hour a week change a child’s future? In this inspiring episode of Northwest Book Talk , Anna Paul and Brook Trang of Read Northwest share how their Clark County nonprofit is helping children build confidence, improve reading skills, and succeed in school through one-on-one mentoring. From just two schools in 2022 to more than 25 locations and 300 volunteers, Read Northwest is growing r...

Karen Kent, indie author of How to Almost Win aGingerbread Contest , joins Northwest Book Talk to discuss creating magical middle grade stories filled with friendship, humor, and heart. In this episode, Karen shares the inspiration behind hercharming story set in Cinnamon Falls, where a young girl enters a gingerbread contest only to discover something mysterious—and magical—happening to hercreati...

In this episode of Northwest Book Talk , host Patty Grasher interviews Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall, the husband-and-wife writing team behind PumpJack Press. With more than a dozen books across genres like paranormal westerns, science fiction, and romantic comedy, they share how they collaborate as co-authors and blend humor with meaningful storytelling in their series The Cowboy and the Vampire...

In this episode of Northwest Book Talk , host Patty Grasher interviews author Leslie Johansen Nack about her memoirs Fourteen: A Daughter’s Memoir of Adventure, Sailing and Survival and Nineteen: A Daughter’s Memoir of Reckoning and Recovery. Leslie recounts her remarkable coming-of-age story, growing up aboard a sailboat and sailing across the Pacific Ocean with her father and sisters. Beneath th...

Adriana Baer joins Northwest Book Talk to share the story behind I’m Into This Place; her podcast, website, newsletter, and now KXRW radio program dedicated to highlighting the arts, culture, heritage, and history of Clark County and Southwest Washington. With a background as a theater director and former Artistic Director of Profile Theatre, Adriana brings a deep understanding of storytelling and...

Award-winning nonfiction author Mary Boone joins Patty Grasher on Northwest Book Talk to discuss immersive research, writing for young readers, and the powerful true story behind her picture book, Pedal Pusher: How One Woman’s Bicycle Adventure Helped Change the World . Mary has written more than 70 nonfiction books for children and is known for diving headfirst into her subjects — riding elephant...

In this episode of Northwest Book Talk , Patty Grasher talks with middle grade fantasy author Deb Cushman , creator of the Chronicles of Nadavir series. Deb shares her fast-writing, slow-revising approach—explaining how she can draft a book in two months but spend up to two years preparing it for publication. She discusses her use of mastermind groups, beta readers, and professional editing to str...

Science fiction and fantasy author L J Dix joins Northwest Book Talk for a warm conversation about cozy sci-fi, found family storytelling, and building a writing career at any stage of life. Author of the Starship Cat , Star Trader Independence , and Diplomat’s Apprentice series—and her newest cozy sci-fi series, Minstrel’s Luck —L J Dix shares how stories she once told her children became publish...

Northwest Book Talk , host Patty Grasher is joined by author C. T. Carey , who returns to the Northwest Book Fair for a second year. C. T. is the kind of writer readers love discovering in person—approachable, thoughtful, and deeply connected to his stories. In this conversation, we talk about how he describes his books to new readers, what draws people to his work, and what it’s like meeting read...

Cartoonist and graphic novelist Jonno Heyne joins Northwest Book Talk to share his creative journey and love of visual storytelling. He talks about comics as a gateway to literacy and why meeting readers face-to-face at comic cons, book fairs, and community events is the most rewarding part of selling his books. This episode is part of the runway to the Northwest Book Fair .

For the past two years, Northwest Book Talk has shared conversations with authors and storytellers across the Pacific Northwest. In this solo episode, host Patty Grasher explains a thoughtful reset for the show—bringing a clearer focus to the Northwest Book Fair & Media Fest and the community it serves. This episode reflects on what the show has been, what’s changing, and why this new directio...

Bestselling cozy mystery author Ellie Alexander joins Patty Grasher on Northwest Book Talk to share how a simple idea blossomed into the beloved Ashland Mystery Fest , now attracting readers and writers from around the world. Ellie talks about balancing festival planning with her writing career, the power of community partnerships, and how immersive, reader-driven events deepen the connection betw...

Patty talks with mystery author Caren Hahn about what really works—and what doesn’t—when authors attend live book events. Caren shares insights from her first author conference, discovering that not all events attract readers, and the importance of clear pricing and presentation. Together, they explore how authors can build deeper reader relationships, manage event costs, and collaborate with othe...

In this episode of Northwest Book Talk , host Patty Grasher talks with Jordan Fitch , author of NoTown and The Cardinal Line , about how live events can transform the way authors connect with readers. Jordan shares his experiences of meeting new readers at live events, small, large and inbetween. The importance of making real connections, and why in-person events remains a powerful part of buildin...

An exciting episode on Northwest Book Talk that guides new authors to find joy in their writing with clear actionionable steps to avoid confusion and overwhelm.