The Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I interviewed author Michelle Rene DeBellis, the author of the book "The Music We Make." We talk about her book, her writing journey, and how love, music, and family can guide us through pain.  "She is proud to be the recipient of the following awards and nominations: Literary Titan's Book Award, The Kirkus Star/as well as being included...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I get the privilege to sit down and talk with screenwriter, novelist, (and playwright!) Matt Witten. He's had an Emmy nomination for his work on the  TV-show "House" starring the brilliant Hugh Laurie, and has many television credits to his name. Our conversation covers topics like what it's like to write for television and how that diff...

Send us Fan Mail Star Trek. Romance. Zombies. What more do you need? In today's episode we're diving into the wonderful world of Zombie Apocalypse literature. But first, author A. M. Geever and I share our love for all things Star Trek, our love for reading, and what's the first, best thing you can do to prepare for the Zombie apocalypse...  We then explore Anne's writing journ...

Send us Fan Mail My guest today is author Kelly Vincent - their recent published works include the novel "Ugly".  It tells the story of Nic Summers and her journey to find out who she is. Find out more about this book in today's episode, the book that Kirkus Review said was  would "resonate with young adults going on their own difficult journeys and should help them feel less a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with author Max Friedman to discuss his latest book, "Painful Joy." The book explores the experiences of Max's parents during the Jewish Holocaust, and the impact that this had on Max's life growing up. We delve into the history of the Holocaust and its effects on subsequent generations, as well as the process of writing such a perso...

Send us Fan Mail  My guest today is cozy mystery writer Kate Darroch. After years of wanting to be a writer, she gave herself the ultimate challenge: It's now or never! Find out all about her journey on today's episode of The Bookshelf Odyssey. We also have a great time talking about our favorite books and authors who inspire us - it turns out we had a lot in common! Kate also shares her...

Send us Fan Mail Today we're talking about the classics, and I have a special guest to join with me: Mimi Matthews. She's the author of such works as "The Belle of Belgrave Square" and the gender swapped retelling mashup of Jane Eyre and another gothic horror classic, entitled "John Eyre".  This was a wonderful interview that easily could have been a million hours lon...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I interview crime writer Laura Burke. And believe me, you won't want to miss this amazing story of her incredible journey to becoming a published writer. Laura has had many lives and adventures: she's worked as a police officer, a private investigator, a nurse, and now she spends her weekends killing people... only in her novels, of course.   In t...

Send us Fan Mail  Who says science has to be boring?  Hello, in today's episode of the Bookshelf Odyssey Podcast, I interview scientist and author Leah Elson. She is the writer of the forthcoming book "There are (No) Stupid Questions in Science". We have a fun conversation about her journey as a scientist and author, how she found her passion for explaining science in a fun way, and...

Send us Fan Mail  What is Reading? How can we do it better? How can we help promote literacy? A recent study showed that half of US adults can't read at an 8th grade level. I know that on a book podcast, my guest today is going to be preaching to the choir, but I think you will find it a fascinating and helpful interview!  After making some book recommendations, we talk about the literacy cri...

Send us Fan Mail  My guest today is author and podcaster Wendy Kok. Her new book, An Awakening, is out now: "Brooke Larken's year has not gone as planned. Her neighbor was killed, her boyfriend is missing, and her town of Neelsville is slowly...changing. She just wants things to get back to normal. But a cryptic visit from a dangerous acquaintance makes her realize that things may never...

Send us Fan Mail  My guest today is blogger Cathy Jean-Francois. She currently writes the blog "Cathy's Cross: a Depressive's Positive Perspective". She has written several other blogs in the past and is currently looking to get her first novel published. Cathy is early in her writing journey, but she's no stranger to the struggle with depression. In our conversation we ta...

Send us Fan Mail  In today's episode I talk with author Stephanie Cotsirilos about her novella "My Xanthi" and about what she calls a new hero: the elder migrant woman. We also talk about our family histories and how their stories affect us even today. We talk a lot about immigration, our forebears, and the power of story and loving across cultures. This is one of the most beautiful...

Send us Fan Mail  Hello and Merry Christmas! Today's episode is all about Christmas. I talk to Brian Earl, the host of the popular "Christmas Past" podcast. He stopped by to talk about his new book "Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday's Traditions". So join us today as we chat about the book, Christmas traditions, and what the future mi...

Send us Fan Mail  Hello! My Guest today is Kirsten Weiss, she writes cozy mysteries. She has a new one out called "Gingerbread Dead" and it's been published just in time for the Christmas season. On today's episode we talk about her journey to becoming an author, the joys of writing in the cozy mystery genre, and some encouraging and helpful tips for new authors. Plus lots of b...

Send us Fan Mail  Today I welcome author Teri M. Brown to my Bookshelf Odyssey. We discuss many topics including marketing yourself, reading recommendations for all ages, and how riding across the United States on a tandem bicycle changed her life and her perspective on the country while it was going through some of the darkest moments of it's recent history. Find out how that epic bike ride...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I sit down with Juno Jakob and talk about his writing journey. We talk about mental health, the necessity to talk openly and compassionately about it, and how his diagnosis of Schizophrenia 15 years ago has led him to write a fictionalized account of it in "Atticus", his new book that is coming out this week. Juno's story is a very personal a...

Send us Fan Mail  In today's episode of the Bookshelf Odyssey, I speak with fantasy writer J. V. Hilliard about his work, The Warminster series, and we talk about some of the authors and books that inspire his imagination. There's a lot of discussion about JRR Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy - and also vampires! If you're a fan of well written fantasy, strong world building...

Send us Fan Mail  On today's podcast I interview author Shannon Lawrence. She has written a ton of short stories in the horror genre. I talk about her writing journey, about why she writes horror, and lots of book and movie recommendations. If you are in the mood for a Halloween treat this weekend, this episode won't disappoint!  Find Shannon online: thewarriormuse.com   Timestamps  01:3...

Send us Fan Mail  In today's episode I interview author Tracee Garner who wrote the book "Disability: An Anecdotal Field Guide for the Rest of Us". In the interview we talk about her love of reading, her writing journey, and her life in a wheel chair. None of the challenges life threw at her stopped her from achieving incredible things - Find out more about her on today's episo...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode I talk with booktuber CJ from  @CJ Reads and owner/operator of the new mobile bookstore, Sunny's Book Truck! We talk about her journey to becoming an entrepreneur, the joys and challenges of owning your own bookstore on wheels, and of course there's plenty of book talk! It's like a modern day "Parnassus on Wheels"! (Which if you hav...

Send us Fan Mail  On today's episode of The Bookshelf Odyssey, I am exploring the fantasy section of my bookshelves. My guest today is fantasy author Danielle Orsino, and she is the author of the Birth of the Fae series. She's also an expert cosplayer, martial artist, a nurse, AND is featured modeling on the covers of the novels she writes. She's also a comic book fan, and an incred...

Send us Fan Mail  In my interview today, I speak with lawyer turned author Reyna Gentin. We talk about her journey to becoming an author, as well as her YA book called My Name is Layla. It's a story that deals with the trials of being an 8th grade girl with dyslexia. Reyna and I also talk about dyslexia and the impact it has on so many people. We'd love for you to be apart of this conver...

Send us Fan Mail In today's podcast I interview Liz Alterman, who is the author of several books including the wonderful thriller "The Perfect Neighborhood". She joins me today to talk about coffee, books, the writing life - and how she took one of the most difficult moments in her life - unexpected layoffs - and turned it into an opportunity. We also share some book recommendations...

Send us Fan Mail  In today's episode, I talk to the author of the Regency mystery, Murder in Westminster Vanessa Riley. We talk about her new mystery book, diversity during the time of Jane Austen and the importance of reading diversely... and of course plenty of talk about the genius of Jane Austen.  Vanessa Riley: www.vanessariley.com  Books mentioned:  Something Like Love by Beverly Jenkin...