The Hope Prose Podcast

In today’s episode, Ashley Mays sits down with Tara and Alex about her clean YA novel The Great Date Experiment. She is now a creativity connoisseur, nature nerd, and ardent fan of all things peanut butter. Ashley and her husband live in the Southeast United States where they enjoy stargazing, exploring local parks, and humidity. Listen as they discuss Ashley’s heart for teens—specifically teen gi...

In today’s episode, Alex and Tara sit down with bestselling author and Instagram powerhouse, Melissa Ferguson to chat about her latest novel Meet Me in the Margins . Currently, she makes Tennessee her home, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Listen in as they chat about her humble beginnings, how the Twilight series inspired her to start wr...

In today’s episode of Hope Prose, debut author Zoulfa Katouh joins Alex and Tara to talk about all things AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREES GROW (forthcoming September 13th, 2022). Zoulfa is a Syrian-Canadian based in Switzerland and currently pursuing her master's in Drug Sciences. She finds Studio Ghibli inspiration in the mountains, lakes, and stars surrounding her and will tell anyone who will l...

Before our season four begins, here's part two of our interview with Ann Kroeker to tide you over until September! Ann Kroeker, a writing coach leveraging twenty-five years of publishing and editing experience, author, speaker, and host of the podcast, “Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach”.   Together with her Belgian-born husband, she has four adult children busy pursuing their own creative lives and...

Today on Hope Prose, Tara and Alex sit down with the amazing Kristy Cambron, an award-winning, best-selling author turned literary agent. A self-proclaimed history nerd, she loves to chase all things research like going behind the scenes at a Ringling Bros. Sarasota mansion. She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and spent 15 yrs in education and leadership development for a Fortune-10...

Today on Hope Prose, Tara and Alex sit down with Ann Kroeker, a writing coach leveraging twenty-five years of publishing and editing experience, author, speaker, and host of the podcast, “Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach”.   Together with her Belgian-born husband, she has four adult children busy pursuing their own creative lives and be it at work or play, she strives to live a life full of wonder and c...

Today on Hope Prose, Sara Ella stops by the show and enchants us with her wisdom and humble spirit…oh, and of course talk about her newest book, THE WONDERLAND TRIALS (releasing from Enclave Publishing July 12th)! When she was younger, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a Disney prince and live in a castle. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summer...

Today on Hope Prose, Tara and Rebekah welcome author extraordinaire Christopher Paolini to the show. Christopher is the creator of the World of Eragon and the Fractalverse,  holder of the Guinness World Record for the youngest author of a bestselling series, and qualified for marksman in the Australian army. Listen as they chat about his foray into the adult side of fiction with his sci-fi novel,...

In today’s episode, Tessa Van Wade stops by to talk to Rebekah and Tara about OUT OF THE SHADOWS, the first installment in her The Velieri Uprising series. She currently makes Hawaii her home, and when she’s not being a mom of two or writing, she runs a boutique gym and pilates studio. OUT OF THE SHADOWS is her first book. Listen in as she discusses her unconventional path to publishing, her backg...

Today on Hope Prose, we’re switching things up a bit and instead of an author, you’re going to be hearing from someone who champions their books and gets them published. Our guest today is none other than literary extraordinaire himself, Don Pape! Former publisher-turned literary agent.  Listen as Don takes us behind the scenes of agent life and explains what he thinks makes a good story, query, a...

Today on Hope Prose, Ashley Bustamante stops by to chat with Tara and Rebekah about her debut novel, VIVID forthcoming from Enclave in May of 2022. Ashley, hailing from Arizona, has been writing for as long as she can remember and strives to create stories that bring people together and offer positive messages of encouragement to her readers. Listen in as Ashely talks about her unorthodox foray in...

In today’s episode, Katherine Reay, a national bestselling and award-winning author of several novels, stops by to talk to Rebekah and Tara about her wildly successful novel THE LONDON HOUSE.  Listen as they chat about her first foray into historical fiction, the research she conducted for the story, her love of the classics, and why food plays an important role in her novels. HINT: Jane Austen ma...

In this episode, Rebekah and Tara sit down with the marvelous Nova Mcbee, a Seattle native and helpless nomad and culture nerd who has lived nearly half her life in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. However, you may know her as the brains behind the popular Calculated Series---including Calculated, Simulated, and soon Activated! Listen in as she talks about her time as a PitchWars Mentor, the ext...

In today’s episode, Tara and Rebekah discuss the nitty-gritty of social media with Danielle Wilkinson, an aspiring author from Atlanta and Instagram coach for authors. Listen in as they tackle issues such as how to choose what platform to be on, what strategies to employ if you want to grow your audience, what mistakes you might be making, and so, so much more! If you are an author or aspiring aut...

In today’s episode of Hope Prose, author Lillie Lainoff joins Rebekah and Tara to talk about her debut novel ONE FOR ALL (forthcoming March 8th, 2022). Lillie’s novel is close to Rebekah’s heart as it deals with Chronic illness, female friendships, loving yourself, and swords. Lots and lots of swords! Listen as they gab about Lillie’s journey to publication, her sports career as a fencer, and why...

In today’s episode of Hope Prose, the amazing Jeff Zentner, award-winning and critically acclaimed author of IN THE WILD LIGHT, and special guest Sarina White,  join Rebekah in studio to talk about all things IN THE WILD LIGHT and writing. Listen in for a heartfelt discussion about poetry, writing well-rounded characters, why misfit friendships make several appearances within his work, and how he...

Welcome back to Hope Prose! In today’s episode, Rebekah and Tara welcome Candice Pedraza Yamnitz, author of the forthcoming UNBETROTHED, to the show. Listen as they talk about Candice’s whirlwind journey to publication, method writing, and what inspired the fantasy world of Valle de los Fantasmas.  Enjoy!  Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our...

In today’s episode of Hope Prose, Allison Pittman, author of PUDGE AND PREJUDICE, joins Rebekah and Tara in a heartfelt discussion about true beauty, body image, how she balances being a full-time teacher and write books, what inspired her to write a Jane Austen retelling set in the 80’s, and why it’s important to write books for YOU, not the market.  Filled with laughter and Texan personality, th...

Welcome back to Hope Prose! In this episode, CBA bestselling author Susie Finkbeiner of THE MANNER OF ALL THINGS, THE STORIES THAT BIND US, and THE NATURE OF SMALL BIRDS, joins Tara and Rebekah in the studio.  Together, they talk about the joys and trials of writing more recent historical fiction, the role birds play in her novel THE NATURE OF SMALL BIRDS, her search to accurately and gently portr...

You asked and we delivered! In today’s episode, Marissa Meyer stops by the studio to chat about her newest release GILDED, a haunting retelling perfect for the fall season!  Listen in as she talks to Tara and Bekah about her world-building process, how she tackles imposter syndrome, balancing home life and work, and her top tips for writers’ getting ready to query agents.  Enjoy!  Due to character...

On this episode of Hope Prose, Rebekah and Tara sit down with the uber-talented Olivia Smit, author and editor, to talk about all things drafting, editing, revisions, and how to move through each stage with ease.  Allow Olivia to walk you through key things you should have in place before starting your novel, how to write your book quickly, editing tips on common problems beginner writers face and...

In today’s episode, USA Today Bestselling author, Lauren K. Denton, stops by the show to chat about her latest release THE ONE YOU’RE WITH and all things Southern fiction! Listen as she takes Tara and Bekah back to where it all started, gives advice on writing messy characters, and her tips for overcoming imposter syndrome.  Enjoy!  - Lauren’s book can be purchased from your local independent book...

 On this episode of Hope Prose, Rebekah and Tara kick off a brand new season with New York Times Bestselling author, Melanie Dickerson. Listen as they chat about her newest release A PERILOUS PLAN, the first book of her new series: IMPERILED YOUNG WIDOWS and what makes a good romance, how she keeps all her characters straight, the in’s and out’s of writing a series, and how she keeps her writing f...

On the last episode of Season Two, Tara and Bekah sit down to reminisce about their favorite guests and episodes of the year, the best advice they’ve received from the authors who've chatted with them, tease Season Three, and get you excited about all the fun things yet to come.  Stay well, happy, and tuned in. We’ll see you here next season!  The Hope Prose Podcast's Instagram Alex&apos...

C.R. Stewart joins Rebekah and Tara in an almost hour-long discussion about his Britfield series for middle-grade through YA, education, and the alarming decline of creativity in our youth.  Born in Newport Beach, California, C. R. Stewart has 20 years of experience in writing fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays. He is an award-winning, bestselling author, creativity specialist, international co...