The Inside Flap

We’re joined by Catherine Grace Katz for a fun chat all about her new book Shadow Before the Flame, zeppelins and their connection to the Nazis, and how the Hindenburg disaster changed the future of journalism. Plus- It’s Battle Week as Dave combats water, moss and spray foam for his upcoming dinner theater production, Laura … Continue reading Zeppelins, Nazis, and the Battle of the Spray&#1...

A fun chat with Jonathan Durham all about his book Winterset Hollow, Philly sports, his connection with Eeyore, and how his book has inspired tattoos. Plus- Dave joins a theatre educator cohort, Laura has a skunk encounter, and Andrew harasses a clerk. We also recommend: The Steps by Sylvester Stallone, The Road to Tender Hearts … Continue reading Ep. 344 Literary Tattoos, Theatre Teachers,...

A fun chat with Joe R. Lansdale about his new book Petrified Dreams, writing the (possibly) last Hap & Leonard novel, receiving 1,000 rejects over a four year period, and his favorite bit of writing advice. Plus- Dave keeps getting flats while riding his bike, Laura has dogwalking issues, and Andrew is busy. Again. We … Continue reading Petrified Dreams, Flat Tires & 1,000 Rejections...

A fun chat with our most favorite guest Alma Katsu! We talk all about her new book Incarnate, how The Hunger was optioned (again!), how her work as a tech futurist helped inspire her book, and why she will never have an Alexa in her house. Plus- Dave’s Principal calls him out (again!), Laura gets … Continue reading Ep. 342 Smart Tech, Dark Books & Family Warnings with Alma Katsu

A fun chat with Laurie Gilmore all about her new book Big Bad Wolf, fold out maps, and a romance reader origin story. Plus – Dave has another nightmare sub, Laura unwittingly chows down on some raw chicken, and Andrew has a PSA for everyone. We also recommend: North Dallas 40 by Peter Gent, Engineer … Continue reading Ep. 341 Fairy Tales, Food Fails & First Loves: A Wild One with L...

A fun chat with Carly Hillman all about her new book The Refuge, IHOPS, Harvard, and working on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Plus- Dave breaks a rib in class, Laura details another skunk attack, and Andrew finally rids himself of all his clarinets. We also recommend: Good Boy by Neil McRobert, Child of … Continue reading Ep. 340 Broken Ribs, Angry Skunks & the Last Clarinet with C...

A fun chat with Linwood Barclay all about his new book Not a Word, bad teacher trainings, putting his characters through the wringer, and the reviewer who liked to spoil his endings. Plus – Dave pretends to be Albanian for his incoming Freshman, Laura has a funny incident at work involving her photographer, and Andrew’s … Continue reading Ep. 339 Bad Teachers, Brutal Twists & Spoil...

We’re joined by Shannon Morgan for a fun chat all about her new book A Penance for Crows, staying ahead of deadlines, creating her own mythology, the size of crow brains, and growing up in the African bush. Plus – Dave’s Principal continues to poke fun at him, Laura tries out Zumba, and Andrew sleeps … Continue reading Ep. 338 Defending Crow Brains With Shannon Morgan

We’re joined by Brianna Labuskes for a fun chat all about her new book Clean Slate, brain matter, the importance of community centers, and Airbnb Life. Plus- Dave has a bizarre encounter with an Amazon driver, Laura is all about the bread, and Andrew complains about flying first class. Because of course. We also recommend: … Continue reading Ep. 337 Brianna Labuskes Talks Brains, Books, and&...

We’re joined by George Pelecanos for a fun chat all about his new book The Blue Flame, writing for The Wire, his favorite cars, and his fascinating location scouting technique for his novels. Plus – Dave and Laura finish up their recap of their trip to Albania, and Andrew and his family wait in line … Continue reading Ep. 336 Living on the Edge: Location Scouting With George Pelec...

A fun chat with Ellery Lloyd all about their new book Time to Burn, how Katy Perry inspired them, the plethora of problems that arise when writing time travel books, and creating inside jokes for themselves. Plus – Dave & Sylvia take an Uber from Hell. ITUNES – SPOTIFY

A fun chat with Gillian McAllister all about her new book Caller Unknown, reading bad reader reviews, and how she always deletes her first draft. Plus- Dave swims with the sharks. Ish. ITUNES – SPOTIFY

(Originally broadcast 4/7/2025) We’re joined by Bryan Gruley for a fun chat all about his new book Bitterfrost, hockey fights, Zambonis, and how he turned a bad reader review into an amazing T-shirt. Plus: Dave and Laura recap their disastrous Greek cruise ship experience and Andrew takes his kids to the movies. We also recommend: … Continue reading Ep. 286 Hockey Fights and Plenty of Cursin...

We’re joined by Molly Fader for a fun chat all about her new book Lady X, taking online walking tours for research, and drunk podcasting. Plus – Andrew is touring the West Coast looking at colleges with Daschel, and Dave and Laura recap their trip to Albania. We also recommend: The Woman on the Ledge … Continue reading Ep. 335 Custom Drinks With Molly Fader

A fun chat with Christopher Golden all about his new book Carry Me to My Grave, vampire mythology, clowns, author wrangling, and the most evil character he’s ever written. Plus – we’re jetlagged! ITUNES – SPOTIFY

A fun chat with David Heska Wanbli Weiden all about his new book Wisdom Corner, the forgotten past of the Native American boarding schools, the whitewashing of history, and his obsession with Billy Jack. Plus – Dave and Teddy have a midnight encounter with a raccoon. ITUNES – SPOTIFY

A fun chat with Louise Candlish all about her new book A Neighbor’s Guide to Murder, domestic noir, Wimbledon, and why her neighbors won’t talk to her about her books. Plus – Dave has an odd request for his dentist. It goes… okay?

A fun chat with David Ellis all about his new book Keep Them Close, sibling rivalries, the bad writing lawyers produce, and what working with James Patterson taught him about writing. Plus – Dave gets a flat tire, Laura has a frozen shoulder and Andrew unplugs the TV. We also recommend: Dissection of a Murder … Continue reading Ep. 334 Brotherly Love With David Ellis

On today’s show we recap a couple of weekend getaways and recommend Whistler by Ann Patchett, Rings of the Matriarch by S.D. McKittrick, and Small Ceremonies by Kyle Edwards. Audiobook of the Week is L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy. ITUNES – SPOTIFY

A fun chat with Rob Hart all about his new book Three Hitmen and a Baby, how to find a snake expert, living in the age of surveillance, and crying at movies. Plus – Dave is roasted at school, Laura recaps the Mumford & Sons concert, and Andrew accidentally opens up his Father’s Day present … Continue reading Ep. 332 Crying At The Movies With Rob Hart

A fun chat with Sarah Vaughn all about her new book Based on a True Story, courtroom theatrics, and her secret shorthand skill. Plus – Dave and Andrew take a trip to Portland, and Laura deals with pets. We also recommend: Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, The Lesser Devil by Christopher Ruocchio, and The Night Watcher … Continue reading Ep. 331 The Lost Art of Shorthand With Sarah Vaughn

We’re joined by Melinda Leigh for a chat all about her book You Can Tell Me, Mixed Martial Arts training, being a math nerd, and how she didn’t start writing until her thirties. Plus – Laura’s work boundaries are tested and Andrew is sentimental over graduations. We also recommend: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, Seascraper … Continue reading Ep. 330 Higher Math and MMA With Melinda ...

A fun chat with Eloisa James all about her new book The Last Lady B, Taylor Swift, Shakespeare, and her editor’s overzealous red pen. Plus- Dave misses out on a grand entrance, Laura endures a hot job site, and Andrew gets a smoker. We also recommend: The Radiant Dark by Alexandra Oliva, Short Cuts by … Continue reading Ep. 329 Swifties and Shakespeare With Eloisa James

A fun chat with Christina Baker Kline all about her new book The Foursome, conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, North Carolina, Civil War historians, and fact checkers. Plus- Dave’s students throw him under the bus, Laura can’t have cinnamon rolls in the house, and Andrew’s old dog is learning some new tricks. We also … Continue reading Ep. 328 Twinning With Christina Baker Kline

A fun chat with Alexandra Andrews all about her new book The Fine Art of Lying, celebrity sightings, bunnies, and the insidious Candy Land board game. Plus- Dave is officially Unc to his students, Laura goes tub hopping in Georgia, and Andrew’s new neighbor is a Denver Broncos player. We also recommend: This Story Might … Continue reading Ep. 327 Bunnies & Board Games With Alexandra&#160...