The Story Blender

Join Steven James as he talks with siblings Boyd and Beth Morrison on this episode of The Story Blender. They chat about the Black Plague, writing gripping historical thrillers, creating stories that entrain as well as inform readers, the ins and outs of collaboration, and the importance of finishing your novel and striving for brilliance rather than perfection.  You don't want to miss this one! #...

Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of New York Times bestseller I LET YOU GO, and Sunday Times bestsellers I SEE YOU, LET ME LIE, AFTER THE END, HOSTAGE and THE LAST PARTY. Translated into forty languages, her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, and have spent a combined total of 64 weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller chart. Her latest novel is A GAME OF LIES,...

I had the chance to chat with Former judge and award-winning legal thriller author, Martin Clark, about writing legal thrillers, coming up with intriguing moral dilemmas for your characters to face, fly fishing in Montana and Tennessee, trusting in the justice system, the songwriting of Robert Earl Keen, and the provocative ending to his latest thriller, THE PLINKO BOUNCE. You’ll also hear about M...

Listen as Steven James chats with award-winning nationally known storyteller, Tim Lowry. As one of the country’s premier storytellers, Tim has told stories to more than a quarter million children as well as at festivals and conferences throughout the United States. We talk about his journey toward becoming a storyteller (and how the circus played a part!), how to find moments in your life that are...

Listen as Steven James interviews award winning, critically-acclaimed crime novelist W.C. Ryan. W.C. shares his insights into writing historical mysteries, on the importance of conflict and risk, on writing scenes drenched in intrigue ,how to keep people flipping the pages and the importance of the sense of place in the stories you tell. They discuss W.C.'s latest book, THE WINTER HOUSE, and his u...

Jess is an Amazon Charts bestselling, ITW, Anthony and 2023 Minnesota Book Award-winning author who's also been shortlisted for Edgar and Agatha awards. She writes crime fiction, nonfiction, children's books, YA adventure, and magical realism.  She is also a retired professor of creative writing and sociology, a recipient of The Loft's Excellence in Teaching fellowship, a Psychology Today blogger,...

Listen to a fascinating conversation between Steven James and acclaimed novelist, Will Dean, as they talk about creativity (and how it can thrive in solicitude), living in the middle of a vast forest and staring at the wall, “Exorcism” drafts, and how to get to know characters over time. Dean’s new book THE LAST ONE is available now. Visit thestoryblender.com for more information.

Wow! What a great conversation Steven James had with Lee Goldberg, a veteran TV writer and novelist. Get your pen ready to take notes as Lee talks about what characters do in a story (surprise, surprise; they don’t change), how to make compelling characters, where humor comes from, the secret to Monk’s character, how to use a “living outline,” and his latest novel MALIBU BURNING. Check out this ep...

Listen to the newest episode of The Story Blender as Steven James chats with Chris Pavone, the author of 5 international thrillers whose latest book TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON is available now. They talk about what to include and what to avoid in writing stories, the importance of setting, credibility and characters and other secrets to keeping people flipping the pages. 

Kelly J. Ford has earned wide critical acclaim for her gritty novels of queer Southern suspense ever since the release of her award-winning debut, Cottonmouths, a Los Angeles Review Best Book of the year, followed by Real Bad Things , which critic Jon Land called “an outstanding literary crime thriller in all respects.” Ford, who is Southern by several generations and grew up in the foothills of t...

Acclaimed online personality and author Sara Divello shares her insights into writing “true crime fiction,” what it means, the challenges of capturing the essence of a story and being faithful to it while also telling it in an engaging way. Sara DiVello is a true crime novelist and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular interactive Facebook group. For her weekly Mystery and Thr...

Join Steven James for a new episode of The Story Blender featuring Alice Hoffman. As one of our country’s most distinguished novelist, Alice has written more than 30 novels, as well as short fiction that has appeared in more than 100 editions worldwide. Her newest novel THE INVISIBLE HOUR releases August 15. Listen as we chat about the importance of fairytales, the power of storytelling to not onl...

Join me as a chat with Taylor Adams, the acclaimed novelist of the latest book title as we talk about the dynamics and mechanics of writing twists (while keeping them believable and also surprising) without cheating and while satisfying readers in the process. His book NO EXIT is a Hulu movie and has been published in 32 languages. If you’re a writer, or you just love a good story and want to know...

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans bring their very different cultural backgrounds and perspectives together to write in one seamless, cohesive voice, united in their belief that humor and fiction can inspire empathy and learning, and that exposure to diverse experiences can only enrich one’s life.  Alli Frank and Asha Youmans share a passion for telling stories that bring a smile to your face and bridge...

Recently I met up with Grammy-award-winning storyteller and family entertainer Bill Harley. We chat about the importance of rehearsing stories, of finding your voice, how to connect with an audience, and how to tap into your own personal experiences for poignant (and often funny!) stories to tell. Give it a listen and check out Bill’s storytelling at www.billharley.com.

Are you looking for exciting, adventurous stories for your kids or grandkids to read? Bryan Davis has written dozens of fantasy and science-fiction novels for teens and adults. His books feature unlikely heroes who must rise to the occasion using courage, hope, and tenacity. His books have sold over 700,000 copies and you’ll love hearing his insights in how he got started, why he’s not an outliner...

Megan Collins is the author of Thicker Than Water , The Family Plot ,  Behind the Red Door , and  The Winter Sister . She taught creative writing for many years at both the high school and college level and is the managing editor of 3Elements Literary Review. She lives in Connecticut, where she obsesses over dogs, miniatures, and cake. Listen as she and Steven James discuss how as writers they lov...

Listen as Steven James chats with Wendy Walker, acclaimed author of new novel psychological thriller, What Remains . She talks about her journey as a writer, the importance of letting your characters deal believably with traumatic events. They discuss the psychological depth of characters, and giving them struggles readers can identify with.

On this week's episode of The Story Blender podcast, join me as I talk with Isabella Maldonado whose book "The Cipher" is based becoming a new Netflix series. Listen as we discuss the ins and outs of writing police procedurals and making them both believable and authentic and as well as original and thrilling. We also discuss her latest book, A Killer’s Game.  #thestoryblender #isabellamaldonado #...

Listen to an encouraging conversation with Nicole Baart as she shares the inside scoop on her latest novel, THE LONG WAY BACK. We also discus her writing process (it may surprise you) and who inspired her to pursue the writing life. We talked the difference between suspense and mystery, how to create concern and curiosity in the minds of your readers and letting your stories reflect the struggles...

Listen in this week as I chat with critically- acclaimed novelist, Buzzy Jackson as we discuss her research about the incredible young woman featured in her new novel, To Die Beautiful. Buzzy shares insights for anyone interested in writing, or reading historical novels as she spent 7 years crafting this story. From the importance of creating memorable characters, to the powerful themes that inhab...

Listen in to a powerful conversation with Tyler Merritt as we discuss the curse of being artistic, the importance of both passion and the pursuit of excellence, how Tyler fell in love with Bon Jovi, the power of telling (and listening to) stories, and the importance of viewing others as people of worth. Tyler is the author of I Take My Coffee Black and his videos have been viewed more than 100 mil...

David Corbett is the author of seven novels, which have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Edgar. His short fiction has twice been selected for Best American Mystery Stories, and a collaborative novel for which he contributed a chapter—Culprits—was adapted for TV by the producers of Killing Eve for Disney+ in the U.K. He’s also written the writing guides The Art of Character and The...

Meg Mitchell Moore released her debut novel, The Arrivals, in 2011 and her newest novel, her eighth, Summer Stage, releasing soon, is being called a “must-read” for the summer of 2023! (summer 2022), is her seventh. Before turning to fiction Meg worked as a freelance journalist for a variety of business and consumer magazines, where she often managed to pitch stories involving dogs. Before that sh...

Damyanti’s Indian debut literary crime novel You Beneath Your Skin was an Amazon bestseller, and optioned for the screens by Endemol Shine. Listen as Steven James interviews Indian author, Damyanti, Biswas, and they have an incisive conversation about writing, about the importance of both hubris and humility in the writing process, respecting your readers, trusting your characters, and being hones...