Thoughts from a Page Podcast

Mateo discusses his debut novel Black Buck, using a creative format to tell the story, fiction’s incredible power to teach empathy and understanding, his unique (and very cool) cover and the story behind it, having his novel chosen as a Read with Jenna book club selection, and much more. Black Buck can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Mateo’s 2 recommended reads are: How to Make a Slave and Oth...

Julie discusses her debut Waiting for the Night Song, why she loosely based the plot line on a cherished children’s book, choosing New Hampshire for the book’s setting, the importance and urgency of climate fiction, how every region of our planet is interconnected, and much more. Waiting for the Night Song can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Julie’s 4 recommended reads are: The Kindest Lie by...

Nick discusses his latest mystery The Breaker, incorporating cutting edge technology into some of his stories, the long-range implications and societal changes resulting from new technology such as cell phones and social media, writing about PTSD, the progression and development of his current book covers, and much more. The Breaker can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Nick’s 2 recommended read...

Julia discusses her latest book The Last Garden in England, the pros and cons of choosing a popular topic like gardening to write about, the importance of creating a strong sense of place, recruiting her father to help her research English gardens, writing a story set in three time periods, and much more. The Last Garden in England can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Julia’s 4 recommended read...

Sadeqa discusses her latest novel Yellow Wife, how the story spoke to her, switching from contemporary fiction to historical fiction for this book, tackling a tough and timely topic, how she loves to hike when she has free time, and much more. Yellow Wife can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Sadeqa’s 2 recommended reads are: Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett ...

Melissa discusses her book Single and Forced to Mingle, how her story went viral, creating the fun format she used in the book, why millennials are choosing to not have children, debunking the myth that there is one path that a life should follow, and much more. Single and Forced to Mingle can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Melissa’s 3 recommended reads are: Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho An...

Molly discusses her novel The Heiress, writing Austen-inspired fiction, creating a story around a fictional character from Pride & Prejudice, her favorite Jane Austen book, researching Regency-era England, and much more. The Heiress can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Molly’s 2 recommended reads are: Conjure Women by Afia Atakora The Mercies by Kirin Millwood Hargrave Thanks to my sponsor We C...

Judithe discusses her novel The Chanel Sisters, why she chose Antoinette to tell the sisters’ story, how Coco Chanel’s early years influenced her designs and fabrics, the unique research Judithe conducted, and much more. The Chanel Sisters can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Judithe’s 2 recommended reads are: The Woman Before Wallis by Bryn Turnbull The Age of Light by Whitney Scharer Thanks t...

Marie discusses her latest novel The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, writing about the venerated Agatha Christie, telling the stories of women that history forgot, the event that changed the trajectory of Agatha Christie’s career, and much more. The Mystery of Mrs. Christie can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Marie’s 8 recommended reads are: Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell The Nature of Fragile Things by...

Sarah discusses her debut novel The Wrong Kind of Woman, writing about women’s issues in the 1970s, how her story resonates in today’s world, including the music and television of the era into her research, how long it took for certain college to admit women, finding just the right title for her book, and much more. The Wrong Kind of Woman can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Sarah’s 2 recommen...

Lainey discusses her debut novel The Exit Strategy, working in the tech industry as a one of the only women in the boardroom, her desire to inspire and empower women with this story, the importance of titles and covers, publishing during the pandemic and the fabulous 2020 debut group, and much more. The Exit Strategy can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Lainey’s 5 recommended reads are: The Mou...

Sharon speaks about her debut novel Half, writing about twin sisters who speak in one voice, publishing during the pandemic, the inspiration for her story, and much more. Half can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Sharon’s 7 recommended reads are: You Will Never Be Forgotten by Mary South You Again by Debra Jo Immergut Book of the Little Axe by Lauren Francis-Sharma Pale Morning Light with Viole...

Denise discusses her debut novel How to Fail at Flirting, tackling a tough subject matter in her novel, how comparing oneself to others is a “thief of joy”, the struggle to find the perfect title for her book, serving as a mentor in Pitch Wars, and much more. How to Fail at Flirting can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Denise’s 4 recommended reads are: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren Queen Mo...

Heather discusses how she started Book Club Chat, her favorite and least favorite aspects of what she does, how she decides which books to select, her favorite genres, recent changes and trends in the publishing industry, celebrity book clubs and much more. Heather’s 2 recommended reads are: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult Learn more about your ad choices. Vi...

Julie discusses her instant New York Times bestseller The Last Flight, writing her first thriller, her advice for aspiring authors, the importance of the right book cover and how the cover sets up expectations for readers, and more. The Last Flight can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Julie’s 2 recommended reads are: And Now She’s Gone by Rachel Howzell Hall Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy...

Halley discusses her debut novel The Lady Upstairs, her love of murder bus tours, writing feminist noir, participating as a mentee and mentor in Pitch Wars, the importance of building a community in the book world, and more. The Lady Upstairs can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Halley’s 2 recommended reads are: Little Threats by Emily Schultz The Anthill by Julianne Pachico If you enjoy readin...

Katharine discusses her latest novel Majesty, the amount of world building she did for this series, writing a uchronic book, the difficulties in writing a sequel, her efforts to upend reader expectations, and much more. Majesty can be purchased at Murder by the Book.  Katharine’s 3 recommended reads are: The Quest for Queen Mary by James Pope-Hennessy Pretty Things by Janelle Brown Tokyo Ever Afte...

Ehsaneh discusses her debut novel A Door Between Us, her desire to portray all sides of a conflict, writing about an event that is not frequently covered in literature, growing up in a Muslim/Mormon home, what she hopes readers take away from her book, and much more. A Door Between Us can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Ehsaneh’s 2 recommended reads are: Spring by Leila Rafei Bladebone by Ausm...

Ann discusses her debut novel A Good Family, her very personal inspiration for the book, joining the amazing debut author community on Facebook, trying to settle on the perfect title for the book, publishing during the pandemic, and much more. A Good Family can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Ann’s 2 recommended reads are: A Door Between Us by Ehsaneh Sadr Remembrance by Rita Woods Learn more...

Alice discusses her new mystery A Solitude of Wolverines, combining her passion for wildlife and writing, how she settled on wolverines for the first book in this new series, the research she conducted for the book, her current wildlife research studies, and much more. A Solitude of Wolverines can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Alice’s recommended reads are: White Fire by Douglas Preston and...

Fiona and M.J. discuss Stories from Suffragette City, the inspiration for this compilation, the speed with which the project came together, honoring the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote, how each author is reflected in their individual story, the bright and engaging cover, and much more. Stories from Suffragette City can be purchased at Murder by the Book. M.J.’s 2 recommended...

Rhys discusses her latest novel The Last Mrs. Summers, creating an homage to Rebecca, writing two books a year, reading historical fiction during these stressful times, advice for aspiring authors, and much more. The Last Mrs. Summers can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Rhys’s 2 recommended reads are: Paris Is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay The Lost Girls of Devon by Barbara O’Neal Learn...

Lauren discusses her debut novel Last Tang Standing, the importance of humor in books, the way reading promotes empathy and understanding, choosing to write the book in diary format, coming up with the idea for the novel while she was an amateur stand-up comic, and much more. Last Tang Standing can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Lauren’s 6 recommended reads are: The Vanishing Half by Brit Ben...

Lynne discusses her latest thriller The Silent Conspiracy, the various ways information is used to influence people today, the importance of vetting the news, writing thrillers with her sister, and much more. The Silent Conspiracy can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Lynne’s 3 recommended reads are: Don’t Look for Me by Wendy Walker Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy Becoming Bulletproof by Ev...

Nancy discusses her latest novel Girls of Summer, writing about the intricacies and mysteries of family, her love of crafting beach reads with happy endings, the way technology has impacted her job, the importance of independent book stores, and much more. Girls of Summer can be purchased at Murder by the Book. Nancy’s 3 recommended reads are: One by One by Ruth Ware Anxious People by Fredrik Back...