Writer, Writer, Pants On Fire

Today's guest is Lyn Liao Butler, author of The Tiger Mom's Tale and the upcoming Red Thread of Fate . Lyn joined me today to talk about the experience of debuting during the pandemic, how having an active lifestyle helps with her writing and mind / body balance, as well as how important research is when writing in a specific setting. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Ly...

Today's guest is Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of A Most Clever Girl , which tells the story of Elizabeth Bentley, a forgotten - and disliked - female spy who spied both for (and against) Russia during the Cold War. Stephanie joined me to talk about the difficulty of creating compassion for Elizabeth on the page, the reasons (some off-base) for her vilification, and why Elizabeth's story needs...

Today's guest of Lisa Regan , author of the bestselling Josie Quinn Detective series. Lisa joined me today to talk about writing a character over such a long series, the beauty (and pressures!) of a dedicated fan base, and research for police procedurals. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Chelsea's Links: Instagram Site Facebook   Ad Links: Vellum The Mermaid & The Lion...

Today's guest is Chelsea Bobulski , whose new series - All I Want for Christmas - is traditionally published, but releasing under a rapid release model, a hallmark of Indie promotion and marketing. Also covered - how to write and promote at the same time, knowing where your time is best used, and how an author's voice and style can transcend genre. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on...

Sarah J. Schmitt joined me today to talk about her new book, Where There's A Whisk . We talked about school visits for authors with teens, how to get their attention, and how to keep it. Also covered - writing in the pandemic, reality television, and the efficacy (or not) of social media  Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Sarah's Links: Tik Tok Twitter   Ad Links: One Day...

Today's guest is Caitlin Wahrer, author of the The Damage, which details the fallout and repercussions of a sexual assault that affects not only the victim, but also family and friends.    Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook Caitlin's Links: Instagram Twitter Facebook   Ad Links: City of Ghosts Podcast Vellum PubSite Why Do We Say That? Hidden Compass

Today's guest is Laurell K. Hamilton, author of the bestselling Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series, the Merry Gentry series, and her newest series, Zaniel Havelock . Laurell joined me today to talk about the difficulty of writing a long series, the joy of a new one, the choice not to tour during COVID, and... our dogs.   Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Ad Links: Where T...

Today's guest is my own editor, Ben Rosenthal of Katherine Tegen Books. Ben joined me to talk about the misconceptions of the author / editor relationship, why there is such a long lead time in traditional publishing, and the difficulty of reading for pleasure when books are your job. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Ad Links: City of Ghosts Podcast Vellum PubSite

Today's guest is Saumya Dave, author of What A Happy Family. Saumya joined me today to talk about family roles and how they continue throughout adulthood, writing mental health from the perspective of a practicing psychiatrist, and debuting during the pandemic. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Saumya: Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links: Raw Truth City of Ghosts...

Today's guest is Ian Dawson, author of The Field and Midnight House, which are both loosely based on his own kidnapping and abuse as a child. We talk about the catharsis of addressing trauma through fiction, pushing the boundaries in the young adult genre, and knowing your goals when you choose to self-publish. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Ian: Site Twitte...

Today's guest is Pam Munter author of Fading Fame: Women of a Certain Age in Hollywood . Pam joined me to talk about the Golden Age of Hollywood, how things have changed since the casting couch was a permanent fixture in studios, and how acting and performance have informed her writing. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Pam: Site   Ad Links: Vellum PubSite    

Todays guest is Mary McCoy , author of Indestructible Object . We talk about jumping genres - why we do it, and if it helps - or hurts - our careers. Also covered: the representation of romantic love in the media in general, and YA in particular. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Mary: Instagram Twitter Site   Ad Links: Vellum Based On the Evidence Thoughts Fro...

Actress Meg Tilly joined me to talk about the skills that carried over. from her successful acting career into writing fiction, her process, and how she finally identified herself as an author. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Meg: Instagram Twitter Site   Ad Links: Vellum Based On the Evidence Thoughts From A Page

Today's guest is E.E. Hornburg , author of the Cursed Queens series . Emily joined me to talk about her long journey to publication, only to debut in the pandemic. We also talk about the representation of disability in fiction, as well as religious representation. Also covered - the importance of local support, and how hitting the pavement really helps.  Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Fol...

Today's guests are Carrie Coello, an audiobook narrator, and Kate Karyus Quinn, an indie author. They talk about different avenues for indie authors to produce their own audiobooks, and services to match authors with narrators, as well as the ins and outs of the indie audiobook world. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Carrie: Facebook Site   Ad Links: The Spark...

Today's guest is Kathleen Basi , author of A Song for the Road . Kathleen joined me today to talk about the similarities and differences between writing music and writing fiction, as well as the particular sting of rejection that both can carry. Also covered: fiction as a vehicle for empathy, and the querying process. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Kathleen:...

Todays guest is Crystal Swain-Bates , a celebrated children's book author and the owner of Goldest Karat Publishing, which was founded in order to address the lack of diversity in children's literature. Crystal has written and published 12 children's books , which have been seen on platforms including CNN and Huffington Post. Her book Big Hair, Don't Care is one of Amazon's most highly reviewed bl...

Today's guest is Laura Hankin, author of A Special Place for Women . Laura joined me today to talk about female power and how it plays out among women, as well as the idea that "women can't be funny." Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Laura: Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links: PubSite Military True Crime Addict Komuso - Save 15% with code WRITER! Shadowed Stars...

Today's guest is Kathleen West, author of Are We There Yet? We talk teachers who are writers, writers who are teachers, and the effect of social media on all of us - youth and adults. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Kathleen: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: PubSite Formulate

Today's guest is Robbie Couch , author of THE SKY BLUES . He joined me today to talk about writing honestly about LBGTQ issues and forward thinking in small communities. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Robbie: Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links: PubSite Formulate Why Do We Say That?

Debut author Abigail Dean talks about writing Girl A, one of 2021's Most Anticipated Books, writing psychologically flawed characters, and the pressure of following up a hugely successful debut. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Abigail: Site Twitter Instagram   Ad Links: The Family Dragon Slayer Podcast PubSite Vellum

Today's guest is Maria Dismondy, of Cardinal Rule Press . Maria is dedicated to having her publishing company produce picture books that empower children with timeless messages of hope, courage and the Golden Rule. She works diligently to have Cardinal Rule Press release children’s literature that represents today’s diversity while remaining dedicated to messages that make a difference.  Read the...

Debut author Sarah Pearse joins me to talk about her novel The Sanatorium, an instant New York Times bestseller as well as a Reese's Book Club pick. Sarah talks about how writing a closed room mystery helps amp up the thrills, and how women can be strong in more ways than one. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Sarah: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links:...

Fauzia Burke of FSB Associates joined me to talk about how to build an online platform, the author as the product, social media, SEO, newsletters, building an author website, and the importance of fresh content. Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Fauzia: Site Twitter Facebook Instagram   Ad Links: Memory My Way Follow Friday Podcast Vellum Hectic

Today's guest is Landall Proctor, author of Headwinds , his personal story of an aborted to attempt to ride his bicycle around the perimeter of the US. Landall joined me today to talk about the vulnerability of writing memoir, including the question -- who wants to hear my stories? Read the Transcript Support the Podcast Follow on Facebook   Links for Landall: Twitter Facebook   Ad Links: Memory M...