Shows
Author ExpressThe Inspiration of Barbara Pronin in Crafting Courageous Women's StoriesStep into the world of Author Express with an episode that bridges Brooklyn nostalgia and WWII history! Barbara Pronin, a triple award-winning author, joins Kathleen Basi to share the inspirations behind her acclaimed novel, Winter's End. Hear how early NYC subway rides and childhood freedom shaped confidence—and eventually led to compelling characters and vivid storytelling. Discover the unique research methods that brought Dutch resistance and wartime Amsterdam to life, and why character-driven fiction is at the heart of her work. If you’re passionate about historical fiction or love discovering the stories behind the writers, this episode is one...
2025-11-2613 min
Author ExpressWhere Life Inspires Fiction: Rebecca Hodge on Creativity and Career PivotsCurious what happens when a retired veterinarian and clinical research scientist turns to heart-pounding suspense fiction? In this episode of Author Express, Kathleen Basi gets to the heart of Rebecca Hodge’s creative process, discussing her latest thriller, Island Endgame. Listen in as Rebecca shares how real-life adventures on a remote island inspired the setting—and learn why her protagonist Kenzie Adams is more than just your average heroine. The episode teases how outdoor adventures, emotional depth, and even a beloved spreadsheet play pivotal roles in Rebecca's writing journey. If you’re searching for author interviews filled with a...
2025-11-1214 min
Author ExpressThe Last Page; A Farewell & Celebrating Three Years of Author ExpressIn this special episode of Author Express, hosts Shawna Rodrigues, Kristi Leonard, and Kathleen Basi come together for a heartfelt reflection as the podcast wraps up its recording season. They share the most surprising lessons learned from interviewing authors across genres—revealing how the creative journey connects us all in unexpected ways. Enjoy behind-the-scenes stories, favorite book moments, and timeless insights from the incredible authors featured on the show. It’s a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the enduring power of community.If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to connect with writers from around the worl...
2025-11-0518 min
Author ExpressCrafting Stories of Healing: Virginia McCullough’s Brand of Hope and Second ChancesCurious about the real stories behind the writers you love? In this inspiring Author Express episode, host Kathleen Basi welcomes Virginia McCullough, a powerhouse in both fiction and nonfiction who’s penned over 150 books! Virginia shares the unexpected ways her background in classical ballet shaped her discipline as a writer and recounts how a life-changing move and tough circumstances pushed her into a long career supporting her family through writing alone. Hear about her journey from ghostwriting and editing to crafting women’s fiction—particularly her novel "Amber Light," which explores themes of hope, healing, and second chances. Inte...
2025-10-2915 min
Author ExpressHow Nashville Shaped an Author's Life and Her Novel, The False FlatOn this engaging episode of Author Express, host Kathleen Basi welcomes Melissa R. Collings, an award-winning author and self-described “unicorn” of Nashville. Discover the creatively charged vibe of Nashville beyond its country music roots, and hear how Melissa’s background as a spine surgery physician associate influences her writing. The conversation teases at her emotional and witty novel, "The False Flat," inspired by real-life cycling stories and her own biracial identity. Wondering how a Cap’N Crunch cameo or a wild Bonnaroo festival scene fits into the story? Find out how Melissa faces complex themes like social anxiety, belonging, and find...
2025-10-1515 min
Author ExpressAuthor Suzanne Woods Fisher Reveals the Only Question a Writer Ever NeedsMeet Suzanne Woods Fisher, best-selling author of more than 40 books, as she chats with Kathleen Basi on this exciting episode of Author Express! Tune in to hear about Suzanne’s surprising journey from magazine writing in Hong Kong to crafting novels inspired by her large family and her travels. You’ll get a sneak peek at her latest gripping novel set in the wilds of Grand Teton National Park—a story about a determined zoo photographer, a legend of a grizzly bear, and a mysterious ranger. Interested in behind-the-scenes looks at the writing process, juggling family life with a...
2025-09-1715 min
Author ExpressHow Farm Life and Family Shape Sara Brunsvold’s Literary WorldsExplore the creative heartbeat of the Midwest in this Author Express episode featuring Sara Brunsvold, author of The Atlas of Untold Stories. Uncover how her roots on a multigenerational dairy farm in rural Missouri and her connections to Mark Twain’s hometown shaped her approach to storytelling and character development. Sara offers a glimpse into her latest women’s contemporary fiction, weaving themes of family, faith, and the stories we all keep hidden.Curious about the inspiration behind her memorable characters and the powerful mother-daughter relationships at the story’s core? Tune in as Sara shares little-known detail...
2025-08-2014 min
Author ExpressFamily, Mental Health, and Inspiration: Cathelina Duvert on "The Box"Curious about what inspires a debut author? In this episode of Author Express, meet Cathelina Duvert, whose novel The Box recently received an honorable mention in the Black Writers Workspace competition. Cathelina opens up about growing up in Hollis, Queens during the golden era of hip hop, how her experiences as a 7th and 9th grade ELA teacher intersect with her writing life, and the deeply personal story behind her book. Teasers include why she started a creative writing club at her school, using art and photo manipulation in her novel’s cover, and how she tackles themes like de...
2025-07-2312 min
Author ExpressIt Took Me Twenty Years to Become an Overnight SuccessStep into sunny Los Angeles with author Janie Emaus as she brings humor and heart to this episode of Author Express. Host Kathleen Basi chats with Janie about her unique upbringing, the quirky realities of LA living, and her experience caring for family while pursuing her passion for writing. Get a behind-the-scenes teaser of Janie's latest novel, "The Advice Columnist," where a fifty-something protagonist gets unexpected advice from her younger self through TikTok and texts. Listeners interested in women’s fiction, strong female characters, or stories about marriage and personal growth will find hints at all of th...
2025-06-2513 min
Author ExpressHow Barbara Johsselsohn Weaves History and Heart into Her NovelsExplore powerful storytelling and rich history in the latest Author Express episode with guest Barbara Josselsohn. Host Kathleen Basi chats with Barbara about the allure of New York’s theater scene, her lifelong dedication to ballet, and the spark behind her much-loved novel, The Forgotten Italian Restaurant. Peek into a saga set in wartime Italy, weaving together lost sisters, secrets, and a community united by food amid hardship. Whether you crave WWII historical drama, love tales inspired by family heritage, or simply appreciate stories blending nostalgia and resilience, this conversation will leave you eager to discover more. Discover why “Litt...
2025-05-2815 min
Author ExpressTrading Trials for Tales: Elisabeth Dini’s Path from International Law to Uplifting FictionReady to meet an author who’s lived a story as gripping as the ones she writes? On this episode, Kathleen Basi interviews Elisabeth Dini, a former Hague prosecutor whose first novel blends laugh-out-loud romance with a twist of World War II secrets. Elisabeth shares the behind-the-scenes process of plotting a narrative filled with stolen jewels, hidden resistance—and even a mysterious “bearer of bad news” gig. With a background in high-stakes law and a passion for uncovering uncelebrated heroines, Elisabeth offers perspectives on pursuing big changes and embracing unexpected challenges. Join us to hear teasers about her writing journey...
2025-04-3014 min
Author ExpressWhy Being an Author Is Like Running a Tech Startup, with Jennifer KlepperStep into the world of Jennifer Klepper, the USA Today bestselling author, as she joins Kathleen Basi on Author Express to unravel her multifaceted journey from a lawyer and tech-startup founder to a full-time writer. Jennifer talks about her deep-rooted passion for Nebraska Cornhusker football and how that ties into her sense of home. Listen as she shares intriguing tidbits about her new book, The Last Road Trip, a tale of old sorority sisters attempting to complete an unfinished cross-country adventure. With a plot inspired by her husband’s real-life post-college road trip, discover the layers of friendship, nostalgia, an...
2025-04-0214 min
Author ExpressA Creative Process on Crafting Women's Fiction and Character DevelopmentAre you a fan of women's fiction that resonates deeply and moves the soul? In this captivating episode of Author Express, meet Donna Norman-Carbone, the creative force behind beloved titles such as All That Is Sacred. Discover how Donna's experiences as an educator influences her compelling storytelling and character development. This episode offers a delightful mix of literary intrigue, including a sneak peek into the mysterious connective threads in her work, Of Lies and Honey. Topics like social class dynamics, debutante societies, and motherhood struggles weave through her novels, offering rich discussion points for book enthusiasts. Tune in to...
2025-03-0517 min
Author ExpressShawna Rodrigues' Top Three Books & Her Personal RevelationsUncover what makes Author Express special as Shawna Rodrigues opens up about three books that sculpted her worldview. Not merely narratives, these chosen books serve as windows into cultural, historical, and personal realms, urging listeners to reflect on their own pivotal reads. Alongside, Shawna shares a heartfelt announcement about her health journey and the temporary episode schedule change. This episode underscores the essence of storytelling and community, nurturing an understanding of different voices, much like the rich tapestry of characters within the highlighted books. Perfect for anyone seeking literary inspiration and authentic connection.Want to hear Shawna's...
2025-02-1217 min
Author ExpressValentine’s Reads and Second Chances: a Look at "Considering Us"Join us on this episode of Author Express as we chat with Jenn Bouchard, the acclaimed author behind First Course and the much anticipated Considering Us. Explore the fascinating world of Boston suburbs, exploring local traditions like revolutionary war reenactments and New England-style town meetings straight out of the "Gilmore Girls." Jenn also shares her journey from high school social studies teacher to award-winning novelist and reveals the one thing she wishes she had known when she was 20. Tune in for a blend of history, humor, and heartfelt insights into the life of a successful author!Jenn...
2025-02-0514 min
Author ExpressBehind the Pages: Sharon M. Peterson on Her Creative Writing WorldIn this engaging episode of Author Express, Kathleen Basi hosts Sharon M. Peterson, whose romcom The Fast Lane has been lauded for its wit and heartfelt moments. Sharon reveals the most interesting fact about her small town, discusses her unique writing process, and shares an amusing anecdote about her inexplicable fear of poodles. Listen as Sharon talks about her inspiration for characters, touching on real-life experiences and how she navigates writing disabilities authentically. Tune in for a blend of humor, sincerity, and literary wisdom that will inspire both readers and writers alike.Sharon M. Peterson writes romantic...
2025-01-1514 min
Author ExpressBEST OF Author Express - Kimberly Nixon Explains Why There is More to the StoryCelebrate the magic of storytelling in this holiday episode of Author Express as host Kathleen Basi chats with Kimberly Nixon about her compelling novel, Rock Island Rising. Kimberly's remarkable ability to weave her family's tumultuous past into gripping fiction takes center stage. With tales of a grandmother who once robbed a train and the supportive community of Austin, Texas, where she lives, Kimberly offers a unique blend of historical depth and modern vitality. Whether you are a history buff, a lover of strong female leads, or simply curious about how past traumas shape present lives, this episode will leave...
2024-12-2512 min
Author ExpressCelebrating Two Years: Hosts Reflect on Best Episodes and BooksMeet the voices behind the Author Express Podcast as they mark a milestone—two years of sharing riveting stories and interviews! Hosts Shawna Rodrigues, Kristi Leonard, and Kathleen Basi share their most impactful reads of the year, from a gripping secret life narrative to tales of foster parenting and family bonds. Kristi reminisces about the author that ushered her into podcasting, while Shawna recounts a conversation that made her want to hop on a plane! Curious about what makes each host tick? Find out where Kathleen first learned to drive, the creature Kristi doesn't fret over, and Shawna’s touc...
2024-12-0417 min
Author ExpressUnveiling Family Dynamics in the Digital Age with Erin Quinn-KongOn today’s episode we get to chat with Erin Quinn-Kong, a longtime magazine editor who started writing fiction after having her second child, while she was a freelance writer. She started writing Hate Follow in December 2020 after unsuccessfully querying a women’s fiction novel. She knew this idea was different as it had such a solid, newsworthy hook: an influencer who gets sued by her teen daughter for invasion of privacy (something Erin swears is going to happen one day—probably soon!) Currently managing editor of Texas Highways, Erin has also been an editor at Austin Monthl...
2024-11-2015 min
Author ExpressFire Eating, Friendship, and Female Empowerment With Cherie Dawn HaasCurious about the life experiences that fuel a writer's imagination? In today's episode of Author Express, host Kathleen Basi chats with prolific author Cherie Dawn Haas. Cherie wrote her first book in 2016, titled Girl on Fire. It was inspired by her days as a fire eater and tribal belly dancer, and came at a time when she wanted to spend more time at home. While still a fire dancer at heart, Cherie Dawn now expresses herself through the written word. By day, she is an online editor for the art division of Streamline Publishing, and by night (and weekends...
2024-10-3013 min
Author ExpressLaughing About Depression with Author Amy WatsonOn today’s episode, we’re chatting with Amy Watson, a Women’s Fiction and romance author. One day, at the prompting of her therapist, she went home and told her husband she was going to write a novel. Mind you, she wasn’t a writer at the time. Hadn’t done more than dabble in poetry in college. She took a couple of creative writing courses online, and that November wrote the first 50,000 words to her novel Closer to Okay. Three years and approximately twenty versions later, her book was published. Closer to Okay focuses on the life o...
2024-10-0912 min
Author ExpressWriting the Truth About Motherhood with Author Hadley LeggettOn today's episode we get to chat with Hadley Leggett, award-winning author of the debut novel, All They Ask Is Everything. A love letter to the messiness of motherhood, the book tells the story of three very different women who each want custody of the same two little girls — and discover they have more in common than the children they’re fighting for.Hadley fell in love with storytelling as a child, but as a people-pleaser born into a family of scientists, it never occurred to her she could become a novelist. Instead she went to medical scho...
2024-09-1814 min
Author ExpressExplore Genre-Crossing Success with Award-Winning Author Mindy McGinnisIn this riveting episode of Author Express, Kathleen Basi chats with Edgar award-winning novelist Mindy McGinnis. If you’re fascinated by the balance between a cheerful personality and dark, compelling writing, Mindy’s story will captivate you. Get a glimpse into her life in a small Ohio town, marked by historical tragedies and quirky facts. Mindy’s new book, Under This Red Rock, a dark-themed murder mystery involving LGBTQ and mental health topics, offers a raw and honest perspective borne from her personal experiences. Don’t miss this episode if you’re interested in mental health awareness, author journeys, or simply...
2024-09-0416 min
Author ExpressAmy Neff on her debut novel The Days I Loved You MostOnce every few years, a great love story sweeps readers off their feet and becomes a runaway sensation. Amy Neff’s stunning debut The Days I Loved You Most is perfectly poised to become that next great love story for the ages. The book asks the question: Could you live without the love of your life? And centers on a couple in a coastal Connecticut town who decide to redefine the ending to their love story, on their own terms. It just received a glowing starred review from Booklist which praises: “As the story weaves between the past...
2024-08-1413 min
Author ExpressBuilding an Extended Universe with Casey DembowskiOn today's episode, we have Casey Dembowski, the author of three award-winning romance novels, When We're Thirty, The Corey Effect, and Get A Room. Her fourth novel The First Love Myth is coming soon from Red Adept Publishing. Kirkus called her debut "absorbing and satisfying" while Midwest Book Reviews labeled Get A Room "A study in humor, irony, romantic encounters, and the evolution of a friendship…"Casey's novels are connected standalones, all exisitng in the same extended universe. Today, she'll discuss how she created this universe, ways to layer in easter eggs for each book, and how to...
2024-07-3113 min
Author ExpressExploring the Theme of Found Families with Author Pamela StockwellAward-winning author Pamela Stockwell was born in Texas and raised in South Carolina. In between, she lived in the Philippines and, along with her big sister, became fluent in Tagalog name-calling. She abandoned her foreign language studies at age five and went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of South Carolina. Pamela lives with her husband in Central New Jersey. She has three children in various stages of young adulthood, one dog, and too many cats. Her first novel, A Boundless Place, debuted in 2021. Her second novel, The Tender Silver Stars, was published in...
2024-07-1014 min
Author ExpressWomen's familial stories and the fantastical, with Nancy TaberOn today’s episode we chat with Nancy Taber, an author whose stories are inspired by women’s forgotten histories, her military service, and her love of the fantastical. Nancy grew up in a military family, joined the military herself, graduated from military college, and served as a Sea King helicopter Tactical Coordinator. When she completed her service, she earned her Master’s and PhD degrees, and became a university professor researching the intersection of gender, militarism, and learning. Nancy is a facilitator for Writers Collective of Canada, was named a Top Woman in Defence 2022 by Esprit de Corps magazi...
2024-06-1912 min
Author ExpressPrickly Company is Good Company with Kitty JohnsonOn today’s show we get to meet Margaret Johnson, who’s published by Lake Union Publishing under the pen-name Kitty Johnson. Margaret doesn’t mind whether people call her Margaret or Kitty – she answers to both names!Margaret first started writing in her twenties after finishing a Fine Art degree. Faced with an uncertain future – making money from art is a notoriously precarious prospect – Margaret had the bright idea of writing a best-selling novel to finance her painting career. This first novel was never published – she says she basically swapped one precarious way of living for another - but...
2024-05-2913 min
Author ExpressMixing Cybersecurity and Domestic Suspense with Author Janet RobertsOn today’s episode we get to chat with Janet Roberts, a Women’s Fiction author and poet in Pittsburgh, PA, who has a background in cybersecurity. After fifteen+ years as a global leader in cybersecurity awareness and education, Janet transitioned to full time writer and part-time consultant in 2023, to be able to chase her dream of focusing nearly all of her time on her writing. While employed full time, she self-published two novels - The Narrow Gate (2015) and The Leaf Queen (2016) - both of which won First Place in Fiction from Pittsburgh’s The Author Zone, and a small...
2024-05-0814 min
Author ExpressAuthor Michele Kwasniewski Explores The Darker Side of FameMichele Kwasniewski translated her career behind the scenes in entertainment into an award-winning young adult trilogy that shines a spotlight on the darker side of fame. Starting out as a set production assistant on movies such as INDEPENDENCE DAY and EVITA, Michele moved to the small screen and worked her way up the ladder to production manager, on television shows such as BIG BROTHER. A life-long southern California resident, Michele always dreamed of writing books despite almost failing seventh grade English grammar. THE RISE AND FALL OF DANI TRUEHART trilogy consists of books RISING STAR BURNING BRIGHT...
2024-04-1012 min
Author ExpressGhosts, unlikely friendships, and snarky humor with Author Tracey BuchananTracey's journey pursuing the right words has been both straight-forward and circuitous. She wrote nothing but the facts as a journalist and has created worlds out of pure imagination as a novelist. Either way she loves telling stories because stories are connectors that bridge our experiences and help us understand each other better.Tracey's story began in the bootheel of Missouri, but quickly moved to a little corner of western Kentucky called Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City which is home to the National Quilt Museum and the birthplace of Vice President Alben Barkley.After she...
2024-03-2711 min
Author ExpressKimberly Nixon Explains Why There is More to the StoryOn today’s episode, we’ll talk with Kimberly Nixon who made quite a discovery a few years back. She found her grandmother’s felony conviction papers. She had always heard that her grandmother robbed a train in 1920s in Appalachia and her research persistence paid off. The 125-page record gave Kimberly the details about her grandmother that she had only met twice.Kimberly considers herself the family storyteller and has made a career of exploring family stories for herself and others. She had closed her small business which archived generations of family memories for extended families. For a...
2024-03-0612 min
Author ExpressFrom Musical Dreams to Literary Success: Tamatha Cain Always Weaves in RomanceTamatha Cain is the award winning author of Song of the Chimney Sweep, a dual timeline women's fiction novel with not one but two mysteries (and an ending that satisfies in the most delightful way), and Only Oona, the first biographical fiction about Oona O'Neill Chaplin. After careers as a vocalist and then sugar artist and baker, she finally allowed herself to believe the pages of writing she'd shoved in a drawer over the years could be more than a hobby, and her first novel won a Royal Palm Literary Award. She went on to write and publish two...
2024-02-1414 min
Author ExpressSarahlyn Bruck Shares the Depths of Writing from Soccer to Friendship & Literary InspirationJoin Kathleen Basi as she sits down with award-winning author Sarahlyn Bruck in this captivating episode of Author Express. Discover the fascinating details about Sarahlyn's background growing up in Northern California, her experience as an actor doing improv, and her journey as a writer. Gain insights into her upcoming book "Light of the Fire," set in a small town in New Jersey, and learn about the deep connections and themes woven into its storyline. Listen in as Sarahlyn shares her perspective on the writing journey and offers a valuable piece of advice for aspiring writers. If you're curious about...
2024-01-2412 min
Author ExpressThe Shift to Writing New Adult Urban Fantasy; Celebrating Amanda Sinatra's Exciting Re-ReleaseInternational Best Selling Author of Hollow and Shattered, Amanda’s love for writing started at the age of 13. Her favorite genres are fantasy, romance, and thriller. Amanda has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction. She currently resides in the suburbs of Massachusetts with her black lab named Jack. You can catch her in person at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough, Massachusetts on Feb. 17, 2024 from 1-4 pm and get signed copies of the special edition of Hollow!The pre-order is available now at-https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollow-amanda-sinatra/1135537203?ean=97...
2024-01-1711 min
Author ExpressThe Southern Roots Sheila Athens Admits Provoke Her Soulful Writing CareerOn today’s show, we chat with Sheila Athens, who writes women’s fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world. Her debut novel, The Truth About Love, was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award. With that background, she can’t help but weave a strong love story thread throughout each of her books, even though she now writ...
2024-01-1015 min
Author ExpressDiane Barnes Writes Stories about Overcoming Obstacles in LifeToday we welcome Diane Barnes to the podcast. Diane lives in Massachusetts and spends a large part of the summer in the White Mountains in Maine in a camp without an internet connection or a stable cell signal. It’s where she gets her best writing done because there are no distractions.Diane writes Women’s Fiction, and her books often focus on friendships between women and how female friendships have the power to help women overcome obstacles in their lives.Diane fell in love with writing in second grade when she returned from recess one...
2024-01-0311 min
Author ExpressEstranged Sisters -How a Literary Thriller offers relatable characters & bitterly high stakesGet ready for an exhilarating ride as we dive into a riveting discussion with the multi-genre author, Mary Carroll Moore. From her culinary adventures as a food journalist to her transition into literary thrillers, Mary's journey promises excitement and inspiration. Delve into her latest book, "A Woman's Guide to Search and Rescue," where estranged sisters, both aviators, twist and turn through gripping situations, all while exploring the enduring power of female bonds. But that's not all – discover an exclusive peek into her upcoming book, "Last Bets," set on a Caribbean island amidst high-stakes gambling and a looming tropical storm. Jo...
2023-12-2712 min
Author ExpressAvoid Cliché. How to Make Writing Relatable - Integrating Children with Special NeedsWith a background in romance, Gina Andrew has published a series of Halloween romantic comedy novellas, two romantic suspense novels, and the novelette Girl Meets Grammarian, which was included in World Weaver Press’s collection Covalent Bonds and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She has also had short romances published in Woman’s World magazine and is a freelance writer for the reader sites BookBub and Scribd.In 2018, Gina pivoted to writing more women’s fiction, and that fall became represented by Laura Crockett at Triada US. Last year, she had the idea of getting together with a grou...
2023-12-2014 min
Author ExpressHumor and Heartbreak: Leanne Treese weaves both. Today we focus on her Holiday Romantic Comedy!On today's episode, we'll chat with Leanne Treese, an author of both Women's Fiction and Romantic Comedy. After working as a matrimonial lawyer for eighteen years, Leanne turned her focus to writing. Her debut work of fiction, Their Last Chance, sought to demonstrate the pitfalls of the legal process as it pertains to divorce. Leanne wrote a second legal-themed book, Mother of the Accused, which tells the story of a single mother whose eighteen-year-old son is accused of sexual assault during his senior year in high school. While Leanne loves writing of all kinds, she found writing the few...
2023-12-1316 min
Author ExpressHow to Manifest an Author Life with Jennifer LauerOn today’s episode, we get to chat with Jennifer Lauer, a sci-fi author and lover of jalapeño bagels. Jennifer writes books as well as tv/film, and enjoys being a mom to humans, cats and a dog. She lives in LA, by way of Massachusetts, where she has performed her written works at The Moth, Improv Olympic, and The Comedy Store. Her current projects are her novel, THE GIRL IN THE ZOO, a dystopia about a human held captive in by AI, and fiction podcast, THE STRANGE CHRONICLES, which follows a female noir detective who investigates supernatural mys...
2023-12-0613 min
Author ExpressBecoming a USA Today Bestseller at Seventy with Barbara ConreyBarbara Conrey is the USA Today Bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye, her debut, published on August 4, 2020, by Red Adept Publishing. Liza Fleissig represents her at the Liza Royce Agency.Her sophomore novel, My Secret to Keep, was released on August 23, 2022.Barbara is an active member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Women’s National Book Association, and Author Talk Network. She also moderates the online book club for the Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip.Travel is her passion, along with reading, writing, hiking, and exploring antique shops. Her greatest love is Miss...
2023-11-2916 min
Author ExpressAdvice to Take Your Main Character in Book's Lead- Grant Her Bravery & PiracyOn today’s show, we get to revisit our previous conversation with Sarah Branson to celebrate the one year anniversary of Author Express! Sarah is a former nurse-midwife who now writes cross-genre action/adventure, speculative, and women’s fiction for both adults and teens/tweens that involves air-borne pirates three hundred years in the future. Her stories are set against the backdrop of an Earth changed by fires, floods, and pandemics, but are firmly rooted in the strength and resiliency and hope of the human spirit.A little about today's author -Sarah first started conj...
2023-11-2214 min
Author ExpressAfter Penning 14 Romance & Women's Fiction Stories - Laura Drake Still Has More to WriteLaura Drake is a hybrid author of Women's Fiction and Romance. Her debut, The Sweet Spot, won the 2014 Romance Writers of America® RITA® award. She’s since published 14 more books. She is a founding member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association and Writers in the Storm blog. Laura is a city girl who never grew out of her tomboy ways. She gave up the corporate CFO gig to write full-time. She realized a lifelong dream of becoming a Texan and is currently working on her accent. She's a wife, grandmother, and motorcycle chick in the remaining waking...
2023-11-1513 min
Author ExpressBuilding a Foundation for an Author Career with Z.S. DiamantiZ.S. Diamanti is an author, illustrator, and creator. The Stone & Sky series is an epic fantasy adventure and the result of his great passion for fun and fantastical stories. He went to college forever and has too many pieces of paper on his wall. He is a USAF veteran of OEF and worked in ministry for over 10 years. He and his wife reside in Colorado with their four children where they enjoy hikes and tabletop games.You can get a FREE series of his stories at https://FreeFantasyFiction.comConnect with him on social...
2023-11-0822 min
Author ExpressFinding Fiction in Fractured Families for Author Judith Turner-YamamotoJudith Turner-Yamamoto grew up in rural North Carolina in a small mill town where people either worked the land or left the land to work the mills. As an art historian, she first came to writing through learning to appraise what she saw and to describe what moved her. Her work has appeared in StorySOUTH, Mississippi Review, Snake Nation Review, and American Literary Review, among others, and in many anthologies, including Walking the Edge: A Southern Gothic Anthology, Show Us Your Papers, and Gravity Dancers.Her debut novel and Petrichor Prize finalist, Loving the Dead and Gone...
2023-11-0113 min
Author ExpressGive Power to Author Voice by Confidently Drawing from Life with Lynne GolodnerThis week on Author Express we bring you an engaging conversation that touches on how an author's body of work can reach beyond genre to connect with readers in multiple ways. We are excited for you to get to know the writer we have with us today - Lynne Golodner writes emotional novels with compelling Jewish characters who are determined to fill their lives with passion, purpose, and love. Her first novel, Woman of Valor, joins a body of work that includes two poetry collections and six nonfiction books, including Hide and Seek: Jewish Women and Hair Covering and...
2023-10-2514 min
Author ExpressPerseverance is really all author Amy Hagstrom knows (lol)On today’s episode, we get to chat with Amy Hagstrom, a Contemporary Fiction author with her debut coming out this fall. Amy began her writing career as a travel writer and editor whose work appeared in US News, OutdoorsNW Magazine, Travel Oregon, and Huffington Post, among others, and for over a decade, she was lucky to travel all over the world, often with her children in tow. A lifelong outdoors enthusiast, she also served as a volunteer EMT with her local county search and rescue unit before launching her fiction writing career. After raising her three children in th...
2023-10-1813 min
Author ExpressAuthor Heather B. Moore sets the truth free after interviewing a WWII prison camp survivor“I never thought it was important, best to forget and left alone. The past is the past and who wants to read, hear, and know about war and its atrocities? I certainly did not and neither did anyone else who went through it. Then in my golden years, I realized the world needs to know and hear from real people who survived wars, not history books. First, that war is terrible, secondly that those who are free need to be more grateful and realize freedom comes with a price tag, and at great cost.” –Marie Vischer ElliottMarie...
2023-10-1118 min
Author ExpressNancy Christie Shares her Thoughts on Living the Writing LifeNancy Christie has been living the writing life for more years than she can remember. Her writing background, like so many other writers, has been a hodgepodge of freelance work (newspaper, magazine, and corporate clients), short stories, and fiction and nonfiction books. And again, like so many other writers, she finds it challenging to balance income-producing work with what she really wants to write, which right now are the books in her Midlife Moxie Novel Series and more short stories for her fourth collection, The Language of Love, due out in 2025.In her early years, she juggled...
2023-10-0414 min
Author ExpressNarcissistic Abuse Memoir from the Victim's Perspective with Author Dana S. DiazDana S. Diaz made her debut as an author in June 2023, when she released her gripping memoir, GASPING FOR AIR: THE STRANGLEHOLD OF NARCISSISTIC ABUSE. The Best-Selling book invites readers along her odyssey of healing and empowerment as she breaks free from the grasp of her 25-year-long abusive relationship. She fearlessly delves into old wounds to reveal the truth behind a lifetime of lies and stitches them closed as a new and resilient woman.An inspiring true story filled with strife and revelation, Gasping for Air exposes the raw truth of emotional, psychological and physical trauma. Although...
2023-09-2730 min
Author ExpressMeg Calvin Writes Like Her Parents Are Dead (will give credit for this quote to Jason Aaron who originally said it)Meg Calvin is an Amazon Bestselling Author and writing and marketing coach who helps writers do the deep spiritual work to create their Amazon bestselling books (paperback, Kindle, and Audible). After 15+ years as a minister, Meg began serving nonfiction and memoir writers who are fellow (as she refers to them) Spiritually-Attuned Go-Getters back in 2020. Regardless of their book's topic, a Spiritually-Attuned Go-Getters is a writer who doesn't only have a high frequency of service to others, but also believes that ambition is holy and that birthing a book is *truly* a divine process.Through her intuitive gifts...
2023-09-2012 min
Author ExpressAssassins, Dragons, and Royal Intrigue with Author E.A. WintersOn today's episode, we sit down with YA fantasy author E.A. Winters, a mom, Licensed Professional Counselor, military spouse, and—dragon rider?? Well, dragon writer, anyway!E.A. Winters has loved reading since childhood and wanted to be an author around the same time she wanted to be a dolphin trainer. Neither panned out at first, but then in 2017 she started writing her debut novel, The Forgotten Stone, a Lord of the Rings meets Narnia vibe quest adventure standalone.The Forgotten Stone took a year to write and another year to edit, but Winters wa...
2023-09-1318 min
Author ExpressWhat Historical Fiction Characters Teach You About Contemporary Living with Author Elaine Stocklways the curious and independent (“I can do it myself”) child, Historical Fiction/Women’s Fiction author Elaine Stock was stumped when she asked family members questions about her heritage and discovered no one wanted to talk about the past. She also was bemused when especially her beloved grandmother would reply “Why? Are you going to write a book about it?” Years later, after penning a few inspirational titles, Elaine, determined to write what she loved to read—historical fiction—researched her paternal heritage from Brzeziny, Poland. Learning that the likely reason behind why her family did not share about the ‘Old...
2023-09-0612 min
Author ExpressFeminism, Imagination, and Beyond: A Conversation with Anna QuinnIn this episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Anna Quinn, an author, and founder of the Writers’ Workshoppe in Port Townsend, Washington. Her debut novel, THE NIGHT CHILD, published in 2018, was a Washington State Book Award finalist, listed as #1 Best Real Psychological Fiction on Goodreads, and has been praised for its powerful portrayal of trauma and its impact on identity and relationships, as well as its lyrical writing and gripping storyline. Anna's latest book, ANGELINE, nominated for the National Book Award, is a powerful exploration of feminism, grief, and the imagination. Drawing on her own li...
2023-08-3015 min
Author ExpressWriting as Personal Transformation with Author Rachel StoneToday we catch up with Rachel Stone, author of The Blue Iris who writes stories of hope and redemption, often set against vibrant Canadian backdrops. A former labour relations specialist, Rachel left the corporate world behind when a health issue from years earlier came back to haunt her. Desperate for distraction, she enrolled in creative writing courses in the hopes of finally giving her writing dream a dedicated shot. When a short writing assignment formed the seedling of The Blue Iris, Rachel found herself transfixed by the process of developing the novel's vibrant cast of...
2023-08-1613 min
Author ExpressGenealogy Research Prompts A Next ChapterJanis Robinson Daly grew up in Massachusetts and remained there, graduating with a B.A. in Psychology from Wheaton College, at the time, an all-women’s college. At Wheaton, she developed an appreciation of the supportive relationships established between women and a heightened awareness of female-centric issues. Both directed her writing of THE UNLOCKED PATH.With a love of history and plot and themes sketched, Janis enrolled in a creative writing course to hone hery skills. Combining years of extensive research, feedback from writers’ conferences, beta readers, and editors, and with a contract in hand from indie pres...
2023-08-0911 min
Author ExpressThe Age Gap Summer Beach Read with Author Zachary DowningOn today’s episode we speak with author Zachary Downing, a coming-of-age novelist who enjoys writing funny and relatable characters trudging through the everyday, frantic and transformative trials of life.His first novel, Flounder, was published in 2022, and concerns a college Freshman who stops going to class, but keeps going to parties. Downing wrote it to be the crazy college version of “The Little Engine That Could.”In 2023, Downing has published his second novel, Manhattan to Montauk, which involves a whirlwind summer romance between a 22-year-old man and a 17-year-old woman. Set in 1995, in New York C...
2023-08-0212 min
Author ExpressCarla Damron Explores How Fiction can Make a DifferenceIn today’s episode, writer and social worker Carla Damron explores how her two careers are intertwined. Damron worked as a clinical social worker and mental health agency administrator for thirty+ years. She worked with numerous clients experiencing serious mental illness and found she learned more from them than she’d ever learned in a textbook. After retiring from the mental health organization, Damron directed an advocacy organization where she learned more than she ever wanted to know about the prevalence and impact of human trafficking. Both legs of her career (mental health and advocacy) have informed her writing. In h...
2023-07-2612 min
Author ExpressFoodie Fiction at a Cookie Company with Author Delise TorresDelise Torres grew up in Puerto Rico, watching telenovelas and re-enacting scenes with her Barbies. Once she outgrew her dolls, she turned to daydreaming, and it wasn’t until her late thirties when she finally put her own stories to paper, and her passion for writing was born.She has a PhD in Food Science and former work experience as a quality assurance manager in the food industry. When not writing, you can find her trying to time-manage her life, singing, reading, and streaming shows and movies. She lives in Germany with her daughter and German husband. He...
2023-07-1914 min
Author ExpressRachel Corsini's Hot Mess Millennials and How They Clean it UpAfter declaring herself a pretty pink princess during her first ballet class, Rachel dreamt of sugarplums and began pirouetting her way through life. While studying to become a ballerina, she compulsively read books under her covers by flashlight and scribbled in spiral-bound notebooks. The urge to tell stories culminated in her graduation from Columbia College Chicago with a B.F.A. in fiction writing. Never one to keep her feet on the ground, she traveled the world from Prague to Cape Town. Once settled back in Queens, she dabbled in journalism before working as an Editorial Assistant...
2023-07-1212 min
Author ExpressChange is the Spice of LifeAnna E. Collins is a Seattle area author of contemporary romantic comedies and women’s fiction who was a dual debut in 2022 with romcom LOVE AT FIRST SPITE, and women’s fiction novel THESE NUMBERED DAYS. Anna grew up in Sweden where she was always a voracious reader with a vivid imagination, but other than occasional poems and songs, she didn’t start putting her own stories into writing until after she had kids. By that point, she had worked as a high school teacher for several years, married an American, undertaken two international moves, and needed a new outlet...
2023-07-0512 min
Author ExpressPublishing and Persistence with Author Gabi CoatsworthToday's guest Gabi Coatsworth was born in Britain but has spent most of her life trying to figure out how America works by living here. She arrived forty years ago to work for six months, but couldn't resist a particular American, so she stayed. Her award-winning memoir about that relationship, Love’s Journey Home, was published last year by Atmosphere Press, who also recently published her debut novel, A Beginner's Guide to Starting Over. It's not her first novel - she has two more languishing in a desk drawer. Writing historical fiction turned out to be harder than she ex...
2023-06-2814 min
Author ExpressThe Legacy of Fractured Living: An Exploration of Mothers, Daughters, and Sensuality with Ella ShawnOn today's episode, we're chatting with Ella Shawn, a southern erotic women's fiction author who at one point, housed 13 guinea pigs, and that's just the beginning of this southerner's charm.After thirteen years of teaching high school English and creative writing, a diagnosis of systemic lupus and narcolepsy with cataplexy freed Ella from accepting a good-enough-for-now-life and demanded she creates an I-deserve-it-all-life.Ella Shawn tells the forbidden stories of Black, Southern women who find healing and freedom through the practice of sacred eroticism. She is the author of the Broken Souls Series (Broken Souls, Mirrored...
2023-06-2114 min
Author ExpressKelly I. Hitchcock Makes You Laugh While She Steals Your HeartOn today's episode we chat with Kelly I. Hitchcock, a humorous fiction author who brings her wry character voice to her newest novel, Community Klepto. Kelly I. Hitchcock is a literary fiction author, humorist, and poet in Austin, Texas. She has published several poems, short stories, and creative non-fiction works in literary journals, and is the author of the coming-of-age novel The Redheaded Stepchild and the short story collection Portrait of Woman in Ink: A Tattoo Storybook. Her newest novel, Community Klepto, released June 2022, courtesy of She Writes Press and was a finalist for the Montaigne Medal from the...
2023-06-1414 min
Author ExpressAdding Emotional Suspense to Women's Fiction with Jen CravenIn today’s episode, we chat with women’s fiction author Jen Craven. After two historical fiction novels, Jen made the jump forward to contemporary times, now focusing on stories in the present day, featuring flawed protagonists making split-second decisions. Her books target readers who are drawn to complex families, morally gray characters, and fast-paced plotlines that serve for excellent chit-chat well after the last page. In fact, one of Jen’s favorite things it to join in on book club meetings—she’s Zoomed into everywhere from Florida to New England.As an indie author, Jen learned th...
2023-06-0713 min
Author ExpressNetworking is an Author's Super Power says Maggie SmithToday's guest, Maggie Smith, makes her home in Wisconsin, land of the three seasons—summer, fall, winter. (For some reason, spring usually passes us by). When her husband starts to lobby for them to move to a warmer climate, she points to fires, tornadoes, and rising sea levels as the reason to stay put in the middle of the heartland. She doesn't mention how she likes the crunch of freshly fallen snow beneath her boots as she trudges to the mailbox. But the main reason she stays put are the great women friends she's made here. With age comes wi...
2023-05-3112 min
Author ExpressThe Intersection of Epilepsy and Mental Health: A Debut Author Brings Important Topics to LightToday our guest is Sara Staggs, former civil rights attorney-turned-author. She writes upmarket fiction and YA, and her debut novel, Uncontrollable, launches on May 25th from Black Rose Writing. Sara practiced civil rights litigation for several years before she had to stop because of her epilepsy. After two brain surgeries in six years, she wrote a novel based on her experiences with epilepsy, which mixes fiction with autobiographical fiction ("auto-fiction"). Uncontrollable is a 5-star Reader's Favorite, and has received amazing advance reviews from Independent Book Review, Midwest Book Review, Pacific Book Review, Indie Reader, and featured in...
2023-05-2413 min
Author ExpressIt's - Almost - All About New England for Author Geeta SchrayterOn today’s episode, we chat with Geeta Schrayter, a women’s fiction author who gathers most of her inspiration from her everyday life in New England.As soon as Geeta discovered the magic of books, the desire to write rooted itself within her. As a child, she crafted pretend newspapers and penned short stories (when she wasn't devouring library books borrowed by the armload). She won her first writing competition in fifth grade, and it was then she decided to be a writer when she grew up – and never faltered in that decision.She receiv...
2023-05-1711 min
Author ExpressIt's Never too Late to Live the Life You Want With Author Sharon WrayToday we’re chatting with Sharon Wray, a USA Today Bestselling romance and women’s fiction author who spent most of her life trying not to write. She started her career as a chemical and patent librarian for major pharmaceutical companies and then moved into archival work for the Newspaper Association of America. She also studied dress design in the couture houses of Paris and worked as a Red Cross Caseworker in South Korea. Finally, after years of traveling, working, having kids, and ignoring the characters speaking in her head, she decided to become a novelist. Because it took her...
2023-05-1016 min
Author ExpressIs Fiction The Best Way To Tell Hard Truths?Gloria Mattioni is an award-winning feature writer and the award-winning author of 'California Sister'. She writes fiction and narrative non-fiction. In fact, she previously published 'Reckless - The Outrageous Lives of Nine Kick-Ass Women' and 'Dakota Warrior - The Story of James R. Weddell.' Earlier on, she published in Italy a novel, 'Con Altri Occhi', and three non-fiction books, 'Guerriero Dakota', 'Wild Women,' and 'La Tribù dei Mangiatori di Sogni'. As soon as her debut women's fiction, 'California Sister', was completed, she started writing her second novel, a mystery along the lines of the books written by C...
2023-05-0314 min
Author ExpressMelissa Gowdy Baldwin Creates a New Marriage System in Her Dystopian BookOn today’s episode we get to chat with Melissa Gowdy Baldwin, a Dystopian Fiction author with a penchant for pairing music and astrology signs with all her characters. A veteran teacher, mother, cat and dog lover, Melissa has taken her educational experience in American Studies and English and Creative Writing and channeled it into her first novel. A book that engages in dialogue about social issues and expectations of both men and women, The Marriage Wars: Book One is part of a larger project which includes a trilogy, two prequels, and a novella if the audience asks. ...
2023-04-2612 min
Author ExpressWriting Characters Who are Nonverbal or Intellectually DisabledWith a background in romance, Gina Andrew has published a series of Halloween romantic comedy novellas, two romantic suspense novels, and the novelette Girl Meets Grammarian, which was included in World Weaver Press’s collection Covalent Bonds and nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She has also had short romances published in Woman’s World magazine and is a freelance writer for the reader sites BookBub and Scribd.In 2018, Gina pivoted to writing more women’s fiction, and that fall became represented by Laura Crockett at Triada US. Last year, she had the idea of getting together with a grou...
2023-04-1913 min
Author ExpressE.D. Hackett: Turning a Chronic Illness Journey into a Fictionalized NovelE.D. Hackett is a Speech-language pathologist by day and a writer by night. She has been writing since the first grade and still has her first book, "How I Lost My Tooth." She writes self-published novels that investigate layers of self-expectations, family dynamics, following dreams, and learning how to love and accept yourself while opening your heart to accept love from others. E.D. Hackett has four women’s fiction novel out on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Her fifth novel (and first sweet romance) was published on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited in February 2023. Her women’s fict...
2023-04-1212 min
Author ExpressWriting from the Heart and Vulnerability with Author Christie Leigh BabiradToday on Author Express we have Author, Christie Leigh Babirad, a Women’s Fiction author and Poetess who will say without hesitation that the connection she has created with her readers has come through writing directly from the heart and a place of fearless vulnerability. Christie Leigh celebrated the fourth anniversary of her debut Women’s Fiction story, As the Winds Change, this past February, and speaks on how grateful she is to have had this story has her first of now a total of four fiction books, including the follow-up to As the Winds Change, “Where You Ar...
2023-04-0514 min
Author ExpressSettings Come Alive in the Horror Tales of Robert HarrisonToday we're chatting with Robert Harrison, who writes horror and supernatural thrillers under the pen name R.W. Harrison. He's a marketing professional currently living in Florida, but preparing for a move to the Cleveland, Ohio area, where he's from originally. He published his first book, The Onyx Seed, in 2014 and it was inspired by a series of poltergeist experiences he had around 1990. Shortly after his son was born, strange things started happening in the house, such as rocking chairs rocking by themselves, electronic devices turning on and off by themselves, light switches flipping up and down, hearing voices...
2023-03-2913 min
Author ExpressWomen's History, Please. And Bring the Action.Today we get to chat with Kerry Chaput, award-winning historical fiction author with a passion for adventure stories. She attempted her first story at age twelve but didn’t find the courage to pursue writing until she turned forty. With a twenty-year career in physical therapy and raised by a US History teacher, it’s no surprise she gravitated toward historical action-adventure as a genre.After joining the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, her commitment to learning the craft of writing took on obsessive proportions, and she’s never looked back. Her debut historical Daughter of the King won...
2023-03-2214 min
Author ExpressWriting to Recover and Reimagine with Kayla Degala-ParaisoOn today's episode, we're chatting with Kayla Degala-Paraiso, an experimental, cross-genre, short-form writer. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Pitzer College. The title-story of her undergraduate capstone collection, “Morena,” was awarded the 2018 Bea Matas Hollfelder Award. Her debut publication, “This Is How You Haunt Me,” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in Creative Nonfiction. Her writing often explores emotional and political entanglements; challenges craft conventions; and sucker-punches you in the gut. Kayla’s family migrated from the Philippines. Movement is in Kayla’s bones: she has lived in NYC, Connecticut, Southern California, Italy, Nepal, Boston, Nort...
2023-03-1511 min
Author ExpressA Psychological Thriller Perfect For Our TimesToday we meet author Leslie Kain, who was cursed with a subtle droll wit that even her husband often doesn't "get" as a joke. Leslie has always been writing something, even as a kindergartener. Stories, riddles, plays, poems, inventions, secret plans. Culminating in running away across country at the age of fifteen, never looking back, which launched other adventures she won't divulge. Then with degrees from Wellesley College and Boston University, she had careers in psychology, government intelligence and nonprofits for mental health, during which her writing was limited to nonfiction. Eventually though, some complicated characters found...
2023-03-0812 min
Author ExpressBringing More Inclusivity to Story Time with Children's Author Lindsey LarsenAs a mother herself, Lindsey understands the hectic nature of parenting as well as the time demands placed on children. Yet, as parents we also have the responsibility to educate our children in a variety of topics such as areas of personal growth and development. Lindsey hopes to provide engaging stories that spark nurturing conversations about these very topics during story time with your children!You can learn more about Lindsey and find links to her book on her website Lindsey-larsen.com. You can also follow her on Instagram @ot_homeschool_momor...
2023-03-0114 min
Author ExpressBest Selling Author Nancy Yeager Enjoys Story Telling In All FormsToday we’re chatting with Nancy Yeager, a bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance who is adding women’s fiction to her repertoire. Her first women’s fiction novel, WHEN WE WERE FRIENDS, released on October 25, 2022. Nancy spent her early years longing to be an English countryside vet thanks to James Herriot’s All Creatures Great and Small series, and dreaming of being an adventurist-archaeologist thanks to George Lucas’s Indiana Jones character. After studying veterinary pre-med and earning an anthropology degree, she realized her true passion is story in all its forms.When she’s not...
2023-02-2215 min
Author ExpressBlue SkiesConnection is something we seek from the time we are children.Building friendships and finding connection is something that can seem harder as we get older, rather than easier. Yet, connection, community, and collaboration are things we all need. Trish and Diane found commonality in their roles as leaders in the fire service. With less than 1% of women occupying the roles they are in, it was valuable to find someone else with this shared experience The two have built a solid connection over time, and in this episode reflect some on how they have cultivated...
2023-02-1539 min
Author ExpressThe Indie Author's Local AuthorToday's episode features Z or Zachary Jeffries, two pen names from one author writing Science Fiction and Fantasy for readers nine years old and up. Always a late bloomer, Jeffries didn't get into novel-writing until his late-thirties, and by then he'd amassed experience storytelling through short stories, poetry, and theatre. Thanks to the support and community he found in local writer's groups as well as NaNoWriMo, Jeffries realized his long-held dream of completing a novel, releasing Chase: The Boy Who Hid (Book One of the Hide & Seek Chronicles) in 2020.After releasing four books in his upper Middle...
2023-02-1517 min
Author ExpressThe Power of a Sad Story - Why Books can be Therapeutic with Julee BalkoJulee Balko has been a Creative Director, brand builder, and content creator for years – while mothering and lassoing her three crazy daughters in her spare time. But she’s always wanted to be a “real” writer – the kind who has a book with her name on it.The Things We Keep is her first novel and a dream come true. Julee started writing The Things We Keep after her mother passed away because she was thrust into a world of grief that no one talks about. Julee has always been drawn to writing about interesting characters and complex re...
2023-02-0914 min
Author ExpressAmey Zeigler: Finding Your Author PurposeOur special guest today is award-winning and best-selling author, Amey Zeigler. She is best known for her heartwarming and laugh-out-loud romances, reminiscent of the chick-lit genre of the early 2000’s mixed with a healthy dose of women’s fiction. Her most successful book, The Casserole Dish, is a tribute to a neighborhood that taught her how to offer the olive branch of forgiveness, using her own experiences with depression and loss to guide the characters through their journey. It also explores the theme that everyone has a reason for acting the way they do and to not judge people too...
2023-02-0114 min
Author ExpressShifting Voices and Multiple Points of View with Carolyn KorsmeyerAfter some years pursuing an academic career, Carolyn Korsmeyer now spends most of her time at the keyboard writing fiction. In addition to wanting to see what happens as her plots unfold (for she is an incurable pantser), Carolyn sees fictional narrative as an opportunity to reflect on memory, impression, and the different angles that characters (and the sorts of people they represent) have on the same subject. This inspired the focus of today’s talk: “Shifting Voices and Multiple Points of View.” Many of the scenes in her new novel, Little Follies: A Mystery at the Millen...
2023-01-2511 min
Author ExpressCoastal Reads with Jenn BouchardOn today's episode, we will chat with Jenn Bouchard, speaking with us from the Boston suburbs. Jenn has been teaching high school social studies for 23 years and is the parent of two teenagers. After completing a major volunteer position as the president of her college's alumni association in 2014, she had the out-of-the-blue idea to write a novel. Not having written anything fictitious since middle school, she had no idea what she was doing. Three years later, she had completed a draft of FIRST COURSE. After many edits and a few bumps and detours, it was ultimately published in 2021 by...
2023-01-1815 min
Author ExpressWriting That Connects is Key for Author Shawna RodriguesOn today’s episode we get to chat with Shawna Rodrigues, a Women’s Fiction author with a laugh you will not easily forget. You may also recognize her as one of our hosts! After twenty+ years as a leader in the public and non-profit sector, Shawna transitioned to work as a consultant, all so she could finally finish the novel she always dreamed of writing. It was a joyous and arduous journey, but less than a year after leaving her career, she penned the final words of her debut novel, Beyond the Pear Blossoms. The jubilation was quickly eclip...
2023-01-1112 min
Author ExpressFeminist Fiction and Why So Little Women's Fiction is Set in the Work World w/ Lainey CameronLainey Cameron is an author of women's fiction and a recovering tech industry executive. Her award-winning novel, The Exit Strategy, an Amazon #1 bestseller, was inspired by a decade of being the only woman in the corporate boardroom. It's been called a "rallying call for women to believe in themselves and join together" and tells the story of a Silicon Valley investor who first meets her husband's mistress across the negotiating table.She’s the founder and host of the popular Best of Women’s Fiction podcast, a proud member of Women’s Fiction Writers Association, believes community makes...
2023-01-0415 min
Author ExpressAmerica's Misinformed Nostalgia for the 1950's with Author D.W. HoganOn today's episode we will talk with DAWN HOGAN about what is known as "The Baby Scoop Era." She was inspired to write her debut novel UNBROKEN BONDS when she was asked by a dear friend to search for the birth mother who gave her up for adoption, Dawn's research uncovered the rarely talked about homes for unwed mothers who shamefully coerced millions of young women to relinquish their babies to sealed adoptions. She was fascinated and appalled by the degrading tactics perpetrated by the institutions that profited unscrupulously under the guise of benevolence. During this time...
2022-12-2813 min
Author ExpressWriting with Aphantasia & the Benefits of Beta Readers w/ Maggie GilesMaggie Giles is a positive, outgoing person who enjoys creating new connections and experiencing new opportunities. She is a Canadian author whose debut novel - The Things We Lost - published in April 2022. The Things We Lost began as a story about what if. It started when Maggie had her own what if questions about the turns her life had taken. What started as a therapeutic project, turned into a relatable story that has a woman wondering if the grass is truly greener.Maggie is an active member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association where she ha...
2022-12-2113 min
Author ExpressDriving Societal Change Through Novels with Paulette StoutToday we’re talking to Paulette Stout, author of fast-paced contemporary women’s fiction novels, which each focus on a different social issue. Some topics may be new to readers; others may be familiar—but with a fresh twist. Regardless of theme, Paulette delivers lively, readable prose that keeps readers eagerly turning pages.Raised by a single dad in Manhattan, Paulette is the gold-star wordsmith and owner of her content marketing agency, Media Goddess Inc., where she crafts content for her list of global clients. Prior to MGI, she led content and design teams at several tech compan...
2022-12-1414 min
Author ExpressAn Unconventional Road Trip with Author Kathleen BasiToday we visit with author and composer Kathleen M. Basi. Kathleen is mother to three active boys (read that: always breaking something) and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. A proud native of flyover country and an honest-to-goodness farm girl (as in cattle, hogs, chickens, grain bins and a combine), she spent her childhood climbing trees, jumping off hay bales and chasing cattle back into their pasture when they broke through fences. (But she never once tipped a cow.)Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Road trips are familiar territory...
2022-12-0712 min
Author ExpressFollow Your Main Character's Lead - Especially When She's a Pirate with Author Sarah BransonOn today’s show we get to know Sarah Branson, a former nurse-midwife who now writes cross-genre speculative and women’s fiction that involves air-borne pirates three hundred years in the future. Her stories are set against the backdrop of an Earth changed by fires, floods, and pandemics, but are firmly rooted in the strength and resiliency of the human spirit.Sarah first started conjuring stories of pirates when her family hopped a freighter to Australia when she was seven. She has since grown up, traveling extensively across the US and the globe. She raised her family in M...
2022-11-3013 minAuthor ExpressAuthor Express- Teaser Episode- Just an IntroductionAuthor Express is your chance to discover the voice behind the pages. An opportunity to get to know the human side of writing as we visit with authors form a variety of genres. This teaser is meant to tell you more about our format and what we offer. We ask you to follow us and join our double entendre each Wednesday as we keep episodes close to fifteen minutes and glean an impressive amount from our writers.
2022-11-2602 min
Hear us Roar127: Kathleen Basi- Author of A Song For The RoadOur guest on the podcast this week is Kathleen Basi (A Song for The Road, Alcove Press, May 2021). We discuss the importance of how you pitch your book in your query letter (by changing her focus and repositioning her novel, Kathleen raised her request rate from zero to 25%), how she had to learn to simplify her plot points rather than pile more on, and what it felt like to have two great agent offers on the table at the same time and how she made her decision. Kathleen M. Basi is the quintessential jack-of-all trades writer: musical c...
2022-02-1027 min
Charlotte Readers PodcastLove, Loss, and the Power of Music to Heal in Kathleen Basi’s “A Song for the Road”In this episode 228, guest hosted by author Christine Arvidson, we visit with Kathleen Basi, author of “A Song for the Road,” a poignant journey of grief, love, and acceptance.
Miriam Tedesco is still grieving the loss of her husband and twin teenagers one year ago. After finding an automated cross-country road trip planned by her children for Miriam and her husband to take as soon-to-be empty nesters, Miriam decides to take the trip in their honor.
Barbara Claypole, bestselling author of “The Perfect Son” and “The Promise Between Us”, had this to say about the book, “An emotionally...
2021-07-2035 min
Writer, Writer, Pants On FireKathleen Basi On Writing Music, Fiction &The Personal Sting of RejectionToday'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.
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2021-06-2131 min