Shows
Sarah's Bookshelves LiveEp. 209: 2025 Debuts Special with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley)In Episode 209, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) join Sarah for the 5th annual Debuts Special! They're sharing their reading stats for debuts this year, along with their favorite debuts, new and backlist — so far for 2025. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights How debuts from 2025 compare to those from previous years. A full breakdown of Sarah's, Catherine's, and Chrissie's 2025 debut-related stats. Featured debuts, split into tw...
2025-10-2956 min
Thoughts from a Page PodcastKelly Hooker - Our Favorite Reads of July through September 2025In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in July through September 2025.
Our shared top reads:
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger
Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
The Killer Question by Janice Hallett
Kelly’s remaining top reads:
Guess Again by Charlie Donlea
The Grand Paloma Resort by Cleyvis Natura
Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo
Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza
Dominion by Addie E. Citchens
The Mad Wife by Meagan Church
Cindy’s remaini...
2025-10-2849 min
Book GangThis Physician Shares Her Indie Publishing JourneyCurious about indie publishing? Physician Paria Hassouri shares her debut journey to publish Harvesting Rosewater, centering a woman's midlife awakening.If you’ve ever been interested in the independent publishing process, you’re not alone. Today’s revealing conversation with Paria Hassouri, a pediatrician, whose debut, Harvesting Rosewater, recently hit bookstores, takes readers inside her remarkable publishing process. Discover how Paria balances medicine and storytelling in today's under-the-radar debut feature, which centers on a physician's midlife awakening that I guarantee you will not be able to put down.In our illuminating conversation, we explore:Indepe...
2025-09-261h 01
Show, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori60. In conversation with Author Lidija Hilje (Part 2)Send us a textIn part two of this conversation with Author and Book Coach Lidija Hilje dives into how she structured her book to span 20 years using a dual timeline. She and Suzy talk about how to use sensory showing details in literary fiction in order ground readers when you need to 'tell'. Finally, a round of quickfire questions about her writing journey rounds out this riveting interview!Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERESubmit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching EpisodesLeave a Review on...
2025-08-2633 minShow, don't Tell Writing with Suzy Vadori59. Interview with Literary Fiction Author Lidija Hilje (Part 1)Send us a textJoin Suzy for an interview with Book Coach and Literary Fiction Author, Lidija Hilje. The two speak about the differences between genre and literary fiction, including the defining ideas, structures, and themes. They also discuss her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea, and her journey from being a lawyer to writing. Sign Up for the Inspired Writing Newsletter HERESubmit Your Page for our Show don't Tell Coaching EpisodesLeave a Review on Apple Podcasts (Thank you!) Intro and Outro Music is Daisy by Zight a...
2025-08-1940 min
The Midlife Book ClubLidija Hilje on the Hypnotic Pull of Love, Memory and Geography in “Slanting Towards the Sea”What happens when unrealized potential sediments inside us "like tar or asbestos, slowly releasing its poison"? Croatian novelist Lidjia Hilje examines this haunting question in her hypnotic debut, Slanting Towards the Sea, a love story spanning twenty years along Croatia's stunning Dalmatian coast. Following university students Ivana and Vlaho through marriage, dissolution, and an unusual friendship triangle, the novel explores how family secrets and unspoken truths shape our most intimate relationships. Join host Katie Fogarty and Hilje as they survey the peaks and valleys of midlife reassessment, how geography shapes identity, and the poetry of place. Hilje also shares...
2025-08-0759 min
Author ExpressExplore One Writer’s Fascinating Journey From Legal Eagle to Literary FictionIn this episode of Author Express, host Kristi Leonard sits down with Croatian novelist and certified book coach Lidija Hilje for a rich conversation filled with unique insights. Discover what makes Croatia’s laid-back “pomalo” lifestyle so memorable, and get a glimpse of how Lidija’s coastal upbringing shaped her creative voice. Lidija shares the intriguing premise of her literary novel, inviting listeners to explore themes of longing, complicated relationships, and the nuanced lines between personal preference and craft in fiction. Plus, get a sneak peek into her innovative craft-focused book club that’s become a haven for nearly a hundred...
2025-08-0616 min
Book Talk, etc.August Books on the Radar (2025)Send us a textIn Episode 212 of Book Talk, Etc., Tina and Hannah are sharing their August books on the radar. This is a regular monthly episode where we highlight upcoming releases that have caught our attention. We can’t wait to share these with you!If you enjoy our commercial-free podcast, please consider supporting us on Patreon! Your membership will give you access to our exclusive bonus episodes, including Niche Novels, Books We DNFed, and What's in the Mailbag! Plus, you’ll receive invites to monthly events like Mood Reader Happy Hour...
2025-07-2951 min
Sarah's Bookshelves LiveEp. 201: Lidija Hilje (Author of Slanting Towards the Sea) + Book RecommendationsIn Episode 201, author Lidija Hilje talks with Sarah about her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea. Spanning two decades and one transformative summer in Croatia, Slanting Towards the Sea is a love story that also delves into the profound journey of coming of age in a nation younger than you are. Lidija shares lots of details about how this book came to be and the inspiration for the story and its lush Croatian setting, which becomes a character of its own. They also discuss how the Croatian War of Independence influenced both her own childhood and the novel's narrative...
2025-07-2352 min
Book GangWhy Finding Grace Is the Plot-Twist Novel of the SummerHoly plot twist! Loretta Rothschild shares her writing process for her buzzy debut, Finding Grace, where the opening sequence stuns in this spoiler-free chat.In today's Book Gang episode, debut author Loretta Rothschild discusses Finding Grace, a domestic drama that cracks wide open into something far more unexpected. This powerful novel explores fertility, family bonds, and the long echo of grief, told through a voice you won't see coming.In this heart-to-heart conversation, Loretta and I discuss her five-year journey to publication, the art of crafting structure and tension, and how one tragic twist completely...
2025-07-1836 min
Book Lounge by LibbySun, Sand & Stories: Authors on Crafting the Perfect Summer ReadWhat makes a book the perfect beach read? In this sunny episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Clémence Michallon, Jonathan Parks-Ramage, Megan Miranda, and Sara Hamdan for a lively conversation about the art of crafting a summer page-turner. From thrillers to romances and everything in between, they unpack what “beach read” really means, how they keep readers hooked, and—crucially—their go-to writing snacks.
Then in segment two, Amy, Bre, Cece, Jananie, and Kayla stop by with top-tier book recommendations to toss in your tote bag, whether you're headed to the coast or j...
2025-07-171h 49
Book GangThis Author Walked Away from Law—and Won BigLidija Hilje shares how her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea, and her own journey is shaped by second chances and the courage it required to begin again.Lidija Hilje brings a rare and powerful perspective to her fiction. After a decade working in Croatian courts, she left the legal field to write in English as her second language and to coach other writers through their own stories. We discuss how that radical life change shaped both her novel and her coaching philosophy.In today's Book Gang episode, Lidija joins me for a profoundly moving...
2025-07-111h 04
#AmWritingHow to Capture Emotion on the PageOne of the writing skills I am asked about the most is, “How do I get emotion on the page?” People ask this no matter what genre they are writing, because no one wants to produce a manuscript that is flat and unengaging. Emotion is the key, but figuring out how to inspire your reader to feel something is a tricky thing to learn and an even trickier thing to master.In her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea (Simon & Schuster, July 2025), Lidija Hilje has mastered it. The story feels so raw and so real—and English is not...
2025-07-1158 min
#AmWritingHow to Capture Emotion on the PageOne of the writing skills I am asked about the most is, “How do I get emotion on the page?” People ask this no matter what genre they are writing, because no one wants to produce a manuscript that is flat and unengaging. Emotion is the key, but figuring out how to inspire your reader to feel something is a tricky thing to learn and an even trickier thing to master.
In her debut novel, Slanting Towards the Sea (Simon & Schuster, July 2025), Lidija Hilje has mastered it. The story feels so raw and so real—and English is not ev...
2025-07-1158 min
Thoughts from a Page PodcastLidija Hilje - SLANTING TOWARDS THE SEAIn this interview, I chat with Lidija Hilje about Slanting Towards the Sea, writing about present day Croatia, her father's health and how it inspired this story, writing in her second language and why she chose to write the book in English, her title and cover, and much more.
Lidija's recommended reads are:
The Anthropologists by Aysegul Savas
We Were the Universe by Kimberly King Parsons
Joanna's Room by James Baldwin
Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 60 new t...
2025-07-0943 min
Ignite Your Ears To A Ground-Breaking Full Audiobook.Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija HiljePlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/142118to listen full audiobooks.
Title: Slanting Towards the Sea
Author: Lidija Hilje
Narrator: Imani Jade Powers
Format: mp3
Length: 10 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 07-08-25
Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 2 ratings
Genres: Coming of Age
Publisher's Summary:
Ivona divorced the love of her life, Vlaho, a decade ago. They met as students at the turn of the millennium, when newly democratic Croatia was alive with hope and promise. But the challenges of living in a burgeoning country extinguished Ivona’s dreams one after another—and a devastating secret forced her to set him free. Now...
2025-07-0810h 05
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingReplacing Plot with Emotion in Quiet NovelsIn this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews debut author Lidija Hilje. Her articles and essays were published in the New York Times, and other outlets. She runs a book club for writers with a membership of close to 100, and is an active member of the WFWA.The authors discuss her novel 'Slanting Towards the Sea,' exploring themes of literary citizenship, the writing process, and the emotional depth of her characters. Lidija shares her journey from being a book coach to a published author, the challenges of writing in a foreign setting, and the importance of emotional truth in storytelling...
2025-07-0326 min
The Mookse and the Gripes PodcastEpisode 109: The Lighter Side of the Stacks: Funny BooksIn this episode, Paul and Trevor are joined by Kate from The Book Club Review Podcast for a lively discussion about funny books. From dry wit to outright absurdity, we explore the kinds of humor that make us laugh out loud—or quietly smirk into our sleeves—and why comic novels deserve a place on every bookshelf. We also announce the winner of our June giveaway and introduce a brand-new challenge for July. Tune in for some laughs and let us know which books have made you laugh the most.We’ve got some f...
2025-06-261h 45
Bad On Paper2025 Mid-Year Goals Check InIt's time to check in on our 2025 Goals! Are we on track with our writing goals? Did Becca reduce her screen time? Did Olivia manage to give up Jarlic? Keep listening to find out! Obsessions Olivia - Bose Ultra Open Headphones Becca - Stick Season (Her Version) by Deeps What we read this week Becca - Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross (out 6/17), The Knight and The Moth by Rachel Gillig, Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood Olivia - Slanting Toward the Sea...
2025-06-111h 24
Book BumbleBooks We Are Excited About/New Things In Store - Season 3, Episode 31Send us a textIn this episode, our stack of books is tied together with the common theme of spring and early summer releases that we can’t wait to get in our hands. Plus, we'll share a little about our upcoming Patreon release. New things are in store!Featured Books:LauraBefore Dorothy by Hazel GaynorDon’t Let Him In by Lisa JewellMy Friends by Fredrik BackmanThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansThe Names by F...
2025-06-0420 min
Thoughts from a Page PodcastKelly Hooker - April's Real Time ReadingKelly Hooker joins me for the April's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads.
Kelly’s Selections:
Last:
Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
Now:
The River Is Waiting by Wally Lamb
This American Woman: A One-in-a Billion Memoir by Zarna Garg
Next:
The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer
The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison
DNFs or Didn't Like:
Notes on In...
2025-04-3051 min
Modern LoveYou’re Probably Thinking About Boundaries All WrongKC Davis is a therapist and author known for her practical, empathetic advice on dealing with clutter, even when you are feeling like too much of a mess yourself to take care of the mess in your home. Her TikTok videos on the subject have been viewed millions of times. But lately, Davis has been talking and writing about our relationships not just to the objects in our lives, but to the people, too.In her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship,” Davis tries to disentangle the popular understanding of b...
2025-04-2341 min
Modern LoveYou’re Probably Thinking About Boundaries All WrongKC Davis is a therapist and author known for her practical, empathetic advice on dealing with clutter, even when you are feeling like too much of a mess yourself to take care of the mess in your home. Her TikTok videos on the subject have been viewed millions of times. But lately, Davis has been talking and writing about our relationships not just to the objects in our lives, but to the people, too.In her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship,” Davis tries to disentangle the popular understanding of b...
2025-04-2341 min
Modern LoveYou’re Probably Thinking About Boundaries All WrongKC Davis is a therapist and author known for her practical, empathetic advice on dealing with clutter, even when you are feeling like too much of a mess yourself to take care of the mess in your home. Her TikTok videos on the subject have been viewed millions of times. But lately, Davis has been talking and writing about our relationships not just to the objects in our lives, but to the people, too.In her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship,” Davis tries to disentangle the popular understanding of b...
2025-04-2341 min
Modern LoveYou’re Probably Thinking About Boundaries All WrongKC Davis is a therapist and author known for her practical, empathetic advice on dealing with clutter, even when you are feeling like too much of a mess yourself to take care of the mess in your home. Her TikTok videos on the subject have been viewed millions of times. But lately, Davis has been talking and writing about our relationships not just to the objects in our lives, but to the people, too.In her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship,” Davis tries to disentangle the popular understanding of b...
2025-04-2341 min
Modern LoveYou’re Probably Thinking About Boundaries All WrongKC Davis is a therapist and author known for her practical, empathetic advice on dealing with clutter, even when you are feeling like too much of a mess yourself to take care of the mess in your home. Her TikTok videos on the subject have been viewed millions of times. But lately, Davis has been talking and writing about our relationships not just to the objects in our lives, but to the people, too.In her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship,” Davis tries to disentangle the popular understanding of b...
2025-04-2341 min
Modern LoveYou’re Probably Thinking About Boundaries All WrongKC Davis is a therapist and author known for her practical, empathetic advice on dealing with clutter, even when you are feeling like too much of a mess yourself to take care of the mess in your home. Her TikTok videos on the subject have been viewed millions of times. But lately, Davis has been talking and writing about our relationships not just to the objects in our lives, but to the people, too.In her new book, “Who Deserves Your Love: How to Create Boundaries to Start, Strengthen, or End Any Relationship,” Davis tries to disentangle the...
2025-04-2339 min
Thoughts from a Page PodcastKelly Hooker - March's Real Time ReadingKelly Hooker joins me for the March's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads.Kelly’s Selections:Last: Too Old for This by Samantha Downing The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Now:Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor Beach Reads and Deadly Deeds by Allison Brennan Next:Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje The River is Waiting by Wally Lamb DNFs or Didn't Like:The Compound by Ai...
2025-04-0747 minBad On Paper2025 Reading PreviewGet ready to build up your 2025 TBR because we're chatting with some of our bookish friends about the upcoming releases they're excited to read this year! Alyssa Morris's picks - The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig, Misdirected by Lucy Parker| Her newsletter is Romancing the Phone Michelle Martin's picks - The Colony by Annika Norlin (out 3/25), The Antidote by Karen Russell (out 3/11) | Her newsletter is Literary Leanings Thao Thai's picks - Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje (out 7/8), Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte Mcconaghey...
2025-01-221h 09
Authors Talking BookishThe Obscurity of the Label: Women’s Fiction, Episode 25In 2022, Publisher’s Marketplace announced its decision to retire the term “Women’s Fiction” as a genre because they “aim not to presume or define a book’s audience, or categorize books, by gender.” In this episode, we’ll take a look at the effects of their decision, its implications and the status of “Women’s Fiction” as a genre today.SHOW NOTES:Women’s Fiction Writers Association definition of Women’s Fiction: “layered stories in which the plot is driven by the main character’s emotional journey.” How we define Women’s Fiction as writersCriticism...
2024-07-1126 min
The Shit No One Tells You About WritingA Genre Guide, What Postcard Scenes Are, Resources Available to Writers, and a Bookstagrammer Gives You CompsIn today's Bonus Episode, Bianca chats with Lidija Hilje, an Author Accelerator certified book coach about differentiating between genres; how to use her genre guide; the differences between literary, upmarket, book club, and women’s fiction; how literary fiction moves a story deeper, not forward; what “postcard” scenes are and how to use them; as well as Lidija’s editing and book coaching services and upcoming summer group coaching intensive.After which, Bianca chats with Kailey. Creator and Community Manager of Write or Die Tribe, about how critique is just like sex; ser...
2022-06-2047 min
Mom Writes PodcastSeason 3, Episode 14: PitMad Pitching with Lidija HiljeTwitter pitching. I always said I’d never do it. And then my friend Lidija Hilje, the Pitching Queen, talked me into it. Lidija also helped me put the final polish on my query letter, so since she also said she would help me polish my Twitter pitch, I agreed. Of course she talked me into it two days before PitMad!So after many iterations of my pitch (lots and lots of back and forth on a Google Doc!), we decided to do an impromptu Mom Writes episode about Twitter pitching contests. Well, sp...
2020-12-0252 minMom Writes PodcastSeason 3, Episode 12.1: An Invitation to a Live Mom Writes Episode on PitMad PitchesThis is not a full episode. This is an invitation. I’ve decided (very spontaneously, mind you) to do something a wee bit different this week. As some of you may know, PitMad is on Thursday. PitMad is a Twitter pitching contest. Now, as some of you may also know, I’ve sworn I will never participate in a Twitter pitching contest. Mostly because I’m not that good at The Twitter. But also because, it’s a crazy, frenetic energy that I really don’t dig. However, I also said I would ne...
2020-12-0102 min