Shows
Hopkins Press Podcasts4.11 Victoria Moul reads poetry in translation from Literary ImaginationFrom the new issue of Literary Imagination, one of the newest journals to join the Hopkins Press Journals roster, Victoria Moul reads originals and her translations of works by Julian the Apostate, Horace, a Latin didactic, and an ancient Pāli poem from the Therīgāthā — the oldest existing collection of poetry by women.
Victoria Moul is a British literary critic, scholar, poet and translator living in Paris.
She's held a series of academic posts at Queen’s College, Oxford; Cambridge; and King’s College London, and most recently was Professor of Early Modern Latin and English at University College Lo...
2025-11-2610 min
Book Shop Chats:From Hallmark Tropes To City Lights: A Romance Author’s Playbook with Suzy LangevinFeeling the magic of Christmas in today's episode. Suzy Langevin flips the classic Hallmark trope on it's head and we are here for it. About the book The Cowboy Christmas Glow UpLevi Dearborn, handsome heir to a ranching family fortune, knows exactly what's expected of him. Get married, take over the family business, and spend his days working cattle on the cold plains of Montana. It's not the life he wants, but the one he seems destined for. But when everything goes wrong one fateful Thanksgiving, he skips town to st...
2025-11-1235 min
Book Shop Chats:How A Dream-Led Trilogy Found Its Voice And Readers With Megan MaryWe cozy up with author Megan Mary to explore her dream-led trilogy, Witches of Maple Hollow, and how intuition, audiobooks, and creative marketing brought this fall-perfect world to life. We also dig into imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and trusting the story you’re meant to tell.Bio: Megan Mary is an award-winning international bestselling metaphysical author, dreamworker and host of the Women's Dream Enlightenment podcast. She founded Inner Realms Publishing to provide book marketing services such as websites and bestseller campaigns to women authors. In addition to a career spanning over twen...
2025-11-0636 min
Book Shop Chats:Dragons, Gladiators, and Fire Horses with Reese SharonAuthor Reese Sharon shares her journey of creating "Scorched," a romanticist book featuring gladiator-style battles with dragons and elemental horses coming out this October. We discuss the creative spark that comes from children, authenticity on social media, and the importance of not comparing yourself to other authors.• Writing fantasy romance gives Reese more creative freedom than her previous dystopian works• The idea for Scorched came from watching cartoons with her children• Children can spark creativity for authors in unexpected ways• Reese grew her Instagram following from 2,400 to nearly 5,000 in just two months through authentic posting
2025-11-0538 min
Book Shop Chats:Magic, Mystery, And Making A Debut Novel with Sara J. LIlienfeldWe sit down with Sara J. Lillenfeld to explore the journey from fanfiction to a finished debut, blending urban fantasy with a small-town murder mystery and the courage it took to complete the book after a cancer diagnosis. We also dig into edits, naming pitfalls, sustainable marketing, and resisting the comparison trap while building a genuine reader community.Author bio:Sara J. Lilienfeld is an urban fantasy author and lifelong reader, often spending days getting lost in books. She started writing in her teens, and hasn't stopped since. In her work, you'll find...
2025-10-3137 min
Book Shop Chats:How A Sleepless Night And Fortnite Sparked A Fantasy Series with Nicole BateyIn today's episode we sit down with author Nicole Batey to explore Forged, a romantasy where magic is an artifact, councils hoard medallions, and a revenge-driven heroine steps into an open challenge that could reshape a corrupt system.BOOK BLURB: In Rae Airynn's world, magic is reserved only for those strong enough to earn it, or powerful enough to wield it unchallenged for generations, the most lethal Medallions firmly in the grasp of Hierathynn's most elite.For centuries, the Council has only included the descendants of five unstoppable families, until a m...
2025-10-2944 min
Book Shop Chats:How A Scientist-Turned-Novelist Blends Tarot With Murder And Mystery with A.L SterlingWe cozy up with A.L. Sterling to explore Forseyth Conservatory, a dark academia gothic mystery where tarot, science, and an anxious heroine collide. Official Blurb:Dahlia Blackburne is a failing bookstore keeper and Tarot reader who relies on deductive reasoning—not magick—to cast her fortunes. When a stranger calling himself the Meister walks into her shop after closing and offers three times her normal rate for a reading, curiosity and her growing debts compel her to accept.But the reading reveals that the Meister has a far more dangerous prop...
2025-10-2436 min
Book Shop Chats:From Fan Fiction To Fantasy: Building Soulmateless with Morgana SandpiperWhat if a kingdom promised true love to everyone—except its two protagonists? We sit down with author Morgana Sandpiper to unpack Soulmateless, a fantasy where a prince longs for a forbidden match and a shapeshifter princess must hide who she is to survive. Their paths collide at the fault line between fate and choice, and we explore how that tension mirrors the emotional realities of modern dating, belonging, and being heard.Author Bio:She lives in New York state with her family and cat. When she's not writing, she's working on ot...
2025-10-2236 min
Book Shop Chats:From Fantasy Realms to Swoony Rom-Coms: A Conversation with Shameez PatelShamiz Patel shares her journey of writing across different genres, from a fantasy trilogy to a flirty rom-com, highlighting how each book has its own unique development process and timeline.Author bio:Shameez Patel was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. She lives there with her husband, child, and three cats. During the day, she juggles her time between parenting her daughter and working in STEM, but at night, she escapes to new worlds that always have someone to fall in love with.Book Blurb 1: Playing Flirty...
2025-10-1035 min
Book Shop Chats:Coffee-Fueled Confessions of romance author Rebecca WrightsRomance author Rebecca Wrights shares her journey from accidental writer to successful indie publisher, discussing how her viral marketing strategy led to rapid growth and meaningful reader connections. She writes "real and raw" romance novels featuring flawed characters dealing with authentic issues while maintaining a refreshing approach to self-publishing that prioritizes joy over pressure.BIO:Rebecca Wrights is a Charleston-based romance author writing stories about swoon-worthy men and the people they fall in love with. She writes with the soft-hearted readers in mind who crave to feel seen, heard, and supported in the stories...
2025-10-0850 min
Book Shop Chats:Finding Your Genre Is Like Coming Home to Yourself with Amanda CasileAmanda Casile shares her journey writing a woodsy grief horror novel called "Broken Trail" about a mother fighting to protect her daughters from malevolent spirits in the wilderness of British Columbia. Her story reveals how finding the right genre transformed her writing process, completing her first horror manuscript in just two months after struggling with a fantasy novel for over a decade.Book Blurb: After criminal psychologist Clara's divorce shatters her family, she retreats into her work. But, instead of finding comfort there, Clara develops a growing obsession with one patient, a young w...
2025-10-0333 min
Book Shop Chats:Chess Moves: Political Intrigue in Fiction with Mary A. OdekunleAuthor Mary A. Odekunle joins us to discuss her debut novel "The Eight Pawn," a political intrigue and strategy-focused book that offers readers an alternative to romance-dominated fiction. We explore Mary's writing journey from childhood journaling to published author, revealing how she developed her chess-inspired series about a young man navigating political machinations to gain power.• Started writing through journaling, which helped develop skills in conveying human emotions• Conceived "The Eight Pawn" during freshman year of university out of a passion for chess• Follows a methodical writing process: character development first, then worldbuilding, then plotting•...
2025-10-0141 min
Book Shop Chats:Building Worlds and Finding Character Voice with Whitney Welsh GibbsWhitney Welsh Gibbs shares her journey of creating the Steel Citadel series, a four-book fantasy romance about a princess who loses everything and embarks on a quest for revenge in a magical kingdom.Author Bio: Whitney Gibbs is a dedicated author with a passion for history and discovering new worlds. She was born and raised on the Central Coast of California where the sea air and heavy fog created a world of wonder for her ever-imaginative spirit. She holds a Master's Degree in Intelligence and Security Studies from the University of Leicester, and h...
2025-09-2641 min
Book Shop Chats:Why It's Never Too Late to Chase Your Creative Calling with Libby TannerDebut author Libby Tanner shares her journey from writing fan fiction to landing a three-book deal with City Owl Press and reveals how she transformed her experience as a nanny in Italy into her upcoming novel "Better Than Gelato."Bio: Libby Tanner grew up in a small town in Northern California that would be charming in a novel, but felt suffocating as a teenager. Yes, she left as fast as she could, and yes, she misses it very much. In college Libby earned a degree in Communications. She wishes she would have studied creative writing i...
2025-09-2445 min
Book Shop Chats:Crafting Worlds and Killers: The Journey of Fantasy Author Rhiannon RollnessFantasy author Rhiannon Rollness takes us on a journey through the creation of her dark fantasy novel "Black and Blue Widow" - a story about a female serial killer who targets the worst men in her society on their wedding night. Drawing inspiration from the TV show Dexter but set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Rome, Rhiannon crafts a protagonist you can't help but root for.Book blurb:Gild by Raven Kennedy meets a female version of Dexter in this gritty dark romantasy...
2025-06-2734 min
Book Shop Chats:The Messy Journey to Publishing: Crafting Rom-Coms & Finding Your Voice with Lily ParkerLily Parker shares her journey from secret writer to published author with three rom-coms releasing in rapid succession in 2024. Her insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of writing communities, and embracing vulnerability provide inspiring guidance for aspiring authors.• Struggled with imposter syndrome before admitting her dream of becoming a published author• Formed essential writing partnerships by sharing early chapters with trusted beta readers• Used her background in psychology and marketing to develop authentic characters and compelling stories• Found unexpected success when a chance meeting at a self-publishing conference led to a three-book deal
2025-06-2535 min
Book Shop Chats:Behind the Pages: Legal Drama to Literary Debut with Victor SuthammanontVictor Suthammanont shares his journey from aspiring playwright to debut novelist with "Hollow Spaces," a dual-timeline thriller about a man acquitted of murder and his children who, decades later, attempt to determine his true guilt or innocence.• Former actor and current lawyer who balanced creative writing throughout his career• Drew inspiration from a New York Times article about a man whose life was ruined despite being acquitted of murder• Explores intergenerational trauma and what we inherit from our parents• Writing process involves "pantsing" (discovery writing) for most of the book before outlining the final quarter
2025-06-2025 min
Book Shop Chats:Paranormal Chronicles: Inside the Alex McKenna SeriesVicki Ann Bush returns to discuss her Alex McKenna paranormal YA series, exploring how she develops this gifted psychic protagonist through increasingly darker supernatural mysteries across multiple books.Author BioOriginally from New York, Vicki-Ann currently resides in the Pacific Northwest. Writing Young Adult paranormal, she finds inspiration from events that have been in her life for as long as she can remember. Inheriting the sensitivity to the supernatural from her family, they continue to be an endless source of vision.Released in September 2023 by Creative James Media, the...
2025-06-1839 min
Book Shop Chats:Uncovering Rose Valland: The Forgotten Fighter Who Saved Europe's Art with Michelle YoungMichelle Young unveils the extraordinary story of Rose Valland, an art historian and resistance spy who gathered intelligence for the Monuments Men during WWII Paris. She explores how this highly decorated war hero faded into obscurity despite her crucial role in tracking Nazi-looted art across Europe.Book Blurb: A riveting and stylish saga set in Paris during World War II, The Art Spy uncovers how an unlikely heroine infiltrated the Nazi leadership to save the world's most treasured masterpieces.On August 25, 1944, Rose Valland, a woman of q...
2025-06-1333 min
Book Shop Chats:Where Do Stories Come From? A Chat with Fantasy Author Erica Rose EberhartVictoria and fantasy author Erica Rose Eberhart discuss the delicate balance between creating books, promoting them, and maintaining creative energy while avoiding burnout.• Erica shares details about her debut novel "Tarnished" and the upcoming releases in her Elder Tree series• The importance of scheduling intentional breaks and "blackout dates" to prevent creative burnout• How stepping away from social media can actually spark creativity and new book ideas• Embracing the natural evolution of writing skills and letting go of perfectionismAbout the author:Erica Rose Eberhart is a neurodivergent, disabled writer o...
2025-06-1140 min
Book Shop Chats:Write Now or Never: Publishing Through Pandemic & Perseverance with Selina VioletSelena Violet shares the journey of her romance trilogy "What We Can't Have," which started as a poem she wrote for her middle school students and evolved into a three-book series about characters connected by one life-changing song.• Story revolves around college students Sidney and Austin who reluctantly partner on a music project• The trilogy follows their "When Harry Met Sally" dynamic with a guaranteed HEA at the end• Features a plus-size protagonist who faces self-image challenges without focusing on dieting• First book in the series ends on a cliffhanger, with the full arc resolvin...
2025-05-2832 min
Book Shop Chats:Book Magic: Writing, Marketing, and Finding Your Voice with DanielleDanielle, author and visibility strategist, shares her journey of re-releasing her book "Beauty in the Breaking" with a new perspective gained from her own healing journey. Her approach balances heavy topics like trauma, domestic violence, and PTSD with hope, demonstrating how characters can overcome their past.• Revising a previously published book after personal growth and healing• Using storytelling to show readers they're not alone in their trauma• Creating relatable characters who move from trauma to healing• Finding a marketing framework that works across industries while remaining flexible• Choosing 1-2 social platforms you genuinely enjoy rath...
2025-05-2329 min
Book Shop Chats:Behind the Fantasy: Creating Magic and Monsters with Brittany RanewVictoria Jane speaks with fantasy author Brittany Renew about her new adult romantic fantasy series "Riley Jordan and the Fire Prophecies" and the creative process behind building magical worlds. Brittany shares how a dream in 2009 sparked her entire series concept, which she describes as "Percy Jackson meets Narnia, but for grown-ups."• Book one "Lion of Fire" features college-age characters, slow-burn romance, elemental magic, and dragons• Main character Riley Jordan is a wizard about to graduate college who hasn't discovered his special magical gift• Brittany took 10 years from finishing her first draft to independently publishing in Oct...
2025-05-2126 min
Book Shop Chats:Author Khushi T Saha on Breaking Cultural Barriers in RomanceKhushi T Saha joins Victoria to discuss her steamy romance novel "Free Fall" and her journey writing authentic stories that explore the South Asian-American experience.• Writing romance with South Asian representation that explores identity and finding love• Balancing between two cultures and navigating different expectations for women and men• The challenges of writing from a male perspective for the first time• How a vivid dream during a personal crisis sparked her writing career• The reality of marketing as an indie author while balancing other responsibilities• The freedom of self-publishing to tell authentic cultural sto...
2025-05-1634 min
Book Shop Chats:Between Romance and Mystery: The Art of Blending Genres with Ashley HawthorneAshley Hawthorne reveals her journey from writing fan fiction during COVID lockdowns to becoming a published author of contemporary romantic suspense novels. She discusses how finding an online writing community transformed her passion into a sustainable career.• Found a supportive Discord server with experienced authors who guided her publishing journey• Writes contemporary romantic suspense where "romance drives the plot and the mystery adds to the stakes"• Published with a small press that handles covers and editing while giving her creative input• Uses the mantra "firm in goals, flexible in methods" to balance writing with homescho...
2025-05-1435 min
Book Shop Chats:When Characters Surprise You: Dustin Archibald's Journey from Comic Books to NovelsDustin Archibald takes us into the world of the Asha Anderson series, where a teen girl discovers she has superpowers in a world without superheroes and must learn through trial and error alongside her friends.• Teen protagonist Asha must navigate newfound powers without mentors or guides• Series combines superhero elements with relatable teenage struggles like bullying and family issues• Author's background as both comic book writer and computer programmer influences the storytelling• Characters drive the narrative, with some even surprising the author during the writing process• Finding a "flow state" helps overcome writer's block and...
2025-05-0933 min