Monthly Archives

November 2024

Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Nov 28: Preston & Child – The OGs of Collaborative Thriller Writing

November 27, 2024

Angel of Vengeance: A desperate bargain is broken. A clever trap set. And a vengeful angel will not be deterred.

Angel of Vengeance with authors Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Preston & Child continue their #1 bestselling thriller series with Angel of Vengeance as protagonists, FBI Special Agent Pendergast and Constance Greene, take a final stand against New York’s deadliest serial killer.

As well as discussing the storyline of Angel of Vengeance, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child share how they met and why they’ve written together for the past 40 years.

We explore character development throughout a series, story research, what’s next. They share what they’ve learned from each other – including an amusing tale about who owns bragging rights for writing the best (and dreaded) sex scenes. And how the authors break up their roles as they write collaboratively.

Meet Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Preston & Child)

Preston and Child’s Relic and The Cabinet of Curiosities were chosen by readers in a National Public Radio poll as being among the 100 greatest thrillers ever written, and Relic was made into a number‑one box office hit movie. They’ve collaborated together for 40 years and in addition to coauthoring the famed Pendergast series, their recent novels include The Cabinet of Dr. Leng, Diablo Mesa, Bloodless, The Scorpion’s Tail, and Crooked River. Douglas Preston is also the author of the award-winning nonfiction book The Lost City of the Monkey God.  And Lincoln Child has published eight novels of his own, including bestsellers, Chrysalis and Deep Storm.

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Essays, Inspirational, Memoir, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Nov 20: Peter Himmelman with Suspended By No String

November 21, 2024

A Songwriter’s Reflections on Faith, Aliveness, and Wonder

Suspended By No String with author Peter Himmelman

From Emmy and Grammy-nominated musician, writer, and the creative force behind BIG MUSE, comes the timely and insightful book, Suspended by No String: A Songwriter’s Reflections on Faith, Aliveness, and Wonder.

Peter Himmelman shares thoughts and reflections on universal subjects from grief and meaninglessness, to struggles with the pain that surrounds us. Written as a way through his own struggles in life, Peter offers a view outside our myopic world, and the daily onslaught of social and news media surrounding us.

Focusing on what we can control, we discuss what Peter means by creativity, and share insights from his book, including some his own turning points in life, how Peter’s mentors impacted him, and valuable lessons learned along the way.

Meet Songwriter and Author Peter Himmelman

With over 25 critically acclaimed recordings to his credit, this singer-songwriter has been inspiring fans across the globe with his spiritually tinged Americana rock and roll for more than 40 years. Peter Himmelman is the founder of Big Muse, a company that teaches creative thinking, leadership skills, and deeper levels of communication in all facets of life – from personal to professional. His clients include The Wharton School, UCLA, and The Ross School of Business, The United States Army War College, and international brands such as McDonald’s, Adobe, and Gap Inc.

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Biography, History, Memoir, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Relationships, Travelogue, Writers on Writing

Nov 13: Eric Weiner In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life

November 13, 2024

Ben & Me

Ben and Me with author Eric Weiner

When Eric Weiner followed Benjamin Franklin’s journey from Philadelphia to Paris, and Boston to London, in addition to discovering Ben’s life lessons, this self-described philosophical traveler discovered many of his own.

BEN & ME is a wonderful combination of Franklin’s biography, Weiner’s memoir, and a travelogue. It’s a guide to thinking well. Living a useful life. It’s about curiosity, diligence, constant learning. And – most of all – the elusive goal of self-improvement.

Eric Weiner shares how asking someone to do you a favor could improve your relationship – a psychological phenomenon known as The Ben Franklin Effect. We discuss Franklin’s seemingly conflicting views, his biggest strengths, human flaws, and what Eric found most disappointing about Ben. Eric also shares what he discovered about himself on this literal and metaphorical journey.

Meer Eric Weiner – Author, Speaker, Philosophical Traveler

Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and speaker, Eric Weiner‘s latest book is Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life. Weiner’s other books include The Geography of Bliss, The Geography of Genius, Man Seeks God and The Socrates Express. Eric Weiner is a former foreign correspondent for NPR, and reporter for The New York Times. He is a regular contributor to The Washington Post, BBC Travel, and AFAR, among other publications. He lives in the Washington, D.C. area.

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Non Fiction, Science

Nov 06: The Possibility of Life in the Heavens with Jaime Green

November 6, 2024

Science, Imagination, and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos

The Possibility of Life with author Jaime Green

It’s human nature to gaze up at the starry skies on a clear night and reflect on the frequently asked but as of yet unanswered question … Are we alone?

Author Jaime Green contends that rather than trying to find a definitive answer to “Is there life out there?”, the question we should be focusing on is “What if there is?”

Jaime explores how our history and culture has been influenced by science, both real and in the fictional worlds of science fiction — think Star Trek and Avatar. And in turn, how our values, fears, anxieties and enduring sense of hope are reflected in our interpretations of scientific evidence. Jaime also reveals if she’s answered the big question for herself … what does it mean to be human?

Meet Jaime Green: Award-winning Science Author

Jaime Green is a freelance writer, editor, and writing teacher. The Possibility of Life was an NPR Science Friday Book Club Pick, a Wired Book to Read for Spring, and a TODAY Show Summer Pick. The series editor for The Best American Science and Nature Writing, Jaime Green is a lecturer at Smith College and at the Johns Hopkins Science Writing Master’s Program.

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