Author

Vicki

Memoir, Non Fiction

Dec 06: What it Means to Be a Twin with Helena De Bres

December 6, 2023

How to Be Multiple: The Philosophy of Twins Explores Twinhood & What It Can Tell Us About Being Human 

How to be Multiple with author Helena De Bres

Wait, which twin are you? Who is the evil twin? Have you ever switched partners? Can you read each other’s mind?

Twins get asked the weirdest questions by strangers, loved ones, even themselves.

As a twin and professor of philosophy, Helena De Bres takes an indepth look at what it means to be a twin from personal and philosophical perspectives, including positive and negative stereotypes.

About Helena De Bres

Helena De Bres is Professor in the Wellesley College Department of Philosophy. Currently, she is researching the nature and value of memoir, and the question of what makes life meaningful. Earlier work in philosophy was on distributive justice in global politics. She has a major interest in creative writing, public philosophy and the intersection between the two. Lisa De Bres, Helena’s twin, drew all of the illustrations for How To Be Multiple.

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Fiction, Short Stories, Writers on Writing

Nov 29: Kelly Sather Award Winning Author of Small in Real Life

November 29, 2023

Winner of 2023 Drue Heinz Literature Prize – Short Story Debut Author

Small In Real Life with author Kelly Sather

Some say short-story formats are impossible to publish. Kelly Sather proves that wrong with her first book: A beautiful collection of nine stories – and winner of the 2023 Drue Heinz Literature Prize – Small In Real Life.

Kelly Sather’s characters face desire, regret, betrayal. They make false choices. Look for love and belonging with the wrong people. And ultimately face the consequences of the unsavory business of being human.

Kelly discusses her work, compiling the stories for this collection, and the challenges involved in the writer’s life.

About Kelly Sather

Kelly Sather is a writer, former entertainment lawyer, and screenwriter. Her stories and reviews have appeared in Santa Monica Review, J Journal, Pembroke Magazine, PANK, ZYZZYVA, and elsewhere. She grew up in Los Angeles and lives in Northern California. 

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Essays, Memoir, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Books, Stories, Poems, Writers, & Life with Best American Short Stories Author, Peter Orner

November 22, 2023

Still No Word from You: Notes in the Margin

Podcast with author Peter Orner

Peter Orner is a storyteller. He’s a writer’s writer … a novelist, short story master, and prolific essayist. What he really wants to accomplish with his writing, is to connect — especially with readers who can’t not read.

In Peter’s seventh book, Still No Word from You: Notes in the Margin, he shares intimate stories from a life of living and reading. We discover how Peter’s stories are often built around small moments that may otherwise seem insignificant. We discuss how he identifies moments that will make a great story. What it means to live the writer’s life, and the challenges that presents.

About Peter Orner

The author of two novels and several story collections, Peter Orner‘s work has appeared in The Best American Short Stories, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The Paris Review, and more. His previous essay collection, Am I Alone Here? Notes on Living to Read and Reading to Live, was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism. Peter Orner is a 3-time recipient of the Pushcart Prize and has received numerous awards including a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Fulbright in Namibia. He is currently the director of creative writing at Dartmouth College.

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Health & Wellness, Non Fiction

Better Sex, Better Health, Better You with Dr. Nita Landry

November 1, 2023

Dr. Nita’s Crash Course for Women

Dr. Nita Landry answers the questions women don’t always want to ask. Questions about female sexuality, orgasms, what the orgasm gap means, and why it’s good to focus less on orgasms and more on just having fun.

She also shares what we need to know about STDs — at any age! Plus we look at the latest medical guidance on health screenings for cancer of the breast and cervix.

About Dr. Nita Landry

Nita Landry is an MD, OB-GYN. In addition to cohosting The Doctors, she served as a medical expert on other TV programs including Good Morning America, Today, Dr. Phil, CBS national news, and Black Entertainment Television. And served as an ambassador for National Women’s Health Week from 2018 through 2021. Dr. Nita Landry’s book is Crash Course for Women: Better Sex, Better Health, Better you.

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Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Self-help

The Food-Mood Connection with Mary Beth Albright

October 25, 2023

 Eat & Flourish: How Food Supports Emotional Well-Being

Podcast with Mary Beth Albright

Drawing on the most recent science, food expert Mary Beth Albright shares how food has the power to nourish your mind and support emotional wellness. Eat & Flourish is not a diet book. It’s a whole system, whole living explanation of how nutrition, environment, psychology, biology — and even pleasure — work together to alleviate depression, anxiety, and stress.

Mary Beth redefines emotional eating and discusses the food-mood connection. The power of the gut microbiome. And the importance of understanding your gut-brain connection.

About Mary Beth Albright

Mary Beth Albright began her research while working at the Surgeon General’s office, with Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. She’s now a correspondent and editor at The Washington Post, writing for Health/Science, Food, Travel, and Book World (as she says – the things that make life good). She’s also a public health attorney with two award-winning video series, including Secret Table and Teach Dave to Cook.  Her latest book, Eat & Flourish: How Food Supports Emotional Well-being.

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Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Psychology, Self-help

Help for Sensitive People in Today’s Turbulent World with Dr. Judith Orloff

October 18, 2023

Dr Judith Orloff Empath's Survival GuideThe Empath’s Survival Guide: Life Strategies

If you find yourself turning off the news, avoiding certain people, or declining events simply because you can’t cope with one more thing, Dr. Judith Orloff gets you.

Speaking personally as a high-empath, and professionally as a licensed psychiatrist, Dr. Orloff feels your pain and understands firsthand how being sensitive can lead to anxiety, stress, and feelings of being overwhelmed.

Today we share how to tell what kind of empath you are and what that means. Dr. Orloff highlights the different experiences between introvert and extrovert empaths. We discuss the neuroscience behind empaths that  shows why some people feel things more than others. How to rise above self-medication (think, food, alchohol, and other substances}. And we share easy solutions to help combat toxic energy.

About Judith Orloff, MD

Dr Judith Orloff is the New York Times bestselling author of The Empath’s Survival Guide and Thriving as an Empath. A psychiatrist in private practice, and a member of the psychiatric clinical faculty at UCLA where she specializes in treating highly sensitive people and empaths, Dr. Orloff’s work has been featured by The Today Show, Oprah Magazine, and The New York Times.

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Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Best Selling Author Robert Dugoni: Her Deadly Game

September 27, 2023
Her Deadly Game with Author Robert Dugoni

Seattle Author Introduces New Protagonist, Prosecutor Keera Duggan

Robert Dugoni’s new character, Keera Duggan, worked hard to build an impressive reputation as Seattle prosecutor. When she makes a major life change, she gets more than she bargained for, and is immediately thrown into the middle of mayhem.

We discuss why and how Robert developed a host of new characters for Her Deadly Game. What the author did to ensure realism in his tense courtroom drama, and how he uses dialogue to develop the story. Robert shares his favorite type of scenes to write, and why he keeps sex scenes to a minimum. We also learn his elixir for managing stress and keeping life balanced in these crazy times.

About Robert Dugoni

Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 8 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and several stand-alone novels. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a three-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest.

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Health & Wellness, Non Fiction, Personal Development, Self-help, Uncategorized

Dr. Richard Dixey Shows How to Change Your Life with Three Minutes a Day

September 20, 2023

Gain Clarity, Reduce Stress, Enhance Creativity

Three Minutes a Day with author Richard Dixey

If you’re one of the millions of people interested in meditation but have a busy monkey-mind, find it hard to sit still, or are short on time, Three Minutes a Day is the perfect way to learn how to incorporate this valuable practice into everyday life.

Dr. Richard Dixey presents a different approach to meditation that uses short exercises to stabilize mental experience. He shares a direct path to clarity of mind, stress relief, sharper thinking, improved concentration, and enhanced creativity that can be followed from anywhere, no matter how busy your schedule.

About Dr. Richard Dixey

Richard Dixey, PhD, is a scientist and lifelong student of Asian philosophy. He runs the Light of Buddhadharma Foundation in India with his wife Wangmo, the eldest daughter of Tibetan lama Tarthang Tulku. He is a senior faculty member at Dharma College in Berkeley, and divides his time between California and India. His new book, Three Minutes a Day: A 14 Week Course to Learn Meditation and Transform Your Life.

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Creativity, Non Fiction, Personal Development

Creativity Catalyst Patti Dobrowolski with the Equation that Makes YOU Great!

September 13, 2023

Get Unstuck, Breakthrough Blocks, Visualize New Possibilities

Creative Genius You, the Equation that Makes You Great with author Patti Dobrowolski

One of our favorite creativity catalysts returns today – this time with an interactive visual book that lays out Patti Dobrowolski’s simple formula to help anyone tap into their unique genius and creativity.

If you think you’re not creative, Patti will show you otherwise in Creative Genius You, The Equation That Makes YOU Great!

Patti’s unique tools and resources provide simple ways to get unstuck, see things with a different perspective, and unlock the creative spark within that is unique to you.

About Patti Dobrowolski

A critically acclaimed comic performer, international keynote speaker, writer, and business consultant, Patti Dobrowolski has brought innovative visual practices to Fortune 500 companies, NGOs, and small businesses. She’s a three times TEDx speaker. And if you wander around clients’ buildings – such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Samsung, and Seattle Space Needle – you’re likely to see her large format visuals adorning walls and hallways. We previously discussed Patti Dobrowolski’s earlier book Drawing Solutions: How Visual Goal Setting Will Change Your Life.

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Children's Fiction, Fiction

Sep 06: Arletis, Abuelo, & the Message in a Bottle with Author Lea Aschkenas

September 6, 2023

The True Story Behind the Children’s Story – Cuba, Family, Love, & Connection

Arletis, Abuelo, and the Message in a Bottle with author Lea Aschkenas

On an alligator-shaped island in the middle of a wide sea, there lived a little girl who loved maps and dreamed of far away places. In another part of the world, at the mouth of a wide bay, there lived an old man who’d once dreamed of sailing the world and making friends in foreign lands.

When these two strangers connect through a message in a bottle, it sparks a friendship that expands both of their worlds.

Based on a true story, Arletis, Abuelo, and the Message in a Bottle is an illustrated children’s book of life in rural Cuba. We discuss the story book, the inspiring true story behind it, and writing for children’s books.

About Lea Aschkenas

Lea Aschkenas has written reviews for Washington Post Book World, Los Angeles Review of Books, and Salon. She’s the author of a travel memoir Es Cuba: Life and Love on an Illegal Island. She fell in love with Cuba and its people on her first trip to the island in 2000, and has returned almost every year since.  Arletis, Abuelo, and the Message in a Bottle is her first children’s book. Lea lives in Northern California where she works as a librarian and teaches with the California Poets in the Schools program. Visit www.pencilmoonstudio.com to lean about the award-winning husband and wife children’s book illustrator team – Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu.

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