Tag

Books

History, Journalism, Memoir, Non Fiction

May 05: The Explorer Shipwrecked at the Edge of the World

May 5, 2021

ICEBOUND by Andrea Pitzer

In the 1500s, William Barents became the first Dutch polar explorer to set sail in an attempt to discover a northern route to China. Andrea Pitzer became fascinated by his story. So much so, that she did what all curious journalists would do—she set sail to retrace his journey.

We discuss what Andrea learned about Barents’ three Arctic expeditions, and some of the little known history around his challenges and successes. Andrea also shares how her own expedition to the Russian Arctic was life changing; what surprised her the most. And the highlight of her experience sailing on a tall ship, where she spent time high up the mast.

About Andrea Pitzer

Icebound: Shipwrecked At The Edge Of The World is the latest book by critically acclaimed author and journalist  Andrea Pitzer. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Review of Books, The Daily Beast, Vox, and Slate. Andrea’s two previous books are One Long Night and The Secret History of Vladimir Nabokov.

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Memoir, Non Fiction, True Crime

Apr 21: The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer

April 21, 2021

Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan

In her own words Liza Rodman was a lonely little girl. During Cape Cod summers, her mother worked days in a motel and danced most nights in the Provincetown bars, leaving her with a local handyman–Tony Costa. He was one of the few understanding adults in Liza’s life. But years later, she was haunted by nightmares, and that’s when she learned her charismatic babysitter was also a vicious serial killer.

Part memoir, part true crime Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan joined forces to tell this chilling real life story in The Babysitter: My Summers with a Serial Killer. Today we look at how Liza came to know the truth about her babysitter, and how that unwittingly helped her deal with her own childhood demons. We discuss what’s known of Tony Costa; what made him a monster. And how the authors resolved three cold cases during the course of their research. We also explore how these two friends of 40+ years wrote this book together, and what they took away from the experience.

About Liza Rodman and Jennifer Jordan

With a BA focused in creative writing, this is Liza Rodman’s first book. Jennifer Jordan is an award-winning author, filmmaker, and screenwriter with decades of experience as a news anchor and investigative journalist. The Babysitter is her fifth book.

 

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Career, Creativity, Personal Development, Self-help

MAR 24: Why We Stop Right Before the Finish Line with Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

March 24, 2021

The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals

If you’ve ever got close to a goal but found yourself stuck right before completion, Bridgit Dengel Gaspard helps take us over the finish line in The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals.

Bridgit shares how to tap into the powerful resource of our “inner selves“. She highlights why those inner selves frequently have competing motives; and why symptoms such as body aches and insomnia could be caused by inner selves that don’t communicate verbally. We also look at tools and resources to push you over the finish line and stop self-sabotaging.

About Bridgit Dengel Gaspard

Author of The Final 8th: Enlist Your Inner Selves to Accomplish Your Goals, Bridgit Dengel Gaspard is a therapist, coach, and master facilitator of voice dialogue. She’s led workshops for the Omega Institue, the National Association of Social Workers, the Actors Fund, and others. A former performer and comic, Bridgit has a private practice in New York where she specializes in helping clients overcome creativity blocks, transitions, and being stuck short of the finish line.

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Fiction, History, Writers on Writing

MAR 17: The Girl From the Channel Islands with NYT Bestselling Author Jenny Lecoat

March 17, 2021

Inspired by the true story of a young Jewish woman trapped on the Isle of Jersey under Nazi occupation in WWII

Based on her background, maybe Jenny Lecoat’s first novel was destined to start a bidding war and become a New York Times Bestseller.

The Girl From the Channel Islands is based on the true story of Hedy Bercu. We discuss why Jenny told Bercu’s story via fiction versus nonfiction; where she took creative license and why. How Jenny’s background influenced her; and how the book sparked a bidding war with two major publishers.  Jenny also shares some of the true stories she ran into during her research. And what it took to go from successful screenplay writer to successful novelist.

About Jenny Lecoat

Born in the Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat grew up with family who passed down their own stories of life in German occupied Jersey. Following an early career in stand-up comedy, and writing features for periodicals, she became a screenwriter. Jenny Lecoat’s feature film Another Mother’s Son was released in 2017.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

MAR 10: Across the Deep with NYT Bestselling Author Lisa McGuinness

March 10, 2021

A Novel of Suspense, Human Trafficking, Friendship, & Hope

“Raised in Thailand and brought to the United States against her will, protagonist Suda is hiding from a sex trafficking ring, and the man she believed was on her side.”

What sparked the idea for Across the Deep? Author Lisa McGuinness discusses the activism and volunteer work that led her to S.E. Asia and the atrocities of human trafficking … it was inevitable, she says, that at some point she’d write about it. And, most importantly, share the hope and possibilities of second chances.

About Lisa McGuinness

A 25-year veteran of the publishing industry, Lisa McGuinness is the Creative Director at Mango Publishing, and the founder of Yellow Pear Press and its imprint, Bonhomie Press.  Lisa’s written numerous books, and is also the co-author of several children’s books — including the New York Times bestseller Bee & Me and Baby Turtle’s Tale.

 

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Business, Career, Non Fiction

MAR 03: Ignite Your Career with Kris Holmes

March 3, 2021

Strategies & Tactics to Unleash Your Potential

We’ve been living and working with pandemic conditions for 12 months now, but that doesn’t mean we should abandon our career goals … or stay in a job that we really don’t enjoy. If you lost your job because of COVID, or are frustrated because you can’t find the right fit, maybe today’s guest expert, Kris Holmes, can inspire you to rev up your search.

We discuss how to leverage our strengths and superpowers. What culture fit really means. Why we should think ‘long view’. How to use the STAR method to tell your story. And why Kris says “Don’t WOW them, WOO them.”

Meet Kris Holmes

An executive recruiter and partner at O’Connell Group, Kris Holmes has more than 25  years experience in the industry. She’s a member of the Pinnacle Society, the premier consortium of industry-leading recruiters in North America. And the author of IGNITE YOUR CAREER: Strategies & Tactics to UNLEASH Your Potential.

 

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Fiction, History, Thriller, Writers on Writing

FEB 24: Steve Berry with The Kaiser’s Web

February 24, 2021

New York Times & #1 International Bestselling Author

Steve Berry returns to Conversations Live with his latest book, which happens to be #16 in the Cotton Malone Series, and Berry’s 20th novel — The Kaiser’s Web. When a secret dossier from a World War II-era Soviet spy is exposed, it could rewrite history and impact Germany’s upcoming national elections, forever changing the political landscape of Europe.

Since Steve is an avid historian and travels extensively for his research, how is he handling pandemic restrictions? How did this impact background material  for The Kaiser’s Web? And what is Steve’s most important piece of marketing advice for authors?

About Steve Berry

History lies at the heart of every Steve Berry novel. His title’s include The Kaiser’s Web, The Warsaw Protocol, The Malta Exchange, and others. Berry’s books have been translated into 41 languages with 25,000,000 copies in 52 countries. They consistently appear in the top echelon of The New York Times,USA Today, and Indie bestseller lists. And in 2010, a NPR survey named The Templar Legacy one of the top 100 thrillers ever written.

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Fiction

JAN 27: A Rainbow Like You with Andrea Fehsenfeld

January 27, 2021

A rock star with everything to prove. A teen stowaway with nothing to lose.

How did Andrea Fehsenfeld‘s love of music and interest in synesthesia inspire the story of a troubled rock legend returning to the stage?

A Rainbow Like You is a tale of hope, healing, and the power of home. Today Andrea shares where her inspiration came from and how she developed her musical protagonist. What makes good dialogue. Her favorite scenes to write. And why she wrote her first song for the novel.

About Andrea Fehsenfeld

Andrea Fehsenfeld is an author and award-winning TV producer. A Rainbow Like You is her second novel and was voted A Best BC Book of 2020. Her debut novel Completion is currently being adapted for television.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 30: Award-winning Crime Thriller Author Glen Erik Hamilton

December 30, 2020

The Van Shaw series 5th novel: A Dangerous Breed

We’re ending the year with another chance to catch listener favorite, Glen Erik Hamilton.

We discuss how Glen develops his recurring cast of characters to keep them fresh and evolving. What kind of research he did for A Dangerous Breed. And where and why Glen took creative license.

Glen also shares his perspective on the responsibilities artists have in today’s social and political culture.

About Glen Erik Hamilton

Glen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. His award-winning novels have been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element), and “a must-read series” (Mystery Scene Magazine). Most of Glens’ books begin and end in Seattle, and growing up on a sailboat around local marinas and docks, provided him with a unique insider advantage to writing about the Pacific Northwest.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 23: Unrestricted Access with James Rollins

December 23, 2020

#1NYT bestselling author James Rollins discusses his first-ever anthology of short stories

If  you’re looking for a last minute gift, Unrestricted Access is packed full of exciting stand-alone stories, some familiar characters, and a brand new novella from  James Rollins.

We discuss how James approaches writing short stories versus novellas and novels. Story locations and the mystery surrounding them. And some of the unknown stories behind the stories.

About James Rollins

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of international thrillers. Unrestricted Access is his first book of new and classic short fiction, and includes Sun Dogs, a new novella. James’ books have sold more than 20 million copies throughout the world, and have been translated into more than 40 languages.

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