Tag

Novel

Fiction, Writers on Writing

Aug 14: The Waw with Novelist Jacqueline Gay Walley

The WAW with author Jacqueline Gay Walley

“There are people who do not settle in one place, but are like the nomadic tribes of the desert, longing for the Waw, the ultimate oasis, where they will finally be home.” 

So begins Jacqueline Gay Walley’s novel, THE WAW, where a woman leaves behind everything she knows in her New York life to follow the dream of living in a small English town by the sea and finding her tribe.

Jacqueline Gay Walley shares a peek into her writing process and the inspiration for THE WAW. She discusses why she chose to keep her narrator anonymous. The challenges her protagonist faces. How Jacqueline selects her projects, her favorite scenes to write, and why she says always write from the heart.

Meet Author Jaqueline Gay Walley

Jacqueline Gay Walley has published eight novels. She has written plays (shown in New York and London) and has released two films based on her books. Her film The Erotic Fire of the Unattainable was selected by six international film festivals and now plays on Amazon Prime. Born in London and raised in Montreal, Jacqueline lives in New York where she coaches writing, edits, and ghostwrites.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

Dec 13: Lesley Crewe with Recipe for a Good Life

A story of loneliness & belonging. A love letter to the women who’ve kept kettles warm & neighbors fed in rural Cape Breton.

Recipe for a Good Life with author Lesley Crewe

National bestselling, award winning author Lesley Crewe says if she hadn’t moved to a remote island off Novia Scotia she may never have become a writer. Today, Lesley joins us to to talk about her 15th book – Recipe for a Good Life.

We discuss how Lesley adapts ordinary moments and celebrates everyday things. How she develops her characters and who inspires them. What island life is really like, including community, connection, belonging, humor, and how Cape Breton features in her storytelling. And, of course, we share Lesley’s point of view on writing and what it means to be a writer.

About Lesley Crewe

Lesley Crewe is the Globe and Mail–bestselling author of 13 novels, including Nosy Parker, named one of Indigo’s Top 100 Books of 2022; The Spoon Stealer, longlisted for Canada Reads 2022; and Relative Happiness, which was adapted into an award-winning feature film. She has also published two collections of essays, the Leacock-longisted Are You Kidding Me?! and I Kid You Not! Lesley lives in Homeville, Nova Scotia. Recipe for a Good Life is Indigo Book’s 2023 Award Winning Book of the Year.

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Fiction, Humor, Relationships, Writers on Writing

Jul 12: Nancy Crochiere Debuts Graceland

Secrets, Love, Mayhem, & Laughter

Graceland with author Nancy Crochiere

Long-time humor columnist, Nancy Crochiere joins us with her debut comic novel, GRACELAND.

What can go wrong when three women race on a roadtrip from Boston to Memphis, while they encounter everything from jealous soap actors to free range ferrets and a trio of Elvis impersonators? And how will everyone’s deepest secrets begin to unravel? Tune in!

About Nancy Crochiere

For more than a decade before Nancy Crochiere chronicled the ups and down of family life – including her obsession w George Clooney – in her humorous newspaper column, The Mother Load. Her essays have appeared in the Boston Globe, Writer’s Digest, and other platforms. And in her free time she acts as an extra in feature films and TV Shows. Today we introduce her first fiction book, Graceland.

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Fiction, Women's Issues, Writers on Writing

Jan 25: Wendy Willis Baldwin with Debut Novel The Sisters We Were

Book cover The Sisters We Were, Wndy WIllis Baldwin, talking about this on Conversations LIve with Vicki St. ClairWhat brings two estranged sisters back together? How does their healing begin? What sets them free?

Inspired by the real-life experiences of author Wendy Willis Baldwin and her sister Tiffany, The Sisters We Were explores themes from sisterhood, to obesity, sexual abuse, buried rage, and how we cope differently with adversity. Most of all, the story is about how truth will set you free.

Wendy shares the journey of writing her debut novel, as well as the healing journey she shared with Tiffany.

About Wendy Willis Baldwin

Wendy Willis Baldwin is a freelance writer and author. She spent most of her professional life in the communications’ field. She currently cohosts The Life After Fat Pants podcast with sister, Tiffany.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

Jul 27: #1 NYT Bestselling Novelist Susan Wiggs with Sugar and Salt

Everyone has a past. It’s who you are now that matters.

A long-time listener favorite joins us with a great new story just in time for summer. Sugar and Spice takes us back to Perdita Street (introduced in The Lost and Found Bookshop) with a tale of family, friendship, redemption, and love.

Susan Wiggs is known for weaving women’s issues into her storylines, and Sugar and Spice is no exception — including abortion, sexual abuse, and racism. Today we find out how Susan gets in the right headspace to write those challenging scenes. How she approaches writing multiple timelines. And how has she learned to draw readers into her books from page one.

About Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. She’s authored more than 50 novels including the Lakeshore Chronicles series and the New York Times bestsellers The Lost and Found Bookshop, The Oysterville Sewing Circle, and Family Tree. Her award-winning books have been translated into two dozen languages.  Susan lives with her family on an island in Washington State’s Puget Sound.

 

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Fiction, Suspense, Writers on Writing

Mar 30: Heather Gudenkauf with Overnight Guest

“Fully realized, wholly absorbing & almost painfully suspenseful…” ~ The New York Times

Thrilled to talk again with Heather Gudenkauf about her latest page turner, The Overnight Guest.

Heather shares the true story that sparked an idea for The Overnight Guest. Why she chose a true-crime writer as her protagonist. How she managed different timelines and multiple points of view – and how she did all that while setting a pace that fully engages readers and brings the stories together. Heather also reveals how she takes an ugly first draft and polishes it to become a riveting story and New York Times bestseller.

About Heather Gudenkauf

Heather Gudenkauf is an Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, and The Overnight Guest is her ninth novel. Heather lives in Iowa and in her free time enjoys having fun with family, reading, swimming, and hiking (with her very spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer, Lolo).

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Fiction, Writers on Writing, Young Adult Fiction

Mar 08: Sabaa Tahir with deeply personal novel – All My Rage

#1 NYT bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series

Sabaa Tahir describes All My Rage as the book of her heart. It’s a story that was 15 years in the making, and we find out why during our conversation.

Beginning in Lahore Pakistan, and moving to Juniper California, All My Rage is inspired by Sabba’s childhood growing up in California’s Mojave Desert at her family’s 18-room motel.

Sabaa shares what she means by being an honest writer and how that informs her work. Why she writes young adult fiction. How a playground friendship saved her. What challenges her most as writer. Why hope is important and failure is part of the journey. And why her new novel is called All My Rage.  

About Sabaa Tahir

Sabaa Tahir has been an author since 2015 . Before that, she was a journalist, and wrote her first book while working nights as a a copyeditor. All My Rage has received great reviews  from writers such as Jodi Picoult and Nicola Yoon, and a TV adaptation of the story is currently in the works with Picturestart.

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Fiction, History, Writers on Writing

DEC 08: Love, Theodosia with Lori Anne Goldstein

Historical love story inspired by Hamilton

LOVE, THEODOSIA takes place during the post-American Revolution era. After seeing the hit musical, Hamilton, author Lori Anne Goldstein started questioning “what if?” That led her to conjure a tale of Philip Hamilton and Theodosia Burr–a vibrant feminist, ahead of her time, who was lost at sea.

We discuss how Lori captured the essence of real life characters that she fictionalizes in Love, Theodosia. What went into her research. Some of the challenges her characters faced. And how Lori went from YA author to writing historical fiction.

About Lori Anne Goldstein

A creative writing instructor, Lori Anne Goldstein is the author of four young adult novels. She credits her journalism background with giving her the skills and desire to conduct the extensive research at the core of her adult historical debut, LOVE, THEODOSIA.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

OCT 20: Juliette Fay with Catch Us When We Fall

Catch Us When We Fall delivers a character who seems beyond help — but is anybody ever beyond reach?

Her characters first appeared in a dream, and today we learn how Juliette Fay always knew she’d write a story about an alcoholic.

Juliette shares her research into AA, recovery, and the fears addicts often have about getting sober. How childhood trauma can shape our lives. The development of  protagonists, Cass and Scott. And what’s coming next for this bestselling author.

About Juliette Fay

Juliette Fay is the bestselling author of five previous novels including City of Flickering Light and The Tumbling Turner Sisters, a USA Today bestseller. Her book awards include: Library Journal’s Top 5 Best  Books of 2012-Women’s Fiction, a Massachusetts Book Award Must-Read Book, and Indie Next pick. Juliette is a graduate of  Harvard University.

 

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUL 21: Alka Joshi’s New Novel – The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

NYT Bestselling of Author of The Henna Artist

Set in India, The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is a tale of loyalty, ambition, and love that plunges readers back into the world of The Henna Artist – a world of power, money, and secrets.

Today, returning guest ALKA JOSHI shares detailed insight into the culture and traditions of India, that richly permeate her novels. We discuss creativity and how she approaches her work. Why, unlike many authors, she doesn’t consider a writing routine important. And – as a marketing and PR expert – Alka shares her best advice to authors and creatives about getting your work into the world.

About Alka Joshi

Born in Jodhpur, India, ALKA JOSHI has lived in the U.S. since she was nine-years-old. A Stanford University graduate, Alka worked in advertising and PR before starting her own marketing consultancy. In 2011, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the California College of Arts in San Francisco, California. The Secret Keeper of Jaipur is Alka Joshi’s second novel.

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