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Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Apr 30: The Boomerang with Robert Bailey

April 30, 2025

One Man’s Fight for Family Uncovers a Shattering Government Secret

The Boomerang with author Robert Bailey

The Boomerang is a gripping political thriller inspired by a conspiracy theory and the author’s personal challenges.

Robert Bailey‘s story follows Eli James, Chief of Staff and best friend to the President of the United States. When the President’s terminal cancer mysteriously improves, Eli uncovers a devastating cover-up involving the government and Big Pharma, taking him from the White House to New Mexico..

We discuss all of this, as well as Robert’s own journey with his family’s issues; writing The Boomerang; character development, and more.

Meet Robert Bailey

Robert Bailey is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of THE BOOMERANG, the Jason Rich series, the McMurtrie and Drake legal thrillers, the Bocephus Haynes series, and the inspirational novel, THE GOLFER’S CAROL. Robert’s books are imbued with a keen sense of justice and a profound understanding of what drives people to commit the worst crimes and fight hardest for those they love, gained from his decades as a civil defense trial lawyer in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama.

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

Mar 05: Itching to Love with Award-winning Author Shelley Fraser Mickle

March 5, 2025

The Story of a Dog

Itching to Love with author Shelley Fraser Mickle

“[Shelley’s writing] warms us with the wisdom and perspective that come from a lifetime filled with animals, people, history, science, and literature. An absolutely unique memoir by one of the South’s great storytellers.”

— Danny Rubin, Screenwriter (Groundhog Day)

When you’re used to being needed and hearing someone shout “Mom” a hundred times a day, who are you, and what do you do when the kids leave home? Like millions of other moms, award-winning writer Shelley Fraser Mickle faced that same dilemma. Her solution found her.

Today Shelley shares why she wrote to author William Faulkner and how that worked out. We discuss the importance of storytelling and passing down family stories. How humor helps us physiologically; why we should laugh out loud and try to find the humor even during dark days. Shelley shares her love of horses, and the dog who saved her, Buddy. We also discuss the challenges and joys of writing a memoir, ITCHING TO LOVE: The Story of a Dog.

Meet Shelley Fraser Mickle

Shelley Fraser Mickle is a multiple award-winning author and beloved storyteller. Her readings delighted listeners on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition from 2000 to 2006.  Shelley’s second novel, REPLACING DAD, won a Friends of American Writers Award and was adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie. Currently, her 2023 narrative history WHITE HOUSE WILD CHILD: HOW ALICE ROOSEVELT BROKE ALL THE RULES AND WON THE HEART OF AMERICA is in development as a film series. ITCHING TO LOVE: The Story of a Dog is Shelley’s memoir.

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Creativity, Health & Wellness, Nature, Non Fiction

Feb 05: Creativity Expert Michael Gelb on the Health, Productivity, & Creative Benefits of Walking Well

February 5, 2025

A new approach for comfort, vitality, and inspiration in every step.

Walking Well with coauthor Michael Gelb

Today’s guest, creativity expert Michael Gelb, coauthored WALKING WELL: A New Approach for Comfort, Vitality, and Inspiration in Every Step with movement artist Bruce Fertman.

Michael Gelb shares the science behind the transformational benefits of walking, including how the immune system, the brain’s neuroplasticity, the gut, our kidneys, longevity, weight, anxiety, mood, and more can improve with regular movement. We also discuss what he calls The Four Dignities. And how walking in nature – as many of our creative guests have attested to – helps spark creativity and combat stress.

Meet Coauthors Michael J. Gelb and Bruce Fertman

Michael J. Gelb is a pioneer in the fields of creative thinking, executive coaching, and innovative leadership. He’s a fifth-degree black belt in aikido and teaches tai chi and the Alexander Technique. The author of 17 books – including the international bestseller How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci – Michael Gelb is also a professional juggler who performed with the Rolling Stones.

Bruce Fertman brings 60 years of study as a movement artist and educMator to his work. His training includes gymnastics, modern dance, ballet, contact improvisation, the Alexander Technique, tai chi chuan, aikido, chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony), Argentine tango, and kyudo (Zen archery). For the past 30 years Fertman’s taught in Europe, Asia, and the Americas helping people experience the interconnectedness of physical and spiritual life.

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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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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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Fiction, Writers on Writing

Oct 30: Familiaris with International Bestseller David Wroblewski

October 30, 2024

15 years in the making sequel to instant classic The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Familiaris with author David Wroblewski

Over a decade after David Wroblewski‘s modern classic and debut novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle comes Familiaris, the follow-up to the #1 New York Times bestseller. The new novel explores the origins of the Sawtelle family, and David discusses why, after 15 years, he felt compelled to return to their farm in Wisconsin to give John and his new bride Mary (and their three dogs) their own book.

David dives into how his creative process helped shape this new excursion into the trials and events of the Sawtelle’s lives. How his childhood influences, the evolution of his characters as he develops them, and sense of environment determines the direction of his storytelling.

Meet Award-winning, Bestselling Author David Wroblewski

David Wroblewski is the author of the internationally bestselling novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, an Oprah Book Club pick Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, winner of the Colorado Book Award, and numerous other awards. David Wroblewski received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson M.F.A. Program for Writers, and a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. He lives in Colorado with the writer Kimberly McClintock and their dogs, Pie and Luci.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

Oct 23: Lost in Thought with Deborah Serra

October 23, 2024

A Novel About the Illusion of Free Will & Unconscious Decision-making.

Lost in Thought with author Deborah Serra

Deborah Serra shares her journey from successful screenwriter and playwright, to novelist.

We discuss why, at the start of her 20-year career, Deborah Serra wrote as D.A. Serra. How she felt restricted writing for the big screen, TV, and even as a playwright – and why she transitioned into books.

Deborah shares the challenges of switching genres; her fears and anxieties around releasing her creative work into the world – even as a well established writer.

We also discuss Lost in Thought, from story concept and character development, to the research she delved into around neuroscience. And we learn why Deborah enjoys traveling alone … and recommends others try it too!

Meet Deborah Serra: Award Winning Screenwriter, Playwright, Novelist

Deborah Serra is a double Hawthorn den Literary Fellow who’s worked in all genres and mediums for more than 20 years. Her career includes: Screenwriting – as a produced original screenwriter and also as an assignment writer on TV movies, TV series, and NBC staff writer. She’s written three books – two fiction, one nonfiction – and three award winning plays. She’s worked with Showtime, CBS, Sony, Fox, and Lifetime. Her essays and short stories have appeared in several literary magazines, and she was nominated for the O. Henry Award. Deborah Serra is currently an editor at After Dinner Conversation- Philosophy/Ethics Short Story Magazine.

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Fiction, Mystery, Writers on Writing

Oct 02: #1 NYT Bestselling Author J.A. Jance with Den of Iniquity

October 2, 2024

J.P. Beaumont’s investigation of a seemingly accidental death reveals a complex web of evil

Den of Iniquity with author J.A. Jance

J.A. Jance has been writing about J.P. Beaumont – former Seattle homicide cop turned private investigator – for 41 years. “It’s like coming home to spend time with family and friends” says Jance. Den of Iniquity is the 26th story in the J.P. Beaumont series, and it does not disappoint.

Today we touch on some of the themes in Den of Iniquity, from family dynamics and generational gaps, to pursuing a cold case, a fentanyl overdose, and the devastation that drug use creates.

We discuss the evolution of Beaumont’s character, and why J.A. Jance placed him in a real location, Ashland, Washington, versus a fictional town. And how this busy author manages the whirlwind challenges of promoting Den of Iniquity, while simultaneously completing another Joanna Brady book, and editing a third novel. It might have something to do with walking 10,000 steps a day in nature. Just saying.

Meet #1 NYT Bestseller J. A. Jance

With a writing career spanning more than 40 years, J.A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling mystery author of more than 60 novels in four separate series:  J.P. Beaumont, Joanna Brady, Ali Reynolds, and the Walker Family.  She resides in the Seattle area with her husband, Bill, and two dachshunds, Mary and JoJo. More at J.A. Jance.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

Aug 21: Internationally Bestselling Author David Wroblewski Discusses Familiaris

August 21, 2024

Follow up to the modern classic The Story of Edgar Sawtelle

Familiaris with author David Wroblewski

Familiaris hits bookshelves 15 years after David Wroblewski‘s debut novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle became a #1 New York Times bestseller, Oprah Book Club pick, Indie Choice Best Author Discovery, and recipient of many other accolades.

We discuss why it took 15 years to produce Familiaris, a life-span saga of the origin of the Sawtelle family – John Sawtelle, his new bride Mary, their three dogs, and friends – as they set off on a series of quests to find meaning, purpose, and adventure.

David also shares why John Sawtelle needed his own book. How the author develops his characters, sense of location (farm, Wisconsin), and how his childhood influences his storytelling.

Meet Award-winning, Bestselling Author David Wroblewski

David Wroblewski is the author of the internationally bestselling novel The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, an Oprah Book Club pick Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, winner of the Colorado Book Award, and numerous other awards. David Wroblewski received an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson M.F.A. Program for Writers, and a Bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. He lives in Colorado with the writer Kimberly McClintock and their dogs, Pie and Luci.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

Aug 14: The Waw with Novelist Jacqueline Gay Walley

August 14, 2024

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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