Tag

Thriller

Fiction, Writers on Writing

APR 20: Sylvain Neuvel’s Take Them to the Stars Trilogy

Until the Last of Me

Author Sylvain Neuvel sold the movie rights to his first book before it was even a book. How did that happen? We share that and much more about Sylvain’s road to literary success in today’s conversation.

We discuss the origins of his Take Them to the Stars Trilogy and how his ideas developed.  We look at book one A History of What Comes Next. And the latest in the trilogy, book two, Until the Last of Me. Sylvain shares how he plots. How he writes from female points of view. And some of the intense research he did to build a believable, yet speculative, world for his characters.

About Sylvain Neuvel

Sylvain Neuvel taught linguistics in India and worked as a software engineer in Montreal. His debut novel Sleeping Giants was described BY NPR as one of the most promising series kickoffs in recent memory. Until the Last of Me is the second and latest book in his Take Them to the Stars trilogy.

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Fiction, Suspense, Writers on Writing

MAR 23: Girl in Ice with Erica Ferencik

The ice caps of Greenland, a suspicious death, a frozen child who speaks a language no one’s heard of …

When linguist Val Chesterfield receives an urgent email asking for help, she reluctantly leaves the shelter of her books and studies, to head north.

Award-winning author Erica Ferencik spent a month in Greenland developing the backdrop for Girl In Ice. Today she shares highlights from the exciting boots on the ground, butt-in-the-kayak research expedition that informed her story. We also discuss character development, why she wrote the first draft before traveling to Greenland, and the inspiration behind Girl in Ice.

About Erica Ferencik

Erica Ferencik considers her MA in Creative Writing from Boston University just the beginning of her literary education. Her 35 years of writing — novels, short stories, essays, ghostwriting, 10 years of standup and sketch comedy, as well as dozens of screenplays, and a brief filmmaking stint — was her boots-on-the-ground training. Erica’s work has appeared in Salon and the Boston Globe, as well as on National Public Radio. Other novels include Into the Jungle and The River at Night.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

AUG 19: NYT Bestselling Novelist Heather Gudenkauf Shares Summer Reads

5 books to read & authors to look out for

Heather Gudenkauf takes a break from her busy schedule to share four of her summer reading recommendations with us — from laugh-out-loud funny to darker suspense, crime, and mystery.

And to complete the list we’re adding Heather’s most recent thriller, This is How I Lied.

Grab a pen and notepad, and listen up!

About Heather Gudenkauf

Heather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Weight of Silence, These Things Hidden, Not A Sound, and This is How I Lied. Heather has worked with students of all ages during her career and continues to work in education as a Title I Reading Coordinator.

 

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Fiction

JAN 13: Brad Taylor with American Traitor, a Pike Logan Novel

New York Times Bestselling Author of Hunter Killer

Could China deliberately trick Taiwan into starting a full blown war by destabilizing its government and manipulating artificial intelligence defense systems?  Will Pike Logan find the man about to betray his country before it’s too late?

Returning guest, Brad Taylor, shares his experience writing American Traitor. We touch on Brad’s research, where he traveled, favorite spots, and surprises. He shares his favorite scenes to write. How he keeps his two protagonists fresh and evolving. And how growing up in rural Texas influenced Brad’s life.

About Brad Taylor

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Brad Taylor is a 21-year veteran of the US Army Infantry and Special Forces, including eight years with the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment—Delta Force. Brad Taylor has written 14 New York Times bestsellers, and consults with various agencies on asymmetric security threats.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

DEC 23: Unrestricted Access with James Rollins

#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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Fiction, Short Stories, Writers on Writing

OCT 14: #1 NYT Bestseller James Rollins with Unrestricted Access

James Rollins discusses his first-ever anthology of short stories

Featuring stand-alone stories, some familiar characters, and a brand new novella, James Rollins latest book includes an introduction to each story, sharing a little background that highlights his writing career.

Today we explore some of James’ research into story locations and the myths surrounding them. We discuss the differences between short story and novella writing. And James tells us why — when the legendary George R R Martin invited him to write a short story featuring a warrior — he chose to develop a four legged warrior in The Pit.

About James Rollins

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

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Creativity, Fiction, Social Issues, Writers on Writing

JUL 15: A Dangerous Breed with Glen Erik Hamilton

Thriller author Glen Erik Hamilton returns to Conversations Live with the latest novel in his popular Van Shaw series, A Dangerous Breed.  We discuss a broad range of topics, including character development and how he keeps his recurring characters evolving from book to book.  We also dive into some of the research he did for the novel, and where he took creative license and why.

Glen also shares his perspective on artist rights and responsibilities as related to our current political climate and how artists can (or should) go about representing characters from other backgrounds or orientations.

Glen grew up aboard a sailboat in Seattle, Washington, playing and occasionally finding trouble around the islands, marinas, and commercial docks of the Pacific Northwest.  His books in the Van Shaw series have won numerous awards and received critical acclaim from Publishers WeeklyLibrary Journal, and more.

 

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

JUN 24: #1 NYT Bestselling Thriller Author on The Last Odyssey

James Rollins blends science, history, and thrills in The Last Odyssey — the 15th of his books in the Sigma series.

We share how James’ travels and some of the history he discovered inspired the story. And separate fact from fiction by exploring where and why he took creative license. We also take a quick look at what’s coming later in 2020 in a book of short fiction stories.

James Rollins is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of international thrillers, translated into more than forty languages, with more than 25 million copies sold.

 

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History, Non Fiction

MAY 20: The Lincoln Conspiracy with Brad Meltzer

“ …  a story few people know, one that’s set in a time of deep political division in America … It shows us what good leaders can do in times of strife – perfectly on point for where our country is today.” Brad Meltzer

Brad Meltzer returns to Conversations Live to share some of the stories from The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President and Why it Failed. While most Americans know Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, few know of the first attempt on his life. It happened on the way to his inauguration, setting his presidency off to a rocky start. We discuss the challenges he faced as an underdog and how, even during times of civil war, Lincoln’s primary aim was to unite the country.

Brad Meltzer is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Escape Artist and many other bestselling thrillers, as well as the Ordinary People Change the World series. He is also the host of the History Channel TV shows Brad Meltzer’s Decoded and Brad Meltzer’s Lost History. Meltzer coauthored The Lincoln Conspiracy with Josh Mensch, a New York Times bestselling author and documentary television producer, with a focus on American history.

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Fiction, Writers on Writing

JAN 15: The Body Outside the Kremlin with James L. May

For our Writers On Writing Series, James L. May, author of The Body Outside The Kremlin joins us with what Publisher’s Weekly calls a “richly evocative first novel…gripping…thriller deserves high marks…for historical detail about a prison that served as a key link in the gulag chain.”

We discuss the history of the White Sea Solovetsky Islands and Russia’s renowned concentration camp. How and why this sparked the location and set the scene for his murder mystery. His favorite scenes to write. Most surprising research. What James knows now, that he wish he’d understood when he began writing his book. Does his work as a reviewer inform or hinder his own creativity? And is it worth doing an MFA in Creative Writing?

James L. May’s short fiction has appeared in Tigertail, and he reviews fiction for The Florida Book Review, Gulf Stream Literary Magazine, and New Orleans Review.

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