Tag

Writing

Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Dec 10: TEQUILA – A Story of Success, Love, & Violence with Tim Reuben

December 10, 2025

Suspense novel introduces young lawyer Brian Youngam

Tequila A Story of Success, Love, and Violence with author Tim Reuben

What happens when ambition, love, and lethal violence collide in the high-stakes world of tequila production?

Author and legal entrepreneur Tim Reuben joins us to talk about his powerful debut novel TEQUILA: A Story of Success, Love, & Violence, an epic tale set against the real-world landscape of Mexico’s booming tequila industry. It’s a story of risk, loyalty, betrayal – and the cost of chasing greatness.

We discuss craft, character, culture, and the line between success and destruction. Who Tim’s favorite character is, and why he made his lead antagonist absolutely irredeemable.

Tim also shares why writing his first fiction book was like “climbing a mountain“, from the highs and the thrills to the lows; and how he pushed through self-doubt.

Meet Tim Reuben

Novelist, Tim Reuben, is a veteran civil litigation attorney, a mediator, and a temporary judge in the LA courts. He founded his own law firm more than 30 years ago, and still manages the practice, while publishing widely on topics of law and society. Inspired by his law and travel experiences, and an appreciation of spirits, Reuben introduces his first novel, TEQUILA: A Story of Success, Love, & Violence, and has plans for at least two more-family saga suspense novels featuring protagonist, Brian Youngman.

Continue reading
Craft of Writing, Creativity, Memoir, Non Fiction

Dec 03: What Makes A Story? A Day, A Life, A Year. And You.

December 3, 2025

#1 New York Times bestselling author shares You The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory

You the Story with author Ruta Sepetys

During the pandemic, award-winning historical fiction author Ruta Sepetys turned inward.

“I discovered,” she says, “that the most meaningful aspects [of story] dwell within what I call the wave. That wave is heartbreak, hope, humor, and humiliation.”

We all experience those feelings. And in You The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory, we explore how small moments can become powerful stories. We look at the elements of story construction, and how to tap into your emotions, find gems in humor, and discover rhythm from simple everyday things such as the way someone speaks. We also share how to discover your voice, your vision, your inspiration, and much more about storytelling.

“It is less about where we have traveled or worked or if we have experienced grand adventures,” says Ruta. “It is more about the interior landscape. And through that, we all have a story.”

Meet Ruta Sepetys

An internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction, Ruta Sepetys is a Carnegie Medal Finalist; her books have won or been shortlisted for over 40 awards. Ruta’s work on human resilience garnered invitations to speak at NATO, the European Parliament, the U.S. Capitol, the Library of Congress, and Embassies worldwide. Ruta Sepetys was presented the Cross of the Knight of the Order by the President of Lithuania for her contributions to education and memory preservation. She was also honored with a postage stamp containing her image. You The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory is Ruta’s first nonfiction book.

Continue reading
Fiction, Humor, Memoir, Writers on Writing

Nov 26: Gary Lippman with A Literary Wish List

November 26, 2025

From fantastical to deeply personal, Lippman explores wishes in I Wish, Therefore I Am

I Wish, Therefore I Am with author Gary Lippman

Gary Lippman is a writer unafraid to take risks, who challenges both himself and his readers, while exploring the big (and little) questions of life.

Today, we dive into the nature of wishes with I Wish, Therefore I Am; or, This Here Is a List of Humble Appeals to Dame Fortune.

Gary reveals why he often chooses to shatter traditional narrative forms and bend genres. We discuss some of the writers and mentors who have helped shape his vision. We talk form, structure, and storytelling – sharing some of the wishes from the book, from anxieties, self-doubt, and self-help desires, to love and rewards. And we discover what Gary learned about himself while writing I Wish Therefore I Am.

Meet Gary Lippman

Gary Lippman is an author, journalist, and cultural commentator known for his inventive storytelling and keen eye for the eccentricities of human nature. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Vice, and numerous literary journals. His novel, Set the Controls for the Heart of Sharon Tate, won praise for its originality and darkly comic voice. Lippman’s latest book, I Wish, therefore I Am; or, This Here Is a List of Humble Appeals to Dame Fortune, showcases his signature blend of humor, insight, and genre-bending.

Continue reading
Fiction, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Nov 19: Kiss Her Goodbye, A Novel with Lisa Gardner

November 19, 2025

Can Frankie Elkin Find a Young Afghan Refugee in Time?

Kiss Her Goodbye with author Lisa Gardner

It’s always a great conversation with Lisa Gardner. As one of America’s leading thriller writers, Lisa loves to discuss the craft of writing. She also shares unique and interesting stories gathered from the extensive research she does to make her stories authentic.

When Frankie Elkin sets out to save an entire family from its haunting past in Kiss Her Goodbye, every decision could lead to disaster, as love and loss collide.

We discuss the emotional and moral undercurrents of Lisa Gardner’s Kiss Her Goodbye and hear some of the stories behind the story. We also learn how the concept for Kiss Her Goodbye was sparked by a conversation with strangers, while she was on sabbatical. And, Lisa shares some of the research that left her astonished.

Meet Lisa Gardner

Lisa Gardner, a #1 New York Times bestselling thriller novelist, has transformed her interest in police procedure and criminal minds into a streak of internationally acclaimed novels, published across 30 countries. She’s also had four books become TV movies (At the Midnight Hour; The Perfect Husband; The Survivors Club; Hide). Lisa’s books have received awards from across the globe. Her novel, The Neighbor, won Best Hardcover Novel from the International Thriller Writers, and the Grand Prix des Lectrices de Elle in France. She was also recognized with the Daphne du Maurier Award in 2000 for The Other Daughter.

Continue reading
Adventure, Animals, Children's Fiction, Fiction, Writers on Writing

Nov 12: The Runaway Who Won the Hearts of New Orleans with Kaye Courington

November 13, 2025

SCRIM: A New Orleans Story of Resilience & Rescue – A True Story

Author Kaye Courington with SCRIM: A New Orleans Story of Resilience & Rescue

Moving like a ghost on the streets of New Orleans a skinny, scruffy, 17lb terrier captivated a city and made headlines around the world from the Washington Post and New Yorker, to the Daily News in London.

For months, SCRIM eluded capture. He survived gun shots, freezing weather, jumping from a second storey window, and much more.

Author and animal advocate, Kaye Courington, shares Scrim’s incredible journey, from living rough on Louisiana’s busy streets to finally settling in a loving forever home. A truly heartwarming story of courage and resilience, and how a community rallied together on a rescue mission that became a national sensation.

Meet Kaye Courington

Kaye Courington is a highly recognized, award-winning New Orleans attorney and the debut author of SCRIM: The Dog Who Captured New Orleans’ Heart. A lifelong advocate for animal welfare, she’s worked tirelessly to promote rescue, rehabilitation, and responsible adoption. Kaye is donating all author royalties of SCRIM to local animal rescues.

Continue reading
Fiction, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on Writing

Nov 05: The Girl From Devil’s Lake with NYT Bestselling Author J. A. Jance

November 6, 2025

Joanna Brady Hunts a Serial Killer Hiding in Plain Sight

J. A. Jance Author of The Girl From Devil’s Lake, A Brady Novel of Suspense

THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE is J. A. Jance’s 21st Joanna Brady novel. And it’s Brady’s biggest, most challenging case yet. As she digs into the investigation of a body discovered in the Arizona desert, Joanna Brady realizes this murder is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle, involving crimes that span decades, and even countries.

We discuss the story, characters, and how J. A. Jance captures the mind of a serial killer. J. A. also shares some of the challenges of writing while dealing with real life. Just turned 81 years old, J. A. cares for her husband, walks 10,000 steps per day — and is writing a new novel while promoting THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE, and waiting on Ali Reynolds’ edits to come back from her publisher in New York. All without an assistant. Whew!

Meet Bestselling Suspense Author J.A. Jance

J. A. JANCE is the New York Times bestselling author of the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, the Ali Reynolds series, six thrillers about the Walker Family, and one volume of poetry. In total, she’s written 70 books. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband around Seattle, Washington. THE GIRL FROM DEVIL’S LAKE.

Continue reading
Creativity, Essays, Memoir, Non Fiction, Writers on Writing

Oct 15: Quiet Reflections on Faith, Aliveness, & Wonder with Grammy Nominated Songwriter

October 15, 2025

Peter Himmelman Author of Suspended By No String

Suspended By No String with musician, songwriter, and author Peter Himmelman

A quiet, reflective conversation about some of Peter Himmelman’s thoughts and experiences on issues we all deal with at some point in life.

Sharing insights from his book, Suspended By No String: A Songwriter’s Reflections on Faith, Aliveness, and Wonder (2024), we discuss what Peter means by creativity and some of the significant turning points in his life, including how his mentors influenced him, and lessons learned along the way.

Written as a pathway through Peter’s own struggles, his essays focus on what we can control and influence, exploring how to find inspiration and wonder amid the daily onslaught of negative news headlines and social media.

Meet Peter Himmelman

With over 25 critically acclaimed recordings to his credit, this singer-songwriter has been inspiring fans worldwide with his spiritually tinged Americana rock and roll for more than 40 years. Peter Himmelman is the founder of Big Muse, a company that teaches creative thinking, leadership skills, and deeper levels of communication in all facets of life – from personal to professional. His clients include The Wharton School, UCLA, and The Ross School of Business, The United States Army War College, and international brands such as McDonald’s, Adobe, and Gap Inc.

Continue reading
Fiction, Nature, Suspense, Wildlife, Writers on Writing

Oct 08: Suspense Novel Inspired by Author’s Love of Wildlife

October 8, 2025

Alice Henderson’s A Ghost of Caribou

Alice Henderson’s Alex Carter series has a strong, smart female protagonist, whose career as a wildlife biologist gets her into the kind of trouble leading to suspense and murder.

We last talked to Alice about A Ghost of Caribou, the third in her series. Set in the in the Selkirk mountains of Washington State, what begins as a search for evasive caribou leads Alex Carter down a slippery dark road.

We discuss the story of A Ghost of Caribou, and how Alice developed her strong female protagonist. We also explore the increasing plight of wild caribou in our vanishing wilderness. And why reframing how we view climate change could help create the shift we need to see.

Meet Alice Henderson

A Ghost of Caribou is the third book in the Alex Carter series. The Vanishing Kind is the fourth in the series, and book five, Storm Warning, is expected in Spring 2026. A prolific writer with 26 books behind her, Alice Henderson is also a sanctuary monitor for the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust, where she checks remote cameras, documents mapping, and delivers wildlife surveys to determine what species are present and that there’s no evidence of poaching. She’s surveyed for the presence of grizzlies, wolves, wolverines, jaguars, endangered bats, and more. Alice has also written media tie-in novels, including official novels for the TV shows Supernatural and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. While working at LucasArts, Alice wrote content for Star Wars video games.

Continue reading
Fiction, Relationships, Writers on Writing

Sep 17: Samsun Knight with Likeness

September 17, 2025

A different kind of love – A People Magazine “Best New Book”

Likeness with author Samsun Knight

A sweet summer evening turns sour when Anne’s husband casually tells her his lover is pregnant … this is just weeks after Anne discovers she too is expecting. Did she throw her dinner plate at him? Well, you’ll have to listen in to find out.

Told from the two women’s different perspectives, author Samsun Knight navigates the ups, downs, twists, and turns of plural love in his short novel, Likeness.

We discuss how Samsun captured the two women’s distinct voices, and how each of them deals with jealousy, anger, loneliness, joy, and self-doubt. He also shares insights into the challenges he faced in writing about unconventional love and identity, and how relationships can shape who we become.

Meet Samsun Knight

Samsun Knight is a writer and graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where he was a Truman Capote Fellow. His second novel, Likeness, was recently published and named a People Magazine “Best New Book” of July 2025. Knight is also an assistant professor at University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management and a faculty affiliate at the University of Toronto School of Cities, where he studies quantitative marketing, optimal targeting and machine learning.

Continue reading
Fiction, Mystery, Writers on Writing

Sep 10: Vianne with Award-Winning Author Joanne Harris

September 10, 2025

Spellbinding prequel reveals secrets, magic, & the making of a heroine

Vianne with author Joanne Harris

Joining us today, a multiple award-winning writer who is often called one of contemporary literature’s most beloved voices, Joanne Harris — an internationally bestselling author whose magical realism enchanted millions of readers worldwide.

You may know Joanne best for her novel, Chocolat, which introduced us to Vianne Rocher and later became an Academy Award–nominated film.

In Joanne’s latest work, Vianne, she takes us back in time to explore the origins of her unforgettable character in a much-anticipated prequel.

We explore the rich storytelling that makes Joanne’s work so compelling. We discuss character development, the craft of writing, and how Joanne has managed to successfully navigate across so many genres. We also learn a couple of fun facts about the author herself.

Meet Joanne Harris

Joanne Harris (OBE, FRSL) was born in Barnsley, of a French mother and an English father. She studied Modern and Mediaeval Languages at Cambridge and was a teacher for 15 years, during which time she published three novels, including Chocolat (1999), which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche .

Since then, she has written over 20 more novels, plus novellas, short stories, game scripts, the libretti for two short operas, several screenplays, a stage musical (with Howard Goodall) and three cookbooks. Her books are published in over 50 countries and have won a number of British and international awards.

Continue reading

  • Categories

  • Past Shows