Best Matt McInerney Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 158: Novelist Spotlight #158: Nurse, lawyer, justice advocate, novelist 1:05:08

10d ago1:05:08

1:05:08

In the spotlight is Amanda DuBois, author of the Camille Delaney mystery series. She is the founder and managing partner of the DuBois Levias Law Group, a woman-owned boutique family law practice in Seattle. She was also a former high-risk labor and delivery nurse at the University of Washington Medical Center, before beginning her legal career in …

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Episode 157: Novelist Spotlight #157: Bookstores alive and well — and here is a novelist who started one 36:42

21d ago36:42

36:42

In the spotlight is Paula Treick DeBoard, novelist and new bookstore owner. In April 2024, DeBoard opened Bookish in Modesto, Calif., and discusses her motivation and her strategy for succeeding. She is also the author of four family dramas, the novels “The Mourning Hours,” “The Fragile World,” “The Drowning Girls” and “Here We Lie.” She also teach…

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Episode 156: Novelist Spotlight #156: Deconstructing master novelist Don DeLillo 1:11:04

1M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

Ask literary critics to name the greatest American novelists of the past 50 years and Don DeLillo’s name is sure to be there. DeLillo, now 87, has written more than 18 novels and has won awards ranging from the National Book Award and PEN/Faulkner Award to the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. Discussing his career during this episode…

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Episode 155: Novelist Spotlight #155: Bestselling author Matt Coyle, creator of the Rick Cahill crime novels 1:02:49

1M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

Matt Coyle is the author of the best-selling Rick Cahill crime novels. Though he has wanted to be a crime writer since age 14, his actual foray into crime fiction was delayed for 30 years while he spent time managing a restaurant, selling golf clubs for various golf companies, and doing national sales for a sports licensing company. He wrote nights…

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Episode 154: Novelist Spotlight #154: The light and darkness of famed novelist William Styron 1:08:23

2M ago1:08:23

1:08:23

In the spotlight is William Styron, the famed author of novels that included “Sophie’s Choice” and “The Confessions of Nat Turner.” Joining the great author in the spotlight is William Styron biographer Jim West, professor of English, emeritus, at Pennsylvania State University. He is a biographer and book historian, and the author of several books,…

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Episode 153: Novelist Spotlight #153: The great John Updike, revisited by James Schiff 1:02:18

2M ago1:02:18

1:02:18

In the spotlight is John Updike and University of Cincinnati literature professor James Schiff, author of the book “John Updike Revisited.” Schiff, who is also editor of the John Updike Review, talks about Updike’s more than 60 books, short stories, poetry, reviews and letters — and the two Pulitzer Prizes and other awards. We discuss his: >> Time …

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Episode 152: Novelist Spotlight #152: Remembering sexual pioneer and controversial novelist D.H. Lawrence 1:05:29

2M ago1:05:29

1:05:29

In the spotlight is D.H. Lawrence, the great and controversial novelist, and Richard Kaye, professor of literature in the English department at Hunter College, part of the city university system in Manhattan. Since 2017, Mr. Kaye has been the editor of The D. H. Lawrence Review, the 50-year-old journal dealing with the life and work of the British …

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Episode 151: Novelist Spotlight #151: A conversation with the founder of Shepherd, an upstart competitor to Amazon 33:47

2M ago33:47

33:47

In the spotlight is Ben Fox, founder of Shepherd.com, an upstart competitor to Amazon, Goodreads and other major online booksellers. Fox, who reads 100 books a year, believes that books build better human beings, and he is on a mission to help everyone find the book they didn't know they were looking for.  We discuss: >> The weakness of Amazon >> T…

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Episode 150: Novelist Spotlight #150: A look back and ahead with literary lion Jay McInerney 1:03:25

3M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

In the spotlight is the author of “Bright Lights, Big City” — the explosively successful debut novel by Jay McInerney, selling 700,000 copies during its first year, and tens-of-thousands of copies annually for years running. Dubbed a member of the 1980s “brat pack” (along with Bret Easton Ellis and Tama Janowitz), McInerney followed his sensational…

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Episode 149: Novelist Spotlight #149: A deceased Word War II veteran, a secret, a letter — and the novelist who brought the story to life 1:00:49

3M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

In the spotlight is Sasha Vasilyuk, author of the debut novel YOUR PRESENCE IS MANDATORY, now available for pre-order and soon to be published in the United States, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Finland and Brazil. She is also a journalist who has written for The New York Times, TIME magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Harper’s Bazaar, NBC, USA Toda…

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Episode 148: Novelist Spotlight #148: A look back at sci-fi legend Ray Bradbury with biographer Jonathan Eller 1:11:30

3M ago1:11:30

1:11:30

In the spotlight is Jonathan Eller, author of a three-volume biography of science fiction novelist and short story writer Ray Bradbury. Eller is also founding director of the Center for Ray Bradbury Studies at Indiana University. We discuss Ray Bradbury’s >> writing lessons >> work ethic >> fear of the dark >> love of magic >> passion for ideas >> …

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Episode 147: Novelist Spotlight #147: Bestselling romance author Audrey Carlan 1:02:01

4M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

In the spotlight is romance novelist Audrey Carlan, a No. 1 New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller. She writes stories that help readers “find themselves while falling in love.” Some of her works include the Calendar Girl serial, the Trinity series, the International Guy series, 1001 Dark Nights series, and the Marriage Auctio…

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Episode 146: Novelist Spotlight #146: A conversation with novelist and short story writer T.C. Boyle 1:11:23

4M ago1:11:23

1:11:23

In the spotlight is T.C. Boyle, the author of more than 30 books of fiction, including titles such as “Blue Skies,” “The Harder They Come,” “The Terranauts," “The Relive Box,” “Outside Looking In,” “Talk to Me” and “I Walk Between the Raindrops.” He was a longtime lit professor at USC, and his books have been translated into more than two dozen for…

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Episode 145: Novelist Spotlight #145: Joanna/J.F. Penn — novelist, writing teacher and podcaster 54:40

4M ago54:40

54:40

In the spotlight is Joanna Penn, who teaches how to write, publish and market your book — and make a living with your writing. She is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author more than 35 books published and almost 1 million sold across 169 countries in five languages. She is also a podcaster, international speaker, and e…

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Episode 144: Novelist Spotlight #144: Poet, novelist and Cornell professor Robert Morgan on the life and writing of Thomas Wolfe 1:06:33

5M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

In the spotlight is Cornell University professor of literature Robert Morgan, who will discuss the life, times and writings of famed novelist Thomas Wolfe. Morgan has a good deal in common with the author. Thomas Wolfe hails from Asheville, N.C., and Robert Morgan hails from Henderson County, just south of Asheville. They have the same birthday (Oc…

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Episode 143: Novelist Spotlight #143: Golden Globe and Emmy Award writer/director Dean Hargrove 1:22:25

5M ago1:22:25

1:22:25

In the spotlight is TV and movie writer/producer/executive producer and creator Dean Hargrove. He has been writing and creating television series since 1961 when he became a staff writer on the first “Bob Newhart Show.” He became the sole staff writer on “The Man from UNCLE” and wrote the screenplay for the pilot of “Columbo.” Thereafter, he create…

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Episode 142: Novelist Spotlight #142: International banker turned award-winner crime novelist Carl Vonderau 1:13:41

5M ago1:13:41

1:13:41

It took Carl Vonderau a long time to become a full-time author. He left his native Cleveland to study economics at Stanford, then spent more than 30 years as a banker in the United States, Latin America and North Africa — international settings that served as inspiration for his crime novels “Murderabilia” and “Saving Myles.” His work was honored w…

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Episode 141: Novelist Spotlight #141: Daniel Kraus, author of “Whalefall,” “The Shape of Water” and “Trollhunters” 1:14:55

6M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

In the spotlight is Daniel Kraus, New York Times bestselling writer of novels, TV and film. His collaboration with legendary filmmaker George Romero (“The Living Dead”) was acclaimed by The New York Times and The Washington Post, and during his collaboration with Guillermo del Toro, he co-authored “The Shape of Water,” the Oscar-winning film. Kraus…

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Episode 140: Novelist Spotlight #140: Tyson Cornell, founder and CEO of book publishing house Rare Bird 1:36:13

6M ago1:36:13

1:36:13

In the spotlight is Tyson Cornell, who started his book publishing company, Rare Bird, after nine-and-a-half years as marketing and publicity director at Book Soup, the legendary independent bookstore on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, Calif. We discuss: >> The Rare Bird concept and name >> The focus required for reading books >> Work as a life…

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Episode 139: Novelist Spotlight #139: Screenwriter turned novelist Jennifer Manocherian 1:15:25

7M ago1:15:25

1:15:25

In the spotlight is family therapist, divorce mediator, Broadway and off-Broadway producer, screenwriter and screenwriting teacher Jennifer Manocherian, who has just published her first novel, “Alpha Bette,” a story influenced by her many personal and professional life experiences. Bette Gartner, the novel’s protagonist, is a 95-year-old widow who …

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Episode 138: Novelist Spotlight #138: Writing advice from top-selling British thriller/mystery novelist Simon Toyne 1:20:51

7M ago1:20:51

1:20:51

Simon Toyne quit his job as a television producer at the BBC to pursue writing his first novel. That turned out to be “Sanctus,” the bestselling debut thriller novel of 2011 in Great Britain. He is now the author of six more novels: “The Key,” “The Tower,” “The Searchers,” “The Boy Who Saw,” “Dark Objects” and “The Clearing.” Toyne has also produce…

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Episode 137: Novelist Spotlight #137: L.A. trial lawyer Scott Lord makes the case for thriller fiction 56:36

7M ago56:36

56:36

In the spotlight is Scott Lord, who has pulled many of his novels’ characters and situations from his 35 years as a practitioner of criminal and civil law. His first novel, “The Logic Bomb,” is a legal thriller, and his newly released novel, “Come November,” is a historical thriller about an assassination plot to disrupt the momentous 1947 vote of …

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Episode 136: Novelist Spotlight #136: Vanessa Riley, author of Regency Era fiction, romance and mystery novels 1:03:38

8M ago1:03:38

1:03:38

In the spotlight is Vanessa Riley, author of 20 novels including “Queen of Exiles,” “Murder in Drury Lane” and “Island Queen,” the latter of which has been optioned by members of the team that helped produce the hit streaming series “Bridgerton.” She is also a trained engineer whose research skills have helped advance the agendas at NASA, GM, Hewle…

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Episode 135: Novelist Spotlight #135: Photographer, movie director and author Lawrence Schiller 1:28:48

8M ago1:28:48

1:28:48

In the spotlight is Lawrence Schiller — photographer, movie director, producer, author, dealmaker, collaborator — someone who has been connected to the biggest names at the center of the biggest news events of the past 60 years. Think in terms of Marilyn Monroe, John Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald, Jack Ruby, Lenny Bruce, Norman Mailer, Gary Gilmore, O…

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Episode 134: Novelist Spotlight #134: Larry McMurtry, the ‘unknowable’ novelist, is brought to life in Tracy Daugherty's new biography 1:07:21

9M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

In the spotlight is famed novelist Larry McMurtry and biographer, Tracy Daugherty, author of “Larry McMurtry: A Life,” the first comprehensive biography of the novelist, who authored 40 books, including many hit novels such as “The Last Picture Show,” “The Terms of Endearment” and “Lonesome Dove.” Daugherty's bio of McMurtry hit the cover of the Ne…

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Episode 133: Novelist Spotlight #133: A look back at Thomas Wolfe with scholar and Thomas Wolfe Society board member Joseph Bentz 59:59

9M ago59:59

59:59

In the spotlight is Thomas Wolfe, the famed American novelist, and Joseph Bentz, professor of American Literature at Azusa Pacific University, who serves as the Articles Editor for The Thomas Wolfe Review and as a board member for the Thomas Wolfe Society. We discuss: >> Thomas Wolfe’s beginnings in Asheville, North Carolina >> His sprawling and ef…

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Episode 132: Novelist Spotlight #132: The life and writing of Philip Roth, as documented by Benjamin Taylor 57:32

9M ago57:32

57:32

In the spotlight are Philip Roth and Benjamin Taylor. Mr. Taylor is author of the memoir “Here We Are,” a book that discusses his close friendship with Roth, one of the most original and decorated novelists of his era, before succumbing to congestive heart failure in 2018 at age 85. We discuss Philip Roth’s: >> Personality >> Subject matter >> Favo…

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Episode 131: Novelist Spotlight #131: In memoriam, Cormac McCarthy as remembered by McCarthy scholar Steven Frye 57:47

10M ago57:47

57:47

In the spotlight is Cormac McCarthy, the famed novelist who died June 13 of this year at age 89. He is remembered during this episode by Steven Frye, an author, professor of American literature, and chairman of the English department at California State University, Bakersfield. His books include the titles “Understanding Cormac McCarthy,” “The Camb…

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Episode 130: Novelist Spotlight #130: A look back at Kurt Vonnegut with literary scholar Susan Farrell 54:53

10M ago54:53

54:53

In the spotlight are Kurt Vonnegut and American literature professor and researcher Susan Farrell, who is also founding member of the International Kurt Vonnegut Society. Her research in the past few years has focused largely on American war literature, and her most recent book is titled “Imagining Home: American War Fiction from Hemingway to 9/11.…

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Episode 129: Novelist Spotlight #129: Screenwriter turned medieval fantasy novelist Josh Rutherford 52:50

10M ago52:50

52:50

In the spotlight is Josh Rutherford, whose experience growing up in a multigenerational, multiracial environment inspired him to create characters that are diverse and complex, while addressing sensitive issues of race, ethnicity, and class. His latest fantasy series is titled The Fourpointe Chronicles. We discuss: >> Screenwriting versus novel wri…

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Episode 128: Novelist Spotlight #128: Victoria Benton Frank’s fiction hits the big three — food, sex and laughter 1:02:47

11M ago1:02:47

1:02:47

In the spotlight is the author of “My Magnolia Summer,” Victoria Benton Frank, who has followed in the footsteps of her mother (Dorothea Benton Frank) by becoming a novelist. Victoria was born in New York City, raised in Montclair, N.J., but considers herself to have dual residency in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. She is a graduate of the Colle…

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Episode 127: Novelist Spotlight #127: Finding inspiration and procrastination from hosting this podcast 19:08

11M ago19:08

19:08

Mike Consol, producer and host of Novelist Spotlight started this project with an objective in mind. In one sense the objective was achieved; in another sense there was a surprising failure. Then came the “one paragraph” concept, and things were set back on course. Mike Consol is the author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recip…

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Episode 126: Novelist Spotlight #126: Actor, standup comedian and thriller author Amy Young wants readers to meet her at “The Water Tower” 56:37

11M ago56:37

56:37

In the spotlight is Amy Young who, after spending a decade in Los Angeles working in the entertainment industry, returned to her native Cleveland and embarked on a career as a novelist. Her debut effort, “The Water Tower,” was released in June 2023, and she is currently at work on her second novel, another thriller. We discuss: >> Writing first dra…

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Episode 125: Novelist Spotlight #125: A conversation with summer reads novelist Meg Mitchell Moore 55:05

11M ago55:05

55:05

In the spotlight is Meg Mitchell Moore, a summer reads novelist who worked for years as a journalist before turning to fiction. Moore — who lives in the coastal town of Newburyport, Mass., with her husband and their three daughters — has released her latest novel, “Summer Stage,” described as a spirited summer page turner that follows a family of a…

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Episode 124: Novelist Spotlight #124: The horror, suspense and cinematic ambitions of bestseller Taylor Adams 56:03

12M ago56:03

56:03

Taylor Adams graduated from Eastern Washington University with the Excellence in Screenwriting Award and the Edmund G. Yarwood Award. He is the author of several acclaimed thrillers including HAIRPIN BRIDGE and NO EXIT, the latter of which has been published in 32 languages and was recently adapted by 20th Century Studios as a Hulu original film. H…

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Episode 123: Novelist Spotlight #123: Legendary author Graham Greene on the novel-writing process 10:43

12M ago10:43

10:43

In the spotlight is Graham Greene, one of the most influential and celebrated British writers of his generation. Greene's career spanned 67 years, during which he authored more than 25 novels that explored the conflicting moral and political issues of the modern world. He was awarded the Shakespeare Prize in 1968, the Jerusalem Prize in 1981, and w…

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Episode 122: Novelist Spotlight #122: Seafaring author Robin Lloyd is back at the helm 51:48

1y ago51:48

51:48

Think about the great sea-based novels throughout history: “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville comes to mind, as does “The Old Man and the Sea,” by Ernest Hemingway, “The Boat” by Lothar-Günther Buchheim, or even “The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy. In that same tradition comes seafaring novelist Robin Lloyd, author of “Rough Passage to London,” “H…

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Episode 121: Novelist Spotlight #121: Dog lover David Rosenfelt’s move from Hollywood movies to canine-titled comedic novels 47:38

1y ago47:38

47:38

In the spotlight is David Rosenfelt, author of dozens of canine-influenced Andy Carpenter novels with titles including “Bark of Night,” “Citizen K-9,” “Dog Tags” and “Dog Eat Dog.” Rosenfelt spent years in the movie business and then wrote TV movie scripts before trying his hand at authoring legal and investigative novels with a comedic flair. We d…

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Episode 120: Novelist Spotlight #120: From the badlands to House of Sand and Fog with Andre Dubus III 1:20:36

1y ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Andre Dubus III — bestselling author of nine books including “House of Sand and Fog,” “The Garden of Last Days,” “Bluesman” and the memoir “Townie” — is out with his latest novel, “Such Kindness.” Dubus was a finalist for the National Book Award (for “House of Sand and Fog”), has been awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, The National Magazine Award for…

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Episode 119: Novelist Spotlight #119: A look back at Norman Mailer, the bad boy of literature 24:29

1y ago24:29

24:29

In the spotlight is Norman Mailer. The famed author wrote more than 30 books, won two Pulitzer Prizes, directed four movies, wrote 10 screenplays and married six women, all of whom he cheated on profusely. I want to credit biographer Richard Bradford, author of “Tough Guy: The Life of Norman Mailer,” whose bio about the author I generously borrowed…

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Episode 118: Novelist Spotlight #118: Indian American author Vib Jain makes splash with her debut 1:01:04

1y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

In the spotlight is Vibhuti Jain, who goes by Vib for short, the author of “Our Best Intentions,” her first novel. By way of background, Vib Jain lives with her husband and daughter in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she works in international development. She began her career as a corporate lawyer in New York. She holds degrees from Yale Univers…

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Episode 117: Novelist Spotlight #117: After 20-year hiatus, Ray Ring returns to the novel writing business 1:24:52

1y ago1:24:52

1:24:52

Novelist and journalist Ray Ring — author of “Telluride Smile,” “Peregrine Dream” and “Arizona Kiss — has published his first novel in more than 20 years, in the form of “Montana Blues.” We discuss: >> His long absence from the scene >> The various voices of Ray Ring >> His time as an undercover prison inmate >> A brother’s suicide >> Moving from A…

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Episode 116: Novelist Spotlight #116: Author Jennifer Rosner finds catharsis in novelizing the tragic and expected 56:20

1y ago56:20

56:20

In the spotlight is the author of ONCE WE WERE HOME and THE YELLOW BIRD SINGS, as well as the memoir IF A TREE FALLS. We discuss: >> The stolen children of World War II >> Giving birth to and raising deaf daughters >> The human senses >> A boyfriend’s deception >> The start of her writing career >> Touching one’s writing every day >> Philosophical …

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Episode 115: Novelist Spotlight #115: Romantic comedy novelist and neuroscientist Ali Hazelwood 57:40

1y ago57:40

57:40

In the spotlight is Ali Hazelwood, the author of romcom novels that include the titles “Love, Theoretically,” “Love on the Brain” and “Loathe to Love You.” In particular, Hazelwood’s stories revolve around women in academia working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). We discuss: >> Her pseudonym >> Building a support communi…

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Episode 114: Novelist Spotlight #114: Kayla Olson makes the move from YA sci-fi to romantic comedies 57:12

1y ago57:12

57:12

In the spotlight is the author of THE REUNION and the forthcoming novel THE LODGE. During this interview, Texas-based novelist Kayla Olson discusses: >> Changing her genre >> National Novel Writing Month >> Writing for speed >> Career turning points >> Working with a skilled editor >> Working at Starbucks, Bank of America and Chick-Fil-A >> Etc. Le…

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Episode 113: Novelist Spotlight #113: The notorious, gilded, white girl and author Kate Manning 56:48

1+ y ago56:48

56:48

In the spotlight is Kate Manning, author of MY NOTORIOUS LIFE, GILDED MOUNTAIN and WHITEGIRL. The New York Times called My Notorious Life “an action-packed, thought-provoking page-turner.” O Magazine called it “daring and astonishingly current.” NPR’s Kurt Anderson, host of Studio 360, said: “It’s a fantastic yarn … absolutely Dickensian.” And nove…

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Episode 112: Novelist Spotlight #112: N.Y. Times bestselling romantic comedy novelist Allison Winn Scotch 1:09:20

1+ y ago1:09:20

1:09:20

In the spotlight is former magazine writer, celebrity profiler, screenwriter, would-be actress, and novelist Allison Winn Scotch, author of THE REWIND (which was pitched as “The Hangover” meets “When Harry Met Sally” and is being produced as a Netflix movie), BETWEEN ME AND YOU and THE THEORY OF OPPOSITES, among others books. We discuss: >> Failed …

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Episode 111: Novelist Spotlight #111: Erika T. Wurth, author of "White Horse" 1:01:47

1+ y ago1:01:47

1:01:47

In the spotlight is literary-horror novelist Erika T. Wurth, whose latest book has been published by Flatiron/Macmillan, and she is under contract for more to come. A native of the Denver area, Wurth is represented by Rebecca Friedman (books) and Dana Spector, CAA (film). We discuss: >> Use of a middle initial in the author’s byline >> Speculative …

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Episode 110: Novelist Spotlight #110: 20-year-old author Chloe Terranova and the Terranova Universe 59:14

1+ y ago59:14

59:14

In the spotlight is the youngest-ever guest on the program, Chloe Terranova, creator of the Terranova Universe, a new superhero realm filled with new characters. The first of what is expected to be an extensive series of superhero novels. The first installment, “The VMCA,” is available now, and later this year “The VMCA 2” will be released. Terrano…

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Episode 109: Novelist Spotlight #109: Ray Nayler takes readers to the depths with his debut novel ‘The Mountain in the Sea’ 53:41

1+ y ago53:41

53:41

In the spotlight is Ray Nayler, whose new and well-received “near-future” thriller, “The Mountain in the Sea,” is premised on humankind discovering intelligent life in an octopus species with its own language and culture, setting off a high-stakes global competition to dominate the future. We discuss: >> Aging and writing >> Moving from short stori…

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