Best Leah Simmons Podcasts (2024)

1
Writing on a Fox Sitcom w/Allison Jackson (CALL ME KAT) 1:16:21

3h ago1:16:21

1:16:21

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter, Allison Jackson! Allison is a Los Angeles based screenwriter who writes funny shows about Black women in not-so-funny situations. Originally from a town of three thousand in Ohio, Jackson developed her love for screenwriting while working in China, and learned Manda…

1
Producing a Netflix Top 4 Indie Film w/Luke Barnett (YOUR LUCKY DAY) 1:15:58

28d ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--actor, producer, screenwriter, and director, Luke Barnett! Luke is a jack of all trades and most recently, it was his producing work that helped bring success to the feature film, YOUR LUCKY DAY, written and directed by Dan Brown, and starring the late Angus Cloud and Jessica Gar…

1
Script Clearances and What Writers Need to Know w/Carley Aggromito (ABIGAIL FRANKLIN'S IMPROBABILITY OF STARDOM) 1:08:42

2M ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and script clearance professional, Carley Aggromito! Carley is an Australia and Vancouver-based writer writing features while working in script clearances by day. In this episode, we discuss her writing, contest success, and the world of script clearances. I hope you…

1
EP156: 5CQ for Dan White, Host of QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUTWITHDAN 27:44

2M ago27:44

27:44

Shawn welcomes fellow podcaster Dan White to the show to discuss his podcasts, QUEER MAGNOLIAS and OUT WITH DAN, the importance of listening to diverse voices and points of view, finding your people, mutual friends, travel, eating and drinking, and Agatha Christie.

1
EP155: 5CQ for Lynn Painter, Author of HAPPILY NEVER AFTER 17:53

2M ago17:53

17:53

Shawn chats with Lynn Painter about her new novel, writing for adults and younger readers, weddings, blowing up weddings, writing rom-com male characters, the need for joy, and classic rom-com movies.

1
EP154: 5CQ for Cindy Goyette, Author of OBEY ALL LAWS 18:34

2M ago18:34

18:34

Shawn and Cindy chat about her debut novel, OBEY ALL LAWS, life as a parole officer, dogs, second chances, making mistakes, organic writing, and writing drunk and editing sober.

1
EP153: 5CQ for Jackie Layton, Author of WEEDING OUT LIES and CLUTTER FREE 15:25

2M ago15:25

15:25

Shawn and Jackie chat about cozy mysteries, writing multiple series, flowers and what they mean to us, garden clubs, secret Pinterest boards, Texas, and how we want no sadness in some mysteries.

1
EP152: 5CQ for C.J. Box, Author of THREE-INCH TEETH 26:12

2M ago26:12

26:12

Shawn chats with NYT Bestselling Author C.J. Box about his 24th Joe Picket novel, THREE-INCH TEETH, writing a long-running and much-loved series, predator attack teams, Mama Bears, animal emotions, Mark Twain, and finding your own unique lane as a writer.

1
EP151: 5CQ for Lynn Chandler Willis, Author of WHAT THE MONKEY SAW 31:45

2M ago31:45

31:45

Shawn and Lynn chat about writing multiple series, finding a new publishing home, being from the South, True Crime, small town newspapers, breaking up with our characters, and French Bulldog puppies.

1
EP150: 5CQ for Bruce Robert Coffin, Co-Author of THE TURNER & MOSLEY FILES 44:07

3M ago44:07

44:07

Shawn and Bruce chat about Bruce's new series, coauthored with LynDee Walker, the Byron series, his new series out next year, taking chances as a writer, Stephen King, non-writing spouses, the need for therapy, British television, and support from other writers in the community.

1
Writing in TV Rooms at Netflix & Amazon w/Shruti Saran (SLIP on Roku) 1:06:19

3M ago1:06:19

1:06:19

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show we have a very special guest--screenwriter and filmmaker, Shruti Saran! Shruti has written in writer's rooms at Netflix and Amazon, and is currently ESE on Season 2 of SLIP on Roku! In this episode, she shares her personal experience with moving from Texas to LA to join her first writer's room and all the les…

1
EP149: 5CQ for Darlene Dziomba, Author of FIRE AND DALMATION 23:03

3M ago23:03

23:03

Shawn and Darlene chat about dogs, Bouchercon, meeting your people, support from librarians, indie vs. traditional publishing, Sisters in Crime, and connecting with readers.

1
EP148: 5CQ for Leah Konen, Author of KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

Shawn and Leah chat about Leah's new novel, Alfred Hitchcock, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, making friends as adults, women shouldering family responsibilities, and how new friends might not always be what they appear to be.

1
EP147: 5CQ for Wendy Sand Eckel, Author of KILLER IN A WINTER WONDERLAND 29:07

3M ago29:07

29:07

Shawn and Wendy chat about writing culinary mysteries, research through cooking, moms who read, finding your reading groove again, Wendy's brush with the law at a young age, connecting with readers, and how art is important to the human condition.

1
EP146: 5CQ for Nick Petrie, Author of THE PRICE YOU PAY 37:10

3M ago37:10

37:10

Shawn and Nick chat about his long-running Peter Ash series, how Nick's career began, grocery store conversations, PTSD, writing by hand, cool techniques for writers who get stuck, many drinks with friends at conferences, author rock stars, and finding your people.

1
EP145: 5CQ for Erica Miner, Author of PRELUDE TO MURDER 37:59

3M ago37:59

37:59

Shawn and Erica chat about playing the violin, creepy opera houses, being keynote speakers, concert masters, sexism in both music and writing, and Agatha Christie.

1
EP144: 5CQ for Dr. Frank Spinelli, Author of NO ANGELS WEPT 25:38

4M ago25:38

25:38

Shawn and Dr. Frank chat about his fiction and nonfiction writing career, a medical career and how it influences his writing, walking around as your character for a week, leaving good reviews, Stephen King, and Frank's great advice for writers and for life in general.

1
A Cinematographer's Approach to Story w/Brett Pawlak (SHORT TERM 12, JUST MERCY) 1:31:37

4M ago1:31:37

1:31:37

Hey there, everybody! Today's guest is cinematographer, Brett Pawlak! Brett was the DP of one of my all-time favorite films, SHORT TERM 12, in addition to a bunch of other incredible television and film credits. In the episode, we talk about how he got started with cameras, meeting frequent collaborator, writer/director, Destin Daniel Cretton, winn…

1
EP143: 5CQ for Marty Wingate, Author of A BODY ON THE DOORSTEP 30:42

4M ago30:42

30:42

Shawn and Marty chat about her new historical mystery series, The London Ladies' Murder Club, the Society of Useful Women, useful women, gardening, writing multiple series, the value of a critique group, and releasing two full-length books at one time.

1
EP142: 5CQ for Dr. Paul Quinn, author of PRENATAL POSSIBILITIES 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

Shawn and Paul chat about his cookbook for expectant mothers, writing cookbooks, testing recipes, nutrition and where we all go wrong, the beauty of women and childbirth, and helping others.

1
EP141: 5CQ for Sharon Lynn, Author of DEATH TAKES A FALL 23:39

4M ago23:39

23:39

Shawn and Sharon chat about her new novel set in Bath in the UK, Sharon's love of England, teaching and writing, following your own lessons, brains of nineteen year olds, a chastity belt for your developing brain that keeps you from making big decisions, how warm is your oven, and the art of not giving up.…

1
EP140: 5CQ for Peter Malone Elliott, Author of BLUE RIDGE 24:46

4M ago24:46

24:46

Shawn and Peter chat about his debut novel BLUE RIDGE, being inspired by your surroundings, twin brothers, pancakes, how acting can help writers, Sam Shepherd, and fun dinner guests.

1
Screenwriting From Outside Hollywood with Andy Compton (Special Guest Host - Gabe Braxton) 1:59:26

5M ago1:59:26

1:59:26

Hey there, everybody! Doing something a little different on this episode--the screenwriter in the hot seat will be ME! With my good pal, Gabe Braxton, guest hosting. We talk about how I got into screenwriting, contest success, starting a screenwriting career from outside Hollywood, and more! Also, you can watch the full video podcast of this episod…

1
EP139: 5CQ for Edwin Hill, Author of WHO TO BELIEVE 28:00

5M ago28:00

28:00

Shawn and Edwin chat about his new novel, RASHOMON, writing from multiple POVs, birthday cakes, story structure, teaching, and walking the dog.

1
EP138: 5CQ for Tom Coffey, Author of PUBLIC MORALS 19:34

6M ago19:34

19:34

Shawn and Tom chat about the first book in The Divine Trilogy, living in New York, police in New York, SERPICO, why NYC is a great place for stories, and writing fiction inspired by true events.

1
EP137: 5CQ for Lane Stone, Author of THE CANVAS 18:06

6M ago18:06

18:06

Shawn and Lane chat about the second book in Lane's Big Picture Trilogy, art and antiquity theft, the importance of art in the world, art and religion, sudden cold air, likeable and unlikeable characters, and the strategy behind writing a trilogy.

1
EP136: 5CQ for Linda Lovely, Author of A KILLER APP 16:47

6M ago16:47

16:47

Shawn and Linda chat about the newest book in her HOA Mystery series, deep fakes, the state of the world, how AI is everywhere, writers and actors dealing with AI, book store events, and writing multiple series.

1
EP135: 5CQ for Virginia Kantra, Author of THE FAIRYTALE LIFE OF DOROTHY GALE 36:02

6M ago36:02

36:02

Shawn and Virginia chat about her new book, which is a reimagining of THE WIZARD OF OZ, the male gaze, love and the darker side of love, if there really is no place like home, why Virginia writes the kinds of books she does, and life during lockdown.

1
Writing a Feature Film in the Festival Circuit with Leah Simmons (VALENTINE CRUSH) 1:08:40

6M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Leah Simmons, or as you may know her on Twitter, Leah From South Dakota! Leah is a screenwriter based in, you guessed it, South Dakota. She writes genre features and pilots and in this episode we discuss her feature film credit, VALENTINE CRUSH, her writing process, film festival…

1
EP134: 5CQ for Gregory Stout, author of WOMAN IN THE WIND 20:12

6M ago20:12

20:12

Shawn and Gregory chat about the newest novel in the Jackson Gamble PI series set in Nashville, how Nashville is a great place to visit and set a series in, winning the Shamus Award then judging the Shamus Award, having enough time to read, hate mail, and never giving up.

1
EP133: 5CQ for Clementine Taylor, Author of SOMETHING ABOUT HER 23:17

7M ago23:17

23:17

Shawn and Clementine chat about her debut novel, the feeling of excited dread, coming-of-age love stories, writing stories we want to read, why everyone is so raw, and their fascination with both poetry and apples.

1
EP132: 5CQ for Marlie Parker Wasserman, Author of INFERNO ON FIFTH 28:10

7M ago28:10

28:10

Shawn and Marlie chat about fires, old New York, the richer and poorer classes living together in the city, how people react in emergencies, and how there can be several truths true at the same time.

1
EP131: 5CQ for Mary Keliikoa, Author of DEADLY TIDES 15:51

7M ago15:51

15:51

Shawn and Mary chat about East and West Coast living, keeping a series fresh, building characters, cozy vs. detective fiction and related body counts, being busy women, and collaborating on a short story together.

1
EP130: 5CQ for Joeseph Souza, Author of THE ANCHORMAN'S WIFE 25:45

7M ago25:45

25:45

Shawn and Joe chat about perseverance in writing, getting through the hard times, living with no regrets, Ted Baxter, making up stories about strangers on the street, putting words in the bank, meeting Julia Child and having a child in Hollywood, dealing with the writers' strike and oddball projects.…

1
EP129: 5CQ for Alan Orloff, Author of SANCTUARY MOTEL 35:07

8M ago35:07

35:07

Shawn and Alan chat about his new novel SANCTUARY MOTEL, life in Florida, police ride-alongs, Fish Kitchen, off-brand motels, upcoming anthology projects, and their mutual love of Stephen King.

1
Writing a Movie for Lifetime with Brandi Sperry (TAKEN IN MONTANA) 1:30:30

8M ago1:30:30

1:30:30

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Brandi Sperry! Brandi is the screenwriter of the TV movie, TAKEN IN MONTANA, which premiered on Lifetime in September 2023. She a multi-genre writer who writes in both the TV and film formats. In the episode, she talks about her projects, her writing process, and a disdain for pr…

1
EP128: 5CQ for Rachel Heng, Author of THE GREAT RECLAMATION 20:18

8M ago20:18

20:18

Shawn and Rachel chat about uncovering our origins, library borrowing limits, spending time with writers, MFA programs, and being a teacher of creative writing.

1
EP127: 5CQ for Matt Singer, film critic and author of OPPOSABLE THUMBS 37:54

8M ago37:54

37:54

Shawn and Matt discuss Siskel and Ebert and Matt's new book about the legendary film critics and their impact on movie watching through the years.

1
EP126: 5CQ for Edward Carey, Artist and Author of EDITH HOLLER 20:05

8M ago20:05

20:05

Shawn and Edward chat about books and art, finding inspiration during the pandemic, Edward creating a drawing a day, theater and politics. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Edward Carey is a novelist, visual artist, and playwright. His previous novels include The Swallowed Man, Little, Alva & Irva, and Observatory Mansions, and an acclaimed series for young adults…

1
EP125: 5CQ for Author Dale T. Phillips, Author of 87 WAYS TO SELL MORE BOOKS 20:44

9M ago20:44

20:44

Shawn and Dale talk about traditional vs. indie publishing, writing inspirations, Stephen King, their mutual appreciation for the Writing Life, and finding your community in the world of writing. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dale T Phillips is a New England writer and actor who spent his formative years in Maine, and has lived and worked in a number of differ…

1
EP124: 5CQ for Lauren J.A. Bear, Author of MEDUSA'S SISTERS 21:40

9M ago21:40

21:40

Shawn and Lauren discuss her new novel MEDUSA'S SISTERS, how no one is born evil, shaping young minds, the allure of myths and mythical stories, the roles of siblings, sisters, and birth order, the unfortunate timelessness of blaming the victim, feminism, and the importance of compassion in all things.…

1
EP123: 5CQ for Tim Murphy, Author of SPEECH TEAM 21:11

9M ago21:11

21:11

Shawn and Tim discuss growing up in the 80s, how comments made during our school years stay with us into adulthood, small-t trauma, speech writing and fiction writing, speech team vs. drama club, and the emotional well-being of Gen-Xers.

1
Landing a Manager From a Contest with Sam Watson (MAGICAL NEGRO - 1-hour pilot) 1:47:31

9M ago1:47:31

1:47:31

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Sam Watson! Based in, and proudly repping, Philadelphia, Sam is a Black, biracial, Ukrainian-American television writer. His work recently landed him a manager, which we get into more in the episode! Give it a listen, like, follow, subscribe, say something nice on Twitter/Instagr…

1
EP122: 5CQ with Sandra Rathbone, Author of SKELEE BOY 31:23

9M ago31:23

31:23

Shawn and Sandra chat about writing for younger readers, hard endings, plotting vs. organic writing, Stephen King, having rogues in the family, Chloris Leachman, and their love of music.

1
EP121: 5CQ for Kerri Maher, Author of ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL 19:54

9M ago19:54

19:54

Shawn and Kerri chat about The Jane Collective, how you have to keep fighting for your rights, great girlfriends and having a ride-or-die set of friends, accidentally topical books, listening to the universe, and hanging in there through rejection in a writing career.

1
EP120: 5CQ for Lisa Shaughnassey, Founder of The Writing Retreat Directory, co-hosted by Author K.B. White, Author of SECRETS DON'T SINK 19:15

10M ago19:15

19:15

Shawn and her co-host Kate KB Jackson chat with Lisa chat about her business The Writing Retreat Directory and Writing Retreat Sampler, her deep dive into Ancestry.com, and finding inspiration when starting or maintaining a writing journey.

1
EP119: 5CQ for Don Bentley, NYT Bestselling Author of WEAPONS GRADE, the latest TOM CLANCY novel 25:36

10M ago25:36

25:36

Shawn chats with returning guest Don Bentley about the newest book in the Tom Clancy world of novels, what SWAT stands for, what it's like on the bestseller lists, writing multiple books and series a year, Tom Cruise, writing sprints, and having either a Stephen King or Mark Greaney kind of day.

1
EP118: 5CQ for Amy Young, Author of THE WATER TOWER 18:43

10M ago18:43

18:43

Shawn and Amy chat about comedy writing vs. novel writing, great dialogue, being Midwestern, debut novels, shifting careers, and the importance of supportive partners for creative people.

1
EP117: 5CQ for Jane Loeb Rubin, Author of IN THE HANDS OF WOMEN 25:19

10M ago25:19

25:19

Shawn and Jane talk about surviving and thriving after a cancer diagnosis, healthcare for women over the years, the bandwagon effect, what history was actually like, and the magic of teamwork.

1
Screenwriting From a Lived Experience with Andrea Berting (BREAST IN SHOW, ISA Fast Track Fellow 2023) 1:05:22

10M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Hey there, everybody! Today on the show, I'm talking to screenwriter, Andrea Berting! Hailing from Chicago, Andrea works in the world of wardrobe for live theater along with hustling her screenplays. In the last year, she landed a manager from Tobias Management, and it seems her career is on the up and up! We get into all that and more! Give this e…

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