Interviews with the best of women’s fiction authors. Where do best-selling authors find their story inspiration? Plus books they recommend, and advice for other writers.Hosted by award-winning author, Lainey Cameron and Ashley Hasty, the book blogger behind HastyBookList.com
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Each week, co-hosts, Alida Winternheimer, author and writing coach at Word Essential, and Kathryn Arnold, emerging writer, have conversations about the craft of writing fiction. They bring diverse experiences and talents to the table from both the traditional and indie worlds. Our goal is for each episode to be a fun, lively discussion of some aspect of story craft that enlightens, as well as entertains. Sometimes we have special guests. All episodes are available in video as well. Visit www ...
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SWRT 303 | Lainey Cameron interviews Alida about A Stone's Throw, novel
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This week, the Story Works Round Table is turned: Alida is interviewed by guest host, Lainey Cameron, award-winning author, podcaster, and book marketing expert. They discuss writing without genre in mind, starting with a vision only described as magical realism. Alida's novel, A Stone's Throw, explores themes of relationships, and motherhood, whil…
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SWRT 302 | Transitions: bridging the white space in your stories
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This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk transitions. What are the good, bad, and better ways to keep your readers reading past narrative breaks? We want to create bridges over that white space, whether it’s a scene, chapter, or part break, no matter who, when, or where shifts on the other side. Get Alida's musings on life, …
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SWRT 301 | 6 Things I Know That Will Help You Write Your Story
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This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida shares 6 powerful tips that will help you get your personal story down on the page. Whether you're writing for yourself, family, or the wide world of readers, these 6 things will help you clear the hurdles that make it hard to start telling your story. Alida's latest essay was just published in Passen…
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SWRT 300 | Finding Penrose - Paula Sheridan's life to book to film journey
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This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Paula Sheridan back to the Round Table to discuss her new project, Finding Penrose. Paula's novel has already captured the hearts of celebrities, plus the media, with 100's of articles already published. And with two renowned film producers adapting Penrose's story for the big screen, they're now in talks with a…
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SWRT 299 | Authors Talk Women's Fiction
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This week at the Story Works Round Table, five authors sit down to talk women's fiction. Alida Winternheimer is joined by D. Liebhart, Heidi McIntyre, Amanda Speights, and Jen Telger to discuss their genre and their stories. There is a lot more to women's fiction than strong female characters or women authors. The diversity of the genre makes it di…
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This week, Alida and Kathryn discuss writing with whimsey. Whimsical writing can add humor and charm to writing, but it's not only for children's stories. Lighthearted, quirky, and funny moments add levity to otherwise serious or dark tales. After this week's episode, you might just find yourself writing whimsically. Get Alida's musings on life, wr…
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk dialogue. We've noticed what may be some poor advice and some frightening trends in dialogue floating around out there. Time to bust some myths and pop some speech balloons! We draw on the past two Writers Book Club short stories for examples of dialogue, interiority, and narrative po…
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss Chekhov's story, "The Woman with the Little Dog." You can get the link to read it in the show notes. "Everything that he found important, interesting, necessary, in which he was sincere and did not deceive himself, which constituted the core of his life, occurred in secret from oth…
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SWRT 295 | Writers Book Club: Gina Berriault
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss Gina Berriault's short story, "The Woman in the Rose Colored Dress." At only 2 1/2 pages, it packs in remarkable sentences, the experience of time passing, incredible subtext in minimal dialogue, and a realistic coming of age story when a girl makes a discovery about her father tha…
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida, Carlee, and Robert go deep with the question of what makes a genre a genre? Discover the nuances of crafting stories and targeting the right readership. We dissect the concept of genre as both a craft and marketing tool. It's far more useful to us writers than just a marketing category. Writing to ma…
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn are joined by D. Liebhart. Revision is more than just fixing typos and filling plot holes; it's about delving deep into the heart of the story and ensuring every word, every character, and every twist aligns with the author's vision. D. discusses the challenges she faced revising her award…
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SWRT 292 | Marketing & Community withe Alexa Bigwarfe
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"It's never too early to start thinking about marketing and building your community. It's never too early. It can be too late." Ever thought it's too early to market your book? Think again! Alexa Bigwarfe shares her wisdom on today's Story Works Round Table, in a conversation that's as inspiring as it is informative. Marketing, as Alexa says, is no…
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SWRT 290 | Life to Fiction with D. Liebhart
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discover the compelling intersection of personal experience and fiction on this week's writing podcast. D. Leibhart joins us to share her journey writing her award-winning novel, House on Fire, and the art of turning life into literature. Join us for a conversation about craft and the comp…
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SWRT 290 | Heroes with Screenwriter Tim Auld
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn welcome screenwriter Tim Auld back to the round table to discuss heroes. What makes a hero resonate with an audience? Tim Auld introduces us to the concept of ordinary heroism, a principle that suggests heroes should be inherently inadequate to the challenges they face. It's this inadequac…
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SWRT 289 | Scripting Didacticism with Screenwriter Tim Auld
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida & Kathryn welcome screenwriter Tim Auld to the Story Works Round Table to discuss the trend in film and literature toward didactic writing, when the (often moral) message of a piece overpowers the story trying to be told. Why is this still happening when audiences are weary of it? What about writing a…
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This week, Alida, Robert, and Kathryn discuss the relationship between stakes and agency. How do these aspects of plot and character work together to create forward drive in your story? This episode is from our library. It was previously published as episode 73. Show notes and more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com Get Alida's musings on life, writing, …
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn talk about creating character arcs. Most characters won't utterly transform from villain to hero, like our friend Scrooge, but shift needs to happen. Our character and plot arcs are married. The internal character arc is played out in the external plot arc. Identifying your character's shi…
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Kelly Irvin, award-winning author of The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos
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For our last episode of this season, award-winning author Kelly Irvin talks about her most recent release, "The Year of Goodbyes and Hellos," a deeply personal novel inspired by her own experience with ovarian cancer.Kelly has authored more than 35 Amish romances, romantic suspense novels, and novellas. Her latest book, "The Year of Goodbyes and He…
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SWRT 286 | Writers Book Club: A Christmas Carol
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn tackle a holiday classic, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Most of us have seen the story dramatized annually, whether on television or in the theatre. But how many of us have actually read it? It was my first time and I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. No surprise, however, Dickens…
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Emily Bleeker, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
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Bestselling author Emily Bleeker, with six novels under her belt, is a two-time Whitney Award finalist, Wall Street Journal bestseller, and Amazon charts topper. In her latest historical fiction novel, "When We Were Enemies," Emily unveils a compelling narrative featuring two women from different generations thrust into the spotlight. This powerful…
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Katherine Howe, New York Times bestselling author of Historical Fiction
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Katherine Howe is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning historian and novelist. She delves into the riveting world of piracy and maritime history in her latest novel, A True Account: Hannah Masury's Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself. Drawing inspiration from her own genealogy, the book explores how women looked for their own …
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SWRT 285 | Self Discovery Through Writing
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This week, Alida and Kathryn solve the world's problems with one simple, three-part edict. We're kidding, but we're kind of not. Writing and reading are all about building empathetic connections with people who are nothing like ourselves. As such, writers are gifted with a truly great responsibility. Share this episode and a book with the people yo…
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A special Fall episode featuring hot new releases from our past guests! In this episode we share a range of newly released and upcoming books, from emotional and romantic women’s fiction, to historical fiction, domestic suspense, and even an apocalyptic holiday tale. Acid Christmas by Charlotte Dune Always Orchid by Carol Van Den Hende As Though Yo…
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Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger, author of The Diplomat's Wife Series
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Award-winning author Chrystyna Lucyk-Berger talks about her first two books in The Diplomat's Wife series: "The American Wife" and "An American Wife in Paris". The third book, "The American Wife's Secret," has just been released. In this gripping World War 2 fiction, we follow the journey of Kitty Larsson, a U.S. senator's daughter whose life takes…
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SWRT 284 | Writers Book Club: Naming My Father
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This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Dr. Martha Highers to the Writers Book Club to discuss "Naming My Father," a personal essay that won the Under the Sun summer writing contest. Martha is an editor at Under the Sun. not only do we talk as reader-writers, we get an insightful behind the scenes glimpse of the selection and editorial process for thi…
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Jane Healey, Bestselling author of Historical Fiction
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Step back in time with Jane Healey, the Washington Post and Amazon Charts bestselling author of 'The Secret Stealers.' In her latest historical novel, 'Goodnight From Paris,' we're transported to Nazi-occupied France. Here, an American film star embraces her most dangerous role, weaving a tale of loyalty and resistance, inspired by the true story o…
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*Special Fall Episode* Exciting 2023 Debuts!
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In this special episode, we showcase six exciting women's fiction debuts. Each of our chosen authors shares insights about their novel, the inspiration behind it, and their best writing advice. From historical fiction to multi-cultural romance and a dose of the supernatural, there's something here for everyone! Anju Gattani author of Dynasties, Boo…
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This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss characterization, with examples from a short story by Junot Díaz. They analyze how Díaz introduces characters through the narrator's perspective, using just a few sharp details to create vivid impressions of complex people are are inspired to re-examine their own character descript…
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Mary Camarillo, Award-winning author of Those People Behind Us
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Mary Camarillo is the author of the award-winning novel, "The Lockhart Women." Her poems and short fiction have appeared in publications such as TAB Journal, 166 Palms, Sonora Review, and The Ear. Her latest novel, Those People Behind Us is set in the summer of 2017 in Wellington Beach, California. This captivating story delves into the lives of fi…
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Vanessa Riley, Award-winning author of Historical Fiction
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Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical fiction. Her novels illuminate the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and vibrant multicultural communities. Her novel, Island Queen was a Good Morning America Buzz Pick and she was also named the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Awards Literary Fi…
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SWRT 282 | Writers Book Club: Fiesta, 1980 by Junot Diaz
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This week at the Story Works Round Table, listener and fellow writer Dave sits down with Alida and Kathryn to discuss the short story by Junot Diaz, "Fiesta, 1980." We're amazed by how much tension Diaz packs into this story about a family gathering, as well as his incredible voice, imagery, and metaphors. Are you ready to work with a developmental…
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Ann Marie Jackson, author of The Broken Hummingbird
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Our choice for the first episode of the new season, Ann Marie Jackson's debut novel, The Broken Hummingbird, was announced as a finalist in the 2023 American Fiction and International Book Awards. Set in the Mexican town of San Miguel de Allende, where Lainey Cameron also resides, this novel wrestles with marital dissolution and cultural dissonance…
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This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss bookending a story with a prologue and epilogue. Bookends can't just be tacked on; they need to be essential to the reader's understanding of whole story. Show notes, links, & more at www.StoryWorksPodcast.com. Read A Room Full of Books & Pencils, ruminations on the essential, stor…
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SWRT 280 | Writers Book Club: Ethan Frome
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This week we're back from summer break with a new season and a new format. In addiction to the regular conversations about craft, we'll be reading a short prose text each month and discussing it as writers. Would you like to join the book club? Next month we're talking about Junot Diaz' short story "Fiesta 1980." This week, we delve into Edith Whar…
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Story Works Round Table is back next month with some exciting new shows! Want to sit at the round table? Reach out and let us know! Sign up for this season's writing workshops and group coaching sessions at www.WordEssential.com.
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*Special Episode* (June) Hot New Releases!
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In our last episode of this season, we feature four exciting new novels, all releases from our past guests. We showcase new historical fiction from Erin Litteken and KD Allbaugh, set in Ukraine and rural Wisconsin. Plus, two upcoming novels - new contemporary fiction in a poignant sister story from author Jamie Beck (coming in July) and a preview o…
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Chanel Cleeton, New York Times Bestselling author of The Cuban Heiress
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NYT and USA TODAY bestselling author Chanel Cleeton is the author of many superb novels including Next Year in Havana, When We Left Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, and more. Her latest release, The Cuban Heiress, follows two women in 1934 with secrets. They set sail aboard the Morro Castle—a luxury cruise liner that sailed between New York and Ha…
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*Special Episode* Women’s Fiction Day 2023
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For Women’s Fiction Day 2023, a discussion that tackles the difficult questions surrounding the term “women’s fiction”. With host Lainey Cameron and guests Charlotte Dune, Maggie Smith, Paulette Stout, and author and book coach Kathryn Dodson. In a world recognizing a wide gender spectrum, and after Publishers Marketplace dropped the term, does a g…
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Micki Berthelot Morency, author of Island Sisters
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Micki Berthelot Morency shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Island Sisters. A story about four women from Haiti, St. Thomas, and Guam whose fates are bound together by culture, history, and most importantly, by a deep and irrevocable friendship. The novel is told from alternating perspectives of each friend and delves into an importa…
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Diane Marie Brown, author of Black Candle Women
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Diane Marie Brown talks about her historical novel, Black Candle Women, recently named as “A Read with Jenna Book Club Pick as Seen on the Today Show.” Jenna Bush Hager says, “If you like Practical Magic… you will love Black Candle Women.” We dive into what inspired Diane Marie Brown to write this particular story and how her own family history ins…
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Our second episode featuring Hot New Releases from our past guests. This time we’re highlighting new books that released in the month of May. We'll introduce you to new historical fiction from Linda Rosen, an exciting new book club novel by Laura Hankin, and a thriller from Regina Buttner. The Emerald Necklace, like Linda Rosen’s prior work, featur…
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Joani Elliott, STAR Award Winner & author of The Audacity of Sara Grayson
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Joani Eliott's novel, The Audacity of Sara Grayson was last year’s winner of Women’s Fiction Writers Association STAR award in the debut category, in addition to winning the Whitney awards in debut novel of the year and general fiction categories. Joani shares the inspiration behind a novel writers and creatives have been raving about, and which re…
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Shaunna J. Edwards & Alyson Richman, authors of The Thread Collectors
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Debut novelist Shaunna J. Edwards & USA Today bestselling Alyson Richman talk about their historical novel, The Thread Collectors, loosely inspired by their own family histories. With Ashley, they discuss their enduring friendship, how they came to be co-writers, and what it was like to transition from friends to colleagues. In addition, they each …
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Debra Thomas, Award-winning author of Luz, and Josie and Vic
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Debra Thomas' first novel, Luz, won several awards including the Sarton Award for contemporary fiction. Her second novel, Josie and Vic just released. A brother and sister story of love, loss, and forgiveness, it's been described as "an unforgettable, heart-filled, heart-filling novel”. Debra shares her inspiration, more on that outstanding cover d…
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Brenda Janowitz, author of The Audrey Hepburn Estate
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Brenda Janowitz talks about her latest historical novel, The Audrey Hepburn Estate, about a love triangle and the estate where it took place, inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s tendency to be a homebody. This is the third novel in what Ashley lovingly refers to as Brenda’s novels about starlets and the things they own. In addition, Brenda shares great ad…
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A new type of special episode where we feature the latest releases from our past guests. In this episode we introduce you to new fiction from Leanne Treese, Laura Drake, and K.T. Blakemore. Laura’s Drake’s newest novel, AMAZING GRACIE is poignant women’s fiction, a story of family in all its incarnations. FUN LESSONS, the new release from Leanne Tr…
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Jennifer Rosner, Award-winning author of Once We Were Home
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Jennifer Rosner’s first novel, The Yellow Bird Sings was a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award. Her new release, Once We Were Home, is historical fiction based on the true stories of children separated and displaced from their parents, during and after World War II. The novel has been called “moving, subtle, and beautifully told”. Find the …
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This week, Alida and Kathryn welcome Adrienne Young and Isabel Ibañez to the Story Works Round Table to chat about their new book, The Storyteller's Workbook. This is a novelist's dream tool and you're going to want to get your hands on a copy - just ask Kathryn! We get into everything, from the beautiful design and feel of the paper (it really doe…
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Stephanie Landsem, author of Code Name Edelweiss
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Stephanie Landsem introduces us to her fifth novel, Code Name Edelweiss Based on true events, the novel tells the story of how a lone Jewish lawyer and a handful of amateur spies discovered and foiled Adolf Hitler's plan to take over Hollywood. Stephanie shares her best writing advice, how she came across the true story that inspired this latest bo…
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A special episode featuring six exciting women’s fiction debuts from the first half of 2023! Each of our six authors shares with Ashley Hasty and Lainey Cameron about their novel, their inspiration, and their best writing advice. * Tracey D Buchanan author of Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace * Annie Cathryn author of The Friendship Breakup * D.…
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