Podcast
Welcome to the Thriving Authors Podcast, where we delve into all aspects of what it takes to get your dream book out of your heart, onto the page and into the world, connecting with a wide audience of readers.
I don’t just want you to be a published author – I want you to be a THRIVING author, confidently sharing your ideas, making an impact with your words, and owning your unique voice that deserves to be heard! I’m here to guide you through the writing journey, from first draft to revision process, from mindset issues to craft questions, from finding inspiration to building a sustainable writing career!
On this podcast, you will find behind-the-scenes lessons from my own book-writing and publishing journey, interviews with successful published authors, and tips and advice you can start using today to move you forward in your writing life.
Episode 66: 10 Tips to Crush Your Book Launch
I am excited to share a brand new episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, which is very much a day-in-the-life episode because it is all about the week before book launch. And guess where I am right now in my life?? I am LIVING the week before book launch!
Episode 65: Interview with Vanessa Hua
Vanessa Hua is a journalist for the San Francisco Chronicle and best-selling novelist. Her latest novel, FORBIDDEN CITY, tells the story of a teenage girl from a small village who is selected to serve the Communist Party and Chairman Mao at the start of the Cultural Revolution in China.
Episode 64: Why are pre-orders so important?
I am delighted to share a brand-new episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, all about pre-orders and why they matter so much to authors!
Episode 63: Interview with Jessica Thompson
In this week’s episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast, I got to sit down with Jessica Thompson all about how she combined her love of mysteries and baking and found her perfect genre!
Episode 62: Having Cheerleaders in your Writing Life
This week’s episode of the Thriving Authors Podcast is dedicated to a very special person in my life, on his birthday: my Dad! I talk about what he has meant to me as a writer, how he's been so instrumental in my career and how he inspires me to find joy in the ups and downs of the creative life.
Episode 61: Interview with Robert Gwaltney
A graduate of Florida State University, Robert Gwaltney resides in Atlanta, Georgia. By day, he serves as Vice President of Easter Seals North Georgia, Inc., a non-profit organization that strengthens children and their families during the most critical times in their development. Through his non-profit work, he is a champion for early childhood literacy. Robert also serves as Fiction Editor for The Blue Mountain Review. In all the hours between, he writes. The Cicada Tree is his debut novel.
Episode 60: What is an ARC and why do I need one as an author?
This week we’re talking all about ARCs! If you’ve never heard this term and are scratching your head, like “not another acronym!” don’t fear. I’ve got you covered!
Episode 59: Interview with Angie K. Love
For the past decade and a half, Angie K. Love has had a rewarding career as an Acupuncturist, finding deep fulfillment in helping people heal in body, mind, and spirit. Through her writing, she hopes to bring healing to people's hearts and souls.
Episode 58: Using Your Book Cover to Build Buzz
Welcome to the Thriving Authors Podcast, where we delve into all aspects of what it takes to get your dream book out of your heart, onto the page and into the world and connecting with a wide audience of readers.
Episode 56: Interview with J Trevor Robinson
I am excited to share a brand new episode of Overflowing Bookshelves, featuring the hilarious and insightful J. Trevor Robinson @jtrevorrobinsonauthor, author of THE MUMMY OF MONTE CRISTO. It was so fascinating to learn about how he adapted and breathed new life into a classic! If you write historical fiction, or if you’ve ever struggled with balancing research and writing a draft, you definitely do not want to miss this episode.
Episode 57: Interview with Rebecca Bischoff
I am excited to share a brand new episode of Overflowing Bookshelves, featuring the talented multi-genre novelist Rebecca Bischoff! If you like to write in many different genres, or if you ever struggle with the push-pull between creativity and promotion of your books, Rebecca has some wisdom and permission to share with you! You will definitely come away inspired from this episode.
Episode 55: Interview with Alison Kimble
Alison Kimble began writing because she loves stories and believes in their power to shape our world and ourselves. Her writing blends the real and the fantastical and crosses genres of horror, fantasy, and sci-fi.
Episode 54: Interview with Melanie Hooyenga
Multi-award winning YA author Melanie Hooyenga writes about strong teen girls learning to find their way in the world. Her time travel series, The Flicker Effect, tells the story of Biz, a 17-year old who uses sunlight to travel back to yesterday, and her sports romance series, The Rules Series, follows three girls in Boulder, Colorado who navigate their struggles with life and love while skiing, biking, and snowboarding in the great outdoors. Her newest series, The Campfire Series, features dual-POV stories about love, life, and making the most of sleeping under the stars.
Episode 53: Interview with Cori Cooper
I am delighted to share a brand new episode of Overflowing Bookshelves, featuring my sweet friend @authorcoricooper, who is one of the most inspiring people I know. Her joy about the writing life is contagious and her positive attitude will inspire you to approach your own creative process with renewed energy. Grab a cup of tea or a sweet treat and enjoy!
Episode 52: Interview with Lenore Stutznegger
Lenore Stutznegger is the author of the award-winning debut novel BLUE SHADOWS FALL. She grew up running barefoot in the woods of Mechanicsville, Virginia with a dog at her side, five crazy siblings, and creative parents. She learned from a young age to hone her talents in art, trust in her voice, and compete for the most marshmallows in Lucky Charms. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Fine Art, married the love of her life, and lived in North Carolina for many years and considers the South to be her happy place. She now resides in Northern California with her four spirited children, a pug, two cats, and backyard chickens in a new kind of crazy paradise.
Episode 51: Interview with JD Spero
Johannah Davies (JD) Spero’s writing career took off when her first release, Catcher’s Keeper, was a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. Since then, she’s found similar success with her young adult fantasy Forte series, winning recognition from National Indie Excellence Award (2014, 2016) and Adirondack Literary Award — Best Book of Children’s Literature (2015). Her novel Boy on Hold was a 2020 Book Excellence Award winner and a 2020 IPPY GOLD winner for Best Mystery/Thriller, and its sequel Boy Released came out earlier this year. After living in various cities from St. Petersburg (Russia) to Boston, Johannah now lives with her family in the Lake George area, where she was born and raised.
Episode 50: Virtual Book Launch!
This is a special episode: a recording of my virtual book launch for my new novel Thanks, Carissa, For Ruining My Life! My amazing sister & librarian extraordinaire Allyson McAuley chatted with me about the ten years it took to bring this book into the world, crafting multidimensional characters, giving yourself permission to write and read a variety of genres, planning out book structure, and more! I also give a little reading from the book – a part I’ve never shared publicly before.
Episode 49: Interview with Lisa Czarina Michaud
Lisa Czarina Michaud is a novelist and translator. Her debut novel, SLANTED & DISENCHANTED, came out last year to rave reviews. Born and raised in Chelsea before a family relocation to Long Island, she has been writing her New York stories her entire life. Wanting to see the left coast, she attended The Evergreen State College before stumbling through adulthood in Hollywood, then back east to Brooklyn and eventually Paris. Lisa's work has been featured in various publications. She currently lives in France with her husband, son, and cat, Le Tigre.
Episode 48: Interview with Cynthia Morris
Author and Certified Coach Cynthia Morris is the founder of Original Impulse, helping people become the writers they’ve always wanted to be. Cynthia has published seven non-fiction books and a Paris historical novel. Her most recent book is The Busy Woman’s Guide to Writing a World-Changing Book. She speaks globally on writing and the creative process and leads retreats, and hosts the podcast Stumbling Toward Genius.
Episode 47: Interview with Elizabeth Gonzalez James
Before becoming a writer Elizabeth was a waitress, a pollster, an Avon lady, and an opera singer. Her stories and essays have appeared in The Idaho Review, The Rumpus, StorySouth, PANK, and elsewhere, and have received numerous Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net nominations. She is the Interviews Editor at The Rumpus, as well as a regular contributor to Ploughshares Blog. Her first novel, MONA AT SEA, was a finalist in the 2019 SFWP Literary Awards judged by Carmen Maria Machado, and is available now from Santa Fe Writers Project. Originally from South Texas, Elizabeth now lives with her family in Massachusetts.