Friends & Fiction

New York Times bestselling author Paula McLain joins the show to discuss her new novel WHEN THE STARS GO DARK, her writing career, and influences. http://paulamclain.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WRITERS' BLOCK: Susan Cushman and Lisa Patton tell the story behind their books, John and Mary Margaret and RUSH, very different stories set in college life at Ole' Miss at very different times, yet exploring very relevant themes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Fab Five celebrate the launch of Kristin Harmel's The Forest of Vanishing Stars by putting on a short, stirring, and emotional Broadway-style mini-musical (with a gravitas that honors the subject matter) written and composed by the uber-talented Kristin Harmel. Special musical guests include Broadway actress Christina Sivrich Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg, and F&F’s behind-the-scenes A/V whiz Shaun Hettinger, composer of TV theme songs and the lead singer of the band MEMORYY. Later in the episode, the authors are joined by bestselling author Susan Elizabeth Phillips along with Brenda & Lisa of the The F&F Official Book Club who each present an original cocktail recipe inspired by Kristin's book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mary Kay Andrews interviews Cindy Spiegel & Julie Grau about their journeys in publishing culminating in the opening of their independant publishing company Spiegel & GrauSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Fab Five welcome two guests—Colleen Oakley and Kristan Higgins. Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of four novels which have twice been longlisted for the Southern Book Prize, have been translated into 21 languages, and optioned for film. Her latest is this summer’s hot sensationTHE INVISIBLE HUSBAND OF FRICK ISLAND. Kristan Higgins is the New York Times bestselling author of 19 novels, which have been translated into more than two dozen languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. Her latest novel PACK UP THE MOON was released on June 8th and was met with the rare trifecta of starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus and Library Journal. https://colleenoakley.com/ https://www.kristanhiggins.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WRITER'S BLOCK: Origin Stories- Chris Whitaker (We Begin at the End) and Amy Jo Burns (Shiner) join hosts Patti Callahan and Ron Block to discuss the ideas that sparked their most recent novels.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Fab Five welcomes Victoria Christopher Murray co-authored The Personal Librarian with Marie Benedict. Coming June 29th, this is the remarkable story of J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation. Victoria Christopher Murray is one of the country's top African American contemporary authors with more than one million books in print. She has written more than twenty novels, including the Seven Deadly Sins series. Hear all about their collaboration and writing and research process. https://victoriachristophermurray.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

WRITER'S BLOCK: Celebrate Pride Month! Members of the LGBTQ community join host Ron Block to discuss their latest books and writing journeys. Guests are: Steven Rowley (The Guncle), P.J. Vernon (Bath Haus) and James Beard Award winning Chef, Virginia Willis (The Secrets of the Southern Table). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's a special night as the Fab Five discuss the art of writing for children and celebrate the launch of Mary Alice Monroe’s new middle grade book THE ISLANDERS. They are joined by Mary Alice’s co-author, Angela May, and their special guest, famed naturalist and award-winning, bestselling author Sy Montgomery the author of THE HUMMINGBIRD’S GIFT, THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS and THE GOOD GOOD PIG. http://symontgomery.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome, Summertime! Our guests for this episode are Wade Rouse (The Clover Girls) and Elyssa Friedland (The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel) where we discuss their novels and reminisce about summer memories. Hosts: Kristy Woodson Harvey & Ron Block See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.