Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby interviews forty-year publishing veteran John Sargent about his addictively entertaining and profoundly moving new memoir, TURNING PAGES: The Adventures and Misadventures of a Publisher. John talks about the inspiration behind this memoir (it involves a great-grandfather who wrote a very similar book) and his initial hesitation to infuse personal details into the narrative. He and Zibby also discuss the unpredictability of the publishing industry, the impact of trends and publicity, and the unsolvable mystery of why some books become bestsellers while others don’t. John reflects on the current state of the industry, expressing his confidence in the resilience of books.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3TBfFblShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby’s Book Club alert! Debut author Angela Brown joins Zibby to discuss OLIVIA STRAUSS IS RUNNING OUT OF TIME, a bighearted and dazzling comedy of errors about an everyday suburban mom on the verge of turning 40… and what happens when her best friend takes her to a trendy wellness clinic with a state-of-the-art genetic test that can predict the exact date of one’s death! Angela talks about the inspiration behind the story, her exploration of middle age (which, Zibby says, needs a rebrand!), and the importance of portraying realistic relationships in literature. She also describes her writing process and shares valuable advice for aspiring authors, including setting deadlines and embracing rejection. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RSZ3upShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews author and entrepreneur Natalie Franke about her refreshing, encouraging, and practical guidebook, GUTSY: Learning to Live with Bold, Brave, and Boundless Courage. Natalie addresses the ingrained habit of downplaying achievements (using words like “just,” for example) and then discusses the fears that hold individuals back from pursuing their dreams. She delves into the neuroscience of fear and offers practical advice for combating it. Listeners are treated to an insightful conversation that serves as both a guide and an inspiration for embracing courage, confronting fears, and living a truly gutsy life.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41A8RgjShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby speaks to endurance athlete and journalist Alyssa Ages about SECRETS OF GIANTS, an enthusiastically researched and authentically lived exploration of the weight-lifting world, and why pushing our physical limits is so impactful. Alyssa describes how she went from considering herself non-athletic to eventually participating in marathons and triathlons and ultimately discovering the world of strongman competitions. The conversation delves into her experiences with failure, body image issues, and a miscarriage, and how strength training became a crucial part of her healing process. To end the interview, Alyssa shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RR1JJcShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author Beth O’Leary joins Zibby to discuss THE WAKE-UP CALL, an utterly delicious rom-com about Izzy and Lucas, two receptionists at a beautiful but rundown hotel in England, who find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, hoping that the rewards might help them save the hotel. (This is challenging because they hate each other!) Beth describes the inspiration behind this story (it involves a fascination with rings) and her writing trajectory since the success of her 2019 debut, THE FLATSHARE, which has sold over a million copies. In the end, she shares details of her upcoming book and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RHkXzQShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby speaks to repeat MDHTTRB guest Anna Pitoniak about THE HELSINKI AFFAIR, an intricate and unputdownable female-centric spy thriller about an ambitious, young CIA officer who is given a Russian conspiracy to untangle, only to discover that her father, an ex-CIA officer, is mysteriously linked to it, forcing her to choose between him and her country. Anna describes the challenges and joys of writing in the spy thriller genre with a strong female protagonist. She also talks about character development, her favorite writing spot (hint: it’s a library on the Upper East Side), and her next book.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3RSEFtnShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews lifestyle journalist and award-winning author Alix Strauss about the 20th Anniversary Edition of THE JOY OF FUNERALS, a powerful collection that is written with raw wit, mordant humor, and a uniquely penetrating voice as it spotlights loss, grief, and loneliness. Alix talks about her unique book party at a funeral home, her decision to reissue her book after two decades, and the changing societal attitudes towards funerals, death, and grief. She also shares insights into the unique structure of her book (it has eight short stories and a novella) and then describes her career transition from acting to writing (it might have something to do with a psychic reading…). In the end, she shares valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of self-investment.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41ABzxvShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby speaks to bestselling author, nutritional psychiatrist, and repeat MDHTTRB guest Uma Naidoo, MD, about CALM YOUR MIND WITH FOOD, a groundbreaking guide that draws on the latest science on the connection between diet and anxiety and shows us how to effectively use nutrition as essential tools for calming the mind. Dr. Naidoo shares her personal experience using food to manage anxiety (particularly as she overcame cancer and dealt with the unexpected success of her first book during the pandemic) and then provides practical tips, such as mindful practices, a glass of water in the morning, gradual diet changes, and outdoor time for anxiety relief.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3NyNOFeShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Christine Coulson joins Zibby to discuss ONE WOMAN SHOW, a sly, stylish, and incredibly innovative novel–remarkably told through museum wall labels–about a 20th-century woman who transforms herself from a precious object into an unforgettable protagonist. Christine, drawing inspiration from her 25-year tenure at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, discusses the unique structure of her book, which mirrors museum labels. The conversation touches on the challenges of writing within constraints, character development, and humor. Christine also emphasizes the importance of breaking down the intimidation factor associated with museums, reveals what her life is like outside of writing (she is a mom, and yes, she collects art), and shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3TvN1skShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews debut author Elaine Roth about THE MIDNIGHT GARDEN, a hopeful and heartfelt story of a young widow’s journey as she tries to move forward after an incredible loss, with elements of magical realism and second-chance love. Elaine, a young widow herself, reveals how her experiences influenced the narrative, and she and Zibby delve into the central question of whether one can find love again after losing an unconditional love. They also talk about the small-town setting of the book, the power of writing as a coping mechanism, and the growing network of books on young widowhood. Finally, Elaine shares details of her writing process and her best advice to aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3tDmYESShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.