Totally Booked with Zibby

Guest host Julie Chavez interviews #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys about her nonfiction debut, a powerful how-to book for aspiring writers, You: The Story: A Writer’s Guide to Craft Through Memory. Ruta reveals what inspired her to write this guide (and why she felt so vulnerable recording her own audiobook). The two then talk about stories: how everybody has them and what it takes to put them on paper–revisiting memories, reframing perspectives and regret, finding our authentic voice, writing to comprehend (not condemn), being open to criticism, and lots of revisions. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/486vr2UShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest host Julie Chavez interviews author Jamie Day about The Block Party, a delicious, nail-biting, ingeniously plotted whodunnit about an affluent, seemingly peaceful cul-de-sac and the murder that happens at their block party. Jamie reveals the magic in his shifting POVs and the brilliant author he tried to emulate in his writing. He also shares the childhood neighborhood memories that inspired this novel and explains how he combined relatable characters, conflict, rom-com, suspense, and juicy community message boards to make it compulsively readable. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3EwlJtaShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Ashley Audrain about The Whispers, an electrifying, razor-sharp page-turner about four neighboring women who don’t realize how connected they are until an unthinkable tragedy happens on their street. Ashley talks about motherhood, parenting, women’s friendships, pregnancy loss, grief, and anger as they relate to her fascinating characters. She also reveals that she is working on her next book and shares her best advice for aspiring writers. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3PtDgIAShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest host Julie Chavez interviews New York Times bestselling author Steven Rowley about The Celebrants, a funny, tender, and incredibly moving tale about a group of college friends who lose one of their own to suicide and make a pact to throw each other living “funerals” – celebrations to remind themselves that life is worth living. Steven shares how he weaves grief and humor into his writing; what life is like with an author for a husband; his experience narrating his audiobook; and just how brilliant his editor is. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/45DUuJaShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center to discuss Hello Stranger, a hopelessly romantic and irresistibly fun story about a talented portrait artist who gets a neurological condition called face blindness just as she is getting a big career break (and falling in love with two men at once!). Katherine talks about her path to writing, her fascinating research on prosopagnosia, and the themes she loved exploring in this novel: resilience, loss, and love. She also explains why all her books are half struggle and half love story (laugh-and-cry books!) and recaps her previous titles (two of which have movie adaptations!). Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/45E8pPmShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby speaks to award-winning short story writer Ann Beattie about Onlookers, a brilliant collection of stories set in Charlottesville, Virginia, all linked by contentious monuments in a moment of unrest. Ann shares the inspiration behind this collection, her nontraditional path into this career, her fascinating writing process, the best books she’s read recently, and how her stunning cover came to be. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/45RHWxqShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews Thurber Prize-winning author Harrison Scott Key about How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told, a hilarious and heartbreaking memoir about the hellscape of marriage and the mysteries of mercy. Harrison describes the moment his marriage exploded (when his wife revealed she was in love with his friend!) and the difficult path their relationship took thereafter. He also shares his views on marriage (we all marry the wrong people!), stories from his childhood in rural Mississippi, and his path to writing and humor. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Z0L73AShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by Washington Post sportswriter and New York Times bestselling author Sally Jenkins to discuss The Right Call: What Sports Teach Us About Work and Life, a love letter to the extraordinary coaches and athletes she has interviewed and the actionable principles of excellence they embody. Sally discusses what it takes to be a star athlete (it’s a combination of talent, discipline, preparation, resources, and lots of self-care!) and reveals the qualities of the best coaches. She also touches on pain, stress, and discomfort – all things that athletes endure and leverage.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3R0otq8Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews accomplished entrepreneur, business strategist, author, Zibby Retreat headliner, and repeat MDHTTRB guest Tina Wells about The Elevation Approach, a powerful and innovative guide for achieving work-life harmony. Tina describes the tools she designed to help her friends (and now the world) integrate their personal and professional goals and values–from holding yourself accountable to resting to knowing which friends to keep around. She also shares what she is focusing on now: family time, reading, and an incredible line-up of creative projects (like her fabulous Target products and newly launched luggage brand!).Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3L8fOOKShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby speaks to hospice nurse, passionate end-of-life care advocate, TikTok star, and New York Times bestselling author Hadley Vlahos about her extraordinary, heartrending memoir, The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life’s Final Moments. Hadley talks about her unexpected rise to fame on TikTok and her decision to put her experiences on paper. She also shares her views on death and some of her favorite hospice memories. Finally, she describes the trajectory of her own life, from unexpectedly having a child at 19 to now having her dream career, a beautiful family, and taking steps to open a nonprofit hospice house. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3QWNJh1Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.