Tess & Karen couldn't believe their good luck in landing Jayne Ann Krentz as a guest!
 
The author of over 50 New York Times bestsellers, JAYNE ANN KRENTZ writes romantic-suspense in three different worlds: Contemporary (as Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick) and futuristic (as Jayne Castle). There are over 35 million copies of her books in print.

Readers and authors will enjoy hearing her thoughts on the art of reinvention, defining the core story, and why emotions in novels are more important than setting.

Books mentioned
Sweetwater and the Witch by Jayne Castle
Sleep No More  by Jayne Ann Krentz
Website: Jayne Ann Krentz

Lindsay is a full-time independent fantasy and science fiction author who loves travel, hiking, tennis, and vizslas. She's written over a hundred novels, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list, and has been twice nominated for a Goodreads Readers' Choice Award.

Tess and Karen loved hearing about how she got her start in publishing, why she decided to set up a Patreon account, and why she believes that free books are a valuable marketing tool for authors. She also explains the writing process that has enabled her to write over 100 books.

Enjoy!

Book mentioned:
The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White

Lindsay Buroker
Six Figure Authors podcast

Kim Taylor Blakemore is the bestselling author of After Alice Fell and The Companion, as well as young adult novels Bowery Girl and Cissy Funk, winner of the WILLA Literary Award. She is also the recipient of a Tucson Festival of Books Literary Award and three Regional Arts & Culture Council grants. 

In addition to writing historical novels about fierce and dangerous women, Kim is the founder of Novelitics, which provides coaching, developmental editing, workshops, and community to writers from around the US and Canada.

Her newest novel is The Deception.

Website: Kim Taylor Blakemore
Novelitics

Book mentioned:
Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel  by Jessica Brody

Tess & Karen loved interviewing their friend and accomplished author, Julianne MacLean. Julianne  is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the popular Color of Heaven series. MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Her latest book, Beyond the Moonlit Sea, is a gripping novel about one woman’s search for answers when her husband vanishes in the night.

Website: Julianne MacLean

Books mentioned:
Amazon Ads for Authors by Deb Potter
Writing and Launching a Bestseller by Elana Johnson
The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler
Self Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King  

On this episode, Tess & Karen are joined by Heather Wheeler Sadlemire, book promoter extraordinaire! Listen in as she tells what drew her to book promotion, and how she helps authors find their audience. She also discusses current trends in social media (including TikTok!) and explains the advantages of authors teaming up with others when doing giveaways.

Enjoy!

https://www.ontopofthatmarketing.com/

We were thrilled when Tess's assistant, MaryAnn, graciously agreed to come on the show! Listen in as she explains how she got her start, the importance of keeping up to date with innovations in publishing, and why she considers customer service to be part of her job. She also divulges how she assists two authors with diverse personalities, each one writing in a different genre. As a bonus, she also shares some book recommendations. 

Enjoy!

#1 Amazon bestselling author Freida McFadden is a practicing physician specializing in brain injury who has penned multiple Kindle bestselling psychological thrillers and medical humor novels. In today's interview she shares how she got the news that multiple parties in Hollywood were vying for the rights to her book, The Housemaid. Other topics include her writing process, how her math background helps with the intricate plotting required to write thrillers, and how she chooses her titles.

Book mentioned:
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel  by Jessica Brody

https://www.freidamcfadden.com/

This episode sponsored by: A Limited Run  by Karen McQuestion

Director and writer David Koepp has used his storytelling skills to write screenplays for more than thirty films,  including the first two Jurassic Park movies, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, War of the Worlds, Ghost Town (with the enigmatic John Kamps) and Kimi.  As an author, he's penned the novels Cold Storage and Aurora. In this interview, he shares how a landscaping problem led to his audiobook, Yard Work,  which was narrated by Kevin Bacon. Listeners will also love hearing about his experiences working in the film industry and learning about the inspiration behind his new highly-acclaimed novel, Aurora.

Enjoy!

Books mentioned:
Aurora by David Koepp
On Writing by Stephen King
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Screenplay by Syd Field
Adventures in the Screen Trade by William Goldman

https://davidkoepp.com/

Collectively Tess & Karen have written more than sixty books so it's not surprising that they've picked up a few skills along the way. On this episode they discuss the art of creating complex characters who will strike a chord with readers. Using specific examples from movies and books, they describe methods writers can use to get their characters to the next level. They hope you find it interesting and useful!

Books mentioned:
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody

Tess's Presentation on Characterization

Tess and Karen loved talking to Ellen Marie Wiseman, a New York Times bestselling author of six highly acclaimed historical fiction novels. The interview covers her start as an imaginative child and concludes with a discussion of her fascinating book, The Lost Girls of Willowbrook, a novel described as a blend of fact, fiction, and urban legend. She also reveals how she chooses names for her characters and the temptation of going down the rabbit hole of research. She believes in crafting stories that cover past social injustices not widely known and creating characters that illustrate the resiliency of the human spirit.   
 
Writers and readers alike will enjoy this fascinating conversation.

Books mentioned:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
On Writing by Stephen King

https://ellenmariewiseman.com/

For those considering advertising on BEHIND THE BOOK:  https://forms.gle/bk7zRhMPw66xBJWP6

Are you an author looking for new ways to get the word out about your books? Or are you a reader wondering how authors go about marketing new releases? Well, look no further! 

Podcast co-hosts Tess Thompson, a USA Today Bestselling Author, and Karen McQuestion, an Amazon Charts Bestselling Author, have picked up a plethora of marketing tips and tricks over the years. Other authors have been instrumental in helping them along the way, so they've done this episode to pay it forward.

They hope you find it informative and entertaining.  

• Kindlepreneur Dave Chessen: https://kindlepreneur.com/
• Kindlepreneur Book Description Generator
• BKlink--to check book categories: https://bit.ly/3xCf64B
• Marketing guru David Gaughran: https://davidgaughran.com/
• Method for Writing a Book Description: https://www.karenmcquestion.com/for-writers
• BookBrush: https://bookbrush.com/
• BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com/
• BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/launch
• Author Promotion: On Top of That Marketing  https://www.ontopofthatmarketing.com/
• Goodreads Giveaways
• Inkers Con
• King Sumo (Giveaway hosting site): https://kingsumo.com
• A+ Content
• Book: Write that Novel!  by Karen McQuestion

For advertising on BEHIND THE BOOK:  https://forms.gle/bk7zRhMPw66xBJWP6

Author Dee Ernst is a big believer in writing books with second chance themes!  Her newest novel, Lucy Checks In, takes place in Rennes, France, a place she's visited and loves. In this interview, she talks to Tess and Karen about the contrasts between being published by a traditional New York publisher versus Amazon Publishing, and her earlier experiences with indie publishing. Aspiring authors will also love hearing her philosophy that for writers,  it's never too late.

Books mentioned:
On Writing by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

https://www.deeernst.com/

Sponsored by: Mayan Shadows:  The Crystals of Ahrum by Craig A. Hart & S.J. Varengo

Author Promotion: On Top of That Marketing  https://www.ontopofthatmarketing.com/

This interview with Kayte Nunn was second to None (sorry, we couldn't resist!). But seriously, Kayte proved to be a delightful guest, sharing her unconventional process for writing a dual timeline novel, and explaining why writing in a genre helps authors build name recognition and a readership. Tess & Karen also enjoyed hearing how a walk near a lighthouse sparked the idea that led to one of her novels, and learning the food that will never get past her lips (you'll never guess!).  Her newest, highly-recommended novel, The Only Child,  is a contemporary-historical crime mystery.

Enjoy!

Books mentioned:
Writing 21st Century Fiction by Donald J. Maas
The Only Child by Kayte Nunn
The Last Reunion by Kayte Nunn

https://kaytenunn.com/

Tess & Karen loved talking with USA Today and international bestselling author Debra Clopton!  She writes wholesome, sweet contemporary, and western romances.  All told, her books have sold over three million copies.

In this episode, Debra (in her charming Texas accent) tells a fascinating story of the time a sudden life-threatening illness struck during a writing workshop. After a month-long stay in the hospital, doctors told her that her writing routine was ideally suited for brain recovery. 

She also touches on the importance of retaining the authorial voice, and reveals why she deliberately transitioned from being traditionally published to going indie.

Enjoy the show!

https://debraclopton.com

Gregory Maguire is a master storyteller, both in the written form and in this interview! Tess & Karen were enthralled, leading to a longer than usual episode. Listen in as Gregory tells how the process of elimination led to his writing career and how an intellectual idea sparks book ideas for him. The ladies loved learning how the composer Stephen Schwartz convinced him that the Broadway musical would honor his intention, and hearing about his experience seeing Wicked on stage for the first time.  He also shared an amusing story of a visit with P.L. Travers, the author of the Mary Poppins series.

This is an interview you won't want to miss!

Books mentioned:
The Wild Winter Swan by Gregory Maguire
Egg & Spoon by Gregory Maguire
Cress Watercress by Gregory Maguire


https://gregorymaguire.com/

Jodi Allen Brice writes small town clean and sweet romance.  Her previous novels, written under a different name, were paranormal romance novels, but when the virus hit,  she felt compelled to write a book that would change hearts and minds.

Mentioned during the interview:
Margie Lawson's Writing Classes
Write Better-Faster with Becca Syme

Author Jodi Allen Brice - Author of Sweet Romance and Woman's Fiction

When Karen McQuestion's publisher rejected her book, THE MOONLIGHT CHILD, she decided to self-publish it, then poured on the marketing to give it every advantage. Eventually the novel reached the #1 spot on the Amazon Kindle charts and was the #3 bestseller in Kindle for 2021. Listen in as she shares her strategies and chats with Tess about book marketing in general. 

Mentioned during the podcast:
Novelist and Editor Barbara Taylor Sissel: https://barbarataylorsissel.com/
Kindlepreneur Dave Chessen: https://kindlepreneur.com/
BKlink--to check book categories: https://bit.ly/3xCf64B
Marketing guru David Gaughran: https://davidgaughran.com/
Bryan Cohen's Amazon Ads course: https://bryancohen.com/
Method for Writing a Book Description: https://www.karenmcquestion.com/for-writers

USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lighthearted mysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings and puzzling whodunits. She is the author of over 30 novels in the genres of cozy and historical mystery. 

Sara writes nonfiction for authors, including “How to Write a Series” and “How to Outline a Cozy Mystery.” She also co-hosts a podcast for writers, the Wish I’d Known Then Podcast.

Books mentioned:
The Heroine's Journey by Gail Carriger
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
Dear Writer series by Becca Syme

https://www.sararosett.com 

Amazon Charts bestselling author Karen McQuestion describes the three things every great novel has in common.

Books mentioned:
The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

Check out Karen's writing book:  Write that Novel by Karen McQuestion

Jacque Ben-Zekry of Modify Editorial Services, is a Developmental Story Editor primarily working with Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Sci-fi, Fantasy, and Historical novels. She also works in Screen and Stage play story development.

Projects she has worked on have gone on to be New York Time’s bestsellers, Wall Street Journal Bestsellers, and Amazon Bestsellers as well as nominations for the Pen Falkner, The Edgar, The Silver Dagger, The ITW Thriller Award, The Hugo, and The Harper Lee. Jacque has been a developmental story editor for more than 10 years and has worked on over 100 novels. Her clients range from Bestsellers to first time novelists.

Enjoy the show!

Modify Editorial Services

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone St. James writes books spanning genres and time periods. Listen to the interview to hear why she writes ghost stories, the difficulty of turning off the creative brain, and how her love of true crime led to her newest novel, The Book of Cold Cases.  Writers will also be interested in hearing her best marketing tip (the one thing every author should have!) and the way Simone uses social media to connect with readers.

This episode comes highly recommended!

Writing books mentioned:
On Writing by Stephen King

www.simonestjames.com

This episode is all about one of Tess and Karen's favorite topics--book covers! Designer Elizabeth Mackey (who lives in Alaska, not Canada as Karen said--what was she thinking?) dropped by the show to discuss  trends in book covers, the importance of consistency in branding a series, and her preferred word length when it comes to titles. You'll love hearing about the times she's had family members model for cover images and how she got her start designing book covers.

Enjoy!

https://www.elizabethmackeygraphics.com/

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Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

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 We’d love to hear what you enjoy most about the show. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to what Tess calls her favorite interview of all time! Author Chris Van Dusen shares how he was chosen to illustrate Kate DiCamillo's Mercy Watson series, why he prefers to write in rhyme, and what he hopes kids get from his books. Tess and Karen were happy to learn the meaning of the word "gouache" and  interested to find out how Chris's name is connected to the Bridgerton Series. This episode is for anyone who loves picture books or has considered writing one some day.

Enjoy!

https://www.chrisvandusen.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

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 We’d love to hear what you enjoy most about the show. Thanks in advance!

#1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery writes novels about the relationships that define women's lives—family, friendship, romance. After writing more than 100 books, she has a writing process that includes prewriting,  plotting using the 3 Act Structure, and figuring out the GMC (goal, motivation, conflict).  Tess and Karen loved hearing how she struggles with naming characters and how cognizant she is of not repeating herself out of respect for her readers. A master storyteller, Susan's interview was full of personal stories, both humorous and touching.

Enjoy!

Books mentioned:
The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery
The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

https://www.susanmallery.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

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Tess's good friend and former drama school pal Kristin Carey took time from her busy schedule to talk about the life of a working actor. She also discussed the art of storytelling and revealed the process used in creating a great character. All of this combined with a fascinating personal family story makes for a compelling interview.

Kristin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kristinncarey
On IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136985/

Kristin's non-profit, benefitting the homeless and kids: https://www.thegivingstationla.org/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

1.    Make sure you are on the landing page for the podcast & not an individual episode.

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3.    Click all five stars under Tap to Rate to leave a rating.

4.    Under the most recent review, tap the Write a Review button.

 We’d love to hear what you enjoy most about the show. Thanks in advance!

USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson (and co-host of this podcast) shares all she knows about writing and marketing a series. With six series under her belt, she's well versed on what readers respond to, and how to get visibility and sales for books in a series. Per usual, her co-host partner Karen, asks thought-provoking questions.

Enjoy!

https://tesswrites.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

1.    Make sure you are on the landing page for the podcast & not an individual episode.

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4.    Under the most recent review, tap the Write a Review button.

 We’d love to hear what you enjoy most about the show. Thanks in advance!

Mike Chen is a critically acclaimed science fiction author based out of the San Francisco Bay Area.  During the interview, Tess & Karen loved hearing about his creative process and how he manages to write while working a day job and home schooling his daughter.  Listen in to find out which of his novels is the book of his heart, how he uses the three-act structure to outline his novels, and what it was like to write a Star Wars novel.
Enjoy!
 
Books mentioned:
A Very Typical Family by Sierra Godfrey
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

https://www.mikechenbooks.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

1.    Make sure you are on the landing page for the podcast & not an individual episode.

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 We’d love to hear what you enjoy most about the show. Thanks in advance!

Tess & Karen enjoyed interviewing New York Times bestselling thriller author Heather Gudenkauf. From writing her first novel longhand during summer break as a third-grade teacher, to landing on bestseller lists and becoming an award-winning novelist, Heather has plenty of stories to share.  Listen in as she explains why she calls her first drafts "writing ugly" and how her characters tend to take over.  The ladies also loved hearing why Iowa works so well as a setting for intrigue and suspense. All of this and more makes for a compelling episode! 

Books mentioned:
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Elements of Fiction by Walter Mosely

https://heathergudenkauf.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

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Tess dubbed author Boo Walker "the coolest guest ever." Boo has worked as  a composer, musician, and wine  aficionado, but he eventually found his true calling as a novelist. Listen in to hear the story of how his mother-in-law served as the inspiration for his bestselling novel, The Singing Trees.  He also talks about the importance of resilience for writers and how his writing process sometimes includes giving his characters a chance to live in his head. Readers and writers alike will enjoy this one!

Writers' Organization mentioned: Novelists, Inc
https://ninc.com/

Books mentioned:
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Screenplay by Sid Field
Story by Robert McKee

http://www.boowalker.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

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4.    Under the most recent review, tap the Write a Review button.

 We’d love to hear what you enjoy most about the show. Thanks in advance!

New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth  was  a delightful guest! Tess and Karen enjoyed hearing the story of how she wrote her first book as a precocious seven-year-old. More recently, she shared how she failed to maintain her cool when meeting with Amy Poehler (whose production company nabbed the rights to Sally's novel The Mother-in-Law).  Aspiring writers will be interested in hearing how Sally balances the writing life with mothering three children and be relieved to hear her belief in the necessity of an imperfect first draft.
Enjoy the show!

Book mentioned:
The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson

https://www.sallyhepworthauthor.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

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Bestselling author Suzanne Redfearn generously took time away from the book launch of her newest novel, Moment in Time, to speak with Karen and Tess. They loved hearing how she wrote her first novel in secret and how real life events inspire her fiction. They also discussed her preference for writing in present tense and enjoyed finding out how writing in coffee shops contributes to her books.  Suzanne had some fascinating stories, both humorous and thought-provoking. 

Enjoy the show!

Books mentioned:
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass

https://www.suzanneredfearnauthor.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

Directions for leaving Ratings and Reviews:

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Tess and Karen were thrilled to interview Tess's good friend, USA Today Bestselling Author Jami Davenport, who writes sexy contemporary and sports romances. They were fascinated by her novel writing process, which includes seeding and layering the story, and loved learning about the tools she uses to stay on task. Other topics included her preference for writing from the male point of view, and her thoughts on dealing with those dismissive of the romance genre. As an added bonus, Tess and Karen share their most mortifying "Mom Moments" in the intro.

Enjoy!

Book mentioned:
7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE
by T. Taylor

https://www.jamidavenport.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

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Join Tess and Karen for an interview of Susan Meissner, USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction with more than three-quarters of a million books in print in eighteen languages. Her many highly acclaimed novels include her most recent, The Nature
of Fragile Things, which earned a starred review in Publishers Weekly!

In this episode she talks about why historical fiction called to her as a genre, her writing process and what inspires her. She also speaks of the importance of telling the stories of the voiceless from our collective pasts.

Readers and aspiring writers of historical fiction will love this one!

https://susanmeissnerauthor.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be so grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

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Tess & Karen have never interviewed an author with such an eclectic background! A former Broadway performer, TV series regular, and martial arts instructor (she's a 5th degree black belt!), Tori's path to publication was definitely unconventional.  Listen in as she talks about her bestselling Lily Wong series, her unusual approach to writing fight scenes, and how  "thinking walks" help her creative process. This is one episode you don't want to miss!

https://torieldridge.com/

Follow & Review in Apple Podcasts

If you're already a follower and you enjoy Behind the Book, we’d be grateful if you left a review over on Apple Podcasts. Leaving a review helps other listeners find the podcast and Tess & Karen love reading them as well! 

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Lauren Fox is the acclaimed author of four novels, including the instant New York Times bestseller, SEND FOR ME. Tess and Karen loved hearing how a collection of family letters inspired her latest book,  and enjoyed Lauren's telling of the phone call in which she learned this same novel was chosen as A Today Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club pick. Lauren also shared her writing process and gave some tips for authors, aspiring and otherwise (put down the phone!).

Readers and writers alike will enjoy this interview!

http://laurenfoxwriter.weebly.com/

Maggie Marr is a USA Today Best Selling author AND an attorney who provides her legal expertise in negotiating deals for films, books, and screenplays.  Karen & Tess were fascinated to learn how she balances both jobs. Maggie also elaborated on the various ways books get adapted to film or TV  and shared  the types of film and TV projects currently in demand.

You won't want to miss this terrific interview!

https://maggiemarrlegal.com/
https://www.maggiemarr.net/

Tess and Karen loved talking to Karina Yan Glaser, a kids' book author known for her acclaimed "Vanderbeeker" series, and a standalone title, A Duet for Home. Listen as she talks about how National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) served as the jumping off point in the  writing of her first book. She also discusses how her family's love of animals and music made its way into the series, and explains how her books became optioned for film by Amy Poehler's production company. Her story of meeting Amy in person was a highlight of the interview.

Enjoy!

http://www.karinaglaser.com/

Rea Frey is an award-winning, traditionally published author of four nonfiction books and four novels. In a addition, she runs Writeway, a business which helps writers get published and is the co-host of the Writeway podcast. Rea took a break from her busy schedule to talk to Tess and Karen about her pivot from non-fiction to fiction, how she rekindled her joy of writing, and why she decided to use her podcast to lift the curtain on the interactions between publishers and authors.

Enjoy!

Writeway: https://www.writewayco.com/
Writeway Podcast: https://www.writewayco.com/podcast

It's Tess Day on the podcast! Karen puts her co-host Tess squarely in the interview chair and learns a ton about her partner that she didn't know.  Tess gives great advice to aspiring authors, and shares the 'ups and downs' of her publishing career as well as what inspires her.

Enjoy!

In the interview, Tess recommended a helpful writing guide, but was mistaken about the author name. This is the book (with the correct title and name):

The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing by Alice LaPlante 

Elana Johnson writes clean and wholesome beach romance, because she believes everyone deserves a happily-ever-after in the golden sunset. In this episode, she discusses the importance of helping other authors, the meaning of the term market-adjacent, and how she used her kids' names to create one of her pseudonyms. 

Book mentioned during the podcast:
7 FIGURE FICTION: How to Use Universal Fantasy to SELL Your Books to ANYONE 
by T. Taylor 

http://elanajohnson.com/

Tess & Karen were delighted to have Julie Braunschweiger, Susan McCulloch, and Albert Wu on the show. As representatives of Barnes & Noble Press they have unique insights into the ever-evolving publishing landscape. Listen in as they talk about trending genres and sub-genres, and describe their work in bringing value to the indie author community.  Other topics?  Marketing tips for authors and the changes coming up for Barnes and Noble stores. 

Enjoy the show!

Barnes & Noble Press: https://press.barnesandnoble.com/ 

After USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson came up with the concept for the Behind the Book podcast, she invited her friend Karen McQuestion to join her as co-host. From there, the two worked together to make it a reality. Listen in as they talk about the process of creating a podcast--everything from the necessary  equipment, distribution channels, building an audience,  and making guests feel at ease. This episode is for anyone who listens to podcasts or those who are considering starting their own. 

Enjoy!

Behind the Book Facebook page (leave a comment!):
 https://www.facebook.com/Behind-the-Book-with-Tess-and-Karen-100822158828120
JLab Microphone mentioned: https://amzn.to/33Nzi8j

Tess Thompson: https://tesswrites.com/
Karen McQuestion:  https://www.karenmcquestion.com/

Authors S.J. Varengo and Craig A. Hart are co-writers who've collaborated on several series while still maintaining a fast friendship. Listen in as they talk about the time they wrote a novella in eleven days, the fun of having a writing partner, and the benefits of having a synopsis and outline prior to writing a novel. 

Books recommended during the podcast:
Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda Edelstein
Any of the writing books by James Scott Bell

Craig A. Hart - audiobook narrator & author: https://www.craigahart.com/
 S.J. Varengo - author: https://sjvarengo.com/

On this episode, Tess & Karen welcome Heather Huffman, author of more than seventeen novels in both the romance and mystery genres.  Having worked in other careers, Heather related how she became a novelist after the desire to write just wouldn't go away. She also talked about defying a high-powered agent's advice to write to genre. More topics? Dictation software, the importance of planning ahead when writing mysteries, and the honeymoon period of writing a book.

Enjoy the show!

https://www.heatherhuffman.com/

Tess & Karen found bestselling author Katherine Center to be a delightful guest.  Her theory on why writers should follow their own compass and practice the art of self-encouragement was insightful. Listeners will also be interested in discovering why watching rom coms is part of her job as an author, and enjoy the story of the time she went to a farmer's market and bought cheese from one of her characters.

Book mentioned during the podcast: Story Genius by Lisa Cron

https://katherinecenter.com/

Tess &  Karen loved talking to New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard. Best known for having her debut novel, The Deep End of the Ocean chosen as Oprah's first book club pick, she's also won numerous awards for fiction and journalism and has written books for all ages. Oh, and did we mention her nine children (none of whom will read her books)? Listen as she talks about her upcoming book, The Good Son, and shares the story of her close friendship with legendary novelist, Ray Bradbury.

Jill Hendrix is a lifelong reader and the owner of Fiction Addiction, an independent bookstore in Greenville, South Carolina. The store is known for fabulous author events, a well-read staff, and a curated shopping experience. Listen in as Jill talks about the challenges and joys of running a bookstore, and how serendipity led to having Nicholas Sparks as a visiting author five different times. Also, a story about a chicken!

Book mentioned during the podcast:
Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

Fiction Addiction: https://www.fiction-addiction.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FictionAddictionBookstore  

Nikoo & Jim McGoldrick win the award for making Tess & Karen laugh the hardest of any interviewees to date.  Listen in as they explain how they came to write together, the importance of the delete button, and why they consider themselves storytellers first and foremost. If this episode doesn't put a smile on your face, we're not sure what will.

Enjoy!

Books mentioned:
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger

The McGoldricks publish as: 
May McGoldrick (Historical Romance)
Jan Coffey (Suspense Thriller)
Nik James (Historical Westerns)

Both Tess and Karen love libraries, so they were thrilled to interview Kent Barnard, the Library Director of the Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose, Wisconsin.  Kent revealed how libraries have evolved over the years. He also explained how new books are chosen and  shared a common misconception about library jobs. 

Enjoy the show!

Kent co-authored a picture book, MOM NEEDS A  DINOSAUR, with his illustrator wife, Erin Kant Barnard. More about that here: http://www.seabearpress.com

Book mentioned during the podcast:
GRIMM HOUSE by Karen McQuestion (for ages 7 - 11)

Bestselling author Heather Webber is as warm and inviting as her novels. Under the name Heather Blake, she's known for her witchcraft mysteries, and as Heather Webber, she writes charming tales of magical realism.  In this interview, Heather tells how an actual dream prompted her to write her first novel. She also shares a childhood story in which she bought a puppy for fifty cents ( her parents let her keep it). Tess and Karen were intrigued to hear about her love of research and what she enjoys doing in her free time. You're not going to want to miss this episode!

Books mentioned in the podcast:
Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
On Writing by Stephen King

https://www.heatherwebber.com/

Getting Marie Force on the show was a major coup!  Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list more than 30 times. In her interview with Tess & Karen, she reveals  why she doesn't write multiple drafts of her novels, instead preferring to thoughtfully write the first draft and then implement fixes.  Marie also shares the advantages of self-publishing over traditional publishing (she's successfully done both) and why she makes a point to incorporate humor into all her books. 

Listen and enjoy!

The book mentioned during the interview:
On Writing by Stephen King 

https://marieforce.com/

 
Tess and Karen loved talking to Gary Goldstein, an award-winning writer for film, TV, and the theatre with more than 30 produced screen and stage credits.  He revealed what it's like to write for television and movies,  how he came to write his first novel (THE LAST BIRTHDAY PARTY) and the importance of creating relatable characters.

Books mentioned on the podcast:

The Last Birthday Party by Gary Goldstein
Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
How to Write a Movie in 21 Days by Viki King

Follow him on Twitter and Instagram: @GaryGoldsteinLA

USA Today, Amazon Charts, and Washington Post bestselling author Kelly Harms said all the things authors think but seldom reveal.  She talked about the challenge of writing though a novel's murky middle and also shared her writing process,  a small part of which involves staring at the ceiling.  Aspiring authors and avid readers will love her insider tidbits and advice. This is an interview you won't want to miss!

Books mentioned in the podcast:
The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane by Kelly Harms
The Seven Day Switch by Kelly Harms

Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers
Take Off Your Pants! by Libby Hawker
On Writing by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Story Genius by Lisa Cron

 

IG: @Kelly Harms

FB: /authorkellyharms

www.kellyharms.com

Karen and Tess enjoyed talking to USA Today bestselling author Xio Axelrod. She told us how she became a novelist (quite by accident), and how her background as a composer of music informs her lyrical writing style.  The ladies were fascinated to hear that as a melophile Xio literally has an internal soundtrack playing all the time. Her fiction is inclusive and will appeal to anyone who loves music and those who love to see influential women characters in  rock band fiction.  You heard it here first: their time has come.

An added bonus? Xio explained how it's possible to have "part-time" cats as pets.

Her newest book is: The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes: A story of love, loss, and rock-and-roll

https://xioaxelrod.com/
https://www.facebook.com/XioAxelrod
https://twitter.com/XioAxelrod
https://www.instagram.com/XioAxelrod/

Karen and Tess found attorney turned novelist Barbara Hinske's interview to be both entertaining and informative. During the talk Barbara discussed how her father's writing legacy served as her inspiration and how extensive research on guide dogs for the vision impaired led to her well-loved and encouraging novel, GUIDING EMILY. She also regaled us with the story of the party she threw to celebrate the airing of  THE CHRISTMAS CLUB, a Hallmark Channel movie based on her novel of the same name. 

This is an interview you won't want to miss!

The books Barbara recommended:

• Sell Your Story in a Single Sentence by Lane Shefter Bishop https://amzn.to/2YXsfHR
• Writers Helping Writers Series (Thesaurus) : https://amzn.to/3ka2ZpP

You can find Barbara here:

• https://barbarahinske.com
• https://www.facebook.com/bhinske

Say hi to Karen & Tess on the BTB Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3k5J8bC

The ladies had fun chatting with award-winning romance author Jami Albright. She talked about the one regret she had on her milestone birthday, her consulting work with new authors, and her podcast, Wish I'd Known Then....For Writers. 

The writing books Jami mentioned were:

• Write Naked by Jennifer Probst -   https://amzn.to/3tzpWpC
• Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies - https://amzn.to/3z8zpoW

Jami can be found:

• https://www.jamialbright.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/Jami-Albright-Author-576095932592545
• Her podcast: https://wishidknownforwriters.com/

Come over and say hi to Karen & Tess on the BTB Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3k5J8bC

Tess and Karen interviewed the delightful Edwin Hill, the Edgar and Agatha-award nominated author of Little Comfort, The Missing Ones, and Watch Her.

He shared how a walk past the Widener Library on the Harvard campus gave him the idea for his mystery novel protagonist, and how he made connections in the writing community. He also told the story of the time he delivered a completely different book than the one previously promised to his editor.

The writing book Edwin recommended is Plot Perfect by Paula Munier: https://amzn.to/3z2XcXe

The essay referenced on the inevitability of writing terrible first drafts can be found in Anne Lamott's book Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.
https://amzn.to/38URsV2

(If you get the Edith Ann reference in the interview, you might be a tad old. Karen can relate.)


Find Edwin here:

• https://www.edwin-hill.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/edwinhillauthor/
• https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16513610.Edwin_Hill 

Come over and say hi to Karen & Tess on the BTB Facebook page: https://bit.ly/3k5J8bC

Tess and Karen enjoyed interviewing Elizabeth Bromke, who writes women's fiction and small-town romance.  Across all of her books, you’ll find nostalgia for a bygone era, family values, heartwarming romance, mystery, and strong female friendships. Bromke's fictional settings include charming towns with quirky casts of locals. 

During their talk, the ladies were amazed by Elizabeth's prodigious writing output (Karen took notes) and just had to ask why so many of her books have the word "house" in the title. 

Beginning writers will find her method of checking a finished manuscript for story beats very informative. 

Where you can find Elizabeth Bromke:

https://www.facebook.com/elizabethbromke

https://www.instagram.com/authorelizabethbromke/

https://www.tiktok.com/@elizabethbromkewrites?lang=en

https://twitter.com/elizabethbromke

Tess and Karen enjoyed talking to New York Times bestselling author Boyd Morrison about his unusual start in publishing, his co-writing partnership with the legendary author Clive Cussler, and the research that takes him to places most of us only dream of.

If you're a fan the Indiana Jones movies,  chances are you'll love his novels. Enjoy the interview!

www.boydmorrison.com
Facebook—https://www.facebook.com/BoydMorrisonWriter/
Twitter—https://twitter.com/boydmorrison
Instagram—https://www.instagram.com/boydmorrisonwriter/

Join the ladies for this insightful interview with veteran romance writer and USA Today bestselling author Kelly Jamieson. Despite all her success, Kelly has remained humble and kind. She gives some great advice for novice writers in addition to ideas about how to handle the ups and downs of the writing process. 

https://www.kellyjamieson.com/

In this episode, the ladies interview author, podcaster, producer, and audio narrator Craig Hart. He shares the inside scoop about narration as well as gives tips on how he handles all his jobs while caring for twin boys! Listeners won't want to miss this interview with the nicest man in the business.  

Web: http://www.craigahart.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/northernlakeaudio
Twitter: https://twitter.com/craighartreads
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/craighartreads/

In this episode, the ladies interview the talented New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank. The delightful Denise shares details of her writing life, her inspirations and gives great advice for the aspiring writers out there. Plus, Karen and Denise bond over an unusual condition. One that Tess does not share! Listeners won't want to miss this entertaining and educational installment!

Learn more about Denise: https://www.denisegroverswank.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DeniseGroverSwank

http://www.twitter.com/DeniseMSwank

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/denise-grover-swank

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4921525.Denise_Grover_Swank

https://www.instagram.com/denisegroverswank/

In this episode, the ladies interview the impressive Lacey Baker about her amazing productivity, how she overcame prejudice and obstacles, and insights into her writing process. Tess and Karen were enthralled with her story and believe listeners will be as well. She writes under the pen name AC Arthur as well. Yes, she's a busy lady.

To learn more about Lacey Baker and her books:

Website:              https://www.laceybakerromance.com

FB Profile:           https://www.facebook.com/lacey.baker.908

FB Author Page:                https://www.facebook.com/LBReaderRoom

Twitter:                https://twitter.com/LaceyBakerbook

Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/laceybakerbooks/

BookBub:            https://wwwa.bookbub.com/profile/lacey-baker

Goodreads:        https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6458381.Lacey_Baker

Amazon:              https://www.amazon.com/c.Lacey-Baker/e/B018H1GV3S%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

It's Karen Day on the podcast! Tess puts Karen squarely in the interview chair and learns a ton about her partner that she didn't know.  Karen gives great advice to aspiring authors, shares her 'ups and downs' of a long publishing career as well as what inspires her.

About Karen:

Karen McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author who writes for adults, teens, and kids. Some of her titles include Hello Love, The Moonlight Child, The Long Way Home, and the Edgewood series. She's also the co-host (along with USA Today bestselling author, Tess Thompson) of the popular podcast, BEHIND THE BOOK.

Her books have been translated into numerous languages and are available internationally in English. 

All told, her books have sold over two million copies.

Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR. Additionally she appeared on ABC’s World News Now and America This Morning. 

More about Karen on her website:  https://www.karenmcquestion.com/ 

Tess and Karen continue their streak of chatting with southern authors in this interview with the hilarious Rachel Hanna. Rachel tells the ladies about her worst job ever and how it led to her writing career as well as what she would do if she could live her life over again. Enjoy her infectious laugh and southern charm in this insightful and inspiring interview. 

Learn more about Rachel on her website: https://rachelhannaauthor.com/

Karen and Tess chat with bestselling romance and Women's Fiction author Liz Talley. Liz shares her southern charm with the ladies as well as talks about her career, craft, and what brings her joy. Book Nerds, you won't want to miss this one!

https://liztalleybooks.com/

The ladies were thrilled to talk with bestselling and award-winning author Susan M. Boyer. She shares insights on craft and how she started her publishing journey. She chats about how she came up with the idea for her Low Country detective series, her love of good southern cookin', and how she lives vicariously through her character Liz Talbot. 

Learn more about Susan on her website: https://www.susanmboyer.com

USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Pamela Kelley visits the ladies to talk about her career, craft, and how much she loves food. Enjoy this insightful visit with a wonderful author and human! 

To learn more about Pamela and her books, check out her website: https://pamelakelley.com/

Co-hosts Karen McQuestion and Tess Thompson were delighted to interview the thoughtful and talented novelist Christine Nolfi. In this episode, Christine shares her unique wisdom about writing, publishing, refueling the creative tank, and how to live your best life. Need inspiration? This is the episode for you!

About Christine:
Award-winning author Christine Nolfi writes heartwarming and inspiring fiction. Her latest release, The Road She Left Behind, has remained on the Amazon bestseller’s list since its release in June 2019.

The Sweet Lake Series has been recognized by the International Book Awards, Royal Palm Literary Awards, Readers’ Favorite Awards, and Best Book Awards. Kirkus Reviews calls Sweet Lake “an uplifting and charming story.” Redbook calls the book “an enchanting story full of lovable characters.” The Liberty Series has been recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards and Put Your Heart In A Book Awards. “Treasure Me is sure to delight and entertain. It’s light and refreshing; your old fashioned feel-good novel.” –USA Today

Prior to writing fiction, Christine owned a small public relations firm in Cleveland, Ohio. Her articles and press releases have appeared regionally in The Plain Dealer, The Akron Beacon Journal, and Cleveland Magazine.

Christine is the proud mother of four adopted children and two stepchildren, all of whom are now grown and in no hurry to give her grandchildren. She resides with her husband Barry and a crazy Wheaten Terrier named Lucy in Charleston, South Carolina. Join her mailing list for news and contests, and chat with her on Twitter at @christinenolfi.

Join co-hosts Karen McQuestion and Tess Thompson as they interview the lovely bestselling author Judith Keim. She shares her publishing journey, writing process as well as advice for aspiring authors. Readers and writers alike will fall in love with Judith's inspiring and warm personality. 

About Judith: 

Judith Keim enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their two dachshunds, Winston and Wally, and other members of her family.

While growing up, she was drawn to the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.

A hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes, Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings her many loyal readers love. Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.

Sign up for Judith's newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bZ0ICX
Check out Judith's website to learn more about her and her books: http://www.judithkeim.com/

Join co-hosts Karen McQuestion and Tess Thompson as they discuss writing with bestselling author Lesley Kagan. She shares stories from her fascinating life as an actress and radio personality as well as how she became a New York Times Bestselling author. Fans and soon-to-be fans of Lesley won't want to miss this one! 

About Lesley:
Lesley Kagen is an actress, sought-after speaker, and award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of nine novels. A mother of two and grandmother of two, she lives in a hundred-year-old farmhouse in a small town in Wisconsin. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.lesleykagen.com

In the first episode of Behind the Book, co-hosts Karen McQuestion and Tess Thompson interview bestselling Women's Fiction author Grace Greene. Grace discusses her process for writing novels, how she got her start in publishing, and gives inspiring advice for aspiring authors. 

About Grace Greene:
Grace Greene writes women's fiction and contemporary romance with suspense ~ Stories of heart and hope ~ from the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge. A Virginia native, Grace has family ties to North Carolina. She writes books set in both locations ~ and in those beautiful landscapes in-between.

The Emerald Isle books, BEACH RENTAL, BEACH WINDS, and BEACH WEDDING (as well as the novellas BEACH CHRISTMAS, BEACH WALK, and the short story, BEACH TOWER) are set in North Carolina where "It's always a good time for a love story and a trip to the beach."

Or travel down Virginia Country Roads for Women's Fiction with Suspense in KINCAID'S HOPE, A STRANGER IN WYNNEDOWER, and CUB CREEK and "Take a trip to love, mystery and suspense." LEAVING CUB CREEK, is the sequel to CUB CREEK.

BEACH RENTAL, her debut novel, won the Booksellers Best award in both the Traditional and Best First Book categories. BEACH RENTAL and BEACH WINDS were each awarded 4.5 stars, Top Pick by RT Book Reviews magazine. KINCAID'S HOPE received a 4 star review from that same magazine.

Grace began writing for Lake Union, an Amazon Publishing Imprint in 2017, with the release of THE HAPPINESS IN BETWEEN on January 31st and THE MEMORY OF BUTTERFLIES, released on September 5th. WILDFLOWER HEART, the first novel in THE WILDFLOWER HOUSE Series, published in January 2019 and WILDFLOWER HOPE followed in September. The third in the series, a Christmas novella, WILDFLOWER CHRISTMAS, arrived in November of that same year.

​A LIGHT LAST SEEN ~ another Cub Creek novel (a single tile) ~ released in February 2020. Grace is currently working on a return to the beach with her next novel.

Grace lives in central Virginia. Stay current with Grace's releases and appearances at www.GraceGreene.com and sign up for her newsletter. Grace loves to hear from readers.

 You'll also find Grace here:
Twitter: @Grace_Greene
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GraceGreeneBooks
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Grace_Greene
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/gracegreeneauth/

Amazon's Author Central: amazon.com/author/gracegreene