In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, award-winning author Donald Quist discusses his linked story collection, For Other Ghosts. The stories take place in settings across the world with characters that are equally varied. Donald approached this story collection as a means of radical empathy, pushing himself to write beyond what he knows and to find connections to and amongst his characters and, hopefully, his readers as well. Donald is also the author of the acclaimed essay collection, Harbors, and he will follow that up with another essay collection to be released this fall. As if he wasn’t busy enough, Donald is hard at work on his PhD in English, he serves on the faculty of the MFA in Writing program at Alma College, and he is the creator of the online nonfiction series, Past Ten. In this episode, Donald discusses his writing journey, his views on the democratization of the publishing industry, and the biggest lesson he has learned from his MFA students: a concept he calls aboutness.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Marina Brown discusses her latest novel of historical literary fiction, The Orphan of Pitigliano. This novel won the 2020 Published Book of the Year award, as well as a gold medal, in the Royal Palm Literary Awards competition. It is a sweeping story involving a small Italian village, Jews in Italy during WWII, Etruscan grave robbers, a modern-day medical mystery and old-world superstitions, including il malocchio (the Evil Eye). Marina did an amazing amount of research for this novel. She worked with a noted archeologist. She became fluent in Italian in order to conduct interviews, and she learned firsthand how to carry out a grave robbery. In this episode, I’ll chat with Marina about her writing journey, how she enjoys watching her characters come alive on the page, and how she believes creativity is like an aquifer that can feed a number of artistic expressions (of which she is proof, being not only a writer but also a cellist, a professional ballet dance and a painter).

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Michelle R. Young discusses her debut novel, Gear Heart. It is the first book in a new sci fi trilogy that marries a retro, futuristic steam-punk vibe with an espionage thriller. Michelle found inspiration for her story from a vivid and colorful dream. She dreamt this dream over and over again for year before she finally began to write the story. As a young person, Michelle dealt with two learning disabilities, dysgraphia and ADHD. She hated writing throughout her school years, until college when she discovered writing for fun. That was a turning point for Michelle. Now, she is hard at work on writing books 2 and 3 of her new Gear Heart trilogy. In this episode, I’ll chat with Michelle about her writing journey, how being an artist specializing in oil painting and watercolor has influenced her writing, and her personal motto: If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Michael Wiley discusses his newest series starring Private Investigator Sam Kelson. The most recent installment is Lucky Bones, book #2 in the series. Book #3, Head Case, will be available later this spring. The main character, PI Sam Kelson, is not your typical private investigator. Well, he is in that he gets himself embroiled in the mysteries his clients have hired him to solve. However, Michael’s main character suffers from disinhibition, which manifests as impulsivity and often a lack of regard for social conventions. The main character’s inability to keep quiet when the situation requires it is not a helpful trait for a private investigator. It does, however, make for some very interesting storylines.  Michael found inspiration for his main character’s affliction from his children when then were teenagers, specifically their deep embarrassment at almost everything he said and did. In this episode, Michael discusses his writing journey, how he puts his own unique spin on the mystery genre, and how he treats his stories as puzzles that he is constantly taking apart and putting back together.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author L.E. Perez discusses her new series, The Reaper Trials. It is a paranormal fantasy series that she is writing with co-author and friend, Mia Ellas. The series expands upon the reaper lore that L.E. created in her standalone novel, Reap the Night. The first book in the series, Reaper Revealed, is available now, with second installment to arrive in spring 2021. These dark, twisty, paranormal fantasy stories feature an amazing and detailed world filled with diverse characters, and it follows the main character’s journey as she tries to survive her training as a reaper at the famed L’Academie L’Mort (the Death Academy). In this episode, L.E. discusses her writing journey, what it’s like to create a series in collaboration with another author, and her not-so-secret identity, among the authors who know her, as a fight whisperer.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Dr. Joel Shulkin discusses his debut novel, Adverse Effects. What would you do if you were the only passenger riding an otherwise empty bus on a snowy day in Boston and, when the bus makes a stop, a stranger gets on and sits down in the seat directly behind you? If you are Joel Shulkin, you write a book about it. When Joel found himself in that exact situation, the inspiration for his book, Adverse Effects, was born. Adverse Effects is a medical and psychological thriller with a bit of espionage thrown in for good measure. In this episode, Joel chats about his writing journey, how his work as a full-time physician influences his medical thrillers, and the best writing advice he received, which was not to write about only what you know but to write about what you want to know.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Stephanie Harper discusses her latest novel, Wesley Yorstead Goes Outside. It is the story of a 33-year-old graphic novelist who suffers from agoraphobia and has not left his apartment in over five years. When Wesley meets a charming and spunky grocery delivery woman named Happy Lafferty, his orderly world—both physical and mental—becomes unsettled and, for the first time in years, is changed for the better. Stephanie began this novel in 2010 as part of her MFA degree, long before the recent pandemic forced many of us into quarantine. Her novel is a mediation on fear and anxiety, and it explores the impact that human connection can have on one’s life. In this episode, Stephanie discusses her writing journey, how anxiety and fear can keep us from living our lives, and her hope that her book will help people see that relationships and human connection can transform us.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Ismée Williams discusses her latest contemporary young adult novel, This Train is Being Held. The inspiration for this book came from a ride on the NYC subway, the same subway line that she took every day to go to work at the hospital where she was a pediatric cardiologist. Ismée knew she wanted to write a romance set in NYC with characters of Latinx identity, and inspiration for such a story arrived by subway train. This Train is Being Held is a slice of NYC life, and it is ultimately a story about expectations--about who you are versus what your family, friends and society expect you to be. In this episode, Ismée discusses her goal of writing hopeful stories, how being put on bed rest with her third child launched her writing career, and an unexpected career highlight when she discovered readers of her books were creating fan art of her characters.

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In this episode, I’m celebrating the 100th episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet. I’m also celebrating the podcast’s two-year anniversary since the first episode went live on the various podcast platforms. There have been so many wonderful guest authors who visited the Bookshop to discuss their books and their writing journeys. In this episode, I’ll talk about the wide variety of authors and books that have been featured on the podcast, I’ll hit some of the interview highlights over the past two years, and I’ll marvel at the amazing authors who were gracious enough to sit down with me for a chat about books. Join me on this trip down podcasting memory lane and start the new year off right by finding a new favorite author and lots of fantastic new books to read.

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The podcast is taking a (much needed!) break for the remainder of 2020. Thank you to all the authors who have visited with me on the podcast during the past two years. You've been generous with your time and advice, and I wish you continued success on your writing journey. And, thank you to everyone who has downloaded episodes and listened to the authors tell their stories. If you haven't listened to all 99 episodes, now is the time to catch up and find a new book to read. I wish everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season. Good luck with the remainder of 2020, and best wishes for a wonderful 2021!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Megan Fuentes discusses her new series that blends romance with historical fiction. In her Love Affairs at the World’s Fairs series, Megan’s stories take place at various World’s Fairs. The first two books, In Barcelona With You and In Buffalo with You, are out now, with Book 3 to be unveiled in spring of 2021. Megan loves historical settings for her stories and the challenge of getting her characters out of tricky situations without the use of modern technology. She chooses her World’s Fairs carefully. Some are successful ones, others are disasters, but all of them create interesting and unique backdrops for her romantic storylines. So far, she’s planning a total of 19 books for her series. Megan had her first published story at age 18, but technically she was selling books long before that. She got her start as an author of comic books, which she created and sold to family and friends when she was in the third grade. In this episode, Megan discusses her writing journey, why she is such a big fan of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), and the secret identity she uses to write in another favorite genre: fantasy-bent fairy tales.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Mathieu Cailler discusses his debut novel titled, Heaven and Other Zip Codes. It is a contemporary story about the fracturing of a family. Told from four different points of view--that of a lonely wife, her unfaithful husband, their awkward son and his tutor--this novel explores family, guilt, manipulation, betrayal and love. Heaven and Other Zip Codes is Mathieu’s first novel, but he is the author of five other books including a short story collection, two poetry collections and two children’s books. Mathieu’s work has appeared in a variety of publications, such as The Saturday Evening Post and the Los Angeles Times, and he’s received numerous awards, including a Shakespeare Award, a Short Story America Prize and a New England Book Award. In this episode, Mathieu discusses his writing journey, how switching up his work in various forms and genres keeps him energized as a writer, and how his path to becoming a published author began as a teenager writing jokes for standup comedy.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

​In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author A.M. Bochnak discusses her dystopian fantasy novels in The Magical Bond series. Volumes 1, 2 and 3 of the series are out now, with Volume 4 on the way. The Magical Bond series is actually a series of episodes or novellas, with 2 to 3 novellas in each Volume. It is an epic post-apocalyptic, dystopian story about an alternate world where magic is the norm. However, the fate of magic is under threat from evolution, and Angelique’s heroine just might be key to reversing magic’s downfall. Angelique is a world-builder, as readers will find in this series. She can spend years building the worlds for her novels before ever writing a single word of the manuscript. In fact, as she finishes Volume 4 of The Magical Bond series, Angelique is also working on two other series. For one of them, her Gods of Dragons series, she has been world-building since 2014. In this episode, Angelique discusses her writing journey, how important it is for her to have trusted editors who have a stake in making her books the best they can be, and why the feedback she receives from readers makes all the hard work worthwhile.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Mira Monroe discusses her new young adult fantasy series, The Unwanted. Book One, Magick, follows a seemingly normal teenage girl just trying to make it through high school when she discovers that she descends from a long line of Wiccans and is next in line to inherit the royal crown. Book Two, Reign, follows the main character as she navigates covens, family drama, new relationships and high school prom. Mira’s series is a fun mashup of fantasy and fairytales, with Book Three on the way. In this episode, Mira discusses her writing journey, how her biggest challenge as an author is to learn to master her inner critic, and why she believes that writing is a team sport.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Edward A. Farmer discusses his debut novel, Pale.  The inspiration for Pale came to Edward in a dream, and he was able to complete the draft in just thirty days. The story takes place on a Mississippi cotton plantation in the summer of 1966. When the Missus of the plantation begins flirting with one of the black farmhands, no one is safe. Secrets that have enveloped the house threaten to unravel, and lives are transformed forever. Sizzling with tension and the Mississippi summer heat, Pale explores the ties that bind us and the surprising ease with which we can lose our humanity. In this episode, Edward discusses his writing journey, why the best advice he received was simply to write stories that mean something to him, and why he should have considered himself a writer long before he actually did.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, award-winning author Kali White discusses her latest novel, The Monsters We Make, which is inspired by true crime events that took place close to where she grew up in Iowa. The Monsters We Make is a crime thriller/family drama set in the early 1980’s following the disappearances of two paperboys from a small Iowa town. The story is told through interwoven perspectives and explores the effects that one crime can have, not only on the people closely involved, but on the wider community. Kali is the author of two earlier novels, as well as numerous other writings. Her essays and short stories have appeared in various periodicals and anthologies, and she is a contributor to the A&E Network’s Real Crime series blog. Kali also is a faculty member of the Lindenwood University MFA Creative Writing Program. In this episode, Kali discusses her writing journey, how she became a convert to plotting and outlining after beginning her career as a pantser, and how the best part of writing, for her, is the solitary joy she finds in the exciting discoveries made during the writing process.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Racquel Henry discusses her newest story, Holiday on Park. It is a second chance romance novelette that combines two of Racquel’s favorite things: romance and the joy of Christmas. Racquel readily admits that she has an obsession with Hallmark Christmas movies. Her story, Holiday on Park, is written in the same spirit and will appeal to Hallmark movie lovers. Writing holiday romances is not Racquel’s only passion. She also writes young adult fiction, and her works in progress are darker, issue-driven stories that are really the opposite of her romances. In addition to her own writing, Racquel is the founder of The Writer’s Atelier, a writing studio in Central Florida that provides writers with a safe place to meet, learn and practice their art. In this episode, Racquel discusses her writing journey, how her need to have writers around her inspired her to open The Writer’s Atelier, and how the power of writing affirmations has affected her own writing and lead to her publish a book of them.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

​In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Marie E. Andreu discusses her upcoming book, Love in English (available for preorder now!). Maria is the award-winning author of young adult fiction. In Maria’s books, real life has inspired her stories. Love in English is the story of a teen girl’s difficulty navigating life and a new high school when she relocates to New Jersey from Argentina. The protagonist starts the book not speaking English, just as Maria once didn’t speak English. The novel is funny, charming and romantic, while exploring themes of cultural identity and finding your own voice. Similarly, in her debut novel, The Secret Side of Empty, the protagonist is a teenage girl who is undocumented, as Maria once was herself. The book explores what it’s like to live as an undocumented immigrant, how we are shaped by the secrets we keep and the unexpected paths to the triumph of the human spirit. In this episode, Maria discusses her writing journey, the myth that writing is a solitary endeavor, and how the most brilliant piece of writing advice she has received came from her daughter.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!

In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Lauren Gilbert discusses her latest book, A Rational Attachment. Lauren is the author of historical fiction and a lover of Jane Austen’s works. She is an active member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and a regular presenter at their meetings and workshops. When she was no longer content to merely read and study historical fiction, Lauren began writing her own stories. Her first novel, Heyerwood, and her second, A Rational Attachment, are both set in England during the Regency period. Her stories explore the time period, women’s roles within English society and the political nuances of class, power and advancement. Lauren’s stories have appeal for fans of both historical fiction and romance novels. In this episode, Lauren discusses her writing journey, why the English Regency period holds such fascination for readers, and her firm belief that a good editor is absolutely essential to a writer’s success.

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In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author J. Douglas Parker discusses his new book, A Killher Plan: Behind the Crime Scene Tape. Doug Parker is a retired special agent and veteran of over 30 years with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. His book, A Killher Plan, details the investigation of the murder of a young woman. Doug provides a behind-the-scenes account of the piecing together of the murders’ plan, the coordination of the dedicated efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies and the lengthy process of seeing the case through to final judgement. In his book, Doug also includes accounts of some of his other investigations, as well as interesting stories of his upbringing in a law enforcement family, all of which provides a unique insight into what life is like for a homicide detective. In this episode, Doug discusses his writing journey, some of the twists and turns that his investigation took, and why he decided to write about this particular case.

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In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author J.R. Mathis discusses his new series, The Father Tom Mysteries. The series features reluctant amateur sleuth, Father Tom Greer, who enters the priesthood after the murder of his beloved wife. Ten years after her death, Father Tom is assigned to the parish of the little town where his wife died. Her murder has gone unsolved during the ensuing years, and Father Tom is drawn back into the mystery when he returns to their old village. It is a murder mystery series filled with twists and turns and long-buried secrets. The first two books in the series are in print, The Penitent Priest and The Framed Father, with more books yet to come. In this episode, J.R. (James) discusses his writing journey, why he calls his first draft of The Penitent Priest “a monster,” and the pivotal moment in his life when he finally decided to get serious about his writing.

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In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Felicia Lee discusses her children’s picture books, I Can Be and Audrey Lost Her Shoe. Felicia’s main goals with her picture books are diversity and representation. Young readers of her books will see various voices and experiences represented and images they can connect with. Felicia also hopes her books will inspire her readers and affirm for them that they are valued and loved. Felicia is a firm believer in the importance of having diverse books for parents to read with their children and in giving back to the community. She works hard in both these areas, and we can expect more wonderful books from her in the near future. In this episode, Felicia discusses her writing journey, why it is crucial for authors to find a support network, and her hopes that her book, I Can Be, will inspire children to pursue their dreams.

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In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author PeTika Tave discusses her two children’s picture books, Beautiful As You Are! and Brilliant As You Are! PeTika is a middle school teacher who has seen firsthand the impact that low self-esteem can have on children. She struggled when she was a kid, reaching a height of six feet and weight of 300 lbs by the age of 13. In her twenties, the birth of her two children inspired her to undertake a journey of weight loss and self-discovery. Inspired to set a good example and to teach her daughter strength and self-acceptance, PeTika began to write poetry. Those poems found their way into her first illustrated picture book for kids, Beautiful As You Are! She followed that book up with a second, Brilliant As You Are!, and both books are designed to empower boys and girls to love and accept themselves as enough, exactly as they are. In this episode, PeTika discusses her writing journey, why her biggest learning curve on her journey has been patience, and her daughter’s reaction to seeing her mother as a published author.

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In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Tim Grove discusses his latest book for middle grade readers titled, Star Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle and the American Anthem. Tim is a public historian with over 25 years’ experience working at history museums, including several Smithsonian museums. Tim uses his background as a historian to teach the historical thinking process and the importance of source material and solid historical evidence when writing nonfiction. Star Spangled is Tim’s fifth book, and his third for middle grade readers. Tim has also written a career memoire titled, A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History, which details some of the more interesting museum projects he was worked on over the years. In this episode, Tim discusses his writing journey, why his book, Star Spangled, is not the story you might expect, and how he really did receive a grizzly bear in the mail.

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In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Theresa Kaminski discusses her latest book, Dr. Mary Walker’s Civil War: One Woman’s Journey to the Medal of Honor and the Fight for Women’s Rights. In this book, Theresa details the life of Mary Walker, an extraordinary 19th century woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. Mary Walker was a medical physician, a vocal suffragist and women’s rights advocate, and the only woman to ever receive the Medal of Honor. Theresa Kaminski recently retired from academia, but she is putting her years as a historian, specializing in women’s history, to good use in her writing career. Theresa has made it her mission to write books about scrappy American women who may have faded from our collective memory. In this episode, Theresa discusses her writing journey, how Mary Walker was so unique for her time, and why the strength of the women she writes about resonates so profoundly with readers today.
 
The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio. Subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss an episode!