In this week’s episode of The Bookshop at the End of the Internet, author Lauren Kerstein discusses her debut children’s picture book, Rosie the Dragon and Charlie Make Waves. It is a story about the challenges of teaching a dragon how to swim. This picture book was the result of Lauren’s writing efforts during National Picture Book Writing Week, although it started out as a completely different story. As a result of playing with different story structures and drawing on her own experiences as a child and family therapist and a swim team mom, that original story evolved into her debut book, which is all about having courage and learning new skills--such as learning to swim, which is especially difficult if you’re a dragon. Tune in to hear Lauren chat about her writing journey, how her 20+-year career as a therapist influences and informs her writing, and the invaluable role critique partners play in her work.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on iTunes, Google Play 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 Megan Kinney discusses her debut novel, Dakota Peace. It is the story of a 911 dispatcher struggling with burnout who meets a South Dakota state trooper searching for a kidnapped foster child. In writing this debut novel, Megan drew upon her own experiences as both a foster parent and a law enforcement wife. Megan was inspired to write this novel by a real-life incident that occurred in her hometown. Megan attended the funeral for two police officers killed in the line of duty. At their funeral, a recording of their “last call” was played, the last call made by a 911 dispatcher to the fallen officers. It was an experience that deeply affected Megan, and in it she found the spark for her book, Dakota Peace. Tune in to hear Megan discuss her writing journey, what she learned when she took a citizens dispatch course and spent several hours in the emergency dispatch center, and how writing this story gave her closure for the real life tragedy that hit so close to home.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on iTunes, Google Play 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 Shaun O. Smith discusses his newest book, Shaun O. Smith: A Collection of Poems. This self-titled work contains poems that are designed to invite the reader to see what Shaun sees when he looks himself in the mirror. Shaun’s poems show us who he is, both as a poet and as a person. This collection is filled with the philosophical, existential and emotional ideas that Shaun walks around with on a daily basis, with a dash of humor sprinkled here and there. Tune in to hear Shaun discuss his writing journey, the inspiration he draws from being a father to his young daughter and newborn son, and the wonderful surprise he received when he read his wife’s forward to this self-titled collection of poems -- it was in the form of a love letter.

The Bookshop at the End of the Internet is also available on iTunes, Google Play 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 Patti Stockdale discusses her debut novel titled, Three Little Things. The inspiration for her novel came from a collection of love letters that her grandparents exchanged during World War I. The lovely box of letters was given to Patti at just the right time, when she needed a project for a college writing course. Patti started writing, but, after graduation, she put away her manuscript in favor of life’s other responsibilities. Years later, she dusted off the manuscript, and Three Little Things was eventually published. It is the story of forbidden love. As Arno goes off to war in Europe, Hattie stays behind in Iowa in her father’s house. The young pair exchange letters during the Great War, sharing three little secrets in each letter and growing closer with each one. Tune in to hear Patti discuss her writing journey, how learning her grandparents’ love story inspired her to write one of her own, and how a chance meeting in an airport led to a wonderful endorsement for her book from an acclaimed NYT best selling author.

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