Debut Author, Audra McElya on Courage, Letting Go, and One Little Word

Award-winning Author Audra McElyea talks about her journey to publishing her debut novel - ONE LITTLE WORD. How and why it wasn’t her first book … the surprising way this story’s ending came to be … what Johnny Depp has to do with this book… and last but not least, fun facts for Taylor Swift fans!

Heather Webb - USA Today Bestselling Author on Dreams (and Stories!) That Won’t Let Us Go

USA Today Bestselling Author of seven historical novels, Heather Webb talks about the dream (literally!) that started her writing career, what it’s REALLY like to write with Hazel Gaynor, and what she’d be writing if she wasn’t writing historical fiction. Get the inside scoop about the story that inspired her latest novel, THE NEXT SHIP HOME, and her upcoming projects as well!

Heather Webb: https://heatherwebbauthor.com

Amy Impellizzeri: https://www.amyimpellizzeri.com

Speak.Studio: https://speakstudiopodcasting.com

Marie Benedict on Writing Previously Untold Stories of Women in History

Marie Benedict wrote her first novel at the intersection of law and art, on the side of her high-powered law career. Eventually she left the law and started delving into the stories of overlooked women in history. Marie describes years of experimenting with genre, landing in historical fiction, circling back to what she says she was passionate about as early as middle school, to gain a spot on the coveted NYT bestseller list. Marie’s latest novel, Hidden Genius, tells the story of Rosalind Franklin, the woman whose discovery of the double helix of DNA was stolen by two other male scientists at the time. In this episode, Marie takes us behind the scenes of her research, her passion, and an exciting sneak peek of her next book!

Tory Henwood Hoen on Reinvention and Taking Risks

Tory Henwood Hoen took a risk, leaving behind her career as Creative Director of Brand at MM LaFleur to (finally!) pursue her dream of writing a novel. In THE ARC, Tory has created a brilliant, fresh novel that defies genre boundaries. It’s a love story with sci-fi, thriller and satire elements. She talks here about who finally inspired her to take the leap, who she’s most nervous about reading her debut novel, and what parts of the fiction are based on the truth.

Swan Huntley on Writing Angrily and Other Inside Scoops

A conversation with acclaimed author, Swan Huntley, author of WE COULD BE BEAUTIFUL, THE GODDESSES, and her newest, GETTING CLEAN WITH STEVIE GREEN. Hear why Swan - who has wanted to write a book since childhood - wrote her debut “angrily.” Get the inside scoop on the real life inspiration behind WE COULD BE BEAUTIFUL’S CATHERINE WEST and Swan’s newest protagonist STEVIE GREEN. How Swan’s ghost writing side hustle led to her next novel concept. Oh yeah, and she makes greeting cards too. A don’t miss episode filled with insider dish, humor, and a reminder that we CAN be beautiful even while messy.

Hank Phillippi Ryan - USA Today Bestselling Author and Emmy Award Winning Journalist

In this episode, Hank Phillippi Ryan, talks about the spine-chilling real life inspiration for her newest novel, HER PERFECT LIFE. Hank shares an intimate look at her writing process and personal life, including the special anniversary she shared with husband, Jonathan, each year, and gives us a sneak peek at what’s to come! You won’t want to miss this!

Darynda Jones - New York Times Bestselling Author of the Sunshine Vicram Series

NYTimes and USA Today Best Selling author Darynda Jones

In this episode, Darynda Jones shares her view on why writers (particularly female writers) should never feel guilty for pursuing their writing dreams. Hear how this mega-successful author came up with the idea her newest series and how she first pitched it to her agent. It’s an inside look at how the proverbial “sausage gets made” behind the scenes in the writing world and it just may surprise you to hear the funny way Sunshine Vicram actually got her name! Is this series about to end? Find out in this episode!

Sonali Dev - USA Today Bestselling Author of INCENSE & SENSIBILITY

In this episode, USA TODAY Bestselling Author, Sonali Dev shares her journey to publishing and how she wasn’t always going to write love stories. She dishes about the clever titles of late and how Jane Austen has influenced more than her writing. And hear what’s up NEXT for this award-winning, bestselling author!

Colleen Oakley - USA Today Bestselling Author of THE INVISIBLE HUSBAND OF FRICK ISLAND

In this episode, USA Today Bestselling Author, Colleen Oakley talks about how she spins actual medical and scientific stories into far-fetched and yet believable story premises. We talk about the real life, unusual island that inspired Frick Island and why Colleen just had to write about this unusual and special place. Also! Colleen dishes about her next book, and you won’t want to miss it!

Darcy Luoma - Debut Author of THOUGHTFULLY FIT

In this episode, life coach Darcy Luoma tells the story of navigating the aftermath of the most devastating event of her life - the arrest and incarceration of her husband for sexual assault of a minor he met online. She talks candidly about the tools she’d been giving to clients for years, and how she used those to guide herself and her daughters through the tragedy. Part inspiration, part life manual, and part jaw dropping story, THOUGHTFULLY FIT is an amazing journey. Don’t miss this episode.

Laurie Gelman - Author of Yoga Pant Nation

Laurie Gelman, former TV personality and TV writer (wife of Michael Gelman, producer of Live with Kelly and Ryan) talks about her transition from on-air television personality to writer of the “Class Mom” series. Laurie dishes about how one interview with Jude Law helped her realize her priorities had suddenly shifted, why the “Class Mom” series wasn’t the series she originally wanted to write, and why the books are set in Kansas rather than New York City, where Laurie has lived and been a class mom for years.

Lindsay Cameron - Author of JUST ONE LOOK

Lindsay Cameron, author of the 2015 hit BIGLAW (Devil Wears Prada meets 1L) - is back with a suspense debut - JUST ONE LOOK - that is being compared to YOU and GIRL ON THE TRAIN. In this episode, Amy and Lindsay swap tales about transitioning from NYC big law to writing. Hear about Lindsay’s 11th hour fears that some former colleagues might recognized themselves in her novels, and what she’s done about that. Hear about how this new book was REALLY supposed to end, and what’s up next for Cameron!

Tia Williams - NYT bestselling author of SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE

Tia Williams’ SEVEN DAYS IN JUNE was the surprise Reese Witherspoon June Book Club Pick. Find out how Tia’s publisher went to extraordinary lengths to keep that secret! Also! Hear about Tia’s rise and fall in the beauty/style magazine industry and how she turned the whole journey into fodder for her novel, THE PERFECT FIND, that is currently in production as a Netflix film, starring none other than Gabrielle Union!

Danielle Girard -USA TODAY BESTSELLING Author of FAR GONE

A behind the scenes look at the career of Danielle Girard - who has written 15 novels including several bestselling series - Rookie Club, Dr. Scrwartzman, and Badlands Thrillers.

Amy Reichert - Author of THE KINDRED SPIRITS SUPPER CLUB

A raw & honest conversation with Amy Reichert about the journey to writing, the reaction of her publisher/agent to her news that she wanted to write a “ghost” story, and the real life supper club that forms the basis for her latest novel, THE KINDRED SPIRITS SUPPER CLUB. Hear Amy admit why she hates people to ask what she does for a living PLUS breaking news about her current work in progress.

Jennifer Probst - NYT Bestselling Author of OUR ITALIAN SUMMER

In this conversation, NYT Bestselling author, Jennifer Probst opens up about the trip to Italy that unlocked the story behind OUR ITALIAN SUMMER, including the HYSTERICAL request by her godmother to make sure the character based on her would .... oh, just listen for yourself! Amy and Jennifer get into some REAL TALK about what it is to write and read “women’s fiction” and Jennifer dishes about her real life romance - spoiler alert - get ready to SWOON!

Kristy Woodson Harvey - NYT Bestselling Author of UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY

“No one has ever asked me this question before.” A deep dive with Kristy Woodson Harvey, author of the new instant NYT bestseller - UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY. Amy and Kristy talk about the goosebump-inducing inspiration behind this story, how the story originally ended, and DO NOT MISS - breaking news about Kristy’s bestselling Peachtree Bluff series. A raw and honest conversation about the story behind the stories of the author Elin Hildebrand calls “a major new voice in Southern fiction.”

Isabella Maldonado - BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE CIPHER

In this episode, we talk about the mega-hit, THE CIPHER, recently optioned for NETFLIX, by none other than JLO.

Isabella Maldonado talks about her own transition from law enforcement to crime writer, and talks about the real life case that inspired THE CIPHER. (You’ll never believe the inside scoop she gives the listeners about the investigation of that case!)

What does it feel like to have JLO read your book? We’ll learn all that an more!

Hannah Mary McKinnon - Author of YOU WILL REMEMBER ME

In this episode, we deep dive into the truth behind the fiction of a truly diabolical story and how a nice person like Hannah (“I’m rubbish at breaking rules!”) can write such dark stories!

Talk about HOW THIS BOOK ENDS?! We learn how this particular shocking ending got selected from 3 possible endings! (Spoiler-free, of course!)

Jessica Strawser - Author of A MILLION REASONS WHY

In this episode, we discuss Jessica Strawser’s most recent novel - a story that Jodi Picoult calls “a fascinating foray into the questions we are most afraid to ask.”

We talk about the unusual love story at the crux of this story, and the complicated characters that surprise and anger and intrigue us.

We talk about how this book ends (spoiler-free!) and why (surprise!) that wasn’t the way it originally ended!