In our newest episode, thriller author Freida McFadden explains how she creates addictive stories with twists that readers won't see coming.
https://pod.link/1575632980
Today's podcast guest is the highly acclaimed novelist, script writer, and film maker, David Koepp! In this audio clip he describes how he processes story ideas. Description of the episode below.
Enjoy!
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.
https://pod.link/1575632980
Now on the podcast--the fascinating Ellen Marie Wiseman talks about her upcoming novel, The Lost Girls of Willowbrook!
https://pod.link/1575632980
This week on Behind the Book:
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.
https://pod.link/1575632980
This week's 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 the show: https://pod.link/1575632980?fbclid=IwAR1dEcs0FKEWkN6vOG2SLRs9chVwoHYF5DXCF-pU2w62YqfUSTo_vzHClWk
Monday's episode of BEHIND THE BOOK features author Gregory Maguire. It's no exaggeration to say that Tess and Karen could have talked to him all day. He's a master storyteller with no end of fascinating insights and anecdotes. If you love fiction, Broadway shows, or have an interest in the creative process, you're going to love this one!
This is the official description:
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.
https://behindthebook.buzzsprout.com/share
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.
Listen the clip as Jacque explains the concept of "the promise of the premise," and then check out the show.
Enjoy! https://pod.link/1575632980
Todays' episode features book cover designer Elizabeth Mackey! She talks about trends in covers, fonts, and the creative process.
Enjoy! https://pod.link/1575632980
When you're making plans for Monday, May 9th, we hope you schedule in some time for Behind the Book. Tess called this week's guest 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.
In this clip, Chris talks about what he hopes kids get from his books.
We hope you enjoy it! https://pod.link/1575632980
Happy Monday! This week on BEHIND THE BOOK:
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.
Check it out: https://pod.link/1575632980
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! https://pod.link/1575632980
A special episode this week!
Read on:
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!
https://pod.link/1575632980
Episode #44 Monday, March 28th.
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.
In this clip Boo talks about his mother-in-law's role in finding a plot for one of his novels.
Readers and writers alike will enjoy this one! https://pod.link/1575632980
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!
https://pod.link/1575632980
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 Eldridge'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://bit.ly/3F6MVxr
#38-- February 14th, 2022
We were delighted to interview New York Times bestselling author, Lauren Fox! Listen to this clip as she describes the phone call in which she learned her novel, SEND FOR ME, was was chosen as A Today Show #ReadWithJenna Book Club pick and then check out the rest of the podcast.
Readers and writers alike will enjoy this interview!
https://bit.ly/3F6MVxr
From drama school to becoming a USA Today bestselling author!
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 the show! https://bit.ly/3F6MVxr
Elana Johnson writes clean and wholesome beach romance, because she believes everyone deserves a happily-ever-after in the golden sunset. During our January 10th episode, she discusses the importance of helping other authors, finding the unicorn of success, the meaning of the term market-adjacent, and how she used her kids' names to create one of her pseudonyms.
Enjoy the show! https://bit.ly/3F6MVxr
Episode #30!
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.
https://bit.ly/3F6MVxr
