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Friends & Fiction

Media & Entertainment Podcasts

We're four bestselling novelists and friends whose common love of reading, writing and independent bookstores bound us together. Now we want to share and celebrate stories—of the books we’ve written, the ones we’re reading now, and the art of writing—with each other and the guest authors we invite to join us. If you love books and are curious about the writing world, you’re in the right place.

Location:

United States

Description:

We're four bestselling novelists and friends whose common love of reading, writing and independent bookstores bound us together. Now we want to share and celebrate stories—of the books we’ve written, the ones we’re reading now, and the art of writing—with each other and the guest authors we invite to join us. If you love books and are curious about the writing world, you’re in the right place.

Language:

English


Episodes

Friends & Fiction with Chris Bohjalian

3/15/2024
On this episode, the Fab Four — Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel & Mary Kay Andrews — gather to welcome this month’s F&F Featured Author, the No.1 NYT bestselling novelist, screenwriter and playwright, Chris Bohjalian, to discuss his forthcoming novel, our March 2024 Pick of the Month, THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS, in which a Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder on the Las Vegas strip. Chris Bohjalian is the No.1 NYT bestselling author of 24 books, including THE LIONESS, HOUR OF THE WITCH, and THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, which was made into a MAX limited series starring Kaley Cuoco. His novels SECRETS OF EDEN, MIDWIVES, and PAST THE BLEACHERS were made into movies, and his work has been translated into more than 35 languages. His new play, “The Club,” premiered at New Jersey's George Street Playhouse in February. He joins us from his home in Vermont to discuss his new twisting tale of organized crime and family secrets, THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS (3/19, Doubleday), which has been called “a well-calibrated satire of cryptocurrency culture” by Publishers Weekly and a “lively romp” by Kirkus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:56:12

Friends & Fiction with Rebecca Serle

3/8/2024
On this episode, host Kristy Woodson Harvey interviews NYT bestselling author, producer and screenwriter, Rebecca Serle all about her forthcoming novel, EXPIRATION DATES. Told with Rebecca's signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, this book has been called “a romantic gem” by Laura Dave, “sometimes heart-wrenching, often heartwarming” in a starred review by Publishers Weekly, and “compulsively readable” by Booklist. We will hear from Rebecca about her road to publication, her shift from writing YA to adult, hwe involvemewnt with her screen adaptations of her novels, and the uncanny real-life love story that happened in her own life after writin ghtis book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:38:48

Friends & Fiction with Tommy Orange

3/1/2024
On this episode, hosts Patti Callahan Henry & Kristin Harmel welcome this week’s guest, the Pulitzer Prize-finalist and author of the breakout bestseller THERE THERE, Tommy Orange, to discuss WANDERING STARS, his masterful follow-up to his already classic first novel. Tommy Orange is a graduate of the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. An enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, he was born and raised in Oakland, California. Tune in to hear about his highly-anticipated second novel, WANDERING STARS, which extends his constellation of narratives into the past and future, tracing the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through three generations. We are eager to introduce you to this “outstanding . . . dazzling work of literary fiction” (Boston Globe), which has been named to most-anticipated lists by TIME, Real Simple, Oprah Daily & NPR. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:41:10

Friends & Fiction with Tia Williams

2/23/2024
On this episode all four of our fabulous hosts — Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry, Mary Kay Andrews & Kristin Harmel — interviewing our Featured Author of the Month, Tia Williams, to hear all about her new book, our F&F Pick for February, A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE. Join us as we discuss Tia’s highly-anticipated follow-up to her NYT bestselling Reese's Book Club pick DEVEN DAYS IN JUNE. This enchanting love story features a free-spirited florist and an enigmatic musician who are irreversibly linked through the history, art, and magic of Harlem, and has been praised for its “dazzling prose” by the New York Times, and predicted as “one of your most memorable reads of 2024” by People. We hear from Tia all about the hints of magic sprinkled through this novel, her research into the Harlem of today and its renaissance era of the 1920s, the importance or representing black excellence and black love stories in mainstream literature, and even her dream casting choices should this book be adapted for the screen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:51:23

Friends & Fiction with Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

2/16/2024
On this episode, hosts Mary Kay Andrews & Kristin Harmel interview bestselling authors Kate Quinn & Janie Chang all about their new co-written novel, THE PHOENIX CROWN, a thrilling and unforgettable narrative about the intertwined lives of two wronged women, spanning from the chaos of the San Francisco earthquake to the glittering palaces of Versailles. Kate is a NYT & USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction (including THE ALICE NETWORK, THE HUNTRESS, THE ROSE CODE, and THE DIAMOND EYE) whose work has been translated into multiple languages. Janie Chang writes historical fiction (including the Globe and Mail bestsellers DRAGON SPRINGS ROAD and THE LIBRARY OF LEGENDS) often drawing on her family history with 36 generations of recorded genealogy. We hear from them about their inspiration and research, the logisitcs of writing a novel together, and all that they learned along the way. Tune in to hear all about the book NYT bestselling author Jamie Ford calls “impeccably researched, magnificently rendered, and breathlessly paced.” See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:42:35

Friends & Fiction with Amy Jo Burns

2/9/2024
On this episode, hosts Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block welcome critically-acclaimed author Amy Jo Burns who previously penned the memoir CINDERLAND and the novel SHINER, which was a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick and an NPR Best Book of the Year. We will hear all about Amy Jo's new novel, MERCURY, in which a roofing family's bonds of loyalty are tested when they uncover a long-hidden secret at the heart of their blue-collar town. Tune in and learn about the inspiration for the mystery at the heart of the novel, how she crafted the blue-collar setting and strong female characters, her path to publication, and lots more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:40:18

Friends & Fiction with Jennifer Moorman

2/2/2024
On this episode, hosts Patti Callahan Henry & Kristy Woodson Harvey interview award-winning, bestselling author, Jennifer Moorman about her new novel, THE MAGIC ALL AROUND, a treasure hunt through the past that reveals one woman’s extraordinary gift for arranging the future. Jennifer is the author of the Mystic Water Series, which includes the reader favorite, The Baker’s Man. A southern Georgia native, Jennifer once toured the US for 5 years as a singer-songwriter with a full band. A Harry Potter fanatic, she considers herself a traveler, an amateur baker, and a dreamer who can always be won over with chocolate, unicorns, or rainbows. Tune in to hear about the inspiration behind her new novel, her writing life, her baking, and of course, magic! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:39:05

Friends & Fiction with Abbott Kahler

1/26/2024
On this episode, hosts Patti Callahan Henry & Kristin Harmel welcome NYT bestselling author Abbott Kahler to discuss her new novel, WHERE YOU END (in stores Jan 16), which is inspired by a true story of identical twins and amnesia. Once named “a pioneer of sizzle history” by USA Today, Abbott Kahler is the author of four NYT bestselling works of narrative nonfiction under the name Karen Abbott. A prolific writer and media guest, her books have been optioned for television and film, and been featured as Indie Next picks, Amazon’s and Library Journal’s best books of the year, and Smithsonian Magazine’s best history books of the year. Tune in to hear about her leap to writing fiction, her real-life inspiration for this novel, her research, her writing process, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:40:11

Friends & Fiction with Kristin Hannah

1/19/2024
Join all four F&F hosts—Patti Callahan Henry, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel & Kristy Woodson Harvey—on the 200th episode of our Wed night web show as they interview our Featured Guest for January, Kristin Hannah, about our F&F Pick of the Month, THE WOMEN! Kristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, the instant No.1 NYT bestsellers The Great Alone and The Four Winds, and Firefly Lane, which was the No.1 Netflix series around the world the week it came out. Her novels have hit the NYT, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstores’ bestseller lists; won the People’s Choice award for best fiction; been named Book of the Year by Book Of the Month Club; been voted the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads; been chosen as book club picks by Reese Witherspoon and the TODAY Show; and been highlighted as best books of the year by outlets such as Amazon, iTunes, and Buzzfeed. THE WOMEN (in stores Feb 6) is an intimate and eye-opening portrayal of Army nurses during the Vietnam War, and is at once an intimate portrait of coming of age in a dangerous time and an epic tale of a nation divided. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:01:47

Friends & Fiction with Grady Hendrix

1/12/2024
Join Mary Kay Andrews and Ron Block as they welcome award-winning screenwriter and bestselling novelist, Grady Hendrix. He is the author of of more than a dozen books including Horrorstör, My Best Friend’s Exorcism (which is being adapted into a feature film by Amazon Studios), and the NYT bestseller The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires (currently being adapted into a TV series). Grady joins us to discuss his latest instant New York Times bestselling campy and darkly comic Gothic thriller, How to Sell a Haunted House, just released in paperback. Tune in to hear from this master of horror about what drew him to the genre, why puppets and dolls are so compelling, his roots in Southern storytelling, along with lots of self funny and deprecating insights into his road to publication and his writing process. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:52:47

Friends & Fiction “Just Us” 2024 Sneak Preview

1/5/2024
This Winter 2024 season premiere of the Friends & Fiction Show will get you in the spirit for all the new and exciting things we have ahead in 2024! On this special “Just Us” episode, you will hear from the Fab Four all about our new format for the new year, including a run-down of our guests for the entire Winter season, plus an impromptu chat amongst our four hosts and founders about how F&F has changed them, howwriting advice they've gleaned from our guests has impacted their own craft, what they’re looking forward to in the new year, and their vulnerabilities as writers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:46:15

WB_S3E52 The Wildest Sun with Asha Lemmie

12/29/2023
WRITERS' BLOCK This week's guest is Asha Lemmie, author of the breakout GMA Book Club pick, Fifty Words for Rain. Her new book, The Wildest Sun, is the the story of Delphine, an aspiring postwar writer who seizes the opportunity to search for her alleged father, Ernest Hemingway. Asha joins Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block to discuss her research, how she develped this compelling story, and how the epic quest for identity and self worth came together for this beautifully wriiten novel. NOTE: Please forgive some of the glitchy portions of this recording, but know it is well worth your time! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:29:39

WB_S3E51 From Novel to Screen with Michael Farris Smith

12/22/2023
WRITERS' BLOCK Michael Farris Smith is having quite a year! His latest novel, Salvage This World was released to huge acclaim, and he has written screenplays based on two of his other titles, both of which were released this fall, Desperation Road and Rumble Through The Dark. Michael joins Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block to explore his road to publication, his expeience in Hollywood, and his appreciation for all his success. Michael is such a vivid storyteller and his honesty, humor and humility make this episode truly special. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:47:18

WB_S3E50 The Mystery Guest with Nita Prose

12/15/2023
WRITERS' BLOCK Patti Callahan Henry and Kristin Harmel are joined by literary superstar #nitaprose to talk about her newest, The Mystery Guest, which is a sequel to the hugely popular and GMA Book Club Pick, The Maid. Nita talks about deciding to write this engaging sequel, how she approached the project following huge success and what is involved in switching gears between being a successful writer and a Vice President/Editor in Chief at Simon and Schuster, Canada. A true insider conversation sure to delight and fascinate our listeners! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:33:27

Frieds & Fiction Holiday Party with Special Guests Rachel McMillan, Wade Rouse & Mary Alice Monroe!

12/14/2023
Who will wear the ugliest sweater? Who will have a few too many rum balls? You’ll have to tune in for the F&F Holiday Office Party to find out! This last web show of the year is chock-full of fun and games. We welcome a few special author guests — Rachel McMillan to chat about favorite holiday movies, Wade Rouse to discuss favorite Christmas books, and Mary Alice Monroe for a segment on holiday gift giving. We highlight favorite moments, guests, and books from the past year with fun reindeer games and fabulous prizes up for grabs for the viewing audience. And we give a sneak preview of some exciting changes afoot and a big guest coming in 2024. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:21:52

WB_S3E49 Kinfolk with Sean Dietrich

12/8/2023
WRITERS' BLOCK What a wonder this week's guest is. An author, a musician, a singer, as well as a blogger & podcaster. All these add up to one heck of a story teller! Sean Dietrich joins Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block to discuss his latest highly regarded and intensely personal novel, Kinfolk. Sean shares deeply personal aspects of his life and how they helped shape this story of Fathers and Daughters. His ability to share stories is captivating throughout this conversation, and is certain to draw listeners in as close as it did the hosts. Recounting his experience being called to perform at the Grand Old Opry is riveting, emotional and goosebump enducing. This epsisode is unforgettable and true Southern Hospitality in creative form! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:44:38

Friends & Fiction with Tessa Bailey

12/7/2023
On this live episode of our Wed night web show, we were thrilled to meet #1 New York Times bestselling publishing phenom and the queen of “heat, laughter, and happily-ever-after,” Tessa Bailey! Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon, and a guaranteed happy ending. Tessa has taken TikTok by storm and legions of fans everywhere have fallen for her fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines in her dozens of hit books including SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER, and UNFORTUNATELY YOURS. She joins us from her home on Long Island to discuss her latest steamy Christmas rom-com, WRECK THE HALLS (Avon Books, Oct 3). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:51:00

WB_S3E48 Class with Stephanie Land

12/1/2023
WRITERS' BLOCK In this powerful and important episdoe, Meg Walker and Ron Block are joined by Stephanie Land to talk about her recent memoir, Class, which was chosen as the November GAM Book Club Pick. Her previous book, Maid, took the book world by storm with it's stark portrayal of her struggles to escape from an abusive situation and care for her young daughter. Maid was turned into a hugely successful and attention grabbing Netflix series. We were honored to speak with Stephanie and learn about her struggles to gain a college education while living below the poverty line. She does not hold back talking about the realities and horrors faced, offering ways we can all help make a difference in the areas of food and housing insecurity, as well as supporting those who have experienced trauma. A vital conversation and a must-listen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:45:48

Friends & Fiction with Ariel Lawhon

11/30/2023
On tonight’s LIVE episode of the web show, we are so excited to welcome back our dear friend, Ariel Lawhon. Ariel is a critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction whose novels include THE WIFE THE MAID AND THE MISTRESS, I WAS ANASTASIA, and CODE NAME HÉLÈNE. Last year, she also co-authored the Amazon Editors’ Pick, WHEN WE HAD WINGS with Kristina McMorris and Susan Meissner. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and have been Library Reads, One Book One County, Indie Next, Costco, Amazon Spotlight, and Book of the Month Club selections. She joins us from her home in the rolling hills outside Nashville to discuss her latest gripping historical mystery, THE FROZEN RIVER (Doubleday, Dec 5), an NPR Best Book of 2023 with starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and BookPage. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:00:59:31

Friends & Fiction Thanksgiving Special with Mystery Guests

11/25/2023
Who’s ready for some surprises?! We’ve got plenty in store for you on tonight’s Thanksgiving Eve show! Trust us, you do not want to miss this one as it’s going to be loads of fun!Each of the Fab Four has invited a mystery guest of their choosing. They’ve all kept the identities of their guests a secret from each other. No one will know what fabulous author each host has invited until it comes time to introduce and reveal them one-by-one. Do you have any guesses as to whom each Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Patti Callahan Henry might have invited to join us for this holiday special? We’ll never tell! You’ll have to tune in and find out right along with the rest of us when the show airs! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Duration:01:06:51