Author Express

J. Marie Rundquist believes a day isn't complete without time spent reading. Stories she loves best—to read and to write—feature characters from all walks of life who learn from one another. When she isn't writing, you'll find J. Marie exploring all the K‐12 public education world has to offer through teaching, learning, and supporting others in their educational roles. In spite of trying to live in other parts of the US, J. Marie accepted her fate and now embraces six‐month winters in Minnesota, showing off photos of hiking in sub‐zero temperatures. She lives in the Twin Cities with her family, two cats, and a never‐ending supply of Dr. Pepper. The best way to keep up with J. Marie Rundquist's latest stories and upcoming releases, is through her newsletter. You can subscribe on her website, www.jmarierundquist.com. Order As Though You Were Mine in your favorite format: https://books2read.com/u/mVeQ72 Order All I'm Asking in your favorite format: https://books2read.com/u/m0lvny A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

On today’s episode we get to chat with Janet Roberts, a Women’s Fiction author and poet in Pittsburgh, PA, who has a background in cybersecurity. After fifteen+ years as a global leader in cybersecurity awareness and education, Janet transitioned to full time writer and part-time consultant in 2023, to be able to chase her dream of focusing nearly all of her time on her writing. While employed full time, she self-published two novels - The Narrow Gate (2015) and The Leaf Queen (2016) - both of which won First Place in Fiction from Pittsburgh’s The Author Zone, and a small memoir - Seven Thin Dimes. Her third novel, What Lies We Keep, to be released in May 2024 by TEN 16 Press, was written over a five year period while leading a cybersecurity awareness program for a multinational corporation. Her poetry has been published in The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and San Fedele Press’ Art in A Time of Covid. All of her novels are set wholly or partially in Western PA, but What Lies We Keep is her first novel to include cybersecurity in the plot. In her work, Janet’s female characters are women struggling with low self-esteem or lack of confidence who find their super power as they grow through adversity in her novels. But, having grown up with brothers and male cousins - and working in a primarily male dominated environment most of her adult life - her books often have both a female and male point of view. She was raised in Erie, PA, by a father from Cleveland, Ohio, and a mother from a small town outside of Pittsburgh, PA, spending a good amount of her childhood in the Pittsburgh area visiting relatives. As an adult, she moved a lot during her career, but in 2019 her deep Western PA roots called her to head back home. She’s a graduate of Temple University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, and of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (Now PennWest Edinboro) where she earned a Master of Arts in Communications. You can learn more about Janet and her work on her website www.booksbyjanetroberts.com. Follow her on social media at @janetroberts77 (Instagram or Threads) or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetroberts/ to keep up to date on her next release! A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Suzanne Woods Fisher is known for her heartwarming Amish fiction and contemporary romance novels. where faith, community, and love take center stage. Through her enchanting storytelling, she whisks readers away to charming settings and introduces them to unforgettable characters. When she's not weaving captivating tales, Suzanne enjoys life with her husband, Steve, along with their four children and numerous grandchildren. Fun fact: Steve is a professional ice cream maker, a skill he honed at Penn State's ice cream school. His expertise inspired Suzanne's "Cape Cod Creamery" series, set in Chatham, Massachusetts, featuring an ice cream shop run by a mother-daughter duo. You can get a sneak peek by pre-ordering "Love on a Whim," the series' third installment, here: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/553561 With a string of bestselling novels and a natural gift for storytelling, Suzanne continues to enthrall readers globally. Her books provide a cozy escape, reminding us of life's simple yet beautiful moments. Connect with Suzanne on her website, www.suzannewoodsfisher.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter for updates on new releases, giveaways, and more. Suzanne adores interacting with her readers and cherishes staying connected! A little about today's host- Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies. She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

On today’s episode, we get to chat with Marie W. Watts, a Women’s Fiction author with one crazy back story from which she draws heavily to create her quirky, well-developed characters facing and overcoming obstacles in life. Her own journey began with what appears to be a perfectly normal middle-class childhood for the 1950s and 60s in Baytown, Texas. Two caring parents, a brother 18 months younger to fight with, a stay-at-home mom, vacations to interesting places, and a good education. But it wasn’t normal…. During her preschool years, she knew the name of the stockbroker—Merril, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner, and Smith—and watched her mother sit by the phone, smoke cigarettes, and talk to her broker. It wasn’t until 7th grade that Marie realized college was not mandatory! The other strange thing that happened was that her parents, particularly her dad, had the same aspirations for both her and her brother. Apparently, her dad had lived a very sheltered existence until he was shipped to Europe in WWII and didn’t want that for his children. She remembers, as a small child, standing with him in a phone booth, rain hammering down, and, with his coaching, calling the operator and placing a call to her uncle to tell him the family’s arrival time. Along with her brother, Marie learned to play ball, mowed the lawn, and was expected to excel at school. The rude awakening didn’t come until fourth grade when she stood on the sidelines, watching her brother try out for little league. One of the other boys attempted to catch a slow grounder but it rolled between his legs. Incensed, Marie realized she could play baseball better than half the boys but wasn’t allowed to try out because of her sex! Time passed. Marie graduated from college, got married, had children (two fantastic girls who gave her three wonderful grandsons), and then came the divorce during Houston’s oil bust of the 1980s. Jobs were scarce, but she managed to land at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, investigating employment discrimination; eventually remarrying and moving to the private sector as a human resource manager and director. Later she opened her own business, focusing on encouraging diversity and preventing discrimination. Her adolescent dream, however, was never far from her mind. She would envision life, dressed in her Girl Scout Camp uniform (white shirt, dark green shorts, and green knee socks), patrolling the borders of the island she owned. Occupation—writer. Dreams never die; they just get postponed. She currently owns a 50-acre ranch in central Texas (her island), named Las Tortugas. And, although she can’t fit into her Girl Scout uniform anymore, she writes. You can learn more about Marie and her blog, “Stories About Life” on her website www.mariewatts.com Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Tough Trail Home at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781685133917 A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures

Growing up as the son of author and composer BB Johnson AKA Joseph Greene (Together Brothers, Across the Alley from the Alamo) DaVon and Greene (the pen name of Jonathan Greene) knew writing was in his blood. Drawn towards cartels, crime, and drugs DaVon and Greene completed his first serious undertaking in his early teens and gave it to his father's friend, Saul David (Director: Logan's Run and Fantastic Voyage) to get an honest critique. Saul was intrigued, but wasn't overwhelmed. His critique sent DaVon and Greene’s life into a whole other direction, putting down the pen and entering the world that he wrote about in an endless cycle that there was no escape from, ultimately leading to incarceration. After jail, employment was hard to find, so when DaVon and Greene’s now wife offered him a job interview at a beer company he seized the opportunity. Working hard he rose through the ranks with promotion after promotion. Within six months DaVon and Greene was on a six figure salary. Several years later, DaVon and Greene’s beer career came to a halt when the company was sold. So DaVon and Greene started flipping Real Estate which provided him with a life filled with fast cars, boats and houses, until the crash of 2007. Not to be defeated, DaVon and Greene turned to insurance, then consulting before starting a successful trucking business. Resting in his truck at night gave DaVon and Greene time to write and finally fulfil his dream to become an author. Thriller, Laredo Nuevo, was published in 2021 and his fast-paced new book, Paladin launched in February 2024. DaVon and Greene is father to eight children and five grandchildren. When he’s not writing or trucking across the country Jonathan can be found in California where he lives with his wife. You can learn more about DaVon and Greene at www.davonandgreene.com/home and also follow him on Instagram @davon_and_greene. A little about today's host- Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies. She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books...

Michele Kwasniewski translated her career behind the scenes in entertainment into an award-winning young adult trilogy that shines a spotlight on the darker side of fame. Starting out as a set production assistant on movies such as INDEPENDENCE DAY and EVITA, Michele moved to the small screen and worked her way up the ladder to production manager, on television shows such as BIG BROTHER. A life-long southern California resident, Michele always dreamed of writing books despite almost failing seventh grade English grammar. THE RISE AND FALL OF DANI TRUEHART trilogy consists of books RISING STAR BURNING BRIGHT and FALLING STAR About RISING STAR, Publisher’s Weekly said “…Kwasniewski deftly conveys nuanced family dynamics and interpersonal relationships from a teen perspective.” Kirkus called BURNING BRIGHT, …”A realistic and absorbing look at a teen celebrity’s struggle with the pressures of success.” Kirkus called the final installment of the trilogy, “eminently readable.” You can learn more about Michele on her website https://www.michelekwasniewski.com/ and follow her on Instagram at @author.michelekwas The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart trilogy is available at your favorite bookseller or on Amazon. or support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Rise and Fall of Dani Truehart trilogy at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781950544363 A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Jill Hannah Anderson first began writing in eighth grade when a friend gave her a large notebook with Donny Osmund on the cover. She started using it as a diary, and added several more diary notebooks over the years. She also started writing notes for stories in notebooks. Cruddy, haphazard plot ideas… but the writing bug had burrowed in. Then “life” happened. Marriage, kids, owning a business, and a day job. She took a few writing classes, and in 2006, when she was at the busiest point in her life, she stumbled upon a women’s magazine that she wanted to write for. While working full-time at a Communications company, part-time bartending (to help with her eldest daughter’s upcoming wedding and three more kids in college), and training for her first half-marathon, Jill wrote the first of thirty articles/stories for the Minnesota women’s magazine. A few years later, shortly after the last of the kid’s graduated college and Jill quit bartending, her best friend was dying of cancer, and it planted a seed of a story in Jill’s head. The idea of losing your support system when you need them most transpired to become Jill’s first book, The to Hell and Back Club. Jill hit the writing ground running, wisely quitting the magazine side job after ten years and focusing on books. The following year, Crazy Little Town Called Love was released, and in 2022, A Life Unraveled was published. Closer to Home debuted in March, and by the time this podcast is live, Jill will have submitted her fifth book to her publisher. She has been a proud member of WFWA (Women's Fiction Writers Association) from its early stages before it was an association, back when it was a Yahoo email group! You can learn more about Jill on her website: www.jillhannahanderson.com and follow her on Facebook, the best social media place to get book updates from her: https://www.facebook.com/jillhannah.anderson/ Get your copy of Closer to Home here: https://amzn.to/3VEqiLN or support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Closer to Home at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781958231432 A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and

Tracey's journey pursuing the right words has been both straight-forward and circuitous. She wrote nothing but the facts as a journalist and has created worlds out of pure imagination as a novelist. Either way she loves telling stories because stories are connectors that bridge our experiences and help us understand each other better. Tracey's story began in the bootheel of Missouri, but quickly moved to a little corner of western Kentucky called Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City which is home to the National Quilt Museum and the birthplace of Vice President Alben Barkley. After she graduated cum laude with a degree in journalism from Texas A&M University, she returned to Paducah with her husband, Kent, also an Aggie. She worked as the editor of the lifestyle section of her hometown newspaper, where she earned awards like Best Feature Writer of Kentucky and Best Column from the Kentucky Press Association. After having her second son, she decided to write from home and began freelancing. She eventually became editor of a nationally distributed health magazine. She also wrote dramatizations for the City of Paducah, and that's where many of the characters in Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace were formed. Tracey's also an artist and ran a business for several years selling her watercolor and ink illustrations she called "flutterbies." But, even as an artist she included words in her paintings and collages. She's an author at heart. She and her husband have two married sons, eight grandchildren, and a kooky little Corgi-Yorkie mix that's still frisky at age 16. You can learn more about Tracey on her website, www.traceybuchanan.com. You can also follow her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TraceyBuchananAuthor/ and Instagram: @tracey_d_buchanan. Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace is available from her publisher, Amazon or support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Toward the Corner of Mercy and Peace at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781646033379 A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

This week on Author Express we welcome upmarket women's fiction author Heather Dixon from outside Toronto, Canada. Heather has published three novels filled with compelling themes of family, friendship, and secrets. Discover the incredible story behind her debut novel, "Burlington," and how the setting of the book ties into a thought-provoking metaphor that reflects universal experiences among women. We'll also explore the intriguing plot of her latest book, "The Summerville Sisters," as Heather explores the complexities of sisterhood and the enduring bond of forgiveness. Discover the intricacies of writing, the publishing process, and the joy of staying true to the art of storytelling despite the uncertainties of the publishing journey. Join us this week to explore the vulnerabilities, inspirations, and unexpected similarities in the writing processes of authors from both sides of the border. Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Summerville Sisters at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781805083207 A little about today's host- Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies. She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

On today's episode we got to chat with Erin Bartels, an award-winning author who is endlessly fascinated with why people do and say the things they do and say. Her preoccupation with human nature has led her to write character-driven novels that book clubs adore for their layered storytelling and loads of discussion starters. Whether she's delving into history or tackling contemporary issues, whether set in her beloved state of Michigan or venturing abroad, her novels reflect the questions and issues all of us struggle with in life. Her latest, The Lady with the Dark Hair, can be found here: https://erinbartels.com/home/books/the-lady-with-the-dark-hair/ Because the creative life is so important to her, Erin has looked for opportunities to teach and encourage other writers from the beginning, organizing conferences and retreats, teaching workshops, visiting high schools, coaching writers, and doing in-depth developmental edits that help other writers level up. She also loves using her skills as a longtime professional copywriter in the publishing industry to help writers market their self-published books. She recently started a Substack called Experimental Wolves to teach and encourage writers and offer weekly writing prompts to spur their creativity. Check out Experimental Wolves at https://experimentalwolves.substack.com/ You can also find her on Instagram @erinbartelswrites and Facebook @ErinBartelsAuthor. Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Lady with the Dark Hair at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9780800741662 A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

On today’s episode, we’ll talk with Kimberly Nixon who made quite a discovery a few years back. She found her grandmother’s felony conviction papers. She had always heard that her grandmother robbed a train in 1920s in Appalachia and her research persistence paid off. The 125-page record gave Kimberly the details about her grandmother that she had only met twice. Kimberly considers herself the family storyteller and has made a career of exploring family stories for herself and others. She had closed her small business which archived generations of family memories for extended families. For a short period of time, Kimberly considered going back to a “real job” but her grandmother’s story pulled her to a writing desk. First, she wrote the true story of the family tale, detailing everything she knew to be fact about her mother and grandmother for her family. Before she wrote the fictionalized version, she wanted her children and siblings to know what was true. Then, she enrolled in writing courses and started a writer’s critique group. Five years later, Kimberly finished her first draft of Rock Bottom, Tennessee. Not wanting to do the arduous task of querying, Kimberly started her own publishing company. She knew how to market products and run a business from previous experience. Rock Bottom, Tennessee launched April of 2022. Her readers asked for a sequel and Kimberly delivered. Rock Bottom Rising will release February 2024 and will take the readers from Ruby’s conviction on a journey to find redemption and reconnection with her children, abandoned after her arrest. Kimberly’s next project will be a memoir based on retracing her father’s WWII steps throughout Europe. Her father never talked about the war and his records were destroyed by a fire at the National Archive. She has recreated his daily journey from Africa to Berlin and has visited the site of many of her father’s historic battles and has stood where her father was wounded for the first and second time of his service. You can read about Kimberly’s passion for the family story and news of her upcoming release at her website https://www.kimberlynixon.com. Follow Kimberly’s writing journey on her Instagram page @kimberlynixon.author. Get a signed copy of Rock Bottom, Tennessee at Kimberly’s website or see where to find it at this universal link https://books2read.com/u/3nGVMo or support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Rock Bottom Rising at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781957513119 A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. ...

On today’s episode, we chat with Rebecca Connolly, author of the upcoming book, Hidden Yellow Stars, as well as A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice, Under the Cover of Mercy, and over 40 romance titles. Rebecca was born in California, but grew up in the Midwest, specifically in Ohio and Indiana. She considers herself a Midwest girl, with all of the wholesome sweetness and "girl next door" attributes that come along with that. According to home videos, she was always loved to make up stories. There was nothing simple about a game of House, and every game involving imagination had some sort of plot, whether it was fighting off dragons or being a school teacher. Her elementary school had a little book press for stories by students, and she had so many little books printed [but very poorly illustrated!] that she could fill a box at home. She has always been a bookworm, and her grandma would send her books almost every month so she would never run out. Book Fairs were like a carnival to her, and libraries her happy place. Her creative writing professor in college once said, "In order to be a great writer, you must be a great reader." That gave her hope, since she had been reading her entire life! She received her bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, which is where she completed her first novel on the side, and started collecting the ideas for many others. She worked for several years after that, dabbling in writing and reading and other activities, and then went on to get her master's degree from West Virginia University. She came back to the Midwest after all of that, and has no desire to leave it again! She is now a full-time author, and learning how to be her own boss. Follow her on Instagram at @author.rebecca.connolly and sign up for her newsletter at rebeccaconnolly.com. Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Hidden Yellow Stars at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781639932344 A little about today's host- Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies. She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram

Before she started writing fiction, Sara got a degree in Women’s Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz. She tried the nine-to-five life for about a nanosecond before moving to rural Virginia to become a flute-maker’s apprentice and traditional fiddle player. Some years and two babies later, she returned to school for a Masters in Nursing. A cancer survivor herself, she now has the privilege of caring for cancer patients as a nurse. Sara writes stories about women with purpose and passion who contend with the foes within (self-doubt, mental illness, family struggle) and without (patriarchy) to become their most whole selves. She has yet to meet a moral dilemma that doesn't fascinate her. JOHANNA PORTER IS NOT SORRY, released in March 2023, was Sara's debut novel. Her latest novel, PRINCIPLES OF (E)MOTION came out January 2024. She is hard at work on her third novel, which is hard at work trying to kill her. Sara's short stories have been published in The Missouri Review, Beloit Fiction Journal, and Zone 3 Press, and she has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She is represented by Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency. Sara is co-host of #MomsWritersClub, a BlueSky community and YouTube channel. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband, two teens, a terrier, and three snarky cats. A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Tamatha Cain is the award winning author of Song of the Chimney Sweep, a dual timeline women's fiction novel with not one but two mysteries (and an ending that satisfies in the most delightful way), and Only Oona, the first biographical fiction about Oona O'Neill Chaplin. After careers as a vocalist and then sugar artist and baker, she finally allowed herself to believe the pages of writing she'd shoved in a drawer over the years could be more than a hobby, and her first novel won a Royal Palm Literary Award. She went on to write and publish two more novels, and has just completed a fourth. With each one, she flexed a different part of her writing muscles, but her love of timely details and historical accuracy runs through all of her work. Featuring strong female main characters and multicultural casts, her stories often illuminate a unique perspective on American life, one informed by her own diverse cultural background. As the daughter of an Air Force code interceptor and the brilliant Indian woman he met while stationed at a strategic outpost in Pakistan, she's lived in four countries, seven states, and so many houses she lost track. She is a wife, mother of four, and a new grandma. Her little dog Luly would like you to know she puts her own toys away every night. You can learn more about her at www.TamathaCain.com, and while you're there sign up for her popular quarterly newsletter which always starts with happy news and a selection of hilarious memes. A link to all her social media and special events can be found at https://linktr.ee/tamathacain. Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Song of the Chimney Sweep at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781949935387 A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

In this episode of Author Express, we get the gift of meeting four authors through their conversations on the Black Writer Therapy podcast, with Ella Shawn. Get ready to hear heartfelt moments from authors like Stacy Hawkins Adams, Piper Huguley, and N.D. Jones, sharing personal experiences and the inspiration behind their powerful storytelling. From discussing the complexities of marriage and womanhood to the essence of historical fiction and the importance of diving into untold histories, this episode offers a captivating insight into the minds of these incredible writers and introduces you to a podcast that utilizes a longer format to offer more depth and enlightenment. Black Writer Therapy is a gift that we should all experience, and this is a unique opportunity to sample morsels that will help you decide where you should start. Be sure to join Ella Shawn's Substack and continue to gain from her literary insight and grace - https://ellashawn.substack.com/ Episodes mentioned in this episode- Writing, Healing, and Forging Authentic Connections with Stacy Hawkins Adams Piper Huguley on Redesigning Black History Pt.1 One Black Woman's Literary Revolution with N.D. Jones Book mentioned from N.D. Jones clip- Mafdet's Claws Links to the bonus episodes- Session Notes: Black Women Writers Catch Hell Across the Globe Breaking Gender and Racial Barriers with Author, Paulette Stout Episode 3 from Author Express: Driving Societal Change Through Novels with Paulette Stout Episode 30 from Author Express: The Legacy of Fractured Living: An Exploration of Mothers, Daughters, and Sensuality with Ella Shawn A little about today's host- Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on

Beth Johnson always had dreams of writing a novel, but it wasn’t until her baby son Alex was home sick one day that Beth decided: this day job is too much. "I should write a novel so I can stay home to write and take care of Alex." It was a wildly unrealistic plan that took going back to school, keeping the day job, two decades, and hundreds of rejection letters. But hey, what writer has it easy? And who cares if Alex is 23 years old now and lives in his apartment? Getting Coming Clean published was worth the wait and the work. It was that labor of love that taught both her sons to never give up. Beth feels like she found herself in writing and has published short stories and essays in some of the most reputable literary journals. Coming Clean is the fourth novel she drafted, but the first to find a home with Regal House Publishing. She has high hopes for her other projects and, at 52, sees no reason not to believe maybe someday she’ll be able to lose the day job and make a living as a creative writer. Until then, she has found meaningful work at the University of Chicago, writing fundraising materials for the UChicago Medicine Biological Sciences Division. Beth’s writing journey has included a low-residency MFA program, writing conferences and workshops, and prioritizing continuing education. Building a writing community kept her going—summer workshops, the AWP Conference, and the Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association daily write-ins. These connections made a difference when it came to finding a publisher. Coming Clean was always Beth’s favorite project and the one she kept returning to. The idea of a cleaning lady having access to 5 homes worth of people’s stuff was too enticing to give up. The novel takes place over one week. Dawn cleans a different home each day. In the process, Dawn’s backstory unfolds. She is grieving the death of her fiancé, Terry, in a motorcycle crash. She lives in a trailer. She cleans houses for a living. This is not the life she pictured. But, Dawn changes and grows. Matthew’s photography project forces her to compare her life to her customers. She makes major decisions, but most importantly, comes clean about a secret she’s been keeping since Terry’s death. You can learn more on her website, bethujohnson.com, and find her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @buzjohn (which sounds like a drunk man but is actually a condensed version of Beth Uznis Johnson). Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Coming Clean at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781646034154 A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at:

Join Kathleen Basi as she sits down with award-winning author Sarahlyn Bruck in this captivating episode of Author Express. Discover the fascinating details about Sarahlyn's background growing up in Northern California, her experience as an actor doing improv, and her journey as a writer. Gain insights into her upcoming book "Light of the Fire," set in a small town in New Jersey, and learn about the deep connections and themes woven into its storyline. Listen in as Sarahlyn shares her perspective on the writing journey and offers a valuable piece of advice for aspiring writers. If you're curious about finding inspiration, getting through editing challenges, and connecting with others through literature, this episode is a must-listen! A little about today's author - Sarahlyn Bruck writes contemporary, book club fiction and is the award-winning author of three novels: Light of the Fire (2024), Daytime Drama (2021), and Designer You (2018). When she’s not writing, Sarahlyn moonlights as a full-time writing and literature professor at a local community college. She’s also a co-host of the pop culture podcast, Pretty Much Pop. From Northern California, she now lives in Philadelphia with her family. For the latest book news, events, and announcements, check out her website and subscribe to her newsletter. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @sarahlynbruck. Light of the Fire released 1/23/24 and is available for purchase. Use these links to buy *now* with an affiliate link that supports this podcast: https://amzn.to/3OcLowg A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

International Best Selling Author of Hollow and Shattered, Amanda’s love for writing started at the age of 13. Her favorite genres are fantasy, romance, and thriller. Amanda has a Master’s degree in Creative Writing with a concentration in Fiction. She currently resides in the suburbs of Massachusetts with her black lab named Jack. You can catch her in person at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough, Massachusetts on Feb. 17, 2024 from 1-4 pm and get signed copies of the special edition of Hollow! The pre-order is available now at- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hollow-amanda-sinatra/1135537203?ean=9798369295892 Check out amandasinatra.com for more information. You can also follow her on Facebook Amanda Sinatra - Author, on Instagram @amandamsinatra, and on TikTok @authoramandasinatra. A little about today's host- Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies. She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

On today’s show, we chat with Sheila Athens, who writes women’s fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve. Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world. Her debut novel, The Truth About Love, was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award. With that background, she can’t help but weave a strong love story thread throughout each of her books, even though she now writes Southern women’s fiction. She turned from romance to women’s fiction because all the stories swirling around in her head needed a bigger canvas on which to be told. Sheila didn’t realize she wanted to write fiction until she was in her early forties. Her first book was published two days after her fifty-third birthday, so she’s a good example for those who fear they’ve waited too long to pursue their passion. We chat with Sheila about her latest novel, Neena Lee Is Seeing Things, features an interesting character: the ghost of John F. Kennedy, Jr. The story is set on Cumberland Island, the barrier island off the coast of Georgia, where John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married in a private, paparazzi-free wedding. Neena Lee Is Seeing Things is available in eBook, paperback and audiobook through all major retailers and through your local independent bookstore. Links are available on Sheila’s website: www.SheilaAthens.com. There’s also a form there for book clubs that are reading Sheila’s book to invite her to join them either in person or via Zoom or support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Neena Lee Is Seeing Things at https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9798989164714 A little about today's host- Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024. Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Today we welcome Diane Barnes to the podcast. Diane lives in Massachusetts and spends a large part of the summer in the White Mountains in Maine in a camp without an internet connection or a stable cell signal. It’s where she gets her best writing done because there are no distractions. Diane writes Women’s Fiction, and her books often focus on friendships between women and how female friendships have the power to help women overcome obstacles in their lives. Diane fell in love with writing in second grade when she returned from recess one day to find large paper footprints leaving a trail through the classroom. Her teacher asked the class to write a story, and Diane had been writing ever since. She studied journalism in college and worked at a newspaper and magazine before settling into a career as a marketing and corporate communication writer. Diane’s fourth novel, ALL WE COULD STILL HAVE, released November 7 by Lake Union. The book is about a couple that desperately wants children but struggles with infertility. The story started with a writing prompt that best-selling author Elizabeth Berg gave Diane during a four-day intensive writing workshop in Boston. When Diane read the scene she wrote based on the prompt, the attendees and Elizabeth laughed at the beginning and by the end they were in tears. At the time of the workshop, Diane was writing her debut. She finished that and two other novels before going back to the story she started in that workshop that would eventually become All We Could Still Have. You can learn more about Diane and her novels on her website at www.dianembarnes.com or on Instagram and Twitter @DianeBarnes777. Order your copy of All We Could Still Have at your favorite bookstore https://bookshop.org/a/90599/9781662511813 or you can lend a little bit of support to the production of this podcast by ordering it through this affiliate link with Amazon https://amzn.to/41Gxjg5 A little about today's host- Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.” Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books - https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast