Mystery and historical-fiction author Marian Exall returns to Author in the Headlights to talk about Loners, her journey from attorney to novelist, the craft behind her mysteries and historical fiction, and her newest book, Loners.

Marian shares what years of reading taught her about writing, why historical fiction demands such careful research, and the practical technique she uses when a manuscript bogs down in the “muddy middle”: write the ending first.

We also meet Loners detective Christine McQuarry and hear about Marian's work on the next book in the series.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner joins Author in the Headlights to talk suspense, storytelling, and her newest novel, You’ll Be Sorry.

Lisa takes us inside her writing process—how she develops her thrillers, builds suspense, handles the demands of publishing, and continues finding new stories after a remarkable career.

We also talk about her bestselling series, the evolution of her writing, and what’s coming next.

Whether you're a longtime Lisa Gardner fan, a thriller reader looking for your next book, or a writer fascinated by how bestselling suspense is created, come join the conversation.

📚 Discover Lisa Gardner's books and other featured authors:
Author in the Headlights Bookstore

🎙️ More Author in the Headlights:
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What can human writers do that AI can't?

Steven Puri returns to Author in the Headlights to explore AI, large language models (LLMs), creativity, and the flow state.

Steven and Strider discuss how AI learns from patterns in what humans have already created—and why the writer's ability to break those patterns may be where genuinely new ideas begin.

They also explore Strider's own experience of entering flow while writing, when an outline can suddenly turn into prose and the story begins heading somewhere the author never planned.

Can AI replace writers—or can it become a tool that helps human creators do their best work?

Contact Steven Puri:
https://www.thesukha.co/writers

Steven's previous episode — Flow State for Creators:
https://youtu.be/7IDGXgJe4Ac

More Author in the Headlights:
https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new

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Creative consultant. Entertainment producer., now Science-fiction novelist.

Strider sits down with Elliot Blake to discuss his transition from the entertainment industry into fiction, with the creation of his new space fiction, Into the Great.

From creative consulting and entertainment production to publishing his debut novel, Elliot shares insights into building believable science-fiction worlds, making the leap to writing,. He also gives tips on the how-to for new authors.

Can creativity become effortless?

Steven Puri joins Strider S.R. Klusman to explore Flow State, creativity, focus, and the science behind doing your best work. A conversation for writers, entrepreneurs, artists, and anyone who wants to unlock their creative potential.

Award-winning author and entertainment executive Debbie Bishop joins Strider Klusman to discuss Pillywiggin Awakening: The Complete Story Arc, a fantasy adventure twenty-five years in the making.

The conversation explores world-building, comics, Hollywood storytelling, writing for fantasy readers, and the creative lessons Debbie learned while working with major studios before becoming a full-time author and creative strategist.

David Beaumier joins Author in the Headlights to discuss The Mourning Fields,: https://books2read.com/u/3JQBGJ, a contemporary fantasy inspired by Greek mythology.

We also discuss upcoming writers conferences and how they help authors grow their careers.

Author D.A. Murray joins Strider Klusman to discuss her debut speculative fiction novel, Dominion Ascension. Set thirty years after a biochemical war transforms America into a new nation known as Dominion, the story follows investigative reporter Dani Matthews as she uncovers truths hidden beneath the surface of society.

The conversation explores worldbuilding, plotting, writing discipline, balancing creativity with a professional career, and the upcoming sequel, Anarchy.

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Award-winning author Brock Meier joins Author in the Headlights to discuss The Stone Cutter, the Nabataeans, Petra, and the historical research behind bringing an ancient civilization to life through fiction.

From archaeology to storytelling, this conversation explores how historical fiction preserves the people and cultures often forgotten by history.

The Stone Cutter: https://books2read.com/u/bPqNX7

Award-winning fantasy author Peter Gribble joins Author in the Headlights to discuss his acclaimed City of Magicians trilogy.

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Peter created a fantasy world unlike most in the genre: a city without armies, weapons, or violence. As invasion approaches, strategy, telepathic communication, political intrigue, and unlikely heroes become the key to survival.

Join host Strider S.R. Klusman for a conversation about fantasy, worldbuilding, storytelling, and the power of ideas to change history.