Author Talk

Author Talk with Jerome Loving

What happens when a literary scholar turns his attention to a deeply personal chapter of his own history?

On this episode of Author Talk, we sit down with acclaimed author, literary biographer, and Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Texas A&M University Jerome Loving to discuss his book, After the Good War.Known for his extensive research into some of America's most influential writers.

Jerome takes us in a different direction as we explore his own experiences during the Vietnam War era and the memories that inspired him to put his story on the page.

We talk about the importance of preserving personal history, the challenges of revisiting the past, and what it means to tell a story shaped by one of America's most complicated periods. From studying the lives of literary legends to sharing his own, Jerome reminds us that every life has a story worth telling.

New on Author Talk: Matt Evans, author of CHOMPING AT THE BIT

I, Russell and Valerie (welcome back!) talk with Matt, an equine veterinarian AND Austin stand-up comic, about his new comedic memoir, Chomping at the Bit: How I Became a Horse Vet Against All Common Sense.

Matt wasn't raised around horses and was told he couldn't become a vet, let alone a horse vet. He blames James Herriot for all of it.We get into what it's really like to be on call every other week for 20 years, why horses are tougher than their reputation, horse dentistry (yes, it's a whole career), and how a pile of essays became a memoir.

New on Author Talk: Mark Weeks, author of POON TOWN

Russell and I, with Sandy filling in for Valerie, talk with Mark about his novel set in the invite-only world of Florida Keys tarpon tournaments. In that world, successful adults stake their whole self-esteem on a fish they're going to release anyway.

It's a fishing book the way a marathon book is about running. It's really about obsession, aging, and watching something you love slowly decline.

We also get into Mark's 22 years in Japan, fly fishing in snow country, the pololo worm hatch, and what it's like when a thousand tarpon swim past your perfect cast and give you the fin.

Author Talk with Gerald R. Patnode, Jr., Ed.D.

What happens when a nearly forgotten piece of American history becomes the inspiration for a novel?

This week on Author Talk, we sit down with author, historian, researcher, and professor emeritus Gerald R. Patnode, Jr., Ed.D., to talk about his historical novel, The Stirling Defense.Gerald takes us behind the story to the remarkable real-life events surrounding Navassa Island, the uprising that took place there, and the landmark legal battle that followed.

We also dive into the years of research behind the book and how he blends documented history with fiction to bring the people, conflicts, and unanswered questions of the past back to lifeAnd Gerald has quite the story of his own—from serving as a Navy veteran and police officer to working as an entrepreneur, political analyst, university professor, researcher, and now author.

If you love historical fiction, legal drama, true stories, and discovering pieces of history you never knew existed, you’re going to want to catch this conversation!

🎙️ What comes after you publish the book?

On this episode of Author Talk, we sit down with publishing strategist, author advocate, and Women in Publishing Summit founder Alexa Bigwarfe to talk about what it really takes to build visibility, grow your platform, and create opportunities that go far beyond simply publishing a book.

We also get the inside scoop on Stages & Pages, the upcoming live event Alexa is co-hosting with April Adams Pertuis in San Antonio, Texas, October 15–16, 2026. The event is designed to bring together women authors, speakers, coaches, and consultants who are ready to turn their stories and expertise into greater visibility and impact.

During our conversation, we talk about:

📚 What authors should be thinking about beyond publishing
🎤 Using your book to open doors to speaking opportunities
✨ Building visibility and a recognizable author platform
💡 Why authors need to think bigger than simply selling books
🎟️ What attendees can expect from Stages & Pages in San Antonio
❤️ And Alexa’s passion for helping women get their stories and expertise into the world

Whether you’re working on your first book, already published, or wondering what your next step should be, there’s so much to take away from this conversation.

👍 Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments!

#AuthorTalk #AlexaBigwarfe #StagesAndPages #WomenInPublishing #AuthorInterview #BookMarketing #AuthorMarketing #Publishing #WomenAuthors #AuthorCommunity #SanAntonio #AuthorEvents

🎙️ Author Talk with Sandy Malone 🌴📚

What happens when you take more than 500 real-life destination weddings, add a little romance, a little mystery, and ALL the behind-the-scenes chaos…and turn it into fiction? 👀

This week on Author Talk, we’re sitting down with author and former TLC Wedding Island star Sandy Malone!

We’re talking about Sandy’s Gem of the Golden Isles series, the real-life experiences that inspired Tally Davis and her adventures on Jekyll Island, and what it was like making the leap from wedding planner and journalist to fiction author.

And trust us—when you’ve planned more than 500 weddings, you have STORIES. 😂

We’ll also get into Sandy’s writing journey, the inspiration she pulls from Jekyll Island, and what’s coming next for her as an author.

📚 Romance, mystery, island life, crazy weddings and plenty of stories you simply can’t make up.

🎧 Come hang out with us on Author Talk!

#AuthorTalk #SandyMalone #GemOfTheGoldenIsles #JekyllIsland #WeddingIsland #AuthorInterview #RomanticSuspense #WomensFiction #BookPodcast #BookCommunity #AuthorLife #BookLovers

🎙️ Author Talk: Just Us! 📚☕

No guest this week — just Russell, Valerie, and me catching up and talking all things books, writing, publishing…and probably getting a little off topic along the way. 😂

Sometimes our favorite conversations are the ones where we have absolutely no idea where they’re going to take us.

We’re talking about what’s happening in the book world, what we’ve been working on, what authors should have on their radar, and whatever else comes up when you put the three of us together for an hour.

Come hang out with us, bring your coffee, and join the conversation! ❤️

🎧 It’s Author Talk — just us this time!

#AuthorTalk #AuthorTalkPodcast #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #BookCommunity #IndieAuthors #Publishing #BookTalk #WritersLife #AuthorsSupportingAuthors

🎙️ Author Talk with Ed McDonald 🎬📚

You’ve seen Goodfellas… but do you know the REAL stories behind it?

This week on Author Talk, I sit down with former federal prosecutor Ed McDonald to talk about his upcoming memoir, Chasing Goodfellas: Lufthansa, Henry Hill, Point Shaving, and Making Movies.

And when we say Ed had a front-row seat to mob history, we mean it.

From taking on organized crime and prosecuting the infamous Lufthansa heist and Boston College point-shaving scandal, to his complicated relationship with Henry Hill—and somehow ending up playing himself in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas—Ed has stories you simply couldn’t make up.

We talk about the cases, the characters, what Hollywood got right (and wrong!), and what it was really like to go head-to-head with some of the most notorious names in organized crime.

If you love true crime, mob history, Goodfellas, or just an incredible “you had to be there” story, you’re going to LOVE this conversation.

🎧 Catch our conversation on Author Talk!

#AuthorTalk #EdMcDonald #ChasingGoodfellas #Goodfellas #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeBooks #MobHistory #OrganizedCrime #HenryHill #LufthansaHeist #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #Memoir #BookCommunity

🎙️ Author Talk with A.D. Solomon

What happens when two ordinary people are pulled from Earth and dropped into a world filled with magic, ancient powers, and secrets they were never meant to uncover?

This week on Author Talk, we’re joined by fantasy author A.D. Solomon, creator of the Lex Anders Saga and the world of Eldradune.

We talk about Twin Moons of Eldradune and the larger saga behind it, including the inspiration for this expansive fantasy world, the characters of Lex Anders and Mara Thorne, and the themes of friendship, identity, destiny, sacrifice, and the choices that shape our lives.

A.D. also shares what inspired his love of fantasy and worldbuilding—from Star Wars and Star Trek to some of the genre's most influential authors—and what it takes to create a story that can grow across an entire saga.

📚 In this episode, we talk about:
✨ The creation of Eldradune
⚔️ Lex and Mara's journey
🌙 Twin Moons of Eldradune
🗺️ Building an expansive fantasy world
❤️ The human connections at the heart of epic fantasy
✍️ A.D. Solomon's journey as an author

If you're a fan of epic fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, magic, adventure, and stories that transport you somewhere completely new, you'll definitely want to check out this episode.

🎧 Tune in to Author Talk and meet the author behind Eldradune!

#AuthorTalk #ADSolomon #TwinMoonsOfEldradune #LexAnders #Eldradune #EpicFantasy #FantasyBooks #FantasyAuthor #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #BookCommunity #FantasyReaders #BookLovers #AmReading

Join us as we sit down with award-winning author Alison McBain to discuss her novels Between North and Prior and Diving into Nebulae. We explore the inspiration behind these captivating stories, the themes woven throughout each book, and how Alison creates characters and worlds that stay with readers long after the final page.

During our conversation, we discuss: The stories behind Between North and Prior and Diving into Nebulae Alison's creative process and inspiration Building immersive worlds readers can't wait to explore Her journey as an award-winning author.

Whether you're a fan of thought-provoking science fiction, imaginative storytelling, or discovering your next favorite author, this episode is for you.

Catch the replay and let us know—which of Alison's books are you excited to read first?

#AuthorTalk #AlisonMcBain #BetweenNorthAndPrior #DivingIntoNebulae #ScienceFiction #SpeculativeFiction #AuthorInterview #BookPodcast #BookCommunity #ReadersOfInstagram #BookLovers #AmReading