Bell Cow Productions: Podcasts

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by award-winning Minnesota author Catherine Friend, whose latest novel Ghost of the Heart blends romance, paranormal elements, and thoughtful emotional storytelling. Catherine is widely known for her memoirs and nonfiction—particularly Hit by a Farm—but her fiction is equally rich, warm, and insightful.

Catherine’s writing often centers around relationships, personal transformation, and the ways love shapes our lives. She brings humor, vulnerability, and a deeply affirming voice to every project, and her characters feel refreshingly real—messy, brave, yearning, and lovable.

She is also a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in literature, and her stories feature queer romance that celebrates authenticity and emotional truth. Beyond her writing, Catherine is a farmer, musician, and all-around Renaissance human who brings curiosity and kindness to every creative endeavor.

You can learn more about Catherine at: https://catherinefriend.com/

Her books—including Ghost of the Heart—are available wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Catherine talks about writing across genres, blending humor with heart, and crafting romances that feel both magical and deeply grounded.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by Minnesota author Karen Engstrom, whose latest novel Shadowland continues her evocative trilogy set in 1950s northern Minnesota. Karen’s work blends historical fiction with mystery, weaving in atmospheric settings, quiet emotional truths, and characters navigating family secrets and personal transformation.

Her short fiction has appeared in Minnesota Stories, Minnesota Not So Nice, WINK Magazine, and the Star Tribune, and she brings that same careful attention to craft into her long-form work. Karen’s creative life is wonderfully eclectic—she’s currently translating her father’s journals from Swedish to English, developing a cookie cookbook, and crafting a yearless family keepsake calendar. She also makes handcrafted fountain pen ink for a family company, Anderillium Inks.

You can learn more about Karen at: https://karenengstrom.com/

Her books—including Shadowland and The Fox—are available wherever books are sold, including Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, Karen reads from Shadowland and shares insights about memory, heritage, and her love for northern Minnesota.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

🚨 Publishing scams are getting smarter, faster, and more convincing. This episode is not joking around.

In this special episode of Bell Cow Field Notes, hosts Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride are joined by Victoria Strauss of Writer Beware, along with a panel of authors, for a practical and eye-opening conversation about publishing scams, predatory practices, contract traps, and the red flags writers too often talk themselves out of noticing.

🕵️‍♀️ Together, they dig into what’s actually happening right now, what warning signs show up in real emails and agreements, and what writers can do to protect themselves before they sign, pay, or say yes. This is a conversation about vigilance, due diligence, and the uncomfortable fact that bad actors often know exactly how to sound credible.

🐮 Bell Cow Field Notes brings together expert guests and a panel of authors to explore the real-world material behind great fiction. Built from the Bell Cow network of Author Round-Up, StoryLab, the Cattle-log, and the wider literary world, Field Notes is where research meets imagination, and where writers get to ask smarter questions in very good company.

In this episode, we explore:

• The one habit that prevents the most harm

• The earliest red flags writers ignore or explain away

• A practical, under-30-minute due-diligence process for vetting opportunities

• Money flow, rights grabs, termination clauses, and the “services bundle” trap

• AI-adjacent contract language to watch for, including training data, audio, translation, and derivatives

• What to do if you already said yes, and how to document and report safely

🎙️ Guest expert:

Victoria Strauss

Co-founder of Writer Beware and one of the publishing world’s best-known watchdog voices on scams, schemes, and predatory practices.

https://www.sfwa.org/other-resources/writer-beware/

https://writerbeware.blog/about/

📚 Panelists:

Mike Faricy

Award-winning crime fiction author known for fast, funny mysteries, detective fiction, and wonderfully offbeat characters.

https://www.mikefaricybooks.com/

John Rogers

Thriller writer whose work draws on experience in finance and biotech, with stories grounded in modern systems, leverage, and real-world pressure points.

https://johnbairdrogers.com/author/fretlessjohn/

William J. Anderson / A.W. Powers

Author writing as both William J. Anderson and A.W. Powers, with work spanning paranormal fiction, mystery, and horror.

https://wmjanderson.com/a-w-powers/

Betty Brandt-Passick

Historical crime novelist and speaker whose work draws on real history, organized crime, and the stories communities carry forward.

https://bettybrandtpassick.com/

Alan Miller

Founder of Access to Democracy and longtime interviewer and civic-media host focused on public life, power, and accountability.

http://www.accesstodemocracy.com/?page_id=2

🎙️ Connect with the hosts:

Rob Jung

https://robjungwriter.com/

Michael MacBride

https://www.michaelmacbride.com/

🌐 Everything Bell Cow:

https://www.bellcowproductions.com/

#BellCow #BellCowProductions #FieldNotes #WriterBeware #VictoriaStrauss #PublishingScams #WritingScams #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #PublishingIndustry #IndieAuthors #WritersOfYouTube

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by thriller author M. Stone Mayer, whose novel Ashes to Ashes delivers high-stakes suspense rooted in deep emotional undercurrents. Stone’s writing is sharp, cinematic, and full of rich psychological detail—perfect for readers who love thrillers that explore not only danger but the internal struggles that propel his characters toward it.

A lawyer turned novelist, Stone brings a deep understanding of justice, conflict, and moral ambiguity to his work. His fiction often grapples with power dynamics, personal reckoning, and the fine line between vengeance and truth. He’s also a generous literary citizen, active in writing communities and known for his thoughtful, articulate conversations about storytelling.

You can learn more about him at: https://mstonemayer.com/

His books—including Ashes to Ashes—are available wherever books are sold, including Minnesota’s renowned Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, Stone talks about writing morally complex thrillers, blending legal insight with narrative tension, and building characters shaped by consequence.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word. The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow! Today we’re joined by Minnesota crime novelist S.L. Smith, whose latest book Malice adds a new chapter to her gripping procedural series featuring St. Paul investigators Pete Culhane and Martin Tierney. Smith’s novels are beloved for their meticulous police detail, layered character relationships, and strong sense of place—all grounded in her deep knowledge of Minnesota’s law-enforcement landscape.

A retired investigator herself, Smith writes with authenticity and insight, exploring not just the procedural mechanics of solving a crime but the emotional and moral weight carried by those who do the work. Her Minnesota settings are richly textured, her characters flawed and compelling, and her mysteries elegantly constructed.

You can learn more about Smith at: https://www.slsmithbooks.com.

Her books—including Malice—are available wherever books are sold, and readers can also find her procedural series at Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, she discusses the craft of procedural storytelling, writing authentic law-enforcement characters, and building long-running series with heart and precision.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

Bell Cow StoryLab is our monthly author panel series, hosted by authors Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride. Each episode brings multiple writers into one craft-focused conversation, spotlighting how books actually get built. Scene by scene, choice by choice.

In The Villain You Secretly Love: Crafting Compelling Bad Guys, we head straight into the pasture where the trouble lives.

🐮😈 What makes an antagonist unforgettable, and what keeps them from feeling like a cardboard cutout with a knife? We dig into villains as mirrors and wrecking balls, the internal logic that almost convinces the reader, and the craft choices that turn “bad” into “can’t look away.”

Along the way, we get into questions like:

Do your villains know they’re villains?

What’s the most sympathetic thing you’ve given an antagonist?

Ever had a villain take over the plot?

We also talk through villain function (catalyst, tempter, moral test), competence that raises stakes, charm as a weapon, humanizing without excusing, boundary lines on the page, villain POV, and what a satisfying ending actually looks like when the bad guy is the best part.

Today’s panelists (bios + links)

Aliah Wright: Thriller author who leans into psychological tension, sharp reversals, and the kind of trouble that escalates fast.

https://www.aliahwright.com/

Brian Lutterman: Mystery and suspense author with a lawyer’s eye for leverage, motive, and the moment a situation turns.

https://brianlutterman.com/

David Housewright: Crime novelist known for bringing smart, relentless pressure to the page and building adversaries who can really play.

https://www.davidhousewright.com/

Frank Weber: Minnesota author writing true-crime driven fiction, where real-world darkness meets page-turning momentum.

https://www.frankweberauthor.com/

Tracy Clark: Crime fiction author whose work delivers street-level stakes, sharp character work, and villains who do not politely stay in the background.

https://tracyclarkbooks.com/

Connect with the hosts

Rob Jung: https://robjungwriter.com/

Michael David MacBride: https://www.michaelmacbride.com/

Everything Bell Cow: https://www.bellcowproductions.com/

#BellCow #BellCowProductions #BellCowStoryLab #StoryLab #Villains #Antagonists #WritingCraft #AmWriting #FictionWriting #MysteryWriters #CrimeFiction #ThrillerWriters #CharacterDevelopment #PageTurners

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by Minnesota author and former newspaper illustrator Craig MacIntosh, whose newest novel Culling delivers a gripping mix of mystery, action-adventure, and procedural intrigue. Craig’s background as a visual storyteller gives his writing a cinematic immediacy—scenes unfold with striking clarity, and his pacing keeps readers firmly on the edge of their seat.

Craig is also the co-creator of the nationally syndicated comic strip Sally Forth and has spent decades shaping visual narratives. His fiction reflects that same precision and artistry: crisp dialogue, memorable characters, and locations rendered with an illustrator’s eye. His novels often explore moral tension, political undercurrents, and the psychology of justice, making them favorites among readers who crave intelligent, layered thrillers.

You can learn more about Craig at: https://www.cjmacintosh.com/

His books—including Culling—are available wherever books are sold, and Minnesota thriller fans will find his work at Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, Craig talks about transitioning from cartoonist to novelist, building action through detail, and crafting stories that feel both grounded and explosive.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by novelist Evelyn Ann Casey, whose newest work, Candlewood, blends romance, women’s fiction, and historical storytelling into a warm, atmospheric narrative. Evelyn’s prose is lyrical and immersive, and she’s known for crafting emotionally rich stories rooted in memory, place, and relationships.

Her work often explores the quiet spaces where love, regret, and second chances meet—stories full of compassion and the delicate complexities of human connection. Evelyn brings a historian’s rigor to her fiction, but her stories never feel weighed down by research; instead, her details breathe life into her worlds. She’s also a passionate advocate for stories about strong, complex women whose journeys reflect resilience and hope.

You can learn more about Evelyn at: https://evelynanncasey.com/

Her books—including Candlewood—are available wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Evelyn talks about building emotional landscapes, weaving research into narrative, and writing stories that feel both timeless and deeply intimate.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by Minnesota author James W. Bennetts, whose psychological thriller Catechisms takes readers deep into questions of belief, identity, and the darker corners of the human psyche. James’s writing blends literary sensibility with high-tension storytelling, weaving introspective character work into narratives that grip from the first chapter.

Known for his reflective style and philosophical depth, James writes thrillers that linger long after the final page—stories that entertain but also challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths. He’s a longtime creative writing teacher and mentor, and his approach to craft emphasizes emotional honesty, character complexity, and the power of subtext.

You can learn more about James at: https://www.jameswbennettsbooks.com/

His books—including Catechisms—are available wherever books are sold, including Minnesota’s celebrated mystery bookstore Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, James talks with us about writing psychological tension, building flawed but compelling characters, and using fiction to explore the questions we can’t shake.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by thriller and mystery author Thekla Madsen, whose novel Bad JuJu and the Eye of Oya blends fast-paced suspense with supernatural undertones. Thekla’s writing crackles with energy—her thrillers are known for smart twists, vivid characters, and a distinctive voice that pulls readers in from the first page.

Thekla has long been part of the Midwest writing community, mentoring new authors, participating in critique groups, and championing bold, risk-taking storytelling. Her work often explores themes of fate, choice, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. She’s also a lively conversationalist—equal parts thoughtful and mischievous—and her creative process is infused with curiosity and a delight in the strange.

You can learn more about Thekla at: https://www.facebook.com/BadJuJuinCleveland2014

Her books—including Bad JuJu and the Eye of Oya—can be found wherever books are sold and at Minnesota’s iconic Once Upon a Crime bookstore: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, Thekla talks about balancing thriller pacing with supernatural elements, writing bold characters, and finding the joy in storytelling’s darker edges.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup