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Hello My Happy People,

Today I get to introduce all of you to the incredible Wendy Dale – Memoir Coach, Author, and Writing Myth-Buster. Have you ever been told to "just write" or "crank out a crappy first draft"? Wendy Dale says no thanks—and she’s leading a full-blown rebellion against those worn-out writing clichés!

Wendy is the brilliant mind behind The Memoir Engineering System, a step-by-step method that helps writers skip the mess and build strong, emotionally compelling memoirs from the start. After fifteen years of reading thousands of drafts, Wendy cracked the code on what makes memoirs really work.

Her own memoir, Avoiding Prison and Other Noble Vacation Goals, was published by Three Rivers Press/Penguin Random House. Tune in as Wendy joins me on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt – Book Talk Podcast to challenge the norms, share the truth about writing memoirs, and inspire you to make that first draft your final masterpiece. 

Wendy lives in Cusco, Peru with her husband and two bunnies.

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Hello My Happy People, 

Get ready to meet the remarkable mind behind some of Canada’s most beloved books for young readers! In this episode of Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt – Book Talk Podcast, Dianne had the privilege to chat with Valerie Sherrard. Valerie is the award-winning author of A Bend in the Breeze, The Glory Wind, Counting Back from Nine, and the fan-favorite Shelby Belgarden mystery series. With a writing career that spans picture books, historical novels, and gripping young adult fiction, Valerie brings a powerful mix of heart, history, and humanity to everything she writes.

From her early beginnings in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan to her inspiring life in Miramichi, New Brunswick, Valerie’s journey is as compelling as her characters. She’s not only a storyteller but a former foster parent to over seventy teenagers and a passionate advocate for literacy and creativity in youth. Her stories have won multiple awards and captured the hearts of readers across generations — and she’s still just getting started.

In this warm and insightful conversation, Valerie shares what sparked her love for storytelling, the real-life experiences that shaped her books, and why she believes it’s never too late to chase your dreams. Whether you’re a fan of heartfelt fiction, curious about the writing life, or looking for a new favorite author, this episode will leave you inspired.

Don’t miss your chance to hear from one of Canada’s literary treasures. Tune in now and discover the woman behind the words — Valerie Sherrard!

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Dyslexic Font

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Bleeped words in today's episode: Drüg$, Hüm@n Traff!c!ng

Hello Happy People,

Dianne has spoken to many authors who co-write books, but usually the interview is only with one of the authors. Today, however, Dianne gets to share her second ever interview with both authors of the incredible writing team of Breakfield and Burkey.

Charles Breakfield, as the CTO of the Enigma Series, leverages his decades of technology expertise, including security, networking, voice, and anything digital, to bring innovative technothriller elements into storytelling. He has deep knowledge of World War II history, has traveled extensively, and seeks cultural exchanges to learn what makes different people tick. Charles enjoys wine tasting, winemaking, Harley riding, cooking new recipes, and woodworking. 

Rox Burkey, as the COO of the Enigma Series, uses her extensive professional knowledge of optimizing technology and business investments to drive stellar customer experiences into the ongoing stories of the Enigma Series. Characteristics of people she has met over her career are woven into their stories. Rox enjoys her family, friends, puppies, reading, reviewing books, and traveling whenever possible. Meeting readers at various events is one of her favorite pastimes. 

Breakfield and Burkey have created award-winning stories that resonate with men and women, with a fresh perspective on technology possibilities within a fictional framework. They pen The Enigma Series and the Enigma Heirs Series. They ventured into writing cozy mysteries with the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles. Their newest short story collection complements their novella and individual short stories. 

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Bleeped words: naz!, prost!tute

Hello Happy People,

Today Dianne is excited to share with you her chat with romantic women's fiction author, Linda Hughes. For many years Linda worked internationally as a seminar leader and public speaker. It was her dream job. It allowed her to meet people from other countries and cultures from around the world. When Linda finally made the decision to settle down and become a full-time writer, one of her goals was to share those incredible experiences in her novels. 

As a native Michigander, Linda uses this familiar setting for her stories as well, especially Mackinac Island. Linda considers herself an armchair historian and finds the local history fascinating everywhere she goes and always finds ways to weave it into her books. 

Linda lived in Georgia for many years with her husband, but the couple has since moved to Oklahoma to be near family. Linda confesses that while she loves her family, she still misses Georgia. 

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Hello My Happy People, 

Today on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt–Book Talk Podcast, get ready to step into a world where fairy magic meets real-world heart in my conversation with award-winning, middle-grade author Micki Bare. A graduate of NC State University with a BA in Speech Communication and a Master of Arts in Teaching in middle-school social studies, Micki brings decades of educational insight—and eighteen years as a columnist—to every page she writes.

Her latest novel, KIMIMILA RETURNS (May 2025), is the fourth installment in the beloved Zahra of the Uwharries series. When elder fairy Bubble Rain reappears—one of the feared omens signaling the end of her people—and a young fairy vanishes, Zahra must confront the shadowy Umbra Fae in her greatest adventure yet. We discuss Micki’s inspirations, her seamless blend of magical realism and low fantasy, and how she crafts middle-grade stories that resonate with young readers and parents alike.

Micki’s three-decade career in education—as teacher, administrator, and marketing director—infuses her writing with authenticity and heart. She’ll share how her years guiding middle-schoolers and penning a longtime column sharpened her storytelling skills, and what she’s learned about building worlds that both enchant and empower.

Based in Asheboro, NC with her husband, Micki recharges by gardening, cooking, traveling, and hiking the Uwharrie peaks that inspired Zahra’s journey. Tune in to discover the magic behind the pages—and why every reader, young or old, will root for Zahra as she fights to save her fairy kin.

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Hello Happy People,

Dianne cannot wait to share today's episode with all of you. Her guest, Robert O’Connor, brings history to life in his latest book, Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. His gripping new WWII novel has earned praise from Kirkus Reviews, Purple Heart Magazine, and Midwest Book Review, to name a few. 

Robert is a former Phi Beta Kappa at Kenyon College with a long successful career in marketing. Robert was a marketing executive at Procter & Gamble and co-owner of an advertising agency, but even successful men can have a "hard fall" sometimes. Robert drew on this experience to inspire others with his first book Gumptionade: The Booster For Your Self-Improvement Plan. 

Later, it would be the discovery of a circus sponsorship gone awry in 1967 that would plant the seed that would eventually grow into his first fiction novel, Jeep Show: A Trouper at the Battle of the Bulge. This tale is based on the true story of Jim Hetzer, an Army Entertainment Specialist who toured forward combat zones alongside Private Mickey Rooney.

With meticulous research and wry humor, O’Connor transports you into the frozen Ardennes, where small Jeep-mounted variety shows risked everything to keep GI morale alive, and the mix of laughter and peril still resonates with many today.

Robert and his wife recently moved to Minneapolis. The couple has three grown sons and a grandson. Robert and his wife lost their beloved basset hound, Bassie, a few years ago and plan to adopt another basset hound when the time is right. 

Don't wait, join us now for an episode full of heart, history, and the unbreakable spirit that binds us all.

Charitable Contribution: For each book sold, Robert O'Connor will donate $1 to Shield & Stripes. 

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Hello My Happy People,

I am so thrilled to share my incredible interview with award-winning author Joel Shulkin, MD, with all of you today. Not only is Joel a practicing physician, but he is also the author of engaging medical thrillers. 

There is nothing I love better than when actual professionals in the medical and criminal investigation fields write thrillers. You know you are going to get stories filled with accurate details that give you that extra something to really drive the drama. 

Joel is a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and United States Air Force veteran with a master’s in public health, and he has used this background to enhance his amazing storytelling. His books Adverse Effects and Toxic Effects, the first two novels in the Memory Thieves series are great examples. He has also penned award-winning short stories and poetry with more books already scheduled for 2026.  

Today, we chat about his recent book Heroic Measures, a forensic technothriller in his new Death Benefits series. Joel lives in Florida with his wife, two daughters, and two dogs.

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Bleeped words in this episode: M@ss@cre, 3x Sl@ughter, Ass@ssin@tion 

Hello Happy People,

Dianne is pleased to share her interview with the amazing Miles Spencer. Miles is a self-described curious guy from Pittsburgh who strayed far from home—and even farther from the expected path to create an incredible life and career that is as fascinating as it is impressive.  

For more than 30 years, he’s mentored tech founders, built and sold three digital media companies, and helped create over 1,000 jobs. He co-hosted his own show on PBS with Cliff Ennico called MoneyHunt, a predecessor to shows like Shark Tank. The pair also co-authored the book, MoneyHunt: 27 New Rules for Creating and Growing a Breakaway Business.

But Miles' story goes well beyond boardrooms and balance sheets. An avid explorer, he once led over 1,500 people across 14 miles of open sea by kayak and has trekked more than 1,000 miles through the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria. That desert journey inspired his current release, A Line in the Sand, which is a bestseller and is currently sitting in the top 10 in three categories on Amazon.

These days, you can find Miles investing in digital media, entertainment, and consumer brands, while also managing teams, painting watercolors, spending time with his family, and planning new adventures and future publications. 

Check out today's episode and hear all the incredible details from the man himself. 

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Hold My Beer

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Hello Happy People,

Dianne is thrilled to bring you her chat with the incredible award-winning YA epic fantasy author, Anne Mollova. While Anne attests to having been a writer since the age of five–even creating her own handmade books–it would be decades before she gave herself permission to follow her passion for the written word.

As an accomplished violinist, Anne chose to pursue music as her initial career path. She worked in various venues and groups as she completed her university studies, setting herself up for a future as a musician and a violin instructor. But it was a revelation at a bus stop that would change her life forever, a story she shares in today's episode. 

Anne lives with her family in Pennsylvania. Aside from writing, she loves nature, making music, eating chocolate, drinking tea, and creating things with yarn. She still keeps an eye out for faeries and hasn’t yet accepted the fact that she cannot have a pet baby dragon. 

Don't wait, go listen now!

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Hello Happy People,

Today Dianne is so happy to share with all of you her chat with the incredible author, Jennifer Vido. Jennifer is not only a wonderful person to just sit and chat with about anything, she is also an accomplished and highly acclaimed author.  

Her sweet Lowcountry romances in the Gull Island series earned her recognition both locally and nationally. Her novel, Serendipity by the Sea, was awarded the prestigious Best First Book award from the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest. In 2024, Jennifer won Baltimore Magazine Best Local Author in their annual Best of Baltimore readers poll. The Baltimore Sun also marked her talents with an Honorable Mention in their Best of 2024 Author category.

Jennifer has also created the Piper O'Donnell Social Lite Mystery series. These cozy mystery books have been receiving rave reviews from readers. When not writing books, Jennifer feeds her writing passion as a blogger. She shares insights on bestselling releases in her weekly Jen's Jewels column on FreshFiction.com, where she shares her interviews with fellow authors. Jennifer is also a passionate advocate and a former national spokesperson for the Arthritis Foundation. When she's not immersed in the world of fiction or advocacy, she leads a legal nonprofit.

Jennifer currently lives in the Baltimore area with her husband. They are the proud parents to two grown sons and a rescue dog named Fripp. 

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