Book Lover's Companion - The English Version

Host Edith welcomes fantasy author Daniel Sheley to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss his character-driven dark fantasy novel The Soul Song (released April 18, 2026). Sheley explains the book’s eight third-person viewpoints, designed to let competing ideologies collide and keep heroism ambiguous. The story begins when a boy’s village is destroyed by battling dragons and he is forced to inherit the Song, a dangerous burden tied to the world’s life force. Sheley outlines key characters and how each reflects a facet of his own psyche, discusses dragons’ cross-cultural appeal, and cites myth and music as influences, including the idea that souls “hum” as part of a greater song. He shares his worldbuilding approach, extensive editing process, views on grounding fantasy in reality, escapism vs. theme-driven fantasy, and his plans for book two, The Severed Chord, plus future books. He also notes awards and credits his wife’s support.

⏰ Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Introductions

01:25 Book Release and Premise

02:55 Plot Setup and The Song

05:48 POV Structure and Moral Grayness

08:47 Why Dragons Fascinate Us

11:35 Creating Characters from Self

17:11 Mythology and Music Magic

19:34 World as Living Vim

22:47 Worldbuilding Process and Consistency

25:27 Fantasy Rules and Reader Trust

27:54 Escapism vs Literary Fantasy

30:03 YA Fantasy and Audience Fit

31:55 Writing Role Models

33:51 Is Tolkien The Standard

35:48 Fantasy Subgenres Explained

37:56 Editing A Fantasy Novel

40:41 Advice For New Authors

42:31 Hardcover Or Paperback

45:15 Why Fantasy Is Booming

47:17 Hope In Dark Times

49:44 Next Books And Series

53:39 Awards And Gratitude

55:48 Final Farewell

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith interviews author Lennox Caige about his 2025 political thriller An American Spectacle, which he calls “fiction with friction” because it draws on contemporary U.S. headlines after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022. Caige explains his goal to spark discussion about reproductive rights—especially rape, incest, and unclear medical exceptions—by portraying flawed characters on all sides and centering themes of hypocrisy, double standards, power, and media spectacle, including live-streaming and social media. They discuss key characters such as Clay Whale and the lieutenant governor’s daughter, the book’s provocative opening, twists, and thriller elements like a detective plot, car chase, murder, love, and Stockholm syndrome. Caige shares his outline-driven writing process, his current focus on marketing via social platforms and author groups, hopes for a film adaptation, and advice to write boldly from current events.

Find out more about Lennox:

https://lennoxcaige.com

⏰ Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:35 Fiction With Friction

02:53 Plot Setup and Main Characters

03:57 Live Streamed Spectacle

04:42 Why Write This Thriller

08:37 Hard Opening and Character Backstories

10:58 Everyone Is a Hypocrite

12:53 Abortion Laws and Medical Risk

15:21 How Roe Was Overturned

24:25 Politics, Power, and Greed

30:00 Preaching and Double Standards

32:12 Calling Out Hypocrisy

33:02 Money Behind Politics

34:26 Midterms and Economy

36:28 Reproductive Rights Vote

38:20 Writing Process Breakdown

41:11 Author Community and Marketing

45:45 Advice for Aspiring Writers

47:55 Irina Character Deep Dive

51:12 Edgy Scenes and Message

52:53 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes returning guest Francine Ehrenberg to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss Ehrenberg’s second novel, A Dangerous Screw Loose, published in August and written as a direct continuation of America’s Candidate, picking up minutes after book one ends. Ehrenberg explains reader demand to resolve cliffhangers and how book two expands the political thriller into a courtroom murder trial, drawing on her decades as a prosecutor while using limited artistic license to keep the story moving. She highlights shifting perspectives by elevating Calypso (and expanding Roberta), exploring Amir’s moral ambiguity, and examining media influence, voyeurism, ratings-driven conflict, and distrust in politics and investigations. Ehrenberg also discusses avoiding partisan messaging, cover redesign choices, sequel-writing challenges and continuity notes, plans for an audiobook, possible screen adaptation interest, and ideas for future non-political suspense or horror informed by her Army background.

Find out more about Francine:

https://ehrenberg1.allauthor.com

⏰ Timestamp

00:00 Welcome Back Francine

00:44 Why Another Panel

01:54 Introducing Book Two

04:31 Picking Up After Book One

07:07 Amir and Moral Gray

10:14 Politics as Spectacle

18:31 Media Circus and Trust

20:20 Keeping Politics Neutral

25:16 Courtroom Focus in Book Two

28:57 Calypso Takes Center

32:38 Adapting to Screen

34:59 Future Books and Genres

35:35 Next Genre Ideas

36:55 Military Life Not Politics

38:49 Sequel Writing Challenges

39:55 Tracking Details Notebook

42:19 Cover Art Revisions

46:19 Flawed Characters Matter

52:09 Staying Human In War

57:49 Greed Values And Art

01:03:51 Future Projects Farewell

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes author and coach Lee Baucom to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss what it means to treat writing—especially fiction—as a business. They distinguish hobby writing from pursuing income, emphasizing that authors must wear multiple hats, particularly marketing as simply making readers aware and connecting the right audience to the right book. They cover cutting through today’s “noise,” pitching podcasts with a clear hook and audience fit, planning publicity months in advance, and choosing platforms based on where readers are and what the author can sustain. Lee outlines strategies like consistency, building an email list (e.g., Substack/Beehive), engaging communities, and using constraints to stay productive, while noting time vs. money tradeoffs, the value of human editing, and AI’s limited role for fiction but usefulness for marketing tasks.

Find out more about Lee:

https://leebaucom.com

⏰ Timestamp

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

00:44 Writing as a Business

03:49 Marketing Hat Mindset

06:03 Publishing Noise and Consistency

06:57 Pitching Podcasts Right

11:17 Conversation Style Interviews

13:06 Choosing Promotion Channels

17:11 Audience First Platform Choice

18:48 Time vs Money Marketing

22:08 Constraints and Daily Writing

24:34 Start Marketing Early

27:45 Building Suspense and Community

31:02 Behind the Art Stories Sell

32:54 Introverts Going Pro

33:57 Marketing Is On You

35:54 Success Takes Many Books

37:36 Strategy And Growth

39:44 Swag Versus Substance

41:38 Stop Doing Readings

45:33 Step By Step Marketing

51:54 Invest In Editing

55:46 AI For Marketing

57:57 Reviews And Not Finishing

01:01:18 Final Takeaways

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes San Francisco author Rick London to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss his December 2025 novel The Dancing Wolfe Man (Volume One). London explains his pen name and how a vivid nighttime drive after a 1998 Super Bowl gathering inspired a werewolf story he later developed in 2024. Wanting to avoid a typical savage-werewolf arc, he made music the central force that anchors protagonist Titus Wolfe—a high school music teacher and weekend DJ—so sound and rhythm help him control his primal instincts and become a protector rather than a killer. They discuss the werewolf as a metaphor for humanity’s dark side, what defines a hero, London’s choice not to write a female werewolf protagonist, and his plans for sequels, prequels, and an origins book exploring werewolf lore. London shares his writing process, marketing lessons, audiobook considerations, advice to aspiring writers, and where to buy the book.

Find out more about Rick:

https://dancingwolfeman.com

⏰ Timestamp

00:00 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro

00:34 Why the Name Rick London

01:28 Dancing Wolfman Premise

01:48 Super Bowl Night Inspiration

05:28 Music Tames the Beast

09:12 Wolf as Inner Darkness

15:12 What Makes a Hero

18:06 Why Not a She Wolf

20:35 Series Plans and Staying Hidden

23:26 Werewolf Lore and Myth Origins

27:13 Standing Out and Marketing Reality

30:21 Writing Process and Drafting Method

34:16 Fixing Story Flow

34:56 Why We Quit Books

36:15 Dialogue Versus Description

37:12 Writing Like A Movie

40:57 Screenplay Adaptation Dreams

41:53 Finding Writing Communities

43:23 Going Cross Genre

46:19 Audiobook Plans And Costs

49:23 Bookstores Kindle And Habits

55:07 Advice For Aspiring Authors

58:40 Where To Buy The Book

01:00:08 Closing Thanks And Sign Off

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video

Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes returning guest and author Twila Mason to discuss Step by Step, book two in the interconnected-yet-standalone Desperate Hearts series. Twila explains that the novel follows Chrissy’s path to a “happily ever after” after the events of book one, beginning with her being chosen to paint a City of Chicago mural and meeting her charming boss, Adam Rochester, sparking a workplace romance where both their jobs are at risk. She shares how both characters confront past shame, insecurity, addiction recovery, and mental health struggles, and describes the research and personal observation that informed her portrayal. Twila also talks about the challenges of indie marketing, tracking continuity across multiple books, plans for books three and four (and possible novellas), her stance on avoiding AI tools, and where to follow her work online.

⏰ Timestamp

00:00 Welcome Back Twila

00:39 Step by Step Overview

03:25 Standalone Series Setup

04:20 Healing Past Trauma

05:23 Researching Addiction Recovery

08:58 Indie Marketing Reality

12:17 Series Plans and Lily

15:57 Continuity Tracking Tips

19:14 Book Four and Novellas

21:12 Writing Challenges and Joy

23:53 Characters Take the Lead

25:48 Supporting Cast Matters

31:02 Writing Heavy Topics

35:54 AI Temptations for Indies

37:29 Avoiding AI Artwork

38:52 Designing Standout Covers

42:20 Embracing Romance Writing

46:01 Romance vs Womens Fiction

50:03 Setting Reader Expectations

52:31 Heavy Themes and Growth

54:16 Planning Future Books

59:11 Liking Characters in Series

01:02:26 Wrap Up and Where to Follow

01:04:07 Final Goodbye

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny

Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith interviews retired US Air Force officer and historical fiction/children’s author Steve Doherty about his novels inspired by a WWII covert operative he interviewed in 1995 (renamed Jonathan Preston), whose missions behind Japanese lines in the China-Burma-India theater were classified for 50 years. Doherty explains how Preston and teammate George Linka worked with British intelligence and the OSS on dozens of missions across Southeast Asia, using disguises, languages, and local operatives. They discuss Doherty’s fifth novel, Crossroads, a postwar story set during Japan’s reconstruction involving war-crimes pursuits, a vengeful Japanese general turned criminal leader, and a real sacred katana used to lure him out via a kabuki play. Doherty also shares lessons on self-publishing pitfalls, active research, character development, dialogue, editing, and his children’s books promoting values, which he gives away.

Find out more about Steve:

https://steve-doherty-books.com

Chapters

00:00 Podcast Welcome

00:41 Meet Jonathan Preston

01:51 Secret Missions Revealed

06:09 Elite Spy Training

14:57 Disguises And Languages

18:01 Publishing Lessons Learned

22:38 Crossroads Prologue Research

26:27 Postwar Japan Revenge Plot

44:52 Writing Process And Origins

46:31 From Articles To Novels

50:43 Why Historical Fiction

52:55 Writing By Instinct

55:33 Making Characters Human

59:25 Dialogue And Character Bios

01:03:32 Building Foreign Characters

01:05:42 Active Research Process

01:08:01 Ten Novel Milestone

01:08:52 Children Books Mission

01:11:42 Advice For Writers

01:16:58 Editing And Working With Editors

01:19:42 Family Coauthors And Confidence

01:22:33 Where To Find The Books

01:23:43 Final Thanks And Sign Off

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Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes returning guest Emma Woodhouse, a fiction and nonfiction author, to discuss two upcoming autumn releases: the historical novel "Anne Morgan: Hellish Beauty" (September) and the nonfiction "Criminal Women of Victorian London" (November). Woodhouse explains her fascination with overlooked working-class Victorian women and shares the story of Anne Morgan, a “witch” murdered in 1857 by her younger lover William Davis, including superstition after her death, burned papers, and research drawn largely from newspaper trial reports, plus a revenge legend she acknowledges as fictionalized. She outlines the novel’s interwoven timelines and her ethical approach to blending fact with invention. Woodhouse also previews her nonfiction survey of 30–40 female offenders across crime types, her research methods, and how it challenges prim-and-proper Victorian stereotypes.

Find out more about Emma:

https://emmawoodhousebooks.wixsite.com/ewhb

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back Emma

00:49 Life With Dogs And Ducks

02:34 Two New Books This Fall

03:08 Meet Anne Morgan

05:24 Witch Murder And Aftermath

09:46 Finding Sources And Legends

15:31 Three Timelines Explained

16:59 Ethical Historical Fiction

19:31 Anne And William Relationship

25:32 Criminal Women Of London

26:52 Researching Victorian Crimes

27:51 Mog The Fireman And More

29:07 Victorian Women Unmasked

30:15 Hidden Female Serial Killer

31:34 Street Survival Crimes

35:10 Madams and Crime Bosses

39:24 Brothel Guides and Coercion

41:02 Women Versus Men in Crime

44:45 Research Balance and Notes

48:08 Nonfiction Role Models

51:30 Victims Not Killers

54:34 Best Victorian TV Portrayals

56:50 Podcasts Talks and Academia

59:36 Farewell and Wrap Up

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Feedback is always welcome: [email protected]

Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes returning guest Kimberly Sullivan and fellow editors/writers Elaine, Carolyn, Christy, Kay to discuss the anthology Feisty Deeds 2: Historical Tales of Badges and Bruises. They explain eligibility and guidelines within the Women’s Fiction Writers Association historical fiction affinity group, including a 3,000-word limit, historical settings (50+ years past), fictional female protagonists, and a “Batches and Brews” theme tied to food, drink, and related dangers. The group describes selection criteria balancing story quality, variety, global and temporal range, and how they organized stories by geography. They outline a multi-round editing workflow (developmental, line, final pass, plus external proofreading), formatting challenges, research and historical authenticity debates, and the timeline from theme to publication. They note proceeds support the WFWA Scholarship Fund and the books are available in print and on major ebook platforms.

Find out more about my guests here:

https://kimberlysullivanauthor.com

https://carolynkorsmeyer.com

https://www.kaysmith-blum.com

https://christymatheson.com

https://elaineschroller.com

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and No Football

00:38 What Is Feisty Deeds 2

01:57 Submission Rules and Theme

03:39 Global Settings and Story Selection

08:16 Editing Assignments and Author Feedback

10:55 Three Round Editing Workflow

17:25 Timeline From Theme to Publication

24:00 How the Anthology Began

27:15 Formatting and Production Challenges

29:46 Historical Language and Research Checks

36:07 Scholarship Fund and Budgeting

37:44 Authenticity and Modern Sensibilities

40:57 Modern Values vs Past

42:08 Diversity in Historical Stories

45:09 Writing Heavy History Well

47:47 Why Short Stories Work

49:19 Women Writers and Initials

53:10 Historical Fiction Boom

56:35 Getting People to Read

59:53 Novels vs Short Stories

01:03:26 Indie Anthology Challenges

01:05:26 Collaboration and Rejections

01:11:49 Kimberly Returns and Process

01:14:07 Where to Buy and Goodbye

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Feedback is always welcome: [email protected]

Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

Host Edith welcomes editor Jennica Dotson to discuss how she became an editor through internships and on-the-job learning, and to explain the differences between developmental editing (big-picture plot, structure, character, and worldbuilding), line editing (stylistic, line-by-line refinement, often including some copy work), and copy editing (grammar, punctuation, and typos). Jennica recommends discovery calls, approaching editors with a completed draft, letting manuscripts rest, revising before line edits, and staying open to edits while keeping authorial voice. They discuss time pressures in traditional publishing, expectations for more polished submissions, and the importance of language consistency (American vs British English). Jennica shares why she specializes in fantasy, notes trends like romantasy and misclassification issues, highlights indie publishing’s willingness to take risks, and describes how freelancers find clients through organizations and networking. She recommends “The Last Night at the Telegraph Club” by Malinda Lo.

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro

01:41 Becoming an Editor

02:57 Editing Types Explained

05:13 Offering Multiple Services

06:57 Preparing for an Edit

10:51 Handling Feedback and Revisions

13:24 Why Editing Takes Time

14:47 Traditional Publishing Pressures

17:12 American vs British English

21:59 Fantasy Niche and Specialization

26:01 Editor Challenges and Switching Off

29:47 Strange Manuscripts and Genre Talk

31:56 Holmes From Hudson

34:07 Retellings New Perspectives

34:55 Fantasy Trends Romantasy

38:02 Gender Marketing Bias

40:22 YA Themes And Limits

42:43 Indie Publishing Daring

46:17 Getting Seen Marketing

50:08 Recent Read Recommendation

53:31 Community And Editors

56:49 Wrap Up And Farewell

If you like what we do, you might consider buying us a coffee.

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Feedback is always welcome: [email protected]

Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E