Bookwild

By Kate Hergott, Bookwild CollectiveTV & Film Fiction TV Reviews Drama Film Reviews

Bookwild episodes

July 21 Some Mid-Year Favorite Reads with Halley Sutton
This week, Halley Sutton is back, and we discuss tv shows and movies we've been watching recently, and share some of our favorite reads so far halfway through 2026!
Books We Talked About
Kate's Books
It Came from Neverland by Cynthia Pelayo
The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood
Our Sister's Keeper by Jasmine Holmes
Halley's Books
Revenge Plot by Stephanie Wrobel
The Chaperones by Amy Meyerson
London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe
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Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor

1 hr 8 min
July 14Your New Favorite Bisexual Stoner P.I. | Jack Friday's Killer Vibes
In this episode, I talk with Jack Friday (a.k.a John Fram) about his new P.I. series Killer Vibes!
Listen to hear all about:
Building a detective unlike the classic hard-boiled heroes: How Peter Key became a lazy, bisexual, stoner private investigator whose sincerity, humor, and curiosity make him feel fresh while still honoring classic noir traditions.

The art of writing humor that actually lands: Why he never writes "jokes" on purpose, how Peter's personality naturally creates comedy, and why sincerity is the secret ingredient behind the book's funniest moments.

Balancing creativity with the business of publishing: From choosing genres strategically to discussing pen names, annual series deadlines, Hollywood adaptations, and why chasing trends rarely works, John offers an honest look at the publishing industry behind the scenes.

Creating memorable characters and a setting that feels like one: How Austin became a character in its own right, why supporting characters like LaShirl practically wrote themselves, and how an unexpected inheritance became the perfect origin story for Peter Key.

Why John Fram created the Jack Friday pen name: John shares how Peter Key's voice and the desire to write an ongoing mystery series naturally led to a new identity, allowing readers to distinguish these books from his horror novels while giving him room to build a long-running detective franchise.
All the Bookwild Links:
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Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
57 min
July 14What If Your Parent was a Serial Killer? V.A. Vazquez's The Death Row Club
In this episode, Gare and I talk with V.A. Vazquez about her dark, twisty thriller The Death Row Club!
Listen to hear all about:
The deeply personal experience that inspired The Death Row Club. V.A. Vazquez shares how discovering that a beloved high school teacher was secretly a predator sparked the question: What would it be like to be the child of someone capable of horrific crimes?

Why writing this novel became an exploration of shame, identity, and inherited judgment. V.A. Vazquez discusses how growing up with two moms in a conservative Catholic school influenced the emotional core of the novel and the idea of being judged for your family rather than your own actions.

The surprising publishing journey that intertwined with Ashley Winstead. Vazquez talks about moving to Scotland, writing her first novels while waiting for work authorization, landing in Pitch Wars, and how Ashley Winstead encouraged her to dream much bigger than she ever imagined.

How real memoirs from the families of serial killers shaped the book. Instead of consuming true crime entertainment, Vazquez researched memoirs by children and spouses of serial killers to authentically portray grief, loyalty, denial, and trauma.

Behind the scenes of building a thriller with an unforgettable cast. Everything from creating detailed outlines and character boards to debating book adaptations and dream casting.

All the Bookwild Links:
Check Out the Bookwild Substack
Subscribe to Bookwild on YouTube
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Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
1 hr 16 min
July 14Good for Her, Female Rage, and Sisterhood: Molly Fader's Lady X
In this episode, I talk with Molly Fader about her ragey, dual-timeline thriller Lady X!
Listen to hear all about:
How her teenage daughter and Taylor Swift inspired the story. Molly shares how frustration with real-world misogyny, a personal experience involving her daughter, and one song combined to spark the idea for Lady X.

A thoughtful conversation about women's anger—and why we're often taught to suppress it. We discuss how patriarchy, complicity, female rage, and why stories about women standing together feel especially powerful today.

The fascinating research behind 1970s New York City. Learn how Son of Sam, the 1977 blackout, Studio 54, and virtual pandemic walking tours helped bring the novel's gritty dual timeline to life.

Behind-the-scenes of Molly's writing process. From plotting entire endings before drafting to rewriting emotional scenes until the anger felt authentic, Molly shares how she builds her novels.

A nuanced discussion about morally gray women, celebrity culture, and public judgment. We dive into why readers react so differently to characters like Margot and why society is often quicker to blame women than the men who betray them.

All the Bookwild Links:
Check Out the Bookwild Substack
Subscribe to Bookwild on YouTube
Get Bookwild Merch
Follow @imbookwild on Instagram
Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
50 min
July 14Serial Killers, Sherlock, and the Truth About Empire: Arvind Ethan David's The Great Game
In this episode, I talk with Arvind Ethan David about his historical mystery thriller The Great Game!
Listen to hear all about:
How Arvind Ethan David reimagined classic literary icons by pairing Sherlock Holmes with gentleman thief A.J. Raffles and Balvinder Singh, an Indian veteran whose perspective reshapes Edwardian-era mysteries.

The real history that shaped the thriller, including the Boer War, the British Empire, and the often-overlooked presence of Indian soldiers and immigrants in early 1900s London.

How historical fiction can be propulsive, as Arvind blends grisly serial murders, conspiracy, humor, and literary Easter eggs into a fast-paced mystery.

The surprising process of writing a first novel after years in television and theater, including what he had to unlearn about dialogue, pacing, and building scenes on the page.

How Arvind wove real historical figures with fictional legends, from J.M. Barrie and Winston Churchill to Sherlock Holmes, while staying faithful to the historical timeline.
All the Bookwild Links:
Check Out the Bookwild Substack
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Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
1 hr 8 min
July 10Pop Culture, Gossip and Revenge: Ashley Winstead's Hot Girl Murder Club
Ashley Winstead IS BACK! Gare and I ask all our burning questions about Hot Girl Murder Club.
Listen to hear about:
How Ashley Winstead wrote Hot Girl Murder Club as an act of creative defiance. Ashley shares the publishing and Hollywood conversations that told her feminist revenge stories were "over"—and why that made her determined to write one anyway.

The surprising inspiration behind the novel's unique structure. Ashley discusses how Dune, historical dissertations, Patty Hearst, and mythic storytelling shaped the book, including an early version that was set decades in the future.

A deep dive into celebrity culture, parasocial relationships, and internet outrage. The conversation explores why public opinion swings so dramatically, the complexity of figures like Lena Dunham, and how social media has changed the way we judge people.

Why stories about women's anger, friendship, and justice are resonating right now. We discuss sisterhood, feminist thrillers, revenge narratives, and why readers still crave these conversations despite industry assumptions.

How gossip, pop culture, and "frothy" entertainment can be surprisingly political. From celebrity scandals to folklore and urban legends, Ashley explains why seemingly light stories often become powerful vehicles for social commentary.
All the Bookwild Links:
Check Out the Bookwild Substack
Subscribe to Bookwild on YouTube
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Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
1 hr 2 min
July 07Double Agents, Journalism and Espionage: Connor Martin's The Silver Fish
**If you're listening when this airs, note that this episode was recorded at the beginning of May and should've come out in May. Due to an injury (and painkillers) it's been sitting in my drafts, and I forgot to publish it.**
In this episode, I chat with Connor Martin about his new espionage thriller The Silver Fish.
Listen to hear about:
How a 20-year journey and a career in national security led Connor Martin to write his debut espionage thriller—including why switching from literary fiction to spy fiction finally unlocked the story he was meant to tell.

The fascinating real-world technology behind The Silver Fish, from undersea internet cables to corporate control of critical infrastructure, and how Connor turned a little-known global vulnerability into a gripping thriller.

A behind-the-scenes look at crafting morally gray characters, intricate twists, and cinematic action, including why Connor rewrote each character's storyline separately to create distinct voices and perfectly timed reveals.

All the Bookwild Links:
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Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
41 min
July 07Power, Greed, and the Dark Side of Utopia: Zac Canon's Stillwater Trace
In this episode, I chat with Zac Cannon about his new speculative thriller Stillwater Trace!
Listen to hear about:
How a "dad action movie" premise transformed into a layered thriller exploring faith, power, surveillance, and belonging—and why Zac let the story evolve far beyond his original concept.

The real-world inspirations behind Stillwater Trace, from corporate master-planned communities and culture wars to religious deconstruction, and how current events shaped the novel without making it feel tied to one moment in time.

The craft of writing cinematic suspense, including how Zac's screenwriting background influences his novels, why he physically acts out action scenes, and how character—not spectacle—ultimately drives the story.
All the Bookwild Links:
Check Out the Bookwild Substack
Subscribe to Bookwild on YouTube
Get Bookwild Merch
Follow @imbookwild on Instagram
Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
47 min
July 03Trauma, Twins and Twists: The Girls in the Dark by Avery Bishop
In this episode, Gare and I chat with Avery Bishop about his new thriller The Girls in the Dark!
Listen to hear about:
An unfiltered look at editorial disagreements, publishing contracts, audiobook production, and why getting a book into readers' hands is often far more complicated than fans realize.

The inspiration behind The Girls in the Dark, balancing suspense with emotional realism, portraying trauma responsibly, and why some stories need to embrace their darkness.

Crafting page-turning cliffhangers and deciding how much of a killer's motivation readers really need
All the Bookwild Links:
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Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
1 hr 21 min
July 01Chronic Illness, Spy Thrills & Fake Dating: Kate Williams' Fake Out Make Out
This week, I talk with Kate Williams about her new romance spy thriller Fake Out Make Out!
Kate's journey from self-publishing and writing across genres to landing a traditional publishing deal with Fake Out, Make Out.

How Kate built a spy romance, balanced action with emotional beats, and embraced genre mashups.

How she drew from her own autoimmune journey and the importance of seeing disabled and chronically ill characters on the page.

How she approaches outlining action scenes, creating compelling character dynamics, and finding the perfect title for the book.

Lessons from years of writing, and encouragement for aspiring authors navigating publishing.
All the Bookwild Links:
Check Out the Bookwild Substack
Subscribe to Bookwild on YouTube
Get Bookwild Merch
Follow @imbookwild on Instagram
Check Out Author Social Media Packages

Follow Co-hosts On Instagram:
Gare Billings @gareindeedreads
Steph Lauer @books.in.badgerland
Halley Sutton @halleysutton25
Brian Watson @readingwithbrian
MacKenzie Green @missusa2mba
Erin Ashley @bellametaphor
52 min