Curious about the real stories behind the writers you love? In this inspiring Author Express episode, host Kathleen Basi welcomes Virginia McCullough, a powerhouse in both fiction and nonfiction who’s penned over 150 books! Virginia shares the unexpected ways her background in classical ballet shaped her discipline as a writer and recounts how a life-changing move and tough circumstances pushed her into a long career supporting her family through writing alone. Hear about her journey from ghostwriting and editing to crafting women’s fiction—particularly her novel "Amber Light," which explores themes of hope, healing, and second chances.

Interested in what connects a heroine’s journey with real-life trials and triumphs? Tune in for thoughtful reflections on storytelling, resilience, and personal growth, and unlock the secrets to a writer’s longevity and passion.

Virginia McCullough is an award-winning author and ghostwriter of both nonfiction and fiction. She’s served as a ghostwriter or “book doctor” for professionals in many fields, including healthcare, psychology, law, business, and professional speaking, and she’s co-authored more than a dozen books with experts. She currently writes women’s fiction and multigenerational series romance for Harlequin’s Heartwarming line. Set on the shores of lakes, rivers, or oceans, Virginia’s romances and women’s fiction, such as AMBER LIGHT and ISLAND HEALING, feature relatable characters facing and overcoming everyday challenges, and her themes always come back to hope, healing, and plenty of second chances.

Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia started her family there, but then spent years on the move. Home has been an island in Maine, coastal Maryland, the U.S.V.I, and the mountains of Western North Carolina. Currently living in Northeastern Wisconsin, Virginia is a member of the Authors Guild (AG), the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA), and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Unlike so many of her talented colleagues, she’s not a gourmet cook, a gardener, a knitter, or a pet parent, but Virginia’s interest in politics started in the ‘60s and never let up. She also walks on local trails and loves nothing more than hanging out with other writers.

Sign up for Virginia’s newsletter, learn more about Amber Light and her other books, and check out her workshops and resources for writers here: www.virginiamccullough.com. Find her on Facebook: Virginia McCullough

A little about today's host-

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. 

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