Join host Theresa Bakken for a captivating conversation with Austin-based author Scott Semegran and Brooklyn-born narrator Brian P. Craig about their latest collaboration, Starman After Midnight. This literary fiction novel explores unlikely friendships, neighborhood mysteries, and the power of human connection in our divided times.

Discover the story behind a naked man appearing on porch cameras, missing pets, and how two neighbors with opposing political views find common ground. Scott and Brian discuss the creative process, the art of audiobook narration, and how weather, technology, and serendipity weave through this unique tale.

Episode Length: ~52 minutes

Scott Semegran - Austin, Texas-based author of literary fiction, including The Codger and the Sparrow (featured on Desideratum in 2024) and Starman After Midnight. Scott writes character-driven stories with humor, heart, and unexpected depth.

Brian P. Craig - Audiobook narrator with an acting background who grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Brian brings Scott's characters to life with nuanced performances that capture both the humor and emotional complexity of the stories.

[0:00 - 4:30] Introduction & Recording Setup

• The challenges of home recording studios
• Managing temperature and equipment noise
• The gift of getting lost in creative work

[4:30 - 14:00] The Narrator-Author Partnership

• How Brian's voice blends perfectly with Scott's narrative style
• The difference between "by the numbers" mysteries and literary fiction
• Why this collaboration works so well

[14:00 - 23:00] Physical Description & Cinematic Writing

• Scott's vivid character descriptions (the "human-sized farm egg" moment)
• How detailed imagery helps narration
• The cinematic quality of the storytelling

[23:00 - 35:00] Literary Fiction vs. Genre

• Character-driven, voice-forward storytelling
• Why readers either love it or hate it
• The importance of humor in dark narratives

[35:00 - 48:00] The Neighborhood as Character

• How proximity forces connection
• The role of weather (ice storms, tornadoes, drought) as a unifying force
• Real-life inspiration from Austin's 2022 ice storm

[48:00 - 1:05:00] Unlikely Friendship Across Political Divides

• Seth (progressive writer) and Big Dave (MAGA plumber)
• How the friendship develops despite ideological differences
• The importance of face-to-face interaction vs. online conflict

[1:05:00 - 1:20:00] The Starman Mystery

• A naked man appearing on neighborhood security cameras
• Missing and dead pets
• The "Hey Neighbor" app and social media hysteria
• The yellow asterisk that gives Starman his name

[1:20:00 - 1:30:00] Featured Audio Excerpt

• Hank the Uber driver's story
• The great horned owl scene
• Brian's masterful pacing and vocal performance

[1:30:00 - 1:45:00] Technology & Community

• The double-edged sword of neighborhood apps
• How online information differs from face-to-face conversation
• The physicality of in-person conflict and resolution

[1:45:00 - 2:00:00] Unexpected Elements

• The Farmer's Almanac as common ground
• Rural vs. urban perspectives
• Finding shared language across divides

[2:00:00 - 2:15:00] Magic & Mystery

• The Melon Girl and magical realism
• Nature's unpredictability
• The Log Lady inspiration from Twin Peaks

[2:15:00 - 2:30:00] The Audiobook Format

• Why this experimental structure works in audio
• 10 poems, 10 short stories, and a 10-chapter novella
• The challenge of multiple narrative forms

Purchase the audiobook from Libro.fm to support your local independent bookstore. Here's the Desideratum Podcast affiliate link:
https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=970873&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9798218769482

Scott Semegran

• Website: https://scottsemegran.com/

Brian P. Craig

• Website: https://brianpcraigvoice.actor/
  

In this episode of Desideratum, host Theresa Bakken sits down with author Jennifer Oko to discuss her latest novel, "Just Emilia." Set in a Washington, DC elevator, the story brings together three women (ages 17, 47, and 77) at pivotal moments in their lives, forcing them to confront a shared trauma and unravel the threads connecting their past, present, and future.

Jennifer shares the inspiration behind the novel, the challenges of writing across generations, and the personal connections that shaped her characters. The conversation explores themes of memory, responsibility, aging, and the enduring impact of trauma, as well as the unique setting of DC and the symbolism of the ginkgo tree.

Listeners will enjoy insights into the writing process, the realities of publishing with an independent press, and the essential role of storytelling and art in our lives. Whether you're a fan of literary fiction, stories about family and self-discovery, or simply love hearing from passionate storytellers, this episode offers a thoughtful and heartfelt look at what it means to grow, heal, and embrace each new chapter.

Connect with Jennifer Oko at www.JenniferOko.com and get the rest of the story in "Just Emilia" from www.Regal House Publishing.com

In this episode, we explore the remarkable story behind "The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine that Changed Women’s Lives Forever." Host Theresa Bakken is joined by author Lydia Reeder and audiobook narrator Sara Sheckells to discuss the life and legacy of Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi—a pioneering scientist and physician who broke barriers for women in medicine during the 19th century.

Key Highlights:

• Mary Putnam Jacobi’s Journey: From a publisher’s daughter in New York to a trailblazing doctor, Jacobi overcame societal and institutional barriers, becoming a force in both science and women’s rights.
• Historical Context: The episode delves into the challenges women faced in accessing education and medical training, the suffrage movement, and the prevailing (often harmful) medical theories about women’s health.
• Scientific Breakthroughs: Jacobi’s research debunked myths about women’s bodies, especially regarding menstruation and fertility, and helped introduce evidence-based medicine to America.
• Personal Connections: Lydia Reeder shares how her own family history inspired her research, while Sara Sheckells reflects on the importance of telling women’s stories and the parallels between Jacobi’s era and today.
• Broader Impact: The conversation touches on the collective efforts of women in history, the importance of public education, and the ongoing relevance of Jacobi’s courage and scientific rigor.
• Audiobook Sample: Listeners hear a vivid scene from Jacobi’s youth, capturing her awe and inspiration as she peers through a microscope—a moment that set her on her groundbreaking path.

Get The Cure for Women audiobook from Libro.fm

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=970873&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781666681376

Colorado Humanities Colorado Book Awards

https://coloradohumanities.org/programs/colorado-book-awards/

Sara Sheckells narrator

https://sarasounds.com/

Lydia Reeder author

https://lydiareeder.com/

 This is a story about getting focused and creative. It's a non-fiction handbook and guidebook to your brain and what current brain science tells us about how to thrive, relax and even work better with others. The author is a cognitive scientist intent on turning good science into good life strategies. I am so excited to feature the audiobook SHARP 14 Simple Ways to Improve Your Life with Brain Science by Therese Huston on this Desideratum. Thanks to the team at publisher Dreamscape Media including Producer Pete Cross and Editor Cody Stephenson. And, thanks to this episode’s sponsor Pozotron (the audiobook prep and proofing service I use on every single audiobook project I work on).

Here’s an affiliate link to Libro dot fm to get the SHARP audiobook with all its science based brain hacks. Here’s a link to the episode sponsor Pozotron. And, here’s the link to the late Reverend Frederick Buchner profile on PBS. I hope like me you will find ways to support PBS and NPR at your local level. As always, thanks for being here. Thanks for listening.  

This is a story about a robot. Annie Bot was created to be the perfect companion and girlfriend for her human owner Doug. She's designed to adapt and learn to get better at serving and meeting his needs. It's a story about what and how she learns. You follow her to her tune up appointments with technicians, you ride a bike with her, and feel her sentience and consciousness grow even while you are continually reminded she's a robot and needs to plug into a charger regularly.

On this episode of Desideratum we're talking about the disarmingly, provocative, edgy novel Annie Bot with author Sierra Greer and narrator Jennifer Jill Araya. Jennifer is an Audie award winning narrator - with incredible range and skill you will hear in the audiobook samples. And, author Sierra Greer has been racking up the awards for this book.  Annie Bot just won the Arthur C. Clarke Award which is an award started by and named for the author of the 2001 space Odysessy. It's a yearly award. Annie Bot is the 39th winner. Back in 1987, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaids Tale won the Arthur C Clarke.  Annie Bot was also named a Best Book of the Year by Scientific American, Harper's Bazaar and NPR - a Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Book of the Year by the Washington Post and Elle.

I hope you enjoy meeting these comfort zone pushing, deep thinking and award winning storytellers as much as I did.

Jennifer's websites:

https://www.starvingartistnomore.com/https://www.jenniferjillaraya.com/

Sierra's website:

https://www.sierragreerwriter.com/

Libro.fm Affiliate Link directly to the Annie Bot audiobook:

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=970873&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9780063312722

Empathy, Dreams, and Breaking Barriers: The Story Behind 'Sideline Confidential'

In this episode, author Brooke Bentley and renowned narrator Julia Whelan talk about their collaboration on the audiobook 'Sideline Confidential.' Brooke shares how her real-life experiences as a sports reporter for the NFL informed the creation of her protagonist, Blake, who navigates the challenges of a male-dominated industry. Julia discusses her new venture, Audiobrary, a revolutionary platform for audiobook listeners and narrators. Both women explore themes of empathy, personal growth, and the importance of staying true to one's unique vision. The episode includes a reading from 'Sideline Confidential,' showcasing the powerful storytelling that ties their conversation together.

00:00 A Dream Job in the NFL

00:41 Meeting the Narrator Julia Whelan

02:10 Challenges in a Male-Dominated Industry

03:00 Brooke's Real-Life Experiences

05:04 The Power of Storytelling in Sports

08:15 Universal Themes of Women in Male-Dominated Spaces

13:58 Julia Whelan's Audiobook Industry Insights

24:16 The Journey from Screenplay to Book

25:01 Character Development and Themes

26:32 Balancing Career and Personal Life

27:16 Writing Process and Achievements

29:40 Redefining Dreams and Success

38:37 Empathy and Storytelling

42:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Helpful links: 

https://www.brookebentley.com/

https://audiobrary.com/

https://theresabakkennarrator.com/

  This is a story about a young woman, a small town wedding party planner, whose curiosity and gut instincts lead to some amateur sleuthing and some shenanigans. We're talking about the audio book Party Planning Can Be Murder, and our conversation, like the book, starts off talking about funerals. You're gonna hear why funerals have made their way into so many of this author's stories.

You'll also hear about her favorite part of the writing process. It's this aha moment she gets sometimes late in the story. And, you'll find out why a Viking is an integral part of her own life story. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Kerry Ann King, also known as Kerry Schafer. As much as I did.

Here's how to find out more about Kerry:

https://allthingskerry.com/

Here's the link to get the audiobook:

https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=970873&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Faudiobooks%2F9781666692297

 This is a story full of secrets and surprises and suspense. In one of the first scenes, it's 2018, and you are stumbling through a snowstorm with an art appraiser who might just be freezing to death. You're not sure. Again and again, author Debra Spark caught me off guard and drew me in. She pulled together a storyline about a teenage boy sent to an abusive boarding school in the 1970s (based on a real school she researched). She ties that storyline back to the art appraiser's own messy relationship with her teenage son today, and to an art theft and mystery that the appraiser gets sucked into. The art mystery spirals around these three valuable portrait paintings of children from the 1930s.

It wasn't easy for me to talk to Debra about her work without spoilers for you, but we did it and I hope you'll be intrigued enough after listening to seek out the rest of the story. The novel is called Discipline, and this is my conversation with author Debra Spark on the Desideratum Podcast.

This is a story set in an inhospitable land, where the characters are struggling to find a home for the living and a place to bury their dead.

We're talking about the novel No Place to Bury the Dead with audiobook narrator Maria McCann.

Maria is a Los Angeles native, a graduate of the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television, who’s appeared in dozens of films and television shows, such as Lucifer, Shameless and Grey’s Anatomy.  She also works as an acting coach. I’ve personally had the delight of being coached by her.  But, maybe my favorite thing about her - as you’ll hear - is that Maria is an open book and very fun to listen to!

I hope you find Maria’s commitment to joy as contagious as I did, and that you want to hear more of her voice in your ears.  I want to thank you Harper Audio for sharing the audio samples from No Place to Bury the Dead by Karina Sainz Borgo, translated by Elizabeth Bryer. If you want to listen to the rest of the story,here's an affiliate link to the audiobook marketplace Libro.fm. I partner with Libro.fm because they support local bookstores. When you buy your audiobooks from them you can pick a local to you indie bookstore to support with every purchase.

Thanks for listening!

Step into the world of 1917 with author Donna Alward's debut historical fiction, "When the World Fell Silent." This gripping tale explores the lives of two distinct women, Nora and Charlotte, against the backdrop of the Halifax explosion—an event that reshaped a city and its people. Known for her success in romance, Donna takes on the challenge of weaving historical facts with compelling character arcs, creating a story that is as much about love and community as it is about tragedy.

Join us as Donna shares her journey from romance to historical fiction, the serendipity that led her there, and the detailed research behind this novel. Discover how she brings to life the experiences of these two women—one a nurse, the other a war widow—each navigating the societal expectations of their time. Listen to how the Halifax explosion, the largest manmade explosion before the atomic bomb, becomes a pivotal element in their stories.

Hear excerpts from the audiobook, narrated by Ivana Rakic and Laurence Bouvard, as they capture the essence of Halifax and its resilient women. Explore the themes of motherhood, trauma, and the power of community through Donna's insightful storytelling. With a backdrop of historical events, this episode delves into the philosophical questions of destiny and self-determination, leaving us with a sense of hope amidst adversity.

If you enjoyed the audiobook snippets and want to experience the full story, consider supporting local bookstores by purchasing the audiobook through Libro.fm. Follow our affiliate link to support both this podcast and a bookstore of your choice with every purchase.

Thanks for listening!

https://desideratumpodcast.com/

https://donnajonesalward.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@stepintothestorybooks

00:00 Author Donna Allward writes historical fiction set in 1917

03:09 You're telling the story through two main characters, Nora and Charlotte

06:38 The Halifax explosion is at the heart of this story

07:15 The Halifax explosion was the largest man made explosion in history before the atom bomb

10:42 You write about eye injuries caused by Halifax explosion in historical fiction

15:11 One of the other things that I wanted to talk about these two women is motherhood

17:44 Ivana Rakic narrates the audiobook from Charlotte's Awakening

20:08 When we were choosing narrators, I was concerned about the accent

22:06 The narrator is Laurence Bouvard, originally from Boston, Massachusetts

26:42 You talk about how you gravitate towards serendipities in your book

31:10 We dug into some stuff that I haven't talked about on any podcast before

31:54 Dealing with trauma in 1917 is very different than how we deal with it today

Show notes created by https://headliner.app