In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I talk to the brilliant and bestselling author Fiona Davis about her new novel The Stolen Queen, a dual-timeline mystery that moves between 1936 Egypt and 1978 New York City.

Fiona shares the real inspirations behind the story (thank you Kim Kardashian), as well as her fascination with antiquities and the stories behind them. She looks at the ways history can be reshaped or lost over time. We explore the novel’s two vividly drawn protagonists, a serious and studious curator and her arch opposite, a young, inexperienced over-eager assistant to the Met Ball who have to work together to recover a stolen artefact.

We also talk about the lesser known women of history who spark Fiona’s imagination, the meticulous research that bring Fiona’s settings to life, the energy of NYC in the late 70’s and the busy world behind the scenes at the Met. Fiona likes to blend a good story with some fascinating history and page-turning mystery into her NYC-based novels. She also touches on her own career, from acting to journalism to writing historical fiction.

This episode is a rich, thought-provoking conversation with one of today’s most beloved voices in historical fiction. If you love stories that uncover hidden histories and spotlight remarkable women, this episode is for you

Episode Guide:00:00 Welcome to Elena Meets the Author00:20 Introducing Fiona Davis and The Stolen Queen01:37 Inspiration Behind the Novel03:45 The Ancient Queen Who Sparked the Story06:15 Forgotten Women in History06:37 Diana Vreeland and the Met in the 1970s10:24 Building Atmospheric, Authentic Settings12:28 Research and Story Development15:30 Blending Mystery with Historical Fiction17:19 What Fiona Is Working on Next17:52 New York’s Hidden Corners18:18 A Storied Mansion and Its Remarkable Resident19:29 From Acting to Journalism21:46 The Path to Becoming an Author24:13 Research Rituals and Writing Process29:38 Fiona’s Book Recommendations & Final Thoughts

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I had such a fun and fascinating chat with Katie Yee, the debut author of Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar. Her novel has been compared to Nora Ephron’s Heartburn, it’s witty, warm, and full of heart, finding humour even in the hardest moments.

We talk about where the story came from, how Katie created her wonderfully observant narrator, and why she chose to leave her protagonist nameless. We also dive into friendship, love, identity, and the surprising ways storytelling can help us heal.

Katie’s energy is infectious, we even got into her writing process, what she’s been reading lately, and a sneak peek at her next project. I absolutely loved this conversation and I think you will too!

Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:17 – Meet Katie Yee and her debut novel01:55 – Themes of humour, heartbreak, and identity03:01 – Writing through personal experience12:01 – Exploring race and motherhood22:26 – The role of women and friendship25:45 – Writing as healing26:04 – Craft and structure29:17 – Advice for aspiring authors31:13 – Hopes for readers and future projects33:50 – Book recommendations and closing thoughts

In this episode, I sit down with Annie Hartnett, the bestselling author of The Road to Tender Hearts, to talk about finding humour in heartbreak and the power of storytelling to carry us through difficult times. Annie shares how moments of adversity have shaped her voice as a writer and how she balances grief, chaos, and laughter in her latest novel, a darkly funny, deeply tender story about family, loss, and connection.

We talk about her unforgettable characters, including PJ Halliday, his adult daughter Sophie, two orphaned children, and Pancakes, a clairvoyant cat who can predict death and how the book’s strange mix of tragedy and magic reveals what it means to love and keep going. Annie also opens up about her writing process, her love of storytelling, and offers thoughtful advice for anyone working on their own creative projects.

It’s an honest, warm, and funny conversation about the beauty in life’s messier moments. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Meet Annie Hartnett & The Road to Tender Hearts02:04 Inspiration Behind the Book06:33 Writing Through Adversity07:39 Reading from Chapter One10:23 Character Inspirations & Family Ties21:43 Omniscient Voice & Magical Elements26:39 The Randomness of Road Stops28:56 Real-Life Inspirations41:25 Writing Tips & Support43:46 Upcoming Projects & Book Recommendations

This week I’m joined by the wonderful Virginia Evans, whose debut novel The Correspondent captured my heart. And I don’t say that lightly. Her main character 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp is the best! We dive into the joy of epistolary storytelling, explore the wide world of the smart, snappy and funny Sybil, and talk about how letters can hold so much power in today’s digital world.

Virginia shares the wisdom she’s gained from her mentor, the superstar author Claire Keegan, the challenges she faced on her long road to publication, and the magic moments that kept her going. Along the way we laugh about family, gush over favourite books, and celebrate the perseverance it takes to follow your creative dreams.

If you love heartfelt, character-driven fiction or simply need a reminder of why storytelling matters, you’ll adore this conversation. 💌

Highlights:00:00 – Meeting Virginia Evans02:50 – Why epistolary novels still shine05:34 – Lessons from Claire Keegan11:10 – Crafting Sybil’s world24:00 – The magic of letter writing28:43 – A touching family moment29:43 – Favourite books32:05 – Advice for aspiring authors35:09 – The journey to success37:40 – Overcoming writer’s block40:43 – Upcoming projects45:16 – Closing thoughts

I am so excited to share this episode of Elena Meets the Author with you! I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Gretchen Young, a powerhouse in publishing and the inspiring founder of Regalo Press.

Gretchen’s journey is incredible, from her early days in television production, to decades at major publishing houses, and now running her own indie press with a beautiful philanthropic mission at its heart. We dive into the changes shaping publishing today, the joys and challenges of building an indie press, and the advice she wishes every debut author knew.

We also chat about the power of great storytelling, how belief and perseverance can carry writers through, and why social media and AI are transforming the way people discover books. Gretchen even gives us a sneak peek at some exciting new titles coming soon from Regalo Press.

If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book or simply love hearing about the world behind the stories you read, this is an episode full of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration.

Episode Highlights:00:00 – Introduction and pre-interview chatter00:28 – Meet Gretchen Young02:17 – Gretchen's publishing journey03:49 – How the industry has changed04:32 – Challenges and innovations in publishing07:38 – The birth of Regalo Press09:26 – Impact and partnerships11:11 – Indie publishing vs. big houses15:03 – Gretchen’s advice for aspiring authors16:58 – Fresh trends and experiments in publishing20:09 – The power of belief and perseverance20:33 – The meaning behind “Regalo”21:10 – The state of publishing today23:28 – How social media and AI are reshaping reading29:05 – Upcoming books to get excited about34:35 – The inspiring journey of a publisher

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with debut novelist Vanessa Beaumont to talk about her evocative and richly layered novel, The Other Side of Paradise. Set in post–World War I Britain, the story follows Jean Buckman, a young American newspaper heiress navigating societal pressures, marital dysfunction, grief, personal desire and deep maternal love in 1920s Britain and the south of France.

Vanessa shares how her background in publishing shaped her writing journey, what inspired her to move from nonfiction ideas into fiction, and the immersive research that brought the interwar period to life. We discuss themes of identity, privilege, and constraint, as well as the role of setting — from remote British country estates to grand London houses to villas in the Riviera and how setting can be a character in its own right. Vanessa’s characters - the people and the places- will stay with the reader long after finishing the last page.

We also talk about Vanessa’s literary influences, her writing challenges, and her upcoming projects. By the end of our conversation, you’ll have a deeper sense of both the historical backdrop of her novel and the craft behind it.

Click here to buy ‘The Other Side of Paradise’.

Episode Highlights00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:11 Meeting Vanessa Beaumont and The Other Side of Paradise00:29 Setting the Scene: Britain Between the Wars00:44 Introducing Jean Buckman and Family01:54 The Inspiration Behind the Novel03:47 Vanessa’s Writing Journey and Challenges06:22 Researching the Interwar Period09:35 The Role of Setting and Atmosphere18:14 Houses as Characters20:55 Literary Influences and Craft37:29 Upcoming Projects and Personal Insights

In this special episode of Elena Meets the Author, I step away from my usual author interviews to chat with Diane Garrett, the warm and wonderful owner of Diane’s Books in Greenwich, Connecticut. Diane tells me how she went from growing up in Northern Ontario, Canada, to opening her beloved bookshop in the heart of Greenwich. We talk about how the book industry has changed with Amazon and e-readers, and she shares her philosophy on curating a family-friendly selection that keeps readers of all ages coming back.

We dive into why reading aloud to children is so important, the magic of having knowledgeable “book matchmaker” staff, and her top book recommendations for the summer. Diane also reminisces about unforgettable author events, from J.K. Rowling to Walter Isaacson and shares a charming Harry Potter story. Our conversation is a love letter to the resilience of independent bookstores, the joy of reading, and the community that springs up around them.

Diane’s top summer picks! Buy through these links to directly support the podcast at no extra cost to you.

The Mademoiselle Alliance

It's a Love Story

Jackie

My Sister’s Grave

Presumed Innocent

King Maker

Timestamps:00:00 — Introduction to the podcast01:54 — Interview with Diane Garrett begins02:03 — Diane’s journey to owning a bookshop03:30 — The evolution of bookshops04:12 — Staff specialties and book selection06:36 — The importance of reading aloud08:57 — Challenges and rewards of running a bookshop16:19 — Collaborations with the local community18:12 — Booksellers and libraries: a complex relationship18:52 — Memorable author events: from J.K. Rowling to Walter Isaacson19:10 — The magic of Harry Potter: a personal anecdote22:13 — Top book recommendations: a curated list30:08 — The joy of reading: final thoughts

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the incredible Marjan Kamali to discuss her bestselling novel The Lion Women of Tehran. 🌍✨

The novel follows the intertwined lives of two childhood friends, Homa and Ellie, as they grow from girls in 1950s Tehran into women navigating the complexities of adulthood. We dive into the inspiration behind this captivating story, the rich depiction of Iranian culture, and the unique challenges of writing historical fiction. Marjan shares some evocative excerpts from her book and reveals how her own childhood friendships and family history have shaped the narrative. Together, we explore themes of friendship, the fragility of freedom, and the timeless nature of storytelling. 📖💫

Listen now! 🔗 [Link to episode]

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Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Meet the Author: Marjan Kamali03:03 – The Story Behind The Lion Women of Tehran04:37 – Exploring Themes of Friendship and Betrayal05:33 – The Historical Context of Women's Rights in Iran14:07 – The Writing Process and Developing Characters30:22 – Imagination's Role in the Writing Journey30:50 – When Characters Take Control of the Story31:41 – Drawing from Emotional Wells and Writing Trauma32:38 – Method Acting: Bringing Characters to Life33:25 – Writing Challenging and Emotional Scenes36:17 – The Heart of The Lion Women of Tehran37:06 – The Many Faces of a Lioness40:36 – Navigating Difficult Scenes and Character Growth45:49 – The Importance of Friendship and Freedom50:20 – The Joy of Reading and Discovering New Stories51:59 – Marjan Kamali’s Upcoming Projects53:18 – Final Thoughts and Farewell

In this week’s episode of Elena Meets the Author, I’m joined by the brilliant Louisa Treger to talk about her captivating new novel The Paris Muse, which delves into the life of Dora Maar, Picasso’s muse behind the iconic Weeping Woman.

We dive into Dora’s incredible journey beyond her relationship with Picasso, exploring her life as a surrealist photographer, poet, and political activist. From the influence she had on Picasso’s art to her redemption and artistic revival, this episode is a deep dive into art, love, and the complexities of history.

Click here to buy The Paris Muse and support the show.

Episode Breakdown:

* 00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast

* 00:16 – Introducing Louisa Treger and The Paris Muse

* 00:42 – Dora Maar: Picasso's Muse and More

* 01:55 – Louisa's Inspiration from Dora's Photography

* 04:37 – Reading from the Prologue

* 08:15 – Dora Maar's Early Life

* 11:19 – Dora's Relationship with Picasso

* 18:56 – The Influence of Dora on Picasso's Art

* 21:44 – Discussing the Novel's Setting and Characters

* 22:25 – Writing About the South of France

* 24:26 – Picasso and Dora's Relationship During Wartime

* 26:00 – Dora's Inner Monologues and Personal Connection

* 29:41 – Picasso's Dark Side and Its Impact

* 32:09 – Dora's Redemption and Artistic Revival

* 35:59 – The Author's Inspiration and Future Projects

* 38:01 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I speak with the brilliant author Allegra Goodman about her historical novel Isola. This captivating conversation delves into the story's inspiration, centered on Marguerite de la Rocque de Roberval, a French noblewoman marooned on an island in the Gulf of St in 1542. Goodman shares her writing process, research adventures, and the themes of solitude and resilience. She also discusses the joys and challenges of writing historical fiction, the significance of voice in storytelling, and her own journey with the novel. You will gain insights into Goodman's multifaceted approach to writing and her passion for exploring human endurance and transformation.

Click here to buy Isola and support the show at no extra cost!

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:16 Introducing Allegra Goodman and Her Novel 'Isola'

00:42 Synopsis of 'Isla'

02:34 Marguerite's Struggle for Survival

03:13 Interview with Allegra Goodman Begins

03:20 The Inspiration Behind 'Isola'

06:53 Finding Marguerite's Voice

09:46 Reading the First Page of 'Isola'

13:51 Themes of Solitude and Survival

16:41 Writing in Isolation

20:20 Exploring the Concept of Freedom

22:24 Exploring Writing Styles and Language

24:19 The Audible Experience

24:58 Best Writing Advice and Genre Exploration

26:52 Reading Habits and Instagram Insights

29:42 Morning Routines and Creative Processes

31:18 Themes and Inspirations Behind the Book

33:15 Personal Reflections and Writing Pace

39:14 Upcoming Projects and Family Anecdotes