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

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I interview the wonderful novelist Amy Poeppel about her latest book, Far and Away, a comedic tale of two families from Dallas and Berlin embarking on a chaotic house swap. Amy shares the inspiration behind her book, drawn from her own experiences living in these cities, and we dive into the complexities of writing a multi-layered story. She discusses the humorous misunderstandings and cultural clashes her characters face and gives insights into her unique writing process, including her preference for using a whiteboard over outlining. We wrap up with a conversation about how Amy's characters discover the true meaning of home and community.

Links to books mentioned:

Please buy through these links to directly support the podcast for free!

Amy Poeppel - Far and Away

Amy’s book recommendations:

The Correspondence

The Road to Tender Hearts

Red Island House

Check out my favorite rolling top 10 books, updated regularly!

Watch Amy’s trailer here

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:39 Meet the Author: Amy Poeppel

02:13 The Inspiration Behind the Novel

05:00 Humorous Miscommunications

11:03 Writing Process and Challenges

15:24 Character Development and Research

25:49 Exploring the Vermeer Scandal

26:12 Writing Process and Research

28:49 Teenage Dialogue and Miscommunication

30:14 Character Development and Themes

32:51 Challenges and Joys of Writing

37:18 The Importance of Community

39:17 Starting a Writing Career Later in Life

45:59 Upcoming Projects and Inspirations

49:43 Book Recommendations

52:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I interview Dutch author Yael Van Der Wouden about her debut novel, 'The Safekeep', which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. We delve into the novel's complex themes, including post-war Dutch society, familial relationships, and the nuances of loathing and desire. Yael shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her work, and her experiences growing up Jewish in the Netherlands. The episode concludes with a discussion on building suspense and the art of writing erotica, offering listeners a comprehensive look at the making of a modern classic. Don't miss Yael reading an excerpt from her book and hinting at her upcoming novel.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:15 Meet the Author: Yael Van Der Wouden

00:56 Synopsis of 'The Safekeep'

01:22 Isabelle's Life and Family Dynamics

02:35 Interview with Yael: Writing Process and Inspirations

05:36 Yael's Childhood and Cultural Experiences

09:39 Themes and Historical Context in 'The Safe Keep'

15:55 Isabelle's Relationship with Her Brothers

18:42 Reading an Excerpt from 'The Safekeep'

20:59 Exploring Loathing and Desire

22:38 Crafting Suspense in Writing

25:25 Erotica and Tension

29:26 Cinematic Influences in Writing

31:07 The Three-Part Structure

34:56 Character Development and Morality

39:21 Author's Intent and Reader Takeaways

42:10 Upcoming Projects and Conclusion

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the brilliant and beloved romance novelist Annabel Monaghan to talk about her upcoming book, It’s a Love Story, which hits shelves on May 27th. We dive into her creative process and the inspiration behind her central characters—Jane Jackson, a former child TV star trying to find her footing in Hollywood, and Dan Finnegan, her arrogant (but undeniably charming) nemesis turned potential love interest.

Annabel reads a powerful excerpt from the book and opens up about the deeper themes of self-realization and challenging the beliefs we grow up with. We also chat about what makes romantic comedy both joyful and difficult to write, how she crafts characters that are flawed but lovable, explains how to write a sex scene, and tells us why date dresses and straightened hair aren’t necessarily the way to seduce your soulmate.

She even gives us a sneak peek at what she’s working on next—and shares some of her recent favourite reads. If you love thoughtful conversations about books, creativity, and the messy beauty of love stories, you’re going to enjoy this one.

00:14 Introducing Annabel Monaghan

02:38 Reading from 'It's a Love Story'

06:50 Inspiration Behind the Book

08:28 Writing Process and Challenges

15:17 Setting and Future Projects

20:08 Pitching the Book Idea

20:22 Jane's Date Dresses and Long Island Trip

21:51 Uncomfortable Crisis in the Story

22:40 Creating the Character of Dan

23:49 Writing Convincing Love Scenes

26:37 Mother-Daughter Relationship Dynamics

28:37 Potential Film Adaptations

31:36 New Book Project

33:35 Reading Recommendations and Writing Routine

In this episode of 'Elena Meets The Author,' Elena Bowes sits down with Lauren Willig, the New York Times bestselling author of over 25 works of historical fiction. They dive into Willig's latest book, 'The Girl from Greenwich Street,' an enthralling courtroom drama set during America's first recorded murder trial in 1799. Willig shares her intricate journey from law to writing, her fascinating research process, and the historical nuances that make this story so compelling. The conversation also explores the socio-cultural dynamics of 1800s New York and how Willig breathes life into her characters through rich historical details.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:00 Meet the Author: Lauren Willig

00:31 The Historical Context of 'The Girl from Greenwich Street'

02:16 Lauren Willig's Journey from Law to Literature

04:28 The Unique Aspects of the Levi Weeks Trial

05:51 Discovering the Story Through Research

12:19 Life in 1800s New York City

15:54 Reading from the Prologue

19:46 Challenges in Uncovering Elma's Story

23:00 The Defense Team: Burr and Hamilton

26:02 The Manhattan Well and Its Historical Significance

30:07 The Role of Women in the Case

33:02 The Quaker Curse and Its Impact

37:38 Upcoming Projects and Future Works

In this episode, Elena interviews Lynda Cohen Loigman about her latest book, 'The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern,' which has made it to Elena's rolling top 10 books. They discuss the novel's dual timeline, set in a 1920s Brooklyn pharmacy and a 1980s Florida retirement home, its themes of second chances and the magic of youth. Lynda reads an excerpt from the book and shares her inspiration, drawn from family stories and personal experiences. The conversation delves into the historical role of pharmacies, the impact of timing and secrets in the plot, and the power of words. Linda also gives a glimpse into her next book, a coming-of-age story set in 1965.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:26 Book Overview: The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern

02:01 Reading from Chapter One

06:35 Inspiration Behind the Book

17:21 Pharmacy and Historical Context

31:05 Soap Opera Secrets and Storytelling

32:28 Character Dynamics and Plot Twists

33:30 Inspiration from O. Henry

36:11 Research and Writing Process

37:50 Themes in Historical Fiction

41:57 The Power of Words

46:53 Upcoming Projects and Recommendations

In this episode, I chat with the wonderful Joselin Linder, author of 'The Family Gene', about her family's unique genetic history and its profound impact. Joselin shares harrowing and hopeful personal stories, discussing the challenges of genetic diseases and the breakthroughs made by a Harvard geneticist. We delve into her writing career, her role as a writing coach, and her latest project, the subscription-based platform Prose Playground. Joselin reads an excerpt from her memoir and reflects on the process of translating complex scientific data into relatable narratives. We also explore her early writing career and the important role a sense of community provides for writers, hence Joselin’s desire to launch Prose Playground.

Learn more about Prose Playground HERE

00:00 Introduction to Joselin Linder and Her Family's Genetic Journey

00:44 Jocelyn's Writing Journey and Teaching Experience

01:36 Reading from 'The Family Gene'

02:34 The Genetic Mystery Unfolds

10:39 The Emotional Impact of Genetic Diseases

14:02 Hope and Advances in Genetic Research

22:21 The Journey to Teaching at Gotham

22:29 Writing Under Tight Deadlines

24:06 Creating a Writing Community

28:50 The Importance of Writing Groups

33:01 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Neroli, the author of the thrilling debut novel 'The Perfumer's Secret'. Set in the scenic region of Grasse, where the Mediterranean meets the Alps, this book is a love letter to French culture, tradition, and the art of perfume-making. We discussed the book's central theme of multifaceted truths through its dynamic plot and sublime setting. Neroli shared insights into her creative journey, research, and character development, as well as personal anecdotes that inspired the story. She also gave us a sneak peek into her upcoming books and recommended some must-reads for our listeners. Enjoy this captivating conversation and don't miss out on getting a free copy of 'The Perfumer's Secret' on e-book!

Download your free copy of The Perfumer's Secret by Neroli Lacey here!

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:11 Overview of 'The Perfumer's Secret'

00:54 Main Character and Plot Introduction

01:32 Themes and Motifs

03:08 Author's Journey and Background

06:22 Reading from the Book

10:28 Personal Connection to Perfume

13:21 Research and Inspiration

19:14 The Solitary Joy of Writing

19:56 Creating Memorable Characters

20:39 The Inspiration Behind Zandy and Dominique

23:19 Supporting Characters and Their Roles

24:05 The Art of Perfumery

26:35 Upcoming Collaborations and Projects

29:36 The Vineyarder's Secret

33:16 Writing Process and Retreat Stories

35:30 Book Recommendations

37:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode, I chat with the beloved and prolific novelist Elinor Lipman about her latest book, Every Tom, Dick, and Harry. This humorous story follows Emma Lewis as she navigates taking over her parents' struggling estate sale business. Elinor shares insights into her writing process, overcoming writer's block, and finding inspiration from everyday experiences like estate sales. We also dive into her personal love story with Jonathan, a British art appraiser, and how her real-life experiences influence her work. Tune in to hear why Elinor believes in the power of polishing and being open to ideas. You can listen to this episode of Elena Meets the Author wherever you listen to podcasts. Please subscribe, and I look forward to seeing you in two weeks.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:19 Inspiration and Writing Process

04:36 Reading from the Book

06:23 Personal Connections and Experiences

13:35 Challenges and Surprises in Writing

15:55 Research and Real-Life Influences

22:19 Monetizing Jonathan: A Writer's Journey

22:49 The Evolution of a Relationship

25:29 Small Town Settings and Inspirations

28:54 Writing Process and Challenges

31:24 Upcoming Projects and Inspirations

36:20 Daily Writing Routine

38:45

39:41 Collaborations and Events

41:18 Final Thoughts and Farewells