Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

Episode 618 - Heidi Bacon - Ratliner - Fictional Stories with Roots in History, Archaeology, Genealogy 

Heidi Bacon is an American novelist who uses her experience as a former Realtor, artist, filmmaker, and researcher and draws on her family history to weave historical fiction stories. When not writing, Heidi likes to paint, teach art classes and oversee The Artist Sanctuary, an arts nonprofit organization that she founded and is Executive Director. Heidi was born and raised in the Midwest and spent a decade in Savannah, GA, where she married and started a family. Three children later, after raising alpacas & other animals in Colorado, having art galleries, and a divorce in Kansas, Heidi and her children relocated to Minnesota, where previous generations of her family had settled. Heidi and her sisters created plays and stories as children, and expressed their creativity through Children’s Theater, Children’s Orchestra, ballet, violin, and piano lessons. As an adult, Heidi has been a Master Naturalist volunteer, worked in the Department of Commerce, Department of Health, and Department of Agriculture, and created murals for Minnesota’s State Parks. Her interest in history, archaeology, genealogy, caving, and cryptozoology inspired her stories.

Book: Ratliner

When Karl Conrad uncovers his grandfather's shocking past after inheriting his estate, he finds himself pulled into a high-stakes quest for justice - and a race to stop sinister forces from unleashing unspeakable evil. Karl teams up with the alluring real estate agent Jessica to return long-lost artifacts to their rightful owners. But neo-Nazi zealots are determined to keep Karl from exposing dark secrets that could upend the world order. Ratliner is a gripping novel of suspense, passion, and redemption. As Karl and Jessica crisscross the country to unravel a mystery, desire ignites even as danger closes in. Can stolen treasures from the past find their way home? Who can Karl trust when his own flesh and blood betrayed humanity? H. Bacon masterfully blends edge-of-your seat thrills with vivid history in this powerful redemption story. Ratliner will keep you guessing until the final page. For readers of adventure, mystery, and second chances, this top-rated book is one you won't want to miss!

https://www.instagram.com/heidibacon1/

https://hangar1publishing.com/blogs/writers/h-bacon?srsltid=AfmBOor7uG-UvvH9E61dlSUSLtqeYsWXuRZKkr9mVzfSAFHXX4wHr1_2

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EPISODE 617 - Elizabeth Johnstone - Loss Within Waves, a heartfelt and poignant exploration of perinatal loss, stillbirth

Elizabeth Johnstone is a certified mindfulness instructor and has spent more than 15 years serving as a counselor and advocate for students struggling with mental health issues. Elizabeth’s unique blend of expertise and empathy is not only evident in her career, but also through her art and writing. If life has taught her anything, it is to find happiness in the journey, cherish the beauty that surrounds us, exercise self-compassion and believe that challenges can be overcome — all themes she frequently weaves into her work. Her artist practice includes drawing, ceramics and oil painting.

She is in training to become an art teacher. She lives in Montreal, Canada, by the banks of a river, with her family.

Loss Within Waves
In Loss Within Waves, a heartfelt and poignant exploration of perinatal loss, Elizabeth takes us on an intimate journey through the deeply personal and often misunderstood realm of pregnancy loss and stillbirth.

With authenticity and sensitivity, her collection of journal entries and blog posts delve into the profound grief, guilt, and resilience that emerge from perinatal loss, shedding light on the societal silence surrounding it and its impact on mental health, relationships, and the healing process.

https://www.elizabeth-johnstone.com/

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EPISODE 616 - Michael Conte - Route 80 is an honest journey through family, identity, and the cost of loyalty

Michael was raised in Queens, caught between the disciplined life his mother offered and the legacy of his father—a man whose world revolved around loyalty, respect, and danger. From lavish weddings that erupt into brawls to road trips that end behind prison walls, Michael’s story unfolds in sharp, cinematic flashes—equal parts grit, glamour, humor, and heartbreak.

When his father is found dead in a prison cell, a final road trip to claim the body becomes more than a farewell—it’s a reckoning. Memories flood in, forcing Michael to confront the pull of the past and the choices that shaped him.

​Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference

Raw, fast-paced, and laced with dark humor, Route 80 is an honest journey through family, identity, and the cost of loyalty. It's a story about breaking cycles, choosing your own path and realizing that some roads, once taken, change you forever.

Buckle up. This ride doesn't come with brakes.
Book: Route 80 by Michael Conte is an action-packed ride that takes readers on a journey through the high-stakes, adrenaline-fueled world of a young man torn between two destinies—one of honor and stability, the other of power and peril.

Raised in Queens, Michael straddles two vastly different paths: his mother’s unwavering moral compass and his father’s intoxicating life, where loyalty is everything and danger lurks behind every handshake. From a picture-perfect Italian wedding that spirals into a parking lot brawl to familiar road trips to prison, the story unravels in a series of cinematic moments—glamour, violence, humor, and heartbreak.

The real turning point comes when a single phone call shatters his world. His father, imprisoned for years, is found dead in his cell. As Michael embarks on one final journey to claim his body, memories of a life spent teetering between two worlds come rushing back. Through razor-sharp storytelling, raw emotion, and true Italian flair, Route 80 explores the cost of loyalty, the weight of legacy, and the road not taken.

This is a story of survival, of choosing one's own fate, and of breaking free from the gravitational pull of the past. But in the end, can you ever truly escape where you came from?

https://www.michaelconteauthor.com/

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Episode 615 - Trevor Jones - The Fantasy World of Kinthur - Created for my Dungeons and Dragons Games 

Welcome, Traveler

To the Official Home of the World of Kinthur

I’m glad you’ve found your way here—whether by chance, curiosity, or the call of adventure. I’m Trevor Jones, fantasy author and world builder, and this is the heart of Kinthur: a realm of ancient magic, fallen kingdoms, and stories forged in fire and blood.

Inspired by the storytelling depths of tabletop role-playing games, Kinthur is a sprawling fantasy world where legends walk, magic is alive, and every soul carries a choice between light and shadow.

Author: Trevor Jones

Starting with a typewriter at 10 and inspired by the fantasy books and movies, Trevor thought writing was just a way to entertain himself. Little did he know it would lead to becoming a DM in his local Dungeons & Dragons group.

Since the 90s, Trevor has expanded his fantasy world with hundreds of hours of game time, that led to a plethora of stories and tales. When his wife got him an editor for his birthday, publishing became a real possibility and since 2019, Kinthur has been shared with the world.

https://kinthur.com/

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Episode 614 - Jonathan Stanley - Restoring Humanity to the Workplace, A Viral Tik Tok Clip, and Selling 12 Books

I’m deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, support, kindness, and encouragement from every corner of the world.
You inspire me every single day.

To my readers, thank you. Without you, my words would have stayed quiet on the page. Your support gave this book a voice, and that voice is now reaching farther than I ever imagined.

If you know the TikTok story, then you see the spark. One small act of empathy. A video shared by Taylor Mae and her daughter, Ella, touched hearts around the world. That moment helped lift Purposeful Performance onto the bestseller list. I still struggle to find the words to express what that means.

This journey is not mine alone. It belongs to them. And it belongs to you.

When I wrote this book, my only goal was to make a difference in one person's life.

I never imagined what would come next. And every part of it is because of this extraordinary community.

Many of you have asked what’s next. The vision is clearer, the mission is stronger, and the work ahead matters more. I’ve signed with a world-class literary agency, and booking speaking engagements and purpose-driven projects are already underway. Big announcements are coming soon. Thank you for being part of the journey.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support has been one of the most beautiful gifts on this journey.

Kindness matters. Humanity matters. And yes! Your voice matters. Let’s keep bringing heart back into the workforce. Together.

https://www.simplestrategicplans.com/

Watch Jonathan's story here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Djdux3zZ4t8

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Episode 613 - Dennis A. Blackledge - Working professional in the American Theatre, Writer and Short Story Creator

Dennis A. Blackledge has spent a lifetime immersed in storytelling as a working professional in the American Theatre. As a writer, he has authored articles for Blue Suede News Magazine, written the script for the annual yearend radio broadcast of Rock & Roll Heaven (2005-2009), plus the book for the musical Smokestack Lightning. He is currently creating a series of short fiction stories about coming of age in small town New England in the mid-twentieth century.

https://www.jerryjazzmusician.com/every-night-at-ten-a-short-story-by-dennis-a-blackledge/

https://fabulaargentea.com/index.php/article/good-sam-i-am-by-dennis-a-blackledge/

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EPISODE 612 - Chris Kauzlarich - Short Story Collection, Menagerie in the Dark, And The Suspense Horror Novella, LAZARUS

Chris is the author of the short story collection, Menagerie in the Dark, and the suspense horror novella, LAZARUS. He is also a member of The Authors Guild, AWP, and the Chicago Writers Association. In addition to writing and reading extensively, he enjoys hiking, playing video games, binge-watching a good show with his husband and daughter, and simply being a dad. He graduated from Purdue University and lives between Chicago, IL, and Naples, FL, or on the open road in their RV.

To stay updated with Chris and discover new books, connect with him on social media or sign up for his newsletter in the box below to receive a FREE ebook of one of his stories!

Book: LAZARUS
They promised a world free of disease and suffering, but at what cost?
Kami was strong, stronger than the others, but she couldn't outrun them. Taken and bled for one purpose, she holds on, following the spark and whispers of hope...

Ruth's life is no longer her own, memories becoming as intangible as smoke, her fingers never able to grasp what had been. That is, until the elixir. The clock has turned back, but a flashing specter remains...

Jarum was determined to succeed, founding Lazarus to find the key to immortality no matter the consequences. With ruthless determination, he was on the cusp of infamy until the lights. Until the dark...

In a showdown between predators and prey, their stories will become interwoven in a near-future landscape where science at its zenith can't escape its bloody origins, their desires reflecting back at them in the glow of fireflies.

Book: Menagerie in the Dark
Life often appears darkest just before the dawn of a new day.
In Menagerie in the Dark, Chris Kauzlarich immerses us in a speculative journey that explores the darker aspects of the human condition before bringing us back to the surface with the light of a new day. Through fourteen stories, this menagerie of characters faces trials of sorrow, death, loneliness, regret, deception, murder, delight, wonderment, and bliss, revealing what will either strengthen them enough to survive or plunge them to their demise. A boy’s home burns down, forcing him to confront a terrifying new world. A man enters a door where he witnesses his wife’s death, leaving him devastated; yet, he cannot stop returning to the scene, convinced he can save her. A nurse’s patients continue to perish under her care, but she harbors a dark secret—an administered cocktail for nefarious purposes.

These and other stories will stretch the limits of your emotions, from heartbreak to horror, leaving you yearning for more.

https://www.chriskauzlarich.com/

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Bonus - November Will Have 30 Episodes in 30 Days of Living The Next Chapter

National Podcast Post Month is a November challenge every year to produce and release an episode every day - Starting Nov 1st, we will be releasing 30 episodes featuring amazing authors!

If you love what we do here, please consider supporting the show financially via our Buy Me A Coffee link

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If you want to jump the line to see what is coming in the future head over to our YouTube Channel - be sure to subscribe and follow too!

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#NaPodPoMo

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Episode 611 - Nick Peck - Award-Winning Journalist, Only Way Out, A Son and Brother That Finds His Way

Nick Peck, a California native, is an award-winning journalist who has primarily covered the world of finance and law and has garnered significant recognition for his work in the industry.

Before starting his journalism career, Nick earned his bachelor's degree in communications from Upper Iowa University, where he was a standout football player.

The book "Only Way Out" covers Jaylen Pierre, a high school senior growing up in an impoverished area of California who deals with many traumas daily, including brutal physical abuse from his alcoholic father and emotional abandonment from his mother, who battles a paralyzing depression. 

Since both of his parents are seemingly incapable of doing the job, Jaylen takes it upon himself to be the sole caregiver for his little brother, Elijah, and himself.

Fueled by these hardships, Jaylen eagerly looks to find a way out of his situation and eventually finds one when he watches a television special late one night that ignites a fire in him to embark on a journey that he believes will lead to a better life for him and his little brother, but little does Jaylen know that he may find the love of his life along the way.

https://www.nickpeckauthor.com/

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Episode 610 - Marianne Leone - Actor in The Sopranos, Three Stooges, Author of Five Dog Epiphany, Ma Speaks Up And a First-Generation Daughter Talks Back and Jesse A Mother’s Story

Marianne Leone grew up seven miles outside of Boston, in the village of Nonantum that everybody called “the Lake,” a small blue-collar enclave of a larger city, Newton. Lake dwellers were pretty evenly divided between Italian and Irish-Americans, with a soupcon of French-Canadians. There was no actual Lake in the Lake. The original had dried up and all that remained during my childhood was a green-slicked puddle on the site of a factory my mother and aunt worked in during World War II. 

All the Italians in the Lake had migrated from the same southern mountain village, San Donato Val di Comino. My mother and father were both Italian immigrants, but my mom was an outsider, from Sulmona, Abruzzo. My dad owned a small workingman’s bar, Leone’s Café. I went to Catholic school for twelve years. 

When I was a kid, I wanted to be a saint, a reporter and a cowboy. I didn’t become a saint, but I married a cowboy and sometimes I write for the Boston Globe. I’ve written a bunch of screenplays, and sold some of them, but I’m unproduced, except for a scene in With/In, a compilation film about the covid lockdown I shot with my husband and write about in FIVE DOG EPIPHANY. 

I was also lucky enough to play Joanne Moltisanti, Christopher’s mother, on HBO’s The Sopranos for four seasons. I live in a small town on the south shore of Massachusetts with my husband, Chris Cooper, and two rescue dogs, Titi and Sugar. KNOWING JESSE is about my son, whose luminous presence expanded and transformed everything else in my universe. I wrote the book to celebrate his life, to deal with his death, and to share him with others. MA SPEAKS UP is about my mother, who came to America to escape fascism and an arranged marriage to an old man. FIVE DOG EPIPHANY is about grief/mutual healing/rescue dogs.

https://marianneleonecooper.com/

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