Read with Laura Joy

Gardener and author Shelley S. Cramm joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how planting a garden is similar to writing fiction, why rallying people to pray can make a difference, why it’s okay to love gardens but not gardening, how someone who’d never read the Bible ended up writing Bible-based devotions, and so much more.

Learn more about Shelley S. Cramm: https://www.gardenindelight.com/

God’s Word for Gardeners Bible: https://www.gardenindelight.com/books/niv-gods-word-gardeners-bible-grow-faith-growing-garden/

My Father is the Gardener: Devotions in Botany and Gardening of the Bible: https://www.gardenindelight.com/books/my-father-is-the-gardener/

Shelley’s award-winning blog: https://www.gardenindelight.com/blog/

Garden Communicators International: https://info.gardencomm.org/

Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/

Books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Wren Island: https://laurajoylloyd.com/welcome-to-wren-island/

Interactive serialized fiction: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Sign up to receive Laura’s email updates: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-shelley-s-cramm-part-2-rwlj140/

Release date: September 19, 2025

Music credit: “plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Gardener and author Shelley S. Cramm joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how planting a garden is similar to writing fiction, why rallying people to pray can make a difference, why it’s okay to love gardens but not gardening, how someone who’d never read the Bible ended up writing Bible-based devotions, and so much more.

Learn more about Shelley S. Cramm: https://www.gardenindelight.com/

God’s Word for Gardeners Bible: https://www.gardenindelight.com/books/niv-gods-word-gardeners-bible-grow-faith-growing-garden/

My Father is the Gardener: Devotions in Botany and Gardening of the Bible: https://www.gardenindelight.com/books/my-father-is-the-gardener/

Shelley’s award-winning blog: https://www.gardenindelight.com/blog/

Garden Communicators International: https://info.gardencomm.org/

Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/

Books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Wren Island: https://laurajoylloyd.com/welcome-to-wren-island/

Interactive serialized fiction: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Sign up to receive Laura’s email updates: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-shelley-s-cramm-part-1-rwlj139/

Release date: September 12, 2025

Music credit: “plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Women from Highway 20 Writers join author Laura Joy Lloyd to answer the question: “What advice would you give your 50-year-old self?”

Learn more about …

Darlene Danner:

Essea White: https://www.esseawhite.com/

Wendy S. Miller: https://www.wendysmiller.com/

Joan Rawlins Husby: https://rainsongpress.com/

Inna Chon: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14594550.Inna_Chon

Marlene Anderson: https://www.focuswithmarlene.com/

Sylvia Stewart: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5138133.Sylvia_Stewart

Ginger Kauffman: https://gingerkauffman.com/

Books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Wren Island, the setting for Laura’s books: https://laurajoylloyd.com/welcome-to-wren-island/

Laura’s interactive serialized fiction experience: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Become a Wren Islander and be among the first to hear news from Laura: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-highway-20-writers-rwlj138/

Release date: September 5, 2025

Pictured (left to right): Wendy S. Miller, Essea White, Darlene Danner, Inna Chon, Joan Rawlins Husby, Ginger Kauffman, Sylvia Stewart, Marlene Anderson, Laura Joy Lloyd

Music credit: “plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Christy Award-winning novelist Robin W. Pearson joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how it felt to win that prestigious award, her grandfather’s continuing influence in storytelling, why it’s admirable to “make way” for others, and when to be wary of spiders. Plus, Robin answers a question Laura spent a year and a half working up the courage to ask.

Learn more about Robin W. Pearson: https://robinwpearson.com/

Sign up for Robin’s newsletter: https://robinwpearson.com/robins-nest/

Pre-order Robin’s new novel The Stories We Carry: https://www.amazon.com/Stories-We-Carry-Robin-Pearson-ebook/dp/B0DZ763XH1/

Discover more books by Robin: https://robinwpearson.com/books/

Learn about Vision Christian Writers Conference in Mt. Hermon, California: https://vcwconf.com/

Learn about Just Read Rendezvous in St. Louis, MO: https://rendezvous.justreadtours.com/2025-event/

Discover books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Discover Wren Island, the setting for Laura’s books: https://laurajoylloyd.com/welcome-to-wren-island/

Discover Laura’s interactive serialized fiction experience: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Become a Wren Islander and receive your FREE Wren Island Companion e-book, which includes Robin’s recipe for Fried Egg Rolls: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-robin-w-pearson-part-2-rwlj137/

Release date: August 22, 2025

Music credit: “plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Christy Award-winning novelist Robin W. Pearson joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how it felt to win that prestigious award, her grandfather’s continuing influence in storytelling, why it’s admirable to “make way” for others, and when to be wary of spiders. Plus, Robin answers a question Laura spent a year and a half working up the courage to ask.

Learn more about Robin W. Pearson: https://robinwpearson.com/

Sign up for Robin’s newsletter: https://robinwpearson.com/robins-nest/

Pre-order Robin’s new novel The Stories We Carry: https://www.amazon.com/Stories-We-Carry-Robin-Pearson-ebook/dp/B0DZ763XH1/

Discover more books by Robin: https://robinwpearson.com/books/

Learn about Vision Christian Writers Conference in Mt. Hermon, California: https://vcwconf.com/

Learn about Just Read Rendezvous in St. Louis, MO: https://rendezvous.justreadtours.com/2025-event/

Discover books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Discover Wren Island, the setting for Laura’s books: https://laurajoylloyd.com/welcome-to-wren-island/

Discover Laura’s interactive serialized fiction experience: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Become a Wren Islander and receive your FREE Wren Island Companion e-book, which includes Robin’s recipe for Fried Egg Rolls: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-robin-w-pearson-part-1-rwlj136/

Release date: August 15, 2025

Music credit: “plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Author Jeremiah Friedli joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how losing his own father fueled a desire to write strong father figures into his stories. Why a story originally set in Iceland had to be relocated to Hawaii. Where to find the latest ice cream flavors. And so much more.

Learn more about Jeremiah Friedli: https://jeremiahfriedli.com/

Learn more about Wren Island books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Learn more about interactive serialized fiction: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Become a Wren Islander: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-jeremiah-friedli-rwlj135/

Release date: August 1, 2025

Music credit: “plain-accoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Author and artist Tessa Burns joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how a character “in the back of the room” became a story’s heart-wrenching focal point. What happens when an author pours themself into the story. Why bumblebees are a metaphor for life. Whether or not bloopers should be included in podcast episodes. And so much more.

Discover more about Tessa Burns and her novel Candace Can-Can Cook: https://tessaburns.com/

Discover Tessa’s Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TessaBurnsCreative

Learn more about Keri Wyatt Kent: https://keriwyattkent.com/

Learn more about Holly Varni: https://www.hollyvarni.com/

Learn more about Wren Island books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Learn more about interactive serialized fiction: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Become a Wren Islander: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-tessa-burns-part-2-rwlj134/

Release date: July 18, 2025

Music credit: “plain-accoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Author and artist Tessa Burns joins Laura Joy Lloyd to discuss how a character “in the back of the room” became a story’s heart-wrenching focal point. What happens when an author pours themself into the story. Why bumblebees are a metaphor for life. Whether or not bloopers should be included in podcast episodes. And so much more.

Discover more about Tessa Burns and her novel Candace Can-Can Cook: https://tessaburns.com/

Discover Tessa’s Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TessaBurnsCreative

Learn more about Wren Island books by Laura Joy Lloyd: https://laurajoylloyd.com/books/

Learn more about interactive serialized fiction: https://laurajoylloyd.com/what-is-interactive-serialized-fiction/

Become a Wren Islander: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

About Laura Joy Lloyd

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

Find more fun stuff on Laura’s website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

Episode website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/a-conversation-with-tessa-burns-part-1-rwlj133/

Release date: July 11, 2025

Music credit: “plain-accoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” courtesy of Pixabay

Author Laura Joy Lloyd shares a musical soundtrack that accompanies episodes of Read with Laura Joy. This is episode 132, Music from Read with Laura Joy. Find the original home for this episode here: https://laurajoylloyd.com/music-from-read-with-laura-joy-rwlj132/

 

Email subscribers are among the FIRST to hear about new releases and opportunities to influence the current project. This is interactive serialized fiction, where there’s always more to the story and readers influence what happens next.

 

Subscribe: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

 

Listen to the Wren Island playlist: https://laurajoylloyd.com/wren-island-playlist/

 

Music for this episode: “plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699” (2:29) courtesy of Pixabay.

 

About Laura Joy Lloyd

 

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

 

Send a message to Laura: https://laurajoylloyd.com/contact-laura/

 

Find more fun stuff on Laura's website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

 

Thanks for listening to Read with Laura Joy! This is interactive serialized fiction, where there's always more to the story and readers influence what happens next!

Discover Wren Island, where there’s always more to the story and YOU influence what happens next! In this episode, the author talks about the newest Wren Island novel, Interesting Enough, and shares interactive aspects of the story.

 

Get your copy of Interesting Enough: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

 

Become a Wren Islander: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

 

What is Interesting Enough about?

 

Three unexpected aunts. Two last-chance dogs. One aspiring songwriter determined to become more interesting.

After inheriting millions, introverted Allison Theodore purchases an island home in the Pacific Northwest, adopts two dogs, and pursues her most interesting dream—songwriting. Then her eccentric aunts move in, and Allison’s idyllic life becomes too interesting.

While one aunt hustles into managing the household, another tiptoes onto social media, and another flirts with Allison’s crusty neighbor, whose weighty secrets might not be confined to the past. When the inquisitive owner of the island’s grocery market decides to make Allison’s resulting problems his, she defends what she’s always valued most—her self-reliance. But by guarding a treasure she may no longer need, is she missing out on one far more desirable?

A charming island and a pod of endangered whales provide the backdrop for this heartwarming story about second chances, spontaneous family, and steadfast love.

 

How does interactive serialized fiction work?

 

People who subscribe to receive Laura’s emails (also known as Wren Islanders) receive regular installments of a continuing story. Between releases, Wren Islanders are included in behind-the-scenes peeks at the developing story and invited to influence what happens next.

 

Become a Wren Islander: https://laurajoylloyd.com/sign-up-for-lauras-posts/

 

Listen to the Wren Island playlist: https://laurajoylloyd.com/wren-island-playlist/

 

About Laura Joy Lloyd

 

Laura Joy Lloyd writes uplifting contemporary stories set on Pacific Northwest islands. Through an innovative style she calls interactive serialized fiction, Laura invites readers to influence many of her projects in real time as she writes. Laura also enjoys swimming, knitting, keeping company with creatives, and organizing whatever feels messy.

 

Send a message to Laura: https://laurajoylloyd.com/contact-laura/

 

Find more fun stuff on Laura's website: https://laurajoylloyd.com/

 

This is episode 131, How Readers Influenced Interesting Enough: A Wren Island Novel. This episode’s original home: https://laurajoylloyd.com/how-readers-influenced-interesting-enough-a-wren-island-novel-rwlj131/

 

Thanks for listening to Read with Laura Joy! This is interactive serialized fiction, where there's always more to the story and readers influence what happens next!

 

Music credit: plain-acoustic-inspiring-folk-music-128699 courtesy of Pixabay.