Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

I’ve been gently needling today’s guest, the whip-smart and culturally attuned Beth Lisogorsky, for some time about starting a Romance themed podcast with me. Actually, I think she brought it up first and I refused to let it go. 😏Either way, I think you’ll appreciate the crisp co-host chemistry on this episode, wherein Beth (Front End Research/The Smarts) and I (Back End Production/The Sass) dig into our mutual obsession with the Romance genre.

Swoon as we verbally flirt-tackle everything from genre cliques to teen soaps, Audrey Hepburn to Alan Rickman, grinding to knotting, and lots more in between.

So, light some candles, pour yourself a froth-forward Nespresso, slip into something salacious, and lend us your ears.

Oh, and please do yourself a favor and subscribe to Beth’s Newsletters!

She’s as brilliant on the page as she is in the “studio.”

Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Today, I’m hosting a bevy of badass Empress authors who, in addition to building independent careers around their writing in literary spaces, film, television, journalism, and publishing, have each penned a memoir which illuminates the rocky road taken on each their own journey through “the thick of it.”

My fabulous guests— Eleanor Anstruther, Kimberly Warner, and Alisa Kennedy Jones, each offer a unique perspective on the process of discovering (or being handed) their mystery puzzle box, dumping out the pieces, and slowly nudging them back together to reveal the full-color portrait of their lived experience.

This episode is a must listen for anyone considering writing a memoir, anyone looking for a highly-recommended memoir(s) to read, or anyone keen on sneaking a peek into how the real storytelling sausage gets made.

Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

In the hot seat this month is expat story-maker Troy Ford, creator of Ford Knows Books and author of Lamb, a novel in snapshots. Troy and I had a rollicking chat, ripe with “air quotes,” about the far too often undisclosed wear-and-tear authors experience building a “platform,” keeping it afloat, and finding “success” while being “authentic” without sacrificing their values.

Self-published authors take note! Troy has gobs of wisdom to share on his experience bringing Lamb in to the world. Listen here! And be sure to check out The Road to Published series on his Substack for more inspiration.

Thanks for supporting Talk Fiction! This podcast is public so feel free to share it.

You can also give me a boost in the algorithm department by following, rating, or leaving a review for Talk Fiction on your favorite listening platform.

Thank you for your support!!!

Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers!

I was crazy delighted to host two of my favorite fiction writers and OG Substack friends, Maegan Heil and Wil Dalton, for this petite panel podcast on the ins, outs, and undersides of writing horror stories.

Thrill as we talk-tackle the power of genre fusion, the allure of escalation, the pursuit of the perfect twist, and the perils of sharing your unhinged art with your unseasoned loved ones.

Plug in (if you dare) for this seasonally appropriate chat, and be sure to indulge in the deliciously dark fiction offered by my esteemed guests at your earliest convenience!

maeganheil.substack.com

wildalton.substack.com

As your esteemed host, I know that podcasts are a big ask of your time and bandwidth. If you don’t have the space to listen to today’s installment but would still like to support my podcasting endeavors, kindly smush the “like” button and/or share this post with your people. 💜🙏🏼

You can also give me a boost in the algorithm department by following, rating, or leaving a review for Talk Fiction on your favorite listening platform.

Thank you for your support!!!

Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Helping me kick off Season Two today is the Forged series author, 𝐂𝐁 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧. CB’s debut novel, Shattered, launched in April of this year (2025) from Provender Press, and Book Two, Merged, is scheduled to arrive early in the spring of 2026. Official release date TBD!

CB and I had a fabulous chat about her writing origins, research process, side hustles, and the mystical power of a Dropbox policy change notification that lead to the creation of a three book series which eventually found a publisher through the kind of word-of-mouth-deal-making magic we all dream about.

We hope you’ll plug in and have a listen!

Thanks for supporting Talk Fiction! This podcast is public so feel free to share it.

Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: fiction writers. Today I have one of my all-time favorite funny people on the show to talk to us about the slippery slope that is shopping cart misdemeanor and the perils of poorly orchestrated sex education.

We also talk about the wonderfully weird world of Wattpad, the blessing/curse that is the Amazon machine, and how my guest turns slices of his real life into really funny fiction.

Michael Estrin is the 57th funniest guy on the internet, and a damned treat to talk with. He also says the ‘f’ word a lot, which delights me to an embarrassing degree.

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Today, I’m joined by fellow novelist and solo-preneur, Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, creator of if not, Paris, and author of The Requisitions, the flagship novel of his newly established publishing imprint, Kingdom Anywhere. Samuél has spent the last year forging a “non-trad” path to success for himself and his novel, as well as lighting the way for other writers ready to invest themselves fully in an independent publishing experience. One that aligns with their values, their timeline, and their professional aspirations.

Not to say that any of that is going to be easy.

Investment (in and of the self) is the word of the day.

So much good stuff in this one, friends. I hope you’ll take the time to listen and be inspired.

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs, fiction writers.

My guest today is Dennard Dayle, a massive writing talent who—in this humble podcaster’s equally humble opinion—spends far too much time succeeding brilliantly under everyone’s radar.

Join us for an engaging exchange around the creation of his first book, Everything Abridged, his experience pitching and landing coveted bylines at The New Yorker, Clarksworld, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere, his penchant for pranks, and his thoughts on the value of higher education. If there’s a recurring theme to be found in this “extra” fun conversation, it might be our collective sanity.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Friends, I am beyond jazzed to bring you today’s podcast featuring successful author and marketing maven, Claudine Wolk, creator of the Substack newsletter (slash) book (slash) podcast Get Your Book Seen and Sold.

In this episode, Claudine and I tackle book marketing (eek!), self-promotion (ack!), and a whole mess of easy-to-perform exercises designed to help you, FELLOW ARTIST, strengthen your “business” muscles CREATIVELY, so the whole thing doesn’t feel like such a dang chore.

Claudine is a fantastic resource for authors, and a tremendous supporter of hard-working artists like moi.

And to my fellow fiction writers, I really went to bat for us in this one.

We CAN do “business.” We just need to approach it like it’s art.

Oh, and you’re going to want to buy Claudine’s book after you listen, so here’s a link to shop: Get Your Book Seen and Sold

And for the love of Pete, go read my award-winning novel, See Dot Smile. It’s FREE for the aforementioned Pete’s sake. And the perfect summer beach read. 💜🔥

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Today’s interview is going to feel like a cozy lunch date with an old friend you haven’t seen in years but can jump right back in with as if you saw each other yesterday. CK Steefel, creator of the hysterically heartfelt Substack, Good Humor, joins me in a laughter-infused gab sesh about writing, performing, working hard, and living well.

* Can CK Steefel fit her fist in her mouth?

* Did she sleep with George Costanza?

* Did Meg Oolders strip in college?

* Can she actually fly?

* Will these two co-author a book about poop as it pertains to parenting?

All of these questions will be answered in this scrumptious installment of what is fast becoming the most fun I’ve ever had while being stealthily educated by my peers.

“I think part of the reason I'm doing this show is to talk to people and learn a little bit … on the sly … while also hanging out and having fun and socializing with people, which is the best way to learn … in my opinion.” - Meg Oolders, Talk Fiction

Listen, friends. And learn. You won’t be sorry. 💜

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday