TRUE BIZ (adj./exclamation; American Sign Language): really, seriously, definitely, real-talk

In this episode of The Acknowledgments, I'm joined by Sara Nović, the author of "True Biz." Her novel introduces us to the students at the River Valley School for the Deaf. In this fictional story, the reader has the opportunity to explore the experiences, relationships, and unique aspects of the Deaf students at the school and the adults around them.

During our conversation, Sara shares her thoughts as an author who is Deaf and how her writing process has been influenced by her life experiences. Sara also opened up about the challenges and experiences she encountered during the book's publication.

Since Sara and I use different languages to communicate in that I speak English and she uses ASL, our conversation was translated by Kristin Steinmetz, an ASL/English interpreter, who volunteered her time to interpret our conversation. A full transcript is available here.

Connect with Sara: https://sara-novic.com.

In this episode of The Acknowledgments, author Lee Kelly talks about her genre-blend book, "With Regrets." The book was compared to a mix between “Big Little Lies” and “Bird Box,” witha story that revolves around four couples and their struggles when faced with an apocalyptic event. Lee shares how her own experiences as a parent influenced the book's themes, as well as how the COVID pandemic influenced her writing and impacted the events in the book. 

Lee also highlighted how fascinated she has always been with genre blends,those that are not common mixes of genres, leading to the themes of her books. This episode also touchedf topics regarding parenthood, and how it affected, and even started, Lee’s writing process for “With Regrets.”

Future plans were also mentioned in this episode, with Lee having an upcoming book called “The Starlets,” a thriller-meets-hollywood type of novel. She also talks about her desire to explore more genres and write about them.

Connect with Lee Kelly: www.leekellyauthor.com

In this episode of The Acknowledgments, Nutan chats with author Jenn Bouchard. They delve into her book "First Course" and her journey into the literary world. The novel, which revolves around the life of Janie Whitman, a young journalist in Chicago, has received several accolades, including being a finalist in the Women's Fiction category of the 2021 American Fiction Awards. Nutan and Jenn talk about her inspirations that show up in the book, including music and food (check out the recipes on her website)!

Along with a chat about the mutual love of rom-coms, the conversation further unravels the themes of sisterhood, parenting, and relationships in "First Course.” We also get a sneak peek into Jenn's upcoming project, "Palms on the Cape" and chat about Jenn's dual role as a high school social studies teacher. Listen in and hear the advice she would give her students on being a writer!

Connect with Jenn: https://jennbouchard.com/    

In this episode, we chat with Sangamithra Iyer about topics spanning from her unique education, connection to her family, and passion about the natural world around her. Although Sangu’s book, “Governing Bodies,” won’t grace our shelves for some time, she gives a preview by reading a beautifully written section of the book. 

Throughout the conversation, Sangu shares her interest in animal welfare, environmentalism, and social justice through her work on Satya magazine, writing projects, and launch of the The Literary Animal Project.

Listen to this episode to hear about the many facets of Sangu – her experience at a primate sanctuary in Cameroon, thoughts on invisible labor, and exploration into ancient Tamil poetry.

Learn more about Sangu and her work:

Sangu’s Website https://sangamithraiyer.com/

The Literary Animal Project https://literaryanimal.substack.com/

More about the book, “Governing Bodies” https://www.whiting.org/content/sangamithra-iyer#/ 

In this episode of the Acknowledgements podcast, author Kristin Contino chats about her royal-themed book, “A House Full of Windsor.” Kristin shares her personal interest in the royal family and how it led to her book's concept which follows mother-daughter duo Debbie and Sarah. Debbie, who's a compulsive hoarder of Royal Family memorabilia ends up on a hoarding reality show with Sarah, who is a TV etiquette expert, and how it turns both of their lives upside down.

Kristin shares the major influences that shaped her writing interest and process, all deeply-rooted from her family, especially her mother and grandmother. She also talks about her early writing endeavors and her favorite city.

Kristin shared her process in writing "A House Full of Windsor" - where the idea originated, how she went on with her research, and how she reflected her personal l experiences in the book.

Join us in this episode as Kristin gives us a fun glimpse of her writing journey and her future writing projects.

Connect with Kristin: https://www.kristincontino.com/

In this episode of the Acknowledgements podcast, host Nutan Rubinson sits down and chats with author Tania James to dig into her uniquely-themed book "Loot," a historical fiction, a heist novel, a romance, and a story about colonialism and artistic growth.

The story is set in 18th century South India and follows a young wood carver named Abbas who is tasked with creating a mechanical tiger as a gift for the ruler's sons. The tiger, known as Tipu's Tiger, is eventually stolen by British forces, leading Abbas on a journey to retrieve it and fulfill his dream of becoming a great artist.

In her acknowledgments, Tania discusses the influence of her family, particularly her father's broad curiosity and her mother's support, on her writing journey. She reflects on her childhood imagination and playfulness, comparing it to the wonder and creativity of children at play.

Tania looks into how her role as an associate professor of English influenced her writing process, and how she finds inspiration in the works she teaches and the discussions with her students.

In this episode of The Acknowledgments, author Harini Nagendra discusses her captivating book, "Bangalore Detectives Club." Set in 1920s Bangalore, India, the story follows the determined 19-year-old protagonist, Kaveri, as she forms a detective club after stumbling upon a murder. Harini shares her inspirations for the book, drawing from the strong women in her family and the history of Bangalore, where she expertly weaves a narrative filled with intrigue and mystery.

As an ecologist, Harini also talks about her transition from writing non-fiction to fiction, highlighting the importance of switching off the non-fiction voice to allow creativity to flow. She emphasizes the impact of South Asian authors and representation in literature, praising the connection readers feel when they find characters that resemble them or share their experiences.

Harini reveals exciting plans for the future of the Bangalore Detectives Club series, with upcoming books set in a mysterious circus and during the Indian Independence movement. Additionally, she mentions her non-fiction project, "Shades of Blue," focusing on water in Indian cities, aiming to raise awareness about environmental issues. Overall, the episode offers a delightful and insightful glimpse into Harini's writing journey and her passion for ecology and history.

Connect with Harini: https://harininagendra.com 

Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to suicide and mental health. If you or someone you know needs support, please refer to the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline.

Welcome to another episode of The Acknowledgments, featuring special guest Bruce Goldstein, author of "Puppy Chow is Better than Prozac". Bruce takes us on a journey through his battle with depression and anxiety, revealing how the unconditional love of his dog, Ozzy, brought hope and healing into his life. From the early challenges of puppy training to becoming a beloved duo known throughout the city, Bruce shares anecdotes of their adventures together, highlighting the transformative power of their bond.

One of the book's highlights is the "Bruce and Ozzy Show," where Bruce recounts their encounters with people and celebrities.. Bruce expresses his gratitude towards individuals who played pivotal roles during this transformative period, including George, a trusted friend who cared for Ozzy, and Frank, a stranger at Barnes and Noble Cafe. Bruce's psychologist also holds a special place in his heart, having not only provided therapy but also comforting hugs that brought solace during difficult times.

Throughout the episode, Bruce candidly discusses the struggles he faced, the inspiration behind writing his book, and the importance of mental health awareness. He contemplates the possibility of getting another dog and shares his ongoing writing endeavors, highlighting the therapeutic nature of storytelling as a way to channel his experiences into meaningful narratives. Join Nutan on this enlightening journey into the depths of mental health struggles and the transformative power of the human-canine bond.

Connect with Bruce through his socials and website:

https://workingnotworking.com/1916-bruce

http://www.brucegoldsteincreative.com/#/new-gallery-3/ 

Welcome to another episode of The Acknowledgments! In this episode, we have a conversation with Liz Alterman, author of the thriller, The Perfect Neighborhood. Liz takes us on a journey through her fictional upscale community, challenging the perception of a perfect neighborhood, and exploring the pressures faced by mothers. We delve into the motivations behind her choice of setting, the influence of her own experiences living in New Jersey, and the relatable themes of mom guilt and the struggle between independence and protection.

During the discussion, Liz shares her personal connection with storytelling. We also learn about Liz's dear friends Celeste and Chris, who provide invaluable feedback as early readers and offer unwavering support. And let's not forget Liz's cousin Kim, her constant cheerleaders, who effortlessly charms friends and strangers into buying Liz's words.

Tune in to this episode filled with warmth and laughter as we explore the inspiration, relationships, and moments that have shaped Liz Alterman's writing journey. Join us as we celebrate the power of community and the importance of having a strong support system while pursuing creative endeavors.

Visit http://theacknowledgments.com/links to know more about the podcast.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, please refer to organizations such as www.childhelp.org and www.childwelfare.gov.

Nutan chats withJenn Reese about her middle-grade book, "A Game of Fox and Squirrels." The story follows Samantha and her sister Caitlin, who find themselves in Oregon after a domestic incident. Samantha's birthday gift, a card game called Fox and Squirrels, brings the game's creatures to life, leading Samantha on quests to find the Golden Acorn and make life-altering choices.

Jenn's decision to include an author's note stands out to Nutan, as it reveals Jen's motivation to connect with vulnerable readers and spark conversations. By incorporating fantasy elements and a card game, Jenn explores difficult subjects while providing emotional distance and a safer reading experience. Nutan and Jenn acknowledge the power of fantasy in offering clarity and a fresh perspective on reality.

In the acknowledgments, Nutan highlights Jenn's gratitude towards her editor, Tiffany, who understood the book's vital elements and protected them during revisions. They reflect on the impact of editors and the writing process, noting that "A Game of Fox and Squirrels" was Jen's fastest yet longest book to write.