The Hope Prose Podcast

In this episode of Hope Prose, Alex sits down with Kyla Zhao to talk about her latest book “Valley Verified”, and perfect for fans of Legally Blonde. 

Born and raised in Singapore, Kyla Zhao graduated in 2021 from Stanford University with an MA in Communications and BA in Psychology. Right now, she works in marketing at a tech company in Silicon Valley, California.

Besides novel writing, Kyla has an extensive magazine editorial portfolio. Previously, she was a fashion and lifestyle writer at Vogue Singapore. She has also written for the Singapore editions of Harper's Bazaar and Tatler, covered the Asian Television Awards, and interviewed personalities such as singer Nathan Sykes.

Listen as they chat about imposter syndrome, finding your people, blending tech and fashion in her real life and within Valley Verified, plus her best advice for aspiring and established authors. 

→  Connect with Kyla on her Instagram or website!  

→ Buy Valley Verified HERE!

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of the show notes with content warnings  and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1

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In this episode of Hope Prose, Alex and Tara sit down for a vulnerable, heartfelt discussion on grief, love, and hope with author Emma Grey. 

Emma is a novelist, feature writer, photographer, professional speaker, and accountability coach. She wrote her first adult novel, The Last Love Note, in the wake of her husband’s death. It’s a fictional tribute to their love, an attempt to articulate the magnitude of her loss, and a life-affirming commitment to hope, which has gone on to win hearts around the world.

Listen as they chat about how fiction can heal us, the importance of tackling hard topics like grief in fiction, and the hope that seeps through even the darkest moments in our lives.

→ Buy The Last Love Note HERE!

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1

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In this episode of Hope Prose, Alex and Tara chat with rom-com/Women’s fiction extraordinaire, Annette Christie. Annette is the author of For Twice in My Life and The Rehearsals, and the author/narrator of Love Lessons. She has a BFA in Theatre and a history of very odd jobs. The back of her head is featured prominently in the film Mean Girls and she currently resides with her husband and two children in Alberta, Canada

Listen as they chat about what prompted her career change from actress/playwright to author, how long it takes her to write a book, the struggles of the publishing industry, and why she loves writing. 

→ Buy For Twice in My Life HERE! 

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1

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In this episode of Hope Prose, Tara sits down with Charlene Carr to discuss her latest novel HOLD MY GIRL. Charlene studied literature at university, attaining both a BA and MA in English, including a study program at Oxford. She has independently published nine novels and her first agented novel, Hold My Girl, has sold to HarperCollins Canada, Sourcebooks Landmark (US), and is set for adaptation to TV by Blink49 Studios in partnership with Groundswell Productions. She lives in Nova Scotia with her husband and young daughter.

Listen as they chat about motherhood, the inspiration behind the story, what she hopes to say to women experiencing IVF themselves, her new novel out January 30th, and her advice for writers looking to write in a similar vein.

Due to character limitations, please see our website (https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1) for a full look at our show notes and content warnings.
 
→ Buy Hold My Girl HERE!

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In today’s episode, Tara and Alex  sit down with debut Adult fiction author Johanna Rojas Vann. 

With a background in journalism, Johanna is a big fan of words—speaking them, reading them, and (especially) writing them. She is passionate about stories that highlight the complexity and beauty of diverse families. But nothing brings her more joy than her role at home as a wife and mom of two toddlers. She lives and writes in Nashville, TN where the coffee is good and the people are even better. 

Listen as they discuss all things AN AMERICAN IMMIGRANT, how her mother inspired the book, family history and duty, the complexities of growing up diaspora, and the importance Columbian food plays in her novel. 

Enjoy! 

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1

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In today’s episode, Tara and Alex return to their YA roots and chat with fantasy author Moriah Chavis. She is the author of ‘HEART OF THE SEA’ and various other short stories, and it's been said you can often find her perusing bookstores, attempting to persuade strangers to read her favorite books, and oscillating between watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy (her husband’s favorite) or Harry Potter (hers). 


Listen as they discuss all things HEART OF THE SEA, her journey to publication, the secret to incredible banter and fast-paced stories, and how shorter-length projects have helped her learn to craft a more cohesive novel. 


Enjoy! 


Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1

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Prepare for joy in the latest episode of the podcast!

Alex and Tara sit down with the “reigning queen of comfort reads” Katherine Center, New York Times bestselling author of ten novels, including How to Walk Away, Things You Save in a Fire, The Bodyguard, and her newest, Hello Stranger—an instant New York Times bestseller. 

Katherine writes laugh-and-cry books about how life knocks us down—and how we get back up. She’s been compared to both Jane Austen and Nora Ephron, and Emily Henry said her books are like the perfect hug.

Listen as they discuss her manifesto to read for joy, her lengthy journey to publication, her passion for romance, and the problem with the snobs against it. Plus! Hear her read a special essay about why she started writing romance novels. 

Enjoy! 

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1 

Katherine’s books can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or online from the Hope Prose Podcast bookshop.org store (benefiting indie bookstores) at: https://bookshop.org/shop/thehopeprosepod 

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In our first episode of season 4, we sit down with powerhouse YA and now Adult author, Ally Carter. 

Ally Carter is the bestselling author of novels that have epitomized action-adventure YA romance for more than a decade. From the spy-centric humor of I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You to the globe-trotting glamour of Heist Society and Not If I Save You First, the name Ally Carter is synonymous with hilarious action and heart-pounding romance.

Listen as they discuss her decision to break into the adult rom-com space, how she won’t be able to please everyone as a creative, her tips for writing page-turning novels, and who her favorite author is. 

Enjoy! 

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1 

Ally’s books can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or online from the Hope Prose Podcast bookshop.org store (benefiting indie bookstores) at: https://bookshop.org/shop/thehopeprosepod 

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Just like that, season three of the Hope Prose podcast is over! Join Tara and Rebekah as they reflect on the past season, tease their upcoming guests, update you on some exciting things happening in their lives, and ask YOU what you want their next season to sound like. 

Enjoy! 

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Today’s episode of Hope Prose showcases a first for the show! You’ve heard Tara and Alex talk to authors before, but you’ve never heard them interview CO-AUTHORS. Well, today is the day they break that streak by having Ali Brady in the studio! 

Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer & Bradeigh Godfrey. Their debut novel, THE BEACH TRAP, was a ‘Best of Summer’ pick for The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Parade Magazine, and Katie Couric Media last year. Their second book, THE COMEBACK SUMMER, came out May 9, 2023, from Berkley (PRH).

Listen as they discuss the BFF’s “meet-cute” moment, the ins and outs of a writing partnership, how they resolve conflicts, sisterhood, breaking out of their comfort zones, and the most significant challenges they faced when writing The Comeback Summer/ 
 
Enjoy! 

Due to character limitations, please find a full version of our show notes and links on our website at: https://www.tarakross.com/podcast-1 

Ali Brady’s books can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or online from the Hope Prose Podcast bookshop.org store (benefiting indie bookstores) at: https://bookshop.org/a/56741/9781728242651 

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