The Hope Prose Podcast

In today’s episode of Hope Prose, author Charity Alyse sits down with Tara and Alex to talk about her debut novel Other Side of the Tracks. Charity earned her bachelor’s degree in English literature at Rowan University and when she’s not writing, she is working toward a master’s degree in clinical mental health therapy. 

Listen as they have a robust discussion about her debut, racism, the importance of fiction in conveying serious issues, her hopes for her readers, and fighting back against people who tell you to “quit” your daydream. Oh, and we can’t forget the tears shed during the recording. This is an episode you won’t want to miss! 

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 

Charity’s book Other Side of the Tracks can be pre-ordered from your local independent bookstore or online from the Hope Prose Podcast bookshop.org store (benefiting indie bookstores) at: https://bookshop.org/a/56741/9781534497719

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In today’s episode, Carmen Schober joins Tara and Alex to talk about her newest novel Pretty Little Pieces (releasing Dec. 6th, 2022) about the next Joanna Gaines.  A mother of three, Rocky enthusiast, and perpetual project starter, Carmen writes clean, faith-based contemporary romance. Her MMA-themed debut After She Falls is available wherever you buy books. Listen in to hear what inspired her to write a story about a celebrity home designer, if a writing degree is necessary for being a successful writer, the redemption in brokenness, and her journey to publication. 

TRIGGER WARNING: the excerpt from Pretty Little Pieces read in the show contains mentions and brief descriptions of miscarriage. If you are sensitive to these themes, please protect your mental health and check out our previous episode with Patrice Gopo: https://open.spotify.com/episode/62rhja8XUzNJXdN9B5JUW5?si=0537126849d04acd

Enjoy!
 
Carmen’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

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, Patrice Gopo comes to the table with tender wisdom and advice for those looking to break into the creative non-fiction space. As an essayist, Patrice often returns to themes of race, immigration, identity formation, and belonging within her writing. Her essay collection, All the Colors We Will See, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection and her debut picture book, All the Places We Call Home, was inspired by one of the essays in her collection. 

Listen in to hear how she discovered the art of the personal essay, tips she has for aspiring personal essayists, the difference between a school essay and a creative non-fiction essay, the process of writing her children’s book, and why sometimes it can feel like we’re telling the same stories over and over again. 

Enjoy! 

Patrice'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

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, Ashley Mays sits down with Tara and Alex about her clean YA novel The Great Date Experiment. She is now a creativity connoisseur, nature nerd, and ardent fan of all things peanut butter. Ashley and her husband live in the Southeast United States where they enjoy stargazing, exploring local parks, and humidity. Listen as they discuss Ashley’s heart for teens—specifically teen girls—her unique ability to taste(?) names, and her journey from being surrounded by books to writing them. 

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

Ashley's book can be ordered from the Hope Prose Podcast bookshop.org storefront (benefiting indie bookstores) at: https://bookshop.org/shop/thehopeprosepod

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In today’s episode, Alex and Tara sit down with bestselling author and Instagram powerhouse, Melissa Ferguson to chat about her latest novel Meet Me in the Margins. Currently, she makes Tennessee her home, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Listen in as they chat about her humble beginnings, how the Twilight series inspired her to start writing, the key to building a successful social media presence as an author, and some of the true stories behind the story of Meet Me in the Margins. 

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 of Hope Prose, debut author Zoulfa Katouh joins Alex and Tara to talk about all things AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREES GROW (forthcoming September 13th, 2022). Zoulfa is a Syrian-Canadian based in Switzerland and currently pursuing her master's in Drug Sciences. She finds Studio Ghibli inspiration in the mountains, lakes, and stars surrounding her and will tell anyone who will listen that BTS paved the way.


Listen as they have a heartfelt discussion about her debut, PTSD representation in literature,  her journey from the draft on her computer to a published novel, and her Syrian culture. Oh, and tears. Lots of tears. 


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 


Zoulfa’s book AS LONG AS THE LEMON TREES GROW can be pre-ordered from your local independent bookstore or online from the Hope Prose Podcast bookshop.org store (benefiting indie bookstores) at: https://bookshop.org/a/56741/9780316351379

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Before our season four begins, here's part two of our interview with Ann Kroeker to tide you over until September!

Ann Kroeker, a writing coach leveraging twenty-five years of publishing and editing experience, author, speaker, and host of the podcast, “Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach”.  Together with her Belgian-born husband, she has four adult children busy pursuing their own creative lives and be it at work or play, she strives to live a life full of wonder and curiosity…Oh, and drink lots of tea! 

Listen as she talks about her favorite aspects of being a writing coach, why she decided to become one, the difference between a writing coach and a book coach, marketing, and how to make connections as an introvert. 

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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Today on Hope Prose, Tara and Alex sit down with the amazing Kristy Cambron, an award-winning, best-selling author turned literary agent. A self-proclaimed history nerd, she loves to chase all things research like going behind the scenes at a Ringling Bros. Sarasota mansion. She holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing and spent 15 yrs in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, before stepping away to pursue her passion for storytelling and championing her clients. 

Listen as she talks to us about the place where literature and art intersect, what inspired the idea for her latest book The Italian Ballerina, tackling dual timelines, what agenting has taught her about her own writing journey, and what she’s looking to acquire. 

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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Today on Hope Prose, Tara and Alex sit down with Ann Kroeker, a writing coach leveraging twenty-five years of publishing and editing experience, author, speaker, and host of the podcast, “Ann Kroeker, Writing Coach”.  Together with her Belgian-born husband, she has four adult children busy pursuing their own creative lives and be it at work or play, she strives to live a life full of wonder and curiosity…Oh, and drink lots of tea! 

Listen as she talks about her favorite aspects of being a writing coach, why she decided to become one, the difference between a writing coach and a book coach, marketing, and how to make connections as an introvert. 

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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Today on Hope Prose, Sara Ella stops by the show and enchants us with her wisdom and humble spirit…oh, and of course talk about her newest book, THE WONDERLAND TRIALS (releasing from Enclave Publishing July 12th)!

When she was younger, Sara Ella dreamed she would marry a Disney prince and live in a castle. Now she spends her days homeschooling her three Jedi in training, braving the Arizona summers, and reminding her superhero husband that it’s almost Christmas (even if it’s only January). Listen as we talk about all things fairytales, the inspiration behind the games in THE WONDERLAND TRIALS, the importance of a writing community, and crafting life-like characters who have you rooting for them until the end. 

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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