The Premise

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson welcome acclaimed author Caitlin Rother to discuss her latest thriller, Hooked, the first in a new series featuring investigative reporter Katrina Chopin and homicide detective Ken Good. Caitlin shares her journey from investigative journalism to fiction writing, touching on themes of ethics, corruption, and the changing landscape of journalism. Join us as we explore the intricacies of storytelling, character development, and the challenges of the publishing world.

In this captivating episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson welcome Deborah Rudell, a college professor and author, who shares her remarkable journey of transformation in her memoir, Grit and Grace: The Transformation of a Ship and Soul. Join us as Deborah recounts her experiences building a sailboat, navigating the tumultuous waters of life, and exploring her spiritual path. Discover how two intertwined narratives—her physical journey at sea and her spiritual awakening—come together in a profound exploration of grit, grace, and self-discovery.

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad welcome the talented Judy Reeves to discuss her poignant memoir, When Your Heart Says Go. Judy shares her journey of grief, travel, and self-discovery, exploring how writing can serve as a powerful tool for processing emotions. With heartfelt insights and beautiful prose, Judy reflects on her experiences and the connections she made along the way, inviting listeners to embrace their own stories and the magic of writing.

In this exciting episode, we welcome Richard T. Williams, Vice President of Business Development at Independent Publishers Group (IPG), to discuss the ins and outs of book distribution. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities for small publishers and indie authors in today’s evolving market. From the importance of understanding target audiences to the realities of distribution models, Richard shares invaluable insights drawn from his extensive experience in the publishing industry. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that dives into the good, the bad, and the ugly of book distribution!

Richard T. Williams is the Vice President, Business Development, at IPG, where he oversees new and existing business for the IPG distribution program, as well as for clients seeking extended publishing services and licensing opportunities. He is a former sales manager at IPG, the former director of the Small Press United program, and was once an operations manager at an independent publisher, where he earned firsthand experience on the publishing side.

In this exciting episode, hosts Jeniffer and Chad Thompson kick off their sixth season by delving into the fascinating world of publishing. They explore the intricate journey of authors and the stories behind their books, shedding light on the often opaque aspects of the publishing industry. Join them as they discuss book distribution, the nuts and bolts of selling on platforms like Amazon, and the evolving landscape for aspiring writers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in storytelling, publishing, and the passion for reading!

In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with the insightful author Dennis James Sweeney to discuss his book, How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses. Dennis shares his journey through the often daunting process of getting published, emphasizing the importance of community and personal connections in the literary world. With practical advice and heartfelt anecdotes, he inspires writers to embrace their unique paths to publication. Don't miss this conversation filled with empathy, creativity, and actionable insights!

In this episode, we talk about Dennis's wife (also a writer) Thirii Myo Kyaw Myint—you can learn more about her work here. 

Jeniffer speaks with Susan Casey, adventurer and author, via Warwick’s to talk about her experiences studying, observing and interacting with the mysterious deep ocean. 

Since 2005, Susan has been writing about subjects such as giant waves and those who chase them and the creatures that live in the depths beneath them in an approachable and captivating way.

In this episode she discusses not only her experience in this largely alien world, and the life that inhabits it, but also the implications of exploring it. 

This is a must listen for anyone who is curious, in search of wonder, and wanting to learn more about the profound importance of this largely unexplored part of our world. 

Susan is the author of The Devil’s Teeth, Voices in the Ocean, The Wave, and others. Her latest book is The Underworld: Journeys To The Depths Of The Ocean. 

Susan’s website: https://susancasey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanlcasey/

Keith Rosson is a living testament to how hard work and taking the long road can pay off. He’s the author of several novels, and the award-winning short story collection, Folk Songs For Trauma Surgeons, all published through Meerkat Press. His latest novels, Fever House and The Devil By Name, are published through Random House. And he got an endorsement from Stephen King! No big deal, right? 

Though this recent duology is in the horror genre, these novels are character-driven and contain crime thriller elements and punk rock vibes, leaving them almost undefinable. Genre-defying, some may say. 

Keith talks to Jeniffer and Chad about his rise into the world of the Big Five and the differences between working with a huge publisher vs a small press. They discuss negotiations, marketing, and the work that goes into all of it. He tells them about how he developed his characters and his writing process, and how punk rock and the city of Portland shaped his vision. 

If you like horror, crime fiction, punk rock, or just a good success story, you’ll love this episode. 

You can find out more about Keith and buy his books through the links below. 

Keith’s Website: https://www.keithrosson.com/

Instagram: @rossonkeith

Twitter/X: @keith_rosson

Patty Lin was a successful television writer for hit shows from Friends and Desperate Housewives to Freaks and Geeks and Breaking Bad. Many people dream of this. She dreamed of it. But Patty was trapped in a sunk cost fallacy. She wanted out.

She finally did get out and now has a memoir, entitled, End Credits: How I Broke Up with Hollywood. 

This episode was recorded live at the San Diego Writers Festival and Patty talks to Jeniffer about the difference between writing for yourself and writing for Hollywood and how she ended up doing both. She also gives her opinion on whether she thinks the industry has changed, or ever will. 

Bonus: There’s a Q&A with the festival crowd at the end. 

https://www.pattylin.com/
https://www.instagram.com/virtualpattylin