The Premise

The Illness Lesson is historical fiction that takes place in the 19th century, and was inspired by true events. Namely, a mysterious mass illness. 

Clare Beams talks with Jeniffer about how she managed to write about the time period without falling into the trappings of its writing conventions. She also explains why she chose the setting she did and how she managed to make it still feel modern and have modern themes. Oh, and what it feels like to have her book hailed as a masterpiece.

Just enough of The Illness Lesson's complexly woven plot is revealed to keep listeners intrigued without including spoilers. So if you love getting into the details, this episode is for you. 

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Chris Whitaker’s most recent novel, We Begin at the End, was actually conceived of very early in his writing journey. Like few other authors, Chris never imagined he’d become a writer, but a traumatic event changed that. He started writing as a form of therapy to deal with the aftermath of that event, and to tell his story and express parts of himself in a ways completely removed from the personal. He also talks with Jeniffer about his process, how he found an agent, his missteps along the way, and the many jobs he had before landing a book deal. There’s also a bit of a listener Q&A at the end from the live version of this interview via Warwick’s Books.  

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Olga Grushin wrote her first story at just seven years old, and it happens to have been a fairy tale. She discusses why she chose to write in English, though Russian is her first language, and how it shapes the way she tells stories while retaining a Russian sensibility. The Charmed Wife is her latest book and she and Jeniffer discuss why she was inspired to reimagine Cinderella as a divorcee. Olga also talks about why she started writing, how she got an agent and a publisher, her genre-bending storytelling and much more. This one will make you rethink fairy tales and women’s roles in them. Oh, and yes, there is some discussion of talking mice. 

Her memoir has been called harrowing, and her childhood was unimaginably traumatic. But today, Stephanie is a successful author, the CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design, and the founder of The Heritage Home Foundation. She tells you how through sheer will and resilience she came out on the other side, and how not taking no for an answer, plus her innate design skills landed her a book deal and a best selling book.  

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Sally Collings is a Book Proposal Expert, Ghostwriter and former Assistant Editor at Harper Collins and she knows her stuff. Jeniffer and Chad talk with Sally about her six fundamental elements of a winning book proposal, including building your platform, proof of concept, and choosing your publishing path. There’s so much that goes into it. This episode is full of valuable information on the process of writing a book proposal and when it’s time to do it. Are you ready? 

Today's guest, Derek Lewis, is a business ghostwriter and author in his own right. Contrary to popular belief, the ghostwriter doesn't just write a book under someone else's name. Derek compares the ghostwriter to a midwife. A facilitator of the text, but not the creator. And it's a lot harder than you'd think. It requires the ability to write in the voice of the "author". So you have to have writing skills and the ability to read people and understand them really well, and kind of become them. You can find out more about this mysterious career by listening now. 

Connect With Derek:

• Derek's website
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This episode’s guests are Dan Smith, founder of Smith Publicity, and President, Sandy Smith. No, the last name isn’t a coincidence—they’re married. 

Dan’s decision to start Smith Publicity in 1997 was a make-it-or-break-it plan, and his can-do attitude and dedication paid off. 

Today Smith Publicity has served over 3,000 clients and Sandy and Dan are at full capacity representing traditional and self-published authors. But it wasn’t always that way. Some of Smith's first clients where strippers, mystics, and alien abductees whom Dan found endless creative ways to promote. He worked with the authors no one else would touch and it served them and his firm well. Entrepreneurs, authors, and anyone who loves a whacky origin story will appreciate this episode. And there’s even a touching, Hallmark style love story thrown in for good measure.  

• Smith Publicity Website

Both The Editor and A Star is Bored have young, gay, male protagonists who find mentors in older, more powerful, albeit very different women. Both books are based a bit in reality of some sort. Oh, and Byron and Steven just happen to be live-in partners who both happen to be writers. They tell Jeniffer what inspired them to write their novels, what it's like living with another writer, their respective writing processes, and more. There's some fun anecdotes shared and a lot of questions answered. If you haven't already read The Editor or a Star is Bored, this episode will convince you that you should. 

• Byron's Site
• Steven's Site

In another partnership with San Diego’s Warwick’s Books, Jeniffer talks with Literary Agent and

Author, Bill Clegg. In this episode, they discuss his latest book, The End of the Day, and do a deep dive into the philosophical questions raised about class, agency, privilege, and power through the eyes of his protagonist, Dana. It’s like a mini book club, and may help you see the book in a new light, or raise some questions of your own about what really matters at the end of the day. 

• Find His Agency Here
• Author Website

Linda Olson was in her late twenties, newly married, and a doctor when she was in a horrible accident while on vacation with her family. The aftermath left her without her legs and her right arm. She thought she would lose her husband too. But it turns out, she adapted and so did he. In this episode Linda tells Jeniffer and Chad about her experience, and how she overcame what seems from her telling, the minor setback of finding yourself with only one limb to work with. Her story is full of adventure, laughter, and a ton of inspiration. You can find out more about Linda at lindakolson.com