WJHG Chapter Chat

Author Courtney Walsh joins Chapter Chat to talk about her new novel Brighter Than Before and the belief at its core that it’s not too late to begin again. Courtney empahsizes how you’re never too old to rewrite your story. We dig into why Courtney keeps her romances low-spice and high-heart, focusing on emotional intimacy and meaningful connection. Plus, she breaks down what she’s learned publishing in both traditional and independent spaces and how each path shapes creativity, control, and career longevity.

Author Marian Yee joins Chapter Chat to discuss her novel 4 Janes. It's a fascinating retelling of Jane Eyre that proves why the classic story remains timeless and transcends time. Inspired by a trip to Vietnam, Yee shares how place, memory, and perspective shaped her reimagining, and she opens up about her own writing approach: slow, steady, and built on the power of a little bit of writing every day. Plus, Yee turns the tables and asks host Jessica Foster a question listeners will want answered—are you writing a book? You’ll have to listen to hear what she says.

In this Chapter Chat episode, author Kerri Maher joins us to discuss her latest novel, Summer of Love, a deeply layered story that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. We talk candidly about the book’s themes of addiction and recovery, and Maher shares a raw, honest reflection on her own journey with sobriety, including the joy and the challenges that come with doing the work.

Maher also opens up about her writing path, and how she wrote five unpublished novels before selling her first book, and how experimenting across genres strengthened her understanding of plot, voice, and character development. Plus, she shares insight into her work as a parent coach, a role that continues to shape how she thinks about growth, resilience, and connection.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health challenges, you’re encouraged to reach out for help—support is available, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie join the podcast to discuss A Founding Mother, their new historical fiction novel illuminating Abigail Adams’ lasting imprint on the United States as the wife of one president and the mother of another. With America’s 250th on the horizon, they explore why the Revolutionary era still resonates today, how they collaborate as co-authors to bring history to life, and the personal resilience required to finish the book, especially as Kamoie faced a breast cancer diagnosis that echoed a poignant thread in the Adams family’s own historical record.

Best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews joins Chapter Chat to talk about her latest release, Road Trip, a story rooted in sisterhood, self-discovery, and a setting that whisks readers away to Ireland. Andrews shares why she always makes her readers the same promise: you’ll be happy at the end, even when the journey gets messy. We also dig into how her own research road trip helped shape the novel’s world, why she loves weaving a dual timeline, and what she believes today’s readers want most: escapism with characters and conflicts that still feel true. Plus, the former journalist discusses her continued support for a free press, and how that perspective informs the stories she tells.

Author Ashley Poston returns to Chapter Chat for her second appearance. This time she talks about her latest release, The Someday Garden. Ashley shares her approach to magical realism and how she blends fantasy and contemporary elements to create stories that feel both grounded and wondrous.

We dig into the novel’s powerful themes of grief, including how Ashley has written through grief in her own life and why she sees it as a pendulum, swinging through moments of loss, then back toward joy, hope, and happiness. Ashley also opens up about the writing process behind The Someday Garden, learning not to second-guess herself, and how trusting her instincts became essential to finishing the book.

And before she goes, Ashley teases what’s ahead. She reveals her next project is taking a different trajectory, including a pause on magical realism.

Nicola Harrison stops by Chapter Chat to unpack The Island Club, from the strength of women supporting women to the discipline behind writing historical fiction. We cover her pivot from journalist to novelist, the questions that guide her research, and how she balances fact, feeling, and imagination on the page.

Author Sheila Roberts stops by Chapter Chat to discuss her latest romance novel, Love on the Shelf and to preview the Christmas novel she has coming out later this year. Sheila opens up about what it’s like having her holiday books adapted into movies, why she’s drawn to writing stories full of warmth and hope, and how her writing process takes a book from first spark to finished page. We also bond as cancer survivors, sharing how that experience can reshape perspective, deepen gratitude, and influence creativity. Plus, Sheila breaks down why romance remains one of the most popular genres and what readers are really looking for when they pick up a love story.

Chapter Chat sits down with New York Times bestselling author Lisa Unger to talk thrillers and the creative process behind them. Unger shares why she’s a writing “gardener,” letting stories evolve on the page instead of relying on detailed outlines, and how plot flows from character in her work. She also dives into the research that fuels her suspense, the mix of luck and hard work behind publishing success, and why she believes “failure is the norm” (and nothing to fear). Plus: a candid conversation about introverts and extroverts, and how different personality types help society and storytelling flourish.

Author Priya Parmar joins Chapter Chat to discuss her novel The Original, and the enduring fascination with Katherine Hepburn. Parmar shares how she balances deep research with imaginative storytelling. Parmar blends real people, places, and details with fiction in a way that feels authentic without being constrained by the record. She also walks us through the meticulous care she put into crafting the book, from shaping character and voice to honoring the era’s texture while building a compelling, original narrative.