Authors Talking Bookish

Authors Talking Bookish

by Donna Norman-Carbone and Hope Gibbs
Books
Season 4
The Emotional Arc of a Writer: Beyond Writing a Novel (Part 2)
You've finished the book—now what? In Part 2 of our Emotional Arc of a Writer series, we dive into the often-overlooked emotional challenges that come after typing "The End." From sharing your work and facing rejection, to navigating publication, marketing, and the realities of building a long-term writing career, every milestone brings new opportunities and unexpected emotions. We'll discuss the surprises, setbacks, and successes that shape writers beyond the page and offer practical advice for approaching each stage with confidence and resilience. Part II: Beyond Writing a Novel (continued from Episode 78) Show Notes: Stages 6-10: Sharing Your Work Querying or Publishing Publication Marketing Your Work and Yourself The Long-term Writing Life Personal Emotional Surprises SOURCES & LINKS: “Caring for your mental health as a writer,” The JED Foundation. PDF https://assets.ctfassets.net/ “Writers and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma,” Atmosphere Press. Fearless Writing, William Kenower, Writer’s Digest Books Before and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum, Catapult DO NOW: Identify where you are in your post-writing journey & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with you. Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E79
Sep 8, 2026
37:50
The Emotional Arc of a Writer: Writing Stages (Part 1)
Writing a novel isn't just a craft journey, it's an emotional one. From the excitement of a new idea to the vulnerability of sharing your work and the uncertainty of publication, every milestone brings both triumphs and challenges. In this episode, the first of a two-part series, we'll explore the emotional benchmarks most writers encounter during the stages of writing a novel and offer practical strategies for navigating them with resilience and confidence. Part I: Stages of Writing Show Notes: Personal Assumptions Stages 1-5: The Spark The First Draft The Mid-draft Slump Finishing the Draft Revision Personal Application SOURCES & LINKS “Caring for your mental health as a writer,” The JED Foundation. PDF https://assets.ctfassets.net/ “Writers and Mental Health: Breaking the Stigma,” Atmosphere Press. Fearless Writing, William Kenower, Writer’s Digest Books Before and After the Book Deal, Courtney Maum, Catapult DO NOW: Identify where you are in your writing & choose one or more of the actionable solutions that resonate most with your own journey. Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E78
Aug 25, 2026
27:46
An Interview with Author Maggie Giles
What if one of the biggest obstacles to writing compelling fiction became your greatest creative strength? In this episode, we sit down with thriller author Maggie Giles to explore her unconventional path to becoming a suspense writer, why thrillers came more naturally than romance, and how years of experimenting across genres helped her discover her unique voice. Maggie also shares how she balances a full-time career with writing—and offers a fascinating look at creating immersive stories while living with aphantasia, a condition that prevents her from forming mental images. Whether you're searching for your writing voice, struggling to make time for your craft, or curious about the many ways creativity works, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical insights you won't want to miss. SHOW NOTES: Bio Writing Process Books Writing Life Rapid-Fire Questions SOURCES & LINKS Website: https://maggiegiles.com/ Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E77
Aug 11, 2026
31:56
Planting Seeds in Your Writing: Making Every Detail Count
The most satisfying stories don't come from surprises that appear out of nowhere; they come from details that were there all along. In this episode, we'll explore how writers can strategically plant information, objects, emotions, and clues early in a story that later bloom into meaningful revelations, twists, and character growth. Readers love being surprised, but they love it even more when the surprise feels earned. Let us teach you how to make every detail count. SHOW NOTES: What does planting seeds mean? Types of seeds a writer can plant The rule of set-up and payoff Where writers get it wrong Revision tip: read backwards DO NOW: For examples of effective seed-planting and a writer’s exercise, download our FREE Planting Seeds companion to this episode from our website @ https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E76
Jul 28, 2026
26:40
An Interview with Author Patricia Sands
What happens when a passion for travel, friendship, and embracing life's changes becomes the heart of unforgettable stories? In this episode, award-winning author Patricia Sands shares her journey from indie publishing to traditional success and the inspiration behind her novels set in the South of France. We discuss her latest release, The French Effect, the themes of friendship, reinvention, and aging that resonate throughout her work, and how she's built a career spanning more than a decade. Patricia also offers valuable insights into the writing life, publishing, and finding your authentic voice. Whether you're a writer or an avid reader, this conversation will leave you inspired to embrace change and write the stories only you can tell. SHOW NOTES: Bio & books The French Effect Inspiration Writing and travel Narrating an audiobook Process & Research Writing advice SOURCES & LINKS Patricia’s Website The French Effect Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E75
Jul 14, 2026
33:17
10 Tips for Deep Revision of Your First Draft
What separates a decent first draft from a truly compelling novel? In this episode, we’ll provide you with 10 tips on the art of revision and explore the strategies that transform rough manuscripts into powerful stories readers can’t put down. Whether you’re tackling your first revision or your fifth, this episode will help you approach the process with clarity, confidence, and a sharper editorial eye. SHOW NOTES: Walk Away Read Through Identify your Core Story Focus on Big Ideas First Revise in Layers Strengthen Character Motivation Raise the Stakes Cut and Move Check Scene Purpose Sharpen Openings and Endings SOURCES & LINKS “How to Revise a Novel,” Holly Lisle https://hollylisle.com/how-to-revise-a-novel/ “Novel Revision Checklist,” Nathan Bransford https://nathanbransford.com/blog/2022/06/revision-checklist Books on story structure, character, motivation and stakes Story Genius, Wired for Story by Lisa Kron Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody Related ATB Episodes: Editing and Revision Methods, Episode 21 (backwards outline, color coding, notecards…) Editing (interview with 2 editors), Episode 51 Tension and Conflict, Episode 61 DO NOW: Determine where you are in your editing process and try an editing technique that you haven’t tried yet Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E74
Jun 30, 2026
30:30
Then vs. Now: Third Anniversary Episode
How much can change in a year or three or more? In this special anniversary episode, Hope and Donna reflect on their journeys as authors and podcasters through a fun and revealing “Then vs. Now” conversation. From evolving writing processes and shifting definitions of success to behind-the-scenes podcast moments, they share what’s changed, what’s stayed the same, and what they wish they’d known from the start. Honest, insightful, and full of personality, this episode is a celebration of the winding path of writing life. SHOW NOTES: How has your approach to writing changed from when you first started to today? What did you believe about writing or publishing early on that you see differently now? What used to intimidate you most about writing—and does it still? What were your goals as a writer when you began, and how have they shifted? When did you first feel like a “real writer,” and has that feeling changed? How has your confidence—in your voice, your stories, and your place in the writing world—evolved? What’s one aspect of podcasting that has changed from when you first started? What did you think your favorite part of podcasting would be vs. what is it? What is the biggest lesson you learned from podcasting? How do you define “success” as an author today compared to when you started? What’s one piece of advice you would give your earlier writing self? Surprise: Rapid Fire Questions Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S4 · E73
Jun 16, 2026
32:12
Season 3
An Interview with Author Wendy Haller
What happens when a lifelong storyteller finally answers the call to write? In this episode, we sit down with Wendy, a former special education teacher turned multi-genre author, to explore her inspiring journey from the classroom to the page. From her emotionally rich novel The Flannigan Girls to her upcoming release Regret No More, Wendy shares how love, trauma, and personal experience shape her stories for both children and adults. We dive into the art of writing across genres, the influence of teaching and motherhood, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Honest, heartfelt, and full of insight, this conversation is a must-listen for writers looking to follow their joy—and their voice. SHOW NOTES: Biography Women’s Fiction Impact of Teaching Multi-Genre Writing Personal Connections in Writing Writing Process Lessons Learned the Hard Way Rapid Fire Questions SOURCES & LINKS https://www.wendyhallerauthor.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WendyHallerAuthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendyhaller_author/ Sign up for her newsletter! Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S3 · E72
Jun 2, 2026
33:59
An Interview with author Grace Sammon
What does it take to reinvent yourself through storytelling and truly find your voice? In this episode, we sit down with Grace Sammon, award-winning author of The Reliable Narrator, The Eves and the LAUNCH PAD series, to explore the transformative power of writing at any stage of life. From her own career reinvention to crafting authentic narrative voice, Grace shares hard-earned insights on storytelling, publishing, and what it really means to connect with readers. SHOW NOTES: The Reliable Narrator Storytelling and Voice Writing and Publishing Personal Insights Reading Recommendations The Reliable Narrator As one of New York’s most sought-after ghostwriters, she tells other people’s stories so seamlessly they forget she was ever there. In an age of AI-generated prose, she is prized for what machines cannot do: capture a voice so authentic it feels lived-in. For Darby, disappearing into other lives is both her superpower and her refuge. Then comes a late-night message from Phoebe Zaslove, Darby’s truest friend – fearless, magnetic, and now terminally ill. For reasons Darby cannot name, the women have not spoken in a year. But Phoebe is running out of time and makes one final request: Write my story. Set between the wooded banks of New York’s Hudson River and Albuquerque’s lush North Valley, The Reliable Narrator is a layered, emotionally charged novel about the unbreakable bond between friends, the legacies carried from mothers to daughters, and the truths we bury to survive. As Darby walks Phoebe into the last chapter of her life, she is forced to confront her own traumas, her family’s silences, and the realization that fragments of her truth have been hiding in plain sight in every book she has ever ghostwritten. SIGNED COPY GIVEAWAY: All you have to do is subscribe to our website @authorstalkingbookish.com AND Grace Sammon’s @ https://www.gracesammon.net/contact by June 1st and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free signed copy of The Reliable Narrator SOURCES & LINKS https://www.gracesammon.net/ Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode. Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S3 · E71
May 19, 2026
31:45
What if mid-life isn’t a crisis—but a powerful second coming-of-age? An interview with authors Elissa Bass and Christine Consolino
In this episode, we explore the rising genre of mid-life fiction with authors Elissa Bass (Happy Hour) and Christina Consolino (The Marriage Debt), who are redefining what it means to find love, identity, and purpose in the middle chapters of life. Through their unforgettable protagonists, KK and Nika, these writers explore how relationships evolve under the weight of experience, shifting expectations, and hard-earned self-awareness. Together, we unpack why readers are increasingly drawn to these stories now, and how mid-life fiction balances realism with possibility. SHOW NOTES: Book Summaries Mid-life fiction Connecting with audience Inspiration Balance Writing Life What’s next What you learned the hard way SOURCES & LINKS Elissa Bass Links Website https://www.elissabass.com/general-8 Happy Hour: https://bookshop.org/p/books/happy-hour-elissa-bass/4ca0d102bfc3fed9?ean=9781665756747&next=t Please Wait to Cross: https://bookshop.org/p/books/please-wait-to-cross-elissa-bass/0ec211895feba746?ean=9781665783354&next=t Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14319840.Elissa_Bass Christina Consolino Links Facebook Instagram or @AuthorChristinaConsolino for FB and @cmconsolino for IG Website: https://christinaconsolino.com/ Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/ Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you
S3 · E70
May 5, 2026
29:49
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