Authors Talking Bookish

Authors Talking Bookish

by Donna Norman-Carbone and Hope Gibbs
Books
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
Smart, Legitimate Book Marketing Strategies for Authors
Authors, are you looking to build a strong foundation as an entrepreneur who is at the helm of marketing your own work? After hearing about all the scams and red flags in our January episode, it’s important to know that there are honest, effective, and affordable ways to promote your book. These proven strategies (and a long directory with links) help you build visibility, connect authentically with readers, and establish long-term credibility. SHOW NOTES: Build a Strong Author Platform Collaborate with other Authors Work with Reputable Publicists or Marketers Pursue Authentic Media Coverage Optimize your Book Metadata Leverage Paid Ads the Smart Way Engage Readers Directly Final Takeaway SOURCES & LINKS Qwoted Connects credible experts with authors (podcasts, blogs, PR…) Haro: Help a Reporter Out Connects journalists to stories/potential interviews Writer Beware Blog that identifies scams and provides advice ALLi Watchdog Alliance of Independent Authors, protects from predatory practices and misinformation SOURCES & LINKS Links available on our website/ click link below DO NOW: Research some of the links we’ve provided, so you not only know what’s available to you but to curate a list of marketing strategies that meets your specific goals. 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 DO NOW: Research some of the links we’ve provided, so you not only know what’s available to you but to curate a list of marketing strategies that meets your specific goals. 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 · E69
Apr 21, 2026
26:10
Brainstorming Bootcamp:Creative Sparks for Storytellers
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank page, you’re in the right place. In this episode, we provide brainstorming techniques you can use today to help spark ideas and methods to begin to flesh them out. From character-driven sparks to high-concept “what if” questions, we’ll show you how to move past creative paralysis and into momentum. Whether you’re starting your first novel, searching for your next project, or feeling stuck midway through a draft, this episode will help you unlock creativity with purpose — and walk away with ideas you’re excited to write. SHOW NOTES: Idea Generators (lots of them) Methods of Brainstorming SOURCES & LINKS https://www.well-storied.com/blog/three-powerful-ways-to-brainstorm-new-story-ideas DO NOW: Choose an idea generator and combine it with a method. Repeat until you have have a strong premise for your next story. 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 · E68
Apr 7, 2026
30:55
An Interview with Author Sue William Silverman
Sue William Silverman is the award-winning author of five books of creative nonfiction, including her latest, Selected Misdemeanors which has been longlisted for the 2026 PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Award for the Art of the Essay, two craft books on writing, and three poetry collections. Her memoir Love Sick: One Woman's Journey through Sexual Addiction was also made into a Lifetime TV Original Movie. As a professional speaker and writer, Sue has appeared on many nationally syndicated radio and TV programs including The View and Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN; She's the co-chair of the MFA in Writing Program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. SHOW NOTES: Selected Misdemeanors The Butterfly Effect Writing Process Teaching writing (craft books & MFA Program, Vermont College of Fine Arts) Writing poetry Advice for Writers Next Steps Rapid Fire Questions Sue’s Book Recommendations: anything by novelist Jean Rhys & The Love by Marguerite Duras SOURCES & LINKS https://www.suewilliamsilverman.com https://www.instagram.com/suewilliamsilverman/ https://www.facebook.com/SueWilliamSilverman https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19942.Sue_William_Silverman 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 · E67
Mar 24, 2026
30:52
Genre Is Not a Box: Using Story Categories as Creative Tools
This episode explores genre not just as a marketing label, but as a powerful storytelling framework that shapes reader expectations, craft choices, and publishing opportunities. We’ll begin by defining what genre really means, then break down how different genres function, what readers of each genre expect, and how those expectations influence plot, pacing, character, and tone. By the end of the episode, you will have a clearer understanding of how to position your stories, communicate your genre, and use it as a creative tool instead of a restriction. SHOW NOTES: Why Genre Matters More than you Think Understanding Genre as a Framework Positioning Your Story in the Marketplace Communicating Genre to Agents and Readers Genre as a Creative Tool Common Pitfalls SOURCES & LINKS: “How Important is Genre When Pitching and Promoting a Book?” Sangeeta Mehta, Jane Friedman, FEB 2025 “Understanding Genre: How to Writer Better Stories,” Savannah Gilbo, 2026 “In Defense of Labels: On Genre as a Literary Conversation," Lit Hub, Lincoln Michel, 2021 DO NOW (with samples): Identify your primary genre. Study 5 successful books w/in that genre. Fill out the FREE DOWNLOAD to help get you started writing a genre positioning statement. Next, write a pitch using genre-specific language: [Genre] + Protagonist + Goal + Obstacle + Stakes EX: Romance A contemporary romance about a burned-out wedding planner who’s forced to work with the cynical journalist who once broke her heart—only to discover that saving her career might mean risking it all for love again. EX: Thriller A domestic thriller about a woman who begins to suspect her perfect husband is connected to a string of disappearances—and must uncover the truth before she becomes the next victim. 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 · E66
Mar 10, 2026
30:20
The “Write” Path: Conquering Writer’s Burnout and Block
In this episode, we dive deep into the differences between Writer's Block and Writer's Burnout. Discover how burnout manifests through symptoms like fatigue and a waning passion for writing. We’ll share effective recovery strategies that are not only practical but also inspiring. Learn the importance of taking refreshing breaks, establishing a consistent writing routine, and exploring new environments to spark creativity. We'll also discuss how engaging with various creative works and building connections with fellow writers can reignite your passion. Plus, find out which foods can boost your mood and help you on your writing journey SHOW NOTES: Understanding Writer's Burnout vs. Writer’s Block Signs to Look For How to Get Inspired Again (10 methods) RECAP SOURCES & LINKS: “Writers, We Need to Talk About Creative Burnout,” Medium, Erin Fulmer, OCT 2022 “Writer’s Burnout: Will you let yourself smolder until you become a cinder?” CreativeIndie, Laura Hartman “8 Foods to Beat Writer’s Block,” The Writer, APR 2024 “How to Blast through Writer’s Burnout…or Block…or Not,” Lit News Magazine, Betsy Robinson, DEC 2022 DO NOW: If you are looking for a creative boost in your writing, use some of these ideas we’ve discussed. Or come up with a list of your own, tailored to your needs. Also, perhaps take an inventory of your writing habits. Look to see if any of these signs are creeping into your work and think of ways on how you can avoid them. 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 · E65
Feb 24, 2026
28:27
An Interview with author Linda Rosen
Linda Rosen is the author of four historical fiction novels, The Disharmony of Silence, Sisters of the Vine, The Emerald Necklace, and her newest release, Abandoning the Script, available March 6th. Linda’s novels are set in the “not-too-distant past” and examine how women reinvent themselves despite obstacles thrown their way – and they always feature a piece of jewelry! She is a member of the Women Fiction Writers Association and co-founder of the South Florida chapter of the Women’s National Book Association where she holds the position of VP of Programming. In addition, Linda is on the board of Trails of Delray, her local chapter of the Brandeis National Committee, an administrator of the 5K+ member Facebook Group Bookish Road Trip and editor of their newsletter, Wanderlust. Fitness professional turned novelist Linda Rosen, after living most of her life in New Jersey (and only a short trip into NYC) now lives with her husband in sunny Florida happily wearing sandals all year long. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Linda on the Pickleball court, in the pool, or reading with her feet in the sand. SHOW NOTES: Abandoning the Script Back Catalogue Writer Life Rapid Fire Questions SOURCES & LINKS Website: https://www.linda-rosen.com/ Abandoning the Script is available for pre-order, the paperback, discounted at 15% off until March 5th. And a first chapter sample of all of Linda’s books including Abandoning the Script, as well its trailer, are available on her website. 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 · E64
Feb 10, 2026
30:18
Marketing Scams Every Author Should Know
Every author wants their book to reach readers—but in the world of publishing, that dream can make writers vulnerable to marketing scams. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the shady side of book promotion and show you how to spot red flags before they cost you time, money, and trust. SHOW NOTES: How to spot a scam Questions to ask How to vet a scam Rules of thumb Samples SOURCES & LINKS: ScamVoid: Checks fake websites Writer Beware: Blog that identifies scams and provides advice ALLi Watchdog: Alliance of Independent Authors, protects from predatory practices and misinformation Writers Weekly: Online magazine with a host of articles (including those aimed at protecting indie authors from being scammed Author’s Guild: Author organization that offers online forums and legal services DO NOW: Peruse the links we attached to know where you can turn if you suspect being scammed. Next Episode: 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 · E63
Jan 27, 2026
26:38
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