Graham Hurley is the author of 25 novels, and shows no signs of slowing down. In his previous life, he worked as a script-writer with Southern Television before becoming a researcher and later a director. His latest novel is The Last Flight to Stalingrad , which The Times called "historical fiction of the highest order." Among other things, Carter and Graham discuss his lifelong love of WWII stories, writing five novels before he turned 18, and the challenge of mixing fact with fiction in histor...
Jul 04, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Julia Heaberlin is the author of the international bestseller Black-Eyed Susans , Paper Ghosts , and We Are All the Same in the Dark , her newest crime novel set in the moody landscape of Texas where she grew up. Heaberlin’s psychological thrillers, all set in her home state, have sold to more than twenty countries. Among other things, Carter and Julia discuss murder in a small town, how persistence is equally important as talent in writing, and how a personal tragedy affected her work-in-progre...
Jul 04, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Steven James is a kind and gentle soul who writes about dark, gritty things. He's the author of more than thirty books, including the critically acclaimed Bowers Files, an eleven-book series of psychological thrillers which includes Opening Moves , Every Crooked Path , and Every Deadly Kiss . The series has received four Christy Awards, which is a damn big deal. Among other things, Carter and Steven discuss his family's history of spinning yarns, getting a Master's degree in storytelling, and ho...
Jun 28, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Mark Stevens is a helluva good writer and an all-around good dude. Best known for his Allison Coil mystery series, Mark’s novel Antler Dust was a Denver Post best-seller in 2007 and 2009. Buried by the Roan , Trapline , and Lake of Fire were all finalists for the Colorado Book Award (2012, 2015 and 2016 respectively). Trapline won. Mark has been named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year, hosts a regular podcast for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, and has served as president of the...
Jun 21, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Lynne Constantine is an internationally bestselling author who writes with her sister as Liv Constantine ( The Last Mrs. Parrish ) and solo as L.C. Shaw ( The Silent Conspiracy ). Her books have been translated into 28 languages, are available in 33 countries, and are in development for both television and film. Among other things, Carter and Lynne talk about her father working for Spiro Agnew, the process of writing books with a sibling, and the dread of receiving the first editorial notes on a...
Jun 11, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 7
K.J. Howe lived all over the world growing up, and those experiences turned her into a bestselling and award-winning storyteller with global reach. Among other things, Carter and K.J. talk about meticulous research, the kindness of thriller writers, and kidnapping conferences in Miami. At the end of their conversation they make up a short story starting with a sentence from William Goldman's Princess Bride . Connect with Carter at www.carterwilson.com Connect with K.J. at www.kjhowe.com...
Jun 06, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Sean Eads writes for himself and is unapologetic about it. Not only is Sean a talented and amazingly prolific author of countless novels and short stories, he and Carter are in the same critique group. Carter and Sean talk about audience, character development, and the lasting pain from accidentally deleting a manuscript. At the end of their conversation they make up a short story starting with a sentence from Eyre Price's Rock Island Rock . Connect with Carter at www.carterwilson.com Connect wi...
May 30, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 5
David Bell has been fascinated by murder since he was a kid. Fortunately, his career path led him to writing stories about it rather than committing it. He's the USA Today bestselling author of ten standalone thrillers and his eleventh, KILL ALL YOUR DARLINGS, releases in July 2021. Among other things, Carter and David discuss the highs and lows of publishing, the wisdom he imparts on his writing students, and how he defines success as an author. At the end of the conversation, they make up a we...
May 21, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 4
USA Today bestselling novelist Carter Wilson talks to writers of all backgrounds in order to find out why they do what they do. He and his guests discuss childhood influences, roots of creativity, luck and loss, tools of the craft, and the highs and lows of publishing. At the end of their conversation, they pick a random sentence from a random book and use it to create an impromptu short story. Visit Carter at www.carterwilson.com.
Apr 27, 2021•2 min
Alex Marwood was a journalist who worked extensively across the British press. Her first novel, The Wicked Girls , achieved widespread acclaim and international bestsellerdom. It was shortlisted for ITW, Anthony and Macavity awards, was included in Stephen King’s Ten Best Books of the Year list, and won the prestigious Edgar Award. Carter and Alex talk about the other famous writers in her family, the highs and lows of publishing, and what its like writing when you have ADHD. At the end of our c...
Apr 12, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Julie Clark still tells people she's an elementary school teacher, which she is. But she's also the New York Times bestselling author of the 2020 breakout thriller The Last Flight . Carter and Julie talk about working multiple jobs, the unpredictability of the publishing industry, and how to continuously become a better writer. At the end of the conversation, they make up a surreal circus story using a sentence from The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B , by J. P. Donleavy. Connect with Carter a...
Apr 12, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Joe Clifford's writing career was immensely helped when he was hit by a bus. Today, this bestselling mystery and crime writer has a dozen books to his name and life is good, even if it requires a cane. Carter and Joe discuss Joe's past struggles with heroin addiction, his inability or desire to hold down a 9-5 job, and love and heartbreak within the publishing industry. At the end of the conversation, they make up a noirish tale using a beginning sentence from Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises . Co...
Apr 11, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 3
