WRITERS' BLOCK Meg Walker and Ron Block host a fascinating conversation with Julie Gerstenblatt, author of the recent release Daughters of Nantucket and Andrea Dunlop, author of Women are the Fiercest Creatures. Both works are set in different times, but are connected through how their 3 main protagonists are affected and relate to events and circumstances that test their relationships and lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 274
On tonight’s show, we are excited to welcome back our good friend Joshilyn Jackson ! Joshilyn is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of several novels, including NEVER HAVE I EVER and MOTHER MAY I . Her books have been translated into a dozen languages, won SIBA’s Novel of the Year award, twice been the #1 Indie Next Pick, and twice won Georgia Author of the Year among many other accolades. A former actor, Joshilyn is an award-winning audiobook narrator. As a volunteer with Refor...
Apr 27, 2023•53 min•Ep. 273
WRITERS' BLOCK Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block are joined by Zoe Fishman, author of the deeply personal novel The Fun Widow's Book Tour. Her novel was inspired by the tragic loss of her own husband and it's impact on her life and the lives of her children. Zoe's book is injected with honesty, authenticity and humor, all of which is reflected in this warm and meaningful conversation about love, friendship, and ultimately hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 21, 2023•40 min•Ep. 272
On this season premiere episode we welcome two incredible author guests — Brenda Novak and Alka Joshi . New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak has written 75 novels and is an eight-time Rita nominee, among many other awards. She runs Brenda Novak for the Cure , a charity that has raised more than $2.5 million for diabetes research — as well as the warm and enthusiastic Brenda Novak’s Book Group on Facebook which boasts more than 26,000 members. Brenda joins us live on-location from Oklah...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 271
WRITERS' BLOCK This week, Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey talk with J. Ryan Stradal about his new book, Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club, which Roxanne Gay called "a Perfect Book" and has received a starred review from Kirkus. This intergeneration saga centering on the rivalry between two families is an ode to the midwest, supper clubs and finding your way in the world. Be sure to bring a relish tray and a Brandy Old-Fashioned for this episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...
Apr 14, 2023•48 min•Ep. 270
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Mary Kay Andrews are joined by Chef Kenny Gilbert to celebrate his new cookbook, Southren Cooking/Global Flavors which reflects his approach to joining flavors from his world wide experience with his southern focus in food. His story includes his popular run on Top Chef and his path to becoming a preferred personal chef for Oprah Winfrey. A fascinating story and cookbok! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Apr 07, 2023•51 min•Ep. 269
WRITERS' BLOCK Kristy Woodson Harvey and Ron Block are joined by author and entrepreneur Cleere Cherry Reaves to talk about her new book, The Miracle of You, along with Cleere's approach to embracing her faith to get through difficult times and celebrate sharing her gifts through her creativity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 05, 2023•41 min•Ep. 268
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristin Harmel delve into the December 2022 #1 Libary Reads pick, The Circus Train, written by the wonderful Amita Parikh. This stunning debut took the book world by storm, but as we learn during our discussion, it was not a quick and easy road to publication. The path is fascinating and Amita shares her journey that is inspiring and demonstrated how perserverance pays off. Truly a magical book and guest! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 31, 2023•41 min•Ep. 267
Tune in for the Winter 2023 Season Finale epiosde with two blockbuster bestselling authors both joinung us during their publication week to showcase their brand-new novels— Lisa Scottoline & Robert Dugoni ! Lisa Scottoline is the #1 bestselling and Edgar award-winning author of 35 novels with 30-million copies of her books in print, published in more than 35 countries. Her weekly Philadelphia Inquirer “Chick Wit” column—written with her daughter Francesca Serritella—have been collected in a ...
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 266
WRITERS' BLOCK One of our favorites, Elizabeth Berg, join Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry to celebrate the release of her newest book, Earth's the Right Place for Love, which tells the early story of one of her most beloved characters, Arthur Truluv. The conversation expands to exploring the depths of writing character, of writing with heart and demonstrates why Elizabeth truly captures the best of humanity in her work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 24, 2023•50 min•Ep. 265
On tonight’s episode, we are so thrilled to have THREE authors joining us LIVE! First we talk to the USA Today bestselling author of five novels, Colleen Oakley . Colleen’s books (including The Invisible Husband of Frick Island and Before I Go) have been translated into more than 21 languages, optioned for film, long-listed for the Southern Book Prize, and named best books by People, Us Weekly, Library Journal, and Real Simple. A former magazine editor, Colleen’s articles and essays have been fe...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 264
WRITERS' BLOCK Mary Kay Andrews joins Ron Block and our guest, Jenny Jackson to discuss Pineapple Street, Jenny's highly anticipated novel set in Brooklyn Heights exploring the nuances being a member of a wealthy family while navigating life in modern society. Beautifully told from three viewpoints, Jenny shares how her book came to life and how she manages to balance her work as an editor with becoming a debut novelist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Mar 17, 2023•33 min•Ep. 263
On tonight’s episode, we have two amazing author guests — Sarah Penner and Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai . Dr Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai is an award-winning Vietnamese writer and journalist and the author of eleven books of poetry, short fiction and non-fiction. Her debut novel and first book in English, THE MOUNTAINS SING , was an international bestseller, a finalist for the 2021 Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the winner of many other literary awards. She will be joining us all the way from her current home i...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 262
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry host debut author Jessa Maxwell about her book, The Golden Spoon, which has been receiving universal praise for it's twist on Clue meets The Great British Baking Show with murder! Jessa talks about her original idea and her road to publication. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 10, 2023•36 min•Ep. 261
On International Women's Day and during Women's History Month, we welcome two masters of historical fiction— Jennifer Rosner & Julia Kelly ! Jennifer Rosner is the author of the novels Once We Were Home and The Yellow Bird Sings, a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award; the memoir If A Tree Falls: A Family's Quest to Hear and Be Heard, about raising her deaf daughters; and a children's book, The Mitten String, which is a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable. Jennifer's writing has appeared...
Mar 09, 2023•59 min•Ep. 260
WRITERS' BLOCK Rebecca Makkai, author of The Great Believers which was a finaist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award speaks with Ron Block and Meg Walker about her newest book, I Have Some Questions For You. Our conversation was a fascinating exploration of themes within the book- memory, feminism, our obsession with true crime and a murder mystersy, all set in a boarding school. Truly an honor to speak with Rebecca about this unforgettable triumph of a book. See omnystudio.c...
Mar 03, 2023•42 min•Ep. 259
On this episode, we are so excited to welcome back our good friend, the USA Today bestselling author of 14 psychological thrillers, Hank Phillippi Ryan. Hank has won the most prestigious awards in the genre: five Agathas, five Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. She’s also an on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, with an astounding 37 EMMYs and dozens more journalism honors to her credit. A truly good literary citizen, Hank is a founder of Mystery Writers of America...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 258
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry are joined by Pamela Terry (When the Moon Turns Blue) and Anne Burt (The Dig) to talk about their new releases, the power of story, of character and explore how in fiction, things aren't quite as they seem. A truly fascinating conversation that exceeded expectations! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 24, 2023•56 min•Ep. 257
On this episode, we are lucky to have TWO incredible author guests joining us— Sadeqa Johnson and Lynn Cullen ! Sadeqa Johnson is the award-winning author of four novels, including Yellow Wife. A Kimbilio Fellow, former board member of the James River Writers, and a Tall Poppy Writer, Sadeqa’s accolades include the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Book Award, and the USA Best Book Award for Best Fiction. Sadeqa joins us to discuss her latest “triumph of historical fiction” (The Was...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 256
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Mary Kay Andrews talk with Kristen Mei Chase about her charming and poignant debut novel A Thousand Miles to Graceland. We delve into the humor but also mother/daughter relationships, healing and representation of multi-racial characters in fiction. A don't miss episode! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 17, 2023•43 min•Ep. 255
On this episode, we are so excited to welcome back our dear friend, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 25 novels, J.T. Ellison . With millions of copies in print and books published in twenty-eight countries, J.T.’s work has been optioned for film and television and won critical acclaim and prestigious awards. The EMMY award-winning co-host of the literary TV show A WORD ON WORDS, J.T. also writes urban fantasy under the pen name Joss Walker. She joins us to discuss...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 254
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron is joined by Meg Walker for this wonderful Valentines Day Episode! Lunar Love is a fabulous debut novel by Lauren Kung Jessen that explores the relationship between tradition and technology surrounding Chinese Zodiac matchmaking. Not only a heartwarming love story, but also a deep exploration of race and finding acceptance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 10, 2023•43 min•Ep. 253
On this episode, we are so excited to introduce you to the award-winning, bestselling contemporary novelist Elinor Lipman . Known for her keen wit, Elinor Lipman is a master of social satire and has written sixteen books, including The Inn at Lake Devine, Rachel to the Rescue, Good Riddance, and one of Mary Kay Andrews’s all-time favorite books, The Family Man. Her debut novel, Then She Found Me, was made into a movie starring Helen Hunt, Bette Midler, Colin Firth, and Matthew Broderick. A writi...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 252
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome Natasha Lester, author of the recently released historical fiction novel, The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre, which is a fascinating look at fashion and espionage before, during, and after WWII in Paris. A terrific conversation about her process, her background and how it all came together. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 03, 2023•37 min•Ep. 251
We are thrilled to welcome back our dear friend, New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff ! Pam Jenoff is a Rutgers University law professor and the author of several works of historical fiction, including the New York Times bestseller The Orphan's Tale . With degrees in international affairs from George Washington University, in history from Cambridge, and law from UPenn, her novels are inspired by her experiences working at the Pentagon and as a diplomat for the State Department handling H...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 250
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry welcome thriller writer, Kaira Rouda about her newest page-turner, The Widow. This taut and twisty book sheds light on the inner workings of life in the U.S. Congress, while exploring the inner workings of families and ambition and the lengths some will go to to achieve and keep power and wealth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 27, 2023•42 min•Ep. 249
We are so excited to welcome back New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict ! A former lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at some of the country’s premier law firms and Fortune500 companies, Marie views herself as an archaeologist of sorts, excavating the untold stories of real women from history. Marie is the author of ten novels including The Other Einstein, Carnegie’s Maid, The Only Woman in the Room, The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, and The Personal Librarian whic...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 248
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Meg Walker are joined by author Susan Stokes-Chapman to take a deep dive into her debut Novel, Pandora, just out this week in the U.S. The book takes influence from the Pandora Myth and creates a captivating tale set in Georgian, London where the discovery of a mysterious ancient Greek vase sets in motion conspiracies, revelations, and romance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 20, 2023•41 min•Ep. 247
On this episode we bring you TWO amazing novelists— Elle Cosimano and Laura Zigman . Elle Cosimano is a USA Today bestselling author, an International Thriller Award winner, a Bram Stoker Award finalist, and an Edgar Award nominee. Also an acclaimed young adult author, Elle’s debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, was a People Magazine Pick, named one of New York Public Library's Best Books of 2021, and kicked off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series. She joins us to di...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 246
WRITERS' BLOCK Ron Block and Patti Callahan Henry are joined in a luminous conversation with novelist Armando Lucas Correa about his atmospheric new novel, The Night Travelers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 13, 2023•44 min•Ep. 245
