In this exciting episode, we welcome Richard T. Williams, Vice President of Business Development at Independent Publishers Group (IPG), to discuss the ins and outs of book distribution. Join us as we explore the challenges and opportunities for small publishers and indie authors in today’s evolving market. From the importance of understanding target audiences to the realities of distribution models, Richard shares invaluable insights drawn from his extensive experience in the publishing industry...
Apr 02, 2025•50 min•Ep. 96
In this exciting episode, hosts Jeniffer and Chad Thompson kick off their sixth season by delving into the fascinating world of publishing. They explore the intricate journey of authors and the stories behind their books, shedding light on the often opaque aspects of the publishing industry. Join them as they discuss book distribution, the nuts and bolts of selling on platforms like Amazon, and the evolving landscape for aspiring writers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in st...
Mar 31, 2025•2 min•Ep. 97
In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with the insightful author Dennis James Sweeney to discuss his book, How to Submit: Getting Your Writing Published with Literary Magazines and Small Presses . Dennis shares his journey through the often daunting process of getting published, emphasizing the importance of community and personal connections in the literary world. With practical advice and heartfelt anecdotes, he inspires writers to embrace their unique paths to publication. Don'...
Mar 28, 2025•59 min•Ep. 95
Jeniffer speaks with Susan Casey, adventurer and author, via Warwick’s to talk about her experiences studying, observing and interacting with the mysterious deep ocean. Since 2005, Susan has been writing about subjects such as giant waves and those who chase them and the creatures that live in the depths beneath them in an approachable and captivating way. In this episode she discusses not only her experience in this largely alien world, and the life that inhabits it, but also the implications o...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 94
Keith Rosson is a living testament to how hard work and taking the long road can pay off. He’s the author of several novels, and the award-winning short story collection, Folk Songs For Trauma Surgeons , all published through Meerkat Press. His latest novels, Fever House and The Devil By Name , are published through Random House. And he got an endorsement from Stephen King! No big deal, right? Though this recent duology is in the horror genre, these novels are character-driven and contain crime ...
Sep 24, 2024•50 min•Ep. 93
Patty Lin was a successful television writer for hit shows from Friends and Desperate Housewives to Freaks and Geeks and Breaking Bad. Many people dream of this. She dreamed of it. But Patty was trapped in a sunk cost fallacy. She wanted out. She finally did get out and now has a memoir, entitled, End Credits: How I Broke Up with Hollywood. This episode was recorded live at the San Diego Writers Festival and Patty talks to Jeniffer about the difference between writing for yourself and writing fo...
Sep 10, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 92
Despite the darker topics of generational trauma and tragic, unnecessary death, this episode is humorous, quirky, and full of energy. This is likely because the guest, Susan Lieu, is so fun. She is also a performer, public speaker, playwright and Harvard graduate! She talks with Jeniffer and Chad about her memoir, The Manicurist's Daughter , which explores her and her family's experience as Vietnamese refugees navigating 1980's California, and processing the death of her mother through the lens ...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 91
In another San Diego Writers Festival-related episode, Jeniffer talks with local San Diego author, Matt Coyle. He shares his process in character and story building and discusses his Rick Cahill series. He also talks about his inspiration for wanting to write Crime fiction. If you're a fan of his work or just Crime fiction in general, you won't want to miss his insights on the genre. Matt's Bio Matt Coyle is the bestselling author of the Rick Cahill crime series. His books have won the Anthony, ...
Aug 14, 2024•53 min•Ep. 90
John Jennings is the author of The Uncertainty Solution , which is a book on investing. But it’s anything but boring. It’s actually super entertaining and insightful, much like John himself. He also did everything you’re supposed to if your goal is to write a nonfiction book to build your brand. First, he wrote on a topic that sells, and has a unique point of view. But where he really excelled was in his process: He had a purpose and intent. He made sure he had a quality product. He takes advant...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 89
In this episode, Jeniffer speaks with Téa Obreht at Warwick's Books. If you're a fan of her other novels, you'll love listening to Téa read a passage from her latest, The Morningside. She talks with Jeniffer about what inspired her to write it, and all the details about how it came about too. Téa also shares details about her writing process and what it all means to her.
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 88
Jeniffer and Chad chat with Swan Huntley about her latest novel, I Want You More . The novel follows Zara Pine, a ghostwriter who becomes absorbed into the life of a celebrity chef over a summer in East Hampton. It's a tale of love, mystery, and the complexities of losing oneself in a relationship. Swan shares the inspiration behind the novel, her unique writing process, and how she transforms her observations and ideas into intriguing narratives. Whether you're a fan of Huntley's or just curiou...
Jun 20, 2024•45 min•Ep. 87
Zibby Owens is truly a book lover. So much so that she has a book empire of sorts. She owns a bookstore in Santa Monica, started a publishing house, and founded Zibby Media. She also hosts the podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books and is an author herself. Jeniffer and Chad talk with her about all this, her novel, Blank, and how she has time to do it all! Zibby's Website
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 86
In this episode of The Premise, Jennifer and Chad talk with Anastasia Zadeik, author of the novel The Other Side of Nothing , and Bethanne Patrick, memoirist of Life B , to explore their nuanced experiences of dealing with and writing about mental health issues through their respective works. Anastasia discusses how her inspiration was drawn from personal family experiences and the intricate research that shaped her novel, while Bethanne opens up about her journey with double depression and the ...
Jun 04, 2024•2 hr 31 min•Ep. 85
In this episode, Jennifer sits down at Warwick's Books with Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Tommy Orange. He is the author of There There, and most recently, Wandering Stars. Tommy is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and writes about the contemporary Native American landscape. Tommy shares insights into his writing practice, the challenges of balancing life as a father with his creative pursuits, and the profound influence music has on his craft. The title, Wandering St...
May 28, 2024•55 min•Ep. 84
In this first episode of the fifth season Jeniffer and Chad welcome Belo Cipriani for his second interview with them. This episode was timed to air on Global Accessibility Awareness Day because Belo is not only an author and advocate but a digital inclusion strategist. This conversation will expose you to just how much the lack of accessibility is hidden from those that don’t require it. You’ll learn a lot! Belo also talks about all the ways the world is becoming more accessible and what he’s do...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 83
Jeniffer is joined via Warwick’s Books by prolific writer Alice Hoffman. Hoffman is most known for her book, Practical Magic , which was made into a film of the same name. The Invisible Hour is her latest novel and she talks about how it came about. You’ll learn how her own past has informed the stories she tells, and how that shapes the women that populate her fiction. You’ll also learn a little bit of history and discover how it can repeat itself.
Nov 07, 2023•39 min•Ep. 82
The guests so nice, we had them twice! Because their last episode was one our most listened to, Dan and Sandy from Smith Publicity are back. They share inside information on the publishing world and discuss the new tools and processes that have come about in the changing digital landscape of the industry. Learn more about Smith Publicity here .
Oct 31, 2023•55 min•Ep. 81
Sophie Mackintosh’s debut novel, The Water Cure , was nominated for the 2018 Man Booker Prize. Now, her latest novel, Cursed Bread , inspired by a mass poisoning that actually happened, has been nominated for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. She’s a writer who uses similar themes, and she’s realized she has a style. In this episode she talks with Jeniffer via Warwick’s Books about that, her process in writing Cursed Bread, and more. https://www.warwicks.com/book/9780385548304...
Jun 22, 2023•43 min•Ep. 80
Shelby Stanger is another podcaster, author, and big adventurer. Truly. She adventures for a living pretty much. And she inspires others to find their own adventure through her journalism, podcasting, and now her book! Will to Wild was just released on June 6th and she came to talk about it with Jeniffer and Chad. Get ready to be inspired to be a little more fearless and maybe get adventurous! Find out more about Shelby and buy her book below. https://shelbystanger.com/ https://shelbystanger.com...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 79
Words are KishaLynn Elliot’s superpower. She uses that superpower to tell stories, educate, and inspire. She’s an author, speaker and Vice President of Operations and Evaluation at The Monarch School . She’s also a 2023 TEDxSanDiego speaker on Education. She talks with Jeniffer and Chad about her work and her mission to educate and empower unhoused youth and more. You can see her speak virtually(in-person tickets are sold out) at TEDxSanDiego on June 11th, 2023 . https://www.childishthebook.com/...
Jun 02, 2023•58 min•Ep. 78
Jesse Leon is a San Diegan, TED X speaker, Harvard graduate, consultant and survivor. Jeniffer speaks to him about his memoir, I’m Not Broken, and the story of his past that it covers. Jesse is the embodiment of resilience and living proof that you can come out on the other side not just unbroken but thriving. https://www.jesseleon-author.com/
May 18, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 77
Gina Simmons Schneider, PhD, is a Psychotherapist and expert in coping skills. And she used this expertise to write a book about dealing with the common anxieties and stressors we all face in the modern world. Listen to her speak with Jeniffer and Chad about Frazzlebrain and maybe learn a thing or two. https://frazzlebrain.com/ https://www.warwicks.com/book/9781949481624
May 11, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 76
This episode comes to you via Warwick’s Books. Jeniffer speaks with the author of Wandering Souls, Cecile Pin. Her much praised debut novel was longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023, and she’s been compared to Joan Didion by Kirkus Review. Wandering Souls tells a story, inspired by Cecile’s own family’s experiences, of the struggles of immigrating to the UK in the aftermath of the Vietnam war. Cecile talks about her writing process, the personal parts of her novel coming together, an...
May 04, 2023•43 min•Ep. 75
San Diego author, social justice activist, and Pushcart nominee Madhushree Gosh is today’s guest. She talks with Jeniffer and Chad not only about her book, Khabaar: An Immigrant Journey of Food, Memory and Family , but food and the politics around it, and politics in general. You may come away believing that we need less talking and more eating if we want to solve the world’s problems. https://www.warwicks.com/book/9781609388232
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 74
For all you Gen X folks out there, this week's guest doesn't really need an introduction. Because she's Susanna Hoffs! But did you know Susanna is also an author? Jeniffer talks to Susanna about her book, This Bird Has Flown, via Warwick's Books. Buy Now
Apr 13, 2023•51 min•Ep. 73
Walter Green is a man on a mission. He’s the author of, This Is The Moment , a mentor, lecturer and is involved in many nonprofits. He’s all about gratitude. His philosophy is that if you have something to say, why wait? Say it NOW. Listen to Walter explain what that means and how he came about this idea and its subsequent movement. You’re in for an inspiring and illuminating story. https://www.justsayitnow.org/
Apr 06, 2023•50 min•Ep. 72
In this episode Jeniffer and Chad are joined by guest Deborah Larkin. Deborah is the author of A Lovely Girl. The novel is part true crime drama, part memoir. Because Deborah was there at the time the crime and subsequent trial took place, seeing it all through the eyes of a ten year old. Oh, and her father was the court reporter! She tells Jeniffer about her writing process, the details of the ripped-from-the-headlines story, and how this unique book all came together....
Mar 30, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 71
Tom Rob Smith speaks with Jeniffer via Warwick’s books about his latest novel, Cold People . Tom is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and creator of the Child 44 trilogy. In this episode they discuss how he crafted the world of Cold People and blurring the lines of what constitutes Science Fiction. There’s talk of made up food and drink, love at first sight, and the characters that inhabit the world of the book and situations they face within it. There’s also a Q&A at the end, so stic...
Mar 23, 2023•55 min•Ep. 70
Laura Cathcart Robbins is back! Laura has been on The Premise before to talk about her own podcast, The Only One in the Room . You can check it out here . In this episode she’s here to talk about her memoir, Stash: My Life in Hiding . Laura talks with Jeniffer and Chad about her writing process, and how she got published. She also talks about the events in the book and reads a passage. She's got that part down, because she also read for the audio version of her own book! Fun Fact: Laura an Advis...
Mar 16, 2023•54 min•Ep. 69
Mark is an expert on the wacky world of conspiracies and bunk science, but his background is in theater, which is apropos since today’s conspiracies are absolutely theater! He tells Jeniffer how his interest in conspiracy theories all started with Art Bell’s late night radio show and just grew from there. They do a deep dive into the QAnon conspiracy, what it’s all about, where it started, the true believers that support and promote it, and just how dangerous this absolutely bats**t crazy conspi...
Sep 27, 2022•56 min•Ep. 68
