Debut novelist Amy Gottlieb, author of The Beautiful Possible, talks with co-host Nicole Nelson about finding inspiration from a childhood of listening to her mother’s friends, using poetry to sustain her when she felt bogged down by the novel, and working with characters who wouldn’t let go.

In the second half, Anna Winger, author of the novel This Must be the Place and co-creator and writer of the Sundance drama series Deutschland 83, talks about pushing the limits of credibility in the name of creating suspense, combining the visual with narrative in telling a story for television, and how writers can find common experiences with various types of characters, even those with lives very different from their own.

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(Broadcast date: March 16, 2016)

Marrie Stone chats with historical fiction novelist Kristina McMorris about her latest novel, The Edge of Lost.  Kristina shares her research process, her fascination with history, her secrets to effective dialogue, her relationship with minor characters, and more.

In the second half, Ruta Sepetys returns to the show to talk about her latest YA novel, Salt to the Sea.  Ruta discusses how fiction can convey a greater range of truths than non-fiction, why the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff remains a relatively unknown event (more people died than the Titantic), how she creates compelling characters, and more.

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(Broadcast date: March 9, 2016)

Listen to this podcast of last Wednesday’s show with Elizabeth Marro, author of Casualties, and T. Jefferson Parker, author of Crazy Blood , talking with Barbara about point of view, beginnings, theme, promotion, and more.

Both authors will be featured at the Pen on Fire Speaker Series & Salon on March 8, 2016. More info here.

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(Broadcast date: March 2, 2016)

Theologist and novelist Mary Rakow joins Marrie Stone on “Writers on Writing,” KUCI-FM 88.9 to discuss her latest novel,  This Is Why I Came.  She shares her personal history with religion, the importance of the Bible for secular readers, what sustained her on her decade-long path with the novel, the importance of language, and more.

In the second half, Suzanne Redfearn shares her latest book, No Ordinary Life.  She shares her experiences with the publishing industry, branding, compelling narratives, the difference between writing and storytelling, and more.

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(Broadcast date: February 24, 2016)

Christopher Castellani, author of The Art of Perspective: Who Tells the Story, and Noy Holland, author of the novel Bird, join Barbara DeMarco-Barrett to discuss their books and the art and business of writing.

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(Broadcast date: Feb. 17, 2016

International bestselling author Yann Martel (Life of Pi) talks about his latest novel, The High Mountains of Portugal.  He shares his deep interest in the subject of faith and grief, talks about playing the form of the novel, and writing in the aftermath of success.

In the second half, Tessa Hadley joins to discuss her latest work, The Past.  She talks about the origins of her stories, why families and houses create compelling fiction, her work at The New Yorker, and her long road to success.

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(Broadcast date: February 10, 2016)