Shawn chats with Christopher Farnsworth about BURIED SECRETS, the 22nd book in Robert B. Parker's Jesse Stone series, journalism vs. novel writing, the enduring appeal of detective stories, the allure of vampires in literature, and valuable advice for aspiring writers.

Shawn chats with novelist Sean Tyler about his debut novel WHITE HELL, which explores the harrowing journey of the Donner Party through the lens of a love story, Sean's unique experiences as a writer, his influences, the challenges of the creative process, romance, historical fiction, Las Vegas, the end of days, turkey sandwiches, and the importanc…

Shawn chats with Charlotte Wood, the acclaimed Australian author, about the inspiration behind the latest novel, themes of goodness and forgiveness, how personal experiences shape writing, her journey through cancer and how it influenced her creative process, the importance of authenticity in storytelling, and the impact of literature and the joy o…

Shawn chats with Mark Greaney about the new Gray Man novel, MIDNIGHT BLACK, the evolution of his character, the importance of thorough research in writing, his writing process and work ethic, the surreal experience of seeing his work adapted into film, the challenges of writing, and personal anecdotes that shaped his journey as a writer.…

Shawn chats with James T. Bartlett, a travel and lifestyle journalist turned True Crime author, his books THE ALASKAN BLONDE & GOURMET GHOSTS series, Bartlett's journey into writing, the appeal of true crime, surprising discoveries during research, the process of crafting compelling narratives, Los Angeles, a new True Crime book focused on Burbank,…

Shawn chats on Valentine's Day with professional wedding planner and author Mary Karnes about the most recent book in her cozy wedding planner mystery series, the inspiration behind her books, the challenges of balancing her writing career with her growing wedding planning business, the impact of being a published author on her life and family, her…

Shawn chars with Rose Kerr about her debut novel, DEATH AT THE SCOTTISH BROCH, Rose's journey into writing, her character, archaeologist Maya Reed, the research process behind the book, the challenges of writing a mystery, inspirations, Agatha Christie, and the future of the series.

Shawn chats with AX Foster about his unique journey from a prosecutor to an author of legal thrillers, his debut novel GAVEL TO GAVEL, inspiration, justice, Foster's background in law and acting, societal fascination with legal dramas, Agatha Christie, John Grisham, James Patterson, and the importance of justice in the courtroom.…

Shawn chats with Jeff Markowitz about his novel THE OTHER, social justice, the historical context of Nazi activity in New Jersey, the significance of storytelling, addressing uncomfortable truths, crafting dual timeline narratives, the importance of standing up against hate, and the power of fiction to evoke empathy and understanding.…

Shawn chats with bestselling author Robert Crais about his latest novel, THE BIG EMPTY, which marks the 20th book featuring private investigator Elvis Cole, the evolution of his characters, internet influencers, family secrets, loyalty, betrayal, the nuances of plotting and character development, and the emotional stakes involved in Crais's storyte…

Shawn chats with Daphne Silver about her Agatha Award-winning author Cozy Mystery series, rare books, museums, Edgar Allan Poe, communities in writing, the balance between character and setting, and valuable advice for aspiring authors.

Shawn chats with Brian Freeman about his latest novel, his creative process, the challenges of writing thrillers, the importance of collaboration with his wife, Marsha, his evolution as a writer, his experiences in different genres, and the literary influences that have shaped his storytelling.

Shawn chats with debut author Kate Michaelson about her novel HIDDEN ROOMS, medical mysteries, murder investigations, the importance of representing chronic illness in literature, teaching, the journey of becoming a published author, and the themes of homecoming and personal growth.

Shawn chats with Tom Coffey about SPECIAL VICTIM, the second book in the Devine Trilogy, themes surrounding justice and media responsibility, New York City, character development, the Central Park jogger case, the challenges of writing from multiple perspectives, and the importance of withholding judgment in today's media landscape.…

Shawn chats with D.M. Barr (Dawn Barclay) about her writing journey, her latest psychological thriller, DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED, the unique intersection of her real estate background with her fiction, her character development process, community among writers, the challenges of the creative process, her advice for aspiring writers, and an exciting pr…

Shawn chats with Lisa Williamson Rosenberg about her new novel, MIRROR ME, the themes of identity, belonging, the influence of psychology on writing, the significance of her characters, the challenges of crafting a compelling narrative, the importance of backstory, and the journey of self-discovery that her protagonist, Eddie, undergoes throughout …

Shawn chats with award-winning author John Shepphird about his journey as a film director and writer, the nuances of writing novels versus short stories, the enduring appeal of crime fiction, John's newest novel, their experiences in the film industry, the importance of attending writing conferences, and their upcoming anthology collaboration TENNI…

Shawn chats with returning guest Greg Stout about his writing journey, his new novel LONG TIME GONE, the Jackson Gamble series, Nashville, the intricacies of character development, plotting a long-running series, noir, realism, respectful representation of characters, Greg's new radio show, and the enduring appeal of detective fiction.…

Shawn chats with Ellen Butler about her journey from traditional to independent publishing, experiences in the writing community, the creative process, inspirations, character development, and the importance of mentorship for aspiring writers.

Shawn chats with Julie Sampson about her middle-grade novel RUBY AND THE BOSS CRICKET, the creative process behind writing for children, the importance of inspiring young readers, friendship, self-discovery, writing fiction and non-fiction, personal experiences, and valuable advice for aspiring writers.…

Shawn chats with the writing duo of Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson about their latest book, DEFENSE PROTOCOL, their collaborative writing process, the themes in their work, the character development of Katie Ryan, the importance of honoring military traditions, adapting their stories for film and television, the excitement of releasing new books,…

Shawn chats with Kevin Kleesner about his writing journey, his latest novel, THE KILLERS' TERMS, the importance of community among authors, societal issues woven into Kevin's thrillers, authenticity of settings, character development, the creative process, the challenges of publishing, resilience, personal growth, innovative marketing strategies fo…

Shawn chats with Robin Cook, renowned physician and #1 NYT and international bestselling author of over 40 novels, about his most recent book, BELLEVUE, the historical significance of Bellevue Hospital, medical science, the supernatural, the evolution of medical thrillers, film and television adaptations of his work, the impact of COMA (book and fi…

Shawn chats with bestselling and prolific author Brett Battles about his newest book, STUART WOODS' GOLDEN HOUR, his collaboration with the late author, European settings, travel, research, the dynamics of co-authoring, the discipline of a writing routine, inspiration or the lack thereof and not allowing it to impact the work, challenges writers fa…

Shawn chats with Tracy Clark, a celebrated crime fiction author, about her latest book, Echo, Tracy's journey to becoming a writer, the creative process, the inspiration she finds in everyday life, the power of words, the challenges and joys of writing, and the importance of community involvement in the writing world.…

Shawn chats with return guest Kerry Peresta about her latest psychological suspense novel, he Crushing, the process of writing, character development, the importance of titles, Kerry's journey from advertising to writing, her inspirations, and the challenges of creating suspenseful narratives.

Shawn chats with #1 NYT Bestselling author Graham Brown about his various careers and his latest book, Desolation Code, the themes of technology and villainy, his collaboration with the late Clive Cussler, his writing process, and the importance of maintaining one's voice in co-authorship.

The 200th Episode of Five Compelling Questions!! In this inspiring discussion, Shawn chats with Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author Barbara Nickless about her latest book, The Drowning Game, her adventurous travels, the inspiration behind her espionage novel, female friendships, and the complexities of sibling relationships.…

Shawn chats with short story author Chris Bagley about her journey as a writer, her latest collection, The Madness of Ida May, the nuances of writing short stories, self-doubt, validation, influences, and the appeal of short stories in today's fast-paced world.

Shawn chats with Henry Hunsicker about his most recent novel, The Life and Death of Rose Doucette, his influences and writing style, Texas, writing after multiple other jobs, and elaborate bookshelves.

Shawn chats with Charles Philipp Martin about his latest book, 'Rented Grave,' his journey as a writer, the influence of Hong Kong on Martin's writing, character development, focusing on craft, the joy of storytelling, and his unique approach to crime fiction.

Shawn chats with KL Murphy about her journey from high school journalism to writing fiction, her experiences in creating strong female protagonists, her unique writing process that emphasizes discovery over outlining, valuable advice for aspiring writers, and the importance of community in the writing world.…

Shawn chats with MP Woodward about the Handler CIA espionage series and the latest installment in the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series, Shadow State, his background as a Naval Intelligence Officer, the influence of Tom Clancy on his writing, and the key elements that make a compelling political thriller.

Shawn chats with Claire M Johnson about her journey from being a secretary to becoming a published author, exploring the cultural landscape of California, particularly San Francisco, in the 1930s, her writing process, the influence of historical context and cinema on her work, and the challenges of navigating the publishing world.…

Shawn chats with Nancy Cole Silverman, accomplished author and former radio journalist, about her latest book, Murder on the Med, featuring her protagonist, Kat Lawson, in a Mediterranean setting, the importance of storytelling, the unique aspects of writing for audio, the balance between writing and community involvement, the writing process, and …

Shawn chats with Micki Bare about her newest book, Omega Crag, the creative process behind her writing, the importance of themes such as family and the environment, the accolades her books have received, targeting an audience, the significance of writing for middle-grade readers, and advice for aspiring young writers.…

Shawn chats with debut author Jenny Dandy about her journey into writing at the age of 65, discussing her debut novel 'The Brownstone on East 83rd', which features a con artist navigating the complexities of life in New York City, the significance of setting, character development, and the writing process.…

Shawn chats with bestselling and Edgar Award-winning author David Ellis, an accomplished judge and author, about his latest book, The Best Lies, the complexities of character development, the writing process, the importance of reader connection, navigating cultural sensitivity in writing, David's journey from lawyer to author, the power of storytel…

Shawn chats with Connie Berry about her latest novel, A Collection of Lies, the latest in the Kate Hamilton series, Connie's journey into writing, the intricacies of crafting plots and characters, and the challenges of maintaining a long-running series, her writing process, the importance of research, and her personal preferences in reading and wri…

Shawn chats with Bryan E Robinson, a multifaceted writer and psychologist, about his journey from a dysfunctional childhood to becoming a successful author of both fiction and non-fiction, the inspiration behind his latest novel, Way Dead Upon the Suwannee River, how his background in psychology informs his character development, insights on mainta…

Shawn chats with return guest Brian Freeman about his latest novel, The Bourne Shadow, the evolution of the Bourne series, character development, the writing process, the intricacies of crafting plot twists, his approach to writing, the challenges of taking over a legacy character, and his daily writing routine.…

Shawn chats with David Winner about his latest book, Master Lovers, and Winner's discovery of hidden love letters from his great aunt, which inspired the narrative of the book, research, the challenges of writing historical fiction, and the unexpected connections between love, deception, and historical figures.…

Shawn chats with Portugal-based author Tess Amy, about her novel The Confidence Games, a contemporary heist novel featuring two strong female protagonists, the inspiration for the characters and the story, research into the psychology of con artists, a writing process focused on pacing, Tess's unexpected journey from a career in healthcare to becom…

Shawn chats with John Torres, a professor of political science and a prolific writer, about John's journey from journalism to creative writing, the challenges of balancing teaching and writing, his experiences with short stories and novel writing, the writing process, the importance of community among writers, and how his political background infor…

Shawn chats with historical fiction author Jane Loeb Rubin about her novel Threadbare, which explores themes of women's rights issues past and present, women's health, general healthcare, immigration, personal growth, Jane's journey from healthcare to writing, the inspiration behind her stories, and the importance of research in historical fiction.…

Shawn chats with Rob Hart about his latest book, Assassins Anonymous, which explores the life of a former assassin navigating a 12-step recovery program, Rob's writing process, character development, moral complexities, and the importance of humor in writing.

Shawn chats with Albert Waitt about his new novel, Flood Tide, his journey as a writer, the development of his character, LT Nichols, writing influences, music, challenges, and the significance of the setting in his mystery novels.

Shawn chats with author and crime fiction writer Jode Millman about The Empty Kayak, which is inspired by true crimes in the Hudson Valley, the importance of setting in her stories, her transition from law to writing, and the establishment of the Writers Law School to educate writers about their legal rights.…

Shawn chats with Mary Carol Moore about her novel Last Bets, the inspiration behind it, her transition from food writing to fiction, character development, female friendships, lessons learned, and the importance of authenticity in writing.

Shawn chats with Jeffrey Wilson, a co-author of Act of Defiance in the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan series, about Wilson's diverse background, the collaborative writing process with his partner Brian Andrews, the challenges and joys of writing within the established Clancy universe, military service, accountability, keeping a routine with a partner, the im…