The Premise: Recent Episodes
Jeniffer & Chad Thompson
Here on The Premise we talk to storytellers of all types. From authors to musicians, poets, screenwriters and comedians we get down to the tiny grain of sand that becomes a pearl.
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
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/will-to-wild
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 conspiracy has become.
Suzanne is another writer who was working in an entirely different field before she decided to take a chance and try her hand at something she’d always wanted to do. She shares the story of that journey with Jeniffer and Chad, and offers some good advice for aspiring writers. She’s living proof that with talent and perseverance it’s totally possible to write successful novels and do big things like breaking into the world of screenwriting—and having your script optioned for a movie!
Although there’s an obvious nod to Shakespeare in All’s Well, the protagonist of Awad’s latest novel was inspired by her own experience with pain and her feelings about being ignored and not taken seriously.
She talks with Jeniffer about how that experience informed her latest novel, the characters she created, and how and why she chose the setting for this particular story.
And of course, there’s discussion of the author’s writing process and how it all came together to create the full story.
Eve and Rosie both get a chance to discuss their writing processes, note the similarities and differences, and realize there’s really no wrong way to write. There are also similarities between their books. They’re both about family and relationships, the settings loom large, and they both question how well we really know those close to us.
If you’re a fan of peeking into the writer’s process and love details on the genesis of ideas, and how stories are shaped, you’re going to love this episode. And if you like lovely British accents then you’ll really be happy.
Anastasia Zadeik is a writer, editor, and storyteller. Dedicated to helping writers bring their stories to the page, stage, and screen. She serves as Director of Operations for the San Diego Writers Festival and sits on the board of the literary non-profit So Say We All. She regularly performs in narrative non-fiction showcases, andher work has appeared in The San Diego Decameron Project, The Literary Vine Review, and Shaking the Tree: Brazen. Short. Memoir. She lives in San Diego with her husband and their empty-nest rescue dog, Charlie. Blurred Fates is her first novel.
Website
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In this episode Jeniffer and Chad talk with Jane Friedman about how she got started doing what she does. And she does a lot! Mostly, she’s an expert on the publishing industry and a guide for helping authors understand it.
You’ll learn a lot of valuable information in this one. And because this podcast is actually pretty fun, you’ll also get to hear their opinions on fonts, artistry, Amazon and where the industry is headed. Jeniffer also gets Jane to open up a bit about weird jobs and bourbon preferences.
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The Hot Sheet
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On Wednesday, May 18th at 7:30pm Warwick's hosted Laura L. Engel as she discussed her new book, You'll Forget This Ever Happened: Secrets, Shame, and Adoption in the 1960s.
Laura L. Engel isoriginally hails from Biloxi, Mississippi but moved to San Diego, California over fifty years ago. In 2015 she retired from a thirty-five-year career in the corporate world with plans to quietly catch up on hobbies and travel with her husband, Gene. Within a year an unexpected miracle took: her firstborn son - the child she'd been forced to relinquish to adoption in 1967 - found her. After that, Laura stopped guarding her painful secret and started telling the world about the miracle of meeting her son. Laura is currently President of the San Diego Memoir Writers Association. She is also an active member of the International Women's Writing Guild and a member of San Diego Writers Ink, San Diego Writer's Festival, and SD Writers and Editors Guild. She has five adult children and ten cherished grandchildren.
Are you still a mother even if you have not raised your child? Can the mother/child bond survive years of separation? How deep is the damage caused by buried family secrets and shame? Engel asks herself these and many other questions as she becomes acquainted with the son she never knew, and seeks the acceptance and forgiveness she has long denied herself. Full of both aching sadness and soaring joy, You'll Forget This Ever Happened is a shocking exposé of a shameful part of our country's recent past - and a poignant tale of a mother's enduring love.
Website
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Mark talks with Jeniffer and Chad about his long history in the publishing world, his point of view as a current agent for one of the top literary agencies, and how he’s facilitating transparency in the industry.
He also gives some advice to Jeniffer about her own processes and a ton of tips on everything from pitching to your hook.
Read his full bio below!
BIO:
Mark Gottlieb is a highly ranked literary agent, both in overall deals and other individual categories. Using that same initiative and insight for identifying talented writers, he is actively building his client list of authors. Mark Gottlieb is excited to work directly with authors, helping to manage and grow their careers with all of the unique resources that are available at book publishing’s leading literary agency, Trident Media Group. Through his work at Trident Media Group, Mark Gottlieb continues to represent numerous New York Times bestselling authors, as well as major award-winning authors, and has optioned and sold books to film and TV production companies. He previously ran the agency’s audiobook department, in addition to working in foreign rights. In his free time, Mark Gottlieb tutors free English language classes to adults from low-income immigrant families, via the Literacy Volunteers program at Family Centers, a nonprofit organization offering education, health and human services. He is actively seeking submissions in all categories and genres and looks forward to bringing new and established authors to the curious minds of their future readers.
https://twitter.com/mark_gottlieb
https://www.facebook.com/MarkGottliebLiteraryAgent/
https://www.instagram.com/markgottliebliteraryagent/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgottliebliteraryagent/
Cynthia’s second novel, Good Company, had the misfortune of coming out in the midst of the pandemic, but that hasn’t stopped its success! It just delayed some interviews a bit. Like this one.
In Good Company, she writes about family, marriage, and friendship and the nature of those relationships as they build over time. She tells Jeniffer about what inspired her characters, and how much of that inspiration came from her real life experiences living in both Los Angeles and New York.
She also discusses her writing process, how walking is part of that, and even a bit about the book she’s currently working on. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone!
Fans will also be happy to learn that her acclaimed first novel, The Nest, is currently in development for a limited series by AMC.
Buy The Book
https://cynthia-sweeney.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaDAprixSweeney/
https://twitter.com/CynthiaDSweeney
https://www.instagram.com/cynthiadsweeney/
Jeniffer and Chad chat with Warwick’s Director of Events, Julie Slavinsky and Book Buyer, Adrian Newell. They share insider knowledge and some fun anecdotes from their collective 45 years of experience in the industry.
They uncover some long-held secrets of how books are chosen, how they end up in stores, and the role of book stores in an author's success.
You’ll learn a bit of history on self-publishing, get a peek into the “Big Five” and other traditional publishing consortiums—And discover how much is still shrouded in mystery, even for those on the inside.
IT IS possible to get your indie book into popular book stores, you just have to know what it takes…and it takes a lot. But Julie and Adrian's invaluable tips will give you a leg up!
https://www.warwicks.com/
Joe Ide’s latest novel is a departure from his IQ series. The Goodbye Coast puts Raymond Chandler’s classic detective protagonist, Philip Marlowe, into our modern world. Which Dennis Lehane calls,”Not so much a reimagining of Chandler’s world but a reinvigorating”.
Joe’s first novel in his IQ series has been optioned for a TV series, and he tells Jeniffer about that process, and why he decided to risk writing a novel using a beloved character invented by the godfather of crime fiction. He also tells how he imagined Marlow in the modern Los Angeles, with modern, and very LA characters—and the fun he had doing it.
https://www.joeide.com/
https://twitter.com/JoeIdeTweets
Wild Game details Adrienne being brought into her mother’s secret adult world at the age of fourteen, and the years that followed as she took her place as her confidant and co-conspirator. Jeniffer and Chad talk with her about what it was like to bring her story to life, the struggles she encountered while doing so, and the insights she gained along the way.
When telling a story of your life, and people you love and the ways they amaze and hurt you, it’s a delicate balance. Adrienne relied on a quote from Vivian Gornick to guide her:
“...For the drama to deepen, we must see the loneliness of the monster and the cunning of the innocent…”
https://www.adriennebrodeur.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adrienne.brodeur
https://www.instagram.com/adriennebrodeur/
Stevie Green is an organizing and decluttering guru whose own life is a total mess, which makes her relatable. And if her character seems very real, maybe it’s because Getting Clean With Stevie Green is the first novel Swan Huntley loosely based on her own experiences in La Jolla, California.
Swan and Jeniffer talk about the process of writing her third novel, from the inspiration for the characters, and the humorous tone, to choosing to tell the story from several points of view, despite her reservations.
In this episode Jeniffer and Chad speak with Rick about his book, Life Lived Wild, and how it’s more than just a memoir of his adventures. Rick explains how each memory is intentionally linked to not just his experience, but to the significance of our impact on our environment.
There are fun and thrilling tales exchanged and also some serious talk about what we can do to change the course of our future and care for our planet.
As you may guess from the title, the delightful children's book Lee recently wrote is about holiday magic and the ways the holidays are celebrated. As per usual, Lee has focused Red and Green and Blue and White on youth and diversity. Jeniffer talks with Lee about this lovingly crafted picture book, his inspiration, and how he puts his personal experience into his writing. Lee also reads from his book, and if you catch the original video of their conversation you can catch a glimpse of it!
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TikTok
Facebook
Twitter
It's not surprising that Peter Heller is able to bring elements of suspense to his latest thriller novel, The Guide. After all, he's quite the adventurer himself, with a whole bevy of stories and experiences to draw from. Though The Guide is fiction, it's setting is very real, and he's often asked if the characters he creates are modeled after himself. Peter shares some of his own real-life adventures with Jeniffer, and you'll learn how and why his thriller novel set within a nature adventure came to be.
Buy From Warwicks
Called is a novel about fighting for what you believe in, no matter the cost. And though this particular version is fiction, it’s based very much in reality. Author, Marlena Fiol is the daughter of the John Schmidt of the book, and had previously written about her experiences in the form of memoir. But this time, it’s told from an outside perspective—there’s just a lot of material here! A Mennonite Missionary. His devoted wife. The other woman. WWII. A leper colony in the Peruvian Jungle. And the man who revolutionizes Leprosy treatment, all to change the world for the better. But even heroes have their flaws...
Website
Check out the San Diego Writers Festival
July 17 and July 31 (2 full days) it's virtual and free on Facebook heresandiegowritersfestival.com
Scott Meyers is a cornucopia of knowledge of screenwriting and he helps others learn it via classes at DePaul University, his workshops, and his highly acclaimed blog on the subject, Go Into The Story. He talks with Jeniffer and Chad about how, like many other creative folks, he came to screenwriting in a round about way. It’s because of this, maybe, that he’s really good at giving practical advice for aspiring screenwriters. If you want straight forward and valuable tips and guidance, Scott Meyers is your guy. He’s also a great follow on Twitter!
Things We Lost to the Water is Eric Nguyen’s first novel, but you would never know by reading it. It’s a multilayered, beautifully written story of the immigrant experience through the eyes of one family, all living a slightly different reality in their new home of New Orleans. And then Hurricane Katrina happens…
Eric tells Jeniffer about what inspired him to write his novel, why he chose the setting he chose, and how the novel developed into the story of the three individuals and their unique perspectives, while also being a view into the family as a whole and how those bonds survive despite it all.
Jeniffer and Chad talk with Journalist Mike Ayers about how he came up with the idea for his book, One Last Song, and how asking such a specific, and maybe slightly morbid question opened up people to telling so much about themselves. They also discuss how music is powerful, universal and definitive in our lives. And, of course you'll get to hear all of their last songs of choice.
Chris describes his novel as suspense; a slow burn. But it’s much more than that. Jeniffer and Chris talk about what went into crafting his historical thriller, The Hour of the Witch.
As you may have guessed, it centers around a woman who becomes a target— because she stood up for herself against an abusive husband.
Chris researched and studied Puritanical society on a deep level to get real feel for life in that dark period. You’ll find out some crazy stuff, not just about the superstitions of the time and how horrible women were treated, but fun facts like how people ate out of troughs with their hands, because forks were of course, of the devil.
Sue Monk Kidd is no stranger to controversy. From the topics of her books, to deciding she wanted to be a writer in a place and time where that was just not something women did.
She tells Jeniffer about how just that act of courage inspired her to reach a little further to write feminine narratives, and about women characters that were also courageous and went against the grain.
Website
Donna Leon is the author of the Brunetti Mysteries, and in this episode she tells Jeniffer about her process, and how real life is always inspiring new ideas for her next books.
Having lived globally and travelled extensively, it’s no wonder she never seems to run out of those ideas—she writes at a pace of one novel a year! With her character, Brunetti, she wanted to create a protagonist who’s flawed, yet loveable, and put him into real-life situations to see what happens. And for nearly 30 years, her formula has been wildly successful!
Laraine, despite her mother’s pleas to not go into show business, of course, went into show business. Which, you may have guessed, turned out pretty well for her. She shares some the highlights of her book, May You Live in Interesting Times, casually mentions her friendships with other show business stars like Richard Pryor and Weird Al, and her time at SNL. They also discuss Coachella, The Salton Sea, desert landscapes, and other things Laraine has a love for—and there’s some depression and childhood neglect thrown in for good measure.
Richard Russo called Gregory Brown’s debut novel, “...a lush, almost mythic portrait of a very specific place and time…” and you’ll get a good sense of that listening to Gregory speak about The Lowering Days. He tells Jeniffer about his process and the characters in the novel and the parts they play. He also explains how he researched the local Penobscot culture to get it right, as someone who’s not Indigenous.
Angela Bole is the CEO of the IBPA, and she tells Jeniffer and Chad a little about the history and purpose of the organization. They discuss how the Independent publishing industry has changed over the years and the upcoming virtual IBPA Publishing University. There are also some great tips on the importance of sticking to publishing conventions as an Indie author, and how education and community are the pillars of Indie publishing success. They even throw in some thoughts on desert island book picks.
IBPA Website
The Illness Lesson is historical fiction that takes place in the 19th century, and was inspired by true events. Namely, a mysterious mass illness.
Clare Beams talks with Jeniffer about how she managed to write about the time period without falling into the trappings of its writing conventions. She also explains why she chose the setting she did and how she managed to make it still feel modern and have modern themes. Oh, and what it feels like to have her book hailed as a masterpiece.
Just enough of The Illness Lesson's complexly woven plot is revealed to keep listeners intrigued without including spoilers. So if you love getting into the details, this episode is for you.
Warwick's
Website
Chris Whitaker’s most recent novel, We Begin at the End, was actually conceived of very early in his writing journey. Like few other authors, Chris never imagined he’d become a writer, but a traumatic event changed that. He started writing as a form of therapy to deal with the aftermath of that event, and to tell his story and express parts of himself in a ways completely removed from the personal. He also talks with Jeniffer about his process, how he found an agent, his missteps along the way, and the many jobs he had before landing a book deal. There’s also a bit of a listener Q&A at the end from the live version of this interview via Warwick’s Books.
Olga Grushin wrote her first story at just seven years old, and it happens to have been a fairy tale. She discusses why she chose to write in English, though Russian is her first language, and how it shapes the way she tells stories while retaining a Russian sensibility. The Charmed Wife is her latest book and she and Jeniffer discuss why she was inspired to reimagine Cinderella as a divorcee. Olga also talks about why she started writing, how she got an agent and a publisher, her genre-bending storytelling and much more. This one will make you rethink fairy tales and women’s roles in them. Oh, and yes, there is some discussion of talking mice.
Her memoir has been called harrowing, and her childhood was unimaginably traumatic. But today, Stephanie is a successful author, the CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design, and the founder of The Heritage Home Foundation. She tells you how through sheer will and resilience she came out on the other side, and how not taking no for an answer, plus her innate design skills landed her a book deal and a best selling book.
Website
Instagram
Sally Collings is a Book Proposal Expert, Ghostwriter and former Assistant Editor at Harper Collins and she knows her stuff. Jeniffer and Chad talk with Sally about her six fundamental elements of a winning book proposal, including building your platform, proof of concept, and choosing your publishing path. There’s so much that goes into it. This episode is full of valuable information on the process of writing a book proposal and when it’s time to do it. Are you ready?
Today's guest, Derek Lewis, is a business ghostwriter and author in his own right. Contrary to popular belief, the ghostwriter doesn't just write a book under someone else's name. Derek compares the ghostwriter to a midwife. A facilitator of the text, but not the creator. And it's a lot harder than you'd think. It requires the ability to write in the voice of the "author". So you have to have writing skills and the ability to read people and understand them really well, and kind of become them. You can find out more about this mysterious career by listening now.
Connect With Derek:
- Derek's website
- YouTube
This episode’s guests are Dan Smith, founder of Smith Publicity, and President, Sandy Smith. No, the last name isn’t a coincidence—they’re married.
Dan’s decision to start Smith Publicity in 1997 was a make-it-or-break-it plan, and his can-do attitude and dedication paid off.
Today Smith Publicity has served over 3,000 clients and Sandy and Dan are at full capacity representing traditional and self-published authors. But it wasn’t always that way. Some of Smith's first clients where strippers, mystics, and alien abductees whom Dan found endless creative ways to promote. He worked with the authors no one else would touch and it served them and his firm well. Entrepreneurs, authors, and anyone who loves a whacky origin story will appreciate this episode. And there’s even a touching, Hallmark style love story thrown in for good measure.
- Smith Publicity Website
Both The Editor and A Star is Bored have young, gay, male protagonists who find mentors in older, more powerful, albeit very different women. Both books are based a bit in reality of some sort. Oh, and Byron and Steven just happen to be live-in partners who both happen to be writers. They tell Jeniffer what inspired them to write their novels, what it's like living with another writer, their respective writing processes, and more. There's some fun anecdotes shared and a lot of questions answered. If you haven't already read The Editor or a Star is Bored, this episode will convince you that you should.
- Byron's Site
- Steven's Site
In another partnership with San Diego’s Warwick’s Books, Jeniffer talks with Literary Agent and
Author, Bill Clegg. In this episode, they discuss his latest book, The End of the Day, and do a deep dive into the philosophical questions raised about class, agency, privilege, and power through the eyes of his protagonist, Dana. It’s like a mini book club, and may help you see the book in a new light, or raise some questions of your own about what really matters at the end of the day.
- Find His Agency Here
- Author Website
Linda Olson was in her late twenties, newly married, and a doctor when she was in a horrible accident while on vacation with her family. The aftermath left her without her legs and her right arm. She thought she would lose her husband too. But it turns out, she adapted and so did he. In this episode Linda tells Jeniffer and Chad about her experience, and how she overcame what seems from her telling, the minor setback of finding yourself with only one limb to work with. Her story is full of adventure, laughter, and a ton of inspiration. You can find out more about Linda at lindakolson.com
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. In this episode, Wall Street Journal reporter, Justin Scheck talks with Jeniffer about his experience covering the Saudi royal family and the wild reality behind its power hungry prince. Blood and Oil, is a fascinating glimpse into the politics of oil, and how staggering wealth and unchecked ambition created what most would consider a true monster. MBS ordered the ruthless murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, proposed creating a city with a fake satellite moon and robot dinosaurs, and even imprisoned his own family members. But oddly enough, Justin’s biggest fear while on assignment in Saudi Arabia wasn’t MBS, but the crazy traffic there.
Set My Heart To Five is a book that examines the oddities of human behavior by observing them from the outside, via an Android named Jared. It's set in 2054 in what Simon calls a Mistopia. He and Jeniffer talk about how he came up with the idea for the novel and the ways we may relate to Jared when we really start thinking about it. They discuss how he transitioned from Doctor to Writer, a bit about his creative process, and whether he prefers writing screenplays or novels. They share their opinions about Japanese Whiskey Vs Scotch and you'll find out whether or not, Simon himself, is actually a robot.
Unlike anything you have ever read before, Set My Heart to Five is a love letter to outsiders everywhere. Plus it comes uniquely guaranteed to make its readers weep a minimum of 29mls of tears.*
*Book must be read in controlled laboratory conditions arranged at reader’s own expense. Other terms and conditions may apply to this offer.
Find him here:
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Twitter
IMDB
Goodreads
Warwick's
Sigrid Nunez is what may be considered a writer's writer, and she references other writers and the art itself often in her newest book, What Are You Going Through. In this episode she tells Jeniffer about her writing process—which starts with just the all important first sentence and builds from there—weaving a whole world by answering the questions that first sentence asks. Sigrid also tells Jeniffer what inspires her to write, and how she decided on the Stream of Consciousness style for What Are You Going Through. She also reads a beautiful passage from the book, and if that doesn't captivate you enough to tune in, maybe finding out why she edits as she goes will.
Find here here.
Ann Gonzales is the creator and facilitator of Easel Does it-Art and Recovery workshops and author of the magnificent children's book, Beloved and the Pepper Tree. She Considers herself an artist and seeker. She talks with Jeniffer about how the idea for her book came about, the process of finding her illustrator, and how she's built her brand with clever ideas and creative projects. Beloved and the Pepper Tree is her first book and it deals with facing change and the challenges that brings.
Find Ann's Website Here
Find Ann on Facebook
Jeniffer and Chad talk with John Vorhaus about what it takes to be a good comic writer and how some of those things may be inborn. They discuss everything from his writing process, and his experience teaching comedy writing all over the world, to ultimate frisbee, poker, and dumb jokes. And, yes, there really was a Russian version of Married with Children. John worked on that show and learned some valuable lessons about how comedy isn't always universal. So, knowing your audience is key.
Jan Eliasberg has written and directed for theater, film, and television, including shows like Miami Vice, Criminal Minds, and Nashville. In this episode Jeniffer and Chad speak with Jan about her novel, Hannah’s War. The novel was inspired by, and tells the story of, Hannah Weiss, a Jewish physicist working on splitting the atom. Hannah realizes the destructive potential of her work but as a woman, was not listened to, nor credited. Jan talks about how she was inspired by her discovery of the real-life Jewish, female Physicist in an old NYT article, who remained unnamed and uncredited for her work.
Jan discloses who she can imagine playing Hannah if her book is optioned for a film. Which as it turns out, may actually happen. She’ll also enthrall you with a reading from Hannah’s War.
You can find her here:
- Website
- Get the book here
Sara Schaefer is an Emmy winning stand up comedian and comedy writer who's been featured on too many comedy shows to mention. If you don't already know her work, you're missing out. This episode, in another partnership with Warwick's Books, goes deep into the process of how Sara wrote her memoir, what she learned from it, and covers topics everyone can relate to. You'll also get to hear Sara read a passage from Grand, about an all too familiar bad haircut experience. But, of course, you'll have to buy the book to get the full story.
Charles Rosenberg is not only the author of several novels based on imagined history, but a Law professor and script consultant for several Prime Time television shows, such as LA Law and Boston Legal. Charles gets his inspiration from examining history and observing the present to imagine how the past could have been vastly different just by a change in circumstance. Jeniffer talks with him about his most recent work, The Day Lincoln Lost, and how by imagining an alternative past he ended up creating parallels with current events unintentionally. This episode will get you thinking, and spark your imagination.
You might suspect Brad Thor's background hosting the TV series Traveling Lite had something to do with his interest in international espionage and adventure, and you'd be right. Brad tells Jeniffer about what got him started as a writer, how he created his series protagonist, Scot Harvath, and how that character has changed over the course of writing 20 books. You'll find out how Brad's path to success is an interesting story of hard work, dedication, and some honeymoon trip kismet.
The San Diego Writers Festival was born out of a passion to unite our community through storytelling and to give a voice to those who often feel voiceless. We celebrate inclusivity and accessibility, creating a day that celebrates all races, genders, religions and abilities. If you missed our inaugural event, we’re pleased to announce that we will continue to offer year-round programming and resources for writers. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list for what’s to come in 2019, and what’s on the horizon for 2020!
The San Diego Writers Festival:
Uniting San Diego—One Story at A Time
http://sandiegowritersfestival.com/
Today’s episode goes into detail about how and why Ackerman wrote his latest novel, Red Dress in Black and White. You’ll hear how his work is informed by his experience living overseas and how his themes are born out of real world events. This episode is a detailed exploration of his creative process. Oh, and it turns out, Eliot was also in the CIA, and Jeniffer tries to get him to reveal what he may know about a certain agency plot involving a 1980’s Hair Metal band and the Cold War.
In today’s episode Jeniffer and Chad talk with Carlos De Los Rios about Hollywood insider stuff, how he came into screenwriting, and some of the work he’s done. They get into some details of his first producer credit, the documentary, The Curse of the Man Who Sees UFOs. They talk Hollywood film history, tropes, and speculate as to the future of filmmaking in a post-COVID world. Carlos also has some suggestions for good stuff to stream right now, since production is currently halted. And you’ll be reminded that all good stories have a very simple structure that’s been around almost since story telling began.
Carlos can be found at: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0209856/
Today’s episode is a conversation in partnership with Warwick’s Books. Jeniffer talks with Jason Stanley about his latest book, How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. Stanley is a Professor of Philosophy at Yale University and contributor to publications such as NYT and Boston Review. He also serves on the board of the Prison Policy Initiative. He explains how Fascism is insidious in that it’s not just a regime. It’s many things. It’s policy. It’s language and rhetoric. And it’s dangerous to not know it when we see it. Jason breaks down a myriad of examples, that you’ll probably recognize, to support his points.
Mark Coker, founder of the ebook publishing and distribution platform, Smashwords talks with Jeniffer and Chad about the world of Indie publishing. He tells them about why and how he started Smashwords, the inner workings of the machine that is Amazon, how Smashwords is different, and they discuss what it really means to be an Indie author. And of course, there are some fun, off topic musings about talking Japanese toilets.
In this episode Author and Artist, Keith Rosson chats with Jeniffer and Chad about his latest novel, Road Seven; a genre-bending mix of character driven literary fiction and Sci-Fi/fantasy. There's talk of everything from exploding whales, to unicorns, to how important consuming art is in relation to creating it. And of course, some excellent, practical advice on the writing process, query letters, the benefit of writing groups, and what inspires Keith to write what he does.
Marni Freedman, writing coach and co-founder of the San Diego Writer's Festival joins Jeniffer and Chad to discuss how physical distancing and Covid-19 challenges us and how we can respond. Marni discusses her new book, Writing to Heal, why she wrote it, and her process. She also explains how writing brings about mindfulness and ways we can use writing to cope and heal, now and always. There's also some talk of personal journeys,preppers, old cars, cheese puffs, and overcoming those little disasters life throws at us.
Today on The Premise Chad and Jeniffer talk to Jerry Yudelson about his role in the first Earth Day, his newest book, "The Godfather of Green", and how we can look to other cultures and even the past to create solutions for now and the future. Jerry is a Harvard and Cal Tech educated civil and environmental engineer and the author of 14 books on global green building and sustainable design. He reminds us that small things we do can make a difference, and also of the progress we've made, despite what we're seeing that seems to be to the contrary. This episode has some amusing anecdotes about the 1970's, and early environmentalism, and reminds us that there is hope and not all is lost.
Find Jerry Here:
https://jerryyudelson.net/
https://twitter.com/jerryyudelson
Jeniffer and Chad talk with Jeff Ourvan in this episode. Jeff is currently a literary agent, writer and writing coach. They talk about his past as a corporate attorney, the wonder of rocks and fishing, and how Jeff ended up where is today after a past full of varied careers. You'll learn about the value of workshops and a fancy educations, or lack thereof, the state of Indie publishing, and many more valuable tidbits. There also happens to be a brief discussion of a UFO sighting. But Jeff says he can't discuss it fully. Intriguing, right?
Find him here:
https://thewriteworkshops.com/
https://twitter.com/WriteWorkshopNY
Eilene Zimmerman, long-time journalist and contributor to The New York Times talks with Jeniffer and Chad about her new memoir, Smacked:A Story of White Collar Ambition, Addiction and Tragedy. Eilene shares how she was oblivious to her successful ex-husband's addiction until tragedy struck. She also explains her process in deciding how and why to tell her story. This is an eye-opening episode on hidden realities, but as usual, there's some fun book talk and interesting musings from the hosts and their guest.
Find her online here:
- Website
While Warwick's may have canceled their in-house author events, they're still shipping books. Help independent bookstores and keep yourself safe and entertained in these unsure times.
- Julies Picks
- Warwick's
- San Diego Writer's Festival
Elise is most interested in well-written narrative non-fiction (particularly trade-friendly history, cultural studies, and science) as well as character-driven literary fiction.
Some of Elise's representative non-fiction titles include Cynthia Barnett’s Rain: A Natural and Cultural History (Crown), which was long-listed for the National Book Award and the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award; Meera Subramanian's A River Runs Again: India’s Natural World in Crisis, from the Barren Cliffs of Rajasthan to the Farmlands of Karnataka (Public Affairs); Jack Shuler's The Thirteenth Turn: A History of the Noose (Public Affairs); Jonathon Keats’s You Belong to the Universe: Buckminster Fuller and the Future (Oxford University Press); Leo Braudy's Haunted; Jane Vandenburgh's The Wrong Dog Dream: A True Romance (Counterpoint); Billy Smith's Ship of Death: The Voyage That Changed the Atlantic World (Yale); and more.
Find her online here
Follow her on Twitter
Jeniffer and Chad talk to Audio Book Narrator, Writer and Performer Tavia Gilbert. They discuss her background in theater and how one ah-ha moment sparked her passion. She tells them how she got her start narrating audio books and the details of the process that goes into it. Gilbert gives some good tips on having an audio friendly voice, talks about how her past informs the tone of the characters she narrates, and proves that when one door shuts, there is always another way in. This one might also leave you pondering why teachers, of all people, sometimes discourage their students from following their dreams. It'll also remind you that those teachers aren't always right.
Find her at: https://taviagilbert.com/
Dr. Gloria Chance is a Creative/Expressive Arts and Peak Performance Psychologist and the Founder, CEO The Mousai Group. In this episode Jeniffer and Chad talk with her about her work bringing art and business together to find creative solutions. Dr. Chance tells them about her workshops and retreats and her holistic processes to create new patterns and trigger active creative thinking. This one is a fascinating look into our minds and how our past and habits can affect our choices and limit our progress—but more importantly, it shows us how we can change them! So let your guard down and open yourself to the possibilities.
Visit her website here: https://themousaigroup.com/
Brooke Warner is publisher of She Writes Press and SparkPress, president of Warner Coaching Inc. and the author of Write On, Sisters!, Green-light Your Book, and What’s Your Book? She's also a TEDx speaker and the former Executive Editor of Seal Publishing and a current columnist at Publishers Weekly. And these are just some of her accomplishments. In this episode Jeniffer and Chad talk with Brooke about why she left traditional publishing and forged her own path forward with a mission to create more diversity in the publishing world. She also gives some valuable inside information on the publishing world and tips on how aspiring Indie authors can make it.
She Writes Press
Visit her site
Buy Brooke's books
Susan Blackwell is a Broadway and TV actor, who is also a playwright and host of the talk show, Side by Side by Susan Blackwell. Chad and Jeniffer talk with her about some of the outrageous things she's done on stage as well as her experience in the corporate world and ultimate escape from it. Susan explains how she maintains balance in her life and they talk creativity, impostor syndrome, and the vampires of self-doubt that plague even the most accomplished and seemingly self-confident of us. This one is engaging, hilarious and even has a really interesting deviled egg recipe.
Check out her acting reel here.
Her IMDB page is here.
Check out Side by Side with Susan Blackwell here.
Prolific writer and author of the NYT Bestseller, Shanghai Girls, Lisa See talks with Jeniffer and Chad about how she began writing books and how those humble aspirational beginnings turned into a life-long career. Her other works include Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, and most recently, The Island of Sea Women, among several others. They discuss her writing process, her inspiration, and the time it takes to research her historical dramas. Lisa also gives a bit of a lesson on the tea making process and admits that though she definitely has a brand, she's still not really sure what that means.
Marika Flatt, Founder of PR By the Book, a book publicity firm, and Travel Editor for Texas Lifestyle Magazine talks with Jeniffer and Chad about her path to the world of publicity. You'll learn what she and other publicity firms do. And don't do. They also talk about who does what during the book marketing process and what's expected of authors themselves. Marika tells The Premise how she manages to do all she does, and what it's like to own your own business and work with your spouse—which Jeniffer and Chad may know a thing or two about.
In this episode, Jeniffer and Chad have the pleasure of talking with Belo Cipriani, Founder of Oleb Books, Oleb Media and the author of the memoir, Blind. Belo is also an equal rights advocate, journalist, and a Lambda Literary and Yaddo fellow—amongst other titles.
They discuss his path to entrepreneurship, career shifts, and the events that drove those decisions, including the one that changed the trajectory of his life by leaving him blind. This one will make you think! And introduce you to some fascinating details and impressive technologies that you may be completely unaware of if you happen to be able-bodied.
Find Belo at: https://olebbooks.com/
And: https://belocipriani.com/
Check out Joe's website at: https://www.joeide.com/
He'll also be at the San Diego Writers Festival on April 4th 2020
https://sandiegowritersfestival.com/
Check out Mara's website at http://www.mara-altman.com/
Check out Mara's hilarious videos here: http://bit.ly/2Si18jx
In this episode Jeniffer and Chad talk with Laura Cathcart Robbins & Scott Slaughter of the podcast, The Only One in the Room. They discuss everything from the origins of their podcast to life as a podcasting couple. Plus they share their favorite episodes and biggest challenges, and talk movies, inspiration and the true meaning of equity. There's even a meet-cute in there.
This episode's guest is Marni Freedman, Writing Coach and co-founder of the San Diego Memoir Writers Association and the San Diego Writers Festival. They talk about her and Jeniffer pulling off a major writing festival against the odds and their other co-projects as partners in almost-crime. They discuss crafty ways to sneak true intentions and cultural signifiers past Hollywood gatekeepers, how rough times can bring the brightest kinds of inspiration, and finding paths to our true callings in unexpected ways. And of course, the all important question: Which Muppet are you? Marni wears a lot of hats, some of which are actual hats, but she’s a lady that is doing a lot of powerful things in the San Diego writing community.
In this mini-episode Jeniffer ventures out to join Julie Slavinsky, Director of Events, at La Jolla's boutique bookstore, Warwick's. They chat about the store's history, its upcoming events, and the hottest books of the moment. If you're a reader who loves to stay on top of the what's what and who's who in the literature scene you've gotta listen to this high-energy mini.
Jeniffer and Chad talk with Lee Wind, Director of Marketing & Programming at IBPA, about his mission to write the books he wishes he'd read as a gay youth. They discuss Lincoln, examining history in closer detail to reveal the true selves of historical figures, and how it can create new role models and new perspectives. You'll also hear from Lee about his writing process, his ups and downs in the publishing world, and the wild tale of a rogue agent( the literary kind).
Thanks to Gill Sotu for coming into the studio and chatting with us. Check out more of his work GillSotu.com
Also thanks to our sponsors:
- Writing coach Marni Freedman
- Design firm and platform builders Monkey C Media
- Last but certainly not least San Diego Writers Festival