Taking 5 with Kerri Maher: Recent Episodes
Kerri Maher
Welcome to Taking 5, a podcast about the writing process, where I ask my favorite authors five burning questions about what happens at their writing desks.
Taking 5 with Melodie Winawer who lets us in on the secrets of her subway writing, her youthful crush on Alexander the Great, and why history is magical. If you want a copy of her gorgeous recent novel ANTICIPATION head to the Yankee Book Shop for a signed copy!
Natalie Jenner had the most lovely, wise, and generous perspective on the writing life I have heard in a long time. And her bestselling novel BLOOMSBURY GIRLS is available signed at my own local indie Wellesley Books, where you can also get signed copies of Paris Bookseller. As they are both novels about brave, female literary entrepreneurs, they make terrific companion reads.
Another AMAZING CONVERSATION with my friend and agency sister Kate Quinn about, well, everything. Lots of laughter and deep insights. Thank you, Kate! And if you haven’t read it yet, her latest THE DIAMOND EYE about a Ukrainian librarian turned sniper is not to be missed! You can buy it here.
I learned so much on this edition of Taking 5 with Weina Randel! If you want to understand character, and what writers do to develop character, Weina gives an amazing and FUN mini master class here - and if you want a signed copy of the bestselling LAST ROSE OF SHANGHAI contact Belmont Books.
Taking 5, Episode 1 of Season 2 with Elise Hooper is in the books! Elise is a good friend of mine and we had a great time talking about the worst writing advice she’s ever gotten, the amazing dollhouse she’s working on, and her latest novel ANGELS OF THE PACIFIC, which you can buy here.
Robin is one of my oldest writer friends (from MFA days at Columbia) and her latest novel is going to be made into a movie! Join us for our conversation about juice, Kafka, and getting loose.
You can buy her book The End of Getting lost here.
Candles, train tracks, and the best quote ever - “Leap and the net will appear.” What an amazing chat with Allison Pataki, whose historical novels have really shown me how it’s done.
You can buy her book The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post here.
Diana and I talk everything form the first coffee in southern Italy, Joan Didion, to Italian swear words. This was a real treat!
You can buy her book Antoinette's Sister here.
A blue cow, fast and furious first drafts, and a woman whose figure is all over NYC - my friend Fiona Davis is full of the most wonderful tidbits about the writing life!
You can buy Fiona's latest book The Magnolia Palace here.
The Great Gatsby, Steven King, and badass female action figures- it’s all here on my chat with Jillian Cantor.
Buy Jillian's most recent novel Beautiful Little Fools here.
Fact meets fiction all over the place in my chat with Kimmery Martin whose novel Doctors and Friends is about a fictional viral pandemic (written before Covid!) It’s gotten 3 starred reviews and is not to be missed!
Buy Kimmery's most recent book Doctors and Friends here.
Writing buddies, Hamilton, and GREAT TBR confessions - it’s all here in my conversation with Lori Goldstein!
Buy Lori's most recent book Love, Theodosia here.
A well-loved copy of Ulysses, endurability, and fashion drawing - I learned and laughed so much during this chat with Natasha Lester. And follow her on Instagram for truly wonderful and helpful tidbits about the writing life.
Buy Natasha's most recent book The Riviera House here.
Tune in for burned spaghetti, dirt from the battle of Waterloo, and covid proofing Santa’s village - Hope you can watch my fascinating chat with Lecia Cornwall.
You can buy Lecia's most recent book Women at the Front here.
The Mitfords, Diet Coke, and indie bookstore ❤️- it’s all here on my chat with Michelle Gable of The Bookseller's Secret, which is an international bestseller!
You can buy Michelle's most recent book The Bookseller's Secret here.
Spies, Churchill, chai, and giveaways - Had such a great time chatting with Stephanie Thornton about her novel. If you liked The Americans, this novel about Cold War double agent Elizabeth Bentley is for you!
You can buy Stephanie's most recent book A Most Clever Girl here.
Tartan blankets, meta advice, and English writers giving each other the side eye in my conversation with Evie Dunmore. I absolutely love Evie’s sharp, witty, steamy novels, and I am thrilled for this new release.
Stationery stores, debutantes, and classic films - it’s all here in the Taking 5 with my agency sister Georgie Blalock!
Such a fun conversation with my good friend Heather Webb about her latest co-written novel with Hazel Gaynor, THREE WORDS FOR GOODBYE - hand cream, cooking, and cowriting questions all answered!
Ravioli, Paris, and Tazo tea tips - oh my!!! Tune in for my conversation with Kaia Alderson on the eve of her historical debut, SISTERS IN ARMS, which I ❤️❤️❤️❤️. It’s gotten amazing reviews and is a Book of the Month pick!
Join me and my good friend Elise Hooper as we talk about her novel FAST GIRLS, about 3 women runners in the 1936 games, as well as Chapstick, and Michelle Obama.
Lots of laughter and arm-chills talking to Stephanie Dray about her gorgeous novel THE WOMEN OF CHATEAU LAFAYETTE, hand cream, water jugs, and writing serendipity.
Join me for a dream come true conversation with the amazing Kate Quinn whose novel The Alice Network was one of my mentor texts as I learned to write historical fiction! With plenty of laughter, we talk about all things writing in this segment, including mug warmers.
You can buy Kate's most recent book The Rose Code here.
Special pool office edition of the Taking 5 where I chat with my agency and publishing sister Kristin Beck about her gorgeous novel Courage my Love, Victor Hugo, and finding snatches of time to write in a busy life.
You can buy Stephanie's most recent book Courage my Love here.
I am so excited for you to hear me lob my 5 usual questions at Nuala as well as chat about our mutual subject, James Joyce. And also Frank McCourt!
You can buy Nuala's most recent book Nora here.
Learn all about Christine Wells novel Sisters of the Resistance, Catherine Dior, and Paris during WW2!
You can buy Christine's book Sisters of the Resistance here.
Eliza and I discuss the intersection of romance and historical fiction, along with some great writing desk must haves!
You can buy Eliza's book You've got Plaid here.
USA Today bestselling author Renee Rosen joins for Taking 5!
You can buy Renee's book The Social Graces here.
Brenda and I always have the best time talking books and life, and this was no exception - a 31.5 carat “vulgar” diamond ring, personalized notebooks, and “why don’t you pick one and finish.” There are some real gems in here!
You can buy Brenda's most recent book The Liz Taylor Ring here.
Russian royalty in Canada, perfume power, and long hand first drafts - it’s all here in this Taking 5 with Bryn Turnbull. The Last Grand Duchess is a gorgeous novel about to Romanov family - heartbreaking and fascinating. Pick up your copy tomorrow, and listen to Brynn on her best advice and inspiration.
You can buy Bryn's latest book The Last Grand Duchess here.