The Liars Club Oddcast: Recent Episodes
Keith Strunk
The Liars Club Oddcast
A bunch of people who make stuff up for a living, interviewing other people who make stuff up for a living. All while drinking beer and wine in the middle of the day. What could possibly go wrong? Join us for a lively round of lies and exaggerations featuring everyone from NY Times Bestselling authors to National Book Award finalists to debut novelists, screenwriters, actors and more. Hosted by The Liars Club. Sorry, not responsible for the truthiness of any content, because, Liars. Pants currently on fire. Ouch.
Qian Julie Wang is the author of the memoir BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY (a #ReadWithJenna Best Book of 2021). In her memoir she lays bare how the fear underlying growing up as an illegal immigrant warps and distorts your life, your world. It’s a harrowing conversation, with Oddcast authors Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Steve Zettler's highly acclaimed plays and novels include THE SECOND MAN, RONIN, and THE CROSSWORD MYSTERIES cowritten with his wife, Cordelia Biddle. He shares tips about writing, collaborating with your spouse, and his latest novel, CARELESS LOVE with Oddcast authors Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Margo Rabb has won acclaim and awards writing novels, short stories, essays, journalism, and book reviews, has been published in The NY Times, The Atlantic, Slate, Salon, Marie Claire, Zoetrope and many more. She talks about the importance of gardens in her work, her lucky writing pants, and her latest YA novel, LUCY CLARK WILL NOT APOLOGIZE, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
Award-winning journalist and NY Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother talks about writing true crime, keeping the darkness in her books out of her head, what happened when one of her subjects showed up at an event, and more, including her latest book, DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD: INSIDE THE CORONADO MANSION CASE, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
Sidewise Award winner Rick Wilber joins us to talk about baseball in science fiction, writing college textbooks, and the aliens who just want to make a profit off of Earth in his latest novel, ALIEN DAY, the sequel to his Campbell Award-nominated ALIEN MORNING. With Oddcast hosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Fran Wilde, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Sunburst award-winning author and Nebula and Lambda finalist A.C. Wise has two books coming out this year -- her debut novel WENDY, DARLING and short story collection, THE GHOST SEQUENCES. A.C. talks about Peter Pan, writing communities, corgi puppies, and finding inspiration everywhere, with podcast regulars Fran Wilde, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk.
Screenwriter, director, actor, and critically acclaimed author John McFetridge discusses writing for different media, being “Canada’s answer to Elmore Leonard,” his approach to writing and more, including his latest book, EVERY CITY IS EVERY OTHER CITY, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Fran Wilde, and Keith Strunk.
On this Oddcast, Nebula- and Campbell-award-winning author Sam J. Miller, whose novels—THE BLADE BETWEEN, BLACKFISH CITY, and THE ART OF STARVING—have been called "must reads" and "bests of the year" by USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR, talks about gentrification horror, social activism, whaling, and floating cities with hosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Fran Wilde, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
A. S. King is the highly-acclaimed, award-winning, and bestselling author of 13 YA and middle grade novels, plus numerous short stories and essays. She talks about the writing process, how personal tragedy impacts and informs her writing, Aevidum.com, and her new book SWITCH, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
Bestselling author and founder of Polis Books, Jason Pinter talks about publishing in the age of COVID, the diverse voices of the Agora imprint, and his latest book, A STRANGER AT THE DOOR, which won starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
This week non-fiction author Marjorie Sandor discusses her new historical fiction debut, THE SECRET MUSIC OF TORDESILLAS, which won the Tuscarora Award. She shares her book's odd origin, how inconvenient details power her fiction and how serendipity can lead to creativity. With Oddcast hosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Joel Burcat, environmental lawyer and author of environmental legal thrillers talks about his latest thriller, AMID RAGE, incorporating his work life into his writing, adapting his writing process as he became legally blind, and how he keeps themes and ideas from getting in the way of story. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
Global bestselling mystery author (20 million copies in print!) Faye Kellerman talks about writing a novel a year, co-writing with her best-selling husband Jonathan Kellerman, creating Orthodox Jewish protagonists, using her training as a dentist and much more. With cohosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
In our 200th episode, the Liars look back at four years of interviews with authors, from NY Times bestsellers to Nebula award winners to debuts. Plus much conversation, debate, and beer. Join cohosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk as they share the surprises from 199 podcasts. With many thanks to all of our listeners who have traveled this journey with us.
In our last Rewind, we welcome the host of The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn to the Oddcast, Ben Vaughn. A singer, songwriter, record producer, and composer for TV and film, Ben talks about his organic connection to music, how writing for TV sharpened his craft, writing an Italian dance hit, and what led him to record an entire album in the back of a 1965 AMC Rambler. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
We'll see you next week with a new interview!
This week's Rewind features Orange Prize winning literary historical fiction writer, NY Times Bestseller, and Yale scholar Madeline Miller, author of the acclaimed SONG OF ACHILLES and CIRCE, which was optioned by HBO. She talks about writing, teaching the classics, and more with Oddcast cohosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week's Rewind features award-winning writer/illustrator team Lesa Cline Ransome and James E. Ransome, talking about working separately and together, their creative processes, and BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET, their highly acclaimed new picture book biography of Harriet Tubman. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk.
The LC Oddcast wishes all of our friends, fellow liars, lovers and other strangers a happy, healthy, and safe 2021!
Eoin Colfer is an author, screenwriter and playwright most famous for the internationally bestselling Artemis Fowl books. Jon McGoran talks with Colfer about writing the final Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy novel, the upcoming Artemis Fowl movie (released in June 2020), and his new adult fantasy, HIGHFIRE. His latest novel, DENY ALL CHARGES was released in October 2020. Recorded in front of a live audience as part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s author series.
The first in our year-end rewind of Oddcasts Past features Nebula, Hugo and Locus award-winning fantasy and science fiction author Martha Wells. She talks about her acclaimed novella series which is the basis of her new novel (released May 2020) NETWORK EFFECT: A MURDERBOT NOVEL, writing without an outline, the value of workshops, and the creation of a “first-person omniscient” voice in her conversation with cohosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Wendy Tyson is a lawyer, former therapist and the author of 11 books, including the bestselling Greenhouse Mystery Series, as well as numerous short stories. This week, she talks about her work with the International Thriller Writer Organization (ITW), incorporating environmental issues into her work, and her latest book, SOWING MALICE, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Fran Wilde and Keith Strunk.
The former senior editor of ALA’s Booklist Online and executive editor of Booklist Publications, Keir Graff is an author, editor, screenwriter and publisher of the Graff Paper newsletter. On this week’s Oddcast, he discusses screenwriting and collaborating across genres as well as his latest books, THE THREE MRS WRIGHTS (cowritten with Linda Joffe Hull under "Linda Keir") and the middle-grade novel THE TINY MANSION. Co-hosted by Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Fran Wilde, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
On this week’s Oddcast, literary and historical fiction author Therese Anne Fowler, New York Times best-selling author of Z: A NOVEL OF ZELDA FITZGERALD, A WELL BEHAVED WOMAN: A NOVEL OF THE VANDERBILTS, and her latest, A GOOD NEIGHBORHOOD. She discusses adapting Z for television with Amazon, addresses how to tackle historical biographical novels about women maligned in their own time; and reveals secrets of a novel where the narrator is the collective neighborhood itself. With Oddcast cohosts Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Fran Wilde, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Bestselling mystery/thriller/crime author Lisa Regan has published 16 books in eight years. On this week’s Oddcast she talks about her publishing journey with big and small publishers, writing series vs. standalones and across genres, and her latest Detective Josie Quinn mystery, SAVE HER SOUL. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Dennis Tafoya, and Keith Strunk.
A writer for MTV, FX, Amazon, CW & Paramount and a contributor to TV.com, TV Guide, MSNnow, and Gawker's Morning After, Lily Sparks joins the Oddcast to talk about painting, acting, and her acclaimed debut YA novel TEEN KILLER CLUB, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Dennis Tafoya, and Keith Strunk.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable with writers’ tips on how to successfully write conflict into your novels and short stories. An honest discussion about the pitfalls to avoid and techniques to embrace for creating compelling conflict. With Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Fran Wilde, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Crime fiction and graphic novel author Gary Phillips talks about mixing hardboiled noir and social issues, what explaining comics to his father taught him about story, collaborating on DC's The Killing Joke, plus his latest novel MATTHEW HENSON AND THE ICE TEMPLE OF HARLEM. With Oddcast cohosts Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, Fran Wilde, and Keith Strunk.
YA thriller novelist and Buffy the Vampire Slayer podcaster Adam Sass talks about conversion therapy, writing/working at Starbucks and his highly acclaimed debut novel SURRENDER YOUR SONS, described as a queer Lord of the Flies meets the TV series Lost. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Fran Wilde, and Keith Strunk.
Bestselling suspense author D.J. Palmer joins the Oddcast for a rollicking fun conversation about his new novel THE NEW HUSBAND, how he landed in the domestic suspense genre and his creative connection to his famous author father, Michael Palmer. With Oddcast hosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable with writers’ tips and techniques on how to successfully weave facts into your novels and short stories. Inspired by a question from Joel Burcat (author of DRINK TO EVERY BEAST), an honest discussion about how much information the reader needs, and techniques to avoid info dumping. With Oddcast regulars Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week on the Oddcast, award-winning fantasy novelist Caroline Stevermer talks about author collaboration, writing epistolary novels and fairy tales, and her latest from Tor Books, THE GLASS MAGICIAN. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, and Merry Jones.
This week we welcome urban fantasy author Dennis K. Crosby to the Oddcast to talk about his debut novel DEATH'S LEGACY, releasing November 17. Dennis talks about his journey from a poetry writing private investigator to novelist, his experiences working with a hybrid publisher and where he plans to expand his universe in the next book. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
On the Oddcast this week, we talk to Lisa Kohn, author of the gripping memoir to the moon and back: a childhood under the influence, which details her childhood indoctrination into the Unification Church (which most of us know as the “Moonies.”) She discusses the difficulty of writing about her family’s inner demons and her own spiritual quest for balance. With Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
The Oddcast is re-running a block of some of our most popular Authors Roundtables to help jumpstart your writing. Learn tips and techniques on battling writers block. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, now featuring a new introduction from Liars Club authors Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
For a more visual experience, watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/mJtt8IljMz8
The Oddcast is re-running a block of some of our most popular Authors Roundtables to help jumpstart your writing. Learn tips and techniques on battling the "mushy middle" of a novel or what the Liars call the Mid-Book Crisis. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, now featuring a new introduction from Liars Club authors Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
For a more visual experience, watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/kshsOeVpCkI
The Oddcast is re-running a block of some of our most popular Authors Roundtables to help jumpstart your writing. Learn tips and techniques about the challenges and importance of setting. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, now featuring a new introduction from Liars Club authors Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
For a more visual experience, watch this episode on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/MzopkYzDtLo
The Oddcast is re-running a block of some of our most popular Authors Roundtables to help jumpstart your writing. Learn tips and techniques about the impact of good research and how to keep a useful tool from becoming an obsession. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, now featuring a new introduction from Liars Club authors Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
Catch this episode of the Oddcast on YouTube!
https://youtu.be/v2pPlocGJio
Philly Poe Guy, book reviewer, and manager of public programs for Philadelphia’s famed Rosenbach Museum, Ed Pettit talks about Poe’s place in Philadelphia, 19th century literary history, and working with the Rosenbach’s world-class collection of original manuscripts and personal papers from Marianne Moore, James Joyce, Bram Stoker, and more. With Oddcast cohosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
The founder of Miami’s famous Books & Books chain of indie bookstores and co-founder and chair of the Miami Book Fair, Mitchell Kaplan is also a film producer, podcaster and former president of the American Booksellers Association. He talks about the state of bookselling, film, festivals and more, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Daniel Biddle and distinguished former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Murray Dubin discuss their biography TASTING FREEDOM: OCTAVIUS CATTO AND THE BATTLE FOR EQUALITY IN CIVIL WAR AMERICA, as well as Catto’s role as a black civil rights activist in the 1800s, how his legacy was pushed aside by white historians, and sensitivity over the propriety of two white journalists writing black history. With Oddcast regulars Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
SciFi and fantasy author J. Dianne Dotson joins the Oddcast to discuss her new book ACCRETION, tips for success in indie publishing, rising to the challenge of the new virtual normal, building vital relationships with independent bookstores, and the challenges of women in space. With Oddcast regulars, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk.
The Oddcast turns the tables on mystery, thriller and sci-fi author (and Oddcast cohost) Jon McGoran, who talks about his books SPLICED, SPLINTERED and SPIKED, plus writing for adults and young adults, launching a book about a pandemic during a pandemic, and watching his stories come true, with his pals Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk.
This week we welcome the creator/host of the public radio show The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn, Ben Vaughn. A contributor to NPR’s Fresh Air, songwriter, record producer, and composer for TV and film as well as a singer/storyteller, Ben talks about his organic connection to music, how writing for TV sharpened his craft, accidentally writing an Italian dance hit, and what led him to record an entire album in the back of a 1965 AMC Rambler. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk
The bestselling author of 19 books spanning the genres of YA adventure, magical realism, crime fiction and suspense, Jess Lourey discusses her process, pubbing with small presses vs. Amazon, and the terrifying true story behind her latest novel, UNSPEAKABLE THINGS. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable with writers's tips and techniques for beginning a story. How to craft a hook, how to raise story questions and how much is too much. An honest discussion filled with ideas for effective beginnings with Oddcast regulars Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
NY Times bestselling and award-winning Science fiction author, former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and creator of the hugely popular blog, Whatever, John Scalzi talks about elements of genre, his 10-year book deal with Tor, series vs. standalones, and his new book THE LAST EMPEROX, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
Acclaimed author and screenwriter Scott Phillips talks about writing crime/noir, westerns and dystopian, seeing Harold Ramis turn his debut, THE ICE HARVEST into a feature film starring John Cusack & Billy Bob Thornton, and his newest book, THAT LEFT TURN AT ALBUQUERQUE, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons & Keith Strunk.
Award-winning new journalist, screenwriter & author Robert Ward talks about his new novel THE STONE CARRIER, writing movies and TV shows like Miami Vice and Hill Street Blues, and that time Larry Flynt threatened to kill him (then tried to hire him), with Oddcast regulars Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
On the Oddcast this week, author Sally Whitney. Her latest novel, WHEN ENEMIES OFFEND THEE, is just out. She talks about creating a fictional North Carolina mill town where many secrets lie buried, and what it’s like to have the audio version of your story recorded by Edward Asner and Ellen Burstyn. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Photo Credit: Karen Leigh Studios
Former Reporter and editor Dotty Brown talks about her nonfiction collaboration with Columbia School of Journalism classmates, INSIDE THE UPHEAVAL OF JOURNALISM: Reporters look back on 50 years of covering the news. And ....discusses the dizzying changes in the world of news and their impact, with Oddcast regulars Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, Jon McGoran, and Gregory Frost.
On this week’s Oddcast, Thomas Wade Jones talks about his new memoir, From Willard Straight to Wall Street, recounting his journey from participant in a 1969 armed takeover by African American students at Cornell University to vice chairman and CEO of corporations like John Hancock, Smith-Barney, Citigroup, Travelers Group, with Oddcast cohosts Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Today on the Oddcast, a special roundup for readers! We’re spotlighting the newly released, critically acclaimed books featured on A Mighty Blaze, where authors with cancelled book tours are getting a hand from fellow authors like Caroline Leavitt and Jenna Blum to publicize their books. With regulars Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran & Keith Strunk.
Titles featured in this episode include:
The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler
The Red Lotus by Chris Bohjalian
Beheld by TaraShea Nesbitt
The Small Crimes of Tiffany Templeton by Richard Fifeld
The Everlasting by Katy Simpson Smith
The Wartime Sisters by Linda Cohen Loigman
The Herd by Andrea Bartz
American Rebels by Nina Sankowitch
Separation Anxiety by Laura Zigman
Wine Girl by Victoria James
The Gringa by Andrew Atschul
I see you so Close by M Dressler
Finna by Nino Cipri
Spiked by Jon McGoran
Erica Ruth Neubauer reviewed mysteries and crime fiction for Publisher’s Weekly, the LA Review of Books and Mystery Scene Magazine before writing her acclaimed debut, MURDER AT THE MENA HOUSE. This week, she talks about her background in the military, cop and high school English, the biggest surprises of being a debut author, and more, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
"Who said that," she said? We say it's time for an authors roundtable on dialogue attribution. With writing tips on how to be clear and effective -- and how to avoid pitfalls like the siren call of the adverb. An honest discussion about dialogue attribution with cohosts Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week Nebula and multi-Award winning Romance and Erotica writers Charity Parkerson (Second Choice) and Jennifer Stevenson (Trash Sex Magic) gang up on the Oddcast with hilarious and helpful tips about writing good sex scenes, and how to make use of sexy witches and demons—with cohosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, and Jon McGoran.
Alison Gaylin, the USA Today and International bestselling author of 11 suspense novels, has won an Edgar Award, a Shamus and a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award. On this week's Oddcast, she talks about her journalism and theater background, cowriting the graphic novel NORMANDY GOLD with Megan Abbott, and her latest novel, IF I DIE TONIGHT, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable, with writing tips for how to make flashbacks an effective valuable tool, and warnings for when and why they can go spectacularly bad. An honest discussion about making flashbacks work with Oddcast cohosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week’s Oddcast features a special conversation between our own Jon McGoran and Eoin Colfer, international bestselling author of the Artemis Fowl books, Highfire, and many others. The conversation was part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s author series and was recorded in front of a live audience at Philadelphia’s Parkway Central Library. The interview is also available as an episode of the Free Library’s podcast, which includes an audience Q & A. https://libwww.freelibrary.org/podcast/episode/1898
Eoin Colfer is an author, screenwriter and playwright most famous for the internationally bestselling Artemis Fowl books, which have sold 25 million copies in 44 languages. Jon McGoran talks with Colfer about writing the final Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy novel, the upcoming Artemis Fowl movie, and his new adult fantasy, Highfire. This special episode of the Oddcast was recorded in front of a live audience as part of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s author series.
YA author Megan “MC” Atwood has written over 40 books for kids and teens, while working as an assistant professor in publishing for children (and she’s a former literary agent and senior editor in those genres, too.) She talks about children’s literature, publishing and her new YA novel THE DEVILS YOU KNOW, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk.
This week the Oddcast welcomes Newberry Medal winner Erin Entrada Kelly, author of HELLO, UNIVERSE, BLACKBIRD FLY, and LALANI OF THE DISTANT SEA.She talks to us about writing middle-grade and “tween” fiction, having study guides included in your books, and how it feels to have one novel being adapted by Netflix while another is being adapted for the stage. With Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Award-winning author, screenwriter, and performer Tori Eldridge has appeared on Broadway, television, and in film. On this week’s Oddcast, she talks about all that, plus being a fifth-degree black belt Ninja, her acclaimed debut mystery thriller, THE NINJA DAUGHTER, and going to school with Barack Obama. With cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Greg Frost & Keith Strunk.
Award winning author, actor, screenwriter and filmmaker Taylor Grant talks about working with Stan Lee; his job at online comic company Webtoon; screenwriting vs. prose; writing for kids, comedy, horror and other genres and his work adapting Jonathan Maberry’s Rot & Ruin. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones and Keith Strunk.
Washington Post Bestselling Author Sonja Yoerg joins the Oddcast to talk about writing literary women’s fiction like her May 2020 release, STORIES WE NEVER TOLD, making the switch from a Big Five publishing imprint to Amazon, and the crazy aquatic research she did for her next novel. With Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
What’s harder than writing a 400-page novel? Why, writing a 1/2 page agent query letter. Luckily author Kelly Simmons is a letter writing advertising specialist, and offers query tips from her book, How to Write a Great Freaking Query Letter. With Keith Strunk and Jon McGoran.
The final installment of our #tbt Rewind series features Jon's suggestion — The Edgar, Anthony, and ALA award-winning novelist and screenwriter Lou Berney. He joined us on the Oddcast in the Fall of 2018 to talk about writing novels vs. scripts, the overwhelming reception to his incredible book November Road, and that thing that happened in Cleveland. With Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
This week's #tbt Rewind features Kelly's suggestion -- New York Times best-selling YA novelist and National Book Award winner Robin Benway. She joins Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, and Keith Strunk to talk about writing for teens, finding writing inspiration at Costco, and her latest book, the 2017 National Book Award Winner Far from the Tree.
This week's #tbt Rewind features Greg's suggestion -- New York Times Bestseller Robert Crais, whose new book Dangerous Man, came out this summer. In this 2017 interview, he discusses his award-winning Elvis Cole thrillers, his abiding love for science fiction, and his intense dedication to television writing, working on Emmy winning shows like Hill Street Blues and Cagney & Lacey. It’s a crash-course on craft from this Grandmaster-Award-winning author. With Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week's #tbt Rewind features Merry's suggestion -- best-selling novelist and Oprah’s book club fave Sue Miller. Since we last spoke, Sue has been working on her eleventh novel, MONOGAMY, to add to her lineup of acclaimed novels including THE SENATOR'S WIFE and THE ARSONIST. Cohosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk cajole Ms. Miller into spilling secrets about writing controversial characters, plots brimming with tension, and time management for writers.
The first in our series of #tbt Rewinds features Academy Award winning composer and arranger Joe Renzetti. From Leon Redbone to Barry Manilow. From albums to films to his online curated music library envision-music.info. Joe Renzetti gives us the inside scoop about writing for, and working with, top actors and singers and musicians. A fascinating glimpse inside an award-winning career with Oddcast cohosts Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Gregory Frost.
Michael Ventrella is an author, editor, speaker and lawyer. His latest non fiction book is How to Argue the Constitution with a Conservative from Gray Rabbit Publications, featuring artwork from Pulitzer-Prize winning editorial cartoonist Darrin Bell. Anthologies include Baker Street Irregulars (co-edited with New York Times Bestselling Author Jonathan Maberry) and, most recently, Across the Universe, a Beatles-themed anthology (co-edited with Randee Dawn) from Fantastic Books. He also heads the Pocono Liars Club. He discusses why you want to refresh yourself on the Constitution, writing books about The Monkees, and wearing his editor's hat, with the Oddcast Irregulars: Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones and Keith Strunk.
This week an interview with award-winning publisher/editor/and now bookstore owner Gavin Grant. His publishing house, Small Beer Press, started in 2000 with a story collection, Stranger Things Happen, which Salon named a “Book of the Year,” and The Village Voice proclaimed as one of its 25 Best Books. He offers sage advice on navigating the mad world of publishing, and speaks to the return of the brick-and-mortar bookstore. With Liars Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
John Vercher is a novelist, short story writer and essayist whose fiction and nonfiction dealing with issues of race, identity, and parenting has appeared in Entropy Magazine, Cognoscenti, NPR and WBUR. His acclaimed debut novel, Three-Fifths, won starred reviews from Booklist and Library Journal and praise from everyone else. This week he discusses his writing and themes with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Today on the Oddcast, an authors’ roundtable on the writing life: work/life balance, rejection, finding an agent, dealing with publishers, deciding what to write about, crossing genres and more. With Oddcast cohosts Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk & Jon McGoran. Recorded live at Philadelphia Stories’ Push to Publish Conference.
Oddcast cohost Merry Jones is a guest this week, discussing writing, publishing, and how the industry has changed over the decades, plus her latest book, What You Don’t Know, her first standalone, first domestic thriller, and her twentieth book overall. With cohosts Keith Strunk, Gregory Frost and Jon McGoran.
Today on the Oddcast, international selling women’s fiction and suspense author Kelly Simmons joins us to talk about her new novel WHERE SHE WENT, how she researched college settings and wrote from the perspective of a teenager, and more, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones and Keith Strunk.
Today on the Oddcast, award-winning author and Needle Magazine co-founder John Hornor Jacobs talks about NaNoWriMo, novellas, writing in a connected universe, and his critically acclaimed books Southern Gods, The Incorruptibles, and the brand new A Lush and Seething Hell. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Nonfiction author Lise Funderburg talks about Apple, Tree: Writers on Their Parents, her new book of essays from writers including Ann Patchett and Jane Hamilton on the traits they’ve inherited from their parents, plus plot and pacing in her books Black, White, Other: Biracial Americans Talk about Race and Identity and HER MEMOIR Pig Candy: Taking My Father South, Taking My Father Home. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and nonfiction author Wendy Ruderman is best-known for cowriting “Tainted Justice,” a Philadelphia Daily News series exposing a rogue Philadelphia police narcotics squad, and the subsequent book, Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love. Wendy talks journalism vs. nonfiction books, collaboration, and being shadowed at work by Sarah Jessica Parker, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Jamie Mason is the acclaimed author of smart, character-driven thrillers like Three Graves Full, Monday’s Lie, and her latest, The Hidden Things. On this week’s Oddcast, she talks about writing complex people and broken families, framing stories, and her favorite whiskey, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable, with writing tips and advice on collaboration including managing boundaries, why contracts are important (especially with friends), and techniques for co-writing. An honest discussion about making collaboration work with Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Neal Shusterman is the best-selling and National Book Award-winning author of more than 50 books of YA fiction, nonfiction and poetry as well as a screenwriter, television writer, playwright, poet and film director. He talks about process, collaboration, writing for different media, ending series, and more, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones and Keith Strunk.
Co-president of Archie Comics, celebrated podcaster and acclaimed comic book and crime writer Alex Segura is the author of five novels in the Miami Mystery series, including the latest, Miami Midnight. He joins the Oddcast to talk about the similarities and differences in writing for different media, series vs. standalones, and saying good-bye to your series protagonist. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
Former publisher for MysteriousPress.com, current class director at LitReactor, and an award-winning crime writer, Rob Hart is author of the acclaimed new dystopian thriller The Warehouse. He talks about changing genres, working with James Patterson, and selling film rights to Ron Howard. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
This week, listen to the Orange Prize winning literary historical fiction writer, NY Times Bestseller, and Yale scholar Madeline Miller, author of the acclaimed Song of Achilles and Circe, which has just been optioned by HBO. She talks about writing, teaching the classics, and more with Oddcast cohosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Today on the Oddcast, Mark Oshiro talks about the Hugo-nominated Mark Does Stuff universe (Mark Reads and Mark Watches), their acclaimed debut young adult novel, Anger is a Gift, non-gendered pronouns, and their lifelong goal of petting every dog in the world. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones and Keith Strunk.
Novelist and Philadelphia Writers' Conference Board Member Stephanie King joins the Oddcast at the bar for a spirited look at genre fiction versus literary fiction, why we write, Appletinis, Sybil the Server, and more (along with drop-in authors Lanny Larcinese and Andrew Chadbourne). With cohosts Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk. Recorded at the 2019 Philadelphia Writers' Conference.
NY Times Best-Selling author and Liars Club co-founder Jonathan Maberry joins the Oddcast at the conference bar to talk about how building community fuels optimism, why he's helming the Weird Tales anthology reboot, how he kills friends, and more with cohosts Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk. Recorded at the 2019 Philadelphia Writers' Conference.
This week, author of the novel Phoenixville Rising and bookstore owner Robb Cadigan visits the Oddcast to discuss how shucking oysters, driving a forklift, editing TV Guide, and working as a television executive for QVC prepared him for the world of publishing and books and the struggles of writing. With Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
A special two-part Oddcast featuring select readings recorded at Noir at the Bar Philadelphia, April 14, 2019. Part two includes readings from Bill Lashner, Jane Kelly, Kelly Simmons, Matty Dalrymple, and Don Lafferty. Hosted by Jon McGoran with Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
A special two-part Oddcast featuring select readings recorded at Noir at the Bar Philadelphia, April 14, 2019. Part one includes readings from Merry Jones, Erik Arneson, Tony Knighton and Jen Conley. Hosted by Jon McGoran with Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
Poet and Philadelphia Writers' Conference President Autumn Konopka joins the Oddcast at the conference bar to talk about the struggles of a poet's life, her love of teen TV dramas, why she thinks poetry is a good beach read, and more with cohosts Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk. Recorded at the 2019 Philadelphia Writers' Conference.
Award-winning novelist and short-story writer Hilary Davidson discusses character and point of view, the importance of research, how her experience as a travel writer informs her fiction, and her critically acclaimed latest novel, One Small Sacrifice. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
On this week's Oddcast, a fascinating conversation with award-winning screenwriter, novelist, journalist and educator Howard A. Rodman, who talks about writing screenplays vs. novels, adapting your own work, and his acclaimed new novel, The Great Eastern. With Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
This week on the Oddcast, legendary literary agent Donald Maass talks about publishing industry trends, how to find an agent, the agent/author relationship, balancing agenting & writing, and the craft of writing a novel. With Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk.
A special live authors' roundtable is driven by questions from publishing execs and writers -- about idea theft, the dangers of creating characters from real people, the perils of writing near-future sci-fi, and more! Recorded live at the Towne Book Center and Wine Bar. Legendary children's book author Judy Schachner even shows up with a question or two for Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Award winning NY Times Best Selling children's book author and illustrator Judy Schachner offers a lively look at her unique writing process, her love of animals as characters and the challenges of starting a new series. Recorded live at Towne Book Center & Wine Bar with Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk.
Award-winning fantasy author Anna Kashina discusses her Majat Code novels, her latest book, SHADOWBLADE, and reveals how being a competitive ballroom dancer and a scientist can help with your writing. She joins Oddcast cohosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
Emmy nominated screenwriter/director Tim Kirkman talks about the screenwriting techniques he teaches at USC and UCLA, his new Amazon Prime film Lazy Eye, and what it was like to work at Miramax. With Oddcast regulars Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, and Gregory Frost.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable, with writing tips for crafting sex and violence scenes. it's an opportunity to either insightfully reveal characters at their most vulnerable, or spew out dialogue and action so clumsily written they reduce the story to laughable shtick. An honest discussion on when to employ these tools, and how far to take them. Join Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Jessica M. Rinker is the author of the children's picture book biography of Gloria Steinem, Gloria Takes a Stand, and the forthcoming, Send a Girl: The Brenda Berkman Story, due out in 2021. An award winning short story and creative nonfiction writer, she discusses the techniques for writing children's fiction, the challenges of condensing a person's life into a picture book and more, with Oddcast cohosts Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, and Jon McGoran.
Rachel Howzell Hall is the author of eight novels, including her latest, They All Fall Down, as well as the critically acclaimed Lou Norton series, featuring an African American woman detective in Los Angeles. This week, she talks race and class, standalones vs. series, and stealing time to write, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, and Greg Frost.
Angie Kim's debut novel Miracle Creek is a psychological thriller that is winning rave reviews and appearing on “best of” lists just about everywhere. On this week’s Oddcast Kim talks about her books, her writing process, and her journey from pre-teen immigrant to editor of the Harvard Law Review to trial lawyer to writer to big-deal debut author, with cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
On this week’s show, a no-holds-barred conversation with Danny Gardner—actor, director, screenwriter, comedian, crime novelist, and now, publisher—who talks about his novel A Negro and an Ofay, his new publishing imprint, Bronzeville Books, and lots and lots of other stuff, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Greg Frost and Keith Strunk.
Time for another spirited authors' roundtable on managing writing advice. You get it from agents, beta readers, fellow writers and yes even your mom and idiots on Facebook. But when should you heed it? An honest discussion about sifting bad advice from good, and choosing what's right for your writing career. Join Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week on the Oddcast, award-winning fantasy and science fiction author Martha Wells. Her latest work is a series of four novellas collectively titled The Murderbot Diaries. The first, All Systems Red, has already won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. She explores writing without an outline, the value of workshops, and the creation of a “first-person omniscient” voice in her conversation with cohosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Award-winning crime writer Richie Narvaez is a poet, essayist, editor & teacher. On this week’s Oddcast, he talks with cohosts Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, Merry Jones and Gregory Frost about writing short stories, his stint as president of the New York Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, and his debut novel, Hipster Death Rattle, which takes a sardonic look at gentrification, class tension, and, of course, murder.
On this week’s Oddcast, crime writer E.A. Aymar talks about his work with the International Thriller Writers Organization, what it’s like to co-edit a novel-in-stories with 14 contributors, his musical collaboration with DJ Alkimist, and his brand new standalone crime thriller, The Unrepentant, with co-hosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Greg Frost and Keith Strunk.
Award winning writer Lanny Larcinese published two novels and a memoir at an age when many people would rather retire and relax. Hear him talk about his fascinating writing journey, what he's learned about editing and publishing, and what he'd advise writers just starting out. Hosted by Oddcast regulars Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
Hear a wide-ranging discussion about writing for TV & film, structures in women's fiction, marketing novellas, book-pricing, book launch & promotional strategies & more! Hosted by Keith Strunk, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran & guest Liar Janice Gable Bashman. Recorded live at the Philadelphia Writers’ Coffeehouse.
Acclaimed historical thriller author & writer/editor for InStyle, Rolling Stone, and Entertainment Weekly, Nancy Bilyeau joins Oddcast hosts Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, Merry Jones & Gregory Frost to talk history, thrillers and research, being an Oprah pick & her latest book, The Blue.
Geoffrey Haines-Stiles is an internationally known, award-winning documentary writer & producer whose work, including Cosmos with Carl Sagan and Earth: The Operator's Manual, have been seen by over a billion people. He talks with hosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Keith Strunk & Jon McGoran about working with Al Gore, exploring seven continents, bringing his kids on location & the planethood of Pluto.
Katrina Carrasco’s acclaimed debut novel The Best Bad Things was on numerous "Best of 2018" lists. On this week’s Oddcast, Katrina joins hosts Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, Merry Jones and Greg Frost to discuss the origin of ideas, research for historical fiction, and writing about gender, sexuality, and social roles.
Lawrence H. Levy is a two-time Emmy-nominated and Writers Guild Award-winning TV writer and the author of the Mary Handley historical mysteries, including his latest, Last Stop in Brooklyn. He joins Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, Greg Frost and Merry Jones to discuss the differences between writing books and TV scripts, his experience on shows including Roseanne, Fantasy Island, and Seinfeld, and the secret power of mangoes.
This week on the Oddcast, Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson, co-authors of the Wall Street Journal and Amazon #1 Bestselling Tier One series of thrillers, talk about their collaborative process, the perils of pen names, and how their military backgrounds inform their writing, with hosts Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, and Gregory Frost.
For the 100th episode, cohosts Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk pick the Best of 2018 Oddcasts featuring; Robin Benway, Samuel R. Delany, David Morrell, KJ Howe, Ray Porter & Robert Fass, Lesa Cline Ransome & James E. Ransome, Richard Ratay, Bernard Schaffer, Lou Berney, Joe McGee, Kate Moretti, Genese Davis, Armand Rosamilia & Jonathan Maberry, Brad Parks, Andy Duncan, Nicholas Wardigo, Nathan Ballingrud, Ellen Datlow, Megan Ericksen, Lucas Mangum, Simon Wood, and Barry Lyga.
David Ivester, director of Author Guide, shares proven insights on marketing, publishing, and promotion for authors with cohosts Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk featuring tips on promotion, marketing and building community for writers.
A four-time Emmy winner as a writer for "Bill Nye the Science Guy", Lynn Brunelle is the award winning author of over 45 titles, many of them children's books that make science fun for kids. She joins cohosts Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk to talk about her books, her nerdy mom memoir, her science music videos, and other amazing stuff, like for example her speech to the United Nations.
This week on the Oddcast, the internationally acclaimed, bestselling author of 32 books, David Morrell talks with Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Gregory Frost, and Keith Strunk about his early success writing the Rambo series, including First Blood, watching his books become movies, writing memoirs and books on writing, and his most recent works, the Thomas De Quincey historical thrillers, Murder as a Fine Art, Inspector of the Dead, and Ruler of the Night.
Join Oddcast cohosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for an authors' roundtable on publicity and marketing. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all genres with insights on ads, publicists, bookstagram and blog tours, and building community.
Thriller writer and NY Times Bestseller Kate Moretti talks about researching serial killers, pleasing tough critics like your mother and more with Oddcast hosts Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.
This week’s Oddcast is a very special Noir at the Bar, with bite-sized readings from Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Bill Lashner, Robb Cadigan, Greg Frost, Don Lafferty, Ed Pettit, Bernard Schaffer, Erik Arneson, Dennis Tafoya, William L. Myers, Jr. The show is a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and we encourage our listeners to consider a donation in Evie’s honor at bit.ly/team-evie-chla-fundraiser. Your tax-deductible gift will help create hope and build healthier futures for many young patients and their families.
Award-winning thriller writer KJ Howe talks about the importance of research, how she got the idea to write a series about a kidnap ransom negotiator, and her work as Executive Director of ThrillerFest, the annual conference of the International Thriller Writers, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, & Keith Strunk.
This week on the Oddcast, two-time Shirley Jackson Award-winning horror and dark fiction author Nathan Ballingrud talks about his remarkable and unsettling stories, including his collection North American Lake Monsters, as well as the forthcoming film adapted from his novella, The Visible Filth, and his time as a bartender in New Orleans. With cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, & Keith Strunk.
This week on the Oddcast, Ellen Datlow, the reigning queen of horror fiction and the Shirley Jackson, Bram Stoker, and International Horror Guild Award-winning editor of over 100 anthologies of horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy, joins Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk to discuss her years at the helm of OMNI Magazine, the state of genre fiction, and how stories are placed in Best Horror anthologies.
This week on the Oddcast, it’s a Liars Club Authors Roundtable, recorded live at the inaugural Bucks County Book Fest in Doylestown, PA. Oddcast regulars Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk & Jon McGoran are joined by a guest Liar, author and literary agent Marie Lamba, to discuss topics including creative process, writers block, and the joys and challenges of the writing life.
Edgar, Anthony, Barry, Macavity, and ALA award-winning author Lou Berney joins the Oddcast to talk about writing novels vs. scripts, the overwhelming reception to his incredible new book, November Road, and that thing that happened in Cleveland. With Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.
Teacher, book critic and Agatha-, Anthony-, Macavity- & Derringer-Award winning mystery writer Art Taylor talks about short-fiction vs. novels, life as a book reviewer and author, and his acclaimed first novel, On the Road with Del & Louise: A Novel in Stories, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
This week on our writing podcast, award-winning audiobook narrators Ray Porter (the voice of Jonathan Maberry's Joe Ledger), and Robert Fass (200 audio books in every conceivable genre) offer their hilarious take on recording nightmares (aka "adverbs"), discuss trends in audiobooks, and offer tips on how to write great characters for great audio with Oddcast cohosts Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, and Jon McGoran.
Cop and crime writer Bernard Schaffer talks about transitioning from self-published to traditionally published author, his new novel, The Thief of All Light and his work as a decorated narcotics expert and child forensic interviewer, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.
The USA Today-bestselling author of 23 books running the gamut of Romance Fiction, Megan Erickson joins Oddcasters Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk for a lively, hilarious, and sometimes racy conversation on writing process, the subgenres of romance, and the pitfalls of comparing your own life to your characters.
This week on the Oddcast, award-winning playwright, novelist Nicholas Wardigo joins Oddcast hosts Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, and Keith Strunk to talk about the process of getting a play produced, his popular web series Martinis with Nick, and THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF TIME TRAVEL, his latest play, opening this winter in San Francisco.
Novelist, video game writer, and convention wizard Genese Davis joins Oddcast hosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk & Kelly Simmons, to talk about her books, writing for and about video gaming, comicon, and tips and advice on being a panelist and moderator.
Join Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk for an authors roundtable on Motivating Characters. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, with insights and writing tips about the motivation that drives your characters' behaviors, supporting their internal conflicts, and how much to share with the reader.
Short-story writer and self-described shipwrecked jester Richard Butner joins Oddcast co-hosts Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk to discuss his life as a writer, the theater's influence on his process, and the annual Sycamore Hill Writers’ Conference, a very successful peer-to-peer workshop he runs deep in the mountains of western North Carolina.
NY Times best-selling young adult author Barry Lyga joins Oddcast hosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk & Kelly Simmons, to talk about podcasting and writing with his wife, and why he’s called both a “YA rebel-author” and a survivor, and how Jennifer Beals and Ferris Bueller are connected to his near-future thriller The Hive.
This week on the Oddcast, Nebula, World Fantasy, and Theodore Sturgeon Award-winning short science-fiction-and-fantasy fiction author Andy Duncan joins cohosts Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for a conversation filled with engaging stories and writing inspiration. His short stories are currently available in two collections, Beluthahatchie, and The Pottawatomie Giant, to be joined by a third, An Agent of Utopia, this fall.
Join Oddcast cohosts Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for an authors roundtable on literary agents. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, with insights on finding an agent, the agent's role in getting published, and factors that influence an agent's manuscript wish list.
Best-selling YA novelist Robin Benway joins Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to talk about writing for teens, finding writing inspiration at Costco, and her latest book, the 2017 National Book Award Winner Far from the Tree.
Join Oddcast cohosts Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for an authors’ roundtable on the challenges and importance of setting. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels, with valuable writing tips and techniques for creating believable, compelling, and consistent settings that will add meaning, depth and context to your story.
This week, author Richard Ratay joins Oddcast cohosts Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk to talk nonfiction and his new book from Simon & Schuster, Don’t Make Me Pull Over. Part pop history, part whimsical memoir, it’s a hilarious and fascinating look back at the great American family road trip.
On this week's Oddcast, surprise guests join cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to discuss some nuts-and-bolts aspects of the writing life, like writing software, working with editors, agent tips, pitching & more! Recorded live at the 2018 Philadelphia Writers Conference.
Literary agents Caitlin McDonald (Donald Maass Literary Agency) & Cari Lamba (Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency) join the Oddcast to talk about their manuscript wish lists, traditional publishing vs. self publishing, plus some interesting do’s & don’ts, with cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, & Keith Strunk. Recorded live at the Philadelphia Writers Conference.
Jonathan Maberry, New York Times best-selling suspense author and co-host of the Three Guys with Beards podcast, and Armand Rosamilia, horror author and founder of Project Entertainment Network join Oddcast co-hosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for a conversation about authors, podcasts, and book promotion.
Join Liars Club authors Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for tips and techniques as they discuss the impact of good research and keeping a useful tool from becoming an obsession. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
Chris Bauer talks about his unusual career path -- from mild-mannered insurance guy to author of social-issues based thrillers. Chris joins hosts Merry Jones, Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran, Keith Strunk, and guest host Armand Rosamilia to discuss his latest novel, Jane's Baby, which explores the aftermath of Roe v. Wade and features a quirky cast of colorful characters.
Karen E. Olson, the award-winning author of 12 mysteries in three series joins Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, Kelly Simmons and Greg Frost to talk about her work as a journalist and editor, writing about reporters, tattoo artists and hackers, and Vanished, the latest in her Black Hat thriller series.
Science Fiction Grand Master Joe Haldeman and his wife Gay Haldeman sit down with Oddcast co-hosts Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to talk about Joe’s seminal SF novel The Forever War, which won both the Nebula Award and Hugo Award, and has been in print continuously since 1974; about landing in an MFA program in Iowa; and about writing fiction while overly caffeinated. It’s a hilarious and informative dialogue all the way.
Brad Parks is the author of mysteries and thrillers that have won two Shamus Awards, two Lefties, and a Nero. He joins Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to talk about how his journalism past informs his writing, series vs. standalones, and why he is Hardees’ official “writer in residence.”
A lively roundtable discussion on writing and genre conferences - when to go, what to expect, and how to get the most benefit out of them - with Oddcast cohosts Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, Kelly Simmons, and Jon McGoran.
Jenny Milchman is the award-winning author of four thrillers, including her latest: Wicked River. She joins cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to talk about Take Your Child to a Bookstore Day, "the world's longest book tour,” and the importance of persistence.
Ben Yagoda is an author, educator, blogger and expert on writing and the English language. On this week's Oddcast, he joins cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to talk about writing about writing, the constantly evolving English language and his blogs: Not One-Off Britishisms and Movies in Other Movies.
Joe McGee has jumped out of airplanes, driven tanks, climbed a volcano, and hiked glacial ponds. Now he writes picture books, middle-grade, and young adult. This week, he joins Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk to talk about all that and more, including Peanut Butter & Santa Claus, the next book in his popular Peanut Butter and Brains series.
Join Liars Club authors Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk for tips and techniques as they grapple with the challenges of "Voice and POV." An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
"First Lady of the Fork," Lynn Rosen joins Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk on the Oddcast this week. Over the past 30 years Lynn is or has been an author, a journalist, a blogger, an editor, a professor, a literary agent with her own agency, a former CRM at Barnes & Noble, and now an independent bookstore owner/operator with her husband. Their bookstore is Open Book in Elkins Park, PA
Simon Wood is the author of 12 thrillers, 2 horror novels & 3 books on writing. He joins Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones & Keith Strunk to talk about his careers as a race car driver & private investigator, his pets, and his latest thriller, Saving Grace.
Carla Spataro is an award-winning short fiction writer, director of the MFA in Creative Writing program at Rosemont College, and editorial director and co-publisher of Philadelphia Stories magazine and PS Books. She joins Oddcast hosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk to talk about binge-writing, teaching, and her past as a singing waiter.
Join Liars Club authors Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk for tips and techniques as they answer the question, "What is Character Driven?" An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
Patricia Gussin is an award winning, best-selling author of mysteries and thrillers whose plots reflect her background as a physician in primary care medicine and medical research. She joins Oddcast hosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk to discuss her novels as well as her roles as publisher and editor at Oceanview Publishing, a vineyard owner, the mother of six and juggler of many hats.
Award-winning novelist and short story writer Rachel Pastan joins Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk on this week's Oddcast. Author most recently of the “creepy and entrancing” novel Alena, an homage to Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca. Rachel discusses the importance to a writer of structure, first-readers, and stubbornness.
Award-winning author Eric Beetner talks about writing hardboiled crime, his podcast Writer Types, working in reality TV, and his brand new novel, The Devil At Your Door.
Join Liars Club authors Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for tips and techniques as they grapple with the concept of plot versus story. Is it a real thing and if it is, does it matter? An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
Award-winning writer/illustrator team Lesa Cline Ransome and James E. Ransome, talk about working separately and together, their creative processes, and “Before She Was Harriet,” their highly acclaimed new picture book biography of Harriet Tubman.
Dark fiction author Lucas Mangum joins LC Oddcast hosts Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk to discuss his new book Gods of the Dark Web, the novella, how horror helps him sleep, and the importance of community for writers.
Grand Master of Science Fiction Samuel R. Delany, the Nebula award-winning author known to his friends as “Chip” joins Oddcast hosts Keith Strunk, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Gregory Frost for a talk about his latest novel The Atheist in the Attic, set during a frightening period in the history of the Netherlands; about one major work of his that was lost many years ago and never recovered; and also how he came to be known as Chip.
Join Liars Club authors Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for tips and techniques as they answer the question, "How do you know if your book idea is the right idea?" An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
A compilation of some of the best moments from The Liars Club Oddcast 2017 interviews featuring; Stephen Fried and Diane Ayres, George Anastasia, Joe Gangemi, Karen Joy Fowler, Dave Blazek, Chuck Wendig, Kate Brandes, Joe Renzetti, Sue Miller, Rick Sordelet, Leighann Lord, Jonathan Maberry, Eric Smith, and Robert Brancatelli.
New York Times Bestseller Robert Crais, author of the Award-winning Elvis Cole thrillers (his latest is The Wanted), graces the Oddcast this week, wherein he reveals a love for science fiction, and describes how intensely he dedicated himself to writing when he moved to L.A. and broke into television, working on such acclaimed shows as Hill Street Blues and Cagney & Lacey—a crash-course on immersion from this Grandmaster-Award-winning author.
Join the Liars Club authors for tips and techniques on battling the "mushy middle" of a novel or what the Liars call the Mid-Book Crisis. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
From choreographing the fights in Broadway’s The Lion King to playwriting, screenwriting, and publishing, Rick Sordelet brings passion and boundless energy to everything he does. He joins the Liars to share his ideas about writing emotionally connected literary violence, the life changing power of words, and his get-out-and-do-it approach to just about everything.
Eric Smith is a literary agent, blogger, anthologist, and author of The Geeks Guide to Dating and young adult novels including The Girl & the Grove, due out next spring. Find out how Eric balances all that, plus a baby on his hip, on this week's Oddcast.
Award-winning journalist and non-fiction author Stephen Fried and novelist Diane Ayres have been married for thirty years. Find out how they work together and apart in this perfect relationship, who edits who, and how Stephen came to collaborate with Patrick J. Kennedy, on this week’s Oddcast.
Join the Liars Club authors for tips and techniques on battling writers block. An honest, lively discussion for writers of all levels.
Amy talks about why she started her blog about women’s fiction, and how she found inspiration for her new novel, LEFT TO CHANCE, about a wedding photographer who comes home to face her past.
Listen as Todd talks about creative inspiration, his work as a Jewish Educator, and the differences between Broadway and L.A, while discussing his newest indie film.
How to switch genres from YA to picture books? How to divvy up writing duties? The answers are all here as this real-life couple takes us inside their writing process.
A lively, insightful interview with a couple who balance criticism with support for each other’s writing careers.
This Nebula and Hugo award winning author talks about his decision to release his latest book, MOTHER GO, only as an audiobook. A thoroughly entertaining interview with a sci-fi master.
Madeleine talks about how her childhood paranormal experiences influenced her career, how her acting experience helps her as a writer, and how to write scary stuff at 2 AM without freaking yourself out.
Cathy talks about her highly anticipated eleventh novel, No Place I’d Rather Be, and discusses how she left teaching to find her true calling – writing the stories she’d loved since childhood.
NY Times Bestselling Author of We Are All Completely Besides Ourselves and The Jane Austen Book Club talks about the value of taking risks in your writing, and the importance of following your instincts.
How do you go from midlist to international best-seller? Karen talks about the unusual research she did, and how a mid-career genre change brought her to the place she felt she was destined to be all along.
Kelly discusses the lifetime of research on Nantucket Island that went into her literary suspense novel, The Fifth of July (about family betrayals and anti-Semitism) and talks about perseverance and juggling work, life, and expectations.
Could you walk away from writing novels cold–turkey mid-career? Marc opens up about what led him to let go of one dream to embrace another. An honest, thought-provoking episode.
Alex’s work as a young journalist covering child refugees around the world inspired him to start writing stories about kids and for them. An energetic and funny interview about a fascinating career path.
This popular philly.com columnist, radio host and author opens up about his dark past of drug addiction, homelessness, and ultimately, redemption. A surprising and uplifting interview that will inspire anyone to write.
Rob’s hilarious journey from college professor to fiction writer to stand-up makes for a quirky and often poignant interview about never giving up and never taking yourself too seriously.
Dennis and Ed stop by the Philadelphia Writer’s Conference to discuss crime writing, research, Edgar Allan Poe and the great programs coming up at The Rosenbach. Recorded June 2017.
In the third installment of this series, PWC Board Member Stephanie King and a group of writers attending the conference tell us how their agent pitches went, and receive pitching advice from the panel. Recorded June 2017.
In the second installment of this series, PWC Teachers Sally Wiener Grotta and James Breckenridge talk about grant writing and screenplays and the South Jersey Writers Group tell us how the conference has inspired their work. Recorded June 2017.
In the first installment of this series, PWC Board members talk about writer’s conferences, writing inspiration, and the perils of the writing life. Featuring James Knipp, contributor to Biff Bam Pop, and Lisa Lutwyche, Pushcart Prize-nominated poet.
The science fiction/urban fantasy author and blogger behind the popular writing blog Terrible Minds talks about his New York Times best selling books, how game design influenced his process, and how he deals with fan worship. Recorded May 2017
How does a New York Times Best Selling author get her start? Maybe not with writing at all. Listen as Joelle talks about switching careers, switching genres, and how it helps to have a mom who is an artistic roller skater. Recorded May 2017
Listen as this charming Hugo and Nebula award-winner discusses how he creates colorful characters, why he loves writing all kinds of short fiction (like those in his current collection, NOT SO MUCH, SAID THE CAT) and reveals some complex truths about the craft of writing. Recorded May 2017
Listen as Damian discusses his path from lawyer to literary agent to Hemingway-esque writer. Although he grew up in Ireland, Damian’s new novel THE MOMENT OF TRUTH, which comes out this June, is a distinctly American feminist tale of a female bullfighter. Recorded April 2017
Amy Reichert talks about researching cider making for her new book THE SIMPLICITY OF CIDER, and dishes about readers, recipes, setting books in the Midwest, and how she stays so productive. Recorded March 2017.
From Leon Redbone to Barry Manilow. From albums to films to TV. Joe Renzetti gives us the inside scoop about writing for, and working with, top actors and singers and musicians. A fascinating glimpse inside an award-winning career. Recorded April 2017.
Beth Kephart gives us insight into her memoir writing events - Juncture Workshops - and talks about what it’s like to juggle projects and have several books coming out in the same year. Beth is the author of over 20 books and teaches at Penn University. Recorded April 2017
Kate talks about the inspiration and determination required for her first novel, THE PROMISE OF PIERSON ORCHARD, and the challenges of being a scientist, artist and writer. Recorded April 2017.
A fascinating discussion of the Mafia, crime writing and reporting. Learn how George cultivated sources, got inside information, and avoided a hit man seeking revenge. George is a former Philadelphia Inquirer journalist and the author of 6 books. Recorded April 2017.
Listen as New York Times Bestseller William Lashner talks about The Iowa Writers Workshop, the difference between his career as a prosecutor and his career as a writer, the joys of occasionally writing under a pseudonym, and his latest book THE FOUR NIGHT RUN. Recorded April 2017.
John Kessel discusses his acclaimed new novel, The Moon and the Other, as well as his entire body of award-winning work, including two Nebula Awards, The Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award, and more. When he’s not writing and charming people on podcasts, John teaches at North Carolina State University. Recorded March 2017.
Janet Benton talks about writing and researching her debut novel Lilli De Jong, and tells us about the book Kirkus Reviews called a “monumental achievement.” She’s worked at magazines and newspapers and taught at four colleges, as well as running the writer’s workshop The Word Studio. Recorded March 2017.
Jon McGoran is the author of The Dead Ring, based on the hit TV show The Blacklist, as well as acclaimed ecological thrillers Drift, Deadout, and Dust Up. Plus he has a YA science fiction thriller, Spliced, coming in November. How did he find the time to talk to his fellow Liars about the perils of taking conference calls from the West Coast?
Tony-nominated Bill Russell has written the books and lyrics for dozens of highly acclaimed Broadway and off-Broadway shows. He's the author of Sideshow, and his AIDS-focused play, Elegies for Angels, has been produced in nine countries. He sat down with Liars Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk for a lively discussion about playwriting and activism. Recorded February 2017.
Lori Myers is a journalist, playwright, short-story and book writer. The daughter of a Holocaust survivor, her first play, 91366, focused on the tattoo of a concentration camp survivor. Join Liars Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk as they chat with Lori about her work, her process, and how her family history infused her first play. Recorded January 2017.
Joe Gangemi is a celebrated novelist turned screenwriter turned showrunner and co-creator of the TV series Red Oaks. Listen as he discusses the challenges of writing each form – and dealing with the unique vagaries and delights of Hollywood. With Liars Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk. Recorded January 2017.
The hilarious author of Loose Parts comic and humor books talks about the challenges of writing cartoons while holding down at full time job at The Philadelphia Inquirer. And whether cheese is funny. Or fish. Oh, just listen and be completely entertained. With Liars Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk. Recorded January 2017
This week on our podcast, we had the pleasure of laughing at -- and talking with -- comedian and humor author Leighann Lord, whose work is showcased at http://www.veryfunnylady.com/. Leighann talks about her family, turning real life into comedy, and more, with Liars Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk. Recorded January 2017
This week’s podcast focuses on thriller author Owen Laukkanen, whose highly anticipated new novel THE FORGOTTEN GIRLS goes on sale March 14th. Join Liars Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk as they ask Owen about juggling two book series, his writing routines, and yes, his dog. Recorded December 2016.
Our podcast this week features Liar and suspense novelist Merry Jones, whose just-released twelfth novel CHILD’S PLAY is already keeping people up at night. Liars Greg Frost, Kelly Simmons, Jon McGoran and Keith Strunk talk to her about transitioning from non-fiction to fiction, and how she crafts unreliable narrators and builds tension. Recorded January 2017.
This week on the Liars Club Oddcast, we welcome best-selling novelist and Oprah’s book club fave Sue Miller, author of ten acclaimed novels including The Senator’s Wife and The Arsonist. Liars Merry Jones, Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk cajole Ms. Miller into spilling secrets about writing controversial characters, plots brimming with tension, plus time management for writers. Recorded October 2016.
This week on the Liars Club Oddcast, award winning author Fran Wilde joins Liars Merry Jones, Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk for some conversation around the table about writing, Fran’s Bone Universe Series of novels, and channeling birds for character names. Once again, not responsible for the truthiness of any content, because, Liars. Pants currently on fire. Ouch. Recorded September 2016.
In the second Liars Club Oddcast, award winning author and journalist Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Liars Merry Jones, Greg Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk for some conversation around the table about journalism, her writing, her new book SAY NO MORE, and the subtle nuances of spitting fire. As usual, not responsible for the truthiness of any content, because, Liars. Pants currently on fire. Ouch. Recorded September 2016.
A bunch of people who make stuff up for a living, interviewing other people who make stuff up for a living. All while drinking beer and wine in the middle of the day. What could possibly go wrong? In our premier episode, join Greg Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk for a conversation with NY Times bestselling author and Liars Club co-founder, Jonathan Maberry. Sorry, not responsible for the truthiness of any content, because, Liars. Pants currently on fire. Ouch. Recorded September 2016