Zibby was joined by Lauren Billings, one half of the internationally bestselling writing duo Christina Lauren, for a Bookcation conversation with The Gloss Book Club. The two talked about how Lauren and her writing partner Christina Hobbs began working together, how they feel about the way others tend to view romance novels, and what she likes to read in her spare time. Lauren also shares what the two are currently working on and why she loves working with a co-author.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, I Must Betray You. Ruta explains why she was drawn to tell Romania's under-discussed history, what she found as she began to conduct her research, and how she carries on with her daily life while writing about such heavy subjects. The two also talk about how to write good historical fiction and what Ruta is working on next.
Zibby is joined by #1 New York Times bestselling author Dean Koontz to talk about his latest two novels, Quicksilver and The Big Dark Sky. The two discuss why Dean decided to leave his publisher (as well as why he doesn't think the publishing industry should continue to vilify Amazon) and what many imprints misunderstand about their readers. Dean also shares why he likes to challenge himself more at this stage of his career than he did before, his deep fascination with coincidences, and which projects he is working on next.
We're re-releasing Zibby's interview with Delia Owens just in time for the movie premiere of Where the Crawdad's Sing on July 15th!! Delia is the coauthor of three internationally bestselling nonfiction books about her life as a wildlife scientist. A winner of the John Burroughs Award for nature writing, Delia has been published in Nature, The African Journal of Ecology, and others. She wrote Cry of the Kalahari about her years living in the African wild studying lions and hyenas, and co-wrote The Eye of the Elephant and Secrets of the Savannah about her years studying elephants. Where the Crawdads Sing was Reese’s Book Club pick and is a #1 New York Times bestseller.
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking Susan Cain joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, Bittersweet. The two discuss the power and prevalence of experiencing feelings of bittersweetness, the effect the pandemic had on some of the people involved in Susan's research, and when she felt bittersweet feelings of longing in her own life. Susan also shares the note her husband wrote that continues to encourage her to write and which projects she's developing next. Check out both Susan's brand new TED Talk and Bittersweet playlist!
"I think that to be antiracist and even to raise a child to be antiracist is not a static sort of thing. It is indeed a journey. It's a process. It's a behavior." #1 New York Times bestselling author, professor, and activist Dr. Ibram X. Kendi joins Zibby to talk about his new book, How To Raise An Antiracist, which combines research with parenting advice and pieces of Ibram's own memoir. The two discuss moments in Ibram's life that he uses to highlight everyday inequalities, why it is so significant that children start understanding empathy at age two, and what it really means to create an antiracist world for your children to grow up in.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria "V.E." Schwab joins Zibby to discuss her most recent two novels, Gallant and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. The two talk about why Victoria writes under the moniker V.E., what her traumatic response to creativity looks like, and which of her projects have been optioned to be adapted. They also connect over the ups and downs that come with being an artist, as well as why Victoria finds the fantasy genre so fascinating (despite being a voracious memoir reader).
Literary giant James Patterson joins Zibby to talk about his autobiography, James Patterson by James Patterson. The two discuss the impact the two major loves of James' life have had on him, why encouraging children to read and promoting literacy in schools are so important to him, and a handful of some of James' very funny stories. James also shares what it's like to go out in public and be recognized—just not as James Patterson.
#1 New York Times bestselling duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen return to talk with Zibby about their latest novel, The Golden Couple, which grew out of a title suggestion from their editor. Greer and Sarah share why they love writing about complicated relationships and dynamics, where they pull their inspiration from in their real lives, and what it was like to co-write together during the pandemic. They also reveal why there is no secret formula for a successful book or writing partnership, and offer a very diplomatic answer for whether or not this book will make it onto the big screen.
#1 New York Times bestseller Jodi Picoult returns to talk with Zibby about her new Audible Original, Choice, as well as the long-awaited debut of her Broadway musical, Between the Lines. Jodi shares how she was inspired by her anger at the current political moment to create the world in Choice in which cisgender men are able to get pregnant, as well as why she is donating all of her earnings to the National Network of Abortion Funds. Jodi and Zibby also discuss how Between the Lines grew out of one of the novels she wrote with her daughter, some of the pandemic-related setbacks the production faced, and the effect she wants it to have on audiences. Email info@zibbyowens.com for the chance to win a ticket to a private cocktail party with Jodi and a preview of the show in New York City on June 16th!
