Cassidy Lucas, THE LAST PARTY

Cassidy Lucas, THE LAST PARTY

Zibby is joined by the writing duo behind Cassidy Lucas, Julia Fierro and Caeli Wolfson Widger, to talk about their second book, The Last Party. Julia and Caeli share how they met through Julia's Craigslist listing for a writing group, the ways in which working as partners has strengthened their skills, and what's happening next for Cassidy Lucas and both writers individually. Julia and Caeli also tell Zibby all about the birthday party camping trip that inspired them to set this book in Topanga Canyon.

Sally Koslow, THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS

Sally Koslow, THE REAL MRS. TOBIAS

Listen to Zibby Books author Alisha Fernandez Miranda's first Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books interview as she talks with bestselling author Sally Koslow about her latest novel, The Real Mrs. Tobias. Sally shares how she was inspired by her relationships with her own mother-in-law and daughters-in-law and wanted to capture those dynamics in a multi-generational family. Sally and Alisha also discuss why Sally made the switch from a lifelong career as a magazine editor to a novelist, what she learned when she became a grandmother, and how the publishing industry has changed from her first book to now.

Jonathan Galassi, SCHOOL DAYS

Jonathan Galassi, SCHOOL DAYS

Zibby is joined by publisher and poet Jonathan Galassi to talk about his latest novel, School Days, which follows students at an all-boys boarding school through graduation and into their lives as adults. The two discuss Jonathan's use of sexuality as a common thread through the characters' development, the importance of loyalty in this story and the real-life atmosphere it was inspired by, and why he believes very few people are naturally great writers. Jonathan also shares how he found his way into publishing and what he is reading right now.

Lynda Loigman, THE MATCHMAKER'S GIFT

Lynda Loigman, THE MATCHMAKER'S GIFT

Listen to Allison Pataki's first Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books interview as she talks with Lynda Loigman about her latest book, The Matchmaker's Gift, which was inspired in part by her "bonus daughter" who stayed with her family during the pandemic. The two discuss how Lynda developed her characters by thinking about them so regularly that they became real to her, why she wanted to include a touch of magic in the story, and who in Lynda's life serves as inspiration for her next book.

Katie Hafner, THE BOYS

Katie Hafner, THE BOYS

Former staff writer at The New York Times Katie Hafner joins Zibby to discuss her debut novel, The Boys, which grew out of a conversation she and her daughter overheard on a vacation years ago. The two talk about Katie's thoughts on her own twist ending, why she wanted to work with a smaller publisher, and her love story with her late husband. Katie also shares why she warns writers to be careful when writing memoirs and why it was so freeing, as a journalist and non-fiction author, to make up her own set of facts.

Nishant Batsha, MOTHER OCEAN FATHER NATION

Nishant Batsha, MOTHER OCEAN FATHER NATION

Writer and historian Nishant Batsha joins Zibby to talk about his debut novel, Mother Ocean Father Nation, which he wrote in tandem with his dissertation on Indian indentured labor in Trinidad and Fiji. Nishant shares how he wrote four different books and pulled parts from each before combining them all and arriving at the story that was eventually published. The two also discuss the advice Nishant received from other writers with PhDs that shaped his career trajectory, how he found his way to academia after a medical emergency in his late teens, and the history at the center of his next book, A Bomb Placed Close to the Heart.

Lauren Billings, The Gloss Book Club Interview

Lauren Billings, The Gloss Book Club Interview

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.

Candice Carty-Williams, PEOPLE PERSON

Candice Carty-Williams, PEOPLE PERSON

Candice Carty-Williams, the bestselling author of Queenie, joins Zibby to talk about her latest novel, People Person, which follows five half-siblings and their larger-than-life father. The two discuss how the writing process for this book differed from writing Queenie, the impact Covid had on Candice's work and her personal life, and how being shy affects her interactions with fans. Candice also shares how she started writing through working in the publishing industry and why she currently loves reading poetry.

Francesca Giacco, SIX DAYS IN ROME

Francesca Giacco, SIX DAYS IN ROME

Debut novelist Francesca Giacco joins Zibby to talk about her book, Six Days in Rome. Francesca shares her connection to and love for Italy which inspired the novel, as well as how the story features an amalgamation of her personal experiences. The two also discuss Francesca's thoughts on traveling alone, her experience selling this book during the pandemic, and her favorite food to order when she goes to Italy.

Mai Al-Nakib, AN UNLASTING HOME

Mai Al-Nakib, AN UNLASTING HOME

Zibby is joined by professor and author Mai Al-Nakib to discuss her debut novel, An Unlasting Home, an intergenerational story inspired by Kuwait's short-lived attempt to charge blasphemy as a capital crime. The two talk about what Mai loves most about being a teacher, her unique educational history and journey to writing, and the women in her life who helped shape her. Mai also shares how she kept track of such a massive family tree as she wrote and what her typical writing process looks like.

Jillian Medoff, WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

Jillian Medoff, WHEN WE WERE BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

Zibby is joined by novelist Jillian Medoff to talk about her latest book, When We Were Bright and Beautiful, which went through a number of iterations before publication. Jillian shares her concerns about writing a story focused on sexual assault in the #MeToo era, which books influenced this story's twists and turns, and the role her sister played in crafting some of the plot and characters. The two also discuss the life experiences that inspired Jillian to become an author and how the writing process changes with each new publication.

Louis Bayard, JACKIE & ME

Louis Bayard, JACKIE & ME

Professor, critic, and author Louis Bayard joins Zibby to discuss his latest historical novel, Jackie & Me, which follows Jackie Kennedy Onassis before her tenure as First Lady. The two talk about what initially inspired Louis to write this book, how he got his start in politics before pivoting to writing full time, and why he likes the pressure of getting older. Louis also shares what's happening with the film adaption of his book, The Pale Blue Eye, and hints at what he's working on next.

Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN

Garth Stein, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN

Zibby is joined by Garth Stein to talk about his classic novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain, which has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide, been translated into 36 languages, and spent more than three years on the New York Times bestseller list. Garth shares his unique journey to writing, as well as how very few people believed in the book's potential early on. The two also discuss Garth's work with the author and bookseller communities through the creation of the Seattle 7 writers group and his position as chair of the Author Leadership Circle of Binc, which elements of The Art of Racing in the Rain are real and which were from Garth's imagination, and which book he's currently listening to.

Jamie Brenner, GILT

Jamie Brenner, GILT

Bestselling author Jamie Brenner returns for the third time to talk with Zibby about her latest novel, Gilt, which takes readers into the world of fine jewelry. The two discuss how living in Provincetown during the pandemic inspired Jamie while writing this story, her relationship with the author community and what is expected of writers these days, and which fictional character helped her craft her protagonist. Jamie also shares what she is currently working on and how it felt to find out the role she played in Zibby's career after reading Bookends.

Sloane Crosley, CULT CLASSIC

Sloane Crosley, CULT CLASSIC

"I don't think I could be accused of identifying a marketplace. Otherwise, I wouldn't have written about Abraham Lincoln and vampires and how to eat blueberries and save your life." Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling essayist, columnist, and novelist Sloane Crosley to discuss her romantic comedy thriller, Cult Classic. The two talk about the kinds of conversations they have on book tours, when Sloane knew she was ready to write a rom-com set in New York City, and how she became a literary it-girl. Sloane also shares the life experiences that served as inspiration for her next nonfiction project about grief and why she views it as the sibling to Cult Classic.

Karen Winn, OUR LITTLE WORLD

Karen Winn, OUR LITTLE WORLD

Zibby is joined by debut author Karen Winn to talk about her novel, Our Little World, which she has been working on since 2016. Karen shares how the plot was inspired by drama she wished had happened during her childhood, as well as how she combined her doctoral degree and experience as a nurse practitioner with her lifelong love of writing to craft this story. The two also discuss the significance of Karen's writing group in her life, the potential titles this book almost had, and what she's working on next.

Caitlin Barasch, NOVEL OBSESSION

Caitlin Barasch, NOVEL OBSESSION

Author and writing instructor Caitlin Barasch joins Zibby to talk about her debut novel, A Novel Obsession. The two discuss what their armchair psychologist diagnoses of the story's protagonist might be, why Caitlin centered the plot around social media and cyberstalking, and the best books she has currently read. Caitlin also shares what she's working on next and how her family history has inspired her.

LaToya Watkins, PERISH

LaToya Watkins, PERISH

"I had trouble finding places for light in the book. It took me a really long time to get there." Zibby is joined by writer LaToya Watkins to discuss her debut novel, Perish, a timely intergenerational epic. LaToya shares how she got her start as both a reader and a writer, where she drew her inspiration for the story, and why this project took so long to write and revise. The two also connect over being moms to twins and talk about the process LaToya went through pitching and publishing this book during the pandemic.

Ali Hazelwood, LOVE ON THE BRAIN

Ali Hazelwood, LOVE ON THE BRAIN

New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis Ali Hazelwood joins Zibby to talk about her latest romantic comedy, Love on the Brain, which is the inaugural title for the new Walmart Book Club. The two discuss Ali's journey to publishing through online fandoms and crafting fan fiction, as well as how her experience as a neuroscientist finds its way into her novels. Ali also shares why she likes to keep her writing and science life separate, which relationships have offered her the most support, and what she is currently binge-watching.

Joyce Carol Oates, BABYSITTER

Joyce Carol Oates, BABYSITTER

"As a novelist, I want to present people who are different from myself. The reader should have her own opinion." Literary giant Joyce Carol Oates joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, Babysitter, which grew out of a short story. The two talk about the real-life inspiration for the story's serial killer, how she sought to portray the complexities of mother and womanhood, and why she never satirizes her characters, even if she doesn't agree with those who behave like them off the page.