Zibby is joined by author Gina Sorell to talk about her second novel, The Wise Women, which was named a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice. The two discuss how listening to Zibby's podcast helped her feel more connected to her writing during the pandemic, why she made the shift from acting to writing, and the ways in which her experience with this book differs from her first. Gina also shares how she hopes readers will connect with all of the book's protagonists and whether or not she'll continue on with them in the future.
Julia May Jonas, VLADIMIR
Zibby is joined by writer, director, and professor Julia May Jonas to discuss her debut novel, Vladimir. The two talk about how the pandemic shifted Julia's trajectory from theater to fiction, as well as the conversation about aging and female desire that lit the spark in her to write this story. Julia also shares how observing her husband write novels helped her craft hers, the gendered power structures and expectations she tries to push back against, and how her next book will differ from this project.
Dean Koontz, QUICKSILVER and THE BIG DARK SKY
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.
Lauren Layne, MADE IN MANHATTAN
New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne joins Zibby to talk about her latest romance novel, Made in Manhattan. The two discuss how Lauren began her writing career by finding time to write steamy novels while working at her corporate job, when she decided to weave New York City into her stories, and her best advice for authors when building their websites. Lauren also tells Zibby about her own love story with her husband and the ways in which the both support one another.
Lauren McBrayer, LIKE A HOUSE ON FIRE
"I gave myself permission through the book to explore the questions I would've been terrified to ask in real life. I think that's the gift of writing." Zibby is joined by Lauren McBrayer to discuss her first adult novel, Like a House on Fire, which was already a Belletrist Book Club pick. The two also talk about how Lauren's initial desire to write a memoir metamorphosed into her writing the story of her future which inspired her to leave her marriage and come out as a lesbian. Lauren also shares how the two main characters came to her fully formed exactly three years before the book's pub date, the moment she knew she needed to make changes in her life in order to find happiness, and why she decided to make the shift from YA to adult fiction.
Lian Dolan, LOST AND FOUND IN PARIS
Bestselling author Lian Dolan returns to talk with Zibby about her latest novel, Lost and Found in Paris, which she has been working on-and-off on for nine years. The two discuss the undercurrents of grief in the story, which was inspired by the loss of Lian's own parents, as well as which major plot twist really happened to one of Lian's friends. Lian also shares what the last twenty years have been like working with her sisters on their show, "Satellite Sisters," which books and newsletters she is reading right now, and how Zibby's "SexTok" podcast has inspired elements of her upcoming novel.
Jane L. Rosen, A SHOE STORY
Author of Eliza Starts a Rumor Jane L. Rosen returns to the podcast to talk with Zibby about her latest novel, A Shoe Story. The two discuss which elements of the story were inspired by real moments from Jane's own family history, what her personal relationship with shoes is like, and how her neighbor inspired one of the book's characters. Jane also shares which project she's working on next and why it is one that is very important to her.
Amanda Eyre Ward, THE LIFEGUARDS
Zibby is joined by the New York Times bestselling author of The Jetsetters, Amanda Eyre Ward, to discuss her latest novel, The Lifeguards. Amanda shares her unique style of drafting which involves a number of colored index cards and a big board in her garden shed and reveals the illustrious group chat she belongs to. The two also talk about the epiphany Amanda had about her own writing after reading her friend Andrew Sean Greer's book Less, which famous author taught her the trick to crafting a good thriller, and why having one of her books picked for Reese's Book Club meant so much to her.
Jennifer E. Smith, THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES
Zibby is joined by author Jennifer E. Smith to discuss her latest adult novel, The Unsinkable Greta James, as well as her first picture book, The Creature of Habit. Jennifer shares why she always tries to capture fleeting moments in her fiction and how the loss of her mentor helped her to better capture the grief of losing a loved one. The two also talk about where the inspiration for The Creature of Habit came from and which of her projects are being adapted for the screen.
Monica Ali, LOVE MARRIAGE
"Writing is ninety-nine percent perspiration and one percent inspiration." Zibby is joined by bestselling novelist Monica Ali to discuss her first book in ten years, Love Marriage. Monica shares how this book initially started as two separate stories that she ultimately intertwined, as well as the amount of research she conducted to make the medical elements of this novel seem as realistic as possible. The two also talk about how this story is all about sex (albeit in a non-Fifty Shades of Grey way), why Monica has a lot of sympathy for the book's sometimes annoying mother-in-law, and what it has been like for Monica to write the TV adaption of this project.
Lisa Taddeo, GHOST LOVER
The New York Times bestselling author of Three Women and Animal Lisa Taddeo returns to talk with Zibby about her latest book, Ghost Lover, a collection of short stories. The two discuss how they both use language to describe their grief to those who may have not experienced as much loss as they have, why Lisa wanted these stories to all focus on women and love without a male perspective, and what she does to make her writing literary but accessible. Lisa also shares which stages of development each of the adaptations of her books are currently in.
Patti Callahan, ONCE UPON A WARDROBE
Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author and co-creator of Friends & Fiction Patti Callahan to talk about her two novels, Surviving Savannah and Once Upon a Wardrobe. The two discuss how Once Upon a Wardrobe grew out of the research Patti conducted for her 2018 book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, why her books read so visually, and how she finds ways to weave her experience as a nurse into her stories. Patti also shares how she had heard the story of the SS Pulaski five years before she decided to write Surviving Savannah, as well as what project she's working on next.
Johanna Kaplan, THE LOSS OF MEMORY IS ONLY TEMPORARY
National Book Award nominee Johanna Kaplan joins Zibby to discuss her latest collection of short stories, Loss of Memory Is Only Temporary. Johanna shares how she's continued to write while she taught for the past thirty-five years, what is the number one thing she looks for both in the books she reads and her own writing, and when she knew she wanted to become a writer. Johanna also tells Zibby about how her characters continue to stay with her and who she hopes this collection will appeal to the most.
Delia Owens (RE-RELEASE), WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
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.
Jane Pek, THE VERIFIERS
Zibby is joined by Jane Pek to talk about her debut novel, The Verifiers. Jane shares her whirlwind success story, from how she pushed herself to get an MFA to landing an agent, a book deal, and a New York Times book review. Zibby and Jane also discuss how Jane's career as a lawyer and early love for mystery books both found their way into this novel, why she felt the world of online dating was ripe for a murder story, and what other kinds of projects she's looking to try her hand at.
Annabel Monaghan, NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT
Zibby is joined by columnist and author of Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big? Annabel Monaghan to discuss her debut adult novel, Nora Goes Off Script, which is one of Zibby's current favorite books. The two talk about how Annabel always knew she wanted to write but didn't start her career until her late thirties, why she became so inspired by Hallmark Channel movies, and what each reader believes this story's love interest looks like. Annabel also shares how she found writing both this novel and her next project so enjoyable, even during the early days of the pandemic. Check out Zibby's review of Nora Goes Off Script here!
Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, YINKA, WHERE IS YOUR HUZBAND?
Zibby is joined by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn to discuss her debut novel, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, which grew out of a short story she once posted on her blog. The two talk about how the pandemic helped Lizzie settle into a post-commuter lifestyle enough to write this story, the enviable relationship she has with her former editor, and what her mom thought of the finished book. Lizzie also shares how her own network of aunties differs from that in her novel as well as what she's working on next.
Julie Clark, THE LIES I TELL
"That's the fun part about writing fiction. You get to imagine yourself into these roles that you never ever would do on your own." New York Times bestseller Julie Clark joins Zibby to talk about her latest thriller, The Lies I Tell, which was inspired by Julie's belief that women make better con artists. The two discuss what they think about the people sitting next to them at red lights, their fears about making too much personal information accessible online, and whether or not Julie wanted to try any of her protagonist's tricks. Julie also shares her encounters with houselessness and how she strives to destigmatize it in school as a fifth-grade teacher.
Jeff Hoffmann, OTHER PEOPLE'S CHILDREN
Zibby is joined by author Jeff Hoffmann to talk about his debut novel, Other People's Children, which is now out in paperback. The two discuss Jeff's essay about who can tell which kinds of stories which he wrote in response to people's surprise that he was not a woman, as well as how his own experiences with adoption inspired the core of the novel. Jeff shares why he made the decision to quit his job and get an MFA at 47, how his relationship with his daughter has found its way into a number of his projects, and what he is working on next.
Jenny Mollen, CITY OF LIKES
Zibby is joined by actress and writer Jenny Mollen to discuss her first novel, City of Likes, which required a labor of love to publish. The two talk about how the story was inspired by the disconnect Jenny witnessed between mommy influencers’ on and offline lives, what her short-lived agent said that prompted her to try fiction instead of a third memoir, and when she knew writing was her niche. Jenny also shares details about her upcoming Dictator Lunches cookbook and why she is so honest on social media.