Always Authors

Carl Zimmer and Sadie Dingfelder "I Have a Tapeworm Named After Me"

Remember “science,” everyone? We’re thrilled to have two incredibly accomplished science researchers and authors on this episode.
Listen as they discuss what “face blindness” means, the existential freakout most scientists are currently having, recall fondly the time when we used to have “slow news days,” and how we need weirdos in the world. 
​You’ll also hear what happens when you look inside a bunch of people’s belly buttons.

Jennifer Ryan and Melanie Benjamin "Royals Are Just Like Us...Only They're Not"

 
Who doesn’t love a good story about the Royal Family (even if it’s your secret, guilty pleasure)? Join these two bestselling historical fiction authors as they talk about their recent novels, both about the Royals, but from different points of view and at different times in history. Listen to them discuss historical parallels to modern-day Royals, how you have to approach writing historical fiction, and whether to focus on real vs. imagined characters, and how younger readers seem to have a harder time entering a past time period where gender roles are different.
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You might even hear about the Queen skydiving into the 2012 London Olympics (or did she?...)

Patmeena Sabit and Nadia Hashimi "I'm All of These Things Rolled Into One"

Internationally bestselling author Nadia Hashimi in conversation with Afghan-born debut author Patmeena Sabit (a “gorgeous and powerful debut” - NYT). They discuss their shared family roots in Afghanistan, how women fought in the Special Forces on the frontlines of war, how there’s a variety of perspectives in the Muslim diaspora, how characters talk to you, and how all writing is a “false start” until you hit your stride.
You will also hear whose young son mistakenly said, “I thought you wrote the books. I didn’t know you just ordered them from Amazon.”

Amanda Jones and Barbara Dee "Judy Blume Was Everything and More"

We are so proud to have these two amazing women and authors on this episode.  Barbara is the author of fifteen middle school books including her latest, Nothing to See Here, which will be released in October.  Amanda released her first book, That Librarian, in response to the attacks that librarians are being subjected to in the current book banning frenzy around the country.   They discuss how books and reading shaped their lives, being trained in public speaking, how they talk non-stop to their friends about books, and the importance of internet safety.  You'll have to listen to find out what happened when a very large iced tea spilled onto a surge protector three seconds before going on live tv...
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Julian Sancton and Hampton Sides "Terrible Tales of Woe and Shipwreck"

These two NYT bestselling authors write superbly researched books about extraordinary historical events. You’ll hear what they love about the writing process and what is described as “going into the pain cave,” the art of creating memorable book titles, how ice shudders and shrieks, the helpful vs. nefarious uses of AI and what human writers can do that AI can’t, and how writing in loud coffee shops is ideal (until the staff forgets about you and locks you in one of them overnight).
You might even hear about advice from historian Shelby Foote and what he meant by the comment “like green beans in a pressure cooker.

Emma Straub and Rainbow Rowell "Boy Bands are the Great Equalizer"

Join these two NYT bestselling authors as they discuss writing FanDom books, how fan fiction is currently driving publishing, what it’s like to go on a boy band cruise, waking up and realizing you’re middle-aged, and the difference between writing “open door” vs. ”closed door” sex scenes.
​You might also hear about a secret pocket of the internet...

Ellen Hopkins and Ann Brashares "It's Kind of Exciting & A Little Bit Terrifying"

Join these two incredibly prolific NYT bestselling authors who have written everything from young adult to adult novels and nonfiction and all things in between. They share stories about writing and creating, from Crank to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants; what it's like to be banned in school systems, and have your novel turned into a film. 
You'll also hear about how they met a decade ago at Y'All Fest.....and who has venomous snakes in their yard??

Anne Lamott and Neal Allen "The Absurd Difficulty of Civilized Life"

This amazing husband and wife duo will walk us through the new book they co-authored together, what it's like to collaborate as a married couple (yes, they're still speaking to each other!), their different styles of writing and how they compliment each other.

Fiona Davis and Allison Pataki "The Met Was Forced to Return the Mummy"

These amazing queens of historical fiction will thrill you with tales of how they choose their subjects, how they research the stories and how you need to be ready to say 'I'm finished' when you think you could edit for the rest of your life.  ​
You may hear tales of Leprechauns, exorcisms and algebra as well!

Melissa Pritchard and Lauren Aliza Green "Some Words Are Just Better Than Others"

What do acting, waitressing, Goodwill item-sorting, house cleaning, teaching story-writing to women in prison, journalism, teaching poetry-writing to sex trafficking victims, and achieving a spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 List in 2024 have to do with these two incredible authors?  Listen in to find out!
You'll also find out how writing "puts the imprint of your soul on the page."