Welcome to Authors Love Readers
This podcast, hosted by USAToday bestselling author Patricia McLinn, is a conversation between authors about how and why they create stories. With questions contributed by readers. Quite a few podcasts are out there for aspiring and established writers, both on the craft and the business.
This podcast, though, is for readers.
The goal is to have authors on the show who write in all sorts of fiction genres. As a reader, it doesn’t matter which path to publication an author takes – independent, traditional, hybrid and other combinations. That’s not going to matter on Authors Love Readers, either.
Listen to the latest podcasts
Leaving Episode 45: Characters Behind, with Julianne MacLean
Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including historical romance and the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven series. MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won the Booksellers’ Best Award, the Book Buyers Best Award, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from the Romantic Times for Best Regency Historical Romance of 2005 (Love According to Lily). She earned a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She has also lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England, and currently resides on the east coast of Canada. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Julianne about making characters suffer and moving on from them.
In Julianne’s words: “So the ones that I’ve written about before… I’ve given them their story… and set them on their way. … I will think about my books, and I will think about my characters fondly, but I don’t miss them. I don’t feel like I need to tell more of their story.” [21:30]
You can find Julianne on:
*Her Website
Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you!
Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 44: Bonus Content and Outtakes, Various Authors
In our first compilation episode, we bring you bonus interview material that couldn’t make it into previous episodes. (So little time, so much to talk about!) Hear host Patricia McLinn’s conversations with podcast guest authors Eve Gaddy, Tawdra Kandle, Debra Salonen, Rachel Grant, Julia Kent, Kelly McClymer, Barbara O’Neal, Lori Ryan and Donna Kauffman. Topics include technology, audiobooks, cursing and first jobs. Plus, we share outtakes to show you not only the stories behind the stories, but the talk behind the talk!
Thank you so much for listening. We hope you enjoyed the podcast enough to want to support us for future episodes. You can do that with as little as $1 a month — that’s only 25 cents per episode! What a deal! — by pledging at Patreon. It’s vital to Authors Love Readers to have your support. Thank you!
Please also consider rating/reviewing the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts.
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 43: News and Notes, from Patricia McLinn
Patricia McLinn is a USA Today bestselling author with more than 45 romance, women’s fiction and mystery novels and the creator and host of the Authors Love Readers podcast.
McLinn attended Northwestern University, where she obtained her BA in English Composition in only three years. She continued at Northwestern, obtaining her Masters in Journalism in her fourth year.
After beginning her career in sports journalism, McLinn moved into the field of fiction, publishing her first novel in 1990. McLinn has written for Harlequin Enterprises, Delphi Books and Belle Books, as well as independent e-publishing through A Writer’s Work, and the usual array of commercial outlets. She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. After 25 years of traditional publishing, Patricia converted to the self-published world in 2015.
In Patricia’s words: “[Having my own e-bookstore] gives me more flexibility and more autonomy to be able to offer books and deals to my reader…and this is why I think lots of authors are doing this.”
You can find Patricia at her:
or
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 42: Creating Story Worlds, with Ann Charles
USA Today bestselling author Ann Charles writes award-winning mysteries that are splashed with humor, romance and whatever else sounds fun. Ann lives in the Northern Arizona mountains with her husband, children and a sassy cat. After many years and several colleges, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington.
When she’s not dabbling in fiction, she’s penning writing-themed articles or standing on her workshop soapbox, sharing what she has learned over the years about the writing craft and self-promotion. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Ann about creating story worlds as they are revealed from the imagination instead of from a premeditated path.
In Ann’s words: “When I wrote that first book [Nearly Departed in Deadwood] I intended to write a single title … but it went deep and wide. It’s a story world that I learn about as I go.” (22:30)
You can find Ann at:
her website
or
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 41: Consistency and Change, with Donna Kauffman
Donna Kauffman is passionate, driven and more than just a little bit romantic. She’s also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of more than 70 novels, translated and sold in more than 26 countries around the world. She has won multiple RT Book Awards, Readers Choice and PRISM awards and has been a RITA Award finalist. Born into the maelstrom of Washington, D.C., politics, she now lives in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where she is a volunteer transporter for the Wildlife Center of Virginia and Rockfish Sanctuary. She’s also an avid DoItYourselfer, baker and gardener. She’s been involved in paper crafting, both as a maker and a teacher, for more than 20 years.
Donna always has had a love affair with the romance genre. An avid reader, she spent her childhood poring over various types of fiction, but she later gravitated toward romance. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Donna about consistency and change in her writing process and style, throughout her career.
In Donna’s words: “I don’t worry so much what I’m supposed to be doing with my life or with my characters[now] …because, by my standards and by what makes me happy, I’m doing great.” (8:23)
You can find Donna at:
Her website
or
You can also check out her crafting works, including step-by-step DIY instructions, at www.minibooksrme.com
and her YouTube channel, www.youtube.com/c/DonnaKauffman
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 40: Mostly Historical, with Deborah Hale
NOTE: We had some technical difficulties with sound distortion in Deborah’s interview and parts couldn’t be recorded. Our apology for a shorter-than-usual author podcast this week.
After a decade spent tracing her ancestors’ roots in Georgian-era Britain, Deborah Hale learned a great deal about the period and uncovered enough fascinating true stories to inspire her fiction plots for years to come. A Golden Heart Award winner and RITA Award finalist, Deborah has written more than 30 novels and novellas in the genres of historical romance, inspirational romance, historical fiction and otherworld fantasy. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Deborah about being consistent with facts and history in fantasy novels; and busts myths about historical fiction.
In Deborah’s words: “I find usually the heroines are really strong… and manage to forge a relationship to change their own character… and have and expect wonderful sex. What’s anti-feminist about that?” (12:04)
You can find Deborah on:
Her website
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 39: Author Speak, with Patricia McLinn
Host Patricia McLinn reports from Author World with an update on “Cockygate” lawsuits, patent and trademark issues and Amazon scammers. She also dials up the Authors Love Readers Translation Service, taking readers behind the author curtain with explanations of terms in the craft and business of writing. Next week, Authors Love Readers will resume its regular format with a guest interview.
We hope you’ll consider supporting these discussions of the stories behind the stories and how writers write. Thank you!
Authors Love Readers’ Facebook page
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 38: We Are All Different, with Barbara Ankrum
Bestselling author Barbara Ankrum was a successful commercial actress until her love of romance novels led to a publishing contract. Many books later, she still believes in happy endings and feels very lucky to do what she loves, with her husband, two children, two cats and one scruffy, unrepentant dog at her side. Her contemporary and historical romances have won numerous awards, including Romantic Times’ K.I.S.S Awards. She was a 2016 finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest and has been nominated twice for Romance Writers of America’s RITA Award. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Barbara about her experience as an actress and screenwriter, why she has to write a book straight through, and why deadlines are necessary.
In Barbara’s words: “I would say that we are all different … we all approach it differently. Thank goodness, because that makes for a lot of great, interesting stories.” (28:10).
You can find Barbara on:
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 37: Is This Right for Me, with Nancy Warren
A USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 novels, Nancy Warren is known for her funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. Nancy is a three-time RITA Awards finalist, a winner of the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award, and was featured in an A1 New York Times story on her Harlequin Nascar romance series. Her latest releases include The Daisy Games, Book 7 of her Take a Chance series, and If the Dress Fits, Book 5 of The Almost Wives Club. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Nancy about taking others’ advice, starting a book in the middle, and collaborating with other writers.
In Nancy’s words: “I take people’s advice too easily, without sometimes thinking, maybe this was right for you but is this right for me?” (12:46).
You can find Nancy on:
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
Episode 36: Always a Love Story, with Tawdra Kandle
USA Today bestselling author Tawdra Kandle writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy in many forms. She loves unlikely pairings, strong women, sexy guys, hot love scenes and just enough conflict to make it interesting. Her books include young adult and new adult paranormal romance, new adult and adult contemporary romance and paramystery romance. She lives in central Florida with a husband, kids, sweet pup and too many cats. And yeah, she rocks purple hair. Host Patricia McLinn talks with Tawdra about what connects all her books, considering perspective and how she got her name.
In Tawdra’s words: “I write a lot of different types of books, but they all have in common romance. I am, at heart, a romance novelist… At the heart, it’s always a love story.” (1:10).
You can find Tawdra on:
Thanks to DialogMusik for the instrumentals that accompany this podcast.
