Behind The Stack

In this episode Brett sits down with author Ron Rindo to talk about his new novel 'Life, & Death, & Giants'. They discuss where the giant idea sprang from, the Amish community, his favorite character in the book, and who was the inspiration for that character, the poetry of Emily Dickinson, and they take a run at which actresses could be right for the character of Hannah. 

Ron's website:

https://ronrindo.com/

ro...

In this episode Brett sits down with Kirsten Miller to discuss her new book, 'The Women of Wild Hill'. They talk about her early work in advertising, the things that are passed on through generations, the collective power of women, what she would choose as her magical ability, and the advice she'd give to young women today. 

Kirsten's website:

https://www.kirstenmillerbooks.com

Kirsten's instagram:

https://www....

In this episode Brett is joined with returning guest Renee from @itsbooktalk to discuss some of our favs from quarter three, as well as discuss some titles we're excited about in the final quarter of the year! This episode is avail at the link in my bio or from your podcast platform of choice!
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Renee’s substack:
https://substack.com/@itsbooktalk?utm_source=global-search
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In this episode Brett sits down with author Sam Sussman to talk about his debut novel, 'Boy From the North Country'. They discuss audio books and narrating his own story, fiction vs non fiction and the way we view both, transforming life experiences into art, and discovering your parent even after their death. 

Sam's website:

https://www.samevansussman.org/

Sam's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sam__sussman/

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In this episode Brett sits down with author Alejandro Varela for his book, 'Middle Spoon'. They discuss polyamory, the universality of heartbreak, humor that comes from anxiety, unnamed narrators, playing with biases, and a singer who will be your father figure. 

Alejandro's website:

https://alejandrovarela.work/

Alejandro's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/drovarela/

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In this episode Brett sits down with author Joanne Harris to discuss her latest book, Vianne. They talk about her decision to return the world of Chocolat, her writing shed, the ritual and communion around mealtime and food, and creating art for joy.

Joanne's website: 

https://www.joanne-harris.co.uk/

Joanne's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/joannechocolat/ 

Joanne's bluesky:

https://bsky.app/profile/joannechocolat.bs...

In this episode Brett sits down with Patrick Ryan to discuss his novel Buckeye. They talk about writing character vs plot, the road to publishing this book, the hardest character to write, and find a common bond over similar childhood book lists. 

Patrick's website:

https://patrickryanbooks.com/

Patrick's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/patrickryannyc/

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In this summer bonus episode Brett sits down with author Leigh Dunlap to discuss her debut thriller, "Bless Your Heart". They talk about her move from Hollywood assistant, to screenwriter, to now author, the three unforgettable scripts she read before they were movies, the Atlanta Buckhead Betties, kids game culture, and which Betty was the only one she had an actress in mind. 

Leigh's website:

https://leighdunlapwrite...

In this bonus episode Brett sits down with author Joe Pan to discuss his debut novel, "Florida Palms". They talk about the Florida of the novel, and what real life events precipitated his needing to leave it, his process of leading with character before plot, a confession to his father that led to a surprising response, and the discovery of a genre of animation that will certainly change your google algorithm.

Joe's w...

In this Summer bonus episode Brett is joined with returning guest Renee from @itsbooktalk to discuss some of our favs from quarter two, and we only had one cross over! This episode is avail at the link in my bio or from your podcast platform of choice!

Renee's instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/itsbooktalk/

Renee's substack:

https://substack.com/@itsbooktalk?utm_source=global-search

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In this episode Brett sits down with Honorée Fanonne Jeffers to discuss her new book, "Misbehaving At The Crossroads". They talk selling a book, University teaching, Obama and 45, the challenge and vulnerability of writing memoir, Mamas, and Fathers, and being a survivor. 

Honorée's instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/honoree_jeffers/

Honorée's website:
https://honoreejeffers.com

If you...

In this episode Brett sits down with writer/producer Chris Chibnall to discuss his debut mystery, 'Death At The White Hart'. They talk around the story, avoiding spoilers, dive into his career as a successful producer on such shows as Dr Who and Broadchurch, and find a mutual admiration for the same bestselling author. 

Chris' instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chrischibnall/

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In this episode Brett sits down with author Jess Walter to discuss his new book, "So Far Gone". They talk about which character he's written he relates to the most, the backdrop of Spokane Washington, and the eternal battle we all currently face.

Jess Walter's website:

https://www.jesswalter.com

Jess Walter's instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/jesswalterbooks/

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In this episode Brett sits down with Rob Franklin to discuss his debut novel, "Great Black Hope". They talk about  the intersection of race, class and queerness, Black respectability politics, blending fact and fiction to create a vibrant New York City, and his non for profit initiative Art for Black Lives .

Rob's website:

https://www.robert-michael-franklin.com

Rob's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/robfrank__/

...

In this episode Brett sits down with author V.E. Schwab to discuss her latest book, Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil. They talk about when heroes disappoint, tackling multiple projects at once, generosity to fans, and paying homage to Anne Rice and her world of vampires. 

V.E.'s website: 

https://www.veschwab.com/

V.E.'s instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/veschwab/

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In this episode Brett sits down with author Jonathan Parks-Ramage for his novel, "It's Not The End of he World". They discuss the incident that inspired this, children in the story and in life, and the central question he asked himself while writing the book.

Jonathan's website:
https://www.jonathan-p-r.com

Jonathan's instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/jprampage/

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In this episode Brett sits down with Lucas Shaeffer to discuss his debut novel,'The Slip'. They talk about the wide range of characters inhabiting the story's boxing gym, the town of Austin, the many facets of identity, and a possible fascination with clowns. 

Lucas Shaeffer's website:

https://www.lucasschaefer.com

Lucas' instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lucaseschaefer/

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In this episode Brett sits down with Nicola Dinan to talk about her sophomore book, "Disappoint Me". They discuss identity and assimilation, what good fiction can do, food writing, and a serendipitous episode of "The White Lotus".

Nicola's instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nicoladinan/

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In this episode Brett is joined again by bookstagram favs Bernie Lombardi & Christopher Metts to discuss books that play with the idea of summer whether as a vibe, an escape, or something you just might not be able to put down. 

Christopher's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/christophermetts/

Bernie's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bernie.lombardi/

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