Behind The Stack

In this episode Brett sits down with author Ashley Winstead to discuss her new book, 'The Future Saints'. They talk about the book's surprising origin, her connection to music and the music industry, what she would want to be if not a writer, music documentaries, and the raw creation of music vs writing. 

Ashley's website:

https://www.ashleywinstead.com/

Ashley's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stories/ash...

In this episode Brett sits down with Jennifer Niven to discuss her book, 'Meet the Newmans'. They talk about antiquated grade school classes, her mother and how she was inspirational for the character of Dinah, working in a male dominated profession, the musicians who inspired key characters in the book, and why she made the decision to set the story in the time period she did. 

Jennifer's website:

https://www.jen...

In the season three premiere Brett sits down with author Rosie Storey to discuss her debut novel, "Dandelion is Dead". They talk about growing up on a farm and later when she began to write. Trying to understand the 'cataclysm of death', the yin and yang of the central sisters, writing men vs women, and her eclectic taste in music. 

Rosie's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rosiestorey/

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Brett is joined once agin with Renee from itsbooktalk where they discuss their fourth quarter favs as well as giving up one book each they know will be on their best of the year lists. 

Books discussed:

-Running Man by Charlie Engle

-Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo

-Grace & Henry's Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman

-The Director by Daniel Kehlmann

-Just Mercy by Brian Stevenson

-Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicolas ...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Justinian Huang to talk about his new book, Lucky Seed.They discuss his travel life, his hero growing up, writing Asian LA, Hungry Ghost, why a twist needs to be earned, Chinese Palace Dramas and Jackie Collins. 

Justinian's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/justinianhuang/

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In this episode Brett sits down with Quiara Alegria Hudes to discuss her fiction debut, 'The White Hot'. They discuss childhood imagination and when writing started for her. Why Daphne Rubin Vega was the best choice for the audio recording, Siddhartha and story book archetypes, Jagged Little Pill, and the differences between being a novelist vs a playright.

Quiara's website:
https://www.quiara.com/
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In this episode Brett sits down with Lance Garland to discuss his new memoir, 'Out There'. They talk about growing up gay in an ultra conservative home, the Navy SEALS and the physical demands of both that and being a firefighter, why firefighting as a profession, and embracing risk in ones job and in life. 

Lance's website:
https://www.lancegarland.com/

Lance's instagram:
https://www.i...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Brian Schaefer to discuss his debut novel 'Town & Country'. They delve into his dance history and how that transitioned into writing, what inspired the story, removing outside political influences while writing about politics, and perhaps a favorite musical or two.

Brian's website:

https://www.brian-schaefer.com/about

Brian's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/itsbri...

In this episode Brett sits down with author Catherine Newman to discuss her latest book, 'Wreck'. They talk about writing as therapy, kids, empty nesting, growing old, anxiety, long term relationships, and a small casting session on who could play Rocky. 

Catherine's website:

https://www.catherinenewmanwriter.com/

Catherine's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/catherinewman/

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In this episode Brett sits down with writer Max Delsohn to talk about his debut collection of short stories, 'Crawl'. They discuss, trans masculine life in Seattle, what dream profession he wished for, a love for music, a dive into Stephen Sondheim, and his stand up past. 

Max's website:

https://www.maxdelsohn.com/

Max's instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maxdelsohn/

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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!
‌
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/

If ...

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...