Tag Archives: southern fiction

E151: Interview with Sean Jacques, author of Doe Run

November 8, 2024Author Interviewdoe run, missouri, Ozarks, sean jacques, shotgun honey, southern fiction, southern noirtopshelfatmerricklibrary

For this episode I sat down with author Sean Jacques to talk about his fiction debut, Doe Run. Author Eli Cranor says, “Sean Jacques knows the heart of the Ozarks, and puts that knowledge on full display in this sweltering debut. Doe Run burns slow like good bourbon. Drink up.” Doe Run by Sean Jacques features a desperate drifter on the run, Pen Cullen, who reluctantly returns home after a thirteen-year absence for the sole reason to pick up a family inheritance. He gets more than he bargains for and begs the question, “Can you go home again?”

In this episode, Sean Jacques takes us behind the scenes of his creative journey, sharing insights into writing screenplays, the inspiration behind Doe Run, and his approach to crafting compelling characters. From the spark that ignited his passion for storytelling to the intricacies of character development, Sean’s perspective is both enlightening and inspiring. I absolutely loved diving into Doe Run—thank you, Sean, for joining me!

Grab your copy of Doe Run right here.

Sean Jacques recommends: The Crucible by Arthur Miller; the works of Scott Phillips; the works of Daniel Woodrell; White Jazz by James Elroy; Heat: The Movie

Also recommended are the works of Peter Farris; Meagan Lucas; Tiffany Quaye Tyson; James Wade; Suzanne Crain Miller; Eli Cranor; Mark Westmoreland; Henry Wise; Scott Blackburn; and the one and only S.A. Cosby!

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Episode 148: Interview with Eli Cranor, author of Broiler

July 31, 2024Author InterviewArkansas, broiler, Don't Know Tough, Eli Cranor, Ozark Dogs, Ozarks, Soho Crime, Soho Press, southern crime, southern fiction, southern noirtopshelfatmerricklibrary

“This gripping, gritty noir is Upton Sinclair on hormones, the Coen brothers deep-fried.” ~ –Minneapolis Star Tribune about Broiler by Eli Cranor

Eli Cranor’s third book, Broiler, is another edge-of-your-seat noir thriller that exposes the dark, bloody heart of life on the margins in the American South and the bleak underside of a bygone American Dream. I was thrilled to host him for the third time to talk about his brand new book. In this episode, Eli shares his deep personal connection to Broiler. He opens up about the inspiration he draws from his family, the influence of his students, dives into his unique writing process, and explains how this story stands apart from his previous works. But that’s not all! Eli also gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming book, which promises to be quite a departure from his usual style. And for all you sports fans, we couldn’t resist talking a bit of college football! Tune in for an engaging and inspiring conversation. You won’t want to miss it!

Eli joined us for Episode 87 and for Episode 120, if you want to catch up on either of those! Place your holds here for all Eli Cranor’s books. Thanks so much again, Eli!

Eli Cranor recommends: Holy City by Henry Wise; Great State of West Florida by Kent Wascom; A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers. The work of Elmore Leonard and Carl Hiaasen. Follow Eli Cranor on social media: @elicranor

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Episode 144: Interview with Wanda M. Morris, author of What You Leave Behind

June 14, 2024Author Interviewall her little secrets, anywhere you run, Harper Collins, southern fiction, Thriller, Wanda Morris, what you leave behind, William Morrowtopshelfatmerricklibrary

What You Leave Behind is the powerful new book by Wanda M. Morris, and I am thrilled to host her for this episode! What You Leave Behind is a haunting thriller following a lawyer who after the mysterious disappearance of a local landowner, uncovers a conspiracy that dates back to Reconstruction and still persists in half the US today. For this episode we talk about why she writes thrillers, what she’s working on next and more. We share quite a few laughs in this episode, don’t miss it. Wanda is the only author I boost on the Long Island Railroad, so go back and listen to the first episode we did to find out why this is so!

Thank you so much Wanda! Follow Wanda on IG & Threads: @wandamowrites; on Twitter: @WandaMo14; and on Facebook: @WandaMorris. Place your holds for all Wanda’s books right here.

Wanda M. Morris recommends: You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen; Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe.

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E110: Interview with Tiffany Quay Tyson author of The Past Is Never

January 19, 2023Author Intervieweverglades, Skyhorse Publishing, southern fiction, southern gothic, the past is never, three rivers, tiffany quay tyson, william faulknertopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Tyson penetrates your imagination with characters and places in The Past is Never, so real they feel like your own suppressed memories. I’ll never look at the Everglades the same way again.” —Carrie La Seur, award-winning author of The Home Place

The Past is Never by Tiffany Quay Tyson is a compelling addition to contemporary Southern Gothic fiction, deftly weaving together local legends, family secrets, the search for a missing child, and I could not put it down.

Tiffany and I talk about the title of the book, the stories that families tell each other, childhood memories, what Tiffany is working on next and so much more. I had a blast, thank you Tiffany!

Tiffany recommends: White Horse by Erika T. Wurth; the works of Michael Farris Smith; Cottonmouths and Real Bad Things both by Kelly J. Ford; The Last List of Miss Judith Kratt by Andrea Bobotis; It Dies With You by Scott Blackburn (E109 guest); and A Violent Gospel and A Mourning Song both by Mark Westmoreland (E108 guest).

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E108: Interview with Scott Blackburn, author of It Dies With You

December 9, 2022Author InterviewAuthor Interview, crooked land books, debut, debut author, Friday Reads, it dies with you, Readers Advisory, scott blackburn, southern crime, southern fiction, Staff Picktopshelfatmerricklibrary

“It Dies With You is a satisfying gut-punch of a story. Gritty and surprising, the small-town Southern mystery is populated with big characters that make this novel truly special. I can’t wait to read whatever Scott Blackburn writes next.” —Tiffany Quay Tyson, award-winning author of The Past is Never.

In Scott Blackburn’s debut, It Dies With You, protagonist Hudson takes over his dad’s salvage business after his father is murdered. But Hudson gets more than he bargains for and must join forces with two unlikely accomplices. It Dies with You is a timely story about the long shadows cast by sins of the past.

I also can’t wait to read what Scott Blackburn writes next and he talks about that and more in this episode! Scott also shared a few book recommendations to get you ready for the holiday season, and you can find those below. What a great interview, thank you so much Scott!

Scott recommends: The Past is Never by Tiffany Quay Tyson; After the Lights Go Out by John Vercher; Every Hidden Thing by Ted Flanagan; the work of William Boyle; Kill the Prince by Dan Fogarty; The Devil Himself by Peter Farris; Living the Gimmick by Bobby Matthews; In the Lonely Backwater by Valerie Nieman; Something Bad Wrong by Eryk Pruitt; Hemlock Hollow by Culley Holderfield; and The Nightmare Man by JH Markert. That ought to get y’all started!

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Episode 107: Interview with author Mark Westmoreland for A Violent Gospel and A Mourning Song

November 9, 2022Author Interviewa mourning song, a violent gospel, crime noir, Georgia, mark westmoreland, shotgun honey, southern fiction, southern gothic, southern noirtopshelfatmerricklibrary

These two books by Mark Westmoreland? They are absolutely terrific. Both A Violent Gospel and A Mourning Song feature the Dooley brothers and if you can, start with A Violent Gospel. After the events of A Violent Gospel left Mack Dooley at the bottom of a whiskey bottle, he’s a haunted man and he’s back in A Mourning Song, forced to face his demons.

For this episode, Mark Westmoreland talks about the origins of the Dooley brothers, his approach to writing villains, the book he’s working on next, and so much more. Thank you so much Mark! Follow Mark Westmoreland on Twitter and Instagram: @ItsMarkYall

Mark Westmoreland recommends: A Fire in the Night by Christopher Swann; Hillbilly Hustle by Wesley Browne; Walking Through Needles by Heather Levy; It Dies With You by Scott Blackburn; The Past is Never by Tiffany Quay Tyson; Wise Blood by Flannery O’Connor

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Episode 98: Interview with Madeline Kay Sneed

July 5, 2022Author Interview#comingout, #madelinesneed #LGBTQ, #thegoldenseason, Contemporary Fiction, faith, family, Football, graydon house, Harlequin, Queer, rural fiction, southern fiction, Texas, West Texastopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Madeline Kay Sneed has written a Friday Night Lights for a new generation. The Golden Season is a heartfelt story of finding yourself, coming out, and coming home… A tender, bighearted exploration of family, first love, and faith, with a gorgeously evoked west Texas landscape as backdrop.” —Sarah McCraw Crow, author of The Wrong Kind of Woman. An absolutely spot-on review for this remarkable debut, a novel about love, acceptance, and the expansion of your heart.

For this episode, debut author Madeline Kay Sneed chatted with me about writing a debut novel, setting the novel in West Texas and signature cocktails. Madeline even offers to teach me how to say, “y’all” like a true Texan. A must listen, thank you SO much Madeline!

Madeline Kay Sneed recommends: Vigil Harbor by Julia Glass; The Burning Season by Allison Wisdom

Follow Madeline on Twitter: @madelinesneed and on Instagram @madzsneed

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