Novelist Spotlight

Mike Consol

Novelist Spotlight is a gathering place for people interested in reading and writing great fiction and literature. This is where you will hear from the authors who write the novels and learn of their motivations, writing process, characters, struggles and successes. Novelist Spotlight is hosted by Mike Consol, a lifelong journalist and author of four novels.

  1. 3 MAR

    Novelist Spotlight #198: Tyson Cornell on Rare Bird Books’ new partnership with Simon & Schuster

    In the spotlight is repeat guest Tyson Cornell, the founder and publisher of Rare Bird Books, an independent press committed to bold, boundary-pushing storytelling. He has more than two decades of experience in publishing, bookselling and author advocacy, and has championed hundreds of acclaimed titles across fiction, nonfiction and music.    Learn more about Rare Bird Books here: https://rarebirdlit.com/about-rare-bird    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no           Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    53 min

  2. 12 FEB

    Novelist Spotlight #197: The writing life and the perils of girlhood and keeping memories

    In the spotlight is Melissa Fraterrigo, the author of the memoir-in-essays titled “The Perils of Girlhood.” She has also written the novel “Glory Days,” as well as the short story collection “The Longest Pregnancy.”  Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies from Shenandoah and The Massachusetts Review to  storySouth and Notre Dame Review. She has been a finalist for awards from Glimmer Train on multiple occasions, twice nominated for Pushcart Awards, and was the winner of the Sam Adams/Zoetrope: All Story Short Fiction Contest.   She teaches creative writing at Purdue University and in the MFA program in creative writing at Butler University in Indianapolis and also offers instruction on the art and craft of writing at the Lafayette Writers’ Studio in Lafayette, Indiana.  Learn more about Melissa Fraterrigo here: https://www.melissafraterrigo.com/    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no         Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    58 min

  3. 24 JAN

    Novelist Spotlight #196: ‘Rock of Pages’ illustrates connection between 1980s heavy metal and literature

    In the spotlight is Jesse Kavadlo, author of “Rock of Pages,” a book inspired by his decades of work as a professor of literature and as a musician. In “Rock of Pages,” Kavadlo analyzes the ways in which 1980s heavy metal aligns with and develops many of the themes prevalent in the canon of literature. In doing so, the book examines some of the contexts of 1980s heavy metal, including the Cold War, the rise of MTV, and the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center and subsequent congressional hearings.   Learn more about Jesse Kavaldo and his books and teaching here: https://jessekavadlo.com    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no       Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    57 min

  4. 8 JAN

    Novelist Spotlight #195: Kid Comet — superhero stories with heart for middle-grade boys

    In the spotlight is Christopher Bodmann, who has always been captivated by the power of storytelling and his belief that stories exist to inspire, drive action and ignite passion. He uses fantasy elements to address real-world issues that middle-grade readers might face, aiming to create a meaningful connection to their lives. He is particularly passionate about encouraging middle-grade boys to become avid readers by incorporating “gateway” topics that resonate with their interests, while also ensuring his content appeals to all audiences.    Learn more about Christopher Bodmann and his books here: https://www.christopherbodmann.com    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no     Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    1 hr

  5. 19/12/2025

    Novelist Spotlight #194: How an author obituary launched a new writing career

    In the spotlight is multi-award-winning Canadian author Douglas Smith. He writes novels, short stories and nonfiction, having published his work in more than 200 short fiction publications in 36 countries and 27 languages — writing about fantasy, science fiction and the indefinable. Among his nonfiction books is one titled Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.    Learn more about Douglas Smith here: https://www.smithwriter.com/   Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no   Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    54 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Novelist Spotlight #193: New publisher reprinting forgotten books by American women authors

    Lisa Endo Cooper and Bremond Berry MacDougall met on the first day of seventh grade and quickly discovered their shared love for books. Decades later, they founded Quite Literally Books, a women-owned small heritage press reprinting forgotten books by American women authors to share with new generations of lit lovers. As publishers, they are dedicated to creating new editions of ought-to-be in print books and, in doing so, hope to be a part of ongoing conversations about essential questions.  Learn more about Quite Literally Books here: https://quiteliterallybooks.com Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    57 min

  7. 02/12/2025

    Novelist Spotlight #192: American Iranian author Nick Berg on autofiction and his CIA-agent father

    In the spotlight is Nick Berg, an Iranian American author whose life and writing has been marked by cultural conflict and the search for purpose. Born in Tehran to an Iranian mother and an American father, he grew up amid Iran’s rich cultural heritage and the intense political upheavals of the region.  Those formative experiences influenced Nick Berg’s worldview in profound ways, inspiring him to tell stories that resonate with both struggle and redemption. His novel, Shadows of Tehran, is based on a true story and reflects his journey through themes of identity, survival and transformation.    Learn more about Nick Berg and his work here: https://www.pnberg.com  Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no  Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    57 min

  8. 06/11/2025

    Novelist Spotlight #191: Short story writer Bob Johnson and ‘The Continental Divide’

    In the spotlight is Bob Johnson, award-winning short story writer, a graduate of the lowa Writers’ Workshop, and author of the new short story collection titled “The Continental Divide,” for which he has received immense praise. His short stories have been published by literary journals including The Common, Philadelphia Stories, The Barcelona Review and elsewhere. His story “The Continental Divide” was named Short Story of the Year by The Hudson Review, and he subsequently wrote a short story collection of the same name.    Bob Johnson lives in South Bend, Indiana.    Learn more about Bob Johnson and buy a copy of “The Continental Divide” here: https://www.bobjohnsonwriter.com/    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no           Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

    1 hr
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About

Novelist Spotlight is a gathering place for people interested in reading and writing great fiction and literature. This is where you will hear from the authors who write the novels and learn of their motivations, writing process, characters, struggles and successes. Novelist Spotlight is hosted by Mike Consol, a lifelong journalist and author of four novels.

Information

  • Creator
    Mike Consol
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Mike Consol
  • Show Website
    Novelist Spotlight

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