The Literary Lounge

Jennifer Cash
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Books
  • Weekly

The Literary Lounge is a cozy literary podcast featuring thoughtful conversations with authors, booksellers, publishing insiders, and other special guests about books, writing, and living a creative life. 

  1. 5d ago

    Behind the Books: The Art of Editing with Tara Singh Carlson

    What does it take to turn a manuscript into a published book? This week on The Literary Lounge, Jennifer welcomes Tara Singh Carlson, Vice President and Executive Editor at Putnam Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of book publishing. Tara has edited numerous bestselling novels, including Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, One & Only by Maurene Goo, and Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan. From discovering new voices to working alongside authors to bring their stories to life, Tara shares what goes into editing the books readers love. In this episode: Tara's journey into publishing and what it's really like to work as a book editorHow editors discover and acquire manuscriptsThe editorial process and the author-editor relationship How books are selected for celebrity book clubsThe evolving landscape of the publishing industry Advice for aspiring authors and those interested in pursuing a career in publishing Meet Tara Singh Carlson Tara Singh Carlson joined Putnam in 2014 from Viking, Penguin. Her focus is on stories for women that hit the sweet spot between commercial and literary, including historical fiction, love stories, suspense, and contemporary women’s stories that are either wildly entertaining or filled with heart. She loves strong female characters that inspire. She has edited many New York Times bestsellers, including Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan and Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, the bestselling book of its decade. She has also edited Today Show Read With Jenna picks The Family by Naomi Krupitsky and One & Only by Maurene Goo, Good Morning America Book Club pick Homeseeking by Karissa Chen and Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan, and Reese’s Book Club Picks All That Life Can Afford by Emily Everett and The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo. She was the first editor to have multiple books selected by the Reese Witherspoon Book Club. Additional books edited by Tara:  Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore by Brittanée Nicole The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel MonaghanSame Time Next Summer by Annabel MonaghanSummer Romance by Annabel MonaghanIt’s a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan Think of Me by Frances Liardet We Must Be Brave by Frances Liardet The Eights by Joanna Miller Publishing in 2027 Briefly, Forever by Sara Gray We Only Have the Summer by Paige Toon Other books mentioned in this episode: Outlander series by Diana GabaldonEleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanBroken Country by Clare Leslie HallThe Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Bridgerton series STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  2. Oct 20

    A Love Letter to Bookshops with Katie Clapham

    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer welcomes Katie Clapham, author of Receipts from a Bookshop and co-owner of Storytellers, Inc., an independent bookshop in a seaside town in England. Katie shares how her weekly Substack documenting the everyday happenings of her bookshop became a published book, the joys and challenges of life as an independent bookseller, and how she finds humor, inspiration, and stories in the most ordinary moments. In this episode: The inspiration behind Receipts from a Bookshop and its journey from Substack to a published bookHow Katie and her mother opened Storytellers, Inc.The realities, rewards, and challenges of owning an independent bookshopThe importance of supporting local bookstores and the communities that sustain themFinding humor, beauty, and inspiration in everyday observationsDiscovering and staying true to your authentic writing voiceKatie's unique perspective on publishing as both an author and bookseller Meet Katie Clapham  Katie Clapham is the co-founder, with her mother, of independent bookshop Storytellers, Inc. in a small seaside town in northwest England. She writes the popular Substack ‘Receipt from the Bookshop’, and is the author of several books for children and young adults. Katie lives with her husband, daughter and dog in Lytham St. Annes.  Connect with Katie  Substack: Receipts from a Bookshop  Follow on Instagram: @katieclaphamwriting @storytellers.inc Purchase a copy of Receipts from a Bookshop    STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  3. Oct 13

    Finding Purpose in Life's Unexpected Chapters with Dara Kurtz

    Life doesn't always unfold the way we imagine, but sometimes the most unexpected chapters lead us toward a new sense of purpose. This week, Jennifer welcomes author, speaker, and breast cancer survivor Dara Kurtz to The Literary Lounge. From losing her mother at a young age to navigating a breast cancer diagnosis and leaving a successful career in finance to pursue writing, Dara shares how life's challenges reshaped her priorities and inspired her to help others through her words.  Jennifer and Dara discuss the transformative power of gratitude, the lasting significance of handwritten letters, finding courage in vulnerability, and the unexpected paths that have shaped Dara's writing journey. In This Episode Facing breast cancer: A life-changing diagnosis and finding purpose beyond treatmentNavigating the ups and downs of publishing Gratitude: A transformative daily practicePrioritizing health, wellness, and intentional livingThe lost art of handwritten letters and the connections they preservePassing down generational wisdom through letters, stories, and family traditionsThe power of vulnerability and writing through life's difficult experiencesTransitioning from nonfiction to fiction: A new chapter in Dara's writing journeyBuilding literary community and connecting readers and writers through Books & BanterMeet Dara Kurtz Dara Kurtz is the author of I am My Mother’s Daughter: Wisdom on Life, Loss, and Love (Mandel Vilar Press), Crush Cancer, and the daily tool Living with Gratitude. She contributed to On Being Jewish Now, edited by Zibby Owens. Dara created Crazy Perfect Life, which has over 200,000 social media followers; hosts the author series Books & Banter: Conversations with Dara Kurtz; and has appeared on more than eighty podcasts and TV shows.  Connect with Dara  crazyperfectlife.com  darakurtzauthor.substack.com  Follow on Instagram: @crazyperflife  Follow on Facebook Purchase a copy of Dara’s Books: Crush Cancer: Personal Enlightenment From A Cancer Survivor I Am My Mother’s Daughter: Wisdom on Life, Loss, and Love Living With Gratitude: Count Your Blessings, Connect With Your Heart, and Nurture Your Soul Books & Authors mentioned in this episode: On Being Jewish Now edited by Zibby Owens Rochelle B. Weinstein  Zibby OwensBetween Chapters by Zibby Owens     STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  4. Oct 6

    The Bittersweet Magic of the Holidays & Writing Across Genres with Emily Stone

    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer welcomes author Emily Stone to chat about her newest festive romance, Counting Down to You, and why she’s drawn to exploring love, loss, and hope against the backdrop of the holiday season. Emily also takes us behind the scenes of her writing life, from writing speculative romance under her real name, Becky Hunter, and fantasy as one half of Ellis Hunter, to her road to publication, creative process, and what she’s working on next.  In This Episode The inspiration behind Counting Down to You and its Advent calendar challenges Writing about friendship, grief, and finding joy after lossBalancing the warmth and magic of Christmas with the heavier emotions woven throughout Emily's festive romances Emily’s approach to romance tropesWhy she rewrote Counting Down to You from third person to first person The story behind the Emily Stone pen name and writing speculative romance under her real name, Becky HunterCo-writing the bestselling fantasy romance Blood Bound as one half of Ellis HunterHer writing process and how she juggles writing across multiple genres The long road from writing her first manuscript to publishing her first novel How her rescue ponies and dog help her step away from the writing desk Meet Emily Stone Emily Stone is the author of six festive romance novels, the latest of which is Counting Down to You. Emily has lived in many places over the years, including London, Wales, Cornwall, Germany and Mozambique. She has finally settled down in Bristol, in the UK, and spends most of her free time with her two little rescue ponies and rescue dog. Emily Stone is the pen name for Becky Hunter. In addition to her Christmas novels, she writes speculative romance under her own name and is also one half of Ellis Hunter, the co-author duo behind BLOOD BOUND, a fantasy romance which was a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller earlier this year. Connect with Emily   @emstonewrites  @beckyhunterbooks  Purchase a copy of Counting Down to You  Books mentioned in this episode: Always, in December by Emily Stone   One Last Gift by Emily Stone One Moment by Becky Hunter Over and Over by Becky Hunter Blood Bound by Ellis Hunter You Make My Heart Stop by Becky Hunter A Winter Wish by Emily Stone STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  5. Sep 29

    It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself with Zibby Owens

    What if some of the biggest chapters of your life are still ahead of you? This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer sits down with bestselling author, podcast host, publisher, bookstore owner, and literary community builder Zibby Owens to talk about her new memoir, Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot. Zibby reflects on a decade of reinvention, building a life and career around books, and discovering that it’s never too late to start a new chapter.   In this episode, Jennifer and Zibby discuss: Reinventing yourself after 40How Zibby turned her lifelong love of books into a careerBuilding a community of readers and authors through booksStarting a publishing company and opening Zibby's BookshopBalancing motherhood and ambitionFinding purpose and identity as her children grow olderUsing her platform to advocate for Jewish voicesTurning to action and community in the aftermath of the Palisades firesWriting candidly about body image, weight, and midlife Meet Zibby Owens  Zibby Owens is the bestselling author and editor of six books including Blank, Bookends, Princess Charming, and On Being Jewish Now, which has spent 29 weeks on the USA Today bestseller list and inspired a stage adaptation and accompanying essay platform. She has contributed to Vogue, Oprah Daily, Good Morning America, and the Washington Post, and writes a bestselling weekly Substack. Owens hosts the award-winning podcast Totally Booked with Zibby and the weekly TV show Totally Booked with Zibby on JBS (Jewish Broadcasting Service).  A frequent speaker, moderator and broadcast guest, Owens is known for highlighting the book industry’s most anticipated new releases and emerging authors. In 2021 she founded Zibby Media with the launch of Zibby Publishing and unique year-round hosted retreats and events for book lovers. In 2023, she opened Zibby’s Bookshop, the independent bookstore in Santa Monica, CA. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, Owens, a mother of four, lives in New York and L.A. with her husband. Connect with Zibby  www.zibbyowens.com Follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens  Purchase a copy of Between Chapters  Listen to Totally Booked with Zibby  Books Mentioned in This Episode:  Bookends: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Literature by Zibby OwensOn Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates edited by Zibby Owens STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  6. Sep 22

    Making Time for What Matters with Fran Hauser

    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer sits down with author, career expert, and bookstore owner Fran Hauser to discuss her new book, Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour: The Ambitious Woman’s Guide to Doing Less and Achieving More. Fran shares how women can rethink their relationship with time by recognizing the “Four P’s”—perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and padding—and challenging the idea that everything needs as much time as we give it. She and Jennifer explore creating more space for meaningful work, managing meetings, inboxes, and social media, and Fran’s weekly practice for making sure her calendar reflects her priorities.  They also step inside Bedford Books, the independent bookstore Fran opened in Bedford, New York, and discuss the community of readers and writers that has formed since it opened its doors.  In This Episode Why “twenty minutes is the new hour” is a mindset, not just a productivity hackThe difference between Chronos and Kairos time The Four P’s stealing our time: perfectionism, people-pleasing, procrastination, and paddingHow shorter meetings, stronger boundaries, and more intentional use of email and social media can give us time backFran’s lifelong dream of owning a bookstore and the story behind Bedford BooksThe surprising lesson Fran learned while opening Bedford Books in just eight weeks How author events, workshops, and book clubs are creating community and connection in Bedford Meet Fran Hauser  Fran Hauser is a leading career expert and vocal champion of women in the workplace, a former President of Digital at Time Inc., and a startup investor. She is also the owner of Bedford Books in Bedford, New York, and the acclaimed author of The Myth of the Nice Girl. Her forthcoming book, Twenty Minutes Is the New Hour, will be published by Penguin Random House/Crown Currency in September 2026.   She has spoken at over 200 organizations, including Meta, Google, Unilever, BlackRock, Mastercard, and The Conference for Women. Fran’s insights have appeared in Fortune, CNBC, Fast Company, Elle, Refinery29, and Business Insider.  Fran lives outside NYC with her husband, two sons, and beloved mini Goldendoodle.  Connect with Fran franhauser.com  Follow Fran on Instagram @fran_hauser Bedford Books Follow Bedford Books @bedfordbooks_ Purchase a copy of Fran’s new book: Twenty Minutes is the New Hour Books Mentioned: The Myth of the Nice Girl by Fran Hauser Embrace the Work, Love Your Career by Fran Hauser The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey Walk with Me New York: Holiday by Susan Kaufman STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  7. Sep 15

    Inside the Charleston Literary Festival with Executive Director Sarah Moriarty

    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer sits down with Sarah Moriarty, Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival. Sarah and Jennifer talk about the festival’s evolution from its roots at Charleston Farmhouse in England, the gathering place of the Bloomsbury Group, to the thriving literary celebration it has become in Charleston, South Carolina. Sarah takes us behind the scenes of curating a world-class literary festival, shares why Charleston has become such an exciting destination for readers and writers, and previews this year’s 10th festival, featuring more than 50 events across ten days. They also talk about the magic of experiencing books and authors in person, Charleston’s independent bookstore boom, opportunities for emerging and young writers, and why literary festivals are a place for curious minds.  In This Episode From Sussex to South Carolina: The history of the Charleston Literary Festival The role of Executive DirectorCurating world-class literary programming Charleston as a literary city Planning your festival visit  Highlights of the 2026 Festival Nurturing emerging and young writers Building community through a shared love of books Meet Sarah Moriarty  Sarah Moriarty is a long-time literature enthusiast, branding specialist, and marketing creative. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Sarah developed a love of literature that took her from Dublin’s Trinity College to Freie Universität Berlin, where she wrote her master’s thesis on Samuel Beckett, best known for his play Waiting for Godot. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin, where she earned a BA in Literature, and Freie Universität Berlin, where she received an MA in the same field. Before her move from Berlin to Charleston in October 2021, she was the Global Director of Brand at Blinkist, a technology company in the audiobook publishing industry.   In 2021, when her husband, Mena Mark Hanna, accepted the position as general director of Spoleto Festival USA, Moriarty again leaned on her literary knowledge to change course, becoming director of marketing for Charleston Literary Festival. In 2023, she was appointed executive director. Under her leadership, the festival has become one of the “Top Lit Fests” in the world according to Travel + Leisure magazine. When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family and reading literary fiction. She lives in downtown Charleston, S.C. with her husband and their two children. Connect with Charleston Literary Festival   charlestonliteraryfestival.com  Follow on Instagram @charlestonlitfest Follow on Facebook Books & Authors Mentioned Kin by Tayari Jones The Correspondent by Virginia Evans Heart the Lover by Lily King Flashlight by Susan Choi Buckeye by Patrick Ryan Angel Down by Daniel Kraus Show Don’t Tell by Curtis Sittenfeld Partita by Barbara Kingsolver Lázár by Nelio Biedermann This Is Happiness by Niall Williams O Now! by Niall Williams Jacaranda by Gaël Faye Strangers by Belle Burden Small Town Girls by Jayne Anne Phillips Joyride by Susan Orlean The Odyssey translated by Daniel Mendelsohn The Family Man by James Lasdun Jean Hanff Korelitz Salman Rushdie The Flower Bearers by Rachel Eliza Griffiths Tiger’s Mouth by Lucy TanVirginia Woolf  STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

  8. Sep 1

    Building Community Through Books with Beth Seufer Buss of Bookmarks

    This week in The Literary Lounge, Jennifer is joined by Beth Seufer Buss, Program Director of Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. More than a bookstore, Bookmarks is a literary arts nonprofit with a mission to build an inclusive, curious, and connected community through books.  Beth shares the unique story of Bookmarks—from its beginnings as a volunteer-run book festival to becoming North Carolina’s first nonprofit bookstore—and how its year-round events, school programs, and community outreach bring readers together and help foster a love of books in the next generation.  Jennifer and Beth also go behind the scenes of the annual Festival of Books & Authors. Beth shares what goes into planning the festival, highlights from this year’s lineup of more than 50 authors, and her best tips for first-time attendees heading to downtown Winston-Salem on September 26, 2026.  Whether you’re a longtime Bookmarks supporter or discovering it for the first time, this conversation is a celebration of the connection, curiosity, and sense of belonging that can grow when a community gathers around books.  In This Episode The story behind Bookmarks and the Festival of Books & Authors Beth’s journey from librarian and Bookmarks volunteer to Program Director  Building connection and community through books  Helping young readers discover the joy of reading What goes into planning a 50+ author book festival A preview of the 2026 Festival of Books & Authors Creating bookish fun for readers of all ages Beth’s tips for first-time Festival attendeesBookmarks' year-round events and community programming  Ways to support Bookmarks from afar  Meet Beth Seufer Buss Beth Seufer Buss is Program Director at Bookmarks, where she oversees the nonprofit's bookstore, year-round author events, and Festival of Books & Authors, helping build an inclusive, curious, and connected community through books. Connect with Beth  Instagram: @firststreetbethreads Connect with Bookmarks  Website: bookmarksnc.org Festival of Books & Authors: bookmarksncfestival.org Instagram: @bookmarksnc Facebook: facebook.com/BookmarksNC TikTok: @bookmarksnc  Donate to Bookmarks: bookmarksnc.org/donate  Books & Authors Mentioned in this Episode:  Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell Judy Bolton series by Margaret SuttonStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Stacey AbramsInvestiGators by John Patrick GreenAmari and the Night Brothers by B B AlstonAlan Gratz Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola YoonA Princess is a Princess by Anika Noni RosePunished for Dreaming by Dr. Bettina L Love Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea by Emily Wilson Jax Freeman and the Graveyard Forest by Kwame MbaliaJohn GreenAngie ThomasHollow Bones by Jodi PicoultThe Correspondent by Virginia EvansSarah Addison AllenKristy Woodson HarveyNic Stone STAY CONNECTED Subscribe to The Literary Lounge wherever you listen to podcasts for weekly conversations with authors, booksellers, and other voices from the literary world.  Continue the conversation on Substack for independent bookstore features, reading recommendations, and more from The Literary Lounge.  Instagram: @theliterarylounge.co  Substack: jennifercash.substack.com  ABOUT THE HOST Jennifer Cash is the creator and host of The Literary Lounge. A writer and lifelong reader based in North Carolina, she also shares books, bookstores, literary travel, and the writing life at @readwithjennifer.

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out of 5
10 Ratings

About

The Literary Lounge is a cozy literary podcast featuring thoughtful conversations with authors, booksellers, publishing insiders, and other special guests about books, writing, and living a creative life. 

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Cash
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Literary Lounge
  • Show Website
    The Literary Lounge

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