Finding the Magic Book Podcast

Tricia Copeland
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

What makes you love a book? I find my favorite stories are those where I'm crying with the MC, celebrating their victories, and screaming at their missteps. Welcome to Finding the Magic, a podcast all about books, plots, characters, and the authors that create them. I write young adult fantasy and sci-fi dystopian, as well as fun and inspiring romances. Listen in as I highlight books and authors from these genres as well as mysteries, thrillers, and horror. Find me and intro to my books at triciacopeland.com or all my links at https://linktr.ee/triciacopeland

  1. 4d ago

    S6 E64 with Author Alison McBain

    Is it fantasy reading season yet? I say yes all year! Dive into Alison's short spooky stories and all her works. Learn more about her and her stories in this latest episode. Diversity is one of Alison McBain's passions. With dual Canadian-U.S. citizenship, a Japanese-American mother and a B.A. in African history and classical literature, she has an eclectic background and a wide range of experience. She grew up in California and moved to the East Coast in her mid-twenties. Recently, she moved back to Alberta, where she is raising her three daughters.She started her writing career at age four with a "self-published" horror story about the monster in the closet. The story was highly lauded by her closest family members. Since then, she's received a number of writing awards and accolades from people not even vaguely related to her, but she still has a soft spot for that first short story.Her interest in diversity also extends to fiction. With over seventy publications to her name, her stories and poems range in tone from serious to silly. They cover nearly every genre, including literary, romance, horror, science fiction, fantasy, history and adventure.When not writing fiction, she follows her own personal mantra of, "Do something creative every day." She serves as the Associate Editor for the literary magazine ScribesMICRO. She also blogs about local events, showcases her art and conducts author interviews on her website, http://www.alisonmcbain.com/. When life gets a little too hectic, she does origami meditation or draws all over the walls of her house with the enthusiastic help of her kids. Find Alison and all her books here: https://www.alisonmcbain.com/

    S6 E64 with Author Alison McBain

  2. Aug 18

    S6 E63 with YA Contemporary Author Tara Hodgson

    When the volleyball hits the floor mere inches from Reese’s hands, her dreams of playing college ball shatter.After consecutive failures on the court, in the classroom, and in her relationships, she’s done playing the part of perfect daughter, perfect student, and perfect athlete. It’s time for a new life. Enter Cassie Brentwood.Bold. Reckless. Free. Cassie is everything Reese isn’t yet longs to be. They quickly become friends and Cassie introduces her to Liam, a mysterious guy from Snapchat. Blinded by his love bombing and the desperation to shed her perfect image, Reese plunges head first into their world. It feels instantly thrilling… until it’s not. Girls are disappearing from nearby towns, however no one in their quiet small town seems concerned.But when Liam’s behaviour grows darker, Reese’s new life begins to unravel. She ignores the warnings. The red flags. The little voice screaming to her that something’s not right. Until she’s far from home, trapped in a nightmare she can’t escape. With no one left to trust, Reese has to fight to reclaim the life she was so eager to leave behind. She wanted freedom. Now, she just wants to go home. At least she has to try. Told with searing honesty and lyrical depth, At Least I’m Tryingis a poignant novel about mental health, girlhood, and what happens when the version of yourself you’ve worked so hard to become starts to fall apart. Tara Hodgson is the YA contemporary author of Chasing Through Time and At Least I’m Trying. As a long-time teacher, she is passionate about communicating the potential implications of a technology-centred world and spark necessary conversations about these impacts on teens, using her fiction to do so. She lives on an acreage in Sturgeon County, Alberta with her husband, two children, and a crew of cats and dogs. When she isn't teaching or writing, she is reading. She loves all genres of books, but especially YA Contemporary, Fantasy, and Dystopian (but she’ll read anything, really!) She spends her down time walking, camping, boating, and relaxing at home with her family and animals. Find Tara and her books at: http://www.tarahodgson.ca/

    S6 E63 with YA Contemporary Author Tara Hodgson

  3. Aug 11

    S6 E62 with Children's Author Newton Vanriel

    The “SOUL TWINS” Dawn and Charm Spirit set theirsmall town abuzz as they create their world through their imaginary adventures!What will they do next? Set in the Northern Ontario town, Espanola has apopulation of 5,000. Mixed with farms and a small-town center with old stone architecture. The families have been living in the area for generations and don’t adjust to change easily. The setting creates a wonderful learning environment for the diverse Soul Sista’s and their super Sista’s team! A setting for great adventures and some challenges along the way. The Team learns that it's ok to be different. Their story is truly what is needed in these polarizing challenging times. The world needs the “Soul Sista’s.” Find Newton and the "Soul Sista's" here:  https://www.instagram.com/newtongary_advocate_author/  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2963424147283685  (6)newtonvanriel author (@newtonvanrielauthor)| TikTok  https://www.soulsistasbook.ca/

    S6 E62 with Children's Author Newton Vanriel

  4. Aug 4

    S6 E61 with Inspiring Author Urmi Hossain

    Urmi Hossain is a self-published author, speaker, podcast host, and finance professional based in Canada. She holds the CFA and CAIA designations and works in the financial services industry while actively advocating for women’s empowerment, identity, and self-leadership.  Her book, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, explores her journey as a third-culture woman navigating her sense of belonging, culture, and self-worth. Urmi also hosts “Stories Beyond Borders,” a podcast that amplifies diverse voices on identity, migration, language, and the meaning of home.  She serves as Co-Chair of Women in Leadership’s Montreal Chapter and is passionate about public speaking, mentorship, and continuous growth.  Find Urmi here: https://www.instagram.com/urmamio

    S6 E61 with Inspiring Author Urmi Hossain

  5. Jul 31

    S6 E60 with Thriller Author Joe Battaglia

    Seasoned content executive and award-winning journalist, EVP Media Strategy Track Star League, and member of the National Sports Media Association and International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Joe Battaglia talks about his first adult novel, Beneath the Rings, a suspense/thriller about the Doha 2040 Olympics. The Doha 2040 Summer Olympics are supposed to be about gold medals and global unity. Instead, they kick off a descent into terror when 12 Israeli and Lebanese athletes vanish, leaving behind only the chilling threat of The Obsidian Hand and an impossible $500 billion ransom. Veteran journalist Nova Mendelsohn finds herself entangled with a cryptic Ancient Arabic note and a mysterious local merchant, forced to race the clock. Her pursuit of the truth will take her from the glittering Olympic Village into the city’s darkest corners and onto the blood-soaked sands of the desert, where a centuries-old vengeance threatens to ignite a catastrophic final act. What secrets lie beneath the surface of the Games, and what will it cost Nova to uncover them? Find Joe and his book on his website here: https://booksbybattaglia.com/

    S6 E60 with Thriller Author Joe Battaglia

  6. Jul 28

    S6 E59 with Author Maria Gallucci

    Maria Gallucci is a multi-award-winning real estate agent, a proud CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), and a lifelong advocate for inclusive communication. Growing up as one of six hearing children raised by Deaf parents, Maria learned American Sign Language before English and acted as an unofficial interpreter, helping her parents buy a home when she was 12 years old. Her childhood shaped her passion for helping people feel seen and respected, especially those who are often overlooked or misunderstood. For more than 30 years, Maria has supported homebuyers from all walks of life with a special focus on serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and LGBTQ+ communities. She's the founder of Uptown Realty Group and Gallucci Homes, a top-producing agent at Compass Real Estate, and among the top 1.5% of agents nationwide. She also founded ASL @ Compass Affinity group and ASL Realty, a national platform connecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients with agents who communicate in American Sign Language. Outside of real estate, Maria serves on the boards of the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, DOVE (Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment), and CAD (Colorado Association of the Deaf). She's passionate about language access, cultural inclusion, and creating spaces where everyone truly belongs. Maria's motto-just try-is a reminder that meaningful connection can start with one small step. You don't have to be perfect to communicate with someone who's different from you. You don't even have to speak their language. You just need to be willing to try. Raised in Silence is Maria's first book, a love letter to the community that brought her up and a guide for anyone seeking to bridge communication gaps in their own life. Find Maria and her book on her website here: https://raisedinsilence.com/

    S6 E59 with Author Maria Gallucci

  7. Jul 24

    S6 E58 with S.D. Miller Cyber Punk Author

    S.D. Miller is the author of the Nekonikon Punk trilogy, a cyberpunk series exploring rebellion, identity, and survival in a near‑future world shaped by technology. The first novel, Nekonikon Punk: Ctrl+Break, won Indies Today’s 2024 Sci‑Fi Action/Adventure Book of the Year and earned five‑star acclaim on Readers’ Favorite. Its sequel, Ctrl+Alt, also received five‑stars from Indies Today. The final installment, Nekonikon Punk: Ctrl+Esc, was released in April of 2026. When not writing about hackers, megacorps, and the ghosts in our machines, Miller is an educator and vice‑principal in Nova Scotia. His international career has carried him from Oman and the UAE to China and the United States, teaching History, English Literature, and the International Baccalaureate’s Theory of Knowledge. Those experiences—spanning cultures, philosophies, and technologies—shape the heart of his fiction: exploring how humanity adapts and resists in an increasingly wired world. Equal parts teacher, storyteller, and futurist, S.D. Miller brings a grounded humanity to the chaos of cyberpunk. His work has been praised for its cinematic action, philosophical depth, and sharp‑edged humor. At heart, he writes for readers who love a good rebellion, a clever glitch, and a story that questions what it means to stay human—no matter who’s holding the controller. Find S.D. Miller and his books here: https://www.sdmiller.ca/

    S6 E58 with S.D. Miller Cyber Punk Author

  8. Jul 21

    S6 E57 with Fantasy Author Peter Gribble

    Peter Gribble is a writer and a lifelong student of history whose work explores the intersections of knowledge, power, and the human condition. His fantasy series, “The City of the Magicians,” is set in a civilization that rejects traditional warfare. The series examines how intellect, psychological strategy, and telepathic abilities can be both a society’s greatest strength and its mostdangerous vulnerability. Influenced by his childhood in postwar France—where silence about the war was as pervasive as its lingering shadows—Gribble crafts stories that explore the dangers of complacency and the consequences of pacifism and brutality colliding. Gribble studied art at Sheridan College School of Design, experimental psychology at the University of Toronto, and education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He has written for NUVO and various British Columbia publications, including gardening columns for two journals over a decade. His time working in bookstores reinforced his belief in the power of books to inspire, challenge and transform. Learn more at PeterGribble.com.

    S6 E57 with Fantasy Author Peter Gribble
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About

What makes you love a book? I find my favorite stories are those where I'm crying with the MC, celebrating their victories, and screaming at their missteps. Welcome to Finding the Magic, a podcast all about books, plots, characters, and the authors that create them. I write young adult fantasy and sci-fi dystopian, as well as fun and inspiring romances. Listen in as I highlight books and authors from these genres as well as mysteries, thrillers, and horror. Find me and intro to my books at triciacopeland.com or all my links at https://linktr.ee/triciacopeland

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