352 episodes

We're four bestselling novelists and friends whose common love of reading, writing and independent bookstores bound us together. Now we want to share and celebrate stories—of the books we’ve written, the ones we’re reading now, and the art of writing—with each other and the guest authors we invite to join us. If you love books and are curious about the writing world, you’re in the right place.

Friends & Fiction Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry, Ron Block

    • Arts
    • 4.7 • 164 Ratings

We're four bestselling novelists and friends whose common love of reading, writing and independent bookstores bound us together. Now we want to share and celebrate stories—of the books we’ve written, the ones we’re reading now, and the art of writing—with each other and the guest authors we invite to join us. If you love books and are curious about the writing world, you’re in the right place.

    Friends & Fiction with Chris Bohjalian

    Friends & Fiction with Chris Bohjalian

    On this episode, the Fab Four — Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kristin Harmel & Mary Kay Andrews — gather to welcome this month’s F&F Featured Author, the No.1 NYT bestselling novelist, screenwriter and playwright, Chris Bohjalian, to discuss his forthcoming novel, our March 2024 Pick of the Month, THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS, in which a Princess Diana impersonator and her estranged sister find themselves drawn into a dangerous game of money and murder on the Las Vegas strip. Chris Bohjalian is the No.1 NYT bestselling author of 24 books, including THE LIONESS, HOUR OF THE WITCH, and THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT, which was made into a MAX limited series starring Kaley Cuoco. His novels SECRETS OF EDEN, MIDWIVES, and PAST THE BLEACHERS were made into movies, and his work has been translated into more than 35 languages. His new play, “The Club,” premiered at New Jersey's George Street Playhouse in February. He joins us from his home in Vermont to discuss his new twisting tale of organized crime and family secrets, THE PRINCESS OF LAS VEGAS (3/19, Doubleday), which has been called “a well-calibrated satire of cryptocurrency culture” by Publishers Weekly and a “lively romp” by Kirkus.
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    • 56 min
    Friends & Fiction with Rebecca Serle

    Friends & Fiction with Rebecca Serle

    On this episode, host Kristy Woodson Harvey interviews NYT bestselling author, producer and screenwriter, Rebecca Serle all about her forthcoming novel, EXPIRATION DATES. Told with Rebecca's signature warmth and insight into matters of the heart, this book has been called “a romantic gem” by Laura Dave, “sometimes heart-wrenching, often heartwarming” in a starred review by Publishers Weekly, and “compulsively readable” by Booklist. We will hear from Rebecca about her road to publication, her shift from writing YA to adult, hwe involvemewnt with her screen adaptations of her novels, and the uncanny real-life love story that happened in her own life after writin ghtis book.
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    • 38 min
    Friends & Fiction with Tommy Orange

    Friends & Fiction with Tommy Orange

    On this episode, hosts Patti Callahan Henry & Kristin Harmel welcome this week’s guest, the Pulitzer Prize-finalist and author of the breakout bestseller THERE THERE, Tommy Orange, to discuss WANDERING STARS, his masterful follow-up to his already classic first novel. Tommy Orange is a graduate of the MFA program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. An enrolled member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, he was born and raised in Oakland, California. Tune in to hear about his highly-anticipated second novel, WANDERING STARS, which extends his constellation of narratives into the past and future, tracing the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School through three generations. We are eager to introduce you to this “outstanding . . . dazzling work of literary fiction” (Boston Globe), which has been named to most-anticipated lists by TIME, Real Simple, Oprah Daily & NPR.
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    • 41 min
    Friends & Fiction with Tia Williams

    Friends & Fiction with Tia Williams

    On this episode all four of our fabulous hosts — Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry, Mary Kay Andrews & Kristin Harmel — interviewing our Featured Author of the Month, Tia Williams, to hear all about her new book, our F&F Pick for February, A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE. Join us as we discuss Tia’s highly-anticipated follow-up to her NYT bestselling Reese's Book Club pick DEVEN DAYS IN JUNE. This enchanting love story features a free-spirited florist and an enigmatic musician who are irreversibly linked through the history, art, and magic of Harlem, and has been praised for its “dazzling prose” by the New York Times, and predicted as “one of your most memorable reads of 2024” by People. We hear from Tia all about the hints of magic sprinkled through this novel, her research into the Harlem of today and its renaissance era of the 1920s, the importance or representing black excellence and black love stories in mainstream literature, and even her dream casting choices should this book be adapted for the screen.
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    • 51 min
    Friends & Fiction with Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

    Friends & Fiction with Kate Quinn & Janie Chang

    On this episode, hosts Mary Kay Andrews & Kristin Harmel interview bestselling authors Kate Quinn & Janie Chang all about their new co-written novel, THE PHOENIX CROWN, a thrilling and unforgettable narrative about the intertwined lives of two wronged women, spanning from the chaos of the San Francisco earthquake to the glittering palaces of Versailles. Kate is a NYT & USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction (including THE ALICE NETWORK, THE HUNTRESS, THE ROSE CODE, and THE DIAMOND EYE) whose work has been translated into multiple languages. Janie Chang writes historical fiction (including the Globe and Mail bestsellers DRAGON SPRINGS ROAD and THE LIBRARY OF LEGENDS) often drawing on her family history with 36 generations of recorded genealogy. We hear from them about their inspiration and research, the logisitcs of writing a novel together, and all that they learned along the way. Tune in to hear all about the book NYT bestselling author Jamie Ford calls “impeccably researched, magnificently rendered, and breathlessly paced.” 
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    • 42 min
    Friends & Fiction with Amy Jo Burns

    Friends & Fiction with Amy Jo Burns

    On this episode, hosts Patti Callahan Henry and Ron Block welcome critically-acclaimed author Amy Jo Burns who previously penned the memoir CINDERLAND and the novel SHINER, which was a Barnes & Noble Discover Pick and an NPR Best Book of the Year. We will hear all about Amy Jo's new novel, MERCURY, in which a roofing family's bonds of loyalty are tested when they uncover a long-hidden secret at the heart of their blue-collar town. Tune in and learn about the inspiration for the mystery at the heart of the novel, how she crafted the blue-collar setting and strong female characters, her path to publication, and lots more.
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    • 40 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
164 Ratings

164 Ratings

Jothechick ,

Perfect way to find books to read

I began watching the show at its onset but have switched to listening on a podcast when I drive.
I have been introduced to so many more authors and books the last two years. In addition, I feel as if the Fab Four are my friends.
Next month I will be in Savannah. I plan to eat at Sunday Cafe per MA suggestion and spend a day in Beaufort!
Great job ladies!

Books are my thing ,

So much fun!

I love this podcast! It’s great to catch up with Friends and Fiction episodes while I’m out for a walk or off in the car. These women—whose books I’ve long loved—are so real, down to earth, witty, and insightful. They bring great author guests and ask all the questions! The Writers’ Block segments with Ron are a fascinating addition to hear insiders’ stories from authors and others. Five stars!

Blessed79 ,

Excellent and Fun Podcast

I enjoy this podcast so much! The guests are so interesting and I have learned so much! Thank you for this podcast! One bad thing though…..my TBR is growing by the minute. Lol

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