Jolene's Book and Writer Talk

Jolene MacFadden

Jolene’s Book & Writers Talk is a weekly podcast for writers, authors, and publishing professionals who want honest conversations about the business of books. Hosted by author and publisher Jolene MacFadden, each episode features real discussions with writers across genres—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, and more—along with marketing pros, editors, and creatives navigating today’s publishing landscape. We talk craft, storytelling, book marketing, author platforms, and what actually works (and what doesn’t) when you’re building a sustainable writing life—without hype, gimmicks, or shortcuts. New episodes weekly Featuring indie, hybrid, and traditionally published authors Practical insights, lived experience, and real conversations If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about writing and publishing: 👉 Like the episode 👉 Leave a comment or review 👉 Share with a writer friend 👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations Links to guests, books, and resources are always included in the show notes. Please like, share, comment and subscribe to my feed.

  1. Jun 21

    Patricia D'Arcy Laughlin | Ancient Goddesses, World Travel, and the Courage to Self-Publish ESP77

    In this episode of Jolene's Book & Writers Talk, I sit down with Patricia D'Arcy Laughlin, author of The Sacrifices and Kingdoms Series, a contemporary romance saga spanning continents and cultures. Patricia shares how decades of world travel, including visits to ancient ruins across nearly every continent, opened her eyes to long-buried histories of goddess worship and shaped the spiritual undercurrent running through her novels. We talk about her unconventional writing process (she often wakes in the middle of the night when inspiration strikes), her decision to self-publish, and the courage it took to learn computers for the first time as an adult before she could even begin writing her first book. Patricia also opens up about her favorite authors, the role of her "book shepherd" in guiding her through independent publishing, and who she'd invite to her dream dinner party: Mahatma Gandhi, James Michener, and Barbara Taylor Bradford. This conversation is perfect for writers interested in romance, self-publishing, world travel as creative fuel, and stories that challenge readers to think bigger about history, culture, and faith. Visit the author's website: https://patriciadarcylaughlin.com Chapter Markers • 00:00 — Welcome and introduction • 00:35 — Meet Patricia D'Arcy Laughlin and The Sacrifices and Kingdoms Series • 01:15 — On writer's groups and finding camaraderie • 02:10 — A life of early marriage, family, and art • 02:45 — World travel and discovering ancient goddess religions • 04:30 — Why this history matters to her writing • 04:50 — Favorite places: Africa's spiritual pull • 07:00 — Walkabout in Uluru and collecting world art • 07:50 — How the manuscript evolved from first draft to final edit • 08:40 — Learning her first computer as an adult • 10:30 — Working with a "book shepherd" through independent publishing • 11:35 — Why she chose self-publishing over traditional • 13:15 — The power of Amazon reviews and reader connection • 14:40 — Writing routine: midnight inspiration over a fixed schedule • 16:05 — Favorite authors: Barbara Taylor Bradford, Diana Gabaldon • 17:10 — Comfort reads and a love of history • 21:05 — How publishing changed her self-perception • 22:00 — Dinner party guests: Gandhi, Michener, and Bradford • 24:50 — Closing and where to find Patricia Southern Dragon Publishing Links Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/ Medium: https://medium.com/@SoDragonPub.jolene.macfadden Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sodragonpublishing

    Patricia D'Arcy Laughlin | Ancient Goddesses, World Travel, and the Courage to Self-Publish ESP77
  2. Jun 10

    A.N. Cook | Writing Fantasy, Illustrating Your Own Covers, and Staying Indie for 11 Books ESP76

    In this episode of Jolene's Book & Writers Talk, Jacksonville, Florida author and illustrator A.N. Cook joins host Jolene MacFadden for a wide-ranging conversation about building an indie publishing career across multiple genres. A.N. Cook writes everything from picture books to adult fantasy under her own imprint, with 11 books published to date. She is the author of the completed four-book Pharian Chronicles fantasy series and her latest release, Nightmare Race, published in 2025. In this episode, she talks about the unexpected moment that sparked her writing career, why she publishes exclusively on Amazon under her own brand, and the hard-won lessons she has learned about daily writing discipline and cover design. They also discuss: marketing challenges for indie authors, the role of vendor events and book festivals in building readership, the library landscape and why IngramSpark matters for hardcover distribution, A.N.'s evolving approach to social media and her interest in eventually joining Substack, and the audiobook options available to self-published authors today. A full-time nurse who kayaks Silver Springs and visits Disney twice a month, A.N. Cook is proof that you can build a creative career alongside a demanding profession, one scheduled hour at a time. This episode is for writers interested in indie publishing, fantasy and multi-genre storytelling, self-illustration, and building a sustainable writing practice. Visit the author's website: http://www.aileencook.com/ Timestamped Chapter Markers 00:00 Show Intro 00:41 Meet A.N. Cook 01:18 Writing Origins 01:52 Indie Publishing Path 02:17 Social Media and Substack 03:49 Writer Groups and Festivals 06:20 Productivity and Editing Tips 07:30 Covers and Branding 08:52 Libraries and IngramSpark 10:54 Life Beyond Writing 11:58 Marketing and AI Concerns 14:03 Selling and Vendor Events 14:59 Pharian Chronicles Spotlight 15:58 Audiobook Options 17:41 Closing and Where to Find A.N. Cook Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing

    A.N. Cook | Writing Fantasy, Illustrating Your Own Covers, and Staying Indie for 11 Books ESP76
  3. Jun 1

    Kat Beaulieu | The IT Woman Who Listened to a Feather and Published a Legacy Book ESP75

    Host Jolene MacFadden welcomes author Kat Beaulieu to discuss his self-published children’s book, Owl Music, created as an “analog experience” with producers Kirsten Holland and Sandis Alaska and illustrator/designer Melissa Crowley. Kat shares how encouragement from friends led him to publish the story, printing 1,000 numbered, signed, cloth hardcovers and later funding 5,000 more. After connecting with the International Owl Center in Houston, Minnesota, the center endorsed the book, sold over 100 copies in five weeks, and helped him access birding events, including the International Festival of Owls. Kat describes the book’s theme of listening and acceptance, reads the story aloud, and discusses challenges of sales, distribution, and potential wholesale/library pathways like IngramSpark, while expressing gratitude for the Owl Center’s work. Visit the authors website: https://owlmusic.net/ 00:00 Welcome and Sponsor 00:40 Meet Kat and Owl Music 01:34 From Friends to First Print 02:04 Owl Center Breakthrough 04:12 Listening Theme and Praise 06:52 Book Design and Analog Feel 08:41 Self Publishing and Control 09:46 Distribution and IngramSpark 13:18 Owl Stories and Symbolism 15:11 Storytime Owl Music Read 20:36 Art Edition and Collectors 21:33 Closing and Next Episode Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

    Kat Beaulieu | The IT Woman Who Listened to a Feather and Published a Legacy Book ESP75
  4. May 23

    Cynthia B. Smalls | Writing the Book She Needed When No One Else Would ESP74

    In this episode of Jolene's Book & Writers Talk, I'm joined by Cynthia B. Smalls, author, breast cancer survivor, and founder of the blog Melanin & Pink Ribbons, a resource dedicated to Black women fighting and surviving breast cancer. Cynthia shares how her 2016 diagnosis sent her searching for resources that reflected her experience as a Black woman, and how finding nothing drove her to create everything: a blog, a self-help book, an affirmation journal, and a therapeutic coloring book for children whose mothers are in treatment. We talk about writing from lived experience, processing painful memories with fresh eyes, the cathartic power of completing a book, and the two pieces of advice she gives every new writer: just start, and talk to the people around you. This conversation is for writers who want to turn their story into something that helps others, and for anyone who believes one person really can change the world. Visit the author's website: https://melaninpinkribbons.com/ (Generate final timestamps from Descript after editing. The following are suggested chapter topics based on transcript flow.) • 00:00 - Introduction and welcome • ~01:00 - Cynthia introduces herself: author, mother, breast cancer survivor • ~02:00 - The diagnosis that changed everything: 2016 and the gap in resources for Black women • ~03:00 - Founding Melanin & Pink Ribbons and the birth of Push the Button • ~04:30 - The challenge of writing: revisiting memories you thought you had processed • ~05:00 - How completing the book felt cathartic, and why coping skills matter • ~06:30 - Food as a love language: a Southern digression (and a Northern upbringing) • ~07:00 - New projects: affirmation journal, coloring book for kids, and a women's devotional • ~09:00 - Breaking the silence around women's health across generations • ~12:00 - Resources for breast cancer support in North Florida • ~13:00 - Early detection, self-advocacy, and bringing someone with you to appointments • ~15:30 - The fiction detour: Nancy Drew, pen names, and joining Sisters in Crime • ~19:00 - Advice for new writers: just do it, and talk to the people around you • ~21:00 - A closing message on self-care Southern Dragon Publishing Links Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

    Cynthia B. Smalls | Writing the Book She Needed When No One Else Would ESP74
  5. May 17

    Lusine Torossian | How Ancient Mythology Became a Story About Generational Healing ESP73

    For writers, readers, and anyone who has ever needed a story to make sense of their world. In this episode of Jolene's Book & Writers Talk, I sit down with Lusine Torossian, a North Florida author whose debut novel Light Weaver was published by The Wild Rose Press in 2025 and won the 2023 SCBWI-Florida Rising Kite Award for Young Adult Fiction. Born in Yerevan, Armenia, and now calling North Florida home, Lusine writes YA fantasy steeped in Armenian mythology, generational memory, and the kind of magic that lives in coffee grounds and family tapestries. We talk about how a childhood nightmare became the spine of her novel, why tapestries are both her magic system and a memory of her grandmother's prayers, how she researched an obscure Armenian goddess of dawn by reaching across cultures, and why her protagonist Satya's battle isn't just against a soul-harvesting sorcerer but against the weight of inherited trauma. Lusine also shares what it's been like working with a traditional publisher while owning her own marketing, how ARC readers found her via social media, and the writing advice she wishes she had as a teenager: write the story you needed to hear when you were young. Visit the author’s website: https://lusinetorossian.com/ Light Weaver is the first in a thematic series; her work in progress, Sea Weaver, follows a vessel of the sea goddess in the same world. • 00:00 — Welcome and sponsor note • 00:45 — Guest introduction: meet Lusine Torossian • 01:30 — Light Weaver: the book and its publisher, Wild Rose Press • 02:00 — Inspired by Armenian mythology: why this story, why now • 02:45 — The nightmare that became the divine testing portal • 03:00 — Tapestries, grandmother's prayers, and a magical system rooted in memory • 03:45 — Generational trauma as a fantasy theme • 04:00 — Audience: YA and the adults who never stopped wondering • 05:00 — Characters: where they come from, how the world forms around them • 06:00 — Walking trees, myths, and the lover who drowns when the light goes out • 07:30 — Research: the Armenian pantheon, goddess Anahit, and the dawn goddess Ayg • 09:30 — Balancing respect for mythology with authorial freedom • 11:00 — Using AI for hashtags and social media content strategy • 13:00 — Armenian coffee as a writing ritual and heritage practice • 15:30 — Series plans: Light Weaver, Sea Weaver, and a thematic world • 16:30 — ARC readers: how Lusine found them via social media • 18:00 — Working with Wild Rose Press and her experience with editor Nan • 20:00 — Marketing realities for traditionally published authors • 21:00 — Writer's advice: write the story you needed to hear • 22:00 — Closing and outro Southern Dragon Publishing Links Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

    Lusine Torossian | How Ancient Mythology Became a Story About Generational Healing ESP73
  6. May 6

    Robert Carney on Writing Unscarred: Healing from Addiction, Prison, and Recovery ESP72

    Host Jolene MacFadden welcomes author Robert Carney to discuss his first book, "Unscarred: An Epic Fight to Heal My Wounds From Addiction," a memoir about childhood trauma, alcoholism, drug addiction, crime, prison, recovery, and finding God. Carney shares how a sports figure speaking openly about trauma inspired him to write, and how he developed his writing skills after earning his GED and taking college and creative writing courses while incarcerated. He describes the healing and honesty required to write the book, the challenge of daily writing, and the rewarding feedback from readers. Carney explains he self-published through KN Literary Arts, is learning marketing through interviews and events, and is planning a second book about life after getting sober. His advice to new writers is to get help through classes, coaching, and writer organizations. Visit the authors website: https://www.robertcarney-author.com/ 00:00 Show Intro and Sponsor 00:41 Meet Robert Carney 01:10 Why He Wrote Unscarred 01:41 From Prison to Writing 03:01 Publishing Path Self Publish 03:22 What Writing Gave Him 05:08 Life After Sobriety Adventures 06:08 The Hard Parts of Writing 07:46 Second Book Idea 09:17 Marketing and ChatGPT 11:29 Advice for New Writers 13:24 Writer Groups and Wrap Up Southern Dragon Publishing Links Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing

    Robert Carney on Writing Unscarred: Healing from Addiction, Prison, and Recovery ESP72
  7. Apr 25

    Rebekah Hair | Teaching Kids That Storms Don't Get the Last Word ESP71

    Host Jolene MacFadden welcomes Rebekah Hair, a Louisiana-based picture book author, illustrator, and online art teacher, to discuss her work in children’s literature. Hair shares details about her book Take That Hurricane, a superhero-themed picture book for ages 5–8 that focuses on hurricane recovery and resilience, and explains her goal of portraying post-disaster cleanup, relief efforts, and community rebuilding in a positive way. She talks about being part of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, her experience illustrating faith-based projects, and how she learned to navigate illustration contracts. Hair previews a sequel about a love bug invasion, discusses balancing teaching, illustration, and school/library visits, and explains her hybrid art process—traditional ink drawings scanned and colored digitally—along with tools like Krita, Illustrator, InDesign, and Kindle Create. Follow the author on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebekah_rebekahhairbooks/ 00:00 Welcome and Sponsor 00:40 Meet Rebekah Hair 01:38 Age Range and Superhero Hook 02:15 Writing Groups and Bookstore Buzz 03:22 Illustration Contracts Basics 04:50 Sequel Plans and Disaster Themes 07:08 Hybrid Illustration Process 10:16 Favorite Art Programs 17:22 Publishing and Printing Choices 20:54 Creative Side Projects and Burnout 25:39 Social Media and Animation Talk 27:52 Wrap Up and Next Episode Southern Dragon Publishing Links Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing

    Rebekah Hair | Teaching Kids That Storms Don't Get the Last Word ESP71
  8. Apr 10

    Lauren Gilbert | Historical Fiction & Regency Research ESP70

    In this episode of Jolene's Book & Writers Talk, I'm joined by Lauren Gilbert, a Port St. Lucie-based author whose lifelong love of English literature and deep immersion in Regency-era history shapes every page she writes. Lauren shares how she brings authentic Regency heroines to life without the 21st-century makeover, why Jane Austen's private letters unlock a layer of wit and social critique that the novels alone can't deliver, and how she tracks hundreds of research sources across spreadsheets timed in five-year blocks. We talk about her two published novels, her ambitious nonfiction project profiling seven largely overlooked women of power from the Regency period, and what it means to lose a publisher contract yet keep writing anyway. We also get into the tools she uses: the British Newspaper Archive, British National Archives, genealogy records, ProWritingAid's plagiarism scanner, and the unexpected research windfall that came out of the COVID lockdowns. Check out the author's website https://lauren-gilbert.com/ This conversation is for writers drawn to historical fiction, nonfiction researchers, and anyone who has ever fallen into a period newspaper and lost an afternoon. • 00:00 Show Welcome • 00:41 Meet Lauren Gilbert • 01:38 Why Regency Matters Now • 03:05 A Rational Attachment • 04:26 Deep Research Sources • 07:23 AI and Old Documents • 09:25 The Nonfiction Women Project • 13:03 Archives, Online and In Person • 15:05 Plotter or Pantser • 17:44 Tracking Notes and Citations • 21:05 Newspapers Then and Now • 25:07 Advice for Historical Writers • 27:09 Finding Rare Research Books • 30:21 Dinner with History Icons • 32:56 Closing and Subscribe Check out Our Sponsor: Southern Dragon Publishing Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/ Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/ Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/ Medium: https://medium.com/@SoDragonPub.jolene.macfadden

    Lauren Gilbert | Historical Fiction & Regency Research ESP70

About

Jolene’s Book & Writers Talk is a weekly podcast for writers, authors, and publishing professionals who want honest conversations about the business of books. Hosted by author and publisher Jolene MacFadden, each episode features real discussions with writers across genres—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, and more—along with marketing pros, editors, and creatives navigating today’s publishing landscape. We talk craft, storytelling, book marketing, author platforms, and what actually works (and what doesn’t) when you’re building a sustainable writing life—without hype, gimmicks, or shortcuts. New episodes weekly Featuring indie, hybrid, and traditionally published authors Practical insights, lived experience, and real conversations If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about writing and publishing: 👉 Like the episode 👉 Leave a comment or review 👉 Share with a writer friend 👉 Subscribe so you don’t miss future conversations Links to guests, books, and resources are always included in the show notes. Please like, share, comment and subscribe to my feed.