Notes from Erin Podcast

Erin Ashley
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Books

The podcast extension of Notes from Erin, your literary soundtrack. I talk with authors, musicians, and fellow book and music lovers about creativity, process, and what they can't stop recommending. notesfromerin.substack.com

  1. 4h ago

    On the Record with Kayla Hardy: Writing The Quarter Queen

    This week I'm talking with Kayla Hardy about her debut novel The Quarter Queen, a historical fantasy following Marie Laveau and her daughter in nineteenth century New Orleans. We get into how the book started as a television pilot before becoming a novel, the real history behind voodoo and its ties to Catholicism, and why she built a fictional Brotherhood to stand in for real systems of power. We also talk through her research process walking the French Quarter, the playlist she built for each character, and of course her dream cast for the eventual show. It's a conversation about faith, folklore, and what it means to write a story that reclaims a piece of history nobody else was telling. Purchase The Quarter Queen Chapters: 00:00 — Welcome to Kayla Hardy and The Quarter Queen01:19 — Falling in love with reading through Greek mythology03:23 — From English major to African American literature and voodoo studies06:47 — Toni Morrison, Beloved, and The Bluest Eye08:51 — Why voodoo and New Orleans are central to the story10:25 — What media gets wrong about voodoo11:44 — Reclaiming zombie mythology and Black folklore15:20 — How the story started as a TV pilot17:19 — Turning the project into a novel for creative control19:30 — Why the story still wants to be television24:27 — A quick synopsis of The Quarter Queen26:38 — Marie and Ree as opposites who mirror each other28:24 — The dual timeline structure and Marie's emotional mask31:53 — The Brotherhood, the Inquisition, and real historical power structures36:59 — Writing Marie Laveau as a veiled and complicated figure40:35 — Why New Orleans is more than a tourist image43:31 — Building the playlist and cinematic tone of the book46:10 — Walking, maps, and planning the French Quarter setting48:24 — Favorite New Orleans food, beignets, and a perfect day in the city54:23 — What it means to be from both Akron and New Orleans58:35 — Where to find Kayla, and why people should read the book

    On the Record with Kayla Hardy: Writing The Quarter Queen

  2. Jul 5

    Author Haili Blassingame on They All Fall in Love at the End

    In the first episode of On the Record, I sit down with author Hailli Blassingame to talk about her debut novel They All Fall in Love in the End. We get into how the Challengers soundtrack shaped one of the most electric scenes in the book, why she named each part after a song, what revision actually taught her about being a writer, and what it means to write a character who wants everything and refuses to settle for less. Hailli is honest, funny, and genuinely fascinating to talk to. This one sets the tone for what On the Record is all about. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Hailli Blassingame and Her Journey02:21 The Writing Process: From Drafting to Revision05:19 Creating a Contemporary Narrative: The Impact of COVID-1908:12 Exploring Relationships: Love, Polyamory, and Agency10:58 Character Development: Kat's Journey and Ambition13:34 Navigating Love Triangles and Complex Dynamics16:35 Literary Influences and Breaking the Fourth Wall18:09 Musical Influences in Writing21:04 Exploring Imperfect Politics23:24 DC as a Character26:36 Navigating Polyamory28:50 The Essence of the Book30:53 Literary Inspirations

    Author Haili Blassingame on They All Fall in Love at the End

  3. Jun 23

    A Harlem Wedding with Tiffany L. Warren

    Author Tiffany L. Warren joins Notes from Erin to talk about her historical fiction novel A Harlem Wedding, the true story of Yolande Du Bois, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Countee Cullen. Tiffany shares how a love of Octavia Butler shaped her as a storyteller, why sad love songs like "Heartbreaker" by Dionne Warwick contain the bones of a romance novel, and how "Congratulations" by Vesta Williams became the soundtrack to the book's wedding scene. We also dig into the real letters between Yolande, Countee, and W.E.B. Du Bois that inspired the novel, the research trip to the Schomburg Center, and Tiffany's dream casting for a film adaptation. Purchase TIffany L. Warren's new novel, A Harlem Wedding here. Subscribe to Notes From Erin here Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Tiffany L. Warren (01:15) The Journey of a Storyteller (04:28) Inspiration and Creativity in Writing (07:36) Exploring 'A Harlem Wedding' (11:12) The Complex Relationship of Yolande and W.E.B. Du Bois (15:06) Crafting Love Stories: Yolande and Jimmy's Relationship (19:39) The Complexity of Countee and Yolande's Relationship (22:49) The Importance of Letters in Understanding Relationships (25:22) The Grand Wedding of Countee and Yolande (28:08) The Process of Writing Historical Fiction (31:27) The Significance of Music in the Narrative (33:39) Yolande Du Bois: A Hidden Figure in History (35:53) Casting Choices for a Potential Adaptation

    A Harlem Wedding with Tiffany L. Warren

  4. Jun 7

    Anne Marie Wells on Happy Iceland, Writing, and Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

    In this episode, I sit down with poet and memoirist Anne-Marie Wells to talk about her debut travel memoir Happy Iceland, out June 27th from Star Belt Press. In the conversation we cover what it took to write a book from scratch over ten years with no format training, what Icelandic strangers taught her about happiness, and the simple daily practice she now uses to stay connected to joy. If you've been feeling the weight of the world lately, this one is for you. Pre-order Happy Iceland, here. Subscribe to the Notes from Erin newsletter, here. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Anne-Marie Wells02:28 The Evolution of Reading and Writing05:02 Role Modeling Reading for the Next Generation07:33 Exploring 'Happy Iceland': The Journey Begins10:25 The Writing Process: From Notes to Manuscript13:01 Overcoming Challenges in Writing15:54 Lessons on Happiness from Iceland18:44 Finding Joy in Everyday Moments22:34 Finding Joy in Everyday Delights26:49 Building Confidence Through Experience31:20 The Importance of Community and Connection36:39 Lessons in Happiness and Mindfulness40:09 Connecting Through Stories and Experiences

    Anne Marie Wells on Happy Iceland, Writing, and Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

  5. May 19

    She's Becoming Bookish on Historical Fiction, BookTube, and the Albums That Speak to Her Reading Life

    Carlie of She's Becoming Bookish joins Notes from Erin for a conversation about historical fiction, building a BookTube presence, and the music that mirrors her reading life. She breaks down three historical fiction picks for three different types of readers, makes a case for why audiobooks absolutely count, and names the one album she thinks deserves to be a novel. Come for the book recommendations, stay for the Death Cab for Cutie mention. Subscribe to She's Becoming Bookish on YouTube Subscribe to Notes From Erin Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:35 Early reading memories and influences 05:21 Rediscovering reading during the pandemic 07:55 Reading formats: physical, digital, and audiobooks 10:36 The audiobook debate — does it really count? 13:32 Note-taking and book reviews 15:57 Carlie's YouTube journey and why she made the pivot 18:30 Building confidence on camera 26:57 Navigating your digital footprint as a creator 28:11 Why authenticity keeps people coming back 29:35 Connecting through personality and recommendations 31:26 With Love from Harlem and the world of biographical historical fiction 38:31 What draws Carlie to historical fiction 41:28 Three historical fiction picks for three types of readers 45:44 The music that speaks to her reading life

    She's Becoming Bookish on Historical Fiction, BookTube, and the Albums That Speak to Her Reading Life

  6. Apr 27

    Randee Dawn on We Interrupt This Program & Writing Fantasy That Feels Real

    What happens when fairies decide to make TV? Author and entertainment journalist Randee Dawn joins Erin to talk about her Tuniverse series — contemporary fantasy that swaps swords and sorcery for soap operas, cozy mysteries, and mythical creatures navigating the modern world. Randee's latest book, We Interrupt This Program, drops readers into a magically constructed cozy mystery village — think Murder, She Wrote meets Irish folklore — where the showrunner fairy won't leave his house, the Greek muses have gone on vacation, and a silver-haired writer named Winnie has to figure out why everything has stopped working. It's funny, it's warm, and it's the kind of fantasy that sneaks up on you. In this episode, Erin and Randee dig into the resurgence of contemporary fantasy (and what CGI, Harry Potter, and romantasy have to do with it), how Randee's background covering music and TV for outlets like Variety and the LA Times shaped her fiction, what it actually feels like to write a novel, and why community — writers groups, reading series, conventions — is what made her publishing journey possible. They also talk soundtracks as creative fuel, the writing advice that changed how Randee thinks about character, and why New Zealand might just be the most functional country on earth. Paired this episode: We Interrupt This Program by Randee Dawn — a cozy, witty fantasy that rethinks what entertainment is even for. If you loved this episode, the full conversation — and Erin's album pairing — lives on Substack. Subscribe to Notes from Erin for more books, music, and the conversations that connect them. Chapters (00:00) Welcome & Meet Randee Dawn(01:52) Earliest Reading Memories(03:33) The Fantasy Resurgence Explained(08:20) From Music Journalism to Fantasy Novels(13:37) The Origin of the Tuniverse(16:33) Writing Books vs. Writing Everything Else(21:28) Brooklyn Books & Booze(26:18) We Interrupt This Program — Synopsis(29:08) Building Trope Town(37:57) Character, Conflict & What Makes a Story Work(43:25) Shared Universe Easter Eggs(44:04) How the TV-Phrase Titles Work(48:05) Quick-Fire Round(49:59) Writing with (or without) Music(52:05) Why Everyone Should Visit New Zealand

    Randee Dawn on We Interrupt This Program & Writing Fantasy That Feels Real

  7. Apr 21

    Leonor Mamanna on Consistency, Reading & Curating

    Leonor Mamanna has sent Leave It to Leonor every single Thursday for almost 10 years, 492 editions and counting. In this episode, we talk consistency, curation, and what it means to be the person people come to for recommendations. We also get into her three-book-at-a-time reading routine and the social campaign she built around A Little Life that took on a life of its own. Subscribe to Leave It to Leonor Subscribe to Notes from Erin Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Leonor and Her Newsletter (03:04) The Journey of Consistency in Writing (05:57) The Evolution of Leonor's Newsletter (09:04) Curating Content: Essays and Recommendations (11:59) The Influence of Leonor's Career on Her Writing (15:02) Favorite Podcasts and Ideal Guests (17:59) Reading Habits and Influences (25:14) Exploring Literature: Nonfiction and Romance (26:07) Book Recommendations: Must-Reads for Everyone (28:11) The Impact of A Little Life on Social Media (30:19) Creative Marketing: The Evolution of Book Promotion (34:17) The Influence of Social Media on the Book Industry (38:02) Pop Culture Reflections: TV Shows and Characters (44:35) The Value of a Curated Newsletter

    Leonor Mamanna on Consistency, Reading & Curating

  8. Apr 7

    Completely Booked with Jordan Hernandez

    As a reader, cultivating a community of fellow readers is important both digitally, and in person and this is one thing that Jordan Hernandez of Completely Booked has thought about and equally perfected. In this interview, I spoke with Jordan about her community, the importance of reading diverse books, lessons she pull from both her reading and running life and so much more. Connect with Jordan: Instagram | TikTok | Threads | Substack Connect with me: Newsletter | Instagram | Threads Chapters: 00:00 The Journey to Reading 02:57 Building a Community Around Books 06:01 The Evolution of Completely Booked 09:10 The Importance of Diverse Reading 11:58 Navigating Social Media for Community Growth 14:58 Empathy Through Literature 26:44 Exploring Audiobooks and Their Impact 34:06 Highlighting Upcoming Black Women Authors 40:41 The Importance of Reading in Relationships 44:22 Building Community Through Books

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About

The podcast extension of Notes from Erin, your literary soundtrack. I talk with authors, musicians, and fellow book and music lovers about creativity, process, and what they can't stop recommending. notesfromerin.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Erin Ashley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Erin Ashley
  • Show Website
    Notes from Erin Podcast