100 episodes

Novelist Spotlight is a gathering place for people interested in reading and writing great fiction and literature. This is where you will hear from the authors who write the novels and learn of their motivations, writing process, characters, struggles and successes. Novelist Spotlight is hosted by Mike Consol, a lifelong journalist and author of four novels.

Novelist Spotlight Mike Consol

    • Fiction
    • 4.9 • 9 Ratings

Novelist Spotlight is a gathering place for people interested in reading and writing great fiction and literature. This is where you will hear from the authors who write the novels and learn of their motivations, writing process, characters, struggles and successes. Novelist Spotlight is hosted by Mike Consol, a lifelong journalist and author of four novels.

    Novelist Spotlight #119: A look back at Norman Mailer, the bad boy of literature

    Novelist Spotlight #119: A look back at Norman Mailer, the bad boy of literature

    In the spotlight is Norman Mailer. The famed author wrote more than 30 books, won two Pulitzer Prizes, directed four movies, wrote 10 screenplays and married six women, all of whom he cheated on profusely.I want to credit biographer Richard Bradford, author of “Tough Guy: The Life of Norman Mailer,” whose bio about the author I generously borrowed from during the recording of this episode.Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century” and “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play.” Buy them on any major bookselling site. Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program.

    • 24 min
    Novelist Spotlight #118: Indian American author Vib Jain makes splash with her debut

    Novelist Spotlight #118: Indian American author Vib Jain makes splash with her debut

    In the spotlight is Vibhuti Jain, who goes by Vib for short, the author of “Our Best Intentions,” her first novel. By way of background, Vib Jain lives with her husband and daughter in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she works in international development. She began her career as a corporate lawyer in New York. She holds degrees from Yale University and Harvard Law School. She grew up in Guilford, Connecticut.  We discuss:  >> Her 2019 resolution >> The sweet spot between literary and commercial fiction >> Receiving multiple offers of representation >> Literary agent Alexa Stark at Writers House >> Her interactions with William Morrow editor Liz Stein >> Online writing courses >> The Jain religion >> Mental illness >> Etc.  Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century” and “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play.” Buy them on any major bookselling site. Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program.

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Novelist Spotlight #117: After 20-year hiatus, Ray Ring returns to the novel writing business

    Novelist Spotlight #117: After 20-year hiatus, Ray Ring returns to the novel writing business

    Novelist and journalist Ray Ring — author of “Telluride Smile,” “Peregrine Dream” and “Arizona Kiss — has published his first novel in more than 20 years, in the form of “Montana Blues.”  We discuss:  >> His long absence from the scene >> The various voices of Ray Ring >> His time as an undercover prison inmate >> A brother’s suicide >> Moving from Arizona to Montana and back >> Organic versus outlined writing  >> Creating a sense of place >> Dialog versus expository writing >> Etc.  Learn more about Ray Ring here: http://rayring.com/  Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century” and “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play.” Buy them on any major bookselling site. Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program. 

    • 1 hr 24 min
    Novelist Spotlight #116: Author Jennifer Rosner finds catharsis in novelizing the tragic and expected

    Novelist Spotlight #116: Author Jennifer Rosner finds catharsis in novelizing the tragic and expected

    In the spotlight is the author of ONCE WE WERE HOME and THE YELLOW BIRD SINGS, as well as the memoir IF A TREE FALLS. We discuss: >> The stolen children of World War II>> Giving birth to and raising deaf daughters>> The human senses>> A boyfriend’s deception>> The start of her writing career>> Touching one’s writing every day>> Philosophical studies>> Etc. Learn more about Jennifer Rosner here: https://www.jennifer-rosner.com/ Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century” and “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play.” Buy them on any major bookselling site. Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program.

    • 56 min
    Novelist Spotlight #115: Romantic comedy novelist and neuroscientist Ali Hazelwood

    Novelist Spotlight #115: Romantic comedy novelist and neuroscientist Ali Hazelwood

    In the spotlight is Ali Hazelwood, the author of romcom novels that include the titles “Love, Theoretically,” “Love on the Brain” and “Loathe to Love You.” In particular, Hazelwood’s stories revolve around women in academia working in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). We discuss: >> Her pseudonym>> Building a support community>> Fan fiction>> Her “amazing” agent Thao Le of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency>> Fake dating>> Brain science>> Antidepressants>> K-drama>> Etc. Learn more about Ali Hazelwood here: https://alihazelwood.com/ Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century” and “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play.” Buy them on any major bookselling site. Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program.

    • 57 min
    Novelist Spotlight #114: Kayla Olson makes the move from YA sci-fi to romantic comedies

    Novelist Spotlight #114: Kayla Olson makes the move from YA sci-fi to romantic comedies

    In the spotlight is the author of THE REUNION and the forthcoming novel THE LODGE. During this interview, Texas-based novelist Kayla Olson discusses:  >> Changing her genre >> National Novel Writing Month >> Writing for speed >> Career turning points >> Working with a skilled editor >> Working at Starbucks, Bank of America and Chick-Fil-A>> Etc.  Learn more about Kayla Olson here: https://www.kaylaolson.com   Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol, author of “Lolita Firestone: A Supernatural Novel,” “Family Recipes: A Novel About Italian Culture, Catholic Guilt and the Culinary Crime of the Century” and “Hardwood: A Novel About College Basketball and Other Games Young Men Play.” Buy them on any major bookselling site. Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com. We hope you will subscribe and share the link with any family, friends or colleagues who might benefit from this program. 

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

The Desert Ghost ,

Insightful

I’m a multi-book award-winning author. Mike is an absolute pro with a depth of knowledge about writing, authors, and processes that is quite impressive. His interviews just flow and before I know it, the episode is over and I’m wanting more. Definitely recommend this podcast for authors still looking to learn, and let’s face it, every one of us authors can improve.
B.T. Polcari

Beth drb ,

Engaging and wide-ranging interesting conversations!

Mike is a fun interviewer who asks wide-ranging and interesting questions. I enjoyed his interviews because they enter us into the author’s way of thinking and that’s always fascinating.

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