History Through Fiction - The Podcast

Colin Mustful
  • 5.0 (3)
  • FICTION
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History Through Fiction founder and editor Colin Mustful talks with historical novelists about their craft of weaving history and fiction to create engaging, historically detailed stories.

  1. A Harlem Wedding with Tiffany L. Warren

    5D AGO

    A Harlem Wedding with Tiffany L. Warren

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful is joined by author Tiffany L. Warren to talk about A Harlem Wedding—her richly researched historical novel inspired by the real life of Yolande Du Bois, daughter of W.E.B. Du Bois, and the most talked‑about wedding of 1928. Drawing on scrapbooks, letters, and archival research, Tiffany walks us through Yolande’s world as the “princess of the Talented Tenth”: a young woman raised at the center of her father’s civil rights vision, expected to marry brilliantly and help uplift the race. Colin and Tiffany explore W.E.B. Du Bois’s philosophy of the Talented Tenth, his hopes for “Talented Tenth grandchildren,” and why he was so determined to arrange his daughter’s marriage to celebrated poet Countee Cullen. From there, the conversation opens up to the emotional heart of A Harlem Wedding: Yolande’s discovery that her marriage is not what it seems, her father’s relentless expectations, and the love she finds with bandleader Jimmie Lunceford—a man whose jazz career Du Bois dismisses even as it captures Yolande’s heart. Tiffany and Colin talk about the Harlem Renaissance as both glittering social scene and site of struggle, the tension between respectability politics and the city’s vibrant queer community, and the pressure of being asked to represent an entire race while still trying to figure out your own life. Along the way, Tiffany shares what it was like to walk the streets of Harlem in search of the places her characters lived and loved—from Salem United Methodist Church to the Savoy Ballroom and the Dark Tower—and how archival discoveries, like Yolande’s scrapbooks and their heartbreaking note “to be worthy” under her father’s photograph, helped her shape Yolande on the page. If you’re drawn to stories that braid together romance, family pressure, civil rights history, and the glittering energy of the Harlem Renaissance, this episode offers a vivid look at the true events behind A Harlem Wedding and the questions that continue to echo today. Discover more novels, author conversations, and community resources at https://www.historythroughfiction.com.

    30 min
  2. The Keeper of Lost Daughters: Veronica Leigh on Faith, Family, and Post‑War Poland

    MAR 30

    The Keeper of Lost Daughters: Veronica Leigh on Faith, Family, and Post‑War Poland

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful talks with historical novelist Veronica Leigh, author of The Keeper of Lost Daughters, about a story born at the crossroads of war, memory, and faith. Set in wartime and post‑war Poland, the novel follows Lydia, a Christian woman who opens her door to find a Jewish baby on her doorstep—a child she comes to love as her own. Drawing on real histories of Jewish children placed with Christian families during the war, Veronica and Colin discuss the moral and emotional tangle that follows when survivors return to reclaim their children in a country where it is still dangerous to be Jewish. They talk about post‑1945 Poland—especially 1946—as a time marked by violence, antisemitism, and the rise of communist rule, and how that fraught backdrop shapes Lydia’s choices as a mother who has waited her whole life for a child. Veronica also shares how her own faith journey and research shaped the book. As a Protestant writer depicting both Catholic and Jewish worlds, she describes a deep dive into memoirs, theology, and religious history, and the persistent question that echoes through her work: Where is God in all of this? Together, she and Colin explore how fiction can hold both the darkness of the Holocaust and post‑war brutality alongside fragile threads of hope—family, love, and a faith that wrestles more than it explains. Along the way, Veronica talks about her long road to publication—decades of seeking an agent, the many rejections The Keeper of Lost Daughters received before finding a home with Read More Press, and the unexpected blessings and challenges of small‑press publishing. She also looks ahead to her forthcoming historical crime novel Eye for an Eye with Level Best Books, and reflects on balancing multiple genres, short fiction markets, and a sustainable daily writing routine. In keeping with the mission of History Through Fiction, this conversation weaves together careful historical research, ethical reflection, and emotionally resonant storytelling. If you’re drawn to World War II–era fiction that centers intimate lives and difficult questions—rather than just dates and battles—this episode offers a thoughtful and moving listen. Discover more historical novels, author interviews, and community resources at https://www.historythroughfiction.com.

    19 min
  3. Katherine Scott Crawford on The Miniaturist Assistant, Memory, and a Haunted Charleston

    MAR 23

    Katherine Scott Crawford on The Miniaturist Assistant, Memory, and a Haunted Charleston

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful welcomes award‑winning novelist Katherine Scott Crawford, author of The Miniaturist Assistant. Set between 2004 and 1804 Charleston, South Carolina, Katherine’s novel follows Gamble Vance, a recently divorced art conservator who restores tiny miniature portraits in a historic museum—and who begins to suspect that one of those portraits, and a girl she sees in a shadowed alley, may be calling to her from the past. Colin and Katherine talk about the meticulous art of miniature portrait restoration—those inch‑tall, ivory ovals that once served as 18th‑ and 19th‑century “selfies”—and how that work inspired Gamble’s world at the Gilliard Museum of Art. They step back into 1804 Charleston through the eyes of Daniel Pettigrew, a portraitist loosely based on real artist Charles Fraser, whose bohemian household includes his much younger sister and a free Black family. Along the way, Katherine unpacks the city’s surprising diversity in the early 1800s, the presence of women‑owned businesses and free people of color, and the complicated realities of a port built on the slave trade. The conversation also explores what happens when Gamble sees a young woman in early‑1800s dress in Stoll’s Alley—a narrow, atmospheric lane lined with pre‑Revolutionary houses—who turns and tells her, “Come back,” before vanishing. As Gamble and her best friend, historian Tolliver Jackson, chase the mystery of the miniatures and the woman who seems to be speaking across time, The Miniaturist Assistant becomes a story about memory, obsession, and the ways the past is always present in the places we live. Katherine shares how she wrote this novel more freely than her earlier work, the surprise and honor of winning North Carolina’s Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction, and her journey from “recovering academic” to novelist and mountain writing‑retreat host. Throughout, she returns to a core belief: that people in 1804 Charleston wanted many of the same things we want today, and that historical fiction can widen our sense of connection while still offering an escapist, page‑turning ride. Discover more historical novels, author conversations, and community resources at https://www.historythroughfiction.com.

    29 min
  4. Empowering Women Writers with Liisa Kovala

    MAR 16

    Empowering Women Writers with Liisa Kovala

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with Finnish‑Canadian author and book coach Liisa Kovala, creator of the Substack community Women Writing. Together they explore the idea of sisu—the Finnish spirit of grit and quiet determination—and how it shapes the lives and stories of women who keep writing through doubt, scarcity, and competing responsibilities. Drawing on her latest novel, Like Water for Weary Souls, Liisa talks about Finnish immigration, utopian communities, and the fragile bonds of family during the Great Depression. The conversation moves from the icy shores and work camps of the North to the emotional interior lives of her characters, showing how history, faith, and hard choices echo across generations. Along the way, Liisa shares how she supports other writers through coaching and her Women Writing newsletter, why she’s drawn to stories of ordinary people carrying extraordinary burdens, and what it means to write from a place of resilience and care. In keeping with the mission of History Through Fiction, this episode weaves together rigorous historical research, empathetic storytelling, and a deep respect for the communities at the center of the narrative. If you’re drawn to stories of migration, working‑class life, women’s resilience, and the ethics of writing about the past, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends. Discover more historical novels, author conversations, and community resources at https://www.historythroughfiction.com.

    29 min
  5. Faith and Defiance in Medieval Bruges with Janet Rich Edwards

    MAR 9

    Faith and Defiance in Medieval Bruges with Janet Rich Edwards

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with Janet Rich Edwards, author of Canticle, a gripping historical novel set in late 13th-century Bruges. Janet shares her inspiration behind the story, rooted in the spiritual and political upheaval of the High Middle Ages, and how the burgeoning merchant class clashed with the powerful Roman Catholic Church. Discover the fascinating history of Marguerite Porete, a mystic whose radical writings challenged the church and inspired Janet’s fictional protagonist, Aleys. Janet delves into the lives of the Beguines, a community of independent women navigating faith, courage, and rebellion in a time of strict church control. She also reflects on her transition from academic writing to fiction, the challenges of crafting compelling narratives, and the importance of balancing historical accuracy with storytelling. Join us for a conversation that explores themes of sisterhood, literacy, and quiet rebellion, and get a glimpse into Janet’s next project—a modern-day historian chasing a medieval mystery.

    29 min

  6. MAR 2

    Season 10, Episode 8 - Cecil Beckett

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Cecil Beckett, winner of the 3rd Annual Short Story Contest and author of The Blood of Englishmen. The story delves into the life of the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen, focusing on the final year of his life during World War I. Cecil shares his inspiration for the story, the unique challenges of early aviation, and the Red Baron's internal struggles following a life-changing head injury. The conversation explores the craft of writing, including Cecil's minimalist approach to storytelling and his journey from medicine to creative writing. Listeners will also hear about Cecil’s experiences growing up in rural New Zealand, his life in Auckland, and his passion for short fiction. Tune in for a fascinating discussion on history, storytelling, and the human conflicts behind one of World War I’s most iconic figures.

    12 min

  7. FEB 23

    Season 10, Episode 7 - Carol M. Cram

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with Carol M. Cram, author of The Choir. Set in 1890s Victorian England, this compelling novel explores the lives of two estranged friends, Eliza Kingwill and Ruth, against the backdrop of a fictional mill town and the vibrant world of choir competitions. Carol shares the inspiration behind the story, rooted in her own family history, and delves into the challenges faced by working-class women like Eliza, who dreams of escaping an abusive marriage. Meanwhile, Ruth, a once-famous singer, grapples with a fall from grace as she becomes a choir adjudicator. Together, their journeys highlight themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the redemptive power of music. Discover the historical significance of choir competitions in late Victorian England, the creative process behind crafting authentic characters, and how Carol’s lifelong passion for the arts shapes her storytelling. Plus, hear about her upcoming novel set in post-war Canada and her dedication to celebrating the arts through her podcast, Art and Fiction, and other creative endeavors. 📚 Tune in for an inspiring conversation about history, music, and the transformative power of community. RSSVERIFY

    25 min

  8. FEB 16

    Season 10, Episode 6 - Mirta Ojito

    In this episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful talks with Mirta Ojito, author of Deeper Than the Ocean. Mirta shares the real-life shipwreck that inspired her novel and discusses the dual timelines of her story, following Catalina, an early 20th-century immigrant, and Mara, a modern journalist. The conversation explores themes of migration, family secrets, and the enduring impact of history, blending personal experience with historical research to bring forgotten stories to light. History Through Fiction is more than a podcast — it's a home for stories, community, and craft. Explore our growing catalog of historical novels, attend workshops and events, connect with fellow readers and writers, and be part of a mission dedicated to celebrating the power of history through narrative. Discover more at historythroughfiction.com.

    26 min
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History Through Fiction founder and editor Colin Mustful talks with historical novelists about their craft of weaving history and fiction to create engaging, historically detailed stories.

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