Listen to the fascinating conversation I have with humorist and acclaimed storyteller Andy Offutt Irwin. He shares insights on coming up with stories of your own to tell by looking at quests, obstacles, choices, and new wisdom. We talk about the difference between a comedian and a humorist, what (actually) makes something funny, vegetarian roadkill, and more. Check it out, give it a listen and subscribe!

This week I catch up with #1 international best selling author Robert Dugoni. As both an acclaimed writer and popular conference speaker, Robert is an expert at both understanding story and delivering thrilling novels. Join us as we chat about trusting your reader, leaving out what readers can presume, what it really means to show and not tell, and creating honest and authentic characters. We also talk about his latest release THE KILLING ON THE HILL. Check it out, give it a listen, and...

This week I chat with New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich, about his latest novel, Matterhorn, and his writing process. We talk about the importance of believability in stories (even if they’re spy thrillers and international intrigue novels), some of his favorite authors, how to get started if you have the passion to write a story, and the dangers of reaching for a sandwich on a mountain in the Alps. Check it out, give it a listen, and subscribe!

Listen as I chat with novelist and screenwriter Janice Hallett from London. We talked about her latest book, her writing process, her world travels, and her unique style or writing epistolary novels. She has a new novel out now and she shares from her heart about the importance of fiction, or emotion and empathy in stories, and what she hopes you as a reader will take away from your books. Give it a listen!

On this week’s episode of The Story Blender, I speak with noted reality television, and unscripted TV show expert Troy Devolld. We talk about how reality TV has matured and grown in recent years, the not-so-secret secrets to developing a great show (hint, hint, it has to do with authenticity not just conflict.) We also discuss what it means to reinvent yourself (and it might not mean what you think it does) and why it’s important to get the mustard water out as you write your stories. Give it...

Join me as I speak with the NYT #1 bestselling author of the blockbuster Gray Man series, Mark Greaney. He shares his insights into writing action scenes that really work, avoiding fire and steam warehouses, reaching readers on an emotional level even when you’re writing a kinetic story, training with SWAT teams for authenticity, and more. Check it out and be sure to check out his latest book, THE CHAOS AGENT, available now wherever books are sold.

Join me as I speak with New York Times and international bestselling author, Jean Kwok. We chat about her latest book, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN, and her journey from studying poetry to becoming a novelist (via a physics degree from Harvard). Also, you’ll learn about her approach of outlining what she’s done as well as where she’s going, and the job that she really wanted to get in order to become a writer but couldn’t land, (PS it has to do with watering plants and removing dead leaves.) Give it a...

In this wide-ranging conversation with award-winning author and investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan, we chat about the importance of cause and effect in fiction (an insanely important and yet rarely talked about aspect of storytelling), the difference between mystery and suspense, following the gold coins your imagination lays out for you, trusting the creative process and her latest novel ONE WRONG WORD. Give it a listen!

You’ve seen him on television on shows like BOSCH and TRUE DETECTIVE. Now, listen to Jon Lindstrom as he shares insights into the writing process and how his acting career prepared him to write his debut novel HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE. Give is a listen!

This week I talk with Amina Akhtar about her latest book, ALMOST SURELY DEAD, and her advice for overcoming self-doubt, the importance of persistence and finding your voice, how to write a “zero draft,” and being honest in your stories—whether you write humor or thrillers or anything in between. Check it out and subscribe to get our weekly podcast so you never miss an episode.  For more information on Amina, you can visit her website at https://www.aminaakhtar.work/

If you’ve ever thought about writing a screenplay and don’t know where to start, you’re going to love this week’s episode of The Story Blender. Listen as I chat with Bob Saenz, a screeenwriter, author, and film writing instructor on secrets to humor, horror, characterization, and tons of inside tips to writing for Hollywood (which, you’ll soon learn doesn’t even exist…) Keep your pen handy to take notes as Bob shares valuable insights from his screenwriting career and his book THAT’S NOT THE...

Listen as I chat with world-renowned artist and motivational speaker, Joe Castillo. He has performed his sandart stories in front of Pope Francis, presidents, kings and in 28 countries. Learn what he looks for in a story, how he connects with audiences world wide and some of the mentors that have encouraged him along the way.  Check him out at https://joecastillo.com

Listen as I chat with novelist Emily Bleeker as we talk about improv (and what writers can learn from it), honesty in fiction, slipping into the skin of your characters, the important of telling yourself that you’re a writer, showing compassion to yourself and the drawbacks and rewards of reading your reviews. We also discuss her latest book WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES. Check her out at https://emilybleeker.com/

In this episode, I caught up with acclaimed author, Carol Van Den Hende. Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. Listen as we chat about writing tips and her latest book, Always Orchid.  You check her out at https://carolvandenhende.com

Listen to my conversation with international bestselling author Tess Gerritsen as we discuss the weapons at our disposal (that you might include in a story without planning to), writing without an outline, surprising yourself, the importance of writing yourself into a corner, emotional bridges into stories, the centrality of conflict, and what to do if you’re a chicken farmer and you find a body in your driveway. Give it a listen and check out her new book THE SPY...

Listen as I chat with best-selling international best-selling author, Karen Dionne, about her breakout novel, The Marsh King’s Daughter, the differences between the major motion picture, and her story writing tips, perseverance, and the joys of writing in Michigan. You can check her out at https://karen-dionne.com/

Allison Brennan is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of more than 45 books, including the long-running Lucy Kincaid series. She is currently writing the Quinn & Costa FBI and the Angelhart PI series; North of Nowhere is her first stand-alone thriller. Allison lives in Arizona with her husband and her youngest two of five children. She loves cats, hiking, baseball, classic movies, and -- of course -- reading. You can check her out at allisonbrennan.com.

Join Steven James as he talks with siblings Boyd and Beth Morrison on this episode of The Story Blender. They chat about the Black Plague, writing gripping historical thrillers, creating stories that entrain as well as inform readers, the ins and outs of collaboration, and the importance of finishing your novel and striving for brilliance rather than perfection.  You don't want to miss this one! #thestoryblender #readstevenjames

Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of New York Times bestseller I LET YOU GO, and Sunday Times bestsellers I SEE YOU, LET ME LIE, AFTER THE END, HOSTAGE and THE LAST PARTY. Translated into forty languages, her books have sold more than two million copies worldwide, and have spent a combined total of 64 weeks in the Sunday Times bestseller chart. Her latest novel is A GAME OF LIES, the second in a crime series featuring Welsh Detective Morgan. Join Steven James and Clare...

I had the chance to chat with Former judge and award-winning legal thriller author, Martin Clark, about writing legal thrillers, coming up with intriguing moral dilemmas for your characters to face, fly fishing in Montana and Tennessee, trusting in the justice system, the songwriting of Robert Earl Keen, and the provocative ending to his latest thriller, THE PLINKO BOUNCE. You’ll also hear about Martin’s choice of the best collection of short stories ever (the choice might surprise you!)....

Listen as Steven James chats with award-winning nationally known storyteller, Tim Lowry. As one of the country’s premier storytellers, Tim has told stories to more than a quarter million children as well as at festivals and conferences throughout the United States. We talk about his journey toward becoming a storyteller (and how the circus played a part!), how to find moments in your life that are story worthy, and the Ladder to the Moon and how it can help you connect with an audience....

Listen as Steven James interviews award winning, critically-acclaimed crime novelist W.C. Ryan. W.C. shares his insights into writing historical mysteries, on the importance of conflict and risk, on writing scenes drenched in intrigue ,how to keep people flipping the pages and the importance of the sense of place in the stories you tell. They discuss W.C.'s latest book, THE WINTER HOUSE, and his upcoming release, The Constant Solider. This episode of The Story Blender is a good one, don't...

Jess is an Amazon Charts bestselling, ITW, Anthony and 2023 Minnesota Book Award-winning author who's also been shortlisted for Edgar and Agatha awards. She writes crime fiction, nonfiction, children's books, YA adventure, and magical realism.  She is also a retired professor of creative writing and sociology, a recipient of The Loft's Excellence in Teaching fellowship, a Psychology Today blogger, and a TEDx presenter (check out her TEDx Talk about inspiration behind her first published...

Listen to a fascinating conversation between Steven James and acclaimed novelist, Will Dean, as they talk about creativity (and how it can thrive in solicitude), living in the middle of a vast forest and staring at the wall, “Exorcism” drafts, and how to get to know characters over time. Dean’s new book THE LAST ONE is available now. Visit thestoryblender.com for more information.