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.

Wow! What a great conversation Steven James had with Lee Goldberg, a veteran TV writer and novelist. Get your pen ready to take notes as Lee talks about what characters do in a story (surprise, surprise; they don’t change), how to make compelling characters, where humor comes from, the secret to Monk’s character, how to use a “living outline,” and his latest novel MALIBU BURNING. Check out this episode of The Story Blender. Author and screenwriter Lee Goldberg has topped bestseller...

Listen to the newest episode of The Story Blender as Steven James chats with Chris Pavone, the author of 5 international thrillers whose latest book TWO NIGHTS IN LISBON is available now. They talk about what to include and what to avoid in writing stories, the importance of setting, credibility and characters and other secrets to keeping people flipping the pages. 

Kelly J. Ford has earned wide critical acclaim for her gritty novels of queer Southern suspense ever since the release of her award-winning debut, Cottonmouths, a Los Angeles Review Best Book of the year, followed by Real Bad Things, which critic Jon Land called “an outstanding literary crime thriller in all respects.” Ford, who is Southern by several generations and grew up in the foothills of the Ozarks, says that “Arkansas is in my roots and made me who I am.”  Ford returns to the rural...

Acclaimed online personality and author Sara Divello shares her insights into writing “true crime fiction,” what it means, the challenges of capturing the essence of a story and being faithful to it while also telling it in an engaging way. Sara DiVello is a true crime novelist and the creator/host of Mystery and Thriller Mavens, a popular interactive Facebook group. For her weekly Mystery and Thriller Mavens live events, she has interviewed more than 300 authors, ranging from the...

Join Steven James for a new episode of The Story Blender featuring Alice Hoffman. As one of our country’s most distinguished novelist, Alice has written more than 30 novels, as well as short fiction that has appeared in more than 100 editions worldwide. Her newest novel THE INVISIBLE HOUR releases August 15. Listen as we chat about the importance of fairytales, the power of storytelling to not only capture imagination but shape (and change) lives, and the incredible depths storytelling...

Join me as a chat with Taylor Adams, the acclaimed novelist of the latest book title as we talk about the dynamics and mechanics of writing twists (while keeping them believable and also surprising) without cheating and while satisfying readers in the process. His book NO EXIT is a Hulu movie and has been published in 32 languages. If you’re a writer, or you just love a good story and want to know why the twist works, check it out!

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans bring their very different cultural backgrounds and perspectives together to write in one seamless, cohesive voice, united in their belief that humor and fiction can inspire empathy and learning, and that exposure to diverse experiences can only enrich one’s life.  Alli Frank and Asha Youmans share a passion for telling stories that bring a smile to your face and bridge the gaps that lay between us. Listen in as they share insights into writing, storytelling,...

Recently I met up with Grammy-award-winning storyteller and family entertainer Bill Harley. We chat about the importance of rehearsing stories, of finding your voice, how to connect with an audience, and how to tap into your own personal experiences for poignant (and often funny!) stories to tell. Give it a listen and check out Bill’s storytelling at www.billharley.com.

Are you looking for exciting, adventurous stories for your kids or grandkids to read? Bryan Davis has written dozens of fantasy and science-fiction novels for teens and adults. His books feature unlikely heroes who must rise to the occasion using courage, hope, and tenacity. His books have sold over 700,000 copies and you’ll love hearing his insights in how he got started, why he’s not an outliner and the three novels he recommends everyone should read before they die…one of them for certain...

Megan Collins is the author of Thicker Than Water, The Family Plot, Behind the Red Door, and The Winter Sister. She taught creative writing for many years at both the high school and college level and is the managing editor of 3Elements Literary Review. She lives in Connecticut, where she obsesses over dogs, miniatures, and cake. Listen as she and Steven James discuss how as writers they love being surprised at their character's decisions, book recommendations and more.

Listen as Steven James chats with Wendy Walker, acclaimed author of new novel psychological thriller, What Remains. She talks about her journey as a writer, the importance of letting your characters deal believably with traumatic events. They discuss the psychological depth of characters, and giving them struggles readers can identify with.

On this week's episode of The Story Blender podcast, join me as I talk with Isabella Maldonado whose book "The Cipher" is based becoming a new Netflix series. Listen as we discuss the ins and outs of writing police procedurals and making them both believable and authentic and as well as original and thrilling. We also discuss her latest book, A Killer’s Game.  #thestoryblender #isabellamaldonado #readstevenjames #thriller

Listen to an encouraging conversation with Nicole Baart as she shares the inside scoop on her latest novel, THE LONG WAY BACK. We also discus her writing process (it may surprise you) and who inspired her to pursue the writing life. We talked the difference between suspense and mystery, how to create concern and curiosity in the minds of your readers and letting your stories reflect the struggles and questions your’e wrestling with in your own life. Her book is available now. Don't miss...

Listen in this week as I chat with critically- acclaimed novelist, Buzzy Jackson as we discuss her research about the incredible young woman featured in her new novel, To Die Beautiful. Buzzy shares insights for anyone interested in writing, or reading historical novels as she spent 7 years crafting this story. From the importance of creating memorable characters, to the powerful themes that inhabit fiction and impact us every day. Buzzy shares hard-earned insights into the writing...

Listen in to a powerful conversation with Tyler Merritt as we discuss the curse of being artistic, the importance of both passion and the pursuit of excellence, how Tyler fell in love with Bon Jovi, the power of telling (and listening to) stories, and the importance of viewing others as people of worth. Tyler is the author of I Take My Coffee Black and his videos have been viewed more than 100 million times.  Give it a listen!

David Corbett is the author of seven novels, which have been nominated for numerous awards, including the Edgar. His short fiction has twice been selected for Best American Mystery Stories, and a collaborative novel for which he contributed a chapter—Culprits—was adapted for TV by the producers of Killing Eve for Disney+ in the U.K. He’s also written the writing guides The Art of Character and The Compass of Character, and is a monthly contributor to Writer Unboxed, an award-winning blog...

Meg Mitchell Moore released her debut novel, The Arrivals, in 2011 and her newest novel, her eighth, Summer Stage, releasing soon, is being called a “must-read” for the summer of 2023! (summer 2022), is her seventh. Before turning to fiction Meg worked as a freelance journalist for a variety of business and consumer magazines, where she often managed to pitch stories involving dogs. Before that she worked on the staff of a family of technology magazines. Meg received a B.A. from Providence...

Damyanti’s Indian debut literary crime novel You Beneath Your Skin was an Amazon bestseller, and optioned for the screens by Endemol Shine.  Listen as Steven James interviews Indian author, Damyanti, Biswas, and they have an incisive conversation about writing, about the importance of both hubris and humility in the writing process, respecting your readers, trusting your characters, and being honest with your stories. Also, they talk traffic in Hyderabad India and capturing the essence and...

My guest his week on The Story Blender Podcast is MP Woodward, a veteran of both US intelligence ops and the entertainment industry. As a naval intelligence officer with the US Pacific Command, he scripted scenario moves and countermoves for US war game exercises in the Middle East. In multiple deployments to the Persian Gulf and Far East, he worked alongside US Special Forces, CIA, and NSA. Most recently, Woodward led international distribution for Amazon Prime Video and launched Amazon...

Bethany Jett is an author, as well as a literary agent and a book marketing expert. She co-founded Serious Writer, Inc. and recently completed an MFA in Communication. When she’s not writing or speaking at events nationwide, she reads reads suspense-novel, manages a busty household with three boys and consults on teh business of writing. Listen as talk agenting, marketing, pitching your book, what agents look for, the important of opening pages, hooks and promises… if you’ve ever wanted to...

What an interesting conversation I had with Elle Marr, the author of the new tense, thriller, THE FAMILY BONES. We discussed the ideas of psychology to develop characterization what makes a psychopath, a psychopath, and the most terrifying moment that I personally ever had writing one of my novels.

Don Bentley is the New York Times Bestselling author of the Matt Drake series  and two Tom Clancy Jack Ryan, Jr. novels. Don spent a decade as an Army Apache helicopter pilot, and while deployed in Afghanistan, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal with “V” for valor.  Following his time in the military, Don worked as an FBI special agent focusing on foreign intelligence and counterintelligence and was a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team member. Don lives with his family...

Vibhuti (“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 City. She holds degrees from Yale University and Harvard Law School. She grew up in Guilford, Connecticut. Our Best Intentions is her first novel.