Join Author Express for a heartwarming chat with Geeta Schrayter, author of uplifting New England stories and queen of Christmas spirit! This episode is packed with fun tidbits for holiday romance readers: from Connecticut’s Christmas movie fame to Geeta’s deep affection for list-making and festive traditions. Wonder how a busy homeschooling mom finds time to write? Geeta shares her routines, support systems, and the creative ways she manages family and fiction. Get a sneak peek at her Four Seasons book project and her clever character quirks, as well as how she lets go of perfection to embrace the unexpected. There’s even a nod to Instagram aesthetics and the power of loving what you love—pumpkin spice, pink, and all! Tune in for inspiration, cozy vibes, and holiday book recommendations that will keep you smiling all winter long.

Geeta Schrayter is a former reporter and assistant newspaper editor, she considers her time writing for an area publication that covers six small Connecticut towns as integral to cementing her desire to write stories centered in the area. Geeta loves writing feel-good stories with relatable characters that leave readers feeling like they just received a warm hug.

Her latest book, Planning on Christmas, takes place in the fictitious town of Auburn Falls, and is the first of four stories to be set in the same place—one for each season.

You can connect with Geeta on Instagram and Threads @geetawrites and subscribe to her newsletter, Paper Scrap Stories, at paperscrapstories.substack.com

Order the ebook for Planning on Christmas here: https://a.co/d/gJ11Ik6

Kristi Leonard is a writer, community builder, and former president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Since co-hosting on the Author Express Podcast, she has started her own podcast, Pop Culture Plot Lab, where guest authors to turn viral pop culture moments into story sparks and give listeners a peek inside the creative process. Through her writing retreats and volunteer leadership, she’s dedicated to helping other writers find their voice and stay connected to the craft.

A former audiobook narrator, Kristi now spends most of her creative energy on her own fiction and on shaping programs that support women’s voices in publishing. When she isn’t writing or leading, she’s likely hiking Florida trails with her writer-hiker pals or reading with her Golden Retriever, Charlie, at her side. She’s currently at work on her next novel and building the kind of author career she’s long championed for others.

Link to follow me https://linktr.ee/kristileonardwrites

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Curious what happens when a retired veterinarian and clinical research scientist turns to heart-pounding suspense fiction? In this episode of Author Express, Kathleen Basi gets to the heart of Rebecca Hodge’s creative process, discussing her latest thriller, Island Endgame. Listen in as Rebecca shares how real-life adventures on a remote island inspired the setting—and learn why her protagonist Kenzie Adams is more than just your average heroine. The episode teases how outdoor adventures, emotional depth, and even a beloved spreadsheet play pivotal roles in Rebecca's writing journey.

If you’re searching for author interviews filled with authentic writing advice, behind-the-scenes stories, and a touch of suspense, this episode promises a fresh perspective on what it means to create memorable page-turners.

Rebecca Hodge is an award-winning author of heartfelt suspense. A retired veterinarian and clinical research scientist, she lives in North Carolina, where you’ll find her sipping tea on the screened-in porch with a dog at her feet and a computer on her lap. Please visit her online at rebeccahodgefiction.com, and follow her on Facebook at rebeccahodgefiction and Instagram @rhodge.fiction.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Island Endgame, Over The Falls, and Wildland at Bookshop.org.

Kathleen Basi is a novelist, musical composer, and nature lover. Her debut novel, A Song for the Road, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing, and beauty in her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

In this special episode of Author Express, hosts Shawna Rodrigues, Kristi Leonard, and Kathleen Basi come together for a heartfelt reflection as the podcast wraps up its recording season. They share the most surprising lessons learned from interviewing authors across genres—revealing how the creative journey connects us all in unexpected ways. Enjoy behind-the-scenes stories, favorite book moments, and timeless insights from the incredible authors featured on the show. It’s a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the enduring power of community.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to connect with writers from around the world and how these conversations inspire both aspiring and established authors, this episode will spark your imagination.

Even as Author Express pauses on new recordings, every past episode remains a source of wisdom and inspiration—ready for you to revisit anytime!

Kathleen Basi is a novelist, musical composer, and nature lover. Her debut novel, A Song for the Road, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing, and beauty in her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Kristi Leonard is a writer, community builder, and former president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Since co-hosting on the Author Express Podcast, she has started her own podcast, Pop Culture Plot Lab, where guest authors to turn viral pop culture moments into story sparks and give listeners a peek inside the creative process. Through her writing retreats and volunteer leadership, she’s dedicated to helping other writers find their voice and stay connected to the craft.

A former audiobook narrator, Kristi now spends most of her creative energy on her own fiction and on shaping programs that support women’s voices in publishing. When she isn’t writing or leading, she’s likely hiking Florida trails with her writer-hiker pals or reading with her Golden Retriever, Charlie, at her side. She’s currently at work on her next novel and building the kind of author career she’s long championed for others.

Link to follow me https://linktr.ee/kristileonardwrites

Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on

Curious about the real stories behind the writers you love? In this inspiring Author Express episode, host Kathleen Basi welcomes Virginia McCullough, a powerhouse in both fiction and nonfiction who’s penned over 150 books! Virginia shares the unexpected ways her background in classical ballet shaped her discipline as a writer and recounts how a life-changing move and tough circumstances pushed her into a long career supporting her family through writing alone. Hear about her journey from ghostwriting and editing to crafting women’s fiction—particularly her novel "Amber Light," which explores themes of hope, healing, and second chances.

Interested in what connects a heroine’s journey with real-life trials and triumphs? Tune in for thoughtful reflections on storytelling, resilience, and personal growth, and unlock the secrets to a writer’s longevity and passion.

Virginia McCullough is an award-winning author and ghostwriter of both nonfiction and fiction. She’s served as a ghostwriter or “book doctor” for professionals in many fields, including healthcare, psychology, law, business, and professional speaking, and she’s co-authored more than a dozen books with experts. She currently writes women’s fiction and multigenerational series romance for Harlequin’s Heartwarming line. Set on the shores of lakes, rivers, or oceans, Virginia’s romances and women’s fiction, such as AMBER LIGHT and ISLAND HEALING, feature relatable characters facing and overcoming everyday challenges, and her themes always come back to hope, healing, and plenty of second chances.

Born and raised in Chicago, Virginia started her family there, but then spent years on the move. Home has been an island in Maine, coastal Maryland, the U.S.V.I, and the mountains of Western North Carolina. Currently living in Northeastern Wisconsin, Virginia is a member of the Authors Guild (AG), the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA), and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Unlike so many of her talented colleagues, she’s not a gourmet cook, a gardener, a knitter, or a pet parent, but Virginia’s interest in politics started in the ‘60s and never let up. She also walks on local trails and loves nothing more than hanging out with other writers.

Sign up for Virginia’s newsletter, learn more about Amber Light and her other books, and check out her workshops and resources for writers here: www.virginiamccullough.com. Find her on Facebook: Virginia McCullough

Kathleen Basi is a novelist, musical composer, and nature lover. Her debut novel, A Song for the Road, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing, and beauty in her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

On this engaging episode of Author Express, host Kathleen Basi welcomes Melissa R. Collings, an award-winning author and self-described “unicorn” of Nashville. Discover the creatively charged vibe of Nashville beyond its country music roots, and hear how Melissa’s background as a spine surgery physician associate influences her writing. The conversation teases at her emotional and witty novel, "The False Flat," inspired by real-life cycling stories and her own biracial identity. Wondering how a Cap’N Crunch cameo or a wild Bonnaroo festival scene fits into the story? Find out how Melissa faces complex themes like social anxiety, belonging, and finding light in dark times. If you crave authentic author insights, personal reflection, and the perfect blend of romance and drama, this episode will inspire and surprise you.

Melissa R. Collings is an award-winning author and former spine surgery physician associate who traded the OR for the page—but brought the scalpel-sharp emotional and psychological depth with her. A biracial writer with an endless fascination for life’s contradictions, she writes stories that reflect complex relationships, rich representation, and the many ways identity shapes who we are. Her novels will make you laugh, wreck you a little, and stay with you long after the last page—always balancing light and dark, laughter and heartbreak, glitter and charcoal smears. When she’s not writing or plotting, you can find her chasing her two kids in Nashville, studying preventative health, or losing herself in a painting. Her imagination never fails to get her into trouble, and she lives by the philosophy: nothing is impossible, and everything is better with glitter—except surgical wounds.

You can find Melissa online or subscribe to her weekly newsletter for behind-the-scenes bookish fun, medical moments, and reader extras:

Newsletter: melissacollings.com/newsletter

Website: melissacollings.com

Facebook: @MelissaRCollingsAuthor

Instagram: @melissarcollings

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The False Flat at Bookshop.org

Kathleen Basi is a novelist, musical composer, and nature lover. Her debut novel, A Song for the Road, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing, and beauty in her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Ready for a heartfelt author interview with a twist of sisterhood and adventure? In this episode of Author Express, Catherine Matthews—award-winning indie author—talks about her new novel that brings together estranged sisters for an unforgettable road trip across four states. Catherine opens up about the Pacific Northwest’s unique inspiration, the wisdom of embracing your voice, and the magic of writing communities. Plus, if you love stories where dogs have just as much personality as their human companions, don’t miss this chat!

Want to know what sparked a story filled with secrets, forgiveness, and fresh starts? Tune in for teasers on Catherine’s creative process and her most influential book picks. Perfect for fans of women's fiction, family dramas, and anyone who believes the journey is just as important as the destination.

A former educator, coach, and school administrator, Catherine Matthews combined her teaching and project management experience with her writing craft to become an award-winning indie author. After her debut, Releasing the Reins, won five, she decided to indie publish her second novel, Roadside Sisters, as well. Catherine writes stories of strong women finding the courage to face the storm and live their dreams—usually in the company of a faithful hound. She embodies this as an indie author. In addition to writing, Catherine serves as a board member and the Vice President of Technology for the WFWA. An early riser, she begins each day writing with colleagues across the globe—always in the company of her two favorite hounds, Delta and Wally.

Connect with Catherine:

Website- catherinematthewsauthor.com

Facebook- Catherine Matthews Author

Instagram- @catherinematthewsauthor

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Roadside Sisters at Bookshop.org.

Kristi Leonard is a writer, community builder, and former president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Since co-hosting on the Author Express Podcast, she has started her own podcast, Pop Culture Plot Lab, where guest authors to turn viral pop culture moments into story sparks and give listeners a peek inside the creative process. Through her writing retreats and volunteer leadership, she’s dedicated to helping other writers find their voice and stay connected to the craft.

A former audiobook narrator, Kristi now spends most of her creative energy on her own fiction and on shaping programs that support women’s voices in publishing. When she isn’t writing or leading, she’s likely hiking Florida trails with her writer-hiker pals or reading with her Golden Retriever, Charlie, at her side. She’s currently at work on her next novel and building the kind of author career she’s long championed for others.

Link to follow me https://linktr.ee/kristileonardwrites

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

Meet Suzanne Woods Fisher, best-selling author of more than 40 books, as she chats with Kathleen Basi on this exciting episode of Author Express! Tune in to hear about Suzanne’s surprising journey from magazine writing in Hong Kong to crafting novels inspired by her large family and her travels. You’ll get a sneak peek at her latest gripping novel set in the wilds of Grand Teton National Park—a story about a determined zoo photographer, a legend of a grizzly bear, and a mysterious ranger.

Interested in behind-the-scenes looks at the writing process, juggling family life with a prolific writing career, or how national parks spark bestselling stories? This episode is full of creative inspiration and heartfelt moments. Don’t miss hearing how a world map in Hong Kong, a bear, and an earthquake on a cruise all play a part in Suzanne’s tales!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is a bestselling, award winning author of more than forty books, fiction and non-Fiction. She lives in California with her very big family…all of whom provide endless grit for the oyster. She loves to connect with readers! You can find her at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on Instagram @suzannewoodsfisher.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Capture the Moment at Bookshop.org

Kathleen Basi is a novelist, musical composer, and nature lover. Her debut novel, A Song for the Road, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing, and beauty in her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Looking for your next read or some creative inspiration? This episode of Author Express features Jennifer Jabaley, whose new domestic suspense book is already causing a stir. Kristi Leonard invites Jennifer to talk about her unforgettable characters, managing multiple perspectives, and the “explosive town scandal” at the heart of her story. Jennifer shares personal anecdotes about parenting, her transformation as a writer, and the moment a real-life sports rivalry sparked her imagination. You’ll also hear about the joy of small-town book launches, finding optimism in tough situations, and which books gave Jennifer “permission” to explore the darker side of family life. If you love book clubs, thrillers, or just a good behind-the-scenes chat, don’t miss this episode!

Jennifer Jabaley is the award winning author of young adult novels, Lipstick Apology and Crush Control. She won Georgia Author of the year and was nominated for Pennsylvania Reader's Choice award. Jen is a practicing optometrist. She brings sharp focus to eye care by day and storytelling by night. She lives in the north Georgia mountains with her sports obsessed family and two rescue dogs. What's Yours is Mine is her debut adult novel.

Connect with Jennifer:

Website- www.jenniferjabaley.com

Instagram- @jabaleyjennifer

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of What's Yours Is Mine at Bookshop.org

Kristi Leonard is a writer, community builder, and former president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Since co-hosting on the Author Express Podcast, she has started her own podcast, Pop Culture Plot Lab, where guest authors to turn viral pop culture moments into story sparks and give listeners a peek inside the creative process. Through her writing retreats and volunteer leadership, she’s dedicated to helping other writers find their voice and stay connected to the craft.

A former audiobook narrator, Kristi now spends most of her creative energy on her own fiction and on shaping programs that support women’s voices in publishing. When she isn’t writing or leading, she’s likely hiking Florida trails with her writer-hiker pals or reading with her Golden Retriever, Charlie, at her side. She’s currently at work on her next novel and building the kind of author career she’s long championed for others.

Link to follow me https://linktr.ee/kristileonardwrites

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast