My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Meredith Ritchie, author of the book Poster Girls. Her historical fiction novel takes place in North Carolina during WWII, and is based on the true but forgotten events that happened in her hometown. When her triplets left for college, she wrote Poster Girls as a cure for acute empty nest syndrome. She now lives in Charlotte with her husband, two cats, four chickens and grown adults that occasionally return to her cozy coop.

Poster Girls was named 2022 "Best of the Nest" for fiction by QC Nerve magazine and was recently named as part of the 2024 North Carolina Reads program sponsored by NC Humanities, a division of the Library of Congress. A lifelong learner, Meredith believes history told in the form of stories can never be forgotten, especially history that happened in our own backyard.

In my book review, I stated that Meredith tells a delightful story about a group of "Rosie the Riveters" working in a bullet factory in Charlotte, NC during WWII. The story comes from two points of view - Maggie and Cora. Both women are married to soldiers, have moved to Charlotte from other areas, and love books - enough to start a friendship. However, others aren't quite as keen to see this relationship, since Maggie is a white woman of privilege and Cora is a poor, black woman.

These two women are strong and fight for themselves and for one another. I enjoy how Meredith shows how, despite her good intentions, Maggie often 'gets it wrong.' I also love how she shows that Cora, who interprets life through a lens of racism, also gets it wrong. Most importantly, I love how the two characters persevere despite it all.

​If you love a good historical fiction, especially one that makes you think about issues we face today, then, this is the book for you.

You can follow Author Meredith Ritchie

Website: meredithritchie.com

IG: @postergirlsbook

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

#meredithritchie #postergirls #historicalfiction #womensfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Mark Jamilkowski, author of the book The Road to Moresco. Mark is a first-time author, a co-founder of a healthcare start-up, a husband and father. He enjoys music, reading and researching, games of strategy, photography, cooking, and writing. Mark authored "The Road to Moresco", a historical fiction novel released in August 2023, to tell the incredible story of a mother and her daughter beginning in early 1900's Italy. The story of these persistent and resilient women is complex, intimate, and inspiring.

In my book review, I stated The Road to Moresco is a story about Maria-Luisa Moresco and then her daughter Claire. As a woman in the early 1900s, Maria-Luisa was ahead of her times and wanted more than the traditional life of motherhood. Unfortunately, her life was not easy, and the reader follows her as she pushes her way forward despite such things as earthquakes, war, and murder. Her daughter lived with these consequences and suffered her own difficult journey.

The story and characters were really good. The historical research that went into the novel is also phenomenal. However, Mark had a difficult time intertwining the story with the history. I often felt like I was reading a great novel interrupted by a strong history lesson – which is something we discuss. Nonetheless, the story is a wonderful portrayal of strong women in a time when women were meant to be something else.

You can follow Author Mark Jamilkowski:

Website: www.mark-jamilkowski-author.com/

X: @roadtomoresco

Goodreads: @ Mark_Jamilkowski

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

#markjamilkowski #theroadtomoresco #familysaga #historicalfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Jennifer Manocherian, author of the book Alpha Bette. Alpha Bette is Jennifer’s first novel. She put much of her personal and professional life experience into writing it, having been a family therapist, divorce mediator, Broadway and Off-Broadway producer, musical book writer, screenwriter & producer, and screenwriting teacher. She co-wrote and produced the films Family Blues and Boundary Waters (in production) as well as wrote the book of two musicals that are streaming online: Marry Harry, a full-length musical, and Cockroaches & Cologne, a short musical. She is a proud board member of New York Stage and Film, The Peace Studio, and 18by Vote. She is married with five children and many grandchildren—great source material!

In my book review, I stated Alpha Bette is a contemporary fiction told from the viewpoint of several characters who revolve around the matriarch Bette Gartner. At ninety-five, Bette has lost her husband, most of her friends, and even her granddaughter. She has to rely on help from her housekeeper and night nurse after a fall that left her reliant on her wheelchair.

One morning, after what she is sure is a sign from her dead husband, Bette orchestrates a dinner party. The entire story takes place in one day giving readers a glimpse into the past and present of Bette and those around her: housekeeper, aide, two neighbors, daughter and son-in-law, great-granddaughter, and what Bette hopes to be her eventual great-grandson-in-law. Throw in a cremated parrot, political prisoners, a spoiled puppy, a cancer scare, and a medium who Bette believes can speak to her husband, George, and you have a dinner party you'll never forget.

This book reminds me a bit of My Grandmother Told Me To Tell You She's Sorry by Fredrik Backman and The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley. I think it is because we get into the heads of so many characters and see how they touch one another's lives.

​Jennifer states that people either love or hate the ending. I'm in the love category, but that may be because I saw it coming! This is another must-read.

You can follow Author Jennifer Manocherian:

Website: https://jennifermanocherian.net/

FB: @ jmanocherian

IG: @jennifermanocherian

LinkedIn: @jennifer-manocherian-2421855

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

#jennifermanocherian #alphabette #contemporary #familyfiction #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Laury A Egan, author of the book The Psychologist’s Shadow. Laury is the author of thirteen novels and four limited edition poetry volumes. Eighty-five of her stories and poems have appeared in literary journals and anthologies. She is a reviewer for The New York Journal of Books, a fine arts photographer, and a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University. She lives on the northern coast of New Jersey.

In my book review, I stated The Psychologist's Shadow is a psychological thriller that had me hooked from the first chapter. Ellen Haskell is a psychologist who recently moved her practice to remove herself from a bad situation. Somehow, it seems that 'bad situations' follow Ellen, and she soon finds herself in the middle of an obsession.

Laury does a wonderful job casting light on several patients and even a family member who could be behind the phone calls, notes, and trinkets. I didn't figure out the stalker. I had ruled out some because they seem too obvious and others because of specific things that happened during the action. I actually thought it was one of the patients that I didn't want it to be! I even suspected patients ruled out by Ellen figuring she was missing something. Finally, I suspected a past boyfriend. Although I hadn't ruled out the real stalker, I certainly wouldn't have bet my life on it!

​Laury did a great job keeping the reader guessing. Although I tend to shy away from thrillers because they often get too graphic, Laury provided all the suspense necessary without adding gratuitous violence. This is a must-read!

You can follow Author Laury A Egan:

Website:www.lauryaegan.com

FB: @laury.egan

IG: @laurya.egan

X: @EganLaury

LinkedIn: @laury-a-egan-09096b3/

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

#lauryaegan #thepsychologistsshadow #suspense #thriller #psychologicalsuspense #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, here to chat with me about podcast guesting for authors. PodMatch, is a software company specifically focused on independent podcast hosts and their guests to elevate their voices through podcasting and be heard. In addition to founding PodMatch, Alex is also the host of the top-rated podcast, Podcasting Made Simple, and is one of the most sought-after educators and public speakers in the podcasting industry.

At the age of 10, Alex got his first taste of entrepreneurship when he began selling used golf balls that he would find in the lakes and woods around his neighborhood golf course. Alex immediately realized that he enjoyed generating sales and keeping track of profit margins. (Yes, an odd kid for only 10 years old!) Through many twists and turns, from a job in the aerospace field to church ministry leadership, Alex finally came back to his entrepreneurial roots with the podcast, Creating a Brand, and eventually creating the platform, PodMatch, to help podcasters find guests for their shows.

In Alex’s own words, “I’m in this industry to serve indie podcasters, and their guests to help independent voices get elevated and, as a result, help them serve the world in the way only they can. I love what I do; I believe I’m now doing what I was created to do – And I’m giving it 110% every day!”

You can follow Alex Sanfilippo, Founder of Podmatch, at:

www.podmatch.com/free

Teri M Brown, Author and Podcast Host: https://www.terimbrown.com FB: @TeriMBrownAuthor

IG: @terimbrown_author

X: @terimbrown1

#alexsanfilippo #podmatch #podcasting #podcastingforauthors #terimbrownauthor #authorpodcast #onlineforauthors #characterdriven #researchjunkie #awardwinningauthor #podcasthost #podcast #readerpodcast #bookpodcast #writerpodcast #author #books #goodreads #bookclub #fiction #writer #bookreview

As the award-winning host for Online for Authors, my goal is to introduce avid readers to characters they’d like to invite to lunch. Listeners will have the opportunity to discover new authors, amazing characters, and “can’t stop reading” stories.

Online for Authors releases a new episode featuring a guest interview each Tuesday morning at 6am ET. Tune in to be introduced to new and upcoming authors in a wide variety of fiction genres - from historical to fantasy to mystery to thriller to romance – as well as inspirational memoirs.

If you are looking for the next book on your “to be read” pile, then this is the podcast for you. Listen as authors discuss their latest work (no spoilers!), the impetus behind the storyline, how/where/why they write, what’s coming up next, and more! These conversations are in-depth because unlike other podcasts focused on fiction, I take the time to read and review each novel before the interview. By doing so, I can guarantee a good fit for my audience as well as an interesting and inquisitive conversation.

Additionally, the first Saturday of each month, I release what I affectionately call OFAU – Online for Authors University. These once-monthly episodes feature writing tips for authors in all stages of their careers and speaks directly to my desire to mentor others. Whether someone wants to know about editing, marketing, book awards, being a guest on a podcast, or how notebooking can help you overcome writer’s block, writers and aspiring writers will find useful tips to move their writing to the next level.

Finally, I gather experts for LIVE streams around topics of interest, such as why authors choose to use pen names or a behind the scenes look at audiobook creation. These LIVE streams happen each 5th Tuesday at 7pm ET, in addition to various dates around specific bookish events like book launches, author readings, and even book birthdays!

If you read more than 40 books per year and want to veer away from the NYT Best Seller's List or want to expand beyond your preferred genre, Online for Authors can help you discover novels written by Indie-Authors to add to your to-be-read list.