What does it take to become a New York Times bestselling author?

In this episode of Author Talk, we sit down with J.D. Barker to dive into the reality behind the success — from his early writing journey to building a career that spans bestselling thrillers, collaborations with major authors, and a loyal global readership.

J.D. shares candid insights on the publishing industry, what actually moves the needle in book sales, and the mindset required to keep showing up in a competitive space.

We also talk about craft, consistency, and how authors can position themselves for long-term success. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your author career, this episode is packed with real-world advice you won’t want to miss.

~ Behind-the-scenes of a NYT bestselling career

~ Publishing insights every author should know

~ Practical advice you can apply right now. Press play and learn from one of the best.

#AuthorTalk #JDBarker #WritersLife #Publishing #IndieAuthor #MondayMotivation

What does it really take to build a writing career from the ground up?

In this episode of Author Talk, we sit down with Douglas to explore his writing journey — from early beginnings to the moments that shaped his success. We dive into the challenges, mindset shifts, and breakthroughs that helped him keep going when things felt uncertain.

If you’re an aspiring writer, published author, or creative chasing your next big goal, this conversation will leave you encouraged and motivated to stay the course.

✨ Expect honest insights
✨ Real-world lessons from the publishing journey
✨ A reminder that success is built one page at a time

Press play and get inspired.

#AuthorTalk #WritersLife #MondayMotivation #WritingCommunity #IndieAuthor

Join us as we speak with Jeremy about his writing journey and his upcoming novel, Wretch, which dives into crime and horror. #mondaymotivation #writers #authors #podcast

What does it take to break barriers in medicine—and keep going when the odds are stacked against you?

In this episode, we sit down with Craig Yorke, author of Steep: A Black Neurosurgeon’s Journey, for a powerful and deeply personal conversation about resilience, identity, and perseverance. From navigating the pressures of a demanding medical career to confronting systemic challenges head-on, Craig shares the moments that shaped his journey—and the lessons that continue to guide him.

This is an honest, inspiring discussion about ambition, purpose, and what it truly means to climb when the path is steep.

✨ Perfect for readers, writers, medical professionals, and anyone looking for a dose of Monday motivation.

We’re welcoming Ian Domowitz to Author Talk—a veteran of the military, academia, and Wall Street, with 12 fintech patents and a passion for exploring intelligence, existence, and identity without generative AI in his fiction.In Initial Condition, Domowitz introduces readers to The Mechanic—a being caught between centuries, realities, and definitions of life itself.

Our conversation explores the philosophy behind the story, the moral questions it raises, and the craft of writing speculative fiction with depth and restraint.

Thoughtful, relaxed, and full of insight—just the way Author Talk likes it.

#AuthorTalkPodcast #AuthorInterview #IndieAuthors #SpeculativeLiterature #WritingCommunity

We have officially survived the holidays! 🎄 Aimee is exhausted from the Christmas chaos, Russell is diving deeper into his fascination with the "Dark Romance" genre (and space operas), and we are thrilled to welcome Canadian author Liisa Kovala.

Liisa joins us from snowy Northern Ontario to discuss her historical fiction novel, Water for Weary Souls. Set in the 1930s, the book explores the lives of Finnish immigrants, the grit required to survive the Great Depression, and the family secrets buried in a local boarding house.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🇫🇮 The Power of Sisu: Liisa explains the untranslatable Finnish concept of "Sisu"—a mixture of grit, guts, and determination—and how it defines her characters (and her tattoo choice!).

• 🏚️ History & Fiction: The real-life inspiration behind the boarding houses, bootleggers, and immigrant struggles in Sudbury, Ontario.

• ✍️ The Writing Journey: Liisa shares her transition from writing non-fiction to historical fiction and the challenge of balancing accurate research with a compelling narrative.

• ❄️ Winter Woes: The team bonds (and complains) about winter driving, from Texas ice scares to Canadian blizzards.

• 🕵️‍♀️ What’s Next: A sneak peek at Liisa’s upcoming "Hygge House" cozy mystery series.

Tune in for a mix of history, humor, and a lesson on how to channel your inner Sisu when life gets tough.

📚 Check out Liisa’s Work:

• Water for Weary Souls

• [Link to Liisa's website/socials if available]

We want to hear from you! Do you have a favorite historical fiction novel that taught you about a specific culture? Let us know on our socials!

#AuthorTalk #LiisaKovala #HistoricalFiction #Sisu #FinnishCanadian #Podcast #WritingCommunity #BookChat #AmReading

The holidays are officially over, but the chaos lingers! Russell is still asking everyone about "Dark Romance" tattoos, and we are joined by the inspiring Eric Fisher.

Eric, joining us from Calgary, shares the harrowing true story behind his memoir, Buried Alive: 4 Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. Based on his father's survival of a trench collapse, Eric uses this traumatic event to explore resilience, mental health, and overcoming life's heaviest burdens.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🕳️ Survival Against Odds: The terrifying true story of Eric's father being buried alive and the miraculous rescue that followed.

• 🧠 The CIA Method: Eric explains his framework for healing: Curiosity, Introspection, and Agency.

• 🎰 True Crime & History: A look at Eric's other book, The Man Who Could Do No Wrong, which dives into a pastor's involvement in a slot machine Ponzi scheme.

• 🥋 Physical & Mental Discipline: How martial arts played a crucial role in Eric's journey of recovery and mental strength.

• 🖤 Russell’s Favorite Question: Eric gives one of the best answers yet to Russell's recurring question about literary tattoos!

Tune in for a powerful conversation about finding freedom from your past and digging yourself out of the "dirt."

📚 Check out Eric’s Work:

• Buried Alive: 4 Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt

• The Man Who Could Do No Wrong

We want to hear from you! What tools or methods have helped you overcome a difficult time in your life? Let us know on our socials!

#AuthorTalk #EricFisher #MentalHealth #Resilience #TrueStory #Podcast #BookChat #Memoir #Recovery

CALLING ALL DOG LOVERS

This week, we are recovering from a chaotic (and snowy!) weekend as Aimee dreads her holiday laundry and Russell continues his fascinating deep dive into the world of "Dark Romance" book trends—specifically, why fans are getting tattoos of book quotes on their backs!

Then, we have a heartwarming and insightful conversation with Canadian author Holly B. Gutwillinger. Holly joins us from Northern Ontario (where it's currently -20 degrees!) to discuss her upcoming novel, a story about healing, purpose, and the unique bond between humans and their rescue dogs.

In this episode, we discuss:

• 🐶 The Reality of Rescue Dogs: Holly shares the moving story of her own dogs, Sully and Cash, and the realization that you can't always "fix" a rescue dog—sometimes, love is about acceptance.

• ✍️ Fiction with a Purpose: Why Holly chose to write a fictional story rather than a memoir to give her anxious dog, Sully, a voice.

• ❄️ Life in Northern Ontario: Snowstorms, freezing temperatures, and finding inspiration in the quiet of winter.

• 📚 Russell’s Genre Education: The team discusses book tattoos, sprayed edges, and why "Dark Romance" is taking over the book world.

• 📖 The Writing Journey: Holly talks about finding her voice as a writer later in life and the therapeutic nature of storytelling.

Tune in for a mix of laughs, touching dog stories, and a look at how fiction can help us understand the real world a little better.