Host Jolene MacFadden welcomes Rebekah Hair, a Louisiana-based picture book author, illustrator, and online art teacher, to discuss her work in children’s literature. Hair shares details about her book Take That Hurricane, a superhero-themed picture book for ages 5–8 that focuses on hurricane recovery and resilience, and explains her goal of portraying post-disaster cleanup, relief efforts, and community rebuilding in a positive way. She talks about being part of the Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, her experience illustrating faith-based projects, and how she learned to navigate illustration contracts. Hair previews a sequel about a love bug invasion, discusses balancing teaching, illustration, and school/library visits, and explains her hybrid art process—traditional ink drawings scanned and colored digitally—along with tools like Krita, Illustrator, InDesign, and Kindle Create. Follow the author on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebekah_rebekahhairbooks/

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:40 Meet Rebekah Hair

01:38 Age Range and Superhero Hook

02:15 Writing Groups and Bookstore Buzz

03:22 Illustration Contracts Basics

04:50 Sequel Plans and Disaster Themes

07:08 Hybrid Illustration Process

10:16 Favorite Art Programs

17:22 Publishing and Printing Choices

20:54 Creative Side Projects and Burnout

25:39 Social Media and Animation Talk

27:52 Wrap Up and Next Episode

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In this episode of Jolene's Book & Writers Talk, I'm joined by Lauren Gilbert, a Port St. Lucie-based author whose lifelong love of English literature and deep immersion in Regency-erahistory shapes every page she writes.

Lauren shares how she brings authentic Regency heroines to life without the 21st-century makeover, why Jane Austen's private letters unlock a layer of wit and social critique that thenovels alone can't deliver, and how she tracks hundreds of research sources across spreadsheets timed in five-year blocks. We talk about her two published novels, her ambitious nonfiction project profiling seven largely overlooked women of power from the Regency period, and what it means to lose a publisher contract yet keep writing anyway.

We also get into the tools she uses: the British Newspaper Archive, British National Archives, genealogy records, ProWritingAid's plagiarism scanner, and the unexpected research windfall that came out of the COVID lockdowns.

This conversation is for writers drawn to historical fiction, nonfiction researchers, and anyone who has ever fallen into a period newspaper and lost an afternoon. Visit the Author's website: https://lauren-gilbert.com/

• 00:00 Show Welcome

• 00:41 Meet Lauren Gilbert

• 01:38 Why Regency Matters Now

• 03:05 A Rational Attachment

• 04:26 Deep Research Sources

• 07:23 AI and Old Documents

• 09:25 The Nonfiction Women Project

• 13:03 Archives, Online and In Person

• 15:05 Plotter or Pantser

• 17:44 Tracking Notes and Citations

• 21:05 Newspapers Then and Now

• 25:07 Advice for Historical Writers

• 27:09 Finding Rare Research Books

• 30:21 Dinner with History Icons

• 32:56 Closing and Subscribe

Check out our Sponsor: Southern Dragon Publishing

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Host Jolene MacFadden welcomes Gay-Lynn Grigas, a licensed mental health counselor and credentialed addiction professional with 30 years’ experience in drug and alcohol rehab and five traditionally published books, including her latest, "Psychedelics Dreams and Rituals," which explores healing trauma through self-compassion and self-forgiveness using non-ordinary states of consciousness such as psychedelics, dreams, and ritual/ceremony. Grigas discusses types of trauma (acute, chronic, complex), how suppressed trauma can affect relationships, health, and depression, and how ketamine is the only legal psychedelic she can use in Florida, describing screening, prescriptions, and therapeutic guidance including telehealth options and safety protocols. She shares her long-term journaling and dream journal practice, notes that authors must largely handle their own marketing, and recommends writing from passion and finding community, citing Hay House’s writer’s community and her contest experience. She previews a relationship teaching memoir tentatively titled "All The Daves of My Life." Visit the authors website: https://gaylynn.net/

00:00 Welcome and Show Intro

00:42 Meet Gay-Lynn Grigas

01:22 Books and Healing Focus

01:47 Trauma Jar Explained

04:36 Types of Trauma

06:38 Ketamine Therapy Basics

09:52 Telehealth and Safety

11:35 Journaling and Dream Work

12:12 Publishing and Marketing Reality

14:48 Spiritual and Jungian Influences

18:49 New Relationship Memoir Teaser

20:58 Top Writing Tips and Community

25:15 Closing and Subscribe

Southern Dragon Publishing Links

Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing

Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing

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Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/

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Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing

Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@SoDragonPub.jolene.macfadden

Host Jolene MacFadden interviews North Florida writer Nancy Blanton, author of five independently published historical novels set in 17th-century Ireland, including her latest, The Noblest Share of Earth, about a family conflict over the fertile peninsula of Inishowen in County Donegal. Blanton shares her background in journalism and corporate communications, her research-driven process using timelines and character profiles, and her preference to build plot before characters. She discusses traveling to Ireland for authenticity, distributing widely through IngramSpark, and co-founding Amelia Indie Authors after agents urged her to write something other than Ireland. Blanton explains her reluctance to use AI, her reliance on professional editing and beta readers, and writing in multiple first-person viewpoints. She previews a forthcoming novel moving toward the 1660 Restoration and Charles II, and shares advice to focus on telling the story and keep publishing details in perspective. Check out the Author's website: https://nancyblanton.com

00:00 Show Intro and Sponsor

00:41 Meet Nancy Blanton

02:14 Latest Novel in Ireland

03:24 Social Media and Global Writers

04:23 Support System and Publishing Path

06:16 Going Wide and Distribution Tips

09:17 Research Driven Writing Process

11:42 Plot First and Character Building

12:46 AI Tools and New Projects

16:14 Next Book and Research Plans

18:57 Accuracy vs Creative License

20:06 POV Choices and Writing Life

21:39 Editing Beta and ARC Readers

25:34 Dream Casting and Killing Darlings

28:45 Best Writing Advice and Influences

31:18 Current Read and Wrap Up

****************************

Southern Dragon Publishing Links

Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing

Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing

TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/

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Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

Host Jolene MacFadden interviews recently retired U.S. diplomat and federal law enforcement officer Vida Gecas about her children’s book, Lucky Puppy Finds Two Families, a true story inspired by her rescue dog Lucky who she met while posted to the U.S. Embassy in Conakry, Guinea. Gecas explains the book’s themes—dreams, exploration, and the idea of “two families” (the one you’re born or adopted into and the communities you build through life)—and discusses writing for third and fourth graders, using a hybrid publisher, and working with illustrator Lisa Alderson under a work-for-hire agreement and handling copyright details. They also cover the business side of authorship (marketing, sales tax, small business resources, writers groups like SCBWI), her website and Instagram, plans to continue Lucky’s adventures, challenges of transporting pets overseas, and her views on reading habits, AI, and advice for new writers. Visit the author's website at https://laimebooks.com/

00:00 Show Intro and Sponsor

00:40 Meet Vida Gecas

01:54 Lucky Puppy Story

02:48 Themes Dreams and Family

04:00 Hybrid Publishing Process

04:58 Illustrations and Copyright

06:49 Author Business and Taxes

09:21 Marketing and Social Media

11:22 Writer Groups and Community

12:13 Next Book and Pet Travel

18:00 Writer vs Author and Reading

21:51 Advice Awards and AI

26:13 Kids Reading Overseas

29:22 Dinner Guests and Wrap Up

Southern Dragon Publishing Links

Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing

Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing

TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/

Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing

Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@SoDragonPub.jolene.macfadden

What drives a retired chemist with a PhD to write her first book at this stage of life? For Miami author Gladys Barrio, the answer is simple: her grandchildren needed to know where they came from.

In this episode, host Jolene MacFadden sits down with Barrio to discuss her award-winning memoir, *Empowered by the Dream: A Journey of Resilience*, which traces three generations of her Cuban-Spanish family through the Spanish Civil War, communist exile, and resettlement across Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

Barrio shares what it was like navigating nine schools across four countries as a child, how she developed her writing craft through OLLI courses and critique groups, and why she insists the Spanish translation of her book must be more than a translation. She also talks about her writing ritual, her advice for new memoir writers, and the Hurricane Helene story she is writing now.

Find Gladys at ⁠https://amzn.to/4cPZW1K⁠If you have ever wanted to tell your family's story but didn't know where to start, this episode will give you both the permission and the practical path forward.

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome and Sponsor

00:36 Meet Gladys Barrio

01:11 Family Saga Across Exiles

03:48 Childhood Displacement

06:20 From Schools to Chemistry PhD

07:32 Learning Memoir Craft

09:14 Next Book: Hurricane Story

10:12 Life Moves and Hurricane Andrew

11:51 Writer vs Author Mindset

12:54 Reading Tastes and Publishing

14:29 Spanish Translation Choices

17:51 Advice and Beating Writer's Block

20:44 Writing Routine and Rituals

22:12 Closing and Show Notes

Southern Dragon Publishing Links

Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernDragonPublishing

Bookstodon Account: https://bookstodon.com/@sodragonpublishing

TikTok Page: https://www.tiktok.com/@sodragonpublishing

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sodragonpublishing.bsky.social

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SoDragonPublishing/

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/sodragonpublishing/

Threads Page: https://www.threads.net/@sodragonpublishing

Substack Publication: https://jolenetheauthor.substack.com/

Medium: https://medium.com/@SoDragonPub.jolene.macfadden

Orlando Author Mindy Killgrove on Cozy Mysteries, Indie Publishing, KU vs Wide, and Writing Life | Jolene’s Books & Writer’s Talk

Host Jolene MacFadden interviews Orlando, Florida author Mindy Killgrove, who writes cozy mystery series and romance and is finishing the final book in her Buena Ventura Beach Mystery series set in a fictional Florida beach town. Mindy discusses creating a community-focused cozy setting with varied mysteries, her influences (Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and Shakespeare), and her experience with the Orange County Library System through book fairs, local collection requests, and the OCLS Writers Group. The conversation covers indie publishing trends, Mindy’s preference for self-publishing after an earlier small-press experience, and the KU/Kindle Select exclusivity tradeoff; she keeps most of her catalog in Kindle Unlimited due to stronger results, while her first trilogy is available wide. Jolene shares her own wide strategy using Draft2Digital and IngramSpark to reach libraries and ebook services. They compare production tools (IngramSpark print quality, Draft2Digital conversions, and Ingram’s sprayed edges), discuss social media choices (Mindy uses Facebook, Instagram, occasional X, and a YouTube channel with children’s book read-alouds), and newsletter building via BookFunnel. Mindy explains what she likes about writing (growth, reader engagement) and dislikes (marketing/advertising), her organized plotter approach using Microsoft Word, maintaining a series “world bible,” and tips for new writers to start with the story in their head and outline it. They address AI, with Mindy using it for promotional images via Canva while opposing AI-written stories, and they discuss cover design expectations for cozy mysteries and the need to refresh covers over time. Jolene also mentions republishing backlists, copyright registration, and long-term rights planning (including trusts). Mindy closes by sharing that she travels around Florida to attend book festivals and connect with readers and authors. Visit the authors website: https://www.mindykillgrove.com

00:00 Welcome & Show Intro (Jolene’s Books and Writer’s Talk)

00:40 Meet Mindy Killgrove + The Buena Ventura Beach Mysteries

01:43 Favorite Influences & Reading Habits (Austen, Christie, Shakespeare)

02:37 Libraries & Supporting Indie Authors (OCLS and beyond)

04:35 Indie vs Traditional Publishing + Community Support

05:54 Kindle Unlimited Exclusivity vs Going Wide (What Works for Sales)

08:20 Print & Distribution Tools: IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Smashwords Sales

10:32 Author Platform & Social Media Choices (Website, YouTube, Newsletters)

13:48 What Mindy Loves (and Hates) About the Writing Career

16:24 Process & Organization: Plotter Mindset, Outlines, and Series Bible

18:42 Advice for New Writers + Where AI Fits (and Doesn’t)

21:56 Cover Design Trends, Refreshing Backlists & Copyright/Legacy Planning

25:11 Events, Florida Book Fests & Final Wrap-Up

Find Out More About Your Host:

Website: https://jolenesbooksandmore.com

Tumblr: https://jolenes-book-journey.tumblr.com/

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolene-macfadden-kowalchuk/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/jolenemacfadden

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In this episode of Jolene's Books and Writer's Talk, host Jolene MacFadden sits down with author Pamela D. Marshall, a former television journalist turned children’s book author. They discuss Pamela's journey from journalism to writing, her books on forgiveness and environmental awareness, and the importance of connecting with other authors and utilizing social media to reach audiences. Pamela also shares insights into her writing process, the significance of forgiveness, and her future projects, all amidst reflections on personal and environmental wellness. Visit the author's website: https://www.pameladmarshall.com/

00:00 Introduction to Jolene's Books and Writer's Talk

00:41 Guest Author's Journey to Writing

01:12 Children's Books and Environmental Themes

02:43 Self-Publishing and Networking

03:41 Social Media and Writing

05:10 Developing Plots and Characters

11:52 Writing Schedules and Habits

16:18 Common Traps for New Authors

26:45 Literary Success and Inspirations

32:39 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

OUR SPONSOR:

Website: https://SouthernDragonPublishing.com

LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/southern-dragon-publishing/

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