Step into the glittering world of 1920s New York and the intimate corners of a first-grade classroom in this deeply personal Literary Lines episode. Host GiGi Meier sits down with Elaine Sprawn, whose extraordinary journey from 40-year teacher to historical novelist will leave you inspired.

Elaine's writing career blossomed unexpectedly when she transformed her grandparents' real-life Jazz Age romance—including her grandfather Bill Corum, the sports journalist who coined the phrase "Run for the Roses"—into the sweeping love story Kiddie & the Major. But her literary path took a poignant turn with Strokewaves, her raw memoir of resilience after personal tragedy.

Between tales of tracking down speakeasies for research and her upcoming spring bookfair circuit, Elaine reflects on how forty years of teaching first-graders prepared her to write across genres. Listeners will be captivated by her insights on bridging generations through story, the bittersweet process of fictionalizing family history, and where she’d time-travel if given one magical year.

For anyone who believes it’s too late to start a new chapter, Elaine’s story—like the enduring love between Kitty and the Major—proves the most compelling narratives often unfold when we least expect them.

Website:

https://www.offandrunningpublications.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/strawnec/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

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https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Money meets mindfulness in this illuminating Literary Lines episode featuring financial guru Mick Heyman, author of Mellow Your Money: How to Surf the Market and Build Wealth without Stressing Yourself Out. With forty years of wealth management wisdom as founder of Heyman Investment Counseling, Mick reveals how to grow your portfolio while shrinking your anxiety.

Discover why this devotee of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky writes about dollars with a novelist's flair, how to identify your investor personality type, and which historical market patterns everyone should know. Mick shares his surprisingly literary approach to finance, including an impromptu book idea sparked live during our conversation!

From practical advice for college students to why he genuinely enjoys portfolio management (yes, really!), this discussion proves financial wellness isn't about getting rich quick—it's about staying sane while building lasting security. Don't miss Mick's visionary answer to where he'd be if granted one stress-free year of magic—it might just change how you view your own financial journey.

Website:

https://mellowyourmoney.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mellowyourmoney/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Prepare for liftoff as Literary Lines host GiGi Meier beams into the fascinating universe of John Newton - electrical engineer by day, sci-fi author by night, and farmer, father of five, and YouTube creator in between. This April 10th episode delivers an interstellar conversation with the mind behind Avar-Trek Short Stories and The Shadows of Time series, whose unique blend of history, theology, and futuristic speculation has earned him a devoted following.

Discover how John transforms farm life in rural America into cosmic adventures, why he deliberately plants Easter eggs throughout his work, and what electrical engineering teaches him about story structure. He'll share the secrets behind his thriving YouTube channel, where he hosts live discussions dissecting sci-fi's biggest philosophical questions with viewers around the globe.

From traditional publishing insights to his ambitious audiobook plans, from parenting to programming, John reveals how he manages this staggering creative output while staying grounded in family and faith. Aspiring authors won't want to miss his practical advice, nor his visionary answer to where he'd transport himself if granted one sci-fi-style wish for 2026.

Whether you're a die-hard sci-fi fan, a busy creator seeking productivity hacks, or simply curious how someone writes space operas between milking cows, this episode proves ordinary lives can generate extraordinary stories.

Website:

https://newtonscifi.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@NewtonSciFi

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Buckle up for a whirlwind conversation with romance juggernaut Ruan Willow! In this electrifying Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier sits down with the prolific author who's conquered the romance genre with 64+ titles (and counting), four secret pen names, and a staggering 1.2 million downloads across 68 countries.

Ruan pulls back the curtain on her astonishing creative output, revealing how she balances writing new releases like Overcoming Heartache (April 15) and Deception's Snare (May 1) with hosting her wildly popular Oh F*ck Yeah! podcast - where she delivers hundreds of unfiltered, empowering episodes for women.

The conversation crackles with insider knowledge as Ruan shares her strategies for breaking into independent bookstores, prepping for major 2025 book fairs, and why certain romance subgenres can make or break writers. She gets real about overcoming naysayers, her innovative "Theo Reads" project, and how she manages multiple subscription services while still finding time to create.

Packed with hard-won wisdom about book covers, productivity hacks, and building an unstoppable author brand, this interview is a masterclass in creative entrepreneurship. And wait until you hear where she'd be if she could wave a magic wand!

For anyone who's ever dreamed of turning their passion for romance into a full-fledged empire, Ruan Willow's story will leave you inspired, energized, and ready to write your own success story.

Website:

https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ruanwillowauthor/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Step into the mystical world of C.H. Reece in this enchanting Literary Lines episode! The fiery paranormal romance author behind The Witch's Link series reveals how a vivid 2015 dream (a gift from her late father) blossomed into a six-book saga of magic and passion. With three books already bewitching readers, Book 4 arriving this year, and Book 5 slated for late 2025, Reece pulls back the curtain on her creative cauldron - including why she writes the series out of order and how she channels her spiritual practice into crafting tarot cards that complement her novels.

Between sharing priceless wisdom from mentor L.B. Harpdog and her critique group, Reece offers spellbinding advice for aspiring authors and a peek inside Allison Spooner's Tribe Scribe community. The conversation turns truly magical as she discusses her "brain book" system, how tarot readings influence her storytelling, and where she'd be if she could wave a writer's wand.

Perfect for romance lovers and mystical creatives alike, this interview proves why Reece's potent blend of witchcraft and wordsmithing keeps readers under her spell.

Website:

https://chreece.mailchimpsites.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/c.h.reece/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

Buckle up for a whirlwind conversation with fantasy force-of-nature S.T. Fernandez! In this electrifying Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier rides the creative waves with the author behind The Heir of Atlantis series as she reveals how she transforms 5:30am writing sessions into lush underwater kingdoms. Stephanie (as friends call her) opens up about the profound pivot of resurrecting a shelved manuscript from her twenties - now reimagined as a spicy, Puerto Rican-infused fantasy epic with five novels and three novellas in the works.

Between discussing her Legend of Gasparilla standalone and upcoming 2025 book conferences, Stephanie gets real about writing through grief after her mother's passing, why she effortlessly dances between first and third person perspectives, and how transitioning to work-from-home supercharged her world-building. The conversation crescendos with her answer to where she'd be if she could wave a magic wand - a moment that perfectly captures the ambition and heart driving this rising star of paranormal romance.

Perfect for fantasy lovers and writers alike, this interview is a masterclass in creative reinvention, cultural storytelling, and the kind of pre-sunrise dedication that builds empires - whether underwater or on the page.

Website:

https://stfernandez.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/stfernandezwrites/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

In this electrifying episode of Literary Lines: Interviews with Indie Authors, host GiGi Meier sits down with new adult romantasy author Brittany Ranew, the creative mind behind the Riley Jordan & the Fire Prophecies series. Described as Percy Jackson meets Narnia for grownups, Lion of Fire (Book 1) is a spellbinding blend of elemental magic, slow-burn romance, and coming-of-age adventure—and Book 2 is on the horizon for fall 2025!

Brittany shares the incredible journey of her debut novel, a story 10 years in the making. Written in 2013 and set aside until she became the author she needed to be, Lion of Fire is a testament to perseverance and growth. She opens up about her meticulous outlining process, the challenges and joys of writing Book 2, and how she infuses her own experiences into her fiery protagonist.

Beyond her novels, Brittany delves into her work as a business coach, her passion for shadow work, and her Be Your Own Hero podcast, where she explores transformative journeys of overcoming obstacles and creating the life you desire. She also shares powerful insights on goal-setting, the tools that drive her success, and her advice for new and aspiring authors.

Tune in to hear Brittany’s thoughts on book conferences, her magic systems, and what she’d wish for if she could wave a magic wand. Whether you’re a romantasy fan or seeking inspiration to chase your dreams, this episode is packed with fire and wisdom!

Website:

https://www.brittanyranew.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/brittanyranewauthor/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2

In this episode of Literary Lines: Interviews with Indie Authors, host GiGi Meier sits down with children’s author, adoption parent coach, and mindset speaker Francine Apy. Francine is the author of Brianna’s Brave Day at School and a contributor to her mother’s powerful memoir, Dominica’s Story: A Life of Courage, Hope, and Love.

Francine shares her expertise on adoption, offering invaluable insights into the process, navigating its challenges, and fostering open, honest conversations within families. She also recounts the extraordinary story of her mother’s resilience—a tale of survival and hope that began when her mother, orphaned in war-torn Ukraine at just five years old, was struck by scrap metal and separated from her family during World War II. This harrowing journey, which led to her mother being taken to Germany for medical treatment, forever shaped their family’s legacy.

Drawing from her personal adoption journey and her mother’s riveting history, Francine’s discussion is a moving testament to courage, love, and the human spirit. She also highlights her work with C.A.S.E. (The Center for Adoption Support and Education) and her mission to educate classrooms about adoption and family diversity.

Tune in to hear Francine’s inspiring story, her advice for adoptive families, and how she uses storytelling to celebrate resilience and connection. This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by adoption, history, or the power of love.

Website:

https://www.soulfillingadoption.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/soulfilling_by_francine_apy/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonuses and deleted scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gigimeiermedia/

YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@gigimeier

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gigi-Meier/author/B0BCR5KWQ2