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  • Nathan Bond - Rethinking Publishing Through Fairness, Transparency & Community

    Nathan Bond - Rethinking Publishing Through Fairness, Transparency & Community
    2026/08/19
    Episode OverviewWhat happens when a successful artist and educator looks at the publishing industry and decides there has to be a better way?In this episode of The Premise, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with Nathan Bond, artist, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Fair Share Publishing, an independent children's book publisher built around a simple idea: creators deserve a fairer share of the value they create.Nathan shares the story behind Fair Share Publishing, from his 28-year career as a figurative painter and illustrator and his years teaching at Parsons School of Design to witnessing talented children's book illustrators struggle financially despite their success. He explains how those experiences led him to rethink everything from royalty structures and payment schedules to printing, distribution, accessibility, and the relationship between publishers and creators.The conversation also takes a close look at You Are My Favorite Story, a children's picture book created by Shani King and Jeremi Duru and illustrated by John Jay. Nathan explains how the book came together, why its representation of fatherhood matters, and how thoughtful illustration can add layers of meaning that children discover over repeated readings.From the economics of publishing to social media, independent bookstores, libraries, and the future of children's books, this episode offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it means to build a publishing company around creators rather than simply around the bottom line.In This EpisodeWhy Nathan Bond founded Fair Share PublishingThe financial challenges facing even successful children's book creatorsWhy traditional royalty and payment structures can make it difficult for creators to surviveFair Share's 50% net royalty modelHow real-time sales tracking gives creators greater financial transparencyWhy Fair Share initially operated as a direct-to-consumer publisherThe environmental considerations behind Fair Share's printing and fulfillment modelThe supportive and collaborative culture of independent publishingThe story behind You Are My Favorite StoryWhy the book focuses on helping fathers and male role models express emotionHow illustration can communicate layers of meaning beyond the written textThe importance of subtle visual details in children's booksHow QR codes extend children's books beyond the printed pageFair Share's "Listen, Learn and Play" approachMaking books and educational materials more accessible to children, families, teachers, and librariesWhy library distribution is so important for independent publishersThe financial realities of producing high-quality children's picture booksThe role of social media in discovering and connecting with audiencesHow Fair Share supports independent bookstoresWhy community and collaboration matter in independent publishingWhat Fair Share looks for when reviewing authors' manuscripts and illustrators' portfoliosHow the company tries to make the publishing process more accessible to creators without agentsA Different Approach to RoyaltiesOne of the most striking aspects of Fair Share Publishing is its approach to creator compensation.Nathan describes starting with the question of what would represent the maximum amount a publisher could realistically share with creators. The result was a 50% royalty rate on net revenue, with expenses such as payment processing clearly accounted for before the revenue split.Fair Share also designed a system in which creators can see their sales in real time and better anticipate their monthly payments. For Nathan, this transparency addresses a fundamental problem in the traditional publishing system: creators can struggle to budget when royalty payments arrive only every six months, nine months, or even longer.Supporting Libraries & Independent BookstoresNathan explains why distribution has become increasingly important to Fair Share's mission. Libraries and schools can face significant restrictions on where they can purchase books, making it difficult for small publishers to reach these audiences without an established distributor.Fair Share has also taken an unusual approach to audiobook access for libraries. When a library purchases a physical book, it receives ongoing downloadable audiobook rights, reducing additional costs and administrative burdens for libraries.The company also actively supports independent bookstores. Nathan describes creating geographically targeted social-media advertising for bookstores that purchase Fair Share titles, using the publisher's marketing resources to help drive attention toward those local businesses.Advice for Authors & IllustratorsNathan also pulls back the curtain on Fair Share's submission process.Fair Share continually accepts illustrator portfolios, allowing the company to build a database of artists for future projects. Manuscript submissions are generally opened once a year because of the time required to evaluate them.The company has ...
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    1 時間 4 分
  • Robinne Lee - Author of "Crash Into Me" Live at Warwicks Books

    Robinne Lee - Author of "Crash Into Me" Live at Warwicks Books
    2026/08/12
    The Art of Writing Crash Into MeIn this episode, we sit down with the author of Crash Into Me for an intimate conversation about writing, beauty, identity, aging, relationships, and the creative life.Crash Into Me follows Cecilia Chen, a Jamaican Chinese photographer who has spent 20 years living in Paris before moving with her French filmmaker husband and their children to Los Angeles. Her new life is upended when a car accident brings her face-to-face with a woman from her past—and forces old memories and unresolved feelings back into the present.The conversation begins with a reading from the novel and then explores the inspiration behind the story, including the author's own experience in a frightening car accident that ultimately became the foundation for the book's opening.In This EpisodeThe real-life accident that inspired the novel The author explains how a 2016 car accident became the seed for Crash Into Me. She was struck by another driver, her car collided with another vehicle, and three strangers ended up comforting one another after the accident. She later realized the incident was an ideal metaphor for the unexpected intersections between people's lives.Beauty as a commodity At the center of Cecilia's artistic work is an installation exploring women's ideas about beauty, aging, and the ways society consumes and evaluates women's bodies. The conversation examines what happens when someone who has been valued for her beauty begins to experience the world responding to her differently.Aging in the public eye The discussion takes a particularly personal turn as the author talks about aging as an actor and the strange experience of having strangers feel entitled to comment on a public figure's appearance. The conversation considers the difference between simply growing older and growing older while being watched.Representation matters Cecilia's Jamaican Chinese identity was an intentional choice. The author talks about growing up without seeing characters who reflected that specific cultural background in the books she read and wanting to create that representation for other readers.Paris vs. Los Angeles The novel's reverse culture shock reflects the author's own experiences moving between cultures. The conversation explores Paris, Los Angeles, diversity, public transportation, isolation, aesthetics, and the different ways cultures approach beauty and presentation.Creating Anouk The author discusses Anouk, the mysterious and self-possessed woman at the center of Cecilia's past. Her character was influenced in part by the author's experiences with the modeling world and an early-1990s video of Kate Moss that captured a particular combination of confidence, sensuality, youth, and unpredictability.Writing across two timelines The novel moves between 1996 and 2015–2017. The author explains why the present-day narrative is written in first person while the historical sections use third person, creating both separation for the reader and a distinction between Cecilia's potentially unreliable memories and what actually happened.The writing process Writing Crash Into Me took approximately five years, followed by about a year and a half of editing. The author describes working in Microsoft Word, writing in cafés, setting deadlines, and deliberately creating an environment where she can focus without the distractions of social media.Advice for writers For aspiring writers, the advice is straightforward: keep writing, write about what you love, and don't try to create and judge your work at the same time. Draft first; edit later. She also emphasizes the importance of taking the blank page seriously and raising the stakes of a story so that readers will remember it long after they finish.Key TakeawaysGreat stories can emerge from unexpected moments in real life.Beauty can be both a source of power and a form of social currency.Aging becomes particularly complicated when your appearance is part of your public identity.Representation can begin with simply creating the character you wish you had seen growing up.A change in setting can fundamentally change how a character understands herself.Multiple timelines can reveal different versions of the truth.Writers need space to create before they begin judging what they've created.The first book an author publishes is rarely the first book they've written.Passion for a subject can make the long process of writing and rewriting sustainable.A memorable novel should give readers reasons to return to it and discover something new.For WritersOne of the most useful lessons from the conversation is the reminder that you cannot create and judge in the same moment. The author describes how writer's block became worse when she began criticizing every sentence as she wrote it. Her solution was to get the material onto the page first and save the judgment for the editing process.The larger message is simple: keep writing, write what you care about, and give yourself ...
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Breaking the Silence: Susan Osborn on Incest, Language, Power, and Patriarchy

    Breaking the Silence: Susan Osborn on Incest, Language, Power, and Patriarchy
    2026/07/30

    Episode Summary

    In this thought-provoking episode of The Premise, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson welcome award-winning author, educator, and cultural critic Susan Osborn to discuss her groundbreaking book, She's Such a Liar: Incest, Knowledge and Power—A Manifesto. Drawing on decades of research, Osborn explores how language, institutions, and cultural narratives have historically silenced survivors of incest while protecting systems of power.

    The conversation examines the importance of naming difficult realities, the role of history in shaping public understanding, and why language itself can determine what society chooses to acknowledge—or ignore. Susan also shares surprising historical research, personal experiences from academia, and her hopes for creating meaningful cultural change through education and dialogue.

    In This Episode

    • Why Susan Osborn intentionally uses the word "incest" instead of euphemisms.
    • The origins of the book title She's Such a Liar and how credibility is often weaponized against women.
    • The relationship between patriarchy, knowledge, and institutional power.
    • Historical examples of how medical, legal, and cultural institutions dismissed reports of incest.
    • The story of Sigmund Freud's reversal of his early research on childhood sexual abuse.
    • Why language shapes public awareness—and what happens when there are no words to describe a perpetrator.
    • Humor as a tool for discussing difficult subjects.
    • Susan's experiences being discouraged from researching incest during graduate school.
    • Women's rights, historical progress, and recurring cultural backlash.
    • How naming social problems is often the first step toward addressing them.
    • The historical medical response to childhood gonorrhea epidemics and what it revealed about institutional denial.
    • Susan's next research project on the historical construction of female shame.
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    1 時間
  • The Art of Pacing: Escaping Burnout & Finding Sustainable Success with Elizabeth Svoboda

    The Art of Pacing: Escaping Burnout & Finding Sustainable Success with Elizabeth Svoboda
    2026/07/16

    What if working harder isn't the answer?

    Award-winning science writer Elizabeth Svoboda joins The Premise to discuss her new book, The Art of Pacing: A Guide to Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Thriving. Together, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson explore America's hustle culture, why traditional time management often fails, and how learning to manage your energy—not just your schedule—can help you avoid burnout and build a more sustainable, fulfilling life.

    Drawing from science, elite athletics, psychology, and personal experience, Elizabeth shares practical strategies for recognizing burnout, aligning your work with your natural energy rhythms, and giving yourself permission to rest without guilt.

    Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative, healthcare worker, executive, or simply feeling overwhelmed, this conversation offers actionable insights to help you thrive for the long haul.


    In This Episode

    • Why America's "always-on" work culture is pushing so many people toward burnout
    • The difference between time management and energy management
    • What elite athletes can teach us about sustainable performance
    • Why rigid productivity systems often backfire
    • Recognizing the warning signs of burnout before it's too late
    • How heart rate variability (HRV) can help you monitor stress and recovery
    • The science behind resonant breathing and calming your nervous system
    • Why taking longer breaks actually improves productivity
    • Breaking the cycle of deadline-driven work and chronic procrastination
    • The importance of building rest into your life—not earning it
    • Lessons the U.S. can learn from France's approach to work-life balance
    • How pacing creates more creativity, resilience, and long-term success

    Key Takeaways

    • Productivity isn't about doing more—it's about managing your energy wisely.
    • Burnout doesn't happen overnight, and recovery often takes longer than we realize.
    • Your most important work should happen when your energy is naturally highest.
    • Rest is not laziness—it's an essential part of high performance.
    • Sustainable success comes from pacing yourself, not constantly pushing harder.
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    58 分
  • Christine Pride on Second Chances, Friendship, Publishing, and "All the Men I've Loved Again"

    Christine Pride on Second Chances, Friendship, Publishing, and "All the Men I've Loved Again"
    2026/06/24

    Episode Summary

    This week, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson welcome bestselling author, editor, and publishing veteran Christine Pride to discuss her solo debut novel, All the Men I've Loved Again. Christine shares the real-life inspiration behind the story, her journey from editor to author, the power of lifelong friendships, and what it means to trust yourself—in love, writing, and life.

    The conversation explores second-chance romance, coming-of-age experiences that continue well into adulthood, the realities of publishing, and why writers need both resilience and community. Christine also offers valuable advice for aspiring authors and shares insights into her collaborative work with co-author Jo Piazza.

    Whether you're a reader, writer, or hopeless romantic, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and heart.

    In This Episode:

    • The inspiration behind All the Men I've Loved Again
    • Why Christine was compelled to turn a personal experience into fiction
    • Creating Cora: writing a character searching for love, identity, and belonging
    • The importance of friendship as a central love story
    • How childhood experiences shape self-confidence and relationships
    • Writing authentic coming-of-age stories across multiple decades
    • The nostalgia of the 1990s and pre-social media relationships
    • Co-writing bestselling novels with Jo Piazza
    • The differences between collaborative writing and solo authorship
    • What editors really want from aspiring writers
    • The value of trusted readers, critique partners, and developmental feedback
    • Why writers must learn to trust their instincts
    • Publishing myths, realities, and industry misconceptions
    • Christine's coaching, retreats, and resources for writers
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    1 時間 1 分
  • Caitlin Rother on her new book "Staged": Murder, Corruption, Journalism, and the Return of Katrina & Goode

    Caitlin Rother on her new book "Staged": Murder, Corruption, Journalism, and the Return of Katrina & Goode
    2026/06/16

    Today on The Premise, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson welcome bestselling author Caitlin Rother back to the podcast to celebrate the release of Staged, the highly anticipated second installment in her Katrina and Goode thriller series.

    Picking up immediately after the events of Hooked, Staged dives deeper into corruption, suspicious deaths, investigative journalism, and the growing tension between reporter Katrina Sullivan and detective Ken Goode.

    Caitlin discusses her transition from award-winning investigative reporter to thriller writer, how real-life corruption cases inspire her fiction, the importance of journalistic ethics, and what readers can expect from future books in the series.

    In This Episode

    • Why Staged can be enjoyed as a standalone novel despite being Book 2
    • The challenge of balancing action and backstory in thriller writing
    • How modern publishing relies heavily on reader reviews, sales, and data
    • Caitlin's experience writing Books 3 and 4 before publication decisions are finalized
    • The fascinating true story behind her bestselling memoir My Life Deleted
    • Why even accomplished authors continue learning through workshops, webinars, and beta readers
    • How experts—including prosecutors, detectives, and therapists—help ensure realism in her novels
    • The real-world science behind genetic genealogy and DNA databases
    • The influence of the Golden State Killer Investigation on the series
    • San Diego legends, including the famous "Munchkin Houses" of La Jolla
    • The ethical dilemma at the heart of Katrina and Goode's relationship
    • Journalism ethics: why reporters don't date sources or assist investigations
    • Lessons from Caitlin's years covering government, crime, and corruption
    • The real San Diego political scandal known as "Strippergate" and how it inspired elements of the series
    • Why corruption is often harder to write than readers might expect
    • Hints about the escalating stakes in Books 3 and 4
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    52 分
  • Lisa See on Daughters of the Sun and Moon, Historical Memory, and the Women Behind Los Angeles' Hidden History

    Lisa See on Daughters of the Sun and Moon, Historical Memory, and the Women Behind Los Angeles' Hidden History
    2026/06/09

    Episode Summary

    Bestselling author Lisa See joins Jeniffer and Chad Thompson to discuss her powerful new novel, Daughters of the Sun and Moon. Inspired by real women who lived in Los Angeles during the 1870s, the novel explores friendship, resilience, identity, racism, and survival against the backdrop of the largely forgotten Chinese Massacre of 1871.

    Lisa discusses how her deeply researched historical fiction emerged from personal questions and themes she was grappling with in her own life. She explores why Los Angeles' violent early history has largely disappeared from public memory and how court records, photographs, and other historical documents helped shape the novel. Throughout the conversation, Lisa reflects on the importance of confronting difficult histories and what can be lost when we choose to forget them.

    In This Episode:

    Lisa See's Literary Brand

    • How friendship, family, and women's relationships became recurring themes across Lisa's novels
    • Why authentic storytelling creates a lasting author brand
    • The importance of writing from personal curiosity rather than market trends

    The Inspiration Behind Daughters of the Sun and Moon

    • The true stories that inspired the novel's three main characters:
      • Dove, a young bride brought to Los Angeles in an arranged marriage
      • Moon, wife of a prominent Chinese physician
      • Petal, inspired by women sold into prostitution who fought relentlessly for freedom
    • Why Lisa wanted to tell this story through the eyes of women

    The Chinese Massacre of 1871

    • The little-known tragedy that serves as the novel's historical centerpiece
    • How 10% of Los Angeles' Chinese population was murdered during one night of violence
    • Why historians consider it one of the largest mass lynchings in American history

    A Different Los Angeles

    • Why 1870s Los Angeles was considered one of the most violent towns in the American West
    • How the city's leaders later worked to erase this history
    • Lisa's theory about why Hollywood's rise contributed to the public forgetting Los Angeles' violent past

    Researching the Novel

    • Examining original court documents at the Huntington Library
    • Discovering handwritten maps, trial transcripts, and historical records
    • Testing whether Chinese medicinal herbs could actually be grown on a windowsill, just as they are in the novel

    Chinese Medicine and Cultural Traditions

    • The role of traditional Chinese medicine in the story
    • Lisa's personal connection to Chinese medicine and acupuncture
    • The symbolic importance of immigrants carrying soil from their homeland

    Lisa See's Writing Process

    • Why she writes the final line of every novel before beginning chapter one
    • How the ending rarely changes, even when the journey does
    • Her unusual reading habit: reading the first chapter and the last chapter before continuing a book

    Themes of Memory and History

    • The importance of remembering difficult chapters of history
    • Connections between historical anti-Chinese violence and modern anti-Asian hate
    • Why societies continue to repeat patterns when history is forgotten

    Aphorisms, Wisdom, and Structure

    • How a poem by Lao Tzu shaped the structure of the novel
    • Lisa's lifelong fascination with aphorisms
    • The timeless wisdom that transcends culture and generations
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    56 分
  • Stephen P. Kiernan on Pollock’s Last Lover, Women in Art, and the Power of Storytelling

    Stephen P. Kiernan on Pollock’s Last Lover, Women in Art, and the Power of Storytelling
    2026/05/20

    In this episode of The Premise, Jeniffer and Chad Thompson sit down with bestselling author Stephen P. Kiernan to discuss his forthcoming novel, Pollock’s Last Lover—a layered story about art, deception, power, and the women surrounding legendary painter Jackson Pollock.

    Stephen shares the surprising inspiration behind the novel, why he abandoned an early draft after 180 pages, and how the story ultimately became less about Pollock himself and more about the women navigating power, ambition, sexuality, and survival across two different eras.


    The conversation explores:

    • The real-life inspiration behind Ruth Kligman
    • Writing complex female characters as a male author
    • The emotional intensity of Pollock’s art and legacy
    • Researching the New York art world and auction houses
    • How symbolism (including watch advertisements set to 10:10) found its way into the novel
    • Stephen’s writing process, revision philosophy, and life as a former journalist turned novelist

    This episode is a deep dive into creativity, historical fiction, gender dynamics, and the mysteries of artistic genius.
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    56 分