For 10 years, Deborah Halverson edited children’s books before starting to write herself. She is the author of teen novels “Honk If You Hate Me” and “Big Mouth”. Her most recent book, “Writing Young Adult Fiction For Dummies”, gives aspiring writers for young adults writing exercises, tips, and more. She has also written three books Read More
Check out this podcast – a delightful conversation that gives a behind the scenes look at the world of book publicity. Molly Brouillette works for Penguin books as a publicist at Tarcher, an imprint focused on mind/body/spirit books. Molly, a life-long lover of books, has worked on campaigns for books ranging from healthy soul food Read More
Dan Buettner is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Zones and the author of “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest”. In 2004, Dan worked with National Geographic and some of the world’s top longevity experts to identify places around the world where people lived measurably Read More
Don’t miss out on this very inspirational Writers’ Voices! Allan Lokos, the founder and guiding teacher of New York City’s Community Meditation Center, has written “Patience: The Art of Peaceful Living”. In our fast paced, ever changing culture, patience is often our most needed, but least cultivated virtue. Allan’s book lays out a helpful and Read More
Author, speaker, and consultant, Seth Braun discusses his new book, “Indestructible Success: Creativity, Leadership and The Art of Small Business”, and shares about his passion for helping others reach their fullest potential. In his book, Seth lays out a blueprint for both inner and outer success. His book explains how to build your mind, heart Read More
Author, speaker, and teacher, Melissa Tosetti founded the online magazine, The Savvy Life, and, with coauthor Kevin Gibbons, wrote the book “Living the Savvy Life: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Smart Spending and Rich Living” (Morgan James Publishing 2011). Her book explores ways the reader can save money, so you have more to spend in Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson discusses storytelling this week with Larry Brooks. A critically acclaimed best-selling author of six psychological thrillers, Larry has written “Story Engineering”. The book describes six core competencies that any writer should master. Larry is also the creator and editor of Storyfix.com, an award winning instructional writing site. Don’t miss this fantastic informational Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson hosts this conversation with long-time educator, Sharron McElmeel. Sharron is an award-winning literacy advocate, author of educational materials, and publicist for many Iowa authors. She has been awarded with Iowa Reading Teacher of the Year and nominated as Iowa’s Teacher of the Year. She has written extensively on integrating literature into every Read More
Writers’ Voices welcomes back best-selling author, Dr. Rick Hanson. The author of “Buddha’s Brain”, which has been published in 21 languages, Dr. Hanson recently wrote “Just One Thing: Developing a ‘Buddha Brain’”, a pocket-sized companion to “Buddha’s Brain”. Featuring many quick, easy, yet helpful practices to change the neurocircuitry in our brains to enable us Read More
Environmental educator, writer and historian, Dr. Bruce Hopkins has written the book “When Foxes Wore Red Vests”, a collection of poetry, essays, drawings and photographs that show how sense-of-place can serve as a role-model for future generations, as well as helping us learn how we can best inhabit our communities and the natural world around Read More
Harvard grauduate, Barry Spector is the author of “Madness At The Gates Of The City: The Myth Of American Innocence” (2011, Regent Press). Dissecting America’s belief in innocence, this book explains how that has allowed America to re-enact old patterns that cause us to subvert our goals and miss the deeper meaning in events. Through Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson speaks with three Iowan children’s books creators on this week’s Writers’ Voices. First, conversations with the writer and illustrator of “The Juggler”(published by Ice Cube Press). “The Juggler” follows the wiry and tan young farmer, who desperately wants to be a great juggler. Children’s author and educator, Jeanette Hopkins provided the words, Read More
Writers’ Voices welcomes two guests with books helping others deal with difficult life issues. Over 12,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year, dramatically altering their lives and lives of their families. Lynda Young has written a helpful and compassionate book to give support to those families. “Hope for Families of Children with Read More
Listen to a conversation with Young Adult book author, Delia Ray. Her most recent book, “Here Lies Linc”, a Junior Library Guild Selection, describes what happens when young Lincoln Crenshaw Jr. investigates a curse connected with an ominous statue in a nearby cemetery. A graduate of the Radcliffe Publishing Course, Delia Ray wrote two nonfiction Read More
Current Fairfield resident, World War II veteran, and co-director of Operation Warrior Wellness, Jerry Yellin is the author of four books, including his most recent, “The Blackened Canteen”. In this interview he will discuss “The Resilient Warrior: Healing the Hidden Wounds of War”, which describes the pain of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome experienced by returning Read More
Philosopher Robert Sessions, author of “Becoming Real: Authenticity in an Age of Distractions”, believes that our modern culture makes it very difficult for us to develop a coherent identity. His book, filled with quotes and examples from ancient wisdom to modern politics, uses personal stories and philosophical musings to discuss the way everyday distractions keep Read More
We have a very special Writers’ Voices interview with author and activist, Frances Moore Lappé. “Diet For A Small Planet”, her first book, sold millions of copies and has received praise from around the world. She has since authored 17 other books, including her newest “EcoMind: Changing the Way We Think to Create the World Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson welcomes children’s author Dori Butler and her publicist Michelle Bayuk. Dori is the author of many children’s books and stories. Her book “The Buddy Files: Case of the Lost Boy” won the 2011 Edgar Award. Dori has been “ghostwriter” for ten Sweet Valley Twins and Boxcar Children books. With 20 years experience Read More
Seventh-generation Iowan, Zachary Michael Jack has written the book, “Native Soulmate: A Season in Search of a Love Homegrown”. It tells of his attempts to love fresh, love local. Travelling across the state of Iowa, giving lectures and signing books, Zachary tests his theory that the girl of his dreams may be closer than he Read More
Diane Wilson, fourth-generation shrimper who made a living along the Texas Gulf Coast, was driven to activism when she discovered her area was number one in the nation for toxic waste disposal. Through determination and hard work, Diane convinced local plastic manufacturers to sign a zero-discharge agreement. She has become a strong and vocal determined Read More
Tune in for an exciting interview, as our guest is an expert in “disrupting the ordinary” and tries to help others do the same. Kristen Moeller, author, speaker, personal coach, and radio show host, has recently written the book “Waiting for Jack: Confessions of a Self-Help Junkie”. After struggling with addictions to drugs, alcohol, and Read More
2011 saw two children’s books released by Iowa author Wendy Henrichs. “I Am Tama, Lucky Cat” (Peachtree) retells the 17th-century Japanese legend behind the beckoning cat figurines commonly displayed in Japanese shops and restaurants, with pictures by award-winning illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi. “When Anju Loved Being an Elephant” (Sleeping Bear Press), illustrated by accomplished artist John Read More
This Writers’ Voices features an interview with local Fairfield author, Andrew Edlin. Andrew Edlin was born in Brighton, U.K. and currently lives in Fairfield, Iowa. Andrew has written the fantasy novel “Inaccessible: Dragon Retreat”, which was self-published and is being released through e-book applications. Taking place in 1961, when the few solitary dragons are threatened Read More
Monte Schulz, son of famed Peanuts cartoonist Charles Schulz, is our guest. Monte is the author of several books, including his upcoming novel, “The Big Town”, the third book in Schulz’s trilogy of books delving into the American psyche during the Jazz Age. The book follows the story of a failed businessman, whose future prosperity Read More
Writer’s Voices has the honor of having two State Poets Laureate on this show, Iowa’s curent Poet Laureate, Mary Swander, and former State Poet Laureate of Missouri, Walter Bargen. They are both featured in the recently released anthology, “An Endless Skyway: Poetry from the States Poet Laureate”. This collection gives a glimpse into the heart Read More
This episode features a discussion with author Zoe Ghahremani, author of “Sky of Red Poppies”. The book, Zoe’s first, starts with a strange friendship between two women coming of age in a politically divided 1960’s Iran under rule of the Shah. The book is a glimpse into a part of the world that many people Read More
Michael R. Rosmann Ph.D., psychologist and small Iowa farmer, discusses the fulfillment found in life’s simple pleasures. His book, “Excellent Joy: Fishing, Farming, Hunting, and Psychology”, is a collection of essays exploring the reasons why humans have engaged in these activities for generations. One starts to wonder, in a society that keeps telling us to Read More
This Writers’ Voices takes a focus on screen writing with guest John Rainey. John began as a professional actor, but worked his way into becoming one of the industry’s most sought after script consultants. Creative Screenwriting magazine voted John #1 script analyst in the country. He has professionally analyzed and consulted on thousands of scripts. Read More
This show welcomes back Fairfield, IA based writer, Rudy Wilson. In this interview, Rudy talks about the writing process, his current work, and much more. Wilson’s books include “The Red Truck”, “Sonja’s Blue,” and more. Rudy was honored with the James Michener Fellowship, a CCLM-GE Award for Fiction published in “The Paris Review”. He has Read More
Social media has become one of the most popular tools for online marketing. Facebook has become a part of our everyday lives. To have an effective marketing campaign in our current culture, it is necessary to learn the tools of social media, especially Facebook. Our guest is Phyllis Khare, co-author of “Facebook Marketing All-in-One For Read More
Writers’ Voices welcomes world-renowned psychiatrist and author, Dr. Norman Rosenthal, to discuss his most recent book, “Transcendence: Healing and Transformation Through Transcendental Meditation”. This wide-ranging book uses stories, research, and his own clinical experience to show the benefits and value of TM. Interviews with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Martin Scorsese, Russell Brand, and Laura Dern Read More
Don’t miss this inspiring discussion with international best-selling author, Kristine Carlson. Her new book, “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff For Moms: Simple Ways to Stress Less and Enjoy Your Family More”, is the first new installment in nine years of the “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff” series (originally started by her late husband, Dr. Richard Read More
On this Writers’ Voices, Cheryl Fusco Johnson visits with children’s book illustrator, Jeni Reeves. Jeni has been illustrating children’s picture books, since 1998, for the Lerner Publishing Group. Her work ranging from American biography and history to world culture and folklore, She recently began illustrating for a new series, ‘History Speaks’ which dramatizes important events Read More
Writers’ Voices host, Monica Hadley, along with “Filmosopher” Bruce Miller, dive into the topic of crop circles with a discussion with filmmaker Suzanne Taylor. Her film, “What On Earth? Inside the Crop Circle Mystery”, speaks with a number of crop circle researchers and aficionados, from visionary artists, philosophers, scientists, educators and farmers, who discuss their Read More
This episode features a conversation with Georgia-based writer, Jonathan Maxwell. Jonathan has written the book “Murderous Intellectuals: German Elites and the Nazi SS”. The book has received several awards and rave reviews. In this book, Jonathan explores the reasons why so many well-educated professionals, from doctors, scientists, lawyers, etc., willingly joined the Nazi SS, the Read More
Listen in for a very touching conversation with Marianne Dietzel. Marianne has written “Laughing in a Waterfall: A Mother’s Memoir”. The book shows examples of how to create a new culture around the threshold of death and keep a living connection to those on the other side. The memoir tells Marianne’s emotional and spiritual journey Read More
In 2002, a railcar filled with the bodies of eleven undocumented immigrants, rolled into the farming community of Denison, Iowa. These eleven Central Americans and Mexicans had been locked inside a baking railcar by smugglers and left to die a horrific death. Journalist Colleen Bradford Krantz talks about her new book “Train To Nowhere: Inside Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson takes the hosting reins once again. Cheryl will be speaking with author Jan Blazanin of Des Moines. Jan’s newest book, “A & L Do Summer”, follows the adventures of two teenage girls in rural Iowa during the summer before their senior year. A former middle school teacher, Jan currently lives on eleven Read More
Internationally recognized speaker, consultant, and author, Bonnie Michaels, is the guest on Writers’ Voices this week. Bonnie, along with Allison Blankenship, has written the book “Upside: How To Zig, When Life Zags”. During a time when many people are experiencing sudden changes, “Upside” shows ways to create a sustainable, inspiring lifestyle no matter what life Read More
Writers’ Voices welcomes New York Times bestselling author, Sophy Burnham, to the show. Sophy’s most famous book, “A Book of Angels”, has recently been re-released. The book is an exploration of angels through a wide collection of stories, history, and literature related to human encounters with angels. “The Art of Intuition”, Sophy’s most recent book, Read More
This very special Writers’ Voices features discussions with Fairfield, IA artists Betsy Dockhorn, Toni D’Orr, and John Stimson. They will discussing the topic of the Book as Art Form. Betsy Dockhorn will talk about her ongoing writing-based performance art project involving letters. Toni D’Orr, who creates meticulous tiny handmade books, will discuss her art. Both Betsy Read More
On this Writers’ Voices, we’ll be speaking with Stephen Hopson. Stephen was born deaf, but had the dream at a young age to become a pilot. He made aviation history, as an adult, by becoming the world’s first deaf instrument-rated pilot. For 15 years, he also had a very successful career on Wall Street. In Read More
Children’s book author, Kathy Brodsky, makes a visit to Writers’ Voices. “The Winner Is…”, her most recent book, tells the humorous story of a dog who tries to be someone else in order to win a contest. Her other books include,“My Bent Tree”, “The Inside Story”, “Just Sniffing Around” and “Purrsnikitty”. Having worked as a Read More
Tune in to this very special Writers’ Voices as we welcome one of our favorite authors, Anne Lamott. “Imperfect Birds” is Lamott’s most recent novel. It tells of seventeen-year old Rosie Ferguson, who’s seemingly perfect life is shown false as the truth about her addiction and deceit is exposed and her parents are forced to Read More
Cheryl Fusco Johnson takes hosting duties on this Writers’ Voices with guest Anola Pickett. Anola is the author of a historical juvenile fiction novel “Wasatch Summer”, published by Cedar Fort. The book tells the coming of age tale of eleven-year old Hannah Turner as she faces unlikely dangers as she watches her family’s sheep in Read More
This show features an interview with Bob Saar, from Burlington, Iowa. His most recent novel is titled “In Memory of David’s Buick”. The book tells the story of Iowa songwriter Bucky Minnow, who’s song David’s Buick, was ripped off by booking agent, Buddy Payola, and Dusty Bodine, who uses Bucky’s song and a magic guitar Read More
The Midwest Writing Center, in Davenport, Iowa, has for over 30 years been offering opportunities and resources for writers and readers throughout the Quad Cities region and beyond. On this Writers’ Voices, we will be having a conversation with Susan Collins, the Writing Center’s Board President. The Midwest Writing Center offers a space for readings, Read More
Everyone from Oprah to Larry King and in movies like What The Bleep?! and The Secret has been talking about Concious Creation. This week’s Writers’ Voices will be discussing conscious creation and the movies. Monica Hadley and guest co-host Bruce Miller, of KRUU’s The Filmoshophers, will be talking with Brent Marchant, author of “Get the Read More
It might help to get into a romantic mood for this Writers’ Voices because our guest this week is Ottumwa-native Leigh Michaels. Leigh, the author of over 80 romance novels with over 35 million copies of her novels published, has had her work translated in over 25 languages and published in more than 120 countries. Read More
Listen in to this episode of Writers’ Voices for a delightful interview with Mary Helen Stefaniak. “The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia: A Novel”, Stefaniak’s most recent book, takes readers from the American South to the banks of the Tigris River and back again. The book, which takes place during Depression-era Georgia, tells of what happens Read More