The Art of Loneliness

Timelapse

Florenza

Clues, chaos, and clever prose—Bianca Marais makes murder must-read.
Today’s guest brings mystery, mischief, and masterful storytelling to every page she pens. Whether she’s guiding writers through the highs and horrors of publishing or spinning a whodunit with a clever twist, Bianca Marais knows how to keep readers hooked and hearts engaged. Her latest novel, A Most Puzzling Murder, blends charm, clues, and chaos into a delightful mystery that proves Bianca is as versatile as she is visionary. She’s also the voice behind one of the most beloved writing podcasts out there—The Shit No One Tells You About Writing—where she helps aspiring authors navigate their own creative journeys with humor, honesty, and heart.

#BiancaMarais
#AMostPuzzlingMurder
#CozyMystery
#AuthorInterview
#OnTheAirWithFlorenza
#PodcastSpotlight
#WritersOfInstagram
#WritingCommunity
#TheShitNoOneTellsYouAboutWriting
#BooksAndClues


Bianca Marais Co-hosts On the Air with Florenza

Today in the interrogation chair, it's Georgia Writer of the Year, Christopher Swann where we talk about the Georgia writing scene, how he credits his success to stubbornness and encouragement, how he's written an origin story for his Suzy Faulkner character for my anthology, and what scares him as a writer. Welcome, to The Dossier Podcast!

christopherswann.com | thewritersdossier.com | Voice credit: Hillary Huber

Christopher Swann—NEVER BACK DOWN

Author Nicci Cloke discusses her fantastic new release, HER MANY FACES. When four powerful men are discovered murdered in their private club, a young woman is forced to stand trial for the killings. Five men who profess to know her best promise to reveal who she really is and what she really did… but do any of them really know her? “…So original, thrilling and utterly addictive. I loved it."—Alice Feeney, New York Times bestselling author

Listen in as we chat about the cool ways she got so good at character psychology, the growing acceptance of conspiracy theories, and find out what bit of holiday magic turned holiday nightmare Nicci shared that made me laugh this hard! (HINT: It involves a costume, a garden center, and a lot of broken dreams!!)

https://niccicloke.com
https://www.mariesutro.com/twisted-passages-podcast

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nicci Cloke is an author and editor based in Cambridgeshire. Her novels have been published in twelve languages, and she has previously worked as a nanny, a cocktail waitress and a Christmas Elf. Before being published, she was a permissions manager, looking after literary estates including those of Sylvia Plath, Ted Hughes and T. S. Eliot, and was also communications manager at the Faber Academy. 

Nicci Cloke (HER MANY FACES) EP 70

Elle Hartford blends cozy mystery with paranormal elements. Imagine, your favorite fairy tale, but with a cozy murder mystery mixed in. Intrigued? This writer creates MAGIC with her Alchemical Tales. The story behind her work is as delightful as the work itself, so pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of  herbal tea, and let Elle tell you how Once upon a time...

Learn more about Elle Hartford: https://ellehartford.com/?srsltid=Afm...
Learn more about HOST Melissa Westemeier: https://www.melwestemeier.com/

Elle Hartford creates amazing mashups in Ep. 5 of My Bookcase Slays

New York Times bestselling author, Anne Hillerman, discusses her new fabulous release, SHADOW OF THE SOLSTICE. With a pending visit from Washington looming on the horizon, Navajo Nation Police Lieutenant Jim Chee and Officer Bernadette Manuelito become embroiled in the investigation of an unidentified corpse. As pressures intensify at work, additional pressures boil up at home—all with the potential for deadly consequences. "Anne Hillerman is a star."—J. A. Jance, New York Times bestselling author

Listen in as we chat about why hope is so important, the real life events that inspired this story, and find out what makes her heart sing! (And yes, I ask about Robert Redford’s cameo in Dark Winds!)

https://www.annehillerman.com
https://www.mariesutro.com/twisted-passages-podcast

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Anne Hillerman continues the mystery series her father Tony Hillerman created beginning in 1970. All of Anne's books are New York Times best sellers. The popular Dark Winds TV series is based on the Hillerman books.
Anne has received numerous awards for her books including the New Mexico Arizona Book Award, the Frank Waters Award for literary excellence, the Rounders Award for stories that promote the traditional values of the American West, and the Spur Award from Western Writers of America. She is a frequent presenter at the Tucson Festival of the Book, Left Coast Crime, Malice Domestic and Bouchercon and has represented New Mexico at the National Book Festival hosted by the Library of Congress. A sought-after speaker, Anne is a staunch supporter of public libraries. She lives and works in Santa Fe and Tucson with frequent trips to the Navajo Nation.



Anne Hillerman (SHADOW OF THE SOLSTICE) EP 76

A dash of mystery, a sparkle of magic, and all things cozy! Elle interviews fellow cozy authors in this bookish podcast from Authors on the Air.

Today on the podcast, meet Leah Cutter, author of magical cozy mystery like The Water Witch mysteries and delicious cozy fantasy like the Ice Elf series–and many other books besides! Elle and Leah talk about Leah’s writing process, water magic, quirky characters, and the joy of discovering a new world. Happy listening!

Leah’s Bio:
Leah Cutter writes page-turning, wildly imaginative fiction set in exotic locations such as a magical New Orleans, the ancient Orient, Hungary, the Oregon coast, rural Kentucky, Seattle, Minneapolis, and many others.

She writes fantasy, mystery, science fiction, literary, and horror fiction. Her short fiction has been published in magazines like Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Talebones, anthologies like Fiction River, and on the web. Her long fiction has been published both by New York publishers as well as small presses.

Find Leah’s Website and Books Here:
https://www.leahcutter.com/

~~~

Elle Hartford’s Bio:
Elle Hartford writes cozy mystery with a fairy tale twist. The award-winning first book in her Alchemical Tales series, Beauty and the Alchemist, finds amateur sleuth Red mixed up with murderous beasts and moody beauties, and a set of missing books besides! 

Elle has also written two spin-off series, the cozy fantasy-goes-to-the-beach Marine Magic series as well as Pomegranate Cafe Romance. For other writers and authors looking into “wide” indie publishing, Elle offers coaching as well as the Beyond Writing blog (ellehartford.substack.com) with how-tos and resources.

Find Elle Online:
https://ellehartford.com/ 

Leah Cutter ~ Water Witches and Ice Elves ~ Cozy Alchemy Ep. 6

Author Catharina Steel talks The Vanishings—how beta readers and writing coaches shape revisions, why ‘deleted scenes’ folders matter, and how nature inspires stronger, braver characters.

Buy the book at https://books2read.com/u/bM8DlX

Catharina Steel — The Vanishings: Fantasy Revisions & Character Craft

Kathleen Jennings is the author of multiple works, including Flyaway and her latest, Honeyeater. She's also an illustrator, and both her writings and illustrations have been nominated for multiple awards, including Locus Awards, Hugos, British Fantasy Awards, and World Fantasy Awards. Kathleen visits The Otherworlds to talk about her new novel, Honeyeater, out September 2 in the U.S. and September 16 in Australia.

Kathleen talks about how Covid and living in a place that floods influenced Honeyeater, people making bad choices in backyards, the mythic weight some places have, writing suburban Australian gothic, being edited by Ellen Datlow, and more!

To learn more about Honeyeater, Kathleen, and her other books, visit her author website https://tanaudel.wordpress.com, follow her on Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/tanaudel?igsh=MXEybmpuYzZkY2pqMg==, or follow her on Bluesky @tanaudel.bsky.social

To learn more about Kathleen's work as an illustrator, visit https://www.kathleenjennings.com

Kathleen Jennings - Honeyeater

Sally Smith’s newest title, A Case of Life and Limb, ticks all my boxes: a secret corner of London (that really exists!), a twisty mystery set in a real place in history, backstage theater drama, lawyers wrestling with ethical questions, complex characters, and a sassy cat. She describes her background as a barrister living in The Temple, the secluded grounds dating back to the Knights Templar and today a main legal district in London. We also talk about Gabriel’s origin story and how he relies on his inner strength, especially important as he’s torn from his quiet, private life by two forces: a series of dismembered limbs appearing on his colleagues’ doorsteps and a famous actress demanding his legal services. BONUS: she suggests two drinks to enjoy while reading a book that’s perfect for blustery winter weather.
Learn more about Sally Smith: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/author/sally-smith/
Learn more about Host Melissa Westemeier:  https://www.melwestemeier.com/



Sally Smith takes us into historic London in A Case of Life and Limb in Ep. 14 of My Bookcase Slays

The Authors on the Air Global Radio Network is an international digital media corporation featuring  podcasts, book reviewers and conference media coverage..  Our content is available on audio and video platforms in 153 countries.

Sally Smith takes us into historic London in A Case of Life and Limb in Ep. 14 of My Bookcase Slays

Authors on the Air Global Radio Network

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