Zibby is joined by Syed Masood to talk about his debut adult novel, Bad Muslim Discount. Syed shares how he used to craft long email letters to his now-wife and how her support was what inspired him to pursue writing seriously. The two also discuss how the idea for this novel grew from the aftermath of the 2016 election, what Syed found terrifying about his arranged marriage, and why his writing style might not be the most efficient.
Zibby is joined by author Gina Sorell to talk about her second novel, The Wise Women, which was named a New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice. The two discuss how listening to Zibby's podcast helped her feel more connected to her writing during the pandemic, why she made the shift from acting to writing, and the ways in which her experience with this book differs from her first. Gina also shares how she hopes readers will connect with all of the book's protagonists and whether or not she'll continue on with them in the future.
Zibby is joined by writer, director, and professor Julia May Jonas to discuss her debut novel, Vladimir. The two talk about how the pandemic shifted Julia's trajectory from theater to fiction, as well as the conversation about aging and female desire that lit the spark in her to write this story. Julia also shares how observing her husband write novels helped her craft hers, the gendered power structures and expectations she tries to push back against, and how her next book will differ from this project.
"I gave myself permission through the book to explore the questions I would've been terrified to ask in real life. I think that's the gift of writing." Zibby is joined by Lauren McBrayer to discuss her first adult novel, Like a House on Fire, which was already a Belletrist Book Club pick. The two also talk about how Lauren's initial desire to write a memoir metamorphosed into her writing the story of her future which inspired her to leave her marriage and come out as a lesbian. Lauren also shares how the two main characters came to her fully formed exactly three years before the book's pub date, the moment she knew she needed to make changes in her life in order to find happiness, and why she decided to make the shift from YA to adult fiction.
Author of Eliza Starts a Rumor Jane L. Rosen returns to the podcast to talk with Zibby about her latest novel, A Shoe Story. The two discuss which elements of the story were inspired by real moments from Jane's own family history, what her personal relationship with shoes is like, and how her neighbor inspired one of the book's characters. Jane also shares which project she's working on next and why it is one that is very important to her.
Zibby is joined by author Jennifer E. Smith to discuss her latest adult novel, The Unsinkable Greta James, as well as her first picture book, The Creature of Habit. Jennifer shares why she always tries to capture fleeting moments in her fiction and how the loss of her mentor helped her to better capture the grief of losing a loved one. The two also talk about where the inspiration for The Creature of Habit came from and which of her projects are being adapted for the screen.
National Book Award nominee Johanna Kaplan joins Zibby to discuss her latest collection of short stories, Loss of Memory Is Only Temporary. Johanna shares how she's continued to write while she taught for the past thirty-five years, what is the number one thing she looks for both in the books she reads and her own writing, and when she knew she wanted to become a writer. Johanna also tells Zibby about how her characters continue to stay with her and who she hopes this collection will appeal to the most.
Zibby is joined by Jane Pek to talk about her debut novel, The Verifiers. Jane shares her whirlwind success story, from how she pushed herself to get an MFA to landing an agent, a book deal, and a New York Times book review. Zibby and Jane also discuss how Jane's career as a lawyer and early love for mystery books both found their way into this novel, why she felt the world of online dating was ripe for a murder story, and what other kinds of projects she's looking to try her hand at.
Zibby is joined by columnist and author of Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big? Annabel Monaghan to discuss her debut adult novel, Nora Goes Off Script, which is one of Zibby's current favorite books. The two talk about how Annabel always knew she wanted to write but didn't start her career until her late thirties, why she became so inspired by Hallmark Channel movies, and what each reader believes this story's love interest looks like. Annabel also shares how she found writing both this novel and her next project so enjoyable, even during the early days of the pandemic. Check out Zibby's review of Nora Goes Off Script here!
Zibby is joined by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn to discuss her debut novel, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband?, which grew out of a short story she once posted on her blog. The two talk about how the pandemic helped Lizzie settle into a post-commuter lifestyle enough to write this story, the enviable relationship she has with her former editor, and what her mom thought of the finished book. Lizzie also shares how her own network of aunties differs from that in her novel as well as what she's working on next.
Zibby is joined by author Jeff Hoffmann to talk about his debut novel, Other People's Children, which is now out in paperback. The two discuss Jeff's essay about who can tell which kinds of stories which he wrote in response to people's surprise that he was not a woman, as well as how his own experiences with adoption inspired the core of the novel. Jeff shares why he made the decision to quit his job and get an MFA at 47, how his relationship with his daughter has found its way into a number of his projects, and what he is working on next.
"To become a participant in a democracy, to become a participant in a country so that your citizenship is guaranteed, it's so absolutely, positively critical. Otherwise, you always see yourself as an outsider." Professor Dr. Daniel Black joins Zibby to talk about his latest novel, Don't Cry For Me, which he finished the very same day his father died. Daniel and Zibby discuss why Daniel wanted this novel to feature some under-discussed and challenging conversations about parenthood, and particularly how it pertains to Black men. Daniel also shares how his family's story inspired him to pursue his PhD, why it's important to let children grow up to be who they are, and what the sequel to this novel will look like.
Charmaine Wilkerson joins Zibby to discuss her debut novel, Black Cake, which was already a Read with Jenna book club pick and a New York Times Editors Choice. The two talk about the moment Charmaine knew the story she was going to write, which experiences and feelings from her own life are infused in her writing, and the roundabout way she ultimately became a novelist. Charmaine also shares her extensive and diverse reading list and what she is working on next.
Zibby is joined by the two co-hosts of the Forever35 podcast Doree Shafrir and Kate Spencer to talk about their show and respective books. Doree tells Zibby why she wanted to share the lessons she learned as a late-bloomer in her new memoir, Thanks for Waiting, while Kate shares how romance novels saved her after her mom's death which led her to write both her memoir, The Dead Moms Club, and her new novel, In a New York Minute. The three also chat about some of Doree and Kate's favorite podcast guests and what they like most about how their show has evolved.
Zibby is joined by novelist Nina Navisky to discuss her latest novel, The Fortune Cookie Writer, which follows a single mother working multiple jobs to make ends meet for her son. Nina shares why both of her books have featured neurologically diverse characters, as well as how she recreated the exact layout of her town in this story. Nina also tells Zibby about the event that inspired her to start writing, how her family's Holocaust story and Jewish heritage factored into this book, and what genre she wants to try her hand at next.
Novelist Katy Regan joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, How to Find Your Way Home. The two discuss why Katy wanted to write about homelessness with a bother and sister dynamic, their shared love and mourning for print magazines, and the personal connection that inspired Katy to include a birdwatching element to the story. Katy also shares the wide range of books she's reading now and how she found her way to writing through other artistic mediums.
Author and editor Anna Pitoniak joins Zibby to talk about her latest novel, Our American Friend, which was inspired by a combination of Anna's fascination with Russian culture and a 2016 GQ article about Melania Trump. The two discuss why writing this novel felt different from Anna's previous two, which life experiences have found their way into each of her books, and what she misses most about working in publishing full-time.
Eliza Jane Brazier joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, Good Rich People, which pulls fascinating bits and pieces from her real life. The two talk about Eliza's experience living below the poverty line, how her sister-in-law's success as a writer inspired her to try her hand at it, and the impact her husband's death had on her writing. Eliza also shares how writing has become more fun for her over the years and what she is working on next.
Zibby is joined by Kai Harris to discuss her debut novel, What the Fireflies Knew, which is the first fiction title out from former podcast guest Phoebe Robinson's new imprint. Kai shares how this book grew from a short story she had started while working on her master's, which parts of it were inspired by her own life, and the two pieces of advice that strengthened this project. Zibby also asks Kai about how she accurately captured the sisterhood dynamic and the importance of representation in stories.
Co-editors Hillary Jordan and Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan join Zibby to talk about their anthology, Anonymous Sex, which features stories from 27 bestselling and award-winning authors, all published anonymously. The three discuss the confidentiality agreements that made this project possible, how Hillary and Cheryl's individual paths led them to collaborate on this during the early days of quarantine, and what messages they wanted to send about sex and connection during a time when everyone was far apart.
