Kennedy Ryan, THIS COULD BE US
Bestselling romance writer Kennedy Ryan joins Zibby to discuss her heart-searing, sensual, and life-affirming new novel, THIS COULD BE US. Kennedy talks about her protagonist, Soledad, who is on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment after facing betrayal. She delves into the themes of feminism, sisterhood, and the complexities of modern womanhood. Finally, she sheds light on her personal connection to the portrayal of autism in the book, drawing from her own experiences as an advocate and parent of an autistic son.
Rebecca Serle, EXPIRATION DATES
New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Serle joins Zibby to discuss her gripping, emotional, passionate, and heartbreaking new novel, EXPIRATION DATES. Rebecca delves into her novel’s plot, unveiling the intriguing premise of a woman who receives slips of paper predicting the expiration dates of her relationships. She reveals how elements of her own relationships found their way into the narrative and then talks about structure, character development, and the themes of love, fate, and relationships. Finally, she shares some of her Hollywood experiences and updates us on upcoming film projects!
Carola Lovering, BYE, BABY
Zibby chats with bestselling author Carola Lovering about BYE, BABY, a gripping and compulsively readable novel about lifelong best friends Billie and Cassie, and what happens when Cassie’s infant daughter disappears… and Billie is somehow involved. Carola reveals the inspiration for this story and then discusses the battling forces of toxicity and love that define female friendships, the themes of adulthood, motherhood, and trauma, the challenges of writing while navigating motherhood, and the blurred boundaries between fiction and reality.
Sheila Heti, ALPHABETICAL DIARIES
Sheila Heti, the award-winning author of PURE COLOUR, joins Zibby to chat about her new book, ALPHABETICAL DIARIES, a passionate, reflective, and joyful collection of thoughts she gathered over a ten-year period, and then arranged from A to Z. Sheila describes her creative process, explaining how she explored patterns and repetitions while alphabetizing her diary entries. She and Zibby also delve into the essence of the self, the surprising continuity of personal identity over time, the challenges of editing such an unconventional project, and the allure of reading someone else’s diary. Finally, Sheila shares her best advice for aspiring authors..
Meghan Riordan Jarvis and Hope Edelman at Zibby's Bookshop
In this special episode (a live event at Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica!), New York Times bestselling author, writing instructor, and grief and loss coach Hope Edelman chats with renowned psychotherapist and Zibby Books author Meghan Riordan Jarvis about END OF THE HOUR, Meghan’s poignant and beautifully written memoir. Meghan delves into the origins of the book—writing was a therapeutic tool during her own treatment for trauma, which she experienced after the deaths of her parents. She and Hope explore the concept of trauma, the process of writing about traumatic experiences, therapeutic techniques, self-care, and healing.
David Duchovny, THE RESERVOIR: A Novella
Golden Globe-winning actor and New York Times bestselling author David Duchovny joins Zibby to discuss THE RESERVOIR, a fever dream of a novella about a lonely ex-financier who is stuck in his apartment during the pandemic and becomes obsessed with the Central Park reservoir, slowly going mad. David shares this story's inspiration and delves into the themes of loneliness, resilience, the allure of conspiracies, and the psychological impact of isolation. He also talks about his new podcast “Fail Better” and shares his thoughts and advice on writing, acting, and the creative process.
Maggie Smith, MY THOUGHTS HAVE WINGS
Maggie Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of the heartrending memoir YOU COULD MAKE THIS PLACE BEAUTIFUL, joins Zibby to discuss her beautifully lyrical and calming new picture book, MY THOUGHTS HAVE WINGS. Maggie reveals how challenging conversations with her children—during her divorce and the pandemic lockdown—prompted the creation of this book. She describes the bedtime rituals they developed to fight nighttime anxiety. She and Zibby delve into the challenges of parenting, reflecting on rituals, the power of positive thinking, and how they’ve helped their children with their worries.
Tia Williams, A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE
Zibby speaks with New York Times bestselling author Tia Williams about A LOVE SONG FOR RICKI WILDE, an enchanting, modern-day fairy tale set in Harlem, featuring a free-spirited florist and an enigmatic musician who are irreversibly linked through history, art, and magic. Tia reveals how the initial spark of inspiration struck her during a sleepless night and then delves into her creative process. She also discusses her novel’s themes of following one’s dreams and pursuing creative passions and then talks about her past as a beauty writer, her fascination with flowers and fragrances, her transition to fiction writing, and her next project (a YA novel!).
Uché Blackstock, LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine
Zibby welcomes doctor and New York Times bestselling author Uché Blackstock to discuss LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine, a searing indictment of our healthcare system, a generational family memoir, and an urgent call to action. Uché shares stories of her upbringing, her mother’s influence, and her experiences as a Black woman navigating the medical field. She and Zibby delve into the topics of culturally responsive care, racial health disparities, and the impact of historical decisions on the representation of Black physicians. Uché’s advocacy shines through as she offers actionable steps for improving healthcare equity and reflects on her journey in writing this book.
Jennifer Weiner, THE BIGFOOT QUEEN
#1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner returns to the podcast to discuss THE BIGFOOT QUEEN, her charming middle-grade trilogy about friendship, adventure, and celebrating your true self. Jennifer reveals the project's origins and then describes her approach to crafting a story that resonates with young readers while addressing deeper societal issues. She delves into the complexities of adolescence, identity, authenticity, and relationships. Then, she gives us a glimpse of her upcoming adult novel, teasing themes of sisterhood, music, and societal prejudices.
Kristin Hannah, THE WOMEN
#1 New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah joins Zibby to discuss THE WOMEN, a novel of searing insight and lyric beauty about a young nurse whose life is changed by the Vietnam War. Kristin dives into the nuances of writing and publishing, touching on the impact of social media and the industry's unpredictability. Then, she discusses her newest novel, touching on the personal significance of the story, the extensive research that went into its creation, and the themes of love, loss, and friendship that it explores. After speaking passionately about the female nurses who served in Vietnam, she concludes with advice for aspiring authors.
Chris Cander, THE YOUNG OF OTHER ANIMALS
Zibby welcomes bestselling author and repeat MDHTTRB author Chris Cander to discuss THE YOUNG OF OTHER ANIMALS, a deeply suspenseful and profoundly moving novel about the dark secrets and the shared trauma that threaten to destroy an already shaky bond between a mother and a daughter. Chris describes her own experience of a violent attack in Spain at the age of nineteen and reflects on the process of fictionalizing her trauma for this novel. She and Zibby also discuss the novel’s narrative structure, character development, and the themes of trauma, memory, family dynamics, and forgiveness. Finally, Chris touches on the evolution of her book’s title and gorgeous cover design and ends with valuable advice for aspiring authors.
Alex Michaelides, THE FURY
#1 New York Times bestselling author Alex Michaelides joins Zibby to discuss THE FURY, a masterfully paced thriller about a reclusive ex-movie star and her famous friends whose spontaneous trip to a private Greek island is upended by a murder. Alex and Zibby delve into the creative process behind this novel, including its unique narrative structure, the balance between structure and spontaneity, and the inspiration drawn from Greek mythology and Alex’s upbringing in Cyprus. He also describes the joys and anxieties of authorship and book tours and then shares details on the film and TV adaptations already in the works!
Bess Kalb, BUFFALO FLUFFALO (Buffalo Stories)
Emmy-nominated comedy writer Bess Kalb joins Zibby to discuss BUFFALO FLUFFALO, a delightful picture book about a silly buffalo who tries to fluff his way into being bigger than he really is. Inspired by her experiences as a mother and wanting to create something that resonates with her son, Bess wrote the book to encourage self-acceptance and make children laugh (oh, and to dismantle toxic masculinity as well!). She also talks about the role of comedy in her life and the adaptation of her adult book, NOBODY WILL TELL YOU THIS BUT ME, into a film!
Ross Gay, THE BOOK OF (MORE) DELIGHTS: Essays
Zibby speaks to New York Times bestselling author Ross Gay about THE BOOK OF MORE DELIGHTS, a charming collection of miniature essays as quirky, engaging, and wryly humorous as his previous book of delights. Ross describes how his project of writing an essay every day for a year about things that delight him has evolved, and then he and Zibby chat about the joy found in daily assignments and the significance of the writing process in understanding questions about sorrow and joy. Finally, Ross reveals what he is working on now.
Laurie Frankel, FAMILY FAMILY
Zibby speaks to New York Times bestselling author Laurie Frankel about FAMILY FAMILY, a propulsive, funny, and strikingly tender novel about a famous actress and adoptive mother who finds herself in trouble when she criticizes the new movie she’s in.. because of its negative portrayal of adoption. Laurie explains why she is motivated to challenge prevailing adoption narratives and why it is so important to represent all kinds of adoptive families. She and Zibby also talk about the book's social media and cancel culture aspects, and then Laurie reflects on her writing journey (it all started with Shakespeare). She also shares her book recommendations and best advice for aspiring writers.
James Patterson, HOLMES, MARPLE & POE + WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN VEGAS + THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS
Literary giant James Patterson joins Zibby (again!) to discuss three of his recent publications: two nonfiction books, THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS and WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN VEGAS, and an unputdownable thriller, HOLMES, MARPLE, AND POE. James shares his admiration for booksellers and librarians, highlighting their sense of humor and their bravery in a time of book banning and violent incidents. He recounts anecdotes from all the interviews he conducted (including insights from Judy Blume!). James also describes his upcoming projects and offers his best advice for aspiring authors.
Rachel Renée Russell, DORK DIARIES 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure
Zibby interviews Rachel Renée Russell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of DORK DIARIES, and Nikki Russell, her daughter and illustrator. Rachel and Nikki reveal the inspiration behind their latest book, DORK DIARIES 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure (it involves a pandemic-impacted trip…), and then discuss their creative process, the enduring popularity of their characters, the unexpected success of the franchise, and the positive impact they’ve had on young readers. Ultimately, the interview provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into an incredible mother-daughter dynamic that has fueled the success of DORK DIARIES for over a decade.
Beth O'Leary, THE WAKE UP CALL
Bestselling author Beth O’Leary joins Zibby to discuss THE WAKE-UP CALL, an utterly delicious rom-com about Izzy and Lucas, two receptionists at a beautiful but rundown hotel in England, who find a collection of old wedding rings and compete to return them to their owners, hoping that the rewards might help them save the hotel. (This is challenging because they hate each other!) Beth describes the inspiration behind this story (it involves a fascination with rings) and her writing trajectory since the success of her 2019 debut, THE FLATSHARE, which has sold over a million copies. In the end, she shares details of her upcoming book and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.
Alix Strauss, THE JOY OF FUNERALS: A Novel in Stories
Zibby interviews lifestyle journalist and award-winning author Alix Strauss about the 20th Anniversary Edition of THE JOY OF FUNERALS, a powerful collection that is written with raw wit, mordant humor, and a uniquely penetrating voice as it spotlights loss, grief, and loneliness. Alix talks about her unique book party at a funeral home, her decision to reissue her book after two decades, and the changing societal attitudes towards funerals, death, and grief. She also shares insights into the unique structure of her book (it has eight short stories and a novella) and then describes her career transition from acting to writing (it might have something to do with a psychic reading…). In the end, she shares valuable advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of self-investment.