The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by novelist Evelyn Ann Casey, whose newest work, Candlewood, blends romance, women’s fiction, and historical storytelling into a warm, atmospheric narrative. Evelyn’s prose is lyrical and immersive, and she’s known for crafting emotionally rich stories rooted in memory, place, and relationships.

Her work often explores the quiet spaces where love, regret, and second chances meet—stories full of compassion and the delicate complexities of human connection. Evelyn brings a historian’s rigor to her fiction, but her stories never feel weighed down by research; instead, her details breathe life into her worlds. She’s also a passionate advocate for stories about strong, complex women whose journeys reflect resilience and hope.

You can learn more about Evelyn at: https://evelynanncasey.com/

Her books—including Candlewood—are available wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Evelyn talks about building emotional landscapes, weaving research into narrative, and writing stories that feel both timeless and deeply intimate.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by Minnesota author James W. Bennett, whose psychological thriller Catechisms takes readers deep into questions of belief, identity, and the darker corners of the human psyche. James’s writing blends literary sensibility with high-tension storytelling, weaving introspective character work into narratives that grip from the first chapter.

Known for his reflective style and philosophical depth, James writes thrillers that linger long after the final page—stories that entertain but also challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths. He’s a longtime creative writing teacher and mentor, and his approach to craft emphasizes emotional honesty, character complexity, and the power of subtext.

You can learn more about James at: https://www.jameswbennettsbooks.com/

His books—including Catechisms—are available wherever books are sold, including Minnesota’s celebrated mystery bookstore Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, James talks with us about writing psychological tension, building flawed but compelling characters, and using fiction to explore the questions we can’t shake.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word.

The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow!

Today we’re joined by thriller and mystery author Thekla Madsen, whose novel Bad JuJu and the Eye of Oya blends fast-paced suspense with supernatural undertones. Thekla’s writing crackles with energy—her thrillers are known for smart twists, vivid characters, and a distinctive voice that pulls readers in from the first page.

Thekla has long been part of the Midwest writing community, mentoring new authors, participating in critique groups, and championing bold, risk-taking storytelling. Her work often explores themes of fate, choice, and the unseen forces that shape our lives. She’s also a lively conversationalist—equal parts thoughtful and mischievous—and her creative process is infused with curiosity and a delight in the strange.

You can learn more about Thekla at: https://www.facebook.com/BadJuJuinCleveland2014

Her books—including Bad JuJu and the Eye of Oya—can be found wherever books are sold and at Minnesota’s iconic Once Upon a Crime bookstore: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, Thekla talks about balancing thriller pacing with supernatural elements, writing bold characters, and finding the joy in storytelling’s darker edges.

You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ and https://www.michaelmacbride.com).

And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup