Episodios

  • Episode 200: Novelist Spotlight #200: Canadian novelist Jane Bow on her new thriller and the writing life
    Apr 15 2026

    In the spotlight is Canadian novelist Jane Bow, who grew up in Canada, the United States, Spain, England and Czechia. Three of her four novels have been award finalists in Canada, the United States and Britain. Bow has also written for literary journals, Chatelaine Magazine and CBC radio, and has presented her

    work internationally. Bow, who lives in Victoria, Canada, is out with a new novel titled The Angels’ Share.

    Learn more about Jane Bow here: https://janebow.com/

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    1 h
  • Episode 199: Novelist Spotlight #199: ‘Troublemaker,’ the extraordinary life of activist Jessica Mitford
    Apr 7 2026

    In the spotlight is Carla Kaplan and her biography of Jessica “Decca” Mitford, titled Troublemaker: The Fierce, Unruly Life of Jessica Mitford. Kaplan is an award-winning professor and writer who holds the Stanton and Elisabeth Davis Distinguished Professorship in American Literature at Northeastern University. She has also taught at the University of Southern California and at Yale. Kaplan is the author of The Erotics of Talk and Zora Neale Hurston: A Life in Letters.

    A recipient of a Guggenheim and many other fellowships, Kaplan has been a fellow in residence at the Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and the W. E. B. Du Bois Institute, among other research centers.

    Learn more about Carla Kaplan here: https://carlakaplan.com/

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    1 h
  • Episode 198: Novelist Spotlight #198: Tyson Cornell on Rare Bird Books’ new partnership with Simon & Schuster
    Mar 3 2026

    In the spotlight is repeat guest Tyson Cornell, the founder and publisher of Rare Bird Books, an independent press committed to bold, boundary-pushing storytelling. He has more than two decades of experience in publishing, bookselling and author advocacy, and has championed hundreds of acclaimed titles across fiction, nonfiction and music.

    Learn more about Rare Bird Books here: https://rarebirdlit.com/about-rare-bird

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    53 m
  • Episode 197: Novelist Spotlight #197: The writing life and the perils of girlhood and keeping memories
    Feb 12 2026

    In the spotlight is Melissa Fraterrigo, the author of the memoir-in-essays titled “The Perils of Girlhood.” She has also written the novel “Glory Days,” as well as the short story collection “The Longest Pregnancy.”

    Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies from Shenandoah and The Massachusetts Review to storySouth and Notre Dame Review. She has been a finalist for awards from Glimmer Train on multiple occasions, twice nominated for Pushcart Awards, and was the winner of the Sam Adams/Zoetrope: All Story Short Fiction Contest.

    She teaches creative writing at Purdue University and in the MFA program in creative writing at Butler University in Indianapolis and also offers instruction on the art and craft of writing at the Lafayette Writers’ Studio in Lafayette, Indiana.

    Learn more about Melissa Fraterrigo here: https://www.melissafraterrigo.com/

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    58 m
  • Episode 196: Novelist Spotlight #196: ‘Rock of Pages’ illustrates connection between 1980s heavy metal and literature
    Jan 24 2026

    In the spotlight is Jesse Kavadlo, author of “Rock of Pages,” a book inspired by his decades of work as a professor of literature and as a musician. In “Rock of Pages,” Kavadlo analyzes the ways in which 1980s heavy metal aligns with and develops many of the themes prevalent in the canon of literature. In doing so, the book examines some of the contexts of 1980s heavy metal, including the Cold War, the rise of MTV, and the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center and subsequent congressional hearings.

    Learn more about Jesse Kavaldo and his books and teaching here: https://jessekavadlo.com

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    57 m
  • Episode 195: Novelist Spotlight #195: Kid Comet — superhero stories with heart for middle-grade boys
    Jan 8 2026

    In the spotlight is Christopher Bodmann, who has always been captivated by the power of storytelling and his belief that stories exist to inspire, drive action and ignite passion. He uses fantasy elements to address real-world issues that middle-grade readers might face, aiming to create a meaningful connection to their lives. He is particularly passionate about encouraging middle-grade boys to become avid readers by incorporating “gateway” topics that resonate with their interests, while also ensuring his content appeals to all audiences.

    Learn more about Christopher Bodmann and his books here: https://www.christopherbodmann.com

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    1 h
  • Episode 194: Novelist Spotlight #194: How an author obituary launched a new writing career
    Dec 19 2025

    In the spotlight is multi-award-winning Canadian author Douglas Smith. He writes novels, short stories and nonfiction, having published his work in more than 200 short fiction publications in 36 countries and 27 languages — writing about fantasy, science fiction and the indefinable. Among his nonfiction books is one titled Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction.

    Learn more about Douglas Smith here: https://www.smithwriter.com/

    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    54 m
  • Episode 193: Novelist Spotlight #193: New publisher reprinting forgotten books by American women authors
    Dec 8 2025

    Lisa Endo Cooper and Bremond Berry MacDougall met on the first day of seventh grade and quickly discovered their shared love for books. Decades later, they founded Quite Literally Books, a women-owned small heritage press reprinting forgotten books by American women authors to share with new generations of lit lovers. As publishers, they are dedicated to creating new editions of ought-to-be in print books and, in doing so, hope to be a part of ongoing conversations about essential questions.


    Learn more about Quite Literally Books here: https://quiteliterallybooks.com


    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no

    Write to Mike Consol at novelistspotlight@gmail.com

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    57 m