Elena Meets the Author

• EP. 32 Elena Meets the Publisher: A Conversation with Gretchen Young

  I am so excited to share this episode of Elena Meets the Author with you! I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Gretchen Young, a powerhouse in publishing and the inspiring founder of Regalo Press.Gretchen’s journey is incredible, from her early days in television production, to decades at major publishing houses, and now running her own indie press with a beautiful philanthropic mission at its heart. We dive into the changes shaping publishing today, the joys and challenges of building an indie press, and the advice she wishes every debut author knew.We also chat about the power of great storytelling, how belief and perseverance can carry writers through, and why social media and AI are transforming the way people discover books. Gretchen even gives us a sneak peek at some exciting new titles coming soon from Regalo Press.If you’ve ever dreamed of writing a book or simply love hearing about the world behind the stories you read, this is an episode full of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration.Episode Highlights:00:00 – Introduction and pre-interview chatter00:28 – Meet Gretchen Young02:17 – Gretchen's publishing journey03:49 – How the industry has changed04:32 – Challenges and innovations in publishing07:38 – The birth of Regalo Press09:26 – Impact and partnerships11:11 – Indie publishing vs. big houses15:03 – Gretchen’s advice for aspiring authors16:58 – Fresh trends and experiments in publishing20:09 – The power of belief and perseverance20:33 – The meaning behind “Regalo”21:10 – The state of publishing today23:28 – How social media and AI are reshaping reading29:05 – Upcoming books to get excited about34:35 – The inspiring journey of a publisher This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

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• EP. 31 Exploring Vanessa Beaumont's The Other Side of Paradise

  In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with debut novelist Vanessa Beaumont to talk about her evocative and richly layered novel, The Other Side of Paradise. Set in post–World War I Britain, the story follows Jean Buckman, a young American newspaper heiress navigating societal pressures, marital dysfunction, grief, personal desire and deep maternal love in 1920s Britain and the south of France.Vanessa shares how her background in publishing shaped her writing journey, what inspired her to move from nonfiction ideas into fiction, and the immersive research that brought the interwar period to life. We discuss themes of identity, privilege, and constraint, as well as the role of setting — from remote British country estates to grand London houses to villas in the Riviera and how setting can be a character in its own right. Vanessa’s characters - the people and the places- will stay with the reader long after finishing the last page. We also talk about Vanessa’s literary influences, her writing challenges, and her upcoming projects. By the end of our conversation, you’ll have a deeper sense of both the historical backdrop of her novel and the craft behind it.Click here to buy ‘The Other Side of Paradise’.Episode Highlights00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:11 Meeting Vanessa Beaumont and The Other Side of Paradise00:29 Setting the Scene: Britain Between the Wars00:44 Introducing Jean Buckman and Family01:54 The Inspiration Behind the Novel03:47 Vanessa’s Writing Journey and Challenges06:22 Researching the Interwar Period09:35 The Role of Setting and Atmosphere18:14 Houses as Characters20:55 Literary Influences and Craft37:29 Upcoming Projects and Personal Insights This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

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• Elena Meets the Bookshop Owner: A Conversation with Diane Garrett

  In this special episode of Elena Meets the Author, I step away from my usual author interviews to chat with Diane Garrett, the warm and wonderful owner of Diane’s Books in Greenwich, Connecticut. Diane tells me how she went from growing up in Northern Ontario, Canada, to opening her beloved bookshop in the heart of Greenwich. We talk about how the book industry has changed with Amazon and e-readers, and she shares her philosophy on curating a family-friendly selection that keeps readers of all ages coming back.We dive into why reading aloud to children is so important, the magic of having knowledgeable “book matchmaker” staff, and her top book recommendations for the summer. Diane also reminisces about unforgettable author events, from J.K. Rowling to Walter Isaacson and shares a charming Harry Potter story. Our conversation is a love letter to the resilience of independent bookstores, the joy of reading, and the community that springs up around them.Diane’s top summer picks! Buy through these links to directly support the podcast at no extra cost to you. The Mademoiselle AllianceIt's a Love StoryJackieMy Sister’s GravePresumed Innocent King MakerTimestamps:00:00 — Introduction to the podcast01:54 — Interview with Diane Garrett begins02:03 — Diane’s journey to owning a bookshop03:30 — The evolution of bookshops04:12 — Staff specialties and book selection06:36 — The importance of reading aloud08:57 — Challenges and rewards of running a bookshop16:19 — Collaborations with the local community18:12 — Booksellers and libraries: a complex relationship18:52 — Memorable author events: from J.K. Rowling to Walter Isaacson19:10 — The magic of Harry Potter: a personal anecdote22:13 — Top book recommendations: a curated list30:08 — The joy of reading: final thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

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• EP. 30 Unveiling The Lion Women of Tehran with Marjan Kamali

  In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the incredible Marjan Kamali to discuss her bestselling novel The Lion Women of Tehran. 🌍✨The novel follows the intertwined lives of two childhood friends, Homa and Ellie, as they grow from girls in 1950s Tehran into women navigating the complexities of adulthood. We dive into the inspiration behind this captivating story, the rich depiction of Iranian culture, and the unique challenges of writing historical fiction. Marjan shares some evocative excerpts from her book and reveals how her own childhood friendships and family history have shaped the narrative. Together, we explore themes of friendship, the fragility of freedom, and the timeless nature of storytelling. 📖💫Listen now! 🔗 [Link to episode]#ElenaMeetsTheAuthor #TheLionWomenOfTehran #MarjanKamali #HistoricalFiction #AuthorInterview #BookLovers #Storytelling #Friendship #Iran #WomensRights #NewEpisode #Podcast #BookstagramEpisode Breakdown:00:00 – Meet the Author: Marjan Kamali03:03 – The Story Behind The Lion Women of Tehran04:37 – Exploring Themes of Friendship and Betrayal05:33 – The Historical Context of Women's Rights in Iran14:07 – The Writing Process and Developing Characters30:22 – Imagination's Role in the Writing Journey30:50 – When Characters Take Control of the Story31:41 – Drawing from Emotional Wells and Writing Trauma32:38 – Method Acting: Bringing Characters to Life33:25 – Writing Challenging and Emotional Scenes36:17 – The Heart of The Lion Women of Tehran37:06 – The Many Faces of a Lioness40:36 – Navigating Difficult Scenes and Character Growth45:49 – The Importance of Friendship and Freedom50:20 – The Joy of Reading and Discovering New Stories51:59 – Marjan Kamali’s Upcoming Projects53:18 – Final Thoughts and Farewell This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

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• EP. 29 - Exploring Dora Maar: Beyond Picasso's Weeping Woman with Louisa Treger

  In this week’s episode of Elena Meets the Author, I’m joined by the brilliant Louisa Treger to talk about her captivating new novel The Paris Muse, which delves into the life of Dora Maar, Picasso’s muse behind the iconic Weeping Woman.We dive into Dora’s incredible journey beyond her relationship with Picasso, exploring her life as a surrealist photographer, poet, and political activist. From the influence she had on Picasso’s art to her redemption and artistic revival, this episode is a deep dive into art, love, and the complexities of history.Click here to buy The Paris Muse and support the show. Episode Breakdown:* 00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast* 00:16 – Introducing Louisa Treger and The Paris Muse* 00:42 – Dora Maar: Picasso's Muse and More* 01:55 – Louisa's Inspiration from Dora's Photography* 04:37 – Reading from the Prologue* 08:15 – Dora Maar's Early Life* 11:19 – Dora's Relationship with Picasso* 18:56 – The Influence of Dora on Picasso's Art* 21:44 – Discussing the Novel's Setting and Characters* 22:25 – Writing About the South of France* 24:26 – Picasso and Dora's Relationship During Wartime* 26:00 – Dora's Inner Monologues and Personal Connection* 29:41 – Picasso's Dark Side and Its Impact* 32:09 – Dora's Redemption and Artistic Revival* 35:59 – The Author's Inspiration and Future Projects* 38:01 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

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