EP. 36 Unveiling Hidden Histories: A Conversation with Fiona Davis on The Stolen Queen
In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I talk to the brilliant and bestselling author Fiona Davis about her new novel The Stolen Queen, a dual-timeline mystery that moves between 1936 Egypt and 1978 New York City.Fiona shares the real inspirations behind the story (thank you Kim Kardashian), as well as her fascination with antiquities and the stories behind them. She looks at the ways history can be reshaped or lost over time. We explore the novel’s two vividly drawn protagonists, a serious and studious curator and her arch opposite, a young, inexperienced over-eager assistant to the Met Ball who have to work together to recover a stolen artefact. We also talk about the lesser known women of history who spark Fiona’s imagination, the meticulous research that bring Fiona’s settings to life, the energy of NYC in the late 70’s and the busy world behind the scenes at the Met. Fiona likes to blend a good story with some fascinating history and page-turning mystery into her NYC-based novels. She also touches on her own career, from acting to journalism to writing historical fiction.This episode is a rich, thought-provoking conversation with one of today’s most beloved voices in historical fiction. If you love stories that uncover hidden histories and spotlight remarkable women, this episode is for youEpisode Guide:00:00 Welcome to Elena Meets the Author00:20 Introducing Fiona Davis and The Stolen Queen01:37 Inspiration Behind the Novel03:45 The Ancient Queen Who Sparked the Story06:15 Forgotten Women in History06:37 Diana Vreeland and the Met in the 1970s10:24 Building Atmospheric, Authentic Settings12:28 Research and Story Development15:30 Blending Mystery with Historical Fiction17:19 What Fiona Is Working on Next17:52 New York’s Hidden Corners18:18 A Storied Mansion and Its Remarkable Resident19:29 From Acting to Journalism21:46 The Path to Becoming an Author24:13 Research Rituals and Writing Process29:38 Fiona’s Book Recommendations & 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. 35 Exploring Comic Tragedies with Debut Author Katie Yee
In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I had such a fun and fascinating chat with Katie Yee, the debut author of Maggie; or, A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar. Her novel has been compared to Nora Ephron’s Heartburn, it’s witty, warm, and full of heart, finding humour even in the hardest moments.We talk about where the story came from, how Katie created her wonderfully observant narrator, and why she chose to leave her protagonist nameless. We also dive into friendship, love, identity, and the surprising ways storytelling can help us heal.Katie’s energy is infectious, we even got into her writing process, what she’s been reading lately, and a sneak peek at her next project. I absolutely loved this conversation and I think you will too!Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:17 – Meet Katie Yee and her debut novel01:55 – Themes of humour, heartbreak, and identity03:01 – Writing through personal experience12:01 – Exploring race and motherhood22:26 – The role of women and friendship25:45 – Writing as healing26:04 – Craft and structure29:17 – Advice for aspiring authors31:13 – Hopes for readers and future projects33:50 – Book recommendations and closing 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. 34 Exploring Humor in Tragedy with Annie Hartnett
In this episode, I sit down with Annie Hartnett, the bestselling author of The Road to Tender Hearts, to talk about finding humour in heartbreak and the power of storytelling to carry us through difficult times. Annie shares how moments of adversity have shaped her voice as a writer and how she balances grief, chaos, and laughter in her latest novel, a darkly funny, deeply tender story about family, loss, and connection.We talk about her unforgettable characters, including PJ Halliday, his adult daughter Sophie, two orphaned children, and Pancakes, a clairvoyant cat who can predict death and how the book’s strange mix of tragedy and magic reveals what it means to love and keep going. Annie also opens up about her writing process, her love of storytelling, and offers thoughtful advice for anyone working on their own creative projects.It’s an honest, warm, and funny conversation about the beauty in life’s messier moments. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:25 Meet Annie Hartnett & The Road to Tender Hearts02:04 Inspiration Behind the Book06:33 Writing Through Adversity07:39 Reading from Chapter One10:23 Character Inspirations & Family Ties21:43 Omniscient Voice & Magical Elements26:39 The Randomness of Road Stops28:56 Real-Life Inspirations41:25 Writing Tips & Support43:46 Upcoming Projects & Book Recommendations 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.33 Letters, Life, and Literary Magic with Virginia Evans
This week I’m joined by the wonderful Virginia Evans, whose debut novel The Correspondent captured my heart. And I don’t say that lightly. Her main character 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp is the best! We dive into the joy of epistolary storytelling, explore the wide world of the smart, snappy and funny Sybil, and talk about how letters can hold so much power in today’s digital world.Virginia shares the wisdom she’s gained from her mentor, the superstar author Claire Keegan, the challenges she faced on her long road to publication, and the magic moments that kept her going. Along the way we laugh about family, gush over favourite books, and celebrate the perseverance it takes to follow your creative dreams.If you love heartfelt, character-driven fiction or simply need a reminder of why storytelling matters, you’ll adore this conversation. 💌Highlights:00:00 – Meeting Virginia Evans02:50 – Why epistolary novels still shine05:34 – Lessons from Claire Keegan11:10 – Crafting Sybil’s world24:00 – The magic of letter writing28:43 – A touching family moment29:43 – Favourite books32:05 – Advice for aspiring authors35:09 – The journey to success37:40 – Overcoming writer’s block40:43 – Upcoming projects45:16 – Closing 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. 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
Welcome to Elena Meets the Author, the Podcast that brings you intimate conversations with authors about the art and craft of storytelling. Whether you’re a passionate reader, a curious creator, or simply love diving into the minds of creative thinkers, this podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at how stories come to life.
Each episode features an in-depth interview with an author as they share their unique journey, the challenges they’ve faced, and the inspiration behind their work. From uncovering the spark of an idea to navigating the ups and downs of the creative process, we explore the human side of writing. My goal is to inspire and connect listeners with the magic of storytelling while celebrating the diversity of voices shaping today’s literary landscape.
This podcast is especially for people who enjoy exploring creativity, personal growth, and the stories that move us. But the insights and inspiration we uncover are universal, offering something for anyone who appreciates the power of words.
Tune in for thoughtful conversations that will leave you feeling inspired, connected, and ready to embrace your own creative journey.
New episodes released biweekly!
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