Book Lover's Companion - The English Version

A podcast about books, authors, genres, readers and more.

Book Lover's Companion - The English Version is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 207 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Book Lover's Companion - The English Version, a arts show with 207 episodes published.

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  Episode #232

  Inside A Dangerous Screw Loose: Francine Ehrenberg Discusses Politics and Writing

  Sep 28, 20261h 7mS5

  Host Edith welcomes returning guest Francine Ehrenberg to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss Ehrenberg’s second novel, A Dangerous Screw Loose, published in August and written as a direct continuation of America’s Candidate, picking up minutes after book one ends. Ehrenberg explains reader demand to resolve cliffhangers and how book two expands the political thriller into a courtroom murder trial, drawing on her decades as a prosecutor while using limited artistic license to keep the story moving. She highlights shifting perspectives by elevating Calypso (and expanding Roberta), exploring Amir’s moral ambiguity, and examining media influence, voyeurism, ratings-driven conflict, and distrust in politics and investigations. Ehrenberg also discusses avoiding partisan messaging, cover redesign choices, sequel-writing challenges and continuity notes, plans for an audiobook, possible screen adaptation interest, and ideas for future non-political suspense or horror informed by her Army background. Find out more about Francine: https://ehrenberg1.allauthor.com ⏰ Timestamp 00:00 Welcome Back Francine 00:44 Why Another Panel 01:54 Introducing Book Two 04:31 Picking Up After Book One 07:07 Amir and Moral Gray 10:14 Politics as Spectacle 18:31 Media Circus and Trust 20:20 Keeping Politics Neutral 25:16 Courtroom Focus in Book Two 28:57 Calypso Takes Center 32:38 Adapting to Screen 34:59 Future Books and Genres 35:35 Next Genre Ideas 36:55 Military Life Not Politics 38:49 Sequel Writing Challenges 39:55 Tracking Details Notebook 42:19 Cover Art Revisions 46:19 Flawed Characters Matter 52:09 Staying Human In War 57:49 Greed Values And Art 01:03:51 Future Projects Farewell ☕️ Support us: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/booklovercom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ko-fi.com/bookcompanion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links and Social media: https://book-lovers-companion.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/book_companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ez.fiction.7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/book_companion/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vyAyrh3zzsxNeexfyU0uA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ bookcompanioncontact@gmail.com Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

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  Episode #231

  Marketing Mastery for Authors: From Book Idea to Shelf

  Sep 14, 20261h 1mS5

  Host Edith welcomes author and coach Lee Baucom to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss what it means to treat writing—especially fiction—as a business. They distinguish hobby writing from pursuing income, emphasizing that authors must wear multiple hats, particularly marketing as simply making readers aware and connecting the right audience to the right book. They cover cutting through today’s “noise,” pitching podcasts with a clear hook and audience fit, planning publicity months in advance, and choosing platforms based on where readers are and what the author can sustain. Lee outlines strategies like consistency, building an email list (e.g., Substack/Beehive), engaging communities, and using constraints to stay productive, while noting time vs. money tradeoffs, the value of human editing, and AI’s limited role for fiction but usefulness for marketing tasks. Find out more about Lee: https://leebaucom.com ⏰ Timestamp 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:44 Writing as a Business 03:49 Marketing Hat Mindset 06:03 Publishing Noise and Consistency 06:57 Pitching Podcasts Right 11:17 Conversation Style Interviews 13:06 Choosing Promotion Channels 17:11 Audience First Platform Choice 18:48 Time vs Money Marketing 22:08 Constraints and Daily Writing 24:34 Start Marketing Early 27:45 Building Suspense and Community 31:02 Behind the Art Stories Sell 32:54 Introverts Going Pro 33:57 Marketing Is On You 35:54 Success Takes Many Books 37:36 Strategy And Growth 39:44 Swag Versus Substance 41:38 Stop Doing Readings 45:33 Step By Step Marketing 51:54 Invest In Editing 55:46 AI For Marketing 57:57 Reviews And Not Finishing 01:01:18 Final Takeaways ☕️ Support us: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/booklovercom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ko-fi.com/bookcompanion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links and Social media: https://book-lovers-companion.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/book_companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ez.fiction.7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/book_companion/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vyAyrh3zzsxNeexfyU0uA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ bookcompanioncontact@gmail.com Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

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  Episode #230

  Rick London's 'The Dancing Wolfman': A New Take on Werewolves and Music

  Sep 7, 20261h 1mS5

  Host Edith welcomes San Francisco author Rick London to Book Lover’s Companion to discuss his December 2025 novel The Dancing Wolfe Man (Volume One). London explains his pen name and how a vivid nighttime drive after a 1998 Super Bowl gathering inspired a werewolf story he later developed in 2024. Wanting to avoid a typical savage-werewolf arc, he made music the central force that anchors protagonist Titus Wolfe—a high school music teacher and weekend DJ—so sound and rhythm help him control his primal instincts and become a protector rather than a killer. They discuss the werewolf as a metaphor for humanity’s dark side, what defines a hero, London’s choice not to write a female werewolf protagonist, and his plans for sequels, prequels, and an origins book exploring werewolf lore. London shares his writing process, marketing lessons, audiobook considerations, advice to aspiring writers, and where to buy the book. Find out more about Rick: https://dancingwolfeman.com ⏰ Timestamp 00:00 Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro 00:34 Why the Name Rick London 01:28 Dancing Wolfman Premise 01:48 Super Bowl Night Inspiration 05:28 Music Tames the Beast 09:12 Wolf as Inner Darkness 15:12 What Makes a Hero 18:06 Why Not a She Wolf 20:35 Series Plans and Staying Hidden 23:26 Werewolf Lore and Myth Origins 27:13 Standing Out and Marketing Reality 30:21 Writing Process and Drafting Method 34:16 Fixing Story Flow 34:56 Why We Quit Books 36:15 Dialogue Versus Description 37:12 Writing Like A Movie 40:57 Screenplay Adaptation Dreams 41:53 Finding Writing Communities 43:23 Going Cross Genre 46:19 Audiobook Plans And Costs 49:23 Bookstores Kindle And Habits 55:07 Advice For Aspiring Authors 58:40 Where To Buy The Book 01:00:08 Closing Thanks And Sign Off ☕️ Support us: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/booklovercom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ko-fi.com/bookcompanion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links and Social media: https://book-lovers-companion.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/book_companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ez.fiction.7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/book_companion/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vyAyrh3zzsxNeexfyU0uA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ bookcompanioncontact@gmail.com Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

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  Episode #229

  Author Twila Mason on Writing Romance, Addiction & Recovery in Step by Step | Book Lover's Companion

  Aug 24, 20261h 4mS5

  Host Edith welcomes returning guest and author Twila Mason to discuss Step by Step, book two in the interconnected-yet-standalone Desperate Hearts series. Twila explains that the novel follows Chrissy’s path to a “happily ever after” after the events of book one, beginning with her being chosen to paint a City of Chicago mural and meeting her charming boss, Adam Rochester, sparking a workplace romance where both their jobs are at risk. She shares how both characters confront past shame, insecurity, addiction recovery, and mental health struggles, and describes the research and personal observation that informed her portrayal. Twila also talks about the challenges of indie marketing, tracking continuity across multiple books, plans for books three and four (and possible novellas), her stance on avoiding AI tools, and where to follow her work online. ⏰ Timestamp 00:00 Welcome Back Twila 00:39 Step by Step Overview 03:25 Standalone Series Setup 04:20 Healing Past Trauma 05:23 Researching Addiction Recovery 08:58 Indie Marketing Reality 12:17 Series Plans and Lily 15:57 Continuity Tracking Tips 19:14 Book Four and Novellas 21:12 Writing Challenges and Joy 23:53 Characters Take the Lead 25:48 Supporting Cast Matters 31:02 Writing Heavy Topics 35:54 AI Temptations for Indies 37:29 Avoiding AI Artwork 38:52 Designing Standout Covers 42:20 Embracing Romance Writing 46:01 Romance vs Womens Fiction 50:03 Setting Reader Expectations 52:31 Heavy Themes and Growth 54:16 Planning Future Books 59:11 Liking Characters in Series 01:02:26 Wrap Up and Where to Follow 01:04:07 Final Goodbye ☕️ Support us: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/booklovercom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ko-fi.com/bookcompanion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Links and Social media: https://book-lovers-companion.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://twitter.com/book_companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/ez.fiction.7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/book_companion/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vyAyrh3zzsxNeexfyU0uA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ bookcompanioncontact@gmail.com Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

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  Episode #228

  Behind Enemy Lines: The Story of Jonathan Preston with Steve Doherty

  Aug 10, 20261h 24mS5

  Host Edith interviews retired US Air Force officer and historical fiction/children’s author Steve Doherty about his novels inspired by a WWII covert operative he interviewed in 1995 (renamed Jonathan Preston), whose missions behind Japanese lines in the China-Burma-India theater were classified for 50 years. Doherty explains how Preston and teammate George Linka worked with British intelligence and the OSS on dozens of missions across Southeast Asia, using disguises, languages, and local operatives. They discuss Doherty’s fifth novel, Crossroads, a postwar story set during Japan’s reconstruction involving war-crimes pursuits, a vengeful Japanese general turned criminal leader, and a real sacred katana used to lure him out via a kabuki play. Doherty also shares lessons on self-publishing pitfalls, active research, character development, dialogue, editing, and his children’s books promoting values, which he gives away. Find out more about Steve: https://steve-doherty-books.com Chapters 00:00 Podcast Welcome 00:41 Meet Jonathan Preston 01:51 Secret Missions Revealed 06:09 Elite Spy Training 14:57 Disguises And Languages 18:01 Publishing Lessons Learned 22:38 Crossroads Prologue Research 26:27 Postwar Japan Revenge Plot 44:52 Writing Process And Origins 46:31 From Articles To Novels 50:43 Why Historical Fiction 52:55 Writing By Instinct 55:33 Making Characters Human 59:25 Dialogue And Character Bios 01:03:32 Building Foreign Characters 01:05:42 Active Research Process 01:08:01 Ten Novel Milestone 01:08:52 Children Books Mission 01:11:42 Advice For Writers 01:16:58 Editing And Working With Editors 01:19:42 Family Coauthors And Confidence 01:22:33 Where To Find The Books 01:23:43 Final Thanks And Sign Off If you like what we do, you might consider buying us a coffee. https://www.buymeacoffee.com/booklovercom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://ko-fi.com/bookcompanion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://book-lovers-companion.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/book_companion⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ez.fiction.7⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/book_companion/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6vyAyrh3zzsxNeexfyU0uA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Feedback is always welcome: bookcompanioncontact@gmail.com Music: English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny Video Link: https://youtu.be/mDcADD4oS5E

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