History Through Fiction: The Podcast

Featuring Interviews with Historical Novelists Talking About Their Books and Their Craft

Season 7, Episode 10 - Sian Ann Bessey
Colin Mustful Colin Mustful

Season 7, Episode 10 - Sian Ann Bessey

In Season 7, Episode 10 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful interviews Sian Ann Bessey about her novel "A Kingdom to Claim." Set in Wessex in AD 878, the story explores the lives of Aisley and Brecc amidst political turmoil. Bessey discusses her passion for historical storytelling, the challenges of weaving romance into her narratives, and the intricacies of capturing authentic historical details. She also shares insights into her writing journey and the lessons learned along the way.

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Season 7, Episode 9 - Bernard Cornwell
Colin Mustful Colin Mustful

Season 7, Episode 9 - Bernard Cornwell

In Season 7, Episode 9 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful sits down with renowned author Bernard Cornwell to explore his fascination with the Peninsular War and the art of weaving fictional characters into historical events.

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Season 7, Episode 7 - Emily Bleeker
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Season 7, Episode 7 - Emily Bleeker

In season 7, episode 7 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful talks with Emily Bleeker, author of When We Chased the Light. During the interview, Bleeker talks about Vivian Snow, the main character in her new novel and a character readers met in her previous novel When We Were Enemies. Bleeker also discusses her own family history, her success and growth as an author, and her background as an actor. Don’t miss it!

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Season 7, Episode 6 - Jillian Forsberg
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Season 7, Episode 6 - Jillian Forsberg

In season 7, episode 6 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, host Colin Mustful talks with Jillian Forsberg about her debut novel The Rhino Keeper. During the interview, Mustful chats with Forsberg about her love of animals and how it inspired her to write a novel about an 18th century rhino named Clara. They also discuss Forsberg’s fascination with the 18th century, her long journey to publication, and her life outside of writing as the owner of a bridal store. Don’t miss it!

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Season 7, Episode 3 - Alix Rickloff
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Season 7, Episode 3 - Alix Rickloff

Host Colin Mustful interviews Alix Rickloff about "The Last Light Over Oslo," discussing WWII, Florence Harriman, Cleo Jaffray, and themes of resilience and courage.

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Get Excited for a New Season of History Through Fiction: The Podcast!
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Get Excited for a New Season of History Through Fiction: The Podcast!

Season 7 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast kicks off on September 16th! Join us for weekly episodes featuring authors who mix history with fiction. Madeline Martin starts the season, followed by Aurélie Thiele, Alix Rickloff, Kimberly Brock, and others. Catch our special episode with Jillian Forsberg too. Subscribe to your favorite podcast platform so you don't miss out. Let's uncover history's secrets together, one story at a time!

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Bonus Episode - Ciera Horton McElroy
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Bonus Episode - Ciera Horton McElroy

In this special bonus episode of History Through Fiction: The Podcast, we dive into the world of literature, business, and entertainment with the multi-talented Ciera Horton McElroy. As the CEO of Clover & Bee Communications and author of "Atomic Family," Ciera shares the intriguing literary reference that inspired her company's name and her journey from freelance writer to successful business owner.

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Season 6, Episode 13 - Jill George
Colin Mustful Colin Mustful

Season 6, Episode 13 - Jill George

The final episode of season 6 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast features Jill George, author of the novel A Hopeless Dawn. During the interview, host Colin Mustful chats with George about the painting that inspired her novel, what life was like for the people of Cornwall—the 19th century fishing village featured in her novel—, and the character profiles she creates before starting any novel. Don’t miss it!

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Season 6, Episode 12 - Ezra Harker Shaw
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Season 6, Episode 12 - Ezra Harker Shaw

Season 6, Episode 12 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast features our very own Ezra Harker Shaw, author of the novel The Aziola’s Cry: A Novel of the Shelleys. During the interview, host Colin Mustful chats with Harker Shaw about the values and ideals extolled by Mary and Percy Shelley during their lifetimes, the influence of Lord Byron on the lives and writings of the Shelleys, and the story behind the title of The Aziola’s Cry. Don’t miss it!

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Season 6, Episode 11 - Yangsze Choo
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Season 6, Episode 11 - Yangsze Choo

Season 6, Episode 11 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast features Yangsze Choo, author of the novel The Fox Wife. During the interview, host Colin Mustful chats with Choo about the mythology of the fox in east Asian culture, the tradition of detective novels in Chinese literature, and the years Choo spent writing her first manuscript that was never published. Choo also talks about the joy and challenges of narrating her own audiobook. Don’t miss it!

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Season 6, Episode 10 - Marthese Fenech
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Season 6, Episode 10 - Marthese Fenech

Season 6, Episode 10 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast features Marthese Fenech, bestselling author of historical novels set in 16th-century Malta and Turkey. During the interview, host Colin Mustful chats with Fenech about the rich history of the island country of Malta, her dedication to her craft, and the inspiration that led her to write her Knights of Malta series. Don’t miss it!

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Season 6, Episode 9 - Jenny Quinlan
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Season 6, Episode 9 - Jenny Quinlan

Season 6, Episode 9 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast features historical fiction editor and founder of Historical Editorial, Jenny Quinlan. During the interview, host Colin Mustful chats with Quinlan about when she discovered her love for historical fiction, how and why she started Historical Editorial, what advice she has for authors when working with an editor, and the challenges and rewards of chairing the Historical Novel Society North American Conference. Don’t miss it!

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Season 6, Episode 8 - Jennifer Ryan
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Season 6, Episode 8 - Jennifer Ryan

Season 6, Episode 8 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast features Jennifer Ryan, author of the novel The Underground Library. During the interview, host Colin Mustful chats with Ryan about how she creates authentic characters, how the Bethnal Green Library became an underground library during The London Blitz, and how Ryan’s grandmother inspired this and other stories. Don’t miss it!

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Season 6, Episode 7 - Robin Oliveira
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Season 6, Episode 7 - Robin Oliveira

Season 6, Episode 7 of History Through Fiction: The Podcast has Robin Oliveira, the author of A Wild and Heavenly Place. Host Colin Mustful talks with Oliveira about immigration to Seattle in the late 1800s, her dedication to the facts and extremely thorough research, and how she combined her ancestry with her love of the Pacific Northwest to write this novel. Don't miss!

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