Get Excited for a New Season of History Through Fiction: The Podcast!
History Through Fiction: The Podcast is about to launch its thrilling 6th season! Starting on Monday, February 19th, we're kicking things off with a lineup of authors who have mastered the art of weaving historical facts with riveting fiction. Every week, you'll get to meet these talented writers and hear about their experiences turning the rich tapestry of history into spellbinding stories.
Eric Weintraub will be our first guest, discussing his novel South of Sepharad. Angie Elita Newell follows with her powerful work, All I See is Violence, a story that promises to grip your heart with its intensity and depth. But that's just the beginning! We've got an entire season filled with authors like Yangsze Choo, Elizabeth R. Anderson, and Candace Simar, each bringing their unique perspective on history's untold stories. We even have historical fiction editor Jenny Quinlan who’ll be talking about how she helps authors craft their stories.
Don't miss out on conversations these fantastic conversations. Hit subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and join us every week for a new episode. Together, let's uncover the secrets behind the pen, discover history's hidden gems, and get inspired by the masters of historical storytelling.
Join us, as we bring history to life, one story at a time!
February 19 - Eric Z. Weintraub
Eric Z. Weintraub earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Mount St. Mary’s University where he wrote his debut novel South of Sepharad. Growing up in Los Angeles, CA, he came from a family of filmmakers, writers, and educators stirring in him a passion for storytelling from a young age. His short fiction has appeared in Tabula Rasa Review, Halfway Down the Stairs, The Rush, and elsewhere. His novella Dreams of an American Exile won the 2015 Plaza Literary Prize and was published by Black Hill Press. His short story collection The 28th Parallel was a finalist for the 2021 Flannery O’Connor Award in Short Fiction. When not writing fiction, Eric profiles true stories of complex medical cases where he works at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
February 26 - Angie Elita Newell
Angie Elita Newell belongs to the Liidlii Kue First Nation from the Dehcho, the place where two rivers meet. A trained historian, she blends a tradition of oral stories with academic history and holds university degrees in English literature, creative writing, and First Nations history with an emphasis on colonialism.
March 4 - Brock Meier
Brock Meier, an award-winning author with a background in science, now captivates readers with his historical fiction. His debut novel, "The Stone Cutter," received the prestigious 2023 Gold Award for its portrayal of the ancient world. In addition to writing, Meier indulges in creating unique wines and desserts while immersing himself in jazz, opera, and classical music. Residing in Texas Hill Country, he uses storytelling as a means to delve into life's profound mysteries.
March 11 - Elizabeth R. Anderson
Elizabeth R. Andersen is a passionate historical fiction author residing in the picturesque Pacific Northwest of the United States. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges, Elizabeth draws inspiration from her environment, whether she's hiking through the great outdoors or cozying up with a book during the region's frequent rains. With a journalism degree under her belt, she has a keen eye for detail and a deep-seated love for research, which she pours into her writing. Elizabeth shares intriguing medieval facts on Instagram, creates engaging videos on TikTok, and maintains a professional presence on Facebook. To keep up with her latest works, followers can track her on Amazon, BookBub, or Goodreads.
March 18 - Candace Simar
Candace Simar is a celebrated author who blends her Scandinavian roots with a passion for history in her novels about Minnesota and North Dakota's early days. She has won the Spur Award and been a finalist for her Abercrombie Trail series, and her work extends to award-winning short stories and poetry. Candace's books include historical novels like Escape to Fort Abercrombie and collections such as Dear Homefolks. Her writing has earned accolades from various contests, including the Bob Dylan Creative Writing Contest. She loves discussing her work with book clubs and groups around the country.
March 25 - ReShonda Tate
ReShonda Tate is a national bestselling author with over 53 books to her name, including adult and teen fiction, as well as nonfiction. Her second novel, Let the Church Say Amen, was turned into a film by Regina King. ReShonda also appeared in this film and another adaptation of her work, The Secret She Kept. An award-winning poet and motivational speaker, she's won an NAACP Image Award and has been recognized for her writing talents with numerous accolades. Known as a top African-American writer, her works are bestsellers and widely acclaimed.
April 1 - Robin Oliveira
Robin Oliveira grew up just outside Albany, New York in the town of Loudonville. She holds a B.A. in Russian from the University of Montana, and studied at the Pushkin Language Institute in Moscow, Russia. She worked for many years as a Registered Nurse, specializing in Critical Care and Bone Marrow Transplant. In 2006 she received an M.F.A. in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives outside of Seattle, Washington, with her husband, Andrew Oliveira. She has two children, Noelle Oliveira and Miles Oliveira. All three are the loves of her life.
April 8 - Jennifer Ryan
Jennifer Ryan is the author of National Bestseller The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir, The Spies of Shilling Lane, The Kitchen Front, The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle, and The Underground Library. Her writing has been featured in Literary Hub, Moms Don’t Have Time to Write, The Daily Mail, The Irish Times, The Express, BBC Online, YOU Magazine, The Simple Things Magazine, and Good Reading Magazine. Previously a book editor with The Economist, DK, and the BBC, she moved from London to Washington, DC after marrying, and she now lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two children. Her novels are inspired by her grandmother's tales of the war in Britain.
April 15 - Jenny Quinlan
Jenny Quinlan, known as Jenny Q, is a dedicated editor and book coach with a focus on historical fiction and romance. Since founding Historical Editorial in 2011, she's edited nearly 400 manuscripts. With a BA in history and a copyediting certification, Jenny is deeply involved in the historical fiction community, contributing to the Historical Novel Society and chairing conferences. She enjoys travel, photography, and reading.
April 22 - Marthese Fenech
Marthese Fenech is the bestselling author of historical novels set in 16th-century Malta and Turkey, and has written a TV pilot based on her novels. Her research adventures have taken her worldwide, inspiring her writing. Born in Toronto to Maltese parents, she's lived in Malta and has a Master’s in Education, and is a former high school English teacher. Fluent in Maltese and French, she also enjoys archery, kickboxing, and various extreme sports. Mar lives near Toronto with her husband and their musically talented Siberian husky.
April 29 - Yangsze Choo
Yangsze Choo is a NYTimes bestselling novelist and a fourth generation Malaysian of Chinese descent. After graduating from Harvard, she worked in various corporate jobs and had a briefcase, while writing fiction on a coffee table at home in her spare time. Her debut novel, The Ghost Bride, was a New York Times bestseller and now a Netflix Original series. Her second novel, The Night Tiger, was a Reese Witherspoon Bookclub pick and a Big Jubilee Read selection for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. She lives in California with her family and loves to eat and read (often at the same time).
May 6 - Ezra Harker Shaw
Born in Scotland and now living in London, Dr. Ezra Harker Shaw is a non-binary writer who loves all things Gothic. While earning their PhD, Harker Shaw explored the collaborative writing of Percy Byssche Shelley and Mary Shelley, a project that led them to write The Aziola’s Cry. A celebrated performance poet, Harker Shaw regularly hosts poetry nights in London and was nominated for the Outspoken Prize for Poetry. Harker Shaw has also showcased their talent as a playwright with works such as Tolstoy Tried to Kill My Partner and The Grouchy Octopus Story, both of which were performed in London by the esteemed Pajoda Theatre Co. Possessing a profound passion for teaching, Harker Shaw often conducts university lectures and workshops with aspiring young writers. To further inspire and educate others, Harker Shaw hosts the Meliorist Writes podcast, where they provide valuable writing tips and engage in insightful interviews with fellow creatives.
May 13 - Jill George
Jill George, Ph.D., is an industrial psychologist who has worked in the organizational and leadership consulting space for thirty years. As part of this work, she has travelled the world extensively and met with thousands of leaders. She has published several books and many articles on leadership in engaging work cultures. She employs her competency and assessment skills to build deep and intriguing profiles for her characters. Jill has been a lifelong history enthusiast and lover of all things Victorian. She has been thrilled to partner with true historian, John Dirring, Ph.D., of Devon, UK, on this project. Her next novel is called Illuminating Darwin: Arabella Buckley’s Story about the only woman who was a close friend to and discussant with Charles Darwin. Jill lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three teenage children, whom she adores.
