Recorded Thursday, September 12, 2024 Book talk begins at 30:30 Our annual Mother Bear KAL has ended, and we will announce the prize winners at the end of this episode. Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom Tracie is teaching a class on making knitted toys at Rumpelstiltskin in Sacramento, and it has been rescheduled to September 28 and November 2. See t…

Friday, August 16, 2024 Book talk starts at 10:10 Studio 49 Retreat - October 18-20, 2024 at Tuolomne Trails outside Groveland, CA. Enrollment is still open! This episode is NOT brought to you by Alaska Airlines, but we are all big fans. Knitting Eileen is working on the Habitation Throw by Helen Stewart in scrap yarn and is getting back into her Z…

Recorded July 22, 2024 Book talk begins at 30:19 Our annual Mother Bear KAL has begun and will run until August 31. To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to the Mother Bear Project website. Talk bears with us in the Mother Bear Chatter thread and post your finished bears in the FOs thread. Any bears you have knit in 2024 are eligi…

Recorded Wednesday, June 26, 2024 Book talk begins at 18:28 Our annual Mother Bear KAL has begun and will run until August 31. To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to Mother Bear Project website. Talk bears with us in the Mother Bear Chatter thread and post your finished bears in the FOs thread. Any bears you have knit in 2024 ar…

Recorded Wednesday, June 12, 2024 Book talk begins at 16:04 Our Summer Top KAL is has ended. Thank you so much to everyone who participated, and please listen to the end of the episode to hear our list of prize-winners. Our annual Mother Bear KAL has begun and will run until August 31. To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to Moth…

Listen Recorded on May 28, 2024 Book talk begins at 22:55 ANNOUNCEMENTS and NEWS: Our Summer Tops KAL is almost over, going until to June 1, 2024. Prizes winners will be announced in Episode 288! Our next KAL will be our annual Mother Bear KAL. DATES: 6/1/24 - 8/31/24 To find out all about this wonderful charity, please go to Mother Bear Project we…

Recorded May 9, 2024 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024. To enter your top in our prize thread, it must be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you! Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundl…

Recorded on April 15, 2024 Book talk starts at 25:36 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024. It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you! Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle f…

Listen Recorded on Saturday, March 30, 2024 Book talk starts at 20:45 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024. It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you! Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Sum…

Recorded on March 14, 2024 Book talk begins at 21:00 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024. It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you! Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer Tops bundle f…

Recorded Wednesday, February 21, 2024 Book talk begins at 31:30 Our Summer Tops KAL has begun and goes until to June 1, 2024. It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the summer, and we will leave the parameters of that to you! Come chat with us about summer tops on our KAL thread, and check out our Summer To…

Recorded Thursday, February 8, 2024 We are so excited to have Kim McBrien Evans, dyer of Indigodragonfly Yarns, designer, teacher, innovator of knitting pattern modification and all-around Textile Maven as our guest this episode! We had a fantastic talk with her about her background, starting her yarn business, learning to modify knit patterns out …

Recorded on January 24, 2024 Book Talk starts at 19:28 Our Fall Sweater KAL has ended! Please stayed tuned to the end of the episode to find out if you won a prize. We had 107 completed sweaters - way to go! Our Summer Tops KAL will run February 1 to June 1, 2024. It needs to be an adult-sized top that you consider to be appropriate for use in the …

Recorded on January 7, 2024 Book talk starts at 13:26 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL is almost over! Stay tuned for our next KAL which will be announced in Episode 280. Virtual Knitting Group via Zoom EVENTS Tracie and Barb will be at: Northern California Knitting Retreat (fondly known as "NoCKRs) April 25. - 28, 2024 KNITTING Tracie finished: NOT ONE…

Recorded on Saturday, December 23, 2023 Book Talk starts at 28:11 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started! Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult. Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are her…

Hohoho and merry Christmas! Join Julia as she welcomes three fantastic guests into the studio: Uju Asika - author of Raising Boys Who Do Better (listen to Julia's interview with Uju from season 4 here). Jules Swain - Book Blogger of the Year 2023 - Follow Jules on Twitter here. Suzy K Quinn - author of the Bad Mother series. Follow Suzy on Instagra…

In a departure from literature, quizmaster Meredith Hepner quizzes us on our knowledge of John Hughes and Richard Curtis's Christmas films. Julia got 8/13. This episode is swear-free so you can enjoy it with the family. How did you do? If you want to share your score, join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. Support Jul…

Today, Julia chats with Susie Ridell about the art of audio book narration. Susie is a performer, voice over artist and co-Artistic Director of the theatre company, Idiot Child. She trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Susie plays Tracy Horrobin in BBC Radio 4's The Archers and is actually taking a break today from recording to sp…

Today, I'm joined by Alivia Fleur, all the way from a farm in Australia. In this brilliant quiz, Alivia asks the vital questions: is it a RAKE or a RADISH? Alivia is a historical romance author who moved from writing short stories to novels when her characters kept showing up with copious amounts of emotional baggage, demanding it be explored. Her …

Carrie Elks is the author of thirty contemporary romance books (and counting). Since 2014, she has been both traditionally and self-published, and her stories have been translated into over ten different languages. She lives in Essex with her husband, two children and a pug called Plato, and when she isn’t reading, writing, or loafing about, she en…

Recorded on November 25, 2023 Book talk begins at 25:40 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started! Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult. Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adventu…

This episode is sponsored by Bookfunnel. Carrie Elks is the author of thirty contemporary romance books (and counting). Since 2014, she has been both traditionally and self-published, and her stories have been translated into over ten different languages. She lives in Essex with her husband, two children and a pug called Plato, and when she isn’t r…

Something wicked this way comes in this quiz with quizmaster Anne Hughes (a.k.a. Julia's mother-in-law). This is a good one and you'll be screaming the answer to number 6, too, as Julia tries desperately to remember who wrote...well, you'll have to listen to the quiz to find out. How did you do? If you want to share your score, join my new Book Clu…

Following on from our episode about writing historical figures as characters, Katie Ginger quizzes us on Historical Figures in Fiction. You can check out Katie's website here. Follow her on Instagram here. How did you do? If you want to share your score, join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. Support Julia by buying h…

Today I speak with Emma Royal aka Katie Ginger aka Annabel French about writing royalty in fiction. She has always loved historical fiction and has a Masters degree in history. You can check out her website here. Follow her on Instagram here. Keep in touch Order Shooters here. Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I love our li…

Shoulder pads at the ready! You heard the episode about Bonkbusters, now take the quiz! Join Julia as Dr Amy Burge and Dr Jodi McAlister test her knowledge of the eponymous bonkbuster. This is a quiz you do not want to miss. Dr Amy Burge is Associate Professor of Popular Fiction at the University of Birmingham. Her work centres on popular genres, i…

To celebrate the release of Jilly Cooper's new book, Tackle, on November 9, I'm speaking with Dr Amy Burge and Dr Jodi McAlister about their research into the BONKBUSTER. Warning: we talk graphically about THAT goldfish scene in LACE. Dr Amy Burge is Associate Professor of Popular Fiction at the University of Birmingham. Her work centres on popular…

Today’s quiz master is Vicki Childs, a British expat now living in Florida. Vicki is the author of 'Rachel's Butterflies', as well as the 'At Home in Davis Crest' Holiday romance series. The theme of her quiz is Female Friendship. Visit Vicki's website. Vicki on Instagram Vicki on Facebook If you want to share your score, join my new Book Club on F…

Writing advice from best-selling writer, Victoria Hislop, author of 10 novels, including The Island about a leprosy colony in Greece. The novel became an international best-seller, translated into 40 languages and turned into a 26 part Greek TV series. Her most recent book, The Figurine, is also set in Greece and is a page-turner full of history, r…

Today’s other lit chick is Victoria Hislop, author of 10 novels, including The Island about a leprosy colony in Greece. The novel became an international best-seller, translated into 40 languages and turned into a 26 part Greek TV series. Her most recent book, The Figurine, is also set in Greece and is a page-turner full of history, romance and fam…

Recorded on Thursday, October 26, 2023 Book Talk starts at 27:53 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started! Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult. Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here…

Something wicked this way comes in this week's witchy quiz, courtesy of author Emma Jackson, author of WITCH YOU WEREN'T HERE, a romcom full of misbehaving magic, brother's best friend angst, and only one bed shenanigans, is available now, just in time for Halloween. It will not be hard to beat Julia's score this week! If you want to share your sco…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Today we are discussing world building in fiction with Emma Jackson, author of the Best Selling A MISTLETOE MIRACLE. Emma is also a host on the SFFRomCast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating fantasy and sci-fi romance. Her latest book, WITCH YOU WEREN'T HERE, a witchy romcom full of misbehaving magic, brother's …

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. It's Friday and we've got an extra special quiz for you about Love Stories. Our quizmaster today is Beth O'Leary, writer of five best-selling romcoms, including The Wake Up Call. Let us know how you did! The best way to do that is to join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. More abou…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Excellent writing advice with writer Beth O'Leary, Sunday Times Bestselling author of The Wake Up Call. If you want to keep the book chat going, join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes fans of all genres. Empowered Author Marketing Show Check out the Empowered Author Book Marketing & Publicity Show, ta…

Beth O'Leary is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose novels have been translated into more than thirty languages. Her debut, The Flatshare, sold over a million copies and changed her life completely. Her second novel, The Switch, has been optioned for film by Amblin Partners, Steven Spielberg's production company. The Road Trip, Beth's third nov…

Recorded Friday, October 13, 2023 Book talk begins at 27:00 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started! Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult. Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. Adv…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. In today's quiz, author and best-selling ghostwriter Tom Bromley tests our knowledge of ghostwritten books. I managed to dredge my memory for some of those answers! A thoroughly enjoyable quiz and I got 6/10. Let us know how you did! The best way to do that is to join my new Book Club on Facebook, which welcomes…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Today, I’m excited to be chatting with Tom Bromley, who has basically done every job in publishing and is now the Head of Learning for Reedsy. Tom’s been working in publishing for 25 years, starting off as a bookseller in Waterstones. Then he went to work at Little Brown as a copywriter. From there he went on to…

Think you're ready to write a spy thriller? Then you'd better take this quiz by David Bickford, the ex-legal director of MI5/MI6. Can you beat Julia's final score? (Yes, probably). Keep in touch Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I love our listeners, and I want to hear from you. Please leave a review on one of my podcast pl…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. A follow-up chat with author David Bickford, former Under Secretary of State and Legal Director to the British Intelligence Agencies, MI5 & MI6. His spy thriller book, Katya, is available now (audio as well) and his second book, The Informer, will be out on December 1. David's social media Instagram Empowered Au…

An enlightening chat with David Bickford, a British author and former Under Secretary of State and Legal Director to the British Intelligence Agencies, MI5 & MI6. David spent his working life diving into the cold murky seas of terrorism, espionage and organised crime. At the forefront of the battle against international terrorism he was among the f…

This episode is sponsored by Reedsy. Anita Chapman is a self-published author. Her first book, The Venice Secret, came out in March 2023, and in its first six months reached number one in four Amazon UK Kindle charts, including Historical Fiction, and made it into the top one hundred in the overall Amazon UK Kindle chart. It’s also had 2.5 million …

Recorded Friday, September 22, 2023 Book talk begins at 27:50 Our annual Fall Sweater KAL has started! Knit or crochet a sweater for yourself or another adult. Here are the rules: Dates - 9/1/2023 - 1/15/24. That’s 4 months…plenty of time to knit or crochet an adult-size sweater…or two! We have bundles for inspiration! Beginner sweaters are here. A…

This episode is sponsored by REEDSY. Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding and This Family, shares her top writing advice for authors. Find Kate on Instagram: @MsKateSawyer Kate Sawyer website More about our sponsors Reedsy is a publishing eco-system for writers at any stage in their publishing journey. We provide a wealth of free educational resour…

Today my second Lit Chick is Kate Sawyer, author of The Stranding and This Family. She is also the host of the podcast Novel Experience, where she talks to authors across forms and genres. In her life before writing, Kate worked as an actor—also as an event and theatre producer, yoga teacher, shop-keeper, and as a waitress. Kate trained in acting a…

How well do you know your royalty in literature? If you're anything like Julia, not very well! But this is a fantastic quiz, written by Marguerite Kaye and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. As usual, let us know what you scored on social media. Keep in touch Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I love our listeners, and I want …

This episode is sponsored by REEDSY. In this episode, Julia speaks with the writing duo, Sarah Ferguson (a.k.a. the Duchess of York) and her creative partner, Marguerite Kaye, about the process of "collabo-writing". Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, a bestselling author, philanthropist and public speaker. The Duchess has published over 70 books incl…

Recorded on September 6, 2023 Book Talk starts at: 26:50 Our Mother Bear KAL has ended! Prizes will be announced during our next podcast, Episode 224. Counting the bears that Tracie and Barb completed, there will be about 135 bears heading to Africa to make some children really happy. THANK YOU to all that participated by knitting or crocheting bea…

Our week of Jo Lyons is almost finished (boo), but she’s here to test our knowledge of her favourite subject: RomComs! Let us know you did on socials. Find Jo Lyons on: Twitter: @J0Lyons Instagram: @hinnywhowrites Amazon: Books by this author Website: www.jolyonsauthor.com Keep in touch Order Chasing the Light, Julia's sequel to Shooters, here. I l…