A Spot of Story

In this episode, I’m joined by author Megan Schaulis to celebrate the release of Rebuilder, the emotional conclusion to her Susa Chronicles trilogy. We talk about the transition from the desert of Susa to the tropical—and sinking—territory of Evania, and how the character of Hatch finds his own path to restoration.* How Megan used the biblical book of Nehemiah as a blueprint for a dystopian setting.* The inspiration behind Evania, a tropical island populated by the Alphanites.* The journey of Hatch, a fan-favorite character seeking a fresh start after heartbreak.* The technical and spiritual parallels of rebuilding a community from the ground up.Visit the blog for the full transcript. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Echoes of History, we are stepping back into the 1930s to explore the real-life inspirations behind the setting of my novel, Eyewitness Sketch. From the shipwreck-strewn waters of Port des Morts to the cultural heritage of Washington Island, we’ll look at how geography and local lore inform a fictional mystery.* Discover the history of “Death’s Door” and why it was a graveyard for Lake Michigan ships.* Learn about Ephraim, the last “dry” town in Wisconsin, and how it inspired the social dynamics of Heima Island.* Explore the Norwegian and Icelandic naming conventions used to bring the characters of the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency to life.* Get a glimpse into the real lighthouses that serve as models for the investigative backdrops in the series.Visit the blog for the full transcript and additional historical resources.The Fireside Wire is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

I had the most delightful time chatting with S. R. Crickard about her journey from writing short story “palate cleansers” to publishing her debut novel, Misshelved Magic. We explore how her curiosity about the short-lived Edwardian era shaped a world where magic and history collide in the stacks of a very special library.* The “Miyazaki” inspiration behind her protagonist, Adelina.* Fascinating (and funny) Edwardian research, from King Edward’s vest buttons to the “S-shaped” silhouette.* How an “intervention” from author friends turned a short story into a full-length novel.* The heart of the story: why choosing virtue matters even when it makes others uncomfortable.Visit the blog for the full transcript. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the historical roots of Undercover Wish. I’m sharing how I deconstructed the problematic stereotypes of the original 18th-century Aladdin tale—where the protagonist was often portrayed as lazy or opportunistic—to create Ali, a character driven by a fierce sense of justice despite being marginalized by the laws of her time. We explore the “Reverse Aladdin” dynamic, placing our “princess” in a Chicago shipping empire and transforming magic lamps into a search for truth and integrity.* Deconstructing the Original: Understanding the negative 18th-century stereotypes of the Chinese Aladdin and how I sought to redeem the narrative.* The Gilded Cage: Why a hero with wealth, race, and gender privilege can still feel more trapped than someone with nothing.* Two Genies, No Magic: How I adapted the “two genie” element of the original folklore into historical characters inspired by the work of Jane Addams.* The Birth of Di Stasio: How Ali’s journey for justice led to the creation of the Di Stasio Giornaliste Agency.Read the full transcript on the blog here. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

In this Beyond the Book episode, I’m joined by Tasha Hackett to discuss her contemporary romance, Planning for Nickie. Tasha shares the hilarious and heartfelt origins of her hero Mark—a man so committed to efficiency he lives in a hotel and has his entire search for a wife mapped out on a spreadsheet.We discuss the shift from writing historical to contemporary fiction, the “need to know” research process, and the deeper themes of anxiety and control that surfaced as the story unfolded.Join us for a conversation about the beauty of shared human experiences and the reminder that we don’t have to navigate life alone.✨ Read the transcript on my blog. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

In this Echoes of History episode, I uncover the real events and cultural threads that inspired my prequel novella, Undercover Wish. While many of us know the musical versions of Aladdin, the original public domain story—and the complicated history surrounding it—provided a unique backdrop for Ali Di Stasio’s origin story.Join me as we step back to 1892 Chicago, explore the height of stunt journalism, and look at the “underbelly” of the White City’s construction. This is part one of a two-part series on how fact, fiction, and a little bit of magic lamp inspiration built the Di Stasio Agency.✨ Read the transcript and show notes here. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Every story begins with truth.In this Echoes through History episode, I uncover the real events that inspired my novella His Boss’s Little Sister. Set in 1931 Wisconsin, the book grew out of research into Depression-era economics, dairy politics, and the unexpected crime of margarine smuggling. These fragments of real history shaped the world, tone, and tension that bring the story to life.Join me as we look at how fact becomes fiction—and how a little butter war helped build a fairytale.✨ Read the show notes and join my Fireside News at: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-9-the-real-history-behind-his-bosss-little-sister/ Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

In this Behind the Book episode, I’m joined by author Dienece Darling to talk about her Broader Regency novella, A Heart to Treasure.The vicar’s son and the draper’s daughter have fought against all odds to be together—but when a storm of pride and doubt threatens their love, they must rediscover what it means to trust God and each other.We explore Dienece’s inspiration for writing beyond the ballroom, crafting stories of faith and honesty, and imagining the world of Jane Austen’s youth—England at the cusp of change, where class and conviction collide.✨ Read the show notes and join my Fireside News at: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-8-a-heart-to-treasure-dienece-darling Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Why the 1930s? This decade sits at the heart of my stories — a time of courage, resilience, and quiet hope. In this Echoes through History episode, I share what draws me to write 1930s historical romance: the tension between hardship and faith, prejudice and belonging, mystery and redemption.Discover how the echoes of this era continue to shape my characters and their journeys toward love and hope.✨ Read the show notes and join my Fireside News at: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-7-why-i-write-1930s-historical-romance Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Step into the seaside tea room of the 1920s with author Lori Soard as we go Behind the Book of Meringue Melody. A retelling of The Little Mermaid set against the backdrop of Portland, Maine, this Apron Strings Tea Tales novel blends faith, music, and hope in the midst of family expectations and daring choices. Listen in to discover how Lori wove together a touch of fairy tale, a spoonful of history, and a teacup of hope.✨ Read the show notes and join my Fireside News at: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-6-meringue-melody-lori-soard/ Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to A Spot of Story! In Episode 5 of Echoes of History, we step into 1933 — the year Germany changed course and the world shifted with it. It was a year of turning points: rising fear, new laws that endangered children, and the first quiet acts of courage that foreshadowed the rescues to come.Show Notes: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-5-echoes-of-history-1933-the-year-the-world-shifted/ Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Today on A Spot of Story: Beyond the Book with Lenora Worth. We talk about her newest release The Sweetheart Deal and the inspiration behind it.Find out more at daniellegrandinetti.com/podcast Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Today on A Spot of Story: Crafting the Tale, I’m joined by Publishers Weekly bestselling author Jill Kemerer to talk about her new non-fiction book Creating a Writing Life: Encouragement and Advice for Authors.Visit the episode page on my website for the show notes: https://daniellegrandinetti.com/post/episode-3-creating-a-writing-life/Subscribe so you don't miss an episode of A Spot of Story. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I dive into the history and legends of the Loch Ness Monster, exploring the research that inspired parts of my historical romance, The Recluse’s Vindication. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to A Spot of Story! In this first episode of our Behind the Book series, we’re delighted to introduce you to The Lady’s Companion by Anna Jensen.Join us as we explore the story of Gwenllian Powys, a young woman with dreams of academic success in 1873 Cardiff. When family expectations redirect her path to become a companion to the widowed Lady Campbell, Gwenllian embarks on a journey full of adventure, intrigue, and hidden secrets.Set against the backdrop of Victorian society, this historical drama will captivate lovers of rich storytelling and heartfelt characters. Discover how Gwenllian’s discoveries of the past could change her present and future.Grab your favorite cozy beverage and settle in for a deep dive behind this charming tale! Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to A Spot of Story Podcast with host and 1930s historical romance author Danielle Grandinetti. Get full access to The Fireside Wire at danielleswritingspot.substack.com/subscribe