Lit Ladies

Join us this week as we chat with award-winning author Amanda Wen. We talk about the influence of music in her stories, how she weaves historical and contemporary threads together, and how her own personal family history makes an appearance in her stories.We talk about the midwest, similarities between music and writing, and more. This interview hits all the notes!Find Amanda Here Linked Books:The Rhythm of Fractured Grace by Amanda WenEchoes of a Silent Song by Amanda WenFreedom's Ring by Heidi ChiavaroliFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

An author who loves pink but her stories run red! This week we are joined by New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling author Jessica R. Patch, who is known for her dry wit and signature twists. ⁠Jessica R. Patch website⁠The Other Sister by Jessica R. PatchThe Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. PatchThe Garden Girls by Jessica R. PatchCrime Scene Conspiracy by Jessica R. PatchFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Heidi talks to us about her writing journey, what drives her to write and why. She shares how she uses technological tools to be more efficient, and what it’s like working with her mentor. We hear all about Alaska and its role in her books. We get to take a deep dive into balancing motherhood with other tasks–how to prioritize, what to say “no” to, and more.Heidi McCahan WebsiteThe Other Side of Goodbye by Heidi McCahanThe Long Way Back to You by Heidi McCahanFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we put our very own co-host Karissa Riffel in the hot seat! We explore how to write fantasy and some of the subgenres within. We talk world building, magic systems, and how long fantasy novels tend to be.If you've ever wondered about the different facets of fantasy books, wanted to try your hand at writing one, or even wanted to know the difference between YA and Adult fantasy, you won't want to miss this episode, complete with fantasy recs.Moorwitch by Jessica KhouryBrandon SandersonLord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienDivine Rivals by Rebecca RossEmily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather FawcettThe Name of the Wind by Patrick RothfussA Study in Drowning by Ava ReidCirce by Madeline MillerThe Night Circus by Erin MorgensternCaraval by Stephanie Garberhttps://shadowlandsdispatch.substack.com/p/faith-and-fantasy-literature-a-christian-749⁠Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join us as we discuss Magic and Miracles with special guest, Marian A. Jacobs. We take a deep look at fantasy, literature, and even parental guidance for media selection. We talk about Satanic Panic, what may draw someone to the occult (is it literature?!), and even Harry Potter.Marian shares some of the guiding questions she uses to determine whether  fantasy magic resembles demonic or divine supernaturalism.Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books and resources mentioned:On Magic & Miracles by Marian A. JacobsRedeemed ReaderPluggedIn

Sports romance books are all the rage in the book world. This week we chat about sports romance books--what's popular, what does the "clean" market offer, and where we think this trend will continue. We analyze why women are drawn to these stories and which tropes we love. We even take a stab at the next trends we think will occur. Here are some favorites: Romancing the Grump by Jenny ProctorJust Don't Fall by Emma St. ClairRookie Season by Katie Bailey & Leah BrunnerMy Phony Valentine by Courtney WalshAfter She Falls by Carmen SchoberHearts on the Fly by Toni ShilohFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

This week we are joined by Rom Com author Becca Kinzer. We talk about what drew her to writing rom coms and when and how she adds humor to her stories. We get the behind-the-scenes on her journey to finding an agent and publisher.You will not want to miss some of her stories and inspiration behind them, and how she juggles life as a wife, mom, nurse, and writer. Perfect in time for Valentine's Day, Becca sheds humor and heart into all of her stories.Find Becca! Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca KinzerLove in Tandem by Becca KinzerFirst Love, Second Draft by Becca KinzerNot What We Pictured by Becca KinzerFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

In this episode, we interview author Kaitlin Facista and take a deep dive into all things Tolkien! She is the founder of Tea with Tolkien, a vibrant and positive online community celebrating the life, writings, and Catholic faith of J.R.R. Tolkien. She lives with her family in Indiana.Kaitlyn writes and speaks on topics of Tolkien’s faith, the themes and virtues of Middle-earth, and what it means to be a Hobbit at Heart. She is passionate about cultivating a welcoming community for Tolkien readers new and experienced, bridging the gap between scholarship and fandom.Tune in as we discuss allegories, symbolism, the ring, characters, and the life of a Hobbit. Find Kaitlyn at Tea with TolkienRead her book: Into The Heart of Middle Earth by Kaitlyn FacistaTolkien Gateway websiteTea with Tolkien websiteFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

This week we take a deep dive into some of our favorite writing craft resources. We discuss our top craft books, podcasts, and advice we've picked up along the way.We talk about what draws us to particular books, what's on our shelf, and what we've skimmed (but not read).If you're a writer or aspiring writer, or even just curious how writers think, you won't want to miss this episode!Books and Resources Mentioned: Save the Cat by Jessica BrodyPlot and Structure by James Scott BellWrite Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott BellThe Art of Revision by Dr. Angela HuntChristian Publishing Show by Thomas Umstattd, JrA Moveable Feast by Ernest HemmingwayWriting Down the Bones by Natalie GoldbergThe Artist's Way by Julia CameronWriting Excuses PodcastThe Sh*t No One Tells You About WritingThe Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Christian FictionThe Emotional Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca PuglisiThe Story Equation by Susan May WarrenFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

This week we feature a crossover episode with our friends on The Historical Bookworm! We take a deep dive into historical fiction and what draws us to it. We also discuss how to enter into some of the harder parts of historical fiction, and some of our favorite time periods, including various wars and their impact on history.The Historical Bookworm Podcast is a bi-weekly interview show for fans of inspirational historical fiction. . It’s a unique interview show with a historical spin! Hosts KyLee Woodley and Darcy Fornier interview authors about craft, research, and stories behind the stories, plus short segments like Pinch of the Past and The Bookworm Review.Designed for history lovers and readers, each episode mixes thoughtful conversation, fun historical tidbits, and honest recommendations — perfect for listening while you drive, jog, or wait for the kids.Follow these ladies for the latest:@historicalbookwormpodcast@darcyfornierwriterFind KyLee Woodley Here!Find Darcy Fornier Here! Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Book Recommendations: Come Back to Me by Jody HedlundWhen the Day Comes by Gabrielle MeyerGone with the Wind by Margaret MitchellDreams in Savannah by Roseanna M. WhiteThe Number of Love by Roseanna M. WhiteThe Ice Swan by J'Nell CiesielskiLady Ever After by Tamara LeighThe Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary SutcliffBetween Shades of Gray by Ruta SepetysThe Women by Kristin HannahThe Dark of the Moon by Fiona ValpyThe Beekeeper's Promise by Fiona ValpyThe Curator's Daughter by Melanie DobsonAngel from the East by Barbara A. CurtisThe Winter Rose by Melanie DobsonThe Bounty Hunter's Surrender by KyLee WoodleyTurn to Me by Becky WadeThe Couple Next Door by Shari LapenaLong Bright River by Liz Moore

This week we're dropping a bonus Christmas episode, where we launch our new book-buying options on Bookshop! www.bookshop.org/shop/litladiespodWe'll share our favorite Christmas reads, favorite reads of the year, and our own Christmas traditions.Books we love and LINKS! My Merry Mistake by Courtney WalshHolly & Nick Hate Christmas by Betsy St. AmantThe Spirit of Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti Advent for Exiles by Caroline CobbThis book will bury me by Ashley WinsteadThe Flatshare by Beth O’LearyThe Name of the Wind by Patrick RothfussBreak My Fall by Lynn BlackburnFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

We talk with award-winning author and AI expert Kate Angelo on all things AI and writing. You won't want to miss this conversation! Will AI take the place of human writers?What are AI Agents?Does AI control us, or do we control AI?What are our ethical perimeters with AI?Can authors use AI to HELP their careers? If so, how?What's the place of AI in writing--and we talk about some topics that are AI we never even considered.Find Kate: https://kateangelo.com/Get her latest book here: Girl Lost by Kate AngeloNovel CrafterFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

In this week's episode, we discuss literature and feasts with Managing Editor of the Anselm Society, Sarah Howell. We talk about what balance look like, how we enjoy the communion feast, and what feasts represent in literature.Of course, we discuss our own favorite feasts and books, too!You won't want to miss this special Thanksgiving episode and all the depth behind our celebrations. Books Discussed: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. LewisBabette’s FeastThe Goblin Market (poem) by Christina RosettiYolk by H.K. ChoiAsk of Old Paths–Grace HammondFor the life of the world Alexander Schmemann (unavailable)

Do you love literature? Have a disconnected relationship with the classics? We've heard it all, but in this episode we break down preconceived notions, and discuss why literature and the sister arts point us to beauty.You won't want the miss the beauty in this episode. We talk about how to close the gap between what's "out there" and what's "in here." Our ancestors excelled at interiority and poets attempted to communicate without using trite or banal concepts. How do we experience the world around us?We'll talk digital lethargy, prudence, and how to stop starving to death spiritually.Find Jason M. Baxter:Substack: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/https://www.jasonmbaxter.com/Why Literature Still Matters, Jason M. BaxterAn Experiment in Criticism, C.S. LewisFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The mythical figure of a witch has been around for millennia. Fairy tales have often embodied that old woman in the cottage in the woods. Today we’re going to delve into the history of witches in literature and culture from a Biblical perspective. We talk conviction, boundaries, and more! Haunted Cosmos PodcastFIeldmoot SubstackBooks we Discuss: Nightbooks by J.A. WhiteCirce by Madeline MillerSpells for Forgetting by Adrienne YoungThe Thirteenth Child by Erin A. CraigCurses and other Buried Things by Caroline GeorgeThe Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-GarciaThe Screwtape Letters by C.S. LewisThis Present Darkness by Frank PerettiDemon: A Memoir by Tosca LeeThe Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. LewisFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we dive into the spooky side of books with Daphne du Maurier and Christy Award-Winning author, Jaime Jo Wright. We talk about what draws her to the macabre, how she fits into Christian fiction, and her thoughts on colors and her books. She even gives her best advice for readers!Find Jamie HERE! Her newest book, The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall, releases October 21. You won't want to miss it! The Clockmaker's Daughter by Kate MortonLove Inspired Suspense: Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo WrightSecrets Along the Shore Anthology featuring Jaime Jo WrightShop Baker Book HouseFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

We are back to School, back to Podcasting, back to Writing! This week we discuss our summer highlights, favorite books, back to school routines, and books we're looking forward to.We discuss the various types of readers. Which one are you?With this school-time of the year, we take a deep dive into school settings in books. Do they appeal to readers?What themes do we find repeated in school stories? Favorite books with school settings? You won't want to miss this discussion! Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books Mentioned in this Episode: Emily of New Moon by L.M. MontgomerySummer of Yes by Courtney WalshThe Broken Girls by Simone St. JamesReading for the Love of God by Jessica Hooten WilsonNinth House by Leigh BardugoThe Magicians by Lev GrossmanHarry Potter by J.K. RowlingThe True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by AviYou Belong Here by Megan MirandaBig Little Lies by Liane MoriartyA Deadly Education by Naomi NovikMy Oxford Year by Julia WhelanThe Giver by Lois LowryJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteThe Women by Kristin Hannah

This week we talk about Beach Reads! What makes a Beach Read? What books would we take to a beach–mystery, horror, rom com? We talk butterfly-inducing and whether a beach or water setting is required. We give the books we’re planning to read over summer, as well as some of our favorite beach reads! Also, since it’s the last episode of our first season, we talk favorite moments, hardest part of a podcast, and a few teasers for Season 2 of the Lit Ladies!Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Books We Mention This Episode:Highland Heist by Pepper BashamEchoes of Darkness by Darlene TurnerEverything’s Coming Up Rosie by Courtney WalshWhat Not to Do on Vacation by Rachel MageeMiddlemarch by George EliotOn Writing by Stephen KingThe Snow Child by Eowyn IveyThe Love Haters, by Katherine CenterSay You'll Remember Me, Abby Jimenez Summer Romance, by Annabel MonaghanGreat Big Beautiful Life, by Emily HenryEmma St. Clair Jenny Proctor

On today’s episode, we talk with author Kristine Delano about her debut novel. She writes domestic suspense and psychological thrillers, with a novel coming out in January 2026: The Lies We Trade.Kristine worked on Wall Street for several years and knows the ins and outs of high finance. She utilizes her real-life knowledge to craft thrilling stories. We talk about interiority, emotional equity, layered characters, her writing journey, writer’s groups, and of course some tips she’s learned along the way!Kristine empathizes with women and all they must juggle, and works to write stories that speak to those struggles. She also hosts the We Talk Careers podcast, which is a must-have resource for women and leadership. Read Kristine's FREE novella, We Know You KnowListen to her Podcast, We Talk CareersFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Do you read sad books? Join our discussion as we talk through sad books, books that made us think, books that made us cry, and whether we *should* read sad books.We talk: upmarket fiction, literary fiction, genre fiction, what makes a "romance" book, and more!We want to know your thoughts: does a romance book need a "HEA" to be considered romance? Join along and let us know what you think! Me Before You by Jojo MoyesNature of Love by Toni ShilohThe Happy Life Of Isadora Bentley by Courtney WalshStars in the Grass by Ann Marie StewartLooking for Alaska by John GreenAll the Yellow Posies by Elaine deBohunA Little Life by Hanya YanagiharaTom Lake by Ann PatchettBel Canto by Ann PatchettPatron Saint of Liars by Ann PatchettNine Perfect Strangers by Liane MoriartyBig Little Lies by Liane MoriartyThe Nightingale, Kristin HannahThe Last Letter, Rebecca Yarros11/22/63, Stephen Kinghttps://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/what-is-literary-fictionFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join us on this magical journey through time! We discuss everything from Victorian Literature to Gothic Lit and even Britney Spears!Tess's novel, Vale, is an epic fantastical adventure with a heavy dose of historical fiction. We chat the motivation behind Tess's writing, the location (ALL the British feelings!), the difference between life now and life in the past, and of course a TON about Charlotte Bronte.You won't want to listen to this fantastic interview, and check out Tess's work!https://tessbentley.com/Instagram,Books Referenced this episode:Jane Eyre, Charlotte BronteCity of Bones, Cassandra ClareOn Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen KingOne Hundred Years of Solitude, Gabriel Garcia MarquezFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠⁠@litladiespod ⁠⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week we take a deep dive into a fantastical fantasy world! Author Rachelle Nelson discusses:*The truth behind her stories*Lessons for teens *Good guy vs. bad guy in fiction*Fantasy world building*Soft magic vs. hard magic*The difference between being wanted and being loved. You won't want to miss the story behind her journey to publication, inspiration, favorite mythical creatures, and more. Purchase Sky of Seven Colors and her newest, Embergold! Follow Rachelle: https://rachellenelsonauthor.com/Instagram: @rachelle.nelson.authorFind the Lit Ladies on Instagram: ⁠@litladiespod ⁠@karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Here are some mentioned books and resources this episode:Brandon Sanderson's Writing LecturesThe Story Equation, Susan May WarrenKaren HancockDust, Kara Swanson

This week we tackle the topic of perseverance with historical fiction writer KyLee Woodley. Her debut novel recently released, and we discuss history, inspiration, writing, rejection, research, waiting, and SO MUCH MORE!One of our favorite writing resources came up; be sure to check out The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. This is full of gems for readers and writers alike. Get a glimpse into KyLee's process and be sure to check out her newest book!The Bandit's Redemption, by KyLee Woodleyhttps://kyleewoodley.com/Find her on Instagram and Facebook! Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: @litladiespod @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠⁠

The month of love continues and we take a DEEP dive into romance tropes we LOVE (and hate)! Of course we all have different takes on these hot topics that are all over the literary world! What works, what doesn't, what's overdone? Listen and chime in!Love triangles, friends to lovers, fish out of water, brother's best friend, manic pixie dream girl, rivals to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, love at first sight, Byronic hero, single dad, age gap, nanny, billionaire romance...we chat about them all! Books we mention: The Rom Con, Devon DanielsThe Vow, Kim and Krickitt CarpenterMemory Lane and Sweet on You, Becky WadeOne Foggy Christmas, Kortney KeiselShattered, Dani PettreyTo All the Boys I've Loved Before, Jenny HanThe Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, Courtney WalshThe Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen ChboskyLooking for Alaska, John GreenPaper Towns, John GreenJessica WakefieldThe Flat Share, Beth O'LearyDear Henry, Love Edith, Becca KinzerLove Cliches, Emma St. ClairAll the Yellow Posies, Elaine DeBohunA Lady's Guide to Scandal, Sophie IrwinDivine Rivals, Rebecca RossTony Shiloh Dangerous Beauty, Melissa Koslin Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: @litladiespod @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠https://www.dabblewriter.com/articles/romance-tropes-the-heartbeat-of-a-genre

It’s the month of love, and we are chatting romance with a queen of Christian romance, Pepper Basham! We talked about favorite romance tropes, the books she’s written, readers’ favorites and more. We also heard a bit about her writing journey and how God has worked in His perfect timing.  Connect with Pepper: @pepperbasham, https://www.facebook.com/pepperdbasham  https://pepperdbasham.com/  Search for Pepper's books here! We talk about: Closet kisses...Easter Eggs! Why are romance books important? Does fictional romance set us up for unhealthy expectations?  Favorite tropes: fish out of water, anyone? Friends to more? Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: @litladiespod @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠⁠ Books mentioned in this episode: Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other, Bethany Turner Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen Dracula, Bram Stoker Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien

It's the start of the year and today we're talking about reading goals, past and present. Join along for our conversation as we discuss: Do we set reading goals? If so, why or why not? How do we find time to read? Does "skimming" count as reading? Is "listening" to an audiobook reading? Are there drawbacks to setting reading goals? Do YOU set reading goals each year? Let us know! Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠ Some of the books we're looking forward to reading/ have read: Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason Lynn H. Blackburn Megan Miranda Jamie Jo Wright Becky Wade The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross Bone Gap, Laura Ruby The Love Haters, Katherine Center The Homecoming, Kate Morton The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Neil Gaiman A Sea of Unspoken Things, Adrienne Young Middlemarch, George Eliot Jesus through Medieval Eyes, Grace Haman The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss

It's January--the time of year we all have resolutions. If you're a writer or aspiring writer, you won't want to miss this episode. Packed with a bunch of practical tips from writers at various stages, you'll get some ideas to implement right away! We discuss: How often to write Plotting vs. Pantsing Writing programs and platforms What general writing tips DON'T work How to manage writing when life gets stressful AND MORE! Find the Historical Bookworm Podcast, mentioned here: https://historicalbookworm.com/subscribe-to-podcast-2/ Check out our featured guests and their works: Darcy Fornier, @darcyfornierwriter The Crown and the Axe, by Darcy Fornier Stephanie Goddard @stephgoddardbooks The Wedding Feast, by Stephanie Goddard Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠⁠

Episode Description For our first-ever crossover episode, we are thrilled to share this timely convo with our friends at Booked Solid Podcast! Join Han & Steph as they chat about all things books! With a fresh and fun perspective, you’ll hear from your favorite authors, Bookstagrammers, and publishing professionals! Both Hannah & Stephanie are clean romance authors and Bookstagrammers with a heart for sharing good, clean reads that spread joy! Tune in today as we take turns spotlighting major trends we observe in the current book world—and hash out whether they’re forever or fleeting. Topics include: Romantasy: Seeing its peak or still rising high? Bookish Books: Trendy or timeless? Book Covers: Let’s chat headless figures, cartoon lovers, and more!  #Bookstagram: Does it still have the final word? Audiobooks: Is the boom only just beginning? Find Booked Solid on Instagram: (⁠@bookedsolidpod⁠, ⁠@hannahbooksit⁠, ⁠@stephanienmack⁠)!  ⁠Subscribe to Hannah’s Newsletter⁠ ⁠Subscribe to Stephanie’s Newsletter⁠ Find the Lit Ladies on Instagram: @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)⁠ Here's the full list of books mentioned in this episode! (Disclaimer: we have not read all of these, and some are "open door." For the purposes of our conversation, they were relevant, but as always we encourage listeners to use their own discernment). Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Funny Story by Emily Henry, Happy Place First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer Meet Me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson Indigo Isle by T.I. Lowe Thomas Umstattd Jr. Article Referenced: https://www.authormedia.com/2022-social-media-marketing-guide-for-authors/

Join us as we talk Christmas books and seasonal favorites. With special guests Betsy St. Amant and Morgan Tarpley Smith, we dive into their holiday book A Louisiana Christmas to Remember . Fake dating, Christmas dopamine, hurricane impact, the never-before-heard story of the PINEAPPLE... and favorite settings make their way into the conversation.  Follow our guests for more fun book info: @morgantarpleysmith, www.morgantarpleysmith.com @betsystamanthaddox, https://betsystamant.com/ Let us know--Have you seen the movie Holiday in Handcuffs? “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder,  Prairie Wisdom @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/⁠ ⁠Sign up for Christie's Newsletter⁠ ⁠Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!)

Welcome to our festive Thanksgiving episode! Join us as we discuss a range of topics--feasts, food, and family in our favorite fictional worlds! Of course, we learned a whole lot about each other and how we celebrate the holidays. Come along with us for the journey! We'd love to know... What does BBQ mean to you, where you live? Do you eat acorn squash? And do you have Bojangles? @karissariffel.books ;⁠⁠ ⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/ Sign up for Christie's Newsletter Sign up for Kelly's Newsletter (and get a FREE short story!) Here are our book recs this week! Her Mother's Hope and Her Daughter's Dream by Francine Rivers Sweet Valley High by Francine Pascall The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly Louise Penny Alaskan Courage Series by Dani Pettrey O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix Home is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling Dive Team Investigations by Lynn H. Blackburn The Lost Library by Melissa Koslin Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood

This episode contains book recs for the season! We have a spectrum of options for you to choose! Come along as we talk through some of our favorites! @karissariffel.books ;⁠ ⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ;⁠ ⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ;⁠ ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/ Here are some of our favorites: Light and "clean" fall-themed books: Just Don't Fall, Emma St. Clair Can't Help Falling, Courtney Walsh The Madwoman Upstairs, Catherine Lowell Slightly Spooky, Christian: Echoes Among the Stones, Jamie Jo Wright Ted Dekker books Darcy Coates books Moody, but Not Scary Bone Gap, Laura Ruby Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All, Laura Ruby House of Hollow, Krystal Sutherland Chief Inspector Gamache, Louise Penny Vale, Tess Bentley Classics: Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier Horror-Leaning Fantasy: Neil Gaiman Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo Starling House, Alix E. Harrow Silver Nitrate, Silvia Moreno-Garcia Certain Dark Things, Silvia Moreno-Garcia Simone St. James, especially The Sun Down Motel Classic Scary: Dracula, Bram Stoker Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Robert Louis Stevenson Edgar Allan Poe Shirley Jackson Modern Scary: Mexican Gothic, Silvia Moreno-Garcia The Hollow Places and A House with Good Bones, T. Kingfisher How to Sell a Haunted House, Grady Hendrix Psychological Thrillers: I'm Thinking of Ending Things, Iain Reid Looking Glass Sound, Catriona Ward Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn

Join us as we talk through this spooky topic! We'll talk through what makes this genre unique, the difference between horror and terror, catharsis, our first horror movie experiences, and so much more! We want to know: have you heard of the "final girl" trope? Take a look at Karissa's Substack article for lots of additional thoughts: https://karissariffel.substack.com/p/why-i-write-horror-as-a-christian @karissariffel.books ; ⁠https://karissariffel.substack.com/⁠ @christie_b_kern_writes ; ⁠https://www.christiebkern.com/⁠ @kellyborjaswrites ; ⁠https://www.kellyborjas.com/

In this episode, we discuss our opinions on the state of Christian fiction. We cover a brief history of Christian fiction, talk what trends we're liking, and cast our hopes and predictions for the market! Where did it start? How has it changed? Does it need to have a salvation narrative to be considered Christian? Listen to this week's episode to hear our thoughts. Spoiler! We want more romantasy! @karissariffel.books ; https://karissariffel.substack.com/ @christie_b_kern ; https://www.christiebkern.com/ @kellyborjaswrites ; https://www.kellyborjas.com/ Want to check out the books we mention? When Calls The Heart, Janette Oke This Present Darkness, Frank Peretti Ted Dekker Grace Livingston Hill The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien Redeeming Love and The Mark of the Lion, The Atonement Child, Francine Rivers A Midnight Dance, Joanna Davidson Politano He Should Have Told The Bees, Amanda Cox Becky Wade The Destiny Trilogy, A.C. Williams Stats, data, and research articles can be found here: Bestsellers: https://christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/fiction.php?id=0924 https://christianbookexpo.com/bestseller/fiction.php?id=BO23 Data: https://www.circana.com/intelligence/press-releases/2024/adult-fiction-outperforms-the-u-s-book-market-in-2023-circana-reports/ https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/religion/article/91845-redefining-christian-fiction.html https://wng.org/articles/the-lost-realm-of-christian-sci-fi-and-fantasy-1725932830 https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/12/christian-fiction-finally-has-issues-messy-clean/

In our first episode, we talk about our fiction favorites, a bit about ourselves, books that formed us, and our writing genres. We're so excited to start the Lit Ladies Literary Journey with you! @litladiespod Follow our individual writing endeavors below and on social media: https://karissariffel.substack.com/ ; @karissariffel.books https://www.christiebkern.com/ ; @christie_b_kern https://www.kellyborjas.com/; @kellyborjaswrites