What are You Reading? What are You Writing? with Karen E. Osborne

Ancient Egyptian mysteries, political intrigue, and supernatural danger collide in Sekhem, the second novel in Del Blackwater's seven-book Dead Egyptians series.

Author and Egyptologist Del Blackwater returns to join Karen E. Osborne to discuss Albion Stanley, a man secretly working to protect Egypt's ancient artifacts while the country's struggle for independence gathers momentum.

Karen and Del explore the inspiration behind the series, Del's extensive research and travels throughout Egypt, and the historical locations that bring her novels to life.

Del also introduces a mysterious mummy, discusses writing action and horror for the first...

What begins as one cold case may reveal a killer who has been hiding for decades.

Kasey Lansdale returns to join Karen E. Osborne to celebrate her debut novel, First Chance, the first book in a new suspense series featuring private investigator Chance Kirby.

Karen and Kasey explore the novel's premise, Chance and the women surrounding her, and what it's like creating characters readers will follow from book to book.

They also talk about the role music plays in Kasey's storytelling, the Spotify playlist created for First Chance, and forging an individual creative...

Five mystery writers took established characters from their individual books and put them together in one collaborative thriller.

How did that work?

The authors of Midwest Mystery Works join Karen E. Osborne to take us behind The Kill Code Collective, a suspenseful story involving mysterious cardiac-device deaths, blackmail, stolen patient data, corporate secrets, and technology that could become a deadly weapon.

But the real fun of this conversation is discovering how five writers created it together.

They discuss how the idea began, introduce the characters each brought to the project, reveal...

What does it take to become the voice of someone else's characters?

Accomplished voice actor Nicole Cash joins award-winning author Karen E. Osborne for a fascinating trip behind the scenes of audiobook narration.

Nicole shares how health issues forced her to leave a career as a professional musician—and how she reinvented herself as a voice actor. They discuss how she chooses projects, working directly with indie and small-press authors versus being hired through casting directors for major publishers, and the generosity she has found among others in her profession.

Karen and Nicole al...

How does an author build one fictional town big enough to hold dozens of characters, mysteries, relationships—and happy endings?

Romance author Sophie Bartow joins Karen E. Osborne to discuss Whispers of Love and the interconnected world behind her small-town mystery romances.

Sophie shares how she created her fictional community, why location itself can become a character, and how minor characters in one novel grow into major characters in another.

They also explore the logistics of keeping track of characters across some 30 books, Sophie's decision to rewrite some of her earlier novels, what sh...

Author, playwright, and columnist Richard Reiss joins Karen E. Osborne to discuss The Fireflies, a novel that begins when a commercial airplane explodes above the protagonist—and becomes an intimate exploration of what happens after a life changes forever.

They talk about family drama and secrets, romance within suspense, truth and resilience, characters and incidents inspired by real life, and the funny reason Richard gave his protagonist his own name. Plus, what's next and an especially rich collection of book recommendations.

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Debut novelist Lennox Caige joins Karen E. Osborne to discuss An American Spectacle, a provocative contemporary thriller exploring reproductive rights, grief, revenge, political hypocrisy, and the consequences when publicly held convictions become intensely personal.

Lennox discusses his ripped-from-the-headlines inspiration and the challenge of writing about sensitive, divisive subjects without judging his characters or telling readers what to think. Karen and Lennox also explore his writing journey and style, creating morally complicated characters, what he's working on next, and book recommendations.

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USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Amy Vansant joins Karen E. Osborne to talk mysteries, humor, and an extraordinary writing career that has produced more than 30 books in about twelve years. They explore Amy's latest Pineapple Port mystery and its decades-old cold case, creating memorable series characters, AuthorXP and helping fellow writers succeed, and books worth adding to your TBR.

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Author and confidence coach Susan Lowenthal Axelrod joins Karen E. Osborne to explore the ideas behind her newest book - Your Mind Is Yours and the realization that changed Susan's life: our thoughts don't have to control us.

Susan walks listeners through her five-step process—Notice, Choose, Build, Allow, Transform—and uses a real situation from Karen's life to demonstrate the method in action.

They discuss confidence, negative thought patterns, self-compassion, Susan's personal journey, and the difference these tools have made for her clients and readers. They finish, as always, with book recommendations—including books Susan...

Writer and film producer Angela Page Conti returns to join Karen E. Osborne for a conversation about Enrico G, the historical novel inspired by Angela's Italian great-grandfather.

Karen and Angela compare their experiences turning family history into fiction and explore immigration, prejudice, identity, the women who shaped their ancestors' lives, and the sometimes astonishing discoveries that emerge when writers dig into their own pasts—including the unforgettable story of the "culinary murderer."

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Christie Caliendo about Lesser Haven, an atmospheric literary suspense novel exploring isolation, hidden abuse, moral courage, and what it means to stand up for someone who cannot stand up for themselves.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Rebecca Inch-Partridge about Hunting the Dashia, creating unforgettable heroines, encouraging girls to pursue STEM, breaking myths about science fiction, and the books every speculative fiction fan should discover.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Pamela Taylor about the tenth book in the Second Son Chronicles, the challenge of writing a prequel, fascinating historical research, and the mystery surrounding King Alfred's lost chronicles.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Lisa Towles about The Weight of Cold Things, publication day excitement, writing suspense, unforgettable heroines, and building a career that includes novels, podcasts, publishing, and supporting other writers.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Candace Lola about Women of Glass and Other Parables, a collection of literary horror stories that explores resilience, identity, feminine rage, and the transformative power of embracing every part of ourselves.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Michelle Wiberg about AspenRidge, a hopeful post-apocalyptic novel exploring resilience, love, healing, and the importance of noticing the small moments that make life meaningful.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Linda Paul about The Last Gypsy Queen, a novel exploring resilience, prejudice, family expectations, and one woman's determination to build a life on her own terms.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Debbie Wastling about Irish Secrets and Lies, a sweeping historical novel exploring family, resilience, forbidden love, and the courage to begin again.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Canadian author Julie Simmons about writing emotionally layered romance, self-publishing, family relationships, and the Forever Yours duet.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with debut novelist Lauryn Jay about You, Always: The Years of Us, a heartfelt novel exploring enduring love, loss, second chances, and the journey to happily ever after.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Jenn Bouchard about Palms on the Cape, a delightful Cape Cod novel celebrating friendship, found family, and finding love when you least expect it.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with fantasy author L. N. Passmore about Wulves Wage War, world-building, Celtic mythology, Ireland, and the real wolf pack that inspired her writing.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Kathie Giorgio about The Birth of a Widow, a deeply personal poetry collection written in the aftermath of profound loss. Kathie shares her journey and reads several poems from the book.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Jane Loeb Rubin about Mayhem in the Mountains, a historical saga set in the 1924 Catskills, where the Isaacson family faces Prohibition, prejudice, and threats to the life they have built in America.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Barbara Conrey about A Fine Layer of Dust, a moving novel about family, loss, healing, and the choices we make for the people we love.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Rebecca Wells Phillips about Hurricane Helene: Resiliency After the Storm, Part One and the remarkable stories of courage, loss, recovery, and hope that emerged after the storm.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Mia R. Donovan about the first anniversary of Nickie Cottage and the Onkydonks, the importance of reading, children's literacy, and fostering imagination in young readers.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Joelle Kaufman about Crushing the Cancer Curveball, her personal experience with cancer, and the lessons learned from interviewing more than 100 people whose lives were changed by the disease.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Denise Turney about Love Pour Over Me, a romance novel exploring trauma, faith, resilience, and the healing power of love.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Janet K. Shawgo about My Sister’s Quilt, a collection of stories exploring resilience, identity, history, and the lives connected through quilting traditions.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Anne Louise O’Connell about her novel Deep Freeze, creating memorable characters, podcasting, and the lessons learned through storytelling.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Alice Benson and her granddaughter co-authors about their books, writing as a family, and the joys and challenges of collaboration.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with D. I.Jolly about Blurred Lines, a psychological suspense novel about hearing thoughts, losing control, and questioning reality.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Grace Sammon about her new novel The Reliable Narrator, a moving story about truth, identity, and returning to writing after a hiatus.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with A.J. McCarthy about her latest psychological thriller Boy on the Dock, exploring grief, perception, and the mysteries that blur reality.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Dr. Latina Roggero about her memoir Memoirs of a Trapped Mind, exploring trauma, healing, and the courage to tell one’s story.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Bob Rothman about The Shark’s Protégé, a legal thriller driven by compelling characters and real-world experience in journalism and law.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with A.L. Willingham about her YA dystopian series The Chronicles of Iz, exploring survival, rebellion, world building, and her writing journey.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Mark P.J. Nadon about The Treatment Room, a psychological tech thriller where virtual reality, therapy, and manipulation collide. A conversation about ambition, control, and how well we really know ourselves.

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Karen E. Osborne talks with Suzanne Grove about her debut novel The Pebble in the Pond, a story of hidden secrets, social dynamics, and personal transformation set in 1978 Virginia. They discuss research, character, and the power of setting.

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