
Read and Write with Natasha
This podcast discusses writing life, reviews books, and interviews authors and industry professionals.
Latest episodes

Aug 13, 2023 • 49min
A human trafficking survivor tells her story
Amanda Blackwood, opens up about her harrowing journey as a survivor of human trafficking, not once, but thrice, beginning at the tender age of 18. Amanda's tale is not just one of survival, but an inspiring testament to the resilience of the human spirit, as she transformed her traumatic experiences into a platform for advocacy and education.Amanda helps us navigate the murky waters of human trafficking, underlining that it often involves individuals one may already know and trust. She shares her personal struggle with survivor's guilt and the path towards healing, leading her to pen down her experiences and navigate the labyrinthine world of self-publishing. Her debut as an author has not only been a transformative experience but also a stepping stone towards establishing her own publishing company to foster the voices of other survivors.In the concluding segment of our conversation, Amanda equips us with the knowledge to discern the nuances of human trafficking, human smuggling, and prostitution while sharing her own experiences with abuse. She talks about the importance of recognizing signs of trafficking, and how she found strength in her vulnerability. Tune in to this profound exchange of stories, insights, and life lessons that will not only educate but also inspire you to make a difference.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Jul 30, 2023 • 48min
A dive into suburban thrillers with author Liz Alterman
📹 Watch the interview on YouTube.Ever wondered how to seamlessly blend humor into a dark, suspense-filled narrative? Liz Alterman, the author of the riveting suburban thriller, The Perfect Neighborhood, joins us to shed light on this unique storytelling approach. We unravel the layers of her book, delving into her choice of an affluent suburban setting and the inspiration behind her novel's complex characters.Navigating the saturated book market can be daunting, but Liz Alterman has some insights to share. She delves into the process of selling a novel, handling reader feedback, and the thrill of having her book featured in a local book club. Whether you're an established author or an aspiring one, Liz's journey of securing a publishing deal without an agent and exploring self-publishing is both inspiring and enlightening.To cap it off, Liz opens her writer's toolbox for us, revealing her writing routine and the delicate balance she maintains between marketing her work and creating new stories. We discuss practical writing tips, from finding time for personal projects to overcoming creative roadblocks, and delve into the importance of devoting time to marketing. Tune in to this fascinating episode to get a peek into the world of Liz Alterman and her intriguing suburban thriller.You can get Liz Alterman's novel here. Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Jul 24, 2023 • 51min
Mastering the minimalist book marketing approach
Delve into the world of book marketing with our guest, Emily Enger, who wears many hats, including that of a book marketing and publicity coach. Emily brings a fresh perspective to the table, advocating for minimalist marketing strategies for authors and sharing profound insights on the choice between traditional or self-publishing. Emily offers expert guidance to a speculative fiction author, laying bare the intricate maze of marketing decisions for maximum ROI.In this podcast, we examine the potential of social media platforms such as Twitter and TikTok in enhancing your reach and amplifying your platform. We also reveal the importance of publicity tactics like penning engaging articles and making impressions through podcast appearances. Traditional publishing under the microscopeWe also put under the microscope traditional publishing, discussing the urgent need for innovation in the industry while sharing inspiring success stories of authors who have triumphed against the odds.Emily also opens up about her own journey, how she became an accidental book marketer, and the lessons she learned along the way. Emily's marketing strategy hinges on a minimalist approach, and she shares the secret sauce behind successfully marketing her own business. Don't miss this episode filled with valuable tips to market your book.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Jul 19, 2023 • 38min
Dad wrote a book so that his daughter can create her own magic
Scott Stedman s a serial entrepreneur, business leader, and advisor to a diverse group of companies.He wrote the book Mouse because he wanted his daughter to know that anything was within her reach. "I want my amazing daughter to know that she doesn’t need anyone’s permission to create magic."Listen to our conversation and get inspired.And while you are at it, if you enjoy this show, please subscribe and leave us a review. Thank you in advance 🙏Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Jul 9, 2023 • 51min
Living with undiagnosed disease: Author documents journey with celiac
📹 VIDEO: You can watch the interview on YouTube here.Living twenty years with an undiagnosed autoimmune disease, Margaret Mary O'Connor's life was hell.Beyond the daily physical symptoms to deal with were the emotional ones as well. She was told by two doctors that her physical symptoms of vomiting, great loss of weight, anemia, and others were all in her head. The doctor she was told to see was a psychiatrist. O'Connor believes it is a miracle she is alive today, thanks to finding a doctor who ordered tests to find the reason for her illness – which turned out to be celiac disease. Listen to this conversation in which we talk about her life with celiac disease that she documented in her memoir Journey of a Celiac’s Soul.We also discuss O'Connor's other work, Scandal in the Shadows, in which she uncovers "secrets of the Catholic church which were buried away in hopes they would never see the light of day."Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Jun 22, 2023 • 39min
This author always find time to write, even if it means using Siri
California mompreneur Rebecca Linney has figured out the secret to teaching her son to get to sleep and stay asleep, and yes, she wrote a children's book about it.She is a busy working mom that will always make sure to find time to write, even it means asking Siri for help.In this podcast episode, I chat with Rebecca Linney, author of the children’s book The Growing Bed.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Jun 1, 2023 • 23min
Hear from an eight-year old who started writing books when he was four
🎥 Watch the interview on YouTube here. Aiden Adams is eight years old. He is a singer-songwriter and an author. He was four years old when he wrote his first book, There Are No Sheep in New York City, about the power of imagination.Hear the conversation and tell your kids about Aiden.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

May 17, 2023 • 42min
This author made her private journal public
After twenty years of working on her legacy journal project, Merle R. Saferstein published Living and Leaving My Legacy, Vol. I. —a legacy journal for this and future generations. Vol. II will be released on June 20, 2023. In reading through 359 of her journals, she came to understand the value and impact of journaling as well as the importance of sharing the essence of who she is. Saferstein sees journaling as a way to preserve memories and maintain a personal record of one's life. She encourages everyone to engage in journaling as a means of keeping their memories alive.Don't miss this life-changing episode.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

May 4, 2023 • 48min
This author's murder mystery reveals Washington's 'dirty secrets'
Before turning to fiction, Aggie Blum Thompson covered real-life crime as a newspaper reporter for a number of papers, including The Boston Globe and The Washington Post. She is the author of I Don't Forgive You and All the Dirty Secrets.In this episode, we talk about: The surge in interest in true crime.The cultural shock of moving to Washington, DC.Dealing with rejections.How she got her first agent.The sustainably of being a full-time other.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N

Apr 7, 2023 • 53min
This rock musician switched to writing murder mysteries
Rick Bleiweiss is an award-winning author, publishing executive, music producer, rock musician, record company senior executive, and educator. In this inspiring conversation, we talk about the publishing journey, the pros and cons of self-publishing and why it is important to have an agent.Bleiweiss is the author of The Pignon Scorbion Series.Have a comment? Text me!Support the show****************************************************************************➡️ P.S📘 If you love stories with mystery, identity, and a touch of the mystical... You’ll want to read my new novel, Karma Unleashed—a supernatural suburban thriller set between two cultures. 📚 Grab it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FH6GZX6N