Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby interviews author Hannah Pittard, delving into her deeply personal journey as a writer. Hannah candidly discusses her struggle with credit card debt during grad school, a theme she later incorporated into her second novel, REUNION, as a form of confession and self-accountability. She also opens up about a painful personal betrayal involving her ex and close friend, explored in her sensational, genre-busting new memoir WE ARE TOO MANY. This betrayal led her to therapy, where she sought to understand her desires and relationship dynamics. The interview highlights Hannah's journey from overcoming financial and emotional challenges to finding her unique voice in the literary world.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4a0p0POShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The one and only BARBARA KINGSOLVER (yes, of Demon Copperhead!!) has written a brilliant picture book with her daughter Lily — and spoke to Zibby all about it! The book, COYOTE'S WILD HOME, aims to positively represent predators and nature, targeting both children and adults. The narrative features parallel stories of a human child and a coyote pup learning about their environments, emphasizing respect and understanding for wildlife. Barbara and Lily share their deep-rooted environmental values, shaped by their rural upbringings and interactions with nature. Their collaboration involved overcoming challenges like distilling complex ecological ideas into a children's book format and working remotely during Lily's graduate studies.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49UoT8yShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby Books author alert!!!! Emma Grey joins Zibby to discuss THE LAST LOVE NOTE, a gorgeous, charming, heartrending novel that is also a Book of the Month pick!! After the sudden loss of her husband in 2016, Emma found solace in writing. The novel, set in Australia, intertwines romance and humor with the complexities of navigating life after the death of a loved one. Emma emphasizes the importance of balancing grief with your everyday responsibilities, drawing from her experience of managing her grief while raising her young children. The two also discuss the significance of community support in times of loss, the therapeutic nature of humor in storytelling, and the evolution of her writing career. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3sYiAzZShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews Cara Natterson, MD, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, authors of THIS IS SO AWKWARD: MODERN PUBERTY EXPLAINED. They discuss their motivation for writing the book, aiming to empower parents, teachers, and other adults in guiding kids through puberty. The book covers more than typical puberty topics, delving into sports, eating behaviors, and mental health. Zibby praises the book's comprehensive approach and its usefulness in her own parenting. Both authors emphasize the importance of open, judgment-free conversations with kids about puberty and its challenges. The interview concludes with their advice for co-authoring a book and the unique challenges and rewards it presents.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/47wFxt5Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest host Julie Chavez interviews author Rochelle B. Weinstein about her seventh book, WHAT YOU DO TO ME, which features a dual timeline and explores themes of love, nostalgia, and the impact of parental choices. Rochelle discusses her process of weaving music into her storytelling, revealing how she secured lyric approval from Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's for the book. The conversation delves into the challenges and joys of writing, the importance of music in storytelling, and the emotional connection songs create. Rochelle also reflects on her background in the music industry and its influence on her writing. The episode highlights the depth and complexity of character development, the balance of presenting relatable, flawed characters, and the author's desire to provide readers with a fun, nostalgic experience. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3sIrJwLShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews bestselling author Karma Brown about WHAT WILD WOMEN DO, a dual-timeline story revolving around a modern-day screenwriter and a 1970s socialite-turned-feminist. The novel explores female ambition, social media dynamics, and the complexities of personal relationships. Brown discusses her own experiences with aging, social media, and writing, highlighting the importance of being present in one's life. She also talks about the therapeutic aspect of writing and the importance of being true to oneself in creative endeavors.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/47OTxhTShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guest host Alisha Fernandez Miranda interviews bestselling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about her first children's book, MAMA'S SLEEPING SCARF, a tender story about a little girl’s love for her mother’s scarf. Chimamanda reflects on the challenges of parenting, from instilling manners to managing social media exposure. She also shares her experiences as a writer, including taking a break after motherhood and working on a new novel after a decade. She concludes with advice for aspiring writers, highlighting the importance of regular writing, revisiting one's work, and learning from reading. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3uq34NQShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews William Kent Krueger about his novel THE RIVER WE REMEMBER, a dazzling, instant New York Times bestseller. Krueger shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his work, and the importance of the setting as a character. This novel, which is set in 1958 Minnesota, revolves around a mysterious murder in a small town, but its deeper themes explore the impacts of war and the quest for healing. Krueger, not a Minnesota native, describes his profound connection to the state and how it influences his writing. And, reflecting on his father's experience in World War II and its impact on family dynamics, Krueger illustrates how personal history can shape his stories. Finally, Krueger shares his best advice for aspiring writers (it includes writing from the heart and marrying someone with a stable job).Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3SRoZHMShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews debut author Amanda Peters about her award-winning novel, THE BERRY PICKERS. The story, influenced by Peters' Mi’kmaq heritage, revolves around a family from Nova Scotia who travels to Maine each summer for blueberry picking and the four-year-old daughter who goes missing from the fields. The novel, which took four years to complete, was part of her Peters' MFA program. Now an associate professor, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and feedback in writing. Finally, the podcast touches on Peters' upcoming short story collection!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MTmvVyShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews Stephanie Kramer about her book CARRY STRONG: AN EMPOWERED APPROACH TO NAVIGATING PREGNANCY AND WORK. Stephanie explores the complexities of balancing pregnancy with a professional career, based on extensive research and interviews. The discussion delves into societal pressures and the need for supportive work environments, with Stephanie sharing her own experience of writing the book amidst her busy life. The episode underscores the importance of support and dialogue for women managing work-life balance during pregnancy.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MRbnZoShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.