Totally Booked with Zibby

Terri discusses the book's unique format, which explores two "what-if" scenarios from the perspectives of characters Sarah and Leo, involving a school dance and a love triangle. She shares how she blends personal experiences with imagination and explains her writing process, which involves drafting in a Word document, indicating artwork in red type, and then adding sketches and final artwork. Zibby's children, who are fans of the series, ask Terri about character names, book titles, and potential future books. Terri shares personal details, like her Turkish heritage, and then reveals the possibility of her series being adapted into a movie or TV show.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49MtWIbShare, 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 New York Times bestselling author Jean Kwok about her evocative new novel, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN. Jean shares her gratitude for Zibby's influence in the publishing world and delves into the novel's plot, which revolves around two mothers connected by China's One Child Policy. The episode explores themes of maternal love, sacrifice, and the complexities of adoption. Jean discusses her writing process, including how personal experiences and research influenced the characters, and also touches on her upcoming projects and offers advice for aspiring authors. The conversation highlights Jean's journey from a traditional Chinese upbringing to studying at Harvard, underscoring themes of resilience and determination that permeate her work. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3FWFRoWShare, 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.

Stephanie Land discusses her memoir CLASS: A MEMOIR OF MOTHERHOOD, HUNGER, AND HIGHER EDUCATION, which continues her journey from MAID, focusing on her senior year of college and her daughter's start in kindergarten. She shares her evolution as a writer under the guidance of her MFA teacher Debra, emphasizing the power of storytelling and exploring themes of resilience amidst poverty. Stephanie also touches on personal challenges, including her husband's late autism diagnosis, her experiences with miscarriage, and the importance of friendship. Reflecting on her career and public perception post-MAID, she advises aspiring authors to view writing as a business and hints at the possibility of completing a trilogy, while expressing gratitude for the positive reception of her latest book. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49yFRclShare, 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 comedian Sarah Cooper about her hilariously revealing debut memoir, FOOLISH: TALES OF ASSIMILATION, DETERMINATION, AND HUMILIATION. Sarah reflects on her viral internet fame, her identity, race, and Jamaican heritage, and the power of finding humor in everyday situations. She also shares her desire to bring joy to people's lives and her journey to finding power from within herself rather than through external validation.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3SYfAyvShare, 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 award-winning writer Morgan Baker about EMPTYING THE NEST, a tender and beautifully written memoir about the tough goodbyes (like her daughter leaving for college) that shifted her identity. Morgan speaks candidly about her emotional journey, the intertwining of family life with writing, and how she copes with change and loss. She and Zibby exchanged personal coping strategies, and then Morgan offers advice to writers, emphasizing not giving up and the value of feedback. The episode concludes with Morgan's passion for quilting, which adds a layer of warmth and personality to her narrative, just like her memoir does for her readers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MEVsNGShare, 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 is joined by Sarah Gelman (Editorial Director at Amazon Books) to discuss the ten best books of the year as selected by the @amazonbooks review team! Want to know which ones they picked?! Tune in!Share, 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 chats with Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and director Cindy Chupack about WE WAITED FOR YOU, a beautiful picture book that celebrates the moment a child and parent form a family. The two discuss Cindy's literary journey and the impact her 2004 essay collection, THE BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS BOOK, had on readers, including Zibby herself. Cindy also reflects on her divorce, the challenges of infertility, and the emotional journey of adopting her daughter. She even describes a recent painful breakup, which she humorously considers as material for future writing. The conversation touches on themes of love, resilience, and the therapeutic power of storytelling.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/47xYKKFShare, 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! Zibby interviews esteemed trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis about her poignant and vulnerable new memoir, END OF THE HOUR. The two discuss their shared experiences with loss and the supportive community they found through a book club. Meghan's book stems from her own profound grief after losing her father to cancer and her mother unexpectedly two years later. The conversation also touches on Meghan's professional perspective on grief, and she reveals how writing this memoir became a therapeutic process for her.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3QXNouaShare, 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.

Kristen Ness joins Zibby to discuss her captivating and clever new novel, AT LOGGERHEADS. Kristen shares her lifelong passion for marine biology and how a sea turtle sighting inspired this book, which took a decade to write. She also delves into her novel's themes (from family dynamics to political intrigue), her literary influences (@maryalicemonoe and @patconroyliterarycenter), and her current work on a suspense novel involving puffer fish toxins. Ultimately, she encourages aspiring writers to keep going and to draw inspiration from their favorite books.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3G2zjVHShare, 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.

Kerri Maher joins Zibby to discuss her dramatic, thought-provoking, and inspiring new novel, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL, which draws inspiration from the real-life Jane Collective, the underground women’s health organization of the 70s that offered reproductive counseling and safe illegal abortions. The two talk about the complexities of women's health issues, historical authenticity, and marital relationships. Maher also describes her writing journey, from numerous unpublished manuscripts to finding her niche in historical fiction, stressing the value of a supportive writing community. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49zYZXiShare, 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.