Celebrate the magic of storytelling in this holiday episode of Author Express as host Kathleen Basi chats with Kimberly Nixon about her compelling novel, Rock Island Rising. Kimberly's remarkable ability to weave her family's tumultuous past into gripping fiction takes center stage. With tales of a grandmother who once robbed a train and the supportive community of Austin, Texas, where she lives, Kimberly offers a unique blend of historical depth and modern vitality. Whether you are a history buff, a lover of strong female leads, or simply curious about how past traumas shape present lives, this episode will leave you eager for more. Get ready to be captivated by stories that defy the ordinary.

Kimberly considers herself the family storyteller and has built a career around exploring family stories, both for herself and others. She closed her small business, which archived generations of family memories for extended families. For a brief period, Kimberly considered returning to a “real job,” but her grandmother’s story ultimately led her to a writing desk. She first wrote the true story of her family, detailing everything she knew to be fact about her mother and grandmother, for her family’s benefit. Before writing a fictionalized version, she wanted her children and siblings to understand what was true.

Kimberly then enrolled in writing courses and started a writers' critique group. Five years later, she completed the first draft of Rock Bottom, Tennessee.

Not wanting to undertake the difficult task of querying agents, Kimberly founded her own publishing company. With her background in marketing and business, she was well-equipped to manage the process. Rock Bottom, Tennessee was launched in April 2022, and her readers quickly asked for a sequel. Kimberly delivered, and Rock Bottom Rising was released in February 2024, taking readers on a journey from Ruby’s conviction to her quest for redemption and reconnection with her children, abandoned after her arrest.

Kimberly’s next project is a memoir based on retracing her father’s WWII journey across Europe. Her father never spoke about the war, and his records were destroyed in a fire at the National Archive. Kimberly has recreated his daily journey from Africa to Berlin, visiting many of the historic battle sites where he fought and stood where he was wounded for the first and second times during his service.

You can read more about Kimberly’s passion for family stories and news of her upcoming release at her website www.kimberlynixon.com. Follow Kimberly’s writing journey on her Instagram page @kimberlynixon.author

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Rock Bottom Rising at Bookshop.org

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at...

In this episode of Author Express, Shawna Rodrigues chats with Lyn Liao Butler, a Taiwanese American author whose portfolio spans thrillers, upmarket fiction, and rom coms. Are you curious about how someone expertly juggles writing multiple genres? Lyn charmingly shares her inspirations, the commonalities her novels share, and the unique workings of her creative process. You'll even learn about Lyn’s fascinating bi-coastal lifestyle between New York and Kauai and the unique backdrops that influence her work. Whether you prefer the depth of upmarket fiction, the intrigue of a thrillers, or the joy of a light-hearted romance, Lyn’s insights and stories will captivate you. Tune in to discover the vibrant experiences that shape Lyn's storytelling and why you'll want her next book on your nightstand. She's also the perfect author you'll want to know as you shop for everyone on your holiday list!

Lyn Liao Butler is a Taiwanese American author of thrillers, upmarket fiction, and rom coms. Her most recent thriller, Someone Else’s Life, was an Amazon bestseller and her second book, Red Thread of Fate, was a finalist in the WFWA Star Awards for 2023. If you are looking for a rom com - don't miss, Crazy Bao You. She and her family divide their time between New York and Kauai.

You can connect with Lyn through @lynliaobutler across all social media platforms and her website is lynliaobutler.com

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Someone Else’s Life or Crazy Bao You at Bookshop.org - you'll find all of her other novels there as well!

Shawna Rodrigues left her award-winning career in the public sector in 2019 to consult and publish her first novel Beyond the Pear Blossoms. Her desire to connect and help others led to the launch of her podcast The Grit Show shortly thereafter. When she learned women host only 27% of podcasts, her skills and passion led to the founding of the Authentic Connections Network. She now helps mission-driven entrepreneurs better connect with their audiences by providing full-service podcast production and through a community for Entrepreneurs & Podcasters – EPAC. Podcasting is her primary focus, so she continues to support the writing community through this podcast, and her writing time is mostly focused on anthologies.

She offers a free 7 Steps to Perfect Your Podcast Title to anyone interested in launching a podcast. You can also follow her on Instagram-@ShawnaPodcasts, and learn more about the network and community at https://linktr.ee/37by27.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

Author Express presents Lisa Montanaro, an Italian American writer with a compelling journey. This episode uncovers the layers of Lisa’s debut novel, "Everything We Thought Was True," involving family secrets and multidimensional characters. Lisa articulates how her personal history, including her role as an employment discrimination lawyer, intertwines with her storytelling. Additionally, she offers a sneak peek into the process behind her authentic character creation, layered with her firsthand experience in diverse communities. Don’t miss out on Lisa’s invaluable advice on overcoming obstacles and utilizing a growth mindset, making this episode a treasure trove for writers and readers alike.

Lisa writes book club fiction featuring complex characters breaking barriers and fighting to truly be themselves despite obstacles in their way—including the time they live in and societal stigmas. At turns heartbreaking and hopeful, her debut novel explores not only the consequences of secrets—even secrets kept out of love—but also the courage it takes to speak the truth, to forgive, and to let go.

Lisa is part no-nonsense Italian American New Yorker and part sunny Californian. She has a unique background as a performer, teacher of deaf students, lawyer, coach, speaker, and author. Lisa's nonfiction book, The Ultimate Life Organizer, was published by Peter Pauper Press. She serves as webinar host for the Women's Fiction Writers Association and is a member of its diversity and inclusion committee. She also serves as co-facilitator of the Retro COLAGE group for adult children of LGBTQ parents. When not writing, Lisa enjoys cycling and hiking with her veterinarian husband, tending to her garden, and chasing after her rescue dogs. Lisa has enjoyed living snow-free since 2012 in Northern California, where she’s made it her mission to sample the wines of the region.

Her blog and newsletter, Prosecco & Prose, are where she shares author updates, writerly musings, book recommendations, and virtual bubbly! Visit her website at www.lisamontanarowrites.com. She also loves connecting with readers, writers, and lovers of creativity on social media, so find her on Instagram at @lisa.montanaro and say ciao!

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Everything We Thought Was True at Bookshop.org

Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024.

Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard.

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