Inside the Writer's Studio

The author of the popular Miss Julia books sits down to talk with Charlie about the creation of the Southern town of Abbottsville, listening to her characters, learning from literature, and much more—including a discussion fo her latest installment, Miss Julia Takes the Wheel.

Before adjourning for food and wine, Charlie and Frances Mayes discuss all things Italian, from her runaway bestseller Under the Tuscan Sun to her latest book, the Italian travel adventure See You in the Piazza. Pour a glass of Chianti, serve out a bowl of pasta, and get ready to plan your own trip to Italy as Mayes discusses what she knows (and loves) best.

Ariel Lawhon joins Charlie to discuss her novel I Was Anastasia, an exploration of two lives—Anastasia Romanov, youngest daughter of the last Tsar of Russia, and Anna Anderson, who for 50 years claimed to be Anastasia. Ariel talks about filling in the gaps in the historical record with her imagination, researching historical fiction, and the all important "Author's Note."

Charlie talks with journalist Tommy Tomlinson about his moving and insightful book The Elephant in the Room—One Man's Quest to Get Smaller in a Growing America. They talk about living in a world that was not designed for you, the culture of southern food, developing empathy, and much more.

Charlie talks with Liam Callanan, author of Paris by the Book, about, what else—Paris and Bookshops! But also about strong women, The Red Balloon, Madeline, and some crazy journeys around Wisconsin. Liam was in town for Bookmarks Movable Feast and as two novelists who write about bookshops, we had a great time together.

Charlie talks with novelist Wil Medearis about his debut novel Restoration Heights, set in present day New York City. They discuss living in and writing about New York and many of the issues the novel grapples with from race and class to gentrification, personal vs. societal ethics, and even, to borrow a phrase, la vie boheme. Recorded live at Charlie's hotel room in NYC—you might even hear a little traffic in the background!

Charlie talks with the delightfully witty Roshani Chokshi about her new novel The Gilded Wolves with digressions into the place of mythology in fiction, how to own your own diversity, what's so great about the Eiffel Tower, and how to sneak into a St. Tropez night club. Roshani was at Bookmarks to launch her new novel, the first in a trilogy, which she calls "National Treasure" with more attractive people and a colonialism agenda. 

In a special Christmas episode Charlie speaks to a live audience about his Christmas book The Further Adventures of Ebenezer Scrooge and then calls upon his long-ago theatrical training to provide a reading of the first chapter of Scrooge's new adventures.

Charlie talks with children's and young adult author Megan Bryant about living in Winston-Salem, writing picture books, and her most recent young adult novel Glow, based on the story of young women who supported the war effort in WWI by painting watch dials with radium. Megan tells us about her research and shares some of the amazing story of this novel.

Charlie talks with award-winning author Virginia Pye about her newest collection of short stories Shelf Life of Happiness. They delve into the nature of short stories and of storytelling, inhabiting characters across differences, setting as character, and even how the weather can effect the mood of a story. If you've ever tried to write a short story, you'll want to listen in!