Better World Books Podcast: Eric Jerome Dickey

08/31/10 • 32 min

NY Times Bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey and I are kindred spirits. While I am not a NY Times Bestselling author, we both started out in IT and ended up in books and we both had stops along the way that included acting and stand-up comedy. A couple of years ago I actually interviewed Eric on the phone for the radio show I was doing at the time, but this was the first time I was going to meet Eric in person, so I was pretty excited to meet him.

And I was not the only one. Eric had some adoring fans in our office who were happy to get to meet him too (and unhappy with me – because I gave them no advance warning so they didn’t have their books with them to get an autograph!)

From Left: Kimeke Armstrong, Eric Jerome Dickey and Curtis Hoosier

When we sat down to chat, we talked about everything from Eric’s stand-up comedy days to his summer vacation and of course we also got around to talking about his latest book, TEMPTED BY TROUBLE.

The book is the story of a couple who lose their jobs and lifestyle during the current economic crisis and who are pushed (and pulled) into some (very) bad choices out of desperation. It’s a dark tale about good people who do bad and bad people who do worse. The book has all the shadows and grit of a classic black and white movie up to an including the mysterious man in the fedora. It will keep you turning pages until the very end.

I hope you enjoy the interview – and pick up a copy of the book! It’s a great discussion book for book clubs too.

— Dana Barrett, Podcast Host

Like this interview? Subscribe to the podcast today!
Want more of the Better World Books Podcast now? Click here to check out the rest of the great authors who stopped by or called in for a chat!

Comments or questions about the podcast? Feel free to comment here on the blog, or email me at podcast AT betterworldbooks.com.

From Left: Kimeke Armstrong, Eric Jerome Dickey and Curtis Hoosier

When we sat down to chat, we talked about everything from Eric’s stand-up comedy days to his summer vacation and of course we also got around to talking about his latest book, TEMPTED BY TROUBLE.

I hope you enjoy the interview – and pick up a copy of the book! It’s a great discussion book for book clubs too.

— Dana Barrett, Podcast Host

Like this interview? Subscribe to the podcast today!
Want more of the Better World Books Podcast now? Click here to check out the rest of the great authors who stopped by or called in for a chat!

Comments or questions about the podcast? Feel free to comment here on the blog, or email me at podcast AT betterworldbooks.com.

Previous Episode

Better World Books Podcast: Sisters Lauren Myracle & Susan Rebecca White

You know how you and your sister talk to each other in a way that is completely different from the way you talk to anyone else? Well guess what... that would still be true if you were both famous, successful authors! Meet sisters and authors Lauren Myracle and Susan Rebecca White.

Lauren, the just slightly older sister is known for her hugely popular YA books TTYL and TTFN and her new series for younger readers that starts with LUV YA BUNCHES. And Susan, whose second book A SOFT PLACE TO LAND was recently released, is well on her way to being a favorite among book clubs and critics alike. You may remember my earlier interview with Susan about her first book, BOUND SOUTH.

A while back, I had a chance to sit down with the sisters in their first ever joint interview and they were not shy! We talked about what it was like growing up together and how their relationship has shaped their writing.

This was actually one of my favorite interviews to record. It was like hanging with a couple of my girlfriends over a glass of wine. Of course instead of wine, we had microphones, but you get the idea. And I have to admit something else here too: this interview has been in post-production for a long time. Long enough for the title of Susan’s new book to actually change! You’ll have to listen to the interview to hear what the title was originally going to be.

So, without further ado... enjoy the interview! I know I did.

— Dana Barrett, Podcast Host

Like this interview? Subscribe today!
Want more of the Better World Books Podcast now? Click here to check out the rest of the great authors who stopped by or called in for a chat!

Comments or questions about the podcast? Feel free to comment here on the blog, or email me at podcast AT betterworldbooks.com.

Next Episode

Better World Books Podcast: Gin Phillips

THE WELL AND THE MINE is the story of a family living in an Alabama coal mining town in the 1930s. The story begins when nine-year-old Tess watches from the darkness of her back porch as an unknown woman lifts the cover off the family well and tosses a baby in without a word.

As Tess struggles at first to be believed and then later to find the “Well Woman” the family and the town struggle to survive the difficult and complex time they live in.

The book tackles the racism and sexism of the time period as well as the immensely difficult lives of coal miners and their families. It does all this with a grace and fluidity that make it feel like more of a classic than a debut novel.

Gin Phillips is as thoughtful in person as she is in her writing. She came by our offices while on tour for the book and we had a great conversation about how the story came about and why she chose to tell it from multiple perspectives. I picked up on some dualities in the book that Gin had not even realized were there but was pleased to discover. You’ll have to give it a read and see if you saw what I did!

— Dana Barrett, Podcast Host

Like this interview? Subscribe to the podcast today!
Want more of the Better World Books Podcast now? Click here to check out the rest of the great authors who stopped by or called in for a chat!

Comments or questions about the podcast? Feel free to comment here on the blog, or email me at podcast AT betterworldbooks.com.