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BookSpeak Network

BookSpeak Network

BookSpeak Network

Three different shows. One common theme: celebrating the world of books. This podcast network is for readers and writers interested in hearing about awesome new books spanning a wide variety of different genres. Whether you’re hoping to get to know a new author or are in need of some practical writing tips, the BookSpeak Network has you covered. ~The first program in the BookSpeak Network is the Sunbury Press Books Show. Hosted by the CEO of indie publisher Sunbury Press Lawrence Knorr, this show consists largely of interviews between the publisher and the authors he takes on at Sunbury Press. Knorr interviews both fiction and nonfiction authors and covers a range of topics from history, sports, biography, and more. This show may air 1-4 times per month. ~The second program is called Milford House Mysteries, hosted by mystery and thriller authors Sherry Knowlton and JM (Jody) West. Sherry and JM often discuss the process of writing and publishing mysteries as well as doing interviews with some of the genre’s top authors. Milford House Mysteries hits the airwaves about two times per month. ~Finally, it’s the Brown Posey Press Show! Author Tory Gates interviews authors in the literary fiction and nonfiction genres, and he’s got a special connection with indie presses and indie authors. If you’re in the mood for a deep dive into art and uniqueness in literature, you’re going to find something to love in these conversations. ~Looking for author interviews and writing tips? Go ahead and hit that subscribe button. You’ve got some listening to do.
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Top 10 BookSpeak Network Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best BookSpeak Network episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to BookSpeak Network for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite BookSpeak Network episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

The full, eventful, and rich life of Lew Wallace is examined in detail in "Lew: The Life and Times of the Author of Ben Hur." Biographer Michael E. Fox appears on the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss Wallace's career, and how one of the most popular novels of the 19th century was not religious, but a semi-autobiographical account of his own times. Fox traces Wallace's early life in Indiana (Fox was raised in Crawfordsville, where Wallace was sent for schooling at the age of nine, and where he retired), his experience in the Mexican War, and his time serving as a field commander under General Ulysses S. Grant during the western campaigns of the American Civil War. Wallace also served as Governor of the New Mexico Territory, where he completed "Ben Hur," and as a US Minister to the Ottoman Empire. Wallace's greatest work, "Ben Hur: A Tale of the Christ" is considered the most spiritually influential novel of the century. He also wrote several other novels and a biography of President Benjamin Harrison, a fellow Indianan and Civil War general. Michael E. Fox developed friendships during his childhood with men who knew Wallace. He is a graduate of Purdue University, an attorney, and with a Master of Law (LLM) with Honors. He has worked for Eastman Kodak and served as President of Screen GP Americas, a maker of high-speed, high-resolution printing equipment and is considered a pioneer in modern-day printing and publishing technology. Now retired, he lives in Southern California.
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The life (or perhaps lives) of a man who made a career change in mid-stride of life to serve his nation, and the struggle for validation and vindication are brought to life by Dr. Scott Zuckerman, in his second book for Sunbury Press. Nothing Left to Prove, Nothing Left to Hide: The Long and Winding Road to Redemption of Major Sebastian Thomas Tosto, Zuckerman tells the story of a man who grew up in the shadow of his father and other relatives, and his quest to get out from under it. The son of a World War II veteran, Tom Tosto was a successful physician, who at age 50 gave that up in the wake of September 11th, 2001. He joined the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper and brigade surgeon. He saw action in Iraq and Afghanistan, where Tosto earned the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals. His story, however, leads Tosto to become a patient of Dr. Zuckerman's, and he tells of what has haunted him. A Brooklyn, New York native, Scott Zuckerman's four-decade career as a physician brought him back to the advice given him by his high school English teacher, Frank McCourt, who encouraged him to "cultivate" his gift as a writer. Dreams of My Comrades was released by Sunbury Press in 2017, and earned First Place in the Non-Fiction category of the 2015 Utah Original Writing Competition. Zuckerman also contributed two pieces to the Sunbury Press anthology, After the Pandemic: Visions of Life, Post COVID-19.
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BookSpeak Network - Rian Krieger's Journey Continues in "The Coachman"
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10/21/23 • 27 min

Philadelphia, 1837. Twelve-year-old tomboy heroine Rian Krieger has successfully escorted "self-emancipated" slaves from Philadelphia to their next station on the Underground Railroad. When her father, Otto finds out, he renews his plans to send Rian off to a finishing school in Switzerland. This, however, Rian will not have--she would have to wear dresses all the time! For Rian, the Philadelphia of this time is one of industrialization and change. Increased prosperity and commerce lead factory owner Otto to make decisions that come back to haunt him. The Panic of 1837 has threatened the social and economic fabric of the city, and the Krieger business and home face foreclosure. When two visitors from Tsarist Russia present themselves at the factory, Rian believes their mission may save her father's business, and solve her own problems as well. The fantastic journey of Rian Krieger continues in "The Coachman," book two of the series from the pen of Roger A. Smith. He returns to the Sunbury Press Books Show to speak with host Lawrence Knorr about not only Rian's growth, but provides a historical background to the US in pre-Civil War days. Smith is a former high school history teacher who has had many careers: farmer, summer camp and wilderness expedition program operator, cofounder of a participatory science museum, and woodworker. With "The Conductor" and "The Coachman," Smith may with all justification add "author" to his resume. He lives on Cape Cod, Massachusetts; find out more about Roger here.
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The topic of gun violence in the United States is a highly-charged and emotional issue. As part of an effort to discuss the issue, an eclectic group of award-winning authors come together to craft American Roulette, a novel that brings eight people to a mall food court, on a day they think will be like any other. The collaborative efforts of these writers takes a different tack to examine the tension, dread and action of a novel with the real-life question for all readers: could this happen to me or someone I love? Two Sunbury Press authors involved in the project join Sunbury Press founder and publisher Lawrence Knorr on this podcast to talk about the subject of gun violence, what brought them all together, and what they hope to accomplish with a book that garnered rave reviews from the outset. Sherry Knowlton is no stranger to the BookSpeak Network, as host of the Milford House mystery podcast, and the author of several mystery works, including the Alexa Williams series. Pat LaMarche is an author, political activist, historian and homeless shelter director. They are joined by Matthew Best, Robert Bradshaw, Andy Carey, James Dodds, Cheryl Dunn Bychek, Phyllis Orenyo, J.M. West and Cheryl Woodruff Brooks. All proceeds from this book will go to gun violence prevention, by way of the non-profit Charles Bruce Foundation. Find out more about the book and its authors here.
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The life of Francis Kalnay is deconstructed by Katherine Fennelly in her new Sunbury Press work, "Family Declassified--Uncovering My Grandfather's Journey from Spy to Children's Book Author." Kalnay's tale sounds like something out of a John LeCarre or Ian Fleming novel--a Jewish Hungarian immigrant who arrived in the United States more than a century ago, he rose to become a top-level spy for the Allies during World War II. The charismatic, multilingual Kalnay led an elite espionage unit, had numerous affairs, and suffered the muder of his sister and nephew by Hungarian fascists (a matter he never spoke of). In 1954, Kalnay abandoned his family and fled to Mexico where he remade himself, as a designer of homes and an award-winning children's author. He is perhaps best known for the Newbery-Award-winning "Chucaro: Wild Pony of the Pampa" in 1959. The details of his secret life were buried in Office of Strategic Services (OSS) files, and unearthed by his granddaughter. Katherine Fennelly is Professor Emerita at the University of Minnesota. She has also served as dean of the University of Minnesota Extension Service, a faculty member and department head at Penn State University, and a faculty member of the Columbia University School of Public Health. Her research and outreach interests include the human rights of immigrants and refugees in the US, and the preparedness of communities and institutions to adapt to demographic changes. She lives in Brooklyn, New York.
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John "Doc" Holliday was many things in his short life. It may surprise readers to learn that Holliday graduated from The Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia, with his doctoral thesis on Diseases of the Teeth. While he practiced in various locations, Holliday was also a keeper of gaming tables and was involved in the events that surrounded the famous 1882 shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona (in which Holliday was wounded). Hard-drinking and suffering from tuberculosis, author Matt Di Paoli brings "Holliday" to life in his new novel. Drawing on Val Kilmer's performance in Tombstone, Di Paoli shows Doc in a charismatic light, seeking to outrun his illness by moving to dryer climes, but also in search of a spring that could well cure him. Along the way, he helps his old friend Wyatt Earp in his ongoing feud with the Clanton/McLaury gang, is followed by paparazzi, and indulges in his fascinations for alcohol, gambling, women, and death. Matt Di Paoli earned his MFA in Fiction at Columbia University. He has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize three times, and "Holliday" brought him the Wilbur & Niso Smith Adventure Writing Prize. His works include "Killstanbul" (El Balazo Press), and his stories have appeared in "Boulevard," "Fjords," "Post Road," and "Cleaver." He currently teaches writing in New York City.
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The independent Peschel Press is the work of the husband-and-wife team Bill and Teresa Peschel, who provide familiar tales of mystery, updates, reviews and examinations of our most iconic mystery authors. Combining a love of mystery, editing and research skills, the Peschels offer annotated, researched and in-depth examinations of the works of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. A further tack taken: "Agatha Christie, She Watched" covers more than 200 Christie films, reviewed by the Peschels, the good, the bad, and the terrible. When you see one pop up on TV, this book is a go-to resource. In addition, the most recognized detective in the world, Sherlock Holmes, as seen through the eyes of other authors. Fan fiction that doesn't always paint Holmes as the great detective comes to life in "Pastches," articles and short stories by fans (and detractors) of Arthur Conan Doyle. These tales are carefully collected, edited and translated for a series of works that grants Holmes fans something they may never have known about. Bill Peschel has also brought us "Writers Gone Wild," a chronicle of the real-life escapades of famous authors! Familiar names abound--what did Dashiell Hammett do to break up a relationship? Why did Sylvia Plath bite Ted Hughes' ear at their first meeting? What other japes, legal and otherwise took place? Under her pen name Odessa Moon, Teresa takes us to the Red Planet for the Steppes of Mars Series. The planet is not what it seems, and the series tracks life in the wasteland, those of privilege, and the decisions made that put our principals here. Meeting in the underground lair in Chocolatetown, PA, Tory Gates takes us on a fun, informative and personal look. Find out more at PeschelPress.com
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Nancy Hayes Kilgore brings to life a small town in Vermont at a time of great change, and the fears of what this may bring in her second novel, "Wild Mountain." Mona Duval runs the local general store, and when the nearby covered bridge is destroyed in a flood it is just one more matter that weighs on her. It is 2008, and Vermont is facing the potential shift to permitting gay marriage, a subject the locals have opinions on, and some will do whatever they can to stop it. While Mona weighs her relationship with her dear friend Roz, there is the question of Frank, a seasonal cabin-dweller whose own style makes itself known. Atop this, Mona's abusive ex-husband Johnny is back, and what purpose does he have in mind? Then, too a mysterious watcher believed part of Green Mountain folklore, the changing times and lives of all are examined in "Wild Mountain." A winner of the Vermont Writers Prize, Nancy's works include "Bitter Magic," released by Sunbury Press in 2021, and "Sea Level," released in 2012. Sunbury Press is proud to bring "Wild Mountain" to its shelf as well. A parish pastor, psychotherapist and teacher of unique creative writing classes, Nancy discusses her spiritual and literary journey with Tory Gates on this program. Her stories have appeared in Vermont Magazine, Bloodroot Literary Magazine, the Bottle Imp and on Vermont Public Radio. She lives in Burlington, VT with her husband and pets.
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...I like to entertain readers, while making them think. I believe that is the unifying vision in everything I have written... Dennis Clausen makes his second appearance on the Brown Posey Press Show, to discuss his most recent works. "The Accountant's Apprentice" is a tale of mystery and intrigue, and one that has its main character (and perhaps the readers) search within themselves. Justin Moore has witnessed a murder and has retreated into his own world in the hopes that the universe will sort itself out. Taking a job as a driver for a mysterious, wheelchair-bound "accountant" named A.C., Moore sees his city with the background of its homeless population. He wonders what A.C.'s mission is, and is the man even real? This accliamed novel has been followed by the sequel, "The Return of the Fifth Horseman," in which Justin tries to make sense of the threats to Planet Earth. A.C. has vanished, but when his wheelchair turns up empty in a shelter's parking lot, Justin wonders what the next chapter will be. A professor of American Literature at University of San Diego for more than four decades, Dennis Clausen grew up in western Minnesota at a time when television was a distant novelty and reading filled the hours during long winters. He is the author of several books, including "The Search for Judd McCarthy," "The Sins of Rachel Sims" and the seasonal tale, "My Christmas Attic." He has also written a guidebook, "Storytelling as Art and Craftsmanship."
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Baseball cards were collected, traded, and used in games we made up as kids. In recent decades, however, the collectibles market has turned these into a multi-million-dollar business. They are the stuff of memories, the object of historians, and an addition to some people's portfolios. A recent discovery of a rare set of T206 cards sold in cigarette packs in the early 20th century has become a book, "What's in Ted's Wallet?" The owner of these cards was Theodore "Ted" Edison, the youngest son of Thomas Alva Edison. In the summer of 1909, Ted began collecting these cards and soon amassed a collection of 61, including 58 players. Many of them ended up in the Baseball Hall of Fame, such as Ty Cobb, Frank Chance, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. He kept them in a wallet made that year, and they were found among Ted's donated papers in the 1990s. When J.B. Manheim and co-author Lawrence Knorr found these during archival research on Edison and baseball, they knew they had a book! J.B. Manheim is Professor Emeritus at The George Washington University, where he developed the world's first degree-granting program in political communication. He is also the founding director of the School of Media & Public Affairs. He is the author of "The Deadball Files," a five-volume series on the early years of professional baseball in the 20th century. He is a member of the Society for American Baseball Research, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America, and International Thriller Writers.
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FAQ

How many episodes does BookSpeak Network have?

BookSpeak Network currently has 352 episodes available.

What topics does BookSpeak Network cover?

The podcast is about Reading, Writing, Podcasts, Books, Arts and Creative Writing.

What is the most popular episode on BookSpeak Network?

The episode title 'Sunbury Press Books Show--Matthew Blaine, "The Young Frontiersman" Series' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on BookSpeak Network?

The average episode length on BookSpeak Network is 39 minutes.

How often are episodes of BookSpeak Network released?

Episodes of BookSpeak Network are typically released every 4 days, 16 hours.

When was the first episode of BookSpeak Network?

The first episode of BookSpeak Network was released on Mar 4, 2018.

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