In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes back middle-grade fantasy author Greg Slomba to talk about his brand-new series, the Dragon Island Legend books, beginning with Fire and Ice. Greg explains that this new series grows out of the world of his earlier Deliverers books, particularly The Golden Dragon of Aang, which introduced the mystical Dragon Islands. Each of the five planned stories will focus on a different island, with Fire and Ice serving as a 95-page novella that opens the saga.

Greg introduces listeners to Ben and May, two 15-year-old orphans whose lives were shattered years earlier when raiders from the north, aided by a deadly silver dragon, destroyed their villages. Protected only by the legendary golden dragon, they grow up driven—especially Ben—by a desire for revenge, only to slowly discover how dangerous and consuming that desire can be.

Jed and Greg dive into the challenges of writing a prequel when the later timeline already exists, Greg's more organic, character-driven writing process (as opposed to strict outlining), and the emotional rewards of writing for the middle-grade audience—especially kids who may feel unseen. Greg shares a touching story of a former student reader who still rereads his first book years later.

Listeners also learn where to find Fire and Ice (on Amazon) and how to follow Greg's work via his blog and social media, as the conversation closes on a warm, encouraging note.

On this episode, Jed welcomes author and neuroscientist Gail Martino, whose new picture book "Feathered and Famous: Meet America's All Star Birds" celebrates the national and state birds of the United States and the stories behind them.

Gail explains how her book helps kids (and parents) discover the unique traits that made each bird worthy of representing a state—from the clever chickadee of Massachusetts, which actually grows part of its brain in the fall to help remember where it hid seeds, to the hopeful, homey robin of Connecticut, often seen as a harbinger of spring. She also describes the engineering genius of birds' nests, like robins using mud as "mortar" and the Baltimore oriole's swinging, sock‑like nest that can withstand strong winds.

Gail shares how her father's backyard bird feeder sparked her curiosity as a child, eventually leading her into a career in neuroscience, product development, and innovation consulting—and now to writing books that connect kids to nature, geography, history, and STEM skills. She talks about the importance of teaching kids to observe the world, balancing screen time with real‑world curiosity, and using tools like eBird and Merlin to make birding fun and interactive for families. She also highlights how many state birds, like the brown pelican of Louisiana, have become powerful symbols of conservation success.

In this engaging episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, Jed Doherty welcomes AJ Alanson, author of the Admiral Inn mystery and adventure series, to celebrate book ten, Wolf in the Cove.

AJ introduces us to June Faust, a former Treasury Department "super accountant" who buys a derelict mansion on the coast of Maine through a government auction—sight unseen. The locals wish the place had been burned to the ground, but June spends a decade fixing it up, turning it into the Admiral Inn, and slowly (and awkwardly) mending fences with the small-town community. Each book in the planned 12-book series covers a month in June's most transformative year, blending episodic mysteries with a long, emotional arc that includes community secrets, her husband's unsolved murder, and a complicated, late-in-life relationship with an old friend and former director.

AJ shares how the series grew out of her real life: leaving a career in experimental dark matter physics, running an "Airbnb on steroids" that hosted around 800 guests a year, and keeping notes on all the stories that walked through her door. She talks about being a meticulous plotter, why you don't "pants" a 12-book series, and how her time working a mile underground in physics labs and mines keeps sneaking into her fiction.

Jed and AJ also discuss reader-favorite side character Helene, the research behind the books, plans for audiobooks recorded in AJ's own home studio, and a new cozy project featuring an 84-year-old sleuth—narrated by AJ's 84-year-old mom.

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Sarah Crowne to talk about her new YA thriller, Tune In. The novel follows Nikki Scott, a telepathic pop star who's investigating her mother's mysterious death. As Nikki uncovers her powers, she also discovers a shadowy organization that's weaponizing her voice—blending high-stakes conspiracy with a glittering pop music world. Think Stephen King's Carrie meets a modern pop icon, with a sci-fi twist.

Sarah shares how her lifelong love of pop music—from Debbie Gibson, Tiffany, Madonna, and Janet Jackson to Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears—inspired the book's Easter eggs and atmosphere. She and Jed dive into where story ideas come from, touching on Rod Serling and the notion that ideas are "in the air," waiting for the right creative antenna.

They explore Sarah's approach to writing YA thrillers and mysteries, why she loves challenging young readers to think critically, and how she crafts surprise endings that fool even the sharpest armchair detectives. Sarah also talks about her other work, including her earlier novel All These Threads of Time (a time-traveling serial killer story), her nonfiction series Rebel Writers about visiting historic authors' homes, and her Substack, The Busy Lady, where she writes about creativity, writing, and life as a lawyer, mom, and author.

Listeners will come away inspired by Sarah's journey—from telling stories into her mom's tape recorder to creating twisty, genre-bending fiction for readers of all ages.

In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author, advocate, and writing mentor Melissa B. Lombardo, creator of Hurt, Healing, and Hope: Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault.

Melissa shares how, after being sexually assaulted in her 20s, she found her way to counseling at the New Britain YWCA and was encouraged to write about her experiences. What started as private journal entries slowly grew into a three-act interwoven monologue, complete with reflection questions and journaling space to support other survivors in their own healing journeys.

She and Jed talk about the therapeutic power of writing—how it isn't a substitute for therapy, but can be deeply healing. Melissa describes years of silence, illness, and emotional pain, and how her "Heal for Real" journey helped her move from merely surviving to truly thriving beyond the assault. She explains why she changed her original subtitle from "The Aftermath of Rape and Sexual Assault" to "Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault," and how reclaiming her voice led her into advocacy, public speaking, and community building.

Melissa also discusses the book's life as a theater piece, the companion journals she created, and the many ways friends, families, and allies can support survivors—by listening, believing, and simply being present, without trying to "fix" everything.

Finally, she shares how this work has supported healing not only for herself, but also for her family, her readers, and the wider community, and how her project Write, Heal, Thrive continues that mission.

Freddy the Frog hops onto the Connecticut Book Festival Podcast in this lively episode featuring debut author-illustrator Devon (DL) Torres. Jedlie welcomes Devon from Hartford to talk about his joyful new rhyming picture book, "Freddy the Frog," a story all about confidence, imagination, and good old-fashioned playground fun.

Devon describes Freddy as a confident, energetic frog who's always ready for the next adventure: "I want to do this, I want to do that—come along if you want!" Through Freddy's playful leadership, the book celebrates unstructured playtime—the kind many adults remember from childhood, before screens and tightly scheduled activities took over. Devon hopes his story will inspire both kids and parents to rediscover the magic of just going outside, meeting new friends, and making up games on the fly.

As an illustrator who writes, Devon talks about his creative journey—from pencil sketches and Bob Ross–inspired oil paintings to vivid digital art. The book's illustrations are bright, textured, and scenic, with landscapes and sunsets that feel almost real while still being delightfully cartoony. The cast is made up of different animal characters, reflecting diversity without focusing on race directly.

Devon also teases his upcoming "Friendables" series, where background animal characters will each get their own story, some with playful plots and others with more educational goals, like learning numbers through rhyme and repetition.

Listeners can find "Freddy the Frog" on Amazon under DL Torres, and follow him on Play Pages LLC on Facebook and Instagram.

Join us for a special episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast as host Jed Doherty welcomes celebrated author Robin Cannon for an in-depth conversation about her latest cozy mystery, "Into the Shallows Darkly." As the highly-anticipated sequel to her popular novel "Into the Attic Darkly," this engaging episode dives into the compelling world of Connecticut-based crime fiction.

Discover how Robin draws inspiration from the places and people around her in Connecticut, weaving local charm and personal experiences into her twist-filled mysteries. Robin shares the creative journey behind her novels, from the real-life attic that inspired her first book to the new adventures in "Into the Shallows Darkly," where a young lawyer returns home only to unravel secrets, deception, and family intrigue.

Listeners will enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at Robin's writing routine, her love for classic cozy mysteries, and the balance between suspense and comfort that defines her storytelling. The episode also teases Robin's future literary projects, including an exciting new mystery set in a trailer park.

Whether you're a fan of mystery books, Connecticut stories, or just love discovering new authors, this episode offers plenty of inspiration and book recommendations. Tune in to the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast for a dose of mayhem, mystery, and heartfelt conversation with Robin Cannon. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Emily Raymond and her mother, illustrator Gail Striegel, to discuss their collaborative children's book, "Danny the Goat Does Not Like Pears." The conversation begins with Emily recounting the inspiration drawn from her childhood habit of hiding vitamins—a quirk that became the heart of Danny the goat's story as he goes on whimsical adventures to avoid eating pears. Gail shares her artistic background and describes how their familial bond made the book's illustration process especially joyful and productive. Emily also explains her resolve to work with her mother, choosing self-publishing over traditional routes to keep Gail as the illustrator.

The interview explores the book's reception, with children delighting in counting illustrated pears and families embracing the story's playful lesson about trying new things. Both Emily and Gail highlight the impact of local libraries and community support, sharing heartfelt anecdotes of their book being recognized and loved. The episode closes with talk of future projects, encouragement for supporting local authors and libraries, and practical details on where to find the book. The conversation captures the warmth, creativity, and community spirit at the heart of their literary journey.