Aime Austin's Blog

This year Grace Wynter and I were recipients of the 2025 Barbara Neely Scholarship for Black crime writers. I wanted to meet my counterpart and here she is! Grace Wynter and I talk books, writing, and the future of publishing.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Grace:Website: www.gracewynter.comBlueSky: @ggwynterwrites.bsky.social

Show Notes: books, writers, and topics we discuss:Judy BlumeJane AustenToni MorrisonJamaica KincaidDean KoontzStephen KingBeverly NeelyKarin SlaughterYasmine AngoeKathleen Early (Will Trent Series narrator)

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Noel Stark is a debut author! Her romance has some basis in reality: it’s all about Hollywood. In this interview, we talk about what romance has meant to her, the puzzle of storytelling, and the future of romance fiction.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Noël:Website: www.noelstark.comTikTok: @noelstarkauthorInstagram: @noelstarkauthor

 Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:Love, Camera, Action by Noel StarkLavyrle SpencerKathleen E. Woodiwiss

It’s April! No fools here. This month, I have the pleasure of speaking with podcaster and mom, Kara Infante. Her podcast is Bookish Flights. On each episode, she features a guest who talks about three books centered on a theme. We talk about ways that women funnel their creativity.Books! Talking! Conversations! All my favorite things.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Kara:

Instagram: @bookishflightsFacebook: @bookishflightsWebsite: bookishflights.comShow Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:Bookish Flights PodcastEdenbrooke by Julianne DonaldsonThe Nightingale by Kristin HannahThe Diamond Eye by Kate QuinnMoloka’i by Alan BrennertCold Hearted Rake by Lisa Kleypas

This month which brings the Ides of March, I have the true joy of speaking with women’s fiction author Brenda Janowitz. I met Brenda about a billion years ago when we co-blogged at Girlfriend’s Book Club, an early author blog co-founded by Hank Phillipe Ryan. Brends’s had an interesting journey that I can’t wait to share with you.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Brenda:

Website: brendajanowitz.comFacebook: BrendaJanowitzInstagram: @brendajanowitzwriterShow Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:Modern Love: He’s Never Going to Put Away That ShirtSomeone Else’s Wife (formerly titled The Good Enough Husband)The Secrets She KeepsTaming the Bad BoyWhat Was Perfect (The Story of Us Trilogy)Books by Brenda:The Lonely Hearts ClubThe Grace Kelly DressOther mentions:Brenda’s CBS NY Book Club Pick – The Audrey Hepburn EstateBurnout by Emily & Amelia NagasakiRage Becomes Her by Soraya ChemalySold a Story (podcast on the corruption of reading education in the U.S.)Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism By Eve L. Ewing

Say hello to thriller author Kimberley Troutte! Kimberley started out like so many of us writing romance but had a hard time staying in a single lane. We talk about genre hopping, starts and stops in a writing career, and what she’s up to now.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Kimberley:

Website: https://kimberleytroutte.com/Facebook: NYTBestsellingRomanceAuthorInstagram: @kimberleytroutteShow Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:Anne MarshRay BradburyLaura BradfordAngela JamesSeals of SummerRITA/VivianTH*IR*DS – post apocalyptic play.Cora SetonLynn Raye Harris

Sharon Hamilton

Books by Kimberley:

Soul StealerCatch Me in CastileLock and Load (Rita Nominee)Pilot Down (Vivian Nominee)The Package (Infiltrix Series)

This month I have the pleasure of chatting with Laura Drake. I met Laura many years ago when the Orange County romance writers was a chapter of RWA (now disaffiliated). Years ago, Laura left California and took herself and her motorcycle to Texas. It’s been a minute since I’ve seen her, but I really wanted to talk to her because she writes my favorite genre to write and read: women’s fiction.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Laura:

Website: http://www.lauradrakebooks.com/Facebook Group: Laura Drake’s – Peace, Love & BooksX (Twitter): @LauraDrakeBooksInstagram: @auradrakebooksGoodreads: Laura Drake AuthorBookbub: Laura Drake AuthorNewsletter sign-up: https://lauradrakebooks.com/newsletter/Show Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:The Sweet Spot by Laura Drake (2014 RITA Best First Book Winner)The Handmaid’s Tale (2017 Drama, Hulu)Charles Martin, author“When you are not fed love on a silver spoon, you learn to lick it off knives.”― Lauren Eden, Lioness Awakens

I’m excited to talk to New York Times bestselling romance author Lynn Raye Harris! We met in Houston, Texas at a writer’s conference several years ago. She’s a former Harlequin Presents author turned successful indie. We talk about writing, reading, and horses.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Lynn Raye Harris:

Facebook Author Page: AuthorLynnRayeHarrisFacebook Reader Group: HOTReadersAndFansInstagram: @lynnrayeharrisNewsletter: http://bit.ly/LRHNewsAmazon: LynnRayeHarrisBookbub: Lynn Raye Harris Goodreads: Lynn Raye HarrisShow Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:Theodora Taylor – feat. Episode 15Beauty & the BeastLinda HowardBeverly BartonLinda Winstead JonesKelley St. JohnHarlequin PresentsHostile Operations Team (H.O.T) SeriesChuck TingleBecca Syme – feat. Episode 24Nancy DrewHardy BoysSweet Valley HighV.C. AndrewsClan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

Lisa and I met in a kitchen in South Pasadena. A few months ago, I signed up for Happy Women Dinners, events that feature women-focused topics. First, I met Lyz Lenz as she discussed her book about divorce. This month it was a talk from Bonnie Wan about getting clear on what we want in our lives. Great talks and as a bonus, I get to meet interesting women like Lisa Cheek. Her debut book, Sit, Cinderella, Sit will release in January 2025.

Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Lisa:

Substack: lisacheek.substack.comWebsite lisacheek.comInstagram: @lisacheekauthorFacebook @lisacheekauthorLinkedIn @Lisa CheekShow Notes: movies, books, writers, and topics we discuss:20 DatesFaygo Soda (pop)The Liars Club by Mary KarrDavid SedarisA Living Remedy by Nicole ChungLittle Sister (Cinderella Moon) editing by Lisa CheekMelissa FebosMy Body by Emily RatajkowskiMaybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori GottleibWhat Comes Next and How to Like It by Abigail ThomasJenny Lawson

After twenty-plus years in Los Angeles, I get a lot of invites to various shows—a friend of a friend sent over a link to a one-woman show. The caveat? It was…One night only.And…I was jet-lagged having just flown in from Europe. Fortunately, I live about five minute’s drive from the Hudson Theatre and frequent it often enough to know where to park. (Critical to LA plans). That night I had the pleasure of watching Teruko Nakajima dance her way through her life story Made in America. It was so amazing, interesting, and awe-inspiring that I immediately slid into her DMs and set up this interview…Let’s chat. I have *so* many questions.

You can find Teruko:Instagram: @terukonakajimaWebsite: www.terukonakajima.com

Show Notes: book, writers, and topics we discuss:The Hollywood Fringe Festival (feat. Teruko Nakajima’s Made in America)Moonlight (movie)Upright Citizens BrigadeSoho Playhouse

Made in America, August 30, 2024, The Hudson Theatres, Los Angeles, California

I can’t wait for you to hear my conversation with Dee J Adams. She’s a modern-day renaissance woman. From acting, to voiceover work, to on-set coach, to romance author, there’s little she’s shied away from in the creative arena. Tune in while we discuss her parallel paths to creative success and fulfillment. Her nonfiction book […]