Step into sunny Los Angeles with author Janie Emaus as she brings humor and heart to this episode of Author Express. Host Kathleen Basi chats with Janie about her unique upbringing, the quirky realities of LA living, and her experience caring for family while pursuing her passion for writing. Get a behind-the-scenes teaser of Janie's latest novel, "The Advice Columnist," where a fifty-something protagonist gets unexpected advice from her younger self through TikTok and texts.

Listeners interested in women’s fiction, strong female characters, or stories about marriage and personal growth will find hints at all of these themes—plus hilarious celebrity encounters and the honest struggles of juggling multiple creative genres. Whether you’re a bookworm, aspiring writer, or searching for uplifting stories and positive vibes, this engaging episode is sure to leave you smiling.

Janie Emaus is the author of the blended holiday picture books Latkes for Santa Claus—a finalist in the 2022 International Book Awards—and Easter Eggs & Matzo Balls. She has also penned the novels The Advice Columnist, The Time Traveling Matchmaker, and Mercury in Retro Love. A frequent contributor to AARP, Janie’s award-winning essays, stories, and articles have appeared in numerous magazines, anthologies, and websites.

In 2016, she received an honorary mention in the Erma Writing Competition, and in 2023, she earned second place in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists Contest in the lifestyle category.

Despite these accolades, Janie believes no award is more meaningful than the love of family.

Connect with her:

Website: www.janieemaus.com

Instagram: @janieemaus

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Latkes for Santa Claus , Easter Eggs & Matzo Balls , and The Time Traveling Matchmaker at Bookshop.org

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Curious about how family history transforms into page-turning fiction? Listen in as Rosa Kwon Easton reveals what it was like to turn stories hidden in her ancestry into her moving novel, "White Mulberry." Author Express host Kristi Leonard chats with Rosa about her grandmother’s secret past, cultural symbolism, and the complex feelings of balancing multiple identities. Find out how a Korean tradition involving a baby’s future shaped Rosa’s life and writing, and hear the challenges and surprises of bringing long-forgotten voices to light. If you love historical fiction, untold women’s stories, or books about personal discovery, this conversation will spark your curiosity and leave you wanting more.

Rosa Kwon Easton is a Korean American lawyer, library trustee, and author of the debut novel, White Mulberry, which is an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick and a “Best Historical Fiction” book by PARADE and BookBub. Easton is an Anaphora Writing Residency Fellow and her work has been published in CRAFT Literary, StoryCenter.org, Writer’s Digest and elsewhere. A graduate of Smith College, Columbia University, and Boston College Law School, she resides with her husband and Maltipoo in sunny Southern California. Her sequel, Red Seal, is due out in 2026.

She can be found at:

Website - www.rosakwoneaston.com

Instagram - @rosakwoneaston

Facebook - Rosa Kwon Easton

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of White Mulberry at Bookshop.org

Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024.

Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Explore powerful storytelling and rich history in the latest Author Express episode with guest Barbara Josselsohn. Host Kathleen Basi chats with Barbara about the allure of New York’s theater scene, her lifelong dedication to ballet, and the spark behind her much-loved novel, The Forgotten Italian Restaurant. Peek into a saga set in wartime Italy, weaving together lost sisters, secrets, and a community united by food amid hardship. Whether you crave WWII historical drama, love tales inspired by family heritage, or simply appreciate stories blending nostalgia and resilience, this conversation will leave you eager to discover more. Discover why “Little Women” continues to inspire Barbara and get a taste of the passion behind her writing.

Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling novelist who loves crafting stories about protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her newest book is The Forgotten Italian Island, a sweeping multigenerational story centered around two women harboring secrets stemming from the Nazi occupation of northern and central Italy. Barbara is also the author of seven previous novels. She teaches novel and essay writing at Sarah Lawrence College and other venues. Her next historical novel, set in southern France during the World War II, is scheduled to release next summer.

For more information, you can visit her at:

Website - www.barbarajosselsohn.com

Facebook - Facebook.com/BarbaraJosselsohnAuthor

Instagram - @BarbaraJoss

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Forgotten Italian Restaurant at Bookshop.org

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast