PodcastsFictionNovelist Spotlight

Novelist Spotlight

Mike Consol
Novelist Spotlight
Latest episode

116 episodes

  • Novelist Spotlight

    Episode 198: Novelist Spotlight #198: Tyson Cornell on Rare Bird Books’ new partnership with Simon & Schuster

    03/03/2026 | 53 mins.
    In the spotlight is repeat guest Tyson Cornell, the founder and publisher of Rare Bird Books, an independent press committed to bold, boundary-pushing storytelling. He has more than two decades of experience in publishing, bookselling and author advocacy, and has championed hundreds of acclaimed titles across fiction, nonfiction and music. 
     
    Learn more about Rare Bird Books here: https://rarebirdlit.com/about-rare-bird 
     
    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no    
         
    Write to Mike Consol at [email protected]
  • Novelist Spotlight

    Episode 197: Novelist Spotlight #197: The writing life and the perils of girlhood and keeping memories

    12/02/2026 | 57 mins.
    In the spotlight is Melissa Fraterrigo, the author of the memoir-in-essays titled “The Perils of Girlhood.” She has also written the novel “Glory Days,” as well as the short story collection “The Longest Pregnancy.” 

    Her fiction and nonfiction have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies from Shenandoah and The Massachusetts Review to  storySouth and Notre Dame Review. She has been a finalist for awards from Glimmer Train on multiple occasions, twice nominated for Pushcart Awards, and was the winner of the Sam Adams/Zoetrope: All Story Short Fiction Contest.  

    She teaches creative writing at Purdue University and in the MFA program in creative writing at Butler University in Indianapolis and also offers instruction on the art and craft of writing at the Lafayette Writers’ Studio in Lafayette, Indiana. 

    Learn more about Melissa Fraterrigo here: https://www.melissafraterrigo.com/ 
     
    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no   
        
    Write to Mike Consol at [email protected]
  • Novelist Spotlight

    Episode 196: Novelist Spotlight #196: ‘Rock of Pages’ illustrates connection between 1980s heavy metal and literature

    24/01/2026 | 57 mins.
    In the spotlight is Jesse Kavadlo, author of “Rock of Pages,” a book inspired by his decades of work as a professor of literature and as a musician. In “Rock of Pages,” Kavadlo analyzes the ways in which 1980s heavy metal aligns with and develops many of the themes prevalent in the canon of literature. In doing so, the book examines some of the contexts of 1980s heavy metal, including the Cold War, the rise of MTV, and the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center and subsequent congressional hearings. 
     
    Learn more about Jesse Kavaldo and his books and teaching here: https://jessekavadlo.com 
     
    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no  
       
    Write to Mike Consol at [email protected]
  • Novelist Spotlight

    Episode 195: Novelist Spotlight #195: Kid Comet — superhero stories with heart for middle-grade boys

    08/01/2026 | 59 mins.
    In the spotlight is Christopher Bodmann, who has always been captivated by the power of storytelling and his belief that stories exist to inspire, drive action and ignite passion. He uses fantasy elements to address real-world issues that middle-grade readers might face, aiming to create a meaningful connection to their lives. He is particularly passionate about encouraging middle-grade boys to become avid readers by incorporating “gateway” topics that resonate with their interests, while also ensuring his content appeals to all audiences. 
     
    Learn more about Christopher Bodmann and his books here: https://www.christopherbodmann.com 
     
    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no 
      
    Write to Mike Consol at [email protected]
  • Novelist Spotlight

    Episode 194: Novelist Spotlight #194: How an author obituary launched a new writing career

    19/12/2025 | 54 mins.
    In the spotlight is multi-award-winning Canadian author Douglas Smith. He writes novels, short stories and nonfiction, having published his work in more than 200 short fiction publications in 36 countries and 27 languages — writing about fantasy, science fiction and the indefinable. Among his nonfiction books is one titled Playing the Short Game: How to Market & Sell Short Fiction. 
     
    Learn more about Douglas Smith here: https://www.smithwriter.com/
     
    Novelist Spotlight is produced and hosted by Mike Consol. Check out his novels here: https://snip.ly/yz18no
     
    Write to Mike Consol at [email protected]

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About Novelist Spotlight

Novelist Spotlight is a gathering place for people interested in reading and writing great fiction and literature. This is where you will hear from the authors who write the novels and learn of their motivations, writing process, characters, struggles and successes. Novelist Spotlight is hosted by Mike Consol, a lifelong journalist and author of four novels.
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