Author, Can I Ask You? Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:49:52 -0400 https://www.jonibcole.com/ en-us © 2026 Author, Can I Ask You? yes fe7a0550-748a-5be2-a340-c63d858a569e Joni B. Cole episodic false Hi there from Joni B. Cole, author of "Good Naked: Reflections on How to Write More, Write Better, and Be Happier." This podcast gives me the chance to ask notable authors about what they write, how they write, and why they write. Plus, I throw in the odd question or two to help us get to know each author a little bit better as a person. Eavesdrop along with a new episode every Thursday.

Visit Joni B. Cole at jonibcole.com

Producer: Helmut Baer

Music credit: "Upbeat Forever" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) ]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) author, writer, books, creative process, creativity, writing, publishing, poetry, prose, novels, conversation, witty Joni B. Cole https://storage.buzzsprout.com/0hugcevy0omxlk522wqddojypvtj?.jpg Author, Can I Ask You? https://www.jonibcole.com/ It's party time! It's party time! In this topsy turvy episode, guest host Tracy Wood interviews Joni B. Cole about her new essay collection, Party Like It's 2044. For more info about Joni and her books: www.jonibcole.com

]]> In this topsy turvy episode, guest host Tracy Wood interviews Joni B. Cole about her new essay collection, Party Like It's 2044. For more info about Joni and her books: www.jonibcole.com

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-14343952 Sat, 20 Jan 2024 10:00:00 -0500 1706 full false Radio personality turned author Mike Morin on being the guy on both sides of the mic Radio personality turned author Mike Morin on being the guy on both sides of the mic Mike talks about how his books "found" him, what authors need to do to drum up publicity, and the importance of making fun (of yourself). https://www.mikemorinmedia.com/ 

]]> Mike talks about how his books "found" him, what authors need to do to drum up publicity, and the importance of making fun (of yourself). https://www.mikemorinmedia.com/ 

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-13955331 Sun, 12 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0500 1642 full false Host Joni B. Cole Talks Toxic Feedback (the book) Host Joni B. Cole Talks Toxic Feedback (the book) In this topsy turvy episode, host Joni B. Cole finds herself on the other side of the interview, as her friend and fellow writer Drew Rockwell asks her about her acclaimed book for writers, Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive. www.jonibcole.com

]]> In this topsy turvy episode, host Joni B. Cole finds herself on the other side of the interview, as her friend and fellow writer Drew Rockwell asks her about her acclaimed book for writers, Toxic Feedback: Helping Writers Survive and Thrive. www.jonibcole.com

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-13365217 Thu, 10 Aug 2023 07:00:00 -0400 1740 full false Mega bestselling author Lauren Kate on believing in love above all. Mega bestselling author Lauren Kate on believing in love above all. Lauren talks about writing her first rom-com, authors who aren't who they say they are, and what happens when writers hit that 80 percent mark when drafting their manuscripts.  http://laurenkatebooks.net/

]]> Lauren talks about writing her first rom-com, authors who aren't who they say they are, and what happens when writers hit that 80 percent mark when drafting their manuscripts.  http://laurenkatebooks.net/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-11521835 Tue, 18 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0400 1216 full false Poet and teacher Camille Guthrie pays us in Diamonds Poet and teacher Camille Guthrie pays us in Diamonds Camille talks about her hilarious and heartbreaking poems from a woman in midlife on the edge. A ribald collection that is “all too relatable and unputdownable.” camilleguthrie.me

]]> Camille talks about her hilarious and heartbreaking poems from a woman in midlife on the edge. A ribald collection that is “all too relatable and unputdownable.” camilleguthrie.me

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-10552414 Thu, 05 May 2022 05:00:00 -0400 1597 full false Robert Kerbeck on Ruse: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street Robert Kerbeck on Ruse: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street From promising actor to corporate con man/spy,  Kerbeck's story is a fascinating "you can't make this stuff up" tale of two lives.

]]> From promising actor to corporate con man/spy,  Kerbeck's story is a fascinating "you can't make this stuff up" tale of two lives.

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-10153059 Thu, 17 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0400 1462 full false Eliza Jane Brazier on Good Rich People Eliza Jane Brazier on Good Rich People Eliza talks about her "Most Anticipated" new novel and the haves and have nots who people it. Follow her on Twitter @EJaneBrazier

]]> Eliza talks about her "Most Anticipated" new novel and the haves and have nots who people it. Follow her on Twitter @EJaneBrazier

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-10082155 Thu, 24 Feb 2022 01:00:00 -0500 1261 full false Toufah Jallow: The Woman Who Inspired an African #MeToo Movement Toufah Jallow: The Woman Who Inspired an African #MeToo Movement Toufah shares the inspiring story of how she found the courage to publicly accuse the former president of her country of rape, and how she established the Toufah Foundation to support other victims of sexual assault. https://twitter.com/Homeofsurvivors

]]> Toufah shares the inspiring story of how she found the courage to publicly accuse the former president of her country of rape, and how she established the Toufah Foundation to support other victims of sexual assault. https://twitter.com/Homeofsurvivors

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9881930 Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0500 1365 full false Elite firefighter turned poet Kevin Goodan on his latest collection, Spot Weather Forecast Elite firefighter turned poet Kevin Goodan on his latest collection, Spot Weather Forecast Kevin talks about his sixth acclaimed book of poetry, inspired by his days as an elite firefighter for the National Forest Service. He also explains why he shies away from the "P" word. https://kevingoodan.com/

]]> Kevin talks about his sixth acclaimed book of poetry, inspired by his days as an elite firefighter for the National Forest Service. He also explains why he shies away from the "P" word. https://kevingoodan.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9739549 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 01:00:00 -0500 1282 full false Leslie Lehr on A Boob's Life Leslie Lehr on A Boob's Life Leslie discusses America's (and her own) obsession with this much-nicknamed body part. Plus, she shares what it's like to have her personal boob story serve as fodder for a potential HBO comedy series. www.leslielehr.com

]]> Leslie discusses America's (and her own) obsession with this much-nicknamed body part. Plus, she shares what it's like to have her personal boob story serve as fodder for a potential HBO comedy series. www.leslielehr.com

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9591985 Thu, 16 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0500 1402 full false Wanda Morris shares All Her Little Secrets Wanda Morris shares All Her Little Secrets Wanda (a 2021 "Writer to Watch," according to Publisher's Weekly) discusses her much-touted debut thriller, plus she shares her journey from the "black hole" of querying agents to having her novel go to auction.  https://wandamorriswrites.com/

]]> Wanda (a 2021 "Writer to Watch," according to Publisher's Weekly) discusses her much-touted debut thriller, plus she shares her journey from the "black hole" of querying agents to having her novel go to auction.  https://wandamorriswrites.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9633420 Thu, 02 Dec 2021 01:00:00 -0500 1547 full false Amy Butler Greenfield on one of the world's most remarkable (and least known) code breakers Amy Butler Greenfield on one of the world's most remarkable (and least known) code breakers Amy cracks the story of brilliant code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman, and talks about the life event that changed the course of her writing. https://www.amybutlergreenfield.com/

]]> Amy cracks the story of brilliant code breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman, and talks about the life event that changed the course of her writing. https://www.amybutlergreenfield.com/

]]> Buzzsprout-9417488 Thu, 11 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0500 1321 full false Teri Rizvi on essays and Erma Bombeck Teri Rizvi on essays and Erma Bombeck Teri discusses her new essay collection One Heart with Courage, plus her role as the director of the world's best (and friendliest) humor-writing conference. To purchase a copy of Teri's book (all proceeds go to the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop Endowment Fund), visit: https://store.braughlerbooks.com/

]]> Teri discusses her new essay collection One Heart with Courage, plus her role as the director of the world's best (and friendliest) humor-writing conference. To purchase a copy of Teri's book (all proceeds go to the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop Endowment Fund), visit: https://store.braughlerbooks.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9414338 Thu, 04 Nov 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1278 full false Jasmin Darznik on The Bohemians Jasmin Darznik on The Bohemians Jasmin talks about how the legendary photographer Dorothea Lange inspired her acclaimed new novel, and her own " unconventional" path to becoming a writer. 

]]> Jasmin talks about how the legendary photographer Dorothea Lange inspired her acclaimed new novel, and her own " unconventional" path to becoming a writer. 

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9325863 Thu, 21 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1316 full false Tim Horvath on unruly fictions Tim Horvath on unruly fictions Short story author  (and NPR fav!) Tim Horvath talks about imaginative possibilities, his collaboration with a cellist,  and the perks of being obsessive. 

]]> Short story author  (and NPR fav!) Tim Horvath talks about imaginative possibilities, his collaboration with a cellist,  and the perks of being obsessive. 

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9314237 Thu, 14 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1295 full false Veterans Writing Award winner Dewaine Farria on war and prose Veterans Writing Award winner Dewaine Farria on war and prose Dewaine talks about writing as a bridge from Mogadishu to Montpelier, and why he thinks Tobias Wolfe loves his novel. https://www.dewainefarria.com/

]]> Dewaine talks about writing as a bridge from Mogadishu to Montpelier, and why he thinks Tobias Wolfe loves his novel. https://www.dewainefarria.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9261270 Mon, 04 Oct 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1185 full false Pulitzer-Prize winning historian Joe Ellis dishes on America's Founding Fathers Pulitzer-Prize winning historian Joe Ellis dishes on America's Founding Fathers With thirteen books to his credit, Joe explains why the founding era is "the big bang in the American political universe." https://josephellishistorian.com/

]]> With thirteen books to his credit, Joe explains why the founding era is "the big bang in the American political universe." https://josephellishistorian.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9199153 Thu, 30 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1349 full false An Na on having her debut novel (almost) win the National Book Award An Na on having her debut novel (almost) win the National Book Award Na talks about writing for young adults, non-traditional story structures, and a welcome diversity of voices in the world of publishing.

]]> Na talks about writing for young adults, non-traditional story structures, and a welcome diversity of voices in the world of publishing.

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9135159 Thu, 16 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1205 full false Danusha Laméris on the path of poetry Danusha Laméris on the path of poetry Danusha talks about her journey from loss to "the luckiest girl in the world."

]]> Danusha talks about her journey from loss to "the luckiest girl in the world."

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9143254 Thu, 09 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1166 full false Sarah Stewart Taylor on the crimes that haunt us Sarah Stewart Taylor on the crimes that haunt us Acclaimed mystery novelist Sarah Stewart Taylor talks about her newest police procedural, on-ramping her crime-writing career, and what she learned from cartoonists

]]> Acclaimed mystery novelist Sarah Stewart Taylor talks about her newest police procedural, on-ramping her crime-writing career, and what she learned from cartoonists

]]> Buzzsprout-8901581 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1058 full false KJ Dell'Antonia on her really, really good day (courtesy of Reese Witherspoon) KJ Dell'Antonia on her really, really good day (courtesy of Reese Witherspoon) K.J. talks about her book being picked up by Reese's Book Club, her career path from NYTimes editor to novelist, and the best writing advice she ever got. https://kjdellantonia.com/

]]> K.J. talks about her book being picked up by Reese's Book Club, her career path from NYTimes editor to novelist, and the best writing advice she ever got. https://kjdellantonia.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-9060017 Thu, 26 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1011 full false Lee Conell on The Party Upstairs Lee Conell on The Party Upstairs Lee discusses her much-acclaimed debut novel, lessons learned from working with literary luminaries, and how she knows when a short story is done.

]]> Lee discusses her much-acclaimed debut novel, lessons learned from working with literary luminaries, and how she knows when a short story is done.

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8979218 Thu, 19 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1004 full false Memoirist Gretchen Cherington on Poetic License Memoirist Gretchen Cherington on Poetic License Gretchen shares stories of growing up with a Pulitzer-Prize-winning father, a houseful of famous poets, and coming to terms with a parent's betrayal.  gretchencherington.com

]]> Gretchen shares stories of growing up with a Pulitzer-Prize-winning father, a houseful of famous poets, and coming to terms with a parent's betrayal.  gretchencherington.com

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8942709 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 01:00:00 -0400 1028 full false Mary Helen Sheriff on Boop and Eve's Road Trip Mary Helen Sheriff on Boop and Eve's Road Trip Mary takes readers on a funny, poignant ride through the South, plus the author shares how you can have it all (just not all at once).

]]> Mary takes readers on a funny, poignant ride through the South, plus the author shares how you can have it all (just not all at once).

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8942705 Thu, 05 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400 942 full false Ed Ting on astrophotography and the stars (of YouTube) Ed Ting on astrophotography and the stars (of YouTube) Ed Ting shares what it's like to talk telescopes to over half a million YouTube viewers, and the relationship between riding and writing. 

]]> Ed Ting shares what it's like to talk telescopes to over half a million YouTube viewers, and the relationship between riding and writing. 

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8290936 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 758 full false Edwin Hill on his acclaimed Hester Thursby series (that almost didn't have Hester Thursby) Edwin Hill on his acclaimed Hester Thursby series (that almost didn't have Hester Thursby) Edwin talks about what ifs, what brought him back to writing after giving up, and what he considers his biggest success.  https://www.edwin-hill.com/

]]> Edwin talks about what ifs, what brought him back to writing after giving up, and what he considers his biggest success.  https://www.edwin-hill.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8837893 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1001 full false Poet James Crews on "Soul Time" Poet James Crews on "Soul Time" James shares his thoughts on the power of poetry to restore hope, joy, and "lost" moments. http://jamescrews.net/ 

]]> James shares his thoughts on the power of poetry to restore hope, joy, and "lost" moments. http://jamescrews.net/ 

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8692957 Thu, 15 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 964 full false Journalist and novelist Stephen Kiernan on everyday heroes, real and imagined Journalist and novelist Stephen Kiernan on everyday heroes, real and imagined Stephen talks about moral dilemmas, writing from a woman's POV, and with whom he wants to go dancing.  https://www.stephenpkiernan.com/

]]> Stephen talks about moral dilemmas, writing from a woman's POV, and with whom he wants to go dancing.  https://www.stephenpkiernan.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8811062 Thu, 08 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1018 full false Gary Phillips: "The Hardest Working Man in Crime Fiction" Gary Phillips: "The Hardest Working Man in Crime Fiction" Gary talks hard-boiled P.Is, comic-book heroes, hit TV shows, and how he manages to mix entertainment with social commentary, no matter the medium.  https://gdphillips.com/

]]> Gary talks hard-boiled P.Is, comic-book heroes, hit TV shows, and how he manages to mix entertainment with social commentary, no matter the medium.  https://gdphillips.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8762031 Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0400 924 full false International Best-Selling Novelist Jodi Picoult on making books, musicals, and movies International Best-Selling Novelist Jodi Picoult on making books, musicals, and movies Jodi talks about the job of an artist, mom-daughter collaborations, and how some stories "sing" to her. https://www.jodipicoult.com/

]]> Jodi talks about the job of an artist, mom-daughter collaborations, and how some stories "sing" to her. https://www.jodipicoult.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8732084 Thu, 24 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1031 full false Melanie Finn on the allure of bad characters Melanie Finn on the allure of bad characters Melanie talks life and literature, from the remotest regions of Africa to the raw, rural landscape of northern Vermont. https://www.melaniefinn.com/

]]> Melanie talks life and literature, from the remotest regions of Africa to the raw, rural landscape of northern Vermont. https://www.melaniefinn.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8690037 Thu, 17 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 998 full false NYTimes bestselling author Marilyn Brant on taking advice from Jane Austen NYTimes bestselling author Marilyn Brant on taking advice from Jane Austen Marilyn shares how  romance, constructive feedback, and snacks feed her writing life https://marilynbrant.com/

]]> Marilyn shares how  romance, constructive feedback, and snacks feed her writing life https://marilynbrant.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8649132 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 08:00:00 -0400 949 full false Alexia Gordon: Physician by day, crime writer by night Alexia Gordon: Physician by day, crime writer by night Alexia unravels the mystery of why her cozy series is a charmer for readers and reviewers (hint: a dogged sleuth and a good-looking ghost) https://alexiagordon.net/

]]> Alexia unravels the mystery of why her cozy series is a charmer for readers and reviewers (hint: a dogged sleuth and a good-looking ghost) https://alexiagordon.net/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8609430 Thu, 03 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0400 890 full false Poet Kim Stafford on "true words, briefly spoken" Poet Kim Stafford on "true words, briefly spoken" Kim shares how being Oregon's Poet Laureate fed his own work, and why writing is good medicine for the writer and reader. https://www.kimstaffordpoet.com/


]]> Kim shares how being Oregon's Poet Laureate fed his own work, and why writing is good medicine for the writer and reader. https://www.kimstaffordpoet.com/


]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8584715 Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 1003 full false Oprah choice JoAnne Tompkins on What Comes After Oprah choice JoAnne Tompkins on What Comes After JoAnne talks about grace, finding an agent, and four-legged enlightened beings. 
https://www.joannetompkins.com/

]]> JoAnne talks about grace, finding an agent, and four-legged enlightened beings. 
https://www.joannetompkins.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8503073 Thu, 20 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 845 full false L.A. best-selling novelist Jervey Tervalon on why he can't complain about a damn thing L.A. best-selling novelist Jervey Tervalon on why he can't complain about a damn thing Jervey talks motivation, vindication, and desperation, plus the gory details behind one of California's biggest literary festivals.  http://litfestpasadena.org/

]]> Jervey talks motivation, vindication, and desperation, plus the gory details behind one of California's biggest literary festivals.  http://litfestpasadena.org/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8479521 Thu, 13 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 769 full false Novelist Jane Cleland on treasures and (ill-placed) trash cans Novelist Jane Cleland on treasures and (ill-placed) trash cans Jane shares how the protagonist of her 14-book series can still surprise her, and how to avoid one big plotting pitfall.  https://janecleland.com/

]]> Jane shares how the protagonist of her 14-book series can still surprise her, and how to avoid one big plotting pitfall.  https://janecleland.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8401311 Thu, 06 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400 763 full false Jeff Cohen on murder most funny Jeff Cohen on murder most funny Jeff explains how a publisher's bad day led to his first book, and why he calls New Jersey home sweet home. http://www.jeffcohenbooks.com/wp/

]]> Jeff explains how a publisher's bad day led to his first book, and why he calls New Jersey home sweet home. http://www.jeffcohenbooks.com/wp/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8383819 Thu, 29 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0400 817 full false YA novelist Susan Kaplan Carlton on ruining her own prom YA novelist Susan Kaplan Carlton on ruining her own prom Susan tells why she can so relate to her teenage protagonists, and the communal power of clacking keys. https://susankaplancarlton.com/

]]> Susan tells why she can so relate to her teenage protagonists, and the communal power of clacking keys. https://susankaplancarlton.com/

]]> Joni B. Cole Buzzsprout-8346645 Thu, 22 Apr 2021 09:00:00 -0400 808 full false