Authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis join Daniel Ford and special guest co-host Dave Pezza (NovelClass) on the show to discuss their speculative fiction novel 2034.

Episode 476: 2034, With Authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis

His books and lectures on storytelling are so iconic that he was portrayed by Brian Cox in the Oscar-winning film Adaptation, and guest starred as himself in an episode of The Simpsons. This week we’re thrilled to chat with Robert McKee about his newest book, Character: The Art of Role and Cast Design for Page, Stage, and Screen. Joining his classics the bestselling Story and Dialogue, this third entry in his trilogy on writing fiction finds McKee sharing his thoughts on how to create compelling characters, from keeping the well-worn antihero fresh to understanding that we can learn things from characters that we may not recognize in real humans. Expanding on the examples of success he presents in Character – from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad – Bob also tells us some of his current favorite TV viewing and leaves both Jennifer and Kim thinking about those novel ideas they’ve been kicking around for years. Prepare to be inspired yourself by this very fun and informative chat with a true legend.

Pop Literacy: Robert McKee Talking Character With The Master Of Storytelling

Author and newly minted Catapult editor in chief Megha Majumdar joins Daniel Ford on the show to discuss her debut A Burning (out today in paperback).

Episode 485: Megha Majumdar, Author of A Burning

On today's Friday Morning Coffee, Mary Roach, author of Fuzz, tells Daniel Ford all about animals behaving badly (or more accurately, hungrily). Caitlin Malcuit also discusses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposing delisting 23 species from Endangered Species Act because they are extinct.

Friday Morning Coffee: Mary Roach, Author of Fuzz

Multiple-talented actress and scribe Tracy Dawson chats with Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee about her debut book Let Me Be Frank: A Book About Women Who Dressed Like Men to Do Shit They Weren't Supposed to Do.  

Caitlin Malcuit also discusses this year's 55th anniversary of Kathrine Switzer's famous Boston Marathon run, the 50th anniversary of the Boston Marathon allowing women to run in the race, and the 50th anniversary of Title IX. She also talks about the latest Congressional efforts to strengthen and protect Title IX protections and the work being done by Know Your IX.

Friday Morning Coffee: Tracy Dawson, Author of Let Me Be Frank

Author Ilyon Woo joins Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee to chat about her book Master Slave Husband Wife: An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom. Caitlin Malcuit also discusses the excellent archives available through Digital Commonwealth, Boston Public Library's Anti-Slavery Collection, and some of the perils of relying on digital records.

Friday Morning Coffee: Ilyon Woo, Author of Master Slave Husband Wife

Author Rebecca Makkai returns to the show to discuss her latest novel I Have Some Questions for You (out today from Viking).

Episode 570: Rebecca Makkai, Author of I Have Some Questions for You

Award-winning author S.A. Cosby returns to the show to chat about his collaboration with Questlove, The Rhythm of Time, and his new novel All the Sinners Bleed.

Episode 593: S.A. Cosby, The Rhythm of Time & All the Sinners Bleed

Author Frank Santo joins Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee to chat about his debut novel The Birthparents. 

Caitlin Malcuit also discusses about the IMPACT X Nightline special On the Brink, which covers the devastating effect of abortion bans in the U.S., recounting incidents where individuals faced significant challenges accessing necessary medical care due to restrictive laws. She also discusses the case of Brittany Watts and the insidious workarounds to criminalize abortions in states where bans aren’t in effect.

Friday Morning Coffee: Frank Santo, Author of The Birthparents

Author Deborah Jackson Taffa joins Daniel Ford on the show to discuss her memoir Whiskey Tender.

Episode 639: Deborah Jackson Taffa, Author of Whiskey Tender

Melissa Fitzgerald and Mary McCormack join Daniel Ford on the show to discuss their book What's Next: A Backstage Pass to The West Wing, Its Cast and Crew, and Its Enduring Legacy of Service.

Episode 674: Melissa Fitzgerald & Mary McCormack

Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen, creators of "Somebody Somewhere" on HBO, talk with Daniel Ford about crafting a show with comedian and actress Bridget Everett, how they assembled the perfect ensemble cast, and some of their favorite moments from the series.

Episode 690: Hannah Bos and Paul Thureen

On the first Friday Morning Coffee of 2025, host Caitlin Malcuit discusses the Southern California wildfires.

Poet Amanda Hawkins then chats with Daniel Ford about their debut collection When I Say the Bones I Mean the Bones.

Friday Morning Coffee: Following the Whale With Poet Amanda Hawkins

Michael McFaul, former Ambassador to Russia for President Barack Obama and NBC News contributor, joins Daniel Ford on the show to discuss his new book Autocrats vs. Democrats: China, Russia, America, and the New Global Disorder.

Episode 730: Ambassador Michael McFaul

Author and Academy Award-nominee Julian Brave NoiseCat joins Daniel Ford on the final show of 2025 to discuss his book We Survived the Night and his documentary film "Sugarcane."

Episode 737: Julian Brave NoiseCat

Award-winning and best-selling author and journalist Howard Bryant (Rickey, The Last Hero) joins Daniel Ford on the show to discuss his book Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America.

Episode 738: Howard Bryant

Author Dimitry Elias Léger (God Loves Haiti) returns to the show and chats with Daniel Ford about his latest novel Death of the Soccer God.

Episode 757: Dimitry Elias Léger

Author and journalist Kate Crane joins Daniel Ford for a powerful conversation about her book What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?

Episode 758: Kate Crane

Author Nicole Blades (Have You Met Nora?, The Thunder Beneath Us) returns to the show and chats with Daniel Ford about her latest novel Would I Lie to You?

Episode 759: Nicole Blades

Friday Morning Coffee host Caitlin Malcuit discusses how Swords into Plowshares is reclaiming bronze melted down from Confederate monuments and the three finalists to replace the Robert E. Lee statue in Virginia. 

Author and architect Michael P. Murphy then joins Daniel Ford to discuss his book Our World in Ten Buildings: How Architecture Defines Who We Are and How We Live.

Friday Morning Coffee: Michael P. Murphy

Author Caroline Kepnes returns to the show and chats with Daniel Ford about You First, the latest installment in the Joe Goldberg series.

Episode 760: Caroline Kepnes

Author Ben Fountain (Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk, Devil Makes Three) returns to the show and chats with Daniel Ford about his latest novel Rasputin Sails the Potomac.

Episode 761: Ben Fountain

Host Caitlin Malcuit discusses Roberta Smith and Jerry Saltz's "House of Criticism" documentary and the current, troubled state of criticism and journalism.

Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Sarah L. Kaufman joins Daniel Ford to chat about her book Verb Your Enthusiasm.

Friday Morning Coffee: Sarah L. Kaufman

Welcome to Author-poolza 2026!

We're joined by a trio of authors who felt like a complete set, so we decided to include them all in one episode. 

Best-selling author Louise Fein chats about her novel Book of Forbidden Words (2:44). We're then joined by Kara McDowell, author of her adult fiction debut The Write Off (25:24). Our third and final guest is Edith Forbes, author of The Lawnmower Lady (46:44).

Episode 762: Louise Fein & Kara McDowell & Edith Forbes

Author Jenny Jackson returns and chats with Daniel Ford about her latest novel The Shampoo Effect.

Episode 763: Jenny Jackson

Author and journalist Tim Brown joins Daniel Ford on the show to discuss his book Nolan: The Singular Life of an American Original.

Episode 764: Tim Brown

Daniel Ford and Dave Pezza discuss how they sometimes write better in their heads than on the page. The pair also talks about writing dialogue, their short story plans, and what’s on their reading lists. 

(Photo courtesy of Cristina Cianci)

Friday Morning Coffee: It’s All In Your Head

Julia Claiborne Johnson, author of the wonderfully heartfelt Be Frank With Me, talks to Daniel Ford about the typewriter that inspired her to become a writer, her writing process, how she shopped her debut novel, and what’s she’s learned while promoting Be Frank With Me.

Episode 141: Author Julia Claiborne Johnson

Singer/songwriter and rock musician Frank Turner talks to Daniel Ford about his current tour, his writing process, and how he keeps pushing the boundaries to deliver something listeners haven't heard yet.

Friday Morning Coffee: Musician Frank Turner

During our live interview with best-selling author James Rollins at The Harvard Coop, he recommended we watch…”Garm Wars: The Last Druid.” As he said, “You might never read another James Rollins novel after you see this terrible movie on my recommendation.”

Best-Selling Author James Rollins Recommends ‘Garm Wars: The Last Druid’

Scott Frank, author of Shaker (which is now available in paperback)&nbsp;and screenwriter of "Logan," "Minority Report," and "Marley &amp; Me," talks to Sean Tuohy about the joy of writing his novel and his varied screenwriting career.

Episode 171: Author and 'Logan' Screenwriter Scott Frank

Sean Tuohy, Daniel Ford, and Dave Pezza discuss their summer reading and writing plans.

Friday Morning Coffee: What Books Are In Your Beach Bag This Summer?

Kamila Shamsie, author of  Home Fire, talks to Daniel Ford about why writing is all she ever wanted to do, what it’s like having a novel longlisted for the 2017 Man Booker Prize, and how she crafted the characters and plot in her recent novel. (Photo credit: Zain Mustafa)

Episode 214: Home Fire Author Kamila Shamsie

Lysa Heslov, director of “Served Like A Girl,” talks to Sean Tuohy about how she changed as a person and filmmaker while making the documentary, the unbreakable bond she formed with the female veterans, and her next equally complex and emotional project.

Episode 241: ‘Served Like A Girl’ Director Lysa Heslov

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Gilbert King talks to Daniel Ford about his new book  Beneath A Ruthless Sun.

Episode 284: Beneath A Ruthless Sun Author Gilbert King

It was the decade of “The Macarena,” the O.J. Simpson trial, the teen pop boom, VHS tapes, and Nintendo. It was also before 9/11 and Columbine, a time when the nation hung on every lurid detail of the president’s sex life and the Tonya Harding-Nancy Kerrigan feud. Though 2000s nostalgia is on the way—as we discussed two weeks ago—it’s hard to let go of our nostalgia for what looks like our last relatively innocent decade from here. Is there something extra special about the ‘90s? We discuss with guest host Sam Slaughter, author of the forthcoming Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum?: And Other Cocktails for ‘90s Kids.

Pop Literacy: Will 1990s Nostalgia Always Be The Best Nostalgia?

Author Amanda Goldblatt joins Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee to discuss her debut novel Hard Mouth. Caitlin Malcuit also chats about “Veronica Mars.”

Friday Morning Coffee: Amanda Goldblatt, Author of Hard Mouth

Maureen Ryan has been a TV critic for the Chicago Tribune and Variety through the medium’s seismic changes over the last two decades and continues to write about it for basically every high-profile outlet that covers television. She’s also long been among the few prominent female critics during that time, and, as such, she has advocated for more women behind the camera and better representation in front of the camera. She’s featured in a new documentary, This Changes Everything, discussing sexism in film and television alongside Geena Davis, Marisa Tomei, Meryl Streep, Sandra Oh, Zoe Saldana, Shonda Rhimes, and others. And she’s talking with us this week about how far women have—and haven’t—come in the industry, the state of TV journalism, the political role of TV in the upcoming presidential election, and what you can watch to escape it all.

Pop Literacy: Why Women Matter in TV and Criticism – With Maureen Ryan

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo returns to the show to discuss his new novel  Chances Are…

Episode 378: Richard Russo, Author of Chances Are…

On Aug. 24, Daniel Ford (Sid Sanford Lives!) sat down with Jennifer Keishin Armstrong (Seinfeldia, Sex and the City and Us) at Kew & Willow Books to discuss his short story collection Black Coffee, his pop culture influences, and his “cynical optimist” persona. Caitlin Malcuit also chats about seeing comedian Reggie Watts at The Wilbur Theatre this past weekend.

Friday Morning Coffee: Daniel Ford and Jennifer Keishin Armstrong Live From Kew & Willow Books

Author Karen A. Chase joins Daniel Ford on Friday Morning Coffee to discuss her novel Carrying Independence. Caitlin Malcuit also chats about recent Nintendo Direct news.

Friday Morning Coffee: Karen A. Chase, Author of Carrying Independence

Christine Elise is the greatest revelation of the mind-bending, meta reboot-about-a-reboot BH90210: The actress who once played bad girl Emily Valentine on the original 90210 returned to play a version of “herself” as a network executive in charge of the show-within-a-show, oozing punk rock attitude and sex appeal and stealing every one of her scenes. And yet, it turns out she’s an even bigger character when she’s off script. This week, she talks to us about how she brazenly pitched herself as a character to the producers; why she had the best professional experience of her life on the reboot despite behind-the-scenes tensions; how she’s hustled to survive employment ups and downs in Hollywood; and why the show deserves another season. She also discusses her novel and short film, Bathing and the Single Girl, as well as her plant-based cooking blog, Delightful Delicious Delovely.

Pop Literacy: Stealing BH90210 – A No-Fucks-Given Conversation With Christine Elise

Boy howdy, are we glad Craig Johnson is back on the show! The Walt Longmire series scribe returns to chat about his new book Land of Wolves.

Episode 383: Craig Johnson, Author of the Walt Longmire Series

Author and good literary friend of the podcast Vanessa Lillie talks to Daniel Ford about her debut novel Little Voices.

Episode 385: Vanessa Lillie, Author of Little Voices

Aspiring writers, best-selling scribes, and award-winning screenwriters confront existential dread and writing angst! A podcast for the conversationalist.

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