Every month I interview authors whose books I’ve liked and found compelling. I want to know more. Join me as I ask all the questions I am dying to know: some serious, others not.
Elena meets Marjan Kamali
August 5th, 2025
In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the incredible Marjan Kamali to discuss her bestselling novel The Lion Women of Tehran. 🌍✨
The novel follows the intertwined lives of two childhood friends, Homa and Ellie, as they grow from girls in 1950s Tehran into women navigating the complexities of adulthood. We dive into the inspiration behind this captivating story, the rich depiction of Iranian culture, and the unique challenges of writing historical fiction. Marjan shares some evocative excerpts from her book and reveals how her own childhood friendships and family history have shaped the narrative. Together, we explore themes of friendship, the fragility of freedom, and the timeless nature of storytelling. 📖💫
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Elena meets Yael van der Wouden
July 5th, 2025
In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I interview Dutch author Yael Van Der Wouden about her debut novel, 'The Safekeep', which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize. We delve into the novel's complex themes, including post-war Dutch society, familial relationships, and the nuances of loathing and desire. Yael shares insights into her writing process, the inspiration behind her work, and her experiences growing up Jewish in the Netherlands. The episode concludes with a discussion on building suspense and the art of writing erotica, offering listeners a comprehensive look at the making of a modern classic. Don't miss Yael reading an excerpt from her book and hinting at her upcoming novel.
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Elena meets Annabel Monaghan
May 23rd, 2025
In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, I sit down with the brilliant and beloved romance novelist Annabel Monaghan to talk about her upcoming book, It’s a Love Story, which hits shelves on May 27th. We dive into her creative process and the inspiration behind her central characters—Jane Jackson, a former child TV star trying to find her footing in Hollywood, and Dan Finnegan, her arrogant (but undeniably charming) nemesis turned potential love interest.
Annabel reads a powerful excerpt from the book and opens up about the deeper themes of self-realization and challenging the beliefs we grow up with. We also chat about what makes romantic comedy both joyful and difficult to write, how she crafts characters that are flawed but lovable, explains how to write a sex scene, and tells us why date dresses and straightened hair aren’t necessarily the way to seduce your soulmate.
She even gives us a sneak peek at what she’s working on next—and shares some of her recent favourite reads. If you love thoughtful conversations about books, creativity, and the messy beauty of love stories, you’re going to enjoy this one.
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Elena meets Lynda Cohen Loigman
April 23rd, 2025
In this episode, Elena interviews Lynda Cohen Loigman about her latest book, 'The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern,' which has made it to Elena's rolling top 10 books. They discuss the novel's dual timeline, set in a 1920s Brooklyn pharmacy and a 1980s Florida retirement home, its themes of second chances and the magic of youth. Lynda reads an excerpt from the book and shares her inspiration, drawn from family stories and personal experiences. The conversation delves into the historical role of pharmacies, the impact of timing and secrets in the plot, and the power of words. Linda also gives a glimpse into her next book, a coming-of-age story set in 1965.
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Elena meets Neroli Lacey
March 24th, 2025
In today's episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Neroli, the author of the thrilling debut novel 'The Perfumer's Secret'. Set in the scenic region of Grasse, where the Mediterranean meets the Alps, this book is a love letter to French culture, tradition, and the art of perfume-making. We discussed the book's central theme of multifaceted truths through its dynamic plot and sublime setting. Neroli shared insights into her creative journey, research, and character development, as well as personal anecdotes that inspired the story. She also gave us a sneak peek into her upcoming books and recommended some must-reads for our listeners. Enjoy this captivating conversation and don't miss out on getting a free copy of 'The Perfumer's Secret' on e-book!
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Elena meets Elinor Lipman
March 11th, 2025
n this episode, I chat with the beloved and prolific novelist Elinor Lipman about her latest book, Every Tom, Dick & Harry. This humorous story follows Emma Lewis as she navigates taking over her parents' struggling estate sale business. Elinor shares insights into her writing process, overcoming writer's block, and finding inspiration from everyday experiences like estate sales. We also dive into her personal love story with Jonathan, a British art appraiser, and how her real-life experiences influence her work. Tune in to hear why Elinor believes in the power of polishing and being open to ideas.
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Elena meets Rochelle Weinstein
February 21st, 2025
In this episode of 'Elena Meets the Author,' Elena interviews Rochelle Weinstein, a bestselling author known for her emotionally charged women's fiction novels. Rochelle discusses her new book, 'We Are Made of Stars,' set in an idyllic inn in North Carolina and featuring a host of complex characters. She shares her journey from secretive journal writer to published author, the inspirations behind her characters and settings, and her approach to writing and building suspense. The episode concludes with insights into her future projects and book recommendations.
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Elena meets Anastasia Rubis
February 9th, 2025
In today’s episode, I sat down with Anastasia Rubis—who goes by Stacy—to dive into her debut novel, Oriana. In the book, Stacy chronicles the life of pioneering Italian journalist Oriana Fallaci, whose fearless interviews with world leaders like Henry Kissinger, Gaddafi, and Golda Meir made her a trailblazer in journalism. I loved hearing Stacy read a compelling excerpt that perfectly captures Fallaci’s confrontational style with Kissinger.
We explored everything from Fallaci’s unique approach to journalism and the challenges of balancing love and a demanding career, to how her childhood during World War II shaped her bravery. Stacy also shared her own journey of writing and publishing Oriana, her passion for bringing unsung female heroes to the forefront, and even compared Fallaci’s challenges with those faced by her contemporaries like Barbara Walters.
The episode wraps up with Stacy touching on her upcoming projects and the importance of persevering in the face of rejection. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about courage, creativity, and the power of storytelling.
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Elena meets Michael Cecchi-Azzolina
January 24th, 2025
In this episode, Elena interviews Michael Cecchi Azzolina, a seasoned New York City restaurant veteran with a career spanning 40 years at top Manhattan establishments. Michael discusses his experiences in the book 'Your Table is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D', which offers a gritty, behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant industry during the 1980s Wall Street era. From touching stories about surviving the AIDS crisis and 9/11 to insights on restaurant dynamics and the art of service, Michael shares his journey from a troubled childhood in Brooklyn to managing his own successful eatery. He also reveals the challenges and joys of working in restaurants, the significance of great service, and how he came to write his book.
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Elena meets Stephen Bruno
December 13th, 2024
In this episode, Elena interviews Stephen Bruno, the author of 'Building Material: The Memoir of a Park Avenue Doorman’. In this coming of age story, Stephen talks about how getting the doorman job helped break his downward spiral from gifted academic kid in the Bronx to selling chicken wings at a fast-food restaurant in the midwest. He also opens up about the upstairs downstairs shenanigans at an exclusive Park Avenue building in New York City.
Stephen talks about his unique perspective from twenty years spent serving residents. And while one of the rules of being a doorman is don’t get too close to the residents, they don’t want to be your friend, Stephen did just that and it saved him during a dark time. He talks about how watching a documentary on American black playwright August Wilson reminded him of a core rule of writing. He shares insights into his upbringing in the Bronx, the rules and subtleties of being a doorman, and the challenges he faced both professionally and personally. Stephen’s authentic account delves into themes of identity, class, and the transformative power of storytelling.
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Elena meets Rufi Thorpe
November 30th, 2024
In this episode, Rufi discusses her novel 'Margo's Got Money Troubles' and shares insights into her writing process, inspiration, and research. The novel delves into the world of a single mother who turns to OnlyFans to support her child, exploring themes like unemployment, sex work, and the complexities of human nature. Rufi also addresses societal judgments and the interweaving of tragedy and comedy in art. Additionally, she reflects on how personal experiences influenced her storytelling and offers a glimpse into the upcoming TV adaptation of her book.
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Elena meets Alison Espach
November 15th, 2024
In this episode, Elena interviews author Alison Espach about her novel 'The Wedding People.' Alison talks about how the idea of the book came to her, how grief can be freeing, and how she's always looking for opportunities for humor. Phoebe, the protagonist in this darkly funny novel, is grappling with suicidal thoughts at a luxurious wedding while the bride is furious that Phoebe would ruin her wedding week. Well, six day wedding.
Alison is very insightful and curious about how tragedy isn't forever even though it might seem like it, and how the little happy moments can help us move on.
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Elena meets Kate Feiffer
November 1st, 2024
In this episode, Elena interviews writer Kate Feiffer about her latest novel, 'Morning Pages'. The conversation covers Kate's diverse career, her talented family background, and the central themes of her book, including its focus on a playwright dealing with writer's block, family responsibilities, and professional challenges. Kate explains the inspiration behind the novel, its narrative style using 'Morning Pages', and the real-life experiences that influenced the story. The discussion also delves into the writing process, the humor in the book, and the dynamics within writers' groups that helped shape Kate's work.
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Elena meets Dawn Tripp
October 18th, 2024
n this episode of Elena Meets the Author, Elena interviews bestselling author Dawn Tripp about her historical fiction novel 'Jackie,' which offers a nuanced portrait of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Through insights from Dawn's extensive research and reflections, the discussion reveals Jackie's intellectual depth, passion for literature, and complex relationships, particularly with JFK. The episode dives into Jackie's profound resilience, highlighted by her ability to manage grief and maintain her public image following JFK's assassination. It also touches on her later years and significant relationships, including with Aristotle Onassis. Viewers will gain a deeper understanding of Jackie's multifaceted persona, her literary passions, and her influential role in history. The segment concludes with literary recommendations from Elena and teasers for future discussions.
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Elena meets Jillian Lavender
October 4th, 2024
In this episode, Elena is joined by Jillian Lavender, co-founder of the London and New York Meditation Centers, to discuss her book 'Why Meditate? Because it works' and the enduring relevance of meditation. Jillian shares her journey into meditation and becoming a Vedic meditation teacher. She debunks common myths about meditation, emphasizing that it's not about stopping thoughts but embracing practices that offer numerous life benefits. Lavender explains the deep physiological and psychological effects of regular meditation, such as improved brain function, resilience, and emotional balance, and highlights meditation's potential role in health and creativity. The discussion touches on how meditation can positively impact fertility and challenges, with Lavender sharing personal anecdotes and extensive research backing. The conversation concludes with inspirations for the coming year and insights Lavender would give to her younger self.
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Elena meets Ann Leary
September 20th, 2024
Ann’s latest book, I’ve Tried Being Nice is an anthology of essays about Ann’s life and the things that matter to her. Ann is married to stand-up comedian and actor Denis Leary. After reading I’ve Tried Being Nice in two days, I think Ann might be just as funny as her husband. In this episode we talk about tennis- how it can both help and hinder your marriage, how having hobbies can help you write, and the unexpected joys of empty nesting.
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Elena meets Lea Carpenter
September 6th, 2024
New York author Lea Carpenter talks about her latest spy novel and the inspirations behind it, her literary heroes- Graham Greene, John Le Carré to name a few, and how she decided to write a thriller with a feminine twist.
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Elena meets Ruth Reichl
August 23rd, 2024
In this episode of 'Elena Meets the Author,' host Elena Bowes interviews renowned food writer and author Ruth Reichl about her latest book, 'The Paris Novel.'
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Elena meets Beatriz Williams
August 9th, 2024
In this episode, Elena Bowes talks to acclaimed author Beatriz Williams about her latest work of historical fiction, Husbands & Lovers.
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Elena meets Clare Pooley
July 26th, 2024
In this episode I talk to the lovely London-based Clare Pooley about her latest novel, How to Age Disgracefully.
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Elena meets Annabel Monaghan
June 26th, 2024
In today’s episode I talk to Annabel Monaghan about her latest funny, romantic page-turner, Summer Romance, which came out in the US a few weeks ago and is available in the UK on July 4th.
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Elena meets Holly Gramazio
May 26th, 2024
In today's episode, I sit down with Aussie author and game designer Holly Gramazio to delve into the creative process and inspiration behind Holly's best-selling book, The Husbands.
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Elena meets Elizabeth Fremantle
April 28th, 2024
I caught up with British author Elizabeth Fremantle to learn more about her latest gripping novel Disobedient.
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Elena meets Lyn Slater
March 27th, 2024
Today I am speaking to Lyn Slater, author of How to Be Old, Lessons in Living Boldly from The Accidental Icon.
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