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Author in the Headlights

Strider S. R. Klusman

Helping readers to find their new books and writers to reach their audience

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  • 34 episodes
  • Avg 13 min
  • English

Episodes 34

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  • S4 · E41
    Yesterday · 16 min

    Marshall Townsend II | The Disciplines of Growth: Leadership That Lasts | Author in the Headlights

    What makes a leader, and how do we build growth that lasts? Join Strider S.R. Klusman on Author in the Headlights for a conversation with longtime friend, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, leadership coach, and author Marshall Townsend II. Marshall discusses his book, The Disciplines of Growth, and the leadership principles developed throughout his military career and subsequent work as a coach and trainer. From the difference between management and leadership to the importance of building strong foundations during life's quieter seasons, Marshall explains why lasting success requires more than ambition. His guiding philosophy is simple: Look, listen, and learn before leading. And there's a personal twist: Marshall and Strider share a history as medieval reenactment knights, bringing decades of friendship and experience to this discussion. Featured book: The Disciplines of Growth https://books2read.com/u/3LoddX Marshall's podcast: Owning Leadership https://mt2leadership.libsyn.com/ MT2 Leadership contact: https://mt2leadership.libsyn.com/contact Author in the Headlights Bookstore: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store-update

  • S4 · E1
    November 4 · 13 min

    Wendy Kendall's, Don't Shoot the Messenger Bag, on Author in the Headlights

    🎙️ A passion for purses, mystery, and murder! Join me on Author in the Headlights as I welcome mystery author Wendy Kendall, creator of the Purse-Suit Mysteries! Wendy combines her love of handbags, romance, and intrigue in stories filled with unexpected twists, memorable characters, and a little murder along the way. We'll talk about her writing journey, her amateur sleuth Katherine Watson, and her latest mystery, Don't Shoot the Messenger Bag. 📚 Discover Wendy's latest book: https://books2read.com/u/boLPRV 👜 Visit the Author in the Headlights Bookstore: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store-update #AuthorInTheHeadlights #WendyKendall #MysteryBooks #CozyMystery #AuthorInterview #PurseSuitMysteries

  • October 29 · 13 min

    Daniel Barnett | NIGHTMARELAND & the Art of Writing Horror | Author in the Headlights

    🎃 What makes a nightmare unforgettable? Just in time for Halloween, Author in the Headlights welcomes horror author Daniel Barnett, creator of the NIGHTMARELAND series. Join host Strider S.R. Klusman for a journey into the world of horror fiction, where ordinary characters encounter extraordinary terrors and the imagination becomes a writer's most frightening tool. We explore Daniel's influences, including Stephen King, Clive Barker, and Ramsey Campbell, and discuss the techniques horror writers use to create suspense, dread, psychological unease, and genuine fear. From developing characters readers care about to building situations that keep them turning pages long after midnight, this conversation explores what makes horror such a compelling genre. 📚 Featured Book: NIGHTMARELAND — Volumes 1–6 Whether you're a devoted horror reader or curious about the creative process, join us for a conversation with a writer who knows how to make the darkness interesting. Author in the Headlights — Conversations with the people behind the books.

  • S4 · E38
    October 28 · 14 min

    David Poyer | 50 Books, Military Thrillers & Adventures | Author in the Headlights

    What does it take to write 50 books across multiple genres? In this episode of Author in the Headlights, host Strider S.R. Klusman welcomes USA Today bestselling author David Poyer for a conversation about his extraordinary writing career. From modern military thrillers and the Hemlock County novels to science fiction, historical fiction, and underwater adventures, David has spent decades creating compelling stories. We discuss his journey into writing, the challenges of working across genres, his writing methods, and the continuing adventures of Tiller Galloway. David also discusses what's next for the series, including the upcoming sixth Tiller Galloway thriller. Featured book: YUCATAN BLUE https://books2read.com/u/m2pAWr Explore more books from our guests: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new Author in the Headlights — Conversations with the people behind the books.

  • S4 · E37
    October 16 · 7 min

    Adam & Eve | Jeffrey Archer's last book and his tribute, on Author in the Headlights

    Jeffrey Archer's final book, Adam & Eve, along with his tribute. A special Author in the Headlights dedicated to Jeffrey Archer. What began as preparation for an interview about his novel Adam & Eve became an opportunity to reflect on a remarkable and often controversial life. From political ambition to international literary success, public disgrace, and reinvention, Jeffrey Archer's journey was as compelling as many of the stories he created. Join Strider S.R. Klusman as he reflects on the storyteller, the politician, and the man behind both. Featured books — Adam & Eve: https://books2read.com/u/3ngQwe Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less: https://books2read.com/u/mVd15p Kane and Able: https://books2read.com/u/boLeAZ End Game: https://books2read.com/u/mdrEMW More books at: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store-update And More of Author in the Headlights: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new

  • S4 · E36
    October 14 · 18 min

    From Rejection to Bestseller - Robert Dugoni | One Split Second | Author in the Headlights

    What happens when losing your publisher opens the door to an entirely new chapter? New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni joins Strider on Author in the Headlights to discuss his remarkable publishing career, the creation of detective Tracy Crosswhite, and his latest novel, One Split Second. Robert shares how a professional setback helped lead to My Sister's Grave, the novel that launched one of his most successful series. We also discuss his approach to maintaining multiple series, the business of writing, and the importance of encouraging emerging authors. Strider also shares a personal story about Robert's generosity in speaking with a brand new author at a PNWA conference. Explore Robert's books: One Split Second: https://books2read.com/u/bWn2wM My Sister's Grave: https://books2read.com/u/mKXzkL The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell: https://books2read.com/u/mv6poe Author in the Headlights Bookstore for more of Dugoni's books: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store-update And Strider's books - The Adventures of Rhone & Stone Stone: https://books2read.com/u/m0B2xJ Luna: https://books2read.com/u/bPeLxR Recalled: https://books2read.com/u/3G0pqP For more interviews: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new Author in the Headlights — Helping readers discover authors and authors discover readers.

  • S4 · E35
    October 13 · 13 min

    What Is Climate Fiction? | S.W. Lawrence MD | Fossil Dragon | Author in the Headlights

    What is climate fiction, and how does it turn today's environmental challenges into compelling stories? Author S.W. Lawrence, MD, joins Strider on Author in the Headlights to discuss his Dragon trilogy and the growing genre of climate fiction, also known as Cli-Fi. Sandy explains why Fossil Dragon, the first book in the trilogy's reading order, was actually the last one he wrote. We also explore his environmental advocacy, his writing process, and his plans for a new novel. Explore the trilogy: Fossil Dragon: https://books2read.com/u/bQMlgv Climate Dragon: https://books2read.com/u/bz8wL9 Cloud Dragon: https://books2read.com/u/bwpjzO Visit Sandy: https://swlawrence.com/ More Author in the Headlights interviews: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new Author in the Headlights — Helping readers discover authors and authors discover readers.

  • S4 · E34
    October 7 · 12 min

    Am I Good Enough? | Ted Leonhardt | The Work Beneath the Work | Author in the Headlights

    Am I good enough? It's one of the questions creative people ask themselves over and over—and Ted Leonhardt believes understanding where that question comes from can change how we see ourselves and our work. Ted joins Strider on Author in the Headlights to discuss his book The Work Beneath the Work, part memoir and part reflection on a lifetime spent working with creative people. Ted shares how his complicated childhood led him to ask, “Why am I the person I am?” We explore the persistent fear of not being good enough, the anxiety of sharing creative work with others, and why those feelings don't necessarily disappear with success. We also hear about Ted's beginnings as an illustrator at Boeing, the drawings he continues to create for his stories, and a handwritten letter from a reader that reminded him why the work matters. 📚 The Work Beneath the Work: https://books2read.com/u/bxK6Je Author in the Headlights — Helping readers discover authors and authors discover readers. For more episodes: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new

  • S4 · E33
    October 3 · 13 min

    Ines - Portugal's Romeo & Juliet | Catherine Mathis | Historical Fiction on Author in the Headlights

    Love, betrayal, and royal intrigue in medieval Portugal. Historical fiction author Catherine Mathis joins Strider on Author in the Headlights to introduce her Queens of Portugal Trilogy. Her first novel, Inês, explores the legendary love story of Pedro and Inês, often called Portugal's Romeo and Juliet. Her second novel, Leonor, continues the trilogy with another fascinating woman from Portuguese history. Discover Catherine's historical inspiration, her writing journey, and the challenges of transforming history into fiction. Explore Catherine's books: Inês: https://books2read.com/u/4jl5yk Leonor: https://books2read.com/u/b59q6O And more books at the Author in the Headlights Bookstore: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/book-store-update Author in the Headlights — Helping readers discover authors and authors discover readers.

  • S4 · E32
    September 7 · 14 min

    Gail Noble-Sanderson | Neither Life Nor Death | Author in the headlights

    Gail returns to Author in the Headlights to talk about Neither Life Nor Death, the third installment in her award-winning Drew Davies Railway Mystery Series. Set in post-war Mumbles, Wales, the series combines Gail’s love of history with something much more personal: she grew up in a railroad family. Her father was a railroad engineer, her uncles were brakemen and conductors, and her mother and aunts worked in the railroad office. Gail and Strider talk about turning real places into fiction, researching in Wales, building characters across a series, and discovering that there may be no single “right” way to write a book. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for another conversation about books, writers, and the stories behind the stories. Neither Life Nor Death was released August 30 and is a historical cozy mystery with romance, set in Mumbles, Wales. Author in the Headlights — Books • Writers • Real Conversations

  • S4 · E31
    September 4 · 14 min

    100 Years of Route 66—for Kids! | Beth Bacon, on Author in the Headlights

    Route 66 turns 100, and children's author Beth Bacon is celebrating by introducing America's most famous highway to a new generation. Beth returns to Author in the Headlights to talk with Strider S.R. Klusman about her new book, Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road. How do you take a century of history spread across eight states and decide which people, places, attractions, and stories belong in a children's book? Beth talks about the research behind the book, some of the surprises she discovered along the Mother Road, and how she designed the book to appeal to young and reluctant readers. We also explore the writer's side of the project: Route 66 already has travelers, museums, roadside attractions, gift shops, and families interested in its history—an unusual example of a book entering a marketplace with an audience already waiting. Plus, Beth tells us what's coming next, including Nightingale Rising. 📚 Beth Bacon's books Route 66: Faces and Places Along America’s Most Famous Road https://amzn.to/4iGzsTm I Hate Reading https://books2read.com/u/bONlV9 The Book No One Wants to Read https://books2read.com/u/mYxl0V The Worst Book Ever https://amzn.to/4fvy8Ri Blank Space https://amzn.to/4fbuJWq The Panda Cub Swap https://books2read.com/u/3n95B8 Grandmother Effect https://books2read.com/u/m0j8zM Coming Soon — Nightingale Rising https://books2read.com/u/bQrX2D #Route66 #BethBacon #ChildrensBooks #AuthorInTheHeadlights

  • S4 · E30
    August 28 · 13 min

    What Makes a Great Thriller? | Intelligence Expert Rick Steinke and his new book, Sicilian Nexus | Author in the Headlights

    What makes a great thriller? For Ralph R. “Rick” Steinke, it starts with a credible threat. Rick brings an unusual perspective to fiction. His career in the U.S. Army and Department of Defense took him from West Point to work involving Afghanistan, Kosovo, Ukraine, and high-stakes intelligence. Today, he draws on that experience as the author of the Major Jake Fortina global thriller series. Rick joins Strider S.R. Klusman on Author in the Headlights to discuss his newest novel, The Sicilian Nexus, how real-world intelligence experience influences his fiction, and what separates a believable thriller from one that doesn't quite work. We also talk about Rick's writing process, the Jake Fortina series, his new covers, how long it takes him to write a novel, the people he relies on during the writing process, and what comes next. If you enjoy military thrillers, international suspense, espionage fiction, or the craft of writing suspense, meet the man who's been there—and now writes about it. Author in the Headlights Discover authors, books, and the stories behind the stories. #RickSteinke #ThrillerBooks #MilitaryThriller #AuthorInterview #AuthorInTheHeadlights

  • S4 · E29
    August 19 · 13 min

    Stuck in the Muddy Middle? Write the End First | Marian Exall | Author in the Headlights

    Mystery and historical-fiction author Marian Exall returns to Author in the Headlights to talk about Loners, her journey from attorney to novelist, the craft behind her mysteries and historical fiction, and her newest book, Loners. Marian shares what years of reading taught her about writing, why historical fiction demands such careful research, and the practical technique she uses when a manuscript bogs down in the “muddy middle”: write the ending first. We also meet Loners detective Christine McQuarry and hear about Marian's work on the next book in the series.

  • August 15 · 14 min

    Lisa Gardner's ne w book - You’ll Be Sorry - Author in the Headlights

    #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner joins Author in the Headlights to talk suspense, storytelling, and her newest novel, You’ll Be Sorry. Lisa takes us inside her writing process—how she develops her thrillers, builds suspense, handles the demands of publishing, and continues finding new stories after a remarkable career. We also talk about her bestselling series, the evolution of her writing, and what’s coming next. Whether you're a longtime Lisa Gardner fan, a thriller reader looking for your next book, or a writer fascinated by how bestselling suspense is created, come join the conversation. 📚 Discover Lisa Gardner's books and other featured authors: Author in the Headlights Bookstore 🎙️ More Author in the Headlights: Author in the Headlights

  • S4 · E27
    August 13 · 16 min

    What Can Human Writers Do That AI Can’t? | Steven Puri | Author in the Headlights

    What can human writers do that AI can't? Steven Puri returns to Author in the Headlights to explore AI, large language models (LLMs), creativity, and the flow state. Steven and Strider discuss how AI learns from patterns in what humans have already created—and why the writer's ability to break those patterns may be where genuinely new ideas begin. They also explore Strider's own experience of entering flow while writing, when an outline can suddenly turn into prose and the story begins heading somewhere the author never planned. Can AI replace writers—or can it become a tool that helps human creators do their best work? Contact Steven Puri: https://www.thesukha.co/writers Steven's previous episode — Flow State for Creators: https://youtu.be/7IDGXgJe4Ac More Author in the Headlights: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights-new #AIForWriters #StevenPuri #CreativeWriting #FlowState #AuthorInTheHeadlights

  • S4 · E26
    July 29 · 12 min

    Author in the Headlights interview with Elliot Blake, and his new space novel, Into the Great

    Creative consultant. Entertainment producer., now Science-fiction novelist. Strider sits down with Elliot Blake to discuss his transition from the entertainment industry into fiction, with the creation of his new space fiction, Into the Great. From creative consulting and entertainment production to publishing his debut novel, Elliot shares insights into building believable science-fiction worlds, making the leap to writing,. He also gives tips on the how-to for new authors.

  • S4 · E24
    July 10 · 12 min

    FROM HOLLYWOOD TO EPIC FANTASY / Debbie Bishop's - Pillywiggin / Author in the Headlights

    Award-winning author and entertainment executive Debbie Bishop joins Strider Klusman to discuss Pillywiggin Awakening: The Complete Story Arc, a fantasy adventure twenty-five years in the making. The conversation explores world-building, comics, Hollywood storytelling, writing for fantasy readers, and the creative lessons Debbie learned while working with major studios before becoming a full-time author and creative strategist.

  • S4 · E16
    June 24 · 12 min

    What Happens When Society Is Rebuilt on Secrets? | D.A. Murray Interview on Author in the Headlights

    Author D.A. Murray joins Strider Klusman to discuss her debut speculative fiction novel, Dominion Ascension. Set thirty years after a biochemical war transforms America into a new nation known as Dominion, the story follows investigative reporter Dani Matthews as she uncovers truths hidden beneath the surface of society. The conversation explores worldbuilding, plotting, writing discipline, balancing creativity with a professional career, and the upcoming sequel, Anarchy. #books #authors #authorinterviews #discoverbooks #newbooks #bookrecommendations #speculativefiction #dystopianfiction #sciencefiction #DominionAscension #DAMurray #AuthorInTheHeadlights

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