Episode 108
BEST OF AUTHOR EXRESS - The Southern Roots this Author Admits Provoke Her Soulful Writing Career -108
Join host Kristi Leonard as we revisit her interview from earlier this year with the talented Sheila Athens. Sheila, the author of Neena Lee Is Seeing Things captivates us with the unique premise of her latest novel where John F. Kennedy Jr. asks for help—25 years after his death. Sheila unravels the fascinating inspirations behind her characters and settings, takes us to Jacksonville, Florida, and gives insight into her writing journey. Whether you're an aspiring writer or an avid reader, this episode promises a thought-provoking conversation about the process of creating multi-layered, soulful stories. Tune in to discover what makes this novelist tick and what’s coming next from her pen!
Sheila Athens is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, a city often overlooked in favor of the more touristy parts of the state. Growing up near the Georgia border, Sheila has always felt more connected to the southern roots of her state rather than the urban, modern image that Florida often portrays. This unique perspective has influenced her writing and passion for showcasing the true, often overlooked, beauty of the South. With her book, she hopes to shed light on the real Florida, away from the stereotypes and tourist attractions.
Her debut novel, The Truth About Love, was a finalist for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award. With that background, she can’t help but weave a strong love story thread throughout each of her books, even though she now writes Southern women’s fiction. She turned from romance to women’s fiction because all the stories swirling around in her head needed a bigger canvas on which to be told.
Sheila didn’t realize she wanted to write fiction until she was in her early forties. Her first book was published two days after her fifty-third birthday, so she’s a good example for those who fear they’ve waited too long to pursue their passion. Learn more about Shiela from her website www.SheilaAthens.com.
Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Neena Lee Is Seeing Things at Bookshop.org
A little about today's host-
Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024.
Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard.
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