In this episode, you'll learn--

• how Baum was destined to be a writer from his teens, thanks to gifts from his father
• how Baum had feet and success in both the literary and drama world
• how his Wizard of Oz series were the top children books of the time
• how Baum, in his own writing, predicted several technology inventions

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode, you'll learn--

• how Bram Stoker became the #1 bestselling Gothic horror author
• How Bram came to meet and befriend famous figures of the era including Sir Author Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde
• what inspired Stoker to write such an original, haunting tale of evil
• how Stoker died never knowing the popularity his work would eventually bring.

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode, you'll learn--

• how Robert Ludlum went the route of the theater to learn the essentials of great storytelling
• how Ludlum learned to combine conspiracy theories, globe trotting spies and high stakes adventure
• how his characters have been so popular other authors have written even more novels with Ludlum's characters
• how Ludlum approached his writing to create such twisty captivating thrillers

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode, you'll learn--

• how Gabaldon went from scientist and computer expert to bestselling author of both a series of novels and the streaming series they spawned
• how she was among the first authors to combine historical adventure, suspense, mystery, science fiction and fantasy and romance with incredible success
• how the book sales and the viewers of the TV series dwarf the readership of many other authors
• how the the books (and the streaming series) occurred almost by accident, or at least on a whim.

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode you will learn--

• the tragic and still remarkable life Maya Angelou lived
• how her life's journey took her to three continents and six languages
• the several firsts that Maya accomplished in her life
• how her life intersected with famous civil rights legends...with tragic results
• how she became the rare storyteller who succeeded as an author, a poet and a director

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode, you'll discover--

• how Sue Grafton's childhood shaped her perspective on family as evidenced in her novels
• how Grafton's early attempts at novels met with little success
• how the author honed her storytelling skills writing screenplays for TV movies
• how her Alphabet series earned an array of awards and worldwide success
• how the frustration and ugliness of an event in her personal life led to her creating the plot of the first few Alphabet novels

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode, you'll learn--

• how Michael Connelly inherited his love of mystery novels from his own mother
• how the detective stories of Raymond Chandler played a pivotal role in Connelly's path to become a bestselling author of detective stories
• how a little known event in his youth foreshadowed Connelly's interest in police work
• of the incredible commercial and critical success Connelly novels have achieved

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!

In this episode, you'll discover--

• how Sir Ridley Scott went from advertising mogul to major movie director
• how even though he ranks among the top grossing directors of all time, he had to wait half his life for his chance to direct a his first major motion picture
• how so many of his films, which were not appreciated initially, became cult and fan favorites
• how. like so many great storytellers, he had to overcome dramatic challenges to accomplish success

Check out the backstories you never knew about the storytellers you love!