In this compelling episode of Literary Lines, host GiGi Meier sits down with debut author Michelle Park Lazette to discuss her gripping dystopian novel, The Descended—a must-add to your TBR list! Michelle opens up about her unique journey from journalist and social media strategist to novelist, revealing how the "domino effect" of life events during COVID-19 ignited her creative spark and led her to craft a world where survival and humanity collide.

Michelle shares the challenges of writing after long days and navigating caregiver guilt, while leveraging feedback from alpha and beta readers to refine her work. She delves into the transition from journalism’s fact-based reporting to novel writing’s emotional depth, and how she learned to explore her characters’ interior lives. Listeners will also get an exclusive sneak peek at her next project—a sci-fi romance set in Cleveland, Ohio, titled 34 Overbrook, slated for a potential 2026 release.

From book signings and ads to engaging with book clubs, Michelle offers practical advice for fellow debut authors. Tune in to discover where to find The Descended online and why Michelle’s storytelling journey is just beginning.

Find Michelle here:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/michellelazette/

How to find GiGi:

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https://www.gigimeier.com/

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In this deeply human episode of Literary Lines, host GiGi Meier sits down with retired law enforcement veteran and crime fiction author Alphonso Williams Jr.—a man who’s lived the stories he writes. With 27 years on the force (plus three in the military), Alphonso worked nearly 500 homicide cases, rose to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of Florida’s Orlando FDLE region, and endured the devastating murder of his own sister—a tragedy that steeled his resolve to become a detective and give voice to the voiceless.

Alphonso opens up about how grief, psychology, and an unshakable sense of justice fuel his Chosen by Fate trilogy, blending authentic procedural detail with raw emotional truth. He shares his leadership philosophy rooted in empathy, breaks down Florida’s “Life Means Life” sentencing laws, and hints at upcoming nonfiction projects diving into serial killers and investigations.

From the bond of the brotherhood in blue to his vision of retiring in Montego Bay, this conversation is a powerful reminder that behind every badge is a heart—and behind every great crime novel is a author who’s walked the walk.

Find Alphonso here:

Website:

https://alphonsowilliams.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alphonsowilliamsofficial

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

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Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

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In this inspiring episode of Literary Lines, host GiGi Meier sits down with women’s fiction author Patti Diener, whose journey from school librarian to full-time novelist is as compelling as the stories she writes. Bursting with infectious energy, Patti shares how the COVID-19 pandemic became a catalyst for reinvention—prompting her to leave her career in education, launch a podcast on second acts (Beautiful Second Act), and publish her debut novel amid the chaos of the California wildfires.

Patti opens up about the emotional resonance of her newest release, Wildflower, and why its themes of resilience and growth deeply moved her two daughters. She delves into the practicalities of building an author career: assembling a dedicated team of editors and designers, navigating audiobook production (out September 30!), and fostering genuine connections with readers through bookstores and social media.

From the importance of developing thick skin in writing groups to her creative strategies for bookstore partnerships and signings, Patti’s story is a testament to the power of dreaming boldly—no matter your age or stage of life. Tune in for a conversation filled with heart, hustle, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from living your truth.

Find Patti here:

Website:

https://www.pattidienerwrites.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pattidiener/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

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Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

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In this episode, GiGi Meier chats with prolific author Mike Geraghty, whose romantic thrillers—like the gripping small-town saga The Calm in the Storm—seamlessly blend heartfelt romance, Irish mythology, and edge-of-your-seat suspense. With over a dozen published works spanning motorcycle clubs, baseball series, and emotionally rich standalone stories, Mike’s storytelling is as versatile as it is compelling.

Mike pulls back the curtain on his writing world: how his Irish heritage fuels his Celtic Sisters trilogy and motorcycle series, why he champions underrated tropes like single dads, and his savvy approach to translations, going wide, and reclaiming book rights. He shares his passion for the Mets, his research-heavy process for crafting authentic settings, and the sprint-based writing techniques that keep his stories flowing.

Whether you’re a romance reader, aspiring author, or just love tales steeped in culture and danger, this conversation is packed with practical advice, behind-the-scenes trivia, and the kind of passion that reminds us why stories matter.

Find Mike here:

Website:

https://www.mikegeraghtyauthor.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mikegeraghtyauthor/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

In this episode of Literary Lines, GiGi Meier sits down with Alessandro Biuso, whose Into the Perfect Storm weaves a poignant tale of love and self-discovery across borders. A storyteller with theater in his bones, Alessandro reveals how his background on stage shapes his writing—transforming characters into living, breathing forces that leap off the page with cinematic intensity.

Listeners will get an inside look at his creative alchemy: how travel fuels his narratives, why he’s pivoting to a new thriller project, and the challenges of balancing writing with life’s demands. Alessandro opens up about the pivotal moment that pushed him to publish, his take on the self-publishing vs. traditional divide, and his dream of seeing his work adapted for the screen.

Packed with hard-won wisdom about craft and perseverance, this conversation is a masterclass in emotional storytelling—and a thrilling preview of what’s next from a writer who treats every scene like a stage waiting to be lit.

Find Alessandro here:

Website:

https://www.alessandrobiuso.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/alessandro_biuso67

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

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In this gripping Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier sits down with author S. Von, whose writing journey began with a literal dream—one so vivid it became Taken Not Destroyed, a high-stakes cartel romance duology about kidnapping, obsession, and harrowing survival. Now, she’s pivoting to an expansive fantasy saga (Hearts Burn Slow, coming September) while using her platform to spotlight real-world trafficking through her newsletter’s dedicated resource section.

S. Von pulls back the curtain on how that fateful dream scene unfolded into a published duet, why dark romance chose her (rather than the other way around), and the steep learning curve of finding the perfect editor and cover artist as a new indie author. She reveals how she wrote Mission of Destruction while editing its predecessor, and why her upcoming 11-book fantasy series—featuring a human heroine torn between worlds—promises even more slow-burn tension and moral complexity.

For writers, this is a masterclass in trusting creative instincts; for readers, it’s a thrilling preview of gritty romance and sprawling fantasy—all woven with S. Von’s commitment to storytelling that entertains and educates.

Find S. Von here:

Website:

https://www.svonauthor.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/petergribble3/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

In this episode of Literary Lines, GiGi Meier sits down with Bill Hulseman—former Catholic educator, seminary student, and middle school principal—whose journey through unimaginable loss birthed the exquisite essay collection Six to Carry the Casket and One to Say the Mass. After a year that claimed his mother, sister, and father, Bill stepped away from education to grieve, write, and ultimately craft a new life centered on ritual, queer spirituality, and the quiet magic of ordinary moments.

What began as a weekly newsletter evolved into a book that dances between hilarity and heartbreak, exploring everything from how advice columnist Dan Savage unexpectedly reshaped his life to why weddings (and funerals, and even film screenings) deserve to be reimagined as radical acts of connection. Bill opens up about shedding the guilt of self-prioritization, the freedom in releasing perfectionism, and his next project: rethinking social rituals in a disconnected world.

For anyone who’s faced loss, questioned their path, or longed to find the sacred in the mundane, this conversation is a balm—and an invitation to carry your own grief (and joy) with equal tenderness.

Website:

https://www.billhulseman.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/billhulsemanrituals

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

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https://gigimeier.substack.com

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Brace yourself for a whirlwind conversation with fantasy/sci-fi dynamo Stacey LP as Afterglow: Defiance Ignited rockets toward release! In this electrifying Literary Lines episode, GiGi Meier sits down with the author who drafted nearly 100,000 words in under three months—all while balancing a full-time job, family life, and a growing six-book saga (plus a holiday novella already in progress).

Stacey pulls back the curtain on how her own journey with anxiety and depression shapes the emotional core of her characters, why therapy sessions double as writing research, and how collaborating with her husband fuels her creative fire. She breaks down The Afterglow Rising trilogy’s expansion into a sprawling universe, complete with morally gray choices, parallel storylines, and upcoming prequels—all meticulously organized between edge-sprayed books and Comicpalooza prep.

From her counterintuitive secret (tight deadlines boost her productivity) to the healing power of writing mental health authentically, this interview is a masterclass in creating boldly while navigating life’s complexities. Don’t miss Stacey’s vision for where she’d be if granted one magical year—you’ll walk away desperate to dive into her cosmos.

Website:

https://authorstaceylp.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorstaceylp/

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

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