In this episode of the Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with crime fiction writer Marc Avery to break down how he built suspense, voice, and character in his new thriller Discipline. From writing villains to navigating the publishing process, Marc shares what it takes to write a killer crime thriller set in the heart of Philadelphia. If you're into suspense fiction, crime thrillers, or looking for the best thriller books to read, this one's for you.

📚 Timestamps
0:58 – Book Tour
2:44 – Character Development
4:23 – Writing Villains
6:39 – Premise of Discipline
7:23 – Setting the Book in Philly
9:23 – Worldbuilding in a Real City
9:45 – Michael Connelly
10:40 – Creating Voice
12:02 – Character Voices Not Blending
13:05 – Setting the Beginning of the Book
15:45 – Jogging Time Jumps as a Writer
16:50 – Films and Books
18:55 – Dream Cast for the Movie
20:04 – Navigating the Publishing Process
21:46 – Marketing as an Author
27:55 – On Community
29:29 – Persevering as an Author
30:33 – Perfect Day as a Writer
31:34 – What He’d Like to See More of in the Book World
33:40 – What He’d Like to See Less of in the Book World
37:01 – What Should Be in a Writer’s Toolkit

📕 Buy Marc Avery’s new crime thriller Discipline:
https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Marc-Avery/dp/1957950722

Follow Marc Avery
Website: https://www.iammarcavery.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammarcavery
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@iammarcavery

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Join us for an in-depth conversation with Khaya Fraites the voice behind Violet Sorrengail in the beloved Fourth Wing Dramatized Audiobook series. As a writer, director, and voice actor, Khaya shares her unique perspective on bringing characters to life across multiple creative mediums.

In this episode, we dive deep into her journey from theater to voice acting, the preparation that goes into voicing iconic characters like Violet, and how she navigates the business side of the industry. We also explore her work as a filmmaker, her writing process, and how AI is impacting voice actors today.

Whether you're a Fourth Wing fan curious about the voice behind Violet or an aspiring creator looking to learn from a multi-talented artist, this conversation offers valuable insights into the creative process.

TIMESTAMPS:
1:02 Sundance and Films
2:14 Theatre Acting v. Voice
3:22 Favorite books growing up
4:33 Popcorn Reading
5:32 Becoming a Voice Actor
7:12 Preparation for Voice Acting
8:18 Bring Characters to Life
9:43 Preparing your Voice
11:30 How to Direct Voice Actors
12:42 Playing Violet Sorrengail in Empyrean Series
14:24 The Pressure of Playing Violet Sorrengail
16:02 Recording Iron Flame and Onyx Storm
16:43 Zodiac Academy
17:24 Recording Time
17:39 Business Side of Voice Acting
18:14 Marketing Yourself as an Actor
20:15 On Community
21:23 Being Underestimated as an Actor
23:10 People Using AI on Her Voice
24:36 Navigating the AI world as a Voice Actor
28:03 Acting Advice
29:42 Making Short Films
33:12 Self-Financing Films
34:34 Writing, Acting & Directing
37:02 Writing Process
39:02 On Potentially Writing A Book
40:12 Last, Now, Next Books
41:45 Rapid Fire Questions
43:38 Favorite Line by Violet Sorrengail
45:36 What would you like to see more of in the book world?
45:49 What would you like to see less of in the book world?

CONNECT WITH KHAYA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khayafraites/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@khayafraites
Website: https://www.khayafraites.com/
Twitter/X: https://x.com/khayafraites

🔗 CONNECT WITH US:
Download Bookum to start your own book club: www.bookumapp.com

📚 ABOUT BOOKUM CREATORS TALK:
A podcast exploring the creative minds behind your favorite books, content, and stories.

#fourthwing #voiceacting #bookpodcast #creativeprocess #audiobook #booktok

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

In this powerful episode of the Bookum Author Talk Podcast, we sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Dr. Marcia Chatelain to explore her groundbreaking book, Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America. We trace the hidden history of McDonald’s in Black neighborhoods—from post-civil rights era franchising to protests, advertising, health, and economic empowerment.

This is not just a story about fast food, it’s about how Black America was both empowered and exploited by one of the most iconic brands in the world.

Timestamps
1:15 – Sinners & The Great Migration
2:55 – Growing up with McDonald's
4:13 – Fast Food Habits as Kids
5:53 – Black Neighborhoods Before McDonald's
7:51 – Sit-ins at McDonald's
9:42 – Pine Bluff Protest
11:55 – Black Ownership in McDonald's
14:10 – Black Restaurateurs
16:30 – Franchising vs. Sole Ownership
18:02 – Black Capitalism Movement
20:00 – Generational Wealth
21:30 – McDonald's in Black Communities
23:20 – Programs McDonald's Provided
24:40 – Relationship with McDonald's
26:32 – Byron Allen and McDonald's
27:42 – McDonald's and Black Ad Agencies
29:07 – Challenges for Black Franchisees
30:33 – Decline in Black-Owned McDonald's
33:35 – Ray Kroc’s Legacy
35:34 – McDonald’s Hidden History
36:48 – The Power of the Black Dollar
38:20 – Target Boycott
40:20 – Black Economics and Target
42:02 – Black Celebrity Restaurants
45:33 – Historical Clarity for Black Entrepreneurship
47:33 – MLK Assassination vs. George Floyd DEI Moments
49:44 – Fast Food & Health Issues
52:12 – Food Deserts and Grocery Access
54:45 – Where Do We Go from Here?
56:30 – Writing Process
57:23 – Perfect Writing Day
59:31 – Book, Podcast, & Doc Recs
1:00:56 – Writer’s Toolkit

📚 About the Book:
Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America reveals the complex history of McDonald’s and how fast food became a site of both opportunity and inequality in Black communities. It won the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for History and the James Beard Award for Writing.

Get your copy of the book - https://www.marciachatelain.com/

For more book conversation and to start your own book club, download our new app - www.bookumapp.com

Other Resources mentioned in this episode:
Supersizing Urban America: How Inner Cities Got Fast Food with Government Help by Chin Jou
https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/S/bo14193313.html

Documentary: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Louis Nelson Jr., 2015)
https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/the-black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution

Rip Curtain – Podcast
https://open.spotify.com/show/rip-curtain

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!