In this episode of Creators Talk Podcast, we sit down with Mishayla Twyman, founder and creator of Your Local Book Club ATX, to explore how she built a thriving book community of over 1,500 members in Austin, TX.

From childhood favorites to her top book club picks, Mishayla shares her book‑picking process, collaboration tips, and the behind‑the‑scenes of community‑building. Discover how she turned her passion into an inclusive, dynamic literary space.

Timestamps:
0:55 - Childhood Reading
2:55 - Austin, Texas Reading Culture
4:07 - Starting "Your Local Book Club"
6:43 - Early Members of the book club
8:30 - Picking the Right Books
10:20 - First Big Book Club
11:50 - Day-to-Day operations
13:14 - On Community
15:00 - Book Club + collaborations
17:20 - Marketing the Book Club online
18:33 - Content Creating for the book club
20:44 - The Reading Room
23:36 - Genres of the Reading Rooms
25:10 - Advice for Hosting Book Clubs
26:40 - Chartering the book club
28:40 - Last, now, next books
30:45 - Great Book Club Picks
32:02 - Picking Bad Books
33:33 - What Would You Like to See More of in the book world?
34:20 - What Would You Like to See Less of in the book world?

Follow Mishayla & Your Local Book Club ATX:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourlocalbookclubatx/?hl=en
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourlocalbookclubatx
Website: https://www.yourlocalbookclub.org/

Books Mentioned in the Conversation:

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (The Book That Got Her Back into Reading)
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein (Childhood Books)
Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (Recent Read Book Club)
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle (Last book read outside of book club)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach (Current Read Book Club)
Verity by Colleen Hoover (Great Book Club Discussion Book)
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy (Great Book Club Discussion pick)
Atomic Habits by James Clear (Great Self‑Help Books // Discussions)
The Mountain Is You by Brianna Wiest (Great Self‑Help Books // Discussions)
Loud by Drew Afualo (Book Club Pick)
Tomorrow, Tomorrow, & Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Underrated Book Club Pick)

🚀Make sure Download our new social book club & networking app at www.bookumapp.com

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 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

Join the conversation on Bookum
Bookum is the social book club and book networking app built for readers, authors, and book content creators. Discover your next favorite book and the people who love talk about it!
👉 www.bookumapp.com

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!

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!

We talk about everything from Hogan’s record-breaking WCW deal to the NWO’s cultural crossover with hip-hop, Monday Night Wars, and Dennis Rodman. If you're a wrestling fan, this is a must-watch.

Timestamps:
1:15 - Current WWE
2:21 - John Cena turning Heel
3:35 - Watching Wrestle as a kid
5:23 - Hulk Hogan Signing to WCW
10:52 - Hulk Hogan & Pop Culture
12:02 - Hulk Hogan v. Andre The Giant
13:21 - Record Deal for Hulk Hogan
17:24 - The Formation of NWO
18:02 - Hulk Hogan joins NWO
24:22 - Trash throwing Trash in WCW
29:10 - Hip-hop's Influence on NWO
35:01 - Dennis Rodman Joining the NWO
37:34 - NWO growing too large
40:14 - Monday Football v. Monday Night Wars
42:44 - NWO International Impact on Culture
48:12 - Sting (Anti-Hero) v. NWO (Cool)
51:17 - DX's Impact on Culture
52:44 - How the book came together
55:32 - Writing Process for the book
57:23 - Getting the interviews for the book
57:44 - Meeting Eric Bischoff
1:01:03 - Writing the Book as a journalist
1:03:50 - Rapid-Fire Wrestling Fan

📘 Buy Marc Raimondi’s Book – Say Hello to the Bad Guys
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/734430/say-hello-to-the-bad-guys-by-marc-raimondi

Places to find more from Marc Raimondi:

Twitter/X: https://x.com/marcraimondi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcraimondisports/?hl=en

👇 Download our new social book club + book networking app
www.bookumapp.com

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!

Welcome to another episode of the Creators Talk Podcast!

In this conversation, we dive deep with Sam Fox, Senior Director of Content Creation & Strategy at HarperCollins. With a background at Teen Vogue and Condé Nast, Sam brings a unique perspective on storytelling, marketing, and building inclusive book communities. From her journey as a dancer to shaping innovative book marketing campaigns, she shares priceless insights for authors and content creators alike.

Timestamps:
1:02 - Growing Up a Dancer
2:46 - Combining Dance and Storytelling
4:30 - Marketing Books
5:37 - Getting into Reading
8:44 - Working at Teen Vogue
11:45 - Books are Political
13:22 - Children's & YA Book Campaigns
14:34 - Shelves and the City
18:45 - Diversity at Creators Brand Trips
21:03 - Working with creators with small and larger following counts
22:23 - ROI on Creator Events
26:44 - On Community
29:12 - How Should Authors Market Online
32:11 - Introverted Authors Tips for Marketing
34:45 - Summer in the City Campaign
37:12 - Book Content Trends
39:44 - Signing with a Literary Agent
43:42 - Separating Publishing Brain vs. Creative Brain
47:05 - Writing Process & Perfect Day of Writing
48:33 - Last, Now, Next Books
49:54 - Rapid Fire Book Questions
51:04 - What Would You Like to See More of in the Book World?
51:26 - What Would You Like to See Less of in the Book World?

Places to find more from Sam Fox and other links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sambamfox/?hl=en
Epic Reads: https://www.instagram.com/epicreads/?hl=en
William Morrow: https://www.instagram.com/williammorrowbooks/?hl=en
Avon: https://www.instagram.com/avonbooks/?hl=en
The Book Was Hotter Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBookWasHotter/videos
@TheBookWasHotter


Books Mentioned by Sam:
Holes by Louis Sachar (A Childhood Favorite)
The Giver by Lois Lowry (A Childhood Favorite)
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (A Childhood Favorite)
The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin (A Childhood Favorite)
The Clique (Series) by Lisi Harrison (A Childhood Favorite)
Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar (A Childhood Favorite)
John Green Books (A High School Favorite Author)
Animal Farm by George Orwell (High School Literary Canon)
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (High School Literary Canon)
Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace (High School Literary Canon)
Marilyn Robinson (College Favorite Author)
Joan Didion (College Favorite Author)
Virginia Woolf (College Favorite Author)
Bright Young Woman by Jessica Knoll (Last Read)
Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan (Currently Reading)
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (Next Read - Pride Month)
Winging It With You by Chip Pons (Next Read - Pride Month)
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates (A Book Not Enough People Are Talking About)
Nothing Burns as Bright as You by Ashley Woodfolk (A Book Sam Gifts Often)
Carly Fortune (Author Sam Always Buys)
Let Them Stare by Jonathan Van Ness and Julie Murphy (A book We Should Get From the Book Store This Weekend)

Sam’s Summer Dance Playlist:
So Excited by Janet Jackson
Independent Women Pt. 1 by Destiny’s Child
Stronger by Britney Spears

Current Favorite TV Shows:
Forever
Overcompensating
Adults

Download our social book club and book networking app Bookum at www.bookumapp.com

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 episode of the Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with legendary sports biographer Roland Lazenby, the bestselling author behind definitive basketball books on Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Jerry West.

Roland shares behind-the-scenes stories, family histories, and pivotal basketball moments that shaped the modern NBA, from the Showtime Lakers to Jordan’s shoe deal to the rise of LeBron James. If you’re a fan of NBA history, storytelling, or great biographies, this is one you don’t want to miss.

⏱️ Timestamps
1:20 - NBA Finals
1:37 - Jerry West, Michael Jordan, Kobe and Magic Comparisons
5:35 - Family Histories of Magic Johnson, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan
12:27 - Telling Magic’s Whole Story
18:28 - Magic Johnson’s Positionless Basketball Style
20:12 - The Showboat Era of Basketball
21:33 - Harlem Globetrotter Influence
24:20 - High School Magic Johnson
27:30 - What Made Magic, MJ, West and Kobe Great
28:45 - Weight Training Back in the Day
31:55 - Magic Johnson’s Injury History
34:55 - Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird National Championship
37:35 - The NBA Before Magic & Bird
42:27 - Magic Johnson & Michael Jordan Rivalry
50:08 - Michael Jordan Freeze Out & Charles Tucker
52:28 - Michael Jordan Shoe Deal & Sonny Vaccaro
57:02 - Magic Johnson HIV Announcement
58:20 - LeBron James’ Place in History
59:33 - MJ vs. Magic: 1991 NBA Finals
1:02:10 - Jerry Krause and the Bulls
1:06:20 - Larry Bird & Celtics vs. Magic & Lakers
1:12:00 - Jerry Buss & Magic Johnson
1:14:23 - Showtime Lakers Legacy
1:20:25 - Roland Lazenby’s Writer’s Toolkit

📘 Magic: The Life of Earvin "Magic" Johnson
https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Life-Earvin-Johnson/dp/1250248035

📘 Michael Jordan: The Life
https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Jordan-Life-Roland-Lazenby/dp/031619476X

📘 Showboat: The Life of Kobe Bryant
https://www.amazon.com/Showboat-Life-Bryant-Roland-Lazenby/dp/1478940417

📘 Jerry West: The Life and Legend of a Basketball Icon
https://www.amazon.com/Jerry-West-Life-Legend-Basketball/dp/0345510836

Follow Roland Lazenby:
Twitter (X): https://x.com/lazenby
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rllazenby
Author Page: https://celadonbooks.com/authors/roland-lazenby/

Discover more author interviews and book clubs at: https://www.bookumapp.com

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!

2x Super Bowl Champion Malcolm Jenkins joins Bookum Author Talks Podcast to discuss life after the NFL, building generational wealth, and why owning your voice matters now more than ever.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Jenkins shares stories about his draft day moment, the pressures of leadership, founding businesses while still playing, and his latest writing and art projects. From football to philanthropy, from Substack to real estate, this is a masterclass in reinvention.

This episode 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

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:02 Identity
3:02 Growing up in New Jersey
4:14 On Becoming a Writer
5:40 New Writing Project
8:02 Owning Your Voice
9:55 Draft Day Moment
11:47 Leadership Skills
17:20 Player Coalition & Protesting
18:55 Jalen Hurts
21:55 Malcolm Jenkins Foundation
23:33 What does Impact look like?
25:58 Athletes in Business (Not going broke)
28:57 Winning Super Bowls
31:04 Tom Brady Foreword
31:24 On the Book
33:13 Making an Impact
36:33 Writing Process
38:32 An Art Piece not Enough People Are Talking About
40:32 Last Play of the Super Bowl
41:56 Founder’s Toolkit
42:25 Writer’s Toolkit

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations with creators, changemakers, and visionaries @bookum

Places to find Malcolm Jenkins:
Substack “Love, Art & War”: https://malcolmjenkins27.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malcolmjenkins/
X: https://x.com/MalcolmJenkins
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malcolmjenkinsnfl
Website: https://malcolmjenkins27.com/

📘 Get Your Copy of What Winners Won't Tell You by Malcolm Jenkins: https://whatwinnerswonttellyou.com/

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!