The Secret Library Podcast

*This podcast was made possible through the generous support of Book Alchemy’s paid membership. To support the show and future projects, please consider becoming at member at secretlibrarypodcast.com [https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com] Saying goodbye is bittersweet Nine years ago, I launched a podcast with very little certainty that it would thrive. I didn’t know if we would even hit ten episodes. Today I fact-checked my total of 250+ episodes and learned I was WILDLY off. This is technically episode 487. I would not have been able to continue this long without the incredible generosity of both my guests and my listeners. Without Haley Hatcher of Heart-Centered Podcasting’s support. Without the multiple logos Barry McWilliams patiently created, and without Emily Hawkins, who composed the dream theme music I wish we’d had from the very beginning. In this final episode, I am honored that my friend Katherine May offered to take over the interviewer’s role, letting me reminisce and share the experience of producing this show for so long. Thank you Katherine, I couldn’t have closed this well without you. The show will be here in the archives for you to revisit, and now we close one chapter. I’m delighted, relieved, exhausted and a bit sad all at once. Thank you, above all, for listening. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe [https://www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

*This podcast is made possible through the generous support of Book Alchemy’s paid membership. To support the show, please consider becoming at member at secretlibrarypodcast.com [https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com] Creating a cloud in book form This week, I spoke with the queen of fog, Laura Pashby, a photographer and author with a deep fascination for this ethereal phenomenon. We dive into the inspiration behind Laura's latest book Chasing Fog, discussing her lifelong relationship with fog, its role in her photography and writing, and how it became a central theme in her life and work. We also look at the broader implications of fog in literature, its emotional and philosophical significance, and the challenges of writing and capturing such an elusive subject. Additionally, our conversation touches on including the personal and memoir elements within the book, Laura's journey to publication, and the reception of her work. As the final interview of the Secret Library, this was a poignant moment, and I was moved by feeling of the show drifting into fog as well. Chapters: 00:21 Meet Laura Pashby: A Lifelong Bookworm02:07 The Fascination with Fog05:16 From Photography to Writing About Fog08:15 The Journey to Publishing Chasing Fog12:44 Writing Memoir Elements in a Nonfiction Book20:33 Fog in Literature and Personal Reflection23:35 Revisiting Childhood Fears23:50 Folklore and Fog on Dartmoor26:07 Climate Change and Fog29:42 The Process of Writing the Book from a Proposal32:34 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Book Reviews35:20 Finding Enchantment in Fog About Laura: Laura Pashby tells stories using words and photographs. She is the author of the narrative non-fiction book Chasing Fog, which is published by Simon & Schuster and was described by Literary Review as ‘a frequently beguiling and thought-provoking book’. She shares stories with her engaged Instagram following, on her bestselling Substack, and in beautiful magazines. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe [https://www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

*This podcast is made possible through the generous support of Book Alchemy’s paid membership. To support the show, please consider becoming at member at secretlibrarypodcast.com [https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com] Burnt out to embracing joyous reading + writing In this episode of The Secret Library Podcast, I am joined by Petya Grady, writer and the creator of A reading life on Substack. Petya shares her unique journey from Bulgaria to the US, including her unexpected career transition from academia to UX strategy and social impact startups. Burned out from the corporate world, Petya turned to her love of books to find solace, leading to a fascinating discussion about 'reading and writing kinks.' We explore the psychological allure of reading and writing, how certain themes and settings captivate us, and why it's important to embrace what truly excites us in our literary pursuits. This episode fully embraces the pleasure principles of reading and writing, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. Chapters: 01:26 The Concept of Reading and Writing Kink04:01 Exploring Pleasure Principles in Literature07:44 Personal Reading Kinks and Favorite Authors11:10 The Joy of Recognizing You Personal Reading Fingerprint17:08 Preferences Regarding Place and Setting in Books21:35 Cold War Fascination and Spy Stories22:12 The Bulgarian Umbrella Case23:55 Surveillance and Spy Devices24:49 Cold War Literature and Personal Reflections26:44 The Relevance of Historical Fiction28:42 When Life and Literature Meet36:17 Speculative Fiction and Creative Freedom About Petya: Petya K. Grady is the author of A Reading Life, a newsletter exploring books, reading, and the pursuit of intellectual fulfillment. She is currently at work on her first novel, set in Communist-era Bulgaria. Petya lives and writes in Memphis, Tennessee. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe [https://www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

*This podcast is made possible through the generous support of Book Alchemy’s paid membership. To support the show, please consider becoming at member at secretlibrarypodcast.com [https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com] From Chef to Sleuth In this delicious episode, my guest is Orlando Murrin, a former high-profile food writer who transitioned into the world of mystery writing. After sharing his foundation in food writing, Orlando reveals the pivotal moment when a friend's book deal ignited his own passion for writing mysteries. I learned so much from Orlando, as we discussed his writing process, the creation of his protagonist Paul, editing challenges, and the importance of physical wellness for writers. We also touch on his inspirations, future book ideas, and invaluable advice for aspiring writers. Plus, as you’ll hear, there were multiple laugh-out-lound moments in this one. A must-listen! Chapters: 01:46 From Food Writer to Mystery Novelist03:48 The Turning Point: A Friend's Success06:08 Crafting the Mystery: Character and Plot12:13 Writing Techniques and Challenges17:53 Life Lessons and Writing Advice21:49 Paul's Adventures and Future Plans24:34 The Joy of Imaginative Writing25:43 Character Development and Reader Reactions27:55 Setting and Scene Crafting30:42 The Writing Process and Plotting41:29 Physical and Mental Wellness for Writers46:29 Conclusion and Future Projects About Orlando: After being flung into the culinary limelight as a semi-finalist on Masterchef, Orlando Murrin edited Woman and Home, BBC Good Food and founded Olive magazine; then he switched track to become a chef-hotelier in SW France and Somerset. He has written six cookbooks and received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Guild of Food Writers, its highest accolade. A popular guest on TV and radio, and at food and literary festivals, he is also a regular podcaster and podcast host. From his grandfather, a Met detective who rose to become a crack MI5 interrogator, he inherited a fascination with crime and mystery. He lives in domestic bliss in Exeter, Devon, and has written two culinary crime novels: Knife Skills For Beginners (shortlisted for the McDermid Debut and Crime Fiction Lover Debut Awards) and Murder Below Deck. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe [https://www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

*This podcast is made possible through the generous support of Book Alchemy’s paid membership. To support the show, please consider becoming at member at secretlibrarypodcast.com [https://www.secretlibrarypodcast.com] Diving into the Cold In this episode of the Secret Library Podcast, I speak with Anna Brones from the middle of her current book writing adventure. Anna shares her experiences working on her forthcoming book about cold water practices and communities, inspired by her own cold water swimming routine. We look at the shift in her creative process as she takes on a research-heavy nonfiction book, which is a new direction after her previous titles. She also shares historical and cultural context for cold water immersion. We get into the challenges of balancing different types of creative work and the importance of celebrating small victories along the way. Join us for a fascinating conversation about the intersections of art, writing, and the natural world. Chapters: 01:40 Anna's Journey: From Cookbooks to Cold Water03:45 The Concept of Cold: Exploring the New Book04:32 Cold Water Practice: A Personal Journey05:33 Building a Cold Water Community08:41 The Writing Process: Challenges and Insights10:51 Travel and Research: Immersing in Cold Cultures15:19 The Creative Process: Embracing the Struggle19:03 Writing Gnomes: The Magic Behind the Words21:20 The Unknowable Element of Creativity22:25 Visual Art vs. Writing: A Creative Comparison23:54 Balancing Passion and Relaxation26:47 Victorian Ladies and Cold Water Cures34:11 The Fluidity of Creative Processes41:18 Celebrating the Creative Journey About Anna: Anna is a writer, artist, and educator based in the Pacific Northwest. She works as a papercut artist, hand cutting illustrations from single pieces of paper, which have been used everywhere from books to wine labels to public art installations. Passionate about sharing creativity with others, she regularly teaches workshops, both in person and virtually. She is also the author of several books including Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break, Live Lagom: Balanced Living the Swedish Way, and Best Served Wild: Real Food for Real Adventures. She contributes to a variety of digital and print publications and is currently at work on her forthcoming book Cold: Lessons of Place, Presence, and Practice (2026) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe [https://www.book-alchemy.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]