In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we sit down with Evan Kidwell, debut author of the YA fantasy novel, Timaeous Spark and the Luck Curse.

600 Letters Revealed a WWII Family Secret | Jan Cress Dondi | Author in the Headlights

What happens when a box of forgotten family letters uncovers one of the most dramatic true stories of World War II? In this episode of Author in the Headlights, Strider Klusman sits down with debut author and USA Today bestselling author Jan Cress Dondi to discuss The Navigator's Letter, the remarkable true story of her parents, her uncle, and one of the most dangerous military missions of World War II. After her mother's passing, Jan discovered more than 600 letters hidden away in the family basement. Those letters revealed an extraordinary story of love, courage, sacrifice, and survival surrounding Operation Tidal Wave—the infamous 1943 B-24 bombing raid against the Ploesti oil fields of Romania, Hitler's primary source of fuel. The mission became one of the costliest and deadliest days in U.S. Army Air Forces history. Jan's father was shot down and became a prisoner of war. Her family carried the legacy of that day for decades, until the letters finally brought their story to light. Join us as we discuss family history, wartime sacrifice, historical research, and the journey from discovering old letters to publishing a national bestseller. 📖 The Navigator's Letter https://books2read.com/u/meWZgg [https://books2read.com/u/meWZgg] 🌐 Jan Cress Dondi https://jancressdondi.com/ [https://jancressdondi.com/] 📚 Author in the Headlights https://duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights/ 📚 Browse books featured on the show https://duramenpublishing.com/bookstore/ #JanCressDondi #TheNavigatorsLetter #WWIIHistory #OperationTidalWave #PloestiRaid #MilitaryHistory #WorldWarII #HistoricalNonfiction #AuthorInterview #AuthorInTheHeadlights #Books #HistoryBooks #USATodayBestseller

Chloe Hovind | Building Community One Book at a Time | Chuckanut Writers Conference

“Building community one book at a time.” In this episode of Author in the Headlights, Chloe Hovind discusses the Chuckanut Writers Conference, Village Books, and the importance of literary communities that connect readers, writers, and indie authors. If you love discovering new books, supporting authors, and exploring the world behind publishing and writing conferences, this conversation is for you. 📚 Featuring: ✔ Chuckanut Writers Conference ✔ Village Books ✔ Publishing insights ✔ Writing community discussions ✔ Author and reader connections #BookCommunity #AuthorInterviews #WritersConference #VillageBooks #Chuckanut #Readers #IndieAuthors #WritingLife

Leslie Shover – Fission: Soviet Spies in the Manhattan Project, with Author in the Headlights

What happens when love, loyalty, and espionage collide during the Manhattan Project? In this episode of Author in the Headlights, Strider Klusman sits down with author Leslie Shover to discuss Fission: A Novel of Atomic Heartbreak: https://books2read.com/u/m0yDgy [https://books2read.com/u/m0yDgy] — a historical fiction story inspired by her parents’ real experiences working on the Manhattan Project during World War II. The conversation explores: * Soviet spies hidden inside America’s atomic program * The emotional cost of secrecy * Real historical inspiration behind the novel * Love, betrayal, and survival during wartime * How family history shaped the story If you enjoy historical fiction, Cold War intrigue, WWII stories, or novels inspired by true events, this episode is for you. #AuthorInTheHeadlights #HistoricalFiction #ManhattanProject #ColdWar #WWII #LeslieShover #Fission #SpyThriller #BookTube #AuthorInterview

👉 Air Force Investigator Turned Author: Real Stories Behind Shadow One | Derrick M. Jackson

In this episode of Author in the Headlights, Strider S.R. Klusman interviews Derrick M. Jackson, a retired Air Force Special Investigator turned author of the Shadow One series. Drawing from 21 years of investigative experience, Jackson shares how real-world cases involving human trafficking and international crime shaped his writing—blending truth with fiction to create authentic military thrillers. If you enjoy discovering new books and hearing the real stories behind them, this episode offers a unique look into how lived experience becomes powerful storytelling. 📚 Shadow One: https://books2read.com/u/47KdAN [https://books2read.com/u/47KdAN] 📚 The Raven’s Shadow: https://books2read.com/u/mgMRB7 [https://books2read.com/u/mgMRB7]

“It’s about a society that’s given itself over to eugenics…” Monte Schulz, about his newest book, Undercity.

In this episode of Author in the Headlights, we sit down with Monte Schulz to explore his novel Undercity—a powerful and unsettling story about what happens when a society tries to perfect itself. Set in a world that diverged from our own, Undercity examines eugenics, human ambition, and the cost of deciding who belongs—and who doesn’t. We also discuss Monte’s writing process, the challenge of weaving multiple perspectives, and the influence of his father, Charles Schulz. If you enjoy thought-provoking fiction and conversations that go beyond the surface, this episode is for you. 👉 Undercity: https://books2read.com/u/31NlOa [https://books2read.com/u/31NlOa] 👉 More episodes of Author in the Headlights: https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights [https://www.duramenpublishing.com/author-in-the-headlights]