From Crime to Compassion: Crafting a Story of Forgiveness with Kristin Koval

Why Plot Comes Last (and Other Cozy Crime Secrets) with Fliss Chester

What if plot was the last thing on a mystery writer's mind? In this episode of Ray of Light, Eleanor Ray sits down with cozy crime author Fliss Chester to talk about her brand new series set in Cornwall, beginning with Murder in a Cornish Tea Shop — out now! Fliss shares how setting and characters come before plot, why an eye for interior design is the perfect skill for a fictional detective, and the real-life cat behind her beloved character Burnt Toast (plus her plan to get a ginger kitten called Crumpet if the books do well enough). They also chat about what makes cozy crime so irresistible, Fliss's love of golden age mysteries, the joy of new beginnings, and what's coming next — including Murder in a Cornish Book Club, due out in June. If you love charming seaside settings, 1920s glamour, and just the occasional murder, this one's for you. Books mentioned: 📚 Murder in a Cornish Tea Shop — Fliss Chester (out now) 📚 Murder in a Cornish Book Club — Fliss Chester (June 2025) 📚 See the Stars — Eleanor Ray 📚 Everything is Beautiful — Eleanor Ray Find Eleanor: 🌐 www.eleanorraybooks.com 📱 @eleanorraybooks Ray of Light — a podcast about reading, writing, and happiness. Like and subscribe for more!   #CozyCrime #CozyMystery #MurderInACornishTeaShop #FlissChester #EleanorRay #RayOfLightPodcast #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #AspiringAuthor #AmWriting #WritingTips #WritingProcess #BookPodcast

What Makes an Editor Say Yes — with Phoebe Morgan

What does it really take to get a top editor's attention — and keep it past the first page? Phoebe Morgan is a fiction publisher at Simon & Schuster and the author of five psychological thrillers, so she knows what it's like on both sides of the submission email. In this episode, Phoebe pulls back the curtain on what happens inside acquisition meetings, why your book's hook matters more than you think, and what she's really looking for in those crucial first 20 pages. She also talks about the emotional reality of receiving edits as a writer, her Substack The Honest Editor, and her advice for aspiring authors navigating the publishing world. Whether you're writing your first novel or trying to crack the code of commercial fiction, this conversation is packed with honest, practical insight from someone who lives and breathes both sides of the industry.   ABOUT THE GUEST Phoebe Morgan is a fiction publisher at Simon & Schuster and the author of The Doll's House, The Girl Next Door, The Wild Girls, and The Trip. Find her Substack: The Honest Editor.   ABOUT THE HOST Eleanor Ray writes uplifting book club fiction about hope, connection, and the unexpected turns life can take. Her most recent novel, See the Stars, is out now in paperback. Find out more at www.eleanorraybooks.com and follow @EleanorRayBooks on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.   #WritingAdvice #HowToGetPublished #PublishingIndustry #AmWriting #AspiringAuthor #WritingCommunity #RayOfLightPodcast

All Her Fault Author Andrea Mara on Crime Writing, TV Adaptation & the Stories We Tell About Mothers

Bestselling crime novelist Andrea Mara joins Ray of Light to discuss her novel All Her Fault, its TV adaptation starring Sarah Snook and Dakota Fanning, and writing stories about motherhood's deepest fears. We talk about the casting moment that made her scream, how her books grow with her children, emotional labor in parenting, and keeping emotional truth at the heart of page-turning thrillers. A must-listen for writers, parents, and anyone who loves stories about real human dynamics.

From Crime to Compassion: Crafting a Story of Forgiveness with Kristin Koval

In this episode of Ray of Light, I sit down with debut novelist Kristin Koval to discuss her remarkable first novel—a deeply human story about a sister who murders her brother. Rather than leaning into sensation, Kristin has crafted a beautifully observed exploration of family and forgiveness, guilt and love, unfolding across generations. We discuss the impossible paradox at the heart of her story: what happens when parents must choose between forgiving the unforgivable or losing both their children? Kristin shares how she put her characters in the most difficult possible position to forgive, but also the easiest—because without forgiveness, they would lose everything. We also talk about the realities of being a first-time novelist. Kristin offers honest advice about rejection, being ghosted by agents, and receiving countless nos. Her wisdom? Sometimes the most valuable lesson is simply to grow thicker skin. This is a conversation about moral complexity, the writing life, and the stories that demand to be told. Connect with Eleanor Ray: Instagram & TikTok: @eleanorraybooks Website: www.eleanorraybooks.com Topics Discussed: * Writing about difficult moral terrain * Family dynamics and forgiveness * The debut novel experience * Handling rejection as a writer * Creating deeply human characters #RayOfLight #EleanorRay #KristinKoval #AuthorInterview #DebutNovel #LiteraryFiction #WritingCommunity #BookPodcast #Forgiveness #AuthorLife #FirstNovel #ContemporaryFiction #BookLovers #PodcastEpisode

Ruth Ware: From Cabin 10 to Suite 11 and the Art of the Thriller

Join Eleanor Ray as she sits down with international bestselling thriller writer Ruth Ware, whose novels have sold over 10 million copies in 40+ languages worldwide. In this captivating conversation, Ruth discusses her latest novel The Woman in Suite 11, the highly anticipated follow-up to The Woman in Cabin 10 (recently adapted for Netflix starring Keira Knightley). Discover what it was like seeing her characters come to life on screen, and why she decided to return to protagonist Lo Blacklock's story after 10 years. Learn about Ruth's early career writing for teenagers, her transition to adult fiction with In a Dark, Dark Wood, and the influence of Agatha Christie on her work. Plus, she offers invaluable advice for aspiring authors on self-editing, giving readers reasons to turn the page, and writing with fearlessness. Whether you're a thriller fan, an aspiring writer, or simply love hearing about the creative process, this episode offers insight, inspiration, and plenty of bookish joy. Eleanor's latest novel See the Stars is out in paperback this week! For more about Eleanor's books about finding light in the darkness, visit www.eleanorraybooks.com or follow @eleanorraybooks on social media.