🐮 Bell Cow Author Round-up: J.J. Heckenlaible | No Better Place and small-town Minnesota (with hosts Rob Jung & Michael MacBride)

🐮 Bell Cow Author Round-up: J.J. Heckenlaible | No Better Place and small-town Minnesota (with hosts Rob Jung & Michael MacBride)

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world, publishers, authors, editors and more, to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word. The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow! Today we’re joined by Minnesota author J.J. Heckenlaible, whose No Better Place: A Hometown Tale revisits the bittersweet comedy and ache of growing up in a small Minnesota town. It is a coming-of-age story built from friendships, family, tragedy, love, and that strange moment when your hometown starts to feel both too small and impossible to leave. Heckenlaible writes with the kind of lived-in specificity that makes a place feel real, the local characters, the rhythms of small-town life, the humor that shows up even in hard seasons. If you have ever felt the tug-of-war between who you were and who you are becoming, this is your episode. You can learn more about J.J. at: ⁠https://jjheckenlaible.com/⁠ No Better Place is available wherever books are sold. In this episode, J.J. talks about writing a hometown truth without sentimentality, building character through community, and why the past still has teeth. You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (⁠https://robjungwriter.com/⁠ and ⁠https://www.michaelmacbride.com⁠). And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow Productions at the official webpage: ⁠https://www.bellcowproductions.com⁠ (🐮 moo!) #bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

🐮 Bell Cow StoryLab: What We Steal From Other Mediums: Craft Tricks Borrowed From TV, Film and Games

Bell Cow StoryLab is our monthly author panel series, hosted by authors Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride. Each episode brings multiple writers into one craft-focused conversation, spotlighting how books actually get built. Scene by scene, choice by choice. In What We Steal From Other Mediums: Craft Tricks Borrowed From TV, Film and Games, we celebrate the joyful truth that writers are magpies. We talk about what other mediums teach us about pacing, scene architecture, escalation, motif, subtext, and momentum, and how to translate those tools into prose without the story feeling like a screenplay in a trench coat. We get into questions like: What technique did you steal that immediately improved your writing? Do you think in shots and cuts, or do you resist cinematic thinking on the page? How do you compress time without a summary dump, and still keep it propulsive? Today’s panelists (bios + links) ✅ Traci Lambrecht (P.J. Tracy): Award-winning crime novelist known for high-speed plotting and page-turning suspense. https://pjtracy.com/ ✅ James W Bennetts: Minnesota mystery and suspense author focused on tight pacing, layered subplots, and escalating stakes. https://www.jameswbennettsbooks.com/ ✅ Christopher Valen: Mystery author best known for his John Santana series, built around propulsive investigations and high-pressure turns. https://www.christophervalen.com/ Connect with the hosts ✅ Rob Jung: https://robjungwriter.com/ ✅ Michael David MacBride: https://www.michaelmacbride.com/ 🐮 Everything Bell Cow: https://www.bellcowproductions.com/#BellCow #BellCowProductions #BellCowStoryLab #StoryLab #Villains #Antagonists #WritingCraft #AmWriting #FictionWriting #MysteryWriters #CrimeFiction #ThrillerWriters #CharacterDevelopment #PageTurners

🐮 Bell Cow Author Round-up: Sherry Roberts (with hosts Rob Jung & Michael MacBride)

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word. The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow! Today we’re joined by Minnesota author Sherry Roberts, whose writing explores emotional depth, human connection, and the quiet moments that shape our lives. In this episode, Sherry reads from Down Here, a moving work that blends reflection, resilience, and a strong sense of place. Sherry’s storytelling is thoughtful and grounded, inviting readers to slow down and sit with the characters as they navigate loss, love, and the complexities of being human. Learn more at: https://sherry-roberts.com/about-me/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0Z0T21fMUM0R0ZPOHA0bENSQlVTUUVoVnpGd3xBQ3Jtc0ttbFc0U0E3U093RG5fbzRCSzlpRnlnR0J5amNwdjZUdVFPRDRPZXE1MGZ2UFA4NTRESnV3REdrTzlOTzR2ZFlQMmk1bEJISGRBVFVqdjlENV9XRnkxWjVBZ2Z6T2pUR3Uzd3BnTm1EYzR1Y2RCTHNxZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsherry-roberts.com%2Fabout-me%2F&v=HvxPkd7VwiU]Her books can be found wherever books are sold.You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbjEtRWp2bktEOTRza3lhUmE2aDdBUE4xTkFQZ3xBQ3Jtc0tueUlxeDdFbG9jRlNOMG5la2I4YnNIYjduczRtZGYwM2tscVZxNExCMTNzaXpqenJ3Ui1lQzdKZ1NtVkd6MTIwNWVHZGExQV9KLTAzb2R4UmVVQlpaUTFnQmNQMzd4VkRSMHVpTFE1NjRLc1BUYzRuMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Frobjungwriter.com%2F&v=HvxPkd7VwiU] and https://www.michaelmacbride.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblFuYVQyRW9NLUhQV3pTWGpDYTVuVlhyTXM4QXxBQ3Jtc0ttNmc3aDN0TEdObG03RXkzTlg1Y3ZfczZqVDFIel92OW14cTN1RHNjWUdRdFNDV0I1TFU0OHVVdHpqcmhyZmRERTRSZ3prNC1DVktKZ2p6N1F2dVhVVExkSkZHUnEzYkw4M2RHQ3pqNElfUkZKMnBYMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michaelmacbride.com%2F&v=HvxPkd7VwiU]).And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUpWdzN5QU5yQXZINU1EWG54ei1QcGRNUjFTUXxBQ3Jtc0tuT054R3ltZXdRVElPeDQ3MEpnMUs5VEhLWU5qbGJBRTEtY25iMW5HQ3c3dFozMEN1WmJoNkxxaEtvODNkS2g1MmZ1NWl1YWFjZ0JmNUZuUF9tSDZMR3pOODliMW84bEFkOEFMYmNSTkl5T1J1MmdzSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellcowproductions.com%2F&v=HvxPkd7VwiU] (🐮 -- moo!)#bellcow [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bellcow] #bellcowproductions [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bellcowproductions] #interviews [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/interviews] #authors [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/authors] #roundup [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/roundup] #bellcowroundup [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bellcowroundup]

Mystery Conversations: St. Paul Pioneer Press book editor Mary Ann Grossmann in conversation with rising star author S.L. Woeppel

Mystery Conversations: A Bell Cow Podcast brings the best of Minnesota Mystery Night to listeners everywhere. These episodes are recorded live, in front of an audience, at the long-running monthly event that pairs top mystery and thriller writers with smart, engaging interviewers for lively, unscripted conversation. Expect craft talk, publishing stories, crime-fiction gossip of the respectable variety, and the kind of audience energy you only get when book people gather in a room together. Minnesota Mystery Night describes itself as a live, meet-the-author event featuring mystery and thriller writers in conversation with intriguing guests, held on the third Monday of each month in Mendota, Minnesota. These Bell Cow encore presentations preserve those live conversations and give them a second life beyond the room. They also connect to Masters of Mystery Radio Hour, the broadcast version of Minnesota Mystery Night, which is recorded live at the event and carried on multiple radio stations in Minnesota and South Dakota, including KRWC-AM, AM950/KTNF, KTOE, KLTF, KCCR, KKBJ, and KWNO. Bell Cow Productions, meanwhile, exists to support writers through podcasts, resources, and behind-the-scenes literary conversation, which makes this series a natural fit for the herd. Originally recorded 3/16/2026: St. Paul Pioneer Press book editor Mary Ann Grossman interviews rising star author S.L. Woeppel for an evening of lively conversation recorded in front of an audience at Minnesota Mystery Night. Expect reflections on books, craft, publishing, and the kind of smart, easy exchange that happens when a seasoned literary interviewer meets an author on the rise in a room full of mystery fans. This conversation was first presented live at Minnesota Mystery Night and now returns as an encore from Bell Cow Productions. It is also part of the larger Masters of Mystery Radio Hour tradition, which brings these live conversations to regional radio audiences. Mary Ann Grossmann is a longtime books critic and editor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, where she covers Minnesota authors and publishers. She has long been one of the region’s best-known literary interviewers and champions of the local book world. https://muckrack.com/mary-grossmann S.L. Woeppel is a Minnesota-based author whose work blends mystery, suspense, and darker psychological elements. Born and raised in Nebraska and now living in Minnesota, she is the author of Flipping the Birdie and The Butcher and the Liar. https://www.slwoeppelbooks.com Bell Cow Productions: https://www.bellcowproductions.com Minnesota Mystery Night: https://www.mnmysterynight.com Masters of Mystery Radio Hour: https://www.mnmysterynight.com/mmrh #MysteryConversations #MinnesotaMysteryNight #SLWoeppel

🐮 Bell Cow Author Round-up: Mike Faricy (with hosts Rob Jung & Michael MacBride)

The weekly Bell Cow Herd Podcast, hosted by authors, Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride, rounds up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log and the wider publishing world—publishers, authors, editors and more—to shine a light on the people who compose the remarkable Midwestern literary community. With short, punchy chats, exclusive author readings, and deep dives into their background and craft, you’ll get to know, like never before, the people who embellish our lives via the written word. The podcast rings the bell loud and clear, guiding you straight to your next favorite author, maybe even one who writes in your own backyard. Join the herd. Give the round-up a listen: subscribe, like, and follow! Today we’re joined by prolific Minnesota author Mike Faricy, best known for his long-running Dev Haskell series, a sharp, fast-paced collection of mysteries packed with humor, trouble, and one very unlucky private investigator. In this episode, Mike reads from Winning Hand, bringing listeners into Dev Haskell’s world of bad decisions, worse timing, and mysteries that never stay simple. Mike’s writing blends classic PI storytelling with wit and momentum, making his books perfect for readers who like their crime fiction smart, funny, and impossible to put down. Learn more at: https://www.mikefaricybooks.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazU4NnR4Z01rX0h6UmdTYzRaZmpvdU1RMG1BZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsaHdwLUl1WmNIRUs4Z3BKVW5UanEya0FkaUNqNHZJNGdqYzZ5MEZINTZHZ1lwem9kdWZMcWpnQmdPMmJ2OF9PY0Q2VGNoSnZtVUxkTUd6aUNJZVlueXJkX3lXQUk4d3R5TUdGelpLdzFjdEtWOWdOOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mikefaricybooks.com%2F&v=4zSd6MvCwYc]His mysteries are available wherever books are sold — and Minnesota mystery fans can also find his work at Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDhEdVlId1IyMlhpN1lkdjJJTDUweGpLVENNQXxBQ3Jtc0ttVlZVazNVLS1KaF93TFpOYWZzZUlUbm5qN0NZZzdBSzloQmpNck5zRGdFcUxBdnlyVC1aaXl4MTh1NHVlMUV5TUo1Q2dNNER6VGlQZnN3czYxVzdVZlAtUzlVYlFBQ3EyUmc0LVZGdDZmeW10bzRqcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fonceuponacrimebooks.com%2F&v=4zSd6MvCwYc]You can find out more about your hosts: Rob and Michael at their webpages (https://robjungwriter.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbC1TQ3B1R2dXMzIydWpPVG9CQUVJZm1XVl9md3xBQ3Jtc0tuVFJ1amdQNlZvQVdIQm9Xd09IdGdJRFg4OUJpTlB1NkFyQUEtcEdnNHpHenI1SmMtd2NYS1pVUkpoaVpOSGk1ZGJqNkdCeHMwN1o1Z3RGUVlWYTc3LWFPWVZuNE9UaVhpWEFITy16emtiQWJXN250NA&q=https%3A%2F%2Frobjungwriter.com%2F&v=4zSd6MvCwYc] and https://www.michaelmacbride.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3Q5QjQzWVZzRmQwanhhZ1lrcU9Bbkx5WThrQXxBQ3Jtc0trRXFFYllYLTgyeS05NGFRYnFZVnExWkpmZDZ2RXlTTDdTSW5wTUM5em9iWDJHWG9PTFc0X3B6eHNsYzhCWVI2MU9GNFI2TThHQUdTSXlyUlh1RkZxMDBEWGtNZ2F6OVp2MlRkTnRfVElyUGZlWmExWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.michaelmacbride.com%2F&v=4zSd6MvCwYc]).And, of course, you can find everything about Bell Cow at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblNEN1o1MURPcnhjcFlNeFltVDNLc1N1RTRKZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsSzZsY3p5eS1kejVnSklwMzZhQ1VzRy11YXlJVXN5SndwOE9Wb3ZVTFNxYUhuUWR1ZVFGbFByeXN0MEdYbHdaU0dscVBsalJmNjVrejlLVGNXRkhVWlhXak9LSWdWeUJteEFtYmJaVF93aWx4VkgzRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bellcowproductions.com%2F&v=4zSd6MvCwYc] (🐮 -- moo!)#bellcow [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bellcow] #bellcowproductions [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bellcowproductions] #interviews [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/interviews] #authors [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/authors] #roundup [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/roundup] #bellcowroundup [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/bellcowroundup]