Rephonic
Artwork for Friends & Fiction
Independent Bookstores
Motherhood
Grief
Family Dynamics
Historical Fiction
Friendship
Writing Process
Publishing
World War II
Wayward Girls
Writing
The Girls Of Good Fortune
Catherine Newman
Rec
Brad Meltzer
Empathy
The Truth About the Devlins
C.J. Box
The Paris Express
The Stolen Life Of Colette Marceau

We're four bestselling novelists and friends whose common love of reading, writing, and independent bookstores bound us together. Now we want to share and celebrate stories—of the books we’ve written, the ones we’re reading now, and the art of writing—with each other and the guest authors we invite to join us. If you love books and are curious about the writing world, you’re in the right place.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes478Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFiction

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Artwork for Friends & Fiction

Latest Episodes

This episode is a re-airing of one of our favorite episodes from the vault! Join us as Kristy, Kristin & Mary Kay talk to #1 NYT-bestselling novelist Elin Hilderbrand along with her daughter Shelby Cunningham, to discuss their 2025 bestselling co-wri... more

On this episode, the full F&F family gathers to welcome this month’s F&F Featured Author, the #1 New York Times bestseller Karin Slaughter to discuss The Secrets We Hide, the next thrilling mystery in her new North Falls series featuring Sheriff Emmy... more

On this episode, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Kristin Harmel welcome New York Times bestselling author duo Christina Lauren to discuss their brand-new instant NYT-bestseller The Romance Revival, in which a fateful accident erases a troubled marriage from ... more

On this episode, Kristin Harmel & Ron Block welcome bestselling author, podcast creator, and award-winning journalist Jo Piazza to discuss her new novel, The Parisian Heist, a propulsive dual-timeline mystery drenched in art-world intrigue and brimmi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Christina Hobbs
Christina Lauren (writer, Christina Hobbs)
Christina Lauren
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Christina Lauren
Lauren Billings
Christina Lauren (writer, Lauren Billings)
Christina Lauren
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Christina Lauren
Jo Piazza
Bestselling author and podcast creator
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Jo Piazza
Kyleigh Leddy
Author of The Perfect Other; debut Worse Than Strangers
Gallery Books / Author
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Natalie Messier, Kyleigh Leddy & Chloe Liese
Natalie Messier
Author of Every Version of You; screenwriter
Gallery Books / Author
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Natalie Messier, Kyleigh Leddy & Chloe Liese
Chloe Liese
USA Today bestselling author; Happy Ending, Love Interest
Gallery Books / Author
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Natalie Messier, Kyleigh Leddy & Chloe Liese
Meg Walker
Managing director, Friends & Fiction
Friends & Fiction
Episode: Friends & Fiction celebrates the launch of Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel
Stephen Kellogg
American singer and songwriter
Self/Guest musician
Episode: Friends & Fiction celebrates the launch of Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel
Ben Reeves
Author of Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt
Self-published/UK author
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Ben Reeves

Hosts

Mary Kay Andrews
Host of Friends & Fiction; multiple-episode presence; notable NYT bestselling author and indie bookstore advocate
Kristin Harmel
Host; NYT bestselling author; frequent guest and contributor to episode rotations
Kristy Woodson Harvey
Co-host and frequent guest; author with multiple titles and strong reader community ties
Patty Callahan Henry
Host; author and contributor to discussions on craft and publishing; regular in episode lineups
Christy Woodson Harvey
Author and host; involved in multiple episodes and guest appearances

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 334 ratings
  • I love this show!

    Haha, I call it a show and not a podcast because hearing authors—beloved favorites and new wonders I get to explore—is so engaging! My precious novel reading time has been enriched by being able to hear authors divulge their process; a behind the curtain joy ride that usually leads me to a deeper reading immersion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DinaRose27
    United States6 months ago
  • I love and look forward to this podcast above all the others I follow. I also love the laughs and conversations from all of you throughout your podcasts. You are all such gifted and talented authors. Thank you all for blessing your readers with such entertaining books.

    Audible
    5
    Kindle Customer
    United Statesa year ago
  • My #1 podcast of all

    I love and look forward to this podcast above all the others I follow. I also love the laughs and conversations from all of you throughout your podcasts. You are all such gifted and talented authors. Thank you all for blessing your readers with such entertaining books.

    Audible
    5
    Kindle Customer
    United Statesa year ago
  • Way too many spoilers!

    Listening to Michael Connelly episode while reading his new book” the waiting”. I’m halfway through the book and the podcast already gave away THREE big spoilers that haven’t been discussed yet! Not cool!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    El Gato SA
    United States2 years ago
  • Enjoyable listening experience

    This is a great podcast, the energy that the hosts bring is exactly what you’d want for a show that highlights fiction books and their authors. Extremely well done and thankful to have found this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alex J Sanfilippo
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans love the sense of community with indie bookstores and readers.
Critiques note production and pacing inconsistencies in a few episodes.
Listeners praise authentic conversations and insider access to authors.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#111
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#230
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#143
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#13
Israel/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#34
Israel/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#181
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Friends & Fiction with Christina Lauren
Q: How did the two of you divide writing Emory and Luca's story?
They explained a collaborative method: they outline together, Christina writes a rough draft (the trash draft), Kristy then edits and polishes, and they layer each other's work to craft balanced dual perspectives.
Friends & Fiction with Ben Reeves
Q: What was the thought behind the book's ending?
The ending aims to be bittersweet yet uplifting, avoiding despair and leaving readers with a sense of hope and continued beauty in life.
Friends & Fiction with Ben Reeves
Q: How did Layla influence Travis's transformation?
Layla acts as a catalyst, inviting Travis into the world of the living and family, which accelerates his gradual shift from being an observer to someone capable of meaningful connection.
Friends & Fiction with Ben Reeves
Q: What inspired you to write from death's point of view?
Death is used as a lens to explore what it means to live fully, with Travis serving as a compassionate usher rather than a judge, which creates emotional tension and a unique perspective on mortality.
Friends & Fiction Steven Rowley and Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke
Q: How did you and your co-author(s) decide to write together, and what were the early challenges of turning friendship into a publishing collaboration?
Liz and Lisa describe meeting in high school, the long journey to writing together, and the evolution of their partnership through disagreements and eventually therapy and deliberate communication, which helped them develop a healthier, more productive collaboration that still feels like a family dynamic.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Friends & Fiction

What is Friends & Fiction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A panel of bestselling novelists hosts intimate interview-style conversations with guest authors about craft, publishing, and the writing life. Episodes frequently center on new releases, writing partnerships, indie bookstores, and community-building around books, with lively segments, live launches, and cross-promotional touches that blend storytelling with practical audience-facing tips. A notable through-line is celebrating women authors, diverse perspectives in fiction, and behind-the-scenes looks at how books travel from idea to reader, often featuring music, cocktails, and reader engagement as cultural touchpoints. This show tends to attract listeners who love contemporary fiction, strong author voices, and insights into the publishin... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Friends & Fiction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Friends & Fiction:

1. Books, Beach, & Beyond
2. Sarah's Bookshelves Live
3. From the Front Porch
4. Open Book with Jenna
5. Adriana Trigiani's You Are What You Read

How many episodes of Friends & Fiction are there?

Friends & Fiction launched 6 years ago and published 478 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Friends & Fiction?

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What guests have appeared on Friends & Fiction?

Recent guests on Friends & Fiction include:

1. Christina Hobbs
2. Lauren Billings
3. Jo Piazza
4. Kyleigh Leddy
5. Natalie Messier
6. Chloe Liese
7. Meg Walker
8. Stephen Kellogg

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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