Rephonic
Artwork for Friends & Fiction
Independent Bookstores
Motherhood
Grief
Family Dynamics
Writing Process
Historical Fiction
Friendship
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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes488Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFiction

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Artwork for Friends & Fiction

Latest Episodes

On this episode, Kristy, Kristin, & MKA welcome USA Today bestselling author May Cobb to discuss our November 2026 Pick of the Month, her “sexy, scandalous and completely addictive” (Mary Kubica) new novel All the Little Secrets, the highly anticipat... more

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On this episode, Patti Callahan Henry & Mary Kay Andrews welcome prominent American literary critic and journalist Ron Charles, best known for his long tenure as the editor of Washington Post Book World. After more than a decade teaching American lit... more

YouTube

On this episode, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry & Mary Kay Andrews welcome the multi-million copy bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife Audrey Niffenegger to discuss our October 2026 Pick of the Month, Life Out of Order, her exhilarati... more

YouTube

On this episode, Ron Block & Kristin Harmel welcome Bonnie Garmus, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the global sensation Lessons in Chemistry, to discuss Peck & Peck, her irresistible, delightful, and tender new literary novel set in the p... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
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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

May Cobb
USA Today bestselling author of six novels, including The Hunting Wives
Episode: Friends and Fiction with May Cobb
Ron Charles
Literary critic and journalist, formerly book review editor and staff critic at The Washington Post
Episode: Friends and Fiction with Ron Charles
Audrey Niffenegger
Visual artist, writer and founder of Artists Book House; author of The Time Traveler's Wife
Artists Book House
Episode: Friends and Fiction with Audrey Niffenegger
Bonnie Garmus
American novelist and bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry
Episode: Friends and Fiction with Bonnie Garmus
Annie Hartnett
Award-winning novelist and co-founder of the Accountability Workshop for Writers
Accountability Workshop for Writers
Episode: Friends and Fiction with Annie Hartnett
Lucy Foley
Bestselling author of The Guest List and Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Lucy Foley
Ariel Lawhon
Historical fiction author
New York Times bestselling author
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Ariel Lawhon
Kristy Woodson Harvey
New York Times bestselling author; central figure in Peachtree Bluff series
Author
Episode: Friends & Fiction celebrates the launch of Falling for Peachtree Bluff by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Elin Hilderbrand
Author of The Academy (co-authored with Shelby Cunningham)
Author
Episode: Friends & Fiction Best-Of Re-Airing with Elin Hilderbrand & Shelby Cunningham

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 343 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 States9 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
#163
United States/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Friends and Fiction with May Cobb
Q: Could you give a writing tip to aspiring writers out there?
Cobb recommends reading closely in the genre one wants to write, turning to favorite books when stuck, taking walks to clear the mind, and choosing feedback sources carefully.
Friends and Fiction with May Cobb
Q: For readers who are just discovering the world of All the Little Houses and All the Little Secrets, can you introduce us? What do they need to know about Longview and the people who believe they run it?
Cobb describes two families whose collision disrupts the town: the wealthy Andersons, led by Charlie and her daughter Mellie, and seemingly wholesome newcomers. The books combine the atmosphere of Little House on the Prairie with the heightened intrigue of 1980s soap operas.
Friends and Fiction with Ron Charles
Q: How do you see the future of book reviewing as newspapers close book sections and editors are laid off?
Charles says many books receive no reviews and readers can struggle to find them. He sees libraries, the growth of independent bookstores, book clubs, television book clubs, and newer independent publications as important discovery channels, though their audiences remain limited.
Friends and Fiction with Ron Charles
Q: How do you discover new books these days and separate the wheat from the chaff?
Charles says he once relied on editors to track forthcoming books. Now he consults sources such as Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Library Journal, samples books, and makes a choice because the number of releases makes it impossible to read everything.
Friends and Fiction with Annie Hartnett
Q: Could you tell us a little bit about the Accountability Workshop for Writers?
Hartnett and writer Tessa Fontaine developed a model in which writers agree on a work commitment and check in regularly, without swapping drafts. The workshop now organizes participants into cohorts that meet to discuss their progress.

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. Adriana Trigiani's You Are What You Read
3. Open Book with Jenna
4. Totally Booked with Zibby
5. Sarah's Bookshelves Live

How many episodes of Friends & Fiction are there?

Friends & Fiction launched 6 years ago and published 488 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Friends & Fiction?

Recent guests on Friends & Fiction include:

1. May Cobb
2. Ron Charles
3. Audrey Niffenegger
4. Bonnie Garmus
5. Annie Hartnett
6. Lucy Foley
7. Ariel Lawhon
8. Kristy Woodson Harvey

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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