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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes482Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArtsFiction

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Friends & Fiction

Latest Episodes

On this episode, Patti Callahan Henry & Kristin Harmel welcome New York Times bestselling author Ariel Lawhon to discuss her brand-new instant NYT-bestselling novel, The Pirate Queen, a sweeping historical adventure inspired by the life of Grace O’Ma... more

On this episode, Ron Block & Kristy Woodson Harvey welcome award-winning, NYT-bestselling author Chloe Benjamin to discuss her new novel and this month’s Good Morning America Book Club pick, Under Story, an intimate yet epic love story that’s also a ... more

On this episode, the full F&F family gathers to celebrate this month’s F&F Featured Author, our very own Kristy Woodson Harvey, to discuss our August 2026 Pick of the Month, Falling for Peachtree Bluff, the fifth installment in Kristy’s fan-favorite ... more

On this episode, we are airing an “Ask Us Anything” episode where F&F’s Managing Director Meg Walker leads our hosts & founders — Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey & Patti Callahan Henry in answering questions that were submitte... 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

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
Karin Slaughter
New York Times bestselling author
The Secrets We Hide (North Falls series)
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Karin Slaughter
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

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 States7 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
#73
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#208
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#232
United Kingdom/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Friends & Fiction with Ariel Lawhon
Q: So when you were writing this book, could you have said it's about marriage, motherhood and midlife, or is it like in reflecting back on it that you know that's what it's about?
Absolutely reflecting back. I never know what my books are about when I'm actually writing them. I am in the weeds, and the book reveals its themes to me over time, especially as I connect the relationships, motherhood, and life choices to the murder mystery and historical context.
Ask Us Anything with Friends & Fiction
Q: Stacey Windhall asks, do you have a preferred window of time for writing, hours that you are most productive?
The panel shares that routines vary; some write early in the morning, others adapt to family schedules, but most find morning hours are their most productive, while others move to afternoons or night writing when inspiration strikes.
Friends & Fiction with Karin Slaughter
Q: How important is an overall Bible or guide for the North Falls series, and do you keep track of character ages across books?
Karin says she had a Bible for North Falls to keep details consistent and that she often notes character ages and evolution to maintain continuity across installments.
Friends & Fiction with Karin Slaughter
Q: Do you have a specific inspiration for Emmy and Jude in the North Falls series?
Karin explains her aim to craft a generational, character-driven story that reflects life stages of women and uses strong, relatable Southern women with sharp humor and deep inner lives.
Friends & Fiction with Karin Slaughter
Q: Do you read books in your own genre when you're writing or do you avoid them to stay original?
Karin suggests she isn't avoiding them entirely but is drawn to nonfiction and uses reading to inform her understanding, balancing influences while maintaining originality in her own work.

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 482 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. Ariel Lawhon
2. Kristy Woodson Harvey
3. Karin Slaughter
4. Christina Hobbs
5. Lauren Billings
6. Jo Piazza
7. Kyleigh Leddy
8. Natalie Messier

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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