Sitting Beside The Hurt
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author, advocate, and writing mentor Melissa B. Lombardo, creator of Hurt, Healing, and Hope: Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault. Melissa shares how, after being sexually assaulted in her 20s, she found her way to counseling at the New Britain YWCA and was encouraged to write about her experiences. What started as private journal entries slowly grew into a three-act interwoven monologue, complete with reflection questions and journaling space to support other survivors in their own healing journeys....
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Every Book Should Bring A Smile
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Freddy the Frog hops onto the Connecticut Book Festival Podcast in this lively episode featuring debut author-illustrator Devon (DL) Torres. Jedlie welcomes Devon from Hartford to talk about his joyful new rhyming picture book, “Freddy the Frog,” a story all about confidence, imagination, and good old-fashioned playground fun. Devon describes Freddy as a confident, energetic frog who’s always ready for the next adventure: “I want to do this, I want to do that—come along if you want!” Through Freddy’s playful leadership, the book celebrates unstructured playtime—the kind...
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Returning Home: Mystery and Mayhem in Robin Cannon’s Connecticut
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Join us for a special episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast as host Jed Doherty welcomes celebrated author Robin Cannon for an in-depth conversation about her latest cozy mystery, "Into the Shallows Darkly." As the highly-anticipated sequel to her popular novel "Into the Attic Darkly," this engaging episode dives into the compelling world of Connecticut-based crime fiction. Discover how Robin draws inspiration from the places and people around her in Connecticut, weaving local charm and personal experiences into her twist-filled mysteries. Robin shares the creative journey behind...
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Libraries, Creativity, and Counting Pears
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Emily Raymond and her mother, illustrator Gail Striegel, to discuss their collaborative children’s book, "Danny the Goat Does Not Like Pears." The conversation begins with Emily recounting the inspiration drawn from her childhood habit of hiding vitamins—a quirk that became the heart of Danny the goat’s story as he goes on whimsical adventures to avoid eating pears. Gail shares her artistic background and describes how their familial bond made the book’s illustration process especially joyful...
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Solving Mysteries Between 'I Do's': Mary Karnes Tells All
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In the latest episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Mary Karnes, the brilliant mind behind the captivating wedding planner mystery series that's taking the literary world by storm. Karnes shares her fascinating journey from real-life wedding planner to cozy mystery author, offering listeners a peek into the world of "Save the Fate" and the art of crafting the perfect mystery. Inspired by her own experiences planning her daughters' weddings, Karnes discovered a unique storytelling opportunity. Her protagonist, Kate, is a wedding planner from...
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The Second
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In an inspiring episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, author Timothy Craig shares the compelling story behind his young adult novel, "The Second". This emotional journey follows 17-year-old Kyle Castleman as he navigates life after a devastating car accident leaves his father in a coma. Craig's novel was born from a deeply personal experience with his own father's hospitalization in 2017. During a critical medical moment, he discovered the profound healing power of music - a theme that becomes the heartbeat of his storytelling. The book explores Kyle's quest to wake his father...
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Empowering Voices: Jordan Lopez's Neurodivergent Narrative
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In the latest episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, author Jordan Lopez opens up about his powerful "Look Down Upon" young adult trilogy, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of neurodiversity that's been missing from literature for too long. Lopez, who is himself on the autism spectrum, created protagonist Luke Ramirez as a way to challenge stereotypes and provide meaningful representation for neurodivergent teens and young adults. The series follows Luke's journey through high school and college, confronting bullying, family secrets, and personal growth in a way that feels...
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Rhymes, Writing, and Inspiration
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Amanda Halpin, a special education teacher and debut children's book author who's bringing a splash of color to the literary world with her enchanting picture book, "Onyx Pearl." Halpin's journey is as vibrant as her storytelling. Inspired by a student on the autism spectrum and her lifelong passion for writing, she crafted a unique tale about a character living in a black-and-white world who discovers the magic of color through nature. The book, aimed at children aged 8-10, is a poetic...
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Secrets of Grab Town: A Conversation with Sarah P. Blanchard
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Sarah P. Blanchard, a dynamic author who proves that great storytelling knows no age limit. At 73, Blanchard is making waves in the literary world with her gripping psychological suspense novel, "Grab Town." The story behind the book is as intriguing as its plot. Inspired by a real-life location in North Carolina, "Grab Town" weaves a complex narrative spanning two timelines. The novel follows twin sisters who discover an unfinished manuscript written by their mother's best friend, uncovering...
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From Marina to Manuscript: Paul Sargia's Literary Journey
Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
In this captivating episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author Paul Sargia to explore the fascinating journey behind his latest thriller, "The Catch." Set in the vibrant landscape of 1978 New York and New Jersey, this novel is more than just a page-turning adventure—it's a profound exploration of personal transformation. Sargia's writing journey is anything but conventional. A former physical education major, he discovered his passion for storytelling through an unexpected path of self-discovery. Inspired by a philosophical mentor, Sargia...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author, advocate, and writing mentor Melissa B. Lombardo, creator of Hurt, Healing, and Hope: Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault.
Melissa shares how, after being sexually assaulted in her 20s, she found her way to counseling at the New Britain YWCA and was encouraged to write about her experiences. What started as private journal entries slowly grew into a three-act interwoven monologue, complete with reflection questions and journaling space to support other survivors in their own healing journeys.
She and Jed talk about the therapeutic power of writing—how it isn’t a substitute for therapy, but can be deeply healing. Melissa describes years of silence, illness, and emotional pain, and how her “Heal for Real” journey helped her move from merely surviving to truly thriving beyond the assault. She explains why she changed her original subtitle from “The Aftermath of Rape and Sexual Assault” to “Thriving Beyond Sexual Assault,” and how reclaiming her voice led her into advocacy, public speaking, and community building.
Melissa also discusses the book’s life as a theater piece, the companion journals she created, and the many ways friends, families, and allies can support survivors—by listening, believing, and simply being present, without trying to “fix” everything.
Finally, she shares how this work has supported healing not only for herself, but also for her family, her readers, and the wider community, and how her project Write, Heal, Thrive continues that mission.