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 Lynn Garthwaite, whose work spans children’s books, nonfiction, and her gripping adult thriller Starless Midnight. Lynn brings a rare versatility to her writing—her stories are grounded in real human struggles, propelled by suspense, and elevated by her keen sense of character. Starless Midnight in particular offers a taut, atmospheric mystery that highlights her ability to turn ordinary lives into extraordinary narratives.

Lynn is also the force behind Blue Spectrum Books, an independent publishing house committed to championing diverse voices and expanding the literary landscape. Her advocacy for accessibility and inclusion shapes both her publishing and her writing, and Minnesota’s literary community is stronger for it. She brings curiosity, compassion, and a deep love of storytelling to every project she touches.

You can learn more about Lynn at: https://www.bluespectrumbooks.com/about

Her books can be found wherever books are sold—and Minnesota mystery lovers will also find Starless Midnight on the shelves at Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

In this episode, Lynn shares how she crafts suspense, why she loves writing across genres, and what it means to build community through storytelling.

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 at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

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 true-crime author and forensic psychologist Frank Weber, whose chilling and compassionate storytelling comes directly from decades spent studying the darkest corners of human behavior. His newest novel, Heartbreak Hollow, continues his signature blend of psychological depth, haunting atmosphere, and razor-sharp plotting. Frank’s background—working with both victims and violent offenders—gives him rare insight into trauma, motive, and the complexities of the human mind, and it shows in every character he writes.

Frank is also an in-demand speaker, known for presentations on criminology, deception detection, and forensic science. Whether he’s analyzing cold cases or diving into criminal profiling, he brings clarity, humanity, and a deep respect for the real people behind the headlines. His books have earned a devoted Minnesota readership not just because they’re gripping, but because Frank approaches even the darkest stories with empathy and an eye toward understanding.

You can learn more about Frank at: https://www.frankweberauthor.com/

His novels—including Heartbreak Hollow—are available wherever books are sold, including Minnesota’s iconic mystery bookstore Once Upon a Crime: https://onceuponacrimebooks.com/

And, we get a preview of the audiobook version of Heartbreak Hollow! Additionally, Frank talks with us about trauma, storytelling, and the moral responsibility of writing true-crime-infused fiction.

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 at the official webpage: https://www.bellcowproductions.com (🐮 -- moo!)

#bellcow #bellcowproductions #interviews #authors #roundup #bellcowroundup

In this episode of the Bell Cow Author Round-up, co-hosts Michael David MacBride and Rob Jung switch chairs—figuratively and literally—as Rob takes the interviewer reins and Michael becomes the featured author.

Michael is the author of At the Wake, a literary, multi-generational novel praised by Kirkus Reviews as “a powerful and nuanced family saga” and “an engrossing narrative about the long shadow of a violent patriarch.” His writing blends emotional depth, sharp observation, and a rare ability to map the fault lines that run through families, identity, and the stories we inherit.

Today, Michael shares a short reading from At the Wake and dives into:

• the book’s origins in family lore, memory, and unanswered questions

• why he gravitates toward stories that sit at the intersection of psychology and narrative

• how his background in academia, podcasting, and creative writing shaped the novel

• the path from early drafts to publication

• and what readers can expect next in his upcoming projects

Rob closes the episode with the signature Round-up Questions, putting Michael on the spot about his favorite films, what he cooks best, who he’d spend a day with (living or dead), and whether he prefers a wild night out or a quiet evening at home.

You can learn more about Michael at:

🔗 https://www.michaelmacbride.com

And you can order At The Wake anywhere books are sold.

Want more Minnesota authors to add to your shelf? Explore the full herd at:

🔗 https://www.bellcowproductions.com

🐮 Join the herd. Or at least give us a listen.

#BellCow #BellCowProductions #BellCowRoundup #MinnesotaAuthors #AuthorInterview #AtTheWake #LiteraryFiction #FamilySaga #MichaelDavidMacBride