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

Hosts Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride are in the saddle, rounding up the best voices from the Bell Cow Cattle-log — and sometimes, one of their own. In this episode, the spotlight turns toward author, publisher, and Bell Cow co-conspirator Rob Jung.

Rob is the author of The Chimera Chronicles trilogy, including his newest psychological thriller Judgment Day. An attorney, journalist, and lifelong storyteller, Rob blends sharp plotting with deep psychological tension, weaving thrillers that explore corruption, identity, and the fragile boundaries between truth and deception.

In today’s round-up, Rob reads a short excerpt from Judgment Day, then sits on the other side of the mic to talk about:

• how the Chimera series began

• the real-world inspirations behind his psychological thrillers

• what keeps him writing, revising, and reinventing

• and his unexpected path into publishing and community-building

And yes — Michael gets to ask Rob the "Rapid-Fire" Round-up Questions, so you’ll learn which historical figure he’d spend a day with, what he cooks best, and whether he’s a “night on the town” or “fireplace and blanket” kind of guy.

You can learn more about Rob at:

🔗 https://robjungwriter.com/

You can buy Judgment Day, and the rest of Rob's books wherever books are sold.

Want to discover more great Minnesota fiction authors? Explore the full herd at: https://www.bellcowproductions.com

🐮 (Moo responsibly.)

#BellCow #BellCowProductions #BellCowRoundup #PsychologicalThriller #MinnesotaAuthors #AuthorInterview #JudgmentDay #TheChimeraChronicles

Welcome to the very first episode of the Bell Cow Author Round-up, where hosts Rob Jung and Michael David MacBride ring the bell for Minnesota’s literary herd. Wait, is this a proper episode?

No, you're right. It's more of a short introduction. Oh well, in this introductory episode, Rob and Michael share the story behind Bell Cow Productions—a creative partnership built to help independent authors find their readers, librarians, and booksellers. You’ll hear how the Bell Cow Cattle-log began, what makes a “bell cow” the leader of the herd, and why this whole project exists to spotlight local fiction authors across Minnesota and nearby states.

Each upcoming episode will feature a different author from the Bell Cow Cattle-log, including short readings, behind-the-scenes stories, and some light-hearted “round-up questions” to end every chat. Together, the catalog and podcast aim to raise awareness of the incredible literary voices living right next door.So settle in for this kick-off conversation—equal parts fun, informative, and full of cow puns (sorry, not sorry).

We’re just getting started, and we can’t wait for you to join the herd.

🐮 Bell Cow Productions📚 www.bellcowproductions.com

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Audible, and YouTube

#BellCow #BellCowProductions #BellCowRoundup #MinnesotaAuthors #AuthorInterviews