Author News & Interviews

Interview: Julie Gilbert, author of Giant Love: Edna Ferber, Her Best-Selling Novel of Texas, and the Making of a Classic American Film

Jun 19, 2025

GIANT LOVE explores the great American novelist and playwright Edna Ferber, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, whose work was made into many Academy Award-winning movies; the writing of her controversial, internationally bestselling novel about Texas; and the making of George Stevens’ Academy Award-winning epic film of the same name, Giant.

In this interview conducted by Michael Barson, Senior Publicity Executive at Melville House, Julie Gilbert, who is Ferber’s great-niece, explains why researching and writing this book was so personal for her; speculates on why her great-aunt isn’t as widely read today as she should be; and talks about two novels written by Ferber that she believes should be adapted as a film or miniseries.

Interview: Frederic S. Durbin, author of The Country Under Heaven

May 15, 2025

Louis L’Amour meets H.P. Lovecraft in THE COUNTRY UNDER HEAVEN, a thrilling western epic about a former Civil War soldier wracked by enigmatic visions. In this interview conducted by Michael Barson, Senior Publicity Executive at Melville House, Frederic S. Durbin talks about his extensive research for the book; the authors who have most influenced his writing; and the inspiration for his protagonist, Ovid Vesper, as well as the mysterious, supernatural force known as the Craither.

Interview: Patrick Strickland, author of You Can Kill Each Other After I Leave: Refugees, Fascism, and Bloodshed in Greece

Apr 17, 2025

Based on hundreds of hours of on-the-ground reporting, YOU CAN KILL EACH OTHER AFTER I LEAVE is a remarkable work of narrative nonfiction and compelling journalism that tells how Greece's violent far right is trying to destroy the birthplace of democracy. In this interview conducted by Michael Barson, Senior Publicity Executive at Melville House, Patrick Strickland talks about what inspired him to write this book, why he relocated to Greece eight years ago, the importance of including personal stories in his work, and two upcoming projects that revolve around his home state of Texas.

Interview: J. Robert Lennon, author of Buzz Kill

Apr 3, 2025

When the shadowy circumstances of a relative's death are brought to light, Jane and Lila are plunged into the recesses of an underground drug operation with links to a burgeoning fascist movement. That’s the thrilling premise of BUZZ KILL, the second book featuring the Pool sisters, following the 2024 release of HARD GIRLS. In this interview conducted by Michael Barson, Senior Publicity Executive at Melville House, J. Robert Lennon talks about his decision to produce a crime series after years of writing stand-alone titles; gives a shout-out to some of his favorite noir novels; and explains how the publishing industry has changed since the publication of his debut in 1997.

Interview: Steve Stern, author of A Fool's Kabbalah

Feb 20, 2025

In the ruins of postwar Europe, the world's leading expert on the Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism goes on a hair-raising journey to recover sacred books stolen by the Nazis. That is the intriguing premise of Steve Stern’s latest novel, A FOOL’S KABBALAH, which features numerous real-life historic figures. In this interview conducted by Michael Barson, Senior Publicity Executive at Melville House, Stern talks about his decision to write the book, his research process, the state of the publishing industry, and what he’s working on now.