For our 50th episode, we’re turning the mic inward! Join Hope and Donna as they interview each other in a candid, no-holds-barred conversation that dives deep into their lives as writers, readers, and creatives. From the highs and lows of the publishing journey to quirky habits and guilty pleasures, nothing is off-limits. You’ve heard their thoughts on craft and industry—now get ready to meet the women behind the voices in a way you never have before. Honest. Unfiltered. Fun.

Next Episode: Editing Uncovered: What Writers Need to Know

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

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Bio: Lisa Montanaro is the author of the debut novel, Everything We Thought Was True, which released in January 2025, by Red Adept Publishing, and won first place for LGBTQ Fiction in the International Firebird Book Awards and Honorable Mention from the Los Angeles Book Festival. At turns heartbreaking and hopeful, the novel explores not only the consequences of secrets—even secrets kept out of love—but also the courage it takes to speak the truth, to forgive, and to let go. Lisa is part no-nonsense Italian American New Yorker and part sunny Californian. She has a unique background as a performer, teacher of deaf students, lawyer, coach, speaker, and author. Lisa is also the author of The Ultimate Life Organizer,published by Peter Pauper Press. She serves as webinar host for the Women's Fiction Writers Association and as facilitator of the Retro COLAGE group for adult children of LGBTQ parents. When not writing, Lisa enjoys cycling and hiking with her veterinarian husband, tending to her garden, and chasing after her rescue dogs. Lisa has enjoyed living snow-free since 2012 in Northern California, where she’s made it her mission to sample the wines of the region.

SOURCES & LINKS

Author Website: http://www.LisaMontanaroWrites.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMontanaroAuthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisa.montanaro/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lisa.montanaro

BlueSky: https://lisamontanaro.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisamontanaroauthor

Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisa-Montanaro/author/B00585O2TC

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4985348.Lisa_Montanaro

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/786071194

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you

In this episode of Authors Talking Bookish, we take a deep dive into The Handmaid’s Tale—not just as readers, but as writers. We explore Margaret Atwood’s masterful craft: her use of voice, world building, and the chilling plausibility that makes this dystopian classic so enduring. We also share our take on the most recent adaptation and how it expands (or shifts) the original narrative. Most importantly, we discuss why stories like this matter now more than ever—especially in today’s cultural and political climate. Whether you're a fan, a critic, or reading it for the first time, this conversation will challenge you to think about the power and responsibility of storytelling.

SHOW NOTES:

• Happy 2 Year Anniversary Episode!
• Our first exposure to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
  • Then vs. now impressions
  • Reading in a pre versus post-Roe v. Wade-overturning climate
• The Handmaid’s Tale and today’s political climate

• A writer’s perspective on style, plot, world building & character
  • Do you prefer stories that lean heavily on internal narration or action?
  • Dystopian fiction genre

• Alignment and critical view of the 1990 Film & Hulu adaptation
  • The shift to a visual medium
  • How 1st person, stream-of-consciousness is handled differently through visual flashback
  • Fleshed-out storylines (Ofglen, Serena Joy, Nick, Moira)
  • Did the adaptations remain true to the heart of the novel or change too much?

• The Testaments, Margaret Atwood

SOURCES & LINKS

The Handmaid’s Tale & The Testaments, Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale, 1990, Director Volker Schlöndorff

The Handmaid’s Tale, 2017-2025, TV Series Creator Bruce Miller (6 seasons)

“Gilead Revisit: What Went Wrong with The Handmaid’s Tale Movie”, Collider

Sarah Grynberg Podcast, “The Dark Truth About The Handmaid’s Tale”

DO NOW:

Read them. Watch them.

Become informed about women’s rights.

Full Show Notes are available on our website as well as free downloads mentioned in the episode.

Authors Talking Bookish https://www.authorstalkingbookish.com

Hope Gibbs, author of Where the Grass Grows Blue https://www.authorhopegibbs.com/

Donna Norman-Carbone, author of All That is Sacred & Of Lies and Honey https://www.donnanormancarbone.com

If you found value in this content, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and SHARE. Thank you