The Premise
Here on The Premise Jeniffer and Chad Thompson talk to storytellers of all types. From authors to musicians, poets, screenwriters, and comedians we get down to the tiny grain of sand that becomes a pearl—getting to the story behind the storyteller.
- Update frequency
- every 10 days
- Average duration
- 55 minutes
- Episodes
- 105
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
041 - Chris Whitaker - Author of We Begin at the End
Chris Whitaker’s most recent novel, We Begin at the End, was actually conceived of very early in his writing journey. Like few other authors, Chris never imagined he’d become a writer, but a traumati…
040 - Olga Grushin - Author of The Charmed Wife
Olga Grushin wrote her first story at just seven years old, and it happens to have been a fairy tale. She discusses why she chose to write in English, though Russian is her first language, and how it…
039 - Stephanie Plymale - Author American Daughter
Her memoir has been called harrowing, and her childhood was unimaginably traumatic. But today, Stephanie is a successful author, the CEO of Heritage School of Interior Design, and the founder of The …
038 - Sally Collings, Book Proposal Expert
Sally Collings is a Book Proposal Expert, Ghostwriter and former Assistant Editor at Harper Collins and she knows her stuff. Jeniffer and Chad talk with Sally about her six fundamental elements of a …
037 - Ghostwriter Derek Lewis
Today's guest, Derek Lewis, is a business ghostwriter and author in his own right. Contrary to popular belief, the ghostwriter doesn't just write a book under someone else's name. Derek compares the …
036 - Dan & Sandra Smith - Smith Publicity
This episode’s guests are Dan Smith, founder of Smith Publicity, and President, Sandy Smith. No, the last name isn’t a coincidence—they’re married.
Dan’s decision to start Smith Publicity in 1997 was…
035 - Byron Lane & Steven Rowley Authors: A Star is Bored / The Editor
Both The Editor and A Star is Bored have young, gay, male protagonists who find mentors in older, more powerful, albeit very different women. Both books are based a bit in reality of some sort. Oh, a…
034 - Bill Clegg Agent/Author of The End of the Day and Did You Ever Have a Family
In another partnership with San Diego’s Warwick’s Books, Jeniffer talks with Literary Agent and
Author, Bill Clegg. In this episode, they discuss his latest book, The End of the Day, and do a deep div…
033 - Linda Olson Author of Gone: A Memoir of Love, Body, and Taking Back My Life
Linda Olson was in her late twenties, newly married, and a doctor when she was in a horrible accident while on vacation with her family. The aftermath left her without her legs and her right arm. She…
032 - Justin Scheck - WSJ Reporter and Coauthor of Blood and Oil
Sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction. In this episode, Wall Street Journal reporter, Justin Scheck talks with Jeniffer about his experience covering the Saudi royal family and the wild rea…
031 - Simon Stephenson - Author of Set My Heart to Five: A Novel - Pixar Screenwriter
Set My Heart To Five is a book that examines the oddities of human behavior by observing them from the outside, via an Android named Jared. It's set in 2054 in what Simon calls a Mistopia. He and Jen…
030 - Sigrid Nunez - Author - The Friend, What Are You Going Through
Sigrid Nunez is what may be considered a writer's writer, and she references other writers and the art itself often in her newest book, What Are You Going Through. In this episode she tells Jeniffer …
029 - Ann Gonzales - Children's Book Author
Ann Gonzales is the creator and facilitator of Easel Does it-Art and Recovery workshops and author of the magnificent children's book, Beloved and the Pepper Tree. She Considers herself an artist and…
028 - John Vorhaus - Author
Jeniffer and Chad talk with John Vorhaus about what it takes to be a good comic writer and how some of those things may be inborn. They discuss everything from his writing process, and his experience…
027 - Jan Eliasberg - Director, Screenwriter, & Author of Hannah's War
Jan Eliasberg has written and directed for theater, film, and television, including shows like Miami Vice, Criminal Minds, and Nashville. In this episode Jeniffer and Chad speak with Jan about her no…
026 - Sara Schaefer Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian
Sara Schaefer is an Emmy winning stand up comedian and comedy writer who's been featured on too many comedy shows to mention. If you don't already know her work, you're missing out. This episode, in …
025 - Charles Rosenberg Alternative Fiction Author, Lawyer, Professor
Charles Rosenberg is not only the author of several novels based on imagined history, but a Law professor and script consultant for several Prime Time television shows, such as LA Law and Boston Lega…
024 - Brad Thor - New York Times Bestselling Author
You might suspect Brad Thor's background hosting the TV series Traveling Lite had something to do with his interest in international espionage and adventure, and you'd be right. Brad tells Jeniffer a…
Piper Kerman, author of Orange is the New Black, is interviewed by Marni Freedman.
The San Diego Writers Festival was born out of a passion to unite our community through storytelling and to give a voice to those who often feel voiceless. We celebrate inclusivity and accessibility,…
023 - Elliot Ackerman - Author Red Dress in Black & White
Today’s episode goes into detail about how and why Ackerman wrote his latest novel, Red Dress in Black and White. You’ll hear how his work is informed by his experience living overseas and how his th…