Talking "real Maine" on the Paperback Bromance podcast

Matt, Phoebe, Kay "K.", and David.

Matt, Phoebe, and David have a cool man cave in central Maine where they crack open some brews or box o' wine and talk about literary novels. You're like...what? They could be talking about so many other things: cars, lumbersexuals, THC drinks, cryptids found in the North Woods. But literary novels?

Yes, these two burly dudes and this fabulous artist are all about highlighting Maine authors and they are putting out some excellent content on their podcast Paperback Romance.

Here's how it all came about. I met Matt and Phoebe at a craft fair and they told me about their podcast. One thing led to another and I ended up traveling from the coast to their studio where we cracked some beers and jokes and talked about the real part of Maine and how it was conveyed in my 2009 novel-turned film, The Ghost Trap.

Here is a teaser clip here and here of when I was in the studio (we talk about the authenticity of PBR vs. Allagash in the movie). Here's a link to the full podcast where they discuss the book and film by themselves.

Here's how it felt listening:

Picture The Ghost Trap, a 6 x 9 paperback novel, lying on a gurney in a hospital room under surgical lights. A white blanket covers its lower half. Above it, stand Matt, David, and Phoebe in green scrubs and masks. A hot white light shines down. They're all wearing those surgical glasses with magnifying lenses with a magnified, clear view of the surgical site for greater precision.

"Anesthesia?"

"Check. All set."

"Good. Let's begin."

I listened with my headphones on and burst out laughing so many times over their banter. But what astounded me is far down they drilled into the book's premise, plot, characterization, themes, and authenticity to Maine.

They pulled out their favorite dialogue and scenes (Remember Amanda and her "homemade addition" to coffee brandy?) They discussed family dynamics between Maynard, James Senior, and Jamie and how it reflected Matt's experiences once lobstering on an island.

They loved how real Maine was portrayed in the book and how the lobstering scenes, the superstitions, and the lore were all very familiar. They even touched on the vengeful selkie scenario first posited in The Ghost Trap by Maynard and made a mention of my new selkie novel, By the Dark o' the Moon.

They absolutely NAILED the pathos of Jamie and Anja's tragic relationship, even so far as to correctly attribute what the title of the book meant. Phoebe even led the charge with the discussion of Happy's role in the book and movie. And while so many women of varying ages have come up to me over the years at book signings, unhappy with Happy, disliking that she even provided a central conflict, and deeply uneasy with her proximity to Jamie--Phoebe, Matt, and David all "got" what it was between Happy and Jamie. Happy wasn't the villain in their story; she was the relatable friend, the limerence of what was never meant to be.

They got so deep, dark, and down into the book, I thought we were gonna have a Code Red at one point. A dissection of the Finest Kind and I honestly can't tell you how honored I am to have been chosen by this trio.

They review all kinds of classic and modern romance novels with Phoebe "Who Reads the Steamy" providing the insights on the book's smut or spice factor. (Obviously in The Ghost Trap, it's not at all about spice. But it is about love, romance, and loyalty. )

But if you're a Maine author who writes romance or even books with a romantic plot, check out their podcast and get in touch. I promise they will show you a side to your book you (and the rest of their audience) has never seen before.

Follow Paperback Bromance on Spotify.