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In this episode of Rock is Lit, Cynthia Swanson, winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the General Submission category, reads her winning story, “A Possibility …

In this episode of R…

In this episode of Rock is Lit, Cynthia Swanson, winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the General Submission category, reads her winning story, “A Possibility Nonetheless.” MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “The Water is Wide” by Pete Seeger “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds “There But For Fortune” by Joan Baez Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.…

Congratulations to the winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the Undergraduate Student Submissions category, Mavis Wolff! Listen to Mavis read her winning story, …

Congratulations to t…

Congratulations to the winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the Undergraduate Student Submissions category, Mavis Wolff! Listen to Mavis read her winning story, “Yes, Please,” in this episode.  Mavis Wolff is a Corporate Social Purpose Intern with Volunteer Tennessee, and a Peer Mentor at MTSU's University Writing Center. She has developed a strong skillset in professional mentorship, academic research, and compositional tutoring. She is a published researcher and has received several honors for her academic excellence and creative writing. She hopes…

In this special Rock is Lit episode—available exclusively on YouTube—legendary rock and film photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker joins Christy to talk about her novel, ‘Lenswoman in Love’, a love…

In this special Rock…

In this special Rock is Lit episode—available exclusively on YouTube—legendary rock and film photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker joins Christy to talk about her novel, ‘Lenswoman in Love’, a love story steeped in the sights and sounds of the 1960s and 1970s music and film scenes. Kim shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with a young Cameron Crowe and shooting icons like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Gram Parsons, and Jim Morrison. She also discusses what it was like to be a film set still photographer on classics like John Carpenter's ‘Halloween’ and TV shows like 'Cheers' and 'Fam…

Hey, Lit listeners! It’s old home week here at the podcast. Joining me are two Rock is Lit alumni who know a thing or two about chasing musical dreams and writing fiction that grooves with soul and …

Hey, Lit listeners! …

Hey, Lit listeners! It’s old home week here at the podcast. Joining me are two Rock is Lit alumni who know a thing or two about chasing musical dreams and writing fiction that grooves with soul and grit: authors and musicians Peter McDade and Michael Amos Cody.In this special episode we’re talking about their brand-new novels: Peter’s ‘King Cal’ and Michael’s ‘Streets of Nashville’. Both of these fabulous novels ask what music costs, what it gives, and who gets to be heard.Also in the episode, we’ll get to hear each author read from their books and maybe even settle the quest…

What if The Beatles did reunite—and the world was never the same?In this special episode, Christy Alexander Hallberg welcomes acclaimed author, media scholar, and musician Paul Levinson to talk abou…

What if The Beatles …

What if The Beatles did reunite—and the world was never the same?In this special episode, Christy Alexander Hallberg welcomes acclaimed author, media scholar, and musician Paul Levinson to talk about his novel ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’, based on his award-winning short story that reimagines a very different musical timeline.Set in 1996, the novel follows legendary New York DJ Pete Fornatale as he heads to Grand Central Terminal—only to discover the music world has shifted in strange and unexpected ways. From speculative “what-ifs” to cultural commentar…

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’.Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso gu…

In this special epis…

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’.Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his Marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs�…

Author Constance Squires returns to Rock is Lit to discuss her debut novel, ‘Along the Watchtower’, a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of military life, Cold War Germany, and …

Author Constance Squ…

Author Constance Squires returns to Rock is Lit to discuss her debut novel, ‘Along the Watchtower’, a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of military life, Cold War Germany, and rock ‘n roll. ‘Along the Watchtower’ follows thirteen-year-old Lucinda Collins as she arrives at a U.S. military base in Grafenwoehr, West Germany, in 1983. She knows the drill—setting up new quarters, navigating her parents' tensions, and keeping fellow Army brats at arm’s length, knowing friendships won’t last. She longs for a true home, but her father is haunted by Vietnam, and her…

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, we celebrate Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday by honoring her profound impact on art, music, and peace activism. Returning to the podcast is Madeline Bocaro, author o…

In this special epis…

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, we celebrate Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday by honoring her profound impact on art, music, and peace activism. Returning to the podcast is Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono, to explore Yoko’s artistic vision, her unwavering commitment to peace, and the ways her influence continues to shape generations. Building on our deep dive in Episode 47, this conversation serves as both an addendum to that episode about Madeline’s book and a tribute to Yoko’s enduring Legacy.PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s m…

In this final episode in the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Suzanne Mattaboni discusses her debut novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime’, and shares excerpts from the story.Set in 1984, where punk reig…

In this final episod…

In this final episode in the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Suzanne Mattaboni discusses her debut novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime’, and shares excerpts from the story.Set in 1984, where punk reigns and Andy Warhol rules, 20-year-old art student Jessica longs for a life beyond her reach. Dreaming of an avant-garde study program in London, she’s stuck waitressing and navigating drama with her boyfriend Drew, who wants to date others. Life takes a turn when she meets Whit, a magnetic guitarist, and dives into a post-punk scene full of quirky characters—cheating waiters, mystics, a milita…

We’re talking nonfiction in this bonus featurette crafted entirely by Season 4 Production Intern Major LeGoullon. Major shines a spotlight on Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan’s 2012 autobiogra…

We’re talking nonf…

We’re talking nonfiction in this bonus featurette crafted entirely by Season 4 Production Intern Major LeGoullon. Major shines a spotlight on Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan’s 2012 autobiography, ‘It’s So Easy: And Other Lies’, drawing connections to Rock is Lit Season 2, Episode 18. That earlier episode featured Melissa Ragsly discussing her short story collection, ‘We Know This Will All Disappear’, including the Guns N’ Roses-inspired story "Mannequin," which references their song “Rocket Queen.” The episode also included a deep dive into Guns N’ Roses, especially …

In this episode of the Rock is Lit Season Four Reading Series, Sarah Seltzer joins the podcast to discuss and read an excerpt from her USA Today bestselling novel, ‘The Singer Sisters’.Set in 1996…

In this episode of t…

In this episode of the Rock is Lit Season Four Reading Series, Sarah Seltzer joins the podcast to discuss and read an excerpt from her USA Today bestselling novel, ‘The Singer Sisters’.Set in 1996, the novel follows alt-rocker Emma Cantor as she navigates the highs and lows of a rising music career while grappling with the legacy of her mother, Judie, a 1960s folk legend. Emma’s journey is marked by revelations about her Family’s past, her complicated relationship with Judie, and the sacrifices women artists often make for success.Sarah shares the musical inspiration behind her book, r…

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, host Christy Alexander Hallberg hands the mic to teacher, podcaster, and DJ Andrew Smith, who interviews his friend Peter Werbe about Peter’s debut novel, ‘…

In this special epis…

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, host Christy Alexander Hallberg hands the mic to teacher, podcaster, and DJ Andrew Smith, who interviews his friend Peter Werbe about Peter’s debut novel, ‘Summer On Fire’. Peter also reads an excerpt from the book.Peter Werbe is a veteran of Detroit’s alternative and commercial media scene, as well as a political activist. A member of the editorial collective of ‘Fifth Estate’ magazine, his work appears in its online archive. His radio career spanned Detroit's major rock stations—WABX, WWWW, WRIF, and WCSX—where he hosted Nightcall, WRIF…