Rephonic
Artwork for Friends & Fiction
The Truth About the Devlins
Darling Girls
Miss Morgan's Book Brigade
Summers At the Saint
Motherhood
Sally Hepworth
Summer On Highland Beach
Summer Romance
Independent Bookstores
Social Justice
Libraries
Foster Care
World War I
One Perfect Couple
Frederick Douglass
Highland Beach
Annabel Monaghan
Writing Process
Grief
Wandering Stars

We're four bestselling novelists and friends whose common love of reading, writing, and independent bookstores bound us together. Now we want to share and celebrate stories—of the books we’ve written, the ones we’re reading now, and the art of writing—with each other and the guest authors we invite to join us. If you love books and are curious about the writing world, you’re in the right place.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes443Founded5 years ago
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BooksFictionArts

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Artwork for Friends & Fiction

Latest Episodes

On this episode, Mary Kay Andrews & Ron Block welcome #1 New York Times bestselling author, Jacquelyn Mitchard, to discuss The Birdwatcher, her page-turning drama that explores the beauty of female friendship; the relationship between money, power, a... more

On this episode, Mary Kay Andrews & Patti Callahan Henry welcome New York Times bestselling author, Ace Atkins, to discuss his rollicking comedic thriller, Everybody Wants to Rule the World, set in 1985 in which a suburban teen suspects his mom’s new... more

On this episode, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry & Mary Kay Andrews welcome this month’s F&F Featured Author, the internationally renowned, award-winning, NYT-bestselling author John Irving, to discuss our December 2025 Pick of the Month, Queen ... more

On this episode, Mary Kay Andrews & Kristin Harmel welcome #1 New York Times bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child to discuss Exit Strategy, the “blockbuster” (Esquire) 30th installment in their Jack Reacher thriller series. Lee Child is the... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ace Atkins
Award-winning New York Times bestselling author of over 30 novels, including his latest, Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Ace Atkins
John Irving
Acclaimed author known for novels like The Cider House Rules and A Prayer for Owen Meany
Episode: Friends & Fiction with John Irving
Lee Child
Author of the Jack Reacher thrillers
Jack Reacher series
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Lee & Andrew Child
Andrew Child
Co-author and younger brother of Lee Child
Jack Reacher series
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Lee & Andrew Child
Brisa Carleton
Author of Last Call at the Savoy and Broadway producer.
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Brisa Carleton
David Baldacci
Bestselling author known for his thrillers and philanthropic work in literacy.
Episode: Friends & Fiction with David Baldacci
Catherine Newman
New York Times bestselling author of 'Rec' and several other works.
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Catherine Newman
Joe Hill
Author of "King Sorrow"," a bestselling writer known for his horror novels and literary prowess.
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Joe Hill
Mitch Albom
Bestselling author, journalist, screenwriter, and philanthropist
Episode: Friends & Fiction with Mitch Albom

Hosts

Mary Kay Andrews
Host and bestselling author known for her novels and passion for reading and independent bookstores.
Patti Callahan Henry
Best-selling author and passionate advocate for reading and writing.
Kristin Harmel
Co-host and bestselling author known for her engaging narratives and literary insights.
Christy Woodson Harvey
Co-founder and co-host, author with a strong focus on storytelling and community engagement.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 242 ratings
  • I love and look forward to this podcast above all the others I follow. I also love the laughs and conversations from all of you throughout your podcasts. You are all such gifted and talented authors. Thank you all for blessing your readers with such entertaining books.

    Audible
    5
    Kindle Customer
    United States7 months ago
  • My #1 podcast of all

    I love and look forward to this podcast above all the others I follow. I also love the laughs and conversations from all of you throughout your podcasts. You are all such gifted and talented authors. Thank you all for blessing your readers with such entertaining books.

    Audible
    5
    Kindle Customer
    United States7 months ago
  • Way too many spoilers!

    Listening to Michael Connelly episode while reading his new book” the waiting”. I’m halfway through the book and the podcast already gave away THREE big spoilers that haven’t been discussed yet! Not cool!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    El Gato SA
    United States10 months ago
  • Enjoyable listening experience

    This is a great podcast, the energy that the hosts bring is exactly what you’d want for a show that highlights fiction books and their authors. Extremely well done and thankful to have found this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alex J Sanfilippo
    United Statesa year ago
  • Intro

    Waaaaaaay tooo long of an intro….i have to fast forward over and over.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Phalen777
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts are viewed as relatable and down-to-earth, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Many fans express gratitude for the community aspect of the podcast, feeling connected to the hosts and the book community.
Listeners appreciate the lively discussions and engaging author conversations that make literary topics accessible and enjoyable.
There are concerns about audio quality and long introductions that some find distracting.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#113
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#166
Hong Kong/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#187
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#211
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#237
China/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Friends & Fiction with Ace Atkins
Q: What do you think makes this book different from your previous works?
It draws heavily from personal experiences and is the most biographical novel I've written to date.
Friends & Fiction with Ace Atkins
Q: So where did the original idea for the book come from?
The idea came from living in Atlanta and being fascinated with the spy novels popular in the mid-80s.
Friends & Fiction with John Irving
Q: Did you plan on that from the very beginning?
Yes, I always intended the character to reflect the historical significance of her Jewish identity.
Friends & Fiction with John Irving
Q: Can you tell us what this book is really about at its core?
The book explores identity and belonging through the character of Esther, who seeks to understand her past and Jewish heritage.
Friends & Fiction with Lee & Andrew Child
Q: How does the division of labor shake out when you two are working on a new book together?
Lee humorously admits that he tends to let Andrew do most of the work while he enjoys the process as a reader.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Friends & Fiction

What is Friends & Fiction about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A unique blend of literary discussion and author interviews, the episodes encompass the vibrant world of fiction, featuring celebrated authors who share insights about their latest works and the writing process. With engaging dialogues surrounding themes of identity, personal experiences, and the intricacies of storytelling, listeners are treated to an illuminating exploration of both contemporary literature and the art of writing. The camaraderie among the hosts brings warmth and relatability, making the sessions feel like heartfelt chats among friends, while supporting independent bookstores adds a compelling community-oriented aspect to the listening experience.

Where can I find podcast stats for Friends & Fiction?

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How many listeners does Friends & Fiction get?

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What are the audience demographics for Friends & Fiction?

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How many subscribers and views does Friends & Fiction have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Friends & Fiction has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Friends & Fiction?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Friends & Fiction:

1. Books, Beach, & Beyond
2. Sarah's Bookshelves Live
3. Open Book with Jenna
4. From the Front Porch
5. You Are What You Read

How many episodes of Friends & Fiction are there?

Friends & Fiction launched 5 years ago and published 443 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Friends & Fiction?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Friends & Fiction?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Friends & Fiction from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Friends & Fiction?

Recent guests on Friends & Fiction include:

1. Ace Atkins
2. John Irving
3. Lee Child
4. Andrew Child
5. Brisa Carleton
6. David Baldacci
7. Catherine Newman
8. Joe Hill

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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