Outliers Writing University Podcast Series

Welcome to another episode of "Get to Know," hosted by DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim! In this amazing interview, we sit down with best-selling author Adam Plantinga and chat about his life, career, and his latest book which is nominated for the Edgar Award Best Novel WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl Adam Plantinga’s first book, 400 Things Cops Know, was nominated for an Agatha and a Macavity Award and was hailed as “the new Bible for crime writers” by The Wall Street Journal. The Ascent, a USA Today bestseller, was his fiction debut. The follow-up, Hard Town, was nominated for an Edgar Award for Best Novel. Plantinga is a sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children unit. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and two daughters

Welcome to another episode of "Get to Know," hosted by DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim! In this amazing interview, we sit down with the incredible Scott Turow and chat about his life, career, and his latest book which is nominated for the Edgar Award Best Novel WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl   Scott Turow is a writer and attorney. He is the author of fourteen works of fiction, including Presumed Innocent and most recently, Presumed Guilty, all New York Times bestsellers. Presumed Guilty was nominated for the 2026 Edgar Award for Best Novel. A new novel, tentatively called Presumed Dead, is scheduled for publication in January, 2027. Mr. Turow has also published two nonfiction books, including One L, about his experience as a law student. 

Welcome to another episode of "Get to Know," hosted by DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim! In this amazing interview, we sit down with the incredible Sandra Brown, author of 77 New York Times bestsellers.  Allison Epstein earned her M.F.A. in fiction from Northwestern University and a B.A. in creative writing from the University of Michigan. A Michigan native, she now lives in Chicago. When not writing, she enjoys good theater, bad puns, and fancy jackets. She is the author of three historical novels: A Tip for the Hangman, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, and Fagin the Thief, which was nominated for the 2026 Edgar Award for Best Novel.  https://allisonepstein.com/   WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl  

Get to Know Sandra Brown | Outliers Writing University Welcome to another episode of "Get to Know," hosted by DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim! In this amazing interview, we sit down with the incredible Sandra Brown, author of 77 New York Times bestsellers.  Sandra shares the story of how getting fired from a TV job before she turned 30 became a major blessing. She reveals how she found the courage to set up a card table with a typewriter and begin a career that completely changed her life.  Episode Highlights •   She represented thriller writers on USO tours in Afghanistan and Guantanamo.  •   She breaks down her writing process and how she uncovers the "aha" moment for her plots.  •   She shares how she develops characters and why she occasionally changes their names or genders halfway through a manuscript.  •   She provides a deep dive into her book Bloodlust and the return of the fan-favorite character Mitch Haskell.  •   She offers indispensable advice to aspiring authors about doing their homework on basic plotting and story structure.  Connect with Sandra Brown •   TikTok: @officialSandraBrown •   Instagram: @authorsandrabrown  •   Facebook: Sandra Brown  Learn more about the craft of writing at Outliers Writing University.  Feedback welcome!

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle for a fun chat with Best-selling Authors, Outlier Instructors, and Popular Podcasts Hosts Douglas Pratt and Nicholas Harvey. And check out their podcast: Two Authors Podcast WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl A USA Today Bestselling author, Nicholas Harvey's life has been anything but ordinary. Race car driver, adventurer, divemaster, and since 2020, a full-time novelist. Raised in England, Nick has dual US and British citizenship and now lives nomadically wherever he and his amazing wife, Cheryl, choose to land for a few months. He is the author of the AJ Bailey Adventure and Nora Sommer Caribbean Suspense series, as well as multiple collaborations. https://www.harveybooks.com   Douglas Pratt, a best-selling action author hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, captivates readers with his unique blend of charm and intensity, reflecting his Southern roots. His works keep audiences on the edge of their seats, infused with a sense of adventure and exploration. Beyond writing, Pratt's personal interests lead him to sail the seas, exploring vibrant coral reefs and sunken shipwrecks, which fuel his imagination and inspire enthralling adventures in his stories. http://www.douglas-pratt.com

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with best-selling author and Outlier Instructor Linda Castillo  WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl LINDA CASTILLO is the author of the New York Times bestselling Kate Burkholder series, set in the world of the Amish. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Castillo is the recipient of numerous awards, including an Edgar Award, the Sue Grafton Memorial Award, and a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover. Her books have sold over four million copies worldwide and been translated into fourteen languages. She lives in Texas with her husband and is currently at work on her next book.

Join DP Lyle for an informative chat with Forensic Nurse Teresa Devitt-Lynch   WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBOarnMHQh4&list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVBBYu0gtb1Ijjwkf0f6dn Teresa Devitt-Lynch MSN, RN, AFN-C, AFN-BC, SANE-A Teresa Devitt-Lynch is the founder and CEO of INTREPID Forensic Healthcare Consulting, a dynamic consulting firm dedicated to forensic analysis of criminal cases involving abuse, assault, death and other medical issues; expert testimony; and educational offerings located in Fargo, ND. With more than 25 years of nursing experience, she holds a master’s degree in nursing and is board certified in Advanced Forensic Nursing and Adult/Adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse Examinations through the IAFN and Advanced Forensic Nursing though the Forensic Nursing Board of Certification. She is also a retired veteran of the US Navy with a military nursing background in medical/surgical nursing, couplet care, ambulatory surgery, education and training, and forensic healthcare. While on active duty, Devitt-Lynch was a Tri-Service Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examiner Trainer, subject matter expert, and expert forensic nursing consultant for military court martial proceedings for all military branches. She has continued consulting and educating since her retirement from the US Navy and is steadily engaged in multiple national and community-based initiations aimed at fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and improving forensic healthcare in response to violent trauma.      https://www.intrepidfhc.com

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with best-selling author Caitlin Rother  WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl New York Times bestselling author Caitlin Rother has written or co-authored 16 books. Her latest is HOOKED, which launches on Feb. 1 as the first in Rother’s new “Katrina & Goode” thriller series. Her other recent titles are narrative nonfiction: DOWN TO THE BONE, about the McStay family murders, the updated edition of BODY PARTS, about serial killer Wayne Adam Ford, and DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD, about the mysterious death of Rebecca Zahau. Rother, who worked as an investigative newspaper reporter for 19 years before quitting the news biz to write books full-time, has appeared more than 250 times on TV/radio shows and podcasts. She also works as a book coach, enjoys ocean swimming, and plays keyboards and sings in a jazzy bluesy trio.  https://www.caitlinrother.com. 

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with screenwriter and matchmaker Jaydi Samuels Kuba. We had a fun chat about everything from writing for TV to the lively Los Angeles dating scene.  WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLia8l2DJ_EnXVqej3dnFj-48RJetAYpcl Jaydi Samuels Kuba is a TV writer, matchmaker, and dating coach, best known for setting up singles in the entertainment industry. As a writer, she got her start penning the 250th episode of Family Guy, and has written and developed for numerous creators since, from Tyler the Creator and Colin Kaepernick to Jennifer Garner and Margot Robbie. The dozens of couples she's set up over the years affectionately call her and her business partner Lauren the "Love Agents of Hollywood," and her debut narrative nonfiction book about it all comes out January 27th through Avid Reader Press. She's a proud mom to her almost four-year-old Rocky, and a loving wife to Dave, a reality TV producer who also happened to be her client. (Don't worry--she only ever got high on her own supply once!) https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Your-Last-First-Date/Jaydi-Samuels-Kuba/9781668079645

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with Best-selling Author Allison Brennan on the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. We celebrate Allison’s 20 years as a published author, her upcoming party at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale, AZ—Sunday 1-25-26 at 2 PM—-and the launch of her next thriller—MAKE IT OUT ALIVE. Don’t miss Allison’s upcoming Outliers Writing University class—The Villain’s Journey—Tuesday, 2-3-26, 4PM Pacific WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew Sign Up for Allison’s Class: https://www.outlierswritinguniversity.com/event-details/class-51-the-villains-journey

Join DP Lyle for an informative chat with author and forensic psychologist Dr. Katherine Ramsland as she discusses ways to energize and improve your writing. Finding a unique application for your writing can infuse energy and offer new skills. I got a gig as a travel writer, with a column, "Haunted Crime Scenes." It drew on prior books and set up a crime fiction series. Dr. Katherine Ramsland teaches forensic psychology and behavioral criminology in the graduate program at DeSales University. She has appeared as an expert on more than 250 crime documentaries and was an executive producer on Murder House Flip and A&E’s Confession of a Serial killer: BTK. The author of more than 1,800 articles and 73 books, including Confession of a Serial Killer, The Serial Killer’s Apprentice and How to Catch a Killer, she pens a regular blog for Psychology Today. She has also written a fiction series based on a female forensic psychologist who consults on death investigations. Dead-Handed is her most recent book. https://www.katherineramsland.net/author WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew  

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and John Raab for a conversation with Best-selling Author Dean Koontz on the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. Dean Koontz is one of the most prolific authors in history and is the master of Suspense, Horror, and Sci-Fi. He has sold over 100 million books in 38 languages. WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew  

Join DP Lyle for an informative chat with James L’Etoile, an Outlier instructor, best-selling author, and former Associate Warden, Hostage Negotiator, and Director of California’s State Parole System. Learn what really goes inside prison walls. WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s state parole system. His novels have been shortlisted or awarded the Lefty, Anthony, Silver Falchion, Macavity, and the Public Safety Writers Award. River of Lies and Sins of the Father are his most recent novels. Look for Illusion of Truth coming in 2026. James also serves as the Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America. You can find out more at www.jamesletoile.com

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with Best-selling Author Michael Grumleyon the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew For years, Michael Grumley dreamed of writing thrillers the way he thought they should be written; unique and complex stories with plots that 'move'. Enter BREAKTHROUGH, AMID THE SHADOWS, and THE LAST MONUMENT: all deeply human stories with endings you will never see coming.   Michael C. Grumley lives in Northern California with his two young daughters. He's an avid reader, runner and most of all father. He dotes on his girls every chance he gets. His website is http://www.michaelgrumley.com and his email address michael@michaelgrumley.com. He loves hearing from readers.

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with Best-selling Author James L’Etoile on the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew   James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novels, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s state parole system. His novels have been shortlisted or awarded the Lefty, Anthony, Silver Falchion, Macavity, and the Public Safety Writers Award. River of Lies and Sins of the Father are his most recent novels. Look for Illusion of Truth coming in 2026. James also serves as the Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America. You can find out more at www.jamesletoile.com

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with author Daniella Bernett on the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew Daniella Bernett is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Mystery Writers of America, where she is a board member of the New York Chapter. She also is a member of the Crime Writers Association. She graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in Journalism from St. John’s University. She is the author of the Emmeline Kirby-Gregory Longdon mystery series featuring a journalist and a jewel thief, who are a magnet for murder, intrigue and espionage. Daniella has served as a panelist at ITW’s ThrillerFest conference and for MWA. Additionally, she is the author of two poetry collections, Timeless Allure and Silken Reflections. Daniella is currently working on Emmeline and Gregory’s next adventure. Visit www.daniellabernett.com 

Join Kathleen Antrim and DP Lyle for a conversation with best-selling author T. Jefferson Parker on the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. WATCH: Outliers YouTube Channel: GET TO KNOW: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo-UZ48ILPXLvlfs0u8Baew T. Jefferson Parker is the author of 30 novels, including Silent Joe and California Girl, both of which won the Edgar Award for best mystery.  His new novel, WILD INSTINCT, is now out from Minotaur.  When not writing, Jeff likes to walk his dog, catch fish in Baja, hike in San Diego and settle in for the evening with a good book or a Padres game. www.tjeffersonparker.com/

Join Outliers GET TO KNOW hosts DP Lyle and Kathleen Antrim for a conversation with author Lisa Malice on the Outlier's YouTube Channel and Podcast Series. Lisa Malice is a psychologist-turned-crime fiction writer. Her debut psychological thriller, LEST SHE FORGET, was released December 2023 by CamCat Books to rave reviews from authors, readers, and industry professionals and a month-long stay on the Amazon new thriller bestseller list. In 2024, she received the Benjamin Franklin Gold Medal for BEST NEW VOICE IN FICTION from the Independent Book Publishers Association. Lisa is an active volunteer for Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America. A native of Minnesota, she lived in Atlanta for 34 years, before moving to the Florida Gulf Coast with her husband to enjoy life living on the water.

Outliers Get to Know host Tracey Devlyn sits down with New York Times bestselling author Tod Goldberg to dig into his rollicking, whip-smart crime thriller—ONLY WAY OUT. A luckless thief. A crooked cop. A missing fortune with only one way out. Failed lawyer and would-be thief Robert Green has a simple plan: crack three hundred safe-deposit boxes and vanish to South America with his brilliant, morally flexible sister, Penny. But when a van skids off a frozen mountain road near Granite Shores, small-town cop Jack Biddle discovers Robert’s body, a fortune in heisted loot…and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. All Jack has to do is hide the evidence, disappear the body, and keep the money for himself. But Penny wants answers. Mitch Diamond, a wild card ex-con, wants his cut. And as their schemes collide, each of them will risk everything to be the one who walks away. TOD GOLDBERG is the New York Times bestselling author of sixteen novels, including the Gangsterland quartet: Gangsterland, a finalist for the Hammett Prize; Gangster Nation; The Low Desert, a Southwest Book of the Year; and Gangsters Don’t Die, an Amazon Best Book of 2023 and a Southwest Book of the Year. Other works include The House of Secrets, coauthored with Brad Meltzer; Living Dead Girl, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize; and the Burn Notice series. His short fiction and essays have been anthologized in Best American Mystery and Suspense and Best American Essays and appear regularly in the Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and Alta. Tod is a professor of creative writing at the University of California, Riverside, where he founded and directs the low-residency MFA program in creative writing and writing for the performing arts. www.TodGoldberg.com Love this interview? Please rate the episode and follow the podcast!

I've written biographies and I've guided and co-written autobiographies and memoirs. Now I'm writing my own memoir. I briefly explain these three distinct types of "life story" narratives.   Dr. Katherine Ramsland teaches forensic psychology and behavioral criminology in the graduate program at DeSales University. She has appeared as an expert on more than 250 crime documentaries and was an executive producer on Murder House Flip and A&E’s Confession of a Serial killer: BTK. The author of more than 1,800 articles and 73 books, including Confession of a Serial Killer, The Serial Killer’s Apprentice and How to Catch a Killer, she pens a regular blog for Psychology Today. She has also written a fiction series based on a female forensic psychologist who consults on death investigations. Dead-Handed is her most recent book.   https://www.katherineramsland.net/author