Our State Book Club

Join the Our State Book Club,curated and hosted by acclaimed novelist Wiley Cash. In this bimonthly podcast, Cash will highlight books by North Carolina authors, starting with Charles Frazier's chilling best seller The Trackers. This new podcast invites you to sit in on a conversation between the two authors as they discuss creativity, character inspiration, and North Carolina's role in their writing process.

Ben Fountain

New York Times best-selling author Ben Fountain discusses his book Devil Makes Three as well as his time spent in Haiti, Texas and the Carolinas. Each month, New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors (and those writing books set in the state), encouraging listeners to read along and get to know the writers behind the stories. Wiley reviews each book in both the print and digital versions of Our State Magazine - producing two podcast episodes a month. Contact Our State Book Club: podcast@ourstate.com

12-16
42:26

Sarah Addison Allen Part 1

New York Times best-selling author Sarah Addison Allen discusses the challenges of rejection and discovering your true voice as a writer. Each month, New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors (and those writing books set in the state), encouraging listeners to read along and get to know the writers behind the stories. Wiley reviews each book in both the print and digital versions of Our State Magazine - producing two podcast episodes a month. Contact Our State Book Club: podcast@ourstate.com A message from our sponsor, Elon University: The Power of Purpose The 2025-26 Elon University Speaker Series brings purposeful voices to the forefront. Hear from Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky, techno-sociologist Zeynep Tufekci and Army intelligence officer Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Robert P. Ashley, Jr., as they explore what drives leaders to make a difference. Visit https://www.elon.edu/u/speaker-series/

12-01
21:07

Denise Kiernan Part 2

Kiernan discusses her book "We Gather Together" and the historic precursors to our own Thanksgiving Holiday. Each month, New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors (and those writing books set in the state), encouraging listeners to read along and get to know the writers behind the stories. Wiley reviews each book in both the print and digital versions of Our State Magazine - producing two podcast episodes a month. Contact Our State Book Club: podcast@ourstate.com

11-18
28:24

Denise Kiernan Part 1

Kiernan discusses her artistic upbringing and curious perspective she's gained from traveling the world. Each month, New York Times best-selling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors (and those writing books set in the state), encouraging listeners to read along and get to know the writers behind the stories. Wiley reviews each book in both the print and digital versions of Our State Magazine - producing two podcast episodes a month. Contact Our State Book Club: podcast@ourstate.com

11-04
28:55

Ghost Stories, Gothic Horror, and Dracula with Best-selling Author Elizabeth Kostova

As a child, an Asheville writer was enthralled by the spooky tales her father told her. Years later, those iconic stories helped her write one of her own. Each month, New York Times bestselling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors and those writing books set in the state, encouraging readers to join in the fun. Wiley will review each book in both the print and digital versions of the magazine and produce two podcast episodes highlighting the selected book and author. Email us: podcast@ourstate.com

10-21
35:16

Elizabeth Kostova, Part 1

As a child, an Asheville writer was enthralled by the spooky tales her father told her. Years later, those iconic stories helped her write one of her own. Each month, New York Times bestselling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors and those writing books set in the state, encouraging readers to join in the fun. Wiley will review each book in both the print and digital versions of the magazine and produce two podcast episodes highlighting the selected book and author. Email us: podcast@ourstate.com

10-08
28:53

De'Shawn Charles Winslow Part 2

After leaving his coastal hometown for the big city, one author finds his calling writing about the people and places that shaped him. Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast. Email Us at Podcast@Ourstate.com

09-17
23:24

De'Shawn Charles Winslow, Part 1

After leaving his coastal hometown for the big city, one author finds his calling writing about the people and places that shaped him. Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast. Email Us at Podcast@Ourstate.com

09-02
33:45

Jan Karon, Part 2

Like the ones in the fictitious village she made famous, helping hands and warm hearts shaped a Foothills writer's journey to becoming one of North Carolina's most prolific authors. Each month, New York Times bestselling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors and those writing books set in the state, encouraging readers to join in the fun. Wiley will review each book in both the print and digital versions of the magazine and produce two podcast episodes highlighting the selected book and author. Email us: podcast@ourstate.com

08-19
26:55

Jan Karon, Part 1

Like the ones in the fictitious village she made famous, helping hands and warm hearts shaped a Foothills writer's journey to becoming one of North Carolina's most prolific authors. Each month, New York Times bestselling author Wiley Cash handpicks contemporary books by fellow North Carolinian authors and those writing books set in the state, encouraging readers to join in the fun. Wiley will review each book in both the print and digital versions of the magazine and produce two podcast episodes highlighting the selected book and author.   Email us: podcast@ourstate.com

08-05
33:03

Georgann Eubanks, Part 2

A Carrboro author's career has been marked by unforgettable experiences in nature and a deep desire to preserve all that shapes the South. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

07-15
23:58

Georgann Eubanks, Part 1

A Carrboro author's career has been marked by unforgettable experiences in nature and a deep desire to preserve all that shapes the South. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

07-01
22:56

Clyde Edgerton, Part 2

A professor studied and drew inspiration from the great writers of the South and their fascination with religion, only to become one of the greats himself. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

06-17
18:09

Clyde Edgerton, Part 1

A professor studied and drew inspiration from the great writers of the South and their fascination with religion, only to become one of the greats himself. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

06-03
23:19

Dan Pierce, Part 2

Wiley and North Carolina author and historian, Daniel S. Pierce, discuss Pierce's book Real Nascar. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

05-20
24:05

Dan Pierce, Part 1

North Carolina writer and historian Daniel S. Pierce discusses growing up in West Asheville and spending his life in Western North Carolina. Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

05-06
22:35

Bland Simpson, Part 2

Wiley and North Carolina author, Bland Simpson, discuss Simpson's Clover Garden. A college student in Chapel Hill followed his dreams to be a musician, a professor, and a writer. They always led him back to the southern part of heaven.  Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

04-16
18:48

Bland Simpson, Part 1

  Wiley and Bland Simpson talk about growing up in North Carolina and Bland's history in the Chapel Hill music scene. A college student in Chapel Hill followed his dreams to be a musician, a professor, and a writer. They always led him back to the southern part of heaven. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

04-01
24:46

Jason Mott, Part 2

Wiley and bestselling author, Jason Mott, discuss Mott's The Returned and Hell of a Book. Before becoming a National Book Award winner, a Columbus County writer followed his dreams — those he had at night and those he worked toward — to become a celebrated author. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

03-18
17:36

Jason Mott, Part 1

Before becoming a National Book Award winner, a Columbus County writer followed his dreams — those he had at night and those he worked toward — to become a celebrated author. Email us at podcast@ourstate.com Join The New York Times best-selling author and North Carolina native Wiley Cash as he highlights great writers across the state and their work each month. Listen in on conversations between Cash and his author friends as they discuss how North Carolina inspires them on the Our State Book Club podcast.

03-04
23:26

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