Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast
Join award-winning, indie author, Dianne Burckhardt, as she chats with fellow authors and industry insiders around the world about their work, inspirations, greatest challenges, and triumphs. Writing is often the easy part, and the real work begins once the author writes, "The End."
Dianne and her guests shed light on what it takes to be a successful author in today's markets whether as an indie author or traditionally published. Dianne's guests share their insights on their personal journeys to creating a successful writing career. They discuss everything from their writing process, common obstacles in publishing today, marketing, customer engagement, and resources to help create engaging content, and so much more!
Be sure to check out our website: BurckhardtBooks.com.
Wednesdays are better with a little good book banter ... join us for chats that are entertaining, uplifting, and help you find new books to feed your soul!
BIO: Dianne Burckhardt is a podcaster and award-winning designer and author (writing as Stephen Burckhardt). Her historical fiction series, The Into the West Saga Serial is complete and she is currently writing her medical memoir Free Bad Haircut With Each Craniotomy. Dianne is an American from Wichita, Kansas, but currently resides in Germany with her Chilean husband, and their Russian rescue dog, Shaggy. She is also a proud bonus mom to twin adult daughters in Chile.
Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt - Book Talk Podcast
S4 EP177: Micki Bare, Author of Middle-Grade Magical Realism Series Zahra of the Uwharries
Join the conversation, text us now.
Hello My Happy People,
Today on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt–Book Talk Podcast get ready to step into a world where fairy magic meets real-world heart in my conversation with award-winning, middle-grade author Micki Bare. A graduate of NC State University with a BA in Speech Communication and a Master of Arts in Teaching in middle-school social studies, Micki brings decades of educational insight—and eighteen years as a columnist—to every page she writes.
Her latest novel, KIMIMILA RETURNS (May 2025), is the fourth installment in the beloved Zahra of the Uwharries series. When elder fairy Bubble Rain reappears—one of the feared omens signaling the end of her people—and a young fairy vanishes, Zahra must confront the shadowy Umbra Fae in her greatest adventure yet. We’ll dive into Micki’s inspirations, her seamless blend of magical realism and low fantasy, and how she crafts middle-grade stories that resonate with young readers and parents alike.
Micki’s three-decade career in education—as teacher, administrator, and marketing director—infuses her writing with authenticity and heart. She’ll share how her years guiding middle-schoolers and penning a longtime column sharpened her storytelling skills, and what she’s learned about building worlds that both enchant and empower.
Based in Asheboro, NC with her husband, Micki recharges by gardening, cooking, traveling, and hiking the Uwharrie peaks that inspired Zahra’s journey. Tune in to discover the magic behind the pages—and why every reader, young or old, will root for Zahra as she fights to save her fairy kin.
- BUY THE LATEST ISSUE: Book Banter Magazine
- Buy & Read: The Into the West Saga Serial books
- Subscribe: Our Newsletter
- Apply to be a guest on our podcast: Podcast Guest Application
About Dianne:
- Dianne Burckhardt, Award-Winning Indie Author
- Meet Dianne EP 1: Who Am I?
- Dianne Burckhardt on Facebook
- Dianne Burckhardt on TikTok
Support Us: FREE options. Learn more, Click here!
.jpg)