Rachel BeanlandEvery podcast appearance, updated as new ones drop

In this episode of Read the Damn Book, host Michelle Glogovac sits down with bestselling author Rachel Beanland to discuss her historical novel, The Half Life. Set on the Italian island of La Maddalena during the 1970s, the conversation explores the realities of Navy life abroad, the complexities of secrecy and family dynamics, cultural immersion, and the impact of American expansionism. Rachel shares the extensive research behind the novel, her approach to crafting compelling historical fiction, and the real-life events that inspired the story. This episode is perfect for readers who love historical fiction, richly developed characters, and behind-the-scenes...

The Half Life by Rachel Beanland is a novel set on a remote Italian island, about a navy wife’s reckoning with power, love, and the price of staying silent in the Atomic Age. I loved this book and reached out to Rachel and her team to see if we could do a special Drinks in the Library episode, I was thrilled when she said yes! Rachel Beanland is the author of the novels, The House Is On Fire and Florence Adler Swims Forever. Her latest novel The Half Life, is coming out July 14, 2026, whic...

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions! Rachel Beanland has written three novels (her newest, The Half Life, releases on July 14, 2026 from Simon & Schuster), and she's still surprised by how much each book teaches her. In this episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to challenge yourself as a writer—specifically, her decision to write her latest novel, The Half-Life , in first person for the first time. (As I've recently learned while working on my own novel, it's harder than it sounds, and Rachel has the perfect explanation as to why.) We also get into how personal history shapes fiction (her first novel grew out of a family tragedy from nearly a century ago), why a strong sense of place isn't optional, and what happens when you trust your instincts even when the process feels messy as hell. 🧭 BACK COVER BLUEPRINT Get back cover templates for nonfiction, memoir, and fiction; real-world examples; a polishing checklist; and a guide for turning it into an optimized online description that attracts the right readers. 🔗 https://www.publishaprofitablebook.com/blueprint Looking for hidden gems, date night spots, and staycations you didn't know you needed? Find your next adventure at TheBestoftheSouthwest.com and follow along on Instagram at @thebestofthesouthwest . *episode sponsor ✍️ 33-DAY BOOK WRITING BOOTCAMP You've Been Thinking About This Book Forever. So let's get it written (for real this time). 👉 https://www.publishaprofitablebook/writethebook Support the show ****** Write the Damn Book Already is a weekly podcast featuring interviews with authors as well as updates and insights on writing craft and the publishing industry. Available wherever podcasts are available: Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube Let's Connect! Instagram Website Email the show: elizabeth [at] elizabethlyons [dot] com The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop , working to support local, independent bookstores. To see all the ways we can work together to get your book written and published, visit publishaprofitablebook.com/work-with-elizabeth

This week we are joined by Rachel Beanland! Rachel Beanland is the author of two novels, The House Is On Fire (Simon & Schuster, 2023) and Florence Adler Swims Forever (Simon & Schuster, 2020). Beanland’s debut novel, Florence Adler Swims Forever was featured as one of the best books of 2020 by USA Today, named a New York Times Editors’ Choice, and was recognized with the 2020 National Jewish Book Award for Debut Fiction. The House Is On Fire was selected as one of the best books of 2023 by NPR and The New Yorker. Make sure to check them out! In this episode, we discuss moving every two years as a child, parenting, the impact of social media, the backstory of her two novels, keeping track of ideas for upcoming books, writers workshops, and so much more. You don’t want to miss our discussion about how the passing of Rachel’s father impacted her writing career. Give this episode a listen! Recommendations from this episode: The House is on Fire by Rachel Beanland Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Follow Rachel Beanland: @rachelbeanland Follow Carly: @carlyjmontag Follow Emily: @thefunnywalsh Follow the podcast: @aloneatlunchpod Please rate and review the podcast! Spread the word! Tell your friends! Email us: aloneatlunch@gmail.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Rachel Beanland. Rachel Beanland writes fiction and essays, and has recently released her debut novel. Her essays have appeared in Creative Nonfiction and Broad Street, among other places, and she has an MFA in creative writing from Virginia Commonwealth University. With bachelor's degrees in art history and journalism, Rachel worked in public relations and nonprofit management before focusing on writing full time. She currently lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband and three children. Her debut novel is Florence Adler Swims Forever , which we'll be discussing here today. In this episode Rachel and I discuss: How a family tragedy influenced her approach to writing her debut novel. Why rotating perspectives helped with secret-keeping throughout her story. Her experience with workshopping her novel as she wrote it. Plus, her #1 tip for writers. For more info and show notes: diymfa.com/339