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In this episode of Rock is Lit, Cynthia Swanson, winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the General Submission category, reads her winning story, “A Possibility Nonetheless.” MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “The Water is Wide” by Pete Seeger “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds “There But For Fortune” by Joan Baez Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Cynthia Swanson’s website: https://cynthiaswansonauthor.com/ Cynthia Swanson on Bluesky: @cynswanauthor.bsky.social Cynthia Swanson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiaswansonauthor/ Cynthia Swanson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CynthiaSwanson/ Cynthia Swanson on Instagram: @cynswanauthor Cynthia Swanson on Substack: https://thewhatifjournal.substack.com/ Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congratulations to the winner of the second Bill Hallberg Rock ‘n’ Roll Short Story Contest in the Undergraduate Student Submissions category, Mavis Wolff! Listen to Mavis read her winning story, “Yes, Please,” in this episode.  Mavis Wolff is a Corporate Social Purpose Intern with Volunteer Tennessee, and a Peer Mentor at MTSU's University Writing Center. She has developed a strong skillset in professional mentorship, academic research, and compositional tutoring. She is a published researcher and has received several honors for her academic excellence and creative writing. She hopes to pursue a JD in Fall of 2026, after graduating with a B.A. in English (Writing) and a Minor in Spanish.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Don’t Forget to Dance” by The Kinks “Come Dancing” by The Kinks “State of Confusion” by The Kinks Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Mavis Wolff’s website: https://maviswolff.com/ Mavis Wolff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maviswolff/ Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special Rock is Lit episode—available exclusively on YouTube—legendary rock and film photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker joins Christy to talk about her novel, ‘Lenswoman in Love’, a love story steeped in the sights and sounds of the 1960s and 1970s music and film scenes. Kim shares behind-the-scenes stories of working with a young Cameron Crowe and shooting icons like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Gram Parsons, and Jim Morrison. She also discusses what it was like to be a film set still photographer on classics like John Carpenter's ‘Halloween’ and TV shows like 'Cheers' and 'Family Ties'. As a bonus, Kim walks us through a visual slideshow of her iconic photography that inspired moments in her novel. This is a rare, can’t-miss episode best experienced with your eyes and ears. WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMiLtXU71l8 For Kim’s full bio, see her website.   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: ⁠https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451⁠ Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350⁠ Kim Gottlieb-Walker’s website: ⁠http://lenswoman.com/⁠ Kim on Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/KimGottliebWalker⁠ Lens Woman in Love Facebook page: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/938323581755313⁠ Kim on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kimgottliebwalker/⁠ Kim on Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/kimgottliebwalker.bsky.social⁠ Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, Lit listeners! It’s old home week here at the podcast. Joining me are two Rock is Lit alumni who know a thing or two about chasing musical dreams and writing fiction that grooves with soul and grit: authors and musicians Peter McDade and Michael Amos Cody. In this special episode we’re talking about their brand-new novels: Peter’s ‘King Cal’ and Michael’s ‘Streets of Nashville’. Both of these fabulous novels ask what music costs, what it gives, and who gets to be heard. Also in the episode, we’ll get to hear each author read from their books and maybe even settle the question Who makes the best frontman—or frontwoman—in rock history? *Trigger warning: We talk Taylor Swift in the last part of the episode. Swifties, listen with caution. PLAYLIST: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Acoustic Guitar instrumental [Non Copyrighted] \ Guitar arrangement for song “Funky Drummer” by James Brown “My Best Friend’s Girl” by The Cars “Drive-Thru” by Tenacious D “Fast Food” by Jesse Welles “The Entertainer” by Billy Joel “Pop Singer” by John Mellencamp “Soulmates” by Michael Amos Cody “My Dear Friend, Mr. Heineken” by One Four Three/‘King Cal’ soundtrack “Drowning in Mayo” by Lords of the Living/‘King Cal’ soundtrack “Cover Me Up” by Jason Isbell “Game On!” by Aqours “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift “Free Man in Paris” by Joni Mitchell “Watching Mary Sleep” by King Cal/‘King Cal’ soundtrack “Landscapes” by Michael Amos Cody Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music     LINKS:   Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Peter McDade’s website: peterjmcdade.com ‘King Cal’ soundtrack on Bandcamp Peter McDade on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peter.j.mcdade Peter McDade on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterjmc33/ Michael Amos Cody’s website: michaelamoscody.com Michael Amos Cody on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelamoscody/ Michael Amos Cody on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michaelamoscody Michael Amos Cody on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/michaelamoscody.bsky.social Peter on Rock is Lit EP15 and Peter on Rock is Lit EP36 Michael on Rock is Lit Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if The Beatles did reunite—and the world was never the same? In this special episode, Christy Alexander Hallberg welcomes acclaimed author, media scholar, and musician Paul Levinson to talk about his novel ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’, based on his award-winning short story that reimagines a very different musical timeline. Set in 1996, the novel follows legendary New York DJ Pete Fornatale as he heads to Grand Central Terminal—only to discover the music world has shifted in strange and unexpected ways. From speculative “what-ifs” to cultural commentary, this episode explores the legacy of The Beatles through the lens of fiction, nostalgia, and imagination. Paul also reads a captivating excerpt from the novel, giving listeners a taste of this alternate universe where the Fab Four’s story didn’t end in 1970. Paul Levinson, Ph.D., is professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University in NYC. His nonfiction books, including ‘The Soft Edge’, ‘Digital McLuhan’, ‘Realspace’, ‘Cellphone’, and ‘New New Media’, have been translated into fifteen languages. His science fiction novels include ‘The Silk Code’ (winner of Locus Award for Best First Science Fiction Novel of 1999), ‘Borrowed Tides’, ‘The Consciousness Plague’, ‘The Pixel Eye’, ‘The Plot to Save Socrates’, ‘Unburning Alexandria’, ‘Chronica’, and ‘It’s Real Life: An Alternate History of The Beatles’. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, the History Channel, and NPR.   PLAYLIST: Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Looking for Sunsets (In the Early Morning)”—lyrics by Paul Levinson (lead vocals), music by Ed Fox “Murray the K’s Back in Town”—music and lyrics by Paul Levinson (lead vocals) “Samantha”—music and lyrics by Paul Levinson (lead vocals) Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Paul Levinson’s website: https://paullev.com/ Paul Levinson on YouTube and Facebook: @PaulLevinson Paul Levinson on Instagram: @paullevins Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, veteran rocker and author Elliott Murphy talks about and shares an excerpt from his novel ‘Marty May’. Once a rising rock star in 1970s New York, virtuoso guitarist Marty May has lost it all—his career, his marriage, and his record deal. Now, at 33, he’s alone, drowning in debt, and questioning his future. Should he return to his blues roots with his old mentor, Blind Red Rose? Set in the 1980s, when the music industry prioritized business over artistry, ‘Marty May’ is a poignant tale of talent, temptation, and staying true to one’s beliefs—elegant and tragic, like ‘The Great Gatsby’ in the age of rock ’n’ roll. Living in Paris for 30 years as an expatriate New Yorker, Elliott Murphy remains as active as ever in music and literature. With over 35 albums to his name, he continues to tour worldwide while earning critical acclaim. His debut album, ‘Aquashow’ (1973), launched a celebrated career that includes ‘Lost Generation’, ‘Night Lights’ (featuring Billy Joel), and ‘Selling The Gold’ (featuring Bruce Springsteen). In 2016, a biopic on his career, ‘The Second Act Of Elliott Murphy’, won the Audience Award at the Dock of the Bay Film Festival. Born into a show business family, Elliott began his career as a troubadour in Europe before securing a U.S. record deal. Alongside his music, he is a prolific author, publishing four novels, including the rock trilogy ‘Marty May’, ‘Tramps’, and ‘Diamonds By The Yard’, as well as ‘Poetic Justice’. His short story “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” was adapted into the 2020 film ‘Broken Poet’, in which he stars alongside Michael O’Keefe, Marisa Berenson, and a rare cameo appearance by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa. In recognition of his artistic contributions, Elliott was named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Minister of Culture in 2015 and inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2018. For more information on Elliott Murphy, see his website and watch the 2016 biopic of his career, ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’.   PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) “Last of the Rock Stars” by Elliott Murphy “You Never Know What You’re In For” by Elliott Murphy “What the F**k is Going On” by Elliott Murphy “A Touch of Kindness” by Elliott Murphy Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS:  Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Elliott Murphy’s website: https://elliottmurphy.com/ Elliott Murphy on Facebook: @ElliottMurphy Elliott Murphy on Instagram: @elliottmurphy ‘The Second Act of Elliott Murphy’ biopic trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAfMyaanQmc Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Constance Squires returns to Rock is Lit to discuss her debut novel, ‘Along the Watchtower’, a powerful coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of military life, Cold War Germany, and rock ‘n roll.  ‘Along the Watchtower’ follows thirteen-year-old Lucinda Collins as she arrives at a U.S. military base in Grafenwoehr, West Germany, in 1983. She knows the drill—setting up new quarters, navigating her parents' tensions, and keeping fellow Army brats at arm’s length, knowing friendships won’t last. She longs for a true home, but her father is haunted by Vietnam, and her mother is growing weary of Army life. As her family fractures, Lucinda finds solace in rock ‘n roll and begins to forge her own path to adulthood. Set against the ever-changing backdrop of military life, ‘Along the Watchtower’ is a story of belonging, resilience, and the ghosts—both real and remembered—that shape us.  Constance Squires teaches creative writing at the University of Central Oklahoma. In addition to ‘Along the Watchtower’, she is the author of ‘Live From Medicine Park’ and the short story collection ‘Hit Your Brights’, with work published in ‘The Atlantic’, ‘Guernica’, ‘The Dublin Quarterly’, ‘Shenandoah’, ‘Identity Theory’, ‘The Rolling Stone 500’, and more. Her brand-new novel, ‘Low April Sun’, was published by the University of Oklahoma Press on Feb 11, 2025! Catch Constance Squires on Episode 48 of Rock is Lit, discussing her acclaimed novel ‘Live From Medicine Park’: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires   PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Copyright Free Rock Music—“Grunge Instrumental” by Wayne John Bradley “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan “Peace Frog” by The Doors “The Man I Used to Be” by Jellyfish “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground with Nico “Nazi Punks F**k Off” by Dead Kennedys “All Along the Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music    LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Constance Squires’ website: https://www.constancesquiresofficial.com/ Constance Squires on X: @ConnieSquires Constance Squires on Instagram: @conniesquires Constance Squires on Facebook: @ConstanceSquiresAuthorPage Constance Squires on Rock is Lit EP48: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/constancesquires Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, we celebrate Yoko Ono’s 92nd birthday by honoring her profound impact on art, music, and peace activism. Returning to the podcast is Madeline Bocaro, author of In Your Mind: The Infinite Universe of Yoko Ono, to explore Yoko’s artistic vision, her unwavering commitment to peace, and the ways her influence continues to shape generations. Building on our deep dive in Episode 47, this conversation serves as both an addendum to that episode about Madeline’s book and a tribute to Yoko’s enduring legacy. PLAYLIST Rock is Lit theme music Sixties 60’s music (free to use) SciFi Music for YouTube videos [No Copyright] “Don’t Worry Kyoko” by Yoko Ono “Winter Song” by Yoko Ono Sixties 60’s music (free to use) Rock is Lit theme music LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Madeline Bocaro’s website: https://madelinex.com/ Madeline’s book’s website: https://inyourmindbook.com/ Purchase a signed hard or soft cover of Madeline’s book at conceptualbooks.com: https://conceptual-books.myshopify.com/collections/all?sort_by=created-ascending Madeline on X: @madelinex Madeline on Instagram: @yoko.ono.in.your.mind and @madeline.bocaro Listen to Rock is Lit EP47 featuring an in-depth interview with Madeline Bocaro: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislitpodcast/madelinebocaro  Rock is Lit on Instagram & Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram and YouTube: @christyhallberg Christy Alexander Hallberg on Facebook: @ChristyAlexanderHallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this final episode in the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Suzanne Mattaboni discusses her debut novel, ‘Once in a Lifetime’, and shares excerpts from the story. Set in 1984, where punk reigns and Andy Warhol rules, 20-year-old art student Jessica longs for a life beyond her reach. Dreaming of an avant-garde study program in London, she’s stuck waitressing and navigating drama with her boyfriend Drew, who wants to date others. Life takes a turn when she meets Whit, a magnetic guitarist, and dives into a post-punk scene full of quirky characters—cheating waiters, mystics, a military drag queen, and a Svengali bouncer—all while grappling with the specter of AIDS. Jessica must decide if chasing her dreams is worth risking heartbreak and self-discovery. With a smart, edgy ’80s vibe, ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is a coming-of-age story exploring friendship, love, and ambition. Suzanne Mattaboni is a former Newsday reporter and a Pushcart Prize-nominated author of women's fiction, horror, and pop culture essays. She's also a retro podcaster and a past winner of Seventeen magazine’s Art and Fiction Contest. Her work has also appeared in The Huffington Post, Chicken Soup For The Soul, Mysterious Ways, Guideposts.com, Seventeen, Child, Parents, Motherwell, Dark Dossier, Turtle, Humpty Dumpty’s, Long Island Weddings, and LA Parent. She's had pieces featured in anthologies including Pizza Parties and Poltergeist (horror stories set in the 1980s), Writes of Passage, The Little Demon Digest, and The Running Wild Anthology of Stories.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads “Catch Me I’m Falling” by Real Life “Purple Rain” by Prince “Sweet Dreams” by The Eurythmics “Once in a Lifetime” by the Talking Heads Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Suzanne’s websites: https://www.suzannemattaboni.com/ and onceinalifetimenovel.com Suzanne on Facebook: facebook.com/suzanne.mattaboni Suzanne on X: @suzmattaboni Suzanne on Instagram: @suzannemattaboni80s Suzanne on TikTok: suzannemattabonibook ‘Once in a Lifetime’ Spotify playlist Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re talking nonfiction in this bonus featurette crafted entirely by Season 4 Production Intern Major LeGoullon. Major shines a spotlight on Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan’s 2012 autobiography, ‘It’s So Easy: And Other Lies’, drawing connections to Rock is Lit Season 2, Episode 18. That earlier episode featured Melissa Ragsly discussing her short story collection, ‘We Know This Will All Disappear’, including the Guns N’ Roses-inspired story "Mannequin," which references their song “Rocket Queen.” The episode also included a deep dive into Guns N’ Roses, especially “Rocket Queen,” with Decibel Geek podcast co-host AAron Camaro. Major’s thoughtful commentary offers a fresh perspective on music and literature and Duff McKagan.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Guns N’ Roses “Rocket Queen” Guns N’ Roses “Mr. Brownstone” Guns N’ Roses “It’s So Easy” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Major LeGoullon on Instagram: @majorlegoullon Melissa Ragsly’s website: https://www.melissaragsly.com/ Melissa Ragsly on Facebook: @MelissaRagsly Melissa Ragsly on Twitter: @90sMelissa Melissa Ragsly on Instagram: @melissaragslyperson  Decibel Geek Podcast website: https://www.decibelgeek.com/ Decibel Geek on Twitter: @DecibelGeekPod Decibel Geek on Instagram: @decibelgeek AAron Camaro on Facebook: @AAronCamaro AAron Camaro on Instagram: @aaron_camaro Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Rock is Lit Season Four Reading Series, Sarah Seltzer joins the podcast to discuss and read an excerpt from her USA Today bestselling novel, ‘The Singer Sisters’. Set in 1996, the novel follows alt-rocker Emma Cantor as she navigates the highs and lows of a rising music career while grappling with the legacy of her mother, Judie, a 1960s folk legend. Emma’s journey is marked by revelations about her family’s past, her complicated relationship with Judie, and the sacrifices women artists often make for success. Sarah shares the musical inspiration behind her book, revealing how the rich world of folk and rock music shaped the story and its characters. She also delves into her fascination with family dynamics in artistic households and the interplay between creative ambition and personal struggles. Sarah Seltzer is a writer in New York City, where she lives with her family, surrounded by books, records, and CDs. She is an editor at ‘Lilith Magazine’ and has been a journalist for many publications, reporting on activism and culture, and writing essays, cultural criticism, and the occasional opinion piece. ‘The Singer Sisters’, born out of her fascination with families who put their struggles into art, was published by Flatiron Books in summer 2024.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Possession” by Sarah McLachlan “Untouchable Face” by Ani DiFranco “All I Want” by Joni Mitchell [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Sarah Seltzer’s website: https://sarahseltzer.wordpress.com/ Sarah Seltzer on Instagram and Twitter: @sarahmseltzer Sarah Seltzer on Facebook: @SarahSeltzer Sarah Seltzer on Bluesky: @sarahmseltzer.bsky.social Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Rock is Lit on Bluesky: @rockislitpodcast.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Rock is Lit, host Christy Alexander Hallberg hands the mic to teacher, podcaster, and DJ Andrew Smith, who interviews his friend Peter Werbe about Peter’s debut novel, ‘Summer On Fire’. Peter also reads an excerpt from the book. Peter Werbe is a veteran of Detroit’s alternative and commercial media scene, as well as a political activist. A member of the editorial collective of ‘Fifth Estate’ magazine, his work appears in its online archive. His radio career spanned Detroit's major rock stations—WABX, WWWW, WRIF, and WCSX—where he hosted Nightcall, WRIF’s phone-in talk show and the longest-running program of its kind in U.S. radio history (1970–2016). Peter’s novel, written during the pandemic near his 80th birthday, is a fictionalized memoir about the 1967 Detroit Rebellion and its surrounding antiwar, psychedelic rock counterculture. Set in a transformative seven weeks, ‘Summer On Fire’ explores the radical Detroit scene, featuring characters navigating protests, anarchism, fascist opposition, and rock and roll at the Grande Ballroom. Themes of ethical dilemmas echo today’s societal crises. The book also captures the spirit of cultural icons like MC5, The Stooges, Wayne Kramer, and John Sinclair. Andrew Smith, host of Teacher On The Radio, is also a professor of English and religious studies at Tennessee Tech.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Late 60s Style Psychedelic Rock Track “Summer of Love”/License Music for Videos MC5 “Kick Out the Jams” Frank Zappa “Plastic People” Big Brother and the Holding Company “Down On Me” Bar-Kays “Soul Finger” John Lee Hooker “The Motor City is Burning” The Stooges “I Wanna Be Your Dog” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music    LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Peter Werbe’s website: https://www.peterwerbe.org/ Peter Werbe on Facebook: @PeterWerbe Andrew Smith’s website: http://www.teacherontheradio.com/ Andrew Smith on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teacherontheradio Andrew Smith on Facebook: @AndrewWilliamSmith Andrew Smith on Twitter: @teacheronradio Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Michael T. Fournier shares an excerpt from his debut novel, ‘Hidden Wheel’ (2011), and explores the musical influences behind the book, along with his experiences as a musician with the bands Dead Trend and Plaza. About ‘Hidden Wheel’: When an art scene takes root in a pop-up colony called Freedom Springs, micro-visionary Ben Wilfork promotes the giant, autobiographical 600 square foot canvases of former chess prodigy and high end dominatrix Rhonda Barrett using his Hidden Wheel as a bridge to the future before pre-Datastrophe history completes itself. It's a book about the scams of the modern age—artistic self-promotion, corporate infiltration of hipsterdom—and it's hilarious. At the same time this is a philosophical literary work that dissects hipsterdom to get at the core of what it's all about. A must-read for art fans, punk fans, anyone who wants to know how the truly original ideas can get subsumed by the corporate machine—and how to save them. Told in an intriguing intersecting point of view style, this is a powerful short novel by an emerging talent. Bonus Content: Michael also offers an exclusive glimpse into his forthcoming novel, ‘The Impasse’, sharing an excerpt that promises more of his signature mix of insight and edge. Don’t miss this exciting episode as we dive into the intersection of art, music, and literature with one of the most original writers on the scene. Bio: Michael T. Fournier is the author of the forthcoming novel ‘The Impasse’ (St. Rooster Books 2024). Previously, he wrote ‘Double Nickels on the Dime’ (Continuum/Bloomsbury, 2007), ‘Hidden Wheel’ (Three Rooms Press, 2011) and ‘Swing State’ (Three Rooms Press, 2014). He graduated from the University of Maine's MA program, where he won the Steven Grady Award for fiction. Fournier has toured the United States extensively—twice through successful crowdfunded prerelease campaigns.  His writing has appeared in ‘Razorcake’—America's only non-profit punk magazine—as well as ‘Pitchfork’, ‘McSweeney's Internet Tendency’, ‘Vice’, ‘Electric Literature’, ‘Oxford American’, ‘Boston Globe’, and more.  Mike is the co-editor of ‘Zisk’, the baseball zine for people who hate baseball zines. He's the drummer and main songwriter for Dead Trend, and plays bass in Plaza, Cape Cod’s #1 band.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rites of Spring “Hidden Wheel” Dead Trend “Age of Consent” Super Team—No Copyright music/NCS/copyright free music/music for YouTube Plaza “Fat Half” Echo & The Bunnymen “The Killing Moon” The Cure “Pictures of You” Black Flag “Rise Above” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Michael T. Fournier’s website: https://www.michaeltfournier.org/ Michael T. Fournier on Instagram: @xfournierx Michael T. Fournier on Facebook: @MichaelT.Fournier St. Rooster Books website: https://stroosterbooks.bigcartel.com/ Three Rooms Press website: https://threeroomspress.com/ Bloomsbury Books website: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/ Dead Trend on Bandcamp: https://deadtrend.bandcamp.com/ Plaza on Bandcamp: https://plazacapecod.bandcamp.com/album/adult-panic Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: https://www.christyalexanderhallberg.com/rockislit Christy Alexander Hallberg on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this installment of the Rock is Lit Season 4 Reading Series, Eric Jay Sonnenschein discusses and reads from his novel ‘Rocked and Rolled’, a story set in New York’s ’70s and ’80s New Wave scene that follows a young writer-turned-musician navigating the cutthroat music industry while balancing ambition with creative integrity. ‘Rocked and Rolled’ conveys the perpetual human struggle to express, invent, and reinvent oneself amid scarce opportunities, annihilating competition and a recording industry that raises barriers at every turn to make artists fail. Eric Jay Sonnenschein is a novelist, essayist, poet, journalist and blogger living in New York. He has published five novels: ‘Rocked and Rolled’ (2024), ‘Ad Nomad’ (2012), ‘Mad Nomad’ (2015), ‘Spontaneous Revolution: The Lost Savior and the Bottomless Pit’ (2022), and ‘Spontaneous Revolution 2: The Hall of Phenomena and The Dark Parade’ (2023); four volumes of essays, ‘Making Up For Lost Time’ (2011), ‘All Over the Place: Essays from A to Z’ (2013), ‘Sartre in the Subway’ (2017), and ‘Self Helpless’ (2021); as well as a collection of poetry, ‘The Lost Poem and Others Like it’ (2011). His fifth novel, ‘Rocked and Rolled’, was published August 6, 2024. In addition, Eric Jay Sonnenschein has published more than 50 articles on a variety of topics, including politics and culture in a variety of newspapers and magazines. Since June 2014, he has posted more than 230 essays on politics, fine arts and culture on LinkedIn Pulse.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” “Jump Into the Fire” by Harry Nilsson “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division (No Copyright Music) Upbeat Indie Rock [Rock Music] by MokkaMusic/Drive “In the City” by The Jam [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS: Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Eric Jay Sonnenschein’s website: https://www.ericjaysonnenschein.com/ Eric Jay Sonnenschein on Facebook: @EricJaySonnenschein Eric Jay Sonnenschein on X: @ejsonnenschein Eric Jay Sonnenschein on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericjaysonnenschein/ Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest Season 4 episode of the Rock is Lit Reading Series, author Thomas Calder takes us into the heart of his poignant novel, ‘The Wind Under the Door’. Set against the vibrant backdrop of contemporary Asheville and the majestic North Carolina mountains, the story follows Ford Carson as he navigates love, family, and artistic reinvention. At forty, Ford has forged a new life as a visual artist in the mountains of North Carolina. A chance meeting with Grace Burnett leads to a burgeoning love affair. But the romance is complicated by Grace’s estranged husband and the unexpected arrival of Ford’s own estranged son. Asheville’s cultural and physical landscapes shape the narrative, with the music of Arcade Fire as an emotional and thematic thread woven throughout the story. Tune in to hear an excerpt from this beautifully nuanced story and gain insight into the creation of a book that, as author Wiley Cash says, “is a love letter to our reckless hopeful moments and dangerous impulses.” Thomas Calder earned his MFA in creative writing from the University of Houston. His work has appeared in ‘Gulf Coast’, ‘Miracle Monocle’, ‘The Collagist’, and elsewhere. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina with his wife, daughter, and dog. ‘The Wind Under the Door’ is his debut novel.   MUSIC IN THE EPISODE IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE: Rock is Lit theme music [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Arcade Fire “Rococo” Arcade Fire “The Suburbs” Arcade Fire “Reflektor” Arcade Fire “Empty Room” [Guitar Instrumental Beat] Sad Rock [Free Use Music] Punch Deck—“I Can’t Stop” Rock is Lit theme music   LINKS:  Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Goodpods: https://goodpods.com/podcasts/rock-is-lit-212451 Leave a rating and comment for Rock is Lit on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rock-is-lit/id1642987350 Thomas Calder’s website: https://www.thomas-calder.com/ Thomas Calder’s playlist for ‘The Wind the Door’: https://www.thomas-calder.com/new-page-3 Thomas Calder on Facebook: @ThomasCalder Thomas Calder on Instagram: @t.calder Christy Alexander Hallberg’s website: www.christyalexanderhallberg.com Christy Alexander Hallberg on Twitter, Instagram & YouTube: @ChristyHallberg Rock is Lit on Instagram: @rockislitpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices