During my childhood, I thought that everybody followed the same system for measuring time, but I now know that people keep track of time in various ways. I was reminded of this point a few months ago when I sent an email to Landis Wade, the driving force behind the Charlotte Readers Podcast. At the time, I thought I would write something about the anniversary of the founding of his podcast, and I asked him about the specific date when he launched the podcast. He responded by saying that he did not pay much attention to this anniversary date. He wrote, “My anniversary of accomplishment will be the 200th episode on April 13th.” Well, the 13th of April is just around the corner, so I contacted Landis again and asked him for some more information about the Charlotte Readers Podcast and his plans for the 200th episode. Here is what he sent to me:
Charlotte Readers Podcast is a 30-minute podcast where local, regional, national and international authors give voice to their written words in an interview format with a short reading in the middle. Each episode is accompanied by a listener supported Patreon interview with a deeper dive into the craft or business of writing.
The 200th episode celebrates with special guest and six-time New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, John Hart, whose latest book, The Unwilling, is the subject of the episode. In his very first historical novel, John Hart returns to the South. The book is set in Charlotte during the height of the Vietnam War. It’s a novel inspired by the courage and sacrifice shown by soldiers who fought in that conflict.
Booklist calls the book “another scorcher.” Mystery and Suspense Magazine describes the book as “a very enjoyable, twisty ride.” AARP uses the words “unforgettable and propulsive.” Several New York Times bestselling authors say the book “is crime fiction at its absolute best,” “richly complex,” and “somehow, raw, tender, brutal and exquisite–all at the same time. Exceptional.”
I am especially proud of both the 100th episode and the upcoming 200th episode. The 100th episode featured bestselling Longmire author Craig Johnson who writes engaging novels and tells great stories on the side. The upcoming 200th features John Hart, and he was a good sport when he agreed to be the guest for this special episode. We joked about how he was “finally” able to get on Charlotte Readers Podcast.
As part of the celebration of the 200th episode, Charlotte Readers Podcast is sponsoring special giveaways. Anyone who signs up for and is on the email newsletter, a/k/a The Book Report, by April 12, 2013 is eligible to win. Sign up HERE. Prizes include a Kindle, Beats Lex Wireless Earphones, beer mugs, pint glasses, bags, wine coolers and more.
Eligibility and other terms for 200th episode giveaways: Must be on the Charlotte Readers Podcast newsletter email list as of April 12, 2021 to be eligible to win. Winners will be announced in the April 13, 2021 newsletter a/k/a The Book Report. Announced winners forfeit their prize unless they send a return email with their mailing address in response to the April 13, 2021, newsletter by 5:00 pm EST on April 20, 2021, to claim their prize.
I think it is fitting that Landis is celebrating this special episode with John Hart. The two of them have several points in common. They both grew up in North Carolina, they both graduated from Davidson College, and they are both former lawyers who have taken an interest in literary matters. The fact that Hart’s The Unwilling is set in Charlotte makes it especially appropriate to feature this novel on the 200th episode of the Charlotte Readers Podcast. Landis often features authors on his podcast whose books do not have Charlotte connections, but I am glad that this special episode showcases a novel that has such direct connections to Storied Charlotte.