J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is an international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural. He has collaborated several times with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television.

Among other things, J.D. and Carter discuss J.D.'s experience starting out as a ghost writer, having a working relationship with a major best-selling author, and J.D.’s newsletter controversy. At the end of their conversation, they make up an eerie story using a line from Clare Mackintosh's A Game of Lies.

Lauren Thoman writes speculative fiction for teens and adults. Her debut novel, I'll Stop the World, was selected for publication in 2023 by six-time Emmy nominee Mindy Kaling through her eponymous imprint, Mindy's Book Studio. Lauren's pop culture writing has also appeared in numerous online outlets including Parade and Vulture. Her second novel, You Shouldn’t Be Here, was released in July 2024.

Among other things, Lauren and Carter discuss the pros and cons of attending writing conferences, marketing a book as young adult vs. adult fiction, and how writing on a deadline can impact how you perceive your work. At the end of their conversation, they make up an odd story using a line from Clare Mackintosh’s The Last Party.

Elka Ray is a Canadian/UK author, and a former journalist and travel writer, who writes fiction for adults and children. She is the author of the romantic mysteries Divorce is Murder, Killer Coin, and Hanoi Jane, and is also the author of her newest Women’s Noir, A Friend Indeed. She has also written a collection of short crime and ghost stories set in Southeast Asia, What You Don’t Know.

Among other things, Elka and Carter discuss moving to unfamiliar places when young, balancing resolutions at the end of suspense novels, and the implications of jumping between genres. At the end of their conversation, they make up a journalistic-style story using a line from James Proud’s Unusual Ways to Die: History's Weirdest Deaths.