Welcome to CT Book Festivals!
We’re here to celebrate the vibrant stories, unforgettable characters, and brilliant authors who call Connecticut home. Whether you're a lifelong Connecticut resident or just love discovering great books, this is the place for you!
Get ready to meet the incredible writers behind your next favorite read, explore the magic of storytelling, and uncover the treasures of Connecticut’s literary scene.
Let’s turn the page together – it’s time for CT Book Festivals!
It’s Me, Lily McKee’: Dance, Discipline, and Big Feelings with Nancy Paris
In this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with author and former professional dancer Nancy Paris to talk about her charming new middle grade novel, It’s Me, Lily McKee.
Nancy introduces listeners to Lily, an energetic eight-year-old ballet student with a huge imagination, big feelings, and a very literal way of seeing the world. Those traits often land her in trouble—Nancy jokes that Lily has a “frequent flyer pass” to the timeout chair. Lily’s adventures, like making a “mush pie” out of wet toilet paper or hanging upside down from the ballet barre, are rooted in Nancy’s real-life memories as a dancer, teacher, and kid with lots of spirit.
Nancy shares how the pandemic pushed her to find a new creative outlet after retiring from dance and being confined to a tiny New York City apartment. Drawing on decades in the studio, she discovered that her experiences with young dancers—and her own childhood—were rich material for storytelling.
Jed and Nancy also dive into the discipline of dance and how it helps kids develop perseverance, teamwork, and the ability to handle critiques. They explore the almost secret world of choreography, where steps are passed down verbally and through demonstration, often supported now by video but still relying on human guidance.
Nancy gives a sneak peek at the sequel, tentatively titled Lily McKee and the Too Bossy Problem, where Lily tries to blend ballet with kung fu into a wild new style called “ballet foo,” learning important lessons about leadership and listening along the way.
28 Sept 2026
Sea Glass Kids: Ocean Pollution Solutions with Leslee Flanagan
In this warm and inspiring episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with picture book author Leslee Flanagan to talk about her latest book, Sea Glass Kids: Ocean Pollution Solutions and her lifelong love of the ocean.
Leslee shares how the Sea Glass Kids characters first came to life in her earlier book, Problems in the Ocean. In the series, kids team up with sea animals and each other to tackle ocean pollution through simple, practical actions like beach cleanups and reducing plastic use. Leslee emphasizes that while the problem can seem overwhelming, “baby steps” really can grow into big change, especially when kids lead the way and adults join in.
Drawing on her volunteer work with the Mystic Aquarium rescue team, Leslee talks about seeing firsthand how marine animals are harmed by plastic bags, discarded nets, and other debris. Those experiences—combined with living near the water and watching her grandkids become passionate ocean protectors—fueled her mission to educate and inspire through story.
Leslee also opens up about her nonlinear life path: from studying animal science and working with veterinarians, to running a tree business, operating a mini golf and batting cage, becoming an elementary school teacher at 45, and now writing children’s books. Along the way, themes of kindness, resilience, and staying open to new chapters in life shine through.
She gives listeners a glimpse of what’s next: more Sea Glass Kids adventures, classroom visits, a possible musical, and a new collaboration with fellow “Eco Authors” to reach even more young readers around the world.
21 Sept 2026
From Undervalued to Unstoppable: Talking Money with Linda Hunt
On this episode of the Connecticut Book Festivals podcast, Jed welcomes Linda Hunt, author of The Money Conversation, for a heartfelt, practical look at what it really takes to charge what you’re worth—especially if you’re a service-based entrepreneur, creative, or author.
Linda breaks down her core idea that there are actually three money conversations happening at once:
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The one between you and you—your beliefs, fears, and stories about money and worth.
The one between you and your client—how you talk about value, pricing, and results.
The one between you and your business—what your bank account and workload are trying to tell you.
Drawing on her own journey from undercharging and wobbling through pricing talks to running a successful remote accounting business, Linda shares how creating simple processes and shifting from hourly billing to value-based services changed everything. She and Jed swap stories about imposter feelings, learning to receive compliments and fair pay, and how upbringing and gender expectations can quietly shape our sense of worth.
Linda also speaks directly to authors and creatives, reminding them that publishing a book makes them the CEO of a small business. She encourages writers to lean into their “why”, talk passionately about who their work is for, and let that authentic enthusiasm become their most powerful sales tool.
Listeners will come away with encouragement, language, and mindset shifts to start their own money conversations—with themselves, their clients, and their business.
Who has been a guest on Connecticut Book Festivals Podcast
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Dr Michelle Shiffman
Constance Briones
Neil Randle
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
25
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
77
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
32
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Guest appearances
Books guests
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