Artwork for podcast Author Express
The Inspiration of Barbara Pronin in Crafting Courageous Women's Stories -137
Women's Fiction Authors Featured on Author Express Episode 137 • 26th November 2025 • Author Express • Shawna Rodrigues, Kathleen Basi, Kristi Leonard
00:00:00 00:13:24

Share Episode

Shownotes

Step into the world of Author Express with an episode that bridges Brooklyn nostalgia and WWII history! Barbara Pronin, a triple award-winning author, joins Kathleen Basi to share the inspirations behind her acclaimed novel, Winter's End. Hear how early NYC subway rides and childhood freedom shaped confidence—and eventually led to compelling characters and vivid storytelling. Discover the unique research methods that brought Dutch resistance and wartime Amsterdam to life, and why character-driven fiction is at the heart of her work. If you’re passionate about historical fiction or love discovering the stories behind the writers, this episode is one not to miss.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Barbara Pronin has been a Southern California resident for most of her adult life. A lover of dark chocolate, Greek sunsets, and the LA Dodgers, she is the author of seven mysteries as well as the triple- award-winning WW II historical novel, Winter’s End, which has been hailed by best-selling author Faye Kellerman as, “a page-turner with honest characters who capture your heart and soul.”

You can learn more about Barbara on her website, barbarapronin.com, connect with her on Instagram @writerbobbi, on Facebook at Barbara Pronin, Author or on Goodreads.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Winter’s End at Bookshop.org

A little about today's host-

Kathleen Basi is a novelist, musical composer, and nature lover. Her debut novel, A Song for the Road, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing, and beauty in her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Links

Chapters

Video

More from YouTube

More Episodes
137. The Inspiration of Barbara Pronin in Crafting Courageous Women's Stories -137
00:13:24
135. Where Life Inspires Fiction: Rebecca Hodge on Creativity and Career Pivots -135
00:14:50
134. The Last Page; A Farewell & Celebrating Three Years of Author Express -134
00:18:10
133. Crafting Stories of Healing: Virginia McCullough’s Brand of Hope and Second Chances -133
00:15:46
132. How Nashville Shaped an Author's Life and Her Novel, The False Flat -132
00:15:31
131. Strong Women, Faithful Hounds, and Finding Courage: Catherine Matthews -131
00:15:50
130. Author Suzanne Woods Fisher Reveals the Only Question a Writer Ever Needs -130
00:15:00
128. How Farm Life and Family Shape Sara Brunsvold’s Literary Worlds -128
00:14:21
127. Explore One Writer’s Fascinating Journey From Legal Eagle to Literary Fiction -127
00:16:43
126. Family, Mental Health, and Inspiration: Cathelina Duvert on "The Box" -126
00:12:35
125. From Family Secrets to Historical Fiction: Real-Life Inspiration -125
00:14:17
124. It Took Me Twenty Years to Become an Overnight Success -124
00:13:50
123. Astonishing Stories: Rosa Kwon Easton on the Power of Generational Memory -123
00:16:11
122. How Barbara Johsselsohn Weaves History and Heart into Her Novels -122
00:15:20
121. Defining Success, Embracing the Messy Middle, and Writing What Moves You -121
00:16:39
120. Trading Trials for Tales: Elisabeth Dini’s Path from International Law to Uplifting Fiction -120
00:14:45
119. Girl Meets Boy Again Plus Floral Fun: A Look at Orly Konig’s Love Story - 119
00:14:34
118. Why Being an Author Is Like Running a Tech Startup, with Jennifer Klepper -118
00:14:37
117. Mirror Me: Belonging & Connection in Lisa Rosenberg's Exploration of Self-Identity-117
00:16:32
116. A Creative Process on Crafting Women's Fiction and Character Development -116
00:17:03
115. Explore Powerful Social Issues Through Fiction with Author Paulette Stout -115
00:15:33
113. Valentine’s Reads and Second Chances: a Look at "Considering Us" -113
00:14:38
112. How Kerry Chaput Reminds us that Life is Magic with her Historical Fiction -112
00:16:35
111. Debut Thriller with a Love Story Wrapped inside Redefines Historical Fiction -111
00:15:29
110. Behind the Pages: Sharon M. Peterson on Her Creative Writing World -110
00:14:51
109. New Year. New You! Inspiration from the Me List; 2025's Perfect Fiction Novel -109
00:14:49
106. How to Defy Genres: Lyn Liao Butler Knows her Voice from Thrillers to Sweet Rom Coms -106
00:16:05
105. The Dual Timelines & Unique Perspectives of Lisa Montanaro’s Debut Novel -105
00:16:28
104. Celebrating Two Years: Hosts Reflect on Best Episodes and Books -104
00:17:52
102. Unveiling Family Dynamics in the Digital Age with Erin Quinn-Kong -102
00:15:01
99. Fire Eating, Friendship, and Female Empowerment With Cherie Dawn Haas -99
00:13:52
98. Anything is Possible When You Release the Reins with Author Catherine Matthews -98
00:16:49
96. Laughing About Depression with Author Amy Watson -96
00:12:31
95. The Why in Why I Write with Yvonne Battle-Felton -95
00:20:25
94. A Visit to The Top of The Eiffel Tower with Aimie K. Runyan -94
00:16:54
91. Explore Genre-Crossing Success with Award-Winning Author Mindy McGinnis -91
00:16:14
90. Exploration vs. Exploitation: Diving into Dark Literature with Author Deirdre Swinden
00:14:51
89. Novelist Mindy Friddle Works with a Constellation of Perspectives -89
00:13:30
86. Building an Extended Universe with Casey Dembowski -86
00:13:25
85. Deeply Rooted and Diverse Christian Romance with Jenny Erlingsson -85
00:17:43
84. Amy Dressler Brings Shakespeare's Women to the 21st Century -84
00:16:21
83. Exploring the Theme of Found Families with Author Pamela Stockwell -83
00:14:07
82. Author Heather Osoy’s Confrontational Alter Ego Writes Her Books -82
00:12:54
81. Where Fiction Meets Reality with Author Sharon J. Wishnow -81
00:15:37
80. Women's familial stories and the fantastical, with Nancy Taber -80
00:12:59
78. From Memoir To Historical Fiction with author LL Kirchner -78
00:14:13
66. Mining Life's Small Moments for Big Meaning with Erin Bartels -66
00:16:32
63. Writing What You Most Want to Write with Author Sara Read -63
00:14:27
62. From Musical Dreams to Literary Success: Tamatha Cain Always Weaves in Romance -62
00:14:35
61. Glimpses of 4 New Favorite Authors from Black Writer Therapy -61
00:19:56
48. Finding Fiction in Fractured Families for Author Judith Turner-Yamamoto -48
00:13:51
45. Author Heather B. Moore sets the truth free after interviewing a WWII prison camp survivor -45
00:18:31
39. Feminism, Imagination, and Beyond: A Conversation with Anna Quinn -39
00:15:34
30. The Legacy of Fractured Living: An Exploration of Mothers, Daughters, and Sensuality with Ella Shawn -30
00:14:47
28. Adding Emotional Suspense to Women's Fiction with Jen Craven -28
00:13:54
4. Writing with Aphantasia & the Benefits of Beta Readers w/ Maggie Giles -4
00:13:42
23. Is Fiction The Best Way To Tell Hard Truths? -23
00:14:18
20. E.D. Hackett: Turning a Chronic Illness Journey into a Fictionalized Novel -20
00:12:50
9. Shifting Voices and Multiple Points of View with Carolyn Korsmeyer -9
00:11:49
19. Writing from the Heart and Vulnerability with Author Christie Leigh Babirad -19
00:14:20
6. Feminist Fiction and Why So Little Women's Fiction is Set in the Work World w/ Lainey Cameron -6
00:15:39
27. Networking is an Author's Super Power says Maggie Smith -27
00:12:48
21. Writing Characters Who are Nonverbal or Intellectually Disabled -21
00:13:57
3. Driving Societal Change Through Novels with Paulette Stout -3
00:14:57
13. Best Selling Author Nancy Yeager Enjoys Story Telling In All Forms -13
00:15:47
5. America's Misinformed Nostalgia for the 1950's with Author D.W. Hogan
00:13:22
7. Writing That Connects is Key for Author Shawna Rodrigues -7
00:12:58
2. An Unconventional Road Trip with Author Kathleen Basi -2
00:12:58
26. The Intersection of Epilepsy and Mental Health: A Debut Author Brings Important Topics to Light -26
00:13:42
11. The Power of a Sad Story - Why Books can be Therapeutic with Julee Balko -11
00:14:28
1. Follow Your Main Character's Lead - Especially When She's a Pirate with Author Sarah Branson -1
00:13:56
17. Women's History, Please. And Bring the Action. -17
00:14:21