Ever wondered how an author weaves real-life inspirations into their fictional worlds? In this episode of Author Express, join Kristi Leonard as she welcomes Orly Konig, who reveals how writing became her unexpected therapeutic escape. Orly recounts her fascination with the language of flowers and how it blossomed into the delightful sabotage elements in her novel, The Arrangements. Explore the emotional intricacies of transitioning friendships into romance and how Orly’s personal life experiences influence her storytelling. Orly’s journey is a testament to embracing life’s unexpected twists. Tune in for a mix of laughter, poignant moments, and the creative magic that breathes life into every sentence.

Orly Konig writes hopeful stories with a dash of humor about finding resilience during life's messy detours. She is a passionate believer in the power of coffee, an animal lover, a crocheter of fun critters, and an unapologetic advocate for defining (and redefining) a confident, happy life. She's the author of The Arrangements, Carousel Beach, and The Distance Home. Orly lives in Maryland, sharing her personal space with two oversized and over-fluffed cats.

You can find out more about Orly on her website at orlykonig.com and follow her on Instagram at @orlykonig.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Arrangements, Carousel Beach, and The Distance Home at Bookshop.org.

Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024.

Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard.

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