Episode 183 Notes and Links to Eli Cranor’s Work
On Episode 183 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Eli Cranor, and the two discuss, among other things, his childhood athletic and reading life, writers and writing that formed and informed his sensibilities, his views on genre fiction and mentors and anchor texts who helped him sharpen his abilities, and pertinent issues and themes like moral relativity, vengeance and redemption, poverty, and playing with tropes and archetypes.
Edgar-Award-winning author Eli Cranor lives and writes from the banks of Lake Dardanelle, a reservoir of the Arkansas River nestled in the heart of True Grit country. His critically acclaimed debut novel, Don't Know Tough, won the Peter Lovesey First Crime Novel Contest and was named one of the "Best Books of the Year" by USA Today and one of the "Best Crime Novels" of 2022 by the New York Times. Eli also pens a weekly column, "Where I'm Writing From" for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, and his craft column, "Shop Talk," appears monthly at CrimeReads. Eli's newest novel Ozark Dogs is now available wherever books are sold.
Buy Ozark Dogs
Eli Cranor's Website
USA Today Blurb for Ozark Dogs: “...5 new must-read books”
At about 1:50, Eli describes what it’s been like having two books out within a year, including his debut, and the tendency to want to compare the two experiences
At about 4:15, Eli responds to Pete’s question about the relationship between athletics and reading; Eli relates a cool story about his dad’s enforcing a 20-pages-per-day rule
At about 6:30, Eli talks about the “classic works” and other books that influenced him, including Bradbury’s writing
At about 8:20, Pete and Eli fanboy about Bradbury’s “There Will Come Soft Rains” and Eli touts the greatness of “The Happiness Machine”
At about 10:15, Eli explains how he “cut [his] teeth on Southern writing” with Larry Brown, Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, Jesmyn Ward, and others; he recounts how he got in touch with and mentored by Jack Butler and Johnny Wink
At about 13:20, Pete wonders how genre and regional distinction affect Eli’s work and mindset; Elmore Leonard is shouted out
At about 15:15, Eli talks about how crime writing allows for room to delve into social topics, and how his teaching in juvenile facilities has informed his writing
At about 16:35, Pete points to Ozark Dog’s Acknowledgments and ideas of moral relativity
At about 19:50, Pete lays out the book’s exposition and the book’s motifs of “cameras always watching”
At about 21:00, Eli describes wanting to explore the lingering effects of murders in small towns as he describes the relationship between Jo and her grandfather, Jeremiah
At about 23:15, Pete and Eli discuss Jeremiah’s demons
At about 24:10, Pete gives background on Jo and Colt’s relationship and her homecoming disappointment
At about 25:00, Eli reflects on Jeremiah’s sobriety and mindset
At about 27:10, Mona McNabb is characterized
At about 28:40, The Ledfords are characterized, and Eli responds to Pete asking about creating “eccentric” characters
At about 33:15, Pete wonders if Eli was “making a statement” with his depiction of some KKK members
At about 37:20, the two discuss Belladonna, a mother from the book who bucks tropes and archetypes, which Eli expounds upon
At about 39:25, Eli highlights Lacey as a favorite character, and Pete the book’s stirring plot
At about 40:30, Eli speaks to ideas of redemption and vengeance in the book, particularly with regard to Jeremiah
At about 43:30, the two reflect on symbolism of a rose in the book
At about 44:15: Eli explains meanings and significance of the book’s title; he shouts out Alex Taylor and The Name of the Nearest River collection and Alex’s important and interesting help in shaping the book and the title
At about 49:15, Eli outlines his Summer of 2024 Broiler book
At about 50:30, Eli discusses the real-life parallels between the book’s nuclear tower and the famous/infamous one that is close to his house
You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow me on IG, where I’m @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where I’m @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both my YouTube Channel and my podcast while you’re checking out this episode.
Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl
Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting my one-man show, my DIY podcast and my extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content!
NEW MERCH! You can browse and buy here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChillsatWillPodcast
This is a passion project of mine, a DIY operation, and I’d love for your help in promoting what I’m convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.
The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.
Please tune in for Episode 184 with Robert Ottone. Robert is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of The Triangle; author of the much-anticipated THE VILE THING WE CREATED, out as of April 18. We talked about Seinfeld, The Godfather, Part II, cream cheese, and many serious topics as well. It’s a can’t miss episode.
The episode airs May 23.
Episode 137 with Vanessa Angélica Villarreal: Gifted Wordsmith, Crafter of Unique and Beautiful Language, and Creator of a Stunning and Memorable Visceral Experience through her Beast Meridian
Episode 136 with Rachel Yoder, Witty, Prescient, and Skillfully-Creative Author of Nightbitch
Episode 135 with Briana Muñoz, An Activist, Dancer, and Poet of Healing, Challenging, Beautiful Words and Author of Loose Lips and Todo Vuelve a la Tierra/Everything Returns to the Soil
Episode 134 with Kirstin Chen: New York Times Bestselling Author of Three Novels, Including the Topical, yet Timeless and Universal Counterfeit, a Reese’s Book Club June 2022 Pick
Episode 133 with Nicholas Buccola, Keen and Reflective and Innovative Political Scientist, Historian, and Author of The Fire is Upon Us: James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr. and The Debate...
Episode 132 with Morgan Talty, Writer of Believable, Relatable, and Subtly Powerful Prose, and Critically-Acclaimed Author of the Debut Collection, Night of the Living Rez, a Tour De Force
Episode 131 with Alice Elliott Dark, Brilliant Chronicler of the Specific and Universal, Writer of ”In the Gloaming,” Best Short Stories of the Century, and the New Epic Novel, Fellowship Point
Episode 130 with Dan Grunfeld, Former College and Pro Basketball Standout
Episode 129 with Sam Quinones, Highly-Acclaimed Journalist, Storyteller, and Author of the Acclaimed Books Dreamland and The Least of Us, and True Tales from Another Mexico
Episode 128 with Vania Patino, Journalistic Prodigy and Thorough and Reflective Reporter
Episode 127 with Raina Kelley, Innovative, Creative Storyteller and Vice President and Editor-in-Chief of Andscape
Episode 126 with Kevin Owens, Author of Overseas Famous, Owner of Countless Classic Stories about Playing Ball Overseas, and Founder of Overseas Famous, LLC
Episode 125 with Jamil Jan Kochai, Master Allegorist/Worldbuilder and Author of the Award-Winning 99 Nights in Logar, and the Upcoming Story Collection, The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories
Episode 124 with Robin Peguero, Exciting New Voice, Legal Insider, and Crafter of the Exciting and Evocative Thriller, With Prejudice
Episode 123 with Zach Harper: Hilarious and Perceptive Hoopshead, Multitalented Host and Writer of Podcasts like CinePhobe, Radio Host, and Basketball Writer at The Athletic
Episode 122 with Sonora Reyes, Keen Observer and Chronicler of Young Adult Stories, Creator and Host of the Twitter Chat #QPOCChat, and Author of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School
Episode 121 with Michael Torres, Crafter of Profound and Musical Lines, Master of Imagery and Pathos, and Author of the Award-Winning Poetry Collection, An Incomplete List of Names
Episode 120 with traci kato-kiriyama, Thoughtful and Reflective Artist, Creative, Historian, and Activist, and Writer of the Work of Art that is Navigating With(out) Instruments
Episode 119 with Deesha Philyaw, Master Storyteller, Builder of Intrigue, Skilled Worldbuilder, and Craftswoman of The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, Winner of the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction
Episode 118 with SJ Sindu, Master Storyteller, Versatile Writer of Varied Texts, and Author of Blue Skinned Gods, ”a rich, beautifully told and moving” Work
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Lit Society: Books and Drama
Ex Libris
Write The Book: Conversations on Craft
Just So Stories
Black Beauty
Fresh Air
Myths and Legends