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Book Banter 

with Dianne Burckhardt

BOOK TALK PODCAST

Book Banter Productions is Funded by Our Producer
Pedro R. Burckhardt

You can now find all Book Banter podcast episodes on your favorite podcast provider.  Thank you, Pedro!

Now Streaming

NOW STREAMING
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Summer Reads Suggestions Now Streaming!
S4 EP177: Micki Bare, Author of The Middle-Grade 
Magical Realism Series, Zahra of the Uwharries

Hello My Happy People, 

Today on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt–Book Talk Podcast get ready to step into a world where fairy magic meets real-world heart in my conversation with award-winning, middle-grade author Micki Bare. A graduate of NC State University with a BA in Speech Communication and a Master of Arts in Teaching in middle-school social studies, Micki brings decades of educational insight—and eighteen years as a columnist—to every page she writes.

Her latest novel, KIMIMILA RETURNS (May 2025), is the fourth installment in the beloved Zahra of the Uwharries series. When elder fairy Bubble Rain reappears—one of the feared omens signaling the end of her people—and a young fairy vanishes, Zahra must confront the shadowy Umbra Fae in her greatest adventure yet. We’ll dive into Micki’s inspirations, her seamless blend of magical realism and low fantasy, and how she crafts middle-grade stories that resonate with young readers and parents alike.

Micki’s three-decade career in education—as teacher, administrator, and marketing director—infuses her writing with authenticity and heart. She’ll share how her years guiding middle-schoolers and penning a longtime column sharpened her storytelling skills, and what she’s learned about building worlds that both enchant and empower.

Based in Asheboro, NC with her husband, Micki recharges by gardening, cooking, traveling, and hiking the Uwharrie peaks that inspired Zahra’s journey. Tune in to discover the magic behind the pages—and why every reader, young or old, will root for Zahra as she fights to save her fairy kin.

Don't wait, go listen now to the full interview to hear about this author's journey from the woman herself. ​

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Just click the purple microphone above to join our conversation. ​​​​​​​​

If you have middle-graders who love magical realism,

you may have just found their new favorite author. ​​​

​​

Future Episodes

Season 4
Summer Reads Suggestion Episodes

June 4th - July 30th
Just click the author image to go to the main social media page

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Season 4
Dose of Reality Episodes

August 6th - September 24th

Just click the author image to go to the main social media page

(This lineup is subject to change until the interviews have been recorded)

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Season 4
Year End Episodes

October 1st - December 10th 

&

Season 5 Lovefest Preview

Coming Soon!

Season 3 highlights

Season 3 Highlights

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(Now Streaming) 
Did You Catch Our Special 100th episode?
Jan. 10th, Special Guest, Book Banter Productions Producer/CTO/IT Reporter

Pedro (P.R.) Burckhardt

 Season Three Finale - Now Streaming
December 11th, S3 EP 148: Special Guest 

New York Times Bestselling Author

Tosca Lee 

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Click the images for more information on Tosca Lee and her books.

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Great News!

We have decided to continue publishing one issue a per season of
Book Banter Magazine

 

This issue will be published in print in November for holiday shopping. 

It will be a "year end book buying guide" and will feature
every author from the current season.
 

 

Keep watching our social media for more information when we are closer to publication!

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Do you enjoy our podcast?

HELP US KEEP BRINGING YOU NEW SHOWS
There are several ways you can do it and many
are FREE or you can donate as easily as buying us a coffee.
All proceeds go to upgrading equipment and programs
for the podcast and magazine production.


Just click HERE for more information.
Episodes
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