Author Heather Mateus Sappenield takes us on 17 journeys in "Lyrics for Rock Stars"

Ranchers, super models, dead pigs, burro racers, and religious beet farmers—these are just a few of the characters in Heather Mateus Sappenfield's new book, "Lyrics for Rock Stars." We talk about the different viewpoints in this book, all set in the West, as well as her previous works and how she evolved as a writer.

I also ask her about a line from her bio where she is “fascinated by the many selves each of us becomes in our varied roles throughout the day (some we like, some we do not)” and how that factors in to her writing.

Jeremy Spillman shares a tale of death, music, and revenge

In this episode, Nashville songwriter Jeremy Spillman tackles a new creative challenge: his first novel. In “The DeVine Devils,” Spillman spins a tale of two brothers, Audie and Shane DeVine. After the boys barely escape a massacre by the U.S. Army in which their father is killed, they swear vengeance and spend the next decade honing their skills in music and fighting.

In addition to the book, Spillman also worked with Dean Dillon on an EP which brings the story to life through some amazing music.

Following this, I've got two songs for you from the DeVine Devils EP—“Something Bad This Way Comes” and “Hard Times Come Again No More.”

Follwing that, I've got a great song from the Brooklyn-based Typhoid Rosie, “Sailing On.” They have a show coming up in Boston on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Jungle in Somerville with Fuzzy Bumble, Tysk Tysk Tysk, and Wild Allegations, 7pm, $6.