Episode 134: “Perfect” with P.J. Gudka

One of the great pleasures for me as a podcast host is meeting writers that I like and admire. After trading comments with them on WordPress (sometimes for years) and reading their books, it’s so fun to have an interactive conversation. It’s when we get to affirm that they really are as awesome and talented as they seem from afar.

That was most definitely the case when Vicki Atkinson and I recently had the honor of a delightful conversation with Pooja Gudka. She shares the story behind her debut psychological thriller, Perfect, and reflects on the themes that shape the novel—family secrets, perfectionism, moral complexity, and the lasting impact of generational trauma. She talks about moving from poetry to fiction, discovering her characters as she wrote, and crafting a mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end. We love this book — and our conversation deepened the thrill in thriller!

We also explore the heart behind Pooja’s work in the writing community, her passion for encouraging fellow authors, and what’s next on her creative journey. Here’s a short snippet of the engaging conversation about Pooja’s fantastic writing and gripping book: