May is Texas Writers Month. Continuing our month-long celebration, Texas Lifestyle Magazine is highlighting Tom Fox, an award-winning Texas author and podcast host. 

For the past 30 years, Tom has practiced law and assisted companies with anti-corruption and anti-bribery issues. He is the author of the award-winning FCPA Compliance and Ethics Blog and the international bestselling book Lessons Learned on Compliance and Ethics. Alongside his numerous written works, Tom is also the host of the Hill Country Authors Podcast, the Hill Country Artists Podcast, and the Reel Creators of the Texas Country Hill. In each of his shows, Tom sits down with Texas creatives to speak about their work and the growing landscape of the Texas media scene. 

Tom recently spoke with Texas Lifestyle Magazine about his work and contributions to the entertainment and media industry in Texas. 

As the founder of the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network, what inspired you to branch out into storytelling through the Hill Country Authors and Artists Podcasts? 

I love storytelling, and I see my work as a podcaster as telling stories. It is the story of each guest. It is unique and special. My favorite was interviewing a (then) 92-year-old Kerrville author about a book on leadership. Off recording, he told me he had always wanted to write his autobiography, but never got around to it. I told him to write me 10 one-page outlines on the journey of his life. We recorded 10 episodes. I gave him the transcript for each recording, and he used that as the basis for 10 chapters of his life story, which was published 6 months before he passed at 94.

Texas Writers Month celebrates local literary voices. What trends or themes have you observed among authors in the Hill Country region through your podcast conversations?

If I could expand that out a bit to Texas authors, I would say that each geographic region in Texas has its own voice and distinct character. From the Upper Texas Gulf Coast to the Panhandle, to Houston, San Antonio, and Big Bend. Each area is different and unique.

The Texas Hill Country Podcast Network features a wide array of voices. What role do you think podcasting plays in amplifying regional culture, especially that of writers and artists? 

I see podcasts as an adjunct to getting creative voices out to tell their stories. I always ask about the creative process, whether it is in painting, writing, or filmmaking. I see one of my roles is to give those folks an ‘audio’ voice for their creativity.

On “Reel Creators of the Texas Hill Country,” you explore filmmaking. How do you see the intersection of film and writing shaping the creative landscape in Texas today? 

I am a writer and enjoy the written word, but the visual creation process is something that is outside my experience. I enjoyed interviewing the Producer and Director CJ Goodwyn about his creative process, as well as the cast and crew about their own creative processes in either acting, building a set to look like late 19th-century London, or creating the right makeup for an actor in the throes of a multiday bender.

You’ve given a platform to many local creators. What common challenges do Texas writers and filmmakers face—and how are they overcoming them? 

It is interesting that the hardest thing seems to be just starting. Once you write a book, paint something, or make a movie, there will probably be someone who can help you market and sell it. It is all about community, and I have been stunned by the communities around each of those creative endeavors.

To celebrate Texas Writers Month, are there any standout authors or episodes you’d recommend to listeners who want a deep dive into Texas creativity? 

I tend to think of those at the top of the letters. Larry McMurtry and Lonesome Dove; Billy Lee Brammer and The Gay Place. Tommy Thompson and Blood and Money, and anything by Frank Dobie. 

Check out the Texas Hill Country Podcast Network this May to support and celebrate Texas authors. 

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Sarah Bell is the publicity intern for PR by the Book. She is a writer and editor who enjoys covering local entertainment and literary events. She is currently a student at the University of Georgia studying literature and media studies, with hopes to pursue a career in publishing.