x
Breaking News
More () »

Arizona authors reveal the stories behind their work

A special "Sunday Square Off" takes a break from politics and chats with authors Marcelino Quinonez, Valerie Foster and Jenn McKinlay.
Credit: 12 News

PHOENIX — "Sunday Square Off" takes a break from politics over the Thanksgiving weekend with our special "Arizona Authors" show. 

Twice a year, we bring viewers the work of Arizona-based writers and authors with Arizona stories. 

On this weekend's show:

Jenn McKinlay is a New York Times best-selling author based here in the Valley. Her path to success is a great story in itself.

Valerie Foster, a longtime Valley high school teacher, shares her memoir of her daughter's struggle with an eating disorder.

Marcelino Quinonez is the first playwright on an "Arizona Authors" show. His two plays have political protagonists but ask larger questions about the people behind the political mask.

"Sunday Square Off" airs at 8 a.m. Sundays on 12 News, after NBC's "Meet the Press," with Chuck Todd.

How a revolutionary launched a playwright's career

Marcelino Quinonez connects the dots between his first play, about Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, and his latest, a two-man show with Grant Woods playing a U.S. Senator - an office Woods might seek in 2020.

Story of survival after a daughter's descent

The chapter titles in Valerie Foster's memoir, "Dancing With A Demon," track her daughter Jenna's descent - "129 Pounds" to "64 Pounds." Jenna's recovery from a severe eating disorder was coaxed along by love letters from her mom.

Best-selling author's success is great story in itself

Jenn McKinlay knew she wanted to be a writer. As she tells it, her big break came from an unexpected place, after she lost a job as a Harlequin Romance writer.

What Jenn McKinlay wishes she had known when she was starting out

Best-selling author Jenn McKinlay tells us what she wishes she knew when she was starting out as a writer - and how she got through a five-year dry spell.

Before You Leave, Check This Out