Podcast Episode Summary: "S.A. Cosby's New Thriller 'King of Ashes'"

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: WNYC (Guest Host: Tiffany Hansen)
• Episode: S.A. Cosby's New Thriller 'King of Ashes'
• Release Date: June 18, 2025

Overview: In this engaging episode of All Of It, Tiffany Hansen interviews renowned Southern noir author S.A. Cosby about his latest novel, King of Ashes. The discussion delves deep into the book's themes, character development, setting, and Cosby's creative process, offering listeners an insightful look into the making of a contemporary thriller.

1. Introduction to King of Ashes

The episode opens with Tiffany Hansen introducing S.A. Cosby and his new novel, King of Ashes. She provides a synopsis, highlighting the central conflict revolving around the Carruthers family and their involvement with a dangerous local gang in Jefferson Run, Virginia.

[00:00] Tiffany Hansen: "Writer S.A. Cosby is the master of the Southern noir and his latest novel... King of Ashes. It's out now."

2. Setting and Themes

Cosby explains his choice of setting—a crematory owned by the Carruthers family—and the metaphorical significance of fire as a symbol of change and destruction.

[02:32] S.A. Cosby: "I always liked the idea of fire as a metaphor for change, transformation, and destruction. But also I wanted to set it in a business that was narratively advantageous... a crematory for a crime novel is a really good setting."

He further discusses Jefferson Run, Virginia, portraying it as a once-thriving manufacturing town now grappling with economic decline and the rise of crime.

[06:25] S.A. Cosby: "Jefferson Run is a town whose best days are behind them... manufacturing moved out, and something else had to come in to replace it."

3. Character Development and Names

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the importance of character names and their symbolic meanings. Cosby reveals his superstition of selecting a book's title before writing and how character names are crafted to reflect their personalities and arcs.

[05:24] S.A. Cosby: "Names of the characters always mean something. Whether it's Roman in King of Ashes, who is sort of like the Roman Empire... Nevaeh, Heaven spelled backward... and Dante, a reference to Dante's Inferno."

4. Influences and Comparisons

Cosby draws parallels between King of Ashes and classic narratives like The Godfather, emphasizing themes of family loyalty, legitimacy, and moral ambiguity.

[17:53] S.A. Cosby: "The Godfather was a big influence on this work... the shifting loyalties and the family dynamics... how you want to find legitimacy and who decides what legitimate means."

5. Themes of Family, Money, and Guilt

The discussion highlights the intricate web of family relationships and the corrosive impact of money. Cosby delves into how economic disparities influence familial bonds and individual moral compasses.

[13:24] S.A. Cosby: "I wanted to talk about the class aspect... 'the acidity of money, the way money can sort of burn through relationships... and also the themes of guilt... the love that they have for each other.'"

6. Violence in the Story

Addressing the role of violence, Cosby explains its necessity in illustrating the peril the characters face and its impact on character development. He emphasizes that violence serves as a tool to reveal deeper emotional and moral landscapes.

[20:30] S.A. Cosby: "Violence can be very expository... it tells you a lot about a character and who that person is."

7. Audiobook Narration

Cosby praises Adam Lazar White, the narrator of the audiobook version of King of Ashes, commending his ability to bring characters to life authentically.

[22:14] S.A. Cosby: "Adam's just an amazing performer... he finds the voice of the characters I create. I couldn't be happier to have him narrating my work."

8. Future Works and Sequel Discussions

Responding to listener inquiries, Cosby expresses openness to revisiting his previous works, hinting at potential sequels or prequels that explore beloved characters further.

[15:38] S.A. Cosby: "There's two books that have really connected with people that make me think maybe I'll do more in that world... maybe see what happened to his dad and what was his dad's life like before he was a father."

9. Creative Process and Writing Philosophy

Cosby shares insights into his writing process, emphasizing the importance of being observant and drawing inspiration from everyday conversations and experiences. He underscores writing stories he would personally enjoy reading.

[03:37] S.A. Cosby: "One of the prerequisites for being a good writer is actually being a little nosy... I tell stories that I would love to read myself. So that's why I write 'em."

10. Listener Engagement and Themes Exploration

Throughout the episode, listener calls enrich the conversation, touching upon personal connections to the themes of hometown influence and the universal struggle of reconciling one's past with their present.

[09:50] S.A. Cosby: "What do you do when you leave that place?... How do you navigate embracing or hiding parts of your past in your new environment?"

Conclusion: The episode provides a comprehensive exploration of King of Ashes, offering listeners a nuanced understanding of S.A. Cosby's storytelling prowess. By intertwining themes of family, morality, and societal change within a gripping thriller framework, Cosby's work exemplifies the depth and complexity that All Of It strives to highlight in cultural discussions.

Listeners are encouraged to attend Cosby's reading at the Upper West Side Barnes & Noble and stay tuned for future episodes featuring conversations with other influential creators.

Notable Quotes:

• S.A. Cosby on Titles:

  "[...] I have a superstition that I can't start writing a book... until I come up with a good title." [05:24]

• On Family Dynamics:

  "At the core of it, I think, for these three characters is sort of this love that they have for each other." [14:57]

• On Violence as a Narrative Tool:

  "Violence can be very expository... it tells you a lot about a character and who that person is." [21:14]

Upcoming Events:

• Author Appearance: S.A. Cosby will be speaking and interacting with fans at the Upper West Side Barnes & Noble on the release date of King of Ashes.
• Next Episode Teaser: On Juneteenth, the podcast will feature a conversation with Jonathan Ig about his new biography, King A Life, the first comprehensive biography of the civil rights leader in 30 years.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, providing a structured and detailed overview for those who haven't tuned in, while highlighting key moments and quotes from the conversation.