Podcast Summary: Bone Valley – Book Announcement

Podcast: Bone Valley
Host: Gilbert King (Lava for Good Podcasts)
Episode: Bone Valley Book Announcement
Date: August 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special announcement episode, Gilbert King, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and creator of the Bone Valley podcast, reveals the upcoming release of his new book, Bone: A True Story of Injustice and Redemption in the Heart of Florida. King shares the journey that led him from podcasting to authorship, detailing why the book will offer fans a richer, more personal, and expanded version of the story of Leo Schofield, a man imprisoned for 36 years for a crime he insists he didn't commit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Genesis of the Book Project

• Background: King recalls meeting Judge Scott Kupp at a Florida conference after publishing Devil in the Grove, igniting his interest in Leo Schofield's case.
• Quote:

  "He handed me his card and told me about Leo Scofield, a man he believed was completely innocent of the murder that that had kept him in prison for 36 years. The rest, as they say, is history." (00:16)

• Announcement: King officially announces the book, Bone, releasing October 7th and available for pre-order. The first 100 podcast listeners who pre-order will receive exclusive signed book plates from Gilbert and Leo Schofield.

2. Why Write the Book?

• Podcast Limitations: Initially, King had no intention to write a book. Following years producing the podcast and its bonus episodes, he realized much of the story and many key moments had to be left out due to the constraints of audio storytelling format.
• Quote:

  "For years I didn't. I spent that time reporting two seasons of the podcast and several bonus episodes. But along the way, I realized there was so much more to the story, and since many of you had written to me asking me for more, I decided to return to the format I've always loved: the book." (01:13)

3. Behind-the-Scenes Insights

• Book Content: The book delves into the origins of the Bone Valley podcast, the challenges faced by King and producer Kelsey as they navigated unfamiliar territory both in podcasting and investigating the case.
• Quote:

  "When Kelsey and I began the project, we had no idea how vast the story would become or how to navigate a medium we'd never worked in before." (02:05)

• Setbacks and Triumphs: Many setbacks and breakthroughs during the investigation didn't make it into the podcast, but are now included in the book.

4. Expanding on the Case

• Deeper Exploration: The book reconstructs the original trials of Leo and Jeremy Scott, offering dramatic and pivotal courtroom moments absent from the podcast due to lack of archival materials.
• New Voices: Some witnesses, detectives, attorneys, and family members whose perspectives were omitted from the podcast are now included, allowing for new angles and greater depth.

5. Fan Engagement and Audiobook News

• Personal Engagement: King recognizes fans' love for the behind-the-scenes moments and assures readers the book is filled with immersive details from the investigation.
• Audiobook Announcement:

  "For those of you who've gotten used to hearing my voice, I'll be narrating the Bone Valley audiobook. It includes original material, voices and scenes that weren't in the podcast." (03:30)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On revisiting the story in book form:

  "There are also many witnesses, detectives, attorneys, family members, and investigators whose stories and voices didn't make it into the podcast simply because we didn't have the time or space. In the book, I'm able to go deeper, explore more angles, and bring in scenes that never aired—this is a more expansive version of the story and in many ways a more personal one too." (02:37)

• On the reader experience:

  "The book is full of those moments and so much more. And for those of you who've gotten used to hearing my voice, I'll be narrating the Bone Valley audiobook. It includes original material, voices and scenes that weren't in the podcast. I wanted to make sure that even our most devoted listeners would experience something new." (03:30)

• Closing words and gratitude:

  "Thanks as always for listening and stay tuned for a lot more Bone Valley to come." (04:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01: Introduction & personal background behind the book
• 00:16: The chance meeting with Judge Scott Kupp and how it sparked the investigation
• 01:13: The evolution from podcast to book, fans' requests for more depth
• 02:05: Challenges of podcasting and uncovering details
• 02:37: Book content: extended stories, trial reconstructions, new voices
• 03:30: Audiobook announcement and exclusive content
• 04:16: King’s gratitude and closing remarks

Summary

This episode is an intimate and enthusiastic message from Gilbert King to Bone Valley listeners. King details why he chose to expand the story into a book, promising fans a far richer narrative than the podcast allowed. He spotlights the deeper exploration of the case, previously unheard stories, and the inclusion of dramatic courtroom scenes. The personalized announcement reassures fans that this is not just a rehash, but a new, immersive experience—available in both print and an audiobook narrated by King himself.