If the soul leaves the body when we die, what holds it here while we live? Host and fellow fiction author Terry Shepherd sits down with award-winning novelist Nathan Jorgenson to explore this profound question, which sits at the very center of his new book, Otto's Portal.

In this episode of In-Conversation, Jorgenson shares his fascinating and unexpected journey from a career in dentistry to becoming an acclaimed storyteller. He reveals how his writing began as a deeply personal way to find closure while reading to his dying father, eventually leading to a self-published debut that won a National Book Award and a Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Fiction.

From the mysteries at the edge of science to the rural landscapes of the Midwest, this interview delves into the mechanics of writing a sweeping tale that blends fact, faith, myth, and conjecture.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

The premise of Otto's Portal and its protagonist, a 91-year-old theoretical physicist who is confronting his own mortality.
How the novel's timeline sweeps across history, moving seamlessly from 1946 post-war London to Lyndon Johnson's ranch in 1964 and a quiet Catholic church in northern Minnesota.
The fascinating integration of string physics, Albert Einstein, and Isaac Newton into a fictional narrative.
True historical oddities from World War II, including mysterious yellow orbs and German "wonder weapons," that inspired the plot.
The deep influence of the rural Northwoods landscape on Jorgenson's life and the atmosphere of his fiction.
The universal human search for redemption and why every character must be flawed to embark on the hero's journey.
The practical realities of the writing process, including the invaluable editorial feedback Jorgenson receives from his wife and first reader, Terry.

Guest Links & Resources

Discover more about Nathan's literary work and grab your copy of Otto's Portal at his official website: nathanjorgenson.com.

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