Podcast Summary:

Totally Booked with Zibby — “Bestselling Author Marie Benedict Knows History”

Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Marie Benedict (bestselling historical fiction author)
Date: March 24, 2026
Recorded: Live at Zibby’s Palm Beach Book Lovers Retreat

Episode Overview

In this lively, in-person conversation, Zibby Owens welcomes Marie Benedict to discuss her latest novel, Daughter of Egypt, and her broader literary mission to bring forgotten women from history into the spotlight. Together, they explore the themes of erasure, resilience, and legacy, connecting the lives of ancient and early-20th-century women—and drawing vivid lines between past and present struggles. The discussion also broadens out to delve into Marie’s writing process, her research adventures, her collaborations with Victoria Christopher Murray, and her advice for aspiring authors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introducing Daughter of Egypt and Its Heroines [04:22]

• Marie Benedict sets the stage for her latest novel, Daughter of Egypt, which centers on Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of Lord Carnarvon (of Highclere Castle/Downton Abbey fame) and her role in one of history's greatest archaeological finds: the tomb of Tutankhamun.
• Daughter of Egypt also weaves in the story of Pharaoh Hatshepsut—an extraordinary but historically erased female ruler of ancient Egypt.
• Quote:
  “She is determined to find the tomb of the only female pharaoh, Hatshepsut… But instead…she makes the largest archaeological discovery of all time.” — Marie Benedict (04:40)

2. Hatshepsut: Erasure and Rewriting History [06:37]

• The conversation digs into the details of Hatshepsut’s life, how her rise to power broke gender norms, and how she was literally erased from history by her successors.
• Zibby remarks on a poignant scene in the novel: the death of Hatshepsut’s brother, which sets her on the path to power.
• Quote:
  “They were erasing her from history…It was the first cancel culture.” — Marie Benedict (08:44)
• Marie draws modern parallels: many women today still experience erasure, whether overtly or quietly, making Hatshepsut's story enduringly relevant.
• Quote:
  “She’s every woman who hasn’t been given her due… That’s why I think in many ways I’ve always wanted to tell Hatshepsut’s story.” — Marie Benedict (09:15)

3. Lady Evelyn (‘Eve’) Herbert: Early 20th Century Trailblazer [10:23]

• Zibby highlights Eve’s rebelliousness and ambition in the early 1910s—a time when societal expectations were rigid for women.
• Benedict discusses drawing upon her own childhood passion for history and archaeology when writing Eve’s character.
• The conversation explores family dynamics, especially the contrast between Eve’s expected domestic path and her father’s freedom to pursue his varied interests.
• Quote:
  “She was in a culture…what was expected of her was very clear… to have something else that you are passionate about that drives you just simply wasn’t done for women.” — Marie Benedict (11:21)

4. History Repeats: Post-Disaster Reset & Personal Parallels [12:08]

• They discuss the jarring experience of life after WWI (paralleled with collective feelings after COVID-19), when everyone is expected to "go back to normal."
• Marie connects this to more personal life experiences—her own career detour from law to writing and the inner tension many feel when real passions aren’t outwardly acknowledged.
• Quote:
  “We mold and shape and transform ourselves into what is palatable or acceptable… and yet that may not be the thing that’s truest to ourselves.” — Marie Benedict (14:24)

5. Writing Historical Fiction: Why This Era, These Women? [17:15, 18:05]

• Zibby marvels at how Marie brings new perspective to forgotten times.
• Marie describes being “honor bound” to tell these stories, going wherever the women lead her—whether that means tackling modern or ancient periods.
• Benedict shares her fascination with ancient Egypt and her dedication to research, including travel and consulting experts.
• Quote:
  “As a kid I always wanted to be a time traveler…this is the closest I’m ever going to get.” — Marie Benedict (18:57)
• She notes the freedom of being a novelist (“shape-shifting” through eras), compared to an academic historian locked to one specialty.

6. Collaboration, Forthcoming Works, and Focusing on Hidden Legacies [21:00–25:00]

• Marie describes her partnership with Victoria Christopher Murray and how co-writing allows deeper explorations of race, friendship, and social bridges through history.
  • Upcoming book: A Pair of Aces (June release), which tells the true story of Black assistant US Attorney Eunice Carter and brothel owner Polly Adler teaming up to take down mobster Lucky Luciano.
  • Quote:
    “Our friendship and…relationship allows us to explore topics that are otherwise really hard to access… It has changed my life, utterly changed the way I look at the world.” — Marie Benedict (22:06)
• Announces her next solo project: the story of Hetty Green, a self-made financier, possibly the richest woman of her era, whose impact in banking and investing still resonates—yet her public image was manipulated by negative press.
  • Quote:
    “They created a whole persona around her, really, to disparage and discredit her perspective.” — Marie Benedict (25:47)

7. Why These Women? The Never-Ending List [26:26]

• Marie keeps a long “laundry list” of overlooked women. The next subject often reflects her present interests or what she feels the world needs.
• Often discovers new characters during research for current books—the list keeps growing, far more than she could ever write about in one lifetime.

8. Advice for Aspiring Authors [28:56]

• Marie urges approaching writing “like it’s your job,” emphasizing consistency and discipline over waiting for inspiration.
• She also uses music as a creative tool to tap into the proper mindset for each book.
  • Quote:
    “Write like it’s your job…unless you approach it like it’s a job…regardless of whether the muse strikes you… you just have to keep going.” — Marie Benedict (29:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Erasure and Modern Parallels:

  “She really is a stand-in for so many of us.” — Marie Benedict (09:56)

• On Historical Curiosity:

  “If you’re a professor, you’re stuck with one time period… I can go and shape-shift into different time periods.” — Marie Benedict (19:34)

• On Collaboration:

  “It has changed my life, utterly changed the way I look at the world.” — Marie Benedict (22:14)

• On Finding the Next Story:

  “I would have to live to, like, 150 to get my way through all of them.” — Marie Benedict (28:43)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Marie Benedict Introduction & Book Overview — [03:46–06:00]
• The Erasure of Hatshepsut — [06:26–09:00]
• Modern Parallels/Eve’s Story — [10:23–12:08]
• Writing Historical Fiction and Research — [18:05–20:00]
• Marie’s Collaboration with Victoria Christopher Murray — [21:00–24:10]
• Upcoming Projects & Writing Process — [24:18–27:01]
• Advice to Writers & Final Thoughts — [28:56–end]

Summary

This episode is a rich journey through history and storytelling, illuminating Marie Benedict’s passion for unearthing forgotten legacies and connecting them to the present. Via lively anecdotes and deeply reflective commentary, both Zibby and Marie create a vibrant space for exploring women’s hidden histories—and offer inspiration for both readers and writers to do the same.

Best for: Fans of historical fiction, readers seeking stories of strong women, aspiring authors, and anyone fascinated by how the past shapes the present.