Alex Dolan / The Patron Saint of Suicides
Here’s our interview with Alex Dolan, the host of The Patron Saint of Suicides podcast.
Alex is a writer, podcaster and musician. He is the author of The Euthanist and The Empress of Tempera (Diversion Books). Alex was the host of the show “Thrill Seekers,” part of the Authors on the Air Global Radio Network, which reaches more than 3.5 million listeners.
He has been featured in The New Yorker, Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News, and Publishers Weekly. He has also been an editor and contributor to SOMA, The San Francisco Chronicle, Travel Savvy, and Administration and Policy in Mental Health.
Alex was an executive committee member of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Litquake festival and is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.
Follow Alex on Instagram, and come meet Alex at PodConf 2023!
How many episodes have you published?
48
Describe your podcast in 2 or 3 sentences
The Patron Saint of Suicides is a full-cast fiction podcast / audio drama created by ALEX DOLAN and produced by AUDIOHM MEDIA.
Haven Otomo spends her spare time, saving people from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. She also owns a private suicide hotline. Possessed with unnatural powers of persuasion, she’s always been good at talking people in and out of things. When a rash of suicides hits the city, a detective reaches out for her help on the investigation, and her insight into why people kill themselves. When the crime becomes more complicated, she must question the people she trusts most, and whether they are involved.
Who is your target audience?
Fans of crime thrillers and mysteries.
What’s the number 1 thing listeners love about your podcast?
The surprises.
Why are you doing this podcast?
We started back in 2019, and I love that it allows me to tell stories in a medium outside of books. It’s basically making a movie using only sound. I love the writing, the cast, the crew, all of it. It’s just FUN!
Given that there are two components to the show—monologues and interviews—I enjoy the internal work of monologues and connecting with guests through (hopefully) engaging and unexpected questions.
Are you monetizing this podcast? If so, how?
We just entered into a deal as part of the Realm Media network, which specializes in fiction podcasts. We have a revenue share deal on advertising.
What advice would you give a new podcaster?
Have fun and be authentic.
You don’t know who you’re going to reach, but it might be more satisfying if they connect with the real you.
What’s your favorite podcast you listen to?
The Imperfection
Anything else people should know about you or your podcast?
I’m excited to meet other creators in Portland! I moved up here the day Oregon went into lockdown, so I’m still getting to know some of the vast talent that lives here. Hit me up for coffee!
Where can people follow you?
I’m on Instagram and my website is www.alexdolan.com