20 Questions With Your Favorite Author: Recent Episodes
Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing
As avid readers, we at Cursed Dragon Ship Publishing have grown bored with the questions in “respectable” interviews. What about the really important ones? So, we’ve decided to pick up a microphone and ask them ourselves. We want to know what flavor of ice cream our favorite author prefers. How can we enjoy their next novel if we don’t know which of their characters they’d spend a weekend with? Our speculative fiction author guests will finally get to answer twenty vitally important questions just like these. If they’re not your favorite before, they’ll be your favorite after.
Susan McCauley was so awesome she’s now in my writing group. It’s so awesome when you meet someone and it turns out you’re neighbors. Go meet people! That’s the lesson here. Susan is a talented author who never says no to a business opportunity. She writes scripts as often as she writes manuscripts. We don’t have enough middle grade authors on this podcast. Well, you’re in luck. Susan has a Ghost Hunter MG series and you’re going to love it. Learn more about Susan at http://www.sbmccauley.com.
J.D. Astra started her first book when she was ten and actually finished it when she was fourteen. About writing she says, “It never gets easier, but it does get better.” As a member of our D&D stream on Monday nights, Jess told us why she likes the storytelling aspects of D&D so much. Her character came from her new release Monster Haven. You’ve got to pick up these books. They’re quick reads with a lot of heart—and spreadsheets for all you LitRPG fans. To learn more about Jess and the magic she makes with words, check out her website www.astralscribe.comor follow her on www.facebook.com/theastralscribe.
Chris Kennedy had the best stories. We had so much fun I kept forgetting what I was supposed to be asking him. So, naturally, this was one of the best shows we’ve had. Chris shared cool background info about his books and his writing journey as well great advice for writers out there still trying to make it happen. Also, Bar Con is the best. What am I talking about? Tune in to find out. To follow Chris, check out https://chriskennedypublishing.comor follow him on Facebook @ckpublishing.
Michael K. Falciani was so easy to interview we kept getting off topic. Though since the subject was Michael, I guess not very far off topic. He told us about teaching PE to elementary students as well as his rebellious writing practices. This author isn’t just entertaining, he’s also nominated for some prestigious awards. The audiobook version of the first book in The Raven and the Crow series is up for an Imadjinn Award, while his second book is in the first rounds of the Dragon Award. You know you’re on the right track when your book is winning in all the right places. To learn more about Michael, check out his website https://michaelkfalciani.comor follow him on social media @michaelkfalciani.
Megan Mackie is well on her way to producing a series in every speculative fiction category you can imagine. Her cyberpunk urban fantasy thriller started with a scene she had in a dream. Still, she had to write multiple books before she even got to that original dream. That’s just the tip of the iceberg for Megan’s incredible creativity. She’s also a mainstay at multiple pop culture conventions. Look for her suave leather hat and you’ll find her. To learn more about Megan, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok @meganmackieauthor.
Dennis Galloway is a best-selling author and student of the world. He shared his historical fiction take and why the details need to be accurate so people with short attention spans like me can enjoy the tale and maybe learn something on the side. Dennis writes just as many non-fiction novels as he does fiction, due to his need to help people whenever he can. He even offers free consultations for aspiring writers is.gd/becominganauthor. Make sure to check out his audiobooks which include music, sound effects, and multiple voices. They’re more like an audio play and really immerse you in the experience.
Kit Falbo writes GameLit with a twist. Actually, everything they write has a twist and we talk about why in the interview. His stories cover: a technomage working for intergalactic peanut magnets; a Mini-game obsessed card collector with an EX and a heist; a teenage chess hustler dipping into a fantasy VR world to grind for profit. Kit recommends some amazing ice cream I must try and refuses to answer the zombie question. You’ll have to listen to find out why. To find out more out Kit, checked out their website http://kitfalbo.com.
Darin Kennedy is a doctor-by-day and novelist-by-night. He’s also a huge music and art geek. Both interests are used in his Fugue and Fable series. We talked about why he chose Russian composers and why chess was the perfect vehicle for his Pawn Stratagem series. He described why he started to write while serving as a doctor in the military overseas. Darin had so many stories we had a great time, and we’re totally hanging out next Dragon Con. You should join us. Until then, follow Darin at his website darinkennedy.com.
Kim May writes fantasy, sci-fi, thrillers, historical fiction, steampunk, and a bit of poetry, because she collects genres like a cat lady collects strays. She is a retired stage actor and has a penchant for fast cars, high heels, and loose screws. We talk about where she’d like to visit and unhelpful health advice she’s received. Also, did you know K-drama musicals were a thing? Find out more about Kim at https://linktr.ee/KimMayDay.
Gama Ray Martinez is a gifted storyteller with an adventurous spirit. He tells us about his adventures scuba diving as well as love of mountains. We dive deep into his new release, God of Neverland, though he has other series ready for your enjoyment as well. I’m just a bit obsessed with the Defender of Lore novel and can’t wait to read the rest in the series. To learn about Gama, follow him on FB @GamaRayBurstor IG @GamaRayBurstor Twitter @gamaraymartinez.
Frank Morin had so many stories to tell, no wonder he’s such a prolific writer. His contemporary fantasy thrillers will keep you entertained with their humor and drama intertwined in magical adventures. Frank tells us about his international travels and how they ended up in his books. He loves to hike and wears awesome hats whenever he’s at author events. If you join his newsletter, you’ll get the first book in two of his series. Sign up here: https://www.frankmorin.org/readers-group-signup/. Follow him on FB https://www.facebook.com/authorfrankmorin or Instagram @morinwrites.
This one is a treat for all you Happily Ever After fans. C.J. Anaya is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of young adult romantic fantasy and adult contemporary romance, a writing coach, a freelance editor, and an incredible guest. She’s fun and smart and quick witted. We talk about her Fated Mates series as well as her Healer series. Wanna know what she watches to relax or what movie love scene she would re-write? Well, tune in to find out! To learn more about C.J. check out her website http://authorcjanaya.comor follow her on Twitter @ CJAnaya21 and FB https://www.facebook.com/cjanayaauthor.
Rob Howell is a writer and an editor and a publisher and an awesome podcast guest. He gave us advise for submitting to anthologies along with an invitation to submit a short story to his next one: Bonds of Valor. Check out chriskennedypublishing.com for details. He talked about his history as a medieval academic and as a soda jerk. (All the milkshakes you can drink? Where’s the downside?) We spent a lot of time on the new Eldros Legacy, a multiverse within a fantasy setting. This new adventure with five key authors writing on unique continents that are interconnected offers a plethora of reading for those avid consumers of books in your life. To find out more about Rob and his many endeavors, check out www.robhowell.org.
You get two for one on this episode with guest author B.B. LeClere, a father-daughter writing team. Bill and Becca playfully argue over whose name is represented by the first B. These two are seriously dedicated to reenacting that all started with the purchase of a magic sword. They’ve taken their passion for history and added zombies to a mysterious rash of deaths in The Secret War of 1835. Check out their website to learn more about them: bbleclere.com.
Debbie Manber Kupfer creates word puzzles. How cool is that? She also describes her P.A.W.S. shifter series with headquarters all over the world pulled from her own travel experience. I’m so excited about the next project she’s working on. Don’t miss her answers on zombies and ice cream. We hit all the classics. To learn more about Debbie, check out her website http://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/. You can also join her newsletter to get a free story: http://eepurl.com/cRhORP.
I had a great time with Rachel A. Brune this episode. She told us how she went from “who, what, when, and where” reporting to creative writing. With a specialty in short stories, Rachel tells us the victories and challenges of choosing to tell tales in that format. We share a love of Supernatural and Anne McCaffrey. To learn more about Rachel, check out her website http://www.infamous-scribbler.comor follow her on social media @rachelabrune.
Patrick Dugan was a true delight. If he lived closer, we’d probably hang out all the time. He loves breweries and dragons and World of Warcraft. What’s not to like? Patrick told us about his 3D printing hobby—or writing procrastination tool, depending on the day. He has some awesome worlds he’d like to write in and some awesome worlds he’s already created. If you like superheroes or steampunk fairies or fun, Patrick is the author for you. Make sure to follow Patrick on FB @patrick.dugan.3781 or IG @patrickduganauthor or Twitter @P_Dugan.
Award-winning author, Aaron Michael Ritchey was under the weather for our recording, but you would never know it. He was entertaining and quick-witted and silly and serious. I’d expect nothing less of a man who writes about a kid turned into a mushroom monster to train to fight the “heroes” before they ruin everything. Aaron has some of the most powerful fan stories we’ve heard so far as well as a creative answer to his favorite ice cream. To learn more about Aaron, visit his website at www.aaronmritchey.com and he just loves Facebook. Find him at aaron.m.ritchey.
D.L. Young writes cyberpunk and near-future dystopian. For such a dark subject and such a serious profile pic, D.L. turns out to be charming and thoughtful. We maybe go off on a Star Trek tangent, because, well, it’s Star Trek. His new series is a space opera after all. We learn about his author idols and how he can still skateboard without falling on his face. To learn more about D.L. Young, check out his website dlyoungfiction.com .
Nathan Ameye has so many hobbies he was a blast to interview. When you get an author who never stops learning new skills, you can be assured his novels are rich with the details of his many endeavors. It makes everything more real. You’ve got to find out how he keeps track of his stats for his LitRPG Fae Nexus series. So creative. Nathan tells us the tale of a haunting in a canyon when he went Jeeping. We talk about fun times with other authors and learn how important it is to network. To find out more about Nathan, follow him at https://www.facebook.com/NathanAmeyeAuthor.
Jay Boyce entertained us with her bright hair and her bright personality. She was honest about some hard times she’d been through that inspired her main character in her LitRPG Touch of Power series. Find out about her dice and wig habits. Jay is nocturnal which means she was onfor the interview and I just had to hold on and enjoy the ride. I want to ride again. To learn more about Jay, check out her website www.jayboyce.com or follow her at https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorjayboyce.
Mike Jack Stoumbos is a multi-talented creative with skills in drawing and singing and writing, which is of course what we mostly talked about. His space opera series, This Fine Crew, beginning with The Signal Out of Space, being top of the list. But we also talked about his experience with theater, his teaching career, and how playing D&D influenced his writing. To learn more about Mike, check out his website at https://mikejackstoumbos.com or follow him on FB at https://www.facebook.com/MikeJackStoumbos . He also has a YouTube channel if you want even more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPpY0RHOUXNk-YkZZ6PElog.
Welcome to a special edition of 20 Questions with your Favorite Author. Tonight we have the book launch of Illusions of Decency, the fourth book in the Misplaced Mercenaries series. For your viewing and listening pleasure, we have the visually striking cover artist, Lena Shore, the deep-throated narrator Christopher C. Kelly, and the ever-critical developmental editor, Kelly Lynn Colby. And, of course, we have the always irreverent author Kevin Pettway. Follow Kevin at kevinpettway.com and make sure to join his newsletter there. You’ll thank me later. Lena is available for covers as well as other graphic work. Check her out at lenashore.com. For the talented Chris, check out his website at blanketfortvo.com and follow his channel on twitch.tv/blanketfortstories.
Military science fiction and fantasy writer Jon R. Osborne leads a talk on the joys of beer. He also tells us about his unique trip to publishing. The theme? It’s never too late. Jon’s even working on a rpg handbook using the Four Horseman Universe as its inspiration. To learn more about Jon and his creative endeavors, check out his author profile on Amazon or follow him at https://www.facebook.com/jonrosborne.
Our guest this week is Dakota Krout, fantasy writer and owner of Mountaindale Press. Dakota has appeared in the New York Times for reaching the top 10 bestsellers for audiobooks on Audible, has been featured in Business Insider, and graced the cover of Indie Author magazine. He has sold over two million copies of his books and audiobooks. And somehow he is one of the nicest and most humble authors I’ve spoken to yet. He has some great advice and some fascinating stories. Follow Dakota on any of these social media accounts:
- MountaindalePress.com
- Facebook.com/TheDivineDungeon
- Patreon.com/DakotaKrout
- Twitter.com/DakotaKrout
- Discord: https://discord.gg/C3mEUSJ9CS
Horror author Jae Mazer loves to write creature horror, which is perfect for us because we love to read it. Learn how she chooses her creatures and which ones have impacted her the most. Jae tells us how her clinical psychology background helps craft her characters. Find out why Swan Song by Dean Koontz is her favorite book. She has the most surprising favorite ice cream answer ever. Not sure we can even be friends anymore. Are you curious now? Check it out! To learn more about Jae, you can find her on social media @JaeMazer, everywhere except TikTok.
Our guest this week, Shami Stovall entertained us with her love of gaming and passion for both science fiction and fantasy. A reformed lawyer, Shami decided to write to bring something more cheerful into the world than the suffering she saw in the courtroom. Well, she has succeeded with her Frith Chronicles and Star Marque Trilogy. Make sure to check out Shami’s newest adventure, The Final Decree. To learn more about Shami, follow her at https://twitter.com/GameOverStation/ or https://www.facebook.com/SAStovall/. If you want to learn about her next release first, you’ll find it all on her website: https://sastovallauthor.com/ .
Rick Partlow moved all the way to Wyoming from Florida just because he wanted to take cool pictures of the wildlife there. Oh, and he also writes powerful military science fiction. I mean, how can you not want to learn more? Rick engaged with the chat and all of their poignant—okay silly—questions and we all had a blast. To keep up with Rick’s ambitious publishing schedule, join his newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/o1m0u1or follow him on FB www.facebook.com/dutyhonorplanet.
Kaitlin Bevis spent her childhood curled up with a book and a pen. If the ending didn’t agree with her, she rewrote it. That healthy habit led to a career writing her own stories that mainly deal with Greek mythology where the heroines of those stories definitely needed better endings. Kaitlin’s Daughters of Zeus series starts with Persephone, a modern day, young adult retelling of the classic Greek myth. Kaitlin adores cats, is learning to love a specific dog, and hates to cook. She’s also a delight to talk to. To learn more about Kaitlin, check out her website www.kaitlinbevis.com.
D. Gabrielle Jensen loves things that begin with the letter "C" - coffee, cats, cities, conversation, concerts - and things that don't - airports, macro photography, urban decay, macro photography of urban decay, and the beauty of flaw. If you think that’s unique, you should check out her interview. Des writes urban fantasy that fights back with your emotions. You’ve got to give her Fia Drake Soul Hunter series a read. To find out more about Des, check her out on your favorite social media @writerdgabrielle.
Claire Winn had a fully checked geek card which made her a blast to interview. Her debut YA sci-fi novel, City of Shattered Light, promises to thrill and make us think. We talked about cosplay and LARPing and I learned a bit more about anime. Claire makes her own costumes which always impresses me. Make sure to follow her now; she’s got a bright future ahead in the field of fiction. You can keep up with her shenanigans at https://twitter.com/Atomic_Pixie
or https://www.instagram.com/phazonpixie/
or https://www.tiktok.com/@clairewinnauthor?lang=en.
Luckily, Jace Killan had nothing better to do but be on our show and answer my inane questions. In all honesty, the man works five jobs, while raising five children, spending time with his wife of 23 years, and maintaining a healthy outdoor lifestyle. Oh, and he writes some stellar books in both the adult thriller and middle grade genres. Jace has a fascination with languages and antiques. Listen to find out why. To follow Jace, check out his website http://www.jacekillan.com or follow him on FB @JaceKillan.
Author of contemporary, paranormal, and urban fantasy, Seressia Glass thrilled us with her tales from Egyptian mythology woven into her stories. We talked about her dogs and her struggles with 2020. Seressia and I were on a panel together at Dragon Con. So, of course, we talked about conventions and the inherent fun in such events. She captures much of that joy and challenge in The Love Con about a plus-sized cosplaying blerd in a cosplay show competition set to release in December 2021. To learn more about Seressia, check out her website www.seressiaglass.com or follow her on Twitter @seressia.
Nothing could stop Diane Lindmark from writing. She fought through dyslexia and unsupportive relatives until she broke through and made the dream happen. Now she has almost 60 books published and awaiting publication. She’s extraordinary. I would tell you what genre she focuses on, except she doesn’t. She’s got something for everyone. We shared our love for the geeky world and how much success Diane has had with selling her books in person. To learn more about Diane, check her out on her website http://sirbloodstone.wix.com/dianelindmarkauthor. You can also follow her on FB @dianelindmarkauthor and Twitter @DianeLindmark.
In this special edition of 20 Questions with your Favorite Author, it’s a book birthday celebration! JM Jordan welcomes her book baby into the world, Daughter of a King. As the developmental editor, I had a bit more to contribute for this episode. And we were honored to have A.M. Rose featured since she was the proofreader who helped polish the finished manuscript. The book is a YA prelife fantasy with a touch or magic and a whole wagon full of sisterly triumph with a touch of royal intrigue thrown in for color. Enjoy the party for the beginning of Huldah and Flora’s story. Then pick up your copy at https://curseddragonship.com/daughterofaking.
For our first second appearance on the podcast, we could hardly ask for better than Mark Stallings, even if I continue to pronounce his name wrong. (The “a” is like stallions not stalls.) We did record this the day before we both left for Dragon Con, hence that event was talked about heavily. Of course, I asked him about his own work in Wuxia fantasy and his experience working with a small press. I have to confess that at Dragon Con, Mark recruited so hard for this little podcast that I have guests for almost the whole next year. So give Mark a shout out and don’t forget to leave him reviews. Check him out on his website https://www.markstallings.com/index/.
We had a great time with Stevie Rae Causey. She feels quite strongly about positive messages in young adult and middle grade fiction and tells us exactly why. Her dogs and children give her incredible story ideas. Listen to the podcast to find out how. She might have had the best second grade teacher ever. Gretchen, her co-host on her Exceptionally Average Authors podcast, stopped by in the chat to give us some insider info. To find out more about Stevie, check out https://www.instagram.com/stevieraecauseyor her podcast at https://anchor.fm/eaaea .
Steve Ruskin bounced around subjects from one interesting aspect of his writing to another. As an historian, Steve uses his knowledge and love of history’s minds to create incredible works of alternative history. He’s also written best sellers in nonfiction about past scientific events. His creative soul feeds his active life. This one will surprise you. Find out more about Steve on FB www.facebook.com/SteveRuskinAuthoror his website www.steveruskin.com.
Our guest this week, Emily R. King, is a reader of everything and a writer of fantasy. Her Wings of Fury novel grabbed me so hard I was almost late for the broadcast. So we had a great time talking about that world where Emily extrapolates what life must have been like for the humans when the Titans ruled before the Olympian gods took control. She tells us all about her fascination with sharks which led to her new shark thriller currently in the drafting stage. Emily’s answers for her favorite food and place she wants to live sparked fun little tangents. To learn more about Emily, follow her on Twitter or Instagram @Emily_R_King or check out her website at http://emilyrking.com.
Helen Savore, writer of Arthurian fiction, shares why she feels so passionately about this particular mythos. She folds origami—cranes and dragons and knights, oh my—to keep busy in meetings and to spread love at conventions. Find out what else she does for fun and why so many writers do notchoose vanilla as their favorite ice cream flavor. To learn more about Helen and her work, check out her website http://www.oberonsforgepress.comor follow her at https://twitter.com/ImaPaperNinja.
The ever-entertaining Kevin Pettway graces us with his thoughtful answers for this episode. We learn where he grocery shops and why it’s important for research. His ridonkulously cuddly dogs make an appearance as well. If you’re only listening to this one, you’re missing out because we reveal the cover for book four of the Misplaced Mercenaries series, Illusions of Decency. Kevin tells us how he came up with his multiple magic systems and he shares the fun he’s had working with his narrator for the audiobooks. To follow Kevin and join his newsletter, check out https://kevinpettway.com.
Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/curseddragonship
Trisha J. Wooldridge owes me three drinks. Also, she’s a hugely inspirational writer and editor who will move you with the way she views writing and how horror is an important genre for healing. Trisha adores horses and gives us some great stories about her rescues. She’ll be at Dragon Con this year, so come on out and say, “Hi!” To learn more about Trisha, check out her website www.anovelfriend.com.
Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/curseddragonship
DM Gilmore had the most meaningful answer to our first question I’ve heard yet. With his, I would call it healthy, obsession with dragons, both of his series Lazy Scales and Centre of Magical Affairs feature characters who are also dragons. We talk about how his cold Canadian weather has turned Texas hot and how too many conventions are still canceled. Most importantly, Dan calls himself a friend to monsters. Want to know why? Check out this interview! To learn more about Dan, check out his website https://dmgilmore.carrd.co/.
For episode 31, we featured my friend and fellow nerd J. Lynn Else. Jess tells us all about her love for both Arthurian and Egyptian mythology. She talks about her early Star Trek fan fiction that started her on the path of her original works. If you don’t watch Twitch or YouTube, make sure to do it this time. Jess let us reveal her gorgeous cover for book three in her Awakenings series: Destiny of Avalon. To raise the stakes, I was a horrible host and made her choose between Yoda and Grogu. Let me know what you think of her answer! To find out more about Jess, check out her website www.teasippinnerdymom.com or follow her on FB @teasippinnerdymom or Twitter and IS @JLynnElseAuthor or her new TikTok @jlynnelse.
D.J. Bodden is either Batman or a CIA agent. We never got a straight answer for the record. One way or another, he has a lot of stories to tell about his life and his career in IT and as a writer. Yep, we eventually get around to talking about his science fiction centered FiveFold Universe and his foray into GameRPG. I think we’ll have to have him on a couple more times to get at all the good stories. For now, enjoy D.J. and his inspirational take on the world. To learn more about D.J. check out https://www.facebook.com/FiveFoldUniverse or https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDJBodden.
New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry unwisely agreed to be on this podcast and we are better for it. Find out once and for all if zombies can climb. Discover how creative works from novels to comic books can alter your world view in the best possible way. After winning multiple Bram Stoker awards—among other accolades—Jonathan still agrees to be interviewed by us because of the multiple legendary authors who mentored him. Don’t miss this one! To follow Jonathan and his amusing posts, check out https://www.facebook.com/JonathanMaberry or https://twitter.com/JonathanMaberry. He also has his impressive collection of works listed at http://www.jonathanmaberry.com .
Broadcasted live on Twitch -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/curseddragonship
For episode 28, Mountain Dew fueled Shannen Crane Camp answered questions with flair and humor. Shannen loves all things macabre to the point of honeymooning on a haunted ship. Writing isn’t her only escape. She inspires us with her adventures in video gaming and filming fun videos for YouTube. Also there might be some theft involved. Curious? Good. Shannen is a captivating subject to interview. I have no doubt you’ll have as much fun as I did. To learn more about Shannen and her work, follow her on Twitter or IG @shannencbooks or check out her YouTube channel for fun shenanigans, youtube.com/persephoneplasmids.
Russell Davis had the best answer for “Where do you get your ideas from?” He wove tales around why he’s written under so many pseudonyms, including Jenna Solitaire, with joy and humor. There’s no doubt why Russell is such a great author, because he entertained us with great stories. His years as a mentor through multiple organizations and schools show through in his generous responses. Don’t miss this one! To find out more about Russell, check out his website: rdaviswriter.com.
Kayla Krantz’s interview is short and sweet and quite an interesting glimpse into the mind of a horror writer. Though that’s not all she writes. Kayla talks about her Witch’s Ambition series as well as her Blood Moon trilogy that both hit the fantasy / thriller genre. To find out more about Kayla, follower her on FB @ kaylakrantzwriter or Twitter @kaylathewriter9 or IG @ kayla.krantz .
Writer of the Unexpected Heroes series, Marty C. Lee tells us about how her daughter discovered an old piece of writing and basically demanded that Marty finish it. And so she did. Marty hits us with wisdom she learned from an astronaut as well as why she writes fantasy in particularly. Tune in to hear her creative idea for retooling traditional fairy tales to fit the cultures of her world. I can’t wait to read it. To learn more about Marty, check out her website https://www.mcleebooks.comor follow her on FB @mcleebooks.
One of our favorite interviews ever, William Galaini, writer of multifaceted conflicts and catnapper, entertained us and educated us. His Hellbound series is mind-altering and you have to pick up Trampling in the Land of Woe, the first in the series. Don’t believe me? Listen to the interview; it’s rife with history and gay romance and steampunk machinations and Dante’s Divine Comedy. William’s talent shines through as he answers all our silly questions with grace and humor. He’s a true gem. Check him out on Twitter @wgalaini or check out his author page https://williamljgalaini.com/.
Our guest this week, Theodore Niretac Tinker is a worldbuilder. Words and worlds are his passion; quality and consistency, his goal. For this interview, Tod shows us why he loves animal companions for his characters and why he prefers purple. Always happy to share his knowledge and experience, he offers resources to writers such as his new novel, Fiction Tinker’s Guide to Whimsical Worlds: 21 Tips for Defining your World. Follow Tod on FB @TheodoreNTinker or Twitter @TheodoreNTinker. He’s also a talented editor which we talk about. Learn about his extra hat on FB @TNTinkerEditing or Twitter @TNTinkerEditing.
YA writer and literary agent Ann Rose entertained and educated on this episode. Writing as A.M. Rose, Ann gave us clues on how she nails the young voices in her novels, Road to Eugenica and Breakout. Ann jumped to business answering questions about traditional publishing and finding an agent. We’ve been friends for a few years now. Hence, we might have gotten off topic and just had fun for a bit. That’s kind of the point of this podcast anyway, so we hope you enjoy it as such as we did. Find out more about Ann on her website https://www.amroseauthor.com/aboutor follow her on Twitter @annmrose or FB @A.M.RoseAuthor.
Our guest this week, Edward J. Knight, is the writer of the Mythic West series. If you like westerns with an influx of magic, these are the stories for you. Ed told us about his least favorite chore and had the most creative answer for his favorite ice cream. He loves to play board games with his wife and kids. Tune in to discover his recent favorites. As Ed illustrated his favorite authors, I discovered more books to add to my TBR pile. I adore hanging out with writers. If you do too, don’t miss this one. Learn more about Ed and his fiction on his FB page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100016707738721.
Remember the William Alan Webb interview where he talked about another author who got red shirted (killed in a novel) by each of the 4Horsemen authors? Well, that author turns out to be Larry Hoy and we were lucky enough to have him as our guest for this episode. And you better believe we asked him about that. Larry tells us about Kempo-Karate with his girls and riding motorcycles on a windy, mountain pass with the whole family. Oh yeah, and we talk about his writing too. To find out more about Larry, check out https://larryhoyjr.wordpress.com/.
Award-winning author Laurel McHargue totally embarrassed me with her sweet remarks on the first question. Curious? Then tune in. Laurel had so much to tell us. She publishes and podcasts and raises ducks in the mountains of Colorado. With the technicolor visions in her dreams, Laurel writes in worlds of fantasy and horror. She even shares with us some life lessons she learned while puzzling. Check out more about Laurel on her webpage www.laurelmchargue.comor follow her on Twitter and FB @LeadvilleLaurel. Don’t forget to listen to her podcast Alligator Preserves.
Our guest this week is the entertaining Drew Williams, writer of space opera and recovering bookseller. He was so much fun. You’ll learn about his The Universe After series, why he’s not a fan of Moby Dick, and how he develops his various alien races. Drew gives us the perfect definition of space opera and explains why maybe he shouldn’t meet his characters in real life. To learn more about Drew check out his website http://drewwilliamsirl.com or follow him on Twitter @DrewWilliamsirl .
What a great time we had with Jessica Guernsey! As a contemporary fantasy writer, she tells us why she prefers urban fantasy over epic and where she gets her ideas from. As a slush pile reader with twelve years of experience, she gives us hints and tricks for what editors are looking for in those sacred piles of potential—and what they avoid like the plague. This former professional baker and current extrovert among introverts entertained us with tales of celebrity encounters and questions from the audience. Learn more about Jessica on Twitter @JessGuernsey or at https://jessicaguernsey.com.
We had so much fun with episode 15. If you’re not coming to the live show on Twitch, you’re missing out. Kevin Ikenberry was full of fun stories about his characters and how he uses his Army career to flavor his novels. A core author in the Four Horsemen Universe, Kevin explained what a CASPR is and why we all should be reading these books. I asked about his time as the manager at the US Space Camp and was not disappointed. To find out more about Kevin, check out his website www.kevinikenberry.com or follow him on FB @authorkevinikenberry and Twitter @TheWriterIke.
Episode 14 features Kevin J. Anderson, international bestselling author of, well, everything. He’s published more than 165 books that range anywhere from Star Wars to X-Files to Dune to the Saga of Seven Suns space opera to Dan Shamble, Zombie PI, tongue-in-cheek urban fantasy. Kevin regales us with his signature storytelling as he talks about his steampunk fantasy novels he wrote with Neil Peart. Not only an author, Kevin is also a publisher with his wife Rebecca Moesta. To find out more about Kevin, or KJA as I call him, check out wordfirepress.com or wordfire.com.
For episode 13—which happens to be my lucky number—we were all lucky to get to know Mark Stallings, ink slinger of Wuxia, Fantasy, and Science Fiction. He gives us some trivia wins by explaining what Wuxia—pronounced Woo-sha—means and a bit about its history and importance. Mark tells us how he became a number one bestseller on Amazon as well as the adventures of writing in a shared world, the Four Horseman. With a great reason for why he started writing, Mark explains how he overcomes personal issues to keep the words flowing. Make sure to check out Mark’s newest release on Feb 13th, Prodigal Son. Find out more about Mark on Facebook at facebook.com/markwstallings, on the web at www.markstallings.com, on Patreon at patreon.com/markstallings, or on Amazon at amazon.com/author/markstallings.
We have another special episode for you, the book launch for The Collector by Kelly Lynn Colby. Meet the author, the developmental editor A.F. Hartsell (Ashley), the cover artist Stefanie Saw, and the copyeditor/proofreader Kailey Urbaniak. We still asked the important questions like what is everyone’s favorite ice cream flavor. Kelly reads a sample of the paranormal thriller to whet your appetite. You can follow Kelly on IG, FB, or Twitter @kcolbywrites or read her blog at https://kellylynncolby.com. This was Ashley’s first full length novel as dev editor and she’s eager to get to book two. Check her out on Twitter @Phatekills or on https://Twitch.tv/2dorkstv. Stefanie has created all of Kelly’s covers with her talent selling a lot of books before readers even read the back cover copy. A good cover artist is worth their weight in gold. Check her out at https://seventhstarart.com. Kailey studied her masters in publishing with Kelly. She’s founded her own author services company WIP Publications. Find out all she has to offer here: https://www.wippublications.com.
On episode 11, William Alan Webb regales us with fascinating stories about where his ideas come from and his interactions with his co-writers. Bill says he writes because real work sucks, but let me tell you this author works his behind off pushing out book after book so we stay entertained. As a traditionally published author, Bill tells us about his relationship with his publishers so we get an idea of all sides of the spectrum. I cut off the interview because we were running long, but I could have talked to Bill for another hour. You don’t want to miss this one. Find out more about Bill on his website http://thelastbrigade.com.
Author of crossover epic fantasy and science fiction, Raymond Bolton will delight you with his answers in this interview. Raymond has done everything from flying gliders to eating fire. His diverse life experiences seed his work with creativity rarely seen. Listen to how he was a hairdresser to some pretty famous people and about the over 200 interviews he’s conducted with well-known authors. You’ll definitely want to check out Awakeningand Folder by the time you’re done. Find out more about Raymond on his website at http://www.raymondbolton.com. You can also follow him on social media: FB @RaymondBoltonAuthor and IG @RaymondBoltonAuthor.
This week we interviewed Adam Gaffen, writer of science fiction and reader of everything. He tells us about his five cats and five dogs as well as a bit about Moxie, supposedly a drink popular in Maine. Adam gives us some insight into his Cassidy Chronicles books including the interesting world building and the unique way he interacts with his characters. You can follow Adam on FB @Adam.Gaffen or IG @AdamGaffen.
We have a treat for you this episode. Instead of an interview with one author, we present an author and his cover artist and his audio narrator in celebration of the release of the third book in the Misplaced Mercenaries series: Big Damn Magic. “Heavy lies the head that wears the crown. Heavier still if you add the weight of the basket it’s in.” Meet Kevin Pettway and find out how he creates bad guys who turn into good guys who you’re suddenly rooting for. You can follow him at https://kevinpettway.com. His cover artist, Lena Shore, has done an amazing job emphasizing the feel of his novels. She’s on lenashore.com ready for any of your graphic media needs. Christopher C. Kelly has mastered the timing and myriad voices of Kevin’s vision creating audio bliss. He’s ready to bring his theater talent to your novels. Find him at https://blanketfortvo.com.
Episode seven features Jesse Sprague, writer of dark speculative fiction and creator of sexy spiders. She tells us why spiders, how she likes to vacation, and what constitutes a double medium dog. Jesse describes why she chose an alien invasion where we lose before the book even begins in Beneath 5th City and why adult science fantasy perfectly describes her work. You can follow Jesse on Twitter @Jessespraguex or Facebook @JesseSpragueauthor. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, check out her website: https://jessesprague.com/.
For episode six, we are lucky enough to have Brian Corley, writer of humor disguised as speculative fiction. We talk about his dog Brisket (pretty sure I kept calling her Biscuit), his love of certain TV shows, and how he conquers writer’s block. He adores that science fiction and fantasy are housed together on the same bookshop shelf which makes his paranormal mystery, Ghost Bully, and his space opera, Space Throne, in the same genre as far as he’s concerned. Check Brian out on his website www.brian-corley.com or follow him on Twitter or Instagram @nicebookbrian.
This week we have writer of empathetic characters and high adventure, D.H. Dunn. He extolls the benefits of Honda Ridgelines in Maine, tells us about his video game escapism, and why he starts his books with action. He shares secrets of how the portals are structured in his Fractured Everest series and assures us you can find adventure in your own backyard. Find out more about Dave and his work at dhdunn.com or follow his antics on Twitter @dh_dunn.
This one is a bit long, but worth every second, I promise. Todd Fahnestock is not only an amazing author, but also a talented oral storyteller. In this episode, Todd regales us with tales of his trek across Colorado and what he hopes readers get from his novels. We get the full story on the genesis of his Summer of the Fetch novel as well as an inside look at The Power of Four fantasy series. Follow Todd at www.toddfahnestock.com or on Facebook @todd.fahnestock.
Queen of horror Meg Hafdahl describes her impressively diverse TV favorites, her ideal vacation, and her affinity for the short story format, while giving us insider information on her Willoughby Chronicles trilogy and her nonfiction endeavors exploring the science of all things horror. Follow Meg on Facebook @MegHafdahlAuthor and on Twitter @MegHafdahl or at her personal page https://MegHafdahl.com. You can also listen to her podcast Horror Rewind with Kelly Florence to explore classical and modern horror.
Fantasy author Mari Dietz shares her favorite characters, her favorite foods, and her favorite hobbies as she gives us insider info on her Founders series. Follow Mari on Facebook @maridietzauthor and Instagram @maridietz. Join her newsletter to keep up with her latest work at https://www.subscribepage.com/maridietzauthor.
Jessica Raney is the author of six books. Her latest, The Hard Truth is the follow-up to her Appalachian-Supernatural-Noir novel, Tooth and Nail. Her other works include a zombie Apocalypse adventure, These Violent Delights, and two collections of short stories, Oddballs and Dreadful Pennies. She has also co-written a collection of short, dark fiction, Tales from the Den: Volume I. She loves all things quirky and spooky, and her style could be best described as the intersection of dark comedy, horror, and the fantastical. Originally from southern Ohio, Jessica now lives in Houston, Texas and is active in the Houston Writer’s Guild and Writespace organizations. When not writing or navigating Houston traffic, she’s enjoying the Gulf Coast with friends and her cat/dog/demon/baby, Gimli.