Library At The End Of The World: Recent Episodes
Jim Cobb
Library at the End of the World is hosted by noted survival and preparedness authority Jim Cobb. He's long been a fan of post-apocalyptic and disaster fiction and this show will focus on the books, TV shows, and movies that center on all the ways authors and directors have destroyed the world. We'll be talking about electromagnetic pulse, plague, nuclear war, alien invasion, zombie uprising, and so much more. Reviews, author interviews, even some real world survival and prepper tips along the way.
This is our last episode for a bit, as we're going on hiatus. WE WILL BE BACK! In this week's episode, we're talking about the COVID-19 pandemic and what you should be doing to be better prepared.
Our guest this week is Andrew Shanahan. His new book, Before and After, has a premise I can all but guarantee you've not read before when it comes to end of the world fiction. Then, we move to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about whether cash has a place in your survival kits.
Our guest this week is Xander Cross. He just published his first novel, The Origin of the White Wind, which begins an epic dystopian story. Then, we move to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week focusing on prepping with children.
Our guest this week is prolific author Mel Odom, someone Jim has been reading for years, even when he didn't realize it. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week discussing the living off the land fallacy.
In this week's episode, we're talking about pandemics. Art imitates life, right? We're discussing The Jakarta Pandemic by Steven Konkoly, then the film Contagion. From there, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this time discussing the realities of booby traps.
Our guest this week is author Chuck Rogers. His latest book, Bastard of the Apocalypse: The Earth Died Screaming, is a post-apocalyptic adventure like none other. He tells us about it, as well as his work on the Deathlands series and more. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, where we discuss networking with local preppers.
This week, we're talking with author TL Payne and discussing her Days of Want series, as well as upcoming books and some of her favorite post-apoc stories. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, with some suggestions on being better prepared for what might be a few stressful days or weeks to come.
Our guest this week is Ryan Schow, a very popular and prolific author who has been lighting up the charts lately. He spent a little time with us talking about his books as well as what attracted him to the post-apocalyptic genre. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about whether bugging out is all it is cracked up to be.
Author Boyd Craven makes a return appearance to the show to talk about his Still Surviving series, as well as a few of his other projects. Then, in the Three Minute Survival Tip, we talk about why cotton can kill.
This week, we're talking about a real blast from the past -- Cyborg! This flick was one of Jean-Claude van Damme's early starring roles and is chock full of cheesy goodness. From there, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, where we're discussing how to determine how much money you should spend on your gear.
Our guest this week is Tom Clark, who joins us to talk about his new novella Good Boy. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, where we discuss the importance of reliable sources of information.
This week, Jim talks a bit about the ChiZine Publications situation that's been a hot topic on social media this week, then dives into the TV show Revolution. The Three Minute Survival Tip follows, this time talking about Stray Cat Syndrome and what that could mean to post-collapse survivors.
This week, our guest is Millie Copper and she is talking to us about her new novel series, Havoc in Wyoming. Then, we turn to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week discussing organizing your supplies and equipment.
Alien invasions are on the agenda this week as we speak with Xela Culletto, author of Girl Vs. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about how outrunning the bear doesn't mean much when it comes to preparedness.
And we're back after a short hiatus! This week, since kids are back in school we're talking about a few post-apocalyptic recommendations for students (and all of them are perfectly enjoyable for adults as well). Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week focused on getting your affairs in order.
This week, Jim talks about one of the true classics in the post-apocalyptic genre -- Swan Song by Robert McCammon. Then, the Three Minute Survival Tip, which is focused on communication skills.
This week, we're talking about alien invasion stories that fall under the post-apocalyptic banner. Remember V: The Original Miniseries? How about Battlefield Earth (novel, not the movie)? Fun stuff! Then, in the Three Minute Survival Tip, we're discussing how to decide on a game plan when you are starting on your preparedness journey.
This week, Jim gives something of an overview of young adult survival fiction and talks about a few of his favorites, including Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Then, in the Three Minute Survival Tip, we're talking about improving your tribe.
This week, Jim talks about Trackers, the first in a series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith. A police chief and a Native American tracker hunt down a killer in the Rocky Mountains as the nation falls apart after an EMP strike. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about what to keep in mind as you plan your food storage.
This week, we're talking about one of the most prolific authors in the post-apocalyptic genre, William W. Johnstone. His Ashes series lasted for a few dozen installments and had impacts beyond just the genre. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week discussing survival improvisation.
Our guest this week is Jeff Thomson. His Pressure series takes a look at what might happen if/when the Yellowstone Supervolcano erupts. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about group leadership.
Our guest this week is author Richard Hummel. He joins us to talk about his first novel, Radioactive Evolution, which is a post-apocalyptic story in the LitRPG genre. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip where we discuss the importance of reliable sources of information.
Well, we were away for a bit but we're back now! This week, we're talking with Ginger Booth about her Feral Recruit novel and how it fits into her Calm Act super series. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about not worrying about things that won't matter.
This week, we're talking about one of the best post-apocalyptic cartoons to ever air on Saturday mornings -- Thundarr, the Barbarian! Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week focused on prepping for potential job loss.
This week, our guest is Sergio Gomez. His book, The Chaos, is sort of a cross between I Am Legend by Richard Matheson and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about post-collapse bartering.
Our guest this week is Jack Hunt. He's written a boatload of really great post-apocalyptic tales and took time out of his busy schedule to chat about a few of them. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, where we talk about the dangers of arrogance.
This week, we're talking with Charley Hogwood. His first published novel, The Unraveling, is getting rave reviews on Amazon and is about a pandemic that sweeps the country. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about financial preparedness.
This week, a small tribute to Luke Perry by way of a review of Jeremiah, a post-apocalyptic cable show he starred in. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip in which we're discussing foods that last damn near forever in your pantry.
We're flying without a guest this week. Jim reviews White Fire by Brian Keene and Last Day by Bryan Smith. Then, we move to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about a couple of survival myths.
Our guest this week is filmmaker Tom Huckabee. He has recently released an updated and finalized version of Taking Tiger Mountain, a film that was first begun decades ago and stars Bill Paxton. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip where we're talking about intangible assets.
Our guest this week is Michael Kilman. He is the author of a series called the Chronicles of the Great Migration. The first book is Mimi of the Nowhere. This story takes place in a future after the world has been decimated by climate change. Giant walking cities travel around, seeking valuable resources and evading storms and other threats. Mimi has a gift, one that she thought set her entirely apart from everyone else. She finds out that’s not entirely the case. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip where we discuss vehicle emergency kits for winter travel.
Our guest this week is Lindsey Frantz, author of The Upworld. It is an interesting take on how society might evolve a great deal of time after a major war. Then, we move to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week discussing where you might scavenge supplies after the apocalypse.
Our guest this week is Meredith Pritchard. She's written a series called The Phoenix Project that is likely to be of great interest to many of our listeners. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip where we talk about how important it is to make your preparedness plans personal.
This week, our guest is Matthew Mather. He's written a ton of great stuff, including more than a couple of novels that fit in nicely with our post-apocalyptic focus. We chatted about his books as well as his writing process. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about DIY weather forecasting.
This week, our guest is Jacqueline Druga. She is a very prolific writer as well as just a blast to speak with. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week on how to get the prepping buy in from family and friends.
Our guest this week is Jeff Zimmerman. His book, Civilization: United We Stand, he likens to The Terminator. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about the survival mindset.
This week, our guest is Kristin Ward. Her book, After the Green Withered, and the sequel, Burden of Truth, look at what society might be like after a century of ever-greater natural disasters have resulted in a massive drought. To keep with the hydration theme, the Three Minute Survival Tip is focused on being prepared for water needs in a crisis.
This is our final show for 2018! This week, Jim talks about one of his favorite end of the world flicks, Tomorrow, When the War Began. It is what many have said is the Australian version of Red Dawn. Then, the Three Minute Survival Tip, which is focused on situational awareness.
Our guest this week is D.M. Wozniak. He is the author of The Perihelion Complete Duology, a story that takes place just a few decades from now. It involves, among other things, genetic manipulation and combining human and animal DNA. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week focusing on protecting your finances.
Our guest this week is Jeff Kirkham, co-author of a new novel titled Black Autumn. This book has been making some pretty big waves in the prepper community and Jeff was kind enough to sit down and talk about the development of the book, how it worked having two authors on the book, and how personal this project is for him. Then, we move into the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week about survival caches.
This week, we're talking to Javan Bonds. His zombie series, Still Alive, is quite a unique take on the genre. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week talking about improvising versus planning.
This time around, we're dipping back into the zombie subgenre and chatting with Melissa Wood. Her Alive? series takes an interesting look at the undead and, well, the kinda undead. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip where we are discussing why cotton garments might not be wise when you're headed into the field.
This week, we're talking to Patricia Loofbourrow. Her Red Dog Conspiracy series is wide-ranging and ambitious, beginning in the present day and extending a thousand years into the future. Then, the Three Minute Survival Tip is on weather forecasting.
This week, we start off with a heartfelt tribute to Stan Lee, a legend who's work no doubt inspired more than a few authors who have made appearances here. Then, we talk to author Nicholas Morine, who's book Arcade Rat has been favorably compared to Ready Player One. The Three Minute Survival Tip is on disaster cleanup.
This week, we're looking far into the future, about 1,000 years or so. What might the world look like after disasters and such have changed the landscape and society itself? Find out as we talk to author Ana Levley about her book Beasts. Then, we discuss hidden storage places around the home in the Three Minute Survival Tip.
Our one-year anniversary episode! That's right, we've managed to stick around for a solid year. How awesome is that? In this episode, Jim talks about some of his favorite interviews and a few plans he has going forward. Plus, there just might be something about a giveaway?
This week, we're talking to one of the pioneers of prepper fiction, Bobby Akart. He was one of the first breakout stars in the genre and remains one of the most popular authors in the niche. We talked about his books, his writing process, and the genre itself. The Three Minute Survival Tip is on how to put together a workplace emergency kit.
In the last episode, we covered a brief history of the post-apocalyptic genre. This time around, we're delving a little deeper into a couple of the sub-genres that developed, Men's Adventure in the 1980s and the Prepper Fiction that is very popular today. They are actually pretty closely related, as you'll see in this short episode. In the Three Minute Survival Tip, we're talking about the skills vs. stuff debate.
Something a little different for our show this week. A few weeks back, I was a guest on the You've Got to be Kidding Me podcast and had a great time with Tom and Skip on that show. We decided we'd do a true crossover event and have them on my show as well. We chatted about our favorite post-apocalyptic books, the genre as a whole, and had some laughs along the way.
This week, we're taking a stroll through history. Post-apocalyptic fiction has been around far longer than many people realize. Let's take a look at how we got to where we are today and talk a bit about the different sub-genres in the niche. Then, in the Three Minute Survival Tip, we close out National Preparedness Month with some info that will help keep you and your family safe during emergencies.
This week, we're talking zombies with William Schlichter, author of the No Room in Hell series. He's an educator and we had a really good talk about the genre as well as his books. The Three Minute Survival Tip is a continuation of our honoring National Preparedness Month.
We're talking zombies again this week, but these walkers are a little bit different than the typical ones we see in the genre. Author Armand Rosamilia tells us about his Dying Days series as well as about the Project Entertainment Network, the folks who give the Library here a home.
Most post-apocalyptic fiction is either focused on the disaster and immediate aftermath or the story takes place several decades or more later. What about that middle ground? How does society right itself and get back to some semblance of normalcy? This week, we talk with author Deidre Gould who tackles those questions in her After the Cure series. In the Three Minute Survival Tip, we begin the observance of National Preparedness Month.
A short episode this week, perfect for that quick bus ride to work. Jim talks about some of his earliest influences, especially a few books by John Christopher, and how life often seems to circle back to things. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week might be the most important one you'll ever hear.
What if you could eliminate any need for obtaining resources like food, water, and shelter? You'd never have to worry about paying bills or finding your one true love. The catch is you'd have to give up your physical existence and live out your life as a digital being. If you refuse, you're hunted down. Suddenly, doesn't sound quite so awesome, right? That's the premise of Forced Conversion by Donald J. Bingle. We talk with him about this book and his thoughts on the genre itself. Then, we move over to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week on learning basic navigation.
Dystopia is on the agenda once again this week. This time around, we're talking with Janet McNulty, who has written one full trilogy in this genre and has another in the works. Then, we move to the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week about feeding stray cats?
We're visiting the dystopian genre again this week, this time a future where the very air has become poisonous. My guest is Aaron Frale and his Atmospheric Pressure series will take your breath away. Okay, yeah, that was admittedly REALLY corny. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week talks about the realities of self-defense.
This week we're delving into dystopian fiction. Our guest is Alison Ingleby, a British author who has two books out so far in her Wall series. Dystopian fiction might differ in subtle ways from post-apocalyptic fiction but they live next door to one another. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week discusses the vital difference between preparing and improvising.
What was the last post-apocalyptic story you read that was written solely or predominantly from the female perspective? Yeah, I thought so. Our guest this week is Shelby Gallagher, author of The Divide, the first in a planned trilogy called A Great State. It is written from the perspective a single mom trying to keep her son alive as the world falls apart around her. Stick around for the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week discussing the realities of planning for post-collapse bartering.
Jim is back this week, having finally shaken off the Captain Tripps virus. He is joined by L Douglas Hogan, author of the Tyrant series as well as Oath Keepers. They talk about those books as well as prepper fiction in general. Stick around for the Three Minute Survival Tip, this time discussing resource conservation in survival situations.
Listeners get to meet Pepper in this episode. She's taking over Jim's hosting duties today as Jim's voice isn't doing well. Our guest this week is Jeff Motes, who has written a series called Once Upon an Apocalypse. What happens when those who prepare for the end of the world are put to the test when an EMP strikes? Stick around for the Three Minute Survival Tip which is about why you should trust your gut.
This time around, we're talking prepper fiction again, but with a slight twist. Imagine a story with all the drama and action, but without being bogged down by endless intricate descriptions of every piece of gear the characters use. Patti (P.A.) Glaspy joins us this week to talk about her Powerless World series, her post-apocalyptic fiction inspirations, and the importance of writing about regular, everyday people. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week is all about prepper tourist traps and how to avoid them.
Zombies are on the menu once again here at the Library at the End of the World. These aren't the run of the mill zeds, though. Depending upon where they originated, they have different abilities and such. Pretty interesting twist, actually. Join us as author Brian King, writing as E.E. Isherwood, talks about his Sirens of the Apocalypse series. Be sure to stick around for the Three Minute Survival Tip, too!
Prepper fiction has become sort of the modern equivalent of the old "Men's Adventure" post-apocalyptic novels and series from the 1980s. But rather than a nuclear holocaust taking out the country, it is usually EMP, though occasionally pandemics or terrorist attacks crop up. My guest this week is Chris Weatherman, a.k.a. A. American, author of the Going Home series and sort of a founding father of the modern prepper fiction genre. After the interview, stick around for the Three Minute Survival Tip, which is about preparedness prioritization.
Let's take a tour through the irradiated wastelands, shall we? Don't worry, we'll be safe in our high-tech LandMaster vehicles, complete with 12 wheels, rockets, and more. That's right, folks, it is time to visit Damnation Alley! Join myself and my buddy Josh Haney from No Fate Survival as we talk about this true gem from the late 1970s. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week talks about a few common prepper mistakes and what to do about them.
Beyond just the sheer body counts involved in world-ending catastrophes, horror and the apocalypse often go hand in hand. Our guest this week, Jon Merz, has started a new series that illustrates what might happen if vampires were real and they brought about the downfall of society. Then, for the Three Minute Survival Tip, Jim talks about the realities of using booby traps as security devices.
Underground or otherwise hidden survival bunkers are a popular trope in post-apocalyptic fiction. Often, it is what happens once the survivors re-enter the world at large that the fun begins. The Children of Apis series features just such a story. Author John Raposa joins Jim to talk about his series and more. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week features a discussion on situational awareness.
No interview this week but a quick discussion about one of Jim's favorite post-apocalypse series from the 80s - The Warlord by Jason Frost. Imagine California even goofier than normal, separated from North America by a series of quakes and covered in a dome of impenetrable chemicals and radiation. Fun times, my friend, fun times.
Remember the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas? Hard to believe it has been 25 years already. Jerry Gordon's debut novel, Breaking the World, examines a slightly different version of the events we heard from the media. What if the predictions by the compound's leader, David Koresh, came true? What if the end of the world was truly coming as he foretold? Three teens, all of them non-believers, learn the truth and fight to survive. Then, the Three Minute Survival Tip discusses how to handle the aftermath of defending yourself in a violent encounter.
This week, we're talking zombies once again. Author Rich Baker joins us to fill us in on his Zed's World series. We also talk a bit about making a living as a writer. The Three Minute Survival Tip this time around is on choosing backup gear.
Community, either the continuation of an existing one in the face of disaster or the formation of a new one in the aftermath of collapse is a running theme in post-apocalyptic fiction. This week, author Joseph Hansen joins us to talk about his Zombie Rush series. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week is on researching government emergency plans.
After an absence last week, we are back! This week, we're talking with Brian Parker, author of several books, both traditionally as well as self-published. His Path of Ashes series has hints of the classic Swan Song by Robert McCammon and is definitely worth checking out.
Zombies have risen, once again, and threaten our very existence! In this episode, we sit down with author Joseph Zuko, whose series The Infected takes an interesting look at the whole fast zombie vs slow zombie debate. Let's put it this way, after hearing what he had to say about his series, I'm ready to give zombie fiction another try!
Some authors want to entertain, others want to inform, and occasionally some do both. Our guest this week is Sara Hathaway, author of the Changed Earth series. She falls firmly into that third category. Engaging stories with actual survival and preparedness information scattered throughout.
The mid-1980s was a fun time for those of us who were, and still are, fans of post-nuke action and adventure. Mutants, gun fights, car chases, all that great stuff was available in spades. The Endworld series by David Robbins was right there in the thick of it, though it had a few unique spins that served to separate it from the rest. This week, I sat down with David and talked about Endworld, how his other series are connected to it, and some other fun stuff.
Let's say there were a global catastrophe of some sort. What would descendants of survivors decades from now think about us? Would they have been taught anything about their history? In this week's episode, we talk with Matthew Cox about his book The Forest Beyond the Earth, in which a 12 year old girl discovers there's a world far beyond what she's known. We also talk about Cox's Roadhouse Chronicles, filled with car chases, flying bullets, and other fun stuff.
One interesting aspect of post-apocalyptic fiction is how one disaster can lead into the next and how characters deal with that. Rarely is it just a single cause, such as a pandemic or nuclear event. Instead, there is often a domino effect. This week, we interviewed author DJ Cooper and talked about her Dystopia series, which highlights this domino effect as one disaster leads to the next.
A little change of pace this week. Instead of a book or movie, we're talking about a little card game called CONFLICTED! Highly popular among the prepper and survival crowd, as well as with gamers in general, CONFLICTED is all about balancing your morals and ethics with your survival needs after a major collapse. What would you be willing to do in order to survive? Jim sits down with Shanna and Joshua Wiscombe, two of the people behind the scenes at CONFLICTED, to discuss how the game was developed, how it is played, and more.
Authors and filmmakers have many visions of how societies may form and operate after a world-changing disaster. Most often, it isn't a vision of sunshine and rainbows, either. This week, we're talking with Barry Hunt, director of the independent film The Further Adventures of Anse and Bhule in No-Man's Land. The movie is set many years after a major calamity and focuses on a small group of survivors who were children who have now grown up without the influence of adults. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week is all about off-grid cooking.
A slight change in pace this week as we didn't include an interview. Instead, Jim gabs for a bit about his favorite post-apoc movies and why they are so cool. The Three Minute Survival Tip this week is the importance of keeping your survival plans realistic.
Some folks like their apocalypse filled with fantasy. Others prefer a gritty, realistic look at what could happen and how it could all shake out. This week, we're talking with Dave McIntyre, author of The Fall series as well as winner of Alone (season 2) on The History Channel. We talk about the creation of The Fall series, the importance of realism in fiction, and some of his experiences during his 66 day stay on Vancouver Island.
Like the idea of mashing together the supernatural and the end of the world? Be sure to check out this week's episode as Jim sits down with Josh Matthews, author of the Hell Gate series, to talk about what happens when demons from Hell invade our world. The Three Minute Survival tip this week is on how to find and network with local preppers in your area.
In this week's episode, we spend some time with prolific author Boyd Craven. He has written more than 30 books in just the last few years, with more on the way. From EMP to gritty sci-fi dystopian tales, he covers them all. Jim and Boyd discuss some of those stories as well as writing styles, survival advice, and the importance of hope in post-apocalyptic fiction. The Three Minute Survival Tip this time around is about getting friends and family on board with prepping.
In this installment, we're finally discussing one of the most popular post-apocalyptic themes - ZOMBIES! Allen Gamboa joins Jim to talk about his Operation Zulu series and undead fiction in general - why it is popular and how hard could it be to survive a zombie pandemic? The Three Minute Survival Tip this week is focused on choosing a knife for your survival kit.
In many dystopian tales, science is the culprit for the downfall. Often, the eggheads were trying to make things better and it just didn't go as planned. This week, Jim talks to Ashleigh Reynolds. Her series, beginning with Paroxysm Effect, looks at what would happen if mankind had been freed of negative emotions and violence for decades, and then suddenly those feelings came rushing back at once. This week's Three Minute Survival Tip talks about the importance of having comfort foods in the pantry.
This time around, we're talking about the ultra-violent and sometimes sleazy "men's adventure" post-apocalyptic stories. The high-octane car chases, blazing gun battles, and more often than not a little eye candy waiting for the hero's return. Eric Compton, reviewer of PaperbackWarrior.com sits down with Jim to talk about the Outrider series by Richard Harding, one of their favorites of the men's adventure books from back in the day. The Three Minute Survival tip after the interview is all about planning for communication during a disaster.
In this week's installment, we're talking a little about sailing, a little about wilderness survival, and a little about the end of the world. Join us as Scott Williams tells us how he transitioned from writing survival manuals to engaging and entertaining novels and how he went from working with a traditional publisher to doing it all himself. Plus, the Three Minute Survival Tip, this week featuring a quick discussion on emergency kits for the vehicle.
Putting a paranormal slant on post-apocalyptic fiction isn't necessarily new but it isn't all that commonplace. This week, Jim chats with Acacia Parker, whose book RECESS has an interesting combination of a journey through a ravaged world with decidedly paranormal elements. For the weekly survival tip, we're talking about how to stock up on prescription medications.
This time around, we're talking about the theme of isolation in post-apocalyptic fiction. Many stories and movies revolve around the "last man on earth" scenario. Jim interviews Andrew Barker, a British filmmaker whose film A RECKONING is a brilliant portrayal of solitude. And, of course, the weekly Three Minute Survival Tip, this week featuring a discussion on post-collapse barter & trade.
PANDEMIC by Yvonne Ventresca is one of Jim's favorite disaster books. While geared toward the Young Adult crowd, it isn't filled with fluff, rainbows, and unicorns. Instead, we have the Blue Flu, a virus that leaves infected patients gasping for air. This week, Jim sits down with Yvonne to talk about the book, pandemics in general, and why Young Adult disaster fiction seems to be all the rage.
In this installment, Jim talks a bit about the different sorts of time frames or settings for post-apocalyptic fiction. He then chats at length with Sean Ellis, author of CAMP ZERO. They talk about that book, action stories in general, and playing in other creators' sandboxes. And, of course the weekly Three Minute Survival Tip.
This week's installment is all about movies. The Road Warrior, Escape from New York, Exterminators in the Year 3000, the list of classics, some more dubious than others, goes on and on. Jim chats with David J Moore, author of WORLD GONE WILD, the definitive guide to post-apocalyptic films. Jim also reveals a helpful hint or two for those participating in the Library at the End of the World Shameless Bribe Contest.
In episode 5, the focus is on post-apocalyptic communities. While the lone wolf Road Warrior is fun to read about, small villages and groups are interesting, too. There's a lot to take into account when writing about a survival community, from the group's structure to division of labor. Author Kristan Cannon joins Jim to talk about her Kingdom of Walden series, which focuses on a community in Northern Ontario after a major societal collapse. Also, details on how to win the Library at the End of the World Shameless Bribe contest!
In our 4th installment, we're talking about Young Adult disaster fiction. There's an awful lot of it coming out these days and much of it is quite good. We touch on The Hunger Games and a couple of others. Then, Jim interviews Mike Mullin, author of the Ashfall series, and among other things they discuss what happens when the supervolcano underneath Yellowstone National Forest finally blows?
In episode 3, The Road Warrior is on the menu. Jim talks about the first time he saw Max and his sawed off double barrel shotgun and the impact it had on him. Author Adam J Whitlatch is the guest this week. His book, THE WELLER, is very much the literary equivalent of The Road Warrior. Adam and Jim discuss the inspirations behind THE WELLER as well as the enduring popularity of post-apocalyptic books and movies.
In our second installment, Jim begins the show with talking about his theories on why end of the world fiction is so popular.
Then, the focus shifts over to prepper fiction, such as how it is different from other types of end of the world stories and what is the Prepper Fiction Checklist.
From there, Jim talks to popular prepper fiction author Franklin Horton, author of Borrowed World.
They discuss how that series began, what prompted the writing of the books, and how realistic the plot might actually be.
Jim wraps up with the Three Minute Survival Tip, this time discussing the importance of water.
In the premier episode, host Jim Cobb discusses his early discovery of post-disaster fiction and the influences on his own career as a disaster readiness consultant. He also interviews Sharon Ahern, co-author of THE SURVIVALIST book series and learns how she and her husband Jerry plotted the stories, researched products that were featured, and just how much real life was inserted into those stories.
The Library at the End of the World is hosted by noted survival and preparedness authority Jim Cobb. He's long been a fan of post-apocalyptic and disaster fiction and this show will focus on the books, TV shows, and movies that center on all the ways authors and directors have destroyed the world. We'll be talking about electromagnetic pulse, plague, nuclear war, alien invasion, zombie uprising, and so much more. Reviews, author interviews, even some real world survival and prepper tips along the way.
Fridays on Project Entertainment Network