Prickly Pens Podcast: Recent Episodes
Michelle Monkou, Gabby Samuels, Julia Canchola
Prickly Pens Podcast is a platform of discussions with three friends who are also authors on the writing journey: Michelle Monkou, Julia Canchola, Gabby Samuels. During each episode, each co-host will add to the discussion around, not only the writing journey, but issues and topics of our lives. Michelle Monkou is a multi-published author, USA TODAY Best Selling author, and former president and board member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). She has published over 25 titles and currently writing urban fantasy and epic fantasy. She is co-founder of That Joyful Spark, LLC which is an author coaching and creative coaching service.Julia Canchola is a former teacher and romance writer. She's an avid fan of Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz, and many others. She was an RWA Golden Heart Finalist in the Short Contemporary category. Julia graduated with a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland; and earned her MA in Education at Johns Hopkins University. She's currently working on a paranormal romance story.Gabby Samuels is a recent graduate of the University of London, SOAS with an MA in Korean Studies. Her BA was in Asian Studies with a minor in Languages and Linguistics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she studied abroad for a year in South Korea. She plans to pursue her Ph.D in Korean History and Culture, and along the way is writing her first action-adventure fantasy book. She is the co-founder of That Joyful Spark, LLC coaching service.
This week, we talk about the first book of Amish Tripathi's 'Shiva Trilogy'.
Shiva Trilogy
Social Media:
Aria Bancroft IG
Gabby's IG
Julia's IG
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This week, we talk about "The Stolen Wealth of Slavery: A Case for Reparations" by David Montero and African Europeans: An Untold Story by Olivette Otele.
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This week, we talk about the growing popularity of the romantasy sub-genre.
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This week, we talk about romantic comedies through the decades and Valentine's Day.
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This week, we talk about Hank Green's "An Absolutely Remarkable Thing" book 1 of the Carl Saga.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
Check out Vlogbrothers
Project For Awesome
Partners For Health
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Happy 2024! This week, we talk about tropes, themes, and plot point we hope disappear in 2024.
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This week, we talk about our thoughts on 2023 and talk about our favorite books, films, and tv shows.
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This week, we talk about the holiday movies we watched this year and some holiday traditions from around the world.
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This week, we talk about action adventure stories and why we love the genre.
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This week, we talk about the biopic A Million Miles Away based on Mexican-American astronaut Jose M. Hernandez's autobiography 'Reaching for the Stars.'
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This week, we discuss cosmic horror and all of the elements that are now in modern horror.
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This week, we discuss The Ritual, the book by Adam Nevill and the 2017 film adaptation.
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This week, we talk about classic literature and whether they are still relevant.
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This week, we talk about some movies & books we enjoyed: Annihilation, Jack Reacher, and Red, White, & Royal Blue.
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This week, we talk about our favorite underrated books, films, TV shows, and video games.
Underrated Favorites:
The World's End
Stonehearst Asylum
Oldboy
Miracle Workers
Severance
Alice in Borderland
Prey (video game)
A Discovery of Witches
The Eight
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This week, we talk about realty TV, how it came about and its impact on TV and society today.
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This week, we are joined by fantasy author L.L. Stephens, discussing her 3rd book in the Triempery Series, "The Second Stone."
To Connect with L.L. Stephens:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
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This week, we explore police procedural and talk about some of our favorite shows.
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This week, we talk about what we've been talking about over our hiatus and our recommendations.
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This week, we're back from our hiatus. Listen to our recap and plans going forward for the podcast.
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we discussed fantasy book "The Elven" by Bernhard Hennen & James A. Sullivan, translated by Edwin Miles. We loved it!
We also make a big announcement! Happy New Year!
Buy "The Elven" on Amazon
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we chat about the holiday movies we watched this year and our recommendations.
To Connect with Prickly Pens:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we talk about the found family plot device/trope in storytelling. We also chat about some of our favorite stories with found family.
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we talk about Sherlock Holmes and the many adaptations.
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we talk about dragons and similar reptilian monsters in storytelling. We discuss dragons in folklore and their transition as folk monsters to prominent prominent antagonists in fantasy stories.
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This week, we talk about the Man vs. Nature plot. We discuss why man vs. nature stories are so popular, analyze the theme, and their development into the disaster movie.
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we discuss spiders in folklore, literature, and storytelling overall. We talk about why they're used so much in stories, our generally negative perspective, and what it means in our storytelling.
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we talk about "Big Chicas Don't Cry" by Annette Chavez Macias. The story focuses on four cousins , Mari, Erica, Selena, and Gracie, where they navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family in a heartfelt family drama. We discuss our opinions on the story and what we enjoyed about it.
If you want to pick up Big Chicas Don't Cry:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Audible
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we are joined by fantasy author L. L. MacRae and audiobook narrator/voice actor R. J. Bayley. We discuss MacRae's The Iron Crown, Book1 of the Dragon Spirits series. We also discuss the audiobook of The Iron Crown narrated by R. J. Bayley.
The Iron Crown & the audiobook is available now >> Here
To Connect with L. L. MacRae:
Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Amazon
To Connect with R. J. Bayley:
Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Bayley's Bookshelf Podcast
To Connect with Prickly Pens:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we discuss what makes Us so scared when watching/reading a horror story. We talk about the art of writing fear and how some monsters stay so memorable. We also chat about our favorite horror movies, shows, and games.
Happy Halloween!
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we talk about fairies in folklore and literature. We discuss the history and origins of fairies in worldwide human folklore and how it developed into being part of so many modern stories.
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
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This week, we discuss the damaging history of book banning and burnings. We also talk about the cultural impact of book banning, the destruction of other art overall, and today's new wave of book banning as a means of control.
To Connect with Prickly Pens:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we are joined by intuitive and spiritual mentor and coach Allison Sutter. We discuss Sutter's book "Accelerate Your Mojo," changing your perceptive, and accepting one's self.
To connect with Allison Sutter:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Youtube
To Connect with Prickly Pens:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we are joined by authors Astrid V. J., Joan T. Seko, and M. J. Krause-Chivers. We discuss their contributions to the "Children of War" anthology.
In the "Children of War" anthology, a diverse group of authors from around the globe bring you a multi-genre collection of short stories about children trapped in war. Includes literary fiction, fantasy, historical fiction and memoir.
The stories in this collection have been crafted to honor those affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and support their healing in the future.
To read "Children of War":
Children of War - Available on Amazon
All proceeds of this anthology will be donated in perpetuity to Voices of Children Foundation in Ukraine or another similar charity. Donate here:
Voices of Children Foundation
To connect with the authors we chatted with:
Astrid V. J.
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Joan T. Seko
Website
Facebook
M. J. Krause-Chivers
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Elena Shelest
Website
Twitter
Instagram
To connect with Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we are joined by L. L. Stephens. We discuss Stephens' beautifully written, epic, age fantasy "Sordaneon," Book1 of 'The Triempery Revelations' series, diving int, story development, world building, lore, themes, and future plans of the awesome series.
Book 2 - The Kheld King is now available on Amazon
To Connect with L. L. Stephens:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Amazon
To connect with Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we are joined by A.M. Scott, author of the Folding Space series, starting with "Lightwave: Clock," & military veteran romance under Anne M. Scott. We chat about Scott's space operas, military veteran romance, love of science fiction, career as an US Air Force Operator, hobbies, inspirations and charity work with Team Rubicon.
To connect with A.M. Scott:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon
BookBub
Merchandise - Folding Space Series
Email: am@amscottwrites.com
Check out Team Rubicon: nonprofit led by military veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams and immediate relief across the United States and around the world to provide to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.
Charity Book Series: Shock Point Series, Book 1: Ruptured
To connect with Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we talk about aquatic monsters and myths, Mermaids, Nymphs, Selkies, and Harpies.
To connect Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
Happy 1 Year Anniversary!
This week, we talk about our love and defense of the 'Hero' in literature. We discuss why true and good heroes are still important, complex, and still worth exploring in contemporary stories.
Thanks for listening!
To connect Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we talk about sea monster stories centered around the kraken and leviathan. We discuss the differences of the the kraken and leviathan, how creepy the open ocean can be, and the great stories that can grow from it.
This week, we chat about the dystopian setting, how they're used in storytelling and how they're almost a character of their own. We also discuss how science fiction settings in stories show how different eras fantasized the idea of "futuristic" technology.
To connect Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we chat with award-winning podcaster and creative entrepreneur, Joanna Penn, who writes non-fiction for authors. Joanna is also an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. We discuss Joanna's career, the early days of self publishing, and the growth of the self publishing industry.
To connect with Joanna Penn:
The Creative Penn = Non-Fiction
J. F. Penn = Fiction
The Creative Pen Podcast
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
Amazon
To connect Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we talk about the man vs. science/tech' themes and stories in science fiction. We discuss the points the stories try to get across, how it reflects society, and how it has become a compelling and popular plot device.
First photos of the James Webb Space Telescope >>> NASA
To connect Prickly Pens Podcast:
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Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we are joined by women's fiction, romance, and mystery fiction author Patricia McLinn. We discuss McLinn's writing journey, the methods of plotting and story development, and her inspiration for writing.
Latest releases: "Proof of Innocence," of the Innocence Trilogy & "Cross Talk" part of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series
To connect with Patricia McLinn:
Website: https://www.patriciamclinn.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaMcLinn
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PatriciaMcLinn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patriciamclinnauthor/
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BjVKoh
Podcast: https://authorslovereaders.libsyn.com
Contact Prickly Pens Podcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PricklyPensPod/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatjoyfulspark/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PricklyPensPodcast/
Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we are joined by award-winning historical fiction and young adult writer Eileen Charbonneau, discussing heritage, exploring family stories, and past and writing projects.
To connect with Eileen Charbonneau:
Website: https://eileencharbonneau.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenCharbonneauAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eileenc1988
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ziSIPM
Email: eileencharbonneau@gmail.com
Contact Prickly Pens Podcast
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PricklyPensPod/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thatjoyfulspark/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PricklyPensPodcast/
Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com
This week, we chat about what makes Man vs. Beast stories so compelling. From 'The Birds' to 'Jaws' to 'Alien' to 'Jurassic Park' we chat about why these themes keep us so enthralled in the story.
This week, we continue our International Book List with Rebecca Roanhorse's "Trail of Lightning," discussing how much we enjoyed the story and our inability to put it down.
Rebecca Roanhorse's "Trail of Lightning": https://amzn.to/3At7HHO
This week, we discuss what makes a piece of work a masterpiece. We also talk about why it's a masterpiece and the various ideas and biases we have towards the label and definition.
This week, we discuss the romantic comedy genre. We talk about the history, the genre, and why it the romantic comedy is so fun to watch. We also gush about a favorite books, movies, and tv shows.
This week, we are discussing ghosts and ghost stories. We focus on how they evolved through our human cultures and what they represent in storytelling today. We also talk about a few ghost stories of our own.
This week, we discuss the 2002-2015 comic book series Fables. We also chat about the retelling of fair tell stories and why the are (and sometimes not) compelling.
This week, we talk about another folktale creature, the wendigo. We talk about the video game, Until Dawn and the wendigo creature that was the main villain in the horror game. We also discuss folklore and old monsters we still write stories about.
This week, we are joined by fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal author Sherrilyn Kenyon (a.k.a. Sherrilyn McQueen). We chat about her career, life, and future writing projects. Enjoy!
Sherrilyn Kenyon's Website: https://www.sherrilynkenyon.com
Join Sherrilyn's Kickstarter: yearofacheron.com
This week, we chat about Kresley Cole's "The Warlord Wants Forever" part of the Immortals After Dark series and the paranormal romance genre overall. We also talk about breathing deeper.
This week, we discuss zombies in media. We talk about the origins of zombies, related to Haitian and African folklore, and how they became popular with western audiences. We also chat about our favorite zombie movies and the overall genre in books, video games, and film.
This week, we discuss "The Call" by fantasy author Peadar O' Guilin which we just absolutely loved reading.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/38MYzSw
This week, we talk about the King Arthur myths and chat about the stories and motifs that grew from it. We also talk about stoicism and how to overcome obstacles with this philosophy.
This week, we chat about Polish fantasy author Andrzej Sapkowski and his work the Witcher series. We discuss the different mediums the book has been adapted for and what we love about the world of Witcher.
This week, we talk about about Alan Moore and his works. Discussing League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Watchmen, and V for Vendetta, we focus on the themes of his works and how the film and television adaptations told his stories for broader audiences. We go on to discuss other book to film adaptations and the interpretations by different mediums.
This week, we are joined by fantasy author Angela J. Ford. We chat about the writing process, exploring the fantasy genre, choosing book covers, and Angela J. Ford's books, "Lured By The Dusk" and "Treachery of Water." Enjoy!
This week, we are joined by our friend and fellow podcaster Che Marville. We chat about travel, life experiences, and looking at things from a different perspective.
This week, the Prickly Pens Podcast is joined by romance and women's fiction author Celeste O. Norfleet. We chat about her 2019 book "One Night In Georgia," the creative process, and future projects.
This week, we discuss werewolf stories, legends, and myths, and how they became popular in our story telling.
This week, we discuss animation as a medium for storytelling and how it can be utilized more to tell serious stories.
This week, we discuss anti-heroes and their growing popularity as a character trope. We talk about how they came about, who the first anti-heroes were, and why they are in all of our books, movies, and tv shows.
This week, we have a fun discussion on our favorite scenes in our most beloved books, movies, and tv shows. We talk about what makes them so compelling and how they help tell really good stories, no matter what medium of storytelling.
This week, we are joined by author Jane Sevier. We discuss our writing processes, how we stay focused, how we unwind, and how we get inspired to write. We also have a fun chat about travel and trying new things.
This week, we have a relaxed discussion about the mystery genre and how it's evolved. We also talk about how mystery has been used in storytelling, becoming one of the most popular plot devices.
This week, we are joined by fantasy author A. L. Knorr to celebrate the launch of "A Blossom at Midnight." We also discuss "Born of Aether," part of our International Book List.
This week, we discuss the next book on Gabby's international fantasy and sci-fi reading list, "Akata Witch" by Nnedi Okorafor. We talk about our favorite bits and dive deep into fantasy writing styles.
This week, we talk about the Matrix Trilogy & Resurrections, with many tangents along the way.
This week, we discuss the rise of reality television, our cultural obsession of the elite, and our collective love of juicy drama.
This week, we talk about "The Fifth Season" by N. K. Jemisin for Gabby's International Fantasy & Science Fiction Book List.
This week, we chat about the film and book Nomadland, the RV/nomad life, and our plans for 2022, along with guest speakers Kris and Carey Monkou sharing their experience as digital nomads. Happy New Year!
Every year, tons of holiday themed films are made. For this week, we talk about some of our favorites to watch and some we don't recommend so much. It's all in the name of fun. Happy Holidays!
From Sauron to Voldemort to Joker, this week we talk villains. While exploring some of our favorite ones, we discuss the villain archetype, what purpose they serve in the story, and what can make them so compelling.
This week, we talk about Dune (1986) and Dune (2021), what we liked about it, our favorite moments, and how it impacted contemporary science fiction.
This week, we talk about the orphan, loner, and misfit character type and our connect to them as readers and audiences.
This week, we are talking about revenge stories and plot motivations. We talk about why they are compelling and some of our favorite movies, books, and video games with revenge.
This week, we talk about the pirate, cowboy, and gangster in our stories and cultural history. We discusses how they've impacted storytelling and why they are idolized characters and tropes.
This week, we talk about spy thrillers, and the different versions of spy thrills, in film, TV, and books.
This week, our 1st Halloween episode, we talk about witches in our stories. We also explore witches in other folklore such as the Ol' Higue and Lachuza.
This week, we are introducing an international book challenge and talking about Gucci, frustrating public encounters.
In this episode, we talk about an infamous character, Gregor MacGregor, who scammed his countryman; the privilege behind "write what readers want;" are you worth your creative dream. Episode decimated to Lisa B. Kamps (Sep. 30, 1967 - Oct. 1, 2020)
This week, we talk about Houska Castle, one of Europe's most haunted castles, ghost stories, fairytales, and our writing journey.
In this episode, we talk about stories in video games. We also talk about or strengths and weaknesses with our writing, as we try to overcome them.
In this episode, we talk about a study on social media induced hysteria, and authors who have shaped our writing.
This week we talk about school reading lists, our favorite classic books, and our day to day lives.