268. Mark Leslie Lefebvre: Creating and Growing a Universe
Mark Leslie wrote a 10,000-word short that began his Canadian Werewolf series. In this interview, we discuss going from a story, to a novel, to a series, to collaborating with spin-offs. Yogi Berra famously stated, "When you come to a fork, take it." We discuss how accurate this is as advice as you become more knowledgeable as a storyteller. We discuss how this can be accomplished.
269. Locus Mag Editor in Chief Discusses Its Importance to SF&F
Liza Trombi is the Editor in Chief of Locus Magazine. In this interview, we discuss the history of Locus and its importance to the SF&F field. We also announce a fundraiser that Locus is running and that I encourage you to check out at locusmag.com or go directly to www.indiegogo.com.
270. Calendar of Fools with Intergalactic Rejects
Storm Humbert and fellow Writers of the Future winners created a publishing company called Calendar of Fools. They compiled a book containing only of rejects, not because they weren't good, but because they weren't right for where they were submitted. So, this project is to give these great stories a second chance! They created a GoFundMe for the project, which you can find here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/innerworkings/intergalactic-rejects-a-calendar-of-fools-anthology. In this interview, I am with Storm Humbert and fellow winner John Campbell, along with contributor Hillbilly, as we discuss how stories can live on.
271. Stephen Kotowych Editor of The Year’s Best Canadian F&SF Vol 1
Stephen Kotowych was a writer winner for Writers of the Future Volume 23 in 2007. He recently edited and published The Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction Volume 1 anthology. It comprises 37 stories and poems and is 100% Canadian. He has a Kickstarter for Volume Two that will run from March 19 through April 16. The link for the prelaunch is: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kotowych/years-best-canadian-fantasy-and-science-fiction-volume-two . Learn more at kotowych.com.
272. SoundBooth Theater Creating Cinematic Audio
I’m here at Superstars Writing Conference in Colorado Springs. This is a podcast panel, meaning I am recording this podcast as I interview SoundBooth Theater founder Jeff Hays and international bestselling author Craig Martelle in front of a live audience. Jeff Hays is a prolific narrator and producer, and CEO of Soundbooth Theater, a full-service audio production company that specializes in multicast audiobooks and Cinematic Audio. Craig Martelle is the author of around 190 books. I am familiar with his Ian Bragg Thriller Series, covered in a separate podcast interview. He is also one of the geniuses behind the 20 Books to 50K Conference created by Michael Anderle.
273. John Brown Discusses Writing Magic Realism
John Brown was a winner published in Writers of the Future Volume 13 with his story “The Scent of Desire” under his penname Bo Griffin. I met up with him again last year at LTUE and when I saw he would be back, I asked that he send me a book to read so I could have him on as a guest. His bio says he writes action-packed thrillers and epic fantasies with characters you want to cheer for. After interviewing him, I discovered it is Magic Realism that he writes. He currently lives with his wife and four daughters in the hinterlands of Utah where one encounters much fresh air, many good-hearted ranchers, and the occasional wolf. Learn more at www.johndbrown.com.
274. Jody Lynn Nye Coordinating Judge on 40 Years of Writers of the Future
This episode features Jody Lynn Nye, and we discuss 40 years of Writers of the Future, its impact on the genre, and what she is looking for as the Coordinating Judge. Learn more at jodynye.com.
275. Davina Powell Discusses Ingram iD Self-Publishing Tool
Davina Powell is the Consumer Marketing Services Manager for Ingram Content Group. She is a creative sales and marketing expert known for connecting publishers and authors to key audiences using Ingram iD. She has spent more than 10 years in the digital marketing space developing new resources that ensure publishers', booksellers', and authors' marketing budgets are used in a productive way. Learn more at IngramiD.com.
276. Echo Chernik Illustrators of the Future Coordinating Judge on 35th Anniversary
Echo Chernik and I discuss the history of the Illustrators of the Future Contest, where it has gotten to, and where it is going, and how it is that we are able to select the best new talent in illustration around the world. Learn more at www.echo-x.com.
277. Grand Prize Winners Jack Nash, Writer, and Tyler Vail, Illustrator
Jack Nash won the Golden Pen Award for his story, "Son, Spirit, Snake." Jack Nash: JackNashStories.com. Tyler Vail won the Golden Brush Award for his illustration of the story, "Squiddy." Tyler Vail: Tylervail.com. In this interview, we discuss their personal journeys to finally winning the top award for aspiring writers and artists.
278. Senator Art Haywood and Son Arthur on Value of Arts to Society
Pennsylvania State Senator Art Haywood traveled to LA to celebrate his son's Illustrators of the Future win. In this interview we discuss the importance of the arts to society and what he has done in Pennsylvania with the arts to improve society. Learn more at www.arthurhaywood.com.
279. Indie and Self-Publishing is the Future Says Mark Leslie and Dean Wesley Smith
Mark Leslie Lefebvre is our most recent Writer Contest judge. Dean Wesley Smith, also a judge, has Mark by four decades, being the first person to be awarded by Writers of the Future in that very first year! Together, these two have been at the forefront of the evolution of publishing, now known as indie publishing or self-publishing. Once frowned upon as vanity, self-publishing and indie publishing have proven to be the means for more and more authors to become million-dollar-a-year successful authors. So you will do well to bend an attentive ear to this podcast and listen to what these gents have to say.
280. Kathryn Raaker and Son, Robert Taggart, Writing Team
Kathryn Raaker is the Founder and CEO of Tri-State Connection, a Global Multimedia and PR Company. She has been a trailblazer in the media industry for over three decades. Her son, Robert Taggart, is a journalist and author. Together, they worked together as a mother and her son as a writing team. Learn more at kathrynraakersworld.com.
281. Bill Fawcett on Writing Near Future Military SF and It’s Very Scary
Bill Fawcett has just published a near-future military science called Never Again, and it is very scary! Bill has been a professor, teacher, corporate executive, and college dean. His entire life has been spent in the creative fields and managing other creative individuals. He is one of the founders of Mayfair Games, a board and role-play gaming company. As an author, Fawcett has written or coauthored over a dozen books and dozens of articles and short stories. As a book packager, a person who prepares series of books from concept to production for major publishers, his company, Bill Fawcett & Associates, has packaged more than 250 titles for virtually every major publisher.
282. Meet Your New Favorite Authors: James, Amir, Kal, John Eric, and Galen
Writers of the Future 40 winners James Davies, Amir Agoora, Kal M, John Eric Schleicher, and Galen Westlake meet on the last day of the Writer Workshop Week and we discuss their personal journeys and the value of the Contest to aspiring writers. We discuss the importance of dealing with self-rejection and how to come up with amazing story ideas.
Learn about each of them at:
James Davies: jd-writes.com
Amir Agoora: amiragoora.com
Kal M: twitter.com/kalmyourself
John Eric Schleicher: jeschleicher.com
Galen Westlake: galenwestlake.com
283. Meet Your New Favorite Authors: Lance, Stephannie, and Tom
Writers of the Future 40 winners Lance Robinson (“Five Days Until Sunset”), Stephannie Tallent (“Live and Death and Love in the Bayou”), and Tom Vandermolen (“Nonzero”) meet on the last day of the Writer Workshop Week (this being the second winner podcast) and we discuss their personal journeys and the value of the Contest to aspiring writers.
We also discuss the value of the Contest to the military as two of the speakers are ex-military.
Learn about each of them at:
Lance Robinson: lancerobinsonwriter.com
Stephannie Tallent: stephannietallent.com
Tom Vandermolen: tomvandermolen.com
284. Craig Elliott Production Designer for Marvel, Disney, Dreamworks, Netflix
Craig Elliott is In the animation industry. He has worked primarily as the production designer for Marvel, Disney and Dreamworks, designing animated films such as Hercules, Mulan, The Emperor’s New Groove, Treasure Planet, Shark Tale, Flushed Away, Bee Movie, Enchanted, Monsters vs. Aliens, and The Princess and the Frog as well as other upcoming features. This means he runs the entire art department that designs a movie or TV show. In this interview, we discuss the process of creating animated movies as well as his growth as an artist. Learn more at artstation.com/elliott.
285. Orson Scott Card’s Journey as an Author and the Creation of Ender’s Game
Orson Scott Card is the author of Ender’s Game series and dozens of other novels. In this podcast we discuss his start as an author and how he developed the concept of Ender’s Game and have it became the beloved book it is today. Mr. Card has also been a Writers of the Future Contest Judge for over three decades. Learn more at hatrack.com.
286. Shahid, Lezli, and Galaxy’s Edge Anthology
Shahid Mamoud and Lezli Robyn, Publisher and Editor of Galaxy's Edge Anthology (formerly Magazine), discuss editors and their role and value in creating the best possible story … and a whole lot more! Learn more at galaxysedge.com.
287. Jody Lynn Nye and Robert J. Sawyer We Can't Give Back But We Can Pay Forward
2024 Writers of the Future Workshop instructors, Jody Lynn Nye and Robert J. Sawyer, discuss how they can't give back very readily but can pay forward. We discuss what Jody and Rob along with the other judges do to pay forward. Because these winners are the writers we will be reading in the future.
288. Creating Writers of the Future 40 Audiobook
Jim, Tamra, and Taylor Meskimen along with British actor Victoria Summer, recorded the L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 40 audiobook. Listen as they discuss how they create the voices that bring these stories to life. We also discuss the value of art in creating a safe space to experience life outside our comfort zone.
289. Melody Groves, President Western Writers of America Discusses Growth of Westerns
Melody Groves has written 12 Western novels and 5 non-fiction books of the Old West. I read a very light-hearted Western tale She Was Sheriff in preparation for this interview. The story tagline "All She Wanted Was a Gold Band—What She Got Was a Tin Star." We discuss the current growth of the Western genre and comparisons between it and the SF genre. The Western Horse Opera preceded Science Fiction Space Opera.
290. Meghna Pant, One of India’s Most Celebrated Authors
Meghna Pant is recognized as one of India’s best writers by several international and national publications. And she is the first female to ever write a war novel in India. She is an author, feminist, journalist and speaker and has won a variety of awards for her contribution to literature, gender issues, and journalism. In 2012, she won the Muse India National Literary Awards' Young Writer Award for her debut novel One-and-a-Half Wife. I met her perhaps 15 years ago in Los Angeles. We’ve been friends on social media. When I saw a post about the book we will be discussing, I reached to invite her as a guest to this podcast. And I am very happy I did. I hope you are as well. Learn more at meghnapant.com.
291. Anthony Goff, President Blackstone Publishing on Growth of Audiobooks
Anthony Goff is the President of Blackstone Publishing. I met Anthony when we shared spots on the Audio Publishers Assn Board of Directors in the early 2010s when he was the audio publisher at Hachette. He has been involved in publishing and the growth of the audiobook industry for three decades and is very knowledgeable about its history and growth and what's in store in the future. We also discuss how to get your book published as an audiobook—what to do and what not to do. Learn more at www.blackstonepublishing.com.
292. Elliott Haimoff Conversations with the Men of Apollo Space Program
Elliott Haimoff, is a biologist, primatologist and documentary filmmaker. In 1990 he founded Global Science Productions to develop and distribute educational television programs and news segments about space, biology, health, sports and nature. And now, over 200 documentaries with dozens of awards later, I am now interviewing him on one of several books he was written: Space Pioneers: Conversations With the Men of Apollo. We initially met several years back as we were releasing our Stories from the Golden Age. He would frequent our Saturday night live theatre. He also shot a documentary on Pulp Fiction, which heavily featured L. Ron Hubbard as one of the masters of Science Fiction’s Golden Age. Learn more at Space Pioneers: Conversations With the Men of Apollo.
293. James Rosone Researching Hi-Tech Near-Future Sci-Fi
I am here at the Tampa Convention Center attending the 2024 Tampa Comic Con with this week’s guest, James Rosone. We met up here last year at this convention and recorded a podcast interview which you can find as interview 247. James Rosone is the Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of military thriller and science fiction. He's an Iraq War veteran who served 3.5 years in a combat zone as a military interrogator and contractor. I completed his Monroe Doctrine series—all 9 volumes. I find near future military SF (I hope it’s SF) is the most chilling of any type of story I have read. I also read the first volume of his 11-volume Into the Stars series—not so near future. In this interview, we discussed how he arrived at writing in the genre he chose, what his process has been as a self-published author to become a top 100 Amazon author—close to making 7 figures a year—and how he does his research for the technology he uses in his novels. Learn more at frontlinepublishinginc.com.
294 S.M. Stirling Researching Time Travel Alternate History
S.M. Stirling writes in multiple genres and has over 10 NYT bestsellers. In this interview, we discuss writing alternate history, the need for research, and how to do this research. His latest novel, To Turn the Tide addresses the last successful period of the Roman Empire before the Germanic tribes invaded and sacked it. We discuss Type A invention and Type B invention which plays a key part of the novel. We also discuss two of L. Ron Hubbard’s favorite books, Typewriter in the Sky and Slaves of Sleep. Learn more at smstirling.com/books/to-turn-the-tide/.
295. Marc Scott Zicree: How Twilight Zone Handled Censored Subjects
Marc Scott Zicree has written for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sliders, Babylon 5, Smurfs, He-Man, Real Ghostbusters, and much more. But the reason I invited him to this podcast is that Marc Scott Zicree is the author of the most comprehensive book on the original series, The Twilight Zone Companion. A TV series I enjoyed as a child but had no idea of what went into the series that made it so entertaining or its impact on so many people! And I still remember those chilling opening and closing monologs by Rod Serling. We discuss how Rod Serling created this series as a result of being censored for attempting to discuss current social issues on programming he was writing. Find his book, The Twilight Zone Companion wherever books are sold.
296. Jessica Brawner Tattoos on Dead Tree Flesh
Jessica Brawner is an author of fiction and nonfiction, spanning topics from topical books on improving social interactions to urban fantasy and steampunk tales. She has experience in both traditional publishing and self-publishing but prefers the latter. We met through a common friend, now her husband, Steven L. Sears, who has been a guest on this podcast. She recently released her latest novel, Tattoos on Dead Tree Flesh, which I thoroughly enjoyed and am anxious to discuss. What a title! (Pay attention and you will have an ah-ha moment when you realize what it means!) Learn more at jessicabrawner.com.
297. Ian Randal Strock: The Importance of Short Fiction
Ian Randal Strock was assistant editor at Analog and Asimov for half a dozen years in between a long career as an editor, author, and publisher. He is now the owner, publisher, and editor-in-chief of Gray Rabbit Publications, LLC, and its speculative fiction imprint, Fantastic Books. In this interview, we discuss the history of short fiction magazines, going back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. We also discuss the importance of short fiction to a writer’s career and discovery. And, a delightful new release by Ian hitting the shelves December 3, 2024, titled, Wandering Through Time. Learn more at ianrandalstrock.com.
