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.