Dark Signals

Dark Signals

By Master of Disaster Network | Jeff Bacon | Bloody AthenaeumFictionHistory
Download on the App Store

Dark Signals episodes

  • The Dynamic, Charming, and Entertaining Chris Humphreys #69

    This was such a great conversation. Chris is a very creative and resourceful soul that has an endless number of stories to tell. We get into his process and thoughts on literature, self-publishing versus using a publisher and also talk about his ability to create audio books. Just a great conversation with a great guy.

    About Chris Humphreys:

    Chris (C.C.) Humphreys was born in Toronto, lived till he was seven in Los Angeles, then grew up in the UK. All four grandparents were actors, and since his father was an actor as well, it was inevitable he would follow the bloodline.

    Chris has performed on stages from London's West End to Hollywood in roles including Hamlet, Caleb the gladiator in NBC's AD-Anno Domini', Clive Parnell in 'Coronation Street', PC Richard Turnham in 'The Bill', the Immortal Graham Ashe in 'Highlander', Jack Absolute in 'The Rivals' (This performance led to him writing the Jack Absolute novels - and they say acting doesn't pay!). Bizarrely, he was also the voice of Salem the cat in 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch'.
    A playwright, fight choreographer and novelist, he has written eleven adult novels including 'The French Executioner', runner up for the CWA Steel Dagger for Thrillers; 'The Jack Absolute Trilogy'; 'A Place Called Armageddon'; 'Shakespeare's Rebel' and the international bestseller, 'Vlad - The Last Confession'.
    He also fantasy: the Tapestry Trilogy consisting of 'The Hunt of the Unicorn', 'The Hunt of the Dragon' and 'The Hunt of the Shapeshifters' has just been published. And he is writing The Immortals' Blood Trilogy. 'Smoke in the Glass' and 'The Coming of the Dark' are both out, with 'The Wars of Gods and Men' coming in 2021.
    His novel 'Plague' won Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Crime Novel in 2015. The sequel, 'Fire' is a thriller set during the Great Fire, published Summer 2016. Both novels spent five weeks in the top ten on 2016's Globe and Mail and Toronto Star Bestseller lists.
    His novel 'Chasing the Wind' about 1930's aviatrix - and thief! - Roxy Loewen, was published in Canada and the USA in June 2018.
    Several of his novels are available as Audiobooks - read by himself! Find him here at Audible:
    http://tiny.cc/q83sqy

     

    Website:

    https://www.authorchrishumphreys.com/

    The high epic fantasy: Smoke in the Glass

    https://bookshop.org/books/smoke-in-the-glass-immortals-blood-book-one/9781473226043

    The Hunt of the Unicorn: Book One Tapestry Trilogy”

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DL9RHW1

    Unicorn Audiobook:

    https://shop.authors-direct.com/collections/chris-c-c-humphreys/products/the-hunt-of-the-unicorn-in-a-land-where-all-our-myths-live

    Plague:

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FXWY4TW

    35 min
  • Captain Polo and Climate Change with Alan Hesse #68

    Alan Hesse creates a unique children’s book series that deals with Climate Change Education. We talk about his current books and future releases and his creation process. We also dive into a really good conversation on conservation and climate change. If you happen to work in a library or school, I think you should take a look at putting these books on your shelves.

     

    About Alan Hesse

    Based in biodiversity-rich Ecuador, Alan wears several hats: he is an author-illustrator, an educator and a conservation biologist. Alan's work is inspired by the majesty and fragility of nature and the need to do everything we can to protect it.

    Alan combines his artistic creativity with his technical experience and knowledge to create scientifically accurate, educational children's books full of quirky, comic humour and fun action, and usually bearing a message about how everyone can help preserve Nature.
    Alan's particular focus on using cartoons for education about pressing global environmental issues is well summed up in this interview with the Association for Science Education: https://www.ase.org.uk/news/meeting-millgate-house-authors-alan-hesse-and-polo-polar-bear-explorer.

    Because he combines non-fiction with fiction, Alan's creative process involves multiple steps that all need careful planning, right from researching the technical content of his books to creating the storyline, the original artwork, characters, and dialogues to designing the final books.

    Alan is the author of five educational comic books for middle grade children, among which his main ongoing focus is the Captain Polo series about climate change. All five books have received 5-star reviews from Readers Favorite.
    Alan is also the author of 2 climate change-themed picture books and one Christmas activity book for children within the 6-8 age range.
    Check it all out as well as Alan's extensive cartoon portfolio on AJH Education Comics and Cartoons:

     

    https://alanhesse.com/

    https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00TP497QA

    1 hr 12 min
  • Nel Bently beats Indiana Jones hand down with V.S. Holmes #67

    V.S. Holmes proves that Archaeology and Science Fiction go together like peanut butter and jelly. The Nel Bently books are on based on a sassy archaeologist that travels from planet to planet solving mysteries and saving worlds. Our conversation quickly turns from her amazing books to her real-life experiences and knowledge as a contract archaeologist. I love the conversation we had and I believe you find her to be as interesting and lovely as I did.

    1. S. Holmes is an international bestselling author. They created the REFORGED series and the NEL BENTLY BOOKS. Smoke and Rain, the first book in their fantasy quartet, won New Apple Literary's Excellence in Independent Publishing Award in 2015 and a Literary Titan Gold in 2020. In addition, they have published short fiction in several anthologies.
    As a disabled and queer human, they work as an advocate and educator for representation in SFF worlds. When not writing, they work as a contract archaeologist throughout the northeastern U.S. They live in a Tiny House with their spouse, a fellow archaeologist, their not-so-tiny dog, and own too many books for such a small abode.

    https://vsholmes.com/index.html

    https://www.amazon.com/V-S-Holmes/e/B014B55FJ0

    1 hr 5 min
  • A Bomb Hunter’s Story with Eric Herrera #66

    Eric talks about his struggles both in and out of the Army. This is a heavy conversation that should inspire anyone who listens. I was moved and also angered by the information that he presented on his experiences being a bomb hunter. Eric doesn’t consider himself a hero, but in my book, he is a hero.

     

    Book Description

    We all have turning points in our lives. One man’s turning point led him to join the army. Despite the opposition from shocked family members, he makes the commitment one fateful day in June. What follows is a series of hardships, both physical and emotional, that will change his life forever. After ten years of silence, he is ready to tell his story.

    It is a story of friendship, politics, loss, and love. When Private Eric Herrera begins his military journey, he starts at the bottom, like they all do. Basic training gives him the courage to do things he hadn’t realized he was capable of. It also sets the stage for brother-like friendships that will last a lifetime.
    Upon arriving in Iraq, he experiences firsthand the consequences of narcissists in power. Not all fit that description though. When a night mission turns into tragedy, he and his platoon must search the ranks for someone who will come to their aid. They find the few who are truly worthy of their rank. Left to deal with the loss of his friends, Eric must choose to move forward in spite of his grief. His struggle is real, but in the end, love comes to the rescue, helping him to pull through when he otherwise may have given up.

    https://amzn.to/3oHcADF

    https://www.diywriter.com for more interviews and information about your favorite authors.

    1 hr 5 min
  • Catholic Scandals, Lies, and Treachery with Margaret Mary O’Connor #65

    Margaret and I get into a deep discussion about the tragedies, scandals, and lies perpetrated by the Catholic Church and Vatican City. Her research and writing will upset some, but the truth is rarely gentle. Listen about her personal battles and persecution as she tries to change the church from inside the Catholic faith.

    Margaret O’Connor is the author of Scandal in the Shadows: The Original Priest-Mary Mother. Who is Margaret? She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University At Buffalo (NY), and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, NY. She is a former Chaplain and is currently a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Charity Parish where, ironically, the Church windows depict the Vatican II Council. One window represents the “Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World,” which includes an article that speaks directly to ending sexual discrimination of all kinds in our Church.

    Visit  https://yourradicaltruth.com/ for more information and related links discussed in this podcast.

    https://www.diywriter.com for more interesting interviews with your favorite authors.

    1 hr 26 min
  • We were Kung Fu Book Fighting with HIM and Scott Kimak #64

    Scott took a book that he wrote in when he was young and published it in July of 2020. We had a very interesting conversation about his process in creating the book along with the effects of the pandemic on both his teaching and martial arts gym. Oh, by the way, he is also a Kung Fu master.

    About Scott W Kimak

    Hello, I am a writer, a history teacher, and a Kung Fu master.

    The idea for "I call him - HIM" came to me nearly forty years ago when I was only thirteen years old. At that time I tried to write the first page and failed miserably. Flash forward to the summer of 2018. I decided to give it a second shot and the words flowed unrestrained.

    I live in Harlingen Texas with the love of my life Diana and our four children.

    https://www.amazon.com/Scott-W-Kimak/e/B08CBJCRHQ

    https://www.diywriter.com for the blog article and links to other authors.

    58 min
  • The Rose (Vol 1) by any other name With PD Avella DIY Writer #63

    Paul and I had a great conversation about his books, psychology, and we talk about movies / tv shows. Everything he says about his book The Rose Vol 1…it’s true, it’s all true. You should check it out.

    About PD Avella

    I write primarily in two genres, science fiction and horror. I've been writing all my life. Wrote my first full length novel when I was twelve years old, a science fiction fantasy story that was inspired by a dream and a love for Lord of the Rings and Dungeons and Dragons. My first book was published in 2011 and since then I've published four additional books that include themes and genres in dark fiction, fantasy, metaphysical and paranormal, and psychology. I've been a practicing hypnotist and behavioral analyst for the past two decades. Now retried, I've devoted my life to writing full time.

    My interests include quantum physics, philosophy, alien lore (Yes I love Ancient Aliens), conspiracy theories, science of mind, and the concept of mind over matter. And of course Reading! Some of my greatest literary influences have been Ray Bradbury, Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, The Bronte Sisters, HP Lovecraft, Washington Irving, Stephen King, Clive Barker, and more recently Blake Crouch, VE Schwab, JD Barker, John Connolly, and Alma Katsu. My favorite book of all time continues to be Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Additional influences are Star Wars, John Carpenter movies, silent horror films, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Pearl Jam.
    My new sci-fi series, The Rose, is scheduled for an October 7, 2020 world wide release. The Rose Vol. 1 is the first book in a planned series. Its dystopian, speculative, science fiction, action adventure, and a thriller. Did I mention the book features a sophisticated species of underground Alien Vampires? Hmm, I may have left that out. I also have a horror series titled Beyond the Chamber Door. Books one and two, Twisted Tales of Deceit and Presenting the Marriage of Kelli Anne and Gerri Denemer are currently published. The series features stand along stories in each installment. I'm currently editing book three, Golem, and writing book four in this series, Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect.
    I'm also sort of a social media enthusiast! You can find me basically everywhere on the net.
    Visit my website here: https://pdalleva.com
    Here's my Instagram where I post pictures of books, current reads, and daily writers life pics: https://www.instagram.com/pdalleva_author/
    My Facebook page is where I'll post interesting articles on books, reading, movies, and comics: https://www.facebook.com/pdallevaauthor/
    My twitter account is where I post giveaways and promotions: https://twitter.com/PdallevaAuthor
    Follow me on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/author/pdalleva
    Follow me on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7634126.P_D_Alleva
    Follow me on Bookbub here: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/p-d-alleva

    54 min
  • Mad Marketeer of rejected children’s books…Brad Gosse DIY Writer #62

    Brad is the author of the rejected children’s books series, owner of vectortoons.com, and a stand-up comedian. His humor is only second to his extreme marketing and branding skills. Listen to him as he not only explains his extremely unique (and HILARIOUS) books series, but also how much work he puts into building his following, brand, and selling his products. He is a genius.

    Brad Gosse is an amateur professional comedian. After dropping out of high school, he started on his path to success launching his first "entertainment" website, in 1997. He worked in the online "entertainment" industry for over 10 years.

    In 2012 he founded Vectortoons and now licenses over 3 million images through his stock cartoon image company.
    In 2019 his comedy profile went viral on TikTok. Brad started publishing his "children's books". He has written 42 humor books so far. Expect more to come.

    https://www.amazon.com/Brad-Gosse/e/B007XVPS88

    https://www.youtube.com/c/BradGosse

    https://www.instagram.com/bradgosse

    https://twitter.com/bradgosse

    https://bradgosse.com/

    58 min
  • Just call her Melanie! Melanie Safka DIY Writer #61

    Melanie is not just a singer and a songwriter; she is a big part of American Music History. If you haven’t heard of her, that’s not an accident, the corporate record labels have done their best to hide and downplay her incredible career. Why? Because she was the first female singer to create her own record label. The corporate big wigs have done their best to erase her accomplishments, but guess what, they have failed miserably. You see, you can’t keep a spirit like Melanie’s under a cover, you can’t hide her, and you certainly cannot ignore her. Listen to her story as she tells you snips from history which leads up to her first online streaming concert coming up on January 30th, 2021. If you want a sampling of her music, go to her YouTube channel link below.

     

    https://www.melaniesafka.com/

    https://www.facebook.com/events/340082417061967/

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRk3uJG-FRzn-sasozxx0kA

    Here is a link to Miley Cyrus and Melanie singing one of Melanie’s songs “Look what they’ve done to my song Ma” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL4BHMSreF8

     

    Melanie landed in the New York City music and radio scene in the late 1960’s. Her first single Beautiful People immediately became a turntable hit. Her first tour began with an impressive 40-day run of shows at Paris’ world-famous L’Olympia Theater at the personal invitation of Bruno Coquatrix. In the years to come she would entertain millions: at An Aquarian Exposition (the 1969 Woodstock Music Festival), at Carnegie Hall, and the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury music festivals, The Sydney Opera House, the South Korean DMZ, the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, the Royal Albert Hall, and many, many more theaters, halls and beloved music clubs around the globe. Melanie launched Neighborhood Records, making her the first American woman to open a mainstream record label. She recorded over 20 chart hits and many have been re-recorded. Melanie received an Emmy after composing lyrics for the theme song of the hit television series Beauty and the Beast. “What Have They Done to My Song Ma” was re-recorded by Ray Charles with the Count Basie Band. Nina Simone delivered a remarkable rendition, as well. “(Lay Down) Candles in the Rain” was re-recorded by Mott the Hoople on their 1971 album Wildlife. Meredith Brooks and Queen Latifah later re-recorded the anthem. “Some Say (I Got Devil)" was re-recorded by Smith’s frontman Morrissey. These are only a few of the many performers who have re-recorded Melanie’s works. Melanie has always known her calling in life was to entertain. Audiences have welcomed her to the stage for more than fifty years, and she continues to perform today.

    1 hr 2 min
  • Notes from The Editor with Qat Wanders DIY Writer #60

    Qat / Qatarina Wanders is a Fiction / Non-Fiction / Editor that has published numerous books. We not only talk about her books, but the book industry in general, editing, writing tips, and many other tidbits that you will find useful to running your authoring business. Qat is a great resource for anyone who is writing / publishing books. If you need help, check out Wandering Words Media.

     

    Qatarina Wanders is a former circus performer turned author with a unicorn and pug obsession. When she isn't writing or editing books about unicorns or pugs (or owl shifters, vampires, werewolves, faeries, witches, angels, or succubi), she is likely eating sushi with her daughter or jumping out of a plane in the Rocky Mountains.

    Follow her on:

    https://www.qatwanders.com/

    facebook.com/qatwrites
    instagram.com/qatwanders
    pinterest.com/qatwanders

     

    56 min

About Dark Signals

From the publisher's feed

Authors D.W. Hawkins and Jeff Bacon dive into their research and pull out the dark stories of history sparing no details.