Exploring the Blank Page

Not only does today's guest, AJ Skelly, write amazing stories, but she's also recently started a publishing company called Quill & Flame Publishing House. In this episode, we chat a little about her books and what kind of books Quill & Flame is currently interested in! We know you are going to be inspired by this episode.

"Is reading really worth reading if there isn't a dash of romance?" — AJ Skelly

AJ Skelly is an author, reader, and lover of all things fantasy, medieval, and fairy-tale-romance. And werewolves. She has a serious soft spot for them. As an avid life-long reader and a former high school English teacher, she’s always been fascinated with the written word. She lives with her husband, children, and many imaginary friends who often find their way into her stories. They all drink copious amounts of tea together and stay up reading far later than they should.

Connect with AJ on her website (https://ajskelly.com/) and Instagram (@a.j.skelly). Learn more about Quill & Flame Publishing (https://www.quillandflame.com/).

Mentioned

Of Flame and Frost | AJ Skelly

An Egg and a Kiss | AJ Skelly

Havok Magazine

The Wolves of Rock Falls | AJ Skelly

Midnight Rider | Stormie Black

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We were swept away by the first line in Ashley Bustamante's book Vivid "How do you keep a mentalist out of your head?" I mean ... How can you stop reading after that line! We so enjoyed chatting with Ashley. She drops so many little pieces of writing wisdom all throughout the episode. We know you are going to love our chat with Ashley!

Only you can tell your story like you can." —Ashley Bustamante

Ashley Bustamante is an author and illustrator, wife, mother, and daughter of God. She spent most of her life in Arizona but currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two daughters, and their son. Her tastes in literature are varied; She loves Jane Eyre and To Kill a Mockingbird, but also won't turn down The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, a good graphic novel, or anything by Beatrix Potter. And of course, she has an unapologetic love for YA, particularly dystopian, fantasy, or sci-fi.

Connect with Ashley on her website (https://www.ashleybustamante.com) and Instagram (@authorashleybustamante)

Mentioned

Vivid | Ashely Bustamante

Radiant | Ashley Bustamante

A Lamb and a Llama | Ashley Bustamante

The Mermaid's Tale | L.E. Richmond

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

Whimsical, magical, and so sweet, you guys are going to love our conversation with Brittany Eden. She was so fun to chat with! We talked about how she got started writing, her new books Wishes and Hearts, and touch a little on her time in the circus — yes, the actual circus! Sit back and enjoy this conversation with Brittany Eden.

The blank page is beautiful. — Brittany Eden

A former Circus dweller, Brittany writes lyrical stories of heart transformation with a timeless, feminine voice. Find out more about her stories at brittanyeden.com and avoid social media pressure by subscribing to her newsletter From Eden To Eternity, where, as a free gift, you can choose from either a personalized book recommendation, a customized playlist for your work-in-progress or favorite book, or *most popular* constructive feedback on the first page of your manuscript!

Connect with Brittany on her website (https://brittanyeden.com/) and Instagram (@brittanyedenauthor)!

Mentioned

Wishes | Brittany Eden

Hearts | Brittany Eden

Orthodoxy | G.K. Chesterton

Rouge Pursuit | BL Dean

Twilight | Stephanie Meyers

Pride and Prejudice | Jane Austen

Odyssey | Homer

Calculated | Nova McBee

Echo North | Joanna Ruth Meyer

Wind Daughter | Joanna Ruth Meyer

Rebel Seoul | Axie Oh

The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea | Axie Oh

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We have been wanting to get Tamara Girardi on the podcast for over a year now, and we are so excited she's chatting with us today! Not only is Tamara an awesome author, but she also happens to be an English teacher. In this episode, she shares how so teaches her creative writing classes, a little about her new duology with WiseWolf, and she may mention her favorite cupcake flavor that will have everyone's mouths watering. We know you are going to enjoy this episode!

"It is so critical that you surround yourself with people who will push you and lift you up." — Tamara Girardi

Tamara Girardi writes books for children and teens. Her award-winning debut young adult novel, Gridiron Girl, tells the story of Julia Medina who quits the volleyball team to compete against her boyfriend for the starting quarterback position. Three additional sports novels in the Iron Valley Vikings series followed in 2022. Above the Fold is the first book in Tamara’s second series, all about teens exploring their dreams and their true selves through exhibits at a popular, mardi-gras-esque hotspot called Carnivalesque. Above the Fold released in January of 2023, and its sequel, Behind the Mask followed in February, both from Wise Wolf Books. Tamara’s debut board book, Why, Daddy? Why? was named a 2022 Editor’s Pick by Amazon. Also an academic, Tamara is a college English professor. She lives in a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with her husband and four adorably rambunctious children.

Connect with Tamara on her website (https://www.tamaragirardi.com/), TikTok (@TamaraGirardiAuthor), Instagram (@girarditamara), Facebook (@TamaraGirardiAuthor), and Twitter (@TamaraGirardi)

Mentioned

Above the Fold | Tamara Girardi

Behind the Mask | Tamara Girardi

Iron Valley Series | Tamara Girardi

Calculated Series | Nova McBee

Why Daddy Why? | Tamara Girardi

Save the Cat | Blake Snyder

Mayo Angelo Poetry Collection

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We have a fantastic episode for you today! In this episode, we chat with the multi-genred, multitalented author Becky Dean (or BL Dean). She's written both contemporary and sci-fi and is such a powerhouse (we lost count midway through the episode of how many books she has released this year alone). Also, get ready to add some destinations to your travel wish list after listening to this episode — we loved hearing about Becky's adventures. We know you are going to enjoy this episode.

"Be at peace with not being able to do it all." —Becky Dean

Becky Dean is a fan of adventures both real and fictional. When she’s not writing or traveling, she can be found drinking tea, watching science fiction shows, or quoting The Lord of the Rings. Though she lives in Texas with her husband, she remains a Southern California girl at heart.

Connect with Becky on her website and Instagram (@beckydeanwrites)

Mentioned

Shades of Starlight series | BL Dean

Love & Other Great Expectations | Becky Dean

Picture-Perfect Boyfriend | Becky Dean

Remington Steel

The Stardust Thief | Chelsea Abdullah

Six of Crows | Leigh Bardugo

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

You are in for a treat! In this episode, we chat with author Candace Kade about her amazing debut Enhanced. We'd chat about Candace growing up in China and her inspiration behind Enhanced (which, in itself is inspiring). Sit back and enjoy this episode!

"Writing is a long game and it's about perseverance." — Candace Kade

Candace Kade is a recovering over-achiever who spends her time dreaming up stories typically involving tech, psychology, culture, and/or swords. She’s a certified Krav Maga assistant instructor and loves writing action-packed martial art scenes. A third culture kid, she considers Chengdu and Austin to be her homes. When she’s not exploring new countries, she enjoys hiking in national parks, moving, teaching her husband Mandarin, and keeping a baby human alive. She can be bribed with boba tea, fluffy puppies, and breakfast tacos.

Connect with Candace on her website or Instagram.

Mentioned

Enhanced | Candace Kade

Wishtress | Nadine Brandes

Recruit of Talionis | CJ Milacci

The Eternity Gate | Katherine Briggs

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

This episode with Haylie Hanson was so much fun! We spend so much time geeking out over our favorite fandoms, talking about how writing feels like home, and the importance of fan fiction (no really). Haylie shares about maybe a not-quite-so-embarrassing fan fiction run when she was a teen and all about her Luminaut series. Sit back and enjoy this episode!

"Make a plan, but be prepared for the plan to change and shift." — Haylie Hanson

Haylie Hanson writes YA fantasy about quirky kids with superpowers, portals to magical new worlds, and finding your destiny--also, robots are involved. She dreams of having adventures in a galaxy far, far away, but she'll settle for those closer to home, especially if dirty chai is involved.

Connect with Haylie on her website, Instagram (@therealhayliehanson), and sign up for her newsletter.

Mentioned

The Luminaut Series | Haylie Hanson

The Aurora Cycle | Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

Sorcery of Thorns | Margaret Rogerson

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen | Shea Ernshaw

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

You guys are not ready for this episode. I know we say that literally every single episode, but this episode ... oh this episode. We are chatting with the powerhouse that is C.J. Redwine and Mary Weber. They share their heart behind The Writer's Sanctuary and The Red Herring Society, and they drop so much wisdom in this episode we know you are going to be itching to find your tribe and write by the end of our conversation.

"There's only so much of the blank page you can stare at before you have to grab hold of it and jump in." — Mary Weber

"There is no one right way to produce the book, as long as you produce the book." — CJ Redwine

C.J. Redwine is a New York Times bestselling author, public speaker, publishing and marketing consultant, ghostwriter, and coach with twelve years experience in teaching all areas of creative writing, publishing, and marketing. She’s especially passionate about helping writers level up their skills and their careers. She’s a diehard fan of going to the movies, keeps a 6-foot-tall Loki figure in her office, and will debate the merits of Batman over Superman with anyone she meets. She once punched herself in the face on a ride at Disneyland. She doesn’t recommend it.

Connect with C.J. on Instagram @cjredwine.

Mary Weber is a freelance editor, marketing strategist, and ghostwriter who's worked with NYT bestselling authors, Hollywood film producers, the Big 4 publishers, and multi-million dollar entrepreneurs on fiction, nonfiction, developing powerhouse marketing plans, author brands, film pitches, and proposals. She’s also the bestselling author of six books, including the Storm Siren Trilogy and the award-winning To Best the Boys. In her spare time, Mary sings 80’s hairband songs to her three muggle children and lives in California, where she and her husband stalk aging superstars while wearing fanny packs and sweatpants.

Connect with Mary on her website at ⁠MaryWeber.com⁠ or on Instagram @MaryWeberAuthor.

Mentioned on This Episode

The Writer's Sanctuary

YouTube of Cj + Mary Playing Beanboozled

The Red Herring Society

Lux

The University

The Guest List | Lucy Foley

One Dark Window | Rachel Gillig

How I'll Kill You | Ren DeStefano

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead | Kristen Simmons

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

We are so excited about this episode with New York Times Bestselling author Scott Reintgen. We have been long been fans of Scott's and were floored when he agreed to come on Exploring the Blank Page as a guest. He shared the amazing story of how his newest book, A Door in the Dark, almost wasn't, how he keeps going after rejection and gives some amazing tips on juggling both an author career and fatherhood. You are going to be so fired up to write after listening to this episode. Enjoy!

"I start every writing day with yesterday." — Scott Reintgen

Scott Reintgen is an author of science fiction and fantasy books.

He wrote the Nyxia trilogy, the Ashlords series, the Talespinners series, and The Problem with Prophecies. His next book is the young adult fantasy thriller—A Door in the Dark.

He began his career as an English and Creative Writing teacher in North Carolina. He strongly believes that every student who steps into the classroom deserves to see themselves, vibrant and victorious and on the page. It’s his hope to encourage a future full of diverse writers.

You can find him working in coffee shops, speaking in schools around the country, or teaching writing courses online.

He currently lives in North Carolina with his wife Katie, and their three wild children.

Connect with Scott on his website, Instagram @reintgen, and Twitter @Scott_Thought

Mentioned on This Episode

Nyxia | Scott Reintgen

A Door in the Dark | Scott Reintgen

Twitter thread on how A Door in the Dark almost wasn't

Ashlords Duology | Scott Reintgen

Scott's Interview on Authors & Audiences

The Problem with Prophecies | Scott Reintgen

The Drama with Doomsday | Scott Reintgen

Under the Whispering Door | TJ Klune

House on the Cerulean Sea | TJ Klune

Scott's Writing Class

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!

You are going to love our chat with Hayley Reese Chow! She's had such amazing adventures and we loved hearing about them in this episode. She dropped so many truths and encouragement that we know you are going to walk away from this episode ready to write!

"Learn to rest. Not to quit." — Hayley Reese Chow, author of Into the Churn

Hayley Reese Chow is the author of Odriel's Heirs, the 2020 winner of the Florida Author Project, Wishing Shelf Book Award Bronze Medalist, and 5th place finalist in the 2021 Book Blogger Novel of the Year Awards. She is also the author of Into the Churn, a romantic YA sci-fi coming from Whimsical Publishing in April 2023.

Until recently though, she’s mostly done a lot of things that have nothing at all to do with writing. Her hat collection includes mother, wife, engineer, USAF veteran, reservist, four-time All-American fencer, 100-mile ultramarathoner, triathlete, world traveler, book inhaler, and super nerd.

Hayley currently lives in Florida with two small wild boys, her long-suffering husband, and her miniature ragehound.

But at night, when the house is still, she writes.

Connect with Hayley Reese Chow on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @HayleyReeseChow

Mentioned in This Episode

Into the Churn | Hayley Reese Chow

Odriel's Heirs | Hayley Reese Chow

Save the Cat | Blake Snyder

Revenge of the Queen Rose | Valinora Troy

The Wretched of Muirwood | Jeff Wheeler

Defend the Dawn | Brigid Kemmerer

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a rating or review. You can support this podcast by clicking the "support" button at anchor.fm/exploringtheblankpage or by subscribing on your favorite podcast platform!