Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, host Tom Fox interviews fellow UT grad Charles J. Petrie about his novel Dark Texas, inspired by his frustration with articles claiming the Texas power grid failure during the ‘Snowpocolips’ “could have been worse.”

Petrie, a PhD in computer science with research experience, explains he dug into grid resilience and found deeper risks, including reliance on gas-fired generation even though gas pipeline pressure depends on electricity via compressors, and the vulnerability of black start capability: he says 82% of Texas black start generators were inoperable during the event, with some unable to run without electricity or stored fuel oil, and others not maintained in a competitive market. Petrie chose fiction because a technical treatment became too complex and a novel could make people care; he describes characters taking over the writing, cites influences and craft lessons from various authors, shares he’s drafted a sequel prompted by a dark epilogue, and recounts publishing with Stoney Creek Publishing after 50 agent rejections.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Dark Texas on Stoney Creek Publishing

Connect with Charles on Facebook

Learn more about ⁠Stoney Creek Publishing

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country.  Host Tom Fox opens a new season of the Texas Hill Country Authors Podcast with returning guest Paul McGrath to discuss McGrath’s novel Left is Right, a sequel to the PEN Craft award-winning Left.

McGrath recounts a 37-year career at Texas newspapers, primarily the Houston Chronicle, plus teaching at Texas A&M and Clear Lake, and his A&M roots with The Battalion. He explains expanding Anton’s story into a multi-book series (with five planned), driven by character attachment and news-inspired plots. McGrath describes layered “Left” titles, using Ellie to express progressive viewpoints, and empathy as a motivating force for Anton and Ellie, including Ezra’s lingering influence. He notes a darker tone influenced by right-wing militias, human trafficking, and a Texas motorcycle gang, balanced by humor, wordplay, and pop-culture references like a Jon Hamm dream sequence. He outlines the FBI’s and alien authorities’ ongoing pursuit, then a return to alien supervision, credits Stoney Creek Publishing’s support, shares on social platforms, and previews future themes involving Russians and cryptocurrency.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Paul McGrath on Stoney Creek Publishing

Left is Right on Texas A&M University Press

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write in and about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with author Max Knight about his latest book, ‘Llano Estacado'.

Max shares his unique upbringing in the Canal Zone, his extensive military career, and his writing journey. He delves into the themes and characters of his book, set in the Staked Plains of Texas, which explores vengeance, redemption, and human resilience. Max also offers insights into his writing process, research methods, and experiences with Stoney Creek Publishing. Finally, he discusses the potential for a sequel and provides information on how listeners can learn more about his work.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Max Knight on Stoney Creek Publishing

Llano Estacado on Amazon.com

Stoney Creek Publishing Website

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write in and about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with author Conor McAnally about his latest book, 'Bullets in the Water.'

Conor shares his journey from Ireland to Texas, his stint as one of Ireland's first VJs, and his intriguing background as an investigative journalist. He delves into the real-world inspirations behind his book, the creative process, and his character Mike Carson. Conor also discusses the complexities and dynamics of small-town life, his publishing experience with Stony Creek Publishing, and hints at a sequel. This episode provides a compelling look into the life and mind of a multi-talented storyteller.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Conor McAnally on Stoney Creek Publishing

Bullets in the Water on Texas A&M University Press

Stoney Creek Publishing Website

Conor McAnally Website

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and writes up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom Fox interviews Cynthia Leal Massey, a well-known author of both fiction and non-fiction.

Cynthia shares her journey of becoming a writer, beginning with her childhood fascination with reading biographies and continuing through her studies in creative writing in college. She discusses her deep-seated passion for Texas history and how it influences her work, particularly her latest book, ‘Well of Deception.’ Cynthia elaborates on her unconventional writing process, how she engages readers emotionally, and her transition from non-fiction to fiction. The conversation also touches on the intriguing real-life murder case that inspired ‘Well of Deception,’ her methods in capturing authentic dialogue and dialect, and her experience working with Stony Creek Publishing. Additionally, Cynthia previews her upcoming project about the Van Riper family, further delving into Texas’s rich history.

Key highlights: 

Resources:

Pre-Order Well of Deception on:

TamuPress

Amazon

Stoney Creek Publishing

Follow Cynthia Leal Massey on:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Stoney Creek Publishing Profile

Website: www.cynthialealmassey.com

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and writes up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom Fox interviews David Dale, a retired Air Force officer and current Southwest Airlines pilot.

Dale shares his fascinating journey from his 20-year tenure in the Air Force to his 21-year career as a pilot at Southwest Airlines. He discusses his new book 'Aviation Therapy - Stories of Perseverance and Personal Growth,' for October release, which started as a collection of flying stories and evolved into a memoir encompassing his military career, personal experiences, and family life. Dale recounts significant moments in his aviation journey, including missions during the Mogadishu operation, Desert Storm, and being airborne on September 11, 2001. Dale also explores his passion for flying from a young age, the impact of aviation on his personal growth, and his dedication to inspiring the next generation of pilots. The interview concludes with Dale sharing insights into his writing process and his collaboration with Stoney Creek Publishing on the release of his book.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Pre-Order Aviation Therapy - Stories of Perseverance and Personal Growth on:

TamuPress

Amazon

Google Books

Stoney Creek Publishing

Follow David Dale on:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Stoney Creek Publishing Profile

Website: PilotDavidDale.com 

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and writes up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom Fox interviews Teddy Jones, exploring her fascinating journey from a career in nursing and academia to becoming a full-time fiction writer.

Teddy shares her love for education, her various roles in the nursing field, and her transition into writing. She discusses the inspiration and process behind her novel, ‘A Family of Good Women,’ which is based on historical events. Additionally, Teddy discusses her writing habits, the importance of setting in her stories, and her experiences working with Stoney Creek Publishing. The episode also touches on her upcoming projects and where listeners can connect with her work.

Key highlights:

Resources:

A Family of Good Women on:

TamuPress

Amazon

Stoney Creek Publishing

Follow Teddy Jones on:

Facebook

Instagram

Stoney Creek Publishing Website

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Tom Fox

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write in and about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with Tom Ortiz, who discusses his diverse professional background, ranging from thermodynamic experiments to oil and gas industry work, and his critical views on the green energy transition.

Ortiz elaborates on his new book, ‘Why We Struggle to Go Green,’ aiming to bridge the gap between casual readers and academic audiences with accessible yet detailed insights into energy systems like hydrogen and carbon capture. He addresses the harsh realities of shifting to renewable sources, emphasizing the need for reduced energy consumption and greater resilience to climate change. Ortiz also reflects on the evolving role of academia and its challenges in fostering unbiased technological advancement. The discussion concludes with Ortiz’s future aspirations and a brief about his collaboration with Stony Creek Publishing.

Key highlights:

Resources:

Tom Ortiz on LinkedIn

Tom Ortiz Substack

Tom Ortiz on Stoney Creek Publishing

Why We Struggle to Go Green on Texas A&M University Press

Stoney Creek Publishing Website

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and writes up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom Fox visits John Brock, the author of ‘The Great Ice Cream War of Summer 2016 and marketing manager for Texas Tech University Press.

Brock discusses his day job at the Press, his new novella, and the inspiration behind it. He also details his writing process, which took eight years for this particular novella, highlighting the importance of persistence and creativity. They also explore the nuances of novella writing, self-publishing, and marketing strategies for new authors. The conversation explores the theme of change as a universal narrative tool and its relevance in both the context of his story and broader societal shifts. Brock also shares insights into the offerings and upcoming publications from Texas Tech University Press.

Key Highlights:

Resources:

The Great Ice Cream War of Summer 2016 on Amazon

Visit Texas Tech University Press Website

Follow John Brock on:

Facebook

Substack

Instagram

As a valued listener, order John Brock’s book and receive a $2.00 discount. Visit IngramSpark here.

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Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write in and about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits Claudette Fette, an academic from Texas Woman's University, about her professional background and her work in mental health and community-based practices. 

Fette shares the journey that led her to occupational therapy and advocacy, influenced by her son's struggles with mental illness and addiction. They discuss the development and principles of authentic wraparound services, the importance of multidisciplinary staffing, and the effectiveness of early intervention and preventative mental health support. Fette also touches on the failures of the criminal justice system in dealing with mental health and substance abuse, advocating for restorative justice practices. Additionally, she provides insights into her writing and publishing process for her book, 'No Saints Here,' and the ongoing resources she provides through her blog and website.

Key Highlights 

·      Claudette Fette's Professional and Academic Journey

·      The Story Behind 'No Saints Here'

·      Community-Based Alternatives to Institutionalization

·      The Importance of Multidisciplinary Staffing

·      Early Intervention and Preventative Mental Health Support

·      Educational Interventions and Support Systems

·      Criminal Justice System and Mental Health

·      Authentic Wraparound and Recovery

·      Writing and Publishing Journey

Resources

Claudette Fette on Stoney Creek Publishing

No Saints Here on Texas A&M University Press

Stoney Creek Publishing Website

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Tom Fox

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