In this episode of Killer Prose, I interview J.D. Barker, an international and New York Times bestselling author known for titles like 'The Fourth Monkey,' 'Dracul,' and his upcoming novel, 'We Don't Talk About Emma.' J.D. discusses his new book, his co-authoring process, and his unique deal with Simon & Schuster. He shares insights into his writing and publishing journey, the changes in the industry, and his approach to mentoring new authors. The conversation also touches on innovative marketing strategies, including a one-of-a-kind giveaway for his upcoming book, 'Something I Keep Upstairs.' J.D. emphasizes the importance of consistent writing, taking risks, and adapting to changes in the publishing world.

00:00 Intro

00:50 JD Barker's Upcoming Thriller: We Don't Talk About Emma

01:23 The Co-Authoring Process

01:51 From Book Doctor to Imprint Owner

03:23 Navigating the Changing Publishing Industry

04:35 The Hybrid Publishing Model

08:05 Marketing Strategies and Breakthroughs

15:09 Writing Process and Collaboration with James Patterson

17:49 Managing Multiple Projects and Trusting the Process

20:30 Bookstore Dynamics and Indie Authors

21:58 Genre Blending and Audience Expansion

24:17 Learning from the Masters

26:16 The Importance of Author Branding

30:33 Mentoring and Collaborative Writing

31:23 The Role of Technology in Writing

38:04 Advice for Aspiring Authors

38:50 Final thoughts and Contact Information

Connect with JD at: https://jdbarker.com/

Enter the giveaway for a chance to stay at the house that inspired Something I Keep in the Attic checkout: https://woobox.com/vcevs2

Connect with the show at: https://www.killerprose.com/

find The Anatomy of Genres by John Truby at: https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Genres-Story-Forms-Explain/dp/0374539227

In this episode of the Killer Prose Podcast, host Tanner Rutledge wishes listeners a happy New Year and invites them to share their upcoming projects for 2025. Tanner discusses his decision to merge his mystery and horror writings under his own name, eliminating the need for a pen name to reduce marketing expenses. He reflects on the professional changes in 2024, including transitioning to commission sales to fund his book projects. Looking ahead, he anticipates releasing his first mystery novel 'Fools and Corpses' by June 2025, followed by a horror novel and another book in the Ted and Darcy series. Tanner emphasizes the importance of writing consistently and sets a goal to write 1,000 words a day. He also invites listeners to join his live writing sessions and to suggest topics and guest authors for future episodes.

00:00 Welcome and New Year's Greetings

00:45 Reflecting on 2024: Professional Changes

01:40 Upcoming Book Releases

03:02 The Pen Name Dilemma

08:02 Writing Routine and Productivity Tips

11:14 Goals for 2025 and Beyond

13:09 Podcasting and Community Engagement

13:44 Final Thoughts and Listener Engagement

Connect with the show and find links to all our social media profiles at https://www.killerprose.com/

Find Tanner's author Page on FB at https://www.facebook.com/tannerrutledgeauthor/

Follow us on YouTube for live writing sessions at https://www.youtube.com/@KillerProse6645

Intro Music: Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

In this episode of Killer Prose Podcast, Tanner is joined by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar, an accomplished writer and associate English professor in Pennsylvania. With her work featured in over forty creative publications, including The Horror Zine, Wyldblood Magazine, and Tales from the Moonlit Path, Cassandra brings a wealth of experience to the table.

We discuss the craft of writing, teaching horror fiction at the university level, and the art of using scenery to convey a variety of information to your readers. Cassandra also shares insights into her works: her dark suspense novel, Darkness There but Something More (Wicked House Publishing, March 2024), and her short horror story collection, Keeper of Corpses and Other Dark Tales (Velox Books, September 2024).

Join us for a compelling conversation about the intersection of education, creativity, and the macabre.

Connect with Cassandra at https://cassandraosullivansachar.com/

Connect with the show and sign up for the newsletter at https://killerprose.com 

Follow me on Youtube and Twitch @KillerProsePodcast

Connect with my author page on Facebook @Tanner Rutledge-Author

In this episode of Killer Prose, we’re joined by Lee Mountford, the bestselling author behind the Haunted and Darkfall series. Lee shares his journey to becoming a full-time indie author, offering insights into planning and writing series, collaborating with editors, and crafting haunted house stories and genre blends.

Whether you’re a writer seeking inspiration or a horror fan curious about what goes into creating spine-chilling fiction, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Don’t forget to connect with us at killerprose.com, where you’ll find all our social media links and details on our live writing sessions every Monday through Friday morning at 5:30am. See you there!

Connect with Lee

Web: https://leemountford.com

FB: https://facebook.com/LeeMountfordAuthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lee-Mountford/author/B0716HDW6C

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

We have some new episodes coming. I'll also be taking the show to once a month for a while so we can stay consistent while work, life, and writing are so hectic right now. 

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Ivy Tholen is the author of “Tastes Like Candy," “Maul Rats,” and the upcoming "Mother Dear." She lives in Los Angeles. Don’t mention “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” to her, or she will never shut up.

In this episode, we delve into the world of indie authorship. Whether you're curious about carving out time to write, mastering the craft of horror, knowing the right moment to seek feedback, or getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the indie author life, this episode has you covered. Stay tuned for insights, tips, and real-world experiences that every aspiring indie author should hear!

Connect with Ivy and check out her books!

Website: https://www.ivytholen.com/

Instagram Link: https://www.instagram.com/ivy_tholen/ 

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/author/ivy-tholen

Connect with the show at:

Website: https://www.killerprose.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writingfright/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KillerProse6645

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/killerprosepodcast

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Today I'm joined by author, Andrew Najberg. Andrew is the author of the best-selling (#1 US Horror Amazon) novels The Mobius Door (Wicked House Publishing, 2023) and Gollitok (Wicked House Publishing, 2023), as well as The Neverborn Thief (Olive-Ridley Press, 2024), the forthcoming collection of short fiction In Those Fading Stars (Crystal Lake Publishing, 2024) and the forthcoming novel Extinction Dream (Wicked House Publishing, 2025). His short fiction has appeared in Fusion Fragment, Khoreo, Translunar Travelers Lounge, Utopia Science Fiction, Prose Online, Psychopomp Review, Solar Press Horror Anthology, and is forthcoming in Make Your Presence Known Anthology, and the Gods and Globes III Anthology. Currently, he teaches for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 

In this episode, we talk about how life can get in the way of writing and the importance of making time for your works in progress. We also discuss the state of the industry, building relationships with your publishers, and making boardgames. 

Connect with Andrew on his Website at https://andrewnajberg.com/

Interact with him on his socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndrewNajbergAuthor

X: https://x.com/AndrewNajberg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrewnajberg/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR96AxLpKTLob6neZQBDpQg

Find his books at: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Andrew-Najberg/author/B0CBNGGV9H?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1720030456&sr=1-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Connect with the show and sign up for the newsletter at https://www.killerprose.com/

Join the live writing session on YouTube and Twitch at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ1HGx45K7dwaYIRJg_VcYQ/videos and https://www.twitch.tv/killerprosepodcast

Follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/writingfright/

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Today I'm joined by Bryan Alaspa. Bryan wrote his first short story in the third grade, way back in the 70s. He's now the author of more than 60 books and novels, all of them on the dark side of life.

In today's episode Brian and I talk about craft, story inspiration, and different avenues for publication. 

Connect with Bryan at https://www.bryanwalaspa.com/

Connect with him on X (Twitter) @ https://x.com/bryanalaspa

Find his Horror Fiction Podcast When the Night Comes @ https://www.bryanwalaspa.com/when-the-night-comes-out-the-podcas

Connect with the show @ https://www.killerprose.com/ Leave a voicemail and tell me about your books, works in progress, and writing goals to have your voice featured on the show. Just click the red mic in the bottom corner. Make sure to sign up for the newsletter to receive free short stories, publishing news, and project updates. 

Follow on Twitch and Youtube to take part in free live writing sprints every Monday and Friday 5:30 am Eastren Time

Connect with me on FB and IG @killerprose

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

In today's episode, I'm joined by Clay Stafford. We cover pretty much everything. We talk about the opportunities at the Killer Nashville Conference, trad publishing vs self publishing, and getting out there and meeting agents. 

Clay Stafford is an American bestselling and award-winning author, poet, screenwriter, and playwright; film and television producer, director, showrunner, actor; book, film, and stage reviewer as well as public speaker. He has sold nearly four million copies of his books and has had his work distributed in sixteen languages. He is founder and CEO of the annual Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference and a contributor to Writer’s Digest magazine with his online column, “Killer Writer”. For more information visit, www.claystafford.com. 

Check out the 2024 Killer Nashville Conference and sign up for the newsletter at https://www.killernashville.com/

Connect with the show at https://www.killerprose.com and don't forget to sign up for the newsletter for free short stories and industry updates. 

Join me for live writing sprints on Twitch @killerprosepodcast and Youtube @killerprose

Follow me on FB and IG for book and show updates @killerprose

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0

Today, I'm joined by horror author Brad Ricks. Brad talks about his debut novel Fear Not the Dead, his path to writing and publication, and his feelings on the craft.  We also get into playing with timelines, things you don't think about before being published, and why he writes horror.

You can find Brad, links to his socials, and his books at https://www.bradricks.com/

Purchase Fear Not the Dead https://www.amazon.com/Fear-Not-Dead-Brad-Ricks-ebook/dp/B0CYS3DLL9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=9QM6HCJXQWN5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.NtYkrOtkbgQ_LP3jBvlp4DslBCMvJGLuwrhwO72P9JDGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.ZkKIOO7RhwOworCV3brJJMcBGQVBgSNvISXQuRghmgc&dib_tag=se&keywords=fear+not+the+dead+brad+ricks&qid=1720110789&sprefix=fear+not+the+dead%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1

Stay up to date! Signup for the newsletter and free short stories at https://www.killerprose.com/

Join the free live writing sprints every Monday and Friday 5:30am eastern at:

• Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@KillerProse6645
• Twitch @killerprosepodcast

Connect with me on Social media on IG, FB, and Discord @killerprose

Intro and outro music provided by Super Strange Synths by YellowTree -- https://freesound.org/s/482961/ -- License: Attribution 4.0