Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction

By Lex Starwalker

Lex Out Loud is a podcast for writers, readers and all lovers of speculative fiction. I’m writing my third novel, and I’m taking you along for the journey. Whether you’re a writer or game master, o

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FAQs about Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction:

How many episodes does Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction have?

The podcast currently has 100 episodes available.

Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction episodes:

October 21, 2025 Economics of The Culture | LOL 100
I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture’s economic systems. This leads to a discussion of our current day economics systems and government corruption. How do we move our current corrupt systems to one like The Culture’s where there is true democracy and equality?
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Links
Subscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Support the show on Patreon.
Donate to the show.
Follow me on Bluesky.
Join my Discord server.
Email me.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
Check out my YouTube channel.
Join my Book Club, now on Discord.
A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. Banks
Start The Culture series withConsider Phlebas or The Player of Games
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43min
September 30, 2025 The Culture's Origins & Government | LOL 099
I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture’s origins and its structure of government, such as it is. I also touch on why galactic empires are impractical, unlikely, and probably a silly idea. We’ll also explore why rebellion against controlling powers is much easier in a space-living civilization than one limited to a single planet.
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Links
Subscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Support the show on Patreon.
Donate to the show.
Follow me on Bluesky.
Join my Discord server.
Email me.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
Check out my YouTube channel.
Join my Book Club, now on Discord.
A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. Banks
Start The Culture series withConsider Phlebas or The Player of Games
...more
56min
September 22, 2025 AI Characters & Their Role in Science Fiction | LOL 098
This week I share an amazing lecture Martha Wells gave on AI characters in science fiction stories. Quite often these stories involve the enslavement of sentient beings. She gives us a lot of food for thought and shares a little about the origins of her beloved character, Murderbot. I also talk (very) briefly about the heroine’s journey.
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Links
Subscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
Support the show on Patreon.
Donate to the show.
Follow me on Bluesky.
Join my Discord server.
Email me.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
Check out my YouTube channel.
Join my Book Club, now on Discord.
A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. Banks
Start The Culture series with Consider Phlebas or The Player of Games
Start The Murderbot Diaries with All Systems Red
Murderbot show
Ancillary Justice by Anne Leckie
The Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger
...more
53min
August 11, 2025 A New Voyage Begins | LOL 097
This week I talk a bit about the Foundation and Murderbot TV adaptations. I give a quick update on my novel, Critical Balance, which is coming out. I also explain why I haven’t been able to share the beautiful cover art for Critical Balance until the book is released. I talk a bit about the upcoming Worldcon in Seattle. Then I begin my multi-episode series on exploring the setting of The Culture series by Iain M. Banks. Topics include how 9,000 years is a really long time and convergent human evolution across the galaxy. How “alien” will alien life really be? If you love sci-fi, worldbuilding, and/or The Culture, you won’t want to miss this series!
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
J.J. Ackernecht
Book of the New Sun
Culture Series
Murderbot show
The Murderbot Diaries
Storygraph
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
52min
July 09, 2025 Publishing Your Novel on Amazon with Kindle Direct | LOL 096
Today I discuss why I decided to publish my book on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing. I share how the whole process works and what I’ve learned so far. I also talk about why I finally decided to do a paperback and e-book, and why I’ve decided to enroll my novel in Kindle Unlimited.
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
J.J. Ackernecht
Book of the New Sun
Culture Series
Murderbot show
The Murderbot Diaries
Storygraph
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
59min
April 30, 2025 Self-Publishing Your Novel | LOL 095
Today I discuss some of how independently publishing works and compare and contrast to the discussion on traditional publishing from the last episode. I share why I think independently publishing these days is almost a no-brainer.
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
1h 3min
February 05, 2025 Independent Versus Traditional Publishing | LOL 094
I’ve started a few different novels, and I’ve hit some snags. I’ve had a couple new novel ideas as well. I share the ideas with you, my progress, and my thoughts about which of these books I’m going to write next. I also share some musings on the future trajectory of our society and how it’s affecting my worldbuilding. Finally I consider whether courier ships in space make sense.
Links
Check out my novel, Critical Balance.
Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
54min
December 30, 2024 Juggling Novel Ideas | LOL 093
I’ve started a few different novels, and I’ve hit some snags. I’ve had a couple new novel ideas as well. I share the ideas with you, my progress, and my thoughts about which of these books I’m going to write next. I also share some musings on the future trajectory of our society and how it’s affecting my worldbuilding. Finally I consider whether courier ships in space make sense.
Links
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
1h 8min
December 16, 2024 Hiring an Editor | LOL 092
Today I return to the show after being completely demoralized by my experience hiring a “professional” editor for my novel Critical Balance. It was a terrible experience. I got conned, lost a lot of money, and have nothing to show for it except hard lessons learned. I share the red flags I ignored or overlooked and the mistakes I made in the hopes you can avoid having to go through an experience like this yourself.
Links
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
1h 16min
June 03, 2024 My Writing Club, Dyson Swarms & Space Trains | LOL 091
This week I talk about a science-fiction writing club I’m starting in my home town. I also talk a bit about the ongoing revision process for Critical Balance and a couple story ideas I’m working on for my next novel.
Links
Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.
Get a free 30 day trial of Audible with my affiliate link.
Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.
Join my Book Club.
How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.
Support the show.
Join my Discord server.
Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391
...more
1h 1min

FAQs about Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction:

How many episodes does Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction have?

The podcast currently has 100 episodes available.