What happens when a completed trilogy inspires a major plot twist that changes everything—and suddenly three books become six? In this episode, GiGi Meier welcomes back award-winning fantasy author Peter Gribble for a celebratory and deeply fascinating conversation about the evolution of his City of Magicians saga.

Since their first interview, Peter has completed his award-winning trilogy—which took home the BookFest Gold Medal—and dropped a twist at the end of book three that has expanded the story into a six-book series. He's currently writing book four and shares what's next for this richly imagined world.

Peter takes us deep into his creative process, revealing how his lifelong love of history, astrology, mythology, and philosophy shaped every corner of his fantasy world. He also opens up about his fascination with languages—inspired by a childhood split between Canada and France—which led him to create an original language complete with its own symbols, as well as a personal shorthand for capturing story ideas. And if that weren't enough, he also designed the legal system, court structure, and governing order that bring authenticity and depth to his fictional world.

From writing the ending before the beginning to spending twenty-two years bringing his vision to life, Peter's journey is a testament to patience, curiosity, and the joy of lifelong learning.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about world-building, persistence, and the magic of letting your story grow beyond what you first imagined.

Find Peter here:

Website:

https://petergribble.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/petergribble3/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

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https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

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What does it take to build an entire fantasy world while working full-time, raising four children, and navigating the challenges of ADHD? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with dark fantasy author M.T. Riverbooke for an honest, vulnerable, and inspiring conversation about creativity, persistence, and the winding path to publication.

M.T. shares the story behind his upcoming dark fantasy novel, Bloodbound, the first book in his Shadow Trial Saga, and how a lifelong love of world-building—inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and Harry Potter—led him to create morally gray characters and immersive fantasy worlds. He opens up about years of experimenting across genres, his journey back to writing after high school, and how he finally discovered his unique voice.

But this conversation goes deeper than craft. M.T. speaks candidly about living with ADHD—the hyperfocus, the self-doubt, the burnout—and how it both fuels and complicates his creative process. He also discusses the realities of balancing family life with writing, the challenges of marketing and social media, and the dream of one day becoming a full-time author.

Whether you're a fantasy writer, a working parent with creative ambitions, or someone navigating neurodivergence, this episode is a powerful reminder that your path doesn't have to be straight to be meaningful.

Tune in for a raw, heartfelt conversation about world-building, resilience, and chasing big dreams in the middle of a full life.

Find M.T. Riverbrooke here:

Website:

https://books.by/silent-rebel-publications

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mt_riverbooke/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

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https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

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Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

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YouTube:

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What happens when a simple goal to "write a book" turns into a thirteen-year journey of perseverance, mentorship, and accidentally discovering you're writing romance? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with debut novelist Amy Lorowitz for an honest and inspiring conversation about the unexpected path to publication.

Amy shares the story behind her debut novel, Summer Husband—a romance set against the nostalgic backdrop of a sleepaway camp that's really about so much more: confidence, friendship, motherhood, and second chances. She opens up about spending years in a writer's workshop, learning to handle critique, cutting nearly 100,000 words from her manuscript, and the moment she realized she had written a romance novel without even intending to.

But the conversation goes beyond the craft. Amy also reflects on the unforgettable "pinch me" moments of her publishing journey—from meeting her childhood hero Judy Blume (and sending her the finished novel!) to finding the perfect publishing home with She Writes Press and finally seeing her debut on bookstore shelves.

Whether you're a romance reader, an aspiring writer, or anyone who's ever wondered if it's too late to chase a creative dream, this episode will remind you that perseverance, trust, and a little bit of accidental magic can take you further than you ever imagined.

Find Amy here:

Website:

https://www.amylorowitz.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/amylorowitz.author/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

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Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

What happens when horror becomes a mirror for identity, grief, and healing? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with horror author Candice Lola for a deeply fascinating conversation about body horror, folklore, and the stories that refuse to let us go.

Candice opens up about how she unexpectedly found herself drawn to horror—not as mere shock value, but as a powerful metaphor for growing up, confronting difficult truths, and reclaiming parts of ourselves we've been taught to hide. She explains why body horror resonates so deeply with her, how themes of ancestral veneration and social commentary weave through her work, and why emotional honesty is the scariest—and most important—thing a writer can offer.

Together, they explore Candice's debut collection, Women of Glass and Other Parables, her publishing experiences with major outlets like NBC's Today and the Huffington Post, and the powerful message behind her TED Talk on Afrodivinity and identity.

If you've ever wondered how horror can challenge, comfort, and connect us all at once, this episode is for you.

Find Candice here:

Website:

http://candicelola.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/candice_lola/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

What happens when nearly 30 years of entertainment industry experience collides with fantasy storytelling and cutting-edge AI? You get the kind of inspiring, forward-thinking conversation that Debbie Bishop brings to the table.

In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with award-winning fantasy author and entertainment executive Debbie Bishop for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, risk-taking, and building story worlds across film, comics, publishing, and technology. Debbie shares how her creative journey began with a screenplay that eventually became her Black Tide comic series with Image Comics, and how that foundation evolved into her newest release, PILLYWIGGIN Awakening—which officially releases tomorrow!

They also dive into Debbie's work with Angelgate Entertainment, her passion for empowering creators, and her groundbreaking AI & Human Roundtable podcast, where she hosts conversations with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, and Meta about creativity, technology, and the future of storytelling. Debbie offers practical insights into how she actually uses AI tools like MidJourney in her creative workflow, as well as the AI-powered editing tools she's building to help creators streamline their content production.

More than anything, this conversation is about believing in your ideas, taking creative risks, and building the stories only you can tell—no gatekeepers required.

Find Debbie here:

Website:

https://www.debbiebishop.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/debbiebishop_

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

What happens when you mix Romeo and Juliet with Godzilla? You get the kind of creative, genre-bending storytelling that comic book writer, graphic novelist, and video game narrative director Adam Tierney has built his career on.

In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with Adam for a fascinating conversation about writing across comics, graphic novels, video games, television, and even children's books. Adam shares how a lifelong love of comics led him to write for some of the biggest franchises in the world—including X-Men, Justice League, Batman, Transformers, Silent Hill, Aliens, and Teen Titans Go—and how each medium demands a completely different approach to character, dialogue, and story.

Adam also dives deep into his upcoming YA horror graphic novel, 13 Demons Dead, discussing its premise, character arcs, and future sequels, as well as his creative partnership with illustrator Saspy. He reflects on why he loves writing coming-of-age stories, how he balances literary mashups like Hamlet with monster mayhem, and what it's like writing dialogue for voice actors in interactive storytelling.

Whether you're a comic book writer, video game narrative designer, or simply a fan of great stories told across multiple worlds, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun.

Find Adam here:

Website:

www.adamctierney.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/adamwritestuff/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier

What happens when a six-week community college writing course ignites a multi-award-winning career in children's literature? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed children's author Kelly Bennett for a warm, insightful conversation about the unexpected paths that lead to a life in storytelling.

Kelly opens up about her journey—from articles to picture books, from chapter books to nonfiction, and eventually back to school for her MFA. She shares the curiosity and persistence that shaped her success, the creative process behind her beloved picture books, and what it's really like to work with illustrators and navigate traditional publishing.

But the conversation goes deeper. Kelly also discusses the shocking reality of book banning, sharing the personal stories behind why Vampire Baby was banned and why Not Norman: A Goldfish Story was challenged. She also talks about writing nonfiction baseball books on Babe Ruth and Yankee Stadium, and why parents shouldn't solve the problems in picture books.

Whether you're a children's author, a parent, or simply someone who loves stories, this episode is packed with wisdom, heart, and encouragement.

Find Kelly here:

Website:

https://www.kellybennett.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kellybennettbooks/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

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What does it take to push through nearly a decade of rejection letters and become a million-selling author? Award-winning legal thriller writer William Bernhardt joins us to share his incredible journey—from Primary Justice to his 19-book Ben Kincaid series—and why writers should never be afraid to evolve.

We also dive into his riveting new book, The Superman Wars, uncovering the heartbreaking true story of Jerry Siegel, the creator of Superman who lost the rights to his own iconic character. Plus, Bill teases his upcoming The Batman Wars, the shocking history behind Batman’s creator, and the messy reality of intellectual property in entertainment.

Along the way, we talk about WriterCon, his podcast of nearly 300 episodes, and why persistence, creativity, and protecting your work matter now more than ever.

Find William here:

Website:

https://williambernhardt.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/wbernhardtbooks/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

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Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

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GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed sci-fi dystopian author, D.A. Murray, to dissect her thought-provoking novel Dominion: Ascension and its powerful exploration of human freedom. This isn’t just a story about a futuristic world; it's a deep dive into the enduring questions of power, control, and what truly defines humanity. We discuss how Dominion examines the intersection of technology, authority, and individual choice – urging us to consider whether true freedom lies in conforming to societal structures or forging our own paths.

Beyond the book itself, we uncover D.A.’s innovative approach to building a community through her Writers in Tech series, her vibrant online presence on Instagram and TikTok, and her genuine curiosity about readers’ choices. Plus, she shares insights into her unconventional career journey – from global travel to entrepreneurship – and reveals what this powerful novel taught her about herself.

Find D.A. here:

Website:

https://damurrayofficial.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/damurrayofficial/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

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GiGi Meier welcomes bestselling romance and romantic suspense author D.W. Brooks for a deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the power of storytelling. D.W. shares how her writing began in childhood – creating one-chapter mysteries with her cousin on dot matrix paper – revealing a creative spark that never faded. We delve into her extraordinary journey: from medical school and an MBA to working as an ophthalmologist and medical consultant, then bravely publishing her debut novel after facing personal challenges including a kidney transplant and caring for her father.

This conversation is raw, honest, and ultimately triumphant. Plus, we get an exclusive sneak peek at her upcoming release, The Match Game, the newest book in her Meet Your Match series! D.W.’s story is a testament to the courage it takes to pursue your dreams – no matter what life throws your way.

Find D. W. Brooks here:

Website:

https://authordwbrooks.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authordwbrooks/

How to find GiGi:

Website:

https://www.gigimeier.com/

Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes:

https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier

Substack:

https://gigimeier.substack.com

The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier