This week on Panel Chewing, Steve and Jarrod are back with two weeks' worth of comics and unfortunately, the stack isn't exactly overflowing with winners.

They dig into Absolute Green Lantern, Absolute Superman, Kingdom of Earth, Endeavour, Savage Sword of Conan, Queen in Black, Foundations, Red Roots, Powers 25, Terabytes, American Caper, The Dirt Beneath the Devil, Ezra Cain: Mysteries of the Peril Brutal Dark, City of Demons, and more. There are plenty of disappointments, a few books headed straight off the pull list, and thankfully some standouts that make the rough week worthwhile.

For their Picks of the Week, Jarrod celebrates Patrick Zircher's return to Solomon Kane with The Lion Errant #1, while Steve finds an unexpected favorite in Mad Cave Studios' The Omega Book #1, a strange science fiction mystery involving an estranged father and son, hidden dimensions, and a device capable of revealing what lies behind the reality we see.

Then it's time to continue the Lone Wolf and Cub readalong with Volume 10, and this may be the best volume yet. The conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu reaches a new level, Ogami and Daigoro are pushed into unfamiliar territory, and some of the series' most impressive action and visual storytelling takes center stage. Steve and Jarrod discuss the emotional weight of Daigoro's journey, the incredible artwork, and why this decades old manga still feels timeless.

Which comics survived the week, and is Volume 10 really the best Lone Wolf and Cub volume so far? Join us and find your Pick of the Week.

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What happens when someone who spent decades behind the scenes in Hollywood decides to become a novelist?

In Episode 15 of Beyond the Page, I sit down with award-winning author Kay A. Oliver to talk about her journey from a nearly 30-year career in the entertainment industry to writing fiction and building an impressive catalog of 18 novels.

Kay shares how her experiences in Hollywood influenced her storytelling, why she gravitates toward writing strong and intelligent female protagonists, and what she's learned about finding—and trusting—her own creative voice.

We also discuss the realities of the entertainment industry, her writing process, working with editors, resilience, artificial intelligence and creativity, and the importance of continuing to pursue the work that matters to you.

Kay also talks about her Kutter Murder Mystery series, including Fear Struck, and what continues to motivate her after publishing so many books.

It's a conversation about writing, reinvention, persistence, and following your own path—even when that path takes you somewhere you never expected.

Find Kay: https://kayaoliver.com/

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The pieces are starting to come together in our Carpentry in the Elven Forest by Alex French group read!

This week, we're diving into chapters 14–25, as Jeff and Oggy set out to rescue Amber, the trolls turn out to be far more complicated than expected, and Gaskin continues to reveal just how powerful and mysterious he might actually be.

We also learn more about the Gentleman and the Deep Dark, the strings they're pulling behind the scenes, and the real purpose behind Jeff's seemingly simple mission to build a jewelry box. Meanwhile, Amber's situation puts a ticking clock on the group's journey, and Jeff, Oggy, and Amber finally begin to come together as a team.

Plus, I finally discover the painfully obvious joke from last week's chapters that somehow went completely over my head.

Join me as we discuss the reveals, humor, characters, theories, and everything else from chapters 14–25. Next week, we'll continue with chapters 26–38.

What did you think of this section? And just how powerful do you think Gaskin really is?

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Our reread of The Darkness That Comes Before concludes with Part V: The Holy War, where years of prophecy, politics, and preparation finally converge as the march toward Shimeh begins.

In this spoiler-filled discussion, we explore Kellhus' growing influence within the Holy War, Cnaiür's remarkable ability to navigate an unfamiliar culture, and Achaamian's continuing struggle with prophecy, dreams, and the weight of the Mandate. We also discuss the many factions that gather for the campaign, whether Bakker's sprawling world-building enhances the story or becomes overwhelming, and how seemingly minor moments take on new meaning after completing the entire series.

Along the way, we dive into the Dûnyain, Kellhus' flashbacks and philosophy, the Consult's hidden influence, Esmenet's emotional journey, and several reader theories that continue to spark debate years after publication. As always, we share our favorite moments, unanswered questions, and the details that make The Second Apocalypse one of fantasy's richest rereading experiences.

⚠️ Warning: This episode contains major spoilers for the entire Second Apocalypse series, including The Aspect-Emperor novels.

Join us as we wrap up The Darkness That Comes Before before continuing our journey into The Warrior Prophet in two weeks.

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In this episode of Beyond the Page, I'm joined by Zack James, founder of StarScript, a new self-publishing and entertainment platform built to help authors, podcasters, musicians, filmmakers, and other creators grow sustainable businesses around their work.

We discuss why publishing is only the beginning, the challenges of audience discovery, social media algorithms, community building, creator ownership, and how StarScript hopes to bring publishing, marketing, monetization, and fan engagement together under one roof.

If you're an indie author—or you're considering self-publishing—this conversation offers an interesting look at one possible future for creator-owned platforms.

• Why Zack created StarScript
• The biggest struggles facing self-published authors
• Audience ownership vs. social media algorithms
• Building community around creative work
• Monetization and subscription models
• Chapter-by-chapter publishing
• Why discovery is still the hardest part of publishing
• Zack's own science fiction and comic book projects
• The future of independent publishing

StarScript: https://starscript.com/

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What does it take to build a life around creativity?

In Episode 13 of Beyond the Page, Steve sits down with entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, designer, and author Paul Pape for a fascinating conversation about writing, business, imagination, and the challenges of publishing.

Paul shares how years of helping creative entrepreneurs eventually led him to fiction, including his supernatural horror novel Death's Intern, a coming-of-age story about a boy chosen to become Death's apprentice. Along the way, they discuss traditional publishing versus self-publishing, marketing books, horror fiction, storytelling, TEDx speaking, and why creativity can become both a career and a calling.

Topics include:

• Writing Death's Intern
• Traditional publishing vs. self-publishing
• Querying literary agents
• Horror and supernatural fiction
• Building authority through TEDx
• Entrepreneurship and creativity
• Gamifying business
• Marketing books
• The importance of imagination
• Why the 1980s remain such a compelling setting for fiction

If you're an author, entrepreneur, or simply love hearing the stories behind great books, this episode is packed with practical insights and plenty of laughs.

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Join me for the first installment of our Carpentry in the Elven Forest group read as we dive into chapters 1–13. We discuss the book's surprisingly humorous tone, the creation of its world, the growing conflict between the Gentleman and the Deep Dark, and meet an unforgettable cast of characters including Jeff, Amber, and everyone's favorite foul-mouthed talking badger, Oggy.

We'll also share first impressions of the story, speculate on where the many plot threads might be leading, and talk about why this fantasy adventure has already exceeded expectations without spoiling what's to come.

Whether you're reading along or deciding if this book is for you, grab a seat and join the conversation. Next week we'll continue with chapters 14–25, so there's still plenty of time to catch up.

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Some stories are written to entertain.

Others are written because they need to be told.

In Episode 12 of Beyond the Page, Steve welcomes author, artist, educator, and former nurse Nancy Jasin Ensley to discuss her deeply personal memoir, The Tire Swing: A Memoir About Survival.

Nancy shares the experiences that inspired her book, the challenges of writing about trauma, and how storytelling became an important part of her healing journey. She also reflects on careers in nursing and education, raising a family, embracing creativity later in life, and encouraging others to find hope through writing.

Together they discuss:

• The inspiration behind The Tire Swing
• Writing memoir with honesty and compassion
• Healing through storytelling
• Balancing truth with vulnerability
• Nursing, teaching, and caring for others
• Creativity after life's hardest moments
• Publishing a deeply personal story
• Advice for aspiring memoir writers
• Finding hope after adversity

Whether you're a reader, writer, or someone who believes stories can change lives, this conversation is a powerful reminder that sharing our experiences can help both ourselves and others.

Guest: Nancy Ensley https://nancyjasinensley.com/

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This week on the Page Chewing Weekly Update, I'm sharing what I've been reading, what's coming up on the podcast, and a few changes happening behind the scenes.

We talk about my progress through The Bonehunters, the beginning of The Warrior Prophet reread, and why Carpentry in an Elven Forest has been even funnier than I remembered. I also share updates on upcoming Beyond the Page interviews, the future of Friday Conversations, and why I've been paying closer attention to podcast analytics as I plan new content.

I also recap a return trip to one of the most overwhelming used bookstores I've ever visited, discuss a few recent horror movies, and explain why some projects are moving forward while others are taking a back seat.

In this episode:

• Reading updates for The Bonehunters, The Warrior Prophet, and Carpentry in an Elven Forest
• Upcoming Page Burners and Beyond the Page episodes
• Plans to revive Friday Conversations
• Thoughts on recent horror films
• Behind-the-scenes podcast updates and analytics
• A used bookstore revisit and recent haul
• What's coming next for Page Chewing

Question of the Week:

What topic would you love to hear covered on Page Chewing? Whether it's a book, an author, a genre, or a discussion topic, I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments.

If you're enjoying the podcast, consider becoming a member to help support the show and keep new episodes coming. Thanks for listening, and happy reading!

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In this episode of Page Burners, we continue our readthrough of The Bonehunters with a deep dive into Chapters 11 and 12, where Steven Erikson blends philosophy, mythology, and character drama into another thought-provoking stretch of the Malazan saga.

Our discussion explores Heboric's increasingly enigmatic journey and the divided opinions he inspires, as we debate his role, his connection to the gods, and whether he's a tragic figure or simply one of the series' most frustrating characters. We also examine the Crippled God's growing influence, unpack his followers' unsettling worldview, and dive into one of the most fascinating conversations yet about faith, suffering, and religion in the Malazan universe.

Elsewhere, we break down the mysteries surrounding the Hounds of Shadow and the Hounds of Darkness, revisit Shadowthrone and Cotillion's latest moves, and discuss the emotional and manipulative dynamics between Icarium, Mappo, and Taralack Veed. Along the way, we share theories, challenge one another's interpretations, and speculate on where these storylines are leading.

As always, this is a full-spoiler discussion for everything we've covered so far in Malazan Book of the Fallen and the connected novels by Ian C. Esslemont.

If you're reading along with us, be sure to finish Chapters 13 and 14 before joining us for the next episode as The Bonehunters continues to build toward its unforgettable final act.

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