Reader’s Labyrinth

Frank was honored to have writer, creator, journalists, and overall deeply interesting human, Brian Penny, to step into Reader’s Labyrinth for a chat. 

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Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this talk! Send Frank an email and let him hear your thoughts: [email protected]

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Check out "Reader's Labyrinth" YouTube Channel: (CLICK) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWHkOMvKllSkG8uJulGDQw

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Brian’s experiences as a professional, full-time writer has seen his life take many twists and turns. From turning whistle blower against corrupt insurance practices in 2008-09, to citizen/activist journalism, to technical/medical & ghost writing, and everything in between. 

Life hasn’t been easy, and through it all Brian’s one “True North” is his desire to write. From living in a van for 3 years, to working the “gig” writer economy, Brian offers his fascinating insights into a seldom talked about corner of the craft, and the brutal grind that drives many weaker souls away. 

As a host, Frank was both intrigued and humbled by Brian’s tales of overcoming challenges and hardships to always stick with what he loves most: the art of crafting words and affecting a positive change in the world. 

You can find his work in the links below. Brian is also published in Cracked, High Times, Phoenix New Times, Paste Magazine, Forbes, Fast Company, HuffPost, The Street, and others. He is a professional ghost writer as well. 

Brian’s YouTube Channel: 

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

Follow Brian on Twitter: @TheBrianPenny 

Brian on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brian-penny-journalist

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Time Stamps

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:40 Interview Begins

00:02:30 The background of a Whistle Blower 

00:05:33 2011 and leaked documents

00:07:35 Brian’s decision to move on from his Whistle Blower days

00:10:25 Frank & Brian discuss concerning events in the world of real estate

00:13:35 How Brian makes a living writing

00:14:40 On the road, and living in a van

00:15:12 Online Mags will over “exposure” in place of paying writers 

00:17:36 Brians 3 year struggle to get by

00:19:17 Medical/Technical writing grind

00:20:12 Writing eBooks for clients

00:22:39 The “Bread & Butter” for writers earning money

00:23:25 Ghost Writing as a way to explore other perspectives 

00:23:45 Ghost Writing as a gig

00:25:00 Does Brian miss the road at all? 

00:31:40 Problem isn’t massive content, it’s getting books into reader’s hands

00:34:27 Hollywood’s portrayal of writers is WILDLY off and not true

00:35:22 Opening week of a book, makes or breaks it

00:36:41 Only top 1% of authors make it “big”

00:37:15 James Patterson uses an army of Ghost Writers 

00:38:20 Grind over Craft when it comes to sales 

00:39:20 Authors need a WEBSITE and NEWSLETTER

00:41:35 Linktree SUCKS so get a REAL website please

00:43:25 The importance of building a community to market to

00:45:10 Brian’s success with blogs 

00:46:00 “Work for hire Gig Writer” vs. “Writer as Business” 

00:48:33 Examples of “true” word of mouth 

00:49:50 Don’t buy reviews on Amazon, everyone knows you do and they SUCK ASS

00:51:30 Brian talks about influencers and people trying to break into music industry 

00:53:00 You need to track your numbers

00:54:31 Social Media 

00:55:53 Does Brian write any fiction? 

00:58:12 #SPFBO controversy 

01:05:18 A.I. Chat vs writers 

01:08:33 People using A.I. as a “crutch” and failing to learn the “craft”

01:12:33 How a writer learns the craft 

01:15:46 Frustration, failure, and pain is part of the learning process

01:17:30 Music and copyright HELL 

01:25:41 Final closing, thanks Brian! 

Check out the "Reader's Labyrinth" YouTube Page!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwWHkOMvKllSkG8uJulGDQw

Listen to “Reader’s Labyrinth” on Apple and Spotify!

PLEASE leave a REVIEW on APPLE and a FOLLOW on SPOTIFY it really HELPS

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/readers-labyrinth/id1591620250

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HMYvyGjhSX75LueeYMhuB

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Email Frank, your host, he's always willing to listen to feedback and thoughts: [email protected]

Please welcome Dr. Sharon Martin into the Labyrinth. Frank chats with Sharon about her incredible book “Maximize your Healing Power: Shamanic Healing Techniques to Overcome Your Health Challenges”

Sharon Martin graduated from John Hopkins School of Medicine and is a board-certified physician of internal medicine with a doctorate in physiology.

She graduated the “Healing the Light Body” curriculum of Four Winds Society, and also the radio host of Maximum Medicine, and Sacred Magic. All of which can be found on the Transformation Talk Radio Network. Sharon has extensive practice in her health clinic in rural Pennsylvania.

Please visit her website at: https://drsharonmartin.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sharonmartinmd/

Her book is available at:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sharon-E.-Martin/author/B0BG3J51Q5?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Barnes and Noble: https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780062156946-0

Inner Traditions: https://www.innertraditions.com/books/maximize-your-healing-power

Also please check out Dr. Martin’s incredible podcast available on Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/51z11dmXNRHCAEj6UVWS7h?si=0elog6PISMuPUfoKMdoVRQ&nd=1

You can follow her on Twitter: @sharonmartinmd

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Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Introducing Dr. Sharon Martin

00:02:45 Interview Begins

00:04:25 Where did her book idea originate?

00:05:40 Finding balance between science and mysticism

00:07:05 technology and the dangers of artificial intelligence A. I.

00:08:40 A.I. and the corruption of human virtues

00:09:00 Definitions: Energies, Power, etc..

00:10:16 Energy Fields and thoughts

00:10:57 Eastern mysticism

00:13:00 Early death of meditation in the West

00:15:00 The West’s emphasis on physical and practicality

00:17:00 Origin of Sharon’s book writing process

00:21:00 the experience of the patient

00:24:40 Importance of holistic healing in medicine

00:27:30 A patients back pain cured

00:29:05 Limiting nature of life rules while on the path to healing

00:34:00 on “whether to bring up woo” or not

00:36:21 five years before she decided to bring up healing power

00:39:30 The intuitive ability of patients to sense energy fields

00:41:50 CREEPY story about a grandfather versus a family death

00:44:00 Be careful of roaming energies

00:48:00 Scary a “cursed” stone and shapeshifting Shaman

00:51:00 Mayan Tradition: Transfer of consciousness into stones

00:51:53 Werewolves!

00:53:47 Dragon energies “shapeshifting”

01:04:00 Special Incentive to BUY the BOOK! SO go ahead and CLICK the SHOW-NOTES NOW!!

Feel free to shoot Frank an email: [email protected] also check out the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@readerslabyrinth7386/videos

In case you are (blessedly) not on social media, or aren’t tracking the #writingcommunity on Twitter, it seem as though a controversy has been brewing these past 72 hours (as of May 28, 2023.

Author, M.V. Prindle entered his novel “Bob the Wizard” entered the cover art into the recent SPFBO book art competition. Speculation soon arose, however, as to whether the art was the work of A.I. generated imagery. The ensuing confusion resulted in a “witch-hunt” whereby indie authors took to the publicly available archives of Midjourney to discover the truth. The truth, as with everything in life thus far: The alleged “artist” who designed Pringle’s cover is nowhere to be found, and all we can be certain of, is that a lie was told somewhere along the way.

I sat down with author, Andrew Gillsmith, to discuss the ensuing controversy. For the record we both are NOT against the integration of A.I. into the workflow process of authors. If you want to use A.I. for writing a novel that’s totally up to you. We ARE however, in favor of open disclosure as far as the techs usage in this field. We discuss the Twitter dustup and how authors and readers should move forward into the future.

Check out my conversation with Andrew on AI here: https://youtu.be/U4zEaYTj2Kg

In this episode of Reader's Labyrinth Frank sits down for a FOURTH time with author/narrator/creator of horror fiction, Soren Narnia. Soren relays to Frank a few books he just knows he "needs" to get around to reading one of the these days. Frank & Soren discuss the lows and highs of life, and how things conspire to keep us from reading :)

Check out the Episode on Reader's Labyrinth YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYpgl6Q6dls&t=1753s

Reader’s Labyrinth is on a quest for unforgettable books and meeting their creators. Your host, Frank, brings you wonderful authors spinning their magic into stories through Q&A interviews. Your invited into the labyrinth as Frank interviews creators from across all genres of fiction and non-fiction.

Connect with Frank on Twitter: @EmpiresPodcast or Email: [email protected]

LIKING and SUBSCRIBING to Reader’s Labyrinth let’s Frank know that others out there in the world care as much as he does about great books. Please SHARE with a friend.

Show Summary:

Join Frank as he chats with Eileen Stephenson, historian and author of the Byzantine Empire. Eileen is the author of the “Imperial Passions” series, also a non-fiction work on the history of the empire during the 11thCentury, and a compilation of stories based on the intricate politics of Constantinople, and Anatolia during the time of the Crusades.

Eileen’s readers will discover stories of Machiavellian plots, cloak and dagger politics, and a story arch driven by her first-rate research, as much as by compelling characters. Eileen also allows her readers a glimpse into the hidden role of women at the center of power, like her protagonist Anna Dalassena, in her novel “Imperial Passions the Porta Aurea.”

Frank and Eileen discuss the role of primary research, the tradition of literary historical fiction, and where her passion for the past originated. They also discuss Eileen’s travels across the Eastern Mediterranean, the once cradle of the long past civilization she is so passionate about.

PLEASE help validate your favorite writer’s labors in a truly luminous way and follow the LINKS below and purchase their work.

You can support Eileen Stephenson by stopping by her website: www.eileenstephenson.com

And buying her books from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eileen-Stephenson/e/B013KYPUM0/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk

#Author #Interview #ByzantineEmpire #HistoryCommunity

Please see PINNED Comment for timestamps.

0:00 Intro

02:30 Interview begins

03:00 When did the Roman Empire end? 1453 or 410?

04:30 The Ottoman Dynasty considered themselves Roman emperors

07:50 What is it about the Byzantines that fascinate Eileen?

15:30 Who else in Eileen’s family is passionate about history?

17:00 Methodology and similarities with Science Fiction Lit

18:27 The incredible life of Anna Dalassena, wife of the emperor 11th century

20:30 Use of primary source material for construction of her novels

26:40 A very brief history of the Byzantine Empire

33:00 The various periods of Byzantine history

33:40 How the Crusades affected the Empire

37:00 All those emperors getting killed off, new blood

37:40 The Byzantine brutal practice of blinding deposed emperors

41:00 Eileen’s new WIP

44:44 What did a typical Byzantine army look like? What was it composed of?

47:00 The Norman efforts to conquer the Byzantine Empire

48:45 Basil II, Empire was strong but from then on downhill

50:00 Reign of Isaac II, struck by lightening (imagine the palace gossip!)

51:30 Eileen’s novel series “Imperial Passions” and trajectory of the Empire

55:31 The AMAZING role of women in the Byzantine Empire and the hidden story of history

1:00:15 Isaac II offered throne to John, but he turned it down

1:02:00 Life for retired, deposed, or otherwise resting emperors in Monasteries

1:04:00 Lot’s of Roman/Byzantine History groups on Facebook, Twitter, and elsewhere

1:07:00 The highly educated nature of people in the Empire

1:10:00 The places Eileen has visited Greece, Turkey, and others

1:15:00 How “Constantinople” was changed to “Istanbul”

1:20:00 Closing

Reader’s Labyrinth is on a quest for unforgettable books and meeting their creators. Your host, Frank, brings you wonderful authors spinning their magic into stories through Q&A interviews. Your invited into the labyrinth as Frank interviews creators from across all genres of fiction and non-fiction.

Connect with Frank on Twitter: @EmpiresPodcast or Email: [email protected]

LIKING and SUBSCRIBING to Reader’s Labyrinth let’s Frank know that others out there in the world care as much as he does about great books. Please SHARE with a friend.

Show Summary: Watch Reader's Labyrinth on YouTube: Soren Narnia, “Knifepoint Horror” & “Those Snowy Nights You Read to Me,” Life, & Meaning, EPISODE 4 - YouTube

Join Frank as he chats with Soren Narnia. Soren is the author/creator of “Knifepoint Horror” and “Those Snowy Nights You Read to Me, They’ll Never Be Forgotten,” podcasts. With over 400 detailed and positive reviews on Apple Podcasts, Soren’s “Knifepoint” stands in a league all its own amongst the increasingly crowded field of horror fiction. Edgy, gritty, lifelike, and gripping Soren’s stories subvert listener’s expectations, and his unique voice narration carries us all across haunted lands stalked by preternatural terror.

Please join Soren’s Patreon and help ensure more stories: Link Here: https://www.patreon.com/sorennarnia

We also dive into his other lesser-known works such as “3:13 a.m.” “An Oral History of Hell,” “Angle of the Light,” and “Song of the Living Dead.” Frank invites you to listen as Soren sheds light on his creative process and gives a us insight into specific stories and scenes, his themes, and his views on human nature itself.

PLEASE help validate your favorite Soren Narnia’s labors in a truly luminous way and follow the LINKS below and support his incredible work.

You can support Soren Narnia BEST by joining his Patreon. For only $3.00 a month you can help ensure Soren continues to pump these stories.

Link Here: https://www.patreon.com/sorennarnia

Links to Soren’s Podcasts:

Apple Podcasts(Knifepoint Horror) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/knifepoint-horror/id406250030

Apple Podcasts (Those Snowy Nights) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/those-snowy-nights-you-read-to-me-theyll-never-be-forgotten/id980126937

Spotify (Knifepoint Horror) https://open.spotify.com/show/7kWDJZPChsnD0gxNWZXXng

Libsyn (Those Snowy Nights) https://thosesnowynights.libsyn.com/

#Author #Interview #Fiction #SorenNarnia

Reader’s Labyrinth is on a quest for unforgettable books and meeting their creators. Your host, Frank, brings you wonderful authors spinning their magic into stories through Q&A interviews. Your invited into the labyrinth as Frank interviews creators from across all genres of fiction and non-fiction.

Connect with Frank on Twitter: @EmpiresPodcast or Email: [email protected]

LIKING and SUBSCRIBING to Reader’s Labyrinth let’s Frank know that others out there in the world care as much as he does about great books. Please SHARE with a friend.

Show Summary: Watch on Reader's Labyrinth YouTube Channel: Haunted Half-Moon Inn/ Tony Capobianco, Horror, Spooky Stories, EPISODE 2 - YouTube

Join Frank as he chats with Tony Capobianco, creator and author of the YouTube channel “The Haunted Half-Moon Inn.” In this discussion the two discuss what makes great horror, the writing process, the place of fiction in our lives, and the future of Tony’s spooky channel.

PLEASE help validate your favorite writer’s labors in a truly luminous way, and follow the LINKS below and purchase their work.

You can support the “The Haunted Half-Moon Inn” on Tony’s Patreon account: Haunted Half-Moon Inn is creating , writing and narrating original horror videos and podcasts. | Patreon

Please check the Inn out on YouTube at: Haunted Half-Moon Inn - YouTube and connect with the “Inn” on Twitter @HauntedHalfMoon

#Author #Interview #Fiction #Horror #Labyrinth

Reader’s Labyrinth is on a quest for unforgettable books and meeting their creators. Your host, Frank, brings you wonderful authors spinning their magic into stories through Q&A interviews. Your invited into the labyrinth as Frank interviews creators from across all genres of fiction and non-fiction.

Connect with Frank on Twitter: @EmpiresPodcast or Email: [email protected]

LIKING and SUBSCRIBING to Reader’s Labyrinth let’s Frank know that others out there in the world care as much as he does about great books. Please SHARE with a friend.

Show Summary: Check out Megan on Reader's Labyrinth YouTube Channel: Megan Stockton, “Ethic” Thriller, SF, Writing, Indie Author, Elements of Fiction, EPISODE 3 - YouTube

Join Frank as he chats with Megan Stockton, author of dystopian novel “Ethic” and smalltown detective story “Quiet, Pretty Things.” The two discuss the literary history of the dystopic genre, how to create good suspense, and how conflict drives a story.

PLEASE help validate your favorite writer’s labors in a truly luminous way and follow the LINKS below and purchase their work.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Megan-Stockton/e/B07T1M138Y/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1 

Connect with Megan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganstocktonauthor and Twitter: @mstocktonauthor

Email Megan: [email protected]

#Author #Interview #Thriller #Dystopian #Detective