Storyline Sessions

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, horror author and podcast creator Miles Tritle discusses writing audio horror, building dread through sound, what makes stories truly frightening, why audiences love being scared, and much more.

Find Miles Here - https://thewarningwoods.wordpress.com/

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Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:42 - Conversation start

00:56 - Starting a horror fiction podcast

03:29 - Writing a story every week

06:06 - Audio production

08:49 - Looking back at older work

09:48 - My bookshelf is haunted - SPOOKY

10:00 - Narrating his own work and personal connection to the stories

12:37 - Listening to horror stories before sleep and benefits of audio vs print

17:23 - Writing for audio

18:48 - The Warning Woods name and writing different types of horror

22:43 - Getting personal in his writing

24:49 - Choosing the right ideas and research

28:26 - The "A-ha" moment and deadlines

32:53 - What does Miles look for in horror and chatting about trends

40:06 - Balancing the past and modernity in horror, mixing genres

44:38 - Writing longer form and the difference in process

48:22 - Audience reactions and horror prejudice

51:13 - Finding his audience

54:21 - Creating a community and a relationship with the audience

01:00:00 - Change of direction and other genres

01:02:00 - Stories to get into The Warning Woods

01:04:14 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, author and podcast host Michael Vadney talks about his debut nobledark fantasy novel Crownfall, writing multiple POVs, politics in fantasy, magic systems, his writing method and much more.

Find Michael here - https://michaelvadney.com/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on other streaming platforms - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

Support Storyline Sessions on Ko-Fi - Ko-fi.com/storylinesessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:51 - Conversation start

01:04 - What is nobledark - talking about genre

05:26 - Political fantasy

09:02 - Scope, perspective and single location stories

10:55 - Plotting stories and authors as D&D DMs

15:12 - Setting writing goals for yourself

17:54 - Staying confident and motivated

19:13 - Initial vision for Crownfall vs the final draft

22:10 - A system for writing multiple POVs

24:45 - Beta readers, writing groups and feedback

30:50 - Genre homework

34:14 - Project Arcanist

35:43 - Standalone vs series

38:31 - Writing to market

41:41 - How do you know when you're done?

45:39 - Key takeaways after writing the debut

47:53 - Podcasting and importance of community

54:35 - Dealing with reading goals

58:02 - What does a magical engineer do?

01:02:05 - Two important things for a good magic system

01:06:05 - Influences that aren't Sanderson, spice and old school fantasy

01:12:03 - Getting the right cover art

01:16:11 - Advice for other debut authors

01:17:54 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, author and illustrator Adam Basset talks about his short story collection Digital Extremities, worldbuilding, the art of making maps and much more.

Find Adam here - https://www.adamcbassett.com/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on other streaming platforms - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

Support Storyline Sessions on Ko-Fi - Ko-fi.com/storylinesessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start & disclaimer

01:03 - Conversation start

01:42 - Reacting to readers' comments

03:35 - Short vs long form writing

10:35 - Connected world building through separate stories

12:20 - Adam's writing process

14:56 - Black Mirror Comparison and character-focused Sci-Fi

18:25 - The future is now - the cyberpunk of today

21:57 - Choosing story locations

25:30 - How do you know when you're ready to publish?

29:40 - Working with beta readers and editors

31:27 - Campfire and getting into fantasy

36:20 - Making maps, the science behind it and current trends

47:05 - Book cover design

49:36 - Best medium for Digital Extremities to be adapted

51:35 - Writing for games

54:00 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, bestselling author and winner of the Firebird Book Award, Pinnacle Achievement Award, and runner-up Page Turner Award winner Starr Z. Davies talks about the launch of her new book - Stormvalor: A Noblebright Fantasy (Divica Stormborn Chronicles Book 1) that marks her genre shift from dystopian fiction to epic fantasy.

Find Starr Here: https://www.starrzdavies.com/

Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:47 - Conversation start

01:20 - How does this release feel different from the others?

02:10 - Marketing vs Writing

02:50 - Beta readers, initial reviews and changing the ending

04:18 - Making the first book feel more than just a setup for sequels

07:00 - Difference in writing and worldbuilding process between genres

08:28 - Deciding to shift genres

10:18 - From YA to adult

12:04 - THE CHARACTER ASSASIN - letting go of your characters

16:24 - Surprising yourself and choosing the POV for your story

18:20 - Organized chaos and worldbuilding

20:40 - MAPS!

23:10 - Naming characters

24:30 - How to be a prolific writer and stick to a schedule?

28:38 - Writing awards

33:22 - Finding the right artrwork

36:34 - Kickstarter process and crowdsourcing

40:55 - Audiobooks

44:32 - Self publishing vs Trad vs AI

48:05 - Building your audience

50:15 - What would you do differently if this was your first series?

53:02 - Future plans

55:16 - Outro

In this solo episode, Storyline Sessions host Marko Bogdanović shares his story about growing up with gaming magazines in the 90s and early 2000s, nostalgia, jorunalism and tries to clean up his apartment.

Game Informer Is Back - https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2025/03/25/game-informer-is-back

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/, https://www.theverge.com/news/635915/game-informer-return-gunzilla-games

Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

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In this episode of Storyline Sessions, Hungarian-born SFF author and the winner of the best Fantasy Choice Award in Hungary Norbert Zsivicz talks about his novel Sealed Empire, experience with translations, mixing genres, building an audience and much more.

Find Norbert here - https://www.sealedbooks.com/en/the-book, https://www.instagram.com/authornorbert/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

01:26 - Conversation start

01:41 - Serbian vs Hungarian

02:22 - Fantasy scenes in Europe

05:44 - Self publishing as an author in Hungary

08:46 - Winning an award as a newcomer

10:02 - English translation and finding an international audience

13:46 - Mixing genres and worldbuilding

17:31 - Using multiple POVs and timelines

19:51 - The cover scene

21:13 - World map

23:20 - Prologues - yay or nay?

25:34 - Comparing original and the translation

27:25 - The setting - medieval fiction and history

30:47 - Planning the end - how to get from A to B?

32:26 - Showing his manuscript to others and trusting yourself

34:21 - Dealing with reviews

36:28 - Using a pseudonym or writing under your name?

38:38 - European SFF

41:00 - Marketing as a self published author - finding your audience

44:20 - The unavoidable AI talk

48:00 - Working on scripts for streaming shows and films

52:33 - Gaming

54:35 - Series timeline and future plans

59:03 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, Nebula award-nominated author R.R. Virdi talks about his upcoming book The Doors of Midnight, a sequel to The First Binding, using myths and legends as inspiration, his experience with trad publishing and many more interesting topics.

Follow R.R. Virdi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rrvirdi/

Get Grave Tidings for free - https://www.subscribepage.com/graveti...

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Watch Storyline Sessions on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:45 - Conversation start

00:55 - Reactions to The First Binding

03:40 - Working on the sequel

04:52 - Using mythology in writing - South Asia, Silk Road and beyond

12:00 - Meta layer - storytelling in storytelling

14:36 - Clues and breadcrumbs - foreshadowing

16:52 - POVs

18:35 - Mixing multiple timelines

22:20 - Writing with ADHD

22:47 - Surprising yourself

24:25 - Urban fantasy vs epic fantasy - different influences

27:46 - Writing to market and different genres

32:41 - Lengthy books and "purple prose" vs editors

41:09 - Using appendix and how books change on re-reads

43:24 - Creating maps

45:34 - Cover art and different book editions

47:56 - Trad publishing vs indie

51:20 - Getting paid as an artist

57:46 - Advice for younger/starting writers

01:02:00 - Teasing The Doors of Midnight

01:03:32 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, internationally best-selling author and the host of The Greatest Podcast in the Multiverse Herman Herman Steuernagel talks about his 10th novel The Bartender Between Worlds, changing genres in writing, experience with podcasting and much more.

Find Herman here - https://linktr.ee/hermansteuernagel

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

01:05 - Conversation start

01:16 - The power of podcasting and building a writing community

05:20 - If he was starting now, what would he do differently

07:27 - Why Sci-Fi?

08:42 - Switching from YA to adult fiction

09:55 - Using tropes in writing

11:12 - Switching genres

14:20 - Why did cozy fantasy get popular?

16:05 - Introducing The Bartender Between Worlds

18:18 - The appeal of standalone novels

20:42 - Herman's writing process

24:16 - (Not) using beta readers

25:31 - Experience with editors

26:55 - Dropping two books at the same time

30:14 - Audience feedback, reviews and getting into libraries

33:44 - Trying Kickstarter and promoting your work

37:31 - Audiobooks

38:47 - Getting the right cover art

41:52 - Authors doing their own marketing

44:09 - Trends in fantasy

46:35 - Exploring the multiverse

48:31 - In a parallel world, how would a different decision affect your life?

52:03 - Cocktail recommendation

53:00 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, writer, director and actor Kelton White talks about his journey from writing a sci-fantasy novel to creating award-winning short films, his experience in the industry so far, screenwriting process, being independent and many more interesting topics.

Watch Kelton's work - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSakHkWrohU&t=2s

Kelton's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kelton423white/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Watch Storyline Sessions on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions/videos

Riverside.fm software for recording podcasts affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:35 - Conversation start

01:25 - Kelton's origin story

04:21 - The Mysterious Files of Mr. Chimes

05:45 - Process of writing prose vs writing scripts

11:36 - Writing for the market

15:04 - Experience with YouTube and connecting with your audience

24:26 - WHAT FOUND ME IN THE WOODS... (short horror film)

36:25 - FOLDING IN (Sci-Fi/Romance short film)

41:06 - ODE FROM MALUM (Dramatic short)

45:04 - Writing roles for yourself as an actor

49:56 - Horror and western

55:42 - Influences and inspirations

58:59 - Gaming

01:01:36 - Collaborative storytelling

01:03:21 - Plans for the future

01:46:01 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, speculative fiction author and the host of SFF Adicts podcast Adrian M. Gibson talks about his upcoming novel Mushroom Blues, blending genres, creating immersive experiences in writing, influences of social and political themes on fiction and many more interesting topics.

Adrian's Website - https://adrianmgibson.com/

Adrian's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adrianmgibson/

SFF Adicts Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sffaddictspod/

Listen to SFF Adicts Podcast - https://linktr.ee/SFFAddicts

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:52 - Conversation start

01:00 - Why fungi and what is the Fungalverse?

08:24 - Colonialism, Japan and cultural inspirations

13:08 - China Mieville, traveling and modern SFF dealing with politics

19:10 - Cover, map and other visuals

24:21 - Book soundtrack and immersive experiences

30:48 - Juggling podcasting, writing and life changes

35:35 - Learning from mistakes

37:00 - Genre fluidity, Philip K. Dick

42:44 - Disco Elysium love

46:38 - Personal stories, traumas and choosing POVs

52:24 - Making the world feel real

54:20 - Writing process

1:04:12 - Future of the Fungalverse

1:06:55 - One weird random fact

1:09:15 - One piece of writing advice

1:12:11 - Outro