Talk Fiction

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: fiction writers. Today I have one of my all-time favorite funny people on the show to talk to us about the slippery slope that is shopping cart misdemeanor and the perils of poorly orchestrated sex education.

We also talk about the wonderfully weird world of Wattpad, the blessing/curse that is the Amazon machine, and how my guest turns slices of his real life into really funny fiction.

Michael Estrin is the 57th funniest guy on the internet, and a damned treat to talk with. He also says the ‘f’ word a lot, which delights me to an embarrassing degree.

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Today, I’m joined by fellow novelist and solo-preneur, Samuél Lopez-Barrantes, creator of if not, Paris, and author of The Requisitions, the flagship novel of his newly established publishing imprint, Kingdom Anywhere. Samuél has spent the last year forging a “non-trad” path to success for himself and his novel, as well as lighting the way for other writers ready to invest themselves fully in an independent publishing experience. One that aligns with their values, their timeline, and their professional aspirations.

Not to say that any of that is going to be easy.

Investment (in and of the self) is the word of the day.

So much good stuff in this one, friends. I hope you’ll take the time to listen and be inspired.

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs, fiction writers.

My guest today is Dennard Dayle, a massive writing talent who—in this humble podcaster’s equally humble opinion—spends far too much time succeeding brilliantly under everyone’s radar.

Join us for an engaging exchange around the creation of his first book, Everything Abridged, his experience pitching and landing coveted bylines at The New Yorker, Clarksworld, McSweeney’s, and elsewhere, his penchant for pranks, and his thoughts on the value of higher education. If there’s a recurring theme to be found in this “extra” fun conversation, it might be our collective sanity.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Friends, I am beyond jazzed to bring you today’s podcast featuring successful author and marketing maven, Claudine Wolk, creator of the Substack newsletter (slash) book (slash) podcast Get Your Book Seen and Sold.

In this episode, Claudine and I tackle book marketing (eek!), self-promotion (ack!), and a whole mess of easy-to-perform exercises designed to help you, FELLOW ARTIST, strengthen your “business” muscles CREATIVELY, so the whole thing doesn’t feel like such a dang chore.

Claudine is a fantastic resource for authors, and a tremendous supporter of hard-working artists like moi.

And to my fellow fiction writers, I really went to bat for us in this one.

We CAN do “business.” We just need to approach it like it’s art.

Oh, and you’re going to want to buy Claudine’s book after you listen, so here’s a link to shop: Get Your Book Seen and Sold

And for the love of Pete, go read my award-winning novel, See Dot Smile. It’s FREE for the aforementioned Pete’s sake. And the perfect summer beach read. 💜🔥

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

Today’s interview is going to feel like a cozy lunch date with an old friend you haven’t seen in years but can jump right back in with as if you saw each other yesterday. CK Steefel, creator of the hysterically heartfelt Substack, Good Humor, joins me in a laughter-infused gab sesh about writing, performing, working hard, and living well.

* Can CK Steefel fit her fist in her mouth?

* Did she sleep with George Costanza?

* Did Meg Oolders strip in college?

* Can she actually fly?

* Will these two co-author a book about poop as it pertains to parenting?

All of these questions will be answered in this scrumptious installment of what is fast becoming the most fun I’ve ever had while being stealthily educated by my peers.

“I think part of the reason I'm doing this show is to talk to people and learn a little bit … on the sly … while also hanging out and having fun and socializing with people, which is the best way to learn … in my opinion.” - Meg Oolders, Talk Fiction

Listen, friends. And learn. You won’t be sorry. 💜

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Content consideration: This episode marks the creator’s decision to slap an E (explicit) stamp on this podcast moving forward. Because talking candidly about writing and salty language go hand in hand, apparently. You’ve been advised.

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

In this episode, professional dream chaser, Meg Oolders, matches minds with expert goal getter, Amran Gowani, in a dynamic duo log about the pleasures and perils of writing a huge ass book. From pantsing (or plotting) to publication (or not) and everything in between.

This one’s an ear full. But who better to deliver “real talk” about the novel writing experience than two maniacs who have actually done it, and are crazy enough to want to do it again?

Please give it up for my guest on his recent Big Five publishing deal for his debut novel, Leverage. I had the unique opportunity to read the director’s cut of Amran’s book before almost everyone, and I am thrilled to see both book and author getting their due. Let the record show, I snagged an intimate interview with this up and comer before he got super famous.

Let. The. Record. Show.

Guest: Amran Gowani

Host: Meg Oolders

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, a podcast dedicated to entertainment media's most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

In this episode, yours truly, Meg Oolders, talks with fellow writer and multitude Ben Wakeman about avoiding the rut of niche-ness, embracing AI (for what it is), fostering empathy for the betterment of humanity, and about returning to the workforce after a full (but fleeting) creative immersion.

Guest: Ben Wakeman

Catch & Release

The Memory of My Shadow

Harmony House

Host: Meg Oolders

Stock Fiction

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers.

In this episode, yours truly, Stock Fiction creator Meg Oolders, has a cozy fireside chat with micro-fiction maestro, Justin Deming, about his courageous leap into self-publishing, self-promotion, and self-marketing for his fifty-word story collection, 50 Fifties.

We talk shop about writing micro-fiction and highlight the amazing community of fire-gazers Justin has cultivated with his bi-weekly Fifties by the Fire gatherings, hosted on his popular Substack, Along the Hudson.  

Later we delve into our respective novel writing experiences, and chat about future leaps for our current works-in-progress.

And no fiction writer discourse would be complete without addressing everyone’s favorite confidence-crushing anti-muse: The inner critic.  

Guest: Justin Deming

Along the Hudson

50 Fifties

Host: Meg Oolders

Stock Fiction

See Dot Smile

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Welcome to the pilot episode of my newest creative endeavor.

Talk Fiction is a podcast dedicated to entertainment media's most overlooked underdogs: fiction writers.

In this episode, author J.E. Petersen and I dig deep on preserving our humanity, ditching digital dope, setting boundaries, and silencing our inner critic.

Guest: J.E. Petersen

DISPATCHES FROM INNER SPACE

SHADOW AND FIRE

VOLTAGE

Host: Meg Oolders

STOCK FICTION

SEE DOT SMILE

Music: Sub Arbore by Two Days From Monday

Thank you for listening!