What does it take to write with speed and heart—without burning out?

In this episode of The Author’s Mind, I’m joined by Aaron Ryan, a bestselling sci-fi author whose work spans alien-invasion survival, post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction, and high-concept sci-fi thrillers. Aaron is best known for the Dissonance alien invasion saga and The End Christian dystopian end-times series, and he’s also written thrillers like Forecast and The Slide (plus more).

We talk about what fuels Aaron’s creative momentum—how he keeps his storytelling pace high, how passion drives the work forward, and how to harness “creative energy” in a way that actually leads to finished books. Along the way, we dive into the mindset behind prolific output, staying emotionally connected to the page, and building stories that blend big sci-fi concepts with human stakes.

If you’re a fiction writer who wants to write faster, stay inspired longer, and keep your creativity alive across multiple projects—you need this conversation.

Mentioned / featured work includes:

• Dissonance (alien invasion / post-apocalyptic saga)
• The End (dystopian Christian end-times series)
• Forecast and The Slide (sci-fi thrillers)

📌 Subscribe for more conversations with professional fiction authors about craft, mindset, and the real thinking behind great stories.

Want the books? Here are links to Aaron Ryan and Shilo Creed's works.

Grab Aaron Ryan's books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CRC2775Q?tag=ustxtaddt-20&ccs_id=147c0a34-bcda-4f1f-a295-65194f9a42e3

Grab Shilo's: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Shilo-Creed/author/B0DFV7LZ9G?ref

Shilo's other pen names:

Elysian Hunt (clean rom com's): https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elysian-Hunt/author/B0DGJ9V3TD?ref

Quinn Knightly (medieval action adventure): https://www.amazon.com/stores/Quinn-Knightly/author/B0DTJ7LSKC?ref

C.R. Fulton (middle grade chapter books): https://www.amazon.com/stores/C.-R.-Fulton/author/B01LGEO81K?ref

Welcome to The Author’s Mind, a podcast dedicated to exploring how fiction writers think, create, and bring stories to life.

In this short introduction episode, host Shilo Creed shares the vision behind the show, what makes it different from typical author interviews, and what listeners can expect from future episodes. You’ll learn why understanding an author’s mindset is just as important as learning technique—and how hearing directly from professional writers can sharpen your own craft.

This episode outlines:

• The purpose of The Author’s Mind

• The type of authors and conversations featured on the show

• What writers and readers will gain from listening

• How each episode helps demystify the fiction-writing process

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a published author, or a reader curious about how great stories are made, this episode sets the foundation for everything to come.

🎙️ New episodes feature in-depth conversations with professional fiction authors across genres.
📌 Subscribe to explore the creative minds behind today’s best fiction.