In this conversation with Lee Schneider, Pat Walker discusses the importance of bookstores as community hubs and places of cultural culture.

Drawing from his experiences as a bookseller in Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, CA, Pat believes that the genre of science fiction/fantasy is more popular than it has been in the past. He's also a big fan of the classics.

Patrick has been at Vroman's long enough to witness a remarkable transformation: teenagers who first wandered through the bookstore doors years ago now return as adults, bringing their own children with them. These customers have grown to trust him with their storytelling journeys and literary adventures-a responsibility that holds deep meaning for him.

Bookshops discussed in this episode include Vromans, Book Soup, Diesel, Skylight, and Iliad Books.

Creators & Guests

Richie Billing made a bold leap from a legal career to become an acclaimed fantasy writer and teacher. What makes his story inspiring? His unwavering commitment to empowering fellow writers. Richie is the author of Pariah’s Lament. His latest book is Together We Rise. Lee Schneider and Richie discuss the structure of Together We Rise, why the fight scenes were so realistic, and Richie’s deeper motivations for writing it. Richie gives excellent writing tips for anyone who wants to get started on their fantasy novel.

As the host of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed podcast and author of A Fantasy Writers’ Handbook, Richie helps writers find their voice and build confidence in their work.  Learn more about Richie, his work, teaching, books, and Patreon, at his website.

Creators & Guests

As a kid, Carrie Firestone worried about poverty, environmental destruction, and war. But rather than letting that anxiety overwhelm her, she transformed it into something powerful action through teaching, storytelling, and civic engagement. Now, as a writer and community leader in Connecticut, she’s channeling that same energy into inspiring the next generation.   

Her novel The First Rule of Climate Club tackles the environmental challenges that young people face. Issues like food waste at school, idling cars in pickup lanes, fast fashion consumption, social exclusion, and leaders who won’t listen to fresh ideas. But Carrie’s story isn’t about the problems-it’s about the solutions that happen when young people step up to lead.   

Because sometimes, as Carrie shows us, the future belongs to those brave enough to demand it.

In this conversation, Todd Medema discusses his debut novel HOW TO SURF A HURRICANE, exploring with host Lee Schneider the techniques of writing a solarpunk thriller and the role technology might have in addressing climate change. Todd emphasizes the importance of hope and human resilience in solarpunk narratives, contrasting this approach with the often dystopian views prevalent in other science fiction genres. The discussion also delves into the current state of science fiction writing and publishing.

Visit Todd's author website and check out the wiki with details about the characters and story. Learn more about his Solarpunk Penpals project. 

Creators & Guests

Step into the vibrant world of independent bookselling with this captivating episode of Future Lab. Host Lee Schneider sits down with Joey Puente, the passionate sci-fi and fantasy specialist at Diesel bookstore in Los Angeles' Brentwood neighborhood. With an impressive 20-year tenure at Diesel, Joey brings unparalleled expertise in connecting readers with their perfect next read.

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of science fiction and fantasy publishing, from the current "romantasy" boom driven by BookTok to the emergence of queer voices reshaping genre fiction. Joey shares insights into trending subgenres like LitRPG, how the shift from dystopian narratives toward hopeful futures is being led by new voices, and how independent bookstores serve as vital cultural hubs in their communities.

Discover Joey's current staff picks, learn about Diesel's author events featuring luminaries like William Gibson and Cory Doctorow, and gain insider perspective on how genre fiction serves as both escapism and social commentary, reflecting our contemporary anxieties while imagining better tomorrows. For a list of the books Joey discusses in this episode, go to this link.

The store Instagram account is here. 

Creators & Guests

In today’s episode, host Lee Schneider sits down with Eiren Caffall, musician and author of the powerful climate fiction novel All the Water in the World.

Set in a flooded future New York City, Caffall’s debut novel tells an intimate family survival story that cuts through the overwhelming scope of climate catastrophe by focusing on how we protect each other when everything falls apart. Rather than relying on apocalyptic set pieces, she crafts what she calls a “bedtime story”—a hopeful narrative about resilience, community, and the human capacity to rebuild.

Caffall brings a unique perspective to climate fiction, drawing from her background as both a musician and the daughter of an EPA hydrogeologist. She discusses how her dual creative practices inform each other, why she chose the Museum of Natural History in New York as a sanctuary in her novel’s drowned world, and how communities of care can emerge from disaster.

This conversation explores the evolving landscape of climate fiction, the power of personal narrative in processing global crisis, and why stories about “what comes after” might be exactly what we need right now. 

Creators & Guests

Join host Lee Schneider in this fascinating conversation about writing and activism as Aya De León discusses her unique approach to writing climate fiction, working in the genre of feminist heist novels. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in addressing social justice issues, including climate change and racism, while also sharing insights into her writing process and productivity. De León advocates for empowering young readers and highlights the role of activism in her work. She also reflects on the current state of the literary industry and offers valuable advice for aspiring writers.

Aya shares candid insights about her writing process, including how NaNoWriMo transformed her approach to first drafts, and offers powerful advice for writers looking to combine creativity with activism. She also previews her upcoming novel Undisclosed and discusses the current state of publishing.

Perfect for fans of speculative fiction, climate literature, and anyone interested in the intersection of storytelling and social change.

Creators & Guests

Join Lee Schneider as he speaks with debut author R.E. Kurz, whose fascinating journey into published paranormal fantasy is as twisty as her plot lines in her debut novel THE FALL OF LINDA WATERS. Discover how studies in biology and medieval studies shaped a story filled with nature spirits, realistic teenage drama, and a romance that doesn't shy away from the messy realities of growing up.

Whether you're a writer, a fantasy fan, or just curious about how medieval literature might influence modern storytelling, this conversation will leave you inspired to listen to your own creative voices and discover a new book.

Learn more about R.E. Kurz and THE FALL OF LINDA WATERS on the author's website.

Creators & Guests

In this conversation, Lee Schneider and Robin Sloan explore the joys of making things, the intersection of technology and creativity, and the evolving landscape of storytelling. They discuss the importance of kindness in fiction, the challenges posed by AI, and the value of offline creativity. Robin shares insights on his writing process, the significance of note-taking, and his reflections on the state of science fiction and fantasy today. Subscribe to Robin's newsletter on his website. 

Creators & Guests

Eleanor Keisman discusses her journey from writing a short story to creating her novella New Animal, exploring the themes of human-animal interaction and communication, climate change, and how non-human animals see the world we share with them.

We talk about the challenges of writing animal protagonists and the long shadow cast by American author Jack London in writing about the natural world. Keisman emphasizes the need for hope in storytelling and offers advice for aspiring writers navigating the publishing landscape.

Check out her blog on Substack: https://eleanorkeisman.substack.com

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Writing a Novella
04:11 Character Development and Research
09:34 Nature and Climate Change in Writing
11:51 Exploring Climate Change Themes
16:28 Learning from Animals and Indigenous Wisdom
19:35 Speculative Fiction as a Path Forward
23:11 Breaking into Science Fiction and Fantasy
30:13 Building an Audience for New Animal
31:38 Reflections on Career and Aspirations
36:59 Writing Animal Characters with Depth