The Oddcast turns the tables on mystery, thriller and sci-fi author (and Oddcast cohost) Jon McGoran, who talks about his books SPLICED, SPLINTERED and SPIKED, plus writing for adults and young adults, launching a book about a pandemic during a pandemic, and watching his stories come true, with his pals Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons and Keith Strunk.

This week we welcome the creator/host of the public radio show The Many Moods of Ben Vaughn, Ben Vaughn. A contributor to NPR’s Fresh Air, songwriter, record producer, and composer for TV and film as well as a singer/storyteller, Ben talks about his organic connection to music, how writing for TV sharpened his craft, accidentally writing an Italian dance hit, and what led him to record an entire album in the back of a 1965 AMC Rambler. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk

The bestselling author of 19 books spanning the genres of YA adventure, magical realism, crime fiction and suspense, Jess Lourey discusses her process, pubbing with small presses vs. Amazon, and the terrifying true story behind her latest novel, UNSPEAKABLE THINGS. With Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.

Time for another spirited authors' roundtable with writers's tips and techniques for beginning a story. How to craft a hook, how to raise story questions and how much is too much. An honest discussion filled with ideas for effective beginnings with Oddcast regulars Kelly Simmons, Merry Jones, Gregory Frost, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.

NY Times bestselling and award-winning Science fiction author, former president of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and creator of the hugely popular blog, Whatever, John Scalzi talks about elements of genre, his 10-year book deal with Tor, series vs. standalones, and his new book THE LAST EMPEROX, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Greg Frost, Merry Jones, and Keith Strunk.

Acclaimed author and screenwriter Scott Phillips talks about writing crime/noir, westerns and dystopian, seeing Harold Ramis turn his debut, THE ICE HARVEST into a feature film starring John Cusack & Billy Bob Thornton, and his newest book, THAT LEFT TURN AT ALBUQUERQUE, with Oddcast cohosts Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons & Keith Strunk.

Award-winning new journalist, screenwriter & author Robert Ward talks about his new novel THE STONE CARRIER, writing movies and TV shows like Miami Vice and Hill Street Blues, and that time Larry Flynt threatened to kill him (then tried to hire him), with Oddcast regulars Jon McGoran, Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Kelly Simmons, and Keith Strunk.

On the Oddcast this week, author Sally Whitney. Her latest novel, WHEN ENEMIES OFFEND THEE, is just out. She talks about creating a fictional North Carolina mill town where many secrets lie buried, and what it’s like to have the audio version of your story recorded by Edward Asner and Ellen Burstyn. With Oddcast regulars Gregory Frost, Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.

Photo Credit: Karen Leigh Studios

Former Reporter and editor Dotty Brown talks about her nonfiction collaboration with Columbia School of Journalism classmates, INSIDE THE UPHEAVAL OF JOURNALISM: Reporters look back on 50 years of covering the news. And ....discusses the dizzying changes in the world of news and their impact, with Oddcast regulars Merry Jones, Keith Strunk, Jon McGoran, and Gregory Frost.

On this week’s Oddcast, Thomas Wade Jones talks about his new memoir, From Willard Straight to Wall Street, recounting his journey from participant in a 1969 armed takeover by African American students at Cornell University to vice chairman and CEO of corporations like John Hancock, Smith-Barney, Citigroup, Travelers Group, with Oddcast cohosts Merry Jones, Jon McGoran, and Keith Strunk.