The Story Blender

From the Story Vault: McNair Wilson is an actor, author, and former Disney Imagineer who came up with the idea for the Tower of Terror. He has spoken countless times and performed in 33 countries. His insights will inspire you in whatever project you might be working on.

From the Story Vault: Paul Leyden is a multi-talented Australian actor, producer, and screenwriter with dozens of film and television credits. In this episode of The Story Blender, he discusses his twisty indie horror flick Come Back To Me and unpacks his writing process, offering advice for those hoping to break into the film industry.

Liv Constantine is the pen name of sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine. Together, they are the bestselling author of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick The Last Mrs. Parrish, The Last Time I Saw You, The Wife Stalker, and The Stranger in the Mirror (coming July 2021). Their critically acclaimed books have been praised by USA Today, The Sunday Times, People Magazine, and Good Morning America, among many others. Lynne and Valerie are national and international bestselling authors and their books have been translated into 28 languages, are available in 33 countries, and are in development for both television and film.

Zena Dell Lowe has worked professionally in the entertainment industry for over 20 years as a writer, producer, director, actress, and story consultant. She has won numerous awards for her work as a writer, and she also has several feature film projects in development through her independent production company, Mission Ranch Films. In addition to her work as a filmmaker, Zena hosts “The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe,” a podcast designed to serve the whole artist, not just to focus on craft.In 2021, Zena launched The Storyteller’s Mission Online Platform, where she offers advanced classes and other key services to writers. Zena loves story and supporting storytellers. Her passion is to equip artists of all levels to achieve excellence at their craft, so that they will truly have everything they need to change the world for the better through story.

From the Story Vault: Carolyn Wheat is a former criminal defense lawyer whose Cass Jameson mysteries take the reader into the gritty world of Brooklyn night court. Two of the books were nominated for Edgar awards. She is also the author of numerous short stories which have won her an Agatha, an Anthony, a Shamus, and a Macavity award. Her book How to Write Killer Fiction is a must-read for anyone writing a mystery or suspense novel. She teaches writing at UCSD Extension and conducts writing workshops.

Simon Gervais was born in Montréal, Québec, and joined the Canadian military as an infantry officer, later commissioning as a second lieutenant. During his time in the military, Simon received extensive training in advanced reconnaissance and small-unit tactics. In 2001, he became a federal agent, and over the next eleven years served as both a drug investigator and a close-protection specialist tasked with guarding foreign heads of state visiting Canada. Among many others, he served on the protection details of Queen Elizabeth II and United States President Barack Obama. In 2012, Simon was transferred to his organization’s counter-surveillance unit, but in May 2014 he returned to his former unit to serve as a bodyguard for the American and Israeli ambassadors to Canada until his retirement in September 2014.Simon is now a full-time New York Times and #1 Amazon bestselling author and a member of International Thriller Writers. He, his wife, and their two children divide their time between Ottawa, Miami, and The Bahamas. He’s an avid skier and boating enthusiast.

From the Story Vault: Andrew Mayne was the star of A&E's magic reality show Don't Trust Andrew Mayne. As one of the most innovative illusionists in the country and a critically-acclaimed novelist, his passion is to always entertain audiences and readers. Andrew gives insights into his writing process including how to write a novella in 24 hours.

Mike Maden grew up working in the canneries, feed mills, and slaughterhouses of California’s San Joaquin Valley. A lifelong fascination with history and warfare ultimately lead to a Ph.D. in political science focused on conflict and technology in international relations. Years later he earned a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary. Like millions of others, he first became a Tom Clancy fan after reading THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. He began his published fiction career in the same techno-thriller genre, starting with DRONE and its sequels, and in 2017 joined “The Campus” as a writer in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Jr., series starting with POINT OF CONTACT. LINE OF SIGHT, ENEMY CONTACT and FIRING POINT followed, each hitting #3 on the New York Times bestseller list.Mike is currently working on an exciting new franchise that has yet to be announced…

George R.R. Martin is the international best-selling author of A GAME OF THRONES. One of the world’s most popular and imaginative storytellers, George talks shop as he identifies two types of writers (gardeners and architects), shares his love for unpredictable stories, discusses measures of success and failure, and dives into his passion for writing fantasy. You won't want to miss it!

Natalie Jenner is the author of two books, the instant international bestseller THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY and a second novel slated for release in spring 2022. A Goodreads Choice Award runner-up for historical fiction, THE JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY was named one of the best books of 2020 by Amazon, was a USA Today and #1 national bestseller, and has been sold for translation in twenty countries. Born in England and raised in Canada, Natalie has been a corporate lawyer, career coach and, most recently, an independent bookstore owner in Oakville, Ontario, where she lives with her family and two rescue dogs.