My trip to the San Miguel Writers Conference introduced me to horror writer, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, author of Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate. We discuss her move from Mexico to Canada, writing for fiction magazines, spanning horror with high literary, using a publishing deal to land a literary agent, and we explore Silvia’s love of horror, including King, Poe, and Lovecraft.

In the second part of my live recorded convo with the amazing poet Judyth Hill, we discuss lessons she learned from the stage, giving up her life as a baker in Santa Fe, life as a food and art critic, the art of teaching wild writing, building a career as a poet, perseverance and life long learning, and the sweet musicality of poetic revision.

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Recorded live at the San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference, I sat down with poet, performer, teacher, and the hyper-energetic Judyth Hill. Enjoy this rollercoaster conversation that includes Judyth’s origin story, being man sober, lost and found loves, teaching poetry for all ages, making a birthday cake for Freddy Kreuger, how William S. Burroughs was buried with one of her cupcakes, her career as a child actor, and helping others find their voice in this world. Yes, it’s quite the conversation and I loved every minute!

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In part two of my conversation with New York literary agent, Joshua Bilmes (JABberwocky Literary Agency), we discuss fortune and happenstance, and how to capitalize on success. We also deep dive into changes in the publishing industry over the past 4-5 years including the rise of the audio book market, the emergence of ‘romantasy’ as a genre, the difficulties of launching a new author, extended book production times, the shift in brick and mortar bookstores, self-publishing as a lead into traditional publishing, and more! Enjoy this insightful conversation with one of the best in the biz!

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There are literary agents and then there are literary agents, and Joshua Bilmes is certainly the latter. President of the JABberwocky Literary Agency, representing authors like Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn) and Charlaine Harris (The Sookie Stackhouse Novels), Joshua has 40 years of experience in the publishing industry.

In the first part of our conversation, we talk about his breaking into the literary world as a teen, the emergence of YA books, his brief foray into physics and history, and how anyone can become a literary agent. We also discuss Charlaine Harris and Brandon Sanderson and how strategy, quality, and luck all factor equally into an author’s success. Listen and learn, my literary friends!

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In the second part of my convo with Nicholas Eames, we talk the structure of Nick’s books, how he built fantasy bands based on 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s rockstars, world-building, incorporating humour into fantasy, whether awkward erections in fiction are funny or not, and how to navigate the world of woke culture. Grab your broadsword and your axe, and let’s get into it!

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For the next two episodes, we’ll be delving into the fantastical world of Nicholas Eames, bestselling author of Kings of the Wyld and its sequel, Bloody Rose. We talk about his massive never-to-be published novel, playing dungeons & dragons, getting agent representation, and combining fantasy and music in the most badass 70’s rock way possible with Kings of the Wyld. Call your friends! We’re getting the band back together!

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In the second part of my conversation with LA-based stand-up comedian Sarah Halstead, we discuss the impact of social media on comedy, the structure of jokes, advice for budding stand-up comics, and how story is an integral part of great comedy.

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StoryCentric welcomes its first stand-up comedian this week with special guest Sarah Halstead! Based out of LA, Sarah is a gifted stand-up and master storyteller. We discuss her life growing up in Michigan, her love of both acting and wine (in equal amounts), and her transition to stand-up comedy. Bring forth thy earbuds, and have a listen!

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Is that bagpipes I hear? Part 2 of my conversation with the delightful Diana Gabaldon has us discussing (and shattering) the concept of thinking in straight lines, working with editors, her research process, the early days of the internet, landing an agent based on excerpts alone, working as a consultant on the Outlander TV show, and more!