Writers, After Dark

Science fiction author and writing instructor (and limnologist!) Nina Munteanu stops by to talk about her newest novel, "A Diary in the Age of Water", a dystopian tale about water and its role in a generational battle against ecological and environmental collapse.

She talks about how the pandemic lockdown affected the planned July 2020 release of the novel, and how the story reflects on the chaotic nature of our world in 2020 in general, the science of studying water, and so much more.

Nina also talks about writing, on the importance of setting and place in story, on the hero's journey, and looking for opportunities in both story and the real world.

Web: ninamunteanu.me, ninamunteanu.ca, themeaningofwater.com, sfgirl-thealiennextdoor.blogspot.com

Twitter: @aliennextdoor

What ideas excite you about combining ecological scenarios with science fiction or horror? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Science fiction author Karen Osborne stops by to talk about "Architects of Memory" and "Engines of Oblivion", the novels in her duology "The Memory War".

Karen talks about where her protagonists emerged from, and the medical circumstances that laid her up long enough to sit and work on a story for them to live in, and hopefully answer some of the questions about what our life on Mars may look like.

This conversation wanders all over several places, and we could have talked half a day on geeky scifi stuff.

Here's Karen's space whales Escape Pod story: Escape Pod 603: An Equal Share of the Bone, and if you haven't heard any of The Wellerman sea shanty songs, head on over to Tik Tok or Twitter, search through the variations, and enjoy!

Web: karenosborne.com

Twitter: @karenthology

Do you have a better connection to writing by hand or to typing on a keyboard? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sliceofscifi and learn how you can help support Writers, After Dark and Slice of SciFi!

Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Fantasy and middle grade author Kacen Callender stops by to talk about their Caribbean fantasy duology, "Islands of Blood and Storm", how the stories came about, examining privilege and the harms that can be caused by it, looking at consequences from actions without real character growth being part of the end game, changing their writing approach for YA versus adult audiences, and more.

Book 1 is "Queen of the Conquered", Book 2 is "King of the Rising", and both books are available now.

Web: kacencallender.com

Twitter: @kacencallender (assistant-powered)

Where are you seeking out other voices telling different stories? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms (collaborating as M. A. Carrick) stop by to talk about "The Mask of Mirrors", the first in the new political intrigue caper fantasy trilogy, "Rook & Rose".

Yes, this story collaboration started out as a role-playing game fanfic side hustle quest.

Marie & Alyc talk about how they shared the writing duties, continuing to expand the plot and the characters, and much more.

And yes, the entire run of The Babylon Podcast is still online and available in various podcast directories like Apple Podcasts and Stitcher.

Web: macarrick.com, swantower.com, alychelms.com

Twitter: @ma_carrick, @swan_tower, @alychelms

Do your adventure gaming stories filter into anything you write? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Science fiction author Gerald Brandt stops by to talk about "Threader Origins", the first in a new series that explores travel across alternate worlds using quantum physics and string theory reimagined as a magic system.

Gerald talks about how he built this world by reinventing his magic system as a science-based energy system, and using this science in a current and near-future setting, and having his protagonist learn to use these elements as he went along.

We also talk about his writing process, as a self-professed detailed plotter, how he gets an idea for the path he wants for his characters and what they will experience throughout the story, and how that influences what elements he wants to continue to build the world and the story.

The reference book Gerald mentioned is "The Dancing Wu Li Masters: An Overview of the New Physics" by Gary Zukav.

Web: geraldbrandt.com

Twitter: @GeraldBrandt

Do you have a favorite story that uses science as magic? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Twitter: Tweet with Summer! @WriteAfterDark

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sliceofscifi and learn how you can help support Writers, After Dark and Slice of SciFi!

Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Best-selling fantasy author Terry Brooks talks about "The Last Druid", ending The Shannara Cycle and starting a new tale in a new world.

Terry talks about writing longevity and knowing when to stop writing, keeping storytelling fresh and exciting, about working with Lester Del Rey at the beginning of his career, about embracing the growth and process of writing, the successes and troubles of the television adaptation, and so much more.

The first book in his new series, "Child of Light", will be out in June 2021

Web: terrybrooks.net

Twitter: @terrybrooks

What long running fiction series would you like to see adapted to long-form television? Let us know! Send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

YA author Emily Barr adopts a pen name to venture into writing horror, and she stops by to talk about Evie Green and her first novel "We Hear Voices".

She talks about the evolution of the story from a small idea into a horror-science fiction mystery (including an unfathomable pandemic), and the investigation into the medical mystery at the core of the story. She also notes the unintended parallels between the pandemic in her story and the measures taken when the real COVID-19 pandemic hits our real world.

She talks about her journey from journalist to travel columnist to novelist, and how those places from some of her travels inspired her early novels, and more.

Web: emilybarr.com/evie-green

Twitter: @emily_barr

Instagram: @eviehearsvoices, @emilybarr01

Does it affect your enjoyment of a story if fictional elements begin to creep too closely to real world disaster scenarios? Let us know! Call 602-635-6976 and leave a message, send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

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Twitter: Tweet with Summer! @WriteAfterDark

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sliceofscifi and learn how you can help support Writers, After Dark and Slice of SciFi!

Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Mystery author Craig Johnson stops by to talk about Sheriff Walt Longmire's latest investigation, "Next to Last Stand", and how he landed on The Budweiser Painting mystery to use in the story.

He tells the story about how the painting became so prevalent and so popular, and about the mystery of what may or may not have happened to the original painting, and weaves that story into something Walt needs to dig into to solve another crime.

And don't worry, the title is not a hint that Walt's investigations are coming to a close anytime soon!

Web: craigallenjohnson.com

Twitter: @ucrosspop25

What style of mysteries are your favorites to read or listen to? Let us know! Call 602-635-6976 and leave a message, send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

Apple: Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts!

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Twitter: Tweet with Summer! @WriteAfterDark

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sliceofscifi and learn how you can help support Writers, After Dark and Slice of SciFi!

Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Otto Penzler, proprietor of Mysterious Bookshop in New York City, is also the editor of a large number of mystery-themed collections, with the newest one being "The Big Book of Espionage".

Otto talks about putting together hard-to-find short stories in the espionage genre when the best authors in that field haven't written short fiction, and having the knowledge to collect stories for these various anthologies, what is important in the stories for him, and so much more.

Web: Mysterious Bookshop

Twitter: @TheMysterious, @MysteriousPress, @eMysteries

Where is your first go-to place when you're looking for mysteries to read? Let us know! Call 602-635-6976 and leave a message, send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

Apple: Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts!

Google Podcasts: Subscribe & Share on Google Podcasts!

Stitcher: Leave a Review on Stitcher!

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Twitter: Tweet with Summer! @WriteAfterDark

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sliceofscifi and learn how you can help support Writers, After Dark and Slice of SciFi!

Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer

Horror author Craig DiLouie stops by to talk about his newest novel, "The Children of Red Peak", and building horror from the terror, in this instance following the downward spiral of the members of a cult.

Craig talks about the important elements needed in building a tense psychological horror and how each character may react will influence the story, his research into the psychology of belief and delusion, especially how these can influence how some people become attracted to cults, the path toward destructive cult behaviors, and much more.

Web: craigdilouie.com

Twitter: @craigdilouie

What types of horror stories are your favorite to read? Let us know! Call 602-635-6976 and leave a message, send Summer an email, or have your say in the comments below!

Apple: Subscribe & Review on Apple Podcasts!

Google Podcasts: Subscribe & Share on Google Podcasts!

Stitcher: Leave a Review on Stitcher!

Player.fm: Listen on Player.FM

Twitter: Tweet with Summer! @WriteAfterDark

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/sliceofscifi and learn how you can help support Writers, After Dark and Slice of SciFi!

Paypal: paypal.me/ScifiSummer