Episode 40 – Jen Ryan

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Mar 072015
 
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This episode features Jen Ryan, an editor and publisher with Ellysian Press. We get a special peek behind the scenes to find out about some of the nuts and bolts of both editing and publishing.

About Jen Ryan

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Jen Ryan is a professional editor who has been reading and editing most of her life. She has a degree in English Literature, and teaches English composition and writing at the local college. She also owns and runs her own editing company, Imagine That Editing. Jen loves reading speculative fiction of all kinds. She enjoys growing her own fruit and vegetables for canning and makes a pumpkin butter that is simply to die for (Maer here – I can personally attest to this.)

 

 

You can find Jen at these links:

Imagine That Editing     |     Facebook     |     Twitter

 

 

About Ellysian Press

 

EP BlueEllysian Press believes that their passion for books is a necessary element in their publishing process. They love stories, characters, and their creators. They are always looking for fresh voices and unique ideas.

Ellysian Press is committed to producing quality books with engaging stories and believable characters.

They are currently accepting manuscripts in the following genres:

Science Fiction

Fantasy

Paranormal

Paranormal Romance

Horror

Young Adult in the above genres

You can out more about Ellysian Press and their submission requirements at their website:

Ellysian Press

 

 

 

Episode 37 – Khalid Muhammad

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Nov 172014
 
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Khalid Muhammad

Welcome to Khalid Muhammad with his novel, Agency Rules! This episode features a fascinating look at a spy thriller set in Pakistan. Please join us for an intriguing interview with Khalid and some surprising insight into an area many of us know little about.

 

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 Khalid Muhammad

Khalid picBy day, Khalid Muhammad is a mild-mannered business executive keeping himself busy running a marketing and brand management company. He takes someone else’s product and creates concepts, ideas and brand stories—things that make consumers want to buy, invest and save their hard-earned money.

By night, his alter ego emerges; one that has a penchant for sadistic retribution towards those who have wronged him, and that spends its time devising intricate and detailed plans for a nefarious end.

If he hopes to continue to have friends and family, though, he has to keep his alter ego under control.

So, Khalid chooses to write novellas, novels and short stories to let the wickedness escape; the other option means a great deal of blood, numerous torture implements and…well, infinite ways to dump a body. The writing is better for everyone involved and less dangerous for the guilty… until he writes them into another story.

 You can find Khalid at these links:

Website  | Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

Read on for more!

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Episode 34 – Justin Macumber

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Aug 232014
 
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It’s a pleasure to welcome Justin Macumber to the show! Justin is a perfect example of just how small the publishing world is. I actually know him through various groups, which wouldn’t be odd if most of these groups were not rather small. It’s fun to run into the same people in completely different places. Let’s find out more about this talented author and podcaster. And give a listen to his awesome interview!

 

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Justin Macumber

Justin Macumber is the author of Still Water, Haywire, and A Minor Magic. When not hard at work on his next story he hosts the popular Dead Robots’ Society podcast. He and his lovely wife live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex along with their motley pack of dogs and cats that they think of as their children. 

 

Read on for more about Justin and his work…

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Episode 33 – Michael Cassutt

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Jul 302014
 
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Michael Cassutt March 2013

 

What a treat to have Michael Cassutt on the podcast! Author, screenwriter, producer, Michael brings a wealth of information to our newest episode. I first met Michael at a book festival in Southern California through our mutual friend, Tim Powers. Michael’s extensive experience, with over thirty years in the TV and publishing industries, make for some great stories and fun times. Please join us for his fabulous interview on our newest episode!

 

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Michael Cassutt

Michael Cassutt is a writer of fiction, non-fiction (fourteen books, thirty short stories, two-hundred articles), and over sixty television scripts.  His most recent novel is Heaven’s Fall, with David S. Goyer (Ace paperback, August 2014), the last of a trilogy already sold to Warner Studios as a feature film series.  His short stories, largely SF and fantasy, have appeared in Asimov’s SF Magazine and The Year’s Best SF.

As a writer of non-fiction, his specialty is the American and Russian space programs.  He co-authored a pair of astronaut biographies (Deke! and We Have Capture) and contributes to Air & Space/Smithsonian.  He has also made several appearances on The History Channel.

Among his television credits are The Twilight Zone, Max Headroom, Eerie, Indiana, Beverly Hills 90210, and The Dead Zone.  He is currently Co-Executive Producer of SyFy Channel’s forthcoming Z Nation, premiering in September 2014.  And he is collaborating with George R R Martin on an original concept for HBO.

Michael is also an adjunct professor at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts.

 

Read on for more about Micheal and his exciting career…

 

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Episode 31 – V. C. Birlidis

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May 122014
 
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vcbirlidis 2 lowWhat a treat today’s guest is! Author of the intriguing and enchanting Muse Unexpected, V. C. Birlidis is as fun and engaging as his novel. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the fabulous V through Facebook and other social media and his sense of humor and kindness have struck a chord with me. Join me in finding out more about this fascinating author.

 

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For Vasilios Constantine Birlidis (V.C. Birlidis), the road to getting published has been a long one. The inspiration for his novel, Muse Unexpected, was ignited when he was a child, due to his father reading to him from a worn paperback about the Greek Myths. The myths were certainly not the sort of bedtime story to read to a nine year old with an overactive imagination, and although he often begged his father to read another one, Vasilios experienced many sleepless and anxiety filled nights during his childhood.

Beginning in junior high, Vasilios began to search for an outlet for his bottled-up creativity and auditioned and won placement in The New World School of the Arts (Formerly PAVAC), in their Musical Theater program, but it was during the summer of his 16th year that Vasilios discovered a true outlet for the creativity he didn’t know how to express. Always having been a fan of the ballet, Vasilios began taking classes at the renowned ballet instructor/studio, Martha Mahr School of Ballet. It was during the many grueling classical ballet classes where the overweight teenager was transformed into a strong, confident and lean individual.

Vasilios went on to perform with The Miami Ballet, BalletMet Columbus and Columbus Youth Ballet.

Read on for more about V and his book!

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Four Days with Hemingway’s Ghost – Myth Rating 5 Stars

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Apr 012014
 

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Four Days with Hemingway’s Ghost by Tom Winton

Christoph’s Review

Four Days with Hemingway’s Ghost by Tom Winton is a remarkably original and cleverly written story.

The main character, Jack, a mild and ambiguous fan of Hemingway and his work, gets to meet his ‘hero’ while in a coma. He spends four days with him, talking about life, the afterlife, Hemingway’s life and they even get to visit famous locations and people of the famous author’s life.

What happens towards the end of the novel is somewhat of a surprise and I am reluctant to share much about it in a review. I don’t want to hype your expectations either with promises of a huge twist but a change of direction takes place that is well fitting and surprising. Let it be sufficient that the storyline cracks open a new dimension and the effects of the meeting in the coma are turning the novel into something else altogether, and something good for that matter.

From the first paragraph I knew that Jack had a story to tell and that I would be wanting to hear it. For the entire book that desire to follow the plot did not diminish but actually intensified. I was surprised how much abotu Hemingway I remembered as he wanders through the story and talks about his life. The ending left me very satisfied and in awe of the story.

Interesting and cleverly written without pretence and self-indulgence this is very likeable and enjoyable to read. Winton handles the drama and literary heaviness without losing sight of necessary balance and distance via humour and wit.

Highly recommended.

Myth Chris
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Read on for more about Tom and his novel.

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Episode 23 – Deborah M. Gray

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Dec 192013
 
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book back photo(2)This episode we take a different turn and explore the world of non-fiction. Our special guest, the awesome Deborah M. Gray, takes us through some of the strategies she used in her own non-fiction work. Deborah found her own niche and has filled it well! Join us as she shares tips and tricks about publishing a “How to” book. How to Import Wine: An Insider’s Guide has been praised not only for its savvy in the wine industry, but for being well-written and easy to understand.

About Deborah M. Gray

Deborah M. Gray, an Australian native, founded her U.S. wine importing company, The Australian Wine Connection, in 1992 with her family’s brand, The Cowra Estate, and a collection of small, family-owned wineries from around Australia, ultimately representing iconic, highly rated brands.

She has been a frequent guest speaker at wine festivals, judged wine competitions and conducted seminars at various events around the country, including Epcot and Disneyland. She served on the first wine board of Austrade in New York, predecessor to Wine Australia. Deborah teaches a course at San Diego State University on Australian Wine as part of a certificate program.

Deborah’s first book on wine importing and distribution, How to Import Wine – An Insider’s Guide, was published by Wine Appreciation Guild in August, 2011. In December, 2011 her book was recognized as “Best U.S. Professional Wine Book 2011” by Gourmand International. In March, 2012, her book was short-listed for “Best World Professional Wine Book 2011,” in Paris, a competition that attracted over 1,000 entries from 168 countries.

Today, the emphasis in her company, Bluestone Wine Solutions, is on consulting and assisting others with their importing needs and portfolios. She is also at work on a second wine business related book.

Read on for more about Deborah and for excerpts from the show…

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Episode 18: Kary Rader

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Sep 292013
 
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This episode, we welcome Kary Rader! Author of romance and fantasy, mom, theatre  and all-round terrific person. Kary is the author of Queen of Jastain, A Taylor-Made Life and her current project, Broken.

About Kary Rader

Kary Rader is a stay-at-home mother of three, avid reader and slave to the characters and worlds inside her head. Her book Queen of Jastain, published by Crescent Moon Press released this past April. Kary is currently in the process of self-publishing a book that is close to heart, and is sure to touch the lives of all the readers that encounter it. A Taylor-Made Life released this summer.

Always creative, she’s drawn to stories with fantastical worlds and creatures. With a little bit of magic and divine guidance, there isn’t anything that can’t be accomplished with words. It’s the power of words that creates and destroys.

Vanquishing evil and injustice while finding eternal love in the process is all in a day’s work. And with the help of her critique partners and master cartographer imaginary places come to life.

Read on for more about Kary!

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Episode 17: Cindy Young-Turner

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Sep 102013
 
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Today’s interview is with my friend, author Cindy Young-Turner. Cindy is loads of fun and a terrific author, so be sure to give us a listen. Her most recent book is the fantasy, Thief of Hope, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

About Cindy Young-Turner

Cindy has always been an avid reader and became fascinated by mythology and Arthurian legends at an early age. She quickly decided she enjoyed creating her own worlds and characters and set to work writing her own stories.

She believes genre fiction can be just as well written and valuable as literature. The universal themes of love, hate, revenge, and redemption are present regardless of whether the characters live in the distant future, on other planets, or in fantastical realms.

Read on for more about Cindy!

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Episode 13: Diane M. Haynes

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Jun 302013
 
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Author Diane M. Haynes is today’s very special guest. Her YA Fantasy novel, Rift Healer, is a delightful and sometimes frightening romp through an Enchanted Forest.  Rift Healer was a YA finalist in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and getting to know Diane these past months has been loads of fun. She is another one of the fabulous authors from Crescent Moon Press who was so very kind to help me as I embarked on my own publishing journey.

About Diane M. Haynes

Diane Haynes grew up drawing, painting and sculpting. Writing was relegated to the occasional short story or reports written while working with disabled adults. Although she’s written at least a dozen short stories over the years, most have been relegated to notebooks in a drawer.
She wrote Rift Healer between serving customers at her New Age shop during the months of April, May and June, 2009 and spent the next 18 months editing. Crescent Moon Press, the first publisher she submitted the book to, bought it.
Diane lives in Central MA. where she and her husband care for their Special Needs friend, Richard and two rescued Basset Hounds, Boris and Ruby, whose sad pasts do nothing to diminish their spirit or their willingness to be naughty.

 

Read on for more about Diane and Rift Healer!