I’m proud to announce my short story “Iphus” will be included in this upcoming Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW) anthology! Expected publication date in early September! Can’t wait to order my copies.
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Annie introduces herself and discusses her fascination with the stories of Jonestown victims.
She explains her decisions to follow four characters: two nonfiction (Mother Marceline–Jones’ wife, and Ambassador Virgil Nascimento–not his real name, but a real person) and two composite characters (“Watts,” an African-American man who escaped on the day of the massacre, and “Truth,” a young, white devotee).
I ask Annie if the victims of Jonestown–@300 minors, 300 elderly, 300 adults, mostly poor, female, and African-American–were easy targets for a cult leader.
Journalist Kenyatta’s interview of Watts, which flows through the novel, is fascinating and reads like an actual transcription.
We discuss Jones’ quotations throughout the novel and how they demonstrate his slide into megalomania.
Tribune article
We discuss “Mother Marceline” and how she was able to turn the other cheek when it was clear Jones was sleeping with many women. “No one gets to have everything.” How she became a sort of martyr, and her complicity in the ultimate mass murders.
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Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!
My Fascinating Visit with Award-Winning Author Kathy Taylor!
Audio-only link
SHOW NOTES with Links:
Kathy Taylor, who are you today?
We spoke about Kathy’s idea for THE BIRTHING HOUSE 2 years ago when I interviewed her about “Trees and other Witnesses.”
This is a multi-layered, complex story filled with musings about languages, words, time, dreams, history, and trees. I ask how she would characterize genre for this work?
Her inspiration came from very personal experiences with loss. Why did she choose fiction over memoir?
Clare’s husband Stefan’s research uncovers an early 18th Century Parish register. He says, “People’s attitudes toward death reveal so much about their lives.” What is Kathy’s attitude?
Places around Marburg, Germany
Why did she include many stories of other women with different challenging backgrounds?
I read an excerpt about migration and Isra’s story. I ask Kathy if she feels like a migrant.
Clare is fascinated by how she was a different person in each language. Elaborate!
I read a passage about writing and ask why Kathy wrote a book within a book.
We discuss genres and I ask if she has a favorite to read.
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He shares his exciting news about a new cooperative strategy card game based on his books, available in February! (Subscribe to his newsletter to get up-to-date info)
(I’m not sure when he finds time to ski!)
With over 60 published books, how do you keep track of your characters? (any writing apps?)
How do you remember what you’ve written?
When did you know you could make a living from your imagination?
Everyone wants to know the “trick” for success. How many years did it take you to become on “overnight success”?
Tom and Rachel, his wife and business partner
You have all the elements of a magical world. Harry-Potter-type schools, guilt-ridden older sister who must learn the truth about how to respond to the unknown, jealous, tormenting peers. . .
The Hundred Halls (Arcanium Hall) Book 1: Trials of Magic Book 2: Web of Lies Book 3: Alchemy of Souls Book 4: Gathering of Shadows Book 5: City of Sorcery
The Reluctant Assassin (Academy of Subtle Arts) Book 1: The Reluctant Assassin Book 2: The Sorcerous Spy Book 3: The Veiled Diplomat Book 4: Agent Unraveled Book 5: The Webs That Bind
Gamemakers Online (Gamemakers Hall) Book 1: The Warped Forest Book 2: Gladiators of Warsong Book 3: Citadel of Broken Dreams Book 4: Enter the Daemonpits Book 5: Plane of Twilight
Animalians (Animalians Hall) Book 1: Wild Magic Book 2: Bane of the Hunter Book 3: Mark of the Phoenix Book 4: Arcane Mutations Book 5: Untamed Destiny
Stone Singers (Stone Singers Hall) Book 1: Song of Siren and Blood Book 2: House of Snake and Tome Book 3: Storm of Dragon and Stone Book 4: Sonata of Shadow and Thorn Book 5: Well of Demon and Bone
More about Tom’s new release: Champions of the Hundred Halls Cooperative Strategy Card Game!
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A while ago, Ben Shepherd created a place for authors and readers to post and find great reads! I have provided reviews and links in the past. Please support this effort by participating!
Here are the favorite reads from 2023 by over 1,000 authors!
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I introduce Miriam Green, born in London, raised in Bethesda, MD, Oberlin College in Ohio, met husband in Washington, D.C., and has been living in Israel for 32 years.
I interviewed Miriam in July of 2019 when her book came out. Here’s the link. Please watch if you’re interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s Disease.
She talks about what she did today, and how in her poetry group members pay tribute to one of their own (Judy Weinstein Hagai) who is presumed to be captured or worse. Miriam is one of the founders of the group Voices Israel
Miriam sets the scene for what happened on October 7th as her family prepared for Shabbat.
She discusses the phone call from her daughter and the subsequent horrors she discovered.
She discusses a day in which three unique events became linked in her memory: Leaving her youngest son at the bus to deploy, paying a condolence call to a family that had lost their daughter and son-in-law horribly, and visiting her mother in the Alzheimer’s Care home.
She talks about her mom and how music still allows her to connect.
Both men and women in Israel are called into service.
I ask how her children, their children, and her father (who is 85) are coping with living in a war zone.
Miriam and a friend volunteer at a new local zoo as a way to make a difference and as a way to help them cope with the daily uncertainty.
In the midst of war, Miriam Green and others like her have made the decision they must move forward.
I mention Thanksgiving week in the United States and how I feel both thankful and guilty for the circumstances of my birth and how I’m able to live in safety.
The second is my friend’s kibbutz, Kibbutz Ketura: Want to help on a personal level through Kibbutz Ketura? Donate to Merkaz Hasachar on Israel Gives, and Ketura will use the money to care for the over 250 extra people we have on kibbutz now. We are making food and donating toys and clothing, sending young people to play, read, and do activities with kids evacuated from the fighting to Eilat as well as the families staying with us. Also taking treats to soldiers, finding ways to send necessities to people who were called up to serve without time to prepare. The money will be used to get what they need. However we can help. https://www.israelgives.org/amuta/580032159
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Heather is a licensed clinical psychotherapist, certified sex therapist, and life coach, specializing in helping people love themselves and create the lives they truly want, nurture meaningful, loving relationships, and have great sex. She has had a wild and varied career that includes being an army officer and a senior manager at Hallmark Cards. Her focus as a certified sex therapist is helping people in midlife and beyond with challenges like low desire, disconnection from their partners, shame, lack of sexual know-how and self-confidence, and erectile dysfunction so they can enjoy magnificent sex.
Show Notes with Links:
I ask Heather the who/what/when/where/why and WHAT inspired her to become a sex therapist.
She discusses her audience for her GREAT SEX PODCAST.
She talks about doing shows with her son and how it has enriched their relationship.
Heather and her son
I ask about her husband’s response to her fairly new venture.
With her husband
There seems to be a need now…shows like “SEX EDUCATION” and “BIG MOUTH”(animated). I ask her thoughts on those shows.
What is the topic of most concern?
I ask when she will do a live show with call-ins.
Heather talks about the feedback she’s getting.
Ready to record her GREAT SEX PODCAST
She leaves listeners with a message and a very funny story about sex.
FOLLOW drheatherengland on Instagram, www.lovefilled life.com, GreatSexPodcast
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Audio-only version of our visit!Cam on commo during a SAR mission
Show Notes with Links:
Cam has served 30 years as an Air Force Officer. He’s been a husband, an attaché, a professor, a father of six, and a Search and Rescue (SAR) volunteer for Chaffee County, Colorado.
He tells us who he is today.
His debut novel STABLE has already earned three awards. Suspense, action, mystery, dynamic personal interactions, and humor! This novel has it all.
Cam gives us an elevator pitch for STABLE, which has some autobiographical elements.
Cam also races. Seen here doing the Moab 55K.
Cam talks about how he organizes his time (he’s very organized!) to accomplish his goals.
He discusses his greatest challenge in completing his novels and the things/organizations/people that have helped.
If he could choose one job to do for the rest of his life…?
Cam is a voracious reader. His newsletter includes book reviews every month. Sign up for it on his website: camtorrens.com
Cam on a SAR mission on La Plata peak (a Colorado 14’er)
He discusses where he’s happiest.
We talk about Central Colorado Writers (CCW) and the critique group led my author L.V. Ditchkus.
We talk about NYT Best-Selling Author David L. Robbins and the course we took with him: The Mighty Pen Project.
Cam offers tips to writers, new and less new!
He adds a few shout-outs in addition to his wife and children and his publishing company, Black Rose Writing
Book two in the Tyler Zahn series is available for pre-order now, with a release date of October 5th, 2023. False Summit
Please subscribe to Alligator Preserves on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts, and tell your friends about it! I’d love it if you “liked” the episodes you listen to, and I’d love it even more if you’d post a quick comment!