I met Sam at this year’s RMFW Colorado Gold Conference in Denver where he kicked off the weekend by entertaining a room filled with mostly beige people!
He talks about the “bit” he does with paint sample cards and we share our true colors!
His book IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME . . . is a fascinating historical record of many, many, MANY sporting events. He talks about how he remembers them all, and we talk about a great quote from Ken Griffey Jr. The book is peppered with great quotes: “Lessons Learned From Listening To The Greats.”
Sam’s comedic voice comes through. “To this day, I am a notorious name-dropper when I am around friends.”
His golf score always higher than his bowling score . . .
He climbed a building to see Sugar Ray Leonard!
He talks about the first time he remembers making someone laugh.
Her MC, Dani, flees to a tiny town in Colorado that feels completely real.
Characters in this novel…as in all…are real and wonderful. I ask if any are based on people she knows. “CAREFUL, OR YOU’LL END UP IN MY NOVEL” (the sign in my guest bathroom!)
We discuss her characters and how they made it into her work (Irma and her dog Elmer, Jess the wounded former Marine, that beeotch Polly)!
How has your ballroom dancing influenced Helen’s writing?
Photos below show Helen dancing with her teacher, Isaac Lynn, at Arthur Murray Studio in Boulder
The CRIME STOPPERS broadcast also adds lots of tension!
Helen talks about how she captured the idea of trust so well, and how it adds to the tension between Dani and Jess.
“Undercurrents of romance”…that tension…Helen takes us through her process of putting this novel together.
Amber Herbert’s debut novel is Lipstick Covered Magnet, a “genre-bending debut that weaves the intricacies of healing with delusion and suspense.”
She gives us an elevator pitch for this novel geared toward college-age readers.
Amber discusses her inspiration for writing a book about stalking as her debut nove.
Lyrics from the song “Lipstick Covered Magnet” by the group The Front Bottoms were in line with her story.
We talk about delusional characters, how she got into Connor’s mind (the stalker), and how she interwove the story line between the two main characters.
In previous interviews, Peter likens writing a novel to kayaking a new river…you never know what might be around the next bend, something frightening, awe-inspiring, a ferocious animal, someone with a rifle…he likes surprises! I ask what surprised him while writing “BURN.”
Another thing Peter enjoys while not writing!
Peter’s books are dark but with hope, and I ask if we all have both angels and devils on our shoulders.
He talks about the music of the language, and I ask about the Tang Dynasty Poets
I read a couple of gorgeous passages from “BURN.”
We discuss the OED! At age 12, Peter read the dictionary!
I ask if he’s had a friendship as close as Jess has with Storey.
Peter (center) with Paonia river friends Sascha Steinway (left) and Landis Arnold (right)
“Love is attention” . . . discuss!
We talk a bit about the current state of world affairs.
I mention Peter’s expertise in presenting places and emotions. He hits all the feels: love, loyalty, betrayal, anger, horror, suspense, surprise, longing, shame, confusion, AWE …
Paolo Bacigalupi taught him, “Your job is just to make sure it doesn’t suck”…well, he succeeded!
Paonia home.
Jess’s gradual character arc is credible and incredible!
I ask about AI in publishing.
He talks about living off-grid.
I ask about his full launch marketing schedule and how he maintains his enthusiasm. Find him in your neck-of-the-woods on his BOOK TOUR schedule!
3 rapid-fire questions: Favorite color / thing he’s most likely to consume first thing each day (and then we discussed vegetarianism) / YES or NO: Cats are people too and should be allowed to vote! Listen to his answer!!!
ORDER BURN NOW! August 13 release! I ask Peter to save me 2 front row seats Aug 29th in Edwards, CO!
Peter in his element…outdoors!
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Laurel Stuff:
Me in my Smith College days, before I joined the Army!
Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Let me know!
Susan and Barbara talk about how they met and became collaborators on this project…and we discuss high altitude baking (with tips)!
I tell them how I heard about their project from Barbara’s son (Chuck), who is my West Point classmate.
The book is dedicated “To all our greats and grands”! We learn how many they have, and we talk about being grandmothers (and grandmother names)!
The littlest fan of “From Zero to Hero,” Barbara’s great-granddaughter Olivia Levine!
Susan talks about the book’s message for the main character: TO DISCOVER HER TALENT AND WORTH. She explains the story’s journey, how is started, and how it evolved over time.
I ask if Dr. Seuss inspired the rhyming cadence of the story.
Susan’s granddaughter Natalie enjoys the book with her grandfather (who also seems to be enjoying the story!)
Number 7 is a rapper! I ask Susan to rap that section (and she does!)
We laugh about Zero leaving her purse with number 7.
Number 8 gives the best encouragement (I think!)
Some numbers are a bit snarky with her, (starting with Numero Uno) and full of themselves…like some real characters children might meet.
Barbara talks about her artwork and a scare she had while illustrating the book using Sketchbook on an old computer!
Barbara’s granddaughter Alexa Levine reads to her 4-month-old baby Olivia!
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The 2024 RMFW Anthology is here! Visit with co-editors Paul Martz and Linda Ditchkus as we discuss these stunning stories.
Our video visit today!
Podcast: audio-only
Show Notes with Links:
Who came up with the theme for this year’s Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers anthology? Linda and Paul discuss the idea of Colorado’s Changing Climate and how it opened the doors to multi-genre stories.
They discuss what inspired them to co-edit an anthology of climate-themed fiction.
I ask about the tasks involved in creating the anthology and how they determined who did what. I guessed there may have been arm wrestling involved, but Paul corrected me. It was rock/paper/scissors!
Author and co-editor Paul Martz
We talk about the role fiction plays in educating society about climate change, and how there are stories for every type of reader represented in the anthology.
We talk about how a story by Nebula Award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi made it into the book.
I ask Paul what challenges he faced as a blind editor.
Contact Paul at PaulMartz.com. He is willing to be a resource for anyone interested in publishing in Braille. He is also a contract tech writer for nbp.org, National Braille press.
Contact Linda at LindaDitchkus@gmail.com
Linda Ditchkus with Paolo Bacigalupi at the Crested Butte Words Festival, May 25th
MORE:
The release party for the anthology is 9/7, 11:30-12:30, at The Bookies Bookstore. https://thebookies.com/
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!
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!
with Memories from Hundreds from the Long Gray Line
Peter with his wife, Susan: Plebe Parent Week at West Point
Visit with us here on YouTube!
Podcast audio version!
Show Notes with Links:
A is for ARMY…I ask Peter why he made the decision to join the Army, especially since he’s an artist.
Peter discusses the artwork he created for this book.
“Army is the other family you have.” ~ R. Jim Steiner ’78. I ask about Peter’s relationship with the Army.
One of Peter’s “Spirit” drawings: The Army Mule mascot chasing down the Navy Goat!
Peter discusses the process for putting together all the pieces: the alphabet definitions, the artwork, the input from past graduates of West Point.
He talks about his “favorite” letter!
As an Old Grad, he’s still active. I saw on Facebook a photo of him presenting an appointment letter to a soon-to-be new cadet. [ I mention my representing West Point at the local high school Career Fair day]
We talk about “X-Traditions” and how we both contributed to the POINTER magazine (no longer published). Peter also designed the crest for his class ring (West Point Class of 1978).
Peter at Ft. Sumpter
I ask if he was a hazer (I didn’t think so)!
Peter has great advice for young people considering West Point and the military academies.
Peter is working on a book for his USMA Class of 1978 for their next reunion.
I put in a plug for The Virginia War Memorial’s Mighty Pen Project for veterans, led by New York Times Best-Selling Author David L. Robbins.
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and THIS JUST IN on 15 July 2024, two more awards for Keith’s books in the Horror: Paranormal/Supernatural categoryfrom the 2024 American Fiction Awards!
We start by discussing our visit from 5 years ago about Keith’s novel “You Say Goodbye” and the obituary of Alexandra Scott, a child who inspired Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer research.
Keith tells the true story of his grandfather’s attempted kidnapping in the late 1800s, the inspiration that started his novel “In Lieu of Flowers.”
He was a “Sunday writer” when he wrote “You Say Goodbye,” but now that he’s retired . . .
We discuss his earlier books: “You Say Goodbye” and “The Poe Consequence”
We remember Alexandra Scott, who’s obituary as an 8-year-old victim of childhood cancer inspired not only Keith’s earlier novel, but also Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which has raised over $300 million for childhood cancer research.
Author Keith Steinbaum with Liz Scott, Alexandra Scott’s mother, who founded Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Donate today to help cure childhood cancer.
Keith reads a nightmare passage from “In Lieu of Flowers”
We discuss the significance of numbers. In Jewish mysticism, the number 74 represents “the absence of light…the emergence of darkness.” The number plays a significant role in the novel.
We discuss the significance of letter writing.
Keith talks about his inspiration for the characters Dragonfly and Hummingbird.
“Maybe evil wins out because God is overwhelmed…”
Were the character Michael’s sleepover memories autobiographical?
I ask about Keith’s knowledge of Braille and blindness and how they inform the plot.
I read a passage about Evergreen Cemetery and we discuss how the gravestones have photos of the deceased, the burial sites “represented lives that experienced what we all do, the connective tissue of tales and time—”
Evergreen CemeteryEvergreen Cemetery
Keith talks about the lullaby he used in the story.
We discuss our beliefs in the supernatural?
Keith explains how he has changed as an author.
He gives wonderful advice to new authors.
Follow him on his website and email him with your thoughts! He’d love to hear from you!
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!
We discuss former Sergeant Major Bill Armstrong’s influence on Frank, and his Facebook post about all of the “firsts” Frank presented him with, including: “First saxophone player I ever enlisted into the Army band, first recruit I ever had go to West Point, first person who owned a Mustang II and later rebounded and became a REAL car aficionado with the truck and the jeep, and now as far as I know, the first published author.”
Frank in his “thinking hat”!
He tells us how he learned to write creatively.
I ask, “Who are you in this novel?”
We discuss the characters Al Khafaji and Abdullah (and others).
His novel is extremely detail oriented, which made me feel like I was right there in the chow line with his characters.
We discuss his character development…from strongest to weakest… and their growth, and how realistic the dialogue is.
Frank and another 1983 West Point classmate, Lorraine Lesieur, taken at a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Ashburn, VA
I ask him about leadership lessons in his 28 years of service, the scene in his novel with the young Lieutenant, and West Point leadership lessons.
Frank captures the pre-deployment intensity, stress, excitement, fear, and the unknown…and how there’s never enough time for true preparation.
“Not my circus, not my monkeys” (we discuss).
“Hope is not a method” (we discuss).
I ask what Frank hopes for the future of our nation.
After reading Frank’s work, I believe his soldiers loved and respected him.
I challenge him to recite the DEFINITION of LEATHER, and although I leave out a few words, we stumble through it!
“Firstie” Cadet Frank Demith
What’s next? Frank has a deal now through Flag Day (June 14th) where he’ll donate $1 from each purchase to the “Warrior Rising” project.
A shout-out to Franks fabulous wife and to another classmate, Michael “Mac” Crumlin.
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!
