Category: Author Interview

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Author Interview Books Interview Podcast Writing

Author Annie Dawid’s Novel “Paradise Undone”

A Novel of Jonestown

Author Annie Dawid
Enjoy this fascinating visit with Annie Dawid
Audio-only version of our visit

Show Notes with Links:

  • 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.
  • We talk about the Shakahola Forest Incident/Massacre (May of 2023) and I ask how we can educate people are ignorant of cults.
  • Annie talks about the warning signs of possible cult behavior.
  • Annie will speak at the Salida Regional Library on May 8th at 5:30 p.m.
Paradise Undone

Links to Annie Dawid’s social media and previous interviews:

www.anniedawid.com

https://www.instagram.com/anniedawidnovel/

 Talk Radio Europe, 11/30 for recording, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_vB2PxeqayWeZIp3qDPiXaUA_CiGAjPy/view

 Podcast BOOKABLE SPACE, UK,  2/1/24 live https://shows.acast.com/bookable-space/episodes/bookable-space-with-annie-dawid

 CookieBiscuit Q&A Blog November 18 https://cookiebiscuit.co.uk/2023/11/18/paradise-undone-by-annie-dawid-q-a/

Dec 27 youtube w/Peter O YouTube on the 31st Dec. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP6o_fx-SLs

Essays:

1. The Jonestown Report: https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=123974

2. Women Writers Website, UK, 11.18.23 

On Writing Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

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!

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Author Interview Books Interview Writing

Author Spirit Ricks Shares Lessons for Living a Virtuous Life

Spirit Ricks
Visit with us here!
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Author Spirit Ricks talks about his life experiences and how he wrote A Woman’s Guide to a Virtuous Man and a Man’s Guide to Virtue
  • He talks about who he is, and how he raised his children to be shepherds, not sheep.
  • It takes courage to tell the truth! Parents should be a child’s relief, not a punisher.
  • “Put the mirror in front of ourselves” to see the truth. Bad choices do not define us.
  • He talks about why our children might talk to others rather than ourselves.
  • (we’ve all made mistakes and we turned out okay!)
  • Spirit Ricks discusses witnessing a difficult childbirth and how it affected him. A woman’s labor…and how God labors for us.
  • I ask if we can learn humility, and he tells us how, and why it’s more challenging today.
  • The beginning of any journey requires a person ready for it.
  • Spirit talks about his mother and how she will have eternal life through him! I ask about his mother’s sayings.
  • “Don’t get caught up in what you see” in terms of other people.
  • I ask if we can find good in bad examples. “Without a doubt”!
  • Spirit talks about his first 25 years, before he learned how to live a virtuous life.
His Book!
  • Spirit wants to leave people better than when he found them.
  • He talks about his vision, and the book of his life.
  • Spirit talks about how to forgive…and try to forget!
  • Follow Spirit Ricks at spiritricks.com

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

“The Birthing House”

A Multi-Layered Novel by Kathy Taylor

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.
  • Has her writing produced and surprises?
  • The audiobook is in progress…
  • What’s next?
  • Find Kathy’s work HERE and follow her HERE!

Laurel Stuff:

Have a new book? Want me to help you market it? Find my services HERE!

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

Thomas K. Carpenter:

Creator of “fantastic families, magical academies, and epic adventures”!

Enjoy my visit with Tom!
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

The Hundred Halls BOOK 1: TRIALS OF MAGIC

Book 1
  • Tom shares who he is when he’s not writing.
  • 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. . .
  • Trials of Magic has a scene reminiscent of one in Orson Scott Card’s Enders Game
  • Which authors/books inspired you most?
  • You chose two sisters for this series. Why?
  • What one word would sum up Trials of Magic? [mine is FUN!]
  • Cover Art designers: Ravven.com and G&S Covers
  • Where do you write? Tom discusses his writing routine.
  • We discuss the need for tension in stories, and Tom says, “Authors are really cruel people.”
  • Do you have a favorite pair of socks? [we share our socks!] Or any other thing most don’t know about you?
My socks win!
  • What is one piece of advice writers can use right now?
  • What’s your writing goal for 2024, and do you ever worry about how long you can keep up the pace?

Here’s a list of Tom’s current Hundred Halls titles!

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!

Laurel Stuff:

Banjo meets Tom!

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Cam Torrens: Award-Winning Author of “STABLE”

and man of many adventures!

Cam Torrens, Award-Winning Author of “STABLE”
Enjoy this fun visit with Cam!
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
  • Cam donates portions of his book sales to SAR.

Laurel Stuff:

Mike and I spend time in the mountains too! This is Browns Creek Falls.

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast Writing

Debut Poet Savannah J Tully!

Poet, Nature Lover, Humanitarian,
All-around Wonderful Human!

Savannah J Tully
Audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • I met Savannah when she won the Central Colorado Writers YOUTH WRITING CONTEST Bronze prize for “Mangroves Whisper Life and Death.” The assigned topic was “SOMEDAY”…she talks about her inspiration.
  • Read her story on the Central Colorado Writers website: https://www.ccwriters.org/
Savannah in Costa Rica
  • Her debut publication is a Poetry Collection: SIX TALL TREES
  • She tells us how she came to Buena Vista, Colorado from Indiana for her senior HS year.
  • “Through the dirt on my feet and the air we all share, I find peace in struggle and triumph” (back cover). I ask how she got to be so wise. She talks about her wonderful grandmother.
  • We discuss her understanding of things being “neither good nor bad, they just are,” I read Mountain Mindset (p. 48)
  • Life presents challenges, not problems!
  • She also paints birdhouses!
  • Savannah reads a few of her favorite poems and we discuss them.
  • Her understanding of time comes through in Mountain Mindset and Winter (p. 80)
  • I suggest Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now.
  • We discuss her poem Want (p. 11) and her BIG question (p. 7)
  • Her illustrations remind me of Etch A Sketch. They are one-line sketches, and they embellish her book beautifully.
  • She talks about a typical family evening, challenges of high school, and looking forward to attending Missouri University of Science and Technology.
  • She offers advice to young writers.
  • email Savannah at savtul20@gmail.com and you may order her book from her Instagram account: stully_20 or
  • Order from Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/six-tall-trees-savannah-j-tully/1143206791
  • Or Amazon:

Laurel Stuff:

When I’m not visiting fascinating people, I’m enjoying the fruits of my labor!

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Podcast

Mark Shaiken: Author, Photographer, Musician…Renaissance Man!

Mark Shaiken

Visit with us on YouTube!
Listen here for edited audio-only version!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Who is Mark Shaiken today?
  • I ask about his debut as a storyteller and give him 3 floors to present his elevator pitch.
  • After 41 years of commercial bankruptcy law, does he wish he’d left the practice sooner?
  • Fresh Start, Automatic Stay, and Unfair Discrimination…you don’t need to read them in order to understand the characters.
  • Many things to learn in his books! Vigenère cipher, IoT . . .
  • Unique POVs…first person antagonist/villain interspersed…we talk about how hard Clark’s chapters are to read. We discuss redeeming qualities in villains.
Book 3 in his legal thriller series
  • Did he ever have a client as horrible as Clark?
  • I ask if he had any cultural appropriation fallout from his series.
  • He tells us he’s not a very controversial person!
  • He talks about his greatest challenge as a writer.
  • He gave up the suit and tie…I ask what he wears when he’s writing.
  • No spider bite…which superhero would he choose to be?
  • Music plays a big role in his books, and I ask why?
  • We talk about his stunning photography and any disasters he experienced as a sports photographer.
  • Lightning round:  Jazz or rock and roll / oceans or lakes / Law and Order or Perry Mason / bagels or donuts ) listen for his answers!
  • His past interests: Baseball, basketball, guitar.
  • His past jobs before becoming a lawyer: road line painter, septic tank troubleshooter, forklift operator.
  • I ask what he wants to be when he grows up.
  • Shout-outs and ADVICE to writers!
  • Colorado Independent Publishers Association (CIPA)
  • https://www.markshaikenphoto.com/

Song links:

“Don’t Ever Change” referenced in Unfair Discrimination as Pascale sits at the foot of his bed: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markshaikenauthor_dont-ever-change-videomp4-activity-6996135032658546688-vACn?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

“Blue Sky Afternoon” referenced in Automatic Stay https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markshaikenauthor_in-automatic-stay-pascale-reveals-his-activity-6939643694698434560-IC37?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

More Links:

author webpage: markshaikenauthor.com

photo webpage: markshaikenphoto.com

my photoezine: disophoto.com

Unfair just came out on Audio: https://tinyurl.com/3uumwa6

my YouTube channel (with the book trailers) : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzF_ckLjjtJga8r1EeEMe7A

Laurel Stuff:

When I’m not reading or writing or podcasting or snuggling with my granddog, I like to dress up! My $10 thrift store dress was perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Find my other work here!

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!

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Author Interview Books Writing

Johnny Worthen’s Epic Worlds!

Meet the award-winning, tie-dye wearing author of epic social science fiction!

JOHNNY WORTHEN
Visit with us and see his Coronam System here!
Listen to audio-only version of our visit here!

Show Notes with Links:

WELCOME! I met Johnny Worthen at the RMFW Conference in September! He presented the workshop: “The Muddled Middle”

  • Johnny tells us about himself after I tease him about being a tie-dye king…which is now his “brand”!
  • We agree with how liberating it is to have a uniform (which leads me to wonder how the world would change if the military adopted tie-dye uniforms)!
  • He tells us about his debut as a storyteller.
  • He talks about his bagel shop in Oregon (The Daily Bagel).
  • I give him more than 4 floors to present his elevator pitch for Of Kings, Queens, and Colonies
  • I read some of his wonderful similes and figurative language elements, and we discuss “multi-genreism”
  • I ask about the space elevator thread—and wiki says “The key concept of the space elevator appeared in 1895 when Russian scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was inspired by the Eiffel Tower in Paris.”
  • I ask about his natives—and reflections of Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.”
  • Bees and honey, Religion and school indoctrination, steampunk elements, and more!
  • Johnny reads a passage from “Of Kings, Queens, and Colonies”…
  • I ask what’s the most controversial thing he’ve ever done, and he tells us.
  • He talks about his greatest challenge as a writer
  • Lightning round:   Chocolate or pistachio / fall or spring / Star Trek or StarWars / dogs or llamas ) listen for his answers!
  • I ask about the dark fiction press he edits for in LA.
  • Shout-outs and ADVICE to writers!
  • Johnnyworthen.com
  • Flame Tree Publishing

Laurel Stuff:

I always seem to find author L.V. Ditchkus‘s Sasquatch at conferences! Here at the RMFW Conference where I attended Johnny’s workshop!

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

How About a Cozy Murder Mystery?

“The Last Hurrah: A Phoebe Korneal Mystery” by Judilee Butler & GaGa Gabardi fills the bill!

Jean (aka GaGa) Gabardi and Judy Butler, authors . . . friends!
Visit with us here on YouTube!
The audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Judilee (Judy) Butler and Jean (GaGa) Gabardi have co-authored a cozy murder mystery series in a place I recognize!
  • Gaga and Judy tell us a bit about themselves.
  • We get an ELEVATOR PITCH for The Last Hurrah, book 1 of their series.
  • They discuss why and how they wrote the first book.
  • CCWritersExhange has benefitted both authors (and we encourage everyone to join this supportive writing group!)
  • We talk about collaborating with other authors and what their roles were in developing/writing this ongoing story.
  • We learn what makes a murder mystery cozy.
  • Judy and Jean discuss the research they did to make Oresville (Leadville!) feel real.
Judy and Jean in action!
Watch the trailer!

Laurel Stuff:

Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction novel! Here I am with authors L.V. Ditchkus and Jean (GaGa) Gabardi during a Salida Art Walk event!

Find my other work here!

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!

Categories
Author Interview Books Writing

New York Times Best-Selling Author David L. Robbins Discusses “Isaac’s Beacon” and Writing Craft!

Author, teacher, historian David L. Robbins

What a treat is was to visit with and learn from David L. Robbins on January 10, 2023! Here’s a link to our visit on YouTube:

Here is the edited audio-only version of our visit!

Show Notes and Links:

  • David tells us what he’d like us to know about him after I suggest every aspiring and accomplished writer should read Isaac’s Beacon to learn writing craft.
  • He discusses the importance of writing as an art form.
  • He gives us the “elevator pitch” for Isaac’s Beacon (I give him 5 floors!)
  • I ask him why he wrote this book, the first in what will be a 5-book series called “The Promised Wars.” (The Shortest Road will be released on May 2, 2023, available for pre-order now)
  • He talks about what it was like to be raised by two WWII Veterans, and how his father and mother ended up together (a fascinating story!)
  • David reads Chapter 1 of “Isaac’s Beacon” and we discuss dialogue, subtext, Absolute Truth and Profound Truth.
  • We talk about character development and the limited use of interiority (because we both agree it cheats the reader!)
David L. Robbins
  • We talk about censorship and swearing and his decision to stop swearing.
  • I ask the same question his character Mrs. Pappel asks about being “too brave,” and David answers.
  • He talks about “Terror Management Theory” and The Worm at the Core.
  • He discusses his views about marketing and I talk about purchasing his book.
  • Does he unwind? Listen to his answer!
I met David (beardless!) at the 2022 RMFW Conference where he was a Keynote speaker. We stand in front of author L.V. Ditchkus’ Sasquatch banner!

YOU MUST READ “ISAAC’S BEACON”!

Laurel Stuff:

Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction novel with tidbits from my time as a cadet at West Point! (My senior photo)

Find my other work here!

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!