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Author Interview Books Writing

Let’s Remain Hopeful!

Nadine Collier and I (and photographer Sarah Collier!) at the Van Gogh Alive exhibit in Denver, August 2021

By now we all should understand that the novel coronavirus and its persistent variants will be with us for the foreseeable–and unforeseeable– future. When Nadine and I created our award-winning book Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle!, we did not anticipate the political strife the pandemic would create. We did not assign the virus responses to tribes: Red vs. Blue.

Peace by Piece: 10 Lessons from a Jigsaw Puzzle!

We did, however, intend to help those struggling with every kind of “normal” challenge life throws at us, and our book is as relevant today as it was when we launched it into the uncertain world.

We are honored by The Colorado Sun’s SunLit Interview about how we came together to create our inspirational and humorous book, and we hope you might find reasons in it to be encouraged about our shared future despite the ongoing and often changing reality of this troubling pandemic.

Let’s remain hopeful and do what we can to return to living life in a sensible and less stressful way while remaining vigilant against the virus and protecting those most vulnerable.

Our book is available everywhere in paperback and ebook versions. Hope you’ll consider taking a gander!

Laurel Stuff:

Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and just published my first coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Meet Award-Winning Author/Editor MK (Molly) Sturdevant!

A fascinating multi-genre Doctor of Philosophy writing about an old-time miners strike in Colorado!

Visit with us in this YouTube video!
Listen to the “audio-only” version here!
Molly spends time in COLD Leadville researching the historical archives and environs.

Show Notes with Links:

  • Molly tells us a little about herself.
  • She answers the question, “How does someone with a PhD in Philosophy end up researching the 1896 mining strike by the Cloud City Miners Union (Local 33) in Colorado? That happened 126 years ago!”
  • Why does she present this nonfiction event as fiction?
  • Molly talks about some of the characters she created.
  • The many surprises from her research.
  • Research has taken her several places. She talks about those, and if she has found any ancestors of the miners.
  • She is a Writer in Residence at Elsewhere Studios in Paonia, CO for the month of January 2022.
  • Molly discusses how the pandemic has affected her work.
  • Her book–“The Sleepers”–is almost finished!
Shaft and tunnel map of the famous Robert Emmet mine, not far from the Matchless Mine in Leadville. 
Molly in front of Leadville’s historic 1879 Saloon! (All about the research!)

Laurel Stuff:

Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and just published my first coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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 Podcast

Meet Author and All-Around Fun Guy TH (Todd) Leatherman

Rollicking Space Opera Sci-Fi Author and Humorist

TH Leatherman at 2021 FANEXPO Denver!
Enjoy our visit on YouTube!
“Audio-only” version of our visit!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Introducing TH (the H is not for Horatio!) Leatherman
  • We discuss names and how his humor evolved into a book
  • 1001 Puns, Dad Jokes, and One-Liners (many groan-worthy!)
  • We discuss his inspiration for and development of his Burning Son Series and his character development
  • TH tells us about his writing style
  • I have never found him to be intimidating!
With TH Leatherman at FANEXO Denver, Halloween weekend 2021. Yes, he is TALL!
  • Marketing tips (social media and in-person events)
  • I ask him about his two Pomsky dogs, Jasmine and Willow
Jasmine (L) and Willow (R)
  • He provides a book review service! Here’s his Policy.
  • Lots more! Listen to or watch the full interview above!
  • Shout-outs to his wife and sons and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers (RMFW)
  • All the places to Connect with TH Leatherman!
  • TH Leatherman and I would love it if you would post positive reviews of our work on Amazon! Thank you!
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and just published my first coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Author Kathy Taylor

Tree Whisperer!

Kathy Taylor, author of Trees and Other Witnesses
Audio-only version
https://youtu.be/9zkwZEZwBHM
Visit with us on YouTube! (https://youtu.be/9zkwZEZwBHM) (please click the link if you cannot see the embedded link with photo)

Show Notes with Links:

  • Kathy talks about how growing up in a Quaker community in Pennsylvania informed her life and work.
  • Visit with us on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/9zkwZEZwBHM
  • We met at a Chaffee County Writers Exchange event and I took a “look inside” her book on Amazon…and immediately bought it!
  • We discuss our favorite trees (not that there could be just one!)
  • Why 13 stories?
One of Michele Wayland’s illustrations in “Trees and other Witnesses”
  • I share many glorious figurative language excerpts from her book.
  • Kathy reads a passage from her book.
The Amate Tree!
  • We talks about how figurative language “happens” (it’s my opinion that Kathy is a master!)
  • Autobiographical elements in her writing, and discussion of different languages.
Woman with Burro, Ocotal, Nicaragua
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and just published my first coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Awesome Aussie Author Adam Jones!

What He Has Learned from BOOKS!

Visit with Adam Jones in this entertaining YouTube interview! What You Will Learn…

Learn more about Adam “Jonesy” Jones on their “About Us” page!
Here’s the Audio-only version of our visit!

SHOW NOTES WITH LINKS:

  • Adam Jones shares his early morning routine.
  • Jonesy tell us how the podcast “What You Will Learn” started!
  • His first impactful book: How to Win Friends and Influence People.
  • How their episodes improved.
  • Decisions about the title of their book The Sh*T They Never Taught You: What You Can Learn from Books.
  • He talks about how he has improved his retention (layers!)
  • He discusses initial goals (overcoming verbal tics, comfort zone, etc.)
  • Discussion about the Stoics and Stoic philosophy.
  • How this book is different from others.
  • Who’s “the boss”?!
  • How they select the next book to assess.
  • I suggest the book Ordinary Magic: A Father-Son Journey on the Colorado Trail by Todd Fahnestock.
  • Salida Book Store owner John Cameron suggests the books Braiding Sweetgrass and Midnight in Chernobyl.
  • What was his most challenging interview?
  • Has any interview changed his opinion about a book?
  • How has the pandemic affected him?
  • Was creating this book (as Daniel Kahneman confessed) “torture”?
  • How has creating this book changed him?
  • Which section was the most enjoyable to research?
  • Vices! How he quit smoking and other vices (and I confess to my chocoholism)! Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking.
  • What’s next, and Jonesy delivers a final message/suggestion!
Learn more about co-author podcast hosts Adam Ashton and Adam Jones HERE!
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and just published my first coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Todd Fahnestock’s Epic Adventures!

You’re going to want to travel with him!

Visit with us on YouTube!
Todd and his son–Dash–at the 400-mile point on the Colorado Trail!
Audio-only version of our visit

SHOW NOTES with LINKS:

  • I first met Todd Fahnestock at the Georgetown “Book Nook” Christmas Market! Pretty sure it will happen this year!
  • Our mutual friend, author/podcast host/all-around-wonderful-person Jerry Fabyanic hosts the Book Nook!
  • We discuss FANEXPO Denver, where Todd and I will have tables this year at the Convention Center Halloween Weekend!
  • Todd talks about his many books, why he wrote “Charlie Fiction,” when he knew he was going to start writing, his early epic fantasy inspirations, and how he always wanted MORE action!
  • I ask about his many accolades, and we discuss how external motivation (as opposed to internal) can be a negative thing!
  • We discuss “Summer of the Fetch” and he reads chapter 1 of “Ordinary Magic”
  • He gets personal about stories involving his wife’s horrific accident and his son’s growth arc throughout their father/son journey on the Colorado Trail
  • I suggest he send his “Altra Olympus 4” electric blue shoes to the company for replacement! (Have you done it yet, Todd?!)
  • He talks about his growth arc as an author and what will come next!
  • Find his books on Amazon or on his website or at any bookstore!
Evening of “The Great Fart”…you’ve got to read Ordinary Magic!
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and just published my first coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Scott Thomas Knows HORROR!

Meet him in this fascinating interview!

Visit with us in the YouTube video above!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Scott Thomas, award-winning author of horror–“Kill Creek,” “Violet,”(and other things!) and screen writer for TV Movies and teleplays for networks including Netflix, SyFy, MTV, VH1, the CW, Disney,Nickelodeon, ABC . . .
  • We talk about Kill Creek and decisions Scott made and changed during its creation.
Award-winning Kill Creek
  • He talks about the difference between plot and story.
  • He tells us what scared him as a child . . . and now, and why he thinks some people enjoy horror.
  • He discusses his planning vs. “pantsing” and the “Save the Cat” format.
  • He talks about the expectation of horror and if anything is taboo.
His second book Violet
  • How does he answer the “Kill, Marry, Sleep with” question?!
  • Find his books on Amazon, B&N, Inkshares, or any bookstore, and contact him on Facebook and Twitter (@ninjawhenever)
Audio-only version of Scott Thomas Interview (above)
Thank you, Scott Thomas! There’s nothing “boring” about you!
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series and coloring book for the Waterwight series!
(Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Meet Author/Publisher Kelly Lynn Colby!

Enjoy this lively visit with talented author/publisher Kelly Lynn Colby!
“Audio only” version of our visit (click above)!

Show Notes with Links:

Kelly’s page-turner: The Collector
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series! (Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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

Kathleen Kaska Knows Sherlock Holmes!

Award-winning author Kathleen Kaska entertains me with Sherlock Holmes trivia and updates on several other works in progress!
Audio-only version of my visit with Kathleen Kaska!

Show Notes with Links:

  • Kathleen Kaska returns for an interview about her latest release: The Sherlock Holmes Quiz Book
  • She talks about her life as a multi-genre author
  • Here’s a link to our visit from February 2019 when we discussed her awesome book A Two Horse Town: https://youtu.be/wkqtbNjBDcM
  • She has three books of “triviography” on her favorite authors and characters: Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock, and Sherlock Holmes (the character!)
  • Kathleen discusses her research methods and her biggest challenge
  • She discusses what makes Sherlock Holmes seem so “real,” and the idea that his character is portrayed with an imbalance between logic and emotion
  • The many “Hollywood Holmes” characters and her favorite
  • We discuss fascinating facts about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and what he has in common with Kathleen
  • Kathleen talks about animal rights activism and the remarkable book she wrote about “The Man Who Saved the Whooping Crane,” and I tell her about my ducks
  • She gives shout-outs tells us about several books currently in progress and the Sherlock Holmes society she established ten years ago
The author with her latest release

Discover more about author Kathleen Kaska, follow her, and order her books here:

Cheers to you, author Kathleen Kaska! Brava!!!
Meanwhile, I’m working on a new science fiction series! (Photo Credit: Elise Sunday)

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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Laurel