Coffee & Ideas
Kari Sperring, amazing author and medieval historian, has written a splendid new Arthurian novel called The Book of Gaheris. Join us as she talks about developing a new version of an Arthurian legend through historic research, reading the classics, and re-imagining the status quo as it very well may have been touched by magic. … Continue…Episode 184 – Interview with Kari Sperring
We welcome back Sharon Lee and Steve Miller to talk about their 25th Liadon book – Salvage Right, from Baen Books. They tell us about the space station that straddles two realities, as we debate where the cats might come in and own the place. There’s also an in-depth discussion of the dinkus and the telling detail, so you can learn something new! … Continue…Episode 183 – Journey Back to Liadon
Jeannie and Howard have a very convivial talk about Howard’s new Chronicles of Hanuvar books being published by Baen press, the need for smart characters, how to write them (and how to overcome mistakes). Plus, how to Barcon (and where not to be at Dragoncon), and other interesting subjects. … Continue…Episode 182 — Interview with Howard Andrew Jones
In which the WDC crew geeks out with joy at the presence of David Gerrold, writer of the silver screen and television, novels, short stories, and limericks – and teacher of writing to others. David talks to us about science fiction in the early days, the trend toward social justice awareness and addressing current problems in new ways. From Sleestacks and Tribbles to the strike lines of WGA and SAG-Aftra, David walks us through how Hollywood has changed, and where it needs to go so that everyone involved in the industry can live long and prosper. … Continue…Episode 181-Interview with David Gerrold
Your WDC crew welcomes back Alma Alexander, who has won a great struggle with publishing rights to re-release her trilogy “WorldWeavers” with a bonus new fourth book coming out this November! WorldWeavers has all the magical youth and schooling of Certain Bestselling Books and Movies – but we like them even better! WorldWeavers posits a world where everyone knows about magic – it’s even regulated. Alma seamlessly blends American Spiritualism and gods, with fae-like creatures, magic, computers, and a scrappy bunch of young students you’ll adore. Thea is a splendid young heroine, and we think you’ll like her as much as we do. … Continue…Episode 180 – Alma Alexander re-releases WorldWeavers
Dr. Marsha Gordon wrote a biography of Ursula Parrot, the best-selling female author of the 1920-1930s. Her book, “Ex-Wife”, sold more than Faulkner and Fitzgerald put together when it came out. She wrote screenplays for Hollywood that catapulted women into stardom. But no one has heard of her. Come with us as Marsha delves into the world of being a professional woman of the age, of working in a man’s world, and what it meant to be successful and wealthy in her own time but still die penniless and alone. It’s a fascinating book of a fascinating woman, and we give her to you. … Continue…Episode 179 – Interview with Dr. Marsha Gordon
In this episode, Dr. Alan Wu reads to us a story about a real-live toxicology case study. It’s fascinating to delve into the world of doping and toxicology reports – and for all your writers out there, understanding HOW doping and discovery works can make the difference between a really good story and something that makes doctors, nurses, or scientists roll their eyes. From doping to posthumous blood screens and “toxicology” reports, enjoy gaining some insight on how laboratories really work, and gain a cautionary tale on the topic of sports doping. … Continue…Episode 178 – Dr. Alan Wu Reads Us A Story
Dr. Alan Wu is a professor of lab medicine at UCSF and the Lab Director at San Francisco General Hospital. He’s written over 500 peer-reviewed papers in scientific and medical journals – and now is taking that factual background experience and creating forensic procedural fiction with an emphasis on scientific accuracy. With an eye toward the world learning more about proper lab work and methodology, and not unconscious of the effect House and Bones have had on TV, he has published his own book of speculative science fiction short stories – Mind Portal. If you love science, time travel, and “What If” speculation, you’ll love it! … Continue…Episode 177 – Interview with Dr. Alan Wu
We caught up with Kate Elliott again now that her second book in The Sun Chronicles is out: Furious Heaven. Your hosts are LOVING this gender-swapped Alexander the Great in space, and Kate talks in depth about her world building around how multiple countries find their way to the stars in the far future, and what kinds of societies they set up, and then how they all come into conflict. We discuss themes and plots and dive into questions that Kate won’t answer yet on Why Cloning is Forbidden. We can’t wait for the next book! Listen in and you’ll find out why! … Continue…Episode 176 – Welcome back Kate Elliott!
Dr. Evelyn Alsultany teaches in the department of American Studies and Ethnicity at USC L.A., and chats about her latest book Broken, covering topics of Islamophobia and Muslim representation, inclusion, and stereotyping. It’s a fascinating reference book from an incredibly articulate educator, and Evelyn also consults with Hollywood studios as a sensitive reader and expert for writers and filmmakers. She co-created The Obeidi-Alsultany Test to help writers improve general and specific representations in all the arts, pointing out the challenges of Muslims being from many different geographic heritages, non religious but still cultural, and more. … Continue…Episode 175 – Interview with Dr. Evelyn Alsultany