Coffee & Ideas
We welcome back Martin Treanor to ask that most interesting of questions: what do fairies want? In his new book, Curiosity and the Cat, a girl who finds herself without much adult influence commits a crime that makes her feel guilty, but happy. But what has she unleashed? What is that cat, really? … Continue…Episode 209 – Martin Treanor’s Cat
We have chatted with many memoirists, but this vision of the past is new and startlingly original. Alma Alexander’s newest book takes us through her life in stages via the description of the written word that impacted her so profoundly over the years. From childhood to adult, she describes the books she was reading with a glorious review, taking the reader either back to their own experience reading the author or poet, or sending them right out to the library to find a new delight. … Continue…Episode 207 – The Literary Memoirs of Alma Alexander
The Queen of Swords Press is “an independent small press specializing in swashbuckling tales of derring-do, bold new adventures in time and space, mysterious stories of the occult and arcane and fantastical tales of people and lands far and near.” Which really sums up why we love all the books they’ve put out, without even mentioning their wide variety of protagonists that increase representation for all of us. But how does an indie press work? Constantly, as this interview with Catherine Lundoff demonstrates! … Continue…Episode 206 – Indie Publisher focus – The Queen of Swords Press
Dawn’s first novel, “Pono & Aloha vs the Zero-Sum Game”, was just released and available on Amazon — and we’re delighted to meet her to chat about it! It’s a fascinating coming of age story of a young girl in Hawaii who discovers the spirit world and her place in it while trying to solve the historically challenging conundrum of saving the past vs helping the present and future. It is a novel of examining the unintended consequences of all our actions, whether we mean them for the best or no. There are trigger warnings, but it’s a very worthy book that many women of all ages can relate to. … Continue…Episode 204 – Interview with Dawn Akemi
Cat Rambo is the early-rising, indefatigable writer of multiple stories, games, MUD administration, and novels – and we’re delighted to chat about the upcoming crown of their Disco space opera series called “Rumor Has It”, coming out next month! Join us as we chat about the intrepid crew and chef running the ship You Sexy Thing as they lay a course for Coralind station and fight off pirate kings. … Continue…Episode 203 – Cat Rambo’s Rumors
Richard Sparks may have started his career as a comedy writer, lyricist, librettist, and director, but since moving to California and picking up gaming he’s started writing fantasy novels – and we love them! He combines his comedic wit, honed over a long career, with high fantasy and a soupçon of science fiction. For lovers of gaming, fantasy, or laughter, this book is for you! Plus he already has 4 more books in the series written… … Continue…Episode 199 – Interview with Richard Sparks
Peter Sartucci is a Boulder, CO game writer turned author. He of the Shadow fantasy series set in Silbar – a land of wonder and magic. He has five books in the series focusing on Sir Kirin DiUmbra, the Left Hand of the king (who secretly is his twin brother). Peter talks to us about storytelling constructs he learned from gaming, world building, why to keep your first novel around, and how he approaches writing descriptive prose. Use all your senses! … Continue…Episode 194 – Interview with Peter Sartucci
Join us for a lovely discussion with local California author Shauna McGuiness. Shauna explains her writing style and experience, which is key to her prolific publishing. Her take on YA fiction and fantasy is refreshing, and her latest novel in the Axe’s Daughter (Lizzy Borden) series brings attention to well loved settings, and she’s really fun to talk with! … Continue…Episode 193 – Interview with Shauna McGuiness
We are delighted that the talented Raven Belasco is back with us, talking about the latest anthology that was just released: Adventures in Bodily Autonomy. Raven edited fourteen amazing stories from some of our favorite authors that flow through multiple universes, space, and time, offering new perspectives on the issue of reproductive justice. And besides paying the writers, all profits will go to non-profit Reproductive Freedom for All. She also got the rights to her Blood and Ancient Scrolls series back from her publisher, and talks about how and when a writer may need to do that. … Continue…Episode 190 – Welcome Back Raven Belasco
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