Fika with Vicky is always pleased to welcome back Author and Cohort Brian Greiner. Yes, some people have co-hosts, but I think having a cohort is more fun. We’re going to look into the world of stylophiles (fountain pen enthusiasts) as well as other types of pens and luxurious paper made especially for their use. 

In a world that is progressing (or not, depending on your point of view) rapidly, perhaps it’s time to take a step back and enjoy writing in a more kinetic sense. And I think a lazy summer afternoon is the perfect time for such a venture. Imagine a cool glass of iced tea or lemonade, a straw hat, and the sound of a small breeze playing with the leaves above. It can’t be a big breeze, otherwise it will scatter our papers.  Anyway…

Brian’s bringing his collection and I’m bringing enthusiastic curiosity.  There’s so much to learn, such as…could the switching to a more physical manner of writing help with writer’s block? What little gifts could I create for the people in my life? And what’s so great about fountain pens? Please join us for episode 79, and find out. 


About Brian - 

Brian retired from the software development rat race to take up the carefree life of an indie author. Besides writing books in various genres, he enjoys reading, gardening, baking, and tinkering in his lair.
Like many authors, he enjoys experimenting with different writing tools and processes. Some call it “procrastination”, but he prefers to call it “research” and “professional development”.
Brian is a firm believer in the power of napping as an essential tool in the writing process.
 
 You can find Brian @

www.BrianGreiner.ca

About Fika with Vicky -

Eternally curious about life, Vicky learned early that answers could be found in stories. Whether those stories were tales of ghosts told by her grandmother or read on Romper Room with milk and cookies, she found herself transported to other worlds.

Reading to her own children, she developed an appreciation for picture books, and the illustrations that accompanied them. It was then that she realized great truths could be found with the simplest of words, and that children’s books are not only for children. Through their reading she saw how vast the Juvenile and Young Adult genres had become, and the way in which they brought understanding to difficult topics. 

    Having written her own stories, in Stick to the Story the Book, she began to be interviewed. And that’s when everything clicked. The idea that she could speak to the people behind the stories she loved, and learn more about them, was too tempting to ignore. Fika with Vicky was born in 2019, and with it a desire to share her passion for used book stores on rainy afternoons, folklore and fairytales, and those moments when an author solidifies all you’ve been thinking in one sentence.

You can find Fika with Vicky @

https://www.facebook.com/FikawithVicky

Fika With Vicky -  Author & Cohort Brian Greiner - Collecting & Creating With Pen & Paper

S.M. Stirling writes in multiple genres and has over 10 NYT bestsellers. In this interview, we discuss writing alternate history, the need for research, and how to do this research.

His latest novel, "To Turn the Tide" addresses the last successful period of the Roman Empire before the Germanic tribes invaded and sacked it.

We discuss Type A invention and Type B invention which plays a key part of the novel.

We also discuss two of L. Ron Hubbard's favorite books, "Typewriter in the Sky" and "Slaves of Sleep."

Learn more at smstirling.com/books/to-turn-the-tide/

294 S.M. Stirling Researching Time Travel Alternate History

Angelique Fawns has published multiple short stories in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and DreamForge Anvil. She has also published several dark fantasy compendiums titled MYTHICAL MONSTERS. 

I read several of her short stories in BOOK 3 OF THE HORROR LIGHT SERIES and found them perfect for entertaining Halloween reads.

She also compiled a publication listing all short story markets titled THE GUIDE OF ALL GUIDES, which we will discuss.

Learn more at www.Fawns.ca

300. Angelique Fawns Spooky tales for all ages plus a book of all short story markets

Dennys Ilic is a genuinely beautiful person who has, for the past 18 years, pursued his passion as a professional photographer. He is also a celebrated Leica photographer.

He has become internationally renowned as an editorial portrait photographer, best known for his edgy and soulful images. 

He has worked with clients including A-list actors Daniel Radcliffe, Jason Momoa, Halle Berry, Charlie Hunnam, Viola Davis, Keanu Reeves, Glenn Close, Ryan Reynolds, Cindy Crawford, Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Karl Urban, Edward James Olmos, Rosario Dawson, Lawrence Fishburne, Mary McDonnell, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kevin Hart, Lou Diamond Philips, as well as Joel Silver, David S. Goyer, and Peter Jackson, to name a few. 

Dennys has been instrumental in publishing five successful hard-cover photographic art books and is in preparation for creating the Star Trek Discovery Coffee-Table Book. Today, we will talk about MEN OF SCIENCE FICTION.

See his work at https://leicagalleryla.com/gallery-view/dennys-ilic/

301. Dennys Ilic World Class Celebrity Photographer Creating Photographic Art Books

This interview was recorded at the Frankfurt Bookfair in Frankfurt, Germany.

Cory Verner created Christian Audio as a solution to having something good to listen to on his daily 3-hour commute from San Diego to Orange County in California. He grew his company to the point where he was ready to move on and sold it to Recorded Books, at which point he decided to create his new company, ONE Audiobooks. He also has Verity Audio Productions, specializing in Spanish, and works with other audiobook publishers. 

We discuss the value of audiobooks with a good message, not preaching, but like PG or PG 13-type stories.

He also created Zoundy.com, a site that allows authors to create and use an audiobook as a free giveaway to build reviews for their books, which can be posted on Goodreads and Amazon.

NOTE: We used the term “SaaS” in the interview, which means “Software as a Service.”

We also discuss the growth of the audiobook industry and the models used to discover audiobooks. 

Visit oneaudiobooks.com/

302. Cory Verner Pioneer in Digital Download Audiobooks and Creator of Christian Audio

Sean is the President of Dreamscape Media.

He is also the President of the Audio Publishers Association.

We met in Frankfurt recently at the Book Fair and finalized this interview.

Audiobook growth kept the publishing industry growing during the pandemic, so I am very excited to speak with Sean about the growth of audiobooks as an industry. We also discuss the growth of AI generated audiobooks in the industry as a viable solution for books that would not otherwise ever be made as an audiobook.

305. Sean McManus President of Dreamscape on Growth of Audiobooks

Myke was a Writers of the Future Contest winner in volume 19 with his story “Blood and Horses.” 

He is an American author of fantasy, science fiction, and nonfiction. His series includes the Shadow Ops, Reawakening, and Sacred Throne. His career also involves television, and he has appeared on the CBS reality show Hunted and the Discovery Channel series Contact.

Myke Cole is a fire/rescue responder in New York’s Hudson Valley. He has spent a long career in the military, intelligence, and law enforcement.

When I reached out to him, he told me he was more about writing nonfiction these days. So today, we discuss his most recent publication, “Steel Lobsters: Crown, Commonwealth, and the Last Knights in England.”

Steel Lobsters covers the complete history of England’s last knights, from the seeds of their creation in Hesilrige’s experience as a young cavalry officer to their final defeat at Roundway Down in July 1643.

306. Myke Cole Discusses Writing Historical Fiction vs Non-Fiction

David Hankins was a “Writers of the Future Volume 39” winner in 2023 with his short story “Death and the Taxman.” In this interview, we discuss science fiction comedy vs. satire and its value to the overall genre.

He has since gone on to create a series based on his short story. The first was appropriately titled “Death and the Taxman,” and the second, now releasing, “Death and the Dragon.” 

He was a guest earlier as a winner and you can hear him in episodes 238 and 239 with fellow winners following the awards gala.

Learn more about David at davidhankins.com/

312. David Hankins on Writing SF Humor and “Death and the Dragon”

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Today’s guest is Edward Ashton, author of "Mickey 7" along with his most recent title "The Fourth Consort."

His novel, "Mickey 7" has been made into the just released movie "Mickey 17."

When Edward is not writing his international bestselling novels, he enjoys cancer research, teaching quantum physics to sullen graduate students, and whittling.

https://www.edwardashton.com/

319. Edward Ashton and the Making of the Movie Mickey 17

Robert Hatch has over thirty years experience as a director/producer/writer of dramatic films, documentaries, and television series, and his films have received over three hundred awards and honors from film festivals in the U.S. and internationally.

He stated that he is always on the lookout for new material to turn into movies.

323. Robert Hatch: How Does a Writer Go About Getting A Book Made Into a Movie

The best variety in News, Sports, Esoteric talk online and over the airwaves on Earth. The new learning channel UPRNtalkradio.com

Fika With Vicky - Author & Cohort Brian Greiner - Collecting & Creating With Pen & Paper

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