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

This week Fika with Vicky is thrilled and chilled to welcome Author Victoria Clapton.

 Reading “Of Myth and Memento Mori” on a rainy September afternoon, I was transported to Halloween. I could smell autumn as I walked the haunted trails of a pumpkin farm, feel my hands grow warmer as they held a steaming cup of hot chocolate, and see the mist and the secrets it held. Enchanted by these things, and the naturally smooth storytelling, I knew this was a book for Fika, and my Halloween pick for 2024. 

We’ll also be looking into one of Victoria’s series “The Binding Universe.”  There are many more. 

You don’t have to bring a coffee, Herschel will be happy to serve you any of your Fika favourites at Hiraeth Hollow Halloween. 

About Victoria  - Southern-born Victoria Clapton is no stranger to writing. She completed her first book of poetry at age eight and her first novel at age thirteen. Multilingual, friend to all creatures, Victoria is a forever curious world traveler with a mysterious knowledge of things and places from the past. She's an avid collector of saga books, a practicing vegetarian, and yogini with her feet well balanced in earth’s splendor. She and her cat companions enjoy all things Viking, faery, vampire, new writing instruments, herbology and anime. - https://sites.google.com/site/claptonvictoria/

About “Of Myth and Memento Mori” - Beware of the Knockers. They come in the night, searching for the one that wronged them.Lenore waits all year for Halloween to descend on the small Appalachian town of Hiraeth Hollow. A mortician and the town’s only professional pumpkin carver, Lenore spends her autumn weekends carving gruesome scenes in gourds while sipping hot beverages at the local Halloween attraction.


This year, something has changed. A knocking echoes through the trees, a strange man appears and disappears before Lenore’s eyes, and mysterious deliveries arrive on her doorstep. Then, the attacks begin.

Soon, Lenore and her friends face a nightmare from folklore; a bedtime story comes to life. Facing a mythological terror with no way to handle the situation, Lenore places her trust in Gwilym, the inhuman stranger she met in the woods. As family secrets unfold and new friends and family appear, Lenore finds unexpected love amid terror and the burden of saving her town from angry haints.

About “The Binding” - Drawn to the city of New Orleans, Sybella Rose seeks answers hidden in mausoleums of lore, and she soon discovers that history and mystery walk together in this world filled with more dead than the living. As this recipe for love and power is revealed, Sybella Rose tastes a bit of rebellion, befriends a lonely ghost, and drowns in the essence of a certain vampire before finally succumbing to her inevitable end. 

If you enjoyed this episode please follow Fika at https://www.facebook.com/FikawithVicky 
for episode updates and information

Fika With Vicky -  Victoria Clapton - Of Myth And Memento Mori  &  The Binding -  Paranormal Romance

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

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”

The Chat Oh my god Trump breaking recorded on his approval ratings  this show is out of fucking control watch at your on risk

The Chat Oh my god Trump breaking recorded on hie approval ratings

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

Jeffrey Morris is a writer, director, and founder of FutureDude Entertainment, a production company that blends dazzling creativity with innovative storytelling. His goal … rekindling the human spirit through science fiction.
He has produced an amazing documentary entitled THE EAGLE OBSESSION and is here in our Hollywood office as part of his screening tour. We discuss the purpose of the documentary: Reinspire that future that didn’t happen, addressing modern dystopia as a loss of hope after the Apollo program was halted once we walked on the moon.
https://eagledocumentary.com/

351. Jeffrey Morris: Reinspiring the Future That Didn't Happen

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

Fika With Vicky - Victoria Clapton - Of Myth And Memento Mori & The Binding - Paranormal Romance

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