SAM Magazine

E90 - Steven Raaymakers, Author of The Aria of Steel Book series

All the way from Wanganui, New Zealand, I had the pleasure of interviewing fantasy author and landscape artist Steven Raaymakers.  Steven has a love for fantasy art and stories. He has painted concept art for the last 8 years including many commissions. He considers himself a visual storyteller. Steven wrote and created art during his teens, and we discuss the meshing of art and writing when it comes to crafting a series. We also discussed internal and external conflict, hand-in-hand in his novel, A Canticle of Two Souls, book 1, and his impactful words "war children." Steven's latest novel, A Canticle of War, book 3 was just published April 4, 2022. Thank you, Steven for joining me on the podcast.
https://www.stevenraaymakers.com/

E89 - Tara Moss, The Ghosts of Paris

E89 - TARA MOSS is an internationally bestselling author, human rights activist, documentary and podcast host, and model. Her crime novels have been published in nineteen countries and thirteen languages, and her memoir, The Fictional Woman, was a #1 international bestseller. Her most recent novel is The War Widow, the first in the Billie Walker mystery series. A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she has received the Edna Ryan Award for significant contributions to feminist debate and for speaking out on behalf of women and children. In 2017, Tara Moss was recognized as one of the Global Top 50 Diversity Figures in Public Life. In 2021, she hosted the Audible Original true-crime podcast The Man in the Balaclava. Tara Moss lives in Vancouver with her family.
Tara and I have a great discussion about her fast-paced, thrilling new novel, The Ghosts of Paris. The dialogue is intense, and the reader feels like they are watching a tennis match. Funny scenes, that noir setting, and an intriguing and secretive plot makes for a dynamite novel. Thank you Tara.
https://taramoss.com/

E88 - Laura Ellen Scott, Author of Blue Billy

Some people thought Laura Ellen Scott's novel Blue Billy was a cozy. She proved them wrong. 
Laura and I had a fun and lively discussion about Blue Billy, the third novel in her New Royal Mysteries. Laura is a multi-published author of novels and short stories, as well as a professor at George Mason University. Laura likes writing stories with dark themes and quirky characters. She was born and raised in Northern Ohio and currently lives in Fairfax, Virginia. 
We talked about the presentation and contest she had with her students and the naming of a character. I learned what Blue Billy really is--a blue contaminated soil. I also learned about coke ovens. It's not what you think, and creepy statues from dolls to Santa Claus. Thank you Laura.
https://www.lauraellenscott.com/

E87 - Elgon Williams, author of Ninja Bread Castles

Elgon Williams was born in Springfield, Ohio and grew up on a farm in southeastern Clark County near the town of South Charleston. Elgon is the author of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Mystery with Pandamoon Publishing. His publications include Fried Windows (In a Light White Sauce); the Thuperman trilogy, starting with Becoming Thuperman, Homer Underby and the final book in the series, Thuperheroes. We talked about book 2 in the Fried Windows series. The first book being Fried Windows and the newly released second book, Ninja Bread Castles. From how our characters travel in time to onion bagels and science, we covered a lot of ground. Thank you Elgon.
https://elgonwilliams.com/

E86 - Michelle Fizzard, Author of Amazing Grace, A True Story of a Classroom Cat

E86 - Children's author Michelle Fizzard and I talked about her children's book Amazing Grace, A True Story of a Classroom Cat. As well as writing and the definition of success. What is success? A book deal? Completing a manuscript? Showing up? Let your writing be messy, just write. We also talked about the five writing fears. Michelle shares a humorous story about her father, as well as a touching story about her mother. Oh, and Cuddles's retirement party. Michelle is writing a new book and we talked a little about that as well. Michelle, thank you for stopping by the studio. 
http://www.michellebfizzard.com/

E85 - Hannah Mary McKinnon - Never Coming Home

International bestselling author, Hannah Mary McKinnon, returns to the podcast to talk about her latest novel, Never Coming Home.
Hanna was born in the UK. She grew up in Switzerland and now lives in Canada with her husband and three sons. Before moving to Canada, she had completed commercial studies in Geneva and worked as a PA for DuPont. Later she moved to Neuchatel and became the Purchasing Manager for a high-tech company. Hannah is the author of numerous essays and pieces. Her sixth novel, Never Coming Home is in stores now, and it's receiving great reviews.
“Sly and deliciously clever, Hannah Mary McKinnon captivates with this engrossing tale of a missing wife and the devious husband who hopes to inherit her fortune.”
“Hannah Mary McKinnon is back with another sit up and read until the small hours of the morning thriller.”
Hanna and I discuss Never Coming Home, and writing that evil yet loveable character and so much more. Thank you Hannah.
https://hannahmarymckinnon.com/

E84 - L.A. Kessler, Fantasy Author

L.A. Kessler returns to the podcast and we discuss her thriller novel, Perfect. After reading her thriller you'll think twice about saying that word ... Perfect. There is humor in her novel which balances the thrilling escapes and the subject matter. As much as I tried to be analytical reading Perfect, I kept being pulled into the story.
Lisa shares a touching story of how her mother was the inspiration for her heroine, Juliette, and which character Lisa relates to the most.
Lisa is the bestselling author of passionate, page-turning fiction. She has written 40 books in over 10 years. She has twice won the San Diego Book Award for Best Published Fantasy Sci-Fi Horror and Best Published Romance. Her books have also won the PRISM award and her vampire story, Immortal Beloved was a finalist in the Bram Stoker Award. Lisa has multiple series, a blog and is the host of the podcast BookLights, which I had the pleasure of being on. If you missed the first interview I had with Lisa about her novel, Sedona Salvation, that podcast was published on March 26, 2021.
https://www.authorlisakessler.com/

E83 - A.G. Flitcher, Boone and Jacque: Saddleton Haunting

E83 - Award-winning author A.G. Flitcher of the Boone and Jacque urban fantasy series is back on the podcast. Today, we talk about book 3 in his series, Boone and Jacque: Saddleton Haunting. We have a thorough discussion about characters, settings and motivations, as well as his pansexual and transgender characters. 
A.G. Flitcher reveals the trauma he's recovering from in his personal life. He also talks about the take-away he wants writers and readers to experience after reading his novels. 
A.G. Flitcher's first podcast interview when we talk about book one, Boone & Jacque: Saddleton's Secret can be found in season 1, March 6, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/A.G.Flitcher/