SAM Magazine

E66 - Valerie Dunsmore, Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit

Award-winning author Valerie Dunsmore studied creative writing at Kwantlen College and graduated from the journalism program at Grant MacEwan College. She and I discuss her fiction novel, Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit, the sister relationship and her character Lily, and the lessons Lily will learn from hatred to healing. Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit is the winner of the Whistler Independent Book Awards for Best Fiction, the 29th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards and it placed Silver for Fantasy in the Foreword Review's Indie Book of the Year Awards. We have a magical discussion about nature and what we take for granted, and do rabbits really talk to the underworld? Pay particular attention to the podcast art on this podcast.
⁠Valerie Dunsmore - Valerie Dunsmore

E65 - Colleen van Niekerk, A Conspiracy of Mothers

Colleen van Niekerk grew up in South Africa as a person of colour in the eighties and nineties. This meant being surrounded by stories and art, an act of expression. Her evocative debut novel, A Conspiracy of Mothers is set during a defining period in South Africa’s history. Colleen's gripping novel tells a story of love and betrayal from multiple perspectives while balancing the painful legacy of apartheid with the trials of motherhood. Colleen thank you for writing a gripping story and coming on my podcast. Listeners can catch Colleen's book launch on December 2, 2021 at 6:00  p.m. at the Massy Art Society.
⁠HOME | author (colleenvanniekerk.com)⁠
⁠@vanniekerk | Linktree

E64 - K.L. Abrahamson, Beneath Malabar Nets

Today, multi-published author and Ellery Queen author, K.L. Abrahamson is back in the dressing room. On Karen’s website, the visitor is greeted with these words, “Writing at the dangerous ends of the earth; The various incarnations of Karen L. Abrahamson.” Karen writes, mystery, fantasy, and romance. She is also a prolific short story author and her stories have appeared in numerous anthologies.  Karen has worked as a special constable, a correctional officer, a probation officer and ESL instructor. She has travelled to East and West Africa, Burma, China, Northern India, and Peru. Karen and I talk about Beneath Malabar Nets, the second novel in her Phoebe Clay mystery series.
⁠Writing at the dangerous ends of the earth – The various Incarnations of Author Karen L. Abrahamson (karenlabrahamson.com)

E63 - Elgon Williams, Thuper Heroes

Prolific science fiction, fantasy and mystery author Elgon Williams returned to the podcast and we talked about the Thuperman Trilogy, in particular Thuper Heroes, the last novel in his Thuperman trilogy. We talked about books, plotting, life imitating art, and what's next with Elgon now that this trilogy has ended. 
Elgon was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. He grew up on a farm in southeastern Clark County near the town of South Charleston. He’s a graduate of Purdue University, The University of Texas, and the Defense Language Institute. 
⁠The One & Only Elgon – Where the Magic Is Real (elgonwilliams.com)

E62 - Alice Bienia, Three Dog Knight

Stranger danger. Yes, a lot was discussed on today's podcast with Alice Bienia. Three Dog Knight is the third in her Jorja Knight thriller/mystery series. We talk about writing lessons learned, the integrity of characters, and using humour for those lighter moments. Did I mention tension? Oh, and how about the series' story arc? Check out this podcast and learn about Alice's real life events that were the basis for scenes in Three Dog Knight. 
Also, do not forget to complete the poll. 
⁠Alice Bienia – Crime Writer

E61 - Barbara Fradkin is Back, The Devil To Pay

Multi-published author, Barbara Fradkin is back on the podcast, and we discuss her latest Inspector Green series, The Devil to Pay, which also features Inspector Green's daughter, Hannah, now a rookie patrol officer.
Barbara is a retired psychologist who is fascinated with why people turn bad. She has written numerous short stories and novellas as well as the critically acclaimed Inspector Green novels. She has been nominated 4 times for the Arthur Ellis Award of Excellence in the Best Novel category and she has won twice with her Inspector Green series. 
Barbara provides details about her virtual book launch which is happening on October 26, 2021 from 7 to 8 pm EST. The link to her website below has the virtual link details: ⁠Barbara Fradkin - Home⁠ ⁠
Thank you Barbara for stopping by the dressing room and talking with me about characters, changing up the trope and tension

E60 - Judy J. Johnson, Thief of Reason

Judy J. Johnson and I talk about her non-fiction/fiction book, Thief of Reason. Judy is a Professor Emerita, Psychology Department of Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB. Her M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses, and her post doc fellowship at the Ellis Institute in NYC, explored the biological, social, and psychological forces that shaped the 13 characteristics of dogmatism’s rigid profile. Her non-fiction book What’s So Wrong With Being Right: The Dangerous Nature of Dogmatic Belief, and her novel, Thief of Reason, focus on dogmatism. She has taught psychology courses to university students, inmates in 2 correctional institutions and indigenous women on the Sarcee Reserve. In the summers of 1990 and 1991, she also taught students in Gaza, Israel during the intifada. She has given numerous presentations on dogmatism to academics in Canadian and international universities including Cambridge, and she is a recipient of Mount Royal University’s Distinguished Teaching Award.
We had a good discussion about dogmatism and recognizing the three types of dogmatism in individuals and how to deal with dogmatic people.
⁠DogmatismCA

E59 - Cindy Buckshon - Liar, Liar, Gown on Fire

Cindy Buckshon's art has been shown in numerous art exhibitions. She obtained her BFA in Visual Arts at the University of Victoria. Her final project for the honours program was a series of paintings of Vancouver's trolley buses. She is also a graphic designer and author. In 2019 Cindy wrote Liar, Liar, Gown on Fire, a memoir about her lifelong struggle with mental illnesses, specifically bipolar disorder and factitious disorder, commonly known as Munchausen syndrome. Liar, Liar, Gown on Fire is so well written, you'll feel you're riding the buses with Cindy, a pastime that provided Cindy with much-needed peace, and ultimately long-lasting friendships. You witness Cindy's turmoil and hope she can pull through the difficult times, and you rejoice her successes. 
Thank you Cindy for coming on the podcast and bringing awareness to mental illness.
⁠About – Cindy Buckshon Creative