SAM Magazine

E184 - C.J. Papoutsis, They Didn't Come With Instructions

E184 - Joanna explains why she's been absent for the last three months. She thanks her listeners for still tuning in. Today, Joanna reads a personal essay of C.J. Papoutsis, titled, "They Didn't Come With Instructions". A personal essay which was originally published in the anthology, Dropped Threads: What We Aren’t Told. This short story/personal essay was written in 2002 and it's still relevant today. Thank you very much C.J., for your honest portrayal of motherhood and raising children. 
More short stories are one the way. 

E183 - Joanna Vander Vlugt, No Beatles Reunion (non-fiction short story)

E183 - Joanna Vander Vlugt reads her personal essay, No Beatles Reunion, written under her then pseudonym J.C. Szasz, which was published in the Dropped Threads 3: Beyond the Small Circle anthology. This anthology includes stories from legendary award-winning author Margaret Atwood; Lorna Crozier, Chantal Kreviazuk, Silken Laumann and so many more talented and accomplished writers.
To quote Chatelaine magazine with respect to the anthology, "...As it turns out, there are many dropped threads in our lives. Weave them together and you've got a tapestry."
What Joanna didn't expect reading her story were the flashbacks to that other time of her life, working in the Crown Counsel (prosecutor's) office, and how the experiences from those days still affect her. 
This podcast is dedicated to Rick and Gordon. RIP.
 

E182 - Donalee Moulton, Swan Song

donalee Moulton's first mystery book Hung out to Die was published in 2023. Her historical mystery, Conflagration, is out now. 
donalee's short story Swan Song appeared in Cold Canadian Crime and Black Cat Weekly. It will appear in the Mystery Most International anthology in 2024. Her second short story was published this spring in Black Cat Weekly. Her short story “Moist” originally appeared in After Dinner Conversation.   
Today, I have the pleasure of reading Swan Song. Thank you, donalee.
donalee Moulton
 

E181 - Linda P. Rose, Disowning Death

E181 - Linda P. Rose began her writing career as a high school senior in Los Angeles when she submitted a poem to a magazine competition and won second prize. During the decades that followed, she pursued a master's degree, a Ph.D., raised a family, and worked full-time as faculty and in administration in several research universities. During this time, she also gave invited workshops in Spain and Beijing and had articles published in journals. 
Linda Rose spent many satisfying times in Santa Cruz and the Santa Cruz mountains visiting family and getting to know the Boardwalk, the mountains, terrific spots to walk and to dine.
Slowing down, Linda Rose founded and runs academies for women educational leaders. During the past few years, she was able to return to her first love, writing.  Her short mystery stories are being published and she is working on more. 
Today, I have the pleasure of reading Linda's short story, Disowning Death.

E180 - Joanna Vander Vlugt - Rock, Riot and Redemption

In today's episode Joanna explains why there's been a hiatus in the publishing of podcasts, what it's like to be a new grandma, and she reads her short story, Rock, Riot and Redemption. This is a short story that was accepted into an anthology, but because of other commitments, Joanna was unable to complete the final edits. Joanna also talks about the story's ending, and how she should have stuck up for the ending she had originally written. She wants your feedback. Enjoy, Rock, Riot and Redemption.
www.joannavandervlugt.com

E179 - Nancy Lynn Jarvis - Georgie

Today, I have a great time reading the short story, Georgie, written by Nancy Lynn Jarvis.
Nancy Lynn Jarvis wore many hats before she started writing. After earning a BA in behavioral science from San Jose State University, she worked in the advertising department of the San Jose Mercury News, as a librarian, as the business manager for Shakespeare/Santa Cruz, and as a realtor.
She has written seven Regan McHenry Real Estate Mysteries; a stand-alone novel Mags and the AARP Gang about a group of octogenarian bank robbers; edited Cozy Food: 128 Cozy Mystery Writers Share Their Favorite Recipes and a short story anthology, Santa Cruz Weird. She is currently working on PIP Inc. Mysteries, a cozy mystery series about a downsized librarian turned PI.
Nancy Lynn Jarvis

E178 - Allan Hudson, excerpt from his novel, Vigilantes

Allan Hudson was born in Saint John, New Brunswick. Growing up in South Branch, he was encouraged to read from an early age by his mother, a school teacher. He lives in the seaside community of Cocagne with his wife, Gloria. He has enjoyed a lifetime of adventure, travel and uses the many experiences as ideas for his writing. He is an author of action/adventure novels, historical fiction and a short story collection. His short stories, The Ship Breakers, and In the Abyss, received Honourable Mentions in the New Brunswick Writer's Federation competition.
He is a strong advocate for writers supporting writers. He has interviewed many authors, including myself. His blog interviews can be found at South Branch Scribbler.
Today, I read an excerpt from his novel Vigilantes.
 

E177 - Spy Girls - Joanna Vander Vlugt (first chapter)

A CIA action officer is released from prison. A Chief Justice is murdered, and the Law Society is scrutinizing Jade Thyme’s conduct. Jade’s life can’t get much worse until she is coerced into finding an elusive double agent. Tangled in lies and political agendas, high speed chases and sticky bombs, can Jade outplay a dangerous Hungarian assassin before her own life is terminated?
On today's episode, Joanna reads the first chapter from her novel, Spy Girls, which is available for pre-order on Amazon and Kobo, and will be released on Saturday, March 16, 2024. https://www.amazon.ca/Spy-Girls-Jade-Sage-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0CJ3P9Z1B/ 
Reviews are coming in such as this one:
“Spy Girls is adrenaline-fueled, adventure packed with heart-pounding action, unexpected twists, and a riveting plot that keeps readers hooked from the first page. With lives hanging in the balance and loyalties questioned, trust in each other is the only way to survive. But even the strongest bonds can be tested when faced with external threats and personal demons.”
—Joe Goldberg, author of the award-winning The Spy Devils thrillers https://www.joegoldbergbooks.com/