ARCHIVOS Podcast Network

Margaret Dunlap and Brian Francis Slattery are each astonishing storytellers in their own right. But TOGETHER, they comprise two-fifths of the writing team for Serial Box Publishing's exceptional series "Bookburners"! With Season FOUR (!!!) of the series releasing tomorrow (June 13), we consider ourselves fortunate indeed to have these two literati join us in the APN virtual studios. Joined by APN colleague and co-host, Marie Bilodeau, we indulge in 20(esque) minutes of writerly discourse with Margaret and Brian, exploring their unique contributions to the series, the allure of collaborative shared world writing, war stories from the collaborative trenches, and more!

Michael R. Underwood - a veteran of the APN and Literary Alchemist behind the Geekomancy and Genrenauts series, as well as the immanent "Born to the Blade" serialization from Serial Box Publishing - returns to the Big Chair at the APN to brainstorm a tale of grief, art, and magic. The tale is offered up by creageous Guest Writer Val Griswold-Ford, the story of a grieving woman who discovers her art is able to create true magic in the world. With Marie Bilodeau as co-host, together we through some jet fuel into the Literary Alchemy Machine and crank it up to 11!

Michael R. Underwood returns to the APN! Joined by co-host Marie Bilodeaux, we indulge in (way more than) 20 minutes of writerly discourse exploring Michael's astonishing new project, the "Born to the Blade" story world serialized by Serial Box... how it began, the nuances of the collaboration between him and his co-writers, the notion of "post-cynical optimism", and more!

Media Commentator, Essayist, and Man of Words Alasdair Stuart returns to the Brainstorming Arena to workshop a steampunk story of secret societies, dark betrayal, and coming to grips with loss. The tale is offered up by creageous Guest Writer Paul K. Ellis, a tale vengeance and intrigue set against the backdrop of a Steampunk world. John Adamus rocks the co-host chair and together we fire up the Literary Alchemy Machine and conjure up some Literary Gold!

Alasdair Stuart - media connoisseur, game designer, and mastermind of the Escape Artists podcasts - has co-hosted and guest hosted on the APN many times. The reason, of course, is that he IS the "Man of Words" and a true aficionado of the storyteller's craft, so it's always a delight to have him wax rhapsodic on the nigh-infinite range of topics in which he is conversant. Joined by co-host, John Adamus, we indulge in (way more than) 20 minutes of writerly discourse, exploring how gender defines horror narratives, advocacy of inclusive strategies for writers and authors, how to tell a story (or run a game, in this case) in a deeply established media property, and more!

Robyn Bennis - author of "The Guns Above" and the soon to be released "By Fire Above" – returns to the Big Chair in the APN virtual studios to workshop a tale of future steampunk, alien invasion, the fate of a planet. The tale is offered up by creageous Guest Writer, Christopher Michael, a tale of a loyal naval officer - struggling to overcome the shadows of her parents' deeds- who is drawn into a conspiracy of global (and possibly galactic) consequences.   Marie Bilodeau rocks the co-host chair once again and together we fire up the aethyr engines, hoist the mainsail and set course for LITERARY GOLD!

Robyn Bennis Robyn Bennis - author of "The Guns Above" and the soon to be released "By Fire Above" - joins the APN crew to wax rhapsodic on organizing book research, creating a "writing space", crafting an effective conflict character, and more!

Seanan McGuire - award-winning author, graphic novelist, podcaster, and storytelling badass - returns to the Big Chair in the APN virtual studios (along with co-host Michael R. Underwood) to workshop a tale of superheroes, romance, and the dark side of adulation offered up by creageous Guest Writer Arthur De Leon.

Seanan McGuire - award-winning author, graphic novelist, podcaster, and storytelling badass - returns to the APN. Joined by co-host and colleague, Michael R. Underwood, we engage Seanan in 20-ish minutes of writerly discourse, delving into discovering YOUR story, working on multiple projects at the same time, sustaining your creative energy, violence equating to drama in contemporary narratives, and more.

Kij Johnson returns to the Big Chair in the APN virtual studios to apply her brainstorming fu to a tale of rival agents in a metropolis of the dark future offered up by Guest Writer Richard Webb (Alasdair Stuart cohosts!)

Kij Johnson - author of The Fox Woman, The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe, The Riverbank, and more - is a singular voice among speculative fiction storytellers. Her diverse background and experience combined with an uncanny talent for deep research are a creative forge from which emerges some of the most insightful and inspired tales of wonder. Joined by APN veteran, Alasdair Stuart, we indulge in 20(ish) minutes of writerly discourse with Kij, exploring how she never writes the same story twice, the nature of her creative diversity, how she developed her unique skill with plot development, and more.

Author and YouTube personality Seth Skorkowsky returns to the Brainstorming Arena to workshop a noir crime story of blackmail, kidnapping, and betrayal from Guest Writer Sean O'Grady.

Seth Skorkowsky is a multi-disciplined storyteller. He crafts rich, nuanced tales of urban fantasy (The Valducan Series: Damoren, Hounacier, and Ibenus), pulp fantasy adventure (The Tales of the Black Raven), and more. He's the host of a fabulous YouTube channel featuring his insights and analysis of the RPG experience. Those diverse passions make him a unique and inspired voice in the spec fic community. Joined by APN colleague and co-host, Marie Bilodeaux, we delve into 20(ish) minutes of writerly discourse with Seth, exploring his perspectives on pulp fiction hero narrative, telling stories through non-fiction video, charting the course of writerly pursuits, and more. Writerly goodness awaits you... just click that PLAY button!

Mur Lafferty – podcaster and award-winning author "Six Wakes", "The Shambling Guide to New York City", and so much more – returns to the Big Chair in the Archivos Virtual Studios to brainstorm a tale of the death and apparent resurrection of a superhero by David "Doc Blue" Wendt.

Mur Lafferty returns to the Archivos virtual studios for yet another marvelous 20(ish) minutes of writerly discourse, exploring her discoveries in writing the "I Should Be Writing" book, her strategies and perspectives regarding NaNoWriMo, how she decides what to write, and more.

Beth Cato returns to the Big Chair in the APN Virtual Studio to brainstorm a near future scifi thriller of social media gone horribly wrong by Guest Writer Owen Sessions.

Beth Cato - author of the Clockwork Dagger tales, the Blood of Earth trilogy, and more - explores what makes a "strong character", the magic of urban fantasy/steampunk, and critique readers

Cerece Rennie Murphy returns to the Big Chair in the APN studios to add her storytelling mojo to brainstorming a tale of a magician who doesn't believe in magic, a priest who doesn't believe in god, and a warrior who doesn't believe in war.

Cerece Rennie Murphy - creator fo the Narazu Media Portal, author of The Order of the Seers trilogy, "To Find You", and more - explores worldbuilding, her discoveries in fandom, how she develops her stories, and more.

Alyc Helms – author of “The Dragons of Heaven”, “The Conclave of Shadows”, a veritable bevy of short fiction, and gaming titles from Green Ronin Press – returns to the Big Chair at the ARCHIVOS Podcast Network to lend her Brainstorming Fu to a tale of the fate of the followers of a murdered god.

Author Alyc Helms explores the patterns of storytelling, cultural appropriation, the distinction between gaming and literary narratives, and more!

James Sutter – Executive Editor at Paizo Publishing and Creative Director of the Starfinder Role Playing Game – Joins Dave and Marie in the Brainstorming Arena to workshop a tale of rock and roll after the apocalypse offered up by Guest Writer Branden Green.

James Sutter (Executive Editor at Paizo Publishing) explores the craft of storytelling in RPGs, documenting story worlds, choosing your inspirations, and more!

In this episode, the RTP transitions from what it was into what it WILL be... the ARCHIVOS: Brainstorm Podcast. Dave and Marie discuss what ARCHIVOS is, why the RTP is changing its name, and what it means for veteran RTP listeners.

Myke Cole - author of The Shadow Ops Series (including "Gemini Cell", "Javelin Rain" and the forthcoming "Seige Line" - returns to the Big Chair in the RTP virtual studios to lend his brainstorming-fu to a tale of future warfare, powered armor, and artificial intelligence.

Myke Cole - author of The Shadow Ops Series returns to the ARCHIVOS virtual Studio to discuss Shadow Ops (trilogy one AND two), his grim dark medieval fantasy series coming from Tor.com, his negotiations for a non-fiction book on ancient military history, and more!

Ada Palmer - scholar, composer, and author of the astonishing and richly-acclaimed "Too Like the Lightning" (and so much more) - returns to brainstorm a tale of political oppression, intrigue, and Lovecraftian deities.

This episode we are joined by Ada Palmer - scholar, composer, and author of the astonishing and richly-acclaimed "Too Like the Lightning" (and so much more), discussing the optimal skill set for a student of the writerly arts, Ada's fascination with speculative fiction, the challenges of writing short fiction, and more.

Jeanne Cavelos - scientist, author, and founder of the exceptional Odyssey Writers Workshops - returns to the Big Chair at the RTP (for the third time!) to lend her considerable and extensive workshopping mojo to a tale of betrayal and revenge in the classic noir tradition.

Jeanne Cavelos - scientist, author, and founder of the astonishing Odyssey Writers Workshops - returns to the ARCHIVOS virtual studios discussing techniques of crafting effective dialogue, working in collaboration with shared world fiction, emotional arcs within a scene, and more. 

Kelly Robson - author of the Nebula-nominated "Waters of Versailles" (published by Tor.com) and many other marvelous tales - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to lend her brainstorming-fu to a tale of egyptian intrigue, magic, and tangled destinies across time.

Kelly Robson - author of the Nebula-nominated "Waters of Versailles" (published by Tor.com) and many other marvelous tales - joins for a marvelous conversation exploring the qualities of fine non-fiction and its value to a writer, struggling with self-doubt and giving yourself permission, golden nuggets of writerly wisdom acquired from others, the secrets of scene-craft, and more.

Jake Kerr - Nebula-nominated author of the Tommy Black series the Guildmaster Theif series, short fiction, non-fiction, and more - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to focus his brainstorming mojo on a tale of a betrayed emperor seeking his path across the expanse of his interplanetary empire.

Jake Kerr makes his literary home on fringes of the craft, exploring every shadowed corner as he refines and reinvents his craft time and again. He’s a repeat offender here at the RTP. You can hear his brilliant (and slightly creepy) intro from his interview back in March of 2015). He’s been busy in the intervening year and a half, expanding his horizons as a storyteller AND expanding his canon of work in the world..

Mur Lafferty - author of The "Shambling Guide" series, "Six Wakes", AND the founder/host of the "I Should Be Writing" podcast - returns to the Brainstorm Arena to workshop a tale of transdimensional superheroes.

"Mighty" Mur Lafferty - author of "The Shambling Guide to New York City", "Ghost Train to New Orleans", and so much more ("Six Wakes") - has earned her street cred. Through her "I Should Be Writing" podcast, listeners have shared every step of her journey from "aspiring" to "published", including getting her MFA through Stone Coast and being awarded the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. Her voice - both physical and literary - is known for its honesty, candor, and humor.

Literary alchemist Marie Brennan - author of "A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent", The Onyx Court Series, and "Lies and Prophecy", and so much more - returns to the Guest Host chair to lend her astonishing brainstorming savvy to a tale of two strangers who's lives become entangled by a drug that imparts magical powers as a side effect. The tale is offered up by a pair of creagous Guest Writers, Saskia den Ouden and Thomas de Man... a street level slice of life where the protagonists walk the very fine line between hero and villain. Joined once again by the fabulous Marie Bilodeau as co-host, we indulge in a bit of worldbuilding (what a shock), as well as delving into what makes for a truly effective antagonist. The Literary Gold flows like Spice (NOT of the pumpkin variety) and your share is just a click of the "PLAY" button away!

The scope and breadth of Marie Brennan's experience is pretty remarkable. Anthropology, archaeology, languages, martial arts, music, dance... she's pursued many passions. But the fundamental passion that has endured through out her life is writing. Author of "A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent", The Onyx Court Series, and "Lies and Prophecy" (and so much more), she has applied her many passions like facets of a jewel to her storytelling. The result is rich authentic story worlds filled with compelling characters and captivating tales. Joined by the splendid and insightful Marie Bilodeau as co-host, we explore the intersection of gaming and fiction, the development of a solid narrative, indulge in a bit of worldbuilding conversation, and more. This is one for the books, gang, a fabulous conversation fraught with writerly goodness... and it's all just a click of the "PLAY" button away!

Fran Wild - author of Updraft, The Jewel and Her Lapidary and more - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to apply her fabulous storytelling mojo towards brainstorming a tale of our our world where ghosts are real and everyone knows it. The tale is offered up by Guest Writer Jen Dawson, a poignant story a "ghost seer" contending with the challenges of her gift, her sexuality, and the perceptions of a culture that continues to struggle with (or against) both. Marie Bilodeau returns as Co-Host and together we work our way through the rich tapestry of characters and story woven by Jen's story, tucking in some threads of Literary Gold along the way.

In a very short amount of time, Fran Wilde has done many marvelous things - including crafting marvelous stories like Updraft and The Jewel and her Lapidary. But she has also explored the realms of technology, explored art and a broad spectrum of diverse disciplines, crafts, and exotic pursuits. These explorations give her a unique perspective, both on the world and the writerly arts. Joined by the fabulous Marie Bilodeau as co-host, we wax rhapsodic with Fran, exploring the value of critiquing both in a writing group and as writer, the way stories start, the merits of curiosity and more. It's a conversation fraught with writerly goodness... click the "PLAY" button and let the fabulousity commence! (and join us on July 19 for Fran's equally awesome Workshop Episode!)

Clint Gaige - storyteller, film maker, and general badass - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to lend his mojo with visual narratives to a story... no wait, excuse me... a SCRIPT brainstorm of a horror film exploring what happens when our children (ALL our children) turn on us. The script concept is offered up by creageous Guest Writer Matteo Marsiello, a tale of what happens in a suburban Midwest town when the children go on a murder spree targeting the adults. Marie Bilodeau returns to take the co-host chair and together we enter the dark horrifying world of Matteo's vision, exploring character arcs and thematic nuances, jumping and shadows and unearthing a treasure trove of Literary Gold. It's yours for the taking if you DARE... to push that "PLAY" button!

Clint Gaige tells stories with light and sound. He's a film maker with dozens of titles gracing screens (silver and digital) around the world and a life time of experience in the world of media storytelling. His "Shotgun Mythos" series has been picked up by several television stations, his latest endeavor - "A Clean Exit" (from Growth Media Productions) - is making the festival circuit now, and he's far from finished. His insights into the process of storytelling for film transcend media, opening new perspectives for artists of all disciplines. Joined by the remarkable Marie Bilodeau - author of the Nigh series, as well as "Hellmaw: Eye of Glass", and more - we indulge in a exceptional 20(ish) Minutes of writerly discourse with Clint, exploring the considerations for storytelling in film, the value of doing it and the bane of "perfection", the keys to successful collaboration, and more. Writerly inspiration awaits you, dear friends... just click that "PLAY" button!

Kat Richardson - author of the Greywalker Series as well as fabulous novellas and shorter tales - returns to the Big Chair at the RTP to lend her fabulous brainstorming-fu to an urban fantasy tale of magic unleashed on the world and the newly trained federal agents tasked with cleaning up the mess. The story is provided by Guest Writer Gary Henderson, a tale of the newly formed Magical Crimes Unit (MCU), a federal task force created deal with the recent emergence of magic and the new flavors of crime that follow in its wake. With Heather Welliver once more in the co-pilot’s chair, we set on the trail for Literary Gold, chasing down leads and interrogating protagonists (spoilers: we TOTALLY close the case). The writerly goodness if fast and furious, and it’s all yours... just click that “PLAY” button

Kat Richardson - author of the Greywalker Series as well as fabulous novellas and shorter tales - takes her storytelling damned seriously. Mind you, she has a marvelous sense of humor and is a delight to chat with (as you'll soon discover)... but when it comes to writing, she's not messing around. She pushes herself with each story, expanding and refining her craft because it's something she deeply loves and respects. Joined by the marvelous Heather Welliver - friend of the RTP and vocal performer extraordinaire (check out her performance in Cybrosis by P.C. Haring) - we indulge in a fabulous 20(ish) Minutes of writerly discourse with Kat, exploring the challenges she set for herself as a writer, her process, her experience writing a "mosaic" novel, and more. Writerly inspiration awaits you, dear friends... just click that "PLAY" button!

Tim Waggoner - author of "The Winter Box", "Darkness Wakes" and more - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to lend his considerable workshopping mojo to a take of demonic possession, betrayl, and manipulation. The tale is offered up by Guest Writer Kaitlin Nichols (who writes as Kaitlin R. Branch), the story of a woman and a demon trapped in a cycle or torment for centuries and a desperate bid for freedom gone horribly wrong. Samantha Murphy returns as my co-host, and together the four of us rock and epic brainstorm, blazing a trail down numerous character arcs and narrative paths, ALL of them strewn liberally with Literary Gold. There's plenty with which to fill your pockets... just click that "PLAY" button and join us!

Tim Waggoner's writing spans genres, demographics, and even licensed properties. His experience both as a writer and as a professor of popular literature and creative writing give him a deep understanding of the craft... and yet his vision of that craft and it's execution is elegantly simple. Joined by Samantha Murphy as my co-host, we engage in 20-ish minutes of writerly discourse exploring tactics for developing your craft, writing short and long fiction, character development, and more. It's a facinating exploration of the writerly arts (as always), and it's all yours... just click that "PLAY" button!

Cat Rambo - author of splendid tales of wonder and delight, including “Beasts of Tabat (The Tabat Quartet Book 1)“ - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to once more ply her wizarding ways in the brainstorming of a tale about a wizard who savors the pleasures of status and wealth but has the deep misfortune of being targeted by a demon. The tale is offered up by Guest Writer Kelby Barker, a truly engaging yarn of dueling wizards and ruthless bounty hunters unwittingly caught in a war between demon-kind. Returning as co-host chair, Denise Lhamon joins in the froth and together the four off us wander the fabulous labyrinth of Kelby's tale, ultimately emerging victorious and laden with Literary Gold. We kept some for you... all you have to do to claim it is click that "PLAY" button!

Cat Rambo is one of THE most dedicated storytellers I've ever met. Her commitment to her craft and the enthusiastic determination with which she pursues it is inspiring (and exhausting). This will be her third tour as Guest Host on the RTP and - while I've already done the "stalkerish" intro for her - just catching everyone up on her achievements between episodes becomes a whole new epic saga. She is truly a champion storyteller. In the co-host chair is Denise Lhamon, former Guest Writer, artist, and storyteller who joins us from the ranks of Onder Librum's Sessorium of Creatives. The three us use Cat's upcoming class roster as the sylybus for our conversation, exploring the retelling of myths and fairy tales, the use of literary techniques in genre fiction, how to start a novel, and more. Writerly goodness is pretty much guaranteed, gang... just hit that "PLAY" button!

J. Robert King - author of Guild Wars: Edge of Destiny, the Mad Merlin series, and Hellmaw: Incubus Tweets - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to lend his considerable storytelling mojo to brainstorming a scifi tale of humanity on the brink of interstellar expansion and a tormented man who has the potential to save it from a dark conspiracy or bring it all crashing down. Our Guest Writer, Terry Mixon is a repeat offender... er... has appeared in the Guest Writer chair before and this time he brings us a tale of extreme future sports in a solar system where warp drive is possible, but strictly controlled, and dark violent forces are arrayed to seize power for their own ends. With Serving World's John Mierau returning to the co-host chair, we strap in for from the jump to Awesome Space and havest asteroids loaded with Literary Goal. It's a heck of a haul... you can get some for yourself by clicking that play button! (and if you want even more writerly goodness, check out Rob's fabulous 20 Minutes With... episode!)

J. Robert King has told hundreds of stories, including "The Incubus Tweets", "Guild Wars: Edge of Destiny", "Angel of Death", and more... and with each story, he seeks a truth. What he finds is rarely what he set out looking for, but he persists in following his stories faithfully and honestly. That makes him a badass in our book. Joined by veteran podcaster, storyteller, and former Guest Host, John Mierau, we engage in a most intriguing 20(ish) minutes of writerly discourse with Rob, exploring the nature of evil in fiction (and ourselves), the end of the "age of the author", and more. There's writerly goodness (and maybe one or two epiphanies) awaiting you, friends... it's all just a "PLAY" button away

Jeanne Cavelos - author, editor, and founder of the exceptional Odyssey Writers Workshop - returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable, bringing her storytelling mojo to the brainstorming of a tale about the discovery of aliens on a near-future Earth... but are they here to help us defend ourselves from a threat beyond the stars or are they the true threat? Our brainstorming table is set by Guest Writer, Jeff Brackett, whose tale of alien manipulation of the human race and its accidental revelation to the entire planet serves a fine spring board for a brainstorming feast. With co-host Nicholas Fife (who is contributing a tale to the very cool Folklore: The Affliction game), we delve into the tale and discover - beneath the alien conspiracy - a veritable trove of Literary Gold. There's plenty to go around, so come and get yours!