Calling All Nerds

At long, long last I can finally announce that I have landed a book deal with a major publisher!! That's right folks, Danny Double Day got picked up by Feiwel & Friends (imprint of Macmillan)! Here I detail my long road to getting traditionally published, starting in 2009 and ending with today! 

The first of my "conversations we should have" series, where I take on topics I've always wanted to talk about with people who have different opinions than I do. First up is how to stop mass shootings with two high school acquaintances of mine, Brian Howard and Celeste Myers. 

My interview with the one and only Brandon Mull, #1 NYT Bestselling author of the Fablehaven, Dragonwatch, Beyonders, Spirit Animals, Candy Shop War, and Five Kingdom series. Dragonwatch 3, Master of the Phantom Isle, comes out Oct 1, 2019. For more go to http://brandonmull.com/ 

I regale you with accounts of two trips this summer that went horribly wrong: one where I was stuck in a cabin with 35 people while we lost the ability to use the toilet...FOUR different times and another where me and my buddies were one gust of wind away from making the evening news, and not in a good way. 

I'm back after a long summer break with fellow middle grade author Frank L. Cole! Frank has published 13 books and counting, including his latest in the Potion Masters series, The Transparency Tonic. Go to https://frankcolewrites.com/ to learn more. 

The Jurgys (https://www.thejurgys.com) are an amazing family that travels the world seeking and encouraging others to go on adventures. They're currently hiding treasures in all 50 states. You can follow and join them on their journeys by checking out their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/thejurgys

Avengers Endgame has FINALLY ARRIVED! My brother and I break down the movie, what we liked, what we didn't, as well as discuss our lists of all the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies ranked 1-22. We also talk about our favorite moments in the MCU over the last 11 years and what we think the future holds. SPOILERS abound in this very special episode of CALLING ALL NERDS!!  

Liesel is the NYT Bestselling author of the Fairly True Tales series and the Time Castaway series. She has won numerous awards and her latest book GRUMP, a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves through the eyes of Grumpy, is a 2018 Whitney Award Finalist. You can find out more about Liesl at https://lieslshurtliff.com

Jennifer Nielsen is a NYT Bestselling author of The Ascendance Trilogy, Mark of the Thief Trilogy, The Traitor's Game Series, A Night Divided, and many more. One of her latest books, Resistance, is a Whitney Award Finalist. She joins me to talk about her publishing journey and  the importance of focusing on your goals and never giving up. You can find all things Jennifer at http://jennielsen.com

Shauna Holyoak's debut novel Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers comes out on April 23, 2019. She joins me to talk about her publishing journey all the way from her "mommy blogging" days to the debut of her first novel with a major publisher. You can find out more at https://www.shaunaholyoak.com

In my first interview of fellow Whitney Award Finalists I interview my friend Nicholas Petrarch, author of the Clockwork Calamity series. Nick and I talk about a whole host of things but touch quite a bit on exploring different aspects of ourselves through writing our fictional characters. Check out Nick at https://nicholaspetrarch.com. My preamble includes a 1 Min Media Review on The Umbrella Academy, a quarterly status update on my 2019 yearly goals, and me complaining about how I don't care about authors' cats on Twitter. 

J Scott Savage is the author of eighteen published novels including the Farworld series from Shadow Mountain, the Case File 13 series from Harper Collins, and the Mysteries of Cove series. He joins me to talk about the roller coaster ride of his prolific career and how failure is not the opposite of success but an integral part of success. 

Debut author Sofiya Pasternack gives a behind-the-scenes look of what it was like to land her dream agent followed by a solid book deal with a major publisher. She also talks about her debut middle grade novel, ANYA AND THE DRAGON, which comes out on Sep 24th, 2019 with HMH Versify. You can find more at www.sofiyapasternack.com

Aaron Johnston is a NYT bestselling author, television writer, comic-book writer, playwright, and the co-creator and executive producer of the BYUtv series EXTINCT. Aaron is the co-author of the Ender's Game prequel novels with Orson Scott Card and was an associate producer on the Ender's Game movie. Find more about Aaron at http://www.aaronwjohnston.com/

Jacob Gowans is the hybrid author of the very popular Psion series and the Shadow Mountain published Tales of Light and Shadow series. In one of my most interesting interviews ever, Jacob shares how he published 7 books over the course of 5 years and why, after achieving so much success, he decided to stop writing. You can find out more about Jacob at http://www.jacobgowans.com/

Frank Morin is the author of the YA fantasy series Facetakers and Petralist. Frank shares his roard to becoming a published author with great books, awesome covers, and cool art. We talk about his incredible work ethic (one day he wrote 18,000 words!) and dedication to the craft. You can find out more about Frank, his books, and get some Petralist merch at http://www.frankmorin.org/  

Andy is the creator and host of the Andy Overthinks podcast (AndyOverthinks.com) and one of my very favorite conversationalists. We tackle everything from the controversial Gillette ad to parenting styles, to giving kids cell phones, to political correctness, to gender equality, and more! (*sorry for the slight echo with my voice on this episode. Not sure what happened there)

Stephen Gashler is a storyteller, author, playwright, composer, and singer. He has been entertaining children and adults for over ten years through storytelling, stand-up comedy, and music. I talk about what its like to be a jack of all trades. You can find all Stephen's stuff at https://stephengashler.com  

I speak with my brother, Captain Dr. Steve Thayer about movies, video games, and TV shows in 2018. What were the best, the worst, the most disappointing, and the ones Rotten Tomatoes got wrong. I also review how I did on my 2018 resolutions and lay out my resolutions for 2019. 

Jodi L. Milner is the author of the YA noble dark fantasy Stonebearer’s Betrayal as well as several short stories appearing in numerous anthologies and SQ Magazine. In her community, she holds a leadership position in the League of Utah Writers and teaches at chapter meetings and conferences. She’s a world traveler, married a magician, studied Kenpo karate, and performed reptile shows several times a week while in college.   Website: http://jodilmilnerauthor.wordpress.com Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/JodilMilnerAuthor/ Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Jodi-L.-Milner/e/B00SGCGYHC/  

Kristie has built a hobbit hole in Washington, a tree house in Hawaii (one of Airbnb's top 10 most wish-listed properties), a lookout tower getaway in Idaho, and is working on giant livable potato...just to name a few of her projects. She has been sought after by numerous production companies for a TV show, and is an all-around interesting, inspirational, and creative lady. You can find out more on her website http://tinyhouseontheprairie.net/ which has links to her Airbnb and social media accounts.  

Every fantastical story has extraordinary elements and whether you realize it or not these elements each belong to their own "system." I talk to magic system expert, Clark Rowenson, about the science behind hard, soft, nebulous, and rational magic systems. Buckle up folks, we go full-on nerd in this episode! Go to www.CRRowenson.com to read more about Clark's work with magic systems. 

Sean Stosich is a fitness and health coach who specializes in helping people get the physique they've always wanted. We chat about Sean's personal journey to getting ripped and the nuts and bolts of what it takes for the average Joe/Jane. My current event rant covers parents giving their kids ridiculous names like "Abcde" and who should take the blame for the inevitable ridicule.  Get in touch with Sean at www.strengthbythenumbers.com

Emmelyn Thayer is a brilliant actress, dialect coach, theatre director, and Dramatic Arts professor. We chat about all things acting, from the catharsis of shedding your inhibitions, to the effect it has on your relationship, to the #MeToo movement, to hilarious stories when things go wrong and the show must go on.

Dr. Michael Hill is surgeon, neighbor, and friend who recently adopted a lifestyle of intermittent fasting including doing a fast for 7 DAYS! We talk about the lifestyle and what preconceived barriers we may have in our life that hold us back. We're then joined by his wife, Monica, who just returned from the historic UFC 229 (McGregor v Khabib). Monica is huge UFC fan and shares some unbelievable stories from being live at one of the biggest PPV events in history. 

Bruce Pitcher, a dear friend of mine since the 7th grade, was a contestant on ABC's Extreme Weight Loss and dropped over 200lbs. After five years he's kept it off, helps others do the same, and is now coming out with a new book entitled Larger Than Life where he talks about how he overcame the scars of childhood abuse and his weight gain.

Why do so many successful science fiction and fantasy authors come from Utah? I get to the bottom of it as I speak with Dave Doering, one of the founders of LTUE (Life, The Universe, and Everything) a hugely successful yearly academic symposium on all aspects of science fiction and fantasy. We talk about the culture that he helped create back in the early 1980's while he was a student at BYU, a culture that has thrived and continually helped launch the careers of people like Dave Farland, Stephanie Meyer, Brandon Sanderson, Brandon Mull, and many many more. 

Dr. Steve Thayer discusses finding strength from loss on the one year anniversary of our father's passing. My dad's death was what kicked off me quitting my job, writing fulltime, starting the podcast, and taking my life in a completely different direction. We discuss how to change your mindset for the better. 

I talk to filmmaker Stephen Groo, founder of Utah Wolf Productions (www.UtahWolf.com) and subject of the upcoming documentary The Insufferable Groo. We chat about pursuing your passion in the face of unmet expectations and what it's like to have your life story told from someone else's point of view. Find my fantasy novel, Passage to Avalon, here: http://a.co/d/63jZ0a5

In my 2nd podcast episode, I talk world famous painter, Greg Olsen (www.GregOlsen.com) about his path to success, similarities between painting and writing, and what it feels like to live the dream.

I just walked away from $10,000,000 to follow my dreams! In my first ever episode I talk with my brother, psychologist Steve Thayer, about everything from movies we like to whether I have a shot at making my dreams a reality.