Podcasts about Baen Books

In this episode of Epic Realms, Nick is joined by author and writer Kelli Fitzpatrick. Kelli is a science fiction writer, game writer, and teacher. She is the author of Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers Declassified (BenBella Books, 2025) and a contributing writer for the Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game from Modiphius. Her story “The Sunwalkers” won the 2016 Strange New Worlds contest from Simon and Schuster. Her short fiction has been published by Baen Books, Crazy 8 Press, Flash Fiction Online, and more. She also writes essays on sci-fi pop culture for outlets like StarTrek.com, Women at Warp, and anthologies from Sequart and ATB Publishing. Kelli has even written for NASA's Hubble outreach and Arizona State University's Interplanetary Initiative. On top of it all, she has more than a decade of experience teaching high school and college courses. We talk about her early life and the geeky inspirations that led her into writing, watching Star Trek with her family, playing board games, and how those experiences sparked a love for storytelling. During National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), Kelli challenged her students to join her in writing a novel, which inspired her to later submit a story to a Star Trek fiction contest that she ended up winning. That moment opened the door to a whole new world. We also dive into her many anthology projects, how she joined Modiphius, and her unexpected but rewarding introduction to tabletop roleplaying games. She shares how RPGs have helped her grow as a writer and how they can benefit others too. Plus, we talk about her passion for Marvel and her recent Carol Danvers Marvel book, how the character shaped her fandom and why getting to tell that story was such a meaningful opportunity. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that blends fandom, education, creativity, and the power of storytelling.

Kelli Fitzpatrick is a science fiction writer, gamewriter, and teacher. She is the author of Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers Declassified (from BenBella Books, 2025) and is a contributing writer for the Star Trek Adventures role-playing game from Modiphius. Her Star Trek story “The Sunwalkers” won the 2016 Strange New Worlds contest from Simon and Schuster. Her short fiction has been published by Baen Books, Crazy 8 Press, Flash Fiction Online, and others, and her essays on sci-fi pop culture appear at StarTrek.com, Women at Warp, and in anthologies from Sequart and ATB Publishing. She has written for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope outreach team and Arizona State University's Interplanetary Initiative. She has over a decade of experience teaching high school and college courses. Find her at KelliFitzpatrick.com and on Bluesky @KelliFitzWrites. Please check out these relevant links: Captain Marvel: Carol Danvers Declassified Star Trek Adventures: Shackleton Expanse Campaign Guide Welcome to Dice in Mind, a podcast hosted by Bradley Browne and Jason Kaufman to explore the intersection of life, games, science, music, philosophy, and creativity through interviews with leading creatives. All are welcome in this space. Royalty-free music "Night Jazz Beats" courtesy of flybirdaudio.

Writers & Illustrators of the Future Podcast 273 followers273 317 tracks317 Toni Weisskopf is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Award, and the Neffy Award for best editor. She uses the nom de plume T. K. F. Weisskopf as an anthology editor. Writers of the Future and Toni initially met in New York in 1989, where she was a volunteer helping at the Awards event! She has since worked with Jim Baen, working under him as an editor and wearing every hat in a publishing house. With Jim's passing, Toni became the owner and publisher of Baen Books and is going strong! She was earlier on this podcast in episode 100. In this episode, we discuss the future of publishing. Release date: 19 February 2025

Toni Weisskopf is an American science fiction editor and the publisher of Baen Books. She has won the Phoenix Award, the Rebel Award, and the Neffy Award for best editor. She uses the nom de plume T. K. F. Weisskopf as an anthology editor. Writers of the Future and Toni initially met in New York in 1989, where she was a volunteer helping at the Awards event! She has since worked with Jim Baen, working under him as an editor and wearing every hat in a publishing house. With Jim's passing, Toni became the owner and publisher of Baen Books and is going strong! She was earlier on this podcast in episode 100. In this episode, we discuss the future of publishing.

Today we talk about writing and publishing short stories. Have you thought about how writing short fiction might help your creative process? Tune in today to hear these four masters talk craft with Hank. Henry Herz has authored fourteen picture books and edited eight anthologies for Albert Whitman & Co., Blackstone Publishing, and others. His short stories have been published by Weird Tales, Baen Books, Pseudopod, Metastellar, Titan Books, Highlights for Children, and Ladybug magazine. He holds a BS in engineering from Cornell University, an MS in engineering from George Washington University, and an MA in political science from Georgetown University.  Number one New York Times bestselling author Scott Sigler is the creator of eighteen novels, six novellas, dozens of short stories, and thousands of podcast episodes. He is an inaugural inductee into the Podcasting Hall of Fame. His podcast fans fervently anticipate their weekly story fix, so much so that they've dubbed themselves “Sigler Junkies” and have downloaded over fifty million episodes. Jonathan Maberry is a New York Times bestselling author, five-time Bram Stoker Award winner, four-time Scribe Award winner, Inkpot Award winner, and comic book writer. His vampire apocalypse book series, V-Wars, became a Netflix original series. He writes horror, science fiction, epic fantasy, thriller, and more. He is the president of the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers and the editor of Weird Tales magazine. David Mack is the award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-six novels and numerous short works of science fiction, fantasy, and adventure, including the Star Trek Destiny and Cold Equations trilogies. Mack's writing credits span television (for episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), film, and comic books. He also has worked as a consultant on the animated television series Star Trek: Lower Decks and Star Trek: Prodigy. The International Association of Media Tie-in Writers honored him as a Grandmaster with its Faust Award.

The Blasters & Blades Podcast Just a couple of nerdy Army veterans geeking out on things that go "abracadabra," "pew," "zoom," "boop-beep" and rhyme with Science Fiction & Fantasy. Co-Hosts: JR Handley (Author) (Grunt) Nick Garber (Comic Book Artist) (Super Grunt) Madam Stabby Stab (Uber Fan) (Horror Nerd) We work for free, so if you wanna throw a few pennies our way there is a linked Buy Me A Coffee site where you can do so. Just mention the podcast in the comments when you donate, and I'll keep the sacred bean water boiling! Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/AuthorJRHandley Our Website: https://anchor.fm/blasters-and-blades Our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/blastersandbladespodcast Today's Sponsor Freehold Resistance Anthology by Baen Books: https://www.baen.com/freehold-resistance.html Coffee Brand Coffee Affiliate Support the Show: https://coffeebrandcoffee.com/?ref=y4GWASiVorJZDb Discount Code: PodcastGrunts Coupon Code Gets you 10% off Follow David Shady Shadoin on social media Shady's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Shadoin/author/B0992N64KN Shady's Website: https://www.davidshadoin.com/ Shady's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shady68333 Shady's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.shadoin Shady's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidshadoin/ Shady's Shady's Publisher: https://chriskennedypublishing.com/ Follow William Joseph Roberts on social media William's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B07FBXSQDX William's Website: https://williamjosephroberts.com/ William's Twitter: https://twitter.com/WJRoberts12 William's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wj.roberts.129 William's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamjroberts76/ William's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@williamjosephroberts9448/featured William's Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/WJRoberts William's Pintrest: https://www.pinterest.com/williamjroberts76/_saved/ William's Tumblr: https://williamjosephroberts.tumblr.com/ William's Publishing House: https://www.threeravenspublishing.com Follow Casey Moores on social media Casey's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Casey-Moores/e/B07Z4G6G2D Casey's Website: http://www.caseymoores.net/ Casey's Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Casey-Moores-Writer-101037894674331/ Casey's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caseymoops/ Follow Jana S Brown on social media Jana's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jana-S.-Brown/author/B015VJV7JW Jana's Website: www.opalkingdompress.com Jana's Twitter: https://twitter.com/janastocks Jana's Facebook: www.facebook.com/janasbrownwrites Jana's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janasbrownwrites/ Follow William S Frisbee Jr on social media Bill's Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/William-Frisbee/e/B005LW1K1A/ Bill's Website: https://williamsfrisbee.com/ Bill's Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheWarcat Bill's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WilliamSFrisbee/ Bill's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thiostan Bill's Military SF Blog: http://www.milsf.com/ #scifishenanigans #scifishenaniganspodcast #bbp #blastersandblades #blastersandbladespodcast #podcast #scifipodcast #fantasypodcast #scifi #fantasy #books #rpg #comics #fandom #literature #comedy #veteran #army #armyranger #ranger #scififan #redshirts #scifiworld #sciencefiction #scifidaily #scificoncept #podcastersofinstagram #scificons #podcastlife #podcastsofinstagram #scifibooks #awardwinningscifi #newepisode #podcastersofinstagram #podcastaddict #podcast #scifigeek #scifibook #sfv #scifivisionaries #firesidechat #chat #panel #fireside #DavidShadoin #Shady #DavidShadyShadoin #WilliamJosephRoberts #Hillbilly #WilliamJosephRobertsHillbilly #CaseyMoores #JanaSBrown #Jena Rey #BillFrisbee #BillSFrisbee #BillSFrisbeeJr #WilliamFrisbee #WilliamSFrisbee #WilliamSFrisbeeJr #religionquestion #coffee #tea #coffeeortea #threeravenspublishing #threeravens # 3ravenspublishing #3ravens #3RP --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blasters-and-blades/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/blasters-and-blades/support

Meghan is joined for this impactful conversation by author David (Dave) Butler, as the two discuss what happened anciently to Mother in Heaven. Topics include: - Temple worship in the Book of Mormon- Identifying the Tree of Life- Removing Heavenly Mother from the ancient temple- Counterfeit Goddesses, vs. the true Goddess- The Allegory of the Vineyard in Jacob 5 as a type for Her Sign up to be notified of the release of Dave's book, "In the Language of Adam," available May 1st! THIS WEEK ONLY, our online virtual temple class, "House of Learning: Understanding the Doctrine of the Temple," is FREE! Learn more about ordinances, covenants, and how we access and are transformed by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Register NOW and use code: springfling Dave Butler is not an academic. He has been a lawyer, a consultant, a corporate trainer, and a registered investment banking representative. He is now a Consulting Editor for Baen Books and part-owner of a business that designs bespoke elearning.Dave also writes fiction, principally science fiction and fantasy and principally for adults. His eighteenth novel was published in January 2024. His books have won the Dragon Award, the Whitney Award, and the Association for Mormon Letters Award for Novel. In early 2021, Dave co-curated “A Desolating Sickness,” a literary response to the Covid pandemic that was displayed in BYU's Harold B. Lee Library. This semester (Winter 2024) for the second time, his novel The Cunning Man (co-written with Aaron Michael Ritchey), which in July 2022 made the AML's list of 100 Works of Significant Mormon Literature, is being taught in a Mormon Lit class on BYU campus.Dave takes the position that the Book of Mormon is an ancient document, and also that the Book of Mormon is a work of temple literature. The Nephite prophets were members of an esoteric lineage that wrote for an audience that they expected to possess eyes to see and ears to hear, and the intended way to understand the meaning of their writings is to read through the lens of our own temple experience. He embodied his early thoughts in this vein in a pair of short books, Plain and Precious Things and The Goodness and the Mysteries, both self-published under the pen name D. John Butler.Dave is currently hard at work on his third book on this subject, entitled In the Language of Adam. He hopes to bring this book out in Spring 2024.Dave plays guitar and banjo whenever he can, and hangs out in Utah with his wife, their children, and the family dog. Have you heard about the first-of-its-kind online temple class, "House of Learning: Understanding the Doctrine of the Temple"?! Registered students receive access to 19 lessons, over 6 hours of video/audio content, and list of over 50 additional resources, all geared towards helping you know and live what the temple aims to teach us. Click HERE to register now!

Marisa Wolf discusses her Baen Books debut Beyond Enemies; and Tinker by Wen Spencer, Part 41. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/video-baen-free-radio-hour-Beyond-Enemies-Tinker-Part-41.mp4 and the Baen YouTube Channel.

Imagine a world where fatherlessness is not a problem.

Baen Books Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Toni Weisskopf gives the podcast audience a look at what to look forward to from Baen in 2024, and Tinker Part 35. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/video-baen-free-radio-hour-Baen-Books-2024-Preview-Tinker-Part-35.mp4 and the Baen YouTube Channel.

Chuck Dixon reveals the sad history of the demise of the comic book industry. We also talk about independent comics & Eric July's Rippaverse! What happened to the comic book industry? How did it go from a booming cultural phenomenon to a dying art form? And how can it be revived by independent creators and fans? In this episode of CultureScape, Peter Pischke interviews Chuck Dixon, one of the most prolific and influential comic book writers of all time. Chuck Dixon is the co-creator of Bane, the mastermind behind Batman's Knightfall saga, and the author of dozens of best-selling comics for Marvel, DC, and other publishers. Chuck Dixon shares his insights and secrets on the history and collapse of the comic book industry, the challenges and opportunities for independent comics, and his work on the Rippaverse, a new and exciting comic book universe created by Eric July and his team. The Rippaverse is a platform that offers digital comics from various genres and creators, with a focus on the American comic book industry. It aims to restore the essence of comics by respecting the code of ethics and the community. Chuck Dixon is the writer of Alphacore, one of the flagship titles of the Rippaverse, featuring a team of super-powered agents who fight against evil forces. If you love comics and want to learn more about the past, present, and future of this amazing medium, you don't want to miss this video. Watch it now and discover how comics died and how they might live again! Chuck's Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dixonverse YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dixonverse Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced with the assistance of Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke; help from the helpful YOUTUBE crew. Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and share it with your friends. And don't forget to subscribe to CultureScape, your premier destination for all things geek and nerd culture! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Who is to blame for destroying the Escapist? What really happened at The Escapist, the legendary gaming website and YouTube channel that gave birth to Zero Punctuation, Extra Credits, Jimquisition, and more? How did it go from being a gaming empire to a shadow of its former self? And how did some of its former members rise from the ashes and create Second Wind, a new and successful gaming content and culture outlet? In this exclusive interview, Peter sits down with JM8, the host of Design Delve on Second Wind and a former member of The Escapist, to reveal the inside story of The Escapist's downfall and Second Wind's rise. This is a rare and candid conversation with one of the most knowledgeable and passionate game designers and gaming content creators in the industry. You don't want to miss this! JM8's Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/JM8andLudo Design Delve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB8xXD9M32U&list=PLUBKwq0XD0uc3-bC1m0IYvbdu8dEX4rd2 Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced with the assistance of Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke; help from the helpful YOUTUBE crew. Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Do you know the story of the first time the Escapist Imploded, back in 2014? What if I told you that the Escapist, one of the most influential gaming websites and YouTube channels of all time, was founded by a visionary entrepreneur who was later ousted from his own company for defending Gamergate? And what if I told you that he was also the one who discovered Yahtzee Crowshaw, the creator of Zero Punctuation, and pioneered the modern gaming YouTube format? In this exclusive interview, Peter Pischke of CultureScape sits down with Alex Macris, the founder and former CEO of the Escapist, to reveal the untold story of how he built a gaming empire and lost it all for Gamergate. You'll learn: - How Alex Macris started the Escapist as a PDF magazine in 2005 and turned it into a multimillion-dollar media company - How he found and hired Yahtzee Crowshaw, the British comedian and critic who revolutionized video game reviews with his fast-talking, animated series Zero Punctuation - How he developed the Escapist's YouTube channel and introduced innovative shows like Extra Credits, Jimquisition, and MovieBob - How he faced backlash from the gaming industry and the media for supporting Gamergate, a consumer revolt against unethical journalism and censorship in video games - How he was forced to resign from the Escapist in 2015 and what he's been doing since then This is a rare and candid conversation with one of the most influential and controversial figures in gaming history. You don't want to miss this! Alex's Social Media: https://twitter.com/archon?lang=en His Tabletop project: https://autarch.co/ Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced with the assistance of Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke; help from the helpful YOUTUBE crew. Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Learn everything there is to know about Screw Attack from its creator, Stuttering Craig! What really happened to Screw Attack, the legendary video game website and show that changed gaming forever? The show that introduced @JamesNintendoNerd & the Angry Video Game Nerd. The show that kickstarted the career of so many people, from @ThatOneVideoGamer to @deathbattle & other shows that put gaming podcasts on the map!

The Cancel Pigs Come for Science & Medicine! In this episode of CultureScape, Peter Pischke interviews psychologist Chris Ferguson, who exposes how social justice activism have ruined science and medicine. Ferguson, a fellow of the American Psychological Association1 and the author of How Madness Shaped History2, reveals how the scientific and medical institutions have been corrupted by wokeness, political correctness, and ideological agendas. He explains how normally reliable academics and scientists have begun to cower to woke protestors and bad faith actors, compromising their integrity and credibility. He also discusses the consequences of this phenomenon for the advancement of knowledge, the public trust, and the well-being of society. This is a must-listen for anyone who cares about the truth, reason, and evidence in science and medicine. You will learn how the wokesters have distorted and damaged these fields, and what we can do to restore them to their former glory. Ferguson's Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/CJFerguson1111 Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/contributors/christopher-j-ferguson-phd Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Produced with the assistance of Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke; help from the helpful YOUTUBE crew. Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

With this series and novel, our adventure shifts away from the story featuring Honor Harrington as the main character or even seeing her as the focal point. Even so, she's not gone and appears in the periphery quite often. Remember, this “related” storyline doesn't mean we're shifting away from the “main” storyline. As you'll see, we are not. The Wages of Sin series, and this first novel in it, are absolutely a part of the core narrative that is The Honorverse. We've seen the stories in this series foreshadowed and now we're going to see why the Wages of Sin set of books are essential to the main story. By the way, you'll often hear people refer to this series as the Crown of Slaves series rather than Wages of Sin. There's certainly nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, the series is probably more commonly referred to as the Crown of Slaves series.If you like placing each story into a chronological timeline, the events in Crown of Slaves happen while the High Ridge government is still in power, just before the main events captured in the novel War of Honor. While there isn't a lot of emphasis placed on High Ridge and others in the cabinet, Queen Elizabeth and some of the actions revolving around her play a little more of a prominent (but a relatively minor) role. Crown of Slaves was first published by Baen Books in August 2003. This is the series we have previously mentioned was written by the dynamic duo of David Weber and Eric Flint.As we saw mentioned in earlier parts of the story, the Star Kingdom's ally Erewhon has been grieved by the actions and attitudes of High Ridge and the cabinet. Perhaps outside of Grayson, Erewhon may be the most neglected and offended of all of Manticore's primary allies. In an effort to quietly address the problem, and perhaps prevent the loss of a key ally, Queen Elizabeth sends a delegation led by Captain Zilwicki, along with his daughter Berry, and her niece, Princess Judith Winton, to Erewhon. You're going to see a small cast of other familiar characters as well. Within this atmosphere of tension, and significantly amplified by competing agendas outside of the Queen's control, nothing goes smoothly.As suggested by the title of the series, and especially this novel, the focus of the events that unfold relate directly to Mesa and Manpower, Inc., and broadly to the ugly issue of slavery. It shouldn't be a surprise, but the theme is certainly heavy, and the events and language are not “kid friendly”.We rated Crown of Slaves with a 3, a 4 and another 4 (out of 5), for an overall rating of 3.7 from your hosts.We absolutely appreciate the support of everyone who takes the time to listen to our thoughts as we wander through the Honorverse. Thank you! And as always, thanks for those of you who like and/or comment on our posts. Whether you agree with our thoughts, or hold differing viewpoints, your comments are genuinely appreciated and warmly received. We truly enjoy hearing your thoughts on the Honorverse and the show.Next up: we're making a visit to another related storyline as we jump into the first novel in the Saganami Island series: The Shadow of Saganami. Grab your copy and join us again next time!You can find us, and all our episodes at http://honorverse.net, and email us at honorverse@tpenetwork.com. We look forward to hearing from you.Now, let's be about it!

Canceled LEAD DESIGNER of Hogwarts Legacy, Troy Leavitt, tells us what happened!

Everyone loves Culture. So why doesn't Conservative Media do anything about it? In this episode of CultureScape, Peter Pischke talks to Christian Toto, a conservative film critic and the founder of HollywoodInToto.com. They discuss why conservative news media often ignores or dismisses culture and entertainment and how this affects their ability to shape public opinion and influence politics. Christian Toto shares his insights on how conservatives can win the culture wars by creating and supporting quality content that reflects their values and worldview. They discuss their mutual love of classic films and what a frustrating experience it is to do cultural reporting and journalism in news media that couldn't care less about it. Toto's Social Media: Christian's Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1637580991 Toto's Twitter: https://twitter.com/HollywoodInToto Hollywood In Toto: https://t.co/l2MICnMl9c Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke; help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks, guys) Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. Watch the video now, and don't forget to subscribe to CultureScape for more interviews with artists, writers, and creators.

Learn about how Mech Warrior Self-Destructed!

Here we are, already discussing the tenth novel in the Honor Harrington main series: War of Honor, and if you're counting the overall number of books we've covered in the Honorverse, this would be the thirteenth. For those who read this in the past, you may remember what the rest of us new readers discovered: we thought the previous novel was lengthy at 672 pages; this one buries that one and comes in at a substantial 869 pages! For story continuity, the events in this novel occur approximately three years after the events captured in the short story “From the Highlands'' (in the Changer of Worlds anthology). War of Honor was first published by Baen Books in October 2002. With the war between Manticore and Haven in a pause, as both sides agreed to an armistice, affairs have been dragging along with no formal peace apparent. Both sides have their own agendas driving the desire for a permanent peace. Even so, the current Manticoran government (the Queen's government, but not the Queen herself) quietly prefers to keep the nation in a technical state of war. This allows them to maintain the wartime taxes they're currently gathering. At the same time, they don't believe that delay will compromise peace, which they truly want to endure even though they're (selfishly) refusing to negotiate with Haven formally and fully. They are inappropriately using the wartime tax revenues to fuel non-wartime domestic and essentially “partisan” social programs. Meanwhile, the government of Haven (no longer the People's Republic of Haven, having restored their original Constitution and the associated form of government) is growing increasingly frustrated with Manticore's unwillingness to enter serious discussions about a formal peace. At the center of their desires rests the return of parts of Haven lost to Manticore in the war. More accurately, to allow those parts of their star nation to decide for themselves if they'd like to remain with Manticore, or to return to Haven as members of the restored old Constitutional government, or even have complete independence. The delay, fueled primarily by Manticore, causes concern (both real and contrived) that Manticore actually intends to continue the war. Within the government of Haven, there are those who quietly, if not secretly, desire to finish the war through a return to hostility so as to regain their lost territory and deliver a crippling and permanent blow to Manticore. There are also those who strongly support the idea of peace through strength. These agendas manifest through a secret program which is rebuilding the Navy.We also see the impact of political changes on both sides, primarily on the Manticoran side with regards to allies—for better or worse. While several allies are a part of the story, the focus is on Grayson and their strained relationship with the Manticoran government.In the end, hostilities resume and the pieces on the chessboard shift yet again within each star nation, and with several allies…We rated War of Honor with a 5 and two 4s (out of 5), for an overall rating of 4.13.As always, thanks for those of you who have liked and/or commented on our episodes so far. Your comments are genuinely appreciated and warmly received. Please keep those likes and comments coming! We truly enjoy hearing your thoughts on the Honorverse and the show.Next up: we're on to the fourth in the Worlds of Honor anthology set, entitled The Service of the Sword. This one's a cool package of six short stories and six authors, including Mr. David Weber himself, along with a few familiar favorites like Jane Lindskold and Eric Flint. Grab your copy and join us again next time!You can find us, and all our episodes at http://honorverse.net, and email us at honorverse@tpenetwork.com. We look forward to hearing from you.Now, let's be about it!

"A great scary story is not a brand or genre; it's an effect, it's a state of being." - Gregory Frost. Are you a fan of horror stories and folktales? Do you enjoy that feeling of something nearby going bump at night? Then you are in luck with this fabulous episode featuring ghost story master and folk tale expert Gregory Frost. Gregory Frost details the origins of most folk tales and horror, going back to medieval France and beyond, discussing the adaptations of Blue Beard and Disney, which hides cold, harsh, but vital reality from us. What makes M.R. James the greatest ghostwriter to ever have lived, and why does so much modern horror fail to innovate or captivate. Frost shared his insights on how he creates his stories, what inspires him, and how he draws from the rich traditions of folktales and classic ghost stories. He also talks about his admiration for M.R. James, one of the masters of the genre, and how he influenced his own work in books like Rhymer, ShadowBridge, and Fletcher's Brides. This is a rare opportunity to hear from one of our time's best horror writers and get a glimpse into his creative process. Whether you're a writer yourself or enjoy a good scare, you'll find this interview fascinating and informative. Gregory's Social Media: Author website: https://gregoryfrost.com/ Wired Review of Rhymer: https://www.wired.com/2023/06/geeks-guide-rhymer-gregory-frost/ Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke; help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks, guys) Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. Watch the video now, and don't forget to subscribe to CultureScape for more interviews with artists, writers, and creators.

In this episode of CultureScape, journalist Peter Pischke interviews Larian Studios Senior Writer Stephen Rooney, Senior writer for the massively popular game Baldur's Gate 3. Rooney is the guy in charge of the Undead creepy crawlies you meet in BG3 & Divinity Original Sin. Stephen shares his insights and secrets on how he created Asterion, one of the most beloved and complex characters in the game. He also talks about his writing process, his influences, his challenges, and his future projects. What you need to know if you want to be as cool a writer as Stephen! If you are a fan of Baldur's Gate 3, Dungeons & Dragons, or storytelling in general, you don't want to miss this exclusive interview with one of the best writers in the industry. Watch the video and learn how Asterion came to life! Stephen's Social Media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/nuckpang Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke, help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks guys) Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. Thank you to Larian Studios for making such an incredible game & thank you to all our viewers for watching and stay tuned for more awesome content from Culturescape!

"You are the Protagonist of Your Own Life" - Reigan Arataka Have you ever wondered how Chris Niosi became the voice of Reigen Arataka, the charismatic con artist and self-proclaimed psychic in the popular anime series Mob Psycho 100? In this exclusive and in-depth interview, Chris Niosi reveals his journey as a voice actor, animator, and game designer. He also shares his insights on the art of voice acting, the challenges and rewards of working in the animation industry, and his advice for aspiring voice actors. Chris Niosi is a multi-talented and award-winning voice actor, animator, and game designer. He is best known for his roles as Reigen Arataka in Mob Psycho 100, Dezel in Tales of Zestiria, Khoury in Pokémon, and Kirbopher in TOME: Terrain of Magical Expertise. He is also the creator of the web series Brawl Taunts and Parody Rangers, and the director of the indie game TOME: Immortal Arena. In this interview, you will learn: - How Chris Niosi started his career as Kirbopher, a flash animator on Newgrounds - How he landed the role of Reigen Arataka in Mob Psycho 100 and what he loves about the character - What does everyone misunderstand about working in Hollywood and entertainment. Howie's Social Media: Youtube:    / @kirbopher15   Twitter: https://twitter.com/kirbopher?lang=en Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhA... Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke, help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks guys) Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. Thank you for watching and stay tuned for more awesome content from Culturescape!

No other game is quite like Dungeons & Dragons, and no author is quite like Howard Andrew Jones. Are you a fan of fantasy writing and gaming? Do you love Dungeons and Dragons and Baldur's Gate 3? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this video is for you! In this video, we have an exclusive interview with Howard Andrew Jones, a best-selling fantasy author and game designer who has worked on Pathfinder, designed fabulous fantasy stories, and been influenced and in turn, influenced creations like Baldurs Gate 3. In this interview he spills all his secrets and insights on how he creates fantasy worlds, what makes a good fantasy story, how Dungeons and Dragons inspired him to write fantasy, and what he thinks of the incredible game that is Baldur's Gate 3. We discuss his latest series the Chronicles of Hamiver and the new entry, The City of Marble and Blood which comes out in October. Howard also jokes with Pete about the many badly written fantasy books, stories, and DnD campaigns. You don't want to miss this amazing conversation with one of the most talented and passionate fantasy writers and gamers in the industry. Watch the video now and learn from a master of fantasy! Howie's Social Media: https://twitter.com/HowardAndrewJon website: https://www.howardandrewjones.com/ Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke, help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks guys) Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. Thank you for watching CULTURESCAPE, See you next time!

In this CultureScape interview, Peter Pischke talks to James Czerniawski, a tech and innovation policy analyst and journalist for Americans for Prosperity Institute. James discusses the current political and cultural landscape for emerging ai technologies and how politicians, corporations, and regulators are trying to take away access to generative AI from the public. He explains why they are doing this, what are the consequences for innovation and freedom, and how you can fight back effectively. You don't want to miss this eye-opening and informative discussion about one of the most important issues of our time. Watch the video now and share your thoughts in the comments below. And don't forget to subscribe to CultureScape for more videos like this one. James's Social Media: X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamesCz19 website: https://t.co/4Lsbs8Vxda Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke, help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks guys) Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

We welcome back Sharon Lee and Steve Miller to talk about their 25th Liadon book - Salvage Right, from Baen Books. They tell us about the space station that straddles two realities, as we debate where the cats might come in and own the place. There's also an in-depth discussion of the dinkus and the telling detail, so you can learn something new! … Continue...Episode 183 – Journey Back to Liadon

Are you ready for an entertainment revolution? ( ▀ ͜͞ʖ▀) In this episode of CultureScape, host Peter Pischke talks to Ethan Van Sciver, the mastermind behind CyberFrog, and  @ComicArtistProSecrets  Ethan Van Sciver is a legendary comic book artist and creator of CyberFrog, one of the most successful crowdfunded comics ever. He started his career in comics working for DC Comics on iconic titles like Green Lantern and Superman. He then revived his early character CyberFrog, a genetically modified amphibian warrior who fights against a swarm of alien hornets that have taken over the Earth. He launched his first Indiegogo campaign for CyberFrog: Blood Honey in 2018, which raised over $500,000. He followed it up with CyberFrog: Rekt Planet in 2019, which raised over $1.2 million. He also plans to make action figures and other merchandise for his fans. In this 90-minute interview with Peter Pischke, Ethan shares his story of how he created CyberFrog and what inspired him to challenge the woke culture and SJWs that are ruining the comic industry. He also talks about his YouTube channel, ComicArtistPro Secrets, where he gives tips and advice on drawing comics, reviews comic books and movies, and exposes the hypocrisy and corruption of the mainstream media and entertainment. He also discusses his views on politics, culture, and current events. CyberFrog 3: Red Extermination Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ethan-van-sciver-s-cyberfrog-3-red-extermination Ethan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/EthanVanSciver Ethan's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComicArtistProSecrets Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke, help came from ASE Reilly & Mint (thanks guys) See you next time!

Who or What is Responsible for Destroying the Western Comic Book Industry!? Welcome to this week's episode of CultureScape, where we will delve into the self-inflicted implosion of the comic book industry. In this episode, we will be speaking with one Justin World, a comic book artist and YouTube host of the Channel  @DrawandTalk  about how he got hounded and removed from his publisher for meekly criticizing # ComicsBrokeMe. But what led to the downfall of the comic book industry? How did a once-thriving industry become so broken? We'll be tackling these questions head-on, and discussing the various factors that contributed to the decline of the industry. Justin will share his insights on the current state of the comic book industry, and how it has impacted the world of comics, manga, and graphic novels. From the Marvel Cinematic Universe to DC Comics' Secret Invasion, we will explore how the industry has evolved over the years. Justin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/tyler_c_world Draw and Talk YouTube: https://t.co/p4fEWuDGzV Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Why does the MCU now suck? We explore. Hint: It's not the Skrulls & it's not superhero fatigue. Welcome to CultureScape, the show that interviews the geek creators and influencers that built nerd culture. Today we have a special guest: Justin Watson, the bestselling author of the Timeless trilogy, a sci-fi thriller series that challenges the concepts of time travel and multiverses. Like Justin, the host (me) Pete loves a good time-travel story, but it seems the sort of stories being told with these classic devices are rather bad; best example being the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We talk to Justin about why he thinks the MCU is broken, and how the use of time travel and multiverses in movies like Avengers: Endgame and Spider-Man: No Way Home has ruined the storytelling and logic of the Marvel universe. We also discuss how other popular shows like Doctor Who and Rick and Morty have handled these topics, and what makes a good sci-fi story. Also, Doctor Who, also Stein's Gate, also Chrono Trigger, and a hundred other popular time-travel stories. If you love sci-fi and want to learn more about the science and fiction behind it, don't miss this video. And don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for more awesome content like this. Enjoy! Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

In this episode we discussed the ninth novel in the Honor Harrington main series: Ashes of Victory. It's the direct follow-on to Echoes of Honor. And if you keep listening through the end credits you might find a bit of extra “Oops!”At 672 pages (the trade paperback edition), it's slightly shorter than Echoes of Honor, but not by much and with no complaints from your hosts about the length. The story is large, requiring equally substantial books to capture all that's going on, and it picks up right where Echoes left off. Ashes of Victory was first published by Baen Books in March 2000. The war with Haven happens and as you can tell from the title, we're going to see what emerges from the ashes of Honor's apparent death (covered in the first half of the book), but also from the war (covered in the second half). As for Honor, it seems “The Salamander” is also a Phoenix!As we've grown accustomed to, David Weber has seamlessly woven in references to historical events that provide good background to what's happening: the Battle of Midway (4-7 June 1942), the Battle of Savo Island (9 August 1942) and Operation Bagration (23 June through 19 August 1944). Note: the first two were quick references, while Bagration is mentioned several times because it was the name of a military operation in the book. While knowing the history of these events isn't necessary or covered, interested readers may want to take the time to learn why David made these references. They add a lot of color to the story.Because the war we all saw coming occurs, the story in this novel brings quite a few things to culmination, and also exposes some new threads within the greater Honorverse storyline. This was done very well, too, given we all seemed to agree the action in this book wore us out at times. Yet it also left us eager to see what comes next. Related to that, consider and ponder just how the war with Haven actually ends…A final thought: we mentioned in our discussions that this book makes it clear how important reading the anthologies can be. Remember, they're not throw-away side stories. Instead, they very deliberately inform the reader of things going on that weren't included in the novels. Call it what you want—backstory, amplifying info, sidequels, something else—but whatever you call it, understand we all saw important elements in this novel that tied directly back to select short stories in the anthologies. Do you have to read the anthologies to appreciate how amazing the growing Honorverse is? No. Is it worth your time to read them? Absolutely yes. They'll make the incredibly mature universe David Weber is building even more robust than it would be otherwise. If you haven't been convinced already, we encourage you to read (or re-read) the anthologies, and in the order of publication if you can.We rated Ashes of Victory with three 5s (out of 5), for an overall rating of 5.As always, thanks for those of you who have liked and/or commented on our episodes so far. Your comments are genuinely appreciated and warmly received. Remember, we're fans of the series just like you and we're honored to have a venue to share our experiences and thoughts as we work our way through the Honorverse with other, like-minded people. Please keep those likes and comments coming!Next up: we're back to another anthology, the third in the Worlds of Honor set, entitled “Changer of Worlds”. Grab a copy and join in!You can find us, and all our episodes at http://honorverse.net, and email us at honorverse@tpenetwork.com. We look forward to hearing from you.Now, let's be about it!

Author : Elaine Midcoh Narrator : Mur Lafferty Host : Valerie Valdes Audio Producer : Summer Brooks “Man on the Moon” was the winner of the 2022 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Award and was published on the Baen Books web site, www.baen.com, on June 16, 2022 Man on the Moon by Elaine Midcoh Sasha […] Source

We all love nerdy stuff, Anime, Video Games, Comics, and More. But how do we protect & preserve this fabulous geek culture of ours? In this episode, we have a 2-hour interview with best-selling science fiction author David Weber, the creator of the mega-popular HONORVERSE; and co-writer Jacob Holo for the Weltall File. We talk about pop culture, science fiction, nerd culture, and how great stories get told. David Weber shares his insights and opinions on some of the most popular sci-fi franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who. Hint: it's not what you probably think it is. If you are a fan of sci-fi and nerd culture, you don't want to miss this video. You will learn a lot from David Weber's experience and wisdom as a writer and a fan. You will also enjoy the fun and lively conversation we have about our favorite topics Their new book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Weltall-File/David-Weber/Gordian-Division/9781982192655 Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

In this episode I sit down with David Jaffe, the legendary game developer behind God of War and Twisted Metal, two of the most iconic and influential franchises in gaming history. We talk about his journey as a game developer, how he came up with the ideas and designs for God of War and Twisted Metal, what challenges and successes he faced along the way, and what he thinks of the current state of the gaming industry and culture. David Jaffe is not afraid to speak his mind and share his honest opinions on everything from politics to fun. This is a must-listen interview for any fan of God of War, Twisted Metal, or gaming in general. If you enjoyed this video, please like, comment, share, and subscribe to my channel for more gaming content. Thank you for watching! David Jaffe's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV3HOLRYG2VMe5TZ0Hvzwlw David Jaffe's Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidscottjaffe Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

I talk to Les Johnson, a NASA scientist and an expert on solar sails. Solar sails are thin, reflective sheets that can propel spacecraft using the pressure of sunlight. They have the potential to enable faster, cheaper, and greener space exploration. Les Johnson explains how solar sails work, their challenges and benefits, and some current and future projects. He also shares his passion and vision for sailing to the stars with this amazing technology. If you enjoyed this video, please like, share, and subscribe to my channel for more content on space and science. And don't forget to check out Les Johnson's books and website for more information on solar sails and other topics. Thank you for watching! Les Johnson Website: https://www.lesjohnsonauthor.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LesAuthor Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

What is responsible for the death of the popularity of Dystopian Fiction? We interview Jane Lindskold, the author of the Firekeeper Saga and other excellent books, about the death of dystopian fiction and why we need more hopeful stories in these challenging times. We talk about Roger Zelazny & classic science fiction. Jane Lindskold shares her insights on how she ended the zombie apocalypse with her fiction and how she inspires millions of readers with her stories of courage, compassion, and creativity. She also gives us some tips on how to write our own hopeful stories and how to find joy in reading and writing. If you are a fan of Jane Lindskold or interested in the future of fiction, you don't want to miss this video! Jane's website: https://janelindskold.com/wp/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaneLindskold Our Social Media: CultureScape Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4tYyrhAZLbSn4AOAG4nQr1 Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Podcast Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Welcome to CultureScape, the podcast where we explore the world of comics, books, and nerd culture. What will it take to beat AI at the writing game? In this episode, we have a special guest: C.S. Johnson, the author of the new comic book on Kickstarter: Dizchord. C.S. Johnson is also a successful writer of novels, short stories, and non-fiction books, as well as a Christian conservative stay-at-home mom unafraid to express her views and values. She shares with us her insights on how to write comics and books that stand out from the crowd and beat the AI competition, how to be an independent and self-starter writer who uses Kickstarter and other platforms to fund her projects, and how to balance her love of nerdery with her faith and family. If you enjoyed this episode, please like, share, comment, and subscribe to our channel. You can also follow us on social media and check Spotify & other platforms for more content. And don't forget to check out C.S. Johnson's website and social media links below to learn more about her work and support her amazing projects. Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for more CultureScape! CS Johnson Twitter: https://twitter.com/writercsjohnson Dizchord Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/writercsjohnson/introducing-dizchord-atlantas-guardian-angel-of-music Amazon: Our Social Media: CultureScape Youtube: https://youtu.be/0yhn_HJqlhA Twitter: https://twitter.com/HappyWarriorP --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

After our jaunt over to the first anthology in the Worlds of Honor set, we're back to the main series and discussing book 8: Echoes of Honor. This seemed like two books that were woven together through the way this novel was assembled. At 718 pages, this is the largest novel yet in the series, and was published by Baen Books in September 1998—a year after In Enemy Hands. The events in this book occur just short of a year (approximately 10 months) after Honor and her colleagues destroy the Tepes and head to the surface of Hell; not as prisoners, but as downed pilots surviving behind enemy lines. Some might think Behind Enemy Lines might have made a good title for this book. While it could have, the title David Weber selected has a much more significant relationship to the overarching storyline. To everyone outside of Honor's immediate party, Honor is understandably believed dead. Her public “execution” by the People's Republic of Haven was broadcast for all to see — a deep faked piece of well-done propaganda. Because of this, the echoes of the impact Honor had on the RMN; on Grayson, its Space Navy, and the people of her steading; and specifically on her parents are heard and/or felt. At the start of this story, only we, the readers, know she is still very much alive and relatively well.The novel was put together in a way that the two-pronged story presented itself through the length of the novel as alternating chapters, or technically “books”. Books 2, 4 and 6 were the events associated with Haven's Operation Icarus, as they strike the Star Kingdom at key locations during a Manticoran operational pause. Honor's parents and their stay on Grayson are also significant parts of these books. Books 1, 3 and 5 revolved around Honor's exploits on Hades. She and her people create what is essentially an insurgent movement and take over the prison planet's command center at Camp Charon. Securing a sufficient number of transports, she liberates all who want to depart from Hades. At the end of the book, these two storylines merge when Honor appears at Trevor's Star with her crew and half a million prisoners. The story ends, leaving us to wait and see just how all those who thought they lost Honor will react to the news of her survival. Exciting stuff!We rated Echoes of Honor with three 5s (out of 5), for an overall rating of 5 from your hosts.We extend our thanks and appreciation in the podcast for those of you who have liked and/or commented on our episodes so far, and we'd like to extend our thanks here as well. Your comments are genuinely appreciated and warmly received. Remember, we're fans of the series just like you and we're honored to have a venue to share our experiences and thoughts as we work our way through the Honorverse with other, like-minded people. A special thank you to Mr. David Weber, who we've learned has been listening to us. We definitely appreciate your comments, sir. Please continue to let us hear from all of you!Next up: we're rolling right into the second book in the Worlds of Honor anthology set; the book for which the set is named entitled Worlds of Honor. This book contains stories written by David Weber, Roland Green, Linda Evans and Jane Lindskold. Grab a copy and join in the conversation and the adventure!You can find us, and all our episodes at http://honorverse.net, and email us at honorverse@tpenetwork.com. We look forward to hearing from you.Now, let's be about it!

Welcome to the latest episode of CultureScape! Today, we're excited to bring you an in-depth interview with Chris Gore, founder of Film Threat and the mastermind behind the new G4TV documentary, Attack of the Doc! In this must-watch conversation, Chris joins host Pete to take us on a journey through the untold story of G4TV and its groundbreaking show, Attack of the Show. Drawing on his extensive experience and unique insights, Chris delves into why the original G4TV was such a hit and how Attack of the Show managed to capture the essence of nerd culture and bring it into the mainstream. With fascinating anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, Chris reveals what it was like working at G4TV, including his firsthand experiences with fan-favorite hosts Kevin Pereira and Olivia Munn. But this interview is much more than just a trip down memory lane. Chris also shares his thoughts on the current state of nerd culture and why it's so important for all types of nerds to unite and work together. He sheds light on some of the community's challenges today and offers insights on moving forward and creating a brighter future for all. If you're a fan of Attack of the Show, G4TV, or just nerd culture, this is an interview you can't miss. Find out why so many were disappointed by Frosk and learn what made Attack of the Show such an iconic program. Don't forget to hit the like and subscribe buttons to stay tuned for more exciting episodes of CultureScape! Film Threat: https://www.youtube.com/@UCTRVvNebe--lFOjVBKU6GFQ Chris Gore Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThatChrisGore Attack of the Doc! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az00NBnaK60 CultureScape YouTube: https://youtu.be/dUbWidbbye4 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

What if you could transfer your mind to another body or enhance your limbs with bionic technology? Sounds like science fiction, right? Well, not for long. In this episode of CultureScape, we talk to Dr. Robert E Hampson, an author and a DARPA neuroscientist working on the cutting edge of bionics and neuroscience. He tells us about his new book Desert & the Moon, which explores the possibilities and challenges of living in a world where humans can augment themselves with cybernetic enhancements. He also shares his insights on the current state and future of bionics and neuroscience, based on his experience at DARPA and his passion for classic sci-fi. This fascinating and eye-opening conversation will make you rethink the boundaries between science fiction and reality. Watch it now, and don't forget to subscribe to CultureScape for more amazing interviews. Robert's Twitter: @ThingyInBrainy CultureScape YouTube: https://youtu.be/Hz7fALjJmfQ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowicki t: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews were scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Interview with No Game For Knights book author Kacey Ezell. What does Disney get wrong and Paramount now get right? What do the success of the Mandalorian and the failure of the Sequel Trilogy tell us? What does it take to be a successful sci-fi author today? How do you balance your passion for writing with the demands of the market and the expectations of the fans? How do you stay true to your vision while respecting the genre's legacy? We explore these questions in this episode of CultureScape, where we sit down with rising sci-fi star Kacey Ezell. Kacey is a two-time Dragon Award finalist and a military sci-fi author who has written for popular series such as Black Tide Rising, Four Horsemen, and Murphy's Lawless. She is also a huge fan of Star Wars and Star Trek, and she shares her insights on why these franchises have such a loyal and passionate fanbase. She also reveals why fans are always right and why creators should listen to and put them first when creating content. Kacey also talks about her love of fantasy and sci-fi and how she was inspired by Anne McCaffrey's Dragon Riders of Pern series. She tells us how she got involved with the writing community and learned from mentors like Larry Correia and John Ringo. She also gives us some tips on how to be a modern author who can do a bit of everything, from writing to marketing to networking. If you are a sci-fi or fantasy fan or an aspiring writer who wants to learn from a successful and talented author, you don't want to miss this episode. Watch it now and let us know what you think in the comments below. And don't forget to subscribe to CultureScape for more interviews with amazing creators and influencers. Kacey's Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaceyEzell1 CultureScape YouTube: https://youtu.be/NPnzfigIqzM --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Video Editing by Chris Holowickit: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

An exclusive Interview with best-selling Sci-Fi author Patrick Chiles as he talks about his latest book Escape Orbit, the state of nerd culture, and why being a nerd is a good thing. I know we are all sick of mediocre sci-fi tv shows and films like what we often see with Star Trek Discovery or the latest season of The Mandalorian. But while Hollywood seems to not care less about producing quality entertainment, authors and geeks like Patrick Chilles are working hard to give the genre and readers top-shelf stories. It's easy to hate upon nerds & geeks for liking quality science fiction stories in the face of so many mediocre products like what you find on Disney Plus or HBO Max. But according to Patrick Chilles, being a nerd and taking part in the incredible world of creative science fiction is really good actually. CultureScape YouTube: https://youtu.be/SiaVdsmaN4s --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art by Peter Pischke Editing by Drunken Atheist: https://t.co/QUmAfUohFQ Interviews scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/culturescape/message

Sean C.W. Korsgaard welcomes Gregory Frost, Howard Andrew Jones, Marissa Wolf, and Monalisa Foster to Baen Books; and Cobra by Timothy Zahn, Part 53. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/video-baen-free-radio-hour-New-Authors-Welcom-Cobra-part-53.mp4 and the Baen YouTube Channel.

Robert E. Hampson discusses his Baen Books debut novel The Moon and the Desert; and Cobra by Timothy Zahn, Part 51. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/video-baen-free-radio-hour-Moon-And-The-Desert-Cobra-part-51.mp4 and the Baen YouTube Channel.

DEAR LISTENER: There were technical issues with portions of the recording quality. We considered re-recording the episode, but we would never be able to re-create the spontaneity that we got on this show. We hope the quality of the content will make up for the quality of the recording. The issues have been fixed and should not happen again. =====We're officially halfway through the original set of Honor Harrington stories already! How did we get here so quickly? The individual novels are flying by, and the larger Honorverse story is unfolding. It's hard to believe just how fast it seems the story is developing, especially because there is incredible depth and complexity to this world—this universe—David Weber is creating. “In Enemy Hands” is book seven in what is regularly referred to as the main series, but your hosts will quickly caution you not to assume the content outside of that set of 14 novels is simply extra content in the form of sequels, prequels or “sidequels”. More on that at the end of the summary. This novel is 530 pages, published by Baen Books in August 1997. In the story, we see some great space combat (of course), but also get a lot smarter about matters like the role and importance of international law (what we'll call the laws of war), the honor found among professional military members on opposite sides of a fight, loyalty (properly placed and also misplaced), and the influence of politics on military capability. We see the impact of the war on Manticore and Haven as each manages strained or limited resources in the context of their national ideologies, technological advancements, and changes in military tactics. It's also driven home in this novel that war is ugly and dangerous, and in the end, everyone is vulnerable. We saw the impact of a lengthening war and limited resources in the previous novel, particularly frustrated by the impact and role pirates and privateers play. Here we see a more traditional impact on military forces as forces spread thin find themselves in extremis. In this case, the unit at risk is a squadron of traditional naval vessels commanded by Commodore Honor Harrington. While time permits, her unit takes on an optional convoy escort mission: one that should have been a “milk run,” with regular naval resources and not the Q-ships she was previously commanding. Early in the mission, however, Honor is in the lead element of the escorting forces and discovers a trap set by Haven. Consistent with her view of the roles and responsibility of an officer - a senior officer - she provides sufficient warning for the main convoy to flee to safety, using her lead element to lead the enemy away from the main convoy and escorting forces. Out-gunned, Honor makes the decision to surrender her lead forces rather than simply sacrificing those assets and personnel for no real gain for Manticore. Honor finds herself in enemy hands, along with her officers and crew.What follows from this situation is the blatant immoral and unlawful treatment of her and her subordinates by the authoritarian Havenite government and the members of state security who had not been purged after the coup that brought Haven's current government to power. Even so, we get to see the risk some of Haven's traditional naval officers take, as they work to do the right thing — the lawful, moral and honorable thing — for their Manticoran prisoners. There is a lot to contrast with the previous novel, where we saw Honor (once again) demonstrate what the honorable and lawful treatment of the enemy's military looks like when they're prisoners of war.We rated “In Enemy Hands” with a 4.5, a 5, and another 5 (out of 5), for an overall rating of 4.83 from your hosts.Next up: we're going to step away from the core series of novels

In this interview, Samuel Mangold-Lenett, Senior Editor and Culture Writer for the Federalist exposes how wokeness has brought about the collapse of Disney, the MCU, and Hollywood. He discusses the role in conservative media for covering culture from Anime to Disney films. And where he believes the entertainment and culture goes from her. Discover why conservative voices are crucial in today's world and what it means for the future of entertainment. Samuel's Federalist Page: https://thefederalist.com/author/samuelmangoldlenett/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mangold_Lenett --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art & editing by Peter Pischke Interviews scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard & Bobster --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/culturescape/message

Looking for some serious truth bombs about the state of video game journalism? Look no further than this must-see interview with Jake James Lugo! He's pulling no punches as he delves into the epic downfall of G4TV and the devastating impact of Frosk's warning for the future of gaming news. But don't worry - it's not all doom and gloom. Jake James Lugo also shares his expert insights on fixing lousy game journos and saving the industry before it's too late! Don't miss out on this game-changing discussion that's sure to go viral - watch now! Jakes James Lugo Twitter: https://twitter.com/jakejameslugo YouTube: https://t.co/vZbddWPwHt MuckRack: https://t.co/mkZ6iBiEen CultureScape YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnsSjx-ECzH-ijyVKwb-ZpA --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art & editing by Peter Pischke Interviews scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard & Bobster --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/culturescape/message

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with one of the biggest names in the world of comics, Ethan Van Sciver, the creator of the hit comic book series CyberFrog and a celebrated artist for DC Comics. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Van Sciver has become known for his incredible talent and unique style that has captivated fans worldwide. In this video, we delve deep into Van Sciver's creative process, exploring how he comes up with new ideas for his comics and how he brings them to life on the page. We also discuss his experiences working with DC Comics and some of the most iconic characters in the industry, including Green Lantern, Batman, and The Flash. Whether you're a die-hard comic book fan or simply someone who appreciates great art and storytelling, this interview will captivate and inspire you. So don't miss out on this opportunity to hear from one of the true legends of the comic book world - check out our exclusive interview with Ethan Van Sciver now! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsored by Baen Books & Young Voices. Music by FAAS Sounds, Song: Best Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFB6-... Art & editing by Peter Pischke Interviews scheduled with the help of Sean Korsgaard & Bobster Thanks to Tony of Geek Getaway for the Advice --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/culturescape/message

Book 6 is the topic of our discussion today as we continue our journey through the Honorverse!“Honor Among Enemies” is a robust 544 pages, published by Baen Books in June 1996. In some ways we return to some of the events that happened in “On Basilisk Station”, specifically Honor's actions against an enemy Q-ship. What's a Q-ship, you ask? Well, if you want to know more, this is your episode! The purpose and use of Q-ships in combat abounds in this novel.Two things come into play at the same time in this story. First, the war with Haven has gone on long enough that as Manticore shifts resources to account for Haven's evolving war plans, sections of space are left under-protected by the RMN. This results in an increase of pirates and a significant increase in commercial freight losses. Second, the Manticoran government realizes they need Honor back in uniform to help deal with the problem. This isn't just fueled by military necessity. Two of Honor's enemies, complaining to the Navy over the lack of protection, find this a good opportunity to advocate for her return to uniform and to command a special squadron of ships to help patrol the areas where piracy is causing the most harm. These opponents view this as a win for them either way: Harrington succeeds and quells the piracy, allowing for freer commercial navigation and trade; or Harrington dies in the process of doing her duty, viewed as a sufficient payback for the frustration she's caused to these individuals. Due to her personal growth over the past several years, she accepts the offer with full awareness of the politics and ill intentions woven throughout the problem.The squadron Honor commands is composed entirely of armed merchant vessels, also known as Q-ships. While heavily armed and deceptive in appearance (because they don't look like warships), they're also very lightly armored (because they're not standard military vessels). The squadron is assembled and sorties out to begin their mission to escort and defend merchant shipping. We see an assembly of familiar faces, as well as some new ones. Among the new faces are a few troublemakers who aren't mere annoyances. One problem sailor has criminal intentions in terms of how he conducts himself as a member of the crew, but also has larger, bad intentions that show themselves as the story unfolds. All of this happens, of course, in the midst of some more amazing naval combat. Don't worry, this isn't more of what you've already seen. War conducted by these Q-ships in the context of more traditional naval operations is what David Weber delivers to us.In this novel we also see more detail about a different facet of leadership as Honor is commanding other commanders—a higher level of responsibility as she continues to grow and mature as a senior naval officer. We also get to see how she handles the very internal and initially “tactical” disciplinary problem within her assembled squadron as the problem is also one that falls within the purview of one of Honor's subordinate commanders.The title of the book is reflected throughout the book, but primarily when the battle against piracy includes both Manticoran and Havenite naval resources. While enemies at war, Weber does a great job of showing how there can be a shared sense of honor and professional duty between the military officers of opposing forces. Moreover, when those officers find themselves in the hands of the other side, honorable conduct based on shared values and ideals across the profession of arms, we see what honor among enemies looks like. In a final note, we also get a very good glimpse into the authority a ship's captain possesses while “at sea” and especially while in combat.Since they play a significant part of the telling of the story in this novel, during

Brian Trent, who I originally met almost 10 years ago when he was a Writers of the Future winner, published in volume 29 with his story “War Hero.” His work appears in the New York Times bestselling Black Tide Rising series, Weird World War series, Analog Science Fiction, Fact, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, The Year's Best Military and Adventure SF, Escape Pod, Galaxy's Edge, and in 2019 he was the winner of Baen Books' Readers' Choice Award. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since we met back in 2013. He just published a fantastic novel that I read in preparation for this podcast, “Red Space Rising.” It was based on his winning Writers of the Future short story, which we discuss. https://briantrent.com/

Sean C.W Korsgaard (Assistant Editor and Media Relations) and Steve Diamond (author of Servants of War) join the Rogues to discuss Baen Books' exciting swords-and-sorcery plans.