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In this episode, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons delve into the multifaceted journey of aspiring and struggling writers. They discuss ... The importance of storytelling as a reflection of life, Explore how to tackle challenging themes without sermonizing, and Debate whether writers should maintain neutrality. Amid humorous exchanges and personal anecdotes, Chris and Alex provide valuable insights on how to use fiction to navigate the complexities of reality. The episode also features shoutouts to notable works and addresses how art can heal and empower both creators and audiences.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryIf you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to ... Buy Me A Coffee!
In what turned out to be one of the more unhinged episodes of the Camerosity Podcast, for Episode 103 the gang didn't get the show announcement out until the day of the recording, but that resulted in a near record number of participants, and without a dedicated topic to discuss, we ran the gamut of topics from Theo's recent acquisition of a local lab's Fuji Frontier Scanner, to a very lively discussion about radioactive lenses and why you should not grind up lens glass and snort it. Joining Anthony, Paul, Stephen, Theo, and Mike on this episode were A.J. Gentile, Dan Cuny, Doug Doyle, Fernando Villava, Greg McCreash, Ira Cohen, Jeremy Scott, Mario Piper, Norris Liu, Pat Casey, Ron Gee, Vlad Kern, Will Pinkham, plus a few others who didn't say anything. The show starts off with Theo telling the tale of how a Frontier scanner is coming to him and that turned into a very lively discussion about all scanning options from using professional scanners, flatbed scanners, and then eventually to digitizing with a digital camera. Returning guest Dan Cuny shares some vintage digital cameras he's been working on reviews for including the 0.3 megapixel Canon PowerShot 350 and the floppy disc Sony Mavica! Continuing on the vintage digital discussion was the revelation that three of the five Camerosity hosts all have the 1990s Minolta RD-175 DSLR! Vlad Kern from ussrphoto.com comes on and shares his recent pickup of a spy camera from a shot down Russian drone found in Ukraine which he recently acquired. Vlad's crazy spy camera looks straight out of a science fiction movie and the hosts wonder how he managed to get that past European and American customs! Of course, we get into a bit of GAS including a follow up to Episode 102 where Ron Gee had ordered an Aero-Liberator camera from John Minnicks, Ron came back to talk about receiving the camera and his initial impressions of it. Other cameras discussed are the Tele and Wide Rolleiflexes, a rare Foth TLR, the 16mm KMZ Narciss SLR, a very strange and rare American camera called the Millfred Cand-O-Matic and I give an update on some leather I purchased for a Leica IIIa that needed to be recovered. As always, the topics we discuss on the Camerosity Podcast are influenced by you! Please don't feel like you have to be an expert on a specific type of camera, or have the level of knowledge on par with other people on the show. We LOVE people who are into shooting or collecting cameras, no matter how long you've been doing it, so please don't consider your knowledge level to be a prerequisite for joining! The guys and I rarely know where each episode is going to go until it happens, so if you'd like to join us on a future episode, be sure to look out for our show announcements on our Camerosity Podcast Facebook page, the Camerosity Discord server, and right here on mikeeckman.com. We usually record every other Monday and announcements, along with the Zoom link are typically shared 2-3 days in advance. For our next show, Theo will be vacationing in Japan, so he won't be joining us, and there still isn't a topic yet, but Episode 104 will be recorded on Monday, February 2nd at 7pm Central Standard Time and 8pm Eastern Standard Time. Make sure you set your calendars and look out for the show announcement at the usual locations and be prepared to join us! In This Episode Theo's big piece of GAS… where will it fit? / Fujifilm Frontier SP-2000 Doug Doyle is excited for the Knokke film scanner Mario Piper gets advice on dealing with spots and dust on negatives Kodak Photo-Flo and Edwal LFN Wetting Agents / Ilford Antistaticum Anti-Static Cloth / PEC-12 Photographic Emulsion Cleaner / ADOX Film Cleaner Add Humidity to your Darkroom to Reduce Dust Epson Flatbed Scanners / Nikon Coolscan Scanners / Camera Scanning with Negative Lab Pro / Romanian Lobster People A good reason to not worry about scanning resolution Dan Cuny is reviewing vintage digital cameras like the Canon PowerShot 350, the Sony Mavica, and the Nikon Coolpix 100 The hosts have way too many Minolta RD-175 DSLRs Scanning Kodak Disc Film and Sawyer's View-Master weddings Vlad Kern Discusses Soviet Film Formats / Russian Drone Cameras Fernando's KMZ Narciss / Homebrew Photosnipers Ron Gee's Aero-Liberator / Everyone shares their big Radioactive Aero Ektars Vlad has an aerial camera that's just missing the MiG-21 fighter jet Jeremy Scott tests his Canon FD concave 35mm f/2 with a Geiger counter / De-Yellowing Radioactive Lenses Foth-Flex and Foth Derby / Tele Rolleiflex / Soligor and Sears 55m f/2.8 macro Lenses / MIOJ Nikkor 13.5cm f/4 version Norris Liu shows off a Millfred Cand-O-Matic made by a Hollywood movie producer Mike reskinned a Barnack Leica with Leather from cameraleather.com Jeremy brings us back around to the start with his bellows film scanning setup Links The Camerosity Podcast is now on Discord! Join Anthony, Paul, Theo, Stephen, and Mike on our very own Discord Server. Share your GAS and photography with other listeners in the Lounge or in our dedicated forums. If you have questions for myself or the other guys, we have an “Ask the Hosts” section as well where you can get your question answered on a future show! Check it out! https://discord.gg/PZVN2VBJvm. If you would like to offer feedback or contact us with questions or ideas for future episodes, please contact us in the Comments Section below, our Camerosity Facebook Group, Instagram page, or Discord server. Order Your Very Own Camerosity Podcast T-Shirt! - https://www.zazzle.com/z/tbykl0hg The Official Camerosity Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/camerositypodcast Camerosity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/camerosity_podcast/ Theo Panagopoulos - https://www.photothinking.com/ Paul Rybolt - https://www.ebay.com/usr/paulkris - https://thisoldcamera.net/ Anthony Rue - https://www.instagram.com/kino_pravda/
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In this episode, hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan dive deep into the ever-evolving challenges and strategies behind promoting your work as a writer. Drawing on their own publishing journeys—spanning traditional and indie paths—they share honest insights, mishaps, and lessons learned about building visibility, reaching readers, and navigating the business side of a creative life.Alex and Chris also spotlight four standout examples—from solo creators like Damon Manx and Rebecca Cuthbert, to the collaborative energy of the Horror Writers Association and Black Nerd Problems. For a list of the tips from this episode, CLICK HERE.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryIf you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to show your support by clicking on the link to ... Buy Me A Coffee!
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In this episode of Tell the Damn Story, Alex and Chris explore what it really means to commit to a creative path—not just in ambition, but in action.They dig into the often-overlooked realities of collaboration: working with partners, editors, and creative peers; learning how to listen to critique without taking it personally; and understanding the difference between feedback that strengthens your work and noise that distracts from it. Through personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and nearly 400 episodes' worth of perspective, Alex and Chris break down why professionalism, patience, and openness are essential tools for any serious creative.This episode is about showing up, doing the work, and learning how to grow—whether you're working solo or building something with others.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
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Welcome To Another Creative Year!Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan kick off 2026 by diving into what it really takes to be a prolific and resilient writer in the new year. With flying cars and jet packs noticeably absent from our futures, the co-hosts remind us that storytelling—simple, honest, and consistent—is the true adventure.Together, they reflect on the pitfalls of New Year's resolutions and why grand, unattainable goals can sabotage creative momentum. Instead, this dynamic wordsmithing duo advocates for practical, achievable steps—celebrating every victory, no matter how small, and forgiving ourselves for unfinished drafts and missed writing days. This episode is packed with relatable stories and actionable advice, from reassessing your past progress with kindness to embracing curiosity and sustaining creative habits.If you're ready to take on 2026 as a storyteller, tune in for honest conversation, hard-earned wisdom, and the inspiration you need to keep writing—and keep going.“If this episode resonated, download our cheat sheet—Six Ways to Win the Writing Year Without Burning Out—and keep the momentum going.”Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comYouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. If you're enjoying these episodes, please take a moment to help wet our whistle by clicking on the link to ... Buy Me A Coffee!
The end of the year has come. As is the case every year, 2025 was filled with some ups and downs. For the Camerosity Podcast, we reached the 100 episode milestone, saw a huge influx of Miranda cameras re-enter the used camera market, and a whole lotta pictures of manatees. For Episode 102, the gang got together with some holiday themed alcoholic beverages and discussed what last minute bouts of GAS we had, and other bits of nonsense we were up to. Joining Anthony, Paul, Stephen and Mike were returning callers A.J. Gentile, Leon Blankenhorn, Pat Casey, Will Pinkham, William Ponder, and first time callers Joao Gomes and Ron Gee. In this episode we start right off with recent pickups, Paul is enamored with his Hasselblad digital back which he has almost permanently mounted to his 907x, calling it the best digital camera he's ever shot. A recent pickup of a Hassy 65mm f/2.8 lens further cemented it for him. Pat Casey talks about his love for 3x4 Graflexes and first time caller Ron Gee is excited for his new Aero Liberator camera he ordered from John Minnicks. We discuss the shift of German cameras being made in countries other than Germany, why West German companies made so many leaf shutters and seemed to be reluctant to adopt focal plane shutters, and Mike (poorly) attempts to explain the confusing history of the Voigtländer Bessaflex, Zeiss-Ikon Icarex and SL706, Voigtländer VSL series and Rollei SL35 series SLRs. Mike shares his two most recent pickups, the first is the brand new and recently released LOMO MC-A which is an impressive premium point and shoot camera and he feels is the best example we've seen so far of what a brand new premium 35mm camera should be. His other pickup is a rather ordinary Vivitar XC-3 with the unordinary XC-A accessory which kinda sorta adds Aperture Priority Automatic Exposure to a camera which wasn't built with it. Anthony talks about a $25 Nikonos III he recently picked up and used to take some of the best photos he's ever taken of manatees in the spring by his house. He also shares with us his oddest camera, the Kirka Electronik Auto Hobby Emergency Car Camera Kit. And right before we were about to sign off, Ron Gee drops not one but two of the largest 6x17 and 6x24 3D printed cameras any of us have seen. With names like Sasquatch and Kracken, these large beasts are not to be taken lightly! As always, the topics we discuss on the Camerosity Podcast are influenced by you! Please don't feel like you have to be an expert on a specific type of camera, or have the level of knowledge on par with other people on the show. We LOVE people who are into shooting or collecting cameras, no matter how long you've been doing it, so please don't consider your knowledge level to be a prerequisite for joining! The guys and I rarely know where each episode is going to go until it happens, so if you'd like to join us on a future episode, be sure to look out for our show announcements on our Camerosity Podcast Facebook page, the Camerosity Discord server, and right here on mikeeckman.com. We usually record every other Monday and announcements, along with the Zoom link are typically shared 2-3 days in advance. We don't yet have a topic for our first episode of the new year, but whatever it is, Episode 103 will be recorded on Monday, January 12th, 2026 at 7pm Central Standard Time and 8pm Eastern Standard Time. Make sure you set your calendars and look out for the show announcement at the usual locations and be prepared to join us! In This Episode Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches / Ron and Joao are Both First Time Callers Long Time Paul Customers Zeiss-Ikon Contax S / Everyone Needs a Praktica Different Types of GAS / Hasselblad 907 w/ Digital Back Pat Casey's 3x4 Graflex Infatuation / Ron Gee is Getting an Aero Liberator from John Minnicks Kodak Aero Ektar Lenses / Gowlandflex TLR Ifbaflex M102 / Voigtländer VSL1 / Zeiss-Ikon SL706 The Shift of German Cameras Being Made in Countries Other than Germany Why Did Zeiss-Ikon and Other West German Camera Makers Make So Many Cameras with Leaf Shutters? The Technical Limitations of Leaf Shutter SLRs Compared to Focal Plane Shutter SLRs Kirka Electronik Auto Hobby Emergency Car Camera Kit Anthony's $25 Nikonos III Find / Anthony Rue: Manatee Belly Scratcher Sea & Sea Cameras Lenses and Housings / Canon Aqua Snappy / Stay Away from the Nikonos IV Olympus G.Zuiko 42mm f/1.2 C-Mount Lens Check out the Camerosity Discord Server, It Is Way Better than Facebook Olympus Accura View 90 Point and Shoot Mike's Thoughts on the LOMO MC-A Premium Point and Shoot Comparing the LOMO to other New Premium Film Cameras like the Rollei 35 AF and Pentax 17 The Camerosity Podcast Still Likes the Chuzhao Three Months In Vivitar XC-3 w/ XC-A AE Module / Will Picks Up a Zorki 4 What Kind of Camera Would You Like to See Come to Market? Epson RD-1 / Zeiss-Ikon ZM Rangefinders We Need to Do a Lomography Show / LOMO Spinner William Asks for an Update on the Zeiss-Ikon Contaflex TLR Review Sasquatch 617 3D Printed Camera / Kracken 624 3D Printed Camera Links The Camerosity Podcast is now on Discord! Join Anthony, Paul, Theo, Stephen, and Mike on our very own Discord Server. Share your GAS and photography with other listeners in the Lounge or in our dedicated forums. If you have questions for myself or the other guys, we have an “Ask the Hosts” section as well where you can get your question answered on a future show! Check it out! https://discord.gg/PZVN2VBJvm. If you would like to offer feedback or contact us with questions or ideas for future episodes, please contact us in the Comments Section below, our Camerosity Facebook Group, Instagram page, or Discord server. Order Your Very Own Camerosity Podcast T-Shirt! - https://www.zazzle.com/z/tbykl0hg The Official Camerosity Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/camerositypodcast Camerosity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/camerosity_podcast/ Theo Panagopoulos - https://www.photothinking.com/ Paul Rybolt - https://www.ebay.com/usr/paulkris - https://thisoldcamera.net/ Anthony Rue - https://www.instagram.com/kino_pravda/
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Here we go with Part 2 of “Master the Magic of Holiday Horror: How To Create Festive Yet Frightening Tales”—an all-star lineup joins your favorite co-hosts Alex and Chris: Steven Van Patten, Teel James Glenn, Marc Abbott, John Collins, and James Chambers.This episode dives headfirst into the art and courage required to mix chills with cheer, sharing honest insights on pushing creative boundaries, balancing authenticity with audience sensitivities, and making sure every fright serves the story—not just the shock value. You'll hear the panel reflect on the importance of reading widely, embracing curiosity at any age, and drawing inspiration from everyday life to craft compelling stories that linger long after the holidays.From hard-won writing wisdom, techniques for fearless storytelling, and anecdotes about books that shaped their writing journeys, to quick-fire recommendations that might just change your creative life, this episode is brimming with advice and encouragement for both emerging writers and seasoned creators.So grab your notebook, cozy up, and discover how to put some fear in your fa-la-la with the “Tell The Damn Story” crew—where inspiration, community, and storytelling magic are always in season.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
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Welcome to a holiday edition of "Tell The Damn Story," where we explore the twists, turns, and often terrifying magic of crafting festive horror tales! In this very special episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmonss are joined by a powerhouse panel of storytellers—including Teel James Glenn, Marc Abbott, James Chambers, John Collins, and Steven Van Pattin. Together, they dive headfirst into the mysterious and eerie side of the holidays, discussing their experiences contributing to Soul Scream and Thylazine: Come All Ye Faithless, a collection brimming with holiday horror stories.Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
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When it came time to decide what to follow up our 100th episode, the guys made a comment that we should interview a prominent podcaster and blogger in the vintage camera realm. With a long list of guests already, we thought hard about who we've missed, who is one person who has helped grow GAS as much as any one single person can? Anthony spoke up and said, "Hey, it should be Mike"! While I had my doubts about how interesting a whole episode about me could be, I thought that I do like to tell stories, why why not?! Joining Anthony, Paul, Stephen, Theo, and Mike this, our 101st episode are returning callers A.J. Gentile, David Palumbo, Fernando Villava, Ira Cohen, Mark Faulkner, Pat Casey, Rob Lattimer, William Ponder, and Will Pinkham. Over the course of the episode, I field a variety of questions from how I got started, what is my while whale camera, what cameras never clicked for me, what was an example of a camera that I felt overwhelmed trying to shoot. Paul gets me to revisit my 2023 trip to Los Angeles when I went through the collection of Kurt Ingham and what it was like going through such a large collection. We get into camera accessories, especially how difficult it is to adapt Kilfitt lenses and that the "Rear Window" Kilfitt lens was never made specifically with an Exakta mount, we talk about what is a good first camera is, and we get into how I am resisting the urge to collect carbon filament light bulbs and Nixie Tubes. Amazingly, we make it through the nearly 2 hour run time without repeating too much of what's been covered before, and while doing so managed to cover a whole lot of GAS! As always, the topics we discuss on the Camerosity Podcast are influenced by you! Please don't feel like you have to be an expert on a specific type of camera, or have the level of knowledge on par with other people on the show. We LOVE people who are into shooting or collecting cameras, no matter how long you've been doing it, so please don't consider your knowledge level to be a prerequisite for joining! The guys and I rarely know where each episode is going to go until it happens, so if you'd like to join us on a future episode, be sure to look out for our show announcements on our Camerosity Podcast Facebook page, the Camerosity Discord server, and right here on mikeeckman.com. We usually record every other Monday and announcements, along with the Zoom link are typically shared 2-3 days in advance. We will be back shortly with our next episode, which is going to be two days before Christmas. We'll call this one our "holiday eggnog episode" where we recap the year and open up the call in lines for whatever you all want to talk about. Episode 102 will be recorded on Tuesday, December 23rd at 7pm Central Standard Time and 8pm Eastern Standard Time. Make sure you set your calendars and look out for the show announcement at the usual locations and be prepared to join us! In This Episode Mike's T-shirt Sorting Techniques / It was Anthony's Idea to Interrogate Mike How did Mike get started? One night on eBay… He shares the cameras he used, and the ones that started his collection The origins of MikeEckman.com It all started with a Nikon EL2, then a Kodak No.1 Autographic Special, Model A An avalanche begins: Argus C3, FED-2, Konica Auto S2 The Meeting of the Bloggers / White Whales Just Keep Coming ‘What the hell is this?” The Hasselblad XPan Mike Damaged a Pentacon Six TL That Was Loaned to Him Flying to LA: Kurt Ingham's Collection Mike's Camera room (Cave? Bunker? Subterranean lair?) Cameras that didn't click for Mike / Konica AiBORG / Leia R8 Continuation/knock-off/replica cameras… Kiev vs FED and Zorki, Minolta Auto Press vs Plaubel Makina, Contax vs Nikon Rangefinders Hidden histories Clarus MS-35, Vokar II, thousands of 6x6 TLRs, and the King Regula Fernando Villava asks Mike about His Favorite Film / Anthony shares his bulk film lucky find William Ponder wants to know if finding accessories leads to discovering cameras The Kilfitt Konundrum that Mike created for Paul / Mark Faulkner's Rear Window Lens / Paul's NASA Lens Will Pinkham wants to know what rarities are on Mike's Wish List Rob Latimer wants to know Mike's Favorite Cameras Vinyl Records, Carbon Filament Bulbs, and Nixie Tubes / Theo wants to know Mike's other interests Cameras that can start a collection, and a good first rangefinder for the SLR shooter Is Mike a foodie? A coffee connoisseur? A traveler? The importance of keeping photography knowledge alive Could there be a Camerosity spin-off some day? Links The Camerosity Podcast is now on Discord! Join Anthony, Paul, Theo, Stephen, and Mike on our very own Discord Server. Share your GAS and photography with other listeners in the Lounge or in our dedicated forums. If you have questions for myself or the other guys, we have an “Ask the Hosts” section as well where you can get your question answered on a future show! Check it out! https://discord.gg/PZVN2VBJvm. If you would like to offer feedback or contact us with questions or ideas for future episodes, please contact us in the Comments Section below, our Camerosity Facebook Group, Instagram page, or Discord server. Order Your Very Own Camerosity Podcast T-Shirt! - https://www.zazzle.com/z/tbykl0hg The Official Camerosity Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/camerositypodcast Camerosity Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/camerosity_podcast/ Theo Panagopoulos - https://www.photothinking.com/ Paul Rybolt - https://www.ebay.com/usr/paulkris - https://thisoldcamera.net/ Anthony Rue - https://www.instagram.com/kino_pravda/
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On this episode of Tell The Damn Story, hosts Lara Frater and John Frater join Chris Ryan and Alex Simmonss for a lively, revealing conversation that's as much about relationships as it is about writing. With decades of combined experience across horror, sci-fi, nonfiction, and the world of gaming, Lara Frater and John Frater pull back the curtain on what it's really like to build a marriage—and creative partnership—under one (occasionally noisy, cat-filled) roof. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
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Andy:https://x.com/andymalafarinahttps://www.instagram.com/andymalafarina/https://www.twitch.tv/andymalafarinahttps://www.youtube.com/@pitm Pat:https://x.com/Pat_Dusahttps://www.instagram.com/pat_dusa/https://www.youtube.com/user/AceMcloud86
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We're back again with another week in our wallets brought to you by PocketSmith. This week Victoria galivants around Japan while Emma has a low key week of hustling. Head to www.pocketsmith.com/thebrokegeneration to get 50% off your first two months of PocketSmith's foundation plan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Writing for young readers isn't about dumbing it down — it's about tuning in..."In this episode of Tell the Damn Story, Chris and Alex dive into essential writing insights for anyone crafting stories for young readers. From understanding age-appropriate content to shaping characters and plots that truly resonate, they break down practical strategies emerging writers can put to work immediately. Along the way, Alex shares examples drawn from the origins and evolution of Kids Comic Con—showing how storytelling, community, and imagination come together to inspire the next generation.Whether you're developing a children's book, creating all-ages comics, or helping young writers find their voice, this episode delivers clear, actionable tips to strengthen your craft—plus a behind-the-scenes look at how events like Kids Comic Con help nurture young minds through story.Grab our 10 Tips Guide to: The Joys of Writing for a Young Audience Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
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Welcome back to another episode of A Week In Our Wallets, this time brought to you by our fabulous friends at PocketSmith! Head to www.pocketsmith.com/thebrokegeneration to try PocketSmith for yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, hosts Alex and Chris dive deep into the exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—world of live events for writers.Whether you're an emerging author or a seasoned pro, stepping out from behind your desk to attend book fairs, signings, or conventions can be a game-changer for your writing career. Chris shares his firsthand experience at the New York City Indy Horror Book Fair, breaking down everything from finding affordable opportunities to the nitty-gritty logistics of setting up your table, choosing which books to bring, and connecting with readers in memorable ways.Alongside practical tips and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, Alex and Chris tackle common barriers writers face—like nerves, budgeting, and getting back out there post-pandemic. Part One of this episode is packed with actionable advice, including clever icebreakers, pricing strategies, and the importance of presentation. Plus, they tease what's to come in Part 2 and a can't-miss downloadable guide to book fair do's and don'ts.Whether you're prepping for your first event or looking to up your game, this episode is your roadmap to making the most of every live opportunity. Hit play and get ready to take your writing beyond the page!Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
In PART TWO of this episode, hosts Alex and Chris continue their deep dive into the exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—world of live events (book fairs, signings, or conventions) for writers.Chris shares more of his firsthand experience at the New York City Indy Horror Book Fair, breaking down everything from finding affordable opportunities to the nitty-gritty logistics of setting up your table, choosing which books to bring, and connecting with readers in memorable ways.Alongside practical tips and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, Alex and Chris tackle common barriers writers face—like nerves, budgeting, and getting back out there post-pandemic. Plus, click here to get our can't-miss downloadable guides to book fair do's and don'ts.Book Fair Guide Do's Book Fair Guide Don'tsWhether you're prepping for your first event or looking to up your game, this episode is your roadmap to making the most of every live opportunity. Hit play and get ready to take your writing beyond the page!Have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
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Struggling to turn that vague spark into a full story? Unsure how to build a hook, fix pacing, craft cinematic scenes, or write from a POV you haven't lived?You're not alone — and in this solo episode, Alex (with Chris away on a creative quest) dives into the questions that every emerging and aspiring writer wrestles with.In this bite-sized craft session, Alex breaks down:How to turn a vague idea into a full storyWhat makes a hook irresistibleHow to create scenes that feel cinematicWays to improve pacing in any genreWhen your story is actually ready to shareHow to write outside your own lived experienceThe most common beginner mistakesWhat “powerful storytelling” really meansThis is an honest, practical, compassionate conversation grounded in real writer struggles and decades of experience. If you've ever felt stuck, confused, or creatively overwhelmed, this one's for you.Want a Writer's Block Breaking Guide from this episode?CLICK HERE!
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“A short story is about one thing — one moment, one emotion, one change. Nail that and you've got a winner.”Are you a writer looking for answers on how to level up your craft? In this power-packed episode of Tell The Damn Story, we dive into another top 10 questions every emerging writer asks—from building suspense and finding your unique voice, to balancing action with emotion, and even marketing yourself without feeling fake. Hear real talk from seasoned authors Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they share actionable tips, personal stories, and experience earned through hard times. Their insight will help you break through creative blocks, develop better writing habits, and bring your stories—and your writing career—to life. So tune it in, listen up, and write it down.Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions?Then, please leave them in the Comments Section.Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.comAnd follow us on ...@Tell The Damn Story www.TellTheDamnStory.comwww.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn StoryStories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations. Help us by supporting TTDS → Buy Me A Coffee!
How do you turn a half-formed idea into a story readers feel? Author Charles Barouch joins Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan to reveal the alchemy behind authentic characters and immersive worlds.
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