Podcasts about illustrators

Irvin Rodriguez is a visual artist whose work offers a synthesis of painting and drawing, inspired by the European masters and 19th-century painters, paired with the narrative influence and aesthetics of illustration and contemporary art. Rodriguez's artistic practice spans multiple disciplines, from analog to digital media, resulting in figurative compositions and portraits that communicate individual and collective experiences. Born in the Bronx, New York, in 1988, Rodriguez graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a BFA in Illustration (2010), while simultaneously studying at the Grand Central Atelier (2008–2010), and later at the Art Students League of NY (2013–2016). Since then, Rodriguez has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Europe, South America, and the United States, and was also the recipient of the 2016 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, the 2019 John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship, and the 2019 Donald Jurney Travel Fellowship. Over the years, he has developed into a compelling and versatile artist, with works in the film, comic book, publishing, and video game industries for clients like Naughty Dog, Lucasfilm, DC Comics, and Magic: The Gathering. He currently lives and works out of his studio in Los Angeles, California. Irvin was the 2011 recipient of the L. Ron Hubbard Golden Brush Award. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2023. In this episode, Irvin discusses his journey in a successful artistic career. Learn more at irvinrodriguez.com.

Illustrators and comic artists from across the GCC are invited to submit pitches for the annual comic anthology Only applications submitted through the website will be considered. The deadline for submitting pitches is 11:59 pm, UAE local time (GMT +4), on 30 June 2026. Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. If you have questions, contact corniche@sharjahart.org, and mention ‘Corniche 8 Open Call' in the subject line. For more information and application details, visit sharjahart.org. Listen to #Pulse95Radio in the UAE by tuning in on your radio (95.00 FM) or online on our website: www.pulse95radio.net ************************ Follow us on Social. www.instagram.com/pulse95radio www.facebook.com/pulse95radio

Meet Illustrators of the Future winner Roddy Taylor, and Writers of the Future winners Brenda Posey and Thomas K. Slee, and learn their story of how they won the Contest and what it means to their future as creatives.

Meet Illustrators of the Future winner Roddy Taylor, and Writers of the Future winners Brenda Posey and Thomas K. Slee, and learn their story of how they won the Contest and what it means to their future as creatives.

Meet Writers of the Future winners Mike Strickland, Shaun Stevenson, Michael Kuester, and Illustrators of the Future winners Nathan Deiwert, and Tracy Eire and learn their story of how they won the Contest and what it means to their future as creatives.

Meet Writers of the Future winners Mike Strickland, Shaun Stevenson, Michael Kuester, and Illustrators of the Future winners Nathan Deiwert, and Tracy Eire and learn their story of how they won the Contest and what it means to their future as creatives.

We all want to feel like we matter. Most of us just don't say it out loud. Host Paul D Low is joined by Aimee Mosco — author, intuitive channel and co-founder of Intentional Healing Systems — and Kristin Johnson, prize-winning writer, screenwriter and author of the social media essential Ain't "U" Got No Manners, for a conversation that goes right to the heart of one of the six core human needs: significance. From hoarding toilet paper during a pandemic to feeling invisible despite showing up every single day, the discussion gets honest about how the need for validation quietly shapes relationships, identity, and the ladders we choose to climb. There's warmth, laughter, and some genuinely profound moments around pain versus suffering, the wisdom of children, and why turning the lens inward is always where the journey begins. You are significant. You matter. Just for today, that's enough. 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS Significance is one of the six core human needs, yet most people never consciously recognise they're driven by it — and that blind spot creates real friction in relationships. Seeking validation from external sources places unfair expectations on others. The real work is finding ways to feel significant from within, rather than waiting for the world to confirm it. Pain is a useful signal telling you something needs to change. Suffering is what happens when you ignore the signal for too long. Recognising the difference is everything. When significance becomes your entire identity — through a career, a role, a relationship — losing it can feel like losing yourself. Awareness of this is the first line of defence. Children are natural teachers here. They pursue things with curiosity, fall down, get back up, and stay present. Rebuilding that relationship with play and wonder is a genuine antidote to suffering. QUOTES "It's not necessarily about sources — it's about seeking out ways to feel significant without putting expectations on others." "It wasn't about them at all. It was about me and how I felt about myself. That was the only way to dig myself out of feeling totally invisible." "When you lose that significance, you lose your identity — and that can be very painful." "Suffering means that we've missed the cues. We haven't paid attention to the rung that's missing." "Just remember that you are significant and you matter. Just for today — that's all that really counts." ABOUT THE GUESTS Kristin Johnson is a prize-winning/prize-finalist writer, blogger, ghost-writing/creative writing consultant, screenwriter, and editor. A graduate of the former Master of Professional Writing Program from the University of Southern California, she has published/ collaborated on seven books. Her current book AIN'T “U” GOT NO MANNERS has been called ‘the Bible for social media'. She is a member of the Desert Screenwriters Guild, Society of Children's Books and Illustrators, and Palm Springs Women in Film and Television. ⁠Website⁠ Aimee Mosco is an author, intuitive channel, and co-founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Over the course of 10 years, she developed a healing system called SACRED after mapping the components of the human energy field, based on channelled communications. She conducts practitioner certification for SACRED and teaches classes based on the system, as well as her books… ‘Gratitude + Forgiveness x Love = Happiness' ‘Daily Agreements, Guidelines & Intentions' Aimee is a co-host of the global community group ‘Evolve Through Love', and she works as an intuitive who specializes in facilitating healing of the body, heart, mind, and spirit. She has dedicated her journey to teaching others how to shift their beliefs, thoughts, and emotions to unearth innate personal power. Her passion for helping others to help themselves inspired the collaborative project and global healing movement, IHS Unity, created with her co-author, Donald Ferguson. ⁠Website⁠ THIS HUMAN LIFE  Inspiring Stories | Elevating Lives | Leaving Legacies  This Human Life is a reflective podcast exploring what it means to live, change, and make sense of experience over time.  Hosted by Paul D. Lowe, Life Architect & Storyteller, the podcast offers a calm, thoughtful space where people share insight after life has been lived — not while it is being performed.  Through unhurried conversations shaped by love and loss, courage and consequence, reinvention and meaning, guests reflect on the moments that have quietly shaped who they have become.  There is no teaching, no persuading, and no expectation placed on the listener. Just lived experience, shared with honesty, humility, and care.  More than a podcast, This Human Life is an invitation to pause, to listen more deeply, and to reflect on the lives we are shaping simply by living them.  ⁠Paul-Lowe.com⁠  ⁠mailto:Paul@Paul-Lowe.com

Golden Pen Award Winner Michael T. Kuester from Cincinnati, Ohio, with his story “In Living Color,” and Golden Brush Award Winner Bohuslav “Bafu” Argalas from Ruzomberok, Slovakia, with his illustration of the story “Saffron and Marigolds.” Michael is an engineer by day, a science fiction writer by night. An avid hiker and cooking enthusiast, he is a passionately curious individual and lives his life by the motto “In the twenty-first century, there's no excuse for an unanswered question.” His story, “In Living Color,” evolved into a surprisingly personal allegory for social isolation, generational misunderstanding, and neurodivergence. Bafu began drawing before he learned to read or write. That passion led him to study art at the private school of Applied Arts in Zilina and later at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Brno, Czech Republic. Bafu creates illustrations and comics filled with humor, emotion, and a touch of the strange, hoping to make people smile, think, and drift away from reality—even just for a moment. Michael can be found at michaeltkuester.com/ Bafu can be found at www.bafu.art/

Karah Richardson was born in 2007, spending much of her childhood moving to and exploring new states across America. She met a variety of people though having prosopagnosia (face blindness) made recognizing them a challenge. Karah loves challenges. Growing up, she had a fascination with studying faces, assuming that she could “learn” how to memorize family and friends by drawing them over and over. This led to a lifelong love of art. She'd blend together a wide variety of separate features and piece them together like a puzzle, relying on others to tell her if it looks “correct.” Due to such an early start on such a potent hobby in her life, she quickly discovered many teachers, family, and friends wanted to encourage her to cultivate this study into a real-life applicable skill. They helped her branch out beyond her comfort zone of faces into just about anything, allowing her to combine this new joy in art with her deep appreciation for stories. The Writers and Illustrators of the Future Contests are the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world with the Writers of the Future being in its 43rd year, the Illustrators of the Future in its 38th year and they are judged by the premier names in speculative fiction. Mike Strickland has made a career out of writing everything from marketing copy and finance articles to technical documentation and mobile app messages—and even twenty thousand science fiction-themed trivia questions. Other jobs he's been paid to do include scuba diver, navigator, call center representative, user experience designer, and now, science fiction author. His love of words began with fantasy and sci-fi, where it has now brought him full circle. After a long hiatus from fiction, Mike started writing and publishing again in 2024. A year later, he earned a master's degree in creative writing and won the prestigious Writers of the Future Contest. Mike currently lives and writes in a Denver, Colorado suburb, but other places he's called home include San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, DC, Japan, Honduras, an aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf, and even a 1973 Volkswagen Squareback. He's not sure if this itinerant lifestyle emerged from his love of travel or vice versa, but his wanderings have undeniably inspired his writing. The story idea for “As Long as You Both Shall Live” was born from a dream two days before the Writers of the Future contest deadline. Mike wrote most of the story on the day of the deadline itself—his most prolific day of writing yet. The inspiration that powered such output focused on this question: “If technology allowed a person's consciousness to be transferred to a virtual environment, disconnected from their physical body, what would happen if that person's body died while their consciousness was in that state?” Mike explores the ethical questions inherent in this premise through the context of a hopeful love story—as all the best stories are told.

Join Stefan Rudnicki, Gabrielle de Cuir, Susan Hanfield, Orson Scott Card, Jim Meskimen, Scott Peterson, most of the cast who voiced “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42,” in this podcast interview talking about what made this project special, why science fiction and fantasy are so important as a genre, and the value of celebrating creativity which is what Writers and Illustrators of the Future are all about. The other cast members were unable to participate due to prior commitments, but their creativity in their role in the audiobook is equally appreciated. The full cast along with stories they narrated are: Stefan Rudnicki narrated “Artistic Presentation,” “Shell Game,” “Skinny-Shins,” “The Creator's Journey,” “In Living Color,” and “A Girl and Her Dragon: A Life in Four Parts.” Orson Scott Card read his bio and introduction. Gabrielle De Cuir narrated Jody Lynn Nye and Echo Chernick's introductions as well as “Bloom Decay.” Janina Edwards narrated “Thickly.” Susan Hanfield narrated “Canary” and “A Girl and Her Dragon: A Life in Four Parts.” Kirby Heyborne narrated “Saffron and Marigolds,” “Dragon Visits,” and “As Long as You Both Shall Live.” John Lee narrated “The Triceratops Effect.” Jim Meskimen narrated “Form 14B—Application for Certification of Consciousness Transfer (Post-Mortem),” “Space Can,” “Collaboration,” and “Ghost Dog.” Scott Peterson narrated “A Ready-Made Bubble of Light.” This audiobook was produced by Skyboat Media. Edited, Mixed, and Mastered by Phaseshift. And the music was composed by Mark Isham.

Join Stefan Rudnicki, Gabrielle de Cuir, Susan Hanfield, Orson Scott Card, Jim Meskimen, Scott Peterson, most of the cast who voiced “L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42,” in this podcast interview talking about what made this project special, why science fiction and fantasy are so important as a genre, and the value of celebrating creativity which is what Writers and Illustrators of the Future are all about. The other cast members were unable to participate due to prior commitments, but their creativity in their role in the audiobook is equally appreciated. The full cast along with stories they narrated are: Stefan Rudnicki narrated “Artistic Presentation,” “Shell Game,” “Skinny-Shins,” “The Creator's Journey,” “In Living Color,” and “A Girl and Her Dragon: A Life in Four Parts.” Orson Scott Card read his bio and introduction. Gabrielle De Cuir narrated Jody Lynn Nye and Echo Chernick's introductions as well as “Bloom Decay.” Janina Edwards narrated “Thickly.” Susan Hanfield narrated “Canary” and “A Girl and Her Dragon: A Life in Four Parts.” Kirby Heyborne narrated “Saffron and Marigolds,” “Dragon Visits,” and “As Long as You Both Shall Live.” John Lee narrated “The Triceratops Effect.” Jim Meskimen narrated “Form 14B—Application for Certification of Consciousness Transfer (Post-Mortem),” “Space Can,” “Collaboration,” and “Ghost Dog” Scott Peterson narrated “A Ready-Made Bubble of Light.” This audiobook was produced by Skyboat Media. Edited, Mixed, and Mastered by Phaseshift. And the music was composed by Mark Isham.

Ron Clements was the keynote speaker in 2025 for our Writers and Illustrators of the Future Gala. We connected up again at LTUE - Life, the Universe, and Everything Symposium - in Provo, Utah, where we recorded this interview. Ron has been an animation director, screenwriter, and producer for Disney for four decades. Along with co-producer John Muster, he is the creator of Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Princess and the Frog, and one of my favorites, Pete's Dragon. In this interview, we discuss his journey to become one of the most successful animated movie producers of today and the process of creating animated movies. The story of how Robin Williams was brought on board for Aladdin was amazing!

Ron Clements was the keynote speaker in 2025 for our Writers and Illustrators of the Future Gala. We connected up again at LTUE - Life, the Universe, and Everything Symposium - in Provo, Utah, where we recorded this interview. Ron has been an animation director, screenwriter, and producer for Disney for four decades. Along with co-producer John Muster, he is the creator of Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Princess and the Frog, and one of my favorites, Pete's Dragon. In this interview, we discuss his journey to become one of the most successful animated movie producers of today and the process of creating animated movies. The story of how Robin Williams was brought on board for Aladdin was amazing!

Brandon Mull was a guest on this podcast a few years ago in episode #251. We met when he was the Toastmaster at The Life, the Universe, and Everything Conference, after which he sent me a copy of “Fablehaven,” which became the topic of our first interview. This interview is about his newest release, “Guardians: Forbidden Mountain,” an epic adventure fantasy that can be enjoyed by YA as well as adult readers. He normally takes 6 months to write a novel, but this one took 2 ½ years due to the story's depth—and the fact that it is the first of a three-novel series. There are two hero journeys that gradually weave into each other. Mako Boughbreaker is along one path, and Arden is on the other side of the empire, walking her path. The book deftly addresses people's spirituality while weaving in the idea that one does have the choice to do the right thing—and that one's actions have consequences, good or bad —which is important. Possibly even more so these days. Learn more at brandonmull.com/

15 Illustrated Short Stories Bonus short stories and art and writing tips by L. Ron Hubbard / Orson Scott Card / Brian C. Hailes / Nina Kiriki Hoffman / Larry Niven If 42 is the answer, these stories ask the questions worth thinking about. Discover fifteen unforgettable science fiction and fantasy short stories—illustrated in full color—featuring twelve emerging voices alongside three acclaimed masters of the genre. From visionary sci-fi to emotionally rich fantasy and quiet horror, this collection delivers bold “what ifs” that linger long after the final page. What if a perfect rescue went catastrophically wrong? What if the “better you” doesn't want to share your life? What if love could survive inside a virtual reality? Inside, you'll encounter a flawless time-rescue gone wrong, a beauty treatment with terrifying consequences, a detective hunted by a body-hopping killer, and a homesteader uncovering a truth that rewrites Earth itself. You'll also find dragons that defy myth, fairy-tale chaos, supernatural horror, and high-concept science fiction that blends heart, humor, and imagination. From time travel and first contact to magical realism, monsters, and folklore-inspired fantasy, every story is paired with an original illustration—bringing these worlds vividly to life. Featuring a classic story by L. Ron Hubbard and original stories by Orson Scott Card and Nina Kiriki Hoffman, alongside twelve rising stars shaping the future of speculative fiction. Writers of the Future Volume 42 is your gateway to bold ideas, fresh voices, and stories readers love to discover—and recommend. Perfect for fans of: Orson Scott Card, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Blake Crouch, Brandon Sanderson, V. E. Schwab, Naomi Novik, Michael Crichton, Ted Chiang, Ken Liu, and Black Mirror. Includes: • 12 illustrated science fiction & fantasy short stories • 3 bonus stories by bestselling authors • 3 articles on the craft and business of writing and illustrating from top creators Selected from thousands of entries worldwide, Writers of the Future Volume 42 brings together a new generation of authors and illustrators—your launchpad into the future of science fiction and

Mark interviews former publicist to the stars Isabelle Knight who is the founder of Build Your Author Brand, an online consultancy helping fiction and non-fiction authors to grow your readership, raise your profile and give your books the best chance of success. Prior to the interview Mark shares that he is on the road at the Writers and Illustrators of the Future annual workshops and gala as one of the writer judges and is using his digital voice clone from ElevenLabs to record the introduction and closing reflection. He also shares a word about this episode's sponsor. This episode is sponsored by an affiliate link to Manuscript Report. Use code MARK10 at checkout and save 10% off your own personalized report. During the interview Mark and Isabelle talk about: Isabelle's background as a publicist for film, TV, and books Recognizing how there's a real knack of knowledge for creating an effective brand/profile Teaching authors the basics of that branding without using the terms PR or publicity The idea of creating foundations of how an author can be able to pitch their books to an audience How talking about marketing can quickly fill authors with a sense of terror The importance of wanting to know, before helping an author, what makes them tick How the author's story is what tells us who they author is and ultimately "why do we care?" about your book(s) Finding the themes that can tie books together rather than what makes them different when an author has written more than one book The challenge of wanting, too much, to share the details from a book, the plot, the tropes, etc versus sharing higher level themes and patterns The misconception that PR and Publicity is only for celebrities or people who are comfortable being in the spotlight A misperception that authors have about how to provide content for social media How Isabelle doesn't work like a traditional publicist The course that Isabelle runs with a cohort about three times a year And more... After the interview Mark shares a few reflections about the conversation. Links of Interest: Build Your Author Brand Manuscript Report (Mark's affiliate link - use MARK10 to save 10%) Buy Mark a Coffee Patreon for Stark Reflections Mark's YouTube channel ElevenLabs (AI Voice Generation - Affiliate link) Mark's Stark Reflections on Writing & Publishing Newsletter (Signup) An Author's Guide to Working With Bookstores and Libraries The Relaxed Author Buy eBook Direct Buy Audiobook Direct Publishing Pitfalls for Authors An Author's Guide to Working with Libraries & Bookstores Wide for the Win Mark's Canadian Werewolf Books This Time Around (Short Story) A Canadian Werewolf in New York Stowe Away (Novella) Fear and Longing in Los Angeles Fright Nights, Big City Lover's Moon Hex and the City Only Monsters in the Building Once Bitten (Novella) The Canadian Mounted: A Trivia Guide to Planes, Trains and Automobiles Yippee Ki-Yay Motherf*cker: A Trivia Guide to Die Hard Merry Christmas! Shitter Was Full!: A Trivia Guide to National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation I Think It's A Sign That The Pun Also Rises   Former publicist to the stars, including titans of industry JK Rowling and the BBC, Isabelle Knight is the founder of Build Your Author Brand, an online consultancy helping fiction and non-fiction authors to grow your readership, raise your profile and give your books the best chance of success.   The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast ("Laser Groove") was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

On this inaugural episode of the This Human Life podcast, your host, Paul D. Lowe, talks to Kristen Johnson and Aimee Mosco about the concept of nothing being wasted in life. KEY TAKEAWAYS I can't tell you how long I've spent on a labour-of-love project and expecting a big return – if not financially, then metaphorically or physically – and it didn't pan out. But it taught me a lot, and I learned something from it. Sometimes when we have expectations, they are potentially not realistic, so we set the stage for failure – for lack of a better word – for not meeting those expectations because they're not reasonable. We don't necessarily know that before we take the journey, but that's how we learn. Awareness plays a huge role in how you frame things. When you take the perspective that nothing is wasted and you look at things from that higher level you may see that your soul/higher wisdom/inner spirit has laid out a path for you. When you're taking that path, you may not see where it's leading but it will be productive. It's easy to say you would have done things differently in hindsight because your perspective is growing in each moment and you're growing in each moment. If I was faced with the same choices at this point in my life as I was 20 years ago I would probably make a different choice, but I feel like it wouldn't serve me if I had made a different choice or taken a different path. BEST MOMENTS ‘You cannot be the person you are today if you didn't have previous experiences – you wouldn't be in this moment without the previous moments.'‘So many people want a shortcut, especially these days when we're surrounded by technology. Wanting things now and impatience have always been human tendencies.'‘I don't think thoughts can be wasted.'‘Perfection is impossible to achieve.' ABOUT THE GUESTS Kristin Johnson is a prize-winning/prize-finalist writer, blogger, ghost-writing/creative writing consultant, screenwriter, and editor. A graduate of the former Master of Professional Writing Program from the University of Southern California, she has published/ collaborated on seven books. Her current book AIN'T “U” GOT NO MANNERS has been called ‘the Bible for social media'. She is a member of the Desert Screenwriters Guild, Society of Children's Books and Illustrators, and Palm Springs Women in Film and Television. Website Aimee Mosco is an author, intuitive channel, and co-founder of Intentional Healing Systems, LLC. Over the course of 10 years, she developed a healing system called SACRED after mapping the components of the human energy field, based on channelled communications. She conducts practitioner certification for SACRED and teaches classes based on the system, as well as her books… ‘Gratitude + Forgiveness x Love = Happiness' ‘Daily Agreements, Guidelines & Intentions' Aimee is a co-host of the global community group ‘Evolve Through Love', and she works as an intuitive who specializes in facilitating healing of the body, heart, mind, and spirit. She has dedicated her journey to teaching others how to shift their beliefs, thoughts, and emotions to unearth innate personal power. Her passion for helping others to help themselves inspired the collaborative project and global healing movement, IHS Unity, created with her co-author, Donald Ferguson. Website THIS HUMAN LIFE  Inspiring Stories | Elevating Lives | Leaving Legacies  This Human Life is a reflective podcast exploring what it means to live, change, and make sense of experience over time.  Hosted by Paul D. Lowe, Life Architect & Storyteller, the podcast offers a calm, thoughtful space where people share insight after life has been lived — not while it is being performed.  Through unhurried conversations shaped by love and loss, courage and consequence, reinvention and meaning, guests reflect on the moments that have quietly shaped who they have become.  There is no teaching, no persuading, and no expectation placed on the listener. Just lived experience, shared with honesty, humility, and care.  More than a podcast, This Human Life is an invitation to pause, to listen more deeply, and to reflect on the lives we are shaping simply by living them.  Paul-Lowe.com  mailto:Paul@Paul-Lowe.com

Charlie Holmberg is a Wall Street Journal and Amazon best-selling author of over 20 novels. She sent me her book “The Shattered King,” book one of a duology, a dark fantasy with a lot of adventure, and the romance contributes to the fantasy/magic. So, while it is a slow-burn romance—placing it squarely in the romantasy genre—I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adventure with a lot of political intrigue. I was fascinated by her magic, a system in which the main character, Nym, works with a physically broken Prince Renn to heal his "aura" or "soul," thereby healing his body. As I enjoy discovering new magic systems, this was an especially nice treat. And I must say that I really enjoyed meeting Charlie at the Life, the Universe, and Everything Symposium, where this interview was recorded and discussing her journey as an author. Learn more at www.charlienholmberg.com/

This week I'm talking with Molly Arbuthnott about writing picture books, working with illustrators and creative ways to get our books in front of the reader (including traveling...!) You can find more about Molly here: https://www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk/about/ and you can find her books here (audios as well) https://oscartheferrycat.co.uk/product-category/books/Y0u can listen to one of her books here: https://youtu.be/plbZp5wcPVoAnd vote for her for the People's Book Prize here: https://www.mollyarbuthnott.co.uk/blog/the-peoples-book-prize-please-vote/Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwellWho do you want to be on the show? DM me on instagram or TikTok and let me know!

#1 NYT and USA Today bestselling author Tricia Levenseller was interviewed at the Superstars Writing Conference in Colorado Springs and discusses the various types of romance and specifically romantasy novels and what makes them so popular. NOTE: This was the first romance novel I ever read, which made the interview all the more interesting for me! We discuss her “villain love story,” “The Shadows Between Us,” and how she writes fantasy romance novels. She explained why the naughty-girl lead female character in a romance is so popular with the female audience. United Public Radio @ www.uprntalkradio.com

The Authors Quill todays guest or winners of The L Ron Hubbard writers and illustrators of the Future contest guest Josie Moore Roddy Taylor Karah Richardson Tracy Eire Josie Moore grew up in the valley town of Westfield, Massachusetts with a voice that wouldn't work and a brain filled to bursting. Paranoid by the world and abandoned by those around her, she turned to art in her time of hiding. When she was scared, she wrote about it. When she cried, she drew comforting pictures. With the inability to pinpoint and process her own emotions, she used art and storytelling as her communication, turning her fear into something beautiful. Nowadays, she can finally leave her bedroom, but never without a sketchbook by her side. She attends the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in hopes of getting her BFA in Illustration. She spends her days doodling elves, bears, and silly little faeries and nights writing, planning, and…hopefully writing some more. Finally having an outlet to put all her obsessive, creative energy, she dreams of one day showing even the deepest crevices of her mind with her odd love stories and twisted mysteries. Roddy Taylor is a former high school science teacher, who decided to become a full-time artist and illustrator. He and his wife moved to Ellensburg six years ago after his son was born and fell in love with the place. Since deciding to go full-time with his art, he has developed his previous love for mythology, nature, and fantasy themes. His most recent accolades involve winning Best of Show at the Kittitas County Fair twice. His work has shown often at Gallery One in Ellensburg, including a solo show in the Fall of 2024. It was a fairly short wordcount bio. Find out more about Roddy at,… RoddyTaylorArt.com Karah Richardson was born in 2007, spending much of her childhood moving to and exploring new states across America. She met a variety of people though having prosopagnosia (face blindness) made recognizing them a challenge. Karah loves challenges. Growing up, she had a fascination with studying faces, assuming that she could “learn” how to memorize family and friends by drawing them over and over. This led to a lifelong love of art. She'd blend together a wide variety of separate features and piece them together like a puzzle, relying on others to tell her if it looks “correct.” Due to such an early start on such a potent hobby in her life, she quickly discovered many teachers, family, and friends wanted to encourage her to cultivate this study into a real-life Tracy Eire grew up far to the north in a place called Newfoundland. She has spent most of her life with one foot in the real world and the other somewhere else—maybe on Mercury, maybe in the realm of myth, or ... somewhere near Hobbiton. It's a place where stories breathe, where the old gods whisper, and where women step out of the fog wearing their strength and brilliance plainly. That is the space her art comes from. An oil and charcoal artist with a deep love for narrative painting, Tracy focuses on portraits of women who feel ancient and modern all at once. These are figures who carry storms behind their eyes, but choose the light anyway. She often paints the things she sought—or witnessed—in her youth: courage, grace, grit, and the quiet power of women who refused to disappear, even when maligned. It's no wonder her harpies wear couture. United Public Radio & UFO Paranormal Radio www.uprntalkradio.com

This interview was recorded in Provo, Utah, at the Life the Universe and Everything Symposium, with Elaine Cohen, pen name Elaine Midcoh, Writers of the Future Volume 39 winner, with her story “A Trickle in History.” Elaine's earlier careers included being a lawyer and a college professor, but she now focuses on her writing. Her short story “On Behalf of Lake Owakeela” was recently published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, the Fiction Issue, having won the “Write Before Midnight” short fiction contest. It is a story that editor Kim Stanley Robinson commented had “A very knowing and expert feel.” In this interview, Elaine discusses how to research and write a fictional story on politically sensitive topics. Learn more: elainemidcoh.wordpress.com/

Some stories stay with you… and this is one of them.Today on the Anchored by the Sword Podcast, I'm joined by Haylee Graham, author of the upcoming book: Take the Horse and Run: The Incredible True Story of a Horse Fighting for His Life—and the Girl Who Would Stop at Nothing to Save Him (releasing April 7!)And let me just say this…I planned to just skim the book to prepare for this interview…But I ended up reading the entire thing in one sitting because I could not put it down.This story is raw, gripping, and full of redemption.In this episode, Haylee shares her journey of:Growing up in chaos, instability, and searching for meaningBattling depression, anxiety, and a suicide attemptEncountering God in her lowest, darkest momentFinding healing and identity in ChristAnd the powerful role her horse, Cartier, played in her storyWhat I love most about this conversation is how it reminds us that:God will meet us wherever we areEven when we don't recognize Him, He is still presentAnd sometimes… He shows up in the most unexpected waysFor Haley, that looked like a horse.For you, it might look different—but the truth remains the same:God is always workingGod is always pursuingAnd God is always redeemingHaylee's story is a beautiful reminder that even when life feels broken beyond repair, God is still the Master Weaver—bringing everything together for good.Listen now and be reminded:Even in your darkest moments…God is still there, still working, and still writing your story.Bio:Haylee Graham, daughter of actor Gary Graham and actress Susan Lavelle, is an award-winning author, screenwriter, and speaker who has written professionally for over a decade. A member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, she has penned four young adult novels and earned literary accolades from the International Christian Film Festival, IndieX Film Fest, CARE Awards, and the 168 Film Festival. Haylee's work has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul andGoodNews Northwest, and she has been featured on the KTLA 5 Spoken Dreams podcast series, as well as in publications such as The Los Angeles Tribune, Voyage LA, and Bold Journey magazine.Her short film Out of the Quiet received over twenty-eight awards and nominations at major film festivals across the country, while her latest film Planted swept the 20th Annual 168 Film Festival with honors including Best Screenplay and Best Film of the 168 Festival.Take the Horse and Run, her debut memoir, is the extraordinary true story of her bond with Cartier—the beloved horse whose online presence has drawn a fan base of thousands of followers and millions of views. The memoir has been adapted for the screen as The Horse Thief by Writers Guild of America screenwriter Dan Goforth (Walk. Ride. Rodeo.).Anchor Verses:Psalm 62:6Jeremiah 29:11Connect with Haylee:Website: https://www.hayleegrahamwrites.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/hayleegrahamauthorPreorder Take the Horse and Run: https://a.co/d/0iLLJuQQ***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we'd be so grateful if you'd take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it's a simple way to make a big impact!***

Joshua Essoe is a freelance editor with over a decade of full-time work under his belt. He has edited for bestsellers, Piers Anthony and David Farland, including the multi-award-winning novel, Nightingale. He's also edited for Dean Lorey, lead writer of Arrested Development, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, former director at Kobo, USA Today bestsellers, Writers of the Future winners, and many other top-notch independents. He was the lead editor at Urban Fantasy Magazine from 2014-2015. From 2012-2015, he recorded the weekly writing podcast Hide and Create with co-hosts Michael J. Sullivan, Diana Rowland, Jay Wells, and Debbie Viguie. You can find Joshua teaching about editing, pitches, and writing back-cover copy every year at the Superstars Writing Seminars in Colorado. His approach to editing is to help you make your story the best version of itself it can be. Joshua is also a writer. He was a 2014 finalist in the Writers of the Future contest. He is mid-releasing a 5-book series, each covering two subjects of the most common issues he sees in fiction writing as a full-time editor. Learn more about his latest in the series here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshua…k-of-land-vol-1

In this episode, Christopher Robbins speaks with Lee Wind, Chief Content Officer for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), about the vital role independent publishing plays in bringing diverse voices and stories to readers. They discuss IBPA's history and mission, the advantages of mission-driven publishing over purely profit-driven models, and how independent publishers create communities around their content. The conversation also addresses the concerning trend of book banning and censorship, and IBPA's innovative "We Are Stronger Than Censorship" program that buys and donates two books for everyone book challenged. Lee provides valuable advice for aspiring authors and publishers, emphasizing the importance of professional development and community collaboration in the independent publishing world. Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Christopher Robbins introduces the Helping Families Be Happy podcast and himself as co-founder of Familius, husband, father of nine, author, and various outdoor enthusiast based in California's Central Valley. 00:00:59: Introduction of guest Lee Wind as Chief Content Officer for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), the largest trade association for publishers in the United States. 00:01:13: Lee's personal mission described as writing books that would have changed his life as a gay Jewish kid and teen, including his award-winning non-fiction books "No Way They Were Gay" and "The Gender Binary Is a Big Lie." 00:01:35: Discussion of the "We Are Stronger Than Censorship" program that buys and donates two books to offset every one book challenged, run by IBPA with the American Library Institute and over 75 industry partners. 00:01:59: Lee expresses enthusiasm about joining the podcast to discuss book publishing. 00:02:12: Christopher shares his history with IBPA, having served on the board and participated in strategy that helped the organization grow. 00:02:34: Lee explains IBPA's origins in 1983 when about a dozen Southern California publishers pooled resources to send one representative to a major New York trade show. 00:03:27: Discussion of how IBPA has evolved while maintaining its core mission of advocacy, education, and tools for success to level the playing field for independent publishers. 00:04:15: Lee emphasizes the importance of independent publishing to prevent four or five corporations from deciding what everyone reads, highlighting the diverse and mission-driven approaches of independent publishers. 00:05:21: Christopher encourages the audience to explore independent books, music, and film as sources of exceptional content. 00:05:35: Christopher shares a personal memory of Jan Nathan, IBPA's founder, inviting him to dinner in 1990 and being welcoming and encouraging to him as a young industry newcomer. 00:06:20: Lee discusses how mission-driven independent publishers differ from corporate publishers focused solely on financial bottom lines, using examples like Patagonia and Just Us Books. 00:06:53: Christopher compares this to Familius's philosophy that revenue is simply fuel for the mission. 00:07:26: Lee explains how independent publishers understand the power of community and niche markets better than corporate publishers, with four out of five books in bookstores from corporate publishers but that fifth book representing hundreds of different independent voices. 00:08:38: Discussion of the advantages of direct-to-consumer sales for publishers vs. sales through major retailers like Amazon, where publishers don't own the customer relationship. 00:09:31: Lee cites Brandon Sanderson's successful Kickstarter campaign as an example of authors leveraging their platform and community. 00:09:45: Christopher mentions that Brandon Sanderson teaches at his alma mater BYU and that his niece has been one of Sanderson's test readers. 00:09:56: Lee shares that some of Brandon Sanderson's BYU lectures on topics like world building are available on YouTube. 00:10:15: Christopher discusses how Famis provides value to nearly 50,000 engaged subscribers through biweekly free content about helping families be happy. 00:10:45: Christopher acknowledges the highly competitive nature of the book industry, particularly regarding physical shelf space where getting one book on a shelf means removing another. 00:11:14: Lee shares IBPA's motto "helping each other achieve and succeed" and explains that bookstore sales are actually a small portion of most publishers' revenue. 00:12:09: Discussion of how quality books naturally generate word-of-mouth marketing and how AI- generated content makes quality even more important. 00:12:48: Christopher introduces the topic of book banning and censorship through Famis's book "Down with Lime Books," expressing his discouragement with how some have weaponized religion to deny people their own voice. 00:13:59: Lee agrees that while parents should have input into what their own children read, they shouldn't control what other people's children read. 00:14:53: Lee explains that book banning creates a chilling effect that makes schools and libraries afraid to bring in diverse books, resulting in sales drops of up to 50% for some independent publishers focused on marginalized voices. 00:15:55: Lee provides the example of "Everywhere Babies" illustrated by Marla Frazee, which depicts diverse families including same-sex parents and has been called pornography despite being innocent family scenes. 00:17:02: Christopher simply states "love your neighbor" as his religious perspective on book banning. 00:17:08: Lee describes meeting with Dr. Tessel Magnusson and creating the offensive strategy of buying and donating two books to offset every one book challenge. 00:18:10: Christopher shares that he always recommends aspiring authors get involved with IBPA to help them succeed. 00:18:35: Lee explains that IBPA helps people become professional publishers, with membership including about 1,200 authors who publish their own work and 2,000 independent companies of various sizes. 00:19:35: Lee directs people to his personal website at LeeWind.org and IBPA's website at ibpa-online.org. 00:20:04: Christopher concludes by thanking Familius for supporting the podcast and encouraging listeners to subscribe, leave reviews, and choose independent books for their next reading adventure. Key Takeaways Independent publishing is essential for maintaining diversity in what people read, preventing a handful of corporations from controlling all published content. Mission-driven publishing creates different outcomes than purely profit-driven publishing, allowing publishers to maintain control over their values and production methods. Building a community around your content and selling directly to consumers creates stronger relationships and more sustainable success than relying solely on major retailers. Book banning is not about the content of specific books but rather an attempt to create a chilling effect that erases diverse identities and perspectives from libraries and schools. Quality content will ultimately win out even in an age of AI-generated material, as authentic books generate word-of-mouth recommendations that drive long-term success. The "We Are Stronger Than Censorship" program demonstrates how the publishing community can go on offense against book banning by buying and donating two books for every 1 book challenged. Aspiring authors and publishers should join professional organizations like IBPA for business guidance while also developing their craft through specialized groups like the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Independent publishers understand niche markets better than corporate publishers, creating content that serves specific communities rather than trying to appeal to the broadest possible audience. Quotable Moments "The idea of only four or five corporations deciding what everyone reads is a really terrible idea." "If the bottom line is financial, it's a very different outcome than if the bottom line is a mission, a vision for our to make our world a better place through books." "The revenue that we generate is simply fuel for the mission." "The magic of it is that if you have a community, if you have a niche and or niche and you're publishing books that are what those people really want, then that's sort of the recipe for success." "We have a motto at IBPA, it's helping each other achieve and succeed." "In this age of AI slop that we are on the cusp of, it's nice to know that quality will win out." "The idea that I should be able to control what your kids read is really wrong." "They're attacking books because books help people have empathy and I think that empathy is in short supply these days." "Love your neighbor." "We don't have to just sit back and let this ridiculousness continue. We can fight back"

Let's Think About "The Authors and Illustrators' Relationship" With Special Guests John Collado & Kelly Mitchell Schilling John and Kelly share their thoughts on the authors' and illustrators' relationship, reminding us that establishing good communication is key to a successful and enjoyable experience for this relationship. While learning about John and Kelly, we discussed how, as an illustrator, one must have patience, and as an author, one should not compromise one's vision. This episode aims to prompt thought.                     To stay in touch, please visit John's website at https://johncolladoart.com/  and Kelly's website https://kellymitchellschilling.com/ to learn more about them.

Rachell Howzell Hall is the NYT, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of 16 novels. The novel discussed in this interview was Fog and Fury. Her bio says she also writes Romantasy, something Fog and Fury—an intense thriller—is not. And with the fact that she does write romantasy, it allowed discussing questions not previously, asked including the difference between writing thrillers and romantasy.

In this episode of The Bruno Brief, we spoke with Kendra Eastep, an illustration chief and senior staff writer for The Herald's Arts & Culture section. Kendra brings an artistic flair to each of her reviews, while supporting the rest of The Herald's multimedia staff.Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or listen via the RSS feed. Send tips and feedback for the next episode to herald@browndailyherald.comMusic:Denzel Sprak: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track304681Sharp Lapel: https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/367181

Tim Waggoner is a multi-award-winning dark fantasy and horror author with a spattering of media tie-ins, now totaling over 60 novels. He's also a full-time tenured professor who teaches creative writing and composition at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. We discuss what attracts people to horror and why he enjoys writing it, and his horror novel, “The World Turns Red.” Visit Tim at TimWaggoner.com

In this episode, Lisa Mangum, a veteran editor and author, shares her extensive experience in publishing. She has worked as an editor at Deseret Book since 1997, and became the editorial manager at Shadow Mountain in 2014. She has authored four bestselling YA novels—including the Hourglass Door trilogy and After Hello—plus short stories, novellas, and a craft book inspired by Supernatural. She also edits anthologies for WordFire Press and teaches at writing conferences, including her unique UVU writing weekends in Capitol Reef National Park. The discussion centers on her book “Write Fearless. Edit Smart. Get Published.” emphasizing why even self-published or indie authors benefit from professional editing. Lisa explores key storytelling elements: the distinction between plot and story, various plot types, and narrative perspectives. She compares first-person, second-person, third-person limited, and third-person omniscient viewpoints, highlighting their relative strengths, challenges, and the genres where each thrives most effectively.

With over three million books published a year, how do you get your voice heard above the din of everyone else? Discovery remains one of the greatest challenges for both new and established writers. Whether it's delivering your reader magnet, sending out advanced copies of your book, handing out eBooks at a conference, or fulfilling your digital sales to readers, BookFunnel does it all. They are in the business of building author careers, no matter where an author is on their journey. Damon Courtney, creator of BookFunnel, discusses why it was built and how it has been used globally to help build successful author careers.

To kick off the launch of his recent book, "Heroes of the Comics," Gilbert and Frank were joined by their favorite illustrator, the incomparable Drew Friedman. While sitting and admiring Drew's work adorning the walls of Manhattan's Society of Illustrators, the boys managed to cover everything from Drew and Gilbert's days at "National Lampoon" to Gilbert's Lon Chaney, Jr. obsession to the time a 15-year-old Drew paid a visit to the home of the legendary Groucho Marx. ALSO: "The Incredible 2-Headed Transplant"! Jerry Lewis kvells over Drew's portrait! The triumphant return of Milton Berle's schlong! And Drew reveals why he's Howard Stern's favorite artist!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carell Augustus is a professional photographer whose career has taken him around the world to shoot some of the biggest stars on the planet. His celebrity clients have included Viola Davis, Beverly Johnson, Mariah Carey, Elizabeth Banks, Pierce Bronson, Meghan Markle, Serena Williams, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and more. He is also an author. Carell spent 10 years making his dream project come true. That dream was to reimagine famous Hollywood movie roles with black actors, with his coffee table book, “Black Hollywood: Reimagining Iconic Movie Moments.” This interview not only covers how he pulled off such an amazing product, but also the inspiration and drive to make it happen … no matter what. An L. Ron Hubbard essay on photography was also discussed, and how it applies to successful photography. Learn more at www.carellaugustus.com

Good day ladies and gentlemen, this is IRC news, and I am Joy Stephen, an authorized Canadian Immigration practitioner bringing out this Canada Work Permit application data specific to LMIA work permits or employer driven work permits or LMIA exempt work permits for multiple years based on your country of Citizenship. I am coming to you from the Polinsys studios in Cambridge, OntarioNew Brunswick issued work permits between 2015 and 2024 for Graphic designers and illustrators under the former 4 digit NOC code 5241, currently referred to as NOC 52120.A senior Immigration counsel may use this data to strategize an SAPR program for clients. More details about SAPR can be found at https://ircnews.ca/sapr. Details including DATA table can be seen at https://polinsys.co/dIf you have an interest in gaining assistance with Work Permits based on your country of Citizenship, or should you require guidance post-selection, we extend a warm invitation to connect with us via https://myar.me/c. We strongly recommend attending our complimentary Zoom resource meetings conducted every Thursday. We kindly request you to carefully review the available resources. Subsequently, should any queries arise, our team of Canadian Authorized Representatives is readily available to address your concerns during the weekly AR's Q&A session held on Fridays. You can find the details for both these meetings at https://myar.me/zoom. Our dedicated team is committed to providing you with professional assistance in navigating the immigration process. Additionally, IRCNews offers valuable insights on selecting a qualified representative to advocate on your behalf with the Canadian Federal or Provincial governments, accessible at https://ircnews.ca/consultant.Support the show

Mike Sheffield is a 35-year Senior Software Engineer at Northrop Grumman Space Systems and a former U.S. Air Force Electronic Warfare Specialist. A passionate sci-fi fan, Mike joined the Heinlein Society in 2001, chaired its blood drive committee until 2010, has led the scholarship committee since 2012, served on the board from 2006–2014, and was the fourth Chair and President for its final four years. He discusses his love for science fiction, the origins of Heinlein-inspired blood drives at conventions (starting 1999 NASFiC), participation tips, the Heinlein for Heroes veteran book program, connections between L. Ron Hubbard and Robert A. Heinlein, thoughts on Final Blackout and Battlefield Earth, his favorite Heinlein works, the Writers of the Future legacy, and a message for global listeners.

Millions of movie buffs knew Robert Osborne as the elegant, erudite film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, but few knew that he spent time as a struggling actor, was mentored by comedy legend Lucille Ball, and even appeared in the pilot of “The Beverly Hillbillies” — a show he was certain would “never catch on.” Some years ago, Gilbert sat in as TCM's “Guest Programmer” and Robert generously returned the favor by traveling to Manhattan's Society of Illustrators on a hot July evening to dish a little dirt and share anecdotes about Hollywood luminaries Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Natalie Wood and Walt Disney (among others). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writers of the Future first readers Leah Ning, Martin Shoemaker, Eric James Stone, and Coordinating Judge Jody Lynn Nye answer questions submitted by Contest entrants on what is looked for in stories submitted to the Contest. What excites them. What turns them off. What determines an Honorable Mention, Silver Honorable Mention, and Finalist. How stories are handled in genres that aren't their favorite. And dozens of other questions.

Kevin J. Anderson is one of the rarest of creatives. As a writer, he started from the bottom and worked his way up to become an internationally bestselling author of over 190 books, 58 of which have been national or international bestsellers. He then became a publisher – Wordfire Press. Following this, he co-created the Superstars Writing Workshop. He is now also the director of a Publishing Graduate Program at Western Colorado University—the subject of this interview. Kevin has also been a Writers of the Future judge for over 25 years and a very trusted partner helping with the growth of the Contest.

BELLEVUE ARTIST WINS INTERNATIONAL ILLUSTRATION CONTEST, TO BE HONORED AT UPCOMING HOLLYWOOD AWARDS EVENT I'd like you to consider doing a story on Bellevue, Washington artist Ms. Tracy Eire [pron.: AIR]. She is officially announced as a winner in our international contest, The Illustrators of the Future and, as a winner, we'll be flying her to Hollywood for an awards event (April 16, 2026), a week-long, master-class workshop with some of the top names in the industry (Some of our illustrator contest judges conduct the workshop), and her illustration will be published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42 which has been on bestseller lists numerous times in recent years. The contest is in its 43rd year and it's the most prestigious, longest running competition of its kind! Mr. Hubbard created and endowed the Writers of the Future contest in 1983 and due to its success, the Illustrators of the Future contest was initiated in 1988. I can provide contact information, hi-res photos, etc. Thanks for your consideration, COLUMBUS ARTIST WINS INTERNATIONAL ILLUSTRATION CONTEST, TO BE HONORED AT UPCOMING HOLLYWOOD AWARDS EVENT I'd like you to consider doing a story on Columbus, Ohio artist Ms. Anna Malone. She is officially announced as a winner in our international contest, The Illustrators of the Future and, as a winner, we'll be flying her to Hollywood for an awards event (April 16, 2026), a week-long, master-class workshop with some of the top names in the industry (Some of our illustrator contest judges conduct the workshop), and her illustration will be published in L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 42 which has been on bestseller lists numerous times in recent years. The contest is in its 43rd year and it's the most prestigious, longest running competition of its kind! Mr. Hubbard created and endowed the Writers of the Future contest in 1983 and due to its success, the Illustrators of the Future contest was initiated in 1988. I can provide contact information, hi-res photos, etc.

Alan Smale is an astrophysicist and award-winning author (including “Writers of the Future Volume 13”) who recently retired from NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center after decades of groundbreaking work. Holding a Bachelor's in Physics and a Ph.D. in Astrophysics from Oxford University, Alan moved to the U.S. in the late 1980s to collaborate with NASA. Three years ago, Alan joined the podcast to discuss “Hot Moon,” the thrilling launch of his alternate-history Apollo Rising series. This interview celebrates the release of “Burning Night,” the conclusion to the trilogy. We discuss the series' blend of meticulous historical accuracy and bold “what-if” speculation, vividly recreating the high-stakes tension of the U.S.-Soviet rivalry in the 1970s and 1980s—this time extended to a secret lunar battlefield. Alan also shares insights on L. Ron Hubbard's 1948 short story “240,000 Miles Straight Up,” an eerily prescient tale of superpower conflict on the Moon. Whether you're a space history buff, a Cold War enthusiast, or a fan of hard-SF alternate history, this episode explores how real science, real geopolitics, and imaginative fiction collide in one of the most ambitious near-future series in recent years. Learn more at www.alansmale.com.

Bob Boze Bell has been a friend for over a decade and has provided various features on western titles by L. Ron Hubbard in True West Magazine. His work has appeared in Arizona Highways, Playboy, National Lampoon, the Arizona Republic, and True West magazine. For ten years (2002-2012), he produced a video version of True West Moments, which aired on the Westerns Channel. In this episode, we discuss what makes a Western story different from other genres, along with the role of research in good storytelling. Bob was ahead of the curve in using social media to grow the popularity of True West Magazine, which we also cover. BBB can currently be seen on the series “Gunslingers,” which runs on the American Heroes Channel. Triple B is also the President and executive editor of True West magazine, positions he has held since 1999. He has written a dozen books on Old West characters, including Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and Wild Bill Hickok, as well as a three-part series (so far) on Classic Gunfights, which appear in True West. Learn more about Bob and True West Magazine at blog.truewestmagazine.com/

KATIE CROSS - BIOGRAPHY Katie Cross is ALL ABOUT writing epic magic and wild places. Creating new fantasy worlds is her jam. When she's not hiking or chasing her two littles through the Montana mountains, you can find her curled up reading a book or arguing with her husband over the best kind of sushi. Visit her at www.KatieCrossBooks.com for free short stories, extra savings on all her books (and some you can't buy on the retailers), and so much more. Mark McWaters has long been a fan of all things that go bump in the night, scratch at the door, or blow cold air on the back of your neck. From a very young age, he carried a pad and pencil around with him, composing poems to give to girls. He devoured all the Hardy Boys and Doc Savage books he could get his hands on and expanded his reading horizons from there. Robert Heinlein, Asimov, and Bradbury, whetted his appetite for Sci-Fi. Ann Rice's Interview With The Vampire blew his mind. A scene from Stephen King's Salem's Lot haunts him to this day. And Watcher by Dean Koontz made him a lifelong fan. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Became an award-winning advertising copywriter and creative director and earned enough Clios, Addys, and Communication Arts awards for bragging rights. As a writer, Mark discovered the Florida Writers Association, critique groups and writing competitions. He's won a steady stream of FWA Royal Palm Literary awards for his unpublished short stories and novels. The inspiration behind “Ghost Dog” came while reading entry rules for a magazine looking for unusual spins on traditional horror. Houses, people, dolls, even cars get haunted. So, he thought, why not dogs? Bentley, a West Highland White Terrier who sleeps under Mark's desk while he writes, agreed. The Contest, one of the most prestigious writing and illustrating competitions in the world, is currently in its 43rd year and is judged by some of the premier names in speculative fiction. The Writers of the Future Contest judges include, Tim Powers (author of On Stranger Tides), Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert (Dune prequel series), Robert J. Sawyer (The Oppenheimer Alternative), Brandon Sanderson (Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive), Larry Niven (Ringworld), Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), Nnedi Okorafor (Who Fears Death), Hugh Howey (Wool), and Katherine Kurtz (Deryni series) to name a few. The Illustrators of the Future Contest judges include, Bob Eggleton (11 Chesley Awards and 9 Hugo Awards), Larry Elmore (Dungeons & Dragons book covers), Echo Chernik (graphic designs for major corporations including Celestial Seasonings tea packaging), Rob Prior (art for Spawn, Heavy Metal comics and Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Ciruelo (Eragon Coloring Book).

Today's guest is Patrick Kidder, editor in chief of Sally Port Magazine. Patrick was introduced by a Writers of the Future super-fan, Annmarie SanSevero. This podcast is always supportive of publishing activities that help out authors and artists working to get their voices heard and so he was a welcome guest. To learn more, visit sallyportmagazine.com/

LARRY ELMORE Illustrators of the Future Judge – Biography Leonard Elmore has been creating fantasy and science fiction art for more than forty years. After receiving a BFA degree from Western Kentucky, he married Betty Clemons and was drafted into the Army almost at the same time. In the 1970s he began freelancing and was published in a few magazines, including Heavy Metal and National Lampoon. After being contacted by TSR Inc., the company that produced the role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, Larry worked there from 1981 to 1987. While at TSR, he helped set the standards for gaming art in the role-playing genre. Besides creating covers for Dungeons & Dragons, AD&D, Star Frontiers and other gaming books, he may be best known for his work with the world of Dragonlance. Since 1987 he has worked as a freelance illustrator, creating covers for comics, computer games, magazines, and fantasy and science fiction books and projects too numerous to list. In recent years, he has been creating paintings for collectors and fans around the world. He has been an Illustrators of the Future judge since 2012. Larry was presented with the L. Ron Hubbard Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts in 2018. “The Illustrators of the Future is true competition. It's a wonderful competition. If I had something like this when I was young to attend, it would blow my mind because I never met a real professional artist till I was out of school, out of college.” —Larry Elmore Find out more at: larryelmore.com CHRISTINA HESS Artist, Professor – Biography Christina Hess is an illustrator known for blending historical and natural themes across a wide range of projects. Her portfolio includes everything from numismatic coin designs to illustrated cookbooks, rendered in media such as graphite, watercolor, oils, and digital. Notable commissions include her work with the U.S. Mint, where she contributed to the 2020 Silver Dollar commemorating the 19th Amendment and the American Women Quarters Program. In addition she created the reverse quarter design honoring astronomer Dr. Vera Rubin in the American Women Quarter Program. Her work has received national recognition, including awards such as Best Historical Coin of the Year at the COTY Awards, and has been acknowledged by institutions like the Smithsonian. Christina's illustrations have been featured in prestigious exhibitions and publications including Society of Illustrators West, Spectrum Fantastic Art, ImagineFX, and 3x3 Magazine. Her ongoing personal series, Animals From History, reimagines iconic historical figures as whimsical animal characters. With over 25 unique illustrations, the project has captured media attention from outlets such as ABC News, Juxtapoz Magazine, Mental Floss, and My Modern Met. Beyond her professional practice, Christina serves as the Department Head of Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design, where she finds constant inspiration in mentoring the next generation of artists. Find out more at: www.ChristinaHess.com and www.AnimalsFromHistory.com

Send us a text Anthony Freda is an accomplished educator, artist, and activist whose creative journey shaped by moral reckoning and bold shifts in perspective ultimately led him to Jesus and a renewed focus on Christian art. A tenured professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Freda has built a distinguished career as an award-winning illustrator, with work featured in major publications such as The New Yorker, Time, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. His art is showcased in a permanent exhibit at the 9/11 Memorial, and he has been honored by The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and American Illustration. Known for his provocative, politically charged imagery, Freda blends vintage American ephemera with modern commentary, using his work as a platform for cultural critique and creative activism. His StoryHe began his career in advertising, notably working on the infamous Joe Camel campaign. When the FTC ruled the campaign illegal for marketing cigarettes to children, Freda experienced a profound moral awakening that led him to leave advertising behind. He went on to work with prestigious publications such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, but it was his work on an OpEd piece for The New York Times promoting the Iraq War that sparked another ethical reckoning. Realizing he had gone from selling cigarettes to selling war, Freda transitioned once more, joining the early alternative media movement in the 2000s.Freda's work has often pushed boundaries, both politically and artistically. His art is part of the permanent collection of the 9/11 Museum and Memorial in New York, where his piece is one of the only works that questions the official narrative of the events of 9/11. His ten-year tenure with Infowars as an illustrator and writer further cemented his place in the world of controversial alternative news, and he has been vocal about his role in the space.Freda's work, especially his art, continues to stir debate. In 2024, an author in Germany faced legal consequences for simply posting one of his book covers on social media, and Freda himself has been extensively censored for his dissent against the official COVID-19 narrative. He has even been flagged as a potential domestic terrorist for his critical stance and controversial imagery. One of his most notable works is a covert illustration for The Wall Street Journal in 2025, where he secretly adorned Xi Jinping's tie with skull motifs as a subtle critique of global politics.In 2024, Freda worked as an illustrator and media consultant for RFK Jr.'s Super-Pac, AV24, further cementing his role in the political and media landscape. However, in recent years, Freda has pivoted his artistic focus towards Christian art. After decades of political commentary, he now sees the battle as spiritual and has committed to dedicating much of his creative work to Christ, producing original pieces as a devotion to his faith.Freda is also working on an ambitious project called Jesus Park, a sculptural earthen garden designed as a peaceful space for prayer and meditation. The project aims to provide a tranquil setting for spiritual reflection and devotion.To explore his ongoing projects, including his Christian art, visit his website: AnthonyFreda.com, https://www.instagram.com/anthonyfredaart/,The Thought Crimes of Anthony Freda - Book PreviewConnect with Angie Taylor on:IG: https://www.instagram.com/mrsangietaylor/?hl=enFB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090424997350

Subrahmanian Seshadri, who goes by “Sesh,” is the CEO of Overleaf Books LLP and a member of the Educational Publishers Forum of the International Publishers Association, representing India, a country with a population of 1.4 billion. We discuss Writers and Illustrators of the Future and its importance to creative individuals in India. Sesh see's the value of the Contests for teh 213,000,000 middle school students. Both Contests are perfect fits for India, and we hope that new Indian voices will be discovered for the international stage.

To celebrate 20 years of Design Matters, Debbie Millman revisits standout moments from past conversations with illustrators Brian Rea, Maira Kalman, Barry Blitt, Edel Rodriguez, and Christoph Niemann. These excerpts explore how ideas drive style, how collaboration and constraint shape the work, and how a single image can speak fast and stay with you.Interested in learning more about upcoming TED events? Follow these links:TEDNext: ted.com/futureyou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vanessa Stoilova's story is one every illustrator needs to hear. From mobile games to children's books and surface design, she has built a thriving career by learning what works and what definitely doesn't. Too many artists unknowingly sabotage their own success, and Vanessa lays out the five biggest mistakes she sees over and over again. You'll walk away from this conversation with practical, doable steps to start getting hired for the kind of work you dream about. In this episode, you'll… Learn why specializing is more powerful than trying to do it all Create a follow-up system that opens doors to real opportunities Find out how to align your art with the needs of your market For full show notes, go to schulmanart.com/374

Join Jake Parker, Lee White, and Anthony Wheeler for a discussion about Google's AI storybook app, a recently rediscovered N.C. Wyeth mural, and a children's book that can detect color blindness.  3 Point Perspective Podcast is sponsored by SVSLearn.com, the place where becoming a great illustrator starts!Click here for this episode's links and show notes.