Podcasts about mark's blog

After leaving the Navy, Amanda Bowers moved to Gainesville, Florida to open a cafe like the ones she loved in Italy.  Instead of the cafe, however, she built several iterations of her bakery over 10 years. It's now a dedicated wholesale bakery serving cafes around town. In this episode, Mark and Amanda talk about her decision to keep her bakery small and family run and the choices that required.  We also learn how forming collaborative partnerships between local businesses helps all businesses to thrive.   Helpful Links: Baker Baker website @amandas_traditional_bakeshop on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Anne Mayhew loves working with her hands. Starting as a costumer and fibre artist, she eventually fell under gluten's spell and started baking bread.  A loaf, then two, then 24 at a time before she realized she really should start a bakery. In this episode, Mark and Anne talk about her long and winding road toward opening LMNOP, being the village baker in a town with some very famous residents, deciding her next moves and how she got such an interesting name for her bakery.   Helpful Links: LMNOP Bakery @lmnopbakery on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

If the last episode of Rise Up! was about fantasy (Ep 73 - the Fantasy BakeryCast) then this episode is about the reality of opening your own bakery. Cindy and Mark, partners in Orange Boot Bakery in Regina, Saskatchewan, reflect on their experience launching and running their own bakery.   They draw on the perspective gained by time away from the bakery and the wide variety of bakery owners who have been on the podcast so far.   They share several things that they wish they did better and some things they did very well. Helpful Links: Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram

Rise Up! is back after a longer than anticipated hiatus.  In this episode, Mark gives an update on their move out West.  Later, his wife Cindy runs Mark through a series of questions (developed during the drive to Vancouver Island) to help him discover The Bakery of His Dreams.  The business model will surprise you! Helpful Links: Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram

  Elizabeth Belkind was helping Russian immigrants receive war reparations before switching to working with her hands and her taste buds.  Local foodies have enjoyed her pastries and cakes ever since. Since opening Cake Monkey in LA thirteen years ago, her business has grown and changed one tiny cake at a time. In this episode, Mark and Elizabeth talk about the switch to cooking, working with Nancy Silverton, and how she met her business partner Lisa Olin from a Craigslist ad that said "Must Like Cake!" Helpful Links: Cake Monkey Bakery @cakemonkeybakery on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

When Amber Lambke moved to Skowhegan, Maine, her new community needed help.  She dug in with the community, discovered the many assets they had and eventually formed the Maine Grain Alliance and started the Maine Grains mill. Now, Skowhegan is known around the baking world for their annual Kneading Conference and the revitalized grain economy in Maine.   In this episode, Amber shares the story of Maine Grains and how the model they followed can be duplicated in communities around the world.   Helpful Links:  Maine Grains Mill Maine Grain Alliance & Kneading Conference @mainegrains on Instagram @mainegrainalliance on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin    

Mac McConnell is a much admired teacher and baking instructor who made the leap to opening his own bakery.  From their facility in Mountain View, California, Mac, his wife Jaime (the midwife) and their crew serve markets and coffee shops all over the Bay Area. In this wide ranging conversation, Mark and Mac talk about Mac's journey in baking,  his teachers and mentors, opening his bakery and how he managed through a rapid growth spurt.  Enjoy the show! Helpful Links:   The Midwife and the Baker website The Midwife and the Baker on Instagram Watch Mac shape bread on YouTube! Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

  When Jennifer Haglund and Mark Bogard work the bread shift at Josey Baker Bread, they're making the good stuff for people in the Bay Area. But soon they'll be taking their skills and ideas to the Midwest, to open their own bakery in Michigan. In this episode, they share their journey so far and their dreams for a market bakery in Ypsilanti that supports local farmers and growers. And they also describe the support and guidance their boss and mentor has given them as they make their leap.   Helpful Links:   Bird Dog Bread on Instagram Jennifer Haglund on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

If you get John Reid talking about good bread and local grain economies, be prepared for a hearty, robust conversation. John's vast experience as a baker, oven builder and grain advocate has taken him from his small town outside Melbourne Australia to as far away as Canada, the USA and the UK in his quest to learn and bring that knowledge home. In this episode, Mark learns about the magic of Scotch ovens, the ethos behind Redbeard and why continued wheat breeding for local ecosystems is so important.   Helpful Links: @redbeardhistoricbakery on Instagram Redbeard Historic Bakery website The Grainz Gathering, 7-9 October 2019  Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

When Mark learned of Rosie Gray's adventure cycling from Scotland to Belgium and working at bakeries along the way, he just had to learn more. He caught up with Rosie one sunny summer afternoon, leaning against a tree, in a campground outside Genk, Belgium, after she finished a baking shift.  During this entertaining chat, he learns about the vibrant baking culture in the UK and the Low Countries and Rosie's desire to soak it all up.   Helpful Links:   Rosie Gray on Instagram: Reviving Food Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Emily Cayer is bringing a lifetime of wildlife conservation and a love of nature to the baking community, through her new collaborative venture, We Knead Nature. Emily is organizing farmers, millers, bakers and brewers to ensure we are all giving back to the source of our great grains, nature itself. In this episode, Emily shares the mission of We Knead Nature and the progress the group has made over the first few months of existence.  Mark also discovers how Emily's love of nature and background as a conservation biologist helped make We Knead Nature a reality.   Helpful Links: We Knead Nature Tiny Seed Project Instagram:  We Knead Nature  Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Blair Marvin and Andrew Heyn are the epitome of bakers who are connected to the community.  Through their bakery, Elmore Mountain Bread and their stone mill building company New American Stone Mills, they are building a web of connections in rural Vermont.  From the farmers who grow their grain to the quarries that cut the stone for their mills and the people who love their bread, Blair and Andrew are keeping it real and keeping it local. Helpful Links: Elmore Mountain Bread New American Stone Mills Instagram:  Bread / Mills Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin  

In this solo episode of Rise Up!  Mark talks about the fear that generates when comfortable routines get broken and getting clear on who you are baking for.  Whether you're reviewing your product lineup or looking at your front entrance with fresh eyes, it's important to remember who are the people that you are serving every day. There are also some awesome listener emails and some big news in Mark's life.  Enjoy the show!   Helpful Links: Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Ask a chef enough questions and you eventually get work in the kitchen.  At least that's what happened to Lisa Somerville.  After always finding extra waitress shifts and asking a ton of questions, Lisa embarked on a varied career as a pastry chef in restaurants and hotels, before finally opening her own bakery in the vacation heartland of the White Mountains in New Hampshire. In this episode, Mark and Lisa talk her baking journey and how raising a family and teaching at the community college all fits into her hectic yet rewarding life.   Helpful Links: @vintagebakingcompany on Instagram @pastrycheflisa on Instagram Vintage Baking Company Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

  Mitch Stamm had a long and varied culinary career but truly soared when he switched to baking.   He is a long serving board member of the Bread Bakers Guild of America, renowned baking instructor at Johnson and Wales University and has coached the very best bakers in America via the Team USA competitive baking team. In this episode, Mark learns about Mitch's circuitous route in cooking from Alabama to Colorado, making the switch to baking and then to teaching.  They also discuss the Guild's Artisan Baking Certification program and why young bakers need to be tenacious and fearless to build a career that matters. Helpful Links: "If" by Rudyard Kipling Mitch Stamm on YouTube Mitch at Johnson & Wales University Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Joe Fitzmaurice comes from a long line of bakers and restaurateurs.  But when he and his wife Julie closed their successful Dublin bakery to move to a tiny Eco-village in Cloughjordan, he was making a statement about local community, local grain and the Common Loaf. In this episode, Mark learns about life in an intentional community, how Soda Bread is a new 'tradition', what the Common Loaf movement is all about and how if Joe ends up baking less and less bread then he's truly fulfilled his vision. Helpful Links: @riotrye_ on Instagram Riot Rye website Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

The pull of craftsmanship is strong in Jerod Pfeffer.  His bakery, 460 Bread in Driggs Idaho, provides exceptional bread throughout the Teton Mountains. And it's drawn him into the world of competitive bread baking as well. Jerod is a member of Team USA , hoping to compete in the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie next spring in Paris. In this episode, Mark and Jerod talk about building 460 Bread, what compelled Jerod to compete for a place on Team USA and how the experience is making him a better baker. Helpful Links: @jerod.pfeffer on Instagram 460 Bread website Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Mark attended the 4th Annual Le Goût Du Grain / A Taste For Grain gathering in Montreal and had an absolute blast. In this episode, Mark shares his impressions of Montreal, gives an overview of the gathering, heaps praise on the organizers and shares his thoughts on the emerging Food Security / Food Sovereignty movement. This revolution will be tasty!   Helpful Links: A Taste For Grain Tricot Principal, the conference venue Restaurant Manitoba, where the post conference dinner was held My favourite bakery in Montreal (that I know of!) Another awesome Montreal bakery (that I visited!) My favourite brasserie in Montreal (that I went to!) Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Show Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Four years ago, Gus Reckel changed careers and sunk his life savings into converting an old print shop into a bakery and cafe on the edge of Bushwick, Brooklyn.  L'Imprimerie is going strong, bringing traditional French baked goods (and new flavours too) to the neighbourhood, along with fun, humour and irreverence too. In this episode, Mark learns about the difference between investment banking and bread baking, the challenges with opening a bakery in the midst of the competitive New York food scene, why it helps to live a modest life when you're in business and how to build an Instagram following loved by almost everyone, if not your Mom.   Helpful Links:   @limprimerie on Instagram L'imprimerie web site The Magic of Bread Making video, featuring Gus Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Jennifer Lapidus has made a huge mark all over the Southern USA baking scene.  A baker and former bakery owner, Jennifer is the founder of the Carolina Ground mill and a leading advocate for bread wheat production in the South.  She's also one of the lead organizers of the famous Asheville Bread Festival. In this episode, Mark tries his best to keep up with everything going on in Jennifer's life.  They also talk about her early days as a baker, apprenticing with the legendary Alan Scott, the generosity and camaraderie of bakers, how the rise of new stone mills all over North America is a very good thing, and what she's got planned for early 2021.   Some links: @carolinaground on Instagram Asheville Bread Festival Carolina Ground Flour Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Tara Jensen is an author and an artist.  Her community is so lucky that bread and pastry are her media. Over her baking career, Tara has built and rebuilt bakeries under her Smoke Signals brand, first in North Carolina and currently in rural Kentucky.  In this episode, Mark and Tara talk about her journey south from her native Maine, her baking and educational retreats and how starting baking for her community brings some social healing to people who have had a rough go in recent years.   Some links: @bakerhands on Instagram Smoke Signals website Tara Jensen's book on Amazon Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

When Josey Baker moved West, it was to advance childhood education.  But a lucky gift of some sourdough started changed everything. In this episode, Mark and Josey talk about his rapid rise from Community Supported Baker to building out Josey Baker Bread as part of The Mill in San Francisco.  But throughout it all, there is a much deeper discussion of culture, values, privilege, mentors and leadership.  It's a exceptional chat with a very thoughtful baker.   Some links: @joseybaker on Instagram Josey Baker Bread website Josey Baker's book on Amazon Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Daniel Speek grew up in the US but now lives in the Netherlands, where he is slowly and steadily growing a following for his bread and baking.  It's hard work, especially in a market that does not have a strong bread culture. In this episode, Mark and Daniel talk about the bread scene in Maastricht, alternative ways to bootstrap and grow a micro bakery and what it's like to live and bake in a squat community. Survey requests!  Please help Mark design the new Bakers 4 Bakers community by answering a few questions.  And help Daniel make his next move at Bread Connections too. More links: @breadconnection.nl on Instagram Bread Connection website Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

It took incredible persistence for Jeffrey Hamelman to become a bread baker.  From the time he finally convinced a local bakery owner to hire him, he has grown his knowledge and skills to an immense level.  Thankfully, Jeffrey's life has been as much about teaching as it has been about baking. In this episode,  Mark and Jeffrey talk about the highlights of his illustrious career, from competing in the Coupe du Monde, starting the baking centre at King Arthur Flour and writing arguably the best bread book in the English language so far.  But they also talk about the closeness of the baking community, the evolution of global bread culture and the need to continually build upon the knowledge of the past.   Some links: Jeffrey Hamelman's book on Amazon Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

  Peter Reinhart is the author of many books on bread and pizza in addition to being a stellar baker and teacher. His 2001 book The Bread Baker's Apprentice was the first bread book Mark ever bought and kick-started hundreds of baking journeys around the world. In this episode, Mark learns about Peter's winding and accomplished career in baking, writing and teaching, his love of pizza and the amazing bread symposium "On the Rise", held annually at Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, NC.   Some links: @pizzaquesting on Instagram Peter's Pizza Quest site On the Rise Symposium channel on YouTube Get Your Ticket to the Bread Symposium Peter Reinhart's books on Amazon   Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Marc-Andre Cyr started out with the dream of getting famous as a musician.  Now he's famous to the baker family as a baker, teacher and founder of Montreal's hippest grain conference, Le Goût du Grain / A Taste For Grain. In this episode, Mark and Marc talk the vibrant restaurant scene in Montreal, getting started in baking, the challenges of baking in a restaurant, and his vision for Le Goût du Grain.  You'll be booking tickets to Montreal after this! Some links: @bakeronthego on Instagram A Taste For Grain Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Sheena Howdle is travelling the world, baking bread wherever she goes.  After graduating from baking school on Vancouver Island, she slowly moved East, spending time in Saskatoon before making the big leap to the United Kingdom. In this episode, Mark and Sheena talk about her life as a professional bread baker; where she first realized a life in food was for her, combining travel and baking. the struggles and rewards working in the food industry and where she's headed next. Some links: @sheenster42 on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Sarah Rossi worked at bakeries from a young age, but never saw baking as a career choice.  But after the Great Recession hit, she figured working with dough was close to working with clay and the rest is history. In this episode, Mark and Sarah talk about the Rhode Island School of Design, life as a bread baker in one of Boston's premiere bakeries, the generosity of the baking community and dealing with a killer commute as she tries to move home to New Hampshire. Some links: @srossi000 on Instagram Clear Flour Bread Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Not only was Teisha our first intern at Orange Boot Bakery, but she also moved to Regina full time after graduation and became our Head of Bread. These were Orange Boot’s blissful days, where we had a full team and were rocking out the best baked goods in town. But after a few years together, things got hard for Teisha and she felt she needed to switch careers for a while. Thank goodness that didn’t last too long. These days she’s in Saskatoon, back to baking the good stuff at Night Oven Bakery. In this episode, we have a great chat and get caught up on all the cool things Teisha’s done in her young life. We also dig into exactly what it’s like to be a young baker, working the early shift when it seems the world around you is on an opposite schedule. And we figure out how to be at peace with that - as much as possible anyway.   Some links: @_teishalynn on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Lieschen Moller has a busy career in the health care field, but bread baking has her in its gluten-y tentacles.  Last year, she started Lizzy's Bakehouse, a cottage microbakery that is making awesome bread for her subscription customers. In this episode, Mark and Lieschen talk about starting a microbakery as a side hustle, the connections she's made with bakers, the joy and perils of Instagram and being part of "Rofco Nation."  Then they get into the role of bread in her childhood.  Whew!  What a talk! Some links: Cooking with Butter and Lizzy's Bakehouse on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Slow Rise Bakery has been an inspiration for Mark ever since Paul and his partner built their timber framed bakehouse and brick oven in 2007.  Yet this is the first time they've met and had a chance to get to know each other. In this episode, Mark and Paul discuss running a bakery within the constraint of living on a small island, designing a lifestyle around bread baking and what it's like to use the first wood fired commercial deck oven in Canada. Some links: Slow Rise Bakery Facebook Page Bassanina Ovens Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

When Helene Godin left her law career, she dreamed of opening a cute bakery that served her local community in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.  And she did that, at least for a little while. By The Way Bakery now has four locations in New York and is in over 40 Whole Foods Markets.  In this episode, Mark and Helene talks about making the switch from the corporate life, getting started, then leaping to wider distribution. Oh, and By The Way, everything Helene makes is gluten free, dairy free and kosher! Some links: By The Way Bakery Website @bythewaybakery on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Green Rabbit Breads isn't Suzanne Slomin's first sourdough bread bakery and it's not her first bakery set on a farm.  However Green Rabbit is her first solar powered bakery, nestled in the picturesque Mad River Valley of Vermont. In this episode, Mark an introduction into running a small year round bakery in tourist country, the fun of getting a commercial oven from the gravel road to the bake house and the challenges of running a business that is bigger than only the owner, but not much bigger.   Some links: Green Rabbit Breads Website @greenrabbitvt on Instagram Rise Up! The Baker Podcast website Mark's Blog, with the Bakernomics series Mark on Instagram Credits: Produced and hosted by Mark Dyck Theme song and music by Robyn Dyck Orange Boot Human logo by Fred Reibin

Episode 07 of Prelude To A Scream features my short story "Distractions" which originally appeared in the World Fantasy Con 2001 CD-Rom edited by Nancy Kilpatrick. The story was reprinted in my book ONE HAND SCREAMING in 2004."Distractions" tells the story of a frustrated writer's attempt to deal with distractions by taking the advice from a popular self-help book a little too far. After the story I talk a little bit about the genesis of the tale.Not only can you listen to this story in audio format for free, but you can also download it for free from Shortcovers.com to enjoy on the portable device of your choice.Links:Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer behind the mood music used in this podcast.The Writing Show - wonderfully inspirational podcast for writers with years of great content. If, for some reason, you like the sound of my voice or hearing about my writing, there's a series of "Reality Show" episodes following me as I work on my novel A Canadian Werewolf In New York right here.Mark's WebsiteMark's BlogOne Hand Screaming (site with samples) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon)I Should Be Writing Podcast - because this story is ABOUT a frustrated writer who really "should be writing" I thought I should include a link to the awesome I Should Be Writing podcast by Mur Lafferty.Download MP3 by right-clicking here.

Immediately after recording Episode 05, I recorded Episode 06 of Prelude to a Scream. (I was off work for a few days after all and had a tiny bit of time on my hands) I thought I'd wait a few weeks to release it, though, which worked out well, because my schedule at work since early June has been hectic at best) -- I've already started recording episode 07 and am hoping to be able to keep up a schedule of monthly podcasts and including full stories within each post. Let's see if I can keep up that schedule, particularly given my track record on getting out new podcasts.This episode features my short story "Nervous Twitching" which was originally published in NorthWords magazine in the Fall of 1996 along with commentary about the writing of the story. "Nervous Twitching" was reprinted in my book ONE HAND SCREAMING, which is a collection of some of my previously published fiction and poetry.Unlike the "cute" snowman story in Episode 05, this one's a bit more graphic and adult in nature and content. There's blood, a beheading and a surrealistic disturbing scene. So be warned before you listen. Not necessarily for younger ears or queasy stomachs.But for those with less sensitive ears and stomachs, I hope you enjoy Nervous Twitching . . .Links:Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer behind the mood music used in this podcast.The Writing Show - wonderfully inspirational podcast for writers with years of great content. If, for some reason, you like the sound of my voice or hearing about my writing, there's a series of "Reality Show" episodes following me as I work on my novel A Canadian Werewolf In New York right here.Mark's WebsiteMark's BlogOne Hand Screaming (site with samples) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon)Download MP3 by right-clicking here.

After long last I've finally returned to posting a new episode. I kept putting off putting up a new one partially because things have been crazy busy, but mostly because I was trying so darned hard to get it right. I eventually realized that recording and re-recording wasn't going to solve the problem. But getting off my butt, recording then releasing without worrying about every single little audio hiccup and "uh" that I mutter would likely resolve things.So, unpolished, recorded quickly this morning, then uploaded shortly after, here is Episode Five of Prelude to a Scream.This episode features my short story "That Old Silk Hat They Found" which was originally published in Strange Wonderland Issue #1 (March 1997) along with commentary about the writing of the story.Links to things I mention in the podcast.Kevin MacLeod - the brilliant composer behind the mood music used in this podcast.The Writing Show - wonderfully inspirational podcast. If you want to hear more of me (and my wonderful procrastination, there's a series of "Reality Show" episodes following me as I work on my novel A Canadian Werewolf In New York right here.Mark's WebsiteMark's BlogOne Hand Screaming (site with samples) (Chapters/Indigo) (Amazon)Download MP3 by right clicking here