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Baen Publisher Toni Weisskopf sits down with authors Tim Powers, Travis S. Taylor, Les Johnson, and D.J. Butler to discuss UAP phenomenon ; and Tinker by Wen Spencer, Part 80. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/ and the Baen YouTube Channel.
It's that time of year! SpooOOOoooOOOookey stories! First we talk about a hotbed of paranormal interdimensional activity in the heart of Mormon country; Skinwalker Ranch! After that we deep dive into the sci-fi classic Frankenstein. We wrap with a quick reminder to get out and vote along with catching up on listener mail! Show Notes: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Burns https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_S._Taylor https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecbard https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-10/Soil%20Electrical%20Conductivity.pdf https://www.reddit.com/r/sdr/comments/v4577h/16ghz_signals_a_simple_question_skinwalker/ https://www.utah.com/articles/post/what-is-skinwalker-ranch-and-whats-really-going-on-there https://www.iflscience.com/skinwalker-ranch-bastion-for-the-paranormal-or-hoax-69969 https://www.skeptic.com/reading_room/claims-about-pentagon-ufo-program-how-much-is-true/ https://www.hullingermortuary.com/obituaries/junior-hicks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skinwalker_Ranch https://www.deseret.com/1996/6/30/19251541/frequent-fliers https://www.nrc.gov/docs/ML2316/ML23165A245.pdf MOGP: Mary Shelley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Shelley Percy Bysshe Shelley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Percy_Bysshe_Shelley Frankenstein or The Modern Prometheus, by Mary Shelley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein Frankenstein Castle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_Castle Luigi Galvani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luigi_Galvani Giovanni Aldini: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Aldini Lord Byron: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Byron Happy News: Just get out and vote, y'all! Come see us on Aron Ra's YouTube channel! He's doing a series titled Reading Joseph's Myth BoM. This link is for the playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXJ4dsU0oGMKfJKvEMeRn5ebpAggkoVHf Check out his channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@AronRa Email: glassboxpodcast@gmail.com Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GlassBoxPod Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/glassboxpodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/GlassBoxPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassboxpodcast/ Merch store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/exmoapparel/shop Or find the merch store by clicking on “Store” here: https://glassboxpodcast.com/index.html One time Paypal donation: bryceblankenagel@gmail.com
Jody Lynn Nye describes her main career activity as “spoiling cats.” When not engaged in this worthy occupation, she writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories. She is also Coordinating Judge of the prestigious Writers of the Future contest. Jody is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy and science fiction books and short stories, many of them with a humorous bent. Before breaking away from gainful employment to write full time, Jody worked as a file clerk, book-keeper at a small publishing house, freelance journalist and photographer, accounting assistant and costume maker. For four years, she was on the technical operations staff of a local Chicago television station, WFBN (WGBO), serving the last year as Technical Operations Manager. During her time at WFBN, she was part of the engineering team that built the station, acted as Technical Director during live sports broadcasts, and worked to produce in-house spots and public service announcements. Since 1987 she has published over 50 books and more than 170 short stories. Among the novels Jody has written are her epic fantasy series, The Dreamland, beginning with Waking In Dreamland, five contemporary humorous fantasies, Mythology 101, Mythology Abroad, Higher Mythology (the three collected by Meisha Merlin Publishing as Applied Mythology), Advanced Mythology, The Magic Touch, and three medical science fiction novels, Taylor's Ark, Medicine Show and The Lady and the Tiger. Strong Arm Tactics, a humorous military science fiction novel, the first of The Wolfe Pack series. Jody also wrote The Dragonlover's Guide to Pern, a non-fiction-style guide to the world of internationally best-selling author Anne McCaffrey's popular world. She also collaborated with Anne McCaffrey on four science fiction novels, The Death of Sleep, Crisis On Doona (a New York Times and USA Today bestseller), Treaty At Doona and The Ship Who Won, and wrote a solo sequel to The Ship Who Won entitled The Ship Errant. Jody co-authored the Visual Guide to Xanth with best-selling fantasy author Piers Anthony. She has edited two anthologies, humorous stories about mothers in science fiction, fantasy, myth and legend, entitled Don't Forget Your Spacesuit, Dear!, Launch Pad, and an anthology of science fiction stories co-edited with Mike Brotherton. She has two short story collections, A Circle of Celebrations, holiday SF/fantasy stories, and Cats Triumphant!, SF and fantasy feline tales. She wrote eight books with the late Robert Lynn Asprin, License Invoked, a contemporary fantasy set in New Orleans, and seven set in Asprin's Myth Adventures universe: Myth-Told Tales (anthology), Myth Alliances, Myth-Taken Identity, Class Dis-Mythed, Myth-Gotten Gains, Myth Chief, and Myth-Fortunes. Since Asprin's passing, she has published Myth-Quoted, Dragons Deal and Dragons Run (Ace Books), third and fourth in Asprin's Dragons series. Her newest series is the Lord Thomas Kinago books, beginning with View From the Imperium (Baen Books), a humorous military space opera novel. Her newest books are Moon Tracks (Baen), a young adult hard science fiction novel, the second in collaboration with Dr. Travis S. Taylor. Rhythm of the Imperium, third in the Lord Thomas Kinago series; Pros and Cons (WordFire Press), a nonfiction book about conventions in collaboration with Bill Fawcett; and the 20th novel in the Myth-Adventures series, Myth-Fits. Over the last thirty or so years, Jody has taught in numerous writing workshops and participated on hundreds of panels covering the subjects of writing and being published at science-fiction conventions. She has also spoken in schools and libraries around website at www.jodynye.com. She is on Facebook as Jody Lynn Nye and Twitter @JodyLynnNye.
Toni Weisskopf, D.J. Butler, Travis S. Taylor, Les Johnson, and Tim Powers discuss the UFO phenomenon; and Live Free or Die by John Ringo, Part 19. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/video-baen-free-radio-hour-UFO-Roundtable-live-free-or-die-part-20.mp4 and the Baen YouTube Channel.
Author and NASA scientist Les Johnson discusses Saving Proxima, his new novel coauthored with Travis S. Taylor; and the audiodrama adaptation of Larry Correia's Grimnoir Chronicle tale, "Detroit Christmas", Part 1. View the podcast in video form at https://www.baen.com/podcastfiles/mp3/baen-free-radio-hour-2021-09-03-Proxima-Detroit-1.mp4 and the Baen YouTube Channel.
John Ringo brings fighting to life. He is the creator of the Posleen Wars series, which has become a New York Times best-selling series with more than one million copies in print. The series contains A Hymn Before Battle, Gust Front, When the Devil Dances, Hell's Faire, and Eye of the Storm. In addition, Ringo has penned the Council War series. Adding another dimension to his skills, Ringo created nationally best-selling techno-thriller novels about Mike Harmon (Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach, A Deeper Blue, and, with Ryan Sear, Tiger by the Tail). His techno-thriller The Last Centurion was also a national bestseller. A more playful twist on the future is found in novels of the Looking-Glass series: Into the Looking Glass, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and Claws That Catch, the last three in collaboration with Travis S. Taylor. His audience was further enhanced with four collaborations with fellow New York Times best-selling author David Weber: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, and We Few. There are an additional seven collaborations from the Posleen series: The Hero, written with Michael Z. Williamson, Watch on the Rhine, Yellow Eyes, and The Tuloriad, all written with Tom Kratman, and the New York Times bestseller Cally's War and its sequels Sister Time and Honor of the Clan, all with Julie Cochrane. His science-based zombie apocalypse Black Tide Rising series includes Under a Graveyard Sky, To Sail a Darkling Sea, Islands of Rage and Hope, and Strands of Sorrow. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ringo brings firsthand knowledge of military operations to his fiction. For Your Listening Pleasure all the radio shows available on The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network with our compliments, visit - https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv.The ‘X' Zone Broadcast Network Shows and Archives - https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotvThe ‘X' Zone TV Channel on SimulTV - for more information visit http://www.simultv.comThe ‘X' Chronicles Newspaper - www.xchroniclesnewspaper.com
John Ringo brings fighting to life. He is the creator of the Posleen Wars series, which has become a New York Times best-selling series with more than one million copies in print. The series contains A Hymn Before Battle, Gust Front, When the Devil Dances, Hell's Faire, and Eye of the Storm. In addition, Ringo has penned the Council War series. Adding another dimension to his skills, Ringo created nationally best-selling techno-thriller novels about Mike Harmon (Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach, A Deeper Blue, and, with Ryan Sear, Tiger by the Tail). His techno-thriller The Last Centurion was also a national bestseller. A more playful twist on the future is found in novels of the Looking-Glass series: Into the Looking Glass, Vorpal Blade, Manxome Foe, and Claws That Catch, the last three in collaboration with Travis S. Taylor. His audience was further enhanced with four collaborations with fellow New York Times best-selling author David Weber: March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars, and We Few. There are an additional seven collaborations from the Posleen series: The Hero, written with Michael Z. Williamson, Watch on the Rhine, Yellow Eyes, and The Tuloriad, all written with Tom Kratman, and the New York Times bestseller Cally's War and its sequels Sister Time and Honor of the Clan, all with Julie Cochrane. His science-based zombie apocalypse Black Tide Rising series includes Under a Graveyard Sky, To Sail a Darkling Sea, Islands of Rage and Hope, and Strands of Sorrow. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Ringo brings firsthand knowledge of military operations to his fiction. For Your Listening Pleasure all the radio shows available on The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network with our compliments, visit - https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv. The ‘X' Zone Broadcast Network Shows and Archives - https://www.spreaker.com/user/xzoneradiotv The ‘X' Zone TV Channel on SimulTV - for more information visit http://www.simultv.com The ‘X' Chronicles Newspaper - www.xchroniclesnewspaper.com
Chatting With Sherri welcomes Best Selling author; Jody Lynn Nye! Jody Lynn Nye writes fantasy and science fiction books and short stories. Before breaking away from gainful employment to write full time, Jody worked as a file clerk, book-keeper at a small publishing house, freelance journalist and photographer, accounting assistant and costume maker. She is one of the judges for the Writers Of The Future Awards! Since 1987 she has published over 50 books and more than 170 short stories. Among the novels Jody has written are her epic fantasy series, The Dreamland, beginning with Waking In Dreamland, five contemporary humorous fantasies, Mythology 101, Mythology Abroad, Higher Mythology (the three collected by Meisha Merlin Publishing as Applied Mythology), Advanced Mythology, The Magic Touch, and three medical science fiction novels, Taylor’s Ark, Medicine Show and The Lady and the Tiger. Strong Arm Tactics, a humorous military science fiction novel, the first of The Wolfe Pack series. Jody also wrote The Dragonlover’s Guide to Pern, a non-fiction-style guide to the world of internationally best-selling author Anne McCaffrey’s popular world. Her newest books are Moon Tracks (Baen), a young adult hard science fiction novel, the second in collaboration with Dr. Travis S. Taylor. Rhythm of the Imperium, third in the Lord Thomas Kinago series; Pros and Cons (WordFire Press), a nonfiction book about conventions in collaboration with Bill Fawcett; and the 20th novel in the Myth-Adventures series, Myth-Fits.
This week, in “The Quantum Connection", by Travis S. Taylor: In this sequel to Operation: Damocles: With a cordon-sanitaire having been erected around the Gay Belt, our intrepid heroes must fight their way through an alien siege to liberate the only intergalactic communicator in the Solar System. K questions the guano. Khaki's episodic memory is tested. Find CoverMyAssCast on Twitter, Gmail and www.covermyasscast.com.
Travis S. Taylor and Jody Lynn Nye on Moon Tracks discuss Moon Tracks, a sequel to Moon Beam, and continuaton of the story of a group of teenage science whizzes on the Moon who are known as the BrightSparks. This time they are engaged in a circumlunar Moon buggie race, with the brilliant and proactive Dr. Keegan Bright as their mentor and friend who keeps watch from a respectful distance and helps them develop as young scientists and effective team members; and Son of the Black Sword by Larry Correia, Part 35.
Travis S. Taylor on Bringers of Hell, the sixth entry in his Tau Ceti Agenda series, and featuring a gritty stand by humanity against the implacable, and intensely, alien Chiata horde. Taylor talks about the cutting-edge real science quantum technology, and the passion and pathos of his characters in this series highpoint; and part thirty-seven of the complete audiobook serialization of Liaden Universe® novel Alliance of Equals by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.
Guest host Toni Weisskopf talks with coauthors Travis S. Taylor and Jody Lynn Nye, and cover artist Dominic Harman, about Moon Beam, their novel for teens and up set on Earth's Moon and staring a bunch of STEM happy, video streaming nerdly kids who travel up there for fame and science, but end up getting a heaping helping of danger and adventure, as well; and part ten of the complete serialization of Liaden Universe® novel Alliance of Equals by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.
Dr. Travis S. Taylor discusses Kill Before Dying, the latest entry in his science fiction Tau Ceti Agenda series. And part thirty-six of the complete audiobook serialization of David Drake's The Sea Without a Shore.
Les Johnson talks about near future science fiction near future novel On to the Asteroid by Les Johnson and Travis S. Taylor. In addition to being a Baen author, Les is a space scientist. He discusses On to the Asteroid in relationship to the very real promise and perils of space travel as humanity moves into the Solar System. Plus, part twelve of the complete audiobook serialization of David Drake's The Sea Without a Shore.
Travis S. Taylor discusses Trail of Evil, the fourth entry in his Tau Ceti Agenda series featuring the beginning of a new storyline that takes humanity outward to the dangerous stars; and Larry Correia's Hard Magic part 52 as read by Bronson Pinchot.
Get ready to blow up some stereotypes when Neil deGrasse Tyson meets aerospace engineer and Rocket City Redneck Travis S. Taylor. Co-hosted by Chuck Nice and guest starring Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Topic: What Would War in Space Really Be Like? (Part 2 of 2) Speakers: John Ringo,Dr. Charles E. Gannon, Timonthy Zahn, and Dr. Travis S. Taylor as the moderator. [Essay:] Your host describes his expectations concerning a dangerous form of AI which may propagate through the Internet long before the Singularity. An AI capable of aggressively hacking its way into millions of computer systems, though it has only the cleverness and intellectual capacity of a small animal, and no understanding of anything outside the internet, perhaps even no understanding that there is an outside. It might become the software equivalent of a billion rats, destroying all the world's precious data--and all of yours too--by replacing it with trillions of copies of itself. Timothy Zahn is a New York Times best selling author. John Ringo is a New York Times best selling author. Dr. Charles E. Gannon is a New York Times bestselling author; and as a member of the think-tank SIGMA, has advised the Pentagon, Air Force, Army, NATO, DARPA, DHS, NASA, and other agencies. Dr. Travis S. Taylor is an aerospace engineer, optical scientist, science fiction author, and star of National Geographic Channel's TV show Rocket City Rednecks. Dr. Taylor has written more than 25 technical papers, 14 science fiction novels and two textbooks, and has appeared in multiple television documentaries, including the highly rated TV special When Aliens Attack. Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 12, 2014 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 37 minutes] This panel was recorded in front of an audience on June 28, 2014 in Chattanooga TN at the SF&F conventionLibertyCon. Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 300 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.
Topic: What Would War in Space Really Be Like? (Part 1 of 2) Speakers: John Ringo, Dr. Charles E. Gannon, Timonthy Zahn, and Dr. Travis S. Taylor as the moderator. Timothy Zahn is a New York Times best selling author. John Ringo is a New York Times best selling author. Dr. Charles E. Gannon is a New York Times bestselling author; and as a member of the think-tank SIGMA, has advised the Pentagon, Air Force, Army, NATO, DARPA, DHS, NASA, and other agencies. Dr. Travis S. Taylor is an aerospace engineer, optical scientist, science fiction author, and star of National Geographic Channel's TV show Rocket City Rednecks. Dr. Taylor has written more than 25 technical papers, 14 science fiction novels and two textbooks, and has appeared in multiple television documentaries, including the highly rated TV special When Aliens Attack. Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the November 5, 2014 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 33 minutes] This panel was recorded in front of an audience on June 28, 2014 in Chattanooga TN at the SF&F convention LibertyCon. Stephen Euin Cobb has interviewed over 300 people for his work as an author, futurist, magazine writer and award-winning podcaster. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. For the last nine years he has produced a weekly podcast, The Future And You, which explores (through interviews, panel discussions and commentary) all the ways the future will be different from today. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author an ebook about the future entitled: Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science.
Dr. Travis S. Taylor (scientist, author and TV personality) is our featured guest. Dr. Travis Taylor is an aerospace engineer, optical scientist, science fiction author, and star of National Geographic Channel's Rocket City Rednecks. He has written more than 25 technical papers, 14 science fiction novels and two textbooks, and has appeared in multiple television documentaries, including the recent highly-rated special When Aliens Attack. He has consulted for NASA and DOD; has been awarded numerous patents; and has detected two exoplanets. He has three master degrees and two doctorates. Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the July 2, 2014 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 57 minutes] This interview was recorded in front of an audience on June 27, 2014 in Chattanooga TN at the SF&F convention LibertyCon. Stephen Euin Cobb is an author, futurist, magazine writer and host of the award-winning podcast The Future And You. A contributing editor for Space and Time Magazine; he has also been a regular contributor for Robot, H+, Grim Couture and Port Iris magazines; and he spent three years as a columnist and contributing editor for Jim Baen's Universe Magazine. He is an artist, essayist, game designer, transhumanist, and is on the Advisory Board of The Lifeboat Foundation. Stephen is the author of Indistinguishable from Magic: Predictions of Revolutionary Future Science as well as A Brief History of Predicting the Future.
Every so often you encounter individuals in the indie film world who are talented, genuinely supportive of indie film and filmmakers, and who are straight-shooters. Nic Brown, mastermind of the popular indie film site B Movie Man, is one of these uncommon individuals.In addition to running the rapidly growing B Movie Man site, which has articles, reviews, interviews, trailers, and much more covering the world of independent film and b-films, Nic is also a very talented author, photographer, martial artist, and has even made a foray into talent representation. Indie Movie Masters is proud to spotlight Nic Brown in all of these areas, from the world of B-Movie Man, to his excellent book Blood Curse, to his work with actress Tucky Williams. We hope that you get a little idea about Nic, a guy who everyone involved in indie films can count as an ally and friend. The good reputation that he enjoys among a great number of individuals within the indie film community is indeed well-earned.-Stephen Zimmer, for Indie Movie Masters, June 17, 2009SZ: First, tell us a little about Nic Brown, your background, main interests, etc.NB: Well I've been into movies for as long as long as I can remember. I got interested in B-Movies back in the 80's when grew up watching COMMANDER USA'S GROOVY MOVIES every Saturday afternoon on the USA Network. I also put myself through college working at a movie theater. I was a projectionist and finally a manager before I quit to go teach English in Japan for three years. While in Japan I was able to pursue my interest in writing and was regularly featured in several English language publications put out over there. That's also where I met my wife, although she's British, not Japanese. She was another English teacher. After we got back to the States I went to work for a Japanese trading company and I'm still there. I love the writing and the B-Movies, but I have to pay the bills too.As for my hobbies and interests, I love traveling, especially to other countries. Reading, I'm always reading a book of some kind. Here's a shocker, I love movies! I also do yoga, kung-fu, I'm an avid skier (not the easiest hobby to have living in Kentucky).SZ: Obviously, you like indie films, B-Films, and that kind of thing. So what are some of your favorite films?NB: That’s a tough question. It depends on my mood. For mainstream films: ALIENS, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, John Woo's HARD BOILED, LE PACTE DE LOUPS (BROTHERHOOD OF THE WOLF), L.A. STORY, EUROTRIP, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN and LEON (THE PROFESSIONAL). From the independent film side: TROMEO & JULIET, TREK, BRAIN DEAD, THE CELLAR DOOR, UNDER THE RAVEN’S WING, DEAD MOON RISING and BONNIE & CLYDE VS. DRACULA. Of course there are more, but those are the ones that come to mind right away.SZ:What are some of the things/qualities that you look for in a good independent film/B-Movie?NB: For a good independent film I’m looking for originality, a good story and believable performances from the cast. Things like special effects and expensive sets are just extras. One more thing that is extremely important for a good independent film, which unfortunately is often overlooked, is the sound. I’m very forgiving of most of things when it comes to independent film, but if I can’t hear the dialogue, whether due to poor sound recording or the soundtrack music playing over it, I can’t enjoy the film.As for a good B-Movie, that’s easy: is it entertaining? If it is, then it’s a good B-Movie.SZ: Tell us about the original idea/concept for B Movie Man, and when was the site launched.NB: In mid-August 2006 I had the opportunity to meet two of my favorite authors, John Ringo and Dr. Travis S. Taylor (Google them if you don't know who they are). It was a small book signing in a mall in Tennessee and since it wasn't very busy we talked a lot. The publisher had a contest to win dinner with them and I lost, but they were nice enough to take me anyway! So I got to really know a couple of authors I admire and after that I felt inspired.I've always enjoyed writing but since my return from Japan, other than email I hadn't had much chance to write. Now I had the urge to finally write a book! I decided that for me, writing a book from a cold start would be like trying to run a marathon without ever training for it. It can be done by some people, but not me. So I started writing movie, book and television show reviews. Not wanting them to just sit on my computer I decided to start a website. I wanted Nicsflicks.com but it wasn't available at the time, so I went with a name that I'd been called by a friend of mine once after we discussed a number of obscure horror films that I like "B Movie Man".SZ: How has it evolved since its inception from your original vision for it?NB: Originally the site was just movie, book and television reviews. Then one day I started getting emails from indie filmmakers wanting me to check out their movies. So I started talking with indie filmmakers and that lead to doing interviews with them. From there I got the idea to start my “Women of Horror” series and that has become the most popular feature on my site.My original vision for the site was that it would be a venue for me to talk about movies I enjoy and to have a chance to improve my writing skills. Now it is still that, but more. I feel like it’s a place where independent filmmakers are not treated like second class citizens to Hollywood. There are a lot of really talented people out there and nothing makes me happier than to give some of them the opportunity to spread the word about their work.SZ: Do you use other contributors for the site? I imagine it is not an easy thing to develop as much content as you have on the site.NB: I have a few people contributing to the site. My wife Fiona, and a few of my friends like Eric Brooks and Crystal Angela write pieces for me as well. Of course there is also the new video series with Tucky, and the folks from Imaginaut Studios have given me an exclusive trailer for their new documentary on filmmaker Jim Wynorski: POPATOPOLIS, but in the end about 90% or more of the site's content is my own. I’m open to more contributions, but it’s not a paying gig so I take what I can get.SZ: Where do you see the site going in the future? Do you have any areas that you want to expand into?NB: I’m not sure where the site will go in the future. I’m very pleased with the way it is right now. I am excited about my new video content and I’ve started work on a new series called “Women of Sci-Fi” as well (coming soon). As far as expanding goes, I may start a feature about some of the music I like. I’m a big fan of some of the lesser known artists like The Cruxshadows or the late Warren Zevon so if I could do something there it might be fun!SZ: How many events do you attend? I’ve noticed you have been a panelist and an attendee at several conventions.NB: So far this year I’ve been to six events, three of them as a guest, and three just for fun. I have another three lined up for later this year: The Fright Night Film Festival, The Scarefest 2009 and the 3rd Annual B Movie Celebration. I’m a guest at Fright Night, I’m helping the organizers of Scarefest and I’ll be covering the B Movie Celebration for my site. I will probably go to a few more events just for fun, we’ll see.SZ: How is the feedback to the site? Do you get a lot of response to your reviews, articles, and interviews?NB: I get some very good feedback through email and when I’m at shows and such. My site isn’t set up like a blog, so there isn’t a feature for comments to be posted directly to the articles. I’m sure I’m missing out on some feedback because of that, but at the same time I don’t consider my site a “blog” so I like it the way it is.I also think the real feedback comes from the fact that a number of other websites carry my work. Roguecinema.com, Pretty-scary.net, Benevolentstreet.com and BMovieNation.com all carry some of my interviews and features. Plus, Vince Rotolo from BMovieCast.com invited me to be the regular guest host on his weekly B Movie Podcast. I’ve been doing that for over a year and half now and it’s a whole lot of fun.SZ: You do a lot of work with the very talented actress/model Tucky Williams, who has appeared in many independent films in significant roles. Tell us about your work with her, her website, and the joint appearances that you make together at conventions?NB: Tucky is a great lady and a good friend. I actually met her when I featured her in my “Women of Horror” series. I saw her film DEAD MOON RISING and contacted her about the feature. Since she lives in my home town we decided to do the interview at Café Jo Beth so my wife and I met her for dinner and then I did the interview. A couple of months later I was getting ready to do my first convention, the 2008 Scarefest, not as “B Movie Man” there to cover the event, but as Nic Brown, Author of “Blood Curse” and trying to sell a few books. I had an idea that I thought might be beneficial to me and Tucky. Since I had extra space at my booth, I invited Tucky to come share the booth with me. I even got the event organizers to promote her as a guest and the next thing you know, I had a line of people in front of booth and to date it has been my most successful show for sales. It was also Tucky’s first show and she found she really enjoyed getting to meet people and the whole convention atmosphere. So we decided to work together to promote her career as an actress and mine as an author. Tucky was also looking for someone to build her a website and I took a stab at it. I’m not the greatest webmaster out there, but I’m not bad either. Plus, I know what to avoid in a website like “Hey let’s do black text on a dark purple background”. That may not sound like a serious problem, but you’d be amazed at how many sites are almost impossible to read just because of their color scheme.In addition to handling Tucky’s website, I’m also working as her agent. I’m the first to admit that I’m not a professional agent, but Tucky wanted someone she could trust to help her with that aspect of her career. So I try my best. By the way, if any filmmakers are reading this check out http://www.tuckywilliams.com/ for a full resume, demo reel and photos!At the end of the day Tucky has become a really good friend to both me and my wife and that is what’s really important.SZ: Speaking of Tucky, I noticed that you have a new video interview series with Tucky on the B Movie Man site. Tell us a little about it.NB: We’re both really excited about this feature of the site. The series is called “Getting Lucky With Tucky” and in it Tucky interviews filmmakers, actors, and folks in the entertainment industry. Tucky has worked in television news and has a really great interviewing style. We’ve only done a couple of interviews so far, but we have plans to do a lot more, especially at some of the up coming conventions. Having new, original video content for my site is fantastic and Tucky loves doing the interviews so it’s a winner for both of us. The hardest part for me has been learning to edit video. We try to break the features down into five minute segments, plus I have to cut out all the parts where I start laughing at something funny she says.(SZ: here's one of the Getting Lucky With Tucky segments that are carried at the B Movie Man Site:SZ: Not everyone may know that you are an author. Tell us about Blood Curse: Werewolf For Hire Book One.NB: “Blood Curse” is my first novel. It’s an adventure/fantasy/mystery about a werewolf detective named Michael Warren. Michael’s world is one where the supernatural exists just outside of the public eye and he makes a living working with his partners Tabitha and her husband Sam who he describes by saying “She’s a witch and he’s my I.T. guy.” The first novel finds Michael traveling to Kentucky to investigate a disappearance that is related to a local horse farm owned by a wealthy sheik with a mysterious past.I like to think of “Blood Curse” as a B- Movie book. It’s got action, magic, werewolves, witches, and enough sex to keep it interesting. I wrote it because it is the kind of book I’d like to read. Also I was tired of all the moody vampires! Everywhere you look there’s another bloody vampire novel!SZ: I know you have studied martial arts. Did your martial arts background help lot with the plot development, characters, and fight scenes in Blood Curse?NB: Definitely. I spent ten years studying Shaolin Kung Fu and that has had a profound influence on most aspects of my life. With regards to my writing it has helped me have discipline. Writing a novel is not something most people do overnight, it takes hard work and dedication and those are traits that seriously studying the martial arts will help you develop. My study of Shaolin also helped me write the fight scenes. Knowing how to fight, what happens to someone if you twist their arm one way or kick them in another; that makes writing the fights both more realistic and more fun.SZ: When is the next book in the series coming out? And where can people order/buy the current one? (list all editions it is available in as well)NB: I’m still working on the second book in the series, but it’s almost finished! It will be called “Blood Sacrifice” and this time Michael must travel to England to find Tabitha’s niece. The first chapter of “Blood Sacrifice” is available for free download at http://www.werewolfforhire.com/, that’s my official site for the series. I hope to finish it this summer so it may be available this fall.You can also order copies of “Blood Curse” through that site. It’s available in paperback and hard cover editions or you can download the e-book as well. The paperback and hardcover editions are also available through Amazon.com and all the other online book retailers.SZ: Are there other ways to connect with B-Movie Man, such as social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook? If so, let us know!NB: I'm on myspace: www.myspace.com/nicholsbrown, Twitter: Bmovieman, look me up, I tweet about once a month! Facebook: look up Nic Brown you should find me. You can also reach me through The B Movie Cast: http://www.bmoviecast.com/, by the way, stop by podcastalley.com and vote for the B Movie Cast, we're #2 in entertainment and I'd love to see that go to #1!SZ: Is there anything else that you would like the indie film community to know about B Movie Man?NB: I’m always happy to check out new indie films so if you’ve got one you want me to look at, drop me a line! Now as Commander USA way say: "Until next time amigos, keep your nose in the wind, and your tail to yourself!"
Doctor Bob Boan (scientist and author) is today's featured guest. Dr. Boan's work has involved US Government space programs for the intelligence departments, but he has also done work for NASA and for commercial communications. He is coauthor (along with Doctor Travis S. Taylor) of the book: An Introduction to Planetary Defense: A Study of Modern Warfare Applied to Extra-Terrestrial Invasion. This book makes a serious and scientifically rigorous analysis of exactly how to defend Earth against an attack from space. Today that would mean from an alien force, but eventually this might mean human forces which have been deployed into space. John Ringo (the New York Times, Bestselling Military SF Author) called it: '...the definitive book on the defense of the Earth against a potential alien incursion... the book also serves as an important primer on the potential future of warfare on every level. It is tightly grounded in current day realities of war and extrapolates thoughtfully but closely about future potentials. It should be on the reading list of anyone who is serious about national security and the future of war.' Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the January 14, 2009 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 34 minutes] In today's interview Dr. Boan says: 'Our schools are based on conformity, but we need to encourage greater creative thinking. Let the kids color the cows purple and draw jewelry on them; they'll learn cows don't wear jewelry soon enough.' And he suggests: beyond identity theft, we need to be aware of 'personality theft:' literally the specific details of who we are: the details of our lives, and what makes us unique. Dr. Boan also describes why he thinks: China may be the place where the next big software security innovation gets developed; software development is being pushed most by video games; and nuclear power's bad rap is not only unjustified, it is hurting our future by ensuring our continued dependence on foreign oil; software has only begun to change our lives to the extent that it will; there are three areas that are already important but which will soon become exceedingly important: data archiving, data retrieval, and data security. He also talks about: robotics, AI, Virtual Reality, and movies with virtual actors rather than real ones. News in this episode: Kim Stanley Robinson (the bestselling author) will be making a personal appearance inside Second Life at noon Pacific time on Saturday, January 17, 2009. He will be speaking and answering questions in the Grand Meeting Room inside the Central Nexus Building in the City State of Extropia Core. The event will be hosted by Sophrosyne Stenvaag. Your host plans to be there taking pictures.
Authors Alan Dean Foster, David Drake, Sarah A. Hoyt, Stephen L. Antczak and Doctor Travis S. Taylor are joined by Peter Stampfel, a professional editor and performing musician. Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the September 1st, 2006 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 123 minutes] --- Topics include: [1] Is it true that immaturity in adults is becoming universal? A new scientific study says: Yes, definitely. [2] What unexpected changes are occurring in the third world? Author, and world traveler, Alan Dean Foster describes his first-hand experiences. [3] Did you know that we are currently in a Golden Age for collectables? Your host makes a case for this in an essay. [4] Would you perceive yourself--along with everything else in the universe--differently if you spoke a different language? Author Sarah A. Hoyt (formerly a professional translator and still a bit of a polyglot) discusses how languages affect individuals and humanity. [5] What are the trends within the independent film industry? Author and filmmaker Stephen L. Antczak gives us an insider's view. [6] Why is Fantasy dominating over Science Fiction in books, movies and TV? And what's all this stuff about a new category of Fantasy novels which are filled with sex? Long-time editor at DAW books, Peter Stampfel, spells it all out; after which he lets the host include another of his songs, this time one he wrote himself: Me and Old Dog Tray. [7] Another installment in our serialization of the novel Bones Burnt Black. [8] What are the changing trends and public perceptions of Motorcycles? Author David Drake aught to know, he's been riding motorcycles instead of cars for over 30 years. [9] What's next in manned space exploration? How are we going to refuel the Hubble Space Telescope? Is the US military really planning for war in low earth orbit? And is it true the Chinese are gearing up to go to the moon? Author and scientist Doctor Travis S. Taylor covers it all.
Authors Alan Dean Foster, Spider and Jeanne Robinson, David Drake and John Ringo are joined by Doctor Travis S. Taylor (rising author and noted scientist) and Peter Stampfel (professional editor and performing musician). Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the August 1, 2006 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 150 minutes] --- Topics include: [1] News briefs on: an invisible form of online shopping fraud; the fact that this program The Future And You is now a finalist for a Parsec Award; and two paragraphs from Cory Doctorow's brilliant commentary entitled: Science Fiction is the Only Literature People Care Enough About to Steal on the Internet. [2] Alan Dean Foster describes his view of the future and how it relates to his many novels of science fiction and fantasy. He also reveals how you can find a secret Easter egg hidden on his website. [3] Spider and Jeanne Robinson describe their courtship and collaboration, as well as their vision of the future which is distilled in their Hugo and Nebula award winning Stardance trilogy; a vision which embraces and expands upon transhumanism by describing what we as a species may transform ourselves into next. Spider also explains how he expects humanity to create Heaven retroactively. [4] Peter Stampfel (submissions editor at DAW books and a performing musician) provides an unflinching insider's look at the terrible and wonderful trends within the music business; especially concerning recording contracts and performing live before an audience. As a bonus, we also hear another song from his album: a bouncy Glenn Miller number called Elmer's Tune. [5] Chapter nine in our serialization of the novel Bones Burnt Black. [6] David Drake who reads and translates ancient Latin for fun and relaxation, discusses lessons from antiquity; similarities between the USA and ancient Rome; and one of the host's (Stephen Euin Cobb's) favorite British miniseries: I Claudius. Stephen also asks David how he thinks the USA might meet its eventual and inevitable end. After all, someday the USA, like the Roman Empire, will no longer exist. [7] John Ringo makes a serious case for his conviction that global warming is a scientific hoax perpetrated by the desperate need of researchers for grant money, sustained through academic coercion, and fed to an accepting public by media outlets locked in an endless competition for the most sensational headline. [8] What if someone invented a Faster Than Light Drive before the end of this year? What if astronauts could get to the nearest star in a week; or any of the thousand nearest stars in a month? How would that change our world and global politics? Granted it's not likely to happen so soon. Most people figure it will take centuries before we invent FTL; if it can be done at all. But if Doctor Travis S. Taylor is correct, we may have FTL within 32 years. Within yours or your children's lifetime someone could be on their way to the stars. But then the question becomes: will these explorers speak English or Russian or Chinese?
Authors David Drake, John Ringo and Jeanne Robinson are among the guests, as are Peter Stampfel (associate editor at DAW books), Doctor Travis S. Taylor (scientist, author and discoverer of two exoplanets) and a few very brief comments by Spider Robinson. Hosted by Stephen Euin Cobb, this is the July 1, 2006 episode of The Future And You. [Running time: 110 minutes] --- Topics include: [1] News-briefs concerning: Jim Baen's stroke, coma and death; China going to the moon; the claim that diamonds are only semi-precious stones; the first World eBook Fair; the latest mind games that online crooks play; the third annual Death Stacks tournament (a game invented by your host); and this show being nominated for a Parsec Award. [2] Co-author of the bestselling Stardance novels, Jeanne Robinson, tells of her Stardance Project which originally had her scheduled for a Space Shuttle ride into orbit, then was temporarily shelved due to the Challenger Disaster in 1986, but is now back on track thanks to recent advances in CGI film making. (Spider Robinson, her husband and co-author, makes a few brief comments.) [3] Peter Stampfel, associate editor at DAW books, explains problems with the new Google Books project which plans to make searchable pretty much all the text of all the books in the world. Also, Peter Stampfel's current musical project: a compilation of one song from every year in the 20th century. And as a bonus we include a song he wrote and performed from his CD You Must Remember This, entitled: Take Me Away. [4] Chapter eight in our serialization of the novel Bones Burnt Black. [5] Doctor Travis S. Taylor (scientist, author and discoverer of two exoplanets--planets which orbit stars other than our sun), talks about exoplanets, how planets are born, and the anticipated discovery of many new earths. He also describes how amateur astronomers can now discover these extrasolar planets using off-the-shelf, store-bought equipment. The interview also covers his Hard Science Fiction novel Von Neumann's War which he co-wrote with the bestselling author John Ringo. This novel asks the question: how would we defend ourselves if our solar system was invaded by billions of self-replicating robotic Von Neumann machines. [6] David Drake on the weakness of science fiction as prediction and the accumulation of historical errors in popular culture. [7] John Ringo disputes the idea that the Singularity is an event that could actually occur, as well as the practicality of hydrogen as an alternative fuel.
Dr. Travis S. Taylor, a coauthor of Planetary Defense: A Study of Modern Warfare Applied to Extra-Terrestrial Invasion; world-famous UFO and paranormal author Brad Steiger on legends of "The Philadelphia Experiment."
Dr. Travis S. Taylor, a coauthor of Planetary Defense: A Study of Modern Warfare Applied to Extra-Terrestrial Invasion; world-famous UFO and paranormal author Brad Steiger on legends of "The Philadelphia Experiment."