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In this amazing two-part interview, V. S. Holmes spoke with fantasy author Sebastien de Castell about the different ways we connect with readers, how we picture ourselves in others' shoes, and how existentialism impacts our careers and sense of self. Tune in next week for Part Two! https://www.decastell.com @decastell https://Facebook.com/SebastienDeCastell

V speaks with some of the incredible people behind the SNARC comic: Dr. Bruce Olav Solhiem and Gary and Laura Dumm. The team discusses their history in comics, the process behind creating SNARC and what drew each of them to the naive alien who comes to Earth as a vanguard of an invasion. https://www.bruceolavsolheim.com/snarc.html https://www.dummart.com/ https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=fTFKsFSuNfE

V jumps back on the podcast with Olivia and Nonir, the two halves of O. E. Tearmann to chat about what it's like to write dystopian fiction while living in one, the amount of research that goes into creating a near-future world. They also share what's next for the Ace High Jokers Wild series and how they tackle such a diverse array of characters! https://www.oetearmann.com/ https://books2read.com/handsweregiven

V sits down with famed musician Melanie--of global Met and Woodstock fame--to talk about how creative industries have changed in the face of capitalism and the horrifying realization about her rights and royalties that came with her husband's death. https://www.melaniesafka.com/ https://twitter.com/melaniesafka https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRk3uJG-FRzn-sasozxx0kA https://www.facebook.com/melanie.safka.5

V and Urban Fantasy author Kieva Mclaughlin explore the alternate afterlives in her book TORPOR, how the pandemic inspired her to take the writing plunge, and how to balance marketing strategies. www.kievamclaughlin.com @kievamclaughlin

V and horror author Jennifer Anne Gordon explore the honestly of self we experience while grieving, and how she showcases this altered reality through the language in her novels. Plus, they touch on the dichotomy of being cheerfully death-obsessed and how she showcases mistakes on her own podcast. http://www.JenniferAnneGordon.com Facebook Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/JenniferAnneGordonAuthor/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jennifergenevievegordon/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/JenniferAnneGo5 Book Bub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jennifer-anne-gordon Goodreads -https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20063036.Jennifer_Gordon

Urban fantasy and horror author Mark Leslie joins V on the podcast to discuss how he turns the alpha wolf trope on its head, the science behind his pack dynamics, and the bone-chilling story that made a horror writer sleep with the lights on! www.markleslie.ca

Historic fantasy author Marie Powell joins V to discuss how fiction can provide new theories on historic peoples' lives and explore the early colonization of the Welsh--and how a question about her own ancestor began the adventure of a lifetime! Website: www.mariepowell.ca Twitter @mepowell https://twitter.com/mepowell Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariepowellauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariepowellauthor/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/mariepowell Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00E62LD5E

V and Liz Butcher discuss why so many are gravitating toward horror during fearful times, some fears we face as creatives, and the ghosts many face during social isolation. Plus, Liz shares why her newest novel, LaRoux Manor, encapsulates these times. Website: https://lizbutcherauthor.com.au Twitter: https://twitter.com/lunaloveliz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunaloveliz/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Liz-Butcher-1394868604152823/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13845425.Liz_Butcher

V and speculative fiction author Marc Watson discuss the conversations that shape worlds--both our own, and the fictional ones to which we escape. Plus, they dive into the reality of being a modern author and what to do with those pesky day jobs. www.marcwatson.ca www.Twitter.com/writewatson www.facebook.com/marcwroteabook

V gets technical about different creative media with Dr. Bruce Olav Solheim during his second appearance on the podcast, and they discuss the parallels between the Wild West of the United States and the final frontier of space, plus what the introspection of 2020 brings to the evolutionary table. www.bruceolavsolheim.com https://www.facebook.com/LockdownTheatre/

V and Edward Willet tackle worlds that bend genres and how to straddle independent versus traditional publishing--plus the secret to being a successful freelance creator. http://www.edwardwillett.com http://www.theworldshapers.com http://www.shadowpawpress.com http://www.twitter.com/ewillett http://www.facebook.com/edward.willett

V speaks with Sahara Foley, who transformed her late husband's creative work into a wonderful blend of Arthurian legends, science-fantasy, and paranormal plots. https://saharafoley.com/ https://www.facebook.com/booksbysaharafoley

V dives into the churning political waters of near-future speculative fiction with 2/3 of the team who created the anthology AND THE LAST TRUMP SHALL SOUND. Cat Rambo discusses their focus on found family and the impact on the marginalized, lower class community, while James Morrow shares his satirical if outlandish take on dismantling a Pence pseudo-monarchy. CAT RAMBO: http://www.kittywumpus.net/blog/ JAMES MORROW: http://www.jamesmorrow.info/ HARRY TURTLEDOVE: https://www.sfsite.com/~silverag/turtledove.html

V chats with former 911 operator and thriller author Rachael Tamayo, about the incredible keynote that inspired her first book, and how living with no closure changed her writing. CW: school shooting, domestic violence www.rachaeltamayowrites.com

V and Celeste Harte discuss the impact our mother-tongue has on our thought process as writers, different creative outlets, and how she decolonized fantasy as a way to explore her own erased heritage. https://celesteharte.wordpress.com/

YA fantasy author and podcaster Jenna Greene returns to the show to discuss what it's like writing dystopia when our world increasingly looks like one, and how she got started with podcasting! Plus an update on the sequels to REBORN. www.jennagreene.ca www.facebook.com/jennabutrenchukgreene @jgreenewrites

V discusses real-life guardian angels, the daunting reality of co-authoring, and wrinkles in researching real-world places with urban fantasy author K. C. Freeman. https://www.facebook.com/KCFreemanAuthor/ https://kcfreemanauthor.com/ https://twitter.com/KCFreeman5 https://www.instagram.com/kvcfreeman5/

V talks creative process, sci-fi technology, and why young adults ARE more likely to save the world with author and musician Jackiem Joyner--plus a glimpse as his debut science fiction novel, ZARYA! Facbook: www.facebook.com/jackiemjoyner Instagram: @author.jackiem Website: jackiemjoyner.com

In honor of Blood and Mercy's release, V joined Toadstool Books to bring you this incredible virtual signing, which premiered on YouTube on July 11th at 4 pm! They rad an excerpt, answer fans' questions--including what's next for Blood of Titans and where to find good resources on disability--and you can order exclusive Toadstool Signed Paperbacks! Don't forget to drop your comments or questions in the video's comment section--V will answer all of those not covered in the video. SIGNED PAPERBACKS: https://www.toadbooks.com EBOOKS: https://books2read.com/bloodandmercy DIGITAL BOX SET: https://books2read.com/cataclysm MUSIC CREDITS: "100 Seconds" by Punch Deck https://soundcloud.com/punch-deck Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US