Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

E685 - Scott Hatfield - The Shadow of Cáelunárra, Semi-Clean and NO SPICE - Epic Dark Immersive Fantasy

EPISODE 685 - Scott Hatfield - The Shadow of Cáelunárra, Semi-Clean and  NO SPICE - Epic Dark Immersive FantasyAbout the authorScott A. Hatfield Jr. is a lifelong storyteller, political scientist, and avid hiker who blends myth, emotion, and world-shaping prophecy into his writing. Based in the Intermountain West, Scott draws inspiration from the raw landscapes of Utah, his academic studies, and the human struggles that echo through history. He earned his Master of Public Administration from Utah Valley University and has studied abroad at the University of Oxford.After years of imagining the world of Cáelunárra, it was an injury sustained while scouting trails for his nonprofit—the Utah Trail Association—that finally pushed him to write it. That first story quickly became a multi-book saga. His debut novel, The Shadow of Cáelunárra, launches a sweeping epic of destiny, darkness, and the high cost of hope.When he's not writing, Scott can be found deep in the mountains with his wife, young daughter, and a very opinionated chihuahua.https://www.facebook.com/p/Scott-Hatfield-the-Author-61578132508209/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

E684 - Cyndi Brec - THE THERANS SERIES, hidden truths, the weight of untold legends, and the power of preserving the past while daring to shape the future

EPISODE 684 - Cyndi Brec - THE THERANS SERIES, hidden truths, the weight of untold legends, and the power of preserving the past while daring to shape the futureMy name is Cyndi Brec. I love writing my heroine into dangerous webs of deception while I sip French vanilla iced coffee. I'm an avid reader turned YA fantasy romance writer with a strong background in Recreational Therapy who has penned The Therans Series. I have never thought of myself as an author, more of a storyteller. During my downtime, I started writing while caring for my husband, kids, and extended family. I'm a creative wordsmith who weaves tales that transcend the boundaries of reality—pure storytelling magic enriched by the unique lens of a dyslexic novelist. Ahead of publication, I've snagged several endorsements from notable authors and influencers: Jonas Saul, the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series; Alan Warren, NBC Radio Host/Producer/Author; and Suzy Vadori, Author and critic of the Fountain Series and three-time Aurora Awards Finalist. I have also secured a 5-star rating from Readers’ Favorite for The Therans: Secrets Beneath Scars and the second novel in the series, The Therans: Legends Never Die.I'm just a regular gal—storyteller, speaker, and co-host of the P English Literature podcast. I joke around, saying, "I'm a sidekick podcaster interviewing authors and serving book banter." I also speak on ‘Time Management Strategies for Authors Success: Managing Your Minutes,’ aiming to inspire fellow authors to live their dreams. I champion pursuing dreams and embracing challenges, refusing to let disabilities hold me back. My faith has grown through resilience and determination.After marrying, I traveled to Europe and many of the States. However, Ohio is my home, where my husband and I have raised two great kids and several energetic dogs. My love of history was enriched by co-owning a 200-year-old historic watermill with Rich for over 20 years, which has fostered an appreciation of historical knowledge and cultivation of The Therans Series. The Watermill is the backdrop to the Theran story world and the creation of fictional creatures.Currently, I am working on an anthology and co-authoring a historical nonfiction book. This book will detail a historic Water Mill, its historical accounts, and the restoration process.Stay epic, write wild, read like it's your superpower, and never stop causing chaos with your words!Air hugs!https://www.inkerspen.com/cyndi-brechttps://cyndibrecauthor.wordpress.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

E393 - Adam Nimoy - The Most Human, Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy

Episode 393 - Adam Nimoy - The Most Human, Reconciling with My Father, Leonard NimoyAdam was born during the Eisenhower administration to Leonard and Sandra Zoberblatt Nimoy. He attended the University Elementary School, a “lab school” run by UCLA, where he was subjected to numerous psychological experiments. The experimentation continued at UC Berkeley in the form of mind-altering substances from which he may, or may not, have fully recovered. In a state of absolute certainty, Adam attended Loyola Law School. He was wrong. After seven years of practicing entertainment law and one moment of clarity, Adam left his life as an attorney to follow his passion of making films. After directing forty-five hours of network television, some of it sublime, some of it eminently unwatchable, Adam’s career plummeted due in large part to drug and alcohol addiction. On January 1, 2004, Adam entered 12-Step recovery hoping to achieve an attitude adjustment. This was a New Year’s resolution he knew he had to keep. For 8 years, he taught writing, directing and acting at the New York Film Academy and taught filmmaking at Beit T’Shuvah, an addiction treatment center where the residents kept him on the straight and narrow.Book: The Most Human: Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy"Engaging and immensely relatable, while at the same time offering deeply profound insights into Adam Nimoy's personal relationships, particularly with his famous father." — Eugene Roddenberry Jr., CEO Roddenberry Entertainment Living with Dad was like living with a stranger— as a kid I often had trouble connecting and relating to him. But I was always proud of him. Even before Star Trek I'd see him popping up in bit roles on some of my favorite TV shows like Get Smart, Sea Hunt, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. And then one night he brought home Polaroids of himself in makeup and wardrobe for a pilot he was working on. It was December 1964 and nobody had heard of Star Trek. Still, the eight-year-old me had watched enough Outer Limits and My Favorite Martian to understand exactly what I was looking at. Spock's popularity happened quickly, and soon the fan magazines were writing about dad's personal life, characterizing us as a "close family." But the awkwardness that defined our early relationship blossomed into conflict, sometimes smoldering, sometimes open and intense. There were occasional flashes of warmth between the arguments and hurt feelings— even something akin to love— especially when we were celebrating my father's many successes. The rest of the time, things between us were often strained. My resentment towards my father kept building through the years. I wasn't blameless, I know that now, but my bitterness blinded me to any thought of my own contribution to the problem. I wanted things to be different for my children. I wanted to be the father I never had, so I coached Maddy's soccer, drove Jonah to music lessons, helped them with their homework— all the things dads are supposed to do. All the things I wanted to do. So what if my Dad and I had been estranged for years? I was living one day at a time. And then I got his letter. Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3KvTi1shttps://adamnimoy.com/original pub date - Wednesday, July 17, 2024Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

E683 - Anson Joaquin - Author of Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction and Epic Fantasy - The Infernal Age series

EPISODE 683 - Anson Joaquin - Author of Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction and Epic Fantasy - The Infernal Age seriesAnson Joaquin joins the show from Roanoke, Virginia, a mountain town he describes with both affection and humor. While the location may have been jokingly dismissed by others, it provides the peaceful setting where Anson balances family life, a full time job, and his work as a novelist.Anson shares how his love of storytelling began early. As a child he was introduced to fantasy and science fiction through books like The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. That early exposure sparked a lifelong interest in imaginative worlds and planted the idea that one day he would write a book of his own.The turning point came after a vivid dream about a man on fire wielding an axe while fighting demons in the real world. The imagery stayed with him so strongly that he began writing down everything he could remember the next morning. What started as notes about the dream quickly expanded into ten pages of world building and eventually became the foundation for his series.Anson quickly learned that having a great idea is only the first step. Early in the process he discovered the difference between writers who “pants” their stories and those who outline them in advance. Although he initially believed he was someone who could simply sit down and write, he realized outlining the plot and character arcs gave him the structure he needed to make steady progress.With a demanding schedule and four children at home, his writing routine happens early in the morning before the rest of the day begins. Each session is guided by a clear goal. Knowing what he wants to accomplish in each chapter allows him to make the most of limited writing time and continue building the story step by step.The series blends science fiction, fantasy, and horror within a post apocalyptic setting. The story begins with a failed secret experiment that tears open a breach between worlds, unleashing terrifying creatures often described as demons. The narrative follows three central human characters and occasionally shifts perspective to one of the demons, a storytelling choice inspired by feedback from early beta readers who wanted to see more of that character.Key takeaway: A compelling story may begin with a spark of inspiration, but turning that idea into a finished book requires structure, persistence, openness to feedback, and a commitment to learning every part of the creative and publishing process.The Infernal Age series is a post-apocalyptic genre blend of science-fiction, fantasy, and horror that explores the themes of humanity, metamorphosis, alienation, masculinity (both toxic and ideal), willpower, duty, friendship, love, predation, magic, science, philosophy, and pithy quips. The series gradually becomes more fantasy as it progresses, as the world adjusts to its new reality. While the series is anchored in the traditions of The Mist and Dies the Fire, among others, it is also for people whose favorite part of Cabin in the Woods was the banter between the scientists in the lab, or whose favorite scene in Kill Bill Vol 2 was Bill's soliloquy about Superman's implicit contempt for the human race.https://www.ansonjoaquin.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

E682 - Ben Schenkman - Author of The Devil You Know Series, Representation and Stories That Include All Voices

EPISODE 682 - Ben Schenkman - Author of The Devil You Know Series, Representation and Stories That Include All VoicesBen Schenkman likes many things in life: his 20-pound Maine coon cat, his family, his coffee, and his eclectic hobbies—not necessarily in that order.Ben also likes to play devil’s advocate in his urban fantasy books by exploring the gray areas of good and evil with questions like, “Does the end really justify the means? Or is it all simply black and white?” Ben leaves these questions lingering in the ether to challenge readers’ conventional thinking and delve into the complexities of moral dilemmas.As a native of Connecticut, Ben draws inspiration from his upbringing and college years in New Haven, where his novels take place. When he wants to escape being a writer, he’s a massive foodie who goes on gastronomic adventures, an overachiever who collects degrees in Theater, Nuclear Engineering, and an MBA, or the manager/performer of the fire dance troupe, HVBRIS—all in a day’s work, really.Want to know more about his work, or talk about coffee and cats? He loves hearing from readers!https://benschenkman.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca