Episode 39 - Going Ape!

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Alan and Dave talk about their writing life, current projects and future plans.

Dave talks about the latest Gryphonwood Press signing, Justin Macumber, of Dead Robot’s Society fame.

Then we talk about some listener feedback:

Dave responds to some feedback about Scrivener and talks about how he uses it to help his novel writing.

Here’s the ebook Dave mentions from a listener comment: http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Novel-Scrivener-ebook/dp/B004ZG7BMU

Here’s the Wordle site the listener tipped: http://www.wordle.net/  

Alan talks about how he doesn’t really get on with the writing aid applications but uses several Word documents instead.

Here’s the Y-Writer software we mention from Simon Haynes: http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html

We then talk about tracking productivity or wordcounts and whether we do or don’t use those kind of goals.

Next, we discuss what kind of music we listen to while we write and why.

Then we go ape.

Alan talks about how he was driven to rage-tweet about just how awful the Tim Burton movie of Planet Of The Apes was as he watched it on TV.

Dave reviews the original book, Planet Of The Apes by Pierre Boulle (1963), then Alan talks about why the Burton movie is so bad in comparison to such a great book.

This leads us to lament the distinct lack of story in movies these days, with spectacle always sacrificing storytelling.

Dave then talks about some listener response to his question: What are your favourite Ape/Protohuman stories.

Following that, Dave lists his own Top 10 Ape/Human Ancestor Books:

1. Planet of the Apes - Pierre Boulle

2. Neanderthal - John Darnton

3. Congo - Michael Crichton

4. The Lost World - Arthur Conan Doyle

5. Direct Descendant - Charles Wilson

6. Almost Adam - Petro Popescu

7. The Time Machine - H.G. Wells

8. Tarzan of the Apes - Edgar Rice Burroughs

9. Eaters of the Dead - Michael Crichton

10. Hominids - Robert J. Sawyer

Episode 038 – Heroes and Superheroes with Adam Christopher

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Dave and Alan talk briefly about where they are in their writing life, then go on to chat a bit about their favourite heroes and superheroes.

Alan’s Top 10 Fictional Characters post, as mentioned in the chat - http://www.alanbaxteronline.com/2010/09/17/top-ten-fictional-characters.html

We then discuss the need among people for heroes. Even if you don’t watch movies or read comics or books, sports stars become heroes and so on.

We discuss historical heroes and the Indiana Jones type of exploratory hero. We need to admire and look up to someone and aspire to greater things.

Batman really would beat Jesus in a fight, incidentally.

Then we have a great chat with new Angry Robot author Adam Christopher, whose new superhero/alt-history novel, Empire State, is out now.

Empire State - http://angryrobotbooks.com/our-authors/adam-christopher/empire-state-adam-christopher/

Adam talks a bit about his writing life and previous publications in short fiction.

We also give a mention to Emma Newman who narrated a podcast of one of Adam’s stories. Emma’s collection is fantastic, and I was lucky enough to get an early read and blurb it. You can find that here: http://www.enewman.co.uk/book-details/from-dark-places

But back to Adam. He talks about how he was discovered by Angry Robot Books through Twitter, which is a really fascinating story.

Adam mentions his short fiction published at Hub Magazine - http://www.hubfiction.com/

Adam talks about how his representation with his agent came about after the Angry Robot interest.

Then Adam goes on to talk about just what Empire State is all about.

We talk about reading habits, comics, books and others.

We talk briefly about Adam’s current and future projects, but he’s being mysterious on that front.

We talk about reading widely to be a good writer.

We have a chat about our favourite comics.

Then the great question – What superpower would we choose if we could?

http://www.adamchristopher.co.uk/

https://twitter.com/#!/ghostfinder

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ThrillerCast is Going Ape and Needs Your Help!

ThrillerCast is going ape! In our upcoming episode we're going to discuss books and movies in which apes or ape-like creatures are central to the plot. Here's what we want to know in advance: What is your favorite book that falls into that category and why?

It could be something like Planet of the Apes or Congo. Maybe it's something cryptid like Primeval by David Lynn Golemon. We'll even stretch it to include human ancestors and related hominids (Is that the correct word?) such as Almost Adam by Petru Popescu or Instinct by Jeremy Robinson...

We'll read your answers during the episode! You can reply in the comments section or email us at thrillerpodcast [at] gmail.com

Episode 37 - Catching Up and Crapping On

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In our most free-flow episode in some time, Dave and Alan catch up on writing, discuss various issues and share a few news items.

- Updates on Alan's writing- several recent sales.
- David is working on a Young Adult novella.
- David will be a guest at Balticon 2012.
- Jeremy Robinson's next Chess Team novel will be published (in print) by Seven Realms Publishing.
- Will more big press authors manage their own e-rights in the future and sell their print rights only? How can publishers give successful authors incentives to remain with publishing houses?
- Are readers forgotten in contemporary publishing discussions?
- Trends in e-reading and "gaps" in potential readership.
- In what circumstances do we still want a physical copy?
- Dave's thoughts on The Adventures of Tintin.
- New and forthcoming releases in thrillers.
- Guests coming to ThrillerCast in February.

Episode 036 - Writing Short Stories with Angela Slatter

Alan and David talk short stories and editing with award-winning author Angela Slatter.




Click here to download the episode.

We talk about stupid author tricks – Dumb tagging on Amazon.

We talk about writing short stories, the value of short stories to enhance craft and publication credits and to raise an author’s profile.

Then we have a great chat with Angela Slatter.

http://www.angelaslatter.com/

Angela Slatter is a Brisbane-based writer of speculative fiction (that’s in Australia, by the way). In 2010, she had two short story collections published, Sourdough & Other Stories with Tartarus Press (UK) (which was shortlisted for a World Fantasy Award) and The Girl with No Hands & Other Tales (Ticonderoga Publications) (which won an Aurealis Award). This makes her happy.

In 2012, she will have another collection of short stories, a collaboration with friend and writing-partner-in-crime, Lisa L Hannett. Midnight and Moonshine will be published by Ticonderoga Publications. Her short stories have appeared in anthologies such as Jack Dann’s Dreaming Again, Tartarus Press’ Strange Tales II, Twelfth Planet Press’ 2012, Dirk Flinthart’s Canterbury 2100, and in journals such as Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet, Shimmer, ONSPEC and Doorways Magazine. Her work has had several Honourable Mentions in the Datlow, Link, Grant Year’s Best Fantasy and Horror anthologies #20 and #21 and the Datlow Year’s Best Horror anthologies, and her stories have been shortlisted for the Aurealis Awards four years in a row.

She is working on various short stories and three novels at the moment.

Angela talks about her what she thinks makes for success in short fiction, and where the short story differs from the novella and the novel.

Angela goes on to suggest ways to trim your longer fiction down into a shorter story and how to get to the essence of what you’re trying to achieve.

We talk about the nature and benefits of the Clarion writers’ program.

Angela talks about her novel in progress.

We go on to talk about the process of collaborating with another writer on short fiction.

We talk briefly about Angela’s short-term stint as editor of the Weird Fiction Review.

http://weirdfictionreview.com/

We talk about how writers can benefit from editing.

Should we use smaller ideas for shorter stories?

We talk about the renaissance of short fiction and novellas and our hope that those things continue to see a rise in popularity. We also mention how mystifying it is to us that those things aren’t already more popular.

And here’s the list of "classics" everyone should read, that Angela has put together for us:

Shirley Jackson - We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Shirley Jackson - The Haunting of Hill House
Clive Barker’s - Cabal (or Nightbreed)
Henry James - The Turn of the Screw
H P Lovecraft - The Shadow Over Innsmouth and Other Stories
Bran Stoker’s - The Judge’s House
Marghanita Laski’s - The Tower
Edgar Allan Poe - The Fall of the House of Usher
Anything by M R James (*Stephen Jones is editing a HUGE collection of M R James’ work – out in 2012 via the lovely Jo Fletcher Books (there’s a series of readings of M R James stories on youtube by Robert Powell http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaDIbsN1710 and a little teleplay with Christopher Lee (hallowed be his name!) here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvkgwGGLp0k , which are made of awesome).

Find Angela online:

Angela’s site: http://www.angelaslatter.com/

Ticonderoga Publications: http://ticonderogapublications.com/

Tartarus Press: http://tartaruspress.com/

http://weirdfictionreview.com/

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Episode 035 - Special Ops and Spirits - Myke Cole Interview

Click here to download this episode directly.

Dave and Alan talk about their Xmas break.

Here are the bookshelves Alan was talking about:

http://www.alanbaxteronline.com/2012/01/14/bit-bookshelf-porn.html

We discuss briefly the nature of hardcovers becoming the true artefact book that people want to collect, while the majority of reading is done on ereaders.

Then we talk a bit about our plans for the year.

We talk about the free books we still have to give away from the Xmas promotion. Get on it, folks!

Then we go on to talk about the KDP Select program through Amazon, and our concerns about it.

Then we have a great chat with Myke Cole about his Shadow Ops books – the first one, Control Point, is out any time now.

http://mykecole.com/

We talk about the inspiration for Myke’s books – military and magic, inspired by Dungeons & Dragons combined with Myke’s military and Pentagon experiences.

We go on to discuss Myke’s road to publication and gives his opinion about indie versus traditional publishing.

We talk about establishing a profile and using Kickstarter on the back of existing success.

Myke talks about his extensive planning method of writing a book.

http://mykecole.com/ 

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Episode 34- Holiday Extravaganza with Boyd Morrison

This week we talk with thriller author Boyd Morrison and give away tons of free books!


Click here for direct download.

Dave talks about his new novella, Icefall. http://www.amazon.com/Icefall-Dane-Maddock-Adventures-ebook/dp/B006LFJ4DM

The blog post David mentions - http://davidwoodonline.blogspot.com/2011/12/morning-wood-lessons-learned-from-my.html

We briefly discuss the beauty of the novella length work.

Alan’s novella will be serialised at Red Penny Papers from February next year - http://redpennypapers.com/

We have a cool chat with Boyd Morrison - http://www.boydmorrison.com/books.php

Boyd talks about his books, about his growth from indie author to multi-language deals and more.

Boyd finishes with a quick explanation of what’s next in store for him.

And now, THE GIVEAWAY!

Tis the season for giving, so we at ThrillerCast, because we are awesome, bring you free books. Lots of them!

Free ebooks:
All of these books are being given away in multiple formats at smashwords.com. Enter the respective coupon codes at checkout for your free downloads. (Please note- each of these codes does have an expiration date and not all are the same. Don't miss out!)

The Adventures of Dodge Dalton in the Shadow of Falcon's Wings by Sean Ellis:
Coupon Code: JB35K
Expires: January 14, 2012

The Curse of One-Eyed Jack (A Dark Hollows Mystery) by Kent Holloway:
Coupon Code: YN82B
Expires: January 14, 2012

Double Heart (A Will Lansa Mystery) by Rob Macgregor:
Coupon Code: TL25Q
Expires: January 14, 2012

Survivor's Affair (A John Logan Thriller) by Rick Nichols :
Coupon Code: HA24L
Expires: January 14, 2012

The Arbiter Project by Marek Storm :
Coupon Code BK35B
Expires: January 2

Ion by Marek Storm:
Coupon Code ZA79E
Expires: January 2

RealmShift by Alan Baxter
Coupon Code MQ65Z
Expires: January 2

The Zombie-Driven Life by David Wood
Coupon Code BQ64G
Expires: January 2

New World Orders by Edward G. Talbot
Coupon Code NT92Z
Expires January 20

2012: The Fifth World by Edward G. Talbot
Coupon Code: RR22M
Expires January 20

Double Agent by Sean Sweeney
Coupon Code: FG76E
Expires January 5


Ebook Giveaway- Single Copies 
For this giveaway, email us at thrillerpodcast[at]gmail.com and put Ebook Giveaway in the header. In the body of your email, let us know what format you prefer (Kindle/Mobi, Nook/Epub, etc...)


The Sentinel by Jeremy Bishop
Callsign: Queen by Jeremy Robinson and David Wood
Magic Mirror by Sean Ellis


Print books-
In order to win one of these, please email us at thrillerpodcast[at]gmail.com. Put something profound in the header like "Giveaway," "Give Me Some Freakin' Books," or "Moo! I'm a goat."


If you are chosen as as winner, we'll e-mail you back to get your mailing address.

The Supernaturals by David Golemon
The Pharos Objective by David Sakmyster
The Game anthology (including stories by Alan and David)
Wired Kingdom by Rick Chesler
RealmShift by Alan Baxter
Quest by David Wood
Dead Eye: The Skinwalker Conspiracies by Jim Bernheimer
The Devil Colony by James Rollins