Beyond the Dystopia: Exploring Freedom and Humanity with D.A. Murray

Body Horror, Ancestral Bones & the Stories That Haunt Us – A Conversation with Candice Lola

What happens when horror becomes a mirror for identity, grief, and healing? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with horror author Candice Lola for a deeply fascinating conversation about body horror, folklore, and the stories that refuse to let us go. Candice opens up about how she unexpectedly found herself drawn to horror—not as mere shock value, but as a powerful metaphor for growing up, confronting difficult truths, and reclaiming parts of ourselves we've been taught to hide. She explains why body horror resonates so deeply with her, how themes of ancestral veneration and social commentary weave through her work, and why emotional honesty is the scariest—and most important—thing a writer can offer. Together, they explore Candice's debut collection, Women of Glass and Other Parables, her publishing experiences with major outlets like NBC's Today and the Huffington Post, and the powerful message behind her TED Talk on Afrodivinity and identity. If you've ever wondered how horror can challenge, comfort, and connect us all at once, this episode is for you.   Find Candice here: Website: http://candicelola.com [http://candicelola.com] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_lola/ [https://www.instagram.com/candice_lola/]   How to find GiGi: Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ [https://www.gigimeier.com/] Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies [https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier [https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier] Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com [https://gigimeier.substack.com] The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier [https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier [https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier]

From Batman to Godzilla & Romeo & Juliet – A Cross-Media Storytelling Masterclass with Adam Tierney

What happens when you mix Romeo and Juliet with Godzilla? You get the kind of creative, genre-bending storytelling that comic book writer, graphic novelist, and video game narrative director Adam Tierney has built his career on. In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with Adam for a fascinating conversation about writing across comics, graphic novels, video games, television, and even children's books. Adam shares how a lifelong love of comics led him to write for some of the biggest franchises in the world—including X-Men, Justice League, Batman, Transformers, Silent Hill, Aliens, and Teen Titans Go—and how each medium demands a completely different approach to character, dialogue, and story. Adam also dives deep into his upcoming YA horror graphic novel, 13 Demons Dead, discussing its premise, character arcs, and future sequels, as well as his creative partnership with illustrator Saspy. He reflects on why he loves writing coming-of-age stories, how he balances literary mashups like Hamlet with monster mayhem, and what it's like writing dialogue for voice actors in interactive storytelling. Whether you're a comic book writer, video game narrative designer, or simply a fan of great stories told across multiple worlds, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of fun.   Find Adam here: Website: www.adamctierney.com [https://l.instagram.com/?e=AUBnKa7TlNydFzZmKoz5WRjaHWLaq0jbiSKaIK2fdyO51-qncDXki0bIG3YF2A8R2HiMj-XjYM7sE_3LHR30NkSHzwBkfdwf2G2EkVcYVnJTXvraCG3k20q7V8_rzFiXG19POxk&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.adamctierney.com%2F%3Futm_source%3Dig%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_content%3Dlink_in_bio%26fbclid%3DPAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGneD_DQS9IaBT5v2KS2uxf6cBWFaIG71lrXckraRmFl16Rg2NJ6L_I94OXFdI_aem_hLcAQHotgAxHqWhs2avRFA] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamwritestuff/ [https://www.instagram.com/adamwritestuff/]   How to find GiGi: Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ [https://www.gigimeier.com/] Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies [https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier [https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier] Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com [https://gigimeier.substack.com] The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier [https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier [https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier]

From a Six-Week Writing Class to Banned Books & Baseball Legends – A Conversation with Kelly Bennett

What happens when a six-week community college writing course ignites a multi-award-winning career in children's literature? In this episode, GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed children's author Kelly Bennett for a warm, insightful conversation about the unexpected paths that lead to a life in storytelling. Kelly opens up about her journey—from articles to picture books, from chapter books to nonfiction, and eventually back to school for her MFA. She shares the curiosity and persistence that shaped her success, the creative process behind her beloved picture books, and what it's really like to work with illustrators and navigate traditional publishing. But the conversation goes deeper. Kelly also discusses the shocking reality of book banning, sharing the personal stories behind why Vampire Baby was banned and why Not Norman: A Goldfish Story was challenged. She also talks about writing nonfiction baseball books on Babe Ruth and Yankee Stadium, and why parents shouldn't solve the problems in picture books. Whether you're a children's author, a parent, or simply someone who loves stories, this episode is packed with wisdom, heart, and encouragement.   Find Kelly here: Website: https://www.kellybennett.com/ [https://www.kellybennett.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellybennettbooks/ [https://www.instagram.com/kellybennettbooks/]   How to find GiGi: Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ [https://www.gigimeier.com/] Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies [https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier [https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier] Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com [https://gigimeier.substack.com] The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier [https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier [https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier]

The Long Road to Success & The Dark History of Superheroes – with William Bernhardt

What does it take to push through nearly a decade of rejection letters and become a million-selling author? Award-winning legal thriller writer William Bernhardt joins us to share his incredible journey—from Primary Justice to his 19-book Ben Kincaid series—and why writers should never be afraid to evolve. We also dive into his riveting new book, The Superman Wars, uncovering the heartbreaking true story of Jerry Siegel, the creator of Superman who lost the rights to his own iconic character. Plus, Bill teases his upcoming The Batman Wars, the shocking history behind Batman’s creator, and the messy reality of intellectual property in entertainment. Along the way, we talk about WriterCon, his podcast of nearly 300 episodes, and why persistence, creativity, and protecting your work matter now more than ever.   Find William here: Website: https://williambernhardt.com/ [https://williambernhardt.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wbernhardtbooks/ [https://www.instagram.com/wbernhardtbooks/]   How to find GiGi: Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ [https://www.gigimeier.com/] Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies [https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier [https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier] Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com [https://gigimeier.substack.com] The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier [https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier [https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier]

Beyond the Dystopia: Exploring Freedom and Humanity with D.A. Murray

GiGi Meier sits down with acclaimed sci-fi dystopian author, D.A. Murray, to dissect her thought-provoking novel Dominion: Ascension and its powerful exploration of human freedom. This isn’t just a story about a futuristic world; it's a deep dive into the enduring questions of power, control, and what truly defines humanity. We discuss how Dominion examines the intersection of technology, authority, and individual choice – urging us to consider whether true freedom lies in conforming to societal structures or forging our own paths. Beyond the book itself, we uncover D.A.’s innovative approach to building a community through her Writers in Tech series, her vibrant online presence on Instagram and TikTok, and her genuine curiosity about readers’ choices. Plus, she shares insights into her unconventional career journey – from global travel to entrepreneurship – and reveals what this powerful novel taught her about herself.   Find D.A. here: Website: https://damurrayofficial.com/ [https://damurrayofficial.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damurrayofficial/ [https://www.instagram.com/damurrayofficial/]   How to find GiGi: Website: https://www.gigimeier.com/ [https://www.gigimeier.com/] Free Bonus and Deleted Scenes: https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies [https://www.gigimeier.com/freebies] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier [https://www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier] Substack: https://gigimeier.substack.com [https://gigimeier.substack.com] The Cougar Den Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier [https://www.facebook.com/groups/authorgigimeier] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier [https://www.youtube.com/@gigimeier]