Connor Reads Books

Episode 36: Drew Harrison - Author Interviews

I’m joined by Drew Harrison, author of Men Of The Mountain, to talk about how his background in journalism shaped his fiction, why he researches details most readers will never double-check, and how sci fi can act like a warning system when technology moves faster than our culture can adapt.  We get into craft and influence in a practical way: how reading Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, and Joe Abercrombie left fingerprints on Drew’s style, why first-person narration can shrink the distance between reader and character, and how he builds authenticity by keeping his protagonists human, insecure, and pressured by responsibility. Drew also explains why Men Of The Mountain starts with one genre flavor and then reveals a deeper sci fi core, using the clash between tribal life and advanced technology to make familiar concepts feel uncanny again.  Then we zoom out to cyberpunk themes that are suddenly not-so-fictional: AI manipulation, misinformation, and the creeping sense that we’re building systems we don’t fully understand. Drew argues bleak worlds need optimism to stay readable, and that hope is what turns dystopian storytelling into something more than despair. We also talk audiobooks: the joy of hearing a narrator bring lines to life, the challenge of letting go of control, and the best advice for authors who want to adapt their books to audio.  If you enjoy author interviews, science fiction writing, cyberpunk ideas, and grounded worldbuilding, subscribe, share this with a reader friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 'Men of The Mountain' Early Review Signups:  https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A [https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A] Drew Harrison's Links:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison] https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home [https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home] Sip Java Co, where much of MotM was written: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wKgL7y6tqvFXz3mg6 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/wKgL7y6tqvFXz3mg6] Well's Coffee, which does the on-site roasting: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1VYu9isiD3YYvsJA [https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1VYu9isiD3YYvsJA] Drew's Events:  Read it Write it, June 20: https://www.facebook.com/ReadItWriteBookFestival/ [https://www.facebook.com/ReadItWriteBookFestival/] Shelf Life Space, June 27:  https://www.instagram.com/shelflifespace/ [https://www.instagram.com/shelflifespace/] Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website [https://www.lconnorvoice.com/] https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Music Credits:  Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ [https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/]

Episode 35: 'Warforged' - R.C.Hannah

Today we share a full chapter from the 'Warforged' Audio book, written by R.C. Hannah, and performed by me! We follow the story of a plucky human fighter pilot named Crash, as he and the Black Geese Squadron are dropped from Faster Than Light travel into the frying pan.  Thanks for checking out the episode! If you liked it, please consider purchasing the full audiobook on audible; it helps both R.C. and me! Audible link:  https://www.audible.com/pd/Warforged-Audiobook/B0GP3D5CHC?srsltid=AfmBOopaiGnbvWL5YNDDBL5MGI9iRl-r1c5IB75j_WIDTwuky5PP6Wwk [https://www.audible.com/pd/Warforged-Audiobook/B0GP3D5CHC?srsltid=AfmBOopaiGnbvWL5YNDDBL5MGI9iRl-r1c5IB75j_WIDTwuky5PP6Wwk] R.C. Hannah's Links:  https://www.rchannah.com/ [https://www.rchannah.com/] https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hannah/ [https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hannah/] Death and Red Trilliums:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213913099-death-red-trilliums [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213913099-death-red-trilliums] Stranded Season 9: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248241938-stranded [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248241938-stranded] Content Warnings:  Mild Language Space Violence Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website [https://www.lconnorvoice.com/] https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Music Credits:  Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ [https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/]

Episode 34: R.C. Hannah - Author Interviews

A goat-eyed spacefaring civilization, an unexpectedly lovable AI orb, and a romance that never asks you to wade through spice just to get to the heart of the story. That’s the energy we bring to this chat with Canada-based sci-fi and fantasy author R.C. Hannah as we celebrate the Warforged audiobook release and dig into what makes plot-first LGBTQ romance so satisfying when it’s done with care.  We also get real about the indie publishing side, including cover art and the growing problem of undisclosed AI art. R.C. shares a simple safeguard for authors: ask for step-by-step progress so you can see the work evolve. You’ll also hear what’s next for him, where to find his books and socials, and a fun final question that ends with a very specific fictional treat. Subscribe, share the show with a reader who loves LGBTQ sci-fi and fantasy, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Warforged: Audiobook on Audible [https://www.audible.com/pd/Warforged-Audiobook/B0GP3D5CHC?srsltid=AfmBOopaiGnbvWL5YNDDBL5MGI9iRl-r1c5IB75j_WIDTwuky5PP6Wwk] GoodReads: [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/233252371-warforged] Death and Red Trilliums:  Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213913099-death-red-trilliums] Stranded Season 9:  Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248241938-stranded] R.C.’s Links:  https://www.rchannah.com/ [https://www.rchannah.com/] https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hannah/ [https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hannah/] Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website [https://www.lconnorvoice.com/] https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Music Credits:  Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ [https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/]

Episode 33: The Men of the Mountain - Drew Harrison

Today's episode is a chapter read from Drew Harrison's The Men of the Mountain, a sci-fi/fantasy novel released March 2026, and will be released as an audiobook in the next month or so. Please enjoy this chapter, and please consider signing up below to be an early reviewer for The Men of the Mountain Audiobook.  Content Warnings:  No Content Warnings for this Episode Early Review Signups:  https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A [https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A] Drew Harrison's Links:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true] https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison] https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home [https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home] Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website [https://www.lconnorvoice.com/] https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Music Credits:  Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ [https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/]

Episode 32: Connor is Back!

I’ve been away from the feed for a few months, but it’s not because the work stopped it’s because the audiobook work ramped up. This update is my “here’s what I’ve been making” guide for anyone who loves audio fiction, audiobook narration, and big genre swings from space opera to romance to dystopian mystery. First, I talk through three completed audiobooks you can grab on Audible. Then I lay out what’s next for Connor Read’s Books: interviews with R.C. Hannah and Drew Harrison, sample chapters as podcast episodes, and more short fiction.  I also launched a short story submission page for writers (under 4,000 words, mainly horror, sci-fi, or fantasy) and I’m actively looking for more voice talent, especially performers with feminine voices for women characters.  Long-term, I’m aiming to build a Patreon or donate link so we can pay authors and voice actors, because creative work deserves real support. Subscribe so you don’t miss the interviews and story drops, and if you enjoy the show, share it with a friend and leave a review. Short Story Submissions https://www.lconnorvoice.com/submit-your-story [https://www.lconnorvoice.com/submit-your-story] Voice Over Auditions:  Message Lconnorvoice@gmail.com [Lconnorvoice@gmail.com] Put “VO Audition” in the subject line - messages without it will not be accepted.  Audio Book Links:  Black Sun: Rise of the Flint Pirates [https://www.audible.com/pd/Rise-of-the-Flint-Pirates-Audiobook/B0GQ6M9JXW?srsltid=AfmBOoqQGkBXNP4e_e07eb3hbb7VvmSXiKBDIPyharj61xfZ03H2pa_T] Warforged [https://www.audible.com/pd/Warforged-Audiobook/B0GP3D5CHC?qid=1779725002&sr=1-4&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=RNEPV4VDE4EZ3HMN7ZCQ&plink=XQu1ewri9H5FsN8v&pageLoadId=N1zEVvHE3rwEgZQ6&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_4] Transfer Point [https://www.audible.com/pd/Transfer-Point-Audiobook/B0GYSZZ139?qid=1779725025&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=BDTDSFK9T7EKGA0Q63HG&plink=o8KMo9oSYN9oJTtc&pageLoadId=qdlWDE96VXPZ8XyV&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1] Text Book Links: Men of the Mountain [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-men-of-the-mountain-drew-harrison/eed3733836aef644?ean=9798276957425&next=t&next=t&affiliate=21187] Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website [https://www.lconnorvoice.com/] https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Music Credits:  Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ [https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/]