12 | The Cult of Authenticity

15 | The Long Game

Welcome back to Talk Fiction [https://megoolders.substack.com/s/talk-fiction], the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers. Many authors dream of attaining bestseller status. Many more would be happy just to be able to “make a living” as a writer. But how many of those authors would be ready (or willing) to wait a quarter of a century to realize those dreams? Hopefully, today’s guest will convince a few more creative souls to “hang in there,” because her success story proves that patience, along with flexibility and a willingness to experiment, is an indie author’s most valuable asset. Mary Louisa Locke [https://mlouisalocke.com/] is the bestselling author of dozens of independently published books, novellas, and short stories from Historical Mystery and Romance to near-future Science Fiction. She is a wealth of information and an inspiring example of how a writer’s childhood dreams can become reality … if only given the time. I hope you’ll sit in for this illuminating conversation, and don’t hesitate to drop a follow-up question for Mary Lou in the comments. She’s as brilliant a business woman as she is a storyteller. Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday [https://twodaysfrommonday.bandcamp.com/track/sub-arbore]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit megoolders.substack.com/subscribe [https://megoolders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

14 | Big❤️‍🔥Energy

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers. I’ve been gently needling today’s guest, the whip-smart and culturally attuned Beth Lisogorsky [https://substack.com/profile/24190135-beth-lisogorsky], for some time about starting a Romance themed podcast with me. Actually, I think she brought it up first and I refused to let it go. 😏Either way, I think you’ll appreciate the crisp co-host chemistry on this episode, wherein Beth (Front End Research/The Smarts) and I (Back End Production/The Sass) dig into our mutual obsession with the Romance genre. Swoon as we verbally flirt-tackle everything from genre cliques to teen soaps, Audrey Hepburn to Alan Rickman, grinding to knotting, and lots more in between. So, light some candles, pour yourself a froth-forward Nespresso, slip into something salacious, and lend us your ears. Oh, and please do yourself a favor and subscribe to Beth’s Newsletters! She’s as brilliant on the page as she is in the “studio.” Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday [https://twodaysfrommonday.bandcamp.com/track/sub-arbore]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit megoolders.substack.com/subscribe [https://megoolders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

13 | My So-Lived Life

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers. Today, I’m hosting a bevy of badass Empress authors who, in addition to building independent careers around their writing in literary spaces, film, television, journalism, and publishing, have each penned a memoir which illuminates the rocky road taken on each their own journey through “the thick of it.” My fabulous guests— Eleanor Anstruther [https://www.eleanoranstruther.com/], Kimberly Warner [https://www.kimberlywarner.com/], and Alisa Kennedy Jones [https://alisajones.com/], each offer a unique perspective on the process of discovering (or being handed) their mystery puzzle box, dumping out the pieces, and slowly nudging them back together to reveal the full-color portrait of their lived experience. This episode is a must listen for anyone considering writing a memoir, anyone looking for a highly-recommended memoir(s) to read, or anyone keen on sneaking a peek into how the real storytelling sausage gets made. Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday [https://twodaysfrommonday.bandcamp.com/track/sub-arbore]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit megoolders.substack.com/subscribe [https://megoolders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

12 | The Cult of Authenticity

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers. In the hot seat this month is expat story-maker Troy Ford, creator of Ford Knows Books [https://troyford.substack.com/] and author of Lamb [https://troyford.substack.com/p/lamb-cover-reveal], [https://troyford.substack.com/p/lamb-cover-reveal]a novel in snapshots. [https://troyford.substack.com/p/lamb-cover-reveal]Troy and I had a rollicking chat, ripe with “air quotes,” about the far too often undisclosed wear-and-tear authors experience building a “platform,” keeping it afloat, and finding “success” while being “authentic” without sacrificing their values. Self-published authors take note! Troy has gobs of wisdom to share on his experience bringing Lamb [https://www.amazon.com/Lamb-novel-snapshots-Troy-Ford-ebook/dp/B0F1Z1N2HL] in to the world. Listen here! And be sure to check out The Road to Published [https://troyford.substack.com/s/the-road-to-published] series on his Substack for more inspiration. Thanks for supporting Talk Fiction! This podcast is public so feel free to share it. You can also give me a boost in the algorithm department by following, rating, or leaving a review for Talk Fiction on your favorite listening platform. Thank you for your support!!! Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday [https://twodaysfrommonday.bandcamp.com/track/sub-arbore]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit megoolders.substack.com/subscribe [https://megoolders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

11 | In Defense of the Dark Arts

Welcome back to Talk Fiction, the podcast dedicated to entertainment media’s most overlooked underdogs: Fiction writers! I was crazy delighted to host two of my favorite fiction writers and OG Substack friends, Maegan Heil [https://substack.com/profile/6429788-maegan-heil] and Wil Dalton [https://substack.com/profile/13275112-wil-dalton], for this petite panel podcast on the ins, outs, and undersides of writing horror stories. Thrill as we talk-tackle the power of genre fusion, the allure of escalation, the pursuit of the perfect twist, and the perils of sharing your unhinged art with your unseasoned loved ones. Plug in (if you dare) for this seasonally appropriate chat, and be sure to indulge in the deliciously dark fiction offered by my esteemed guests at your earliest convenience! maeganheil.substack.com [https://maeganheil.substack.com/] wildalton.substack.com [https://wildalton.substack.com/] As your esteemed host, I know that podcasts are a big ask of your time and bandwidth. If you don’t have the space to listen to today’s installment but would still like to support my podcasting endeavors, kindly smush the “like” button and/or share this post with your people. 💜🙏🏼 You can also give me a boost in the algorithm department by following, rating, or leaving a review for Talk Fiction on your favorite listening platform. Thank you for your support!!! Music: Sub Arbore, written by C Torrey | A Torrey, performed by Two Days From Monday [https://twodaysfrommonday.bandcamp.com/track/sub-arbore]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit megoolders.substack.com/subscribe [https://megoolders.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]