Michael Spring-Springer | 021

CHERIL CLARKE — 024

Cheril reads time travel psychedelia, Trip [https://cherilnclarke.com/sensual-speculative/] and [https://cherilnclarke.com/sensual-speculative/]Rift [https://cherilnclarke.com/sensual-speculative/]. Stories come from within us, and sometimes seemingly from elsewhere. AI is simply unable to do what humans can. She nails that whole thing. I’m so glad we finally got into this conversation in this show. Cheril does some cool stuff in these books. She broaches relationships, healing, history and even inventing a new language… a new language as far as we know that is. She’s written plays also [https://cherilnclarke.com/theatre/]. Cheril confirms how writing plays is a great way to tighten dialogue. That has come up on several shows. Something else she noticed while reading copious memoirs, which are her favorite, as that it refines her ability to write First Person. Good to know. I’m on it. It seems like her books Trip [https://cherilnclarke.com/sensual-speculative/] and [https://cherilnclarke.com/sensual-speculative/]Rift [https://cherilnclarke.com/sensual-speculative/] are most on her mind right now. Even so, she likes to write, and has written three Women’s Fiction [https://cherilnclarke.com/] Books. Note how Cheril is also a musician and Business Writer. I can’t believe the amazing guests I have. Here are her links. Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054336025592] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/cheril_nicole_/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhdfrDLJwGeVg-0ba9FygA] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@cheril.n.clarke] SoundCloud [https://soundcloud.com/user-677135731] Phenominal Writing [https://www.phenomenalwriting.com/] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Amin Amat | 023

Amin [https://aminamatart.com/] Amat disrupts the OZ Universe. He has a unique take on Post-Dorothy dynamics. This illustrators foray into writing is a formidable storm. Listen Right Now While I learned a great deal about the world of illustrating from an accomplished one, I was pleased to hear Amin’s description of storytelling, and particularly writing characters. He’s learned how the characters take over the process. Now he knows how it is for a writer. I LOVE IT. Amin Amat describes storytelling as a “Conscious dream state that is constantly working whether you’re sleeping or not.” I couldn’t agree more. Amin read from Chapter One of The Road to OZ, which you can find on Kickstarter [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theroadto/the-road-to-oz-chapter-three]. Here are his socials: X [http://www.twitter.com/aminamat], Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/aminamatart], LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/in/aminamat]. I read Part Three of my Uncle Plasma Series [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/p/uncle-plasma-part-3-the-ride]. A fine way to be supportive of the efforts here is to get a shirt, or a hat, or some thing with my anti post-human messaging. https://easytopia.printify.me/products [https://easytopia.printify.me/products] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

KEN MORA | 022

Ken [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2618354/] gives a materialist explanation of WHY we bring stories forward, as well as how. He says the MEME LAYER is an evolutionary necessity. Please listen. Lots of great business advice as well. We spoke about the unique value of people on the autism spectrum. There is some talk about how screenwriting format helps with the visual aspect of prose. Ken read from his graphic novel CARRAVAGGIO: A Light Before the Darkness [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/kenmora/caravaggio-a-light-before-the-darkness-issue-1-of?ref=profile_created&category_id=252]. He gives some instruction on some of the best ways to find illustrators and other collaboration partners. There’s so much in this conversation that my show notes can’t do it justice. A thing that’s clear is he really wants to help. Here are some of Ken Mora’s links. * His bio [https://www.kenmora.com/bio] and myriad accomplishments. * Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Mora] * IMDB [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2618354/] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ken-Mora/author/B098FF9VCQ] * Kickstarter [https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/kenmora/] Please visit my store and help out. Wear some nice shirts with ideas you are in agreement with. [https://easytopia.printify.me/products] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Michael Spring-Springer | 021

Michael [https://michaelspringauthor17.art/] and I talked about his 2 books, The Flowerbed and Two Minutes. He sees our minds as each being a unique universe to draw from. He was inspired by his grandpa who used poetry to heal from war. The excerpt from Two Minutes is a whimsical use of a darkroom as both respite from the outside world, and vehicle in which to detach and travel through space. Please listen and enjoy that. The Flowerbed features the set up to an important lesson for a small girl from her grandfather, regarding a seemingly magical bed of flowers. An important validation for his confidence, Michael received top marks for his essay on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest as a young student. We discussed the importance of having good adults to influence us as young people. This man does not trifle. As well as being a Barrister in all Australian Jurisdictions, his accomplishments are formidable in the arts. You must visit his website and take it all in. He does not suppress his mental health experiences either, and he recognizes the importance of being forthright. You’ll find all of his social media [https://michaelspringauthor17.art/social-media/] at his website. Michael’s Substack: Michael Springer [https://substack.com/profile/147046500-michael-springer] I read my microfiction story He Knows How this Ends [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/p/he-knows-how-this-ends-finale]. That link will take you to an audio version. If you support what I’m doing, spread my designs [https://easytopia.printify.me/products] and get one for yourself. Please do share. If you have social media, you can share there also, because I don’t even bother with it anymore. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

MIRIAM KUZNETS | 020

Wow, talk about noir. I had to make up a new word for Miriam [https://www.miriamkuznetsauthor.com/about]! I probably didn’t make Noiress up first. LOL. Miriam read from Gray New Deal [https://www.miriamkuznetsauthor.com/gray-new-deal] and also from her entry Saving, in Austin Noir [https://bookshop.org/books/austin-noir/9781636140896]. Much of this discussion is about the dark turn in American economics of the past few decades and the effects it has had on people’s lives. Noir, indeed. Being an LCSW, MFA—that’s a social worker who mostly works with seniors, she’s seen a lot of the effects. It’s also evident in her writing, of course. We talked a lot about writing as therapy and how fiction plays that role while also helping us imagine real-life solutions. It’s horrifying living in the collapse of an empire, yes? In almost all of these conversations, and in general, there’s a lot of talk about the Data Centers and the intentions of the AI industry. It speaks to the value human life has for some people, and their priorities. Consider going to my swag page and picking out something to express yourself. If AI were sentient, it would be jealous of you. -HS → ta [https://easytopia.printify.me/products]! [https://easytopia.printify.me/products]← This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe [https://commercialherschel.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]