The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with J Luke Bennecke

The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Gary Phillips

My guest today can legitimately be called one of the true legends of the Los Angeles writing scene. Gary Phillips has written scores of crime fiction novels, a dozen graphic novels, numerous short stories and edited or co-edited many other anthologies. His latest novel, THE HAUL, comes out today (July 14th). I’m reading it right now and it is of course fantastic. He’s here with me today to talk about the new book as well as his other work and all things writing and beyond.

The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Curtis Ippolito

My guest this week is a fabulous short story writer, anthology editor and novelist. His new book Waves of Burden drops today (June 24), so he is here for his first return visit to the show to talk about that and all things writing and publishing. Please welcome Curtis Ippolito to the Open Mic!

The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with LaToya Jovena

My guest today might best be described as a true up-and-comer in the crime fiction world. She is a highly respected short story writer whose work has appeared many times in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, two of the industry’s heavyweight publications. One of her stories was later included in the 2024 edition of Best American Mystery and Suspense alongside the likes of folks like Tracy Clark, S.A. Cosby and Dennis Lehane – not bad company. She’s here with me today to talk about her work, the art of the story and her current work in progress – her first novel.  Please welcome LaToya Jovena to the Open Mic.

The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Mary Thorson

Mary Thorson has been called one of the best under-sung writers on the scene today, and her work has been published in The Los Angeles Review, Reckon Review, Cotton Xenomorph, Milwaukee Noir, Worcester Review, Rock and a Hard Place, Tough and anthologies like Bishop Rider Lives and On Fire and Under Water.  Two of her stories – “The Book of Ruth” and “Casadastraphobia” – were selections for the renowned annual The Best American Mystery and Suspense collection in 2024 and 2025.  Best yet, her debut short story collection, A Woman’s Guide to True Crime, came out in March. Please welcome Mary Thorson to the Open Mic.

The Open Mic: Writers in Their Own Words with Rob Hart

My guest today is the bestselling author of one of the most unique thriller series out there, the ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS series, which features a protagonist who is part of a 12-step program for reformed killers. Kind of like if John Wick or Lawrence Block’s Keller or Anton Chigurh decided one day to just stop taking lives for a living. It is, in a word, effing great! Okay, that’s two words but you get the point.  He has also authored several other books, either solo or with writing partners like Alex Segura, James Patterson or, most recently, Jeff Rake, creator and showrunner of Netflix’s Manifest. Their new book DETOUR, which came out earlier this year, is the story of a space shuttle flight crew that returns to Earth only to discover the home they’ve returned to is not the one they left behind. It is also the first in a series.  Rob has also penned numerous short stories, comic books, novellas and quite a few non-fiction articles in publications like Salon and Writer’s Digest.   I could go on, but let’s have me stop talking and get to the man – please welcome Rob Hart to the Open Mic.