Workshop Episode 54 (Guest Host: Leanna Renee Hieber)

March 26, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

The Roundtable Podcast, Workshop Episode 54, with Leanna Renee Hieber and Mac McEntire Leanna Renee Hieber – performer, playwright, and author of lush and luxurious tales of dark Victorian and Gothic splendor – returns to the Big Chair to help Brion and I workshop a marvelous magical spin on a venerable theater superstition offered up by Guest Writer Mac McEntire.  Mac’s tale may be YA or midgrade, but it’s filled with many levels of genuine drama, humor, and character nuance. With all our theatrical enthusiasm escalating our natural delight in seeking out the awesomeness of a story, we all find many paths to explore on our way to a mountain of Literary Gold! (and if you are somehow able to hold more writerly goodness in your head, check out Leanna’s Showcase Episode!)

PROMO: “A Minor Magic by Justin R. Macumber

Workshop Episode 54 (Guest Host: Leanna Renee Hieber)

[caution: mature language and themes - listener discretion is advised]

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Leanna is doing some amazing things… (more…)

The Future of Storytelling from NYCC 2013

March 25, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

nycc-2012Back in October, one of our fearless and loyal Wandering Alchemists, John McCarthy (aka “Surfside Jack”), braved the ravening hordes of the frothing mayhem that IS New York Comic Con 2012. Okay… he didn’t “brave” the hordes so much as “joined” them. Enthusiastically. But the point is that he went there microphone in hand in search of (among other things) Literary Gold.

He asked only one question: What is the future of storytelling?

And he found some marvelous answers and insights from storytellers like Brad Guigar, Howie Noel, Alethea Kontis, and Sam Ita… all offering a unique perspective on the future of their craft. Those fabulous sound bytes had been languishing in the RTP vaults for months, so I called John back and we went through each of them together…

… and now you can, too. Enjoy!

The Future of Storytelling: Perspectives from New York Comic Con 2013

[caution: mature language - listener discretion is advised]

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And who ARE these amazing people…? (more…)

20 Minutes with Leanna Renee Hieber

March 22, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

Leanna Renee Hieber

Leanna Renee Hieber

Leanna Renee Hieber – author of “The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker“, “Darker Still: A Novel of Magic Most Foul“, contributor to Ellen Datlow’s “Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells: An Anthology of Gaslamp Fantasy” anthology, and more – has fiercely and passionately pursued her own path in the world. While that path led her through the realm of live theater (she’s a member of the Screen Actor’s Guild) and other artistic/creative domains, it was the combination of the luxurious complexity of the Victorian Era and the evocative mythologies of speculative fiction that have become the primary colors of her artistic palette.  The depth and diversity of Leanna’s experience informs every moment of this marvelous 20(ish) minutes of conversation as she discusses cohesion and “connective tissue” between characters, the power of having fun and getting stuff on the page, the audience (tangible and less so) for whom we write, and more! (and there is even more writerly goodness to be had in Leanna’s Workshop Episode!)

PROMO: The Reader/Writer Podcast with Ben Delano

Showcase Episode: 20 Minutes with Leanna Renee Hieber

[caution: mature language - listener discretion is advised]

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From Leanna’s world… (more…)

First Anniversary Episode, Part II (Guest Hosts: J. Daniel Sawyer and John Mierau)

March 19, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

The Roundtable Podcast, First Anniversary Episode pt II, with J. Daniel Sawyer, John Mierau, and Dave RobisonWe conclude our anniversary celebration with a remarkable workshop worthy of the first year of our quest for Literary Gold.

We have our returning Guest Host, J. Daniel Sawyer – author of sweeping sci-fi thrillers, rich and complex mysteries, comprehensive guides and resources for writers, and so many more artistic and literary explorations – lending his substantial vision and experience to the workshop. Add to that the articulate and insightful John Mierau, another veteran Guest Host of the Roundtable and crafter of exquisite tales with casts of nuanced and complex characters. With these two creative trailblazers as our guides we launch into a workshop… of my story!

John Mierau

John Mierau

My tale of a young woman’s shame in denying her child an honorable death in a culture that reveres their sacrificed innocents spawns a remarkable discussion, affirming once again our decision to bring seasoned and experienced authors to the table. Dan, John, and Brion all helped reveal layers of both the story AND my approach to it that gave a new appreciation of my own process and the depth of the story I had undertaken. In short, it was a smorgasbord of Literary Gold. (and you can load your plate with more fabulous insights at Dan’s Showcase Episode AND you can check out John’s Past Showcase and Workshop Episodes as well)

PROMO: Geek and Sundry’sThe Storyboard with Patrick Rothfuss

Anniversary Episode, pt II (Guest Hosts: J. Daniel Sawyer and John Mierau)

[caution: mature language and themes - listener discretion is advised]

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And from Masters Sawayer and Mierau… (more…)

Trends and Tropes of our First 52 Episodes

March 16, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

statisticsOne of the many distinguishing aspects of the Roundtable Podcast is our listeners. In addition to showing unparallelled good taste, they’re a creative and insightful crew, always keen to find a new way to look at what everyone thinks they’ve already seen.

One such listener is Peter Ellis. Six months ago, he showed us the trends and tropes of our first 25 episodes. And now, at our one year anniversary, Peter has graciously returned and delivered an even more thorough and revealing summary of an entire year of story workshops.

Thank you so much for this, Peter… the patterns and rhythms of the year affirm the path we’re on and help us chart our course for the year ahead. We’re in your debt, sir! :)


Congratulations on completing a full year of roundtable podcast. I have continued listening and analyzing the story pitches. I’m sure you are interested in the results, but I need to, as you say “Cover my ass”.

In categorizing the Genre/themes/tropes/etc. of the stories pitched on “The Roundtable Podcast” the assessments were my own subjective judgment.

That is not to say that I was arbitrary. I spent time considering things like “Are all Post-Apocalyptic stories Dystopian?” or “Mystery, Conspiracy, and Espionage stories all depend on secrets, does that make them the same?” (I decide no and no by the way. On the other hand I did decide that Dystopian does require Conspiracy.)

So here is what I found…

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20 (more) Minutes with J. Daniel Sawyer

March 15, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

J. Daniel Sawyer

J. Daniel Sawyer

Dan Sawyer – consummate storyteller, media producer, and creative visionary – was our first Guest Host. One year ago, nervous and uncertain, Brion and I interviewed Dan and launched a podcast, starting a journey that has led to so many discoveries, friendships, and opportunities to explore the creative process. Dan is the ideal catalyst for such a journey, given his diverse and extensive experience in the art of expression. During this celebratory 20(ish) minutes of conversation, we delve a bit deeper into Dan’s writing process, discuss the pros and cons of genre-jumping, uncover some strategies to keep your audience guessing, and more.  (and the quest for Literary Gold continues during Dan’s Workshop Episode!)

PROMO: “Garaaga’s Children:Ancientsby Paul Elard Cooley

Showcase Episode: 20 (more) Minutes with Dan Sawyer

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From the shadowed desk of Dan Sawyer… (more…)

First Anniversary Episode, Part I (Guest Hosts: Christopher Moore and Alasdair Stuart)

March 12, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

The Roundtable Podcast, First Anniversary Episode pt I, with Christopher Moore, Alasdair Stuart, and Brion Humphrey So here we are, one year into our ongoing search for Literary Gold and we were wondering how we can celebrate.  The answer came from long-time fan Peter Ellis… workshop our OWN stories (thanks, Peter)!

We have the remarkable Christopher Moore – author of exquisite tales of satirical humor – returning to the Big Chair, and we wheel in a second Big Chair for our Special Co-Guest Host and veteran RTP Host Alasdair Stuart! With this astonishing Duo of Awesomeness we are primed for some epic story workshopping… of Brion’s story idea!!

Alasdair Stuart

Alasdair Stuart

Brion’s tale of a dystopian post-apocalyptic horror serves as a marvelous opportunity not only to explore a very cool story idea, but also to observe how two masters of their craft approach the same story terrain. The end result is an intricate tapestry of concept and perception woven densely with threads of Literary Gold. (and more writerly goodness will be found at Chris’s Showcase Episode AND you can check out Alasdair’s Showcase and Workshop Episodes as well)

PROMO: “Subversionby John Mierau

Anniversary Episode, pt I (Guest Hosts: Christopher Moore and Alasdair Stuart)

[caution: mature language and themes - listener discretion is advised]

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Of matters Moore and Stuart… (more…)

20 Minutes with Christopher Moore

March 8, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore

Christopher Moore – who translates his unique and irreverent perception into astonishingly hilarious novels (that have been accused of being bitingly satirical) such as “Lamb“, “Fool“, “A Dirty Job” and many more – has truly forged his own path through the storytelling wilderness. His experience and instincts have served him well and cultivated a unique voice that has not only engaged a devoted legion of fans, but has also seen every one of his novels optioned for film or television (dude’s doing something right). Brion and I had so much fun with Chris that we completely ignored the clock and went 30+ minutes (reckless daredevils that we are) discussing the essence of opinion versus genre, luck versus skill, when to put on the brakes, and so much more. It’s buffet of writerly goodness so grabv a plate and hit that PLAY button! (and the literary feast continues in Chris’s Workshop Episode!)

PROMO: “Shadow Ops: Fortress Frontierby Myke Cole

Showcase Episode: 20 Minutes with Christopher Moore

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Add some Moore Goodness to your shelves (and your life)… (more…)

Episode Schedule: March 2013

March 7, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

MARCH at the Roundtable… celebrating our First Year of Literary Gold!

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Workshop Episode 53 (Guest Host: Michael R. Underwood)

March 5, 2013 Posted by Dave Robison

The Roundtable Podcast, Workshop Episode 53, with Michael R. Underwood and Linton Bowers Michael R. Underwood – author of the marvelous “Geekomancy” and the forthcoming sequel “Celebromancy” (gracing bookshelves in July 2013) – returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to help Brion and I workshop an exceptional story idea from Linton Bowers. The working title for Linton’s YA superhero tale is “Fat Boy Hero” and, while that certainly piqued our interest, the story workshop itself was a creative froth worthy of the RTP. The internet was persnickety again, but that did NOT deter us from unearthing a veritable mountain of Literary Gold… so there’s plenty to share with you (and you know there’s even more writerly goodness to be had over at Mike’s Showcase Episode!)

PROMO: “The Podio Rookie” Podcast with Kenn Crawford

Workshop Episode 53 (Guest Host: Michael R. Underwood)

[caution: mature language and themes - listener discretion is advised]

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Mike has a lot going on! Check this out… (more…)