Workshop Episode 102 (Guest Host: Kat Richardson)

Beth Cato – author of the Clockwork Dagger tales, the Blood of Earth trilogy, and more – explores what makes a “strong character”, the magic of urban fantasy/steampunk, and critique readers

This week we are delighted to welcome Tim Marquitz – Editor in Chief and Co-Publisher at Ragnarok Publications as well as author of grim and fantastical tales – to the Big Chair at the Roundtable. Tim’s experience runs the gambit from crafting novels (like the Demon Squad Series, The Blood War Trilogy and more) and short fiction (appearing in anthologies like “Neverland’s Library” along side Mark Lawrence, Jeff Salyards, and Tad Williams) to editing superb anthologies (like “Kaiju Rising: Age of Monsters” and “Fading Light”) to co-authoring the Dead West series with Joe Martin and Kenny Soward.

Emma Newman – who’s name translates from ancient elvish into “Writes with Tea” and who has crafted such tales as “20 Years Later” and the “From Dark Places” story collection AND will soon have “Between Two Thorns” (first of the Split Worlds series) released by Angry Robot Books – graciously returns to the Bog Chair at the Roundtable to assist Brion and I in the workshopping of a tale by Guest Writer Sara Sambrook.

And, great googly moogly, what a workshop! Sara’s tale of wizardry in modern society sets everyone into a creative froth, exploring, expanding, and expounding in grand Roundtable style. Of course, the Literary Gold is served up with finger sandwiches and tea cakes and there’s plenty to go around… so come and get yours!

Nathan Lowell – author, podcaster, scholar, and Asker of Interesting Questions – returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to help Brion and I workshop a tale offered up by Guest Writer Michael Brundenell. Mike brings a very cool contemporary martial arts story to the table fraught with ancient societies, secret government projects, with the future of humanity in the balance. This is, of course, a veritable buffet of awesomeness and we all fill our plates high with ideas, suggestions, and “what if’s”. Literary gold ensues… get some for yourself by clicking that PLAY button!

Kat Richardson – author of the Greywalker Series as well as fabulous novellas and shorter tales – takes her storytelling damned seriously. Mind you, she has a marvelous sense of humor and is a delight to chat with (as you’ll soon discover)… but when it comes to writing, she’s not messing around. She pushes herself with each story, expanding and refining her craft because it’s something she deeply loves and respects.

Joined by the marvelous Heather Welliver – friend of the RTP and vocal performer extraordinaire (check out her performance in Cybrosis by P.C. Haring) – we indulge in a fabulous 20(ish) Minutes of writerly discourse with Kat, exploring the challenges she set for herself as a writer, her process, her experience writing a “mosaic” novel, and more. Writerly inspiration awaits you, dear friends… just click that “PLAY” button!

John Walker’s Profile as a Knight of the Roundtable Podcast