Margaret Dunlap and Brian Francis Slattery explore their unique contributions to the series, the allure of collaborative shared world writing, war stories from the collaborative trenches, and more!
Episodes
View a collection of all the Roundtable Podcasts here
Michael R. Underwood returns to brainstorm a tale by Guest Writer Val Griswold-Ford
Michael explores the rich collaboration that informs his new series "Born to the Blade"
Alasdair Stuart returns to workshop a tale vengeance and intrigue set against the backdrop of a Steampunk world
Alasdair Stuart explores how gender informs horror narratives, how to tell a story (or run a game, in this case) in a deeply established media property, and more
Robyn returns to workshop a tale of future steampunk, alien invasion, the fate of a planet
Robyn waxes rhapsodic on organizing book research, creating a "writing space", crafting an effective conflict character, and more!
Seanan returns to brainstorm at tale of superheroes, romance, and the dark side of adulation
Seanan explores discovering YOUR story, beating creative fatigue, writerly multi-tasking, and more!
Kij Johnson returns to apply her brainstorming fu to a tale of rival agents in a metropolis of the dark future by Richard Webb
Kij Johnson explores how to never write the same story twice, the nature of her diverse storytelling voice, how she learned the nuances of plot, and more...
Seth Skorkowsky brainstorms a noir tale of blackmail, kidnapping and betrayal from Sean O'Grady
Seth explores pulp fiction narratives, weaving story into video presentations, his path as a writer, and more!
Mur Lafferty brainstorms a tale of the death and apparent resurrection of a superhero by David "Doc Blue" Wendt.
Veteran podcaster and celebrated author Mur Lafferty discusses her NaNoWriMo strategies, her story development process, and more...
Beth brainstorms a near future scifi thriller of social media gone horribly wrong.
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
Cerece workshops a tale of three people struggling to find their true purpose in a world ruled by a fractured god
Cerece Rennie Murphy - creator fo the Narazu Media Portal, author of The Order of the Seers trilogy, "To Find You", and more - explores worldbuilding, her discoveries in fandom, how she develops her stories, and more.
Author Alyc Helms explores the patterns of storytelling, cultural appropriation, the distinction between gaming and literary narratives, and more!
James brainstorms a tale of post-apocalyptic rock and roll
James Sutter (Executive Editor at Paizo Publishing) explores the craft of storytelling in RPGs, documenting story worlds, choosing your inspirations, and more!
Discussing the transition from "Roundtable Podcast" to "ARCHIVOS: Brainstorms"
Myke Cole returns to lend his brainstorming-fu to a tale of future warfare, powered armor, and artificial intelligence.
Myke Cole discusses Shadow Ops (trilogy one AND two), his grim dark medieval fantasy series coming from Tor.com, his negotiations for a non-fiction book on ancient military history, and more!
Ada Palmer brainstorms a tale of political oppression, intrigue, and Lovecraftian deities
Ada Palmer discusses the optimal skill set for a student of the writerly arts, her fascination with speculative fiction, the challenges of writing short fiction, and more!
Jeanne Cavelos returns to brainstorm a tale of betrayal and revenge in the classic noir tradition.
Jeanne Cavelos discusses techniques of crafting effective dialogue, working in collaboration with shared world fiction, emotional arcs within a scene, and more!
Kelly Robson returns to brainstorm a tale of Egyptian intrigue, magic, and tangled destinies across time.
Kelly Robson explores the qualities of fine non-fiction and its value to a writer, struggling with self-doubt, writerly wisdom acquired from others, the secrets of scene-craft, and more!
Jake Kerr returns to brainstorm a tale of a betrayed emperor seeking his path across the expanse of his interplanetary empire.
Jake Kerr explores the pros and cons of nonfiction as a foundation of writing style, details as a catalyst for reader immersion, the processes of adapting classic fiction, and more.
Mur Lafferty returns to the Brainstorming Arena to workshop a tale of transdimensional superheroes.
Mur Lafferty explores the distinctions of writing in different genres, her dream projects, dissecting the frog of humor, and more.
Literary alchemist Marie Brennan – author of “A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent”, The Onyx Court Series, and “Lies and Prophecy”, and so much more – returns to the Guest Host chair to lend her astonishing brainstorming savvy to a tale of two strangers who’s lives become entangled by a drug that imparts magical powers as a side effect.
The tale is offered up by a pair of creagous Guest Writers, Saskia den Ouden and Thomas de Man… a street level slice of life where the protagonists walk the very fine line between hero and villain. Joined once again by the fabulous Marie Bilodeau as co-host, we indulge in a bit of worldbuilding (what a shock), as well as delving into what makes for a truly effective antagonist. The Literary Gold flows like Spice (NOT of the pumpkin variety) and your share is just a click of the “PLAY” button away!
The scope and breadth of Marie Brennan’s experience is pretty remarkable. Anthropology, archaeology, languages, martial arts, music, dance… she’s pursued many passions. But the fundamental passion that has endured through out her life is writing. Author of “A Natural History of Dragons: A Memoir by Lady Trent”, The Onyx Court Series, and “Lies and Prophecy” (and so much more), she has applied her many passions like facets of a jewel to her storytelling. The result is rich authentic story worlds filled with compelling characters and captivating tales.
Joined by the splendid and insightful Marie Bilodeau as co-host, we explore the intersection of gaming and fiction, the development of a solid narrative, indulge in a bit of worldbuilding conversation, and more. This is one for the books, gang, a fabulous conversation fraught with writerly goodness… and it’s all just a click of the “PLAY” button away!
Fran Wild – author of Updraft, The Jewel and Her Lapidary and more – returns to the Big Chair at the Roundtable to apply her fabulous storytelling mojo towards brainstorming a tale of our our world where ghosts are real and everyone knows it.
The tale is offered up by Guest Writer Jen Dawson, a poignant story a “ghost seer” contending with the challenges of her gift, her sexuality, and the perceptions of a culture that continues to struggle with (or against) both. Marie Bilodeau returns as Co-Host and together we work our way through the rich tapestry of characters and story woven by Jen’s story, tucking in some threads of Literary Gold along the way.
In a very short amount of time, Fran Wilde has done many marvelous things – including crafting marvelous stories like Updraft and The Jewel and her Lapidary. But she has also explored the realms of technology, explored art and a broad spectrum of diverse disciplines, crafts, and exotic pursuits. These explorations give her a unique perspective, both on the world and the writerly arts.
Joined by the fabulous Marie Bilodeau as co-host, we wax rhapsodic with Fran, exploring the value of critiquing both in a writing group and as writer, the way stories start, the merits of curiosity and more. It’s a conversation fraught with writerly goodness… click the “PLAY” button and let the fabulousity commence! (and join us on July 19 for Fran’s equally awesome Workshop Episode!)