The World of Aenya is vast and varied. Its geography encompasses disparate landscapes, city-states, races, cultures, histories, and myths. For 2022, I am introducing a new series, Aenya Lore, to showcase the tales that exist within the larger narrative of the Aenya Series, some of which, you may remember, come straight from the novels. While... Continue Reading →
Stephen King’s 11/22/63
Heather and I discuss Stephen King's quasi-historical time travel story, 11/22/63! We also dip a little bit into Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World. What more do you need to know? Please give it a listen. https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EFlnqeGqT1O6SrlgBWpAJ?si=uDgGClyTSjuTu4dPDBa0Dg
Ecthros: The Archer with Bad Aim
Ecthros, or "Ecks", as he is called by his friends, first appeared in The Princess of Aenya and is set to appear in my forthcoming novel, The Children of Aenya. Unlike your typical fictional archer (looking at you: Robin Hood, Legolas, Green Arrow, Hawkeye, Katniss, Merida), Ecthros isn't very good at shooting things with his... Continue Reading →
The Nine Types of Writers
Three times this week, I've had the same dumb conversation about becoming a writer. One person queried me through my author site, asking simply, "how can I get published?" A second person told me he didn't actually have any experience, but had a good idea for a book and wanted me to write it for... Continue Reading →
It, Carrie, and Taboo Subjects in Literature
No discussion of Stephen King's It would be complete without tackling that scene---a scene not surprisingly omitted from every film adaptation---and if you don't know what I'm talking about, just read the book! Hint: sex + children. Historically, taboo subjects in fiction challenge readers to examine social norms, and forces us to consider whether anything... Continue Reading →
Is literature the superior artform? Stephen King’s “IT”
Stephen King once said in an interview, and I paraphrase here, "literature is a superior artform." This was in regards to his books being turned into movies. He wasn't all too concerned about the accuracy of on screen adaptations to his works, because, for him at least, a film could never be as good. I... Continue Reading →
PODCAST | A Wish in the Dark
In this episode of the Story Matters podcast, I sit down with my 11-year-old daughter, Sophia, to discuss Christina Soontornvat's A Wish in the Dark. While this book was required reading for her middle-school English class, we definitely didn't regret it! A Wish in the Dark is set in an alternate-history, Asian-inspired world, with only... Continue Reading →
PODCAST | Graceling by Kristin Cashore
What does Kristin Cashore's Graceling, Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle, Terry Pratchett, The Promised Neverland anime, the Twilight series, Fifty Shades of Grey, X-Men, Philip Roth’s The Plot Against America, George Orwell's 1984 and Animal Farm, Alice in Wonderland, The Handmaid’s Tale, and The Testaments ALL have in common? Answer: THIS... Continue Reading →
PODCAST | Icefall Review
I picked up Icefall at a book fair at the University of South Florida. I came as an alumnus to talk to my old professors and to showcase The Princess of Aenya. They accepted two autographed copies of my book and offered me one of their autographed titles in return, and since I love Norse... Continue Reading →
PODCAST | The Book of Lost Things and Circe
Quick Blurb: John Connelly's The Book of Lost Things starts off strong, with an evocative hook that instantly draws you into the story. But the middle hundred pages or so felt like needless padding, and I started to lose interest. Much of what happens feels random and disconnected to the overall plot and the development... Continue Reading →

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