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 →
AENYA NEWSLETTER 12/01/21
Hey, Aenya fans! Boy, do I have some great stuff to share with you today. So let's get straight to it, shall we? The Princess of Aenya: Acclaim, New Cover, New Art A beautiful new cover is on its way for The Princess of Aenya! While I was completely happy with the old pic, I... Continue Reading →
My Literary Journey | PODCAST
If you've ever wondered, "Who's this Nick guy, anyway?" Well, this episode is for you! Learn all my dirty secrets as I reminisce about my long, winding, and sometimes harrowing literary journey, from my childhood days writing on the backs of pink pizza tickets to kind-of inventing Power Rangers to dragging my dad to NYC... 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 →
The Great Resignation and the Plight of Small Business Owners
There is great unrest among the working class in this country, a pre-French Revolution upheaval that's been heating to a boil. In July alone, four million Americans quit their jobs, and fast-food chains have had to shut their doors for lack of staff. This Great Resignation is the result of growing inequality and the slow... 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 →
Maybe it’s time to talk about mental health
I've been putting this off for many years now. I never wanted to write another "woe is me" post, not since some troll suggested I give up writing. Another troll (or maybe it was the same one) went so far as to e-mail screen grabs of my sales rank, just to rub my failures in... Continue Reading →
Politics in Storytelling and Kevin Smith’s He-Man
In this episode of Story Matters, Heather and I delve into the conservative YouTube/social media debacle. We talk about being "woke" and an "SJW," modern-day feminism, and we examine what role politics has to play in film, TV, and literature. And of course, we also talk about our favorite thing growing up, the 80's cartoon... 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 →

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