Join host Adrian M. Gibson as he delves into a mini-masterclass on Co-Writing A Novel with authors Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey. During the episode, Cassandra and Richard tackle the chaotic business of writing with another person, including how they co-wrote The Dead Take the A Train, why you might consider (or not) co-writing a novel, merging writing styles and authorial voices, dealing with the challenges of evolving co-writing processes, deadlines and editors, co-writing virtually, collaborative ideation and storytelling, avoiding ego, trusting your partner and more.
Masterclass
SFF Addicts Ep. 72: Writing Mysteries with Josiah Bancroft & Adrian M. Gibson (Mini-Masterclass)
Join host M.J. Kuhn as she delves into a mini-masterclass on Writing Mysteries with author Josiah Bancroft and (surprise!) our very own Adrian M. Gibson. During the episode, Josiah and Adrian investigate the clues of writing a mystery, including why we love a good mystery, the evolution of the genre, essentials like setting, atmosphere, hooks and capable protagonists, how to pace a mystery and dish out clues, cohesion and mysteries going off the rails, genre blending a mystery with SFF and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 70: Building a Dedicated Fanbase with Robin & Michael J. Sullivan (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Building a Dedicated Fanbase with author Michael J. Sullivan and his wife/business manager Robin. During the episode, Michael and Robin lay out the realities of writing and building an audience, including steps to becoming a well-earning author, selling directly to readers, Kickstarter and crowdfunding, growing a career and community, the importance of series for fan investment, comparing traditional and self-publishing, Goodreads, Royal Road, social media, reviews and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 68: Plot Twists with Aparna Verma (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Plot Twists with author Aparna Verma. During the episode, Aparna deconstructs plot twists, including why we love them so much, what makes a plot twist great, how plot twists work in fiction vs. TV or film, the essential trifecta of set-up, misdirection and reveal, ways in which plot twists can fall flat, tropes, favorite plot twists and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 66: Real Cultures as Inspiration with Gabriela Romero Lacruz (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Real Cultures as Inspiration with author Gabriela Romero Lacruz. During the episode, Gabriela unpacks different facets of culture, including what culture means, countercultures, SFF as a reflection of our world, immersive worldbuilding, pulling from real cultures vs. creating your own, research, cultural appropriation and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 64: Norse Mythology & Culture with Genevieve Gornichec (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Norse Mythology & Culture with author Genevieve Gornichec. During the episode, Genevieve unravels the tapestry of Norse culture, including the essentials of Norse history, the popularity of Norse-inspired fantasy, vikings and gods, stereotypes and pet peeves, portrayals of women, balacning history with fantasy, how to approach researching Norse culture and mythology, the Norse living history community and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 62: The Hero’s/Heroine’s Journey with R.R. Virdi (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on The Hero’s/Heroine’s Journey with author R.R. Virdi. During the episode, Ronnie explores the complexities of the monomyth, including its origins/development across human history, oral storytelling traditions, creation myths and language, Joseph Campbell’s theory of the monomyth, the heroine’s journey and the work of Maureen Murdock, individualism vs. society and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 60: Science in Fantasy with Kritika H. Rao (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Science in Fantasy with author Kritika H. Rao. During the episode, Kritika hypothesizes about the role of science, including how she incorporated science into her debut novel, balancing science with philosophy and esotericism, how science can affect character, plot, language and worldbuilding, science tropes and stereotypes, the work of Michael Crichton and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 58: Writing Action Scenes with Alexander Darwin (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Writing Action Scenes with author/martial artist Alexander Darwin. During the episode, Alexander tackles the ins and outs of action, including why action scenes are integral to stories, action in TV/film vs. fiction, writing believable action scenes, using pacing to control action and narrative, how action can drive plot, character and worldbuilding, dialogue as action and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 56: Worldbuilding 101 with Martha Wells (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Worldbuilding 101 with bestselling author Martha Wells. During the episode, Martha unravels the intricacies of worldbuilding, including what it means, why well-crafted worlds are important for stories, first steps for worldbuilding, research vs. creativity, keeping track of details, how to convey information through description, avoiding infodumping, drawing maps, naming shit and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 54: Aliens & First Contact with Christopher Paolini (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Aliens & First Contact with bestselling author Christopher Paolini. During the episode, Christopher explores the mysteries of aliens, including why humans are fascinated by them, why first contact makes for fantastic story fuel, creating species and environments, science and our understanding of reality, alien tropes, reader emotions, empathetic aliens and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 52: Revision & Rewriting with Sue Burke (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Revision & Rewriting with author and translator Sue Burke. During the episode, Sue breaks down the nitty gritty of revision, including why it’s an important part of the writing process, approaches to first drafts, tools for revision and rewriting, how to keep track of characters and scenes, killing your darlings and more.