Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Making Old Monsters New Again with author Christopher Buehlman. During the episode, Christopher uncovers the mysteries of old monsters, exploring examples of classic monsters, human psychology and allegory, advantages of using classic monsters, monster films and why some monsters feel dated, approaches for different genres/monsters, researching monsters, atmosphere, setting and emotion, gore vs. psychological horror, new takes on old monsters and more.
Mini-Masterclass
SFF Addicts Ep. 106: Locked-Room Mysteries with Stuart Turton (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Locked-Room Mysteries with bestselling author Stuart Turton. During the episode, Stuart unlocks the mysteries of locked-room scenarios, including the appeal of them as readers and writers, key elements of locked-rooms, containing your setting and characters, using characters to control the mystery, tools for managing pacing and tension, keeping locked-room mysteries fresh and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 86: Tech-Fi & Technology As Story with Ken Liu (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Tech-Fi & Technology As Story with award-winning author Ken Liu. During the episode, Ken decodes the intricacies of technology fiction, including what tech-fi means, the uses of technology in fantasy, how technology and stories shape us and expresses our values, personifying technology, new technologies, A.I. and fear mongering, imagining positive impacts of future tech and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 78: Supernatural Magic with Ed McDonald (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Supernatural Magic with author Ed McDonald. During the episode, Ed explores the strange nature of the occult, including supernatural beliefs, history, folklore and mythology, hard and soft magic systems, magic as a part of worldbuilding/plot/character, research and lived experience, strange supernatural creatures, the ritual of storytelling and magic and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 76: Plotting 101 with Greta Kelly (Mini-Masterclass)
Join co-hosts Adrian M. Gibson and M.J. Kuhn as they delve into a mini-masterclass on Plotting 101 with author Greta Kelly. During the episode, Greta plots out the essentials for outlining a novel, including what plotting and outlining are, how it can help stimulate your creativity and focus, evolving plotting processes, planning character and story arcs, tools/methods/software for plotting, going from outline to first draft to edits, helpful writing resources and more.
SFF Addicts Ep. 74: Co-Writing A Novel with Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey (Mini-Masterclass)
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.
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. 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. 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.