Story Works Round Table Archives - Page 4 of 64 - Story Works Round Table Podcast

SWRT 340 | Writing Regional Fiction, bringing culture to life with Arlon Jay Staggs

Jan 22, 2026

In this episode of Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold engage in a lively discussion with debut novelist Arlon Jay Staggs, who brings an insightful conversation about Southern Fiction. With humor and affection, Arlon shares insights about the quirks of the Deep South, the significance of dialogue in Southern storytelling, and the cultural contradictions that shape the genre. Tune in as we explore Arlon’s journey as a writer, the inspirations behind his debut novel, and the delightful complexities of Southern characters.

SWRT 339 | Writing Your Rules: Speculative Fiction Plots and Characters with Mark J. Wilson

Jan 8, 2026

In this episode of Story Works Round Table, Alida Winternheimer and Kathryn Arnold are thrilled to welcome author Mark J. Wilson, whose journey from biochemistry to writing novels is as fascinating as his debut book, Full of Beans. Join us as we explore how Mark blends genres, from science fiction to mystery, and hear about his unique time-traveling detective, Phil Beans. Discover the creative process behind character development, the challenges of writing, and the unexpected joys of storytelling. Tune in for insights that will inspire writers and readers alike!

SWRT 317 | Authors Talk Writing Memoir

Feb 28, 2025

Join us at the Story Works Round Table for an insightful conversation about Memoir with special guests Candace MacPhie author of Finding Color, Randi-Lee Bowslaugh author of Good-bye too Soon, Dr. Roger Leslie author of Light Come Out of the Closet, and Michael Hingson author of Live Like A Guide Dog. From taking a piece of your own life and crafting it into a story, to the challenges of examining your life in such a vulnerable way, discover how to craft a compelling story from your own experiences.

SWRT 316 | Series & Sequels with Alethea Lyons

Feb 13, 2025

Join us at the Story Works Round Table as we sit down with Alethea Lyons, author of the supernatural dark fantasy Seer of York series, published by Brigids Gate Press. She writes various forms of SFF, with a particular love for science-fantasy, dark fantasy, dystopias, and folklore. We talk about the particular challenges facing writers of series and sequels.

SWRT 315 | Getting to Know Your Characters with Sarah Branson

Jan 31, 2025

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Sarah Branson returns to talk about getting to know your characters. We dig into the different roles characters play, depending on their relationship to the protagonist and how well we need to know them in order to write them well. Sarah’s novel, North Country, is available now.

“You have to put yourself in their life and try and figure out what their motivations are.”

SWRT 314 | Science Fiction & Our Possible Futures

Jan 16, 2025

Join us at the Story Works Round Table for far-ranging, philosophical, and fun conversation about science fiction with special guests Brad C Anderson, author of Duatero,

Mark Morton, author of The Headmasters, Lance Robinson, one of the winners of the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future contest, and Kristina Rienzi, author of Among Us. From dystopias to conspiracy to environmental collapse, discover how these stories mirror our reality and spark imagination.

SWRT 313 | Intuitive Creativity with Chindia Ilonka

Jan 2, 2025

This week’s Story Works Round Table features Chindia Ilonka, the visionary leader and author of Quantum Rebel. Discover how to align with your soul, harness your intuitive creativity, and achieve transformative results in your writing. Chindia shares her journey of self-discovery and offers practical insights on cultivating a deeper connection with your inner voice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to evolve, inspire, and thrive. Tune in now and unleash your potential!

SWRT 312 | Folklore of North America with Mike Bass

Dec 19, 2024

Are you ready to journey through the captivating world of folklore? This week on the Story Works Round Table podcast, Alida has the pleasure of sitting down with Mike Bass, a distinguished folklorist and printmaker, whose artistry is as intriguing as the stories he tells. Growing up in a house teeming with spirits, Mike’s fascination with the supernatural and the macabre has shaped his work, resulting in a unique blend of art and storytelling that captures the imagination.

Throughout the conversation, Mike and Alida explore the evolution of folklore, discussing the differences between traditional and modern tales. They delve into the role of folklore in reflecting societal values and fears, examining how stories evolve as they traverse cultural and temporal boundaries. Mike’s insights into the intersection of folklore and art reveal the enduring power of storytelling in shaping our understanding of the world.

Whether you’re an art enthusiast, folklore aficionado, or simply curious about the mysterious and the macabre, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of the stories that shape us. Don’t forget to visit storyworkspodcast.com to view Mike’s prints and connect with his work. Happy listening!

SWRT 311 | Flying Pirates & Speculative Fiction with Sarah Branson

Dec 6, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn dive into the post-dystopian world of flying pirates with author Sarah Branson. Learn about her journey from midwifery to crafting tales of adventure and resilience, blending her experiences as a midwife and science teacher into her speculative fiction characters and world building.

“I wanted to take someone who had dealt with a lot of trauma and was set in a world where she could be allowed to grow.”

“When you have a protagonist that lives in your head, who is armed and is a pirate, you do whatever she says.”

SWRT 310 | From Lightning to Novel with Ben Hawken, part 2

Nov 21, 2024

This week on the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn continue our conversation with Ben Hawken, author of the new novel “Chandelier.” In part two of our conversation, we discuss looking for the next story, processing ideas, writing dialogue and getting characters into conversation as fully formed people, and more! Ben shares his remarkable journey from a career in marketing and speech writing to writing his debut book. Learn how he balanced life, work, and writing to achieve his creative dreams.

SWRT 309 | Immigrant Stories & Historical Events – Fiction with Grishma Shah

Nov 7, 2024

Join us for an insightful episode of Story Works Round Table as we welcome Grishma Shah. Grishma shares the journey of crafting her novel, Anagram Destiny. Inspired by her upbringing as the daughter of Indian immigrants and her expertise in culture and globalization, it’s a reverse immigration story that explores the Indian American dream, cultural shifts, and the power of storytelling. Discover how personal experiences and historical events like 9/11 shape her narrative, and why fiction can resonate deeper than nonfiction. Don’t miss this compelling conversation about identity, home, and the universal themes of love and loss.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »

Story Works Round Table

conversations about craft

for writers and readers curious about writers