The Wandering Scribe July Edition
Happy Summer, everyone! July is the month for sand, beaches, travel, and smores. It is also time for new authors and historians on the show. Like many before them, these guests are first-timers here on the show (with some exceptions), and I am so excited to introduce them to you all. Also, please be on the lookout for my posts about ARC readers and the upcoming preorder.
Historians lounge Guest
Author Interviews
Historian Interview
Historians Lounge Guest: Meredith Walker
My historian for the month of July is Historian Meredith Walker . For those who remember, she graduated from the University of Leiden, where she received my Master's in Global and Colonial history. She approaches her academic work with creativity and a passion for making history accessible and socially impactful. She uses modern approaches and cultural examples to illuminate historical research in a way that non-historians will find approachable. In addition, she has a bachelor's in history, with an emphasis on public history. With this addition to standard academic education, Meredith has the training to work in museums and bring historical research and concepts to the public in many other fields. Previously working as a proofreader and editor for both fiction and non-fiction texts, as well as acting as a fact-checker for historical fiction on several occasions, she currently works as a freelance researcher for a YouTube series with over one million subscribers and as adjunct faculty and as an instructional assistant in History and English courses at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. She is also a Paradise Valley Community College adjunct, conducts academic research, and writes speculative fiction in various genres. Meredith is particularly interested in using modern popular culture to explain historical concepts and events, such as Star Trek. Her return to the show will be on July 22nd.
Author Interviews
The first author leading the lineup is a person very near and dear to me. Many of you have heard me mention her numerous times, but now, returning for her second appearance, Lowri Ball is returning to the Wandering Scribe Podcast. For those unaware, Lowri Ball is not only a talented author and illustrator, but she is also my top editor for Michael. Starting up her business, Lowri Ball, from the rainy hills of Wales, looked to fit into the artistic world. She dabbled in many different styles and techniques until settling on pen and ink, sticking mainly to black-and-white work. As she developed her skills, she opened her small business up and gave it its identity known as Ivory Quill. From here, she offered to take in commissions and try something completely new. Accompanied by her newly found love of writing, and after finishing her book, she dabbled in maps, her first one being that for her book. Since then, they have been an option for the commissions she offers, Gabriel Garcia, M.A. (yours truly) being a very loyal customer and one that tests her artistic creativity and skill. She is always looking for new customers and new challenges to boost her business and help out other writers and clients. She returns to the show on June 2.
My next author is Dodge Merrin. An active imagination has been one of Dodge’s defining attributes for as long as he can remember, with its creations often seeming more real to him than the world in which he lived. Upon discovering a talent and affinity for the written word, he began writing stories for fun, eventually making it more than a hobby. This has taught him to control his wandering mind while providing an escape for himself and others. Born in northern Illinois, his family moved to southern Missouri shortly afterward, where he currently lives with his two cats, Merry and Pippin, who provide comfort and drive him crazy multiple times a day. He rides a motorcycle, exercises regularly, and trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu when possible. Dodge has written one series of six science-fiction books, which explores what we believe and why we fight for it, but there are plans for many more in various genres, all of which will continue with his style of intense action and detailed characters. He will also debute on the 2nd.
My next author making their debut is Eric Bowden. Eric Bowden is a self-published fantasy/sci-fi writer and screenwriter. He focuses on fast-paced, page-turning, action-filled books with cinematic imagery and powerful, heroic moments. Eric has been writing books since he was 12 years old and has always had a strong passion for storytelling. With his books, he hopes to inspire other storytellers worldwide to start writing and get their stories out there. His journey, writing methods, and inspirations are all shared with his followers through his Instagram and YouTube accounts, @ericbowdenbooks, where Eric strives to build a writing and reading community that feels like they can connect with the writer behind the words. He received a BFA in film with an emphasis on screenwriting from the University of Utah and is pursuing a Master's in Screenwriting at Loyola Marymount University. His ultimate goal is to one day teach the next generation of aspiring writers. Eric currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He will make his debut on July 9th.
My next author is Katerina St. Clair. As an author, writing has been a lifelong passion of hers. From a young age, books have always provided Katerina comfort and solace. And now, she finds that same comfort and solace when she sits down to pen her words. It's a hobby that soon became a serious pursuit when she realized the infinite power of the written word. Through my stories, she tries to capture the essence of what it means to be human, to offer a lens through which her readers can explore life in a new and enriching way.?She will debut on July 10th.
Capping off the second week of July is Author D.L. Houpt. As a mom of two littles, D.L. Houpt is used to the daily chaos. From a young age, she escaped in the pages of fantasy novels. She loves writing stories, dreaming up magical worlds, and learning about mythology. When she isn't found typing up her new idea (most likely ignoring her husband to write), she's in the garden with her daughter or enjoying a book with her son. Engineer by day, she uses her writing to uplift powerful women, whether behind a computer monitor in an office or a shield on the battlefield. She will debut on the 11th.
My next Auhtor for the third week of July is Tatiana Obey. She is the author, the dreamer, the adventurer. Tatiana Obey writes badass characters slaying dragons. She enjoys combining action with character-driven stories that feature diverse heroes and heroines. Her debut novel, Bones to the Wind, is a 2022 Black Book Award Winner and a 2022 Indie Ink Award Finalist. She is a proud blerd. She taught English in South Korea, studied abroad in Japan, and spent her debut year traveling the world. Learn more about Tatiana at www.tatianaobey.com. Her debut will be on the 15th.
My next authors are the duo Lita Hunt and Aynsley J. Fraser. Aynsley J. Fraser is the louder half of the Moonlight in Glenwood author duo, known for weaving intricate tales of mystery and warm stories. Aynsley burst onto the literary scene with her debut novel, " Moonburn," captivating readers with its spellbinding narrative and richly developed characters. With an unquenchable thirst for crafting compelling plots and empowering female protagonists, Aynsley wants to enchant readers. Beyond writing, Aynsley finds joy in solving puzzles, especially unraveling mysteries in escape rooms, and embarking on adventures in Pokémon. A passionate aficionado of tabletop role-playing games, Aynsley draws inspiration from these immersive experiences to fuel her creative endeavors. With a penchant for the enigmatic and a love for the extraordinary, Aynsley J. Fraser invites readers to lose themselves in the captivating worlds she crafts, where the moonlight holds secrets waiting to be unveiled. Lita Hunt is the quieter half of the Moonlight in Glenwood author duo, known for being the resident pedantic secretary keeping the train on its tracks. In the fallout of the current decade's neverending chaos, Hunt debuted in the literary realm with "Moonburn," swiftly followed by "Corrupted Moons." and "Lunacy." Drawing inspiration from her lifetime love of wolves, particularly werewolves, Hunt infuses her work with a captivating blend of mystique and allure. Beyond her literary pursuits, Hunt finds joy in life's simple pleasures. From pumpkin spice delights to embarking on adventures in World of Warcraft, Hunt keeps her distractions from writing many and wildly varied. While epic fantasy has always been her love, a childhood of avid reading leaves no genre unrepresented on her copious bookshelves.?Lita Hunt hopes to entertain the readers of Moonlight in Glenwood even half as much as her literary heroes. She invites readers to dive into the world and get lost in the supernatural for a while. They will also make their debut on the 15th.
Also during the third week is newcomer author and veteran DW Paulk. Originally from Kingsville, Texas, Darryl Paulk has since settled in the sunny locale of Odessa, Florida. Immediately after high school, he exchanged his textbooks for military fatigues, serving honorably in the U.S. Army for over fourteen years. His distinctive writing style is infused with the valuable insights he gained during service. While his initial ambition was to pursue a degree in literature, practical considerations led him to a more lucrative field, earning him a bachelor’s in Management Information Systems. For the past two decades, Darryl has thrived in the tech-centric world of software sales, working with numerous networking and cybersecurity companies. A passionate science fiction, fantasy, and military novels enthusiast, he has channeled his interests into writing stories designed to ignite the imagination. He will make his debut on the 17th.
Finishing off the third week is Dana C Breston. Dana C Brentson is a fantasy author who writes books within her world setting of Celuthia.? It is filled with magic, danger, and people trying to navigate their lives.? Her self-published short story, SALVATION'S FALL (2022), and the companion novella AMBIENT HEIGHT (2022) are available now through Amazon. Dana loves tea, scotch, video games, and TTRPGs. She lives in Puget Sound with her husband, three young children, and two dogs. She will end the week on July 18th.
领英推荐
For the fourth week of July, we have Raven Belasco. Raven Belasco is a huge bookworm, history nerd, all-around geek, and Blood & Ancient Scrolls series author. She’s also an old-school goth who used to perform at the infamous ManRay nightclub in Boston. While she still goes out dancing now and then, these days, she spends more time walking her beloved terrier on nature trails and figuring out how to do that whole indie publishing thing. She will make her debut on July 25th.
Arguably, my most mysterious author on the channel, S.M. Atlas, is a forthcoming author of the book Jacob's Wish. Jacob’s Wish - A Wielder’s Journey is a book about a young, orphaned boy trying to save everything violently taken from him. After a strange encounter with an unknown man, he finds himself battling amongst bloodthirsty tyrants deep within London’s underbelly, an unforgiving world teeming with wonder and amazement. To learn more about Jacobs's Wish and Atlas, see the interview on July 26th.
Finally, my last author for July is Jada McCrary. Jada McCrary writes fantasy and other genres. When her nose isn't in a book or writing her own, she can be found on horseback or at a museum. She enjoys looking at all art and discriminates against none. Her episode will be on the 30th.
Historians Interview
My first historian for the month of July is Lacy Babich . She is a professional with over 16 years of experience with the U.S. government. Her experience has created a highly successful leader with diverse backgrounds in multicultural organizations and a great success in managing personnel with employee satisfaction and performance. She has strong management principles and solid capabilities of independent planning, attention to detail, and analytic skills. Her debut will be on July 5th.
My next Historian is BR Williams . She is a historian, author, teacher, and content creator of her brand, Traditional Legends, where I focus on folklore, myths, and legends worldwide. She holds a BA in European History and an MA in Antiquities and Classics. She loves sharing her knowledge of the lesser-known aspects of history. This already has me excited. Bee will make her debut on July 16th.
My next historian interview will be Jeffrey LaMonica . His position as Professor of History at Delaware County Community College (DCCC) in Media, Pennsylvania, involves teaching courses to a diverse population of both traditional and nontraditional students. He develops and manages courses and curriculum as Coordinator of the Global Studies Program at DCCC. He assists with educational programming for the Delaware County Veterans Memorial in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. His episode will be on the 17th.
Finally, my last historian is Luke Gauci . Luke Gauci is a graduate of the Department of History at the University of Malta, where he read for his undergraduate degree, BA(Hons.) European and Global History with Archaeology, between 2020 and 2023. While reading for his degree, he also worked with AIS Archaeology, conducting archaeological and historical research for Head Archaeologist Mr Vincenzo Cherubini on sites such as The Royal Navy Hospital in Mtarfa, Malta. Luke is also active with the Malta University Historical Society and is their Events Coordinator. He is currently reading for his Master of Arts in European and Global History at the University of Malta, where he continues to work on medieval and crusading history under the supervision of Mr Charles Dalli. He currently works for Heritage Malta as a part of the Visitors’ Services Department, where, among other duties, he conducts tours of the various Punic, Roman, and Medieval sites such as St Paul’s Catacombs, the Domus Romana, Abbatija Tad-Dejr and others. While his passion for history draws him mainly to the medieval period, Luke is also very interested in antiquity, particularly Greek, Roman, Punic, and Near Eastern cultures, as well as early modern Mediterranean corsairs conducted by the Maltese and Hospitallers vessels operating out of the Maltese islands between 1530 and 1798. British railway history and monastic communities and their role in society throughout the medieval and early modern periods are also among his historical interests.?His debut will be on July 22nd.
The second editions are out.
Yes, my followers, you read the title correctly. Over several months, I have worked with Lowri to re-edit and fine-tune the original stories. As a result, the stories are stronger and more cohesive than before, especially Amyntas. Both novels are the same, with the addition of sneak peeks towards the end of the book offering a first chapter of future works. One teaser will present the world of Nyron thousands of years before the arrival of the first humans and learn the full history of the moonstone. The other will showcase another Gathering Alumni, a certain Roman soldier, in their own what-if story that follows 200 years after the events in Son of Persia.
If you want to purchase a copy, the second edition is in paperback, and the ebook has also been updated. Once you have read The Gathering or Amyntas, it would mean the world to me if you'd leave a review! If not, here is your chance. Leaving a review is the best way to help your favorite author. Like you, readers want to find great new books to read and rely on you to help spread the word. Writing a review is easier than you think.
Answer these questions:
What did you like about the book? Would you recommend this book to others? Are you looking forward to reading the next book in the series? BONUS: Do you see this as a movie or a TV show?
Furthermore, before I go, I want all my fellow historians, authors, and creators to listen. Remember that we are writers, dreamers, and storytellers if you ever feel low. Don't let your doubts get in the way of your dreams. Keep writing! Create! Your story matters!