TROI

STEVE PANTAZIS (pronounced PAHN-tuh-ZEECE) is an award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. He won the prestigious Writers of the Future and has gone on to publish a number of short stories in leading SF&F magazines, including Nature, IGMS, and Galaxy's Edge, and on Amazon. He is the author of THE LIGHT OF DARKNESS epic fantasy series (2023 release) and the sci-fi novels, GODNET and BLACKOUT (forthcoming). When not writing (a rare occasion!), Steve creates extraordinary cuisine, exercises with vigor, and shares marvelous adventures with the love of his life. Originally from the Big Apple, he now calls Southern California home.

Rocco Levitas released his debut epic fantasy novel, The Seam of Eternity, in October 2023. He shares about his writing process, how he's grown his social media, some of his influences and the challenges in marketing. Pick up his book and follow him at www.roccolevitas.com.

Austin Colton is the author of The Ballad of Sorrows series which include Child of Fire and Child of Rot. He shares how he took classes from Brandon Sanderson and David Farland. He gives some great advice about achieving goals and staying productive.

You can find him at www.austincolton.com.

For a free book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ggkwer3a1r

In this episode James J Butcher talks about his debut book, Dead Man's Hand. He shares his writing habits, how he stays balanced and talks about his other hobbies. He talks about the process of getting his book published and the challenges of writing a sequel which comes out this October titled Long Past Dues. Get the book today at any book retailer.

Author, screenwriter, producer, and actor Jonathan Yanez comes on the show for the second time. You can catch his first interview on Episode 10. He shares what he has done in the two years since the last interview. How he was able to create a short film titled Infinity System. How he continues to be prolific and what it's like to complete a successful Kickstarter. You can find him at www.jonathan-yanez.com. You can also follow along with his current Kickstarter which has already funded to get Forsaken Mercenary made.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wolf-pack/forsaken-mercenary-a-sci-fi-thriller-short-film?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=forsaken%20mercenary

Lauren D. Fulter is a young American fiction author, publishing her first book at the age of sixteen. After learning the word ‘author’ at age five, she’s been captivated by the art of storytelling, and the little people roaming her mind. Though she longs for the cold, she lives in the desert with her large family, spending her days drawing, dabbling in the dimensions of the Fulterverse, and wearing sunglasses for unclarified reasons.

Author TJ Lombardi has started this year on fire. He has released two books this year and he isn't done. He shares what he has done to have such fast start. He shares his habits, mistakes and successes he's made along the way, and his future goals. The two books that are out are The Dying Breed: Hunters and The Dying Breed: Injustice.

Debut fantasy author Tori Diederich Lundell talks about how her husband giving her a notebook during the pandemic was the kickstart to her first book, Sanded Soul. She shares how her family and heritage influences her, some of her writing habits, why she partnered with Covenant Books and her plans for the future. You can find her on Instagram @authortorilundell.

Fantasy author J. D. L. Rosell talks about what he has done to become a full time author. He shares the success he has had on Kickstarter how networking has helped him and shares other tips that can help anyone on their author journey. His books include the Legend of Tal, The Runewar Saga and others. You can find him at www.jdlrosell.com.

Father and Son duo Michael and Roman Neville share their authors journey publishing their fist book The First Bloodline. Michael shares how the story was picked up in the 90's but fell through and it wasn't until Roman was in college that he decided to help his father. They share their collaborative process and plans for the future.

Artist Shayndl Green talks about her love of the Cosmere. How to get better at art and gives some tips and trick for those starting their art career.

Beauregard and Cole NeVille talk about the dynamic of writing a book together. The success they have found and the challenges they have faced along the way. The share how networking has helped them and the persistence it took to get their book written.

Fantasy author Joanna Reeder shares the success she has had writing. She shares the power of her mastermind group. How writing in short sprints was helpful when she had little children. How she has found help and inspiration from others and what she has done to find success. You can find her at www.joannareeder.com.

Writers of the Future winner David Hankins talks about the power of mentors, writing groups and forums. He shares what he has done to go from being a brand new author to become a professional in 18 months. You can find him at www.davidhankins.com.

Debut fantasy author A. L. Lorensen talks about the fourteen year journey it took to get her book published. She talks about the skills she has developed the people she has met along the way and what she has done to become a better author. Pick up her debut book For Evergreens and Aspen Trees today.

Fantasy Author Todd Fahnestock talks about his writing process. How he was able to be published by TSR. How he is working with other authors to create an epic series. How he has developed the skill to have a fast paced, page turner book. The success he has had with marketing and being at conventions and he gives some great tips to being a successful author. You can find him at www.toddfahnestock.com.

Fantasy author Tim Akers talks about the struggle to becoming a full time author. He shares how he got an agent, selling books to publishers, his daily habits and some authors who have influenced him. You can visit him at www.timakers.net.

Best selling and award winning author Larry Correia shares where the ideas for his books come from, the processes he uses to create his books, the challenges and joys of working with other authors and his love of TTRPG and shares some of his favorites. His website is www.monsterhunternation.com.

Game designer Carl Rossi talks about the ups and downs of designing a TTRPG, Terah. He talks about how he began playing RPG's at a young age, the passion he has for the games he plays and past campaigns we enjoyed. You can find him at www.realrpgames.com

Author and writing teacher Wulf Moon talks about the struggles and triumphs of becoming a writer. He shares how L. Ron Hubbard's Writers of the Future contest changed his life and how he has gone on and helped others. You can find him at www.thewulfmoon.com.

Author Becca Lee Gardner shares her habits, how networking has helped her and the joy she has found at conventions. You can find her at www.beccaleeg.com

Science Fiction author of the Sun Eater series Christopher Ruocchio talks about the discipline he had in college to achieve his writing goal. His transition to becoming a full time author and how working for Baen and being published by DAW put him in a unique position. He also gives some great advice to those that want to become a writer. You can find him at www.sollanempire.com.

Dragon Award nominated author R. R. Virdi visits with us and talks about his latest book, The First Binding. He talks about how Jim Butcher helped him on his journey. The value of storytelling and learning from the past. He shares the challenges and joys of being both an indie and traditionally published author. You can find him at www.rrvirdi.com.

In this episode we talk with Morgan R. R. Haze, who is actually three people. Three siblings write under the pen name, they discuss the challenges and joys of writing together. Why they chose science fiction and what has inspired them. You can find them at www.morganrrhaze.com.

Dan Wells is an award winning author and podcaster. His books include the John Cleaver Series with the first book, I Am Not a Serial Killer being made into a movie. Other series include The Zero Chronicles, The Mirador Series and The Partials Sequence. He shares some great advice for new writers and gives insights about his success. You can find him at www.thedanwells.com.

Katie Payne talks about how Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere has influenced her art and how meeting him has provided opportunities with Dragonsteel Entertainment. You can find her at www.katiepayne.com.

Author and game designer Alan Morgan shares his journey to create a multimedia experience. He shares the ups and downs creating this experience and shares how persistence is key despite some difficulties to achieve his goals. He shares some valuable insight for those that have worked long and hard on a project. He published his first book Children of Arla earlier this year. You can find him at www.planet-postmoderna.com.

Fantasy author, artist, and YouTuber Brian Lee Durfee visits with us in the latest episode of the TROI podcast. He shares how a simple question from NBA legend John Stockton started him on his authors journey. He shares how he worked with Magic: The Gathering, how met some of his favorite authors and artists and some of the secrets to his success. His series The Five Warrior Angels trilogy is nearing completion with the third book The Lonesome Crown coming out November 29, 2022. You can find him at www.brianleedurfee.com.

Fantasy and Science Fiction author Matthew O. Duncan talks about his two series and gives great advice on becoming a full time author. You can find him at www.matthewoduncanbooks.com.

The audio isn't the best in this episode but Matthew give some great tips so don't let the quality hold you back.

In this episode artist David Lee Conley talks about his process in creating unique travel posters. He shares great tips for anyone wanting to get good at anything. You can find him at www.free-dlc.com.

Fantasy author Tabatha Shipley talks about how she has kept an idea notebook since she was a little girl. How she uses those ideas, how she uses social media to find her writing group, editor, and beta readers. She also shares some of her favorite authors. You can find her at www.tabathashipleybooks.com.

Jake from J Caleb Design visit with us about how he go into cover designs. He shares how consistency has been key in his business and he give great tips on being successful. You can find him at www.jcalebdesign.com.

In this episode fantasy author J.A. Andrews shares how she started writing chapters to send to her husband while her was away to try to entertain and annoy him. She shares how she started her indie author journey and gives great advice to those people who want to begin. You can find her at www.jaandrews.com.

Frank Morin visits with us and shares how his novel Face Takers came to him in a dream. He shares the ups and downs of being an indie author and some tips and tricks on having success at conventions. He talks about dictating his novels and shares information on conferences that have helped him become a better writer. You can find him at www.frankmorin.com.

We visit with artist Brandi York in this episode. She shares how Disney inspired her to draw as a teen and how Disney later employed her to do portraits. She also shares how the job at Disney was just as valuable to her than going to college. She shares some great advice on making a living as an artist and why she choose art nouveau. You can find her at www.brandiyork.com.

To whet your appetite for Amazon's The Rings of Power we talked with Tolkien illustrator Kip Rasmussen. He shares how he was lucky enough to have the same art teacher through middle and high school who exposed him to a variety of mediums. The influence Tolkien's work has had on him and how the three "Frank's" have influenced him. He also shares some great advice if you want to be an artist or author. You can find him at www.kiprasmussen.com and at a convention near you.

We had the chance to visit with fantasy author and cancer survivor Ryan Patrick Olson talk about his book the Carnival of Heaven. He shares how he was able to battle cancer and how it inspired him to write his book. You can find him at www.ryanpatrickolson.com.

Debut fantasy author Dito Abbott visits with us and shares how a three and a half year project to create a music video for his band Too Many Drummers helped in developing the persistence he needed to complete his book, Debunked. He talks about over delivering and the importance creating a professional presence and how to stay balanced. You can find him at www.ditoabbott.com.

In this weeks episode we visit with urban fantasy author Jenn Windrow. Her Alexis Black series has one of the most interesting sources of inspiration. Jenn shares how she was first traditionally published then go her rights back and became a self published author. She shares some great tips and tricks you wont want to miss. Visit her at www.jennwindrow.com.

In this episode we talk with Joseph "DJ Dimension" Mercado about how he added comic creator to his impressive resume. He shares how his background as a DJ influenced the comic and what he does to help the youth in his area. He gives great advice for anyone wanting to begin any creative endeavor and we both talk about our love of professional wrestling. You can find him at www.ndmdigital.com. 

We had the opportunity to talk with award winning fantasy author Emily Schneider. She shares how a writing prompt helped her begin her story but it wasn't until years later a book series inspired her to complete it. She talks about a time management tool that helps her stay productive and how she has managed to stay motivated when she was trying to get traditionally published. Visit her at www.emilyschneiderwrites.com.

Daniel Crux visited with us and discussed how his book series The Black Sun came to be. We discuss his writing habits and a very successful marketing technique to get people interested in his books. You can find him at www.danielcrux.com.

We talk with artist Bruce Brenneise, he has done work for Wizards of the Coast, Orbit and Mega Crit's game Slay the Spire. You can find him at www.brucebrenneise.com.

Dream Walker Chronicles author Christopher Patterson spoke with us about the ups and downs of his authors journey. He shares valuable advise to new authors and shares how others have helped him. You can find him at www.christopher-patterson.com.

Fantasy author Jeffrey L. Kohanek shares his experiences at becoming a full time author. His books include the series Runes of Issalia, Wardens of Issalia, Fate of Wizardoms, Fall of Wizardoms. You can find him at www.jeffreylkohanek.com.

We got to speak with fantasy author Mike Voltz. We talk about how his debut novel, Dreamland, came about. We also talk about how we see ourselves as authors and how sometimes our expectations don't meet reality. You can find him at www.mikevoltz.com.

Fantasy author Matthew Wolf visited with us and talked about the genesis of the Ronin Saga. He shared some tips and tricks on being more productive, I loved the candle trick, and how Tracy Hickman gave him encouragement. You can find him www.matt-wolf.com.

We talked with Bryan about his journey to become an author and how his books are interconnected. He shares what he did to get a cover artist and how his wife helped him achieve his dream. You can fin him at www.intercontpress.com.

We had the chance to speak with Brady Caleb Wilkinson right before the release of his debut novel the Dance of Dawn & Dusk. He shares how the classics have influenced his story. He also shares some great advice for writing and life. You can find him at www.bradycalebwilkinson.com.

We had the chance to talk with author D. N. Erikson, who also writes under Nicholas Erik. We talk about his author's journey and he gives great advice for beginning authors. You can find him at www.dnerikson.com or www.nicholaserik.com.