Dragon Page "Cover to Cover"

Cover to Cover #464: Understanding Character Growth

Summer Brooks — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:30:14 +0000

Discussing the News: Mike S talks about Amazon's Kindle Select program that allows Kindle owners to borrow ebooks, and the payment method they're using to compensate authors for the loans, but it's an Amazon exclusive program. The discussion swirls about whether the program is financially beneficial to the authors. Writing Discussion: Mike M got himself an iPhone at last, and he talks about how he's using Notepad to make notes on his story editing throughout the day, as well as using Siri to help him record notes faster. The talk then turns towards character growth, and the small things that you can add to the story to show how your characters can grow and change over time, taking into account how emotional impact can touch both character and reader.

Cover to Cover #463: Techniques for Managing the Details

Summer Brooks — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 23:11:28 +0000

Mike S also recommends that everyone go out and purchase digital picture frames, scan in the covers of all their books, sit it on your shelf and have it display your book covers as slideshows. Writing Discussion: Mike M talks about the difficulties in trying not to expand the story he's currently working on and finding himself writing two different books at the same time, and Mike S delves into the usefulness of a toss ahead page, any series of story notes you can make to help you remember all of the details that need to be covered in future chapters or future novels, and modifying those items as needed.

Cover to Cover #462: Deconstructing the Story

Summer Brooks — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:35:43 +0000

Mike S points out that the real kidney punch to B&N was done by Apple a few weeks ago with their ebook textbook deals, and the guys talk about how these deals could change how teachers teach and how people learn. Rewrite Update: Mike M details his first plunge back into rewriting Mistress of the Dragon in 12 years, and the guys talk about the deconstruction process and the details to focus on that can improve story depth and detail.

Cover to Cover #461: Building Your Audiences

Summer Brooks — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:56:32 +0000

Discussion: Mike S talks about the importance of developing a private audience, separate from the groups you're cultivating on Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and other social networks. What's your favorite site for book reviews? Send them in, or mention them here... we'll collect the info and compile them into a list that we will use later to help publicize the finished stories after the process here. And yes, Summer is still taking applications for Dragon Page book reviewers. Wanna play?

Cover to Cover #460: Information Management and Story Questions

Summer Brooks — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:33:17 +0000

Mike S brings up some salient points about the legal tussle going on between HarperCollins and Open Road Media over the definition of "ebook" because of a new electronic version of Julie of the Wolves. Rewrite Status update: Mike M has cracked open his old manuscript, and reread it to better evaluate where it currently stands so he can determine which direction he wants to go with it. Mike S talks about asking more questions about your story in order to discover more about your world, your characters, and how those questions may lead you to tell a better story than the one you originally had in mind.

Cover to Cover #459: How and Where to Get Started

Summer Brooks — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:30:58 +0000

Would you be interested in receiving PDFs of sample chapters from authors, writing prompts or assignments or items of that ilk? Let us know your thoughts on that! Mike S lays out some steps to keep in mind when you start your 2012 writing projects, then the guys mark Mike M's starting point in tackling the re-edit of his book, itemizing what he should do for character and story breakdowns.

Cover to Cover #458: Prepping and Planning A Story

Summer Brooks — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:30:57 +0000

Listener Questions: Tad from Mesa is one of the few who has an old edition of Mistress of Dragons and he's interested to see how the new version evolves, really enjoyed Stackpole's At the Queen's Command, and wants to know if there's an update on the Talion Revenant sequel ebook challenge. Mike S stresses the importance of keeping notes, having a way to make notes and take down story ideas -- whether that's pen and paper or iPhone or iPad, and giving yourself permission to allow the first draft to not be perfect and just complete it. They also talk about the plan to tear down and rebuild Mistress of the Dragon, and what to expect during the process.

Cover to Cover #457: Listener Questions

Summer Brooks — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:01:09 +0000

The new "Cover to Cover" will be switching to an every other week schedule, mostly to give the guys and the listeners time to do the actual work required... MRM doing the writing for Mistress of the Dragon, and the listeners doing the assignments and asking questions via voicemail. Discussion: Alison in Denver airs her frustrations about the ever-increasing prices of ebooks, seemingly changing from week to week, and asks whether there's a guideline for consumers to effectively register their complaints about the out of scale ebook prices.

Cover to Cover #456: DIY EBooks (We're Not Dead Yet!)

Summer Brooks — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:35:27 +0000

Mike M and Mike S jump back in the saddle, chatting about what they did on their extended summer vacations: Stackpole went to a few conventions (Gencon, Origins), and published his first digital original book, Perfectly Invisible, while Mennenga stretched his muscles as a TV show director with the new and improved Slice of SciFi TV. Starting in January, follow along with the guys as they delve into some "best practices" for writers who want to self-publish and digitally distribute their own works, from preparation to production to marketing and sales.

Cover to Cover #455: M D Lachlan

Summer Brooks — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:36:04 +0000

Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with MD Lachlan about the first book in his new series from Pyr Books, Wolfsangel. What happens when you take a werewolf story and combine it with Norse mythology and legends? This series is one look at how that could have happened.
M.D. also talks about his background and experiences with gaming and his thoughts on magic and science, and the limitations of Hollywood magic.

Cover to Cover #454: Bradley Beaulieu

Summer Brooks — Tue, 17 May 2011 02:03:55 +0000

Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Brad Beaulieu about his new novel, The Winds of Khalakovo, an epic fantasy series from Night Shade Books in the same vein as George R. R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire".

Cover to Cover #453: Ian Fydell

Summer Brooks — Tue, 10 May 2011 15:31:55 +0000

This week, Mike and Mike chat with Ian Fydell about the first book in his Exodus Trilogy, "Breathing Space". Ian talks about his trilogy, the message about environmentalism he wanted to get out there through his fiction, how his publisher, Legwork, helped him get the book together, and his massive marketing efforts.

Cover to Cover #452: Pip Ballantine and Tee Morris

Summer Brooks — Tue, 03 May 2011 17:35:42 +0000

Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Tee Morris and Pip Ballantine about their new collaborative novel, Phoenix Rising: A Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences Novel, sort of a steampunk flavored adventure in the fashion of "The Avengers" or "The X-Files". Tee and Pip talk about opening up their universe to other authors to create stories for, as well as their own collaborative writing and editing process working on this novel and the sequel.

Cover to Cover #451: Listener Feedback

Summer Brooks — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:46:58 +0000

It's an all voicemail episode! Hopefully everyone who's had questions or comments will have them answered here. Voicemails: Web Genii has begun gushing on Twelve by Jasper Kent, and wonders if there's some unwritten rule that forces publishers in each region to begin the typography for a book from scratch, or if they could or [...]

Cover to Cover #450: William F. Nolan

Summer Brooks — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:24:54 +0000

Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with legendary SF author William F. Nolan (Logan's Run) about his latest collection of novellas, Kincaid: A Paranormal Casebook. The stories are a blend of mystery and paranormal horror that are certain to entertain fans of both genres.

Cover to Cover #449: Alex Bledsoe

Summer Brooks — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 17:30:38 +0000

Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Alex Bledsoe about his new book, Dark Jenny from Tor Books. While it's the third book set in this universe featuring many of the same characters, it's not a "trilogy" by the standard sense of the word. He talks about his roots in reading pulp mysteries, and how that influenced his decision to create a fantasy novel in that same style, where the characters are having new adventures, but where readers don't need to read all of the stories in order to be able to follow what's going on.

Cover to Cover #448: Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Summer Brooks — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 14:01:51 +0000

Interview: Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert join us this week in the middle of their book tour to talk about Hellhole, their most recent collaboration and the first in a trilogy set in a new original universe. They talk about their collaborative process, the future of the Dune series, listening to (or not listening to) critics, and why not to buy Christmas presents before December 21, 2012.

Cover to Cover #447: Justin Gustainis

Summer Brooks — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 15:45:32 +0000

News: The guys talk about the argument going on where publishers are pushing to "limit" on the number of times an ebook can be borrowed from a library and read, as well as restricting the regional coverage as to where a person can borrow an ebook from. Talk also covers Random House's recent agreement to [...]

Cover to Cover #446: Patricia Briggs

Summer Brooks — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:48:02 +0000

News: Mike and Mike talk about Borders filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and the ripple effects those store closings may create through the rest of the books and publishing industry, in addition to the shifts in sales of physical books and ebooks. Interview: This week, Patricia Briggs joins the guys to talk about her newest [...]

Cover to Cover #445: Jon F. Merz

Summer Brooks — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 03:46:52 +0000

Stackpole has seen a rough cut of the new Conan the Barbarian feature (since he's writing the novelization), and since he can't tell us any real details, he teases us in just telling us he'd seen it, but he likes Jason Momoa as Conan, and he likes that this movie is closer to the Robert [...]

Cover to Cover #444: Electronic Sales and More

Summer Brooks — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 05:46:42 +0000

Voicemail: Web Genii mentions a blog post that talks about measuring the numbers of book torrent downloads, and wants to know if electronic book sales currently count towards the New York Times Best Sellers Lists; she also asks what might be the sense is behind regional restrictions of electronic books. Mike S reminds us that [...]

Cover to Cover #443: Alan Dean Foster

Summer Brooks — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:00:26 +0000

Mike and Mike continue the discussion from previous episodes, about the business of publishing and electronic self-publishing. Remember, when dealing with contracts and items that might not be explicitly covered, be safe and ALWAYS get it in writing. Interview: This week, our guest is Alan Dean Foster, and his latest SF novel is The Human [...]

Cover to Cover #442: Angela James, Carina Press

Summer Brooks — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 02:32:17 +0000

The guys talk about the USA Today article that ran last week about authors who are making lots of money through ebooks, and they also talk about the changing marketplace for books and the expanding community building that's happening between authors and readers. Mike Stackpole also promises to update us on what he can talk [...]

Cover to Cover #441: Mercedes Lackey

Summer Brooks — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:35:49 +0000

Interview: This week's guest is Mercedes Lackey, whose newest anthology Trio of Sorcery from Tor Books is a collection of two stories featuring her popular urban fantasy heroines, Diana Tregarde and Jennifer Talldeer, plus a new story with a new heroine, technoshaman Ellen McBridge.

Cover to Cover #440: Shawn Kupfer

Summer Brooks — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 02:39:40 +0000

Yes, the boys have been busy, but they're back to dive into book talk just for you! Mike M and Mike S discuss some of the recent challenges facing some of the big bookstores and publishing companies, including sales reporting issues with the Nook and figuring out different ways to possibly increase recommender links, and [...]

Cover to Cover #439A: Gadgets and Getting Started in Electronic Publishing

Summer Brooks — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:30:24 +0000

Mike M and Mike S talk a little bit about some of the gadget developments coming out of CES and some of the gadgets being allowed to pass into oblivion. Voicemail: Trampas finds irony in Summer reading the description of a book featuring characters named Sunshine and Rayne; Mike in Germany asks if there's a [...]

Cover to Cover #438A: Of Books and Bookstores

Summer Brooks — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:36:17 +0000

Mike and Mike recap some publishing news, the big one being that Borders has been delaying payments to creditors, including publishers, because of liquidity issues. Will some of these issues, combined with the increase in ebook sales, mean that local and indie bookstores will have a chance to recover some of their lost marketshares? How [...]

Cover to Cover #437A: Listener Voicemail

Summer Brooks — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:12:16 +0000

Mike Mennega discovered that there's a backlog of voicemail that collected over the holidays, so Mike Stackpole and Summer help him navigate the extra commentary. Listener Review: Web Genii brings us a review of Troubled Waters by Sharon Shinn

Cover to Cover #436A: Pamela Sargent

Summer Brooks — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 21:55:58 +0000

Time to ring out 2010, and recap all the angry discussions Mike and Mike started this year! E-books, digital self-publishing, consumer gagdets for e-readers and beyond, and much much more... and never fear, we're sure they're likely to continue instigating into 2011 and beyond. Link: Consumer use guide to e-books and readers Interview: This week, [...]

Cover to Cover #435A: Holiday Library Edition

Summer Brooks — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 00:18:39 +0000

Mike Mennega and Mike Stackpole realize that they haven't done a Library segment in a long long time, so it's time to catch up. And Summer is back to help the guys slog through the dangerously tall stack of new reads: The Library: The Bards of Bone Plain by Patricia McKillip; Boondocks Fantasy edited by [...]

Cover to Cover #434A: A Conversation with Tracy Hickman

Summer Brooks — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 17:12:47 +0000

Mike and Mike welcome Tracy Hickman as a guest host, and delve into gaming and his latest game, "Santa's Sleigh Ride". You can read more about this game at Reindeer Gamers Holiday Games and Xtreme Dungeon Mastery. The conversation ranges from self-publishing entertainment, the difficulties in finding a home for a story that doesn't fit [...]

Cover to Cover #433A: Sam Sykes

Summer Brooks — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:42:39 +0000

The guys talk about how important it is to build communities and encourage open communication between content producers and consumers, whether it be authors venturing into self-publishing ebooks, or podcasters providing niche entertainment. Listener Review: Web Genii brings us a review of The Prisoner by Carlos Cortes. Interview: Mike and Mike talk with Sam Sykes, [...]

Cover to Cover #432A: John Joseph Adams

Summer Brooks — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 23:46:26 +0000

Mike Stackpole gives us a World Fantasy report! He talks about how he was inundated by authors who have begun to realize the value of making their backlists available as ebooks for themselves, and he relates an anecdote about an editor calling him out about how easy it can be for an author to self-publish [...]

Cover to Cover #431A: Larry Correia

Summer Brooks — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 04:39:20 +0000

Mike and Mike announce a new segment that will hopefully help out the writers out there. The "Book Consultants" segment will consist primarily of Mike M's journey to resurrect one of his novels from POD/slushpile hell, and of making it more marketable this time around. Also, they will be taking questions and requests for the [...]

Cover to Cover #430A: Nancy Kilpatrick

Summer Brooks — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:50:33 +0000

The Mikes talk about Starbuck's new wifi network, and the new apps and free offerings that will be available while you're sitting in the various shops with your various wireless devices. They also discuss some of the changes in wifi availability, multimedia access, and more that this might encourage. Link: Designed to Connect, Inform and [...]

Cover to Cover #429A: David Weber

Summer Brooks — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 19:00:50 +0000

The guys talk about Mike Stackpole's new book, At the Queen's Command, an alternate history fantasy around the Revolutionary War. This is the first in a new series, brought to you from Night Shade Books, and you can also read the first three chapters over at http://www.stormwolf.com. At the end of the show, they also [...]

Cover to Cover #428A: Naomi Novik

Summer Brooks — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:52:07 +0000

In the news, the guys talk about Barnes & Noble's PubIt service, and speculate on what it means for the expansion of ebooks and epub offerings. Later, Mike S talks about how he's using his iPad to get his editing tasks done in various unusual places. Interview: Mike and Mike talk with Naomi Novik about [...]

Cover to Cover #427A: Listener Feedback

Summer Brooks — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:57:58 +0000

Voicemail: Tim enjoyed the Tracy Hickman interview, and comments on how busy the bookstores near him are; Ben in Tampa thanks the guys for introducing him to Brandon Sanderson and the art assignment he procured as a result, which you can see at http://inkthinker.deviantart.com; Trampas is not happy with the PC Kindle app he's been [...]

Cover to Cover #426A: Jesse Petersen

Summer Brooks — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:03:31 +0000

Mike M and Mike S talk about a recent Wall Street Journal article, Authors Feel Pinch in Age of E-Books, about how ebooks are undercutting author profits, and Mike S has a few issues with the numbers used in the article. To read all of Stackpole's commentary on it, head on over to his website. [...]

Cover to Cover #425A: Harry Harrison

Summer Brooks — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 02:59:55 +0000

Mike M and Mike S talk about WildStorm (an imprint of DC Comics) being scheduled to close down at the end of December, the lifecycles of imprints, and the question of ownership rights of characters/universes after the imprint that published it goes away. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Harry Harrison! His iconic [...]

Cover to Cover #424A: Getting Back up to Speed

Summer Brooks — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:15:18 +0000

Mike M explains why we missed a week or so of "Cover to Cover"... when the magic smoke escapes from computer hardware, it's well beyond mostly dead. So thank you to everyone who's donated this year... your donations helped get the studio back online in record time. In other news, Terry Pratchett is forging his [...]

Cover to Cover #423A: Larry Niven

Summer Brooks — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:30:24 +0000

Mike M and Mike S touch on some updates from recent news, around the ebook agreements between Wylie and Random House, and also the impending mobile device OS battle between Apple and Google. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Larry Niven; his newest collection is Stars and Gods, but the conversation covers many [...]

Cover to Cover #422A: The Wide World of Books

Summer Brooks — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 04:54:43 +0000

Mike S talks about The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and how he believes that this European bestseller would have been rejected outright if it had been submitted to New York publishers first, simply because of the non-standard story-telling style and narrator POV quirks, and how the response from New York publishers has been to [...]

Cover to Cover #421B: Theme and Variations

Summer Brooks — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:23:43 +0000

Bet you thought you were never going to hear another B show, didn't ya? Mike S relates two items from the news this week: the financial problems facing Barnes & Noble and how that might affect the anchor stores you see in the large malls; and the trend of authors selling off electronic rights to [...]

Cover to Cover #421A: Kelley Armstrong

Summer Brooks — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 01:59:20 +0000

News: Dorchester Publishing has dropped it's mass market paperback format in favor of an ebook print on demand option. Mike S relates details of the article, published back on August 6. Articles: [Dorchester Publishing] Dorchester Transitions to E-book and Trade [Publishers Weekly] Dorchester Drops Mass Market Publishing for E-Book/POD Model [Wall Street Journal] Mass Paperback [...]

Cover to Cover #420A: Marjorie M. Liu

Summer Brooks — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 06:11:28 +0000

Mike S gives us an update on his stint at GenCon this year. Voicemails: Jay from Canada thanks Stackpole for not DRMing his ebooks; Tim has found that Darcy has been absconding with his books; Web Genii recommends the Hugo Voter packet, which gives folks the Hugo nominees in electronic formats as well as voting [...]

Cover to Cover #419A: Amelia Beamer

Summer Brooks — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 17:30:14 +0000

Mike S gives us an update on results of the "Relay for Life" drive to raise money for the American Cancer Society in Second Life... the FarPoint Media/Third Life Books crew rocked it out. Voicemails: Mari from Michigan loves the idea of the chain story project, especially for providing more online samples for many more [...]

Cover to Cover #418A: Traveling Library Day

Summer Brooks — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:19:32 +0000

Mike M is a little burned out from moving back to the old studio, and Mike S is starting to feel jetlagged, but it's all good. Mike S talks about the Wylie Agency's Odyssey Editions exclusive deal with Amazon.com to provide Kindle editions of his clients' properties, and the backlash from Random House and MacMillan [...]

Cover to Cover #417A: Redstone Science Fiction

Summer Brooks — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:09:50 +0000

Mike S gives us an update on the HarperStudios experiment, with HarperCollins pulling the plug on it as of April 2010. This news leads to a speculative discussion on the future fate of large bookstores 5-10 years from now. Maybe while the big box bookstores try to figure out what to do next, the smaller [...]

Cover to Cover #416A: David Drake

Summer Brooks — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:30:23 +0000

Mike M is melting in Arizona, and Mike S is melting in Vermont. It isn't pretty. They are also upset that (The Artist Formerly Known As) Prince didn't include them on the memo that stated "the Internet is over", but the Mikes aren't completely convinced, due to the work involved with the ever-increasing sales Mike [...]

Cover to Cover #415A: Tracy Hickman

Summer Brooks — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 18:30:22 +0000

Tim Low cannot find short story magazines, and Mike S suggests that someone start up a genre short story hub; Mark in St Petersburg would like to hear a segment on best bargains available on a weekly or monthly basis; Dan Dan thanks the guys for their suggestions about how to get his first novels [...]

Cover to Cover #414A: C. J. Cherryh

Summer Brooks — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 23:52:49 +0000

Garth comments on the craft of writing as expressed by Brandon Sanderson in his recent interview; Dave also appreciated Brandon's interview, and asks what type of writing career might be preferable -- your own universe or someone else's; Anna calls shenanigans on the closed system analogy expressed by the guys on touting the iPad's functionality; [...]

Cover to Cover #413A: Larry Doyle

Summer Brooks — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:35:51 +0000

Anna points out that the criticisms of the iPad are just as valid as the praises, and Mike M explains that he has yet to hear a convincing argument against the device that goes beyond a dislike of Apple's closed platform. Mike and Mike also expand on how they think the iPad is not meant [...]

Cover to Cover #412A: Summer Voicemails and Summer Reading

Summer Brooks — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:40:47 +0000

Voicemails: listener wonders why publishers spread out a series over a span of time in between volumes instead of one right after the other (Summer's nickel: one exception seems to be new authors on Orbit Books); Lejon from Chandler wants to know if the guys have any recommendations on books that might be easy to [...]

Cover to Cover #411A: Dan Wells

Summer Brooks — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 19:28:49 +0000

Voicemails: Jason from Perth is interested in why it's considered "illegal" (grey market) to sell a UK published book retail the US, and Stackpole explains how the foreign markets sales are the reasons why, and how ebook publishing is changing how those markets might be covered; Interview: This week, Dan Wells joins us to talk [...]

Cover to Cover #410B: Voicemails from the Gallery

Summer Brooks — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:53:47 +0000

Voicemail: Trampas thanks the guys for educating him about ebooks which allowed him in turn to help a potential client; Daryl from Chicago asks for guidance on chapter lengths and chapter costs for an online venture, and whether or not a POD final product would be a good path to take; Scooter in CT reports [...]

Cover to Cover #410A: Lou Anders

Summer Brooks — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 01:33:54 +0000

When this was recorded, Barnes & Noble had just announced that they would be allowing authors to self-publish their work for the Nook, but no rates had been set yet. Mike Stackpole also talks about a new project he's spearheading called Chain Story, where authors are writing free fiction and also loosely collaborating with each [...]

Cover to Cover #409A: Brandon Sanderson

Summer Brooks — Mon, 24 May 2010 21:57:26 +0000

Listener Feedback: Father Beast comments on the reuse of public domain characters in modern stories without compensation or other considerations; Jordan from Baltimore wants to hear some interviews from web comics creators since they currently have a successful model; Chad from Mesa is using an iPod Touch as an e-reader and loves it as an [...]

Cover to Cover #408B: Getting Social with Your Books

Summer Brooks — Sat, 22 May 2010 17:04:43 +0000

Mike and Mike talk about Google joining the ranks of ebook sellers, and what that could mean for the potential expansion of ebooks and ereaders. They also touch on the untapped potential of current web technologies and social networking that publishers (and other businesses) aren't yet taking advantage of to promote their books and authors. [...]

Cover to Cover #408A: Mike Resnick

Summer Brooks — Tue, 18 May 2010 05:30:12 +0000

Mike S has his iPad, and both Mikes drool all over the shiny, and it seems as if the Windows machine that Mike M uses for the studio throws a tantrum out of jealousy. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Mike Resnick about his "Starship" series, his short-stories, and about some of his [...]

Cover to Cover #407A: Charlaine Harris

Summer Brooks — Tue, 11 May 2010 21:31:59 +0000

Tim Low tells us about HP Lovecraft Literary Podcast, a podcast that is chronologically covering Lovecraft's fiction, including a voice actor reading the story to go along with the history and discussion about the story. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike chat with Charlaine Harris about Dead in the Family, the tenth novel in her [...]

Cover to Cover #406B: The Promise of Digital Short Fiction

Summer Brooks — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:45:39 +0000

Orbit Books (an imprint of Hachette Books Group) recently announced a digital short fiction publishing program, to launch later this year. Orbit VP Tim Holman was also our guest on "Cover to Cover" #353A last year Listener Review: Web Genii brings us a review of The Spirit Lens by Carol Berg, the first in her [...]

Cover to Cover #406A: Jim Butcher

Summer Brooks — Mon, 03 May 2010 18:30:01 +0000

Mike and Mike talk a little more about new things coming out for the iPad, and about playing with the iPad, and the guys will talk more about the iPad when Stackpole has his iPad in hand by the next time they record. Anna talks about a popular UK book being imported to the US [...]

Cover to Cover #405A: George R. R. Martin

Summer Brooks — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:29:52 +0000

Voicemail: Dan Dan asks for recommendations on books that have been instrumental in helping aspiring writers improve their craft; And yes, Stackpole compared writing to sex -- you can't get better at it unless you do it yourself. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike talk with GRRM about the anthology Warriors, about how much fun [...]

Cover to Cover #404B: Technology and Textbooks

Summer Brooks — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:33:13 +0000

Mike and Mike talk about some of the iPad reactions coming in so far, and Mike M give his thoughts and predictions on where he sees potential leaps in textbook enhancements and classroom lecture platforms going because of developments like the iPad and other tablet devices. The Library: New to the studio this week: Under [...]

Cover to Cover #404A: Douglas Clegg

Summer Brooks — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:29:11 +0000

Mike and Mike open gushing over the initial iPad sales, and the potential audience for it, including the untapped consumers who've been reluctant or afraid to embrace new technology and devices. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike talk with Douglas Clegg about his latest novel, Neverland. Doug talks about how much his growing up in [...]

Cover to Cover #403A: Gregg Olsen

Summer Brooks — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 22:32:49 +0000

Mike and Mike begin to delve into the non-fiction world, and the writing opportunities that are out there because of the increase of the 24-hour news cycle. Interview: This week, Mike and Mike talk with Gregg Olsen about his latest true crime story, A Twisted Faith. Gregg talks about the elements of this crime that [...]

Cover to Cover #402B: Crossing the Media Streams

Summer Brooks — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 18:49:40 +0000

Lorrie joins Mike and Mike again, and they take on some listener feedback. Lambo tells us about a concept album done by Waylon Jennings' son Shooter that features original voice work by Stephen King, and that leads to a conversation about crossing the media streams and many, many other ways to get the attention of [...]

Cover to Cover #402A: iPads and iPhones and Apps... Oh My!

Summer Brooks — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:19:27 +0000

Lorrie joins Mike and Mike this time around, and Mike S comments on the update to iTunes that allows books to be added to the iPad, iTouch and iPhone, and the iBook software and the iTunes Bookstore. The conversation also turns to being able to share electronic versions, and the difference between buying from publishers/bookstores [...]

Cover to Cover #401A: Nathan Lowell

Summer Brooks — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:42:50 +0000

In Second Life every year, during the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" season, there are a number of fundraisers supporting this effort. This year, Mike Stackpole will be doing a reading challenge in Second Life in support of the ACS, reading his newest book At The Queen’s Command live on select Friday dates, for [...]

Cover to Cover #400B: Voicemail Extravaganza

Summer Brooks — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:47:13 +0000

Voicemail: Rory of Borg says that he has a cochlear implant, but doubts that anyone has the legal right to "repossess" the implant (and if they do, he'd like a heads-up); Stephanie from Oahu weighs in on advanced prosthetics and implants having already caught up to science fiction; Trampas tells us how much the "Legend [...]

Cover to Cover #400A: 400 Episodes and Counting...

Summer Brooks — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 01:15:34 +0000

Show 400. That's a lot of books! Voicemail: John from Bulgaria praises Daniel Suarez' Daemon, and asks about the state of the short story market; Sandra currently uses the RCA 1150e reader, and is now looking for a new ebook reader, and wants suggestions; Podcast Mike weighs in on the iPad discussion; Darcy's Dad comments [...]

Cover to Cover #399A: F. Paul Wilson

Summer Brooks — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 23:50:44 +0000

The guys talk about how writers writing has been influenced or affected by various electronic media now open to them, including e-books and podcasts, and integrating social media and the Internet in expanding those stories in different ways. Interview: Jack: Secret Circles, the latest novel in the YA series about Repairman Jack's teen years, is [...]

Cover to Cover #398B: Bookapalooza

Summer Brooks — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:25:12 +0000

The book delivery broke Mike's driveway. Another mondo Library episode coming your way! The Library: Jack: Secret Circles by F. Paul Wilson; Chill by Elizabeth Bear; Prince of Storms by Kay Kenyon; Jade Man's Skin by Daniel Fox; Angelology by Danielle Trussoni; The Conqueror's Shadow by Ari Marmell; Petrador by Joel Shepard; The Red Inferno: [...]

Cover to Cover #398A: Connie Willis

Summer Brooks — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 02:08:31 +0000

Mike and Mike talk about a New York City legislator who is pushing to expand electronic editions of textbooks to help defray high costs for college students. New York, NY – With Governor Paterson proposing that New York’s public universities be allowed to freely raise tuition, opening the floodgates for cash-strapped colleges to hit students [...]