Category: HC Chats

HC Chats with Michael Michel about The Price of Power and some other stuff

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On April 4, 2025

In HC Chats, Miscellany, News/Misc.

HC sat down with gritty Fantasy author extraordinaire Michael Michel (https://michaelmichelauthor.com/) to talk about his book The Price of Power (released 4/2/25!) his other books, influences, and things of that nature. HC also works in an error-filled description of Thespis–a mischievous ghost (apologies to Jeremy Goodwin).

Some of the books we mentioned were:
Michael’s books:
The Price of Power
A Graveyard for Heroes
War Song
Way of the Wizard

Other books we mentioned/discussed:
Prince of Thorns by Mark Lawrence
The Trouble with Peace by Joe Abercrombie (Book 2 of The Age of Madness)
The Steel Remains(Author) by Richard K Morgan (Book 1 of A Land Fit for Heroes)
Sons of Darkness by Gourav Mohanty (I’m pretty sure about this one, my handwriting got hard to read, and if I’m wrong, it looks like something we should’ve talked about)

For the two of you who might be curious, what I should’ve said about Thespis:

Jeremy:…in 534 B.C. that Thespis stepped out onto the stage of the Theater Dionysis during a choral song and dance and became the first man to speak words as an actor in a play.
…
Dana: Thespis?
Jeremy: The first actor. Now a mischievous ghost. He likes to wreak havoc on performances of any kind.

HC Chats with Paul Regnier about Monster Therapist and the Warlock’s Citadel and some other stuff

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On March 26, 2025

In HC Chats, Literary Locals, Miscellany, News/Misc.

HC sat down with literary local Paul Regnier (https://www.pauljregnier.com/) to talk about his books, influences, and things of that nature.

Some of the books we mentioned were:
Paul’s books/writing:
Space Drifters trilogy
Luke and Bandit cozy mysteries
Bard Tidings
Monster Therapist and the Warlock’s Citadel
Almost the Chosen One Substack by Paul Regnier

Other books we mentioned/discussed:
The Sword of Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks
Magic Kingdom for Sale–Sold! by Terry Brooks
MythAdventures by Robert Asprin series
Mark of the Fool by J.M. Clarke
Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz by Garth Nix
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
I’m Afraid You’ve Got Dragons by Peter S. Beagle

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HC Chats with M.D. Presley about Laurel K. Hamilton

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On March 18, 2025

In HC Chats, JCM Berne, Miscellany, News/Misc., The Hybrid Helix

Covers of The Inner Circle novels by M.D. PresleyLast year, you’ll have seen the name M.D. Presley here a few times–thanks to the first two books in his Inner Circle UF series. We had a fun chat last week that I bring to you today. Matt introduced me to the work of Laurel K. Hamilton and her influence on the genre.

Of course, better than that, would be checking out her site and work for yourself. But you might as well start with this chat.

M.D. Presley Links:

Website ~ Bluesky ~ Facebook ~ Rites of Passage (Inner Circle book 1) ~ Worldbuilding Nonfiction

Are you a Reader of Things and want to chat with me about an author/series/something other than promoting your own work (which we will do, just not primarily)? I’d love to keep trying this, but I’m not ready to start pestering people about it. So please let me know.

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HC Chats with Witty & Sarcastic Book Club about 2024/2025

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On January 15, 2025

In Blog Series, Books, HC Chats, Miscellany, News/Misc.

I’m very pleased to welcome Jodie from Witty & Sarcastic Book Club to talk about what happened on our blogs last year, the books that stood out to us, as well as some hopes and goals for 2025–and very vague reading plans. We ramble a bit about some other things, too.

I hope you enjoy this.

The audio on my end is a wonky (and maybe hard to listen to) at the beginning, but it settles down after a little bit (but is still too loud compared to Jodie’s). Will go back to my old microphone next time.

Show Notes

Blogs/Websites we mentioned:
Peat Long’s Blog: https://peatlong.wordpress.com/
The Orangutan Librarian: https://theorangutanlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Pages Unbound: https://pagesunbound.wordpress.com/
Read Christie 2025: https://www.agathachristie.com/news/2025/read-christie-2025

Bookshop Pages, we’d appreciate you using one or all of these:
Behind the Pages Bookshop Page: https://bookshop.org/shop/BehindthePages
Witty and Sarcastic Book Picks: https://bookshop.org/shop/WittyandSarcasticBookPicks
HC’s Bookshop Page: https://bookshop.org/shop/irresponsiblereader

Particular Books We Mentioned:

HC Chats with Adrian M. Gibson about Jeff VanderMeer

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On September 25, 2024

In HC Chats, JCM Berne, Miscellany, News/Misc., The Hybrid Helix

Cover of Mushroom Blues by Adrian M. GibsonIf you’ve been on Bookish Social Medial at all in the 6+ months, I’m willing to bet you’ve seen the name Adrian Gibson or at least the cover of Mushroom Blues. You may also know him from the podcast he hosts with M.J. Kuhn, SFF Addicts. Last week, Adrian was gracious enough to struggle with StreamYard (and it was in a mood) in order that we could sit down and talk about Jeff VanderMeer–an author that I’ve been intimidated to pick up and try, but who has been instrumental in Gibson’s career. I walked away excited to try VanderMeer, and I had a good time in general. I hope you watch this and walk away thinking the same.

As I said, StreamYard wasn’t happy, so the video freezes a couple of times on both of us, but the audio is fine.

Adrian M. Gibson Links:

Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Website ~ Newsletter ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads

Are you a Reader of Things and want to chat with me about an author/series/something other than promoting your own work (which we will do, just not primarily)? I’d love to keep trying this, but I’m not ready to start pestering people about it. So please let me know.

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HC Chats with John Simons about RinthCon

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On July 31, 2024

In HC Chats, JCM Berne, Miscellany, News/Misc., The Hybrid Helix

I sat down a few days ago to talk with John Simons about the second year of his new Con, RinthCon, and the little twist to it that makes it an experience like no other you’ll find on the Convention Circuit today.

I posted a little something about RinthCon 2323 last year before the event, but didn’t follow up like I should’ve. I expect better of me this year.

https://irresponsiblereader.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=37891#edit_timestamp
Are you a Reader of Things and want to chat with me about an author/series/something other than promoting your own work (which we will do, just not primarily)? I’d love to keep trying this, but I’m not ready to start pestering people about it. So please let me know.

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HC Chats with JCM Berne about Jim Butcher

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On July 17, 2024

In HC Chats, JCM Berne, Miscellany, News/Misc., The Hybrid Helix

Here’s part two of my experiment with something new… there are some things I’ve wanted to try and the written word just ain’t gonna cut it. (and I hate saying that about the written word—maybe it’s just my capabilities with it that are the problem…that seems more likely).

When I listen to podcasts or other interviews with authors, one of the things I enjoy most is when they just talk about books they didn’t write or a specific author’s work. It’s a different way to learn about the author—and it usually makes me feel like we belong to the same tribe (reader). So that’s what I’m trying to do in this series (?) of chats. Just talk with an author, blogger, or someone who just wants to talk about some author about someone’s books. If I’ve read them—great. If I haven’t read the author in question, I may end up reading something by them after our chat—at the very least, I’ll learn about someone.

JCM was kind enough to chat with me about an author who has influenced us both, Jim Butcher, and a few other things. Sit back, watch, enjoy, tell us where we’re wrong…or all four.

I’m not sure how long we talked after I ended the recording, but I could’ve gone for a couple of hours. I had a great time with this and hope you enjoyed it.

Are you a Reader of Things and want to chat with me about an author/series/something other than promoting your own work (which we will do, just not primarily)? I’d love to keep trying this, but I’m not ready to start pestering people about it. So please let me know.

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HC Chats with Jodie from Witty and Sarcastic Bookclub about Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week

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On July 8, 2024

In HC Chats, Miscellany, News/Misc., Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week

I’m dipping my toe into something new here. There’s some things I’ve wanted to try and the written word just ain’t gonna cut it. (and I hate saying that about the written word–maybe it’s just my capabilities with it that are the problem…that seems more likely).

Jodie was willing to be my first victim, er, chat partner. This comes across a little more interview-y than I’d hoped. I’ll get there, maybe. Still we chat about Jodie’s blog, the origins of Self-Published Authors Appreciation Week, what some of this year’s features are going to be like, some self-published work in general, and a little more. Hope you enjoy!

As an added bonus, you can watch me adjust settings while recording–because who doesn’t do that? And try to awkwardly find a comfortable way to sit while staying in frame. Clearly, I’m not a professional. I’m barely an amateur.

I’ve got one more trial balloon scheduled that you should see in a few days. We’ll see if I schedule more.*

* Obviously, part of that is going to depend on finding people to sit down with me. If you’re interested, let me know.

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