Connect the Plots

In the first season finale of Connect the Plots, Cylia surprises Erik with a meme-based craft project, and they revisit the goals and trajectory of the last 6 months worth of episodes.

IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! In the second-to-last episode of season 1, Cylia and Erik reflect on their conversation with Catherynne M. Valente, revealing more ways that Cat factored into the secret history of Connect the Plots (it involves a cabal of surly bartenders and a water bottle!), and consider the was that patient curiosity unites them.

For their final interview of season 1, Cylia and Erik welcome acclaimed, best-selling author Catherynne M. Valente for a conversation about the importance of local folklore, building a reading list from the references in old books, and the folly of using Stephen King for teenage sex education.

Cylia & Erik compare and contrast their experiences with the first interview recorded and last with Cerius Blaq, discuss the permeability of action figure and comic book genres, the slow internet, and the books they are reading and looking forward to reading.

YouTube creator and comic book professional Cerius Blaq joins Cylia and Erik to talk about his eclectic influences, recommend some comic books, and join forces with Erik to interrogate Cylia's "not a writer" identity.

Cylia and Erik untangle all the red strings after their conversation with Curtis C. Chen, discuss cycles of introversion and extroversion, and keep reading.

Cylia and Erik reflect on their origin stories, Star Trek, fan fiction, and much more with good friend Curtis C. Chen, author of the forthcoming Kangaroo Forth, the fo(u)rth book in the Kangaroo series.

Cylia and Erik regroup after their conversation with readers advisory librarian, Misha Stone, talk the narrative possibilities of video games, and Erik makes book covers appear with JAZZ HANDS. For preorder links and more information about THE LONG RED TOMORROW, Erik Grove's debut novel: http://thelongredtomorrow.com

Cylia and Erik are joined by readers' advisory librarian, Misha Stone, for a conversation about the allure of forbidden books, the importance of asking reader's questions, and the storytelling of music.

Cylia & Erik discuss audiobook listening speed, the ethics of behavioral science experiments without consent, what they've been reading, and their interview with Gary Bennett.

Cylia and Erik are joined by award-winning, SOVAS Nominated SAG-AFTRA audiobook narrator Gary Bennett, for a conversation about the history of audiobook production, how we read (and listen) to stories, and Gary's favorite thrillers.

Cylia & Erik reflect on their conversation with John Wiswell- the first guest of the second half of the first season, check in on Cylia's quest to Read the Most, and tease future guests and events!

Cylia and Erik are joined by John Wiswell, the award-winning author of SOMEONE TO BUILD A NEST IN, WEARING THE LION, and the upcoming THE DRAGON HAS SOME COMPLAINTS, for a conversation about the X-Men, love at wrong angles, and John's favorite dragons. Is Godzilla a dragon? Who's going to tell him he isn't?

Cylia & Erik attempt to appease the Chaos Goblin that cursed the recording session with CL Polk, discuss how THE FEYWILD JOB is like chicken nuggets, reflect on their respective histories with table top roleplaying games, and, as always, recap what they've been reading. Bonus: Erik explains THAC0 for the younger Millennials and Gen Z audience. It involves more charts than you expect!

Cylia and Erik roll the dice with CL Polk and talk about THE FEYWILD JOB, romance, clever editors, and a host of technical difficulties.

Cylia & Erik discuss their takeaways from last episode's chat with CN Kuster and also talk about ethical consumption (and creation) under capitalism, Erik's punk rock youth, and as always, what they're reading.

Cylia and Erik talk with debut author of THE BLOODWEAVER, CN Kuster about Legend of Zelda, snow leopards, sad dad playlists, and embracing the cringe.

Cylia & Erik debrief after their conversation with Mary Berman, discuss the blurry definitions of "literary" fiction, and then things go wrong.

Debut author of UNTIL DEATH, Mary Berman, joins Cylia and Erik for this episode where Mary recalls her early favorites, current influences, and cursed Pennsylvania produce.

Cylia and Erik reflect on their interview with Fonda Lee and her newest book, The Last Contract of Isako. Cylia accidentally reads another horror book and Erik gets on his soapbox to talk directly to dude readers.

Cylia and Erik welcome best selling author of the Green Bone Saga and more, Fonda Lee, to discuss her newest book THE LAST CONTRACT OF ISAKO, how multiple inspirations collided to form the story, and her favorite Star Trek captain.

Cylia & Erik discuss stand out moments from their interview with Wendy N. Wagner, content warnings, upcoming book releases, and Erik's unorthodox note taking technique.

Cylia and Erik are joined by lauded author of GIRL IN THE CREEK and editor-in-chief of NIGHTMARE MAGAZINE, Wendy N. Wagner for a conversation about Wendy's creative inspirations and the many different definitions of horror!

Cylia and Erik discuss the podcast structure and overall theme, last week's conversation with Elizabeth Bear (and the booklist it generated), and give each other assignments. Find the booklist posted on the Connect the Plots Patreon or website: www.connecttheplots.com www.patreon.com/connecttheplotspod

Cylia and Erik are joined by award-winning author Elizabeth Bear. Books discussed during this conversation (75 titles!) will be posted for supporters on the Connect the Plots Patreon - www.patreon.com/connecttheplotspod - and will later be shared with next week's "plotting" episode where Cylia and Erik debrief and give each other reading homework! You can find more from Elizabeth Bear at her websi...