Speculative Sandbox

Author and ghost writer Leslie Baird joins the podcast to talk about her debut novel "Salomé", genre blending, marketing for authors, and the difference between retellings and reimaginings. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the...

Scientists make technological advancements...science fiction writers explore what happens when those technologies go wrong. But what happens when the fiction inspires the science? Science fiction author Michael Bland joins the podcast to talk about the disappearing line between fiction and reality and the predictions he's made that have since come true. The video version of this episode can be...

How well does fiction capture devastating levels of mass emergencies? Guest author Helen Hynson Vettori, a former EMT/paramedic and retired senior medical intelligence analyst at the Department of Homeland Security and author of the Black Swan scifi disaster thriller series, joins Vickie Lan to answer this question. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative...

It's time to cozy up near the fire with a mug of coffee/tea/hot chocolate as Vickie Lan and author Garrett K. Jones talk about the cozy fantasy book genre. Garett K. Jones can be followed on Instagram at @gkj_publishing Speculative Sandbox can be followed on Instagram at @speculativesandbox Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expres...

Authors L.L. Madrid and Lora Durance take over the podcast this week to talk about horror, rage, and what it's like writing and reading dark content while living in an unsettling world. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Follow L.L. and Lora on Instagram: @llmadridwrites and @l...

Alisa Alering, author of the book Smothermoss and this week's podcast guest host, interviews author Gloria Munoz about her book This is the Year and what it's like to write a dystopian fiction. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Garrett K. Jones guest-hosts the podcast to talk about writer's block. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Hunger Games, Squid Games, Dungeon Crawler Carl ...Hayley Chow joins Vickie Lan on the podcast to talk about Death Games! From real life to fiction, we cover the social commentary that centers around systemic oppression, world building, society's attraction to violent spectacle, and the importance of relatability in the main character when they're up against equally oppressed opponents. Th...

What should novel writers know about screen writing? Author Luis Prieto joins the podcast to talk with Vickie Lan about the basics of writing a screenplay (or an audio drama!). Note: Sorry for the less-than-perfect audio quality from Vickie's mic! There were technical difficulties and the recording came from the desktop instead. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and You...

Mysteries, suspense, thrillers...how can writers use secrets to advance their plots? Author Teddie Peacock joins the podcast to discuss the many ways to build intrigue and keep your readers (and characters!) guessing. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by...

Author Avitus B. Carle joins Vickie Lan on the podcast to read her story How We Survive, and to provide insight on the 'flash' side of fiction writing. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Damien Alameda returns to the podcast to discuss with Vickie Lan the Avenging Angels trope! Learn what drives these "angels" and distinguishes them from a classic hero's journey, whether they need to have a bigger impact than just their self interest, and much more. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This i...

Author Emily Colin joins Vickie Lan to discuss the building blocks of romance in speculative fiction, including how to keep momentum after the couple gets together, how character development and plot progression impact the relationship, and the way authors can manage expectations when it comes to reader responses. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run prog...

Author and dream interpreter Megan Mary joins Vickie Lan to discuss the Fated Destiny, Discovered Magick, and The Chosen One tropes. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Where are the aliens? While NASA and military officials provide testimonials on the world stage, author Grace Richard joins Vickie Lan to discuss the ways science fiction writers have answered this question. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individual...

Alisa Alering, author of the book "Smothermoss", joins Vickie Lan in a discussion about the ways authors use pieces of themselves to make authentic characters, including characters with opposing viewpoints. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals...

Author Becca Mionis joins Vickie Lan in a discussion on uncanny fiction, which, similar to the uncanny valley, leaves readers in a state of unease or confusion. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own.

Author Brent Miller joins the podcast to talk about the perceptions of tropes, the slippery slope into cliches, and whether or not it's actually possible to write a trope-less story. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are thei...

It's the blurring of fact and fiction as author Garrett K. Jones joins the podcast to talk about Gonzo Fiction, known for its unique narrative style as seen in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and American Psycho. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by indivi...

Author Lauren Teffeau joins Vickie Lan to discuss non-theistic mythical archetypes in fiction, including Carl Jung's 12 brand archetypes and the way archetypes can be used to form the foundation of societal values and laws. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions express...

Author J.D. Estrada joins the podcast to talk about authenticity in writing and the ways authors can tap into personal experiences to inform an otherwise unfamiliar scenario. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcast are their own. Main cover photo by J.D. Fitzgerald. Individual episode covers feature r...

Horror Author John James Minster returns to the podcast to talk about paranormal places located around the northeast region of the United States, as well as the Christian belief system of demons, ghosts, and spirits that fuels the local lore. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run progra...

Neal Holtschulte cycles back to the podcast to talk with Vickie Lan about time loops! From "Groundhogs Day" to "The Flash", how can time loops be used to propel character growth, and what can writers do to avoid falling in a plot spiral? The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Op...

Are antiheroes just villains with too much credit? Damien Alameda, host of The_First Pages on YouTube, joins Vickie Lan to debate the characteristics and motives of the antihero and where they fall on the spectrum of good and evil. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotify and YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions...

What could possibly be worse than death? Storytellers will tell you! Author Matthew C. Brown returns to the podcast to talk about all the various ways authors can torture their characters. The video version of this episode can be found on Spotifyand YouTube. Speculative Sandbox is for entertainment purposes only. This is a volunteer-run program. Opinions expressed by individuals on the podcastare...