Tell The Damn Story

Yes, Creative Are Allowed To Nerd Out And Still be Professionals! Here's a special holiday episode from us to you. In this gathering of creatives, cohosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the holiday classic "March of the Wooden Soldier," which has remained a Thanksgiving tradition for many. It's a 90-year-old film that found its intergenerational following, especially around the New York tri-s...

In today’s installment, we explore how to reimagine a classic character and combine the compelling world of horror and mystery. Our special guest writer is Teel James Glenn . Join hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they explore Glenn's new book "Not Born of Woman" and his daring reinvention of the classic Frankenstein narrative. This time, the creature's tale is set against the rich historical b...

Welcome to another compelling episode of "Tell The Damn Story," where we explore the remarkable journeys and challenges faced by writers and creatives. In today's episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan sit down with multifaceted British writer/creator Steve Garratt to delve into his inspiring career path.  From his early days working on the crew of Miss Saigon at the Bristol Hippodrome in England to...

" We share our creative journies to make yours a little easier. " In this episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons tackle a profound subject: expressing and reflecting on challenging times through storytelling. Some stories can predict or record troubling times, past or present.  By reading from their works, Chris and Alex share emotionally charged excerpts that capture the essence of racial t...

Hey folks: This episode is more of  A Peek Behind the Halloween Scene . Co-hosts Alex and Chris pull back the curtain on last week’s fascinating Halloween episode, which has been years in the making. Joining our remarkable guests: Rebecca Cuthbert, Teel James Glenn, Tom Sniegoski, Jeannine Acheson, and Steven Van Patten. We'll explore how a playful nickname turned into a captivating story and how...

It's one of our stranges tales ... In this Halloween special episode of 'Tell the Damn Story,' Chris loses Alex, and Alex searches for his co-host Chris in the caves, ultimately leading to captivating readings by notable horror authors Teal James Glenn, Rebecca Cuthbert, Tom Snagowski, Jeannine Acheson, and Steven Van Patten.  The stories range from thrilling encounters and daring challenges in ha...

Can't make it to the latest comic con? We've got you covered! In this jam-packed episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan sit down with the extraordinarily talented Renaissance man John Jennings, a creative powerhouse with a diverse career spanning graphic design, illustration, art curation, and academia.  Join us as we delve into John's fascinating journey from a rural upbringing in Mississippi to be...

Welcome to another episode of "Tell The Damn Story!" Today, we have a packed show for you as we dive into the goldmine of storytelling, which consists of our personal struggles and experiences. Hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan dig deep into their lives, sharing intimate and sometimes humorous anecdotes—from Chris’ medical exams and double dances with Covid to Alex's near drawing in a storm and re...

🎙️ Hey, fellow creatives, Welcome back to "Tell The Damn Story"! This time it's Alex Simmons, holding down the fort solo while Chris is under the weather. In this episode, we'll explore the craft of crafting riveting tales that keep readers coming back for more. We'll chat about what makes a story truly compelling—think characters with wild backstories like Jesus of Nazareth or fictional legends l...

As a writer, editor, and publisher, she's building a house of horror, and several writers are eager to join her. Why and How? That's what cohosts Alex and Chris seek out when they interview literary triple threat REBECCA CUTHBERT ! With the children of the night howling in the distance, Alex and Chris dive into an engaging conversation about Rebecca's journey as an author, her dynamic approach to...

If you think creating plots, scenes, and dialogue while sitting at a computer keyboard is a challenge, how do you do it based on someone else’s idea and instantly in front of a live audience?  Sit back and find out. Hey there, and welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story!"  Today, we're diving into improvisation through a great insider discussion with cast members...

He overcame addiction, prison, and Covid to write four novels and raise the funds to publish them.  How he did it is a damn story worth telling. Join Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons as they delve deep into the world of writing, creativity, and the extraordinary journeys of remarkable authors, the indomitable Daemon Manx .  This fall, Daemon is releasing his chilling four-book horror series, The Ojanox...

It’s part two of my adventures in Edinburgh, Scotland’s Fring Festival. In this episode, Chris and I share an incredible interview I did with the artistic team behind "I Sell Windows."   The writer, actress Kaci Rogers, director Jaquita Ta’le, and producer Chelsea Boyd delve into the power of storytelling, exploring universal themes and the importance of honest, unapologetic narratives....

This time around, join creatively driven cohost Chris Ryan and the insightful Alex Simmons as they explore creativity and the impact of surrounding oneself with artists and performers. It starts with Alex's vivid recollections of his journey to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival .  He takes us up and down its ancient winding streets, lively taverns, and diverse performances—from stand-up comedy to...

Hey there, folks!   This time, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are here to share some serious thoughts, tips, and tricks about making your storytelling sizzle with great exposition. Chris and Alex do swan dives into how to serve up those essential details in your stories without making it feel forced or boring. They’ll share their own tricks of the trade, compare notes on classic authors like Ch...

... Two New Super Natural Series On The Way! In this episode, your hosts, Chris Ryan, and Alex Simmons, are joined by the incredible New York Times bestselling author Tom Sniegoski and his extremely talented writing partner, Jeannine Acheson. Together, they dive into a treasure trove of fascinating insights, methods, and tips.  Their writings range from creating new tales for the VAMPIRELLA legacy...

This time, host Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan will explore the art and craft, the power and purpose, of the opening scene, one of the most critical aspects of any narrative. Chris, a seasoned journalist and published author, advocates for dropping readers right into the action, while Alex, an award-winning writer, underscores the power of setting mood and atmosphere from the very first words. Togeth...

Hey folks, this episode features a flashback to a 2021 discussion in which hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan explore the challenges and learning processes that writers face. They recount Chris's visit to a writer's conference where he heard Neil Gaiman and Amy Tan , among others, discuss their creative processes. Key topics include dealing with imposter syndrome, sources of inspiration, th...

Hosts Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan welcome the award-winning author and editor, James Aquilone . Prepare to dive deep into the world of graphic novels, zombie detectives, and the art of successful Kickstarter campaigns. James Aquilone takes us on a journey from the unexpected success of his nearly 200-page color hardcover graphic novel, which garnered accolades such as the Stoker Awards and the Ima...

"Or Is It Stealing Work From Other People?"  In today's episode, hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons tackle the pressing question: "Can Writers Ethically Use AI For Marketing?"   Alex shares his experience using AI as a virtual assistant to set prices and analyze course materials.  In contrast, both hosts voice their concerns about using AI to create books without genuine eff...

Today's episode will focus on monsters, mysteries, and money. And how the stories that influenced us dropped us into the middle of all three. This time, your hosts, Alex Simmons, and Chris Ryan, delve deep into what inspires them to become writers, touching on the creative journeys that many aspiring writers have taken. They explore books such as "The Outsiders" by S. E. Hinton and J...

How do you write fascinating mystery tales without dry plots, disappointing characters, and dull backdrops? Here’s where you’ll find out. Welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story"! In today's episode, cohosts Chris and Alex sit down with the incredibly talented Felicity Green, a master of paranormal cozy mysteries. Felicity's journey from a translator for indie...

Today, cohost Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan talk with renowned visual Afrofuturist and graphic novelist Tim Fielder and the distinguished author, historian, and economist Walter Greason. Together, they explore the fascinating process behind creating their 92-page graphic novel, The Graphic History of Hip Hop .   Celebrating its 50th anniversary , this ambitious project captures the essence and evolu...

Welcome to another episode of "Tell The Damn Story" with your hosts, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan. Today, we’re dedicating time and thought to tackling your top questions about crafting compelling characters and authentic dialogue. We’ll discuss the importance of understanding the "why" behind your story, the influence of your personal creativity on storytelling, and the art of...

Here we go with another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story"!  Today, Alex and Chris return to the fascinating world of comic book creation with special guests Juan Espinosa and his daughter, Grace .  Juan is the writer/creator of the comic book series "Adventures of A System Admin." Juan shares how he utilized Alex's book, "The Art of Making Comics," to deve...