The Brewing Fiction Podcast

Every author has a story to tell—not just within the pages of their work, but about the journey of bringing that book to life. In today’s episode, I’m exploring the evolution of my newest thriller, The Wolves , which is officially scheduled for release on May 1, 2026. To give you a look at how this book's creation began, I’m sharing a deep dive into the original character arc of David Keller,...

Chris Ryan was raised in Bay Bulls, one of Newfoundland’s oldest fishing communities, after being born in St. John's. From January 1969 to January 2024, his family ran Ryan's Funeral Home, which served the Southern Shore. As a result, community service was an ongoing part of his life. His most recent psychological thriller, The Birder and the Undertaker , uses both this past and his passio...

K.D. Kulpa is a Canadian horror author and paranormal investigator who has turned a lifelong fascination with the supernatural into a thriving creative career. Growing up in a haunted house in Saskatchewan, she was shaped by the 'bumps in the night' and spent her youth devouring the works of the likes of Stephen King and Anne Rice. She is the author of the supernatural horror novel COMA an...

In Season 2 Episode 1 of the Brewing Fiction Podcast, host Keith Leonard (a Deer Lake native) sits down with investigative reporter Grace Wight to uncover the chilling hidden history behind the Main Dam near Deer Lake, Newfoundland. What began as research into the dam's 1920s construction—a massive hydroelectric project that transformed the area—reveals a darker tale. Grace shares firsthand ac...

Today I’m chatting with Jennifer M.D. Cox, the author of 'Getting to Know You.' Jennifer has a background in creative writing, having minored in it at Alfred University back in 2016. It's fascinating how she now uses those skills as a mental health counselor. We'll be diving into her work with narrative therapy – essentially helping people reframe their personal stories – and how s...

Today, we look deeper into Livia's creative journey, tracing the origins of her current work in progress, To Live This Life , which is now in the editing phase. Join us as we explore an excerpt from her novel, discuss the significant role music plays within its pages, examine how life stages have influenced her writing, and uncover some of the tools and processes that shape her craft. https://...

Natalie Carter-Giles, is known in Deer Lake, NL, for her cheerful floral arrangements at a local grocery store. But she harbours a compelling duality. By day, she crafts beauty and joy with flowers; but away from work, she dives into the shadows, crafting dark thrillers that are anything but joyful. On today’s episode, Natalie shares her unique creative process, discussing her writing as her perso...

Today I am joined by award-winning Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy author, screenwriter and actor J.M. Frey. On this episode, J.M. and I discuss her journey from writing fan fiction to becoming a published author, the importance of character in writing, her experiences writing under a pseudonym, and details about and an excerpt from Time and Tide , nominated the New York Times Best Romances o...

On today's episode of BFP, I'm excited to be joined by writer, editor, and Author Accelerator certified book coach, Jennifer McKinney. Jenn is the powerhouse behind Fragmentz Book Coaching, where she assists writers in transforming their manuscripts into compelling novels. We are also joined by fantasy writer, and one of Jenn's clients, Brett Gosling. Brett emphasizes the significance...

A primary goal of this podcast is to connect listeners with diverse authors globally. We've featured writers from Australia, Scotland, Europe, South Africa, the United States, and across Canada, spanning various genres. Saskatchewan, and Swift Current specifically, boast a thriving creative community. I was honoured to participate as a local writer at an event I'm pleased to share with our audienc...

In this episode we bring you a conversation with Cecelia Tichi, the award-winning author of the Val and Roddy Gilded Age Mystery series. Cecelia shares her insights on the craft of writing, traditional and self-publishing, and her latest book, "A Gilded Redwood Coffin," released on January 28, 2025.If you enjoy historical fiction or mystery crime, this episode is for you. Visit Cecelia: https://ce...

Today I welcome Fantasy and Sci-Fi author Chris Mason. Not only is this guy full of positive energy and a wonderful soul, he’s also a great writer with many stories to tell. Listen to Chris talk of his father's role in his early writing, and how he looks for inspiration everywhere, whether it’s in a falling star, or in a painting hanging in his dining room. This is the fun and honest conversat...

Join us today on the Brewing Fiction Podcast as we dive into the chilling world of horror with Catlyn Ladd, a talented horror writer and member of the Horror Writers Association. We'll discuss her passion for ghost hunting, explore her favorite themes in writing, and examine the impact of genre labels on book marketing. Plus, Catlyn will give us the inside scoop on her latest novel, As Those Above...

Following eight years of dedication to his craft, and eight published novels, S.M. Sykes has recently achieved recognition for his novel, Eyes of Blue , which was honored with Shelf Unbound's 2024 Best Indie Book award. Additionally, his short story, First Snow , marks his debut publication in the online literary magazine Heathen . Join me as the author of " The Blue Series " discusses his writing...

Fiction writers come from diverse backgrounds, each bringing unique perspectives and experiences to their craft. Today, we welcome Donna Carr Roberts, an artist who has embarked on a journey into children's literature. Donna is the author and illustrator of the 'Adventures of Mr. Fuzzy Ears' series. Her charming animal characters not only captivate young readers but also impart valuable life lesso...

Today, I'm thrilled to welcome back one of my favourite guests: the dynamic writing duo known as Doubleblind. Cat and Ry, authors of the acclaimed LitRPG adventure series Everyone's a Catgirl, join me to discuss a whirlwind year in their writing careers. We discuss the challenges they faced after their work was stolen and plagiarized on Kindle Unlimited, and the strategies they employed to reclaim...

Chris Turek is a seasoned voice actor and narrator based in the United States. With extensive experience in radio, commercial voiceovers, and novel narration, he has brought countless characters to life. I recently had the pleasure of listening to Chooser of the Slain by E.S. Oliver, narrated by Chris. This audiobook showcases his ability to breathe life into a diverse cast of characters. Join Chr...

Today’s episode features Dr. Bruce Farmer, the acclaimed author of Blood Sapphire’s Revenge . We delve into the origins of this award-winning thriller, exploring the visionary experience that ignited the spark for his debut novel in 2000. Dr. Farmer discusses his meticulous approach to character development, the philosophical underpinnings of his writing, and the valuable lessons learned from his...

This week's guest is author and pediatrician Dr. Ronald Dwinnells. He is the award-winning author of the non-fiction novel Don't Pick Up All the Dog Hairs and the historical fiction novel Thirty Days Hath September. Who is Ronald Dwinnells? ⁠https://rondwinnells.com⁠⁠. Stop by the podcast homepage to see what else is brewing: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://brewingfictionpodcast.com.

This week I welcome Mark Aeschlimann from Perth, Australia. The freshly published author of A Dawn Left Behind shares the inspiration for his first novel in the series named The Tales of Matthew Parlour . One interesting tidbit about this series is how Mark decided to immortalize his brother-in-law who passed away in 2018 as the protagonist of his novel. Listen to Mark discuss his vision for the s...

This week, I welcome E.S. Oliver to the show. She is the author of the dark urban fantasy/thriller novel Waters of Wyrd: Chooser of the Slain , which is now available in paperback, hardcover, e-book and audiobook. She will share a little about her debut novel and discuss the other two adult dark fiction novels she is working on. Emrie exudes a lot of positive energy, and it shines throughout the p...

Today's show is packed with advice from an editor of two online magazines that writers will appreciate. Whether you're just starting out and want to learn about the industry or you're ready to submit your work, this episode is chalk-full of information you'll want to hear. My guest, Edward Ahern, is not only an editor, but also a prolific poet and horror fiction writer. He started his writing jour...

Christopher Stanfield, a West Texas native, fell in love with writing at 14, inspired by mythology, sci-fi, and fantasy. After a brief college stint, he spent 20 years working in IT at a hometown bank. But his passion for writing never faded. His debut series, "A Season of Angels," launched in November 2020, with its finale published in June 2021. His new series, "The Adventures of Apple Rose" is...

This week I welcome British author Elizabeth Chatsworth to the show. Elizabeth is the author of The Brass Queen series, an award-winning Gaslamp fantasy set in an alternate Victorian era. The series brims with quirky characters and a delightful touch of humor, which shines through in our chat. If you're a fan of humorous adventure tales and headstrong heroines, you'll want to meet Constance and he...

When we last spoke with Devon in early 2024, "GOREphers: Final Gnaw" was only weeks away from its release. The movie has since soared past all expectations Devon had envisioned. A lifelong native of Swift Current, SK, Devon is a local celebrity. In 2024, he decided to take his movies beyond his hometown. With screenings in Gull Lake, Medicine Hat, Regina, and most recently Saskatoon, Devon has ter...