The Martin Lastrapes Show Podcast Hour

Jim Grayson, author of Trailer Vamp - Love Bites is Martin's guest this week. Jim talks about the unique path that led him to becoming a novelist, outlining versus seat-of-your-pants storytelling, and, of course, vampires.

In PART TWO of their conversation, Anthony and Martin talk about _Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice_, _Suicide Squad_, the DC Cinematic/Television Universe, _The Avengers: Age of Ultron,_ _Ant-Man_, and Netflix's _Daredevil_.

Comic Book Expert Anthony Ray Bench makes a triumphant return to the podcast after an unreasonably long absence. In PART ONE of their two-part conversation, Anthony and Martin talk about comics, movies, and San Diego Comic-Con 2015.

Martin and Chanel took a road trip to Las Vegas! Just for fun, they decided to podcast about the experience while they were there. Hear all about their dubious hotel accommodations, the sweltering summer heat, and Chanel being naked.

Award-winning author Kelly Luce is Martin's guest this week. Kelly talks about her book _[Three Scenarios in Which Hana Sasaki Grows a Tail](https://www.amazon.com/Three-Scenarios-Which-Sasaki-Grows/dp/0989275914/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=themarlasshop-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=FF3R2JTT5NYNYP2D&creativeASIN=0989275914), _studying Cognitive Science in college, and spending a week in a Japanese jail.

In Part Two of their chat, Martin tells Liz a scandalous story from his time as a substitute high school teacher, Liz talks about her experience at the Great American Pitchfest, and together they try to figure out how in the hell they actually met.

This week Martin welcomes back his Canadian pal and fellow _Buffy_ enthusiast [Liz Hersey](https://twitter.com/lizannehersey) to the podcast. Liz talks about crushing on asshole cartoon characters, reading about sex in VC Andrews books, and why Steven Spielberg needs to get a boner.

Martin's guest this week is horror author [Kevin Lucia](http://www.kevinlucia.com/). Kevin talks about being a high school teacher, dealing with negative book reviews, and his latest book _[Through a Mirror, Darkly](https://www.amazon.com/Through-Mirror-Darkly-Kevin-Lucia/dp/0994662645/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=themarlasshop-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=HUGVHCUAFN27DVBT&creativeASIN=0994662645). _

This week Martin does an audio reading from [_The Vampire, the Hunter, and the Girl_](https://www.amazon.com/The-Vampire-Hunter-Girl-Trilogy/dp/0985704322/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=themarlasshop-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=M43DZRGSSBKCFJJY&creativeASIN=0985704322). Specifically, he reads the Prologue and Chapter One: The Vampire. He also talks about his experience as a panelist on [The Elements of Genre]...

In the second half of her chat with Martin, comedian [Emma Arnold](http://www.emmaarnoldcomedy.com/) talks about doing standup comedy and being a recovering sex addict. Also, Martin does an audio reading of Emma's article ["Hearts and Bones."](http://www.emmaarnoldcomedy.com/blog/hearts-and-bones)

The hilarious comedian, author, and beekeeper **[Emma Arnold](http://www.emmaarnoldcomedy.com/)** is Martin's guest this week. Emma talks about growing up in the woods, writing erotica, and how _Jaws_helped teach her about sex.

Screenwriter and fellow Buffy enthusiast [**Liz Hersey**](http://www.thelizchannel.blogspot.com/) joins Martin and Chanel for "The Buffy Chronicles" as they provide commentary for "Never Kill a Boy on the First Date."

[**Michael PonTell**](http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ivdailybulletin/obituary.aspx?n=michael-pontell&pid=174928424), a bright and ambitious young writer, passed away on May 12, 2015, at the age of 23. Michael and Martin enjoyed a lively conversation about writing and the state of the publishing industry. Recorded on March 6, 2015.

Chanel Chakko fills in as guest host this week and her guest is award-winning author Martin Lastrapes. Martin talks about reading comics as a kid, his undying love for _Buffy the Vampire Slayer_, and his new book _The Vampire, the Hunter, and the Girl_.

Michael McCarty, author of _[**Modern Mythmakers: 35 Interviews with Horror & Science Fiction Writers and Filmmakers**](https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Mythmakers-Interviews-Science-Filmmakers/dp/0994662602/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=themarlasshop-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=KJT5NJ36EGWCLSTT&creativeASIN=0994662602), _is Martin's guest this week. Michael talks about journalism, fiction writing, and intervie...

Martin talks about writing rules, specifically why they suck and why he doesn't agree with any of them. He also shares Elmore Leonard's 10 Rules for Good Writing , giving his personal thoughts on each one.

Jasper Bark, award-winning and critically acclaimed British novelist and comic book writer, is Martin's guest this week. Jasper talks about getting into trouble in school, being a journalist, and how his wife made it possible for him to pursue a career as a full-time writer.

Martin is joined by a motley crew of guests: His German nephew, his American nephew, his occasional co-host, his mother, his father, and his father-in-law. You will literally laugh and cry before it's over.

Tammy Salyer, author of _The __Spectras Arise Trilogy_, talks about her love of Tom Robbins, freelance editing, writing book trilogies, and jumping out of airplanes on purpose.

Amanda Headlee, author and blogger, is Martin's guest this week. Amanda talks about living in the middle of the woods, techniques for scaring readers, and the influence of H.P. Lovecraft.

James Brown talks about going back to fiction writing, adapting his work into a screenplay, and how the evolution of the publishing industry has affected his career.

James Brown, author of The Los Angeles Diaries and This River talks about struggling in grade school, his mother's criminal activities, the difference between an autobiography and a memoir, and asking Michael Chabon for a blurb.

Emily Bleeker, #1 Bestselling author of [_Wreckage_](https://www.amazon.com/Wreckage-Emily-Bleeker-ebook/dp/B00NAJZDIM/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=themarlasshop-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=QWJGNAKM4PHZB27V&creativeASIN=B00NAJZDIM), is Martin's guest this week. Emily talks about how surviving cancer inspired her first novel and the journey she went through getting it published.

Martin shares his feelings on independent publishing. He also reads the first rejection letter he ever received from a literary agent, as well as his article "An Indie Author's Manifesto."

Is Martin a horror writer? His answer might surprise you. Along with his meditation on horror, Martin shares an audio interview that Tim Chizmar did with horror icon Tony Todd.