Vermont Artists & Authors

In this episode, I’m joined by Vermont author and professional cellist Melissa Perley, creator of the award-winning picture book The Violin Family. This musical story introduces young readers to Basil the Bass, Celia the Violoncello, “Bizzy” the Viola, and Val and Violet the Violins—a loving family of string instruments who play together and then share pancake breakfasts with real Vermont maple sy...

In this episode, I’m joined by Lyn Bixby, a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and Vermont author whose debut novel The Pacifist  drops readers into the most violent year of the Vietnam War. Set in the fall of 1968, The Pacifist follows Lisa Thompson, a back-to-the-land Vermonter whose anti-war activist brother Chris dies under suspicious circumstances at an Army base after refusing i...

In this episode, I’m joined by James Kochalka—Eisner, Ignatz, and Harvey Award–winning cartoonist, rock musician, and the very first Cartoonist Laureate of Vermont.  James’ work ranges from his long-running daily diary strip American Elf to beloved kids’ series like Johnny Boo and Dragon Puncher, to wildly catchy punk-pop as James Kochalka Superstar, and even video games like Glorkian Warrior.  We...

In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Vermont cartoonist Isabella Hall (she/they), the creator behind Bella Pink Pen. Isabella is a Center for Cartoon Studies graduate who loves fantastical storytelling—whether that’s a ghost on a cruise liner, a quiet reflective comic about collecting, or a full-on journey into a winter realm.  We talk about how she builds stories that connect wit...

In this episode, we’re joined by debut children’s author Christine Devane, whose picture book Elephant Beach tells the playful and poignant tale of a young girl whose quiet beach day is upended—in the best way—by a herd of joyous elephants. Christine brings her experience as a teacher and quiet child into the story, and joins us to talk about why she wrote a book for shy kids, how elephants became...

#ThaddeusRobinson #TalesFromParadise #PerfectTheBook #IndieAuthor #VermontAuthors #StorycomicPresents #HealingThroughStory #SouthernFiction #PhotographyAndFiction #CoastalStories In this episode of Storycomic Presents, we sit down with Thaddeus Robinson, a Vermont-based author and photographer whose storytelling bridges the coastlines of South Carolina and the quiet landscapes of New England. Thad...

In this episode, I’m honored to welcome Nadine Budbill, daughter and steward of the literary legacy of the late David Budbill. We’ll explore how she carries the torch for her father’s work—poetry, plays, prose, and the beloved Judevine. Nadine will share stories from David’s life in Vermont, his deep connection to place, how she preserves and introduces his work to new audiences, and the challenge...

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Nancy Levine and her daughter Rachel Levine-Spates to discuss their powerful co-authored memoir, Light. Blending Nancy’s reflective narration with excerpts from Rachel’s raw and personal journal entries, Light traces a mother and daughter’s journey through the dark spiral of disordered eating and the long road to healing. Rachel shares what it was li...

In this episode I’m joined by Randall Drew (RK DIA Comics), creator of the high‑fantasy comic Citadel Volume One, now successfully funded via Kickstarter. When events from 200 years ago shattered the world, now those cracks have become the battleground. Randell takes us behind the scenes of building a fantasy epic—designing the world, raising crowdfunding, and tackling the “epic” genre in a bold,...

In this episode, we’re joined by returning guests Dan Abdo and Jason Patterson, the creative duo behind the hit middle-grade series Barb the Last Berzerker. Book 4 is here, and we go deep into what makes a great villain, how emotional threads (like Barb’s dad!) shape the story, and what happens when the dust settles after a big fantasy war. It’s a conversation about humor, heartbreak, and heroism...

In this episode, I sit down with acclaimed journalist‑author Geoffrey Douglas to talk about his debut novel, Love in a Dark Place. This powerful historical novel weaves a decades‑long, troubled romance between Sarah, a woman with a wounded past, and Harry Hopper, a reporter turned professor haunted by regret. From the gritty streets of 1980s Atlantic City, with its mob ties, booms and busts, to th...

In this episode, I’m joined by Benjamin Hunting to go deep into his brand-new Kickstarter project: Model UN Pt 1 — Aliens + High School + 90s + Manga. When a group of extraterrestrials mistakes a high school Model UN class for the actual United Nations, chaos, comedy, and existential questions ensue. Benjamin walks us through how he conceived this mash-up of teenage angst, sci-fi, and ’90s nostalg...

In this episode, I chat with Vermont native and former prosecutor Bob Simpson, author of Small Town Prosecutor: Trials of Killers, Con Men, and a Priest. Beginning in the late 20th century, Bob handled high-stakes jury trials ranging from brutal murders and alleged cult conspiracies to the unprecedented prosecution of a predator priest and other harrowing cases. Each story blends unflinching court...

In this episode, I sit down with fantasy author Keller Marie, the creator behind The Mistwalker Chronicles. We explore Cast Into Twilight, a gripping urban‑fantasy where pizza-delivery boy Sammy wakes in a shadowy forest, fighting monsters, forging strange alliances, and beginning a journey toward the Last City of Light. We discuss what inspired the world, themes of survival and friendship, and ho...

In this episode, I sit down with Vermont-based artist and illustrator Michael Cribari, known for his intricate, surreal fantasy artwork, enamel pin designs, and indie comic work like The Basket. We dive into his creative process—from sketchbook to final print—and explore how folklore, tarot, monsters, and mythology shape his visual storytelling. Whether he’s crafting comics, contributing to the in...

In this latest episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back Marek Bennett to talk about Freeman Colby Vol. 4, now in progress and due summer 1864. Marek walks us through how he transforms Civil War diaries, letters, and sketches into vivid graphic storytelling—from Cold Harbor to the Siege of Petersburg and the Battle of the Crater. We’ll also revisit previous volumes, the mix of live‑draw comic demos, a...

In this episode, I sit down with Bill Lutz, a multi‑disciplinary artist whose work spans illustration, cartooning, graphic design, and video editing. With over 30 years of professional experience and a degree in Illustration and Design from the School of Visual Arts in NYC, Bill blends traditional artistry with technological storytelling. We’ll explore how his varied background—from comic book art...

In this episode I talk with Vermont-based comic artist Kristin Laflin (aka Kikirini), diving into her 20-year labor of love: Kuro Shouri. Kristin shares how this manga-inspired action/fantasy series evolved—from early webcomic pages to a growing digital presence on Webtoons and her own site. We discuss her creative process, character design, working with collaborator Dylan Archbold, and staying co...

In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I sit down with guitarist, educator, and musical storyteller Paul Asbell, whose memoir Stages weaves together 32 essays, archival photos, and QR-linked music to chronicle his extraordinary journey—from playing with legends like Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf in Chicago to teaching blues and jazz at UVM and Middlebury. We dive into the tales behind the pages,...

In this episode, I sit down with writer, poet, and editor Erika Nichols-Frazer, the editor behind The Mountain Troubadour 2025: Volume 71. Erika shares insights into this year’s stunning collection of poetry from the Poetry Society of Vermont (PSOV) and how this historic literary journal continues to thrive with its first collaboration with Rootstock Publishing. We explore the poetry community in...

In this episode, I sit down with Marcie Vallette, a Vermont artist, nurse, and author, to discuss her latest work, Parkinson’s Disease: Comix for Caregivers. Marcie shares her personal journey of caring for her husband with Parkinson’s Disease and how she transformed her experiences into a graphic memoir to support and educate fellow caregivers. We delve into the challenges of caregiving, the ther...

#PollyIngraham #UnconvertedMemoir #InterfaithMarriage #AuthorInterview #StorycomicPresents #MemoirDiscussion #FaithAndLove #ClergyWifePerspective #PersonalJourney #WritingLife In this episode I sit down with author Polly Merritt Ingraham to discuss her debut memoir, Unconverted: Memoir of a Marriage. Polly shares her journey of navigating a marriage between an extroverted agnostic and a devout Epi...

#PaulAndriscin #IsaacKendall #MemoirHistoricalFiction #RevolutionaryWar #MountIndependence #LivingHistory #StorycomicPresents #HistoryBook #AuthorInterview #VermontAuthor #AmericanRevolution #DiaryFiction #HistoryThroughStory #NewBookRelease #HistoricalNarrative In this episode I welcome Paul Andriscin—a Vermont history educator and author—to discuss his latest historical fiction, The Memoirs of I...

#RobertaHarold #PortraitOfAnUnseenWoman #DadeWyattMysteries #HistoricalFiction #MysteryNovels #VermontAuthors #AuthorInterview #StorycomicPresents #WritingJourney #FemaleProtagonists #HeronIsland #MurderedSleep #LiteraryDiscussion #BookTalk #AuthorInsights In this episode I sit down with Roberta Harold, the Montpelier-based author behind Portrait of an Unseen Woman and the Dade Wyatt Mysteries ser...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Liza Woodruff, a Vermont-based children's book author and illustrator, about her newest picture book, Phil's Big Day. The story follows Phil, a young groundhog grappling with anxiety as he prepares for his big moment on Groundhog Day. Through Phil's journey, Liza addresses the universal theme of facing fears and the importance of support from loved ones. Liza sh...