Vermont Artists & Authors

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...

#DanDurick #HorrorFiction #SciFiAuthor #TheBridgewaterCollection #DarkMatter #VermontAuthors #BookRelease #LiteraryTalk #AuthorInterview #ScienceFiction #CosmicHorror #NewReleases #BookLovers #ReadMoreHorror #EdgeOfYourSeat In this riveting episode, we sit down with Vermont's own Dan Durick, an author whose gripping narratives delve into the realms of horror and science fiction, exploring the prof...

#BrandonBarrows #MysteryWriter #ComicBooks #GraphicNovels #CrimeFiction #ThrillerBooks #LiteraryTalk #AuthorInterview #MysteryAndSuspense #UpcomingBooks #LongBeforeTheyDie #JackHammer #Voyaga #WriterLife #BookRelease #ReadMoreBooks #NovelWriting #Storytelling #CreativeWriting #LiteratureLovers Join us in an exclusive interview with Brandon Barrows, the acclaimed writer known for his gripping narra...

#JosephCitro #TheGore #VermontLegends #HorrorNovels #NewEnglandFolklore #SupernaturalStories #BookRelease2025 #LiteraryHorror #FolkloreThursday #MysteryAndSuspense #AuthorInterview #DarkTales #HauntedNewEngland #GhostStories #unexplainedphenomena  Join us in a chilling journey into the unknown with Joseph Citro, as we delve into his latest novel, "The Gore." In this exclusive interview, Citro disc...

#HowardNorman #ComeToTheWindow #LiteraryFiction #HistoricalNovels #AuthorInterview #BookTalk #Memoir #LiteratureLovers #FinalNovel #Storytelling #WritersLife #NovelWriting #BookRelease2024 #LiteraryJourney #CreativeWriting Join us as we dive into the imaginative world of Howard Norman, an accomplished author celebrated for his evocative storytelling and deep exploration of human experiences. In th...

#AnnCardinal #NuyoricanAuthors #PuertoRicanWriters #YAhorror #MagicalRealism #LatinoLiterature #BookTalk #AuthorInterview #LiteraryAwards #HorrorBooks #YoungAdultFiction #BookLovers #ReadLatino #AuthorLife #writingcommunity  Join us in an enlightening conversation with Nuyorican author Ann Cardinal, an award-winning writer whose stories delve into horror, magical realism, and the rich tapestry of...

#LeadershipBites #IanMcCoog #LeadershipDevelopment #EmergingLeaders #LeadershipTheories #HistoricalLeadership #PersonalGrowth #EffectiveLeadership #LeadershipTraining #LeadershipSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment #InspirationalLeaders #LeadershipEvolution #NarrativeLeadership #StorytellingInLeadership Dive into the art of leadership with Dr. Ian McCoog as he discusses his book, "Leadership Bites." Th...

#MajorTaylor #BlackCyclone #JohnKennedyHoward #CyclingHistory #SportsLegends #RacialBarriers #HistoricalBiographies #AfricanAmericanAthletes #CyclingHallOfFame #PBSspecial #ForgottenHeroes #RaceAndSports #TurnOfTheCenturyAthletes #HistoricalJustice #CyclingLegends Join us for an enlightening conversation with John Kennedy Howard, author and historian, as he dives into the riveting story of Marshal...

#StorycomicPresents #RanaTahir #BrianAnderson #CYOATarotDeck #Episode400 #TarotCards #SteampunkTarot #TarotDeckCreation #DiverseTarot #TarotReading #BeginnerTarot #CreativeProcess #Nostalgia #TarotArt #Chooseco #chooseyourownadventure  Join us for Episode 403 of Storycomic Presents as we delve into the mystical and creative world of tarot with Rana Tahir and Brian Anderson, the dynamic duo behind...

#JimDeFilippi #CrimeNovels #HumorousFiction #StorycomicPresents #SuspensefulBooks #AuthorInterview #CrimeAndComedy #BookLovers #CrimeFiction #writerslife  I'm your host, Barney Smith from storycomic.com. Today, we're excited to welcome Jim DeFilippi, a master of blending suspense and humor in crime novels such as "Duck Alley," "Blood Sugar," and "Jesus Burned." Dive into our conversation as Jim sh...

#JLDurona #TheStoneHollowCircle #BergeSisters #MiddleGradeBooks #SpookyStories #KidLit #ChildrensLiterature #StorycomicPresents #AuthorInterview #newbookrelease  I'm your host Barney Smith from storycomic.com. Today, we're thrilled to have J.L. Durona with us again, discussing his latest spooky adventure in the middle-grade series, "The Stone Hollow Circle." J.L. will dive into the eerie woods of...

#RikPalieri #HandsofTime #CountryRoots #FolkMusic #StorycomicPresents #MusicLegends #CountryMusic #NewAlbumRelease #MusicJourney #traditionalmusic  I'm Barney Smith, your host from storycomic.com. In this special episode, we are thrilled to chat with the extraordinarily talented Rik Palieri. Rik, a masterful musician and storyteller, is here to discuss his latest album, "Hands of Time," a blend of...

#MTAnderson #Nicked #HistoricalFiction #MedievalHeist #SaintNicholas #BookTalk #HistoricalNovels #LiteraryFiction #NewReleases2024 #AuthorInterview #StorycomicPresents #FantasyFiction #QueerLiterature #BookLovers #ReadersOfInstagram I’m your host Barney Smith from storycomic.com, and today we have the pleasure of diving into the enchanting world of historical fiction with the celebrated author M....

#RobMermin #CircusLife #Memoir #CircusArts #StorycomicPresents #CircusHistory #TraditionalCircus #CircusSmirkus #CircusMagic #CircusCulture #CircusBook #AuthorInterview #CreativeJourney #VermontArts #circusworld  Join us on Storycomic Presents for Episode 390, where we are thrilled to welcome back the captivating Rob Mermin, a master of the circus arts and renowned author. Today, Rob shares insigh...

#JPeterCobb #SomeThingsArentMeantToBe #VermontStories #RuralLife #FaithAndLiterature #VermontAuthors #StorycomicPresents #BookTalk #LiteraryFiction #LoveStories #MoralDilemmas #AuthorInterview #NewReleases #VermontLife #historicalfiction  Join us as we dive into the complex and poignant world of rural Vermont with the acclaimed author J. Peter Cobb. In this episode, I, Barney Smith of storycomic.c...

#LeopardFrogArt #Larisa #VermontArt #ExperientialArt #TouchableArt #ArtGallery #GiftShop #CreativeProcess #ArtCreation #ParticipatoryArt #LocalArtists #ArtInterview #StorycomicPresents #ArtInnovation #CommunityArt Welcome to this episode! Join your host, Barney Smith of storycomic.com, as we explore the vibrant world of art and creativity with Lara Johnson, the visionary behind Leopard Frog, a uni...

#Usurpation #MarieStPez #Gentrification #RacialJustice #UrbanRenewal #BlackCommunities #HistoricalFiction #SocialJustice #VermontAuthors #StorycomicPresents #PoliticalFiction #FeministLiterature #CivilRights #UrbanFiction #LesbianHistorian Join us  with the distinguished Vermont author, Marie St. Pez, also known as Mimi Yahn. In this compelling session, we delve into her latest novel, "Usurpation,...