Unwritten Paths
Unwritten Paths is a podcast for and about independent authors. It’s a chance to hear stories good and bad about the author experience. Each week, we’ll talk with someone in the industry, a writer, a bookstore owner, to dive into their challenges and successes, with hopes they may help others experiencing similar challenges.
Episodes
This week, we’re exploring what happens when creativity meets critique. My guest is Ashlyn Harmon — a talented romance author and a professional editor. Two roles that sound like natural allies, but sometimes end up in a quiet tug-of-war.
We’ll talk about how Ashlyn balances those sides of her brain — the writer who wants to let the story flow, and the editor who’s always ready with the red pen. How do those perspectives help or hi...
Welcome to the new and improved Unwritten Paths, where today we’re deploying some serious storytelling strategy. My guest is author Nick Nethery, who brings his military background into fiction with precision, honesty, and a healthy respect for what’s still classified. We’ll talk about building believable teams, writing from real relationships, and why research doesn’t stop just because you already know the terrain. Consider this y...
Today’s guest is Maria Shield, a romance author from Omaha who’s bringing Greek mythology into the modern age. She blends timeless myths with heartfelt romance, creating stories that feel both ancient and new. We’re talking about what makes mythology retellings so compelling—why they matter, how they connect with readers today, and what draws her personally to these legendary tales.
Maria talks about the draw of Greek mythology ret...
This week, I sit down with Damien Thompson, whose 20-year journey to writing his memoir …And Then I Would Fly is nothing short of extraordinary.
We dive into: Growing up in a dysfunctional family and breaking the creative cycle started by his father; the messy, beautiful process of “vomiting words” and shaping them into story; the legal & emotional hurdles of publishing a memoir (including family green lights); the cathartic re...
Fantasy author J. Kenton Pierce joins me for this week's episode of Unwritten Paths. Pierce hypes up his novel, "A Kiss For Damacles", how his character creation drives his writing, and what's next for him.
Follow J. Kenton Pierce on his Substack at https://jkentonpierce.substack.com/
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths
Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semchyshyn
This week, I’m joined by Bert from Bert’s Books out of Swindon, UK. He talks over the history of the store and the experience of shopping and attending events at Bert’s Books. We discuss his social media strategy and Bert tells us about a particular viral moment, and tells us what author he’d really like to have come to the shop. Tune in and find out more about Bert’s Books.
If you want to find out more about Bert's Books, check ou...
This week, fantasy author Wally Waltner talks about his path to being an author. He provides a great overview of his debut novel: “Muses War: Overture of Shadow”, talks how he gets inspiration from the arts, offers advice about how to get involved with writers’ support groups, his transition from short stories to novels, and what’s to come.
Find out more about Wally by checking out his Substack: wallbangercreative.substack.com.
This week, I talk with an author who works outside of traditional book publishing. Meet Artisticallyy, she's working on a new Web Comic called "All For One." She talks about this large undertaking and how she got started, as well as where she wants "All For One" to go.
You can follow Artisticallyy's progress on her Tumblr or Instagram page, where you can also find links for how to help support her project.
This week's guest is a young writer out of Omaha, NE. Nora Barth began writing her first novel at the age of 14, publishing while she was in high school. Nora offers some great advice on how she made time through her hectic school schedule to write, market, social media, and all the other "have-to-dos" that come with releasing a book.
You can follow her on her website and Instagram.
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/un...
Tyler Tarter is my latest guest on Unwritten Paths. Tyler is a sci-fi writer out of Utah with several novels available now. And bonus - he's releasing a new book in September - preorder goes live this week on his website www.tylertarter.com.
He was great to talk with and provides some great insight into how he markets and presents himself in the world of social media as well as how he has risen from a shy author to a respected pane...
This week I talk with Omaha, Nebraska author Demario Holley. Demario released his debut novel Ancestral Blurred Ancestry Book 1 in 2024, and tells us when to expect book #2. He also offers some great advice for what to do when you face burnout or writer's block.
Find out more about Demario by visiting https://www.facebook.com/demario.holley and https://www.tiktok.com/@kommongroundcomics.
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr....
The Book Nook Bookstore opened about five years ago in Papillion, NE. This week, I talked with owner, DaRonn Washington about how the store started, their take on working with independent authors, and all the crazy ideas they come up with to keep customers coming back as well as how they remain a staple in their community.
Visit The Book Nook at https://www.booknookbookstores.com/ or on their https://www.facebook.com/booknookbookst...
This week I talked with Matt Struven. Matt has already branched out from writing books to writing short films. His first novel, Secrets of the Erilaz is available now, and he wrote, acted in and directed The Cardinal Sinner, a short horror film.
You can learn more about Matt Struven and all his creative endeavors by visiting his https://linktr.ee/mjstruven.
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths
Music/podcas...
Jacqueline Reinig recently released her debut novel Faery Academy of Quillsnap. I think you're going to love where her inspiration for the story came from - I know I did. Jacqueline also offers some suggestions for any authors who may be struggling with tech and electronics. She was great, so nice and passionate about her writing and her family.
Find out more about Jacqueline Reinig by visiting her website, Instagram, and facebook ...
Matt Rotundo is my latest guest. Matt's a fantasy author from Omaha, Nebraska with several books out and dozens of short stories. He discovered he wanted to be a writer at the ripe old age of 8 and has since had some modest successes. On this episode, Matt talks about some creative avenues he takes to talk about and sell his books, and shares some pretty funny stories.
Find out more about Matt Rotundo by visiting his website and fa...
Jan Kaiser from Beaverdale Books (Des Moines, Iowa) joins me for my first interview with an independent bookstore. We talk about Beaverdale Books' huge impact on local authors from the Des Moines area, and the Des Moines community at large. Plus Jan turns the table on me during "this or that".
Find out more about Beaverdale Books and any of the number of events they have coming up by visiting their website, facebook or instagram pa...
This week I talk with Amy Stanley, a children's chapter book author from Omaha, Nebraska. Amy talks about how she developed the idea for her book, The Bookworms and shares a great story about where she found her illustrator for the book.
Follow Amy on her Facebook and Instagram.
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths
Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semchyshyn
This week I talk with Omaha, NE author, Shawn Brink. Shawn is a Christian/Fantasy Horror author with six novels to his credit. He talks a bit about where his inspiration comes from, and goes pretty deep explaining a significant challenge he overcame. Enjoy!
Follow Shawn on his website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths
Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semch...
This week I talk with Papillion, NE author, Kathy Nickerson. Kathy is a long-time writer with various credits to her name including six novels. She has some great anecdotes and stories from her career. She also touches on Imposter Syndrome, which I incorrectly managed to call Imitation Syndrome in my hot-take wrap-up recorded immediately following the interview. Enjoy!
Follow Kathy on Facebook and her website
This week I talk with Gretna, NE author, PJ Brown. PJ has released six novels since 2021 and has 2 WIPs. She was great to talk to. As my first interview for this podcast, she was gracious enough to learn a little along with me.
Follow PJ and find her books here: https://linktr.ee/p.j.brown
Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths
Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semchyshyn
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