Simmons Here And Now

This Is The One Before The Big One In this episode, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan discuss whether society shapes the artist's creativity or whether the artist helps to shape society. Expect to hear reflections on historical events, like World War II and the atomic bombs, and their profound influence on narratives across different eras. Alex and I exchange thoughts on how fears and the quest for control bleed into the crafting of our villains and the stories we tell. And don't forget—it's not just about us! Yes, deep stuff, but Alex uses his time machine to make it all much more fun! And, of course, we turn to you to find out what you think. Come with us from the 1920s through 2023 - in less than an hour - as we discuss the yin and yang of history and creativity and how one helps the other Tell The Damn Story. And you, the audience, are a crucial part of this conversation. As we gear up for our 300th episode, a roundtable discussion with multiple authors, we invite you to submit your questions and join us f

What doesn't break you makes you stronger. In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, host Chris Ryan (rolling solo) interviews Daemon Manx, an author with a remarkable journey from bass player to prison inmate to best-selling writer. Daemon shares how he found solace in storytelling during his time in prison and discusses his published works, including "Abigail," "Piece By Piece," and "M Anxiety." Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, hope, and the power of pursuing your dreams, no matter the circumstances. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to support us so we can support you? Then just... ⁠⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠!

An Interview with Rebbeca Cuthbert on her new how-to-c craft Horror book, CREEP THIS WAY. On today's episode of Tell The Damn Story, our hosts, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons, are joined by the amazing author Rebecca Cuthbert. Together, they dive into Rebecca's writing journey and her latest projects. From discussing the genesis of their collaborative book to Rebecca's upcoming releases and her role as editor-in-chief, there's a lot to unpack! So, grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and join us for an inside look at the world of writing with Rebecca Cuthbert on Tell The Damn Story! Get your copy of CREEP THIS WAY on Amazon.com. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want to support us so we can support you? Then just... ⁠⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠!

Welcome to Tell The Damn Story, where we delve into the challenges of storytelling and the creative process with our guests. In today's episode, cohosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are happy to have returning the esteemed author Teel James Glenn.  With over 470 manuscripts to his credit, Teel takes us on a fascinating journey through the realm of writing what you know, feel, and love. Especially his favorite genre, pulp fiction. Throughout the episode, we explore that genre and how it has shaped modern perceptions of heroes and hope.  We also uncover Teel's unique approach to storytelling, from his process of weaving different characters and genres into his work to his experiences with rejection and perseverance in the face of adversity.  Join us as we gain valuable insights from our guest's remarkable writing journey.  So, grab a pen, sit back, and let's Tell The Damn Story! Books by Teel James Gleen Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gm

We're back. You're back. They're back! And with some candid insight on how fear, risk, and respect factor in collaborative writing. In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons engage in an enriching conversation with guest authors Jeannine Acheson and Tom Sniegoski. They delve into the intricacies of character development and the emotional rollercoaster of collaboration in the creative process. From trimming down a 500-page novella to exploring the depths of personal emotions, the hosts and guests share candid insights into their writing journeys. Discover how these seasoned authors navigate the challenges of streamlining their narratives while tapping into raw emotions to craft compelling stories. Join us for an insightful discussion that celebrates the art of storytelling and the complexities of creative collaboration. Click here for Tom's website. Books by Jeannine and Tom. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow u

Welcome back to Tell The Damn Story! In this episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons interview Shannon Symonds, author of cozy mystery novels. Shannon shares her unique writing process using the "save the cat" method and Scrivener while discussing the importance of character development and the difficult personal challenges that influence her storytelling. Join us as we explore Shannon's journey from an advocate for victims of abuse to a successful author and her insights into the world of cozy mystery writing. Enjoy her books plus: Booked for Murder: A Balefire Bay Cozy Mystery https://www.cozymysteriesbythesea.com Shannonsymondsauthor@gmail.com Shannon's books on Amazon @shannonsymondsauthor @cozymysteriesbythesea on Instagram Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠ ⁠www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

For a Healthy, Productive 2024- This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan discuss physical, mental, and emotional health for creatives, especially writers. Why? To help them put their bodies and minds in the best position to succeed in 2024. No matter what age, it is necessary for each of us to take care of our bodies, our minds, and our emotions to be able to produce the stories and the art that so many others are looking for. Be good to yourself so you can be good for others. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

As we round out this adventurous year, veteran authors Christopher Ryan and Alex Simmons discuss their favorite works of 2023 in novels, music, TV, and film and discuss the future of Marvel’s MCU. Tune in as they discuss the impact of political history, the art of recasting iconic characters, the future of Black Panther, and Marvel's storytelling strategies. Get ready for engaging discussions on old and new musical discoveries, captivating TV moments, and the power of self-reflection. Dive into the lessons from their favorites. Plus, enjoy lots of laughs, great art, and good cheer for you to share as we prep for 2024! PS. And boy, do we have some plans for you in the coming new year! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

And What Does Your Favorite Holiday Films Have To Do With It? This week, veteran authors Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan find themselves smack dab amid the SCROOGE WARS! They go through a March Madness-style bracket filled with Scrooge/A Christmas Carol films, choosing their favorites and making their cases for their merits. Play along and see who would win your own Scrooge War! Then, the scribes turn the show over to the audience, commenting on their favorite version of A Christmas Carol and their favorite holiday movies. Don’t miss all the fun as you prep for your holiday! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

Welcome to Tell The Damn Story, where we dive into the world of storytelling and writing. In this episode, host Alex Simmons takes the solo seat to tackle listener questions and provide a rain-day-style episode. Join us as we explore the writing process, including the importance of setting consistent writing time, staying focused on uninspiring assignments, and the importance of understanding character motives. Get ready to be inspired and empowered in your writing journey. Let's dive in and Tell The Damn Story! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week, Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan answer questions from our audience on all things related to writing. We cover salaries and finances, acquiring artists, getting published, first drafts, and oh so much more. This includes a humiliating story about one of us writing a sex scene for grad school! Oh what we do and share to help you on your writing journey. So don't miss it. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

It's not impossible, but it's a hell of a ride! This week, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons delve into the nitty-gritty of independent publishing, exploring the challenges and triumphs of bringing books to life outside of traditional publishing avenues. Chris shares his personal journey from writer to publisher, discussing the meticulous process of curating stories for anthology collections while juggling budget constraints and administrative decisions. From navigating the horror community to overcoming logistical hurdles, this episode offers a raw and insightful look at the world of independent publishing. Join us as we uncover the decision and steps required of an independent publisher and discover how to avoid insanity... kind of. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Authors Tour Continues! In this episode of Tell The Damn Story, titled "Soul Scream Authors' Tour 4," hosts Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons are joined by special guests Rebecca Cuthbert, Jonathan Gensler, Kathleen Scheiner, and Steven Van Patten. Listen as these prolific writers delve into various topics ripe for horror tales. The discussion goes from the responsibilities of cultural sensitivity in storytelling to the clash between big tech and agriculture.  With readings from their captivating stories and insightful talks, this episode is sure to leave you inspired and eager to tell your own damn story.  So grab a cup of tea or coffee, sit back, and enjoy this enriching conversation with our talented guests. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠

All Stories Come From Within - It's Part 3 of the Soul Scream Atholozine Author Tour. In this episode, Alex and Chris speak with Long Island horror writer John Collins about the origins of his story "The Lovers" and his  the origins of his call to create,  Also, John gets very candid about the emotional inspirations for his fiction, providing a powerful insight into how creatives function. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠

Once again, we're exploring the creative minds behind the stories that captivate us. In this episode, hosts Chris and Alex are joined by writers Teel James Glenn, Bobby Nash, and Randee Dawn. The conversation delves into the depths of horror, the intertwining of entertainment and reality, and the responsibilities of writing licensed characters. From tales of North Africa to the 1990s music scene in Boston, the guests share insights into their writing processes and the challenges and thrill of reimagining iconic characters. Join us for a journey through the creative minds of these talented authors and their contributions to the captivating Soul Scream Antholazine. Check out these authors and their works at: Randee Dawn www.randeedawn.com Book - "Tune In Tomorrow" Teel James Glenn Bobby Nash www.bobbynash.com www.ben-books.com Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The

In this thrilling episode of "Tell The Damn Story"! We have two incredible guests joining our hosts, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmons. First, we have the multi-talented Teel James Glenn, writer, actor, stuntman and more.  Next is the talented actor, writer, teacher, and storyteller Marc Abbott. Both authors share their creative experiences and portions of the short stories they contributed to Chris’ new publication, Soul Scream Antholozine.  Along with our hosts, these authors delve into the importance of characters, strong plots, and telling tales that range from exploring social norms to elder abuse through horror. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠

The Art of Collaborating for Success This week, Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan speak to TTDS friends Tom Sniegoski and Jeannine Acheson, writing partners on Vampirella and other projects, about all aspects of attending Cons as professionals.  We discuss how to avoid becoming overwhelmed at major comics cons and conferences, how to work the room, and how to approach professionals such as Christopher Gold and Mike Mignola.  And we also dive deep into the evolving writing partnership of these two dynamic storytellers. Come on in and enjoy some pretty fascinating insights and experiences. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Tell The Damn Story!" This week, while cohost Chris Ryan is on another case, Alex Simmons interviews special guest Shannon Symonds.  The two writers delve into her fascinating world of raising a family of six, working with the police, fighting against human trafficking, and writing cozy mysteries.   Shannon shares her experiences and insights writing her By The Sea Cozy Mystery series and her upcoming book, "Booked for Murder, A Balefire Bay Cozy Mystery," set to be released in November.  We also explore the importance of authenticity and relatable characters in storytelling and valuable tips and techniques for aspiring and struggling writers. So grab a cup of your favorite beverage, sit back, and get ready to dive into the captivating world of storytelling on today's episode with our guest, Shannon Symonds.  Let's dive in! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ...

Welcome to a slightly different episode of Tell The Damn Story, the podcast where we delve into the depths of storytelling and creativity. I This week, your host, Alex Simmons, is going semi-solo and the episode is a mashup, combining the great piece of insight from episode 191 of TTDS. In this episode, we'll be exploring the complexities of personal pride, the challenges of self-promotion as a writer, the impact of rejection, and the pursuit of creative dreams. So join us as we share personal anecdotes, discuss influences that shaped us as writers, and explore the power of storytelling in our lives. So grab a pen and paper, and get ready to Tell The Damn Story! Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠

In this episode, Chris and Alex dive deep into two topics. The first is about the challenges writers face and the superpowers that sometimes get them out of it. The boys share stories of passion, resilience, and finding one's voice. They highlight that while a fat bank account might have its appeal, genuine satisfaction, and rewards come from helping young people find their voice and succeed. They discuss the importance of instilling belief in others, encouraging them to pursue their dreams, and ultimately, positively impacting the world. True. Have questions or comments for us? Post in the comments section or ... Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... @Tell The Damn Story www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story ⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠