Living The Next Chapter: Candid Conversations with Authors and Writers for Readers Searching for a New Read

EPISODE 739 - J. Bellante Ward - The Wyrd of Skulda Discover Norns, the three legendary females who control time

In this engaging episode of Living The Next Chapter, host Dave welcomes debut fantasy author J. Bellante Ward, a dental hygienist from Virginia originally from Maryland, who stumbled into writing after a coworker praised her knack for words in a simple professional email. Nervous but thrilled for her first podcast appearance, J. shares how she penned her Norse mythology-inspired series in just two months, embracing her "pantser" style where the plot unfolded organically through character journeys rather than rigid outlines. She discusses battling impatience for instant gratification, learning not to chase perfection—since human imperfections make stories relatable and distinct from AI-generated content—and finding her authentic voice about a quarter into the manuscript, shifting to a more confident tone.

J. dives into her series' core: three Norns controlling past, present, and future, reimagined in a world without cell phones or modern tech to emphasize raw human connections and epic quests. Book one follows Bren, the Norn of the future from a dark kingdom, on a self-discovery path amid romance, "smut," and battles against an evil king seeking to dominate the realms via the tree of life. Unplanned characters like Bren's sarcastic best friend stole her heart, earning future books, while part one builds the world lightly and part two accelerates into non-stop action. She credits advice from patients and fellow authors, like writing the ending at 80% to race smoothly to the finish, and cut filler for a lean, approachable read even for fantasy newcomers.
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Marketing challenges surface too: J. finds social media inauthentic and mentally draining, preferring genuine conversations like this interview over forced videos, and pitches her elf-and-mythology tale proudly despite adult awkwardness. A vivid reading from chapter three paints a terrifying swamp creature encounter, drawing from head-to-toe details inspired by quirky YouTube like Salad Fingers. Her real "moment" came from a stranger's glowing review, not pre-sales from supporters. Looking ahead, book two launches soon, with Instagram and Facebook as key follows.
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Key Takeaway: Embrace your creative flow without perfectionism—human flaws and organic storytelling connect deepest with readers, proving anyone can birth a world from a spark.

https://www.instagram.com/j.bella.ward.writes/
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podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

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EPISODE 738 - Lalitha Ramanathan -  Parenting Unplugged and Kanmani and Co - Five Friends and a Cat Tackle the World

In a different lifetime, I worked in Finance, burying myself in MS Excel sheets. One day, I rekindled my passion for writing, and Excel paved way for Word, and my life has never been the same again.

Writing is my oxygen, and I write every single day. Over time, I have amassed millions of words, through stories that encapsulate bits of my soul. My favourite topics include parenting, fiction, children’s stories, and any place where there is scope to insert a pinch of humour.

Now that you are here, wondering what to read?

My stories have found a place in some anthologies. Here, you can find the collections in which my works feature, as well as a sneak peek into my upcoming publications.

https://lalitharamanathan.com/
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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 737 - Ben Schenkman - Challenging readers’ conventional thinking and the complexities of moral dilemmas

In this engaging conversation, author and voice actor Ben Schenkman returns to chat about his creative journey, his latest release My Brother’s Keeper, and the many realities of being an independent author in today’s publishing landscape.

Ben opens with a personal story about his family’s love of vintage guitars—a nod to his musical roots and his identical twin brother’s collection connected to their Woodstock‐era mother. From there, the conversation evolves into one of the most honest explorations of indie author marketing you’ll hear. Ben breaks down what really works when promoting your books and what doesn’t, drawing from firsthand experience running Facebook, Amazon, and BookBub ads. His message is simple and refreshing: books sell books, and advertising a single title rarely pays off until an author has multiple works available.

Ben shares practical, field‑tested advice inspired by David Gaughran’s “Demystifying Facebook Ads” series, explaining why Facebook remains one of the few ad platforms that can still produce results—if authors learn to take control and target the right readers. He then contrasts ads with BookBub Featured Deals, describing how well-timed offers can create lasting exposure, especially for multi‑book series. But long before any ads go live, he emphasizes, authors must focus on collecting authentic reviews, not just from friends and family but from real readers whose balanced feedback adds legitimacy.

The heart of the episode revolves around My Brother’s Keeper, the darkly magical first installment in The Cycle of Ash. Set in an alternate New Haven, Connecticut, the story blends Jewish mysticism, urban fantasy, and noir detective grit. Private investigator Max Asher returns home to bury his twin brother—and quickly discovers the death may not be what it seems. The novel’s emotional depth, grounded world‑building, and spiritual underpinnings reflect Ben’s personal connection to his Jewish heritage and his lived experiences as a twin.

Ben also pulls back the curtain on his creative process—how he uses beat sheets from Save the Cat Writes a Novel to manage pacing, why reader feedback matters more than formulas, and why no story can satisfy every audience. For aspiring writers, his candor is invaluable: embrace imperfection, learn your genre, and write with emotional truth.

As the episode wraps, Ben looks ahead to the March 30 release of My Brother’s Keeper and a virtual launch celebration with the Fantasy & Sci‑Fi Fanatics podcast in early April. He also reminds fellow creators to celebrate every milestone—whether it’s finishing a first draft or earning that first genuine review—and to recognize that publishing any book is an extraordinary achievement.

Key Takeaway:
Success as an indie author isn’t about chasing algorithms or outsmarting ad platforms; it’s about writing honest stories, connecting with real readers, and valuing progress at every stage of the creative journey.

https://benschenkman.com/
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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
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EPISODE 736 - Shymara Medina - Proud Puerto Rican children’s book author, is passionate about storytelling that uplifts and inspires young minds

In this episode, Shymara Medina shares the story behind her journey as a proud Puerto Rican children’s book author and the inspiration that shapes her storytelling. She talks about how her life in Georgia, her family, and her everyday experiences became the foundation for books that encourage, educate, and uplift young readers. Show notes often work best when they offer a short, engaging summary that gives listeners a clear sense of the episode’s focus and value.

A major thread in the conversation is her family’s beekeeping life and how that world sparked the idea for Zeke becomes a beekeeper. Shymara explains what she has learned through beekeeper associations, monthly meetings, and hands-on care for their hives, while also showing how bees became more than a topic and turned into a meaningful teaching tool for children. She connects bee safety, responsibility, nature, honey, and the role bees play in a family business to lessons young readers can understand and remember.

She also reflects on writing Zeke’s quest for courage, a story built around her son’s struggles with spelling and the encouragement her family wanted to give him. The book blends story, spelling practice, and comprehension in a way that makes learning feel fun and personal. Shymara shares how seeing children respond to the book, especially during school visits, confirmed for her that stories can help kids feel capable and supported.

The episode also explores the realities of self-publishing, finding the right illustrator, protecting creative ownership, and using real life as inspiration for children’s books. Shymara offers insight into writing with intention, choosing collaborators carefully, and staying open to growth as an author. She closes with plans for a bilingual book and a young adult project, showing that her creativity is still expanding.

Key takeaway: Shymara’s work is rooted in the belief that children need stories that reflect real life, build confidence, and remind them that their voices matter.

https://www.instagram.com/shymara_medina/
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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

EPISODE 735 - Alison McBain - Do something creative every day, The New Empire - A  journey of self-discovery has a steep price

In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, host Dave welcomes Alison McBain, a prolific Canadian author based near Edmonton, Alberta. With a dual American-Canadian heritage, Alison shares her journey from growing up in the States to returning home three years ago, embracing the region's chilly winters now softened by a rare heat wave. She dives into the golden age of publishing, where endless options overwhelm new authors, urging them to ignore the noise, write their stories relentlessly, and persevere through rejections—since that's the true divide between published and unpublished writers.

Alison reveals how she discovered her versatile voice by writing prolifically across genres, embracing failures publicly for accountability, and drawing from life's odd jobs and family chaos, like raising three kids. Writing is her passion, akin to breathing; she gets lost in it for hours, reads voraciously from history to fantasy, and rejects "write what you know" for "write what you love," crafting relatable characters in wild scenarios—from spaceships to dragons. She champions individual human experiences over AI's generic output, confident creativity remains our domain.

Highlights include her award-winning alternate history The New Empire, inspired by speculative Chinese voyages to 14th-century Americas, exploring a slave boy's coming-of-age amid empire-building. Other gems: a romance born from her nightmare house renovation (now a streaming e-book), the collaborative fantasy anthology Enchantress of Books, and a gender-flipped Beauty and the Beast YA tale challenging power dynamics and beauty standards. In 2024's bold "Author vs. AI" challenge, she penned 34 first drafts across genres like Western and horror—now polishing for release—proving genre-hopping builds loyal readers if stories resonate.

Media buzz from CBC and City News followed, fueled by her human-centric ethos. Alison battles imposter syndrome healthily, cherishes reader connections over unnoticed details, and crafts complex villains for narrative drive. Her motto: Do something creative daily, from writing to music.

Key Takeaway: Everyone has a story worth telling—shut out distractions, write with passion and perseverance, and let relatable characters connect you to readers who'll cherish your unique voice.

https://www.alisonmcbain.com/
Support the show

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca