The Word Count Podcast episode 57 – Pirate, Island, Rat
R. B. Wood
Finally!
Between radiation treatment and misbehaving software, it’s taken me nearly a week to get the show done! But it’s well worth the wait as we have four amazing tales of high-seas hijinks and mayhem for your listening pleasure. The theme this go-around was Pirate, Island and Rat.
Anyway, before we introduce our cadre of writers and their most excellent stories, a bit about the show:
What is The Word Count Podcast?
It is a free broadcast by writers for writers. Simply put, a theme for each show is announced via this site, Twitter and Facebook and writers are given a week or two to write AND RECORD their stories based on said theme.
Why?
Why not, says I. It’s a great way to practice writing and public speaking. It’s another way for writers to get their work “out there.” And I love to meet fellow authors and have a blast putting the show together. It’s just that simple.
Okay. Where can I find it?
You can listen to the latest podcast below, subscribe via iTunes or listen at the show’s site.
| Direct: http://thewordcount.libsyn.com/webpage
iTunes (and remember, iTunes takes their sweet time in posting. If you don’t see it yet, keep trying!): http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-word-count/id392550989 |
Our guests this week:
Bill Kirton “A Happy Ending”
Before taking early retirement to become a full-time writer, Bill Kirton was a lecturer in French at the University of Aberdeen. He’s written stage and radio plays, short stories, novels, skits and songs for revues, and five non-fiction books aimed at helping students with their writing and study skills. His five modern crime novels, Material Evidence, Rough Justice, The Darkness, Shadow Selves and Unsafe Acts are set in north east Scotland and his historical crime/romance novel, The Figurehead, is set in Aberdeen in 1840. The Darkness won the silver award in the mystery category of the 2011 Forward National Literature Awards and his spoof mystery, The Sparrow Conundrum, was the winner in the humor category.
He’s published a novel for children called The Loch Ewe Mystery, and his latest publication is a satirical novella about online gaming and the real and virtual worlds.
He’s had radio plays broadcast by the BBC and the Australian BC. His short stories have appeared in many anthologies, including three of the CWA’s annual collections, and one was chosen by Maxim Jakubowski for his 2010 anthology of Best British Crime Stories. It’s also been optioned by a film company in Los Angeles.
He’s been a Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at universities in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews.
Twitter: @carver22
Website & Blog: www.bill-kirton.co.uk
Rob Edwards “Legend of Redhook’s Gold”
Rob Edwards is a British born writer and podcaster, currently living in Finland. His podcast, StorycastRob, features readings from his short stories and excerpts from longer work. His work can also be found in the anthologies *Tales from the Universe* and the forthcoming *Tales from Alternate Earths*, published in Kindle format by Inklings Press.
His greatest geek pride is his entry on wookieepedia, the a result of
writing several Star Wars RPG scenarios back in the day.
Rob is currently working on a YA novel featuring superheroes in space.
Twitter: @storycastrob
Websites:
PODCAST: www.storycastrob.co.uk
BLOG: www.storycastrob.co.uk/wp
C. Thomas Smith “The Bear’s Fate”
C. Thomas Smith is the author of hundreds of short stories (99% have never left his hard drive) and half a dozen unpublished novels (50% cowardice / 50% self-doubt). He is a fan of common sense, free speech, noticing the truth in the absurd and caffeine. He sort of likes cats. He lives in Ireland with his partner, two children, a mortgage and a cat he doesn’t trust.
At present, Chris is writing a series of novels (adult dark comedy set in medieval Ireland that may include a token Leprechaun) and editing a second series (Dark Fantasy). Along the way he hopes not to starve to death or be mauled in his sleep by a shifty eyed cat. He and his two besties still work at ManDay but it’s a tough slog and only Odin knows where it will all end.
I still love you Bear.
Twitter = @KRSTVR
Web = www.infinity-forge.com
Maria Haskins “Treasure Island”
Maria Haskins is a Swedish-Canadian writer and translator with a passion for science fiction and fantasy. She was born and grew up in Sweden, but moved to Canada in the early 1990s and now lives just outside Vancouver with a husband, two kids, and a large black dog. Maria debuted as a writer in Sweden, and has had several books published there. Her English language debut Odin’s Eye – a collection of science fiction short-stories – was published in March, 2015. Cuts & Collected Poems 1989 – 2015 – a collection of poetry – was released in November, 2015.
Website: https://mariahaskins.wordpress.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahaskinswriter/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13459869.Maria_Haskins
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00UICDA2K
Smashbooks: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/mariahaskins
Twitter: @mariahaskins
