Best Tananarive Podcasts (2024)

1
Imagining Success with Tananarive Due 54:39

5d ago54:39

54:39

“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here. Today, I speak with someone who is one of my personal influences, speculative fiction author Tananarive Due. Over her two decades in publishing, she has won …

1
It's Kamala Harris for President! The Power of Twists in Storytelling 58:48

2h ago58:48

58:48

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the surprise rise of Vice President Kamala Harris as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president as a "plot twist" -- and how plot twists in narratives can create excitement both in real life and in storytelling. Tananarive also talks about how she came up with her biggest plot twist in her nove…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Guest Maureen Ryan (Burn It Down!) - Horrors in Hollywood 1:27:22

1d ago1:27:22

1:27:22

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive welcome Vanity Fair contributing editor Maureen Ryan, author of the book everyone in Hollywood is reading -- BURN IT DOWN: Power, Complicity, and a Call for Change in Hollywood. They talk about why she wrote her book exposing Hollywood's ugly underbelly, the WGA strike, the sad demise of "Sleepy Hollow" and the…

1
Craft Lessons from A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (Spoiler free) 59:15

13d ago59:15

59:15

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive unpack the new film starring Lupita Nyong'o, A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE. It's breaking box office records for the Quiet Place franchise, and for good reason. With shades of 28 DAYS LATER, CHILDREN OF MEN and THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS, this new horror film is both an action-packed story of a horror apocalypse and …

1
Best of Lifewriting: Paul Tremblay! (Horror Movie, Cabin at the End of the World) 55:22

22d ago55:22

55:22

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Paul G. Tremblay about what it's like to have your novel (The Cabin at the End of the World) adapted into a major film by a major director, M. Night Shyamalan (Knock at the Cabin). Tremblay talks about why he loves horror, his choice to make his protagonists a queer married couple and thei…

1
On Thriving with New Opportunities and Challenges 40:11

30d ago40:11

40:11

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the joys and challenges of stretching our self image as creators: Steve has a job opportunity in a new field, and they're both working toward co-directing their first short films! How even good news can be stressful, and how to maintain the tools to thrive no matter what we're facing. LEAVE US A VOIC…

1
Creating a Character's Personality 19:55

1M ago19:55

19:55

Mentioned: Ink & Magic Writing Retreat: https://inkandmagicretreat.com/ Daughter of the Merciful Deep is out! https://books2read.com/dotmd Imaginarium Book Festival - https://www.imaginariumbookfestival.com/ - The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes and Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes - https://amzn.to/3yTVk91 | https://bookshop.org/a/582/9780615…

1
Best of Lifewriting: On Keeping It Short! (The Joy and Power of Short Stories and Short Scripts) 56:51

2M ago56:51

56:51

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive break down why writers of all levels should embrace short stories and short scripts, whether it's to learn craft faster or to get published or produced sooner. They also discuss their first collaboration, a short story named "Danger Word" that also became their first short film: www.dangerwordfilm.com. LEAVE US…

1
Tananarive Won a Stoker Award for The Reformatory! (When History is the Monster) 1:11:04

2M ago1:11:04

1:11:04

In this episode, Tananarive opens up about why it was so difficult for her to write her novel, THE REFORMATORY, and why it was such a thrill to win Best Novel at The Bram Stoker Awards -- the first Black author to win Best Novel! How she motivated herself to write a difficult novel based on her family history while juggling parenthood and screenpla…

1
Imagining Success with Dhonielle Clayton 49:10

2M ago49:10

49:10

“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here. In this episode, I speak with New York Times Bestseller Dhonielle Clayton about writing with purpose, real markers of success, and of course, imposter syndro…

1
Building a Story World First 28:53

2M ago28:53

28:53

Watch on Youtube Daughter of the Merciful Deep out on June 4, 2024 - Release Giveaway! Launch event @ Sankofa Books My events Launch event @ Sankofa Books in Washington, DC - https://www.sankofa.com/events/daughter-of-the-merciful-deep My events - https://lpenelope.com/calendar/ NPR mention - https://www.npr.org/2024/05/21/1251024211/best-books-202…

1
On the Writer's Juggling Act - Working on Multiple Projects! 53:18

2M ago53:18

53:18

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the necessity of working on multiple creative projects and share their tips on how they juggle writing scripts and books. Join Tananarive's list at tananarivelist.com - or Steve's list at stevenbarneslist.com LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your mes…

1
Imagining Success with Kelley Armstrong 46:27

2M ago46:27

46:27

“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here. In this interview, I speak with #1 New York Times Bestseller Kelley Armstrong about maintaining longevity in a career, her refreshing perspective from her ti…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Nisi Shawl! (Kinning, Everfair) On Friendship with Octavia E. Butler 52:41

2M ago52:41

52:41

In this episode from March of 2023, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Nisi Shawl (KINNING, EVERFAIR) about the anthology they published, NEW SUNS 2, featuring speculative fiction from marginalized writers - including a story, "Supptertime," from Tananarive! Nisi also talks about the journey from a fangirl to friend of the late Octav…

1
"So Be It! See To It!" Success Hacks for Writers 56:08

3M ago56:08

56:08

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the practices that have helped them succeed as writers. They discusses Steve's late friend Octavia E. Butler's use of Napoleon Hill's THINK AND GROW RICH and the practices and affirmations that helped her become such an influential author despite the odds. And how you can use the same hacks to find s…

1
Guest Brent Lambert! (On A Necessary Chaos and Worldbuilding) 50:02

3M ago50:02

50:02

Tananarive talks to debut author Brent Lambert about his critically acclaimed new novella, A NECESSARY CHAOS and the power of queer speculative fiction, how growing up as a queer Army brat fed his love for writing, and keys to worldbuilding and characterization in speculative fiction. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPod…

1
Five Years of Podcasting! Plus Updates! 34:13

3M ago34:13

34:13

Watch the live podcast on YouTube. Mentioned: EF Go Ahead Tours - https://www.goaheadtours.com/tours A few of my photos from Greece - https://www.instagram.com/p/C5orMwfOgpR/ - https://www.instagram.com/p/C5qZl7-OWsO/?img_index=1 Read my post: "Beyond Bestsellers: Yes, People Still Buy Books" 3000 Years of Longing The Fall of Souls by R. A. Moreau …

1
Guest David Dastmalchian! (Late Night with the Devil) 57:02

3M ago57:02

57:02

Steve and Tananarive welcome powerhouse actor David Dastmalchian, star of Shudder's Late Night with the Devil -- also from Oppenheimer, Suicide Squad (Polka- Dot Man!), Dark Night, Last Voyage of the Demeter and other films. A candid conversation spanning his earlier struggles with addiction, why the idea of playing Jack Delroy on Late Night with t…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Leigh Bardugo! (The Familiar, Hell Bent, Ninth House) 1:01:41

3M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Fresh from Tananarive winning an LA Times Book Prize in Speculative Fiction for her latest novel, The Reformatory, a replay episode: Steve and Tananarive talk to New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo (Ninth House, Hell Bent, Shadow and Bone) on her incredible career: from jobs she didn't like to publishing her first book at 37 to getting …

1
Imagining Success with P. Djèlí Clark 55:12

3M ago55:12

55:12

“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here. In this interview, I speak with multi-award winner P. Djèlí Clark about the publishing industry, shifting ideas of success, and something all Gen-Xers should…

1
Kat and Jazz from "Girl, That's Scary!" Podcast 49:18

4M ago49:18

49:18

This week, Tananarive talks to two of her favorite podcasters, Kat and Jazz (Kathleen White and Jazzmin Crawley), co-hosts of Dread Central's "Girl, That's Scary!" podcast -- which, as they say, is all about friendship and horror. How these two horror lovers found their voice as horror podcasters after GET OUT, the reaction to their show, their hor…

1
The Black Guy Dies First! Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman & Mark H. Harris 1:01:45

4M ago1:01:45

1:01:45

This week, it's a mini reunion of the documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror as Steve and Tananarive welcome horror scholars Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman (who wrote Horror Noire) and Mark H. Harris, who have teamed up to write THE BLACK GUY DIES FIRST: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar. A Black Horror roundtable on some of the wor…

1
Guest Erin E. Adams! (Jackal, The Black Girl Survives in This One) 59:58

4M ago59:58

59:58

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive welcome actress-turned-author Erin E. Adams, who made a splash with her terrifying debut horror novel, JACKAL -- and also has short stories in Jordan Peele's OUT THERE SCREAMING anthology as well as the brand new THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE (out 4/2). On how her background as the daughter of Haitian imm…

1
Choosing the Right POV for Your Novel 23:44

4M ago23:44

23:44

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/umqeMohkOC0 Mentioned: ARC Giveaway - https://lpenelope.com/2024/03/daughter-of-the-merciful-deep-arc-giveaway/ Daughter of the Merciful Deep - preorder Publishers Weekly starred review Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell Plot vs. Character by Jeff Gerke Sav…

1
Guest Jonathan Janz! (Children of the Dark) 1:01:02

4M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

Steve is back! This week Steve and Tananarive talk to horror writer Jonathan Janz -- high school teacher by day, horror writer by night -- who recently revealed his true identity after writing under a pseudonym. His novel CHILDREN OF THE DARK was recently reissued. On making his mark, why he loves horror, and balancing his work, family and writing …

1
Guest Lamar Giles! Ruin Road - On Writing YA (Horror) 52:43

4M ago52:43

52:43

In this episode, award-winning YA author Lamar Giles talks about writing YA horror aimed at Black boys -- his road from self-publication to fighting his way into mainstream publishing with FAKE ID and THE GETAWAY. His upcoming novel, RUIN ROAD, is a great read blending a demon's curse with true-life issues facing Black teens. On his secret to succe…

1
Imagining Success with Beverly Jenkins 47:36

5M ago47:36

47:36

“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here. In this interview, I speak with legendary romance author Beverly Jenkins about the power of representation, her unique relationship with her readers, and why…

1
Guest Alma Katsu! (The Hunger, Red London) - On Genre Jumping 1:07:36

5M ago1:07:36

1:07:36

Tananarive talks to award-winning author Alma Katsu (The Hunger, The Fervor, Red London) about her unique career both as a horror writer and her spy novels powered by her former career in national intelligence. On the challenges of straddling both genres and her rise to success...and how The Fervor drew upon her Japanese background in a horror nove…

1
Best of Lifewriting: LeVar Burton! 1:02:45

5M ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Steve and Tananarive talk to actor LeVar Burton about his career spanning from 1977's adaptation of Alex Haley's ROOTS, where he played Kunta Kinte in an iconic role at the age of only 19, to the recent Star Trek: The Next Generation cast reunion where he reprised his role as Giordi La Forge for Star Trek: Picard. He also discusses Jeopardy and tak…

1
Revising the Outline 25:26

5M ago25:26

25:26

Watch on YouTube Mentioned: Imaginary Worldbuilding course Zcal Meeting Scheduler - https://zcal.co/ My interview on the Wish I’d Known podcast Washington Post mention! https://www.washingtonpost.com/books/2024/02/11/romantasy-explainer-maas-yarros/ - Gift article link: https://wapo.st/3uJ2YkN https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/ Grammar refresher …

1
Guest Joe Hill! (The Black Phone, The Fireman, NOS4A2) 1:05:35

5M ago1:05:35

1:05:35

In this episode, Tananarive and Steve talk to #1 New York Times bestselling author Joe Hill (The Black Phone, The Fireman, Strange Weather, NOS4A2) about how his first major success was followed by his life's darkest times, the power of horror and the horror community, and how he's balancing his life with new twins. He also talks about how much he …

1
Imagining Success with Mary Robinette Kowal 37:54

5M ago37:54

37:54

“Imagining Success” is an interview series where I talk to authors who have achieved career milestones that others only dream about and ask them how they got there and where they go from here. In this interview, I speak with award-winning SFF author Mary Robinette Kowal about the meaning of success and how it evolves over time. She discusses the mo…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Horror Noire and Adaptation! (Victor LaValle and Stephanie Malia Morris) 1:05:48

5M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to award-winning author Victor LaValle and burgeoning writer Stephanie Malia Morris about their experiences with Shudder/AMC's Black Horror anthology film, Horror Noire. Steve, Tananarive ("The Lake" / "Fugue State") and Victor ("Daddy") adapted their own short stories for Horror Noire, and Stephanie was a…

1
Getting Early Feedback on an Outline 23:20

6M ago23:20

23:20

Watch on YouTube Mentioned: How to Revise Your Novel workshop Imaginary Worldbuilding course - https://lpen.co/worlds Story Seed workbook - https://lpen.co/storyseed Enneagrams - https://www.crystalknows.com/enneagram/types Pro Writing Aid's romance week - https://lpen.co/romanceweek All the Sinners Bleed by SA Cosby - (Amazon), (Bookshop) The My I…

1
Marc Bernardin! (Star Wars: Mace Windu) 1:06:55

6M ago1:06:55

1:06:55

In this episode, veteran television and comic writer Marc Bernardin (Star Trek: Picard, Castle Rock) discusses his journey from being a journalist to a television writer, how he started writing for Star Trek, his secrets to succeeding in Hollywood, the state of the industry - and his new Star Wars: Mace Windu comic! LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://…

1
Cynthia Pelayo! (The Shoemaker's Magician) 57:10

6M ago57:10

57:10

Tananarive and Steve talk to poet and author Cynthia Pelayo, the first Latina Bram Stoker Award (2022) winner. The author of CRIME SCENE, CHILDREN OF CHICAGO and THE SHOEMAKER'S MAGICIAN talks about the challenges of growing up in inner city Chicago, balancing her growing popularity with being a wife and mother, and the support of the horror commun…

1
On Addressing Feedback Without Losing Your Way 57:08

6M ago57:08

57:08

What does every writer get that every writer hates - but every writer needs? It's NOTES. Strong feedback is the most effective to grow as a writer, but getting feedback can also feel like getting your guts clawed out. How do writers know which notes to listen to and which notes to ignore? Why can't execs just leave our "perfects" scripts alone alre…

1
Crafting the Villain 22:48

6M ago22:48

22:48

Watch in YouTube: https://youtu.be/DeIidsoalEY - Footnotes newsletter - https://myimaginaryfriends.net/footnotes - Savage City is on sale! - https://books2read.com/savagecity - Preordder Daughter of the Merciful Deep - https://lpenelope.com/book/daughter-of-the-merciful-deep/ Mentioned: - Bookbub - ebook deals - Scribecount - track book sales - FaR…

1
Guest Shane Hawk! - Never Whistle At Night (Indigenous Horror) 42:54

6M ago42:54

42:54

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Shane Hawk, a horror author and co-editor of NEVER WHISTLE AT NIGHT, a bestselling Indigenous horror anthology with an introduction from Stephen Graham Jones. Hawk, who is of Cheyenne-Arapaho, Hidatsa and Citizen Potawatomi descent, is a history teacher by day and a horror writer by night. Hawk's litera…

1
Starting A New Novel From The Beginning. Again. 25:09

7M ago25:09

25:09

Pre-order Daughter of the Merciful Deep – coming June 4, 2024 Pre-order Brutal Fortress – get it from me March 1 and everywhere March 15! Mentioned: Bridgerton Tea photos - https://www.instagram.com/p/C2GS35brisd/ Bookbub - https://www.bookbub.com/ FaRoFeb (Fantasy Romance February) - https://farofeb.com/ Scapple - https://www.literatureandlatte.co…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Hollywood Horror Stories! 1:01:47

7M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

After a recent setback, in this Best of Lifewriting episode from April of 2022 Steve and Tananarive look back their history in Hollywood and moments when everything went wrong. Plus, tips for coping with stress as artists trying to navigate new, difficult territory - including visualization exercises. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www.speakpipe.c…

1
Ezra Claytan Daniels! (The People Under the Stairs & Upgrade Soul) 59:21

7M ago59:21

59:21

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to author and screenwriter Ezra Claytan Daniels, who is in Jordan Peele’s “Out There Screaming” Black Horror anthology and has also been tapped by Monkeypaw Productions to write the reboot of Wes Craven’s classic THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS. They talk about how he broke into Hollywood with his award-winnin…

1
Which One Are You Feeding? 25:29

7M ago25:29

25:29

Watch on Youtube! - Become an Imaginary Best Friend: https://myimaginaryfriends.net/footnotes - Revision Workshop: Monday, January 24, 2024 at 7pm ET - Imaginary Worldbuilding cohort - https://learn.myimaginaryfriends.net/courses/imaginary-worldbuilding - Pre-order Daughter of the Merciful Deep - coming June 4, 2024 - Pre-order Brutal Fortress - ge…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Make Your Short Film! (Guest Luchina Fisher) 1:01:22

7M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

In this Best of Lifewriting episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to director Luchina Fisher THE DADS/NETFLIX, MAMA GLORIA) about the importance of making short films -- not just for filmmakers, but for writers. Luchina's previous short, TEAM DREAM, was produced by Queen Latifah. Advice on how even a novice can make their own short film! This replay m…

1
Guest Linda D. Addison! (On Befriending Your Demons) 59:21

7M ago59:21

59:21

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Horror Writers Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner Linda D. Addison, a poet and writer whose collections include How to Recognize a Demon Has Become Your Friend. On her pioneering work as a Black horror creative, how she pushed past her scary bout of early COVID in 2020, and how she has moved …

1
Our 102nd Episode Celebration! 58:27

8M ago58:27

58:27

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive celebrate their 102nd episode with reminiscences and clips of past guests: Roy Wood, Jr., comic/actress Naomi Ekperigin, Patton Oswalt, New York Times bestseller Leigh Bardugo, Hollywood writer/showrunner Rodney Barnes, and excerpts from a 2000 interview with Octavia E. Butler. Thanks so much to all of you for …

1
Guest Aaron Covington! (CREED) 1:01:14

8M ago1:01:14

1:01:14

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to screenwriter Aaron Covington, who met director Ryan Coogler while in grad school at USC -- and they collaborated on CREED. (Which, as Steve points out, was the FIRST film with a love scene with a Black man that earned over $100 million. Even Aaron didn't know this!) On creating CREED, working in Hollywo…

1
The Manuscript Strikes Back! 20:10

8M ago20:10

20:10

Watch in YouTube Mentioned: My other podcast! Ink and Magic Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh Pre-order my new book, Daughter of the Merciful Deep My upcoming revision course – https://myimaginaryfriends.net/revision Final Imaginary Worldbuilding course cohort in January – https://lpen.co/worlds My author newsletter: https://lpenelope.com/newsl…

1
Guest Daniel Kraus! (Whalefall) 59:08

8M ago59:08

59:08

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to bestselling author Daniel Kraus, whose novel WHALEFALL recently was featured on the cover of the New York Times Book Review. On horror, defeating genre bias, highs and lows during his book tour, writing -- and his experiences finishing novels by icon George A. Romero. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL at https://www…

1
Best of Lifewriting: On Fighting Fear! 57:45

8M ago57:45

57:45

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive share their past personal and professional fears and how they have overcome them. Tananarive explains the relationship between her fears and her path as a horror writer. Also: a listener voicemail! You can leave us a voicemail too - https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast (We might play your message!) Lear…

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