Prickly Pens Podcast is a platform of discussions with three friends who are also authors on the writing journey: Michelle Monkou, Julia Canchola, Gabby Samuels. During each episode, each co-host will add to the discussion around, not only the writing journey, but issues and topics of our lives. Michelle Monkou is a multi-published author, USA TODAY Best Selling author, and former president and board member of Romance Writers of America (RWA). She has published over 25 titles and currently w ...
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EP. 95 - We Read Amish Tripathi's 'Shiva Trilogy' & Announcement
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This week, we talk about the first book of Amish Tripathi's 'Shiva Trilogy'. Shiva Trilogy Social Media: Aria Bancroft IG Gabby's IG Julia's IG Stay Prickly~
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EP. 94 - Book Reviews: 'The Stolen Wealth of Slavery' & 'African Europeans'
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This week, we talk about "The Stolen Wealth of Slavery: A Case for Reparations" by David Montero and African Europeans: An Untold Story by Olivette Otele. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 93 - Talking About Dune: Part 2
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This week, we talk about Dune: Part 2. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 92 - Our Thoughts on Romantasy/Romantic Fantasy
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This week, we talk about the growing popularity of the romantasy sub-genre. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 91 - Love For Found Footage Movies
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This week, we talk about found footage films. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 90 - Romantic Comedies Through The Decades
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This week, we talk about romantic comedies through the decades and Valentine's Day. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 89 - Talking About Hank Green's "An Absolutely Remarkable Thing"
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This week, we talk about Hank Green's "An Absolutely Remarkable Thing" book 1 of the Carl Saga. An Absolutely Remarkable Thing Check out Vlogbrothers Project For Awesome Partners For Health Stay Prickly~
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EP. 88 - Tropes We Hope Go Away in 2024
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Happy 2024! This week, we talk about tropes, themes, and plot point we hope disappear in 2024. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we talk about our thoughts on 2023 and talk about our favorite books, films, and tv shows. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we talk about the holiday movies we watched this year and some holiday traditions from around the world. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 85 - Why Action Adventure Stories Are So Fun
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This week, we talk about action adventure stories and why we love the genre. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 84 - Love for The Fall of the House of Usher
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This week, we gush over Mike Flanagan's The Fall of the House of Usher. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 83 - Discussing 'A Million Miles Away'
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This week, we talk about the biopic A Million Miles Away based on Mexican-American astronaut Jose M. Hernandez's autobiography 'Reaching for the Stars.' Stay Prickly~
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EP. 82 - Why Cosmic Horror Is So Compelling
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This week, we discuss cosmic horror and all of the elements that are now in modern horror. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we discuss The Ritual, the book by Adam Nevill and the 2017 film adaptation. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 80 - Are Classics Still Worth Reading?
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This week, we talk about classic literature and whether they are still relevant. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 79 - Discussing: Annihilation, Jack Reacher, & Red, White, & Royal Blue
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This week, we talk about some movies & books we enjoyed: Annihilation, Jack Reacher, and Red, White, & Royal Blue. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we talk about our favorite underrated books, films, TV shows, and video games. Underrated Favorites: The World's End Stonehearst Asylum Oldboy Miracle Workers Severance Alice in Borderland Prey (video game) A Discovery of Witches The Eight Stay Prickly~
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This week, we talk about realty TV, how it came about and its impact on TV and society today. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we talk about time travel stories. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we discuss the HBO series, True Blood. Stay Prickly~By Michelle Monkou, Gabby Samuels, Julia Canchola
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EP. 74 - The Second Stone with Fantasy Author L.L. Stephens
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This week, we are joined by fantasy author L.L. Stephens, discussing her 3rd book in the Triempery Series, "The Second Stone." To Connect with L.L. Stephens: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Stay Prickly~
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EP. 73 - We Talk About Police Procedural
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This week, we explore police procedural and talk about some of our favorite shows. Stay Prickly~By Michelle Monkou, Gabby Samuels, Julia Canchola
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This week, we talk about what we've been talking about over our hiatus and our recommendations. Stay Prickly~
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This week, we're back from our hiatus. Listen to our recap and plans going forward for the podcast. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~By Michelle Monkou, Gabby Samuels, Julia Canchola
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EP. 70 - Review of "The Elven" by Bernhard Hennen & New Year!
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This week, we discussed fantasy book "The Elven" by Bernhard Hennen & James A. Sullivan, translated by Edwin Miles. We loved it! We also make a big announcement! Happy New Year! Buy "The Elven" on Amazon To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~…
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EP. 69 - Holiday Movies We Watched in 2022
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This week, we chat about the holiday movies we watched this year and our recommendations. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~
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This week, we talk about the found family plot device/trope in storytelling. We also chat about some of our favorite stories with found family. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~
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EP. 67 - Our Love of Sherlock Holmes
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This week, we talk about Sherlock Holmes and the many adaptations. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~
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EP. 66 - Here Be Dragons: Dragons in Storytelling
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This week, we talk about dragons and similar reptilian monsters in storytelling. We discuss dragons in folklore and their transition as folk monsters to prominent prominent antagonists in fantasy stories. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~…
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This week, we talk about the Man vs. Nature plot. We discuss why man vs. nature stories are so popular, analyze the theme, and their development into the disaster movie. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~
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EP. 64 - Spiders in Stories & Why They're So Creepy
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This week, we discuss spiders in folklore, literature, and storytelling overall. We talk about why they're used so much in stories, our generally negative perspective, and what it means in our storytelling. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~ Stay Prickly~…
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EP. 63 - "Big Chicas Don't Cry" by Annette Chavez Macias
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This week, we talk about "Big Chicas Don't Cry" by Annette Chavez Macias. The story focuses on four cousins , Mari, Erica, Selena, and Gracie, where they navigate love, loss, and the meaning of family in a heartfelt family drama. We discuss our opinions on the story and what we enjoyed about it. If you want to pick up Big Chicas Don't Cry: Amazon B…
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EP. 62 - The Iron Crown with L. L. MacRae & RJ Bayley
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This week, we are joined by fantasy author L. L. MacRae and audiobook narrator/voice actor RJ Bayley. We discuss MacRae's The Iron Crown, Book1 of the Dragon Spirits series. We also discuss the audiobook of The Iron Crown narrated by RJ Bayley. The Iron Crown & the audiobook is available now >> Here To Connect with L. L. MacRae: Website Twitter Ins…
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EP. 61 - The Art of Fear: Why Horror Scares Us
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This week, we discuss what makes Us so scared when watching/reading a horror story. We talk about the art of writing fear and how some monsters stay so memorable. We also chat about our favorite horror movies, shows, and games. Happy Halloween! To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~…
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EP. 60 - The World Is Full of Fairy Stories
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This week, we talk about fairies in folklore and literature. We discuss the history and origins of fairies in worldwide human folklore and how it developed into being part of so many modern stories. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~…
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EP 59 - The History of Book Banning & Burning
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This week, we discuss the damaging history of book banning and burnings. We also talk about the cultural impact of book banning, the destruction of other art overall, and today's new wave of book banning as a means of control. To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~…
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EP. 58 - Man vs. Self story theme with Intuitive Coach Allison Sutter
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This week, we are joined by intuitive and spiritual mentor and coach Allison Sutter. We discuss Sutter's book "Accelerate Your Mojo," changing your perceptive, and accepting one's self. To connect with Allison Sutter: Website Facebook Instagram Youtube To Connect with Prickly Pens: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Pr…
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EP. 57 - "Children of War" Anthology w/ Astrid V. J., Joan T. Seko, & M.J. Krause-Chivers, Elena Shelest, et al
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This week, we are joined by authors Astrid V. J., Joan T. Seko, and M. J. Krause-Chivers. We discuss their contributions to the "Children of War" anthology. In the "Children of War" anthology, a diverse group of authors from around the globe bring you a multi-genre collection of short stories about children trapped in war. Includes literary fiction…
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EP. 56 - Welcome to L.L. Stephens' Triempery Revelations epic fantasy series
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This week, we are joined by L. L. Stephens. We discuss Stephens' beautifully written, epic, age fantasy "Sordaneon," Book1 of 'The Triempery Revelations' series, diving int, story development, world building, lore, themes, and future plans of the awesome series. Book 2 - The Kheld King is now available on Amazon To Connect with L. L. Stephens: Webs…
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EP. 55 - Space Operas & Military Veteran Romance with Author A.M. Scott
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This week, we are joined by A.M. Scott, author of the Folding Space series, starting with "Lightwave: Clock," & military veteran romance under Anne M. Scott. We chat about Scott's space operas, military veteran romance, love of science fiction, career as an US Air Force Operator, hobbies, inspirations and charity work with Team Rubicon. To connect …
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EP. 54 - Monsters of the Water: Mermaids, Nymphs, & Selkies
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This week, we talk about aquatic monsters and myths, Mermaids, Nymphs, Selkies, and Harpies. To connect Prickly Pens Podcast: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~
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EP. 53 - In Defense Of The Classic Hero
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Happy 1 Year Anniversary! This week, we talk about our love and defense of the 'Hero' in literature. We discuss why true and good heroes are still important, complex, and still worth exploring in contemporary stories. Thanks for listening! To connect Prickly Pens Podcast: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com Stay Prickly~…
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EP. 52 - Sea Monster Stories: Krakens & Leviathan
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This week, we talk about sea monster stories centered around the kraken and leviathan. We discuss the differences of the the kraken and leviathan, how creepy the open ocean can be, and the great stories that can grow from it. Stay Prickly~
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EP. 51 - Dystopian Settings in Science Fiction
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This week, we chat about the dystopian setting, how they're used in storytelling and how they're almost a character of their own. We also discuss how science fiction settings in stories show how different eras fantasized the idea of "futuristic" technology. To connect Prickly Pens Podcast: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email: thatjoyfulspark@gmail.com…
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EP. 50 - Discussing Career and Self Publishing with Joanna Penn
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This week, we chat with award-winning podcaster and creative entrepreneur, Joanna Penn, who writes non-fiction for authors. Joanna is also an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. We discuss Joanna's career, the early days of self publishing, and the growth of the self publishing industry. To connect…
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EP. 49 - Man Vs. Science/Tech: Stories About Man's Hubris
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This week, we talk about the man vs. science/tech' themes and stories in science fiction. We discuss the points the stories try to get across, how it reflects society, and how it has become a compelling and popular plot device. First photos of the James Webb Space Telescope >>> NASA To connect Prickly Pens Podcast: Twitter Instagram Facebook Email:…
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EP. 48 - Fun Chat with Author Patricia McLinn
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This week, we are joined by women's fiction, romance, and mystery fiction author Patricia McLinn. We discuss McLinn's writing journey, the methods of plotting and story development, and her inspiration for writing. Latest releases: "Proof of Innocence," of the Innocence Trilogy & "Cross Talk" part of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series To connect wit…
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EP. 47 - Amazing Chat with Author Eileen Charbonneau
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This week, we are joined by award-winning historical fiction and young adult writer Eileen Charbonneau, discussing heritage, exploring family stories, and past and writing projects. To connect with Eileen Charbonneau: Website: https://eileencharbonneau.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EileenCharbonneauAuthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/eilee…
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EP. 46 - Discussing Man vs. Beast Stories
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This week, we chat about what makes Man vs. Beast stories so compelling. From 'The Birds' to 'Jaws' to 'Alien' to 'Jurassic Park' we chat about why these themes keep us so enthralled in the story. Stay Prickly~
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