Best Tananarive Due Realm Podcasts (2024)

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

2h 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

4d 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

13h 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
Guest David Dastmalchian! (Late Night with the Devil) 57:02

7d 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

15d 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
Kat and Jazz from "Girl, That's Scary!" Podcast 49:18

21d 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

1M 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

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

1M 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

2M 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
Guest Alma Katsu! (The Hunger, Red London) - On Genre Jumping 1:07:36

2M 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

2M 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
Guest Joe Hill! (The Black Phone, The Fireman, NOS4A2) 1:05:35

2M 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
Best of Lifewriting: Horror Noire and Adaptation! (Victor LaValle and Stephanie Malia Morris) 1:05:48

3M 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
Marc Bernardin! (Star Wars: Mace Windu) 1:06:55

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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
Guest Shane Hawk! - Never Whistle At Night (Indigenous Horror) 42:54

4M 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
Best of Lifewriting - Hollywood Horror Stories! 1:01:47

4M 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

4M 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
Best of Lifewriting: Make Your Short Film! (Guest Luchina Fisher) 1:01:22

4M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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
Guest Daniel Kraus! (Whalefall) 59:08

6M 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

6M 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…

1
Guest Silvia Moreno-Garcia! (Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate) 53:30

6M ago53:30

53:30

In this "Ladies Only" episode, Tananarive talks to bestselling author Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Mexican Gothic, Silver Nitrate) about genre, her rise to the New York Times bestseller list, and the love of writing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Steven Barnes and Tananarive Due | Realm

1
Guests Omar Epps and Clarence A. Haynes! (NUBIA: The Reckoning) 1:01:37

6M ago1:01:37

1:01:37

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to actor (and author) Omar Epps and author Clarence A. Haynes about their Afrofuturistic NUBIA book series: Nubia: The Awakening and their new book, Nubia: The Reckoning. We couldn't talk about Omar's film and television career during the taping because of the SAG-AFTRA strike (which ended the very next da…

1
Best of Lifewriting: The Writers' Room Survival Guide! (Niceole Levy) 1:03:27

7M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Now that the WGA strike is over, writers are scrambling to try to get staffed or find jobs in TV writers' rooms. Whether you just love TV and want to know how it's written or you want to get into the industry, learn the secrets to success in a TV writers' room from screenwriter and author Niceole Levy, author of The Writers' Room Survival Guide. St…

1
On Tananarive's Novel THE REFORMATORY - and Turning Heartache to Horror 46:16

7M ago46:16

46:16

Tananarive spent more than seven years working on her new novel, THE REFORMATORY, which was inspired by true-life family history about her great-uncle Robert Stephens and the Dozer School for Boys in Marianna, FL. In this podcast, she and Steve talk about why it took so long to write, the Lifewriting tools she used to complete it, and how she's fig…

1
Our Favorite Horror Movies of 2023! 52:58

7M ago52:58

52:58

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about their favorite horror movies from 2023 - and a couple of misfires. Also, movies they didn't give enough love in 2022. Here's their list: The Blackening, Talk to Me, When Evil Lurks, M3GAN, Evil Dead Rise, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster, No One Will Save You, Knock at the Cabin, Wrath of Becky, …

1
Best of Lifewriting - Horror Movies You Should Watch (Or Rewatch) for Spooky Season! 1:00:45

7M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive let their horror nerd flags fly as they discuss the movies you must watch (or rewatch) for Spooky Season -- or all year long! The list includes (but is not limited to, and in no particular order): STEVE'S LIST: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper) Night of the Living Dead (George A. Romero) The Fly (David Cron…

1
Guest Zakiya Dalila Harris! (The Other Black Girl) 58:36

7M ago58:36

58:36

Steve and Tananarive talk to debut novelist Zakiya Dalila Harris about her New York Times bestselling novel THE OTHER BLACK GIRL - now also a critically acclaimed series on Hulu! She reveals how a rare Black co-worker's refusal to return "The Nod" led her to write her satirical thriller about a Black woman working at a publishing house...and the se…

1
The End of the WGA Strike! (And how the WGA's gains affect us all) 49:39

8M ago49:39

49:39

This week, Steve and Tananarive celebrate the end of the WGA strike! The power of unions, why the strike worked, and how the WGA's win affects not only other writers but all workers facing unfair working conditions. They also talk about going back to work: meeting with an executive overseeing an adaptation of one of Tananarive's most popular books!…

1
Secrets to Writing Great Science Fiction! 59:59

8M ago59:59

59:59

Steve and Tananarive follow up their Secrets to Writing Great Horror episode with new tips on writing great science fiction! What's the difference between science fiction and fantasy? What are their tips for science fiction writers? They discuss their own work and science fiction greats like Ray Bradbury and Octavia E. Butler. Perfect for writers o…

1
Guest Stephen Graham Jones! (The Only Good Indians, Don't Fear the Reaper) 1:06:28

8M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to Bram Stoker Award winner Stephen Graham Jones about his new book, DON'T FEAR THE REAPER, with the first Indigenous Final Girl, Jade Daniels. He shares his writing process, his love for slashers, his exploration of father-son relationships in his stories, and how his own personal promise to an elk he hun…

1
Guest Hilliard Guess! On the WGA Strike & Coping With Stress 1:12:46

8M ago1:12:46

1:12:46

Hilliard Guess, host of the hit podcast "Screenwriters' Rant Room," joins Steve and Tananarive to talk about where things stand with the WGA strike after more than 100 days, power dynamics in Hollywood, and his stress-coping tools to overcome his insecurities to become a screenwriter, producer and director. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit m…

1
It's Spooky Season! Secrets to Writing Great Horror 57:36

9M ago57:36

57:36

In this episode, pioneering science fiction author Steven Barnes and American Book Award winner Tananarive Due (your hosts!) break down the secrets to writing great horror: how to bring the scares and why strong characters matter so much in horror. Leave us a voicemail: https://www.speakpipe.com/LifewritingPodcast Learn more about your ad choices. …

1
Guest Gabino Iglesias! (The Devil Takes You Home: Bram Stoker Award winner) 1:01:44

9M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

In 2023, horror writer Gabino Iglesias, who is Puerto Rican, became the first Latino writer to win a Bram Stoker Award for Best Novel for THE DEVIL TAKES YOU HOME. Steve and Tananarive talk to Gabino about how his struggles with unemployment and losing his health insurance during COVID inspired him to finish his award-winning, why he loves horror, …

1
Guest Leigh Bardugo! (Six of Crows, Shadow and Bone, Hell Bent) 1:00:37

9M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

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 her work adapted for Netflix...and beyond! Also tips for writers and how she keeps herself balanced. Learn more about your ad choices…

1
Best of Lifewriting - Guest Nalo Hopkinson! 1:03:55

9M ago1:03:55

1:03:55

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to their friend Nalo Hopkinson, the award-winning Afrofuturist author of novels like SKIN FOLK, MIDNIGHT ROBBER and BROWN GIRL IN THE RING, named a Damon Knight Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America in 2020. She talks about overcoming homelessness, her journey in the arts, and transitionin…

1
On Building Better Characters - And a Better Life! 1:04:36

10M ago1:04:36

1:04:36

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive celebrate their 25th anniversary! They also break down how to make characters "pop" and how writers can use character-building tools to make themselves the heroes and heroines of their own stories to create better lives. (Also: a human wrote this, not Artificial Intelligence. So you know it's mostly accurate. M…

1
Best of Lifewriting: Guest Rodney Barnes! (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) 1:03:54

10M ago1:03:54

1:03:54

In this episode from March 27, 2022, Steve and Tananarive talk to writer Rodney Barnes (Executive Producer of "Winning Time: Rise of the Lakers Dynasty") about how Hollywood almost killed him and the steps he took to reclaim his joy and find his greatest voice as a writer. He also discusses his colorful history in Hollywood -- from being the stand-…

1
A.I. and the Writer 2.0! - Guest Robert Vamosi 1:00:25

10M ago1:00:25

1:00:25

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive expand their conversation about A.I. and writing to films and the future in general. Guest Robert Vamosi, a podcast host (The Hacker Mind), security analyst and science fiction writer, recalls his 1994 short story, "With or Without You," where he predicted a future of replacing actors digitally in filmmaking. A…

1
Surviving in the Arts! Guest Kevin Grevioux (Underworld) 58:16

10M ago58:16

58:16

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to actor, writer and producer Kevin Grevioux about his career: how Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing showed him he wanted to be a screenwriter, how he broke into the industry as an extra, and then ended up writing (and co-starring in) the vampire cult classic Underworld. From comics to screenplays, he shares …

1
A.I. and the Writer! 49:49

11M ago49:49

49:49

From the WGA strike and screenwriters' concerns about A.I. infiltrating writers' rooms to the recent class action lawsuit including former podcast guest Paul Tremblay against OpenAI and ChatGPT, A.I. and writers are on a collision course. Steve and Tananarive talk about the good and bad uses of A.I. for writers and how to prepare for the future. Le…

1
Best of Lifewriting: How to Murder Writer's Block In Its Sleep! 1:08:37

11M ago1:08:37

1:08:37

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about the dreaded Writer's Block: what they think it really is, when they have experienced it, and strategies for murdering it in its sleep so you can flow with joy no matter how high the stakes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1
Guest Zack Stentz! (X-Men: First Class, Fringe) - On Bouncing Back & the WGA Strike 55:58

11M ago55:58

55:58

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk to screenwriter Zack Stentz (X-Men: First Class, Agent Cody Banks, Fringe, Sarah Connor Chronicles) about how he broke into screenwriting, the "feast or famine" nature of Hollywood, and how he bounces back and keeps his balance during tough times. Also his thoughts on the state of the WGA Strike! Learn mor…

1
Horrors in Hollywood - Guest Maureen Ryan! (Burn It Down) 1:24:21

11M ago1:24:21

1:24:21

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
On Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse & the Joy of Inclusivity (Spoiler free!) 52:10

11M ago52:10

52:10

In this episode, Steve and Tananarive talk about bad behavior against picketers during the WGA strike and how much they both loved Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse! Not only is it a visual storytelling spectacle, but it's a testament to the power of inclusivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tananarive Due Realm Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide