Caitlin Starling returns to Fictitious to talk about her new horror-tinged, sci-fi thriller, LAST TO LEAVE THE ROOM. We talk writing surreal scenes, and using a "load-bearing cat". About Last to Leave the Room The city of San Siroco is sinkin

Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey, THE DEAD TAKE THE A TRAIN co-authors

Oct 4th, 2023 49m 14s

Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey are both powerhouse bestselling authors in their own rights. Now, they’ve merged their considerable talents in cosmic horror and urban fantasy to create the new novel, THE DEAD TAKE THE A TRAIN. In a New York C

James L. Sutter, rpg co-creator of PATHFINDER and STARFINDER; author of DARKHEARTS

Sep 1st, 2023 1h 26m

In this episode we’re going to deviate a bit from the usual focus on fiction to talk about writing for tabletop roleplaying games and related media. RPGs have always been deeply interconnected with fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, and right now the

Greta Kelly, THE QUEEN OF DAYS author

Jul 31st, 2023 57m 3s

Greta Kelly returns to Fictitious to talk about her new fantasy novel, THE QUEEN OF DAYS. We discuss its origin as a NaNoWriMo project, developing a tightly-contained fantasy setting, and maintaining emotional drama in a fast-paced heist story.

Matt Wallace, SAVAGE CROWNS author

Jun 29th, 2023 1h 7m

Matt Wallace talks about his epic fantasy trilogy, THE SAVAGE REBELLION — which includes SAVAGE NATION, SAVAGE BOUNTY, and SAVAGE CROWNS, all available now from Saga Press. We discuss the series's examination of empire, historical influences, i

Bonus

Fictitious Returns from Hiatus!

Jun 28th, 2023 10m 47s

After a two-year hiatus, Fictitious returns to your podcast feeds. Host Adron Buske explains the reason for the break, and the return, and how the show will evolve going forward. For all my interviews, show info, and more, visit: https://fictit

Zen Cho, BLACK WATER SISTER author

Jun 11th, 2021 45m 58s

In this episode, I talk with Zen Cho, author of BLACK WATER SISTER. In this Malaysia-set urban fantasy, out-of-work college grad Jessamyn joins her struggling immigrant parents as they return to their home country. But for Jess, who’s been an A

Josh Malerman, GOBLIN author

Jun 8th, 2021 52m

In this episode I’m joined by Josh Malerman, author of GOBLIN. This uniquely design supernatural horror novel weaves 6 separate novellas together, each tale examining curious characters and disturbing circumstances in the isolated town of Gobli

Marissa Levien, THE WORLD GIVES WAY author

May 31st, 2021 56m 51s

I’m joined in this episode by Marissa Levien, author of THE WORLD GIVES WAY. In this debut science fiction novel, humanity is 150 years away from earth aboard an enormous generation ship, headed towards a distant planet. Inside, though, life co

Marina Lostetter, THE HELM OF MIDNIGHT author

May 24th, 2021 50m 21s

My guest this episode is Marina J. Lostetter, author of THE HELM OF MIDNIGHT. With a genre-defying blend of fantasy, thriller, and mystery, this novel follows a Regulator named Krona as she investigates the high profile heist of powerful magica

C. Robert Cargill, DAY ZERO author

May 17th, 2021 52m

My guest this episode is C. Robert Cargill, author of DAY ZERO — a prequel to the acclaimed SEA OF RUST. Cargill is also notable as the co-screenwriter of Marvel’s DR. STRANGE and the SINISTER movie franchise. It’s just a normal day in the futu

Suyi Davies Okungbowa, SON OF THE STORM author

May 10th, 2021 52m 18s

I’m joined in this episode by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of SON OF THE STORM. In the thriving but socially stratified city of Bassa, a young scholar named Danso struggles with family expectations and cultural pressures. Worse, he’s discovere

Genevieve Gornichec and Caitlin Starling, WALK AMONG US authors

May 3rd, 2021 42m 15s

My guests this episode are Caitlin Starling and Genevieve Gornichec, two of the authors of WALK AMONG US. This collection of novellas is set in the world of VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE, the popular modern horror roleplaying game franchise. (Content

Jackson Ford, EYE OF THE SH*T STORM author

Apr 26th, 2021 53m 58s

I’m joined in this episode by Jackson Ford, author of THE FROST FILES modern day sci-fi series, which follows the misadventures of telekinetic and involuntary government operative Teagan Frost. The series includes THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T W

J.S. Dewes, THE LAST WATCH author

Apr 22nd, 2021 39m 43s

I’m joined in this episode by J.S. Dewes, author of THE LAST WATCH. This science fiction adventure starts on the very edge of the universe, where a lonely military ship sits watch over the Divide. It’s a quiet, isolated life for a bunch of misf

Eli Brown, ODDITY author

Apr 16th, 2021 52m 31s

I’m joined in this episode by Eli Brown, author of ODDITY. This historical fantasy for young readers shows us an alternate 1800s North America where the Louisiana Purchase failed. With the land divided, the return of war between the States and

Neal Shusterman, GAME CHANGER author

Apr 10th, 2021 44m 30s

I’m joined in this episode by Neal Shusterman, author of GAME CHANGER. This young adult sci-fi novel follows Ash, a pretty average middle class kid with few ambitions beyond winning football games and hanging out with his friends. That all chan

Sarah Beth Durst, THE BONE MAKER author

Mar 29th, 2021 46m 36s

In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Beth Durst, author of THE BONE MAKER. In this standalone Fantasy novel, a team of renowned heroes are reunited after 25 years to avenge a painful loss and once again face a dangerous force of dark magic. But

C.L. Clark, THE UNBROKEN author

Mar 22nd, 2021 46m 29s

I’m joined in this episode by C.L. Clark, author of THE UNBROKEN, a brutal and complex military fantasy novel that follows a colonial soldier returned to the homeland she was stolen from, and a princess in search of a turncoat to help throw he

T. Frohock, A SONG WITH TEETH author

Mar 18th, 2021 49m 1s

In this episode, I’m joined by T. Frohock, author of the LOS NEFILIM series. This historical dark fantasy series—set first in 1930s Europe—started with the novellas IN MIDNIGHT’S SILENCE, WITHOUT LIGHT OR GUIDE, and THE SECOND DEATH. All of whi

Claire Holroyde, THE EFFORT author

Mar 11th, 2021 49m 50s

I’m joined in this episode by Claire Holroyde, author of THE EFFORT. In this spec-fic / sci-fi novel, the Earth is threatened by an extinction level event when an 8 kilometer “dark” comet emerges from behind the sun on a rapid collision course

Eugen Bacon, THE ROAD TO WOOP WOOP author

Mar 4th, 2021 44m 41s

I’m joined in this episode by Eugen Bacon, author of THE ROAD TO WOOP WOOP: AND OTHER STORIES. This collection of speculative short fiction features over 20 tales that blur the line between reality and mythology, full of humans possessed of unu

Nicky Drayden, ESCAPING EXODUS: SYMBIOSIS author

Feb 23rd, 2021 43m 29s

In this episode, I’m joined by Nicky Drayden, author of ESCAPING EXODUS, and its new sequel, SYMBIOSIS. This sci-fi duology explores a human civilization built entirely inside colossal, space-faring beasts. The impetuous young Seska Kayleigh is

Marshall Ryan Maresca, THE VELOCITY OF REVOLUTION author

Feb 16th, 2021 48m 37s

In this episode I’m joined by Marshall Ryan Maresca, author of THE VELOCITY OF REVOLUTION. This dieselpunk fantasy novel follows Wenthi, a loyal patrol officer and talented cycle rider, who is sent undercover to infiltrate revolutionary biker g

M.A. Carrick, THE MASK OF MIRRORS author

Feb 8th, 2021 1h

I’m joined in this episode by THE MASK OF MIRRORS author M.A. Carrick, which is a pseudonym for the co-writing team of Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms. The first book in the ROSE & ROOK fantasy trilogy, THE MASK OF MIRRORS follows Ren, a girl who