Creative Ops: Writer Interviews

ZERO is a fantastic beat producer in Grand Rapids, MI. His energetic performances are mesmerizing. I liken watching him play his drum machine to watching Stevie Wonder play the piano. Those performances, coupled with award winning music, are a can't-miss. Follow ZERO on his Instagram @zerodgaf to keep up with what's going on and to see some examples of his performing and musical abilities. He's on Twitter and Facebook as well, if you're not into the whole Instagram thing. . . . Thanks for listening. Check out more show stuff, listen to some original music, and take a gander at my time travel novel at http://www.christophertallon.com. Follow me on IG, FB, Twitter, & TT: @tallonwrites . . . Shout outs to Dante Cope, Wuzee, Beatrat, and DJ Phazer.

In times where our divisions are highlighted in the media constantly, Brennen Matthews book, "Miles to Go: An African Family in Search of America Along Route 66", offers a different, more united version of America. One through the lens of a family who, by according to some "SHOULD have been" victims of prejudicial treatment (an African bi-racial family in America), saw nothing but beauty all throughout middle-America and its inhabitants and travelers. Hear about his experiences working in charity, journalism, and how he and his wife decided to take a road trip across a country native to NEITHER of them with their young son, which was then documented beautifully in Brennen Matthews book, "Miles to Go: An African Family in Search of America Along Route 66", which he talks about researching, traveling, and writing about. Amongst other things. . . . BRENNEN MATTHEWS Get your copy of: Miles to Go: An African Family in Search of America Along Route 66 on Amazon. Visit http://www.brennenmatthews.com, check out his IG and FB, and keep the travel train going at ROUTE MAGAZINE!

Jacqueline Gray Miller is a writer, producer, educator, humanitarian, environmentalist, intimacy coordinator, law scholar, media professional, and a ton of other stuff. You may know her from Roy's Job Fair, the podcast she co-hosts with Roy Wood, Jr. (from two of my favorite shows: The Daily Show and This Isn't Happening), where a group of funny, insightful people (and guests) explore the human condition every week through the prism of employment. Go to Jacqueline's website for blogs, social links, and everything else you'd want and/or need to know: https://jacquelinegraymiller.space/ Also, JG wants you to check out Robert Greene! . . . Thanks for listening. For anything else (including my book!) visit: http://www.christophertallon.com

Three podcasts are represented on this one: The Reluctant Book Marketer, Author Your Dream, and (duh…) Creative Ops. Jody Sperling, Kenny MacKay, and I let you in on a marketing meeting between podcasters. Jody and Kenny are both in the business of helping authors grow their audience. Now we're trying to grow our own. . . . Jody Sperling, THE RELUCTANT BOOK MARKETER @jodyjsperling on Twitter and Instagram  . . . Kenny MacKay, AUTHOR YOUR DREAM @PodcastAuthor on Twitter; @author_your_dream on Instagram . . . Get my book, follow me on the interweb, and see who's been on the show at http://www.christophertallon.com  

Marston Hefner (yes…son of Hugh Hefner) is an extremely talented writer. His upcoming book of flash fiction is called High School Romance. I was fortunate to get an advanced copy. It's fantastic. Yes, you get an insight into the private lives of famous people, but more than that, you get to see them as real people. And you get to see straight up fiction that ranges from avante garde to offbeat science-fiction/romance and many things in-between. . . . Check out Marston online: marstonhefner.com | Twitch | YouTube | Twitter . . . Get more info AND buy his book HERE . . . See Marston read live: September 1 at Book Soup in Los Angeles: https://www.booksoup.com/event/marston-hefner September 8 at Stories Books in Los Angeles: https://storiesla.com/events/19616   . . . Thanks for listening. Stop by http://www.christophertallon.com for my book info, social links, a blog, and more. See ya later!  

Shawn Burgess is a horror writer from Jacksonville, FL. His first novel is The Tear Collector. I read it. It's fantastic. You should, too. He just release a prequel and has a sequel coming out in the fall of '22. This should be in your TBR (to be read) pile. Listen to us talk about horror as a genre, how we approach writing, and you might just catch the exact moment where we officially became friends… Thanks for listening, folks. Thanks for coming on, Shawn. . . . Here's Shawn's Socials: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter . . . Here's Shawn's Links: Visit http://www.shawnburgessauthor.com! Get his book Buy THE TEAR COLLECTOR here! Free e-book link for SOUR ROOTS . . . From Christopher Tallon (Host): Thanks for listening. I appreciate you. And thanks for spreading the word, subscribing to the show, and supporting me and my guests on social media. All music is by me, except the end song HAHAHA, which is by Kirk Ross, using samples from Creative Ops. Thanks Kirk! I write blogs, books, and do social media stuff. Here's proof: My Novel | Goodreads | Twitter | FaceBook | Instagram | TikTok | Podcast . . . Thanks! -CT

It's been a week since my book, Switchers, released for purchase. Jennifer Soucy really helped me get my sh*t together in regards to that novel. She was somewhere between beta reader and editor. Then she introduced me to fellow writer (and my ACTUAL editor) TJ Tranchell. We talk about other creatives like Brandon Scott, Kirk Ross, and Shawn Burgess. I'll put links to all their stuff, along with Jen's books, and…of course…MY BOOK down at the bottom. Thanks for listening. Thanks for checking out SWITCHERS, whether you buy it or read it on Kindle Unlimited. Thanks for being awesome. .  .  . Please buy my book, Switchers. I have info and links at http://www.christophertallon.com. There are paperbacks, ebooks, and, if you want one, autographed copies! I'm @tallonwrites on all social media! .  .  . CHECK OUT JENNIFER SOUCY! Jennifer Soucy: http://www.jenniferlsoucy.com @bansheetales on Twitter and Facebook @therealjenwah on Instagram .  .  . CHECK OUT THE OTHER PEOPLE WE TALKED ABOUT TJ Tranchell: http://www.tjtranchell.net Kirk Ross: http://www.youtube.com/c/ATalkInTheAttic Brandon Scott: Buy his books on Amazon Shawn Burgess: http://www.shawnburgessauthor.com

Switchers is available to the masses! And here to discuss this is TJ Tranchell. TJ is an author, professor, and editor. The last one is the focus today as we get together to chat about my book, Switchers, which is available for purchase as of today on E-BOOK as well as PAPERBACK. Go to http://www.christophertallon.com for more about the book, and follow me on any/all of your favorite social media spots @TallonWrites. For more about TJ, visit http://www.tjtranchell.net.

Jody Sperling was successfully playing the real estate game when he decided to sell his properties one by one and commit to writing and podcasting. Crazy, right? Crazy like a FOX! Jody's podcast, THE RELUCTANT BOOK MARKETER, gives authors, new and experienced, tools to better market their books (thereby doing better business and growing their audience). Get a peek at some of Jody's writing that appeared in BULL called "Valesco". Find Jody on Twitter: @jodyjsperling  .   .   . Thanks for listening! For more info on Creative Ops, OR if you're interested in my novel Switchers, check out all the links and info at http://www.christophertallon.com.

Ashley Grant is my "bloggy friend" and fellow podcaster. We talked about blog-centric stuff on her podcast The Bloggy Friends Show. Now she's a guest here and we talk about finding your path in life, blogging, ghostwriting, where to get writing gigs, freelancing, moving around the country, podcasting, and more. Find Ashley here: Twitter – @AshleyisFamous Facebook – @FamousAshleyGrant Instagram – @famousashleygrant Personal Website – FamousAshleyGrant.com Bloggy Friends Website – BloggyFriends.com Ashley would like to give a shout-out to Alex Fasulo and her Freelance Fairytales Podcast for anyone looking to get into freelance work.

Author, Actor, & Academic, TJ Tranchell came on the podcast to discuss his book TELL NO MAN, as well as his writing process, upcoming projects (so exciting!), acting, teaching at a community college, dropping out of school, providing professional writing services, and much more. Check out his website: http://www.tjtranchell.net Buy his books on Amazon, I highly recommend TELL NO MAN. Look for him on Instagram (@t.j.tranchell), Facebook (@TJTranchell), and Twitter (@TJ_Tranchell). Thanks to TJ for the chat, thanks to you for listening in, and HUGE thanks to anyone who will or has left a review AND rating on Apple podcasts or wherever you get the show. Enjoy!

Fable the Poet (aka Marcel Price) became the Poet Laureate of Grand Rapids, MI in 2017. At the time, he was GR's first black PL. He was the first PL to not graduate from college. On top of that he was also the youngest PL in city history. Now he works with The Diatribe, mainly focusing on improving the south side and educating people about GENTRIFICATION and REDLINING. Check out The 49507 Project. Marcel Price / Fable the Poet: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter The Diatribe: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, SUPPORT!

Hey folks! My writing buddies who are farther along in their careers are helping me out with some publishing DOs and DON'Ts. As I get good advice, I'll share it. Here's bits of a phone conversation I had with the amazing Joshua Marsella. So listen up if you're thinking of self-publishing, or if you're curious what goes into it. Follow Joshua Marsella on social media @JoshuaMarsella on Twitter, @joshua_marsella on instagram, and buy his books on his Amazon page! Thanks everyone. Happy Thanksgiving! (Even to the Canadians!)

Joshua Marsella is an Army veteran turned stay-at-home dad and horror author. His books "Scratches" and "Severed" are making a lot of noise on the indie horror scene. We talk about his military experience, struggles and triumphs with mental health, and OF COURSE his creative process as a writer. Books, films, adaptations, Stephen frigging King, military stories, dad stories, being a creative writer, and lots more. Such a nice guy. I hope you enjoy the interview and decide to check out one and/or all of his books. Lastly, be on the lookout for his collection HUNGER FOR DEATH when it becomes available on Halloween 2021 (mwah-ha-ha!). . . . SOCIAL LINKS Joshua Marsella on: Instagram Twitter Amazon Links  

Kyd Kane is a poet, artist, and educator. She was the first spoken word artist to make the finals in ArtPrize. Recently she became Grand Rapids' first black, queer, female poet laureate. Since then she's made her it mission to elevate poetry (and poets) in the city, do something different with (for) the laureateship, and challenge privilege. Check out Kyd Kane at http://www.kydsaidit.com Check out the show at http://www.christophertallon.com Buy the host a coffee at http://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeops   Thanks folks! -CT

Jennifer Soucy is an excruciatingly talented woman. In her novels, she has a darkly poetic style that delivers intense emotion while, at the same time, keeps an expert eye on the pace and flow of the action. She writes strong and complex female leads that guys and girls alike love to follow on their dark adventures. Jen highlights the best and worst of humanity in a way you can't help but pay attention and keep flipping pages. She's truly a writers' writer. Hear her thoughts on horror, books, movies (especially remakes…), the writing process, editing, publishing, promoting, and everything else an up-and-coming indie writer has to think about these days. … JENNIFER SOUCY: http://www.jenniferlsoucy.com Twitter: @bansheetales Facebook: @bansheetales Insta: @therealjenwah … CHRISTOPHER TALLON: http://www.christophertallon.com Insta: @christopher_tallon Twitter: @TallonWrites FB: @TallonWrites … CREATIVE OPS: http://www.creativeops.podbean.com http://www.christophertallon.com/creative-ops-podcast http://www.buymeacoffee.com/creativeops

Brandon Scott is an amazingly talented (and very nice) guy. He joined me from North Carolina to talk about his books, style, influences, publishing projects, and writing process. His book Vodou was #1 on the Amazon charts at the time of the interview, and his sequel Sleight just arrived in my mailbox yesterday. I started it, it's AMAZING, can't wait to finish it. Check this guy out–he's the real deal, people! You Can Order Brandon's Books on Amazon, then follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and FaceBook. Thanks for checking out the show. Follow Creative Ops on IG, FB, and Twitter, too! Go to ChristopherTallon.com for show info, to contact the show, and just because it's the right thing to do. Last but not least, the sponsors & supporters: Baby Farm Soaps – The. Best. Soaps. Other great products, too!!!  River Town Adventures – Best outdoor experience in mid-Michigan. Award winning, locally owned. Hey Guys Media Group – They helped me make my podcast; let them help you make yours!

Hey folks, I totally nerded out while talking to fellow writer Jennifer Soucy. She's an amazing talent and a very nice person. She's got an interesting story, and a lot to say about writing. Her horror debut is titled Demon in Me, and it's amazing! She's the real deal. Check her out at http://www.jenniferlsoucy.com to learn more. Want to connect with her via social media? Find her on Instagram @therealjenwah, FaceBook @bansheetales, and Twitter @bansheetales. Then go order her book on Amazon…NOW!   Learn more about Creative Ops at my website http://www.christophertallon.com, and reach out on social media: Instagram | @christopher_tallon FaceBook | @TallonWrites Twitter | @TallonWrites Enjoy!