Tell The Damn Story

Alex Simmons & Chris Ryan
  • 4.9 (12)
  • ARTS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is where we interview and discuss the challenges and successes of writing books, comics, films, and other creative arts and pop culture topics.

  1. 3D AGO

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 395: ep 395 (Pt 1): Master the Magic of Holiday Horror, How To Create Festive Yet Frightening Tales

    Welcome to a holiday edition of "Tell The Damn Story," where we explore the twists, turns, and often terrifying magic of crafting festive horror tales! In this very special episode, Chris Ryan and Alex Simmonss are joined by a powerhouse panel of storytellers—including Teel James Glenn, Marc Abbott, James Chambers, John Collins, and Steven Van Pattin. Together, they dive headfirst into the mysterious and eerie side of the holidays, discussing their experiences contributing to Soul Scream and Thylazine: Come All Ye Faithless, a collection brimming with holiday horror stories. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 7m

  2. DEC 14

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 394: From Page to Partnership, Navigating Marriage and Writing

    On this episode of Tell The Damn Story, hosts Lara Frater and John Frater join Chris Ryan and Alex Simmonss for a lively, revealing conversation that’s as much about relationships as it is about writing. With decades of combined experience across horror, sci-fi, nonfiction, and the world of gaming, Lara Frater and John Frater pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to build a marriage—and creative partnership—under one (occasionally noisy, cat-filled) roof. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    58 min

  3. DEC 7

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 393: From Comics to Chronicles - The Joys of Writing for a Young Audience

    "Writing for young readers isn’t about dumbing it down — it’s about tuning in..." In this episode of Tell the Damn Story, Chris and Alex dive into essential writing insights for anyone crafting stories for young readers. From understanding age-appropriate content to shaping characters and plots that truly resonate, they break down practical strategies emerging writers can put to work immediately. Along the way, Alex shares examples drawn from the origins and evolution of Kids Comic Con—showing how storytelling, community, and imagination come together to inspire the next generation. Whether you're developing a children's book, creating all-ages comics, or helping young writers find their voice, this episode delivers clear, actionable tips to strengthen your craft—plus a behind-the-scenes look at how events like Kids Comic Con help nurture young minds through story. Grab our 10 Tips Guide to: The Joys of Writing for a Young Audience Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    59 min

  4. NOV 30

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 392: Beyond the Page: Live Events and Their Hidden Opportunities For Writers, Part 2

    In PART TWO of this episode, hosts Alex and Chris continue their deep dive into the exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—world of live events (book fairs, signings, or conventions) for writers. Chris shares more of his firsthand experience at the New York City Indy Horror Book Fair, breaking down everything from finding affordable opportunities to the nitty-gritty logistics of setting up your table, choosing which books to bring, and connecting with readers in memorable ways. Alongside practical tips and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, Alex and Chris tackle common barriers writers face—like nerves, budgeting, and getting back out there post-pandemic. Plus, click here to get our can't-miss downloadable guides to book fair do's and don’ts. Book Fair Guide Do's Book Fair Guide Don'ts Whether you’re prepping for your first event or looking to up your game, this episode is your roadmap to making the most of every live opportunity. Hit play and get ready to take your writing beyond the page! Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS →⁠ ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    38 min

  5. NOV 30

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 392: "Beyond the Page - Live Events and Their Hidden Opportunities For Writers, Part 1"

    In this episode, hosts Alex and Chris dive deep into the exciting—and sometimes nerve-wracking—world of live events for writers. Whether you're an emerging author or a seasoned pro, stepping out from behind your desk to attend book fairs, signings, or conventions can be a game-changer for your writing career. Chris shares his firsthand experience at the New York City Indy Horror Book Fair, breaking down everything from finding affordable opportunities to the nitty-gritty logistics of setting up your table, choosing which books to bring, and connecting with readers in memorable ways. Alongside practical tips and laugh-out-loud anecdotes, Alex and Chris tackle common barriers writers face—like nerves, budgeting, and getting back out there post-pandemic. Part One of this episode is packed with actionable advice, including clever icebreakers, pricing strategies, and the importance of presentation. Plus, they tease what’s to come in Part 2 and a can't-miss downloadable guide to book fair do's and don’ts. Whether you’re prepping for your first event or looking to up your game, this episode is your roadmap to making the most of every live opportunity. Hit play and get ready to take your writing beyond the page! Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    41 min

  6. NOV 24

    Tell The Damn Story ep 391: Breaking Through the Block - Answers to 10 More Writers’ Most Agonizing Questions

    Struggling to turn that vague spark into a full story? Unsure how to build a hook, fix pacing, craft cinematic scenes, or write from a POV you haven’t lived?You’re not alone — and in this solo episode, Alex (with Chris away on a creative quest) dives into the questions that every emerging and aspiring writer wrestles with. In this bite-sized craft session, Alex breaks down: How to turn a vague idea into a full story What makes a hook irresistible How to create scenes that feel cinematic Ways to improve pacing in any genre When your story is actually ready to share How to write outside your own lived experience The most common beginner mistakes What “powerful storytelling” really means This is an honest, practical, compassionate conversation grounded in real writer struggles and decades of experience. If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or creatively overwhelmed, this one’s for you. Want a Writer's Block Breaking Guide from this episode? CLICK HERE! 👉 Got a question for TTDS? Send it in — Alex and Chris may answer it on the next episode. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    43 min

  7. NOV 16

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 390: Get Answers To Another Top 10 Questions Writers Ask

    “A short story is about one thing — one moment, one emotion, one change. Nail that and you’ve got a winner.” Are you a writer looking for answers on how to level up your craft? In this power-packed episode of Tell The Damn Story, we dive into another top 10 questions every emerging writer asks—from building suspense and finding your unique voice, to balancing action with emotion, and even marketing yourself without feeling fake. Hear real talk from seasoned authors Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan as they share actionable tips, personal stories, and experience earned through hard times. Their insight will help you break through creative blocks, develop better writing habits, and bring your stories—and your writing career—to life. So tune it in, listen up, and write it down. Do you have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    1h 13m

  8. NOV 9

    Tell The Damn Story, ep 389: "Story Alchemy with Charles Barouch_ Turning Ideas into Literary Gold"

    How do you turn a half-formed idea into a story readers feel? Author Charles Barouch joins Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan to reveal the alchemy behind authentic characters and immersive worlds. 🎙 In this episode, we explore: Why every writer “owes the reader” a great story How to avoid “plot-stupid” characters The research method that makes any world believable—even one you’ve never lived in Why giving yourself permission to suck might be the most freeing thing a writer can do Whether you write mystery, westerns, or sci-fi, this conversation will ignite your creative process and sharpen your storytelling instincts. Subscribe to Tell The Damn Story for weekly insights, inspiration, and real talk about the writer’s life. Have any questions, comments, or suggestions? Then, please leave them in the Comments Section. Write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com And follow us on ... ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ www.TellTheDamnStory.com www.Facebook.com/Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube.com/ Tell The Damn Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Stories change lives. They always have. At *Tell The Damn Story*, we believe in lifting voices and passing stories on. Your support keeps them alive for future generations.  Help us by supporting TTDS → ⁠Buy Me A Coffee⁠⁠⁠⁠!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    58 min
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4.9
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

This is where we interview and discuss the challenges and successes of writing books, comics, films, and other creative arts and pop culture topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Simmons & Chris Ryan
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    400
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alex Simmons & Chris Ryan
  • Show Website
    Tell The Damn Story