100 episodes

Writers! Want to get you excited about writing? Our guests share insights and experiences from their own writing journey that will motivate you in yours!
Readers! Want to learn more about your favorite authors? Listen and learn about your favorite characters, stories and more!

Keystroke Medium Josh Hayes and Scott Moon

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 16 Ratings

Writers! Want to get you excited about writing? Our guests share insights and experiences from their own writing journey that will motivate you in yours!
Readers! Want to learn more about your favorite authors? Listen and learn about your favorite characters, stories and more!

    Truth, Humor, & Satire | Kyle Mann, BabylonBee | Ep. 4.09

    Truth, Humor, & Satire | Kyle Mann, BabylonBee | Ep. 4.09

    Friday, Kyle Mann, novelist and Editor-in-Chief at the BabylonBee, takes a break from spreading conservative disinformation for a chat. We're gonna be talking about satire, humor, modern-day allegories, and free speech in today's social media landscape. Join us for the conversation Friday, 3-4 PM Eastern!
    Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guest: Kyle Mann
    00:00 Opening remarks and introductions
    -Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD
    -Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/
    -Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190
    02:30 Main Event – Truth, Humor, & Satire | Kyle Mann, BabylonBee
    -Kyle gives a synopsis of Babylon Bee. -How Kyle got into writing.
    -“What is writing? Writing is telepathy.” – Stephen King -Writing long and short form.
    -Resisting the urge to give stage direction.
    -The writing and editing process to the final draft.
    -The enjoyment of long epic sagas as well as economically tight works.
    -Writing to a specific market.
    28:35 Sponsor Joel Berry and Kyle Mann’s The Postmodern Pilgrim’s Progress: An Allegorical Tale https://amzn.to/3bu681K
    31:06 Main Event – Truth, Humor, & Satire | Kyle Mann, BabylonBee, Continued!
    -Changing writing habits. -Handling or managing reader responses to your work.
    -Why they went with a publisher rather than the indie approach.
    -Things that publishers can provide over indie. -Tips on writing humor.
    -Read lots and lots of humorous fiction.
    -Broader tip: read in the genre you want to write in, good and bad.
    -Finding the right punchline (going for longevity vs. pop culture that fades quickly)
    -Changes made to improve the broad appeal.
    59:45 Closing remarks
    ***
    Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
    Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
    The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
    Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
    ***
    Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
    Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium
    If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium
    For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/
    Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com
    ***
    Keystroke Medium Anthologies
    Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I
    Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX
    Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Ep. 7.17 - LIVE! Let’s talk about dialogue.

    Ep. 7.17 - LIVE! Let’s talk about dialogue.

    We do this naturally in our every day lives, but it's one of the hardest things to get right in our writing. Let's talk about it.
    ***
    Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
    Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
    The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
    Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
    ***
    Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
    Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium
    If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium
    For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/
    Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com
    ***
    Keystroke Medium Anthologies
    Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I
    Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX
    Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

    • 1 hr
    YouTube, Kickstarter, & Big Book Sales | Jon Del Arroz | Ep. 4.08

    YouTube, Kickstarter, & Big Book Sales | Jon Del Arroz | Ep. 4.08

    What do YouTube, Kickstarter, and dank memes have in common? With their powers combined, you too can sell more books. Find out how in Friday's (late) episode of The Writer's Journey.
    Hosts: C. Steven Manley, Kalene Williams Special Guest: Jon Del Arroz
    00:00 Opening remarks and introductions
    -Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD
    -Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/
    -Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190
    05:50 Main Event – YouTube, Kickstarter, & Big Book Sales | Jon Del Arroz
    -How Jon’s latest Kickstarter is coming along? (Hint: crushing it)
    -The decay of visibility in social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
    -Benefits of YouTube and live streaming. -Tips for writers on YouTube.
    -The demographics of YouTube.
    21:39 Sponsor Jon’s Kickstarter for Overmind: A Science Fiction Thriller Graphic Novel https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/forsteamandcountry/overmind-a-science-fiction-thriller-graphic-novel
    23:07 Main Event – YouTube, Kickstarter, & Big Book Sales | Jon Del Arroz, Continued!
    -New tips on Kickstarter. -The Lemming Effect.
    -Don’t change fundraising platforms. -“Be the Barbie of writing.”
    -Tips on writing graphic novels. -Novels vs. graphic novels.
    59:29 Closing remarks
    ***
    Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
    Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
    The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
    Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
    ***
    Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
    Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium
    If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium
    For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/
    Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com
    ***
    Keystroke Medium Anthologies
    Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I
    Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX
    Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 

    • 1 hr 1 min
    Ep 7.16 - LIVE! Interview with Neal Asher

    Ep 7.16 - LIVE! Interview with Neal Asher

    Best-selling science fiction author Neal Asher sits down to talk about his newest novel, Weaponized, as well as his short stories Bad Travelling and Mason's Rats, both of which are featured in the latest volume of Love, Death, & Robots on Netflix.
    Hosts: Josh Hayes, C. Steven Manley Guest: Neal Asher
    00:00 New Intro!
    -Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD
    -Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/
    -Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190
    04:42 Weekly update— Antique Futures Edition Josh: Working on a short story for Jeff Haskell’s Grimm’s War universe. Two chapters away from finishing Tranquility #3. Might have to change the title to Weaponized again (thanks, Neal!). Watched and highly recommends Top Gun: Maverick.
    Neal: Working books called Weaponized and War Bodies and putting together a collection of short stories for publication.
    Chuck: Working on Jack Darque #3. Lots of family time. Reading Jonathan Maberry’s Kagan the Damned. Watched the new season of Stranger Things. https://amzn.to/3zyuIIV
    15:08 Main Event— LIVE! Interview with Neal Asher
    -Neal talks about ‘Bad Traveling’ episode in Love, Death & Robots, Season 3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt20192968/
    -‘Snow in the Desert’ was in Season 2.
    -‘Mason’s Rats’ is also in Season 3.
    -‘Bad Travelling’ is the Trolley Problem (but a lot messier). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trolley_problem
    -The story of how his stories got picked up to be in Love, Death & Robots.
    -Work with Tim Miller started with some work on Heavy Metal movie concepts.
    -David Fincher films that also rivet you like ‘Bad Traveling’ Ex. Se7en https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114369/
    Ex. Fight Club https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/
    -The business of turning stories into other media (films, shows, games, etc.).
    -Neal’s writing/editing process (no word counting on editing, one project at a time).
    -Editing backwards. -Josh is using OpenDyslexic font, which is helping with his editing. https://opendyslexic.org
    -Neal’s writing process (he’s a pantser!). -Edit 2,000 words, write 2,000 words and stop.
    -Plot threads move to characters that carry the story forward.
    -The change in focus from writing trilogies and series to standalone novels in a shared universe to allow a reader more than one entry point.
    43:25 Sponsor Hyperspace Outlaws: A Space Opera Adventure (Galactic Core Book 1) by Mike Luke T. Barnett https://amzn.to/3NrxXpH
    46:09 Main Event— LIVE! Interview with Neal Asher, Continued!
    -Starting to writing a short story and a novel came out how the backstory met the main plot at the climax.
    -A scifi writer is required to use the name Ursula at some point.
    -Love fo Iain M. Banks’ disjointed timeline in Use of Weapons https://amzn.to/3mBTjFc
    -What’s next for Neal? Another trilogy or two in the wings, one in the same universe as The Departure (The Owner Book 1) https://amzn.to/3xKFI4U
    -Including ‘Mason’s Rats’ into the collection for those who want a physical copy of the short story. -‘How do you write a book?’ = ‘How to run a marathon?’ Start and do the work? -Maybe the real question is ‘how to get a book deal’?
    1:06:15 Closing remarks
    ***
    Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
    Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
    The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
    Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
    ***
    Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
    Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium
    If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Story Time! KSM Writes 50-Word Stories | Ep. 4.07

    Story Time! KSM Writes 50-Word Stories | Ep. 4.07

    And now, without further ado--KSM's 50-word short story extravaganza! The audience has been submitting their micro-stories for the last two weeks. We've got Keystroke's very own Ellen Campbell share her insights into these works of fiction. We wanted to know: can you write an entire story in just fifty words? Who hit the mark and who came close? Tune in live to find out!
    Hosts: Lauren Moore, Kalene Williams Special Guest: Ellen Campbell
    00:00 Opening remarks and introductions
    -Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD
    -Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/
    -Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190
    02:48 Main Event – Story Time! KSM Writes 50-Word Stories
    -Stories from writers! -What Ellen looks for in a story. -Hemingway’s 6 word story.
    -Blurb vs. story. -50 word stories from the editor fates and free t-shirt!
    39:40 Sponsor The Writing Dream: and How to Make it to Happily Ever After by Lauren Moore, Josh Hayes, and Scott Moon https://amzn.to/3xO6rfF
    41:22 Main Event – Story Time! KSM Writes 50-Word Stories, Continued!
    -More stories.
    -Reading Leo Vaccaro’s flash fiction win.
    58:50 Closing remarks
    ***
    Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
    Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
    The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
    Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
    ***
    Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
    Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium
    If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium
    For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/
    Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com
    ***
    Keystroke Medium Anthologies
    Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I
    Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX
    Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review and rate the show on iTunes, Podbean, Stitcher, or wherever else you found us! 
     

    • 1 hr
    Ep 7.15 - LIVE! Pacing that sells w/ Richard Fox

    Ep 7.15 - LIVE! Pacing that sells w/ Richard Fox

    Bestselling author Richard Fox returns to the KSM to talk about his latest projects and dive deep into how he paces his books to keep his readers turning the pages. https://amzn.to/3NmNiYl
    Hosts: Josh Hayes, Scott Moon Guest: Richard Fox
    00:00 New Intro!
    -Discord server is up! https://discord.com/invite/t96CVRD
    -Keystroke Coffee is live! https://keystrokemedium.com/product/keystroke-coffee/
    -Use Plottr! https://plottr.com?ref=190
    04:55 Weekly update— Bowling Carefully Edition
    Josh: Cranking through Weaponized and Tranquility #3. Had a short story in Weaponized universe in the We Dare anthology from Chris Kennedy Publishing. Working on a short story in Jeff Haskell’s Grimm’s War universe. Working on a contemporary thriller.
    Scott: Hurt his back so on a standing desk. Writing lots on multiple projects. Poop in the community pool.
    Richard: Published final book in Exiled series in two-book stints. Has a short story in Robosoldiers: Thanks for Your Servos anthology by Baen Books with the help of Josh’s expertise. https://amzn.to/3Oerrml Working on second book of the Tyr series and another book with David Weber and a few other things.
    16:31 Main Event— LIVE! Pacing that sells w/ Richard Fox
    -Richard pitches Tyr series https://amzn.to/3NLTdGY
    -Looking forward to James Cameron’s Avatar sequels and Iraqi love of Titanic.
    -Everything to love of a Cameron film. -The story of how he rogue edited Piranha 2.
    -Clapping blue cheeks… -Richard talks about pacing.
    -Commentary on Cabin in the Woods ‘What does the audience know and when do they know it?’
    -Extending it out in writing: ‘what does the reader know that the characters don’t’ in writing creates tension, so pacing is knowing what’s coming vs. not knowing what’s next.
    -Cutting out what you don’t need. -Racoon poop coffee?
    -Combining characters to increase their agency.
    -Character movement is a good time for the downtime scenes for character development.
    -How to say a lot of things about a character in as few words as possible.
    -Silko’s scene where he may be betrayed in Arcane reveals his true relationship in Jinx. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11126994/
    -When the character does something a little interesting that the reader is interested in.
    -Silko’s monologue flex during a corruption/gassing scene in Arcane.
    -The concept of the 4th reel (out of 5 in an old movie theater) was all action (examples: Star Wars: A New Hope and Return of the Jedi)
    -Changing the way you outline to hold the pacing together.
    -Resolution can be difficult. -Richard recommends the Ember War series as an entry point into his novels.
    1:00:37 Closing remarks
    ***
    Coffee and Concepts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRuoHj6opw0
    Keystroke Medium Live! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1qSwdjsN9Q
    The Writer’s Journey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydLaFFntB4Q
    Storytelling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYRzwuQeK9Q
    ***
    Try out Rob McClellan’s Mod Farm for your website building needs. Use the link for a KSM discount! https://modfarmdesign.com/keystroke/
    Become a Medium today! https://keystrokemedium.com/mediums/
    Don't forget to Like and Subscribe and get involved with the mayhem and shenanigans in the live chat! http://www.youtube.com/c/keystrokemedium
    If you have any thoughts or ideas for show topics or if you have authors you'd like to see on the show, let us know. Visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/KeystrokeMedium
    For all the latest and greatest KSM Gear, check out our store at: https://keystrokemedium.com/ksm-store/
    Also, subscribe to Sci Fi Explorations for the best discounted and free books we come across through our contacts: http://www.scifiexplorations.com
    ***
    Keystroke Medium Anthologies
    Kingdoms of Iron and Stone – https://amzn.to/2GjbE6I
    Horizons Beyond – https://amzn.to/2SrJ6uX
    Farthest Reach – https://amzn.to/2UZINeo
    The Writing Dream – and How to Make it to Happily Ever After – Keystroke Medium’s first non-fiction book. https:/

    • 1 hr 2 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

Cameron.mickey ,

Informative and entertaining

This podcast is extremely well put together. Every episode has its own spin and nuance. I could sit a listen to fifteen episodes in a row and not get bored due to the fact that every episode is so different from last but also conveys similar information. For a young inexperienced writer, I love listening to the podcast.

Crotalus1 ,

Great podcast, fun and informative!

These guys do an incredible job of balancing humor, insight, and information. Their guests range from beginning writers to widely known pros; traditionally published authors, indies, and everything in between. The recent podcast with David Weber was especially interesting and served up tons of good advice-not a dull moment during the entire episode! Likewise the one with Michael Andersen was was outstanding. And the lesser known authors are just as intriguing. Great format and great job. Kudos, Scott and Josh, you guys have an awesome podcast!
Peace, John Stacy Worth

C.Steven Manley ,

Relaxed, Fun, Informative

Scott Moon and Josh Hayes have put together an author interview format that's heavy on conversation and casual laughs but still do a good job of getting their guests to share what they know about writing and the indie publishing scene with well placed questions and an active live chat community that they go to for additional conversation starters. It's always a good time both in the interview and in the live chat. Full disclosure; I was a guest on the show but had been enjoying it for quite a few months before getting the invitation so I would reccommend checking it out even if I'd never been asked on. So, go on, check it out.

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