Miles Beyond the Page

Michelle Miles
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Where we dive deep into the world of writing and publishing. Each week, I sit down with authors from every stage of their journey—whether they’re just starting out, building their readership, or seasoned pros with stories to tell. We’ll explore their creative process, uncover tips and insights, and celebrate the highs and lows of the writing life. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join me as we go Miles Beyond the Page!

  1. 4d ago

    Miles Beyond the Page | Richard Sparks – Fantasy, Gaming Worlds & From Sketch Comedy to Novels

    In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Richard Sparks, author of the New Rock fantasy series, to discuss his creative journey from British television sketch writing to novel writing. An England-to-Los Angeles transplant, Richard shares stories from his early career—including writing a sketch that helped launch Rowan Atkinson’s stage career—and his current work developing new material for a potential project. The conversation also dives into his New Rock series, where three online gaming champions are transported into a fantasy world as their avatars, blending humor, adventure, and high-stakes danger. Michelle and Richard explore the influence of multiplayer gaming on storytelling, the importance of structure and surprise, and his balance between plotting and improvisation. He also shares insights into his editing process, his decision to complete multiple books before pursuing publication, and his ongoing marketing efforts—including connecting with readers across both the UK and US. 🎧 Join Michelle and Richard for a lively, behind-the-scenes conversation about storytelling, humor, and building immersive fantasy worlds inspired by gaming. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page! ABOUT RICHARD SPARKS: Richard Sparks' writing credentials span the gamut of the entertainment world, from film and TV and books through lyrics for operas. He has been commissioned by the Los Angeles Opera and has completed translations/adaptations of classic operas. He has worked with such luminaries as Placido Domingo, Rowan Atkinson and the inimitable John Cleese of Monty Python and Fawlty Towers fame. Richard got his big break as a writer on "Not the Nine O'clock News”, (BBC TV), an irreverent take on the days affairs that featured anchors broadcasting from bed and the unique talents of Rowan Atkinson. One of Richard's biggest claims to fame is as the author of Atkinson's famous "Schoolmaster" routine, in which the future Mr. Beane puts a hilarious spin on attendance taking and discipline. As satisfying as his career was, Richard always had an itch to scratch as a fantasy fiction writer. Buoyed by his nighttime hobby of online gaming, his latest novel "New Rock New Role" hits this month, just in time for the holidays. In 1992, he was hired by Columbia Picture Television to work with Blake Hunter and Marty Cohan, the creators of Who’s the Boss? That’s when he moved his family to Los Angeles and has lived there ever since. He’s written a number of libretti for operas, almost all for the LA Opera – some original pieces, some translations from German or Italian. Richard’s been a hard-core RPG gamer for years, so buoyed by his nighttime hobby of online gaming the idea for his books just fell out of the sky one morning, and he started writing. He says now he’s hardly had a moment to log on to any game — as he’s too busy exploring the New Rock stories as they unfold. The first book, New Rock, New Role has been a huge success. Now three sequels – New Rock New Realm, New Rock New Rules, and New Rock New Roads, have been completed and will be published in due course. He’s currently working on the fifth book. Other books he has written include the biography of the music producer Milt Okun, Along the Cherry Lane. (Oku discovered and launched John Denver and mentored him throughout his career. He created arrangements for Peter, Paul and Mary that the trio performed for half a century. He brought Placido Domingo a crossover career that made him an international star beyond the world of opera.) Richard was born in England. WHERE TO FIND HIM: Website | Instagram | Facebook WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS: Amazon

    40 min

  2. May 26

    T.D. Severin – Medical Thrillers, Deadly Vision & Writing with Precision

    In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews T.D. Severin, a practicing glaucoma surgeon turned medical thriller author, whose debut novel Deadly Vision blends cutting-edge science with high-stakes suspense. With over 30 years in medicine, Severin draws from real-world hospital politics, ethical dilemmas, and emerging “flashpoint” healthcare technologies to craft gripping fiction. At the heart of Deadly Vision is a chilling concept—virtual-reality heart surgery powered by micro-robotics—brought to life through meticulous research and fast-paced storytelling reminiscent of Michael Crichton. Michelle and T.D. dive into his unique writing process, including his use of graphic plotting and 3x5 scene cards, his disciplined early-morning writing routine, and how his characters evolved through revision. He also shares his remarkable 30-year journey to publication—from an early draft in 1994 to releasing the novel with Penmore Press in 2024—along with his work in music through Ripple Music and the creation of a companion Deadly Vision soundtrack. 🎧 Join Michelle and T.D. for a fascinating conversation about science, storytelling, and the long road to bringing a powerful idea to life. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page! ABOUT T.D. SEVERIN: T.D. SEVERIN. MD., is a physician/surgeon and the author of the award-winning medical thriller, DEADLY VISON. T.D. Severin, is an internationally renowned professor of medicine, who has been publishing both fiction and non-fiction since 1994. His writing has appeared in national and regional magazines/journals around the world, while his first novel, Deadly Vision, was the winner of the 2025 American Fiction Award, and The 2025 International Impact Book Award, and is a Finalist for the Clive Cussler Adventure Writers Award, the 2025 Global Book Award for Fiction, and was an award winner at the SEAK National Medical Fiction Writing Competition. T.D. Severin has been named one of the Nation’s Best Ophthalmologists by Newsweek Magazine, and has been honored to receive the prestigious Telly Award, the Oscars of public access television, for his work on medical television programming. T.D. has trekked across Tibet, scaled Mt. Everest, scuba dove the Great Barrier reef, white water rafted through the Australian Rain Forest, and delved into the mysterious ancient history of Malta, Istanbul, and the lost kingdom of Siam, all of which makes it's way into his writing. T.D. lives with his wife and two pups in the San Francisco Bay Area and Florida, where he is currently at work on his next medical thriller. A former radio disc jockey, he also runs the heavy rock record label Ripple Music: www.ripple-music.com. WHERE TO FIND HIM: Website | Instagram | Facebook Ripple Music WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS: Amazon

    44 min

  3. May 19

    Michelle Pillow – Audiobook Deals, Dark Romance & Morally Gray Heroes

    In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews bestselling author Michelle Pillow, who has written over 100 books across genres, with a focus on sci-fi and paranormal romance. Michelle Pillow shares exciting news about her seven-book deal with Tor Bramble (Pan Macmillan), which brings new audiobook editions of her beloved backlist series—Tribes of the Vampire and Realm Immortal—along with new hardback and print releases. She also discusses her hands-on role in selecting narrators and bringing these stories to life in a new format. The conversation dives deep into her approach to writing morally gray anti-heroes, dual POV storytelling, and the emotional core of dark romance. They explore themes of redemption, identity, duty versus desire, and the thread of hope that runs through even the darkest stories. Michelle also shares her research process, how her voice has evolved over time, and the unexpected rise of fan-favorite characters like Uncle Rebert. 🎧 Join Michelle and Michelle for an engaging, behind-the-scenes look at writing, publishing, and the enduring appeal of dark, character-driven romance. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page! ABOUT MICHELLE PILLOW: Michelle has had a strange fascination with anything supernatural and sci-fi for as long as she can remember. After discovering historical romance novels, it was only natural that the supernatural and love/romance elements should someday meet in her wonderland of a brain. She’s glad they did for their children have been pouring onto the computer screen ever since. Michelle loves to travel and try new things, whether it’s a paranormal investigation of an old Vaudeville Theatre or climbing Mayan temples in Belize. She’s addicted to movies and used to drive her mother crazy while quoting random scenes with her brother. She is the very proud mom to the most talented artist. Though it has yet to happen, her dream is to be a zombie in a horror movie. (She came close as a refugee extra on SyFy’s Z Nation, Fall 2016!) Michelle is involved with various film and historical documentary projects with her filmmaker husband. Come say hello! She loves talking with readers on social media! WHERE TO FIND HER: Social Media | Press Kit WHERE TO FIND HER BOOKS: Website

    49 min

  4. May 14 ·  Bonus

    How I Build Worlds That Can Support 10+ Books | From the Author’s Desk

    A lot of people think worldbuilding is about maps, made-up languages, or giant lore documents. But when I’m building a long series, worldbuilding isn’t decoration. It’s infrastructure. In this From the Author’s Desk episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I’m sharing how I build fictional worlds that can support 10+ books, spinoffs, evolving lore, and major plot twists—without collapsing under the weight of their own complexity. For me, strong worldbuilding isn’t about creating more details just to have them. It’s about building load-bearing systems that generate conflict, create story pressure, and leave room for future books. In this episode, I talk about: Why I think worldbuilding is really about systems, pressure, and consequencesThe 4-bucket framework I use to future-proof a seriesHow I design magic systems with cost, constraint, and escalationWhy recurring conflicts matter more than endlessly inventing new villainsThe Truth Layers method I use to avoid retconning myself laterA quick exercise you can use to create a world with real story potential If you’re writing fantasy, romantasy, science fiction, or any kind of multi-book series, this episode is for you. Because the real question isn’t just, can I build a cool world? It’s: Can I build a world strong enough to hold the stories I want to tell for years to come? That’s what I’m digging into in this episode. 💬 I’d love to know: What’s the hardest part of worldbuilding for you? 📚 About Me I’m Michelle Miles, author of fantasy, romantasy, and fairy-tale retellings filled with quests, curses, kisses, and chaos. On Miles Beyond the Page, I share conversations with authors and behind-the-scenes thoughts on the craft and business of storytelling. 🌐 https://www.MichelleMilesBooks.com 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on writing, publishing, and storytelling craft.

    10 min

  5. May 12

    Ryan Consell – The Science of Fiction, Nerd Culture & Storytelling

    In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Ryan Consell, a writer, educator, and internationally acclaimed theorist on the science of fiction. Born near Toronto and having lived and worked in Tokyo and Vancouver, Ryan brings a global perspective to his creative work. As a teacher of science and mathematics, stage actor, armorer, and passionate advocate for nerd culture, he blends analytical thinking with storytelling in fascinating ways. Michelle and Ryan dive into his work exploring the science behind fiction—including his contributions to projects like The Science of Game of Thrones—as well as his appearances at major events like DragonCon and Convergence. They discuss how real-world science can enhance storytelling, how to make complex ideas accessible, and why overthinking fictional physics might just make stories even better. 🎧 Join Michelle and Ryan for a fun, insightful conversation about science, storytelling, and the intersection of imagination and reality. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page! ABOUT RYAN CONSELL: Ryan was born and raised near Toronto. He has lived and worked in Tokyo and Vancouver, but currently calls Ontario home. Aside from writing, he is a teacher of science and mathematics, stage actor, armorer, and nerd culture activist. His work has been featured on io9, Kotaku, Boingboing, MTV Geek, madartlab.com and in Game Developer Magazine. Ryan is an internationally acclaimed theorist on the science of fiction. He has consulted on such titles as "The Science of Game of Thrones," spoken at events including DragonCon and Convergence, and partnered with the American Chemical Society. He employs his background in materials science and engineering to overthink fictional physics and to make science more accessible to the public. WHERE TO FIND HIM: Website | Instagram WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS: Amazon

    30 min

  6. May 5

    Richard H. Moon – Sci-Fi, Storytelling & Building Meaning Through Fiction

    In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Richard H. Moon, an award-winning writer, producer, and all-around creative whose passions range from science and storytelling to music, history, and beyond. With a debut novel releasing in November 2025, Richard brings a deep love of speculative fiction, character-driven storytelling, and big thematic questions to his work—alongside a healthy appreciation for cool robots and imaginative worlds. His background in physics, paired with his creative pursuits, gives him a unique lens on crafting stories that are both thoughtful and entertaining. Michelle and Richard dive into the creative process, the intersection of science and fiction, and the importance of supporting artists who are building something meaningful with their work. From SFF inspiration to the joy of making art, this conversation celebrates curiosity, creativity, and storytelling in all its forms. 🎧 Join Michelle and Richard for a fun, thoughtful conversation about sci-fi, creativity, and the stories that challenge and inspire us. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page! ABOUT RICHARD MOON: Richard H Moon is an award-winning writer with a debut novel out in November of 2025, a producer, family man, dog and cat care-provider, curler, archer, hiker, musician, physics tutor, SFF nerd, history aficionado, and kitten fosterer. He has a physics degree, but has never let that get in his way. He’s always ready to geek out about story and character and deep meaning and also cool robots, and he supports every human out there who is making art with their own hands and bodies and minds. WHERE TO FIND HIM: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Reddit WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS: Website | Amazon

    41 min

  7. Apr 28

    Kyle Shoop – Romance, Fantasy & the Story Behind Protecting Home

    In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Kyle Shoop, an author whose storytelling spans romance, fantasy, and heartfelt contemporary fiction. Kyle is the author of eight novels across two distinct series. His romance series features five standalone love stories inspired by the five senses, including titles like The Touch of Love. He has also written a fast-paced fantasy trilogy beginning with Acea and the Animal Kingdom, filled with magic, adventure, and imaginative worldbuilding. Michelle and Kyle discuss his upcoming ninth novel, Protecting Home, a powerful father-and-son baseball story reminiscent of Field of Dreams. They talk about writing across genres, the inspiration behind emotionally driven storytelling, and balancing a creative life while working as an attorney and releasing music online as Guy Plus Guitar. 🎧 Join Michelle and Kyle for a thoughtful conversation about storytelling, creativity, and the many paths that lead to writing the next great book. 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page! ABOUT KYLE SHOOP: Kyle Shoop is the author of 8 novels set in two different series. One is a compelling romance series that tells 5 standalone love stories told through the lens of the five senses - which includes books like The Touch of Love. The other is a fast-paced, magic-filled fantasy trilogy that begins with Acea and the Animal Kingdom. They’re all available on Amazon. We're also excited to announce that Kyle's newest and 9th novel will be released this spring. It's entitled Protecting Home, and is a compelling father and son baseball story in the vein of Field of Dreams. When Kyle’s not writing, he’s releasing music online as Guy Plus Guitar. Kyle is also an attorney. His books are available in ebook, print, and audiobook. WHERE TO FIND HIM: Instagram | Website Music | Spotify WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS: Amazon Protecting Home releases May 12! Get it here!

    41 min

  8. Apr 23 ·  Bonus

    Knights, Castles & Epic Love Stories: A Conversation with Kathryn Le Veque

    What is it about the medieval world that continues to captivate readers? Castles. Knights. Epic battles. Powerful love stories set against a backdrop of history, danger, and honor. In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I’m joined by bestselling historical romance author Kathryn Le Veque, whose sweeping medieval novels have transported readers into richly detailed worlds of chivalry, court intrigue, and unforgettable romance. We talk about why the Middle Ages continue to inspire storytellers, how Kathryn builds immersive historical settings, and what makes a truly compelling medieval hero. If you love historical romance—or you’re fascinated by the medieval world—you’ll enjoy this deep dive into the stories and history behind her books. In this conversation we discuss: What first inspired Kathryn to write medieval romanceThe enduring appeal of knights, castles, and courtly intrigueHow research shapes historical fictionWhat makes a powerful medieval hero and heroineWhy readers continue to fall in love with stories set in the Middle Ages If you enjoy conversations about storytelling, history, and the creative process, you’re in the right place. ABOUT KATHRYN LE VEQUE: KATHRYN LE VEQUE is a critically acclaimed, USA TODAY Bestselling author (having hit the list over 30 times), an Indie Reader bestseller, a charter Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 150 published novels. Kathryn's novels are known for their strong and complex heroes and heroines, intricate plots, and rich historical backgrounds. Her stories feature knights, warriors, and noblewomen, bringing to life the chivalry, courtly intrigue, and epic battles of the medieval era. She is adept at creating emotionally charged narratives that keep readers engrossed from beginning to end. Kathryn has received praise for her writing and has won several awards for her work, including three nominations for the Holt Medallion. Her books have topped bestseller lists, and she has gained a loyal fan base that eagerly anticipates each new release. Readers appreciate her ability to transport them to a bygone era, where they can experience the passion, honor, and challenges faced by her characters. In addition to her historical romances, Le Veque also writes in the Contemporary Romance and Historical Fiction genres, showcasing her versatility as an author. However, it is her medieval romances that have garnered her the most recognition and made her a prominent figure in the historical romance genre. Kathryn is a talented author who has made a significant impact on the world of historical romance fiction. Through her captivating storytelling and meticulous research, she has brought the medieval period to life, enchanting readers with her tales of love, adventure, and the enduring power of the human spirit. In addition to her own published works, Kathryn is the President/CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, Amazon's #1 ebook publisher of Historical Romance (K-Lytics reporting July 2020). Dragonblade Publishing has become known for its commitment to quality historical romance fiction and has gained a reputation as a trusted source for engaging and well-researched novels. Through her ownership of the publishing house, Kathryn has continued to contribute to the romance genre by nurturing and supporting other authors who share her passion for historical storytelling. WHERE TO FIND HER: Website | Facebook | Instagram WHERE TO FIND HER BOOKS: Amazon

    43 min
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About

Where we dive deep into the world of writing and publishing. Each week, I sit down with authors from every stage of their journey—whether they’re just starting out, building their readership, or seasoned pros with stories to tell. We’ll explore their creative process, uncover tips and insights, and celebrate the highs and lows of the writing life. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and join me as we go Miles Beyond the Page!

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Miles
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michelle Miles
  • Show Website
    Miles Beyond the Page