Ink, Coffee, and Regrets

Samuel W
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A monthly podcast for the curious, the candid, and the creatively unhinged. We dive into writing, reading, world-building, and the weird emotional terrain between author and audience—with sardonic wit, philosophical detours, and zero patience for genre clichés. Come for the craft, stay for the chaos.

  1. 1D AGO

    I Didn't Finish the Book — A Podcaster's Confession

    I admit that I haven't finished Terry Meka's He Quoted Scripture, I Lived It but shares positive mid-read impressions and promises a fuller review soon. I recap attending Writer's Row at Russo's Books, meeting local authors and podcasters, enjoying live music and community connections. The episode closes with apologies for the delay, a brief personal update about the hot Bakersfield weather, and a friendly sign-off promising more content shortly.

    5 min

  2. MAY 1

    When the Narrator Lies: 6 Books That Cheated You Beautifully

    This episode examines six books that use unreliable narration, omission, ambiguity, and metafiction to deliberately mislead readers: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd; Fight Club; Life of Pi; Gone Girl; The Turn of the Screw; and The Princess Bride. The host discusses how each author crafts the deception, what readers take away from the reveals, and writing lessons about trust, perspective, and the power of the untold; plus a note about a live appearance at Russo's Books on May 9, 2026.

    24 min

  3. APR 16

    BookTalk for April 2026 - Bingeable Battles & Sleepless Nights:

    Welcome to the April Book Talk where we cover two very different reads: The Infernulls: The Golden Letter — an action-packed, anime-style fantasy that's fast, bingeable, and fun — and The Evenings by Gerard Reve — a slow, bleak portrait of post-war insomnia and everyday emptiness centered on the apathetic Fritz. The episode explores craft, worldbuilding, tone, and character: how Infernulls embraces light-novel pacing and accessible worldbuilding to deliver energetic escapism, and how The Evenings uses repetition, dry humor, and small moments to depict stagnation and existential numbness. We discuss why each book works (or is challenging), recommendations for readers seeking light, fast fantasy versus those open to a difficult but rewarding literary experience, and reflections on how different storytelling styles shape pacing and reader engagement.

    15 min

  4. APR 1

    Excuses, Not Muses: The 10 Lies Writers Keep Telling Themselves

    Samuel walks through ten of some of the most common myths writers tell themselves — from trusting you'll remember ideas later and relying on last-minute pressure, to thinking metadata, reading, or revision don't matter. Each myth is unpacked with practical, no-nonsense advice to help writers form better habits and actually finish work. You, as the listener, are encouraged to write consistently, record ideas, embrace reading as training, plan revisions intentionally, and accept that struggle and imperfection are part of the process. The episode mixes humor, examples, and actionable tips to motivate writers to stop making excuses and start writing.

    26 min

  5. MAR 1

    Why We Don't Write: Battling Myths, Fears, and the Inner Critic

    This episode explores the many reasons people avoid writing — from the myth of the perfect beginning and fear of failure to comparison, creative exhaustion, and past critics — and uses personal anecdotes to illustrate each obstacle. Ultimately, the host encourages listeners that writing is an evolutionary process, everyone has a story, and persistence and playfulness will get words on the page.

    32 min

  6. FEB 1

    Ink, Coffee & Decline: Are We Reading Less in 2026?

    This episode explores the troubling drop in reading for pleasure, sharing data on declining book habits across ages and reflecting on why reading still matters. It compares print, e-books, and audiobooks — highlighting that print supports deep comprehension, e-books offer convenience, and audiobooks boost accessibility and emotional engagement — and explains the cognitive and emotional benefits of regular reading. Ultimately, it’s a reminder to keep reading in any form: for better thinking, empathy, and a richer life.

    27 min

  7. JAN 15

    A Look at Daniel da Cruz: USS Texas, Cold War Mayhem, and Pulp Glory

    This episode explores the obscure author Daniel da Cruz and his pulpy, Cold War–era thrillers—most notably the Eyes of Texas series about Gwilliam Forte, the restored USS Texas, and the Republic of Texas fighting Soviet invasion. The host summarizes da Cruz’s major novels and nonfiction, reflects on the mystery surrounding his life and limited public record, and asks listeners to share any information or memories about the author.

    16 min

  8. JAN 1

    Where Writers Write: Home Desks, Coffee Shops, and Quiet Corners

    In this episode the host remembers several authors and journalists who died last year, then talks about the places writers do their work — home offices, libraries, restaurants, and coffee shops — with personal anecdotes and practical tips. He highlights local Bakersfield spots like Dagny’s and Bakersfield Roasting Company, offers etiquette for writing in public, and invites listeners to share their own coffee-shop and writing stories for future episodes.

    24 min
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About

A monthly podcast for the curious, the candid, and the creatively unhinged. We dive into writing, reading, world-building, and the weird emotional terrain between author and audience—with sardonic wit, philosophical detours, and zero patience for genre clichés. Come for the craft, stay for the chaos.

Information

  • Creator
    Samuel W
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Samuel R Wright III and Ink, Coffee, and Regrets
  • Show Website
    Ink, Coffee, and Regrets