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Fictitious

by Adron Buske

The Fictitious podcast, hosted by Adron Buske, delves into the craft of Science Fiction and Fantasy storytelling through interviews with authors and other professional writers. These conversations examine the writing process, techniques, and work habits of passionate creators and explore their most recent, and most popular, works.

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Episodes

  1. Caitlin Starling, LAST TO LEAVE THE ROOM author

    Caitlin Starling returns to Fictitious to talk about her new horror-tinged, sci-fi thriller, LAST TO LEAVE THE ROOM. We talk writing surreal scenes, and using a "load-bearing cat". About Last to Leave the Room The city of San Siroco is sinking. The basement of Dr. Tamsin Rivers, the arrogant,...

  2. Cassandra Khaw & Richard Kadrey, THE DEAD TAKE THE A TRAIN co-authors

    Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey are both powerhouse bestselling authors in their own rights. Now, they've merged their considerable talents in cosmic horror and urban fantasy to create the new novel, THE DEAD TAKE THE A TRAIN. In a New York City absolutely filthy with magic—monsters and the...

  3. James L. Sutter, rpg co-creator of PATHFINDER and STARFINDER; author of DARKHEARTS

    In this episode we're going to deviate a bit from the usual focus on fiction to talk about writing for tabletop roleplaying games and related media. RPGs have always been deeply interconnected with fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, and right now they are more popular and prevalent than ever before....

  4. Greta Kelly, THE QUEEN OF DAYS author

    Greta Kelly returns to Fictitious to talk about her new fantasy novel, THE QUEEN OF DAYS. We discuss its origin as a NaNoWriMo project, developing a tightly-contained fantasy setting, and maintaining emotional drama in a fast-paced heist story. THE QUEEN OF DAYS is breakneck-paced fantasy…

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  5. Matt Wallace, SAVAGE CROWNS author

    Matt Wallace talks about his epic fantasy trilogy, THE SAVAGE REBELLION — which includes SAVAGE NATION, SAVAGE BOUNTY, and SAVAGE CROWNS, all available now from Saga Press. We discuss the series's examination of empire, historical influences, impact of sensitivity readers, and challenging…

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  6. Fictitious Returns from Hiatus!

    After a two-year hiatus, Fictitious returns to your podcast feeds. Host Adron Buske explains the reason for the break, and the return, and how the show will evolve going forward. For all my interviews, show info, and more, visit: https://fictitiouspodcast.com Right now, the best social media...

  7. Zen Cho, BLACK WATER SISTER author

    In this episode, I talk with Zen Cho, author of BLACK WATER SISTER. In this Malaysia-set urban fantasy, out-of-work college grad Jessamyn joins her struggling immigrant parents as they return to their home country. But for Jess, who's been an American most of her life and hides her long-distance...

  8. Josh Malerman, GOBLIN author

    In this episode I'm joined by Josh Malerman, author of GOBLIN. This uniquely design supernatural horror novel weaves 6 separate novellas together, each tale examining curious characters and disturbing circumstances in the isolated town of Goblin. In a city built on cursed land, the dead are…

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  9. Marissa Levien, THE WORLD GIVES WAY author

    I'm joined in this episode by Marissa Levien, author of THE WORLD GIVES WAY. In this debut science fiction novel, humanity is 150 years away from earth aboard an enormous generation ship, headed towards a distant planet. Inside, though, life continues on much as it always has: the mega-rich live…

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  10. Marina Lostetter, THE HELM OF MIDNIGHT author

    My guest this episode is Marina J. Lostetter, author of THE HELM OF MIDNIGHT. With a genre-defying blend of fantasy, thriller, and mystery, this novel follows a Regulator named Krona as she investigates the high profile heist of powerful magical artifacts. The death mask of a notorious serial...

  11. C. Robert Cargill, DAY ZERO author

    My guest this episode is C. Robert Cargill, author of DAY ZERO — a prequel to the acclaimed SEA OF RUST. Cargill is also notable as the co-screenwriter of Marvel's DR. STRANGE and the SINISTER movie franchise. It's just a normal day in the future—people doing their normal, mundane human things,...

  12. Suyi Davies Okungbowa, SON OF THE STORM author

    I'm joined in this episode by Suyi Davies Okungbowa, author of SON OF THE STORM. In the thriving but socially stratified city of Bassa, a young scholar named Danso struggles with family expectations and cultural pressures. Worse, he's discovered lost historical lore at odds with the approved...

  13. Genevieve Gornichec and Caitlin Starling, WALK AMONG US authors

    My guests this episode are Caitlin Starling and Genevieve Gornichec, two of the authors of WALK AMONG US. This collection of novellas is set in the world of VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE, the popular modern horror roleplaying game franchise. (Content note: the third contributing author to this...

  14. Jackson Ford, EYE OF THE SH*T STORM author

    I'm joined in this episode by Jackson Ford, author of THE FROST FILES modern day sci-fi series, which follows the misadventures of telekinetic and involuntary government operative Teagan Frost. The series includes THE GIRL WHO COULD MOVE SH*T WITH HER MIND and RANDOM SH*T FLYING THROUGH THE AIR,...

  15. J.S. Dewes, THE LAST WATCH author

    I'm joined in this episode by J.S. Dewes, author of THE LAST WATCH. This science fiction adventure starts on the very edge of the universe, where a lonely military ship sits watch over the Divide. It's a quiet, isolated life for a bunch of misfit soldiers dropped where they can't cause any more...

  16. Eli Brown, ODDITY author

    I'm joined in this episode by Eli Brown, author of ODDITY. This historical fantasy for young readers shows us an alternate 1800s North America where the Louisiana Purchase failed. With the land divided, the return of war between the States and France looms large, and the woods are patrolled by...

  17. Neal Shusterman, GAME CHANGER author

    I'm joined in this episode by Neal Shusterman, author of GAME CHANGER. This young adult sci-fi novel follows Ash, a pretty average middle class kid with few ambitions beyond winning football games and hanging out with his friends. That all changes when a hard hit on the football field alters…

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  18. Sarah Beth Durst, THE BONE MAKER author

    In this episode, I'm joined by Sarah Beth Durst, author of THE BONE MAKER. In this standalone Fantasy novel, a team of renowned heroes are reunited after 25 years to avenge a painful loss and once again face a dangerous force of dark magic. But the decades between a great victory and their…

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  19. C.L. Clark, THE UNBROKEN author

    I'm joined in this episode by C.L. Clark, author of THE UNBROKEN, a brutal and complex military fantasy novel that follows a colonial soldier returned to the homeland she was stolen from, and a princess in search of a turncoat to help throw her uncle off the throne. The first book in the MAGIC OF...

  20. T. Frohock, A SONG WITH TEETH author

    In this episode, I'm joined by T. Frohock, author of the LOS NEFILIM series. This historical dark fantasy series—set first in 1930s Europe—started with the novellas IN MIDNIGHT'S SILENCE, WITHOUT LIGHT OR GUIDE, and THE SECOND DEATH. All of which have been collected into the LOS NEFILIM OMNIBUS....

  21. Claire Holroyde, THE EFFORT author

    I'm joined in this episode by Claire Holroyde, author of THE EFFORT. In this spec-fic / sci-fi novel, the Earth is threatened by an extinction level event when an 8 kilometer "dark" comet emerges from behind the sun on a rapid collision course with our planet. Immediately after discovery of the...

  22. Eugen Bacon, THE ROAD TO WOOP WOOP author

    I'm joined in this episode by Eugen Bacon, author of THE ROAD TO WOOP WOOP: AND OTHER STORIES. This collection of speculative short fiction features over 20 tales that blur the line between reality and mythology, full of humans possessed of unusual gifts, immortals shackled with ageless curses,...

  23. Nicky Drayden, ESCAPING EXODUS: SYMBIOSIS author

    In this episode, I'm joined by Nicky Drayden, author of ESCAPING EXODUS, and its new sequel, SYMBIOSIS. This sci-fi duology explores a human civilization built entirely inside colossal, space-faring beasts. The impetuous young Seska Kayleigh is a child of privilege and heir to the matriarchal...

  24. Marshall Ryan Maresca, THE VELOCITY OF REVOLUTION author

    In this episode I'm joined by Marshall Ryan Maresca, author of THE VELOCITY OF REVOLUTION. This dieselpunk fantasy novel follows Wenthi, a loyal patrol officer and talented cycle rider, who is sent undercover to infiltrate revolutionary biker gangs. The vibrant city of Ziaparr stands at a...

  25. M.A. Carrick, THE MASK OF MIRRORS author

    I'm joined in this episode by THE MASK OF MIRRORS author M.A. Carrick, which is a pseudonym for the co-writing team of Marie Brennan and Alyc Helms. The first book in the ROSE & ROOK fantasy trilogy, THE MASK OF MIRRORS follows Ren, a girl who forcibly escapes the slums of Nadezra to save herself...

  26. C.M. Waggoner, THE RUTHLESS LADY'S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY author

    In this episode I'm talking with C.M. Waggoner, author of THE RUTHLESS LADY'S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY. In a fantasy equivalent of Victorian London, fire witch and all-around disaster human Dellaria Wells is in a bit of a jam. Delly's good-for-nothing mum's gone and got hooked on the Drip. Her…

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  27. B.B. Alston, AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS author

    In this episode I'm talking with B.B. Alston, author of AMARI AND THE NIGHT BROTHERS. Amari is a 13-year old girl from the projects, attending a private school on scholarship. Her academic career sits in the shadow of her genius brother, Quinton, who graduated top of his class and fielded Ivy...

  28. Joshua Phillip Johnson, THE FOREVER SEA author

    I'm joined in this episode by Joshua Phillip Johnson, author of THE FOREVER SEA. This startlingly unique fantasy novel takes place in a water-scarce world completely covered by endless vegetation, where—instead of oceans—magically powered ships sail seas of miles-tall prairie grass. Kindred...

  29. Greta Kelly, THE FROZEN CROWN author

    Greta Kelly is the author of the debut fantasy novel, THE FROZEN CROWN. Violently displaced from the wild beauty of her homeland by a ruthless conqueror, the young princess Askia seeks support from a neighboring nation to the south. But in sun-soaked Vishir, where nobles live lavishly while...

  30. Cass Morris, GIVE WAY TO NIGHT author

    In this episode I'm talking with Cass Morris, author of GIVE WAY TO NIGHT, the sequel to the historically-inspired fantasy FROM UNSEEN FIRE. This series, called the AVEN CYCLE, explores a Roman-esque empire filled with divine and elemental magics, dangerous political machinations, and rising war...

  31. Alexandra Monir, BLACK CANARY: BREAKING SILENCE author

    BLACK CANARY: BREAKING SILENCE author Alexandra Monir talks about writing for the DC Icons young adult series, adapting the fan-favorite Black Canary and Court of Owls in a prose novel, and how she got the job of writing a major media tie-in. This DC Icons young adult novel reimagines the...

  32. Evie Green, WE HEAR VOICES author

    WE HEAR VOICES author Evie Green talks about creating her new horror / science fiction novel. We discuss her leap into horror after writing many thriller and YA books, juggling complicated thematic elements, and why readers love the "creepy kids" trope. In near-future England, the economy is...

  33. Duncan Swan, MONSTRE VOLUME ONE author

    MONSTRE VOL. ONE author Duncan Swan talks about launching his debut sci-fi/horror thriller via a successful Kickstarter campaign, the decision to split the long dual-narrative novel into two volumes, and writing for multimedia adaptability. In this genre-blending action adventure, a catastrophic...

  34. Essa Hansen, NOPHEK GLOSS author

    Essa Hansen is the author of NOPHEK GLOSS. This debut science fiction adventure follows Caiden, a teenage mechanic who discovers his simple but highly regimented life is actually one of servitude on a hidden slave planet. When his entire colony is sent to slaughter, Caiden alone survives, fleeing...

  35. Alix E. Harrow, THE ONCE AND FUTURE WITCHES author

    I'm pleased to welcome author Alix E. Harrow back to the show. Alix's debut fantasy novel, THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY, got nominated for—like—all the major awards, was on all of the best-of lists, and was basically a "whole thing". Her new novel, THE ONCE AND FUTURE WITCHES, follows three...

  36. Leigh Bardugo, THE LIVES OF SAINTS author

    In this episode, I'm pleased to be joined again by author Leigh Bardugo. She's well known for her expansive Grishaverse series of young adult fantasy novels, including the original Shadow & Bone trilogy, the Six of Crows duology, and the King of Scars duology. Outside of the Grishaverse, she has...

  37. Ryan Van Loan, THE SIN IN THE STEEL author

    In this episode, I'm joined by Ryan Van Loan, author of THE SIN IN THE STEEL. This debut Fantasy adventure sets a Sherlockian teenage street rat investigator and her troubled ex-soldier partner against political intrigue and violent piracy. In a world where pistoles and steel compete with mad…

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  38. Andrea Stewart, THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER author

    I'm joined in this episode by Andrea Stewart, author of THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER. This outstanding Fantasy debut novel features seafaring adventures, a unique and cruel magic system, an ambitious Emperor's daughter with holes in her memory, a wanted smuggler chasing a specter from his past, magic...

  39. Richard Kadrey, BALLISTIC KISS (Sandman Slim series) author

    I'm joined in this episode by Richard Kadrey, author of the long-running urban fantasy series, SANDMAN SLIM. These novels follow the paranormal misadventures of James Stark, a hard-to-kill, half-human magician who spent 11 years stuck in Hell as an arena gladiator and pet hitman for his demon...

  40. Peng Shepherd, THE BOOK OF M author

    Peng Shepherd is the author of THE BOOK OF M. This debut speculative fiction novel examines a near future world, fallen to an inexplicable epidemic called The Forgetting. All around the world, people have lost their shadows, and soon after, their memories incurably erode as well. Society has...

  41. Martha Wells, NETWORK EFFECT (The MurderBot Diaries) author

    In this episode, I'm excited to welcome Martha Wells, author of THE MURDERBOT DIARIES. This award-winning science fiction series features the introverted, cynical, and frequently hilarious security robot that thinks privately of itself as MurderBot. It's a half-machine, half-organic construct,...

  42. Emily B. Martin, SUNSHIELD author

    Emily B. Martin is the author of SUNSHIELD (HarperVoyager, available now), an adventurous eco-fantasy that weaves together the lives of a desert outlaw, a young ambassador, and a political prisoner. Known as the Sunshield Bandit, a former slave named Lark roams desolate canyons, attacking the...

  43. Alina Boyden, STEALING THUNDER author

    In this episode by debut author Alina Boyden. Her new historically-inspired Fantasy novel is STEALING THUNDER, available May 12th from ACE Books. It follows Razia, a sought-after dancer and courtesan with a wealthy and powerful clientele. She is also a thief, stealing from clients in cooperation...

  44. Menna van Praag, THE SISTERS GRIMM author

    Menna van Praag is the author of THE SISTERS GRIMM (available now from HarperVoyager Books). It's a dark and evocative tale of four seemingly unrelated young women united by a surreal, supernatural origin. Goldie, Liyanna, Scarlet, and Bea are all on the cusp of 18, each burdened by complicated...

  45. Dan Stout, TITAN'S DAY author

    This episode features my first return guest — Dan Stout! His new novel, TITAN'S DAY (DAW Books) is the sequel to one of my favorite books of 2019, TITANSHADE. TITAN'S DAY returns us to the city of Titanshade, our police investigator protagonist Carter, and his two-mouthed, mandibled partner…

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  46. Tricia Levenseller, THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US author

    Tricia Levenseller is the author of THE SHADOWS BETWEEN US (available now from Feiwel & Friends). It's a young adult fantasy novel that's been quite accurately described as a "Slytherin romance". It follows the charming and cunning Alessandra, the second daughter of mid-level nobility, for years...

  47. K.B. Wagers, A PALE LIGHT IN THE BLACK author

    K.B. Wagers is the author of A PALE LIGHT IN THE BLACK (HarperVoyager). It's a good vibes military space opera that follows the Near Earth Orbital Guard, essentially a spacefaring Coast Guard protecting humanity within our solar system. The Neo-G crew of the Interceptor ship Zuma's Ghost prepares...

  48. Brian Keene, THOR: METAL GODS writer

    Season 5 of Fictitious kicks off with Brian Keene, one of the writers on the new Serial Box and Marvel production, THOR: METAL GODS. Brian has authored more than 50 horror, crime, and fantasy novels, and written for DC and Marvel Comics properties and other media tie-ins, including Doctor Who and...

  49. K. Eason, HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE

    K. Eason is the author of HOW RORY THORNE DESTROYED THE MULTIVERSE — out now from DAW Books. This charming and subversive fantasy-meets-space opera tale follows a young princess who is uprooted from her planet, and her throne, sent off-world to be a pawn for intergalactic politics. But Rory…

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  50. NaNoWriMo 2019 Special — feat. Grant Faulkner

    This episode focuses on National Novel Writing Month – NaNoWriMo – in November 2019. Host Adron Buske shares his own experiences participating in NaNo and his plans for this year's project. The episode also includes a rebroadcast discussion with Grant Faulkner, the executive director of the...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The Fictitious podcast, hosted by Adron Buske, delves into the craft of Science Fiction and Fantasy storytelling through interviews with authors and other professional writers. These conversations examine the writing process, techniques, and work habits of passionate creators and explore their most recent, and most popular, works.

HOSTED BY

Adron Buske

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Fictitious have?

Fictitious currently has 96 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Fictitious about?

The Fictitious podcast, hosted by Adron Buske, delves into the craft of Science Fiction and Fantasy storytelling through interviews with authors and other professional writers. These conversations examine the writing process, techniques, and work habits of passionate creators and explore their most...

How often does Fictitious release new episodes?

Fictitious has 96 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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You can listen to Fictitious on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Fictitious?

Fictitious is created and hosted by Adron Buske.
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