NDAF

This week, please join us for a rollicking and wide-ranging conversation with Assistant Professor of Philosophy & Data Science at UNC-Charlotte, Dr. Damien P. Williams on the past, present, and future of Artificial Intelligence, separating fiction and tech-bro hype from the reality in all its fascinating and flawed glory. Along the way, we discuss other reality-shifting technologies in recent history, the importance of Williams's own early access to computers and programming, and his life-long love of mind-bending science fiction.

This week, we're speaking with underground comic artist/cartoonist Hermit, author/illustrator of RENDEZVOUS WITH THE DEVIL and the forthcoming ADVENTURES OF PRINCESS KAYA, in collaboration with his musical creative partner, Kitten. Hermit takes us from his earliest doodles, his wide-ranging influences from STAR TREK to comics pioneer Dwayne McDuffie, and up through his leap into professional work including a longtime collaboration with NDAF show host, Mark Wheaton.

This week, we're speaking with writer, Vesper Doom, the author of the adult cozy fantasy/folk horror novel, THE BINDING OF BLOOM MOUNTAIN. She takes us from their earliest writing and discovery of Lovecraft to the conception of BLOOM MOUNTAIN and how it became an outlet after their autism diagnosis. We also get an in-depth sneak preview of Vesper's next book, METROPOLIS DOWN, currently in its final editing stages, and set to be the first of a multi-part, science fiction epic.

This week, we're talking to the wonderful poet and short fiction writer, Caroline Hung, who joins us from Manila, the Philippines, to discuss her writing processes, the stories behind her many dark and unsettling tales, her interest in folklore, and how her neurodivergence affects her creative output. She also performs for us a pair of poems, including the premiere of a new piece, LUNA.

This week, we're talking to genre filmmaker extraordinaire Andrew Kasch, as he takes us through his filmmaking career beginnings at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia, and his days as a reporter, then graduating into directing and editing everything from behind-the-scenes documentaries on the great horror franchises, work across the DC TV Universe on THE FLASH, TITANS, BLACK LIGHTNING, GOTHAM KNIGHTS, and LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, to his own terrifying and hilarious shorts - all while navigating the positive and negative sides of ADHD.

A conversation with author support specialist and longtime book publicist, Sarah Shaw, formerly of Thomas & Mercer, currently of BookedOnSocial, discussing innumerable strategies and tips for social media-averse creators across any space, particularly those—like NDAF's host and a couple of our guests so far—who have found it difficult due to aspects of their own neurodivergence to best connect with readers both online and in person.

A conversation with multi-talented wordsmith, Aquino Loayza, author of DEEP, THE MONOLOGIST, and the forthcoming PAPER LION as well as the editor and publisher of SPECTRUM: AN AUTISTIC HORROR ANTHOLOGY. We discuss the autistic characters in DEEP, where Loayza sees her own traits expressed in her writing, and bringing together neurodivergent authors for all points up and down the spectrum for the world's first horror anthology devoted specifically to presenting autistic points of view. 

A chat with author, advocate for parent caregivers and individuals with disabilities, former animation film executive, and master children's Halloween costume maker, Kelley Coleman, writer of EVERYTHING NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT PARENTING A DISABLED CHILD: YOUR GUIDE TO THE ESSENTIAL SYSTEMS, SERVICES, AND SUPPORTS. We talk all things neurodivergence in Hollywood, in our families, and advocating for oneself and for caregivers across all spaces, from schools to the workplace. 

A conversation with bestselling crime, science fiction, and western novelist, Tony Healey, author of the bestselling HARPER AND LANE series, several titles in Ralph Compton's GUNFIGHTER series, and the new MADDIE RYAN books, who joins us from Manchester. We talk about the early, wild west days of self-publishing, Healey's cross-genre versatility, as well as how his autism affects his writing output but also his ability to promote his work.

To mark the tenth anniversary of the publication of her landmark horror novel, EXPERIMENTAL FILM, a conversation with award-winning writer and former film journalist, Gemma Files, coming to us from Toronto, Canada. We talk about the book's lasting and evolving impact, the long road to Lois and Clark, and unraveling tropes and breaking new ground to create one of horror fiction's most authentic and well-rounded portrayals of autism.

A conversation with longtime film and video game journalist turned comic book and game writer, Dan Whitehead, the creator of ELLA UPGRADED, FRANKENSTEIN, TEXAS, HEX LOADER and much, much more coming to us from Manchester, England. We talk about his early days as an entertainment journo, the role his recently diagnosed autism has played a role in his writing, and what he has coming up for us to look forward to.

A conversation with novelist, musician, folklorist, and teacher, Xan Van Rooyen joining us from Helsinki to speak about their many current and upcoming projects, how everything from folklore to music influences their writing, and chat about some of our favorites of their books and short stories, including books MY NAME IS MAGIC and SILVER HELIX, and short stories THE SILENCE OF BROKEN THINGS and SHADOWS IN THE BLOOD.

NDAF is an open and welcoming forum for creative, mostly neurodivergent people to talk about the good, bad, and "Wow, this really needs to stay in the past..." when it comes to neurodivergent representation in media, and how neurodivergence impacts their creative lives - whether it's writers, filmmakers, videogame scripters, comic book creators, etc. - as they make unique, unexpected connections in their work, develop workarounds when certain traits of chracteristics get in their way, but also encounter the very real glass ceilings and barriers to entry when it comes to promoting their work or dealing with the business side of things. It's messy, it's funny, and as the very first guest said - "Wow. That was better than a whole month of therapy." That's NDAF - Neurodivergent As F***. Coming soon.