Hey there!

My name is Alyssa Marie I run Alyssa’s Novel Nook on instagram, TikTok and facebook. This is a podcasts that will discuss all things bookish as well as host Author Chats with Indie Authors! Episodes will run Tuesdays and Thursdays. Thanks for listening!

In this episode, Alyssa reflects on the past year and discusses her New Year's resolutions, focusing on personal growth and adaptability. She shares insights on the challenges of sticking to resolutions and the importance of being kind to oneself. The conversation shifts to reading goals, experiences with Goodreads, and the nuances of book preferences, including the use of bookmarks and reading techniques. Alyssa emphasizes the significance of enjoying the reading journey and looking forward to a positive year ahead.

Chapters

00:00 New Year Reflections and Resolutions

05:21 Reading Goals and Goodreads Challenges

08:57 Letting Go of Negativity

12:20 Book Preferences and Reading Habits

17:38 Bookmarks and Reading Techniques

24:50 Looking Ahead to 2026

In this engaging conversation, Alyssa Marie interviews horror author John Ward about his upcoming book 'A Blackened Heart, A Blackened Soul.' They delve into the emotional depth of horror writing, the differences between middle grade and adult horror, and the personal experiences that inspired John's work. John shares insights into his writing process, the challenges of being an indie author, and his paranormal investigations, providing a fascinating look into the world of horror literature.

Takeaways

John's new book is a grief horror story mixed with possession horror.

He believes that writing middle grade horror helped him create impactful adult horror.

The emotional journey of writing can be cathartic for authors.

John's inspiration for his book comes from real-life paranormal experiences.

He prefers to plot his stories to avoid plot holes.

Writing routines can be inconsistent, especially for part-time authors.

Paranormal investigations can lead to genuinely scary experiences.

Grief horror resonates with readers on a deep emotional level.

Imposter syndrome is a common struggle for authors, even after success.

Engaging with readers personally can enhance the author-reader relationship.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to John Ward and His New Book

06:01 The Creative Process: Inspiration and Writing Style

11:57 Writing Routine and Overcoming Challenges

18:02 Future Projects and Themes in Horror

28:01 Inspiration from Indie Authors

33:06 The Paranormal and Haunted Objects

46:10 Dream Investigations and Ideal Locations

In this festive episode of Beyond the Pages, Alyssa and Brody dive into a variety of Christmas-themed topics, from fictional sidekicks to horror icons as Santa. They debate the status of classic Christmas movies like 'Home Alone' and 'Die Hard', discuss controversial Christmas songs, and share their thoughts on family traditions and gatherings. The conversation takes a humorous turn as they explore the idea of Christmas movies with horror twists and even ponder what an Edgar Allan Poe Christmas story would look like. The duo wraps up by discussing the challenges of adult gift-giving and the unique theme of mummies in holiday storytelling. In this lively conversation, Alyssa and Brody explore a range of humorous and creative topics, from vampires and mummies to the intricacies of writing horror literature. They share personal anecdotes about their fears, discuss the future of writing, and engage in rapid-fire questions that touch on holiday traditions and villainous characters. The dialogue is filled with laughter, insights into character development, and reflections on the Christmas spirit, all while maintaining a light-hearted and engaging tone.

In this episode of 'Beyond the Pages', Alyssa Marie interviews Courtney Capone about her new novella 'Survival of the Fittest'. They discuss the creative process behind the book, character inspirations, the role of pets in writing, and the challenges of self-publishing. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on the writing industry, the importance of community among indie authors, and the human touch in art. Courtney shares her experiences with formatting and publishing, as well as her future writing projects.

Takeaways

Courtney's new release is titled 'Survival of the Fittest'.

The novella serves as a prequel to her previous short story.

Maggie, the main character, is inspired by Courtney's own experiences.

Courtney's relationship with her pets influences her writing.

The indie author community provides support and collaboration opportunities.

AI's impact on writing raises concerns about authenticity.

Formatting challenges can be daunting for new authors.

Community groups can be both supportive and restrictive for indie authors.

The importance of human connection in art and literature is emphasized.

Courtney plans to continue exploring new writing projects.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Survival of the Fittest

03:09 The Creative Process Behind the Novella

06:05 Character Development and Inspirations

09:01 The Role of Pets in Writing and Life

11:56 Recent Releases and Collaborations

14:57 Challenges of Self-Publishing

18:00 The Impact of AI on Writing

20:59 Community and Support Among Indie Authors

24:00 The Importance of Human Touch in Art

27:04 Formatting and Publishing Challenges

29:54 Conclusion and Future Projects

Summary

In this episode of Beyond the Pages, Alyssa Marie discusses new book releases, debates the Christmas movie status of popular films, and explores Amazon's upcoming changes to digital rights management for authors. She also delves into the impact of AI on literature and emphasizes the importance of supporting indie authors. The episode concludes with a focus on community engagement and exciting giveaways for listeners.

Takeaways

New indie releases

Christmas movies can spark lively debates, like 'Die Hard'.

Alyssa shares her favorite Christmas movies and quotes.

Amazon's new digital rights management could affect indie authors.

Readers should support indie authors directly to avoid piracy.

AI's role in literature raises ethical questions.

Indie authors often provide free or discounted books to readers.

Community engagement is vital for indie authors' success.

Alyssa encourages readers to use library apps for ebooks.

Supporting authors helps sustain the literary community.

Titles

Exploring New Book Releases

The Great Christmas Movie Debate

Sound bites

"So go get it."

"I love Harry Potter."

"The shitter's full!"

Chapters

00:00 New Book Releases

01:29 Christmas Movie Discussions

06:49 Amazon's Digital Rights Management Changes

11:53 The Impact of AI on Literature

18:03 Supporting Indie Authors

21:31 Community Engagement and Giveaways

In this episode of "Beyond the Pages," Alyssa Marie celebrates recent book releases, including "Harsh Winters" by John Randall and "Kill the Messenger" by Jessica Lynn Sorensen. She shares her excitement about receiving book mail, discusses her reading goals, and emphasizes the importance of supporting indie authors. Alyssa also talks about her current reads, plans for a trip to visit author Elisa D. Daniels, and concludes with a fun Christmas-themed "this or that" game.

NEW RELEASES

Kill The Messanger by Jessica Lynn Sorensen

https://a.co/d/iRuSpj1

Harsh Winters by John Randall

https://a.co/d/bfROhE3

Perci Jay books

https://www.percijayauthor.com/

In this engaging conversation, Alyssa and Adam Cosco delve into the intricacies of his writing, particularly focusing on his latest work, 'The End.' They explore themes of grief, technology, and the emotional depth of characters, while also discussing the writing process and the influences that shape his storytelling. Adam shares insights into the role of horror in literature and how it reflects societal issues, as well as the importance of crafting relatable characters. The discussion highlights the immersive nature of Adam's writing style and the thought-provoking elements that resonate with readers.