A childhood pen grab, a plagiarism accusation, and a one-cent bank balance eventually led Zena Shapter to one important truth: the best career move is the one that keeps you closest to your real voice. The award-winning author joins StoryCentric to trace her winding journey from poetry-obsessed kid to trademark lawyer, copywriter, and novelist, including the moment she realized she’d “sold her soul” to the wrong profession. We dig into finding your authentic writing voice, writing for story rather than genre, building immersive science-fantasy worlds, and how adapting novels for the screen can make you a sharper writer. Zena also talks candidly about money, persistence, creative fulfillment, and the long game of becoming the writer you’re actually meant to be.

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TJ Klune (The House in the Cerulean Sea) is one of today's most beloved and acclaimed fantasy authors, however his path to success was anything but straightforward. In this episode of StoryCentric, TJ shares his remarkable journey from growing up in rural Oregon to becoming a New York Times bestselling author, revealing how perseverance and a refusal to compromise his voice shaped a career that has inspired millions of readers. We explore the realities of indie and traditional publishing, the importance of finding the right literary agent, and why luck only matters if you're ready when it arrives.

Our conversation also dives into the deeply personal stories behind books like the Cerulean Chronicles and Under the Whispering Door, examining how grief, hope, and a turbulent political climate influenced his work. TJ reflects on writing as both a form of healing and an act of advocacy, creating stories that celebrate belonging and identity. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build a writing career without losing yourself along the way, this conversation is worth your time.

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In this episode of StoryCentric, Osric Chau (Supernatural, The Flash) shares his journey from martial arts prodigy in Vancouver to international actor, producer, and industry innovator. From training obsessively in Wu Shu as a kid to landing roles in Hollywood and China, he reveals how he built a career on his own terms, and why he's now focused on changing the entertainment industry from the inside out.

We discuss how his martial arts background opened doors to acting opportunities, and how he navigated both the Hollywood and Chinese film industries, working alongside industry legends, overcoming cultural barriers, and learning how to thrive in two very different entertainment worlds.

The conversation explores the realities of fandom and public attention and how, today, Osric is focused on producing and developing new systems that give creators more freedom, sustainability, and control over their work.

Whether you're an actor, filmmaker, entrepreneur, or creative professional, Osric's story offers valuable insights on resilience and reinvention, providing a compelling vision for empowering the next generation of creators.

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In this episode of StoryCentric, author Andy Peloquin shares his journey from an adventurous childhood spent reading Sherlock Holmes in Japan and exploring myths, history, and fantasy, to becoming one of indie publishing's most prolific dark fantasy authors. Along the way, he transformed a love of storytelling into a thriving career built on compelling characters and a deep understanding of audience connection.

Our conversation explores the influences that shaped his writing, and why flawed, morally complex characters resonate so strongly with readers. We also dive into the business side of publishing. Andy discusses his approach to cover design, managing a catalog of more than 45 books, balancing writing with family life, and using social media and content marketing to build genuine relationships with readers.

Whether you're an aspiring author, a fantasy fan, or an entrepreneur looking to build a personal brand, Andy offers practical insights into creating a sustainable creative career. His story is a reminder that success comes from consistency and authenticity, and a relentless commitment to improving your craft.

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Sci-fi author Jeremy Szal joins the Story Centric Podcast to talk about building a writing career when the odds aren’t exactly friendly (like debuting during COVID). He shares the unconventional strategies that helped him stand out, from leaning into community over competition to focusing on long-term platforms like podcasting instead of chasing short-term trends.

We dig into his high-octane storytelling style, shaped by influences like Red Rising and Mass Effect, and explore how cross-genre mashups and anime-style chaos can still deliver real emotional depth. Jeremy also offers a grounded take on the divide between literary and genre fiction, and why they’re both so important.

If you’re trying to cut through the noise, build meaningful connections, and stay creatively authentic in this ever-shifting industry, this episode offers a bit of wisdom wrapped in practical perspective.

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This week, Andrew sits down with comic book writer and filmmaker George Michail (90’s horror kid, cinematic obsessive, and co-writer of the Knight Terror script) to trace the origin story behind the storyteller. George shares how a steady diet of slasher films, comics, and late-night movie marathons shaped his creative instincts, and why growing up in the shadow of practical effects and VHS-era horror left a permanent mark on his imagination.

The conversation dives into the evolution of Knight Terror, from concept to screenplay to feature film. George pulls back the curtain on adapting a dark, stylized idea into a cinematic narrative, including the creative and financial risks, the structural challenges, and the practical realities of moving from page to production. It’s an honest look at what it actually takes to shepherd a genre project forward in today’s film landscape.

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On this episode of StoryCentric, Andrew sits down with Charles Melcher, founder of Future of StoryTelling, to explore how technology, neuroscience, and human biology are reshaping the way stories work. From immersive theatre and LARPing to AI characters and virtual worlds, Charlie explains why the future of storytelling is participatory and deeply community-oriented.

They dig into the idea of “actience” (the audience as co-creator), why storytelling is hardwired into our evolution, and how new tools are democratizing narrative creation for everyone, not just studios and publishers. Along the way, Charlie unpacks the ethical challenges of AI-driven stories, the power of multi-sensory experiences to boost memory and empathy, and why immersive storytelling may be a surprising antidote to social disconnection.

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Join Andrew Buckley for a conversation with Special Effects Makeup Artist Lanny Brown, whose work spans projects like Lucifer, Knight Terror, and Alien Earth. From a small-town Ontario childhood fuelled by curiosity, imagination, and a love of horror, Lanny carved a path into the film industry.

In this episode, Lanny breaks down the real difference between special effects and special makeup effects (spoiler alert, it’s ‘dirt, blood, and glue’), how indie projects help shape better artists, and why relationships matter as much as raw talent in the film world. Along the way, he opens up about authenticity, creative resilience, and what it means to build a career out of making the unreal feel disturbingly real.

If you’re fascinated by film, practical effects, or the strange alchemy where fear turns into art, this episode will be worth your time.

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