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Episodes
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Author and podcaster Michael Vadney joins us for a yarn about his debut novel, Crownfall.
Michael Vadney is an American fantasy author and podcaster. Born in the Florida Keys and raised in the woods of Pennsylvania, Michael's love for storytelling began at an early age. His passion for fantasy literature was ignited by classics like "The Hobbit" and "Redwall," inspiring him to create his own worlds filled with complex characters and fantastic magic.
In his early-thirties, he rekindled his childhood dream of becoming an author. Balancing a full-time career in software, he dedicated nights, weekends, and many dawns to writing, learning the craft through trial and error, online videos, and the writing community.
Through his debut novel Crownfall and the Author Adjacent podcast, Michael explores themes of power, justice, and survival while sharing the challenges and victories of the writing life. His approach to storytelling emphasises complex characters facing impossible choices, intricate world-building that serves the narrative, and themes that resonate with real human experiences, even in fantastical settings.
Michael’s website: Michaelvadney.com
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
#indieauthorpodcast #meettheauthor #books #indiebooks #booktube
Wednesday Mar 18, 2026
Wednesday Mar 18, 2026
Author Scott Pearson joins us for a yarn about writing, Star Trek, the most common mistakes authors make, and a whole lot more.
Scott is a full-time freelance writer and editor working across a variety of genres in both traditional and indie publishing. His published works include short stories, novellas, essays, poetry, and role-playing game supplements. He is the co-screenwriter of the IMAX space documentaries Space Next and Touch the Stars. He was the copyeditor for Simon & Schuster’s Star Trek novels for ten years prior to becoming the line’s developmental editor in early 2025. Since 2016, he has been an editor and occasional writer for the Star Trek Adventures roleplaying game from Modiphius. Late in 2024, he began proofreading comic books and graphic novels for IDW, including their Star Trek line. Scott and his wife, Sandra, split their time between St. Paul and the wilds of northern Minnesota. Scott and their daughter, Ella, cohosted the late Generations Geek podcast, still available through several podcast apps.
Scott’s website: Scott-pearson.com
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
#indieauthorpodcast #meettheauthor #books #indiebooks #booktube
Wednesday Mar 11, 2026
Wednesday Mar 11, 2026
Author Jessica Barberi swings by for a yarn. We talk fantasy, preparing for in-person events and test her creative skills with a few rounds of Story Pitch.
Follow Jessica on X: @Jessica_Barberi
Jessica’s website: Jessicabarberi.com
Jessica’s YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@indiebookrelease?si=r7wovLjV7jDXCFsD
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
#indieauthorpodcast #meettheauthor #books #indiebooks #booktube
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Author Mike Cahoon joins us for a yarn.
Follow Mike on the socials: @MCahoon_author
Mike’s website: www.Mikecahoon.com
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
#indieauthorpodcast #meettheauthor #books #indiebooks #booktube
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Wednesday Feb 25, 2026
Author and podcaster, Livia J Elliot, joins us for a yarn.
Check out Livia’s Substack: Liviajelliot.substack.com
Follow Livia on the socials: @Liviajelliot
Livia’s website: https://liviajelliot.com
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Author Matt Waterhouse joins us for a yarn.
Check out Matt’s Substack: Mattwaterhouse.substack.com
Follow Matt on the socials: @Waterhousebooks
Buy Matt’s books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/Matt-Waterhouse/author/B07L3MN2F3?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
Wednesday Feb 11, 2026
Wednesday Feb 11, 2026
Author Trinity Cunningham stops by for a tangent-filled yarn.
Check out Trinity’s Website: Trinitycunningham.ca
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
Wednesday Feb 04, 2026
Wednesday Feb 04, 2026
Author Sam Robb stops by for a yarn.
Sam’s books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B07QJCG3BD/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=yYM1O&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=Eh8BG&pd_rd_r=bfbe06d0-7583-464b-956d-2273990389cb
Sam’s Substack: https://samrobbwrites.substack.com
Ranconteur Press: https://www.raconteurpress.com
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Wednesday Jan 28, 2026
Author James Fouche returns for a yarn about his latest book, Gray.
Guest’s Website: Jamesfouche.com
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com
Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
In the first episode of 2026, we chat with our honorary sponsor and the winner of the best cover in the Kearsells Indie Book Award 2025, Alexander Rob.
Guest’s Website: Alexanderrob.com
Guest’s Socials: @TheStarwald
Contact the show: thetrueandthefictional@gmail.com
Support the show: Buymeacoffee.com/sttatf
Buy Merch: Jabryden.printify.me
Follow us on the socials:
FB: Facebook.com/storiesthetrueandthefictional
IG: @stories_podcast
X: @stories_ttatf
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzIXhRcUvPPAzpCL-_a9N4w
Sponsor 1: Rebecca Cassells
Buy her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/.../e/B08WCH6RHG/
X: RACassells_auth
IG: Rebecca.cassells.92
FB: Facebook.com/Rebeccacassellsbooks
Sponsor 2: Martin Kearns:
https://www.readkearns.com
IG: @readkearns
Sponsor 3: J.A. Bryden
Website: Jabryden.com
Socials: @jabryden
Kearsells Indie Book Award Winners 2025:
Janelle Schiecke:
Socials: J_Schiecke
Buy her books: https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/author/B0CCXHKVGH/allbooks?_encoding=UTF8&ref_=aufs_ap_ahdr_dsk_ab&pd_rd_w=XSV9m&content-id=amzn1.sym.b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_p=b4344408-bcb0-46d7-b9b0-ac31160009fa&pf_rd_r=358-0097934-1431222&pd_rd_wg=8hy1R&pd_rd_r=f0f7368c-365a-4c1c-8cc2-4a75595b0f92
Alexander Rob:
Socials: @TheStarwald
Website: Alexanderrob.com