<![CDATA[Keep Writing]]>
authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/podcastSubstackMon, 15 Jun 2026 06:56:01 GMThttps://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/6772891.rssJames S. AaronDad. Oregonian. U.S. Army Veteran. Science Fiction Novelist. Member of #SFWA, the Eugene #Wordos. I like digging in the yard, building stuff, riding bikes and reading books. Trying to do good in my bit of the world. https://jamesaaron.net/books/episodicJames S. Aaronauthorjamesaaron@substack.comNo<![CDATA[LitRPG for normies: Operation Bounce House]]>Operation Bounce House is here to hold over fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl!

Operation Bounce House: https://amzn.to/4s7IoD1

Gamer (2009): https://youtu.be/z88gktIxS-I



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/litrpg-for-normies-operation-bouncesubstack:post:187773003Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo1200<![CDATA[Review: A Fiction Writer's Guide to Peace by Gabriel Ertsgaard]]>This book may surprise you. It isn't saying characters can't fight. It expands what it can mean to fight. Ertsgaard makes strong arguments for incorporating nonviolence into characters and story, using examples from across media. Discussion of character arcs, plots and world-building, with exercise throughout to test the ideas yourself. I found it an excellent source of ideas on subverting reader expectations. Mentioned: A Writer's Guide to Peace: https://amzn.to/4017irz Nonviolence and the Hero's Duel: https://www.sfwa.org/2021/06/29/nonviolence-and-the-heros-duel/ Solarpunk and Peace Poetics: https://www.peacejusticestudies.org/chronicle/solarpunk-and-peace-poetics/ Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/4akQS2k The Weight of Light: A Collection of Solar Punk Futures: https://csi.asu.edu/books/weight/ Fantasy Scroll Magazine: https://iulianionescu.com/fantasy-scroll-magazine/ __ Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/review-a-fiction-writers-guide-tosubstack:post:187202558Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo2136<![CDATA[What happened to January?]]>Author journal, challenges, and I got accepted into an MFA program.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/what-happened-to-januarysubstack:post:186859291Wed, 04 Feb 2026 14:03:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo1817<![CDATA[What Makes Dungeon Crawler Carl so Awesome?]]>Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the best first books in a series I've read in a while. Let's explore all the elements that make this book work so well.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/3M4rLIR

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman - https://amzn.to/4r8J9uW



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/what-makes-dungeon-crawler-carl-sosubstack:post:185990050Wed, 28 Jan 2026 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo3676<![CDATA[Early Hard SF: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne]]>I found Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne much more interesting than I expected. I talk about what I think science fiction writers can learn from this early "hard science fiction" and what probably doesn't work for modern readers. William Butcher Translation: https://amzn.to/3NvilGy The Adventures of Lumen N: https://amzn.to/49Uggwx



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/early-hard-sf-twenty-thousand-leaguessubstack:post:184663078Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo2511<![CDATA[Has AI Joined Your Writing Group?]]>Some quick thoughts on considerations about generative AI and writing groups, “vibe-writing” and other ways your group should be talking about these things now before something blows up.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/has-ai-joined-your-writing-groupsubstack:post:184455786Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:12:41 GMTJames S. AaronNo463<![CDATA[Aspirations, Intentions and Reality 2026]]>A starting point for what I plan to get done in 2026. 4 Novels: Grimm's War 2: Advance By Fire Grimm's War 3: ? Lyssa's Betrayal ?? Libertycon Organizing all the stuff Spending none of the money Books mentioned: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman https://amzn.to/4ppkZej



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/aspirations-intentions-and-realitysubstack:post:183555964Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo2097<![CDATA[2025 Makes Me Stranger (But Doesn't Kill Me)]]>



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/2025-makes-me-stranger-but-doesntsubstack:post:183304097Sat, 03 Jan 2026 01:22:32 GMTJames S. AaronNo4034<![CDATA[Obstacles and Obstacles]]>Obstacles and Obstacles and AI didn't write this.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/obstacles-and-obstaclessubstack:post:182328227Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo1710<![CDATA[Rejected!]]>Journal for 12-16-25. Changing my plan for short stories this year, how I'm outlining for Advance by Fire, thoughts on Kindle "Ask This Book" feature, and what I've been reading. What's then Kindle Ask This Book feature? https://www.makeuseof.com/controversial-new-ai-feature-launches-kindle/



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/rejectedsubstack:post:181790524Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo1430<![CDATA[Author Journal 12-5-25]]>



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/author-journal-12-5-25substack:post:181234843Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:25:06 GMTJames S. AaronNo1231<![CDATA[Journal for 12-1-25]]>Journal for 12-1-25 - Updates on writing during Thanksgiving break, One Page Rules Gaming, why I didn't buy the LEGO Star Trek Enterprise and other stuff writers spend money on, mapping out short story submissions for 2026, writing with two docs open and switching between them when I hit a block, and dang there isn't enough time for anything. Link to the "I hate being a writer" video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2e_onxA014



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/journal-for-12-1-25substack:post:180405187Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo2040full<![CDATA[Author Journal 11-25-25]]>



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/author-journal-11-25-25substack:post:180130032Thu, 27 Nov 2025 19:49:05 GMTJames S. AaronNo319418full<![CDATA[Review (some spoilers!) of the SF Thriller Four Minutes by Andrews & Wilson]]>Review (minor spoilers) of the SF Thriller Four Minutes by Andrews and Wilson.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/review-some-spoilers-of-the-sf-thrillersubstack:post:179460387Thu, 20 Nov 2025 14:44:31 GMTJames S. AaronNo1169full<![CDATA[Author Journal, November 17 2025]]>Checking on writing progress, following ideas, sticking to fiction rather than news, SFWA Quasar Conference, and life events Could, Should, Might, Don't by Nick Foster: https://amzn.to/447RLJ3 There is No Anti-Memetics Division by QNTM: https://amzn.to/43VGImr Four Minutes by Andrews and Wilson: https://amzn.to/47WpGFK Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/writing-science-fiction-is-hard/id1851888896 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yggOIm2Cc7MvZL4KNH95s Non-Commercial: https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron Substack: https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/author-journal-november-17-2025substack:post:179146278Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:00:00 GMTJames S. AaronNo1503full<![CDATA[Review (spoilers!) of Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling]]>Review (spoilers!) of Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/review-spoilers-of-holy-fire-by-brucesubstack:post:179144385Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:26:31 GMTJames S. AaronNo2103full<![CDATA[Review (spoilers!) of Lexicon by Max Barry]]>Review (spoilers!) of Lexicon by Max Barry



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/review-spoilers-of-lexicon-by-maxsubstack:post:179144195Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:23:53 GMTJames S. AaronNo1681full<![CDATA[How to find Writers Groups in 2025]]>How to find writers groups in 2025



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/how-to-find-writers-groups-in-2025substack:post:179144036Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:22:24 GMTJames S. AaronNo1926full<![CDATA[Starting from a Story Prompt]]>A walkthrough on how I start from a prompt to writing a story.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/starting-from-a-story-promptsubstack:post:179143921Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:20:31 GMTJames S. AaronNo1372full<![CDATA[Review of Dust (spoilers!) by Hugh Howey]]>Review of Dust by Hugh Howey



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/review-of-dust-spoilers-by-hugh-howeysubstack:post:179066772Sun, 16 Nov 2025 17:32:41 GMTJames S. AaronNo128371full<![CDATA[Author's Journal for November 3, 2025]]>



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/authors-journal-for-november-3-2025substack:post:179047166Sun, 16 Nov 2025 13:05:40 GMTJames S. AaronNo63417full<![CDATA[Book Review of Shift by Hugh Howey (spoilers!)]]>A review of Shift by Hugh Howey



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/book-review-of-shift-by-hugh-howeysubstack:post:179025544Sun, 16 Nov 2025 04:41:50 GMTJames S. AaronNo161316full<![CDATA[On making yourself get creative.]]>I talked about my struggles with being disciplined about creativity. These are the steps I take to make myself get stuff done.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/on-making-yourself-get-creativesubstack:post:178787776Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:57:32 GMTJames S. AaronNo122414full<![CDATA[Thoughts on Creative Discipline]]>Some thoughts on what it means to be disciplined in creativity, and where we find motivation. Is it inside, or outside ourselves? Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/thoughts-on-creative-disciplinesubstack:post:178737035Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:00:07 GMTJames S. AaronNo102713full<![CDATA[Author Journal for October 27, 2025]]>Author Journal for October 27, 2025. Slightly behind on episodes as I get the podcast caught up with YouTube. You can find more up to date episodes at https://www.youtube.com/@authorjamesaaron



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/author-journal-for-october-27-2025substack:post:178601464Tue, 11 Nov 2025 14:37:24 GMTJames S. AaronNo75012full<![CDATA[Orycon 45 Recap]]>I just attended OryCon 45 in Portland Oregon, the last event of the long-running PNW science fiction convention. Why is OryCon ending? As a creator, if you aren't on any panels, should you volunteer with a convention? Check out my work: https://jamesaaron.net/books



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit authorjamesaaron.substack.com]]>https://authorjamesaaron.substack.com/p/orycon-45-recapsubstack:post:178455328Sun, 09 Nov 2025 23:47:27 GMTJames S. AaronNo88811full