Books Cubed: Interviews, Raves, & Reads

Books Cubed Ep 132: Author Christian Hurst - Lily and the Voyage of the Salamander

Good Adventures,

This week, I am chatting with science fiction author Christian Hurst about his award-winning novel, Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander. We talk books, marketing, and beagles. Comment over on YouTube channel. 

Links:

https://www.churstpublishing.com/

https://christianhurst.link/

~~~~ What do I write? Thanks for asking. You'll find my cozies, portal fantasy series, and Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts here: https://payhip.com/MelissaBanczak

Thanks for joining me today. Now go read a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 131: Author Nancy Christie & Midlife Moxie Series Characters over 50!

Good Adventures,

I had a great time chatting with Nancy Christie about her Midlife Moxie Books Series with characters over 50! And you can read them in any order. Each is a standalone. Comment over on our Youtube page. 

Links:

https://www.nancychristie.com

https://www.gotprint.com/home.html

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What do I write? Thanks for asking. You'll find my cozies, portal fantasy series, and Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts here:

https://payhip.com/MelissaBanczak

Thanks for watching. Now go read a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 130: Author Neil Christiansen & his novel Malcolm Karma Cold Turkey

Good Adventures,

This week I’m chatting with Neil Christiansen about his you tube audio book series. He reads one chapter a week from his new book followed by behind the scenes commentary in the form of an interview. It’s a really cool project. Comment over on our YouTube channel. 

Links we discussed:

Find Neil at: gavingayle.com

The novel is Malcolm Karma: Cold Turkey

Writer’s Ink Podcast (anywhere you find podcasts) 

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What do I write? Thanks for asking. My cozy mysteries, fantasy, and Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts are available at melissabanczak.com

Go read a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 129 - Small Town Stories Bookstore in Lutz Florida

Good Adventures,

This week, I'm chatting with the owner of a new bookstore in Lutz, Florida, Small Town Stories. She specializes in Indie authors! The grand opening is Nov 22, 2025. If you're an indie author who'd like to apply to be carried in her store, check out the links below. To comment on show, visit our youtube page. 

Links:

https://www.smalltownstoriesllc.com

Contact Elizabeth: smalltownstoriesllc@gmail.com

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What do I write? Thanks for asking. You'll find my cozies, portal fantasy, and Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts here: https://payhip.com/MelissaBanczak Thanks for watching.

Now go read a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 128 - Enchanted Wolf, mound of Ash, and a Corset - It's writing Prompt Time Again

Good Adventures,

Fantasy author AE McKenna returns for a Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts session. Today, we used the fantasy edition and rolled for an enchanted wolf, a mound of ash, and a corset. We set the timer for 30 minutes, wrote, and then read! It was a good time. Wanna play too? Try our prompt on your own and let us know how it went, or give us a video reply on Youtube. As always, we invite you to join us in a future session. Just leave an I-wanna-play-too comment.

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Links:

The Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts Series is available directly from us or retailers. If you write by hand, get the paperbacks. If you write electronically, get the ebooks.

You'll find fantasy author AE McKenna here.

Thanks for watching, and go write a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 127 Urban Fantasy Author AE McKenna

Good Adventures,

This week, I'm talking cats, pizza, and magic with urban fantasy author AE McKenna. Comment over on our YouTube page so I see it!

Links: Join her newsletter and buy books at https://aemckenna.com/

Donate to the kitties at https://ankenytnr.org/

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What do I write? Thanks for asking. Cozy misadventure, portal fantasy, and dice games for authors. You'll find my novels at https://payhip.com/MelissaBanczak

Thanks for listening. Go read a good book. 

Melissa

Boooks Cubed Ep 126 with Thriller Author W.A. Pepper

Good Adventures,

I'm back from another hiatus with thriller author W.A. Pepper. We dive deep into icy storms and the fight for survival in his latest novel, One Icy Night. Comment over on our YouTube page so I see it! 

Links: DoGoodR: A Tanto Technothriller [A FREE ebook for your readers to see if they like my writing style or stories (link expires in 2026)] https://dl.bookfunnel.com/qbsg22i83g

One Icy Night: A Rook Thriller [The link to the book we discussed] https://www.amazon.com/One-Icy-Night-Rook-Thriller/dp/B0D9WNT4G3/

How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America by Lee Child et al. [A Fantastic handbook comprising tips and stories from some of the best writers around] https://www.amazon.com/How-Write-Mystery-Handbook-Writers/dp/B08RP89FLJ/

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What do I write? Thanks for asking. Cozy misadventure, portal fantasy, and dice games for authors. You'll find my novels at https://payhip.com/MelissaBanczak

Thanks for listening. Go read a good book. 

Melissa

Ep 125 - Chatting Libraries with Romantasy author Nicole LaBrocca

Good Adventures,

Recently, I got to chat about one of my favorite subjects with romantasy author Nicole LaBrocca - libraries! Are you a fan? Leave us a comment on my youtube page (so I see it) and tell us about your local library. 

Links: 

https://nicolelabrocca.com/

https://ci.mount-dora.fl.us/calendar.aspx?CID=22

https://www.dclibrary.org/using-the-library/maker-space-and-machinery-fabrication-lab

What do I write? Thanks for asking. Cozy misadventure, portal fantasy, and dice games for authors. 

Thanks for listening. Go read a good book. 

Melissa

Ep 124 - A Kleptomaniac, a canoe, and a window washer. It's writing prompt time.

Good Adventures,

In this episode, it's horror! Lisa and I are joined by author Lacey Gordon. Lisa picked a random page in our Horror Writing Jumpstarts edition and Lacie rolled for: 

A Kleptomaniac, a canoe, and a window washer. 

As usual, we wrote for 30 minutes and I begged for another ten. And I still wrote a tiny story! Comment over on our YouTube channel!

Links: 

Roll-A-Prompt Writing Jumpstarts - 13 editions and counting! 

Lacey Gordon's Blog - Crazdwriter

Lacey's Publisher Rocky Road Publishing

 

Thanks for watching. Go write a good book,

Melissa

Ep 123 - Author Gigi Lain and her debut novel, Little but Fierce

Good Adventures,

Today I'm chatting with a new favorite author, Gigi Lain. I thoroughly enjoyed her debut novel, Little but Fierce, and highly recommend it! Comment over on my Youtube channel. 

Purchase Links:

Amazon

Google Books

Kobo

Gigi Lain Website

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What do I write? Thanks for asking. You can listen to some of my audiobooks for free on my YouTube channel and find ebooks, audio, and paperbacks over on my website.  

Thanks for watching. Go read a good book!

Melissa