Books Cubed: Interviews, Raves, & Reads

Books Cubed Ep 142: Multi Award Winning Author Carol Van Den Hende Chats in Person Shows

Good Adventures,

This week, I welcome multi award winning author Carol Van Den Hende to chat about interacting with readers at in person books shows. She has some excellent advice and an amazing story about a book club that welcomed her with a standout reception. Comment over on our Youtube channel. 

Links:

https://carolvandenhende.com/dear-orchid/

https://militaryfamilybooks.com/

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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 listening. Now go read a good book!

Melissa

 

 

 

Books Cubed Ep 141: Simply to Die for, an audio drama discussion with CJ Corl and Cait McNeal

Good Adventures,

This week, it’s murder and mayhem as we discuss the audio drama, Simply to Die for! My guests are writer CJ Corl and actress Kait McNeal. It’s a bump in the night good time! Comment over on our YouTube Channel. 

Links:

CJ Corl: found (infrequently) on most social media websites at @cjcorl

Roving Rogue Pro: found on socials at @rovingroguepro https://rovingroguepro.weebly.com/#/ Simply to Die For

https://rovingroguepro.weebly.com/simply-to-die-for-podcast.html

PRIDE & PREJUDICE, DIRECTED BY JOE SORIANO  (Mar. 6-8 and 13-15)  https://ksutt.ludus.com/index.php

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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 listening. Now go read a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 140: Thriller Author Joe Battaglia on his new book and years covering Winter Olympics

Good Adventures,

The Winter Olympics are my favorite time to veg in front of the tv at all hours so I'm thrilled to chat with author Joe Battaglia about his new book, Beneath the Rings, a thriller about kidnapped athletes at the 2040 Olympics and the reporter who must figure out why it happened. Comment over on our Youtube channel. 

Links:

For more about Joe and to book him - https://prbythebook.com/experts/joe-battaglia/

Buy the book on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/BENEATH-RINGS-Joe-Battaglia-ebook/dp/B0FTGJHVL4

He'll be appearing in the future at Raven Books in Bryan, TX, 1105 S Texas Ave Ste 100, Bryan, TX 77803 https://www.ravenbooksbcs.com

Visit Joe's website to read more about the characters. https://booksbybattaglia.com

~~~

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 139: Tolkien's Trolls and Ren Fairs with Fantasy Author Jeremy James Smith

Good Adventures,

I was so happy to chat with Jeremy this week. He's in the middle of an eight book fantasy series and promises more to come! We talked about writing styles, making worlds your own, and the very cool way he sells in person at Renaissance fairs. You won't want to miss this one. Comment over on our Youtube channel. 

Links:

March 5-8, 2026 Jeremy will be at

https://www.emeraldcitycomiccon.com/en-us.html

Booth #11308

Summer 2026:

Washington Midsummer's Renaissance Faire:

https://www.washingtonmidsummer.com/

The booth is Harkentale's Bookpub

Jeremy James Smith on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3J1ZZ1X

Or at

https://harkentale.com https://vellum.pub

~~~

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 listening. Now go read a good book!

Melissa

Books Cubed Ep 138: Book Narrator Rebecca Brokaw - Sands

Good Adventures,

I'm excited to have book narrator, Rebecca Brokaw-Sands join me today. If you are an indie author, you'll want to check out her work. She's not just a narrator, she's a voice actor who will bring your book to life. Comment over on our Youtube channel.

Links:

https://www.quillandchord.com

https://rebeccabrokawsands.net

https://www.tiktok.com/@rebeccaasands

~~~

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 137: Join me for a quick visit to the Hemingway house in Key West

Good Adventures,

This week I'm inviting you to tagalong on my trip to the Hemingway house in Key West. Comment over on our YouTube page.

Links:

https://www.hemingwayhome.com

~~~

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 136: Fantasy novels with Author-Illustrator H. Gorlitz Scott

Good Adventures,

This week, I'm chatting fantasy books, maps with author-illustrator H. Gorlitz Scott, who also offers advice on how authors can help their cover artists. Comment over on our Youtube channel. 

Links:

The River Cleanup club:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/reconcentralflorida/

heather@dragonmun.com

https://dragonira.wixsite.com/sivoa

https://www.dragonmun.com/

https://ltd.onlysocial.io

https://amzn.to/4qYWp5c

~~~

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 135: Freak shows, book awards, and music festivals with award-winning Author, Mark Mustian

Good Adventures,

This week, I'm talking freak shows, book awards, and music festivals with award-winning Author, Mark Mustian. Comment over on our YouTube channel. 

Links:

https://markmustian.com/

https://wordofsouthfestival.com/

https://www.yasminwilliamsmusic.com/

~~~

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 134: Wolf conservation and howling with author Leokadia George

Good Adventures,

This week, Leokadia George joins me to talk wolves, howling, and writing a children's book series about Trumpet the miracle Wolf pup. Comment over on our YouTube page.

Links:

https://nywolf.org/

https://www.amazon.com/Trumpet-Miracle-Wolf-Leokadia-George/dp/1954819595/

~~~

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 133: Merry Christmas 2025. Melissa shares some of her favorite books in this short and sweet episode..

Good adventures,

If you celebrate, Merry Christmas 2025. I wanted to share some favorite books with you. You'll find links to them below. Happy reading! Comment over on our Youtube channel.

Links: Salem Anthology - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XRBYGDM https://www.tiktok.com/@jprindfleisch AE McKenna - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D67ZZ6Z4 KJ Gillenwater - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXTBQSPT https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FCTWQXG ~~~ 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