In this episode of the Epic Realms Podcast, we sit down with author Justin Rose to talk about the journey of becoming a writer.

Justin shares what it was like growing up homeschooled and how that experience compares with traditional public school education. He explains how those early experiences shaped his creativity and influenced his path toward writing.

The conversation also explores lessons from college and the advice he received during that time that helped guide his early writing career. Justin reflects on the evolution of his storytelling, including the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way.

A major theme in the discussion is the role emotion plays in his stories. Justin talks about how emotional authenticity drives his characters and why fantasy and science fiction allow him to explore those themes in powerful ways.

We also discuss the authors who inspired him, including legendary science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, and how those influences helped shape his creative voice.

If you enjoy conversations about writing, storytelling, and the creative process, this episode offers insight and inspiration for readers and aspiring writers alike. Kickstarter Link - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/justinrose/magic-and-majesty-a-midwest-fantasy-sampler Justin Rose Amazon Page - https://amzn.to/4s9h47D

In this episode, we sit down with Duncan Rhodes, the main voice behind the D&D blog Hipsters & Dragons, to explore the journey that led to his latest book, The Creative Game Master's Guide to Extraordinary Locations, also known as Extraordinary Locations.

Duncan shares how his real world travel experiences and detailed travel guides have shaped the immersive settings he creates for tabletop roleplaying games. We discuss his decision to step away from Dungeons & Dragons during college and how returning to it later reignited his creativity and inspired this new project. He also explains how his original creations on the Dungeon Masters Guild helped lay the foundation for the book, combining practical design tools with imaginative storytelling.

It is a conversation about creativity, rediscovery, and transforming real life adventure into unforgettable locations at the game table. Check out the new book - Here - Or Visit. https://www.hipstersanddragons.com/

This week on Epic Realms, Nick sits down with independent horror and sci fi author Joe Prosit for a deep dive into creativity, conventions, and carving your own path in publishing.

From growing up on GI Joe comics to serving in the Army and eventually launching a full time writing career, Joe shares his unconventional journey into indie publishing. He opens up about rejection letters, discovering the power of self publishing, and why conventions account for 90 percent of his sales.

The conversation explores genre blending, fast paced storytelling, outlining versus discovery writing, and how horror, sci fi, and what Joe calls psycho fiction all intersect in his work. They also discuss his latest novel, Reality Reaction Team, a mind bending sci fi thriller about secret agents who determine whether reality itself is real, and They Come From Below, a Lovecraft inspired horror set in small town Minnesota. Not to mention prepping to release his first Fantasy series, of which he has 5 books done and will be publishing the first one soon!

Plus, Joe reveals exciting news about The Black Heart Unbroken, a short film adaptation of his work premiering at the North Star Film Festival.

If you are an aspiring writer, horror fan, convention regular, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.

Follow Joe at www.joeprosit.com and catch him at conventions across the U.S.