The Drunken Odyssey with John King: A Podcast About the Writing Life

Episode 422 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that's your thing). This week, Michael Merriam and I discuss the 2010 cult film, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and in this conversation we address the classic structure of film; the importance of the perfect flaw for a protagonist and antagonist; Joseph Campbell (naturally); the Bible; why Reality Bites bites; video games and the psychological logic of true boss fights; the abundance of super hero actors in this film; comic book adaptations; tropes in anime; and how comedies can house tales with deeply serious content, for those who can look past the jokes.

This week I talk with Disney historian Didier Ghez about the joys of research and forging one's own path as a historian.

This week I talk with comedian, actor, sourdough aficionado, and essay writer, Tom Papa! TEXTS DISCUSSED

On this week's show, I speak with Mike Onorato, Vice President of Publicity at Smith Publicity, about how publicity works behind the scenes for writers, and how COVID-19 is affecting the books business.

Vanessa Blakeslee and I discuss the classic of comparative mythology, Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces. While this is a work of scholarship not directly intended for creative writers, its lessons are of immense value to anyone writing adventure, fantasy, or science fiction. We reference Star Wars, The Matrix, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Bible, and Pinocchio, among other works, and mention the trials of academic discourse that are meant to be confused with the belly of the beast.

This week I talk with the novelist Jason Z. Morris about structuring a novel, learning the confidence to write a novel, how the peer review process in science helps in receiving creative writing criticism, and the fun, diverse conversations to be had at the faculty cafeteria at Fordham at Lincoln Center.

This week I talk with the poet Kimiko Hahn about the mysteriousness of objects, the mourning involved in memory, the strange penchant of Dr. Chevalier Quixote Jackson, and discovering the scheme of a book of poetry.

This week I talk with poet EmilyBrandtabout her new book Falsehood by After Hours Press. We delve into her personal connection with the poems and her growth from taking a poetry class as a one-off to her experience in NYU's MFA program to published poet.We also discuss the effect her students have had on her writing and her life, which range from high school students to veterans of the wars of Iraq and Afghanistan. TEXT DISCUSSED

In this week's episode, I talk with creative writer and Disney historian Todd James Pierce about the new Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction that let's guests cross into the screen of a cartoon experience. TEXTS DISCUSSED

In this bonus, mid-week episode of The Drunken Odyssey, the game-writing expert Michael Merriam and I read and discuss Escape from Fire Island, a lost classic from the 1990s. Somehow, we touch upon Dragon's Lair, The Canterbury Tales, Hamlet (naturally), He-Man and The Masters of the Universe, and The Hero with a Thousand Faces. TEXTS DISCUSSED

This week, my occasional co-host, Vanessa Blakeslee, and I discuss Douglas Glover's latest collection, The Erotics of Restraint: Essays on Literary Form. We explore his insights on time and plot construction, as seen the works of Alice Munro, Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, and others.

This week I sit down with novelist and memoirist Paul Lisicky to discuss his new memoir, Later: My Life at The Edge of The World. We dive into the process of memory in writing memoir, the ways of poetically complicating how time works in narrative, and the influences that let him know what was possible to be at home in memoir. We also discuss his formative experiences living in Provincetown in the 1990s, and discovering queer identity during the times of the AIDS epidemic. Paul Lisicky. Photo by Beowulf Sheehan.[/caption] TEXTS DISCUSSED

This week, I speak to actor, show writer, and memoirist Ron Schneider about the show business life, theme park creativity, and learning to master new creative challenges. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile.

This week, I speak to fiction writer Shane Hinton about his poetic, spooky apocalyptic novel, Radio Dark.

Episode 408 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream (right click to download, if that's your thing.) This week, my occasional co-host, Vanessa Blakeslee, and I discuss Paul Fussell's entertaining treatise, Class: A Guide Through the American Status System. While this is clearly not a craft book, a sociological understanding of the American class system can add layers to your characterization, or so John found when he discovered this gem back in the early 1990s. Paul Fussell (1924-2012) possessed a gorgeously sardonic wit when not hiding in academia. Someday John will own a sailboat, and become truly, deeply, fatally lost, and happy.

This week, I talk to my friend and colleague Nathan Holic about his new novel that is a true epic of our hometown (Orlando), Bright Lights, Medium-Sized City. Nathan Holic at an undisclosed location in Orlando, without a beer. This is Nathan's 8th appearance on TDO!

This week, I talk to my friend and colleague Amy Watkins about becoming more systematic about submitting work, and about conceiving of book-length projects of poetry. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

This week, I talk to my friend Corwin Moore, who is a comic and comedy writer. Our proposed topic of discussion was the greatness of Richard Pryor, which we cover at length in a conversation that took many turns. NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

This week, I talk to my friend, and Orlando's poet laureate, Susan Lilley! TEXT DISCUSSED

This week, I talk to two poets. First, I speak with the joyous Jericho Brown about his complex relationship to poetic tradition, identity, and music. Frankly, I kept making tangents to music. Perhaps too many. But this was one of my favorite interviews from Miami Book Fair International. Second, I speak with Richard Blanco about the poetry of we, and the importance of giving an audience an entertaining performance, and writing poetry that makes me cry in yet another of my favorite interviews from MBFI. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

This week, Vanessa Blakeslee and I assail more essays on the craft of literature, this time two by T.S. Eliot. TEXTS DISCUSSED "Hamlet and Its Problems" can be found here; "Tradition and the Individual Talent" can be found here.

This week, I offer another round of conversations from Miami Book Fair International, in which I talk to Steve Almond about his favorite novel, Stonerby John Williams, plus I speak with poet Carolyn Forché about her memoir, All You Have Heard is True. TEXTS DICSUSSED

This week, I talk to fiction writer Nathan Englander about the pressurized form of fictional worlds, giving the reader something worth their time and money, getting to the pain as soon as possible, continuing to learn about one's craft deep into one's career, Judaism in literature, and the wisdom of our friend Darin Strauss. Nathan Englander and your humble host in The Confucius Institute at Miami Dade College.[/caption] Books Discussed

This week, I talk to fiction writer Rion Amilcar Scott about his extraordinary fiction collection, The World Does Not Require You. We discuss the academic world, African-American folklore, religion, music, science fiction, and post-modernism.

This week's show features another pair of episodes from Miami Book Fair International.

On today's show, I share two interviews. The first is with the fiction writer and memoirist Tim O'Brien about how to live in this world. The second is with the comic creator Chris Ware and his editor at Pantheon Books, Chip Kidd, with whom we discussed how design meshes with the content of a story.

In our discussion, Vanessa Blakeslee and I manage to talk about yuletide fellowship, hallucinogens, the possibility of St. Patrick's Day cookies, and other perennial holiday topics.

Music!

In this week's episode, I talk once again with the graphic novelist, Peter Kuper, this time about his latest literary adaptation, Heart of Darkness. NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

In this week's episode, I talk with podcaster, editor, journalist, and journeyman writer Jonathan Small about how to build a career as a writer who gets paid and merges into the cultural styles of the magazines one writes for. Check out Jonathan's excellent podcast, Write About Now. NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile.TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. Please check out my Indiegogo campaign to help get me down to Miami for Miami Book Fair International this year. T-shirts will be available.

Photo by Art Streiber. In this week's episode, I talk with the amazing Carmen Maria Machado about her new experimental memoir, In the Dream House, as well as her masterful debut, Her Body and Other Stories. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

In this week's episode, I share the talk Patty Hawkins and I had about Todd Phillip's Joker. We put it in a Batman context, and frankly stray far afield from talking about the movie, but frankly the movie is worth straying from, too.

In this week's episode, I interview Ron Cooper about Florida literature, research, the cultural tensions of Florida, and the mystery of existential characters. NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. If you are in Orlando on November 2nd from 6 to 9 PM, be a part of the book partyfor my literary adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame. There will be a raffle for those who show up, no purchase necessary. Raffle items include autographed books, a t-shirt, a gift package from bachelor Pad Magazine, a gift certificate for a medium sized literary tattoo, plus a framed, autographed poster featuring the book cover of Walter Mosley's Debbie Doesn't Do it Anymore. Guy Psycho Book Launch Party 6-9 PM 1418 Clouser Ave, Orlando, FL 32804-6209 https://www.facebook.com/events/619433221793908/ Check out my earlier interview with Ron, back on Episode #210.

In this week's episode, I interview Erik Deckersabout how he finished the novel he began as a resident at the Kerouac Project of Orlando. TEXT DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. Check out this early first episode of my new web series talk show about the history of Batman! https://youtu.be/3TFvC8F37E0 If you are in Orlando on November 2nd from 6 to 9 PM, be a part of the book party for my literary adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame. There will be a raffle for those who show up, no purchase necessary. Raffle items include autographed books, a t-shirt, a gift package from bachelor Pad Magazine, a gift certificate for a medium sized literary tattoo, plus ... this framed, autographed poster featuring the book cover of Walter Mosley's Debbie Doesn't Do it Anymore. Guy Psycho Book Launch Party 6-9 PM 1418 Clouser Ave, Orlando, FL 32804-6209 https://www.facebook.com/events/619433221793908/

In this week's episode, I wear an ugly shirt from outer space to speak with Vanessa Blakeslee and Lisa Roney about Flannery O'Connor's Mysteries and Manners. NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

In this week's episode, I talk with historian and crime writer Gilbert King about the history of justice and journalism, the role of luck in research, experimenting with presentation until a passage feels right, and how to manage one's doubts when pursuing a writing project. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES Check out my first interview with Gilbert back on episode 60!

In this week's episode, I talk with creative writer and Disney historian Todd James Pierce about the new developments in role-play storytelling that were and perhaps still are planned for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios park at Walt Disney World. According to the end of the line cast member outside Oga's Cantina, you can't see all three of Batuu's suns, but you could certainly feel them, on a day called Heatstroke-in-the-Shade.

In this week's episode, I talk with crime novelist Scott Phillips, author of The Ice Harvest, Cottonwood,Rake, The Adjustment, and other books.

Episode 382 of The Drunken Odyssey, your favorite podcast about creative writing and literature is available on Apple podcasts, stitcher, spotify, or click here to stream. In this week's episode, I talk with Rick Moody about his new book, The Long Accomplishment: A Memoir of Hope and Struggle in Matrimony. Photo by Laurel Nakadate

In this week's episode, I talk with the fiction writer and essayist Deirdre Coyle about why fantasy can be more real than realism, the video game experience that happens inside our minds, and the joys of cutting extraneous words from manuscripts.

In this week's episode, I talk with the novelist Binnie Kirshenbaum about finding one's voice, finding the right point-of-view, avoiding boredom, and the occasional hell of marketing literature. [caption id="attachment_24695" align="alignnone" width="1243"]Photo by Tina Boyadjieva.[/caption] TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. Art Spiegelman chose not to censor his essay on Marvel Comics, in which he likens the president to the Red Skull. Instead, he gave the essay to The Guardian. Check out my alcoholic, literary adventure novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.

In this week's episode, I talk with the memoirist Katherine Smyth about how literature fills our lives, and is there for us in peculiarly reassuring ways when we lose everything. Photo by Frances F. Denny.[/caption] TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. RIP, Toni Morrison.

In this week's episode, I talk with the poet Tim J. Myers about spirituality, open systems of belief, and the passion of our favorite music and favorite people. Check out my first interview with Tim all the way back on episode 63. Check out the AWP panel on life balance back on episode 362. Or check out Tim's listicle, "Improved Terms for Some Currently-Known Stuff."

In this week's episode, I talk with Liz Prato about being the best haole possible in Hawaii, the mixing of history and memoir, respecting the natural environment, and other important matters. Photo by Jill Harriman Browning. TEXT DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount.

In this week's episode, I talk with Kendra DeColo about poetry, bohemian misadventures, editing, performing, and more. Photo by Lindsey Rome.

In this week's episode, I talk with Chet Weise, the publisher of Third Man Books. Photo by Jamie Goodsell. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go here while still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. Check out my debut novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.

In this episode, I share the most recent Loose Lips, the monthly current events literary thing run by Burrow Press, who selected me to curate and emcee this installment. This installment featured Deirdre Coyle, Erik Deckers, Bethany DuVall, Corwin Moore, and Tom Lucas. Photos by Katherine J. Parker. NOTES This episode is sponsored by the excellent people at Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. Check out my debut novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.

In this week's show, I talk with the great Erica Jong about writing in one's voice, being in love with language, the discipline of literature, revision, 18th century fiction, living healthy, and sonnets and other poetry, plus Vanessa Blakeslee and I discuss Erica Jong's book on writing, Seducing the Demon: Writing for my Life. TEXTS DISCUSSED NOTES This episode is sponsored by Scribophile. TDO Listeners can get 20% of a premium subscription to Scribophile. After using the above link to register for a basic account, go herewhile still logged in to upgrade the account with the discount. Check out my debut novel, Guy Psycho and the Ziggurat of Shame.