The Dead Robots' Society
Books & Literature
About
Writers discussing writing, writers discussing publishing, writers discussing life.
Episodes
- So You Wrote A Novel... Now What?
You wrote and sweated over every word. You've revised, you've edited, you've done everything to make this the best story of your life. You've even got a great cover. So what do you do to make that first sale and to keep it going? In other…
- Brevity, Foreshadowing, And Sanity
When should you distill an entire scene in a couple of sentences? Do you always have to write an entire scene to convey information? Also, how much foreshadowing is too much? The DRS Crew discusses. DRS caffeinates with Larry's Coffee . If…
- Bibles, Fragments, and Corners
What's the best way to create a story bible? What about those little fragments you've written? How do you turn those into scenes or stories? Most importantly, however, how do you write yourself out a corner? The DRS Crew discusses. DRS caf…
- Publishing Industry News...Now With AI!
Hachette pulls a book. Claude source code leaks. HarperCollins signs a deal with an AI animation studio.... The DRS Crew pontificates. DRS caffeinates with Larry's Coffee . If you want to purchase fair-trade, organically grown beans that b…
- How Do You Climax?
You've taken your characters to the edge. The plot is nearly finished. Now it's time for the big reveal. How do you make it happen? The DRS Crew discusses. DRS caffeinates with Larry's Coffee . If you want to purchase fair-trade, organical…
- Sciency-Solutions and Technobabble
"Captain! The doomaflachie is reaching critical something-or-other!" Science fiction literature is rife with technobabble, questionable science, and straight-up fantastical solutions to both celestial and relatively mundane problems. How m…
- Slimmin' Down and Toe-Taggin'
Publishers sometimes require a minimum word count, while magazines, contests, etc might impose a maximum word count. While adding words is easy, how do you decide what to cut? Also, what is an "unhappily ever after" story, and why does Pau…
- The Lesson of John Wick
Paul is on a walkabout, so Terry and Veronica are on deck to extoll the virtues of John Wick. Chiefly, how he responds to animal abuse. Join Terry and V as they discuss how best to use animals in stories. Also, what not to do... Unless...…
- John Wick Is Boring
Gunfights? Explosions? Marvelous melee mayhem? Non-stop action scenes that go on for dozens of minutes? Works great in visual media, but how well does it translate into literature? The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://p…
- Love, Lust, and Sex
It's Valentine's Day, and the DRS Crew is in the mood for romance. And maybe a little "rumpy-pumpy." Chat will bring flowers and chocolate. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com…
- Repeat The Plot?
The Dead Robots' Society podcast episode 'Repeat The Plot?' features the DRS Crew discussing the balance between reader memory and the need to reiterate plot points. They explore what writers should expect from their audience regarding rec…
- Space Opera With Dinosaurs!
The Dead Robots' Society episode "Space Opera With Dinosaurs!" features the DRS Crew discussing the reader's suspension of disbelief and the considerations writers should make when blending genres.
- Topic? What Topic?
The Dead Robots' Society podcast episode "Topic? What Topic?" features the crew discussing unplanned topics, including writing, fiction, and publishing, as it comes to mind.
- Happy New Year! Now Get To Work!
In the episode "Happy New Year! Now Get To Work!", the DRS Crew outlines their objectives for 2026. The discussion prompts reflection on listeners' own success strategies for the year ahead.
- 2026 Approaches...
While Terry is on a walkabout, Paul and V discuss plans for 2026, including ad budgets, editing budgets, cover budgets, etc. Also? Aren't we supposed to write, too? The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulec…
- Karmic Monsters
Monsters are not always forces of nature. Sometimes they only come for those who deserve them. The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https:…
- Websites, Social Media, and Stores--What Do You Need?
A DRS Patron asks the question: Do you need an author website? Do you need a store? The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terry…
- Influence and Reimagination
How does fiction influence society? What about the inverse? Also, can one pull plots from classic literature or films and repurpose them in modern works? The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul'…
- Author Nation Autopsy
Veronica and Terry have returned from the "Author Nation" convention and have more than a few thoughts. Paul will heckle. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: htt…
- Going Solo
Can you have subplots when there's only a single main character? How do you handle it when there are no repeated secondary characters? The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://sha…
- Edits, Proofs, and Utter Insanity
Paul has just finished wrapping up the publication process for his new novel. Did he learn any new lessons? Also, what about versioning revisions, backups, and the other technical nonsense you should be doing? The DRS Crew discusses. Our l…
- What's Going On?
There's more Amazon/Audible news. There's Salesforce news. There's... How do you keep up on the industry gossip, buzz, and class action lawsuits? The DRS Crew discusses and takes on chat. They've been obnoxious lately... Our links: Dead Ro…
- Zero Drafts and Lovecraft
What is a "Zero Draft?" Can the processes outlined help you in your writing? Also in this episode, Paul and V discuss Lovecraft's "Call of Cthulu." Our links: Dead Robots' Society: https://deadrobotssociety.com Paul's site: https://shadowp…
- Sea Turtles and Deadlines
Paul has returned from an eco-tour of Costa Rica. While he had a great time, he's now behind the proverbial 8-ball with a deadline. Terry knows how he feels. So does V. Why are deadlines terrifying to some, but a motivating factor for othe…
- We're Gonna Need A Bigger Starship!
Terry has gone full bonkers for starships, including creating blueprints and statistics. This madness must be appreciated., The DRS Crew discusses the kinds of detail you should have for your ships, what you should ignore, and when to know…
- Audible 2 Scamaloo and Going Wide
Turns out that the Audible Premium Plus scam was before our eyes all along... After that discussion, the DRS Crew explains how to go wide. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com…
- Alien:Earth and Worldbuilding
Paul has thoughts about the new series Alien: Earth. Would the series work if it weren't part of the Alien franchise universe? The DRS Crew discusses world-building and the necessary ingredients of a cyberpunk future. Our links: Paul's sto…
- Audible Is Destroying Livelihoods!
Audible's new "Audible+" program will destroy the livelihoods of narrators and authors. How will it do that? The DRS Crew discusses, and V brings cats to help explain things. For background, please watch: • Audible Is Broken Our links: Pau…
- Pruning Season
The DRS Crew discusses how to prioritize those pesky side gigs (anthologies, short-story magazines, etc) and decide whether they are compatible with your long-term goals. In other words, knowing when to say "No, thanks." Our links: Paul's…
- Sticking To It
Terry has published over forty novels. Paul? Almost twenty. V has contributed both her writing and vocal talents to dozens of novels. None of these things happened overnight and required persistence. The DRS Crew discusses how to keep on k…
- What's Up, Doc?
Author Doc Coleman joins Terry and Paul for a discussion on all things Steampunk, Gaslamp, and anything else we can think of. Doc Coleman: https://www.doccoleman.com/ Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: htt…
- Art In Darkness
When the world is filled with darkness and despair, creating art is one of the most courageous acts most of us can accomplish. Are we allowed to find joy in our creations during times of war, disease, and civil strife? More importantly, do…
- Good Writing Neighbors
Writer's groups can be an excellent place to exchange ideas, discover new resources, and meet new people. They can also be toxic waste dumps. What are the traits of good writing neighbors and neighborhoods? What's the proper etiquette for…
- The Public Domain Is Your Playground
Stuck for an idea? Want to pay homage to a class work? Is it in the public domain? If the answer is yes, it's your playground. The DRS Crew discusses. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpubli…
- Tropeic Topics
What tropes do you have to have in a romance? How about suspense versus thriller? The DRS Crew once again takes a question from chat and runs off the rails. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shado…
- Author/Genre/Reader Expectations
The DRS Crew trolled the topics channel and hit paydirt. We'll discuss how to tell when you're writing in the wrong genre, expectations of genres, and reader expectations. Should we have time, we'll also touch on getting new readers and in…
- Squirrel!
The DRS Crew ruminates on procrastination, corraling future works so they don't impinge on the present. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixo…
- A Lesson On Audiobooks
V and Paul run through the standard operating procedure for posting your audiobooks and the various outlets. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terr…
- ACTION!
No matter the genre, no matter the plot, characters move, talk, and occasionally resort to fisticuffs when words don't work, or the writer gets bored. How do you incorporate action into your scenes? What about reader fatigue? How do you br…
- Audio Tags and Dark Romance
How do you write for audio? Or more importantly, what pitfalls should you avoid? How do you deal with those pesky dialogue tags? And the DRS Crew pontificates on romance versus dark romance. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paul…
- The Title Problem
Hey, you! What's your book's title and why? Will it bring the masses to your door? Or will it ensure they pass you by? The DRS Crew discusses the (not so) subtle art of titles. Bonus? We'll discuss those pesky chapters and whether they nee…
- Indies vs Traditional Publishing
Chat asks what indies can learn from traditional publishers and vice versa. Prepare for opinions... Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.co…
- Don't Sidequest Your Plot!
Is there a difference between a plot and a sidequest? How do you know which one you're telling? And can an entire book be a sidequest? Terry wants to know. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadow…
- Keepin' It Real
What are some of the pros and cons of using real-life events in your work? Do they make good backdrops or should you avoid them? Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's si…
- RPGs and Plot
What can writers learn from role-playing game design? Do role-playing games help writers grasp character and universe? The DRS Crew discusses. Chat will bring their dice. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site:…
- Binge Writing, Recovery, and Creativity
What is "binge writing?" How do you get into the zone? More importantly, are there any 12 step programs to help you recover? Creativity isn't stagnant. It comes and goes, no matter how skilled you are. Are there any strategies for conjurin…
- Amazon Shenanigans -- We Own Nothing
Amazon is removing the ability to download books you purchase to your computer, making all your ebooks ephemeral except via their app or their hardware. What do the DRS crew think about this change? Chat will bring their old USB cables. Ou…
- Provocateur Writing and Attraction Marketing
Terry wonders about provocative writing, and V questions whether authenticity makes good marketing. Paul, meanwhile, thinks about the Antarctic as a setting for stories. Chat will bring their crayons. Our links: Paul's store: https://payhi…
- Monkey Dances For Art & Money
Are you making money off your art? Or are you spending money to make art? When do you invest in yourself? Boundaries are important, especially if you have a subscriber service (Patreon, BMAC, Substack, etc). You can't always be the dancing…
- Social Muckery, Recycling, And Fluffy
Our links: Paul's store: https://payhip.com/paulecooley Paul's site: https://shadowpublications.com Terry's site: https://www.terrymixon.com/ Veronica: http://www.voicesbyveronica.com/ DRS Discord: https://discord.gg/pgmQxaVbGP Enjoy the s…