Episode 173: Talking about Writing: A Crossover Episode with SFF ADDICTS (Adrian M. Gibson, M.J. Kuhn, & Greta Kelly)

There comes a time in the life of every author when they have to do that truly terrifying thing: Talk about their book. In this special crossover episode with SFF Addicts, we talk about talking about writing!

A lot of that involves the beast we all face these days: social media. Branding, marketing, algorithms, trends, parasocial relationships -- It's a lot. How much do you really need to do, and how can you set boundaries around your public and private selves?

But there are also times and places an author may need to talk about their book beyond social media and marketing. Sometimes, you have to do it in (gasp!) real life! What techniques can we use to get more comfortable with public speaking? What's good etiquette for being on a panel at a convention or conference? How can you engage with readers one-on-one in a way that makes them see you as an interesting person, not just a book-shilling Gollum incapable of taking about anything except your precious? We share our experiences and offer our perspectives on navigating those situations!

Our Guests:

SFF Addicts is a weekly sci-fi, fantasy and writing craft podcast co-hosted by Adrian M. Gibson and fellow authors M.J. Kuhn and Greta Kelly, bringing you interviews and writing masterclasses with your favorite SFF authors.

Past guests include: George R.R. Martin, Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher, Robin Hobb, James S.A. Corey, Scott Lynch, Christopher Paolini, Martha Wells, Joe Abercrombie, John Scalzi, Chuck Wendig, Fonda Lee, Mark Lawrence, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Nicholas Eames, Michael J. Sullivan, Andrea Stewart, Travis Baldree, Mary Robinette Kowal, Gareth L. Powell, Hugh Howey, Robert Jackson Bennett, Rebecca Roanhorse, Chelsea Abdullah, RJ Barker and many more.

The full episode archive can be found here. You can also subscribe to the FanFiAddict YouTube channel, where all episodes are available in full video.

The Book of Spores anthology is a mind-altering, multi-genre anthology, featuring 16 strange stories by authors from the FanFiAddict book blog and SFF Addicts Podcast. Kickstarter | Pre-order here  

Adrian M. Gibson is an award-winning Canadian SFF author, podcaster and illustrator (as well as occasional tattoo artist). He was born in Ontario, Canada, but grew up in British Columbia. He studied English Literature and has worked in music journalism, restaurants, tattoo studios, clothing stores and a bevy of odd jobs.

In 2021, he created the SFF Addicts podcast, which he co-hosts with fellow authors M. J. Kuhn and Greta Kelly. The three host in-depth interviews with an array of science fiction and fantasy authors, as well as writing masterclasses.

Adrian has a not-so-casual obsession with mushrooms, relishes in the vastness of nature and is a self-proclaimed “child of the mountains.” He enjoys cooking, music, video games, politics and science, as well as reading fiction and comic books. He lives in Quito, Ecuador with his wife and sons.

His debut novel is MUSHROOM BLUES, which is available to purchase here.

www.adrianmgibson.com @adrianmgibson on Instagram, Bluesky, X and Threads

M.J. Kuhn is a fantasy writer by night and a mild-mannered marketer and business owner by day. She is the internationally bestselling author of Among Thieves  and Thick as Thieves, cohost of SFF Addicts podcast, and lives in the metro Detroit area with her very spoiled cats, Evie and Thorin Oakenshield.

www.mjkuhn.com @mjkuhnbooks on Instagram and TikTok   Greta Kelly is the author of the critically acclaimed adult fantasy novels THE FROZEN CROWN, THE SEVENTH QUEEN and THE QUEEN OF DAYS (Voyager) and the co-host of SFF ADDICTS Podcast. Her writing has also appeared in Nerdist, i09 and Writer’s Digest. 

She currently lives in the U.S. with her husband EJ, and daughters Lorelei and Nadia who are doing their level-best to take over the world. 

You can follow her on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok @gretakkelly.

www.gretakkelly.com