Podcasts by Real Spies, Real Lives
Exploring the writing life of an espionage writer
Further podcasts by P. A. Duncan
Podcast on the topic Bücher
All episodes
The Spies Will Be Back in January from 2023-11-16T18:00
To make sure each episode is a quality presentation, the host is taking time off from the Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast for the rest of 2023.
Look for a new episode Jan. 4, 2024--and Hap...
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Rewriting or Self-Editing? from 2023-11-09T18:00
What's the difference between self-editing and a full rewrite of a manuscript, i.e., a draft? The author gives her opinion. Plus a reading of a free excerpt of Spy Flash III: The Mos...
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No Podcast for 11/2 from 2023-11-02T17:00
Life happens, and you don't get to do a podcast this week. We'll be back next week--after the local elections.
This month's sale book is Spy Flash III: The Moscow Rules. The e...
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50,000 Words in 30 Days? from 2023-10-26T17:00
The author extols the creative benefits of National Novel Writing Month and relates which of her published works got started there. You can still sign up to participate in NaNoWriMo Listen
What's Next? from 2023-10-12T17:00
The author discusses what's in the pipeline for publication for the next few years, plus a reading from the October sale book, Love Death.
Today and tomorrow are the ...
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October Means Sales from 2023-10-05T17:00
The author gives some background on October's book-on-sale, Love Death, and on the reader magnet, Prologue to Rendition. Turns out the author had a lot of g...
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Inspiration Lives On from 2023-09-28T17:00
An homage to the original "international man of mystery," Ilya Kuryakin as portrayed by actor David McCallum who died this week.
The Self-Inflicted Wounds trilo...
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Wrapping Up Self-Inflicted Wounds from 2023-09-21T17:00
The three novels and the reader magnet that comprise the trilogy SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS are FREE to download through 9/24/23. amazon.com/dp/B08L3886FP
Also, the final reader ma...
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When Truth is Dangerous from 2023-09-14T17:00
The author reflects on the Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity (C3) Con and reviews the first two episodes of the Netflix series, Spy Ops.
All three books in the Self-Infli...
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Some Yugoslavian History from 2023-09-07T17:00
The author provides some background on book 1 of her Self-Inflicted Wounds series, Welcome to Belgrade.
Books 1 (Welcome to Belgrade), 2 (Da...
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Winding Up a Promo and More from 2023-08-31T17:00
Was anyone surprised that Yevgeny Prigozhin was killed in a plane crash? The author describes how she would write it -- and maybe one day she will.
We wind up the promotion for the novel...
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Decisions, Decisions, Decisions from 2023-08-17T17:00
We're almost, but not quite, done with the novella, A Change for the Better, this month's featured promo. The author talks about how she used her experience as a manager...
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Second Guessing from 2023-08-10T17:00
A deeper delve into the first half of A Change for the Better, the author's novella about the 2016 election, plus an extra reading from the novella this week.
Writing as Catharsis from 2023-08-03T17:00
Writing can heal wounds, whether you're a soldier with PTSD or a citizen who was traumatized by the 2016 election. The author discusses the origins of the novella she wrote about that electi...
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Slow Horses and the Like from 2023-07-27T17:00
A couple of mini-reviews of the movie, Oppenheimer, and the TV series, Slow Horses.
Plus, the four volumes of A Perfect Hatred and the reader magnet com...
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Timelines Out of Control? from 2023-07-20T17:00
Duncan delves more into the writing life with some advice on how not to let a timeline bog down your historical fiction.
The four volumes of A Perfect Hatred plus the reader magnet compil...
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Fiction and Reality Merge from 2023-07-13T17:00
Duncan talks about reviews and how to cope with the bad ones, plus a documentary that validates how she presented her story in A Perfect Hatred.
The four eBooks in
Historical Fiction Can Be Fun from 2023-07-06T17:00
The author talks about how she merges her spy fiction with history and how cathartic writing historical espionage fiction can be.
To learn more about this month's featured sales books...
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Private Armies, Prigozhin, and Putin from 2023-06-29T17:00
Thoughts from a writer of espionage fiction about the alleged, almost, maybe coup attempt in Russia last week.
Today, 6/29, is the last day to download free eBooks of A War of Dec...
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A Book Launch is Coming! from 2023-06-22T17:00:54
As of this broadcast, we're two days away from the launch of P. A. Duncan's latest novel, TREACHERY, book 3 of her 9/11 series MEETING THE ENEMY.
Don't Forget the Deets from 2023-06-08T17:00:37
The author talks about how to improve your fiction with "quotidian details" -- look it up. This week we have a longer reading from TREACHERY because next week,
Me, Quit Writing? Never! from 2023-06-01T17:00:51
The author philosophizes a bit about bringing her characters to an appropriate end and whether a second retirement is in her future. Bonus - a reading from book 3 of Meeting the Enemy --...
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Spy Movies and TV Shows -- Top 5s from 2023-05-25T17:00:42
The author talks about her favorite spy movies and television series compared to the top 5s from IMDb. Plus, a reading from TREACHERY, book 3 of the series Meeting the E...
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Undercover in the CIA? from 2023-05-18T17:01
The author discusses the feasibility of the premise that a counterintelligence officer from one spy shop could go undercover inside the CIA. We get a brief history of one traitor in the CIA who ...
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No Podcast Episode 5/11 from 2023-05-11T17:00:45
Because the host is out of town, there will be no podcast episode this week. The podcast will return on 5/18/23.
Thank you!
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The Why of Spy Flash II from 2023-05-04T17:00:57
Duncan explains how Spy Flash II came about and what inspired the writing of each of the four stories in the collection. Duncan also reads from the first story in the collection, "Spymaster...
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Prologue to TREACHERY from 2023-04-27T17:00:50
Duncan talks about the background of her series MEETING THE ENEMY, specifically the upcoming book 3, TREACHERY.
Two of Duncan's novellas will be free...
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By Any Other Name . . . from 2023-04-20T17:00:23
A traitor is a traitor. Duncan offers her take on a U.S. Airman accused of stealing classified material and posting it on Discord, allegedly to impress people. And learn about an audiobook hack ...
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Old Spies and Old Pilots from 2023-04-13T17:00:19
Duncan explains the tagline for her novella My Noble Enemy -- "There are old spies and bold spies, but no old, bold spies." Also, some chat about The Man from U.N....
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Capturing an Audience from 2023-04-06T17:00:40
P. A. Duncan talks about why her books are often on sale and how she uses "organic" marketing to increase her audience.
The reader magnet/prequel, Prologue to Treachery<...
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3/30 Episode on Hiatus from 2023-03-30T17:00:30
Because it's tax season, the podcast is on hiatus this week and will be back on April 6, 2023. Catch you then!
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Researching Historical Fiction from 2023-03-23T17:00:37
Duncan talks about the importance of research when writing historical or any genre of fiction and gives some researching tips. Duncan is also conducting a workshop on researching historical fict...
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Is Espionage Ethical? from 2023-03-16T17:00:29
Duncan explores the ethics of espionage, i.e., is it a black and white issue, or are the ethics of espionage dependent upon perspective, what side you're on? And we have a reading from Duncan's ...
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The Whole of its Parts from 2023-03-09T18:00:34
P. A. Duncan talks in-depth about the plot, characters, and setting for her debut mystery novel, Supreme Madness of the Carnival season and reads an excerpt from it. Listen
Mystery vs Espionage - More Alike than Not from 2023-03-02T18:00:24
Duncan compares and contrasts the mystery and espionage genres and find some commonalities you might not realize. We conclude with a reading from Supreme Madness of the Carnival Seas...
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Why Are We So Fascinated with Spies? from 2023-02-23T18:00:53
After experimenting with AI for a podcast outline, author P.A. Duncan talks about why spies and espionage is so appealing to the average person. It's all about the fantasy for us Walter Mittys. ...
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You Can't Ignore Racism from 2023-02-16T18:00:49
Some more observations on Chinese spy balloons and a discussion about how the author couldn't ignore the thread about racial relations in her novel set in a rural southern town.
To preord...
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Spies and Balloons and Shoot-Downs, Oh My! from 2023-02-09T18:00:59
Some thoughts on the Chinese spy satellite saga, a history lesson on balloons used in spying, and a reading from the soon-to-be-released mystery novel, Supreme Madness of the Carniva...
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Inspired by Poe from 2023-02-02T18:00:34
Duncan talks about some spy movies to brighten a dreary day and about her upcoming new book, a mystery, which is a genre change for her. Also explained is the connection of the new book,
Uncomfortable History from 2023-01-26T18:00:24
Duncan winds up her promotion of her first collection of espionage short stories, Blood Vengeance, with a bit of Balkan history and a reading of the award-winning title...
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Spies -- At Career Day? from 2023-01-19T18:00:37
What happens when your parents are spies but your teacher insists they come to career day? The second story in Blood Vengeance is "Career Day," and Natalia Bukharin has...
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A Blast From the Past from 2023-01-12T18:00:21
Time to give some love to P. A. Duncan's first collection of espionage short stories, Blood Vengeance. Published in 2012, these stories are the earliest ones featuring ...
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Time for Season Four from 2023-01-05T18:00:25
It's Season 4, Episode 1 of the podcast where we talk about writing, spies, and writing about spies.
Today, though, we're talking more about writing and the writing life, especially when ...
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Taking a Holiday Break from 2022-12-15T18:00:52
It's going to be a busy couple of weeks to the end of the year for P. A. Duncan, what with family holiday "stuff" and a book launch on 12/24/22, so the podcast is on hiatus until 1/5/202...
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Getting It Right from 2022-12-08T18:00:35
When you're a writer focused on historical accuracy and you can't verify something through research, where can you turn when all else fails? A subject matter expert.
The link for the ...
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Revenge Abounds from 2022-12-01T18:00:52
How does a writer deal with making a secondary character the main character? What happens if there's not much action? A NaNoWriMo update and a free excerpt from the upcoming novel, R...
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Art Imitates Life -- Again from 2022-11-17T18:00:29
Duncan is still building up to the launch on December 24 of Meeting the Enemy Book 2: REVENGE. She explains how an incident in her work life found its way into...
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Better Late Than Not at All from 2022-11-10T18:11:22
Duncan apologizes for doing her civic duty as an election officer and missing the recording of a podcast for last week.
This week we learn about the origin of Meeting the Enem...
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No 11/4 Podcast from 2022-11-03T17:00:19
The Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast is taking a break this week because P. A. Duncan's time has been taken up with election officer duties.
So, don't forget. Go vote! Democracy depends on ...
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Finishing up the Series Birthday from 2022-10-27T17:00:17
Some current Balkan history, or current events, and a final reading from Self-Inflicted Wounds.
All 3 eBooks are FREE today and tomorrow only, s...
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Justice or Injustice from 2022-10-20T17:00:48
Duncan talks about the fact that justice can sometimes be construed as injustice when it doesn't go the way you want. The third book in the Self-Inflicted Wounds trilog...
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Why Bad Company? from 2022-04-14T17:00
Duncan explains how book 2 of A Perfect Hatred (Bad Company) came by its title, and she describes the pitfalls of conducing research into people and groups who...
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An Old Problem from 2022-04-07T17:00
Duncan gives us some background on the history that inspired the series A Perfect Hatred, and in a reading from book 1, End Times, she shows u...
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Writer Balance: History vs Sensitivity from 2022-03-31T17:00
This episodes winds up the month-long look into the author brand of P. A. Duncan, and, as a prelude to her upcoming series, Meeting the Enemy, she also talks about the ...
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Real Spies and Family Lives from 2022-03-24T17:00
The importance of keeping a low profile and blending in for spies and their families. What on earth is a blood cover? And some teaser readings from my upcoming book Terror, due out on June 25, 2...
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Does Romance Belong in Espionage? from 2022-03-17T17:00
It does, but not how you've been conditioned to think of it. Some fans do go for exploitation of either sex, but mostly it's women being exploited, but some fans and some espionage writers think...
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Real Spies With Real Lives - What Does it Mean? from 2022-03-10T18:00
What is a spy's life really like? Well, I found out, from a reliable source.
Reader Magnet Giveaway: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc<...
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Everything You Ever (Maybe) Wanted to Know About Author Branding from 2022-03-03T18:00
Like Apple, McDonalds, or Nike, authors have brands that identify the author and what he or she writes for marketing purposes. This week we delve into how I developed my brand, "Real spies, real...
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Authorship vs Writing from 2022-02-24T18:00
What does it mean to be an Indie author? A lot of non-writing related "stuff." Plus closing out a month of celebrating Love Death's book birthday.
Lo...
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Where's the "Love" in LOVE DEATH from 2022-02-17T18:00
A bit about what inspired me to write Love Death and some readings from the novel.
Love Death is free for your Kindle or Kindle App through Saturday February 19, and you can find it at
Accurate History from 2022-02-10T18:00
If you're not a believer in teaching a country's accurate history, you might want to fast forward to 18:53 because this week I was in a mood to rant about book banning and book burning. Here. In...
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Symbolism in Writing and Espionage from 2022-02-03T18:00
Writers use symbolism, but so do spies, so why not symbolism while writing about spies? Plus some readings from this month's featured book, LOVE DEATH, which is 40% off (eBook only). Find LOVE D...
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Spy Tools, Writer Tools, and a Book Birthday from 2022-01-27T18:00
I'm coming off my social media break soon, so if you haven't already, follow my Facebook Author Page, join my Listen
Some Excerpts from the Upcoming Novel, TERROR from 2022-01-20T18:00
Some other espionage podcasts you might be interested in, an excerpt from Meeting the Enemy: Terror, and all about the FREE reader magnet you can download and/or read.
To read "Out of the...
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Taking On Sensitive Historical Events in Fiction from 2022-01-13T18:00
When to use dramatic license in writing historical fiction, and a reading from a new reader magnet.
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What to Expect in 2022 from 2022-01-06T18:00
Happy New Year! Get the down-low on what P. A. Duncan will have published this year and a reading from a brand new, upcoming reader magnet.
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The Final Episode of 2021 - Happy Holidays!!! from 2021-12-23T18:00
The only reading is my 2017 holiday story, "A Visit from Grandfather Frost." Enjoy, and my heartfelt wishes for a happy holiday season. See you next year!
Starting today, And ...
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Tying up the Loose Ends - Maybe from 2021-12-16T18:00
Just when Mai Fisher and Alexei Bukharin think their Belgrade mission is wrapped up, something else pops up.
Starting December 23, And Justice for All will be fr...
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The Things Mai Fisher Does for a Mission from 2021-12-09T18:00
Would you let yourself get captured in order to close out a mission? Not me, but, then, I have Mai Fisher to live vicariously through.
Don't forget book 3, And Justice for All...
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Yes, Another Book Birthday from 2021-12-02T18:00
We're ending season two of the podcast with the conclusion of the Self-Inflicted Wounds trilogy, book 3, And Justice for All. And because December is And Justice for All Listen
No Podcast Today from 2021-11-25T18:00
No podcast today because the host is celebrating Thanksgiving with her family. But. . . You can still enter to possibly win a signed, hardcover edition of Dangerous Truths. All you have...
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Concluding the Book Birthday Celebration for DANGEROUS TRUTHS from 2021-11-18T18:00
Winding up our celebration of Dangerous Truths, Thanksgiving wishes, a holiday special with Dangerous Truths being free, and don't forget the hardcover edition of Dangerous Truths giveaway, whic...
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More Readings from DANGEROUS TRUTHS from 2021-11-11T18:00
Alexei is alive, but some disturbing news about his family dampens his relief. And there's the matter of his connection to Irina Pishkatova and the fact Mai wants to get on with her mission. Don...
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Happy Book Birthday to DANGEROUS TRUTHS from 2021-11-04T17:00
Yes, another book birthday for book 2 of Self-Inflicted Wounds, Dangerous Truths. A mini-review of the new animated series Star Trek: Prodigy and a mini-book review of Say Nothing by Patrick Kee...
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We're All Done Celebrating WELCOME TO BELGRADE from 2021-10-28T17:00
Readings from the ending of Welcome to Belgrade, a mini-review of Denis Villenueve's Dune, and don't forget the giveaway. If you want to put your name in contention for a signed, hardcover editi...
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Another Reading from WELCOME TO BELGRADE from 2021-10-21T17:00
Three-quarters of the way through Welcome to Belgrade during its birthday month, we'll see that Alexei will do almost anything for the mission; a review of a sci-fi/alternate history series on A...
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More from WELCOME TO BELGRADE from 2021-10-14T17:00
We delve a bit deeper into Welcome to Belgrade, book one of the Self-Inflicted Wounds trilogy, and I have a mini-review of No Time to Die, the latest James Bond film.
For Welcome to Belgr...
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Happy Book Birthday to WELCOME TO BELGRADE from 2021-10-07T17:00
We're celebrating the first book birthday of Welcome to Belgrade, book one in the Self-Inflicted Wounds Trilogy. As part of that celebration, I'm giving away a signed, hardcove...
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Wrapping up THE BETTER SPY! from 2021-09-30T17:00
Some final readings from the novel in stories, THE BETTER SPY, a mini-review of American Traitor: The Trial of Axis Sally, and what's coming up in October.
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The Conclusion of THE BETTER SPY from 2021-09-23T17:00
Two readings from "The Better Spy," the title story for the novel in stories, a Netflix series review, and a book review. I was quite talkative this week.
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You Always Were THE BETTER SPY from 2021-09-16T17:00
Why writing conferences are cool, a reading from my novel in stories, The Better Spy, and the expected COVID/vaccination rant. If you want to learn more about the Creatures, Crimes, and...
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Finishing Up BLOOD VENGEANCE from 2021-09-09T17:00
The IRA kidnaps the daughter of U.S. Secret Service Agent Henry Munro. Who can he turn to for help? A woman he met briefly in the aftermath of the Kansas City bombing - Mai Fisher. Enjoy some ex...
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The Podcast is Back! from 2021-09-02T17:00
After a two-week hiatus, "Real Spies, Real Lives" is back with more about writing, spies, and writing about spies. Oh, and some books are on sale, too.
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Oops! Another Delay from 2021-08-26T17:00
I'm at a writer's retreat with limited internet access, so tune in next week for a return to our regular programming! Have a wonderful weekend.
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Winding up A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER from 2021-08-12T17:00
Reading from the second half of A Change for the Better, a couple of mini-reviews, some baseball talk, and, yes, the weekly COVID rant.
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More Novellas from 2021-08-05T17:00
Some readings from a recent novella, A Change for the Better, and how it came about. Plus, wear you d****d mask!
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An Introduction to an Upcoming Trilogy from 2021-07-29T17:00
A reading from book 1 of a new trilogy starting in 2022, Meeting the Enemy, about 9/11. A couple of mini movie reviews, too.
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Concluding Our Look at The Moscow Rules from 2021-07-22T17:00
Readings from the final two stories of Spy Flash III: The Moscow Rules, a bit about the writing life, what's coming next month, and, of course, my COVID safety reminder...
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"Pick the Time and Place for Action" from 2021-07-15T17:00
A couple of reviews: the Netflix series "Spycraft" and. . . Black Widow! And some readings from another story in Spy Flash III: The Moscow Rules, "Pick the Time and Place for Action," which feat...
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"Lull Them Into A Sense of Complacency" from 2021-07-08T17:00
Moscow Rule number seven's story introduces two hapless SVR officers given the task of following Cybill Fleming in Moscow. A beta reader called the two officers the "Keystone KGB"--so you get so...
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Vary Your Pattern/Stay Within Your Cover from 2021-07-01T17:00
The next Moscow Rule is "Vary Your Pattern and Stay Within Your Cover"--again a somewhat long and cumbersome story title, so I wrote two stories. "Vary Your Pattern" takes us back to the early 1...
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"Don't Look Back; You're Never Completely Alone" from 2021-06-24T17:00
The 4th Moscow Rule--Don't Look Back; You're Never Completely Alone"--was a bit long for the title of a single story, so I split it and wrote two stories for Spy Flash III: The Moscow Rules<...
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"Everyone is Potentially Under Opposition Control" from 2021-06-17T17:00
Moscow Rule number 3 and story number 3 from SPY FLASH III: THE MOSCOW RULES. If things seems too good, like this really beautiful woman--or guy--paying attention to you, better be careful.
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"Never Go Against Your Gut" from 2021-06-10T17:00
The second Moscow Rule and the title of the second story in Spy Flash III: The Moscow Rules--Never Go Against Your Gut. Sage advice for anyone. Preorder Spy Flash III at Listen
Assume Nothing from 2021-06-03T17:00
Assume nothing--the first Moscow Rule, and the first story in my new collection, Spy Flash III: The Moscow Rules. Hear some excerpts and learn about the special preorder price.
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Winding up MY NOBLE ENEMY from 2021-05-27T17:00
This episode concludes the look back at two of my novellas, The Yellow Scarf and My Noble Enemy, and it has a tease for my July new release. Also the podcast now has a Facebook Page. Follow it <...
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Another Novella! from 2021-05-20T17:00
This episode features the second novella published in 2015, My Noble Enemy--where I, gasp, kill off a character. A bit of a warning: adults discussing sexual situations and some sexual innuendo;...
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How THE YELLOW SCARF Got Its Title from 2021-05-13T17:00
This episode wraps up the focus on my 2015 novella The Yellow Scarf before we move onto the other 2015 novella My Noble Enemy. Also, you get a movie recommendation and a warnin...
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What's a Novella? from 2021-05-06T17:00
A brief discussion about novellas and reading from my first novella, The Yellow Scarf. It and my second novella, My Noble Enemy are on sale this month. Find them on my Listen
Concluding a Look Back at A PERFECT HATRED from 2021-04-29T17:00
A writing lesson, some readings from Collateral Damage--the concluding volume of A Perfect Hatred--and a little preaching about civics. Plus, two days left to get all four book...
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Revisiting Descending Spiral from 2021-04-22T17:00
Readings from Descending Spiral, book 3 of the series, A Perfect Hatred, and a bit of a chat about ethical dilemmas facing undercover operatives. Look for a bi...
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Revisiting Bad Company from 2021-04-15T17:00
Continuing my revisit of my series A Perfect Hatred, I read from book 2, Bad Company, and discuss music and writing. WARNING: Both readings end with a leave-it-to-your-imaginat...
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Revisiting A Perfect Hatred from 2021-04-08T17:00
It's the 3rd anniversary of the start of the series A Perfect Hatred. What better way to celebrate than with special pricing and a readi...
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Reading from a WIP Plus a Movie Review from 2021-04-01T17:00
Some readings from my rough draft of a new novel and a brief review of the new movie, The Courier, with Benedict Cumberbatch. To celebrate the three-year anniversary of the launch of th...
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The Conclusion to A War of Deception from 2021-03-25T17:00
We tie up all the antagonists' threads in this episode, and you get a preview of the books I'll be featuring in April--my four-book series, A Perfect Hatred. (Warning: some salty language)
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Real Spy Results vs Fiction from 2021-03-18T17:00
More reading from A War of Deception and a brief discussion of an interesting, unclassified report from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
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More from A War of Deception from 2021-03-11T18:00
And A Face in the Crowd. Some thoughts about Bobby Sands on his birthday, and the podcast has its own website: realspiesreallives.com.
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A Trip Back in Time from 2021-03-04T18:00
In March, I'll be reading from my 2017 debut novel, A War of Deception, and its mini-sequel, A Face in the Crowd. Find them HERE...
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A New Novel and Spycraft from 2021-02-25T18:00
I'm reading from the rough draft of a new novel, The Devil Passed By, and discussing episode 4 of the Netflix series Spycraft--"Clandestine Collection."
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Love Death and ... Sexpionage from 2021-02-18T18:00
A final reading from the new novel, Love Death, and my thoughts on Spycraft Episode 3, "Sexpionage." Note: Though not explicit by any means, I do discuss the use of sex as a way to recr...
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Nearing the End from 2021-02-11T18:00
Alexei's incursion into The Annex is complete, and he's escaped with Gunter Metz, who wants only to see his family. A glitch at Checkpoint Charlie means Mai has to be the diversion to get Alexei...
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Planning and Spycraft from 2021-02-04T18:00
There's mission planning, but then there's Mai Fisher's intuition. Alexei has learned to trust it, even when she strikes out on her own. Also, I discuss episode two of a new Netflix series, "Spy...
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Going Off Topic from 2021-01-28T17:41:54
More reading from the upcoming new novel Love Death, but also NASCAR and baseball. What? (Note: I've marked this episode "Clean," but there is a scene of a married couple in bed, post-c...
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Always Good To Have A Plan from 2021-01-21T15:44:33
Mai learns something about Alexei she didn't know when she meets Kolya Bukharin.
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Approaches and Pitches from 2021-01-14T18:00
Warning: I talk a bit about politics. Otherwise, get a glimpse into how two different spies make their approaches and pitches.
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New Year, New Mission from 2021-01-07T18:27:51
Another taste of my upcoming book, Love Death, with some history and German politics. Oooh, exciting.
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Out With the Old...At Last! from 2020-12-31T18:00
Some refections on 2020 and a reading from an upcoming new novel, Love Death. Happy New Year!
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Old Spies Don't Die...Until They Do from 2020-12-17T18:00
My personal appreciation for John le Carre, who died this past weekend at the age of 89. Also, no podcast for 12/25/2020. Happy holidays--whichever one you celebrate or not. Be safe!
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Character Origins from 2020-12-10T18:00
In this episode, I talk about who inspired the characters Mai Fisher and Alexei Bukharin. You'll get a little back story and an insight into how much fun writing these characters is for me.
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The Trilogy Concludes from 2020-12-03T17:00
The final few chapters--and some editorializing about Slobodan Milosevic--of the trilogy Self-Inflicted Wounds, after its conclusion with the publication of And Justice for All...
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The Last Mission? from 2020-11-19T18:00:54
We're closing in on the conclusion of And Justice for All. Mai and Alexei wrap everything up in Belgrade and prepare to return home--but is the mission really over? And is it, as Mai pr...
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Improvising from 2020-11-12T16:13:25
It's well known that Mai Fisher will risk almost anything to have a successful mission, but let herself get captured? Not the first time. Trigger warning: Mention of rape.
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The Beginning of the End...of the Trilogy from 2020-11-05T20:27:52
And Justice for All brings Mai and Alexei's mission in the Balkans to a close, but in the process, they deal with an old enemy, discover a devastating betrayal, and save a marriage--not...
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We Reach the End of Book Two from 2020-10-29T15:09:17
The final chapters of Dangerous Truths, book two of Self-Inflicted Wounds, also end on a bit of a cliffhanger. You might say all of book three is the denouement!
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Plausible Deniability and Dangerous Truths from 2020-10-22T14:55:50
Some more chapters from book two, Dangerous Truths, and my philosophy on sex scenes in thrillers. That got your attention, right?
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A Fateful Encounter from 2020-10-15T12:45:03
Mai and Alexei get a hint of who might be involved in the murders of the "friends of Milosevic" and someone takes care of a complication for them. More from Self-Inflicted Wounds book t...
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The Plot Thickens from 2020-10-08T17:33:55
Another reading from Self-Inflicted Wounds Book Two, Dangerous Truths. Mai Fisher confirms that if it is Russian mercenaries behind the murders of Yugoslavian officials, they'r...
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Dangerous Truths from 2020-10-01T14:37:20
Launch day for Welcome to Belgrade (which you can buy HERE), a resolution to our cliffhanger from Welcome to Belgrade and a few ...
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A Cliffhanger! from 2020-09-24T16:37:39
Cliffhangers are a tried and true thriller trope, perhaps overused on occasion, but certainly a good way to keep a reader reading.
Welcome to Belgrade is still available for Listen
Let's End This on a Cliffhanger from 2020-09-17T20:59:31
Why not? Cliffhangers are one of the oldest tropes in a thriller. I try to avoid cliches, but a trope? Sometimes they can be an author's best friend.
Welcome to Belgrade is avail...
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Oh, What a Tangled Web We Weave... from 2020-09-10T18:43:45
Episode 14! A few more chapters from Welcome to Belgrade, book one of the trilogy Self-Inflicted Wounds, and I ramble on a bit about John le Carre, British interrogation techni...
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Deception Shouldn't Surprise a Spy from 2020-09-03T16:48:40
From Self-Inflicted Wounds: Welcome to Belgrade (book one): Mai Fisher arrives in Belgrade for her mission to stop the political murders in Yugoslavia, unaware that Alexei has reactivat...
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Small Talk from 2020-08-27T13:38:41
Episode 12! We're moving along--and the audience is growing. Wish I knew what caused that so I can keep it up!
This week's episode revolves around the opening scene of the first book in m...
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He is Finished! from 2020-08-20T17:54:04
"He is finished" was the opposition's campaign slogan against Slobodan Milosevic in the election of 2000. It took a couple of weeks post-election to accomplish that, but it did happen peacefully...
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When Protesting Made a Difference from 2020-08-13T16:45:59
More reading from the new reader magnet Dateline: Belgrade, with an emphasis on a change in the purpose and nature of street demonstrations in Belgrade in the year 2000. Why did the pol...
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Introducing a Reader Magnet for a New Trilogy from 2020-08-06T16:38:24
Some background on a reader magnet entitled Dateline: Belgrade came about, and an introduction for the upcoming trilogy, Self-Inflicted Wounds. You may learn more about the Bal...
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Absolute Power Can Corrupt--or Not from 2020-07-30T17:40:21
In the final story, "Brave New World," from the collection, Spy Flash II, we see that even the most sincere of politicians can succumb to the temptations of power, even if for good reas...
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Revenge is a Dish Best Served Cold from 2020-07-23T13:20:10
What role does a Klingon proverb play in the third story from the collection Spy Flash II, "Best Served Cold"? Listen and find out. Though this story's inspiration was four years ago, i...
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Manipulation--It's What Spies Do from 2020-07-16T18:49
Story number two from the collection Spy Flash II. "Promise her anything" is the instruction to get an asset to agree to a marriage she doesn't want. But some spies fulfill their promis...
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"Spymaster" from 2020-07-09T12:14:22
Trying to be more spontaneous instead of scripted, even when reading the excerpt. I may have, well, employed my limited ability to mimic accents. Be kind.
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Second Guessing the Second Guessing from 2020-07-02T13:48:49
Some thoughts on including extremist characters and their philosophy in fiction, and an excerpt from A Change for the Better.
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When is History History? from 2020-06-25T12:28:17
My thoughts on whether an event is history or a current event. Oh, and an excerpt from my novella, A Change for the Better. You can hear more excerpts at my Listen
The Lure of Historical Fiction from 2020-06-18T13:13:13
Some insight into why I write historical fiction.
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The Dark Side of Writing Thrillers Remix from 2020-06-12T12:41:06
Let's try this again--after some much-needed tutoring on sound editing. Enjoy!
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