The Functional Nerds Podcast

In the 127th episode of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Cat Rambo to the show. About Cat Rambo: John Barth described Cat Rambo’s writings as “works of urban mythopoeia” — her stories take place in a universe where chickens aid the lovelorn, Death is just another face on the train, and Bigfoot gives interviews to the media on a daily basis. She has worked as a programmer-writer for Microsoft and a Tarot card reader, professions which, she claims, both involve a certain combination of technical knowledge and willingness to go with the flow. In 2005 she attended the Clarion West Writers’ Workshop. Among the places in which her stories have appeared are ASIMOV’S, WEIRD TALES, CLARKESWORLD, and STRANGE HORIZONS, and her work has consistently garnered mentions and appearances in year’s best of anthologies. Her collection, EYES LIKE SKY AND COAL AND MOONLIGHT was an Endeavour Award finalist in 2010 and followed her collaboration with Jeff VanderMeer, THE SURGEON’S TALE AND OTHER STORIES. She has edited anthologies as well as critically-acclaimed Fantasy Magazine, is a board member of feminist science fiction group Broad Universe, a member of the Codex Writers’ Group, and volunteers with Clarion West. Although no longer actively involved with the game, she is one of the minds behind Armageddon MUD, the oldest roleplay-intensive MUD (an interactive text-based game) on the Internet, which has been described as “like no other mud I have played before“, “the most entertaining game I’ve ever played“, “the most creative, emotionally involved mud on the Net” and “a place of astonishing beauty and detail“. She continues to do some game writing as well as technology journalism and reviews for Publishers Weekly. Links: Cat Rambo (website) Cat on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter The Functional Nerds on Facebook © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio

in the 126th episode of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome March Hershon. About Marc: In addition to being the host of Succotash, the Comedy Podcast Podcast, Marc's skill set stretches beyond the world of podcasting in a number of directions. He's the Creative Director for Lexicon Branding in Sausalito, California, where he's been instrumental in helping to create such famous worldwide brand names as BlackBerry, Swiffer, and Dasani mineral water. He's been a screenwriter for over 25 years, and has had several movies made for the Hallmark Channel in recent years. Marc also writes books, including co-authoring a business book called I Hate People! Which has been sold in seven countries around the world including Germany, Italy, and Brazil. He's also been performing and teaching improvisational comedy since 1983, and had created an editorial cartoon for a weekly California newspaper for over a decade. Links: Marc Hershon's Succotash Marc on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter The Functional Nerds on Facebook © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio

In the 125th episode of the Functional Nerds, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome author/publisher Colin F. Barnes to the podcast. About Colin: Colin F. Barnes is male human from Essex in the UK, although he isn’t to be confused with the stereotypical ‘Essex Boy’ as portrayed in the media, despite once owning a Ford Escort. His writing education started as a young toddler writing Grumbleweeds Fan Fiction. Rumour has it he would actually tape the show off the TV with a cassette recorder and rewrite the scripts to make them ‘better’. (Seriously, search YouTube for Grumbleweeds, they rocked the 80s). From there, he bumbled through secondary school and college before studying with the London School of Journalism and the Open University completing various english/writing courses. Colin F. Barnes straddles the traditional and indie publishing divide. He’s had a number of short stories published as well putting out some of his work through his publishing company ‘Anachron Press’. He is currently working on a cyberpunk/horror/dystopia mashup titled ‘The Techxorcist‘. Links: Colin F. Barnes (website) Anachron Press Colin on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio

In the 124th episode of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio discuss MileHiCon 44, conventions in general, what conventions offer to creatives, and then welcome author Chris F. Holm his books. About Chris F. Holm: Chris was born in Syracuse, New York, the grandson of a cop with a penchant for crime fiction. It was the year of punk rock and Star Wars, two influences that to this day hold more sway over him than perhaps his wife would like. But it was books that defined his childhood, from his grandfather’s Wambaugh and Sanders to the timeworn pulps picked up secondhand from the library.  His stories have appeared in a slew of publications, including Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, Beat to a Pulp, and Thuglit. His novella The Hitter was selected to appear in The Best American Mystery Stories 2011, edited by Harlan Coben and Otto Penzler. He's been an Anthony Award nominee, a Derringer Award finalist, and a Spinetingler Award winner. His Collector novels, Dead Harvest and The Wrong Goodbye, recast the battle between heaven and hell as Golden Era crime pulp.  He lives on the coast of Maine with his lovely wife and a noisy, noisy cat. When not writing, he can be found on his porch, annoying the crap out of the neighbors with his guitar. Links: Chris F. Holm (website) Chris on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio.

On episode 123 of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome John Mierau to talk about his new shared worlds anthology, Walk The Fire. About John Mierau: John Mierau is a wordsmith. Audio storyteller. Family man & Internet junkie. A podcaster, an author of novel-length, serial and short fiction, who aims above all else to entertain. To make that happen, words, physics & reality will be bent as needed! Links: John Mierau (website) John on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio.  

In the 122nd episode of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome artist / cartoonist John Kovalic. About John Kovalic: John Kovalic’s cartoons have appeared everywhere from his hometown WISCONSIN STATE JOURNAL (Madison, WI) to the NEW YORK TIMES and DRAGON MAGAZINE. His creations include the sell-out comic book sensation DORK TOWER and “DR. BLINK: SUPERHERO SHRINK,” as well as SNAPDRAGONS, NEWBIES, WILD LIFE, BEACHED, and panel cartoons including MURPHY’S RULES, THE UNSPEAKABLE OAF and others. A co-founder and co-owner of Out of the Box Games, and a cartoonist for Steve Jackson Games, John has illustrated over 100 games and game supplements, and is at least in part responsible for best-sellers like APPLES TO APPLES (A GAMES Magazine Hall of Fame inductee) , MUNCHKIN, CHEZ GEEK and BLINK. He is closing in on 4,000 MUNCHKIN cards drawn, and boy, are his arms tired. He was the first cartoonist inducted into the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Hall of fame. In his spare time, John searches for spare time. Links: John Kovalic's Dork Tower (website/daily comic strip) John Kovalic on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio.

In episode 121 of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Anton Strout, author of Alchemystic (A Spellmason Chronicle novel) out from Ace. About Anton: Anton Strout was born in the Berkshire Hills mere miles from writing heavyweights Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. He is an always writer, a sometimes actor, sometimes musician, occasional RPGer, and the world's most casual and controller-smashing video gamer. He currently works in the exciting world of publishing and yes, it is as glamorous as it sounds. About Alchemystic: AN OLD FRIEND OF THE FAMILY... Alexandra Belarus is a struggling artist living in New York City, even though her family is rich in real estate, including a towering Gothic Gramercy Park building built by her great-great-grandfather. But the truth of her bloodline is revealed when she is attacked on the street and saved by an inhumanly powerful winged figure. A figure who knows the Belarus name... Lexi's great-great-grandfather was a Spellmason--an artisan who could work magic on stone. But in his day, dark forces conspired against him and his, so he left a spell of protection on his family. Now that Lexi is in danger, the spell has awoken her ancestor's most trusted and fearsome creation: a gargoyle named Stanis. Lexi and Stanis are equally surprised to find themselves bound to each other. But as they learn to work together, they realize that only united can they save the city they both love... Links: Anton Strout (website) Anton on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio.

In the 120th episode of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Mr. Billy to the super secret underground lair of the Functional Nerds. Who is Mr. Billy?  Excellent question. Here's the answer: Mr. Billy, is a full time Children's Singer Song-Rocker from Wisconsin.  If you're looking for extremely fun, upbeat, educational, contemporary music for kids and families you've come to the right guy.  He offers extreme kids music concerts, educational workshops and residencies with a wide variety of programs that can fit any need that involves kids.  Most programs come with an acoustic, electric duo or FULL BAND option to accommodate any size audience or budget.  He presents hundreds of programs each year, and have toured from Florida to Alaska. Library reading show's and elementary school assemblies are his specialty. Links: Mr. Billy (website) Mr. Billy on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features Angry Birds Space, a piece of original music written and performed by Mr. Billy. This podcast features original music by John Anealio.

In the 119th episode of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Maurice Broaddus and Jerry L. Gordon, co-editors of the new anthology from Apex Books, Dark Faith: Invocations. About Maurice: Maurice Broaddus was originally born in London, England, but has lived in America most of his life. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Purdue University in Biology (with an undeclared major in English) and comes from a family that includes several practicing obeah (think: Jamaican voodoo) people.  His novels include The Knights of Breton Court series: King Maker, King’s Justice, and King’s War. About Jerry: Jerry Gordon is a fiction author, editor, college instructor, computer programmer, and occasional grad student. If you’re wondering where free time fits into this equation, you just discovered the downside to being interested in everything. He has an undergraduate degree in English and Education from Ball State University. When not writing, he is daydreaming about his next trip… and a little apartment in Paris. Links: Maurice Broaddus (website) Jerry L. Gordon (website) Dark Faith: Invocations (At APEX Books) Maurice on Twitter Jerry on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter To sponsor an episode, visit our Promos & Advertising page. © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio

In episode 118 of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Laura Anne Gilman, author of the popular Cosa Nostradamus novels for Luna, and the award-nominated The Vineart War trilogy from Pocket. About Laura Anne: Laura Anne Gilman is the author of ten Cosa Nostradamus novels, including (most recently) Dragon Justice, and the Nebula award-nominated Vineart War fantasy trilogy, which concluded with The Shattered Vine.   Her story collection, Dragon Virus, was published as a limited edition hardcover from Fairwood Press.  Her most recent short fiction appeared in Daily Science Fiction and The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror 2011, edited by Paula Guran, while her new fantasy duology, HEART OF BRIAR and SOUL OF FIRE, will be published in Fall/Winter 2013.  A member of the on-line writers’ consortium BookVew Café, she writes the “Practical Meerkat” advice-to-writers column on their blog.  Learn more at www.lauraannegilman.net or follow her on Twitter: @LAGilman Links: Laura Anne Gilman (website) Laura Anne on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio

In Episode 117 of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Michael J. Sullivan, author of The Riyria Revelations series of books out from Orbit. About Michael: MICHAEL SULLIVAN is the author of The Riyria Revelations, a six-book traditional fantasy released by Orbit as a trilogy. After more than a decade, he stopped waiting for the Great Pumpkin (otherwise known as publication), and vowed never to write creatively again. Another decade later he returned to writing, but only on the condition that he wouldn’t seek publication. Ironically his wife and daughter conspired against him, and the rest as they say is history. Michael’s works have been named to over 25 “Best of” or “Most Anticipated lists including: Library Journal’s 2011 Best Books for Fantasy/Sci-fi & Barnes and Nobles Blog’s Best Fantasy of 2011 and has been translated into 14 foreign languages. Links: Michael J. Sullivan (website) Michael on Facebook Michael on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio.

In episode 116 of the Functional Nerds podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome author and fellow podcaster Tim Dodge. About Tim: I am a middle-aged guy who prefers to think younger. I am the author of two podcast novels, Acts of Desperation and Purgatory. Because I have been unsuccessful in getting these books in print the conventional way, I am in the midst of the self-publishing project. I enjoy reading and writing, running, playing my guitar, and watching sports (I am, however, somewhat dangerous at sports; most people don’t have to obtain a weapon permit for their golf clubs.) I live in my favorite place in the U.S.A., which is Central New York, where you can drive anywhere in less than a half hour, enjoy all four seasons in the space of a few days, and enjoy the city and the country any day you want, depending on your mood. I’m doing this podcast because I love talking to people about what they do, I love exposing people to stories and other creative pursuits that they didn’t know about before, and I love being part of the podcast community. Plus, I bought a Zoom H2 digital recorder and have to justify the cost. I hope you’ll join me on this tour of the creative minds all around us. And always look on the geek side of life. Links: The Geek Side of Life (podcast) Tim Dodge (website) Tim on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio.  

In episode 115 of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio wake Adam Christopher up at 3 am local time to chat about his new book, Seven Wonders, due out from Angry Robot Books on September 6th, 2012. About Adam: ADAM CHRISTOPHER is the author of Empire State and Seven Wonders from Angry Robot, and the forthcoming Shadow’s Call from Tor Books. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Adam grew up watching Pertwee-era Doctor Who and listening to The Beatles, which isn’t a bad start for a child of the 80s. In 2006, Adam moved to the North West of England. Adam’s fiction has appeared in Pantechnicon, Hub, and Dark Fiction Magazine, and in 2010 he won a Sir Julius Vogel award, New Zealand’s highest science fiction honour. When not writing Adam can be found drinking tea and obsessing over superhero comics and The Cure. Links: Adam Christopher (author's website) Adam on Twitter Seven Wonders (Amazon) John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio No cats were harmed in the creation of this podcast no matter how much they whine about wanting to play.

In Episode 114 of the Functional Nerd Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Julia Sherred back to talk about her latest project, Five Little Zombies and Fred, a not-for-children children's book. About Jules: Confirmed to be a “Geek God” by some online quiz and dubbed “The Queen of Geek” by many of her fans, Julia “Jules” Sherred is a mother, writer, author, radio personality, blogger, gamer, tech enthusiast, science nerd, sci-fi and fantasy freak, hard core Trekker, has an unnatural obsession with Optimus Prime and so much more. She emerged from the womb fully embracing her geeky tendencies, with a book on Astrophysics in one hand and a deck of cards in the other. Growing up, games were always an important part of her family, including family board game nights, Christmas family poker games and trying to pry the ColecoVision® and later NES controllers from her mother’s hands. She has now passed on this tradition to her own children and is raising the next generation of geeks and gamers. Links: Julia Sherred's (website) The Look247 IndieGoGo Project for Five Little Zombies and Fred Jules on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast contains original music by John Anealio

In episode 113 of the Functional Nerds Podcast, Patrick Hester and John Anealio welcome Madeline Ashby, author of the new novel, vN. About Madeline Ashby: Madeline Ashby is a science fiction writer, futurist, anime fan, and immigrant. Her debut novel, vN, is available for pre-order now. Her non-fiction has appeared at BoingBoing, io9, WorldChanging, and Tor.com. About vN: vN introduces us to Amy. She’s been grown in a stable family environment, with her robot mother and human father. But alone of all her kind, her human-protecting failsafe has stopped working for some reason. Soon she’s on the run from the law, and worse – everyone’s after her, some to use her as a weapon, others to destroy her. Her sole friend is a robot boy who’s programmed to only like humans. This is pure science fiction entertainment, combining a stunning extrapolation of a robot future with bravura kick-ass Manga-inspired action – think Philip K Dick meets Joss Whedon. You can read the review of vN by Cathy Russell right here on Functional Nerds! Links: Madeline Ashby (author's website) Madeline on Twitter John on Twitter Patrick on Twitter John's Summer Glau Remix Album © 2012 Patrick Hester and John Anealio This podcast features original music by John Anealio