Category Archives: GenreTainment

GenreTainment – Monster of the Week Creator Michael Sands on Game Design

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Join the hunt as we track down the origins of Monster of the Week with its creator, Michael Sands! In this in-depth interview, Michael shares the story behind the game’s development, from its supernatural roots inspired by cult classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural to its rise as one of the most beloved urban fantasy-horror TTRPGs today. We explore how Monster of the Week offers a streamlined, narrative-driven alternative to more complex systems like D&D, while still delivering thrilling, monster-packed action. Along the way, Michael dives into his game design process, shares insights on his other projects, and celebrates the incredible community that continues to expand the game. Whether you’re a seasoned RPG veteran or just getting started, this conversation is packed with valuable insights and creative inspiration.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of books, film, TV, web series, and games. We give you interviews with writers, game designers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Links:

• Generic Games: https://genericgames.co.nz
• Generic Games third party policy: https://genericgames.co.nz/third_party_policy
• Evil Hat – Monster of the Week: https://evilhat.com/product/monster-of-the-week
• Evil Hat newsletter signup: http://evilh.at/1TnZya5
• XGE13 – Preview Edition: https://genericgames.itch.io/xge13-mini-preview-edition/devlog/797673/working-on-a-new-version
• Patreon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/cabbitcrossing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Dragons of a Different Tail: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/dragonstail⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Tales of Monstrosity: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://books2read.com/talesofmonstrosity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GenreTainment on Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.facebook.com/genretainment)
• Marx on Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MrMarx⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://x.com/MrMarx)
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠McCardy Music⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmByV3iAOxwSQeiqQC4O5rg/featured)

GenreTainment 146 | Game Design and Writing Novels with Alexander Thomas

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Join us for a fun conversation with game designer and author Alexander Thomas. As the Mutants & Masterminds Line Developer for Green Ronin Publishing, Alex brings a wealth of experience to the table. He’s also the author of the Titan City Chronicles novel series and the executive producer for the Untold Stories Project. In this episode, we dive into these exciting projects, explore the upcoming Valiant Adventures Roleplaying Game, and get Alex’s advice on breaking into the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) industry. Plus, he shares tips on creating your own TTRPG Actual Play series.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of books, film, TV, web series, and games. We give you interviews with writers, game designers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Links:

GenreTainment Intro and outro music by McCardy Music.

“Perc Spot A” by Ovani Sound.

GenreTainment 145 | Writing Comic Books and Crowdfunding with Dirk Manning

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Join us for a fun episode featuring the return of award-nominated comic book writer/creator Dirk Manning! Dirk is the author of Write or Wrong: A Writer’s Guide to Creating Comics and has crafted numerous beloved comic books, including the supernatural noir series Tales of Mr. Rhee and the genre-bending horror anthology Nightmare World.

It’s been around a decade since Dirk last appeared on the show, making this reunion long overdue. In this episode, we dive into his latest Kickstarter project, Love Stories About Death, and discuss his work with Source Point Press and his extensive portfolio of other captivating titles.

Dirk also shares tips on breaking into the comic book industry and running a successful crowdfunding campaign. (He has raised over half a million dollars and counting in pre-sales on Kickstarter alone.)

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of books, film, TV, web series, and games. We give you interviews with writers, game designers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Links:

GenreTainment Intro and outro music by McCardy Music.

“Perc Spot A” by Ovani Sound.

GenreTainment 144 | Conlang with Professional Language Creator Dr. Christine Schreyer

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In this episode, we have an exciting conversation with Dr. Christine Schreyer, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Schreyer specializes in linguistic anthropology and Indigenous language revitalization, and she’s also a professional language creator, known for her work in constructed languages (or conlangs).

Dr. Schreyer has contributed to some incredible projects, including the Kryptonian language in Man of Steel, the Eltarian language in the Power Rangers (2017) movie, the Beama (Cro-Magnon) language from the movie Alpha, and the Atlantean language in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. Most recently, she’s crafted multiple languages for the Rebel Moon movies and the faerie language for the new Spiderwick Chronicles TV show.

Join us for a fun discussion on the art of language creation and the importance of language revitalization.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of books, film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, game designers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Links:

GenreTainment Intro and outro music by McCardy Music.

“Perc Spot A” by Ovani Sound.

GenreTainment 143 | Shared Worlds and Anthologies with Author Marisa Wolf

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On this episode we’re chatting with author Marisa Wolf. She tells us about her new science fiction Beyond Enemies published by Baen Books, and urban fantasy book The Spider (Hit World: Web of Shadows Book 3).

She also talks about her writing origins with writing fan fiction and how to transition successfully into writing for shared worlds and beyond. She also shares tips for authors about co-writing and more.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of books, film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, game designers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Marisa Wolf is a second-generation nerd who started writing genre stories at six. At least one was good enough to be laminated, and she’s been chasing that high ever since. She’s written in many corners of SFF, including shared universes like the bestselling Four Horseman Universe and the anything-goes urban fantasy of Hit World, as well as video and table-top gaming in tie-in stories. Her debut solo novel, Beyond Enemies with Baen Books, is a blend of military scifi, space opera, and general snarky banter.

Links:

GenreTainment Intro and outro music by McCardy Music.

“Perc Spot A” by Ovani Sound.

GenreTainment 142 | Author JC Mastro: Academy Bound and Short Stories Discussion

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In this episode, we chat with author J.C. Mastro about his science fiction YA novel, Academy Bound. We also delve into his short stories and discuss the creation of the audiobook for Academy Bound.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of books, film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, game designers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Links:

GenreTainment Intro and outro music by McCardy Music.

“Perc Spot A” by Ovani Sound.

Spirit of the Dragon lyrics by JC Mastro and music by Greg Horvay.

GenreTainment & SFP-NOW Special – Best TV, Films, and Books of 2022

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It was another exceptional year for television and movies, which gave us much to chat about. GenreTainment and SFP-NOW once again decided to cross the streams and discuss their favorite TV and Movies of 2022 for our yearly special.

GenreTalk – Down the Witches' Road with Agatha All Along | Ep4 – GenreTainment

  1. GenreTalk – Down the Witches' Road with Agatha All Along | Ep4
  2. How Buffy and Supernatural Inspired Monster of the Week: Creator Michael Sands on Game Design & TTRPG Insights | GenreTainment
  3. GenreTalk – The Twist and Turns of M. Night Shyamalan's Trap
  4. GenreTalk – Twisters Movie Review | Episode 2
  5. GenreTalk – Deadpool & Wolverine – Episode 1

Hosts Marx Pyle and Ian Cullen are joined by Jeff Burns of Super Geeked Up and fantasy author Katharine Dow (The Brooklyn Dragon Racing Club) to discuss many of the best television shows, movies, and books that we were all watching.

This year gave us Prey, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Wakanda Forever, The Batman, Black Adam, and more.

Regarding television, 2022 brought us a ton of superhero content with Peacemaker, The Boys, Superman and Lois, and Werewolf by Night. Besides superhero fun, there was soooo many excellent shows: Wednesday, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Andor, Reacher, Stranger Things, and so much more.

All of these and more get discussed, so tune in and drop us a comment with what your best picks of the year were.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

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GenreTainment 139 – Director Dan Attias

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On this episode we’re chatting with award-winning director Dan Attias (The Wire, The Sopranos, Homeland, Alias, Northern Exposure, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, The Boys, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) about many of those projects and his new nonfiction book, Directing Great Television: Inside TV’s New Golden Age.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

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GenreTainment 138 – Authors Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller

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On this 138th episode of GenreTainment we’re chatting with two very special guests, authors and professors Heidi Ruby Miller and Jason Jack Miller. It’s an edutainment packed episode as we talk about the value of an MFA, what a Popular Fiction MFA program is like compared to the more common creative writing graduate programs, Heidi’s Ambasadora books, Jason’s Hellbender book and his possible “Snot Otter” book, Appalachian culture, writing about other cultures, writing in some else’s fictional setting, the charity anthology and online event (July 24th and 25th of 2021), tips on co-writing, staying productive, and more!

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

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GenreTainment #131 – Fiction and Nonfiction Author Michael La Ronn

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Author, podcaster, and YouTuber Michael La Ronn is back to update us on his newest projects and give us helpful writing advice. We talk about being an indie author, share writing tips, discuss overcoming fear, do a little writer therapy, go on a tangent about our rabbits, and so much more.

Michael La Ronn is the author of over 40 science fiction & fantasy books. His stories feature unusual, nontraditional heroes such as teddy bears, vegetables, and androids (but not all in the same book). His writing is about heroes rising up against incredible odds to be the best possible versions of themselves. When he’s not writing novels, Michael serves on the staff of the Alliance of Independent Authors as a US Advisor and podcaster. He co-hosts the AskAlli Member Q&A Podcast where he answers burning questions about self-publishing.

GenreTainment is where Marx & Julie talk about what is happening in the world of film, TV and web series. We give you interviews with writers, directors, producers and actors in both independent and not-so-independent creations.

Links: