Connor Reads Books

Episode 47: 'Vacancy' - Jann Alexander's 'Dust' Series - Chapter Read

This week we’re reading a powerful excerpt from Jan Alexander’s novel 'Vacancy'. We follow the tale of Mick and Jillie, half-siblings trying to cope with an abusive, alcoholic, father while navigating the isolated lifestyle of the Texas panhandle. This excerpt starts in a hard place, and we share a content warning for depictions of domestic violence, but it transforms into a story of found family, love, and glimmers of hope in grim situations. This snippet is only a part of what is a True-crime, second chance romance story; that means there is a WHOLE lot more to 'Vacancy' - so you should check out the episode notes and give it a read! If the episode moves you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review, and tell us what line or moment you can’t stop thinking about. Content Warning: Depictions of Domestic Abuse National Domestic Violence Hotline: Number: 800.799.SAFE (7233) Website: https://www.thehotline.org/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=domestic_violence Jann Alexander's Links: https://www.jannalexander.com/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0F2KKHPZ9?ccs_id=62e749d2-f8b4-47f4-8888-dcd5f17ef9ea https://www.instagram.com/jannalextx/ https://www.youtube.com/@JannAlexTX https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannalextx https://www.facebook.com/JannAlexanderAuthor Jann's Interview Episode: Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-46-jann-alexander-author-interview/id1717470807?i=1000791978094 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DYvYM5tboVT2tpQVGeOPX?si=6cd0480712844a8e Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2539313/episodes/19870858 Youtube: https://youtu.be/BqPvoEt2cic Specific Music Credits: https://youtu.be/eT8iXqaqox0?si=2m1B81H1f9jTxYkr https://youtu.be/qPjLRlztO6E?si=RstXkgCvQ2AYNmb8 https://youtu.be/nrOpFtZXZpk?si=u6H29cunuKeC2UTX Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 46: Jann Alexander - Author Interview

Author Jann Alexander joins us to talk about her Dust series, including Unspoken and her newer release, Vacancy, and how she builds stories that feel true without getting buried under facts. We explore why the Texas Panhandle is more than a backdrop. Jann explains what draws her to its flat horizons, drought history, and Dust Bowl legacy, and why it’s such a powerful setting for characters wrestling with loneliness, grief, and the need for connection. Subscribe for more author interviews, share this with a reader who loves historical fiction, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Jann's Links: https://www.jannalexander.com/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0F2KKHPZ9?ccs_id=62e749d2-f8b4-47f4-8888-dcd5f17ef9ea Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 45: The Aidaean Saga - Matt Sean Bell - Chapter Read

We’re reading Chapter 1 of Matt Sean Bell’s sci-fi/fantasy epic The Aidaean Saga, Book 1 Triumph of Destiny. We jump right into the action as the town Dailen has known all his life is decimated. If you love epic fantasy with twists of gothic sci-fi; you’re in the right place. If you want to support indie fantasy, check the episode notes for Matt Sean Bell’s Etsy link. Please subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more listeners can find these stories. Matt Sean Bell's Links: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AidaeanSaga https://www.instagram.com/aidaeansaga/ https://www.pinterest.com/aidaeansaga/ https://x.com/AidaeanSaga Voice Actors Lou Fox: https://www.instagram.com/bardcommander Connor McGeverly https://www.lconnorvoice.com Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 44: Matt Sean Bell - Author Interview

A lot of writers say they want “creative control.” Matt Sean Bell actually lived it. He wrote The Adean Saga, edited it through multiple rereads, built the cover art himself, printed physical copies in batches, and sells direct to readers through Etsy; handling the logistics most authors never see. If you’ve ever wondered what independent publishing looks like when you remove the safety rails, we get into the real workflow, the real time cost, and the oddly satisfying pride that comes with doing it all yourself. We also dig into craft. Matt breaks down how he blends sci-fi and fantasy without turning the book into a pile of exposition, and how a magic system can feel believable through pseudoscience and consistent world rules. We talk influences like Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, Dune, Warhammer 40K, Mass Effect, and more, plus the 600-page worldbuilding reference that started as tabletop notes and grew into a fully realized setting. Along the way, we touch on character voice, brisk pacing, and why making something unique often means accepting that it won’t be for everyone. If you’re an indie author, a worldbuilder, or a reader who loves hybrid genre stories, you’ll walk away with practical insight and a healthier mindset around persistence, criticism, and finishing the work. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more authors and listeners can find Connor Read’s Books. Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 43: The Spoiled Sacrifice - Songs of Ash and Dawn, Book 2 - Gabrielle Wanek

We’re closing out our three-part, full-cast chapter read of 'The Songs of Ash and Dawn', Book 2; Chapter 1 "Of Masks and Monsters" by Gabrielle Wanek. After dismissing Nic from the temple, Elizabeth cleans up the remains of her spoiled ceremony. Her loyal servant, Elias, asks what the next steps are for the plan. Elizabeth has a simple answer... Watch the Episode Here: Youtube: https://youtu.be/pKPIYhXCw_o Voice Actors Lou Fox: https://www.instagram.com/bardcommander Jackie Yangyuen: https://www.instagram.com/jlymuse/ https://www.jlymusic.com/voice-acting Gabrielle Wanek: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellewriter?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/gawanek/?igsh=Z2dxdTd1czRwYnU0&utm_source=qr Songs of Ash and Dawn: https://www.songsofashanddawn.com/book https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/songs-of-ash-and-dawn-gabrielle-wanek/1148400036 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G21NQQ2P?ref=KC_GS_GB_US If you enjoy this kind of fiction podcast storytelling and voice acting, subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the series. Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ @Myuu, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiSKnkKCKAQVxMUWpZQobuQ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request. Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 42: Shadows Unveiled - Songs of Ash and Dawn Book 2, Chapter 1 - Gabrielle Wanek

We pick up Part 2 of our Chapter 1 read from The Songs of Ash and Dawn Book 2 by Gabrielle Wanek.. Nick staggers in with news he can barely say out loud: a god, a young witch, and what might be a demigod bested him and ruined his plans. How will his benefactor Elizabeth handle such news? Listen to find out! Subscribe for the final part of the chapter, share this with a friend who loves fantasy audiobooks and audio drama, and leave a review so more listeners can find the story. What detail from Elizabeth’s plan creeped you out most? Watch the Episode Here: Youtube: https://youtu.be/WeXBAg-B2ck Voice Actors Lou Fox: https://www.instagram.com/bardcommander Jackie Yangyuen: https://www.instagram.com/jlymuse/ https://www.jlymusic.com/voice-acting Gabrielle Wanek: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellewriter?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/gawanek/?igsh=Z2dxdTd1czRwYnU0&utm_source=qr Songs of Ash and Dawn: https://www.songsofashanddawn.com/book https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/songs-of-ash-and-dawn-gabrielle-wanek/1148400036 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G21NQQ2P?ref=KC_GS_GB_US If you enjoy this kind of fiction podcast storytelling and voice acting, subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the series. Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 41: Of Masks And Monsters - Songs of Ash and Dawn, Book 2, Chapter 1 - Gabrielle Wanek

A gold mask glints in candlelight as a ruined temple fills with chanting and the promise of “purity.” A bound mythos prisoner kneels in the firelit center, chained to stone, and muzzled. We’re back with a dramatic, voice-acted chapter read from Gabrielle Wanek’s Songs of Ash and Dawn Book 2, and we’re not easing in. This is Chapter 1, and it carries a clear spoiler warning for anyone who hasn’t finished Book 1 yet. If you love fantasy, indie fantasy worlds, and the kind of narration that makes a scene feel staged and alive, this chapter is built for your headphones. Watch the Episode Here: Youtube: https://youtu.be/WeXBAg-B2ck Voice Actors Lou Fox: https://www.instagram.com/bardcommander Jackie Yangyuen: https://www.instagram.com/jlymuse/ https://www.jlymusic.com/voice-acting Gabrielle Wanek: https://www.tiktok.com/@gabriellewriter?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/gawanek/?igsh=Z2dxdTd1czRwYnU0&utm_source=qr Songs of Ash and Dawn: https://www.songsofashanddawn.com/book https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/songs-of-ash-and-dawn-gabrielle-wanek/1148400036 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G21NQQ2P?ref=KC_GS_GB_US Listen to Chapter 1 Audio Here: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-27-songs-of-ash-and-dawn-chapter-1-gabrielle-wanek/id1717470807?i=1000740219611 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4DSPJJh98NhmORaZVLUF8H?si=b25ad6e102084f55 If you enjoy this kind of fiction podcast storytelling and voice acting, subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the series. Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 40: 'Fault Lines' - 'The Solarian Deep', Chapter 6 - David Deane Haskell

They wanted one clean rush of freedom, one daring swim toward the deep, one moment where the rules couldn’t touch them. Instead, Calistya and Khrystal run straight into Border Patrol, and Chapter 6 of The Solarian Deep turns a teenage act of courage into a system-level warning: you will be watched, labeled, and marched back into place. We’re Connor Reed’s Books, and we perform “Fault Lines” by author David Deane Haskell with Connor narrating and Ruth Ann and Jackie voicing the two leads, giving this cyberpunk sci-fi audiobook chapter the tension and tenderness it deserves. Voice Actors RuthAnn Kvamme: ruthannkvamme.com Jackie Yangyuen: https://www.instagram.com/jlymuse/ https://www.jlymusic.com/voice-acting David's Links: https://daviddeanehaskell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/daviddeanehaskell/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7171228.David_Deane_Haskell https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Haskell/author/B00DVBCZ5S?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4011edc2-7c6b-4e23-8d3b-51b5b20c5fae https://substack.com/@daviddeanehaskell Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 39: 'Legacies Unearthed' - 'The Solarian Deep' - David Deane Haskell

A dead shoreline. A rusted power station. An underwater civilization that has every reason to fear the past; and one stubborn student who can’t stop reaching for it. We’re back with a solo story read from 'The Solarian Deep' by David Deane Haskell. Chapter 5 “Legacies Unearthed” is the kind of post-apocalyptic cyberpunk sci-fi that makes you feel the salt in the air and the risk in every kick of your feet. Daniela is brilliant, restless, and convinced that old-world infrastructure might hold the key to long-term survival. When her society draws a hard boundary around “dangerous” energy and “approved” progress, she does what curious people always do: she pushes past the boundary. A rare shore-access petition turns into a tense expedition with anthropologists scavenging for human relics and engineers hunting for usable answers. If you enjoy the ride, subscribe, share the show with a sci-fi friend, and leave a review. David's Links: https://daviddeanehaskell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/daviddeanehaskell/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7171228.David_Deane_Haskell https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Haskell/author/B00DVBCZ5S?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4011edc2-7c6b-4e23-8d3b-51b5b20c5fae https://substack.com/@daviddeanehaskell Music Credits for chapter 5 https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteBatAudio Cinematic Documentary Drone by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Slow Motion Blanket of Stars - Royalty Free 80s Retro Synth *No Beat* (Copyright Safe) Atmospheric Sci-Fi Synthwave - Distant Planet // Royalty Free No Copyright Background Music Background Video Free Underwater Background Video Loop 4k - Relaxing underwater video - Royalty Free Vj Loop Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 38: David Deane Haskell - Author Interviews

This week, I sit down with David Deane Haskell to talk about the long arc of becoming an author, from finding his voice through music to discovering that fiction and nonfiction can both be a way to be seen, understood, and connected. We explore David's experience in the indie publishing grind, and what the Kindle era taught a lot of writers the hard way: overnight success is rare, and craft takes time. David shares what influences still guide him today, his burst-based workflow, and using dictation to write. David talks about a multi-year stretch where healing was the priority, and how the floodgates reopened with richer characters and sharper themes. That shift shows up in The Solarian Deep, a story that starts with an undersea premise and grows into science fiction with dystopian edges, identity and transformation, social pressure, and the divide between “us” and “them.” We also talk about building an online presence, the real risk of internet cruelty, and the very real rewards of putting yourself out there. If you enjoy author interviews, science fiction craft talk, and honest conversations about creativity in public, you’ll get a lot out of this one. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more readers and writers can find us. David's Links: https://daviddeanehaskell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/daviddeanehaskell/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7171228.David_Deane_Haskell https://www.amazon.com/stores/David-Haskell/author/B00DVBCZ5S?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=4011edc2-7c6b-4e23-8d3b-51b5b20c5fae https://substack.com/@daviddeanehaskell The Men of the Mountain Purchase the Book Here!! => Audible Link Review Signups: https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A Drew Harrison's Links: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 38: 'The Vanishing Lightning' - By Qualia Reed; Ft. Jackie Yangyuen and RuthAnn Kvamme

One moment Edgar is walking beside the sea, hand in hand with his wife, cherry blossoms drifting like soft pink snow. The next, the music cuts out, the city is silent, and the face beside him is no longer hers. “The Vanishing Lightning” is our full audio drama performance of Qualia Reed’s haunting science fiction short story, where love, memory, and survival collide in a world that has already ended. Content Warnings: Depictions of struggles with Dementia Violence Blood Elderly in Peril Children in Peril Qualia’s Links: https://www.instagram.com/qualiareed/ https://www.facebook.com/p/Qualia-Reed-Author-100087126994657/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22862775.Qualia_Reed https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BDTHJ3RP?ingress=0&visitId=f4b89a39-4ecd-4d9f-b56e-3821adbdf036 Listen to Ursus Aeternus! https://www.audible.com/pd/Ursus-Aeternus-Audiobook/B0CNL37SPH Voice Actors RuthAnn Kvamme - Laura 06 ruthannkvamme.com Jackie Yangyuen - Isis https://www.instagram.com/jlymuse/ https://www.jlymusic.com/voice-acting Connor McGeverly - Narrator, Edgar, News Anchor Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ All other music and sound effects in this performance are copyright free and royalty free. Links and lists can be provided at request. The Men of the Mountain Purchase the Book Here!! => Audible Link Review Signups: https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A Drew Harrison's Links: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 37: Songs of Ash and Dawn Book 2 - The Return of Gabrielle Wanek - Author Interview

A fantasy saga that was supposed to be three books somehow grows into ten, and it’s not because the author can’t let go, it’s because the world keeps demanding the parts that make it feel true. We’re joined by returning guest Gabrielle Wanick to celebrate the upcoming release of The Songs of Ash and Dawn Book 2 (July 14), and to get very honest about what it takes to plan long-form epic fantasy without collapsing under plot holes, pacing problems, or abandoned threads. Then we go behind the curtain on the production side of modern publishing: why the audiobook happened sooner than planned, how you sort through a massive list of narrator auditions, and what it feels like when a performer like Melissa Redmond adds a new layer of creativity to your text. We also get into revision realities, including cutting chapters, redistributing key scenes, and rewriting major parts of the series when a character no longer works. Add in myth-inspired worldbuilding, a runic magic system that functions like technology, and cover art by Zelda Devon with hidden spoiler details, and you’ve got plenty to chew on. Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Gabrielle Wanek, author Songs of Ash And Dawn Sign up for three free chapters of Book1 and 2: www.songsofashanddawn.com Melissa Redmond - Narrator of Songs of Ash and Dawn Book 1 Music Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 36: Drew Harrison - Author Interviews

I’m joined by Drew Harrison, author of Men Of The Mountain, to talk about how his background in journalism shaped his fiction, why he researches details most readers will never double-check, and how sci fi can act like a warning system when technology moves faster than our culture can adapt. We get into craft and influence in a practical way: how reading Stephen King, Brandon Sanderson, and Joe Abercrombie left fingerprints on Drew’s style, why first-person narration can shrink the distance between reader and character, and how he builds authenticity by keeping his protagonists human, insecure, and pressured by responsibility. Drew also explains why Men Of The Mountain starts with one genre flavor and then reveals a deeper sci fi core, using the clash between tribal life and advanced technology to make familiar concepts feel uncanny again. Then we zoom out to cyberpunk themes that are suddenly not-so-fictional: AI manipulation, misinformation, and the creeping sense that we’re building systems we don’t fully understand. Drew argues bleak worlds need optimism to stay readable, and that hope is what turns dystopian storytelling into something more than despair. We also talk audiobooks: the joy of hearing a narrator bring lines to life, the challenge of letting go of control, and the best advice for authors who want to adapt their books to audio. If you enjoy author interviews, science fiction writing, cyberpunk ideas, and grounded worldbuilding, subscribe, share this with a reader friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 'Men of The Mountain' Early Review Signups: https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A Drew Harrison's Links: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home Sip Java Co, where much of MotM was written: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wKgL7y6tqvFXz3mg6 Well's Coffee, which does the on-site roasting: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c1VYu9isiD3YYvsJA Drew's Events: Read it Write it, June 20: https://www.facebook.com/ReadItWriteBookFestival/ Shelf Life Space, June 27: https://www.instagram.com/shelflifespace/ Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 35: 'Warforged' - R.C.Hannah

Today we share a full chapter from the 'Warforged' Audio book, written by R.C. Hannah, and performed by me! We follow the story of a plucky human fighter pilot named Crash, as he and the Black Geese Squadron are dropped from Faster Than Light travel into the frying pan. Thanks for checking out the episode! If you liked it, please consider purchasing the full audiobook on audible; it helps both R.C. and me! Audible link: https://www.audible.com/pd/Warforged-Audiobook/B0GP3D5CHC?srsltid=AfmBOopaiGnbvWL5YNDDBL5MGI9iRl-r1c5IB75j_WIDTwuky5PP6Wwk R.C. Hannah's Links: https://www.rchannah.com/ https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hannah/ Death and Red Trilliums: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213913099-death-red-trilliums Stranded Season 9: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/248241938-stranded Content Warnings: Mild Language Space Violence Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 34: R.C. Hannah - Author Interviews

A goat-eyed spacefaring civilization, an unexpectedly lovable AI orb, and a romance that never asks you to wade through spice just to get to the heart of the story. That’s the energy we bring to this chat with Canada-based sci-fi and fantasy author R.C. Hannah as we celebrate the Warforged audiobook release and dig into what makes plot-first LGBTQ romance so satisfying when it’s done with care. We also get real about the indie publishing side, including cover art and the growing problem of undisclosed AI art. R.C. shares a simple safeguard for authors: ask for step-by-step progress so you can see the work evolve. You’ll also hear what’s next for him, where to find his books and socials, and a fun final question that ends with a very specific fictional treat. Subscribe, share the show with a reader who loves LGBTQ sci-fi and fantasy, and leave a review so more listeners can find us. Warforged: Audiobook on Audible GoodReads: Death and Red Trilliums: Goodreads Stranded Season 9: Goodreads R.C.’s Links: https://www.rchannah.com/ https://www.instagram.com/r.c.hannah/ Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 33: The Men of the Mountain - Drew Harrison

Today's episode is a chapter read from Drew Harrison's The Men of the Mountain, a sci-fi/fantasy novel released March 2026, and will be released as an audiobook in the next month or so. Please enjoy this chapter, and please consider signing up below to be an early reviewer for The Men of the Mountain Audiobook. Content Warnings: No Content Warnings for this Episode Early Review Signups: https://forms.gle/dBNywczwCG72HXt9A Drew Harrison's Links: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Drew-Harrison/author/B09PJWGGF2?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22160775.Drew_Harrison https://drewharrisonbooks.wixsite.com/home Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 32: Connor is Back!

I’ve been away from the feed for a few months, but it’s not because the work stopped it’s because the audiobook work ramped up. This update is my “here’s what I’ve been making” guide for anyone who loves audio fiction, audiobook narration, and big genre swings from space opera to romance to dystopian mystery. First, I talk through three completed audiobooks you can grab on Audible. Then I lay out what’s next for Connor Read’s Books: interviews with R.C. Hannah and Drew Harrison, sample chapters as podcast episodes, and more short fiction. I also launched a short story submission page for writers (under 4,000 words, mainly horror, sci-fi, or fantasy) and I’m actively looking for more voice talent, especially performers with feminine voices for women characters. Long-term, I’m aiming to build a Patreon or donate link so we can pay authors and voice actors, because creative work deserves real support. Subscribe so you don’t miss the interviews and story drops, and if you enjoy the show, share it with a friend and leave a review. Short Story Submissions https://www.lconnorvoice.com/submit-your-story Voice Over Auditions: Message Lconnorvoice@gmail.com Put “VO Audition” in the subject line - messages without it will not be accepted. Audio Book Links: Black Sun: Rise of the Flint Pirates Warforged Transfer Point Text Book Links: Men of the Mountain Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 31: Life and Limb - Evan Baughfman

What if happiness could be guaranteed with a single bite? We read Evan Boffman’s Life and Limb, a desert horror tale where a determined runner named Rafe—rebuilding his life with a carbon fiber blade—meets a towering, talkative saguaro that offers permanent euphoria and relief from thirst. The Sonoran heat blurs into myth as rattlesnakes block the trail, cholla cling with wicked barbs, and coyotes circle with quiet precision. Through it all, the cactus speaks in a calm baritone, holding out a pink fruit that promises bliss without burden. Thank you To Evan Baughfman for the permission to share this story on Connor Reads Books Content Warnings: Harsh language Mystical Cactus Animal Attacks Mauls of the Wild: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mauls-of-the-wild-evan-baughfman/1148791503 https://www.amazon.in/Mauls-Wild-Collection-Animal-Fiction-ebook/dp/B0G1XB1XN3 https://thesummitbirmingham.com/buy/product/mauls-of-the-wild-a-collection-of-animal-attack-fiction-barnesnoble-32463c?model=0 Evan Baughfman: https://www.instagram.com/agent00evan_716/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Evan-Baughfman/author/B08BSQZ2X6?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=784d4a39-0061-4d3d-91fa-1d71c55fdd80 https://newplayexchange.org/users/1708/evan-baughfman https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-baughfman-62a1b4137/ Murderfish: Murderfish on Audible Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 30: Evan Baughfman - Author Interviews

We dive into the feral heart of his new collection, Mauls of the Wild, where animal-attack horror meets precise craft and real-world texture from deserts, mountains, and the open ocean. Evan unpacks how influences like Goosebumps, Michael Crichton, Peter Benchley, and The Twilight Zone shaped his eye for tension, morality, and twist endings, and why he believes horror offers a safe way to confront danger without harm. If you’re a writer, you’ll love the nuts-and-bolts process: lock in the ending first, start amid action or conversation, and leave each session mid-scene so momentum never dies. Evan also lifts the curtain on drabbles—exactly 100-word stories that demand image, economy, and a satisfying turn. From killer penguins to shark phobias, constraints become sparks, and revision becomes a scalpel. We talk persistence through rejection, the power of a good writers’ group, and the difference between prose and playwriting when it comes to pacing and dialogue. Along the way, Evan shares how he compiled the collection from reprints and fresh pieces, why he writes for both adults and younger readers, and how his own miles on desert trails and cautious steps at the beach seep into the work. Stick around for a playful creature mashup—Sharctus, anyone—and practical ways to find his books and connect online. If this conversation made your creative gears turn, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves horror or short fiction, and leave a quick review. It helps more readers and writers find us, and it means the world. Mauls of the Wild: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mauls-of-the-wild-evan-baughfman/1148791503 https://www.amazon.in/Mauls-Wild-Collection-Animal-Fiction-ebook/dp/B0G1XB1XN3 https://thesummitbirmingham.com/buy/product/mauls-of-the-wild-a-collection-of-animal-attack-fiction-barnesnoble-32463c?model=0 Evan Baughfman: https://www.instagram.com/agent00evan_716/ https://www.amazon.com/stores/Evan-Baughfman/author/B08BSQZ2X6?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=784d4a39-0061-4d3d-91fa-1d71c55fdd80 https://newplayexchange.org/users/1708/evan-baughfman https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-baughfman-62a1b4137/ Thanks again for the interview Evan! Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.

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Episode 29: “Uphill Both Ways” - Mike Jack Stoumbos - 2025 Holiday Special

Ever wonder what a snow day on a space station might look like? For Angie Tzakis, it’s the first time she’s ever seen a snowflake. Living on New Detroit Station has always been complex, but the first snow is about to change everything. Pairing snowflurries with the recent shattering of childhood illusions reveals that life isn’t always clear cut, and secrets have a nature of their own. It’s Time for another Connor Reads Books Christmas Special! This time we read “Uphill Both Ways” written by Mike Jack Stoumbous, a fantasy fiction writer, and producer of the Unhelpful Encyclopedia Series. Mike’s Links: Unhelpful Encyclopedia Amazon Links Mike Jack Stoumbous Amazon Page Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ 🎵Music By🎵 ✗ BRAUNFUFEL - Winter Vibes ✗ Song/Download - • 【Future House/Deep House】BRAUNFUFEL - Wint... ✗ Follow Magnified - / magnifiedrecordings ✗ Released by Magnified Recordings ✗ Subscribe to Bandit Tunes for new music: http://bit.ly/29g2RS8 Eon: https://youtu.be/XVbvE0PJyss?si=0B0U_aeA5Phu5Okm Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits: L. Connor Voice - Website https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A Music Credits: Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/ Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.