In this episode of the Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with prolific writer and cartoonist Ryan Estrada about the art of comic book writing, including the importance of pacing, concise storytelling, and creative challenges. Ryan shares insights from his experience co-creating Banned Book Club with his wife, Kim Hyun Sook, and illustrator Ko Hyung-Ju, a graphic novel based on Kim's real-life experiences in 1980s Korea. They also dive into the timely issue of book banning, with Banned Book Club itself being banned in several U.S. states, yet still celebrated globally in schools and libraries. Ryan discusses his research process, life in South Korea, and his diverse interests and accomplishments as a storyteller.

Ryan Estrada is an artist, author, and adventurer. His books include Banned Book Club, No Rules Tonight, Occulted, and the Student Ambassador series. He has made comics for Star Trek, Popeye, Flash Gordon, and Garfield.

He was a gator wrangler in America, an ambassador to Australia, an undocumented animator in Canada, a ghostbuster in South Korea, a Bollywood voiceover actor in India, wandered Kim Jong Il's secret tunnels to North Korea, slept on a bench in a typhoon in Japan, dug toilets in Thailand, did an accidental illegal border crossing into Burma, made road comics in Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Laos, Vietnam and The Philippines, documentaries in Colombia and Ecuador, and podcasts in Malaysia, ran with the bulls in Mexico, barely escaped being eaten by lions in Kenya, fainted atop Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, got caught in a Peruvian coca war, lived in a Costa Rican rainforest and a Panamanian volcano.

Alison Nissen is a story strategist and ghostwriter who has taught collegiate composition and literature classes for over two decades. Alison was the winner of the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Awards Unpublished Autobiography/Memoir for Resolve, Courage, Hope. Alison is passionate about helping writers find and tell their stories to change the world with authority and authenticity on the stage, in small groups, or one-on-one.

​Florida Writers Association (FWA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit; it embraces the diversity of its membership from across the state of Florida, the nation, and the globe. We celebrate our differences and are united in our shared love for the written and spoken word.

Our motto, “Writers Helping Writers,” is demonstrated daily by our volunteers.

On this Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen welcomes Kevin M. Hall. Wondering if his kids would remember their family stories, Kevin wrote a short story for them as a Christmas gift. His grandsons’ reaction inspired him to write multiple books, blending history with memoir to capture the moments of his life in context with the world.

Kevin M. Hall joyfully adopts the titles of dad, grandpa, and papa. Residing with his wife in Rush, NY—a suburb of Rochester—he is a family man with two married children, six grandchildren, and a beloved dog named Pal.

His career spanned over 40 years in the private sector, during which he secured a US Patent, was featured in Forbes magazine, authored several white papers, and received numerous accolades for his contributions.

Now retired and contemplating his next chapter, he turned to writing. In 2022, he published his first two memoir/history books. When queried about his motivation to write, he replies, "It was the persistent curiosity of my grandchildren, always asking, 'What was it like when you were young, grandpa?'"

For his third book, he interviewed a range of fascinating individuals, sharing their extraordinary and inspiring tales—some bordering on the miraculous. One Certified Buyer comments: Have you ever been in a situation where you get a tingling sensation telling you something extraordinary is happening? This book took me through an interesting journey of some astounding stories and other smaller tales of wonder in day-to-day life.

Alison Nissen is an author, podcaster, ghostwriter, professor, and co-founder who battles dog hair and laundry. Learn more about her at RevelCoachStory.com.

Founded in 2001, the Florida Writers Association (FWA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization that embraces the diversity of its membership from across the state of Florida, the nation, and the globe. We celebrate our differences and are united in our shared love for the written and spoken word.

Our volunteers demonstrate our motto, "Writers Helping Writers," daily.

#floridawriters #amwriting #writerslife #podcast #revelcoach #writeyourbooknow

In this episode of the Florida Writer Podcast, host Alison Nissen chats with author Andy N, who shares insights from his diverse writing journey. Andy has penned ten full-length novels, including Changing Carriages at Birmingham, New Street, a poignant love story, and a memoir detailing his struggles with diabetes. His debut novel, Birth, explores the life of a 16-year-old aspiring artist, set in a familiar backdrop that blends fictional characters with real-life elements.

Andy also discusses his musical background, highlighting the connection between music and poetry, particularly in their rhythmic qualities. Currently, he is working on a sequel titled Death, which continues the narrative from Birth, as well as a new project called Ghosts, which delves into ghost stories and our relationship with the landscapes we inhabit. The conversation wraps up with Alison expressing gratitude for Andy's insights, making for an engaging and thoughtful discussion on the intersection of writing, music, and personal experience.

Andy N is the author of ten full-length poetry collections, the last two being 'From the Diabetic Ward Volume 1' and 'Changing carriages at Birmingham New Street' and numerous split poetry books, including 'run away with Me in 7 Words' with his wife Amanda Steel (Also known as Amanda Nicholson) He is the co-host of Chorlton Cum Hardy's always-welcoming Spoken Word Open Mic Night which meets on the 1st Thursday of each month, and he does ambient music under the name of Ocean in a Bottle (and side ambient projects such as Polly Ocean and Mandy in a Bottle). He is also the host and the creator of 'Spoken Label', a poet, writer, and artist Podcast series also, the paranormal, supernatural, and plain spooky Podcast series with his wife Amanda Nicholson 'Cloaked in the Shadows'. His official website is onewriterandhispc.blogspot.co.uk/ and he is always interested in undertaking performing / new projects. His email address is aen1mpo@yahoo.co.uk

Alison Nissen is a story strategist and ghostwriter who has taught collegiate composition and literature classes for over two decades. Alison was the winner of the 2016 Royal Palm Literary Awards Unpublished Autobiography/Memoir for Resolve, Courage, Hope. Alison is passionate about helping writers find and tell their stories to change the world with authority and authenticity on the stage, in small groups, or one-on-one.

​Alison has interviewed over 1500 authors, leaders, entrepreneurs, and coaches on her Florida Writer Podcast and REVEL COACH+Conversations.

Our motto, “Writers Helping Writers,” is demonstrated daily by our volunteers.