In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Pennsylvania author and creative director Christian Hurst to discuss his YA sci-fi/fantasy series, Lily Starling.

Beginning with Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander, the series follows a memory-loss protagonist who discovers her place in the universe alongside a found family of starship crew members in a coming-of-age space opera filled with adventure, mystery, and heart. Christian shares the inspiration behind the series, his long-term vision for the five-book story arc, and the progress of the books released so far.

Michelle and Christian also explore his journey from a career in advertising, film, and games to becoming a published novelist. They discuss his writing process—from blocking major story beats and drafting linearly to revising aloud—and what he learned from producing an audiobook version of his work.

The conversation goes beyond writing craft into the business side of publishing, covering self-publishing, partnering with Outpost Books, audience targeting, comp titles, funnels, newsletters, social media, and practical marketing strategies that help authors reach the right readers without burning themselves out.

🎧 Join Michelle and Christian for an insightful conversation about storytelling, publishing, and building a sustainable creative career.

ABOUT CHRISTIAN HURST:

Christian Hurst is an American author and creative director whose work blends epic science fiction adventure with emotional depth. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in the LDS church (1), he often speaks about growing up feeling like an outsider—an experience that shaped the empathy and curiosity at the heart of his writing. After leaving the church as a young adult, he now identifies as an atheist (2).

He began his creative career as a teenage graphic design intern for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and later studied Graphic Design at Harrisburg Area Community College. After more than fifteen years in advertising and brand strategy, including major rebranding initiatives for Marriott International, he is now an Executive Creative Director at AARP (3).

A lifelong fan of science fiction, Hurst is known for The Lily Starling Series, which explores identity, connection, and belonging (4). He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, their son, and three dogs (5).

WHERE TO FIND HIM:

Website | X | Instagram | TikTok

WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:

Website

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes London-based speculative fiction author Stephen Oram, whose work sits at the fascinating intersection of storytelling, science, and emerging technology.

Stephen discusses his latest work, Brain Fruit, a futuristic fable exploring trust, symbiosis, and finding common ground through the unlikely combination of a bee, a bug, a brain fruit, and a group of droids. He shares why he enjoys writing shorter, fable-like stories that leave room for reader interpretation and imagination in ways that novels often cannot.

Michelle and Stephen also dive into his work in applied science fiction, where he collaborates with scientists and technologists to spark conversations about real-world research and its potential impact on society. From artificial intelligence and biotechnology to the ethical questions raised by emerging innovations, they explore science fiction’s unique role in asking “what if?” and helping readers think through possible futures.

The conversation also covers Stephen's research process, working with experts and beta readers, his hybrid publishing approach, idea-capture habits, and his flexible, discovery-driven writing style.

🎧 Join Michelle and Stephen for a thought-provoking discussion about speculative fiction, technology, creativity, and the stories that help us imagine tomorrow.

ABOUT STEPHEN ORAM:

Stephen Oram writes social science fiction, often exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. Described by Linux User & Developer Magazine as, "A soothsayer for this century’s relationship with technology,” he is published in many anthologies, including the award-winning Best of British Science Fiction 2022 (Newcon Press).

He has three novels: We Are Not Anonymous, 2025; Fluence, 2015; and Quantum Confessions, 2014. And three short story collections: Extracting Humanity, 2023; Biohacked & Begging, 2019; and Eating Robots, 2017.

He has co-edited four anthologies: Virtual Futures, 2019; Vital Signals, 2022; 22 Ideas About the Future, 2022; and All Tomorrow’s Futures, 2024. The Financial Times said that his work, “Should set the rest of us thinking about science and its possible repercussions.”

He is also a leading proponent of applied science fiction, working with scientists and technologists to explore possible outcomes of their research through short stories. He has been a writer for the Sci-Fi prototypers- SciFutures, was author in residence at Virtual Futures and one of the masterminds behind their new Near-Future Fiction series. He is also a member of the Clockhouse London Writers and the Spectrum Writers.

Stephen is based in the heart of central London and attributes much of the urban grittiness and the optimism about humanity in his writing to the noise, the bustle, and the diverse community of where he lives.

Previously, he was Head of Policy for post-16 Strategic Development and Innovation at the Department for Education.

You can read more about his work in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and at https://stephenoram.net

WHERE TO FIND HIM:

Website | X | Instagram | LinkedIn

WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:

Amazon

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with author Isis Chandler to talk about her debut YA romance, a story shaped by the quiet ache of an unfinished high school experience and the lasting impact of intergenerational family trauma.

In a candid and heartfelt conversation, Isis shares how her own experience with family estrangement influenced her characters and why themes like going no contact with toxic relatives matter so deeply in fiction. She and Michelle discuss the emotional reality of leaving abusive situations, the social pressure to reconcile, and the importance of telling stories where survival, healing, and self-protection are treated with honesty and care.

They also dive into Isis’s writing process, from structured outlining and music playlists to creative collaboration with her husband and author Lauren Cuney. Isis opens up about a difficult experience with a small press, why she now values indie control, and the lessons authors should know about protecting themselves in publishing.

🎧 Join Michelle and Isis for a powerful conversation about writing through trauma, reclaiming agency, and creating stories that speak truth with heart.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more author interviews and creative conversations on Miles Beyond the Page!

ABOUT ISIS CHANDLER:

When Isis isn’t writing, she uploads YouTube videos about spirituality and recovering from an abusive family. She loves drawing, painting, and spending time with her husband and two cats.

WHERE TO FIND HER:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | BlueSky | TikTok

WHERE TO FIND HER BOOKS:

Amazon