On today's 181st episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple interviews New York Times Bestselling author Eric Rickstad about his book "Lilith."

Lilith explores the theme of school shootings and the emotional impact on the victims and their families. Mr. Rickstad discusses his background as a writer and the influences that shaped his storytelling style. He also shares his thoughts on writing series versus standalone novels and the challenges of addressing previous events in a series.

The conversation delves into the inspiration behind Lilith and the societal issues it addresses, including gun violence and the politicization of tragedies.

In this episode, Temple talks to Eric about the themes of gun violence, mental health, and the role of women in society. Rickstad explains how the character of Lilith, the first wife of Adam, serves as a metaphor for women's struggle for autonomy and the myth of violence in America.

Rickstad wraps by sharing his writing advice, emphasizing the importance of consistency and trusting the creative process.

To order your copy of Lilith, and to learn more about Rick, visit: Rickstad.com

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The Story Factory is an entertainment company representing some of the best authors in the business.

On today’s 180th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple interviews film director and debut author James Cox about his breakout hit novel, Grand Theft AI.

The conversation covers Cox's background in directing, his influences, and the process of writing the book. They discuss the cyberpunk landscape of the story, the immersive technology called Wetwire, and the future history of the world.

Cox also shares his passion for detail and authenticity in science fiction and the blending of reality and fiction in his work, and shares how he explores the themes of artificial intelligence (AI), human-machine interaction, the impact of AI on labor, and the ownership and control of AI technology.

David and James discuss the novel, which focuses on people trying to navigate a world that has been accelerated by AI, and emphasize how the fear of AI rising up and the idea of machines becoming self-aware and human-like are intriguing.

The conversation concludes with the importance of relationships in thrillers, the role of music in storytelling, and the challenges of building an online presence as a writer.

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• (00:03) - Introduction
• (06:34) - Meeting Shane Salerno
• (18:20) - Inspiration for Grand Theft AI
• (21:54) - The Process of Writing
• (25:30) - Evolution into a Novel
• (26:35) - Screenplay to Prose Transformation
• (28:04) - Painting Future History
• (29:30) - Reality and Accelerated Innovation
• (34:09) - Technology: Good and Harm Perspectives
• (35:07) - Impacts of AI on Employment
• (37:48) - Ownership and Control of AI
• (41:42) - Writing Advice and Process
• (43:02) - Future History and Genre Preferences
• (45:40) - Directing and Collaborating in the Industry
• (48:57) - Serialization and Story Structure
• (50:52) - Relationship Dynamics and Technology
• (56:27) - Influence of Music and Soundtracks
• (58:06) - Online Presence and Branding
• (59:53) - Book Pre-order Details and Release Date

The Story Factory is an entertainment company representing some of the best authors in the business.

In this 179th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple interviews thriller writer Joe Reid, also known as Parker Adams, about his latest book, The Lock Box.

The conversation covers various topics, including the inspiration behind the book, the use of pen names, and Reid's background as a marine biologist and patent lawyer. He discusses the process of writing fiction and how it relates to his work as a litigator.

The discussion also delves into the character of Monna Locke, a female army vet turned safecracker, and the possibility of a sequel, plus Joe discusses his writing journey and the influences that have shaped his career.

Joe (aka Parker) talks about the importance of accumulating experiences and listening to your instincts as a writer, and also emphasizes the need to finish what you start and not be afraid of criticism.

Some highlights include the themes of complex characters, the influence of personal backgrounds on writing, and the importance of starting a story in the right place.

The interview concludes with a discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on storytelling plus an upcoming speaking event at the Carlsbad library with Christopher Reich on May 17th at Noon.

Learn more at JosephReidBooks.com, and as always, be sure to visit us at TheThrillerZone.com, follow us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook @TheThrillerZone and you can catch us on all the podcast channels, like @applepodcasts @Spotify @iHeartRadio and more.

The Story Factory is an entertainment company representing some of the best authors in the business.