GCP S2:E4 – Story! – Я-BOT

Below are my notes-to-self created before recording this episode:

This will be a narration episode!

GCP – S2E4: Story! – Я-BOT … as well as life and creative work updates.

(Click here to watch on YouTube)
I haven’t recorded one in nigh on three years. Expect a worldbuilding episode next month, probably an old conversation recording from three years ago that never got released. But today, I will read to you.

I’m going to try to do this episode in one take for the updates and back matter discussion after the narration, but I’ll record the narration once the kids are in bed to prevent extra noise on the recording.

Today’s narration won’t be a chapter from The Grendhill Chronicles.
Today I’ll be reading to you something I’ve been calling a short story, but it’s more of a concept flash fiction. It’s barely 1200 words, and no action actually occurs in the window of narration, but it takes an idea I had in 2021 and tries to make you feel what the narrator feels. I hope I can make you feel something interesting while you listen.

But first, our updates!

Updates:

                -Declined Career Designation

                -recent birthday

-daughter’s artwork

-card from aunt

-pen from parents

-some time to myself

                -T.S. Pedramon: The Grendhill Chronicles

                -Continuing to publish Grendhill Chronicles chapters on Wattpad and RR.

                                -Created Substack page and publishing there. – The current existing content for TGC is perma-free. To clarify, free access. I still retain it as my intellectual property. What I am currently first-draft reviewing is hopefully getting better, but this portion of the story will remain free to access and consume. I intend to write further in the story, entire books, which will probably not be perma-free.

                -Published R-BOT (as T.S. Pedramon)

-on thorn.link w/ password

-on Substack

-on ko-fi.com

-on Patreon

-on Vella – Vella is actually for serials – explain.

                -GOHOMUSP progress – 15,500 words, but I have more news about GOHOMUSP.

                -AI

-Stable Diffusion – hilarity and awesomeness. Cats and parrots in dapper 3-piece suits or wearing armor, a house in the woods. It also spits out some disturbing images – just look at the hands. It often doesn’t know how many fingers people are supposed to have, and it has no idea what a clarinet is supposed to look like. But it makes some pretty cool images.

-ChatGPT – blurb

                -Seasoned author said he would offer some help; asked for a blurb. Life was busy, I was sick, and in the end I took a shortcut: ChatGPT. I had heard AI could be pretty good at blurbs. So I described my story, ChatGPT spat out a blurb, and I gave that a makeover.

                                – I told this other author exactly how I had produced the blurb. He gave me feedback, annotations and corrections to show me how to improve it further. Then he said:

“Don’t use AI…AI providers are all being sued. I wouldn’t want to have stuff that was AI assisted that would have to be pulled down and reworked because the court ruled that it was a copyright violation.”

                -So, there’s that. Now, I have not used AI to write any of my actual content, nor do I have any intention to do so. I think that even if there is no copyright concern, we will still need human-to-human communication for it to be truly relevant. But marketing copy is copyrightable material as well.

                -So copyright is a definite concern. I wouldn’t want that to happen to me. I don’t know who will win the lawsuits. Having worked with Stable Diffusion, it can often take a deal of human creativity and intent to extract exactly the image you’re looking for. But the computer is able to do what it does because it ingested tons of material – much…most?…of which is copyrighted.

                -So, Stable Diffusion. I prompted the AI to give me a picture of a robot. It took a few dozen tries to get what I was looking for, tweaking the settings. In the end I found something that I could call an R-BOT from my story. I think it looks pretty cool…and menacing. That was the intent. But I posted R-BOT on these different platforms with that image.

                -Oops. Now, to play it safe, I will draw my own robot, and replace that image with my new one. I do not wish to have any of my works pulled due to potential copyright infringement. So you’ll see that change.

-I have some more to say about GOHOMUSP, but we’ll leave that until after today’s narration segment.

Without further ado – RBOT.

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Thank you for listening to my recording of R-BOT today. I hope you enjoyed it.

If you liked that, you may enjoy some of these books by other authors. Disclaimer – I haven’t had the time to read these myself. However, they do sound interesting and I wouldn’t mind cracking one open. If you’re watching on YouTube you’ll see these book covers appear on screen. – newsletter swaps!

Now –

I shared RBOT with my newsletter subscribers – wait! I said subscribers!

                -If you’re on YouTube, click the bell to subscribe to this channel.

                -If you’re listening to audio, subscribe if you haven’t already, and please rate and review the podcast. Share it! Let others know; it will really help me out.

                -And go to thorn.link/Grendhill/newsletter to subscribe so you can catch little freebies like this. When you subscribe, you will be emailed the password to read R-BOT online. Plus, you’ll be in the in-group to learn when I publish anything.

Okay, so I shared R-BOT with my newsletter subscribers a few days ago, and my Dad said he liked it. He texted me asking for more. That, coupled with what I’m going to say next, got me thinking a bit.

…The seasoned author who critiqued my blurb also critiqued its genre. In short, nobody’s looking for misfit superheroes. – Ben Stiller’s Mystery Men, different flavor…. I’m different….but he’s right

-So, what should I write? I dunno.

                -R-BOT full novel? – had sequel idea yesterday

                -Dive into TGC?

                -Nightshade Unicorn?

                -MG       -kid who sews superhero costumes that impart power to the wearer?

                                -others?

                …-I should start how I want to continue seriously, so…RBOT, Grendhill, or a space sci-fi, I suppose What do you think?

S4E10: Military Thrillers and Heist Stories with Author Dan Kemp

🔥 Military Thrillers, Heists, & Writing with Author Dan Kemp 🔥

Join me as I sit down with Dan Kemp, author of the Athenaeum series (Door Number 3, Doubling Down), to talk military thrillers, heist stories, and the business of writing! We dive into his wild publishing journey, the real-world military experience behind his books, and the challenge of keeping readers hooked in a fast-paced genre.

💥 What You’ll Get in This Episode:
✅ First up–the weekly book giveaway!
✅ The unexpected way Dan got published
✅ How military service shaped his writing
✅ The secret to writing high-stakes thrillers
✅ Why genre fiction is like a Chinese buffet
✅ And… A sword-wielding raccoon? 🤯

🚀 If you love military fiction, thrillers, or just a great storytelling deep dive, this episode is for you!

📚 Find Dan Kemp’s books here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BCX1SLDW/allbooks
🔗 Follow Dan Kemp: https://x.com/WiseguyThreeOne

🎙 Subscribe to my channel for more author interviews & writing insights!

🔥 Got a favorite military thriller? Drop it in the comments!

Weekly Book Giveaway:

  • Last week’s winner: Actually, it was Dan Kemp himself! Congratulations, and your book will be on its way soon.
  • The new Questions of the Week:
    • 💥 If you could assemble a team for the ultimate high-stakes heist, which three fictional characters would you choose—and what are you trying to steal? 💥
  • Enter the contest by guessing a number (1–1,000). Add a letter for a chance to win two books!
  • The best place to participate is in my Discord server, but I’m now accepting email, tweet, etc.–but make sure you @ me and I react, so you know I got your entry.

Drop your dream team in the comments! Are you going full military ops, sneaky spy squad, or pure chaotic genius? And we love Fantasy, so magic is on the table, too. Let’s see who builds the most unstoppable crew! 🚀💰🔥

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Announcements:

Win Free Books: See the menu and how it works at https://www.grendhill.media/prizes/

Authors, join the giveaway: If you’re an author and you’d like to participate, I’ll buy your book when a contest winner chooses it. Please fill out my Google Form ( https://forms.gle/XKTy7Sg8H9pENm8p7 ) and I’ll consider your book for the “menu.”

➤The Grendhill Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by my YA Epic Fantasy series “Nightshade Unicorn,” written under the pen name T.S. Pedramon. You can purchase it on Amazon or elsewhere, or directly from me at https://www.grendhill.media/ (and get it signed, too). And you can really help out by leaving a comment on Amazon or on Goodreads. It helps other people find my books and join the journey!

============================

Buy the Nightshade Unicorn saga:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVW6L8VT
Direct: https://www.grendhill.media/

Find me online:
Author Page: https://www.pedramon.com/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GrendhillChron/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grendhillchronicles/
Discord: https://discord.gg/HvQZeG2AWu

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S4E9: Author Insecurities with Author Alyssa Hazel

Today I bring you an interview with Speculative Fiction author Alyssa Hazel. We talk about our insecurities as authors!

You can connect with Alyssa here:

Remember, the eBook for Nightshade Unicorn Forerunner is FREE until, well, today’s the last day. Go grab it on Amazon, or anywhere else!

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Weekly Book Giveaway:

  • Last week’s winner: Debbie (again!). (See my Discord server.) Congratulations, and your book will be on its way soon!
  • The new Questions of the Week:
    • Your choice: teleportation or magical plant growth? How would you use this power?
  • Enter the contest by guessing a number (1–1,000). Add a letter for a chance to win two books!
  • The best place to participate is in my Discord server, but I’m now accepting email, tweet, etc.–but make sure you @ me and I react, so you know I got your entry!

Stay Connected:

  • Discord Server: Join the conversation, answer the question of the week, and enter the giveaway.
  • Support the Podcast: Ko-fi Supporters gain exclusive perks like early announcements and behind-the-scenes updates.

============================

Announcements:

Win Free Books: Head to my Discord server ( https://discord.gg/HvQZeG2AWu ), answer the “Question of the Week,” and guess a number between 1 and 1,000. For a bonus prize, guess a letter of the alphabet for a chance to win two signed books instead of one! See the full “menu” here, but check back again later—it’s growing: https://www.grendhill.media/prizes/

Authors, join the giveaway: If you’re an author and you’d like to reach more readers, I’m willing to buy your book when a contest winner chooses it. Please fill out my Google Form ( https://forms.gle/XKTy7Sg8H9pENm8p7 ) to have your book considered for the “menu.”

➤The Grendhill Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by my YA Epic Fantasy series “Nightshade Unicorn,” written under the pen name T.S. Pedramon. You can purchase it on Amazon or elsewhere, or directly from me at https://www.grendhill.media/ (and get it signed, too). And you can really help out by leaving a comment on Amazon or on Goodreads. It helps other people find my books and join the journey!

➤My Nightshade Unicorn books (1 & 2) are available on Amazon, or you can grab signed copies directly from me at www.grendhill.media.

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Book 1, Forerunner:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVW6CBV9/
Direct: https://www.grendhill.media/
Purchase links everywhere else: https://books2read.com/NightshadeUnicorn-1

Book 2, Guardian:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFFZFZDZ
Direct: https://www.grendhill.media/
Purchase links everywhere else: https://books2read.com/NU2

Find me online:
Author Page: https://www.pedramon.com/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GrendhillChron/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grendhillchronicles/
Discord: https://discord.gg/HvQZeG2AWu

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S4E8: Writing Beyond Reality Realistically with Author Pat Hauldren

Today I bring you an interview with Science Fiction author Pat Hauldren, in which we explore how to write hard Sci-Fi, and the different factors involved.

You can connect with Pat here:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Pat%20Hauldren/author/B06Y4H8RJ1
https://x.com/SyFyExaminer

Also, hey! It’s my birthday this week! To celebrate, discounts all around! Check it out on Amazon or on my direct sales page (links below). Plus, the eBook for Forerunner is FREE until March 10th!

Also, while I’m not officially participating in this round of Stuff Your Kindle with Fantasy, you can get lots of other free eBooks on February 28th if you go here: https://stuffwithfantasy.com/. Happy hunting.

…I’m still on the road attending conventions, so let’s cut straight to the giveaway!

==============================================

Weekly Book Giveaway:

  • Last week’s winner: Debbie. (See my Discord server.) Congratulations, and your book will be on its way soon!
  • The new Questions(!) of the Week, take your pick:
    • What fictional world has the most formidable army or military, and what makes them supreme?
    • A wizard offers you an enchanted item as a birthday present. What do you choose, and why do want that…type of animal familiar? (Okay, it doesn’t have to be an animal!)
  • Enter the contest by guessing a number (1–1,000). Add a letter for a chance to win two books!
  • The best place to participate is in my Discord server, but I’m now accepting email, tweet, etc.–but make sure you @ me and I react, so you know I got your entry!

Stay Connected:

  • Discord Server: Join the conversation, answer the question of the week, and enter the giveaway.
  • Support the Podcast: Ko-fi Supporters gain exclusive perks like early announcements and behind-the-scenes updates.

============================

Announcements:

Win Free Books: Head to my Discord server ( https://discord.gg/HvQZeG2AWu ), answer the “Question of the Week,” and guess a number between 1 and 1,000. For a bonus prize, guess a letter of the alphabet for a chance to win two signed books instead of one! See the full “menu” here, but check back again later—it’s growing: https://www.grendhill.media/prizes/

Authors, join the giveaway: If you’re an author and you’d like to reach more readers, I’m willing to buy your book when a contest winner chooses it. Please fill out my Google Form ( https://forms.gle/XKTy7Sg8H9pENm8p7 ) to have your book considered for the “menu.”

Upcoming Conventions:

  • ConFinement in Lebanon, TN (Feb 28-Mar 1).

Book Promo: I’m participating in a clean fantasy eBook giveaway on BookFunnel, until February 17th. See the giveaway here: https://books.bookfunnel.com/epicspeculativefiction/3elgh3hok5 .

➤The Grendhill Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by my YA Epic Fantasy series “Nightshade Unicorn,” written under the pen name T.S. Pedramon. You can purchase it on Amazon or elsewhere, or directly from me at https://www.grendhill.media/ (and get it signed, too). And you can really help out by leaving a comment on Amazon or on Goodreads. It helps other people find my books and join the journey!

➤My Nightshade Unicorn books (1 & 2) are available on Amazon, or you can grab signed copies directly from me at www.grendhill.media.

============================

Book 1, Forerunner:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVW6CBV9/
Direct: https://www.grendhill.media/
Purchase links everywhere else: https://books2read.com/NightshadeUnicorn-1

Book 2, Guardian:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFFZFZDZ
Direct: https://www.grendhill.media/
Purchase links everywhere else: https://books2read.com/NU2

Find me online:

Author Page: https://www.pedramon.com/
Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/GrendhillChron/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grendhillchronicles/
Discord: https://discord.gg/HvQZeG2AWu

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