Inking Neon: Light Up Your Stories
Claim This Podcastby Stuart J. Tanner & Cullen McHael
Podcast Overview
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Inking Neon</span><span style="font-weight:400;"> blends readings, author interviews, and book recs with the hard-earned insight of two writers who’ve spent decades teaching and creating. It’s where the craft of writing gets electrified and ideas shine brighter. If you’re chasing inspiration, this is your sign in lights.</span></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/7/2025
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Recent Episodes
June 22, 2026
Blindsight—The Best First Contact Novel?
In 2006 Peter Watts published Blindsight, a darkly creative and hugely popular sci-fi novel about first contact. We’re reacting to this classic, appreciating its themes, and trying to extract lessons for ourselves as writers. How do you challenge your readers with really creative ideas without losing them? Watts managed it, and we think we know how. Edited by Cullen McHaelProduced by Cullen McHaelHosts: Stuart J. Tanner, Cullen McHael Follow us!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InkingNeonApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories/id1838329557Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qSplbBX4oYmd2pYoSAzOFAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c7826f91-085a-4509-9c69-d90fef1bdb5b/inking-neon-light-up-your-storiesiHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-inking-neon-light-up-your-294206954PodBean: https://inkingneon.podbean.com/Cullen McHael: https://cullenmchael.com Stuart J. Tanner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XW3G4WG/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Art-of-Story/dp/B08JL6GJBR/
April 7, 2026
Why Is Dungeon Crawler Carl So Good?
Matt Dinniman’s breakout best seller is certainly popular, but is it good? We explore 7 reasons for its runaway success and try to extract some lessons to apply to our own writing. Jump on the ride and let us know what you think we missed! The book itself: https://mattdinniman.com/books/dungeon-crawler-carl/ 00:00 Introduction to Lit RPG and Its Appeal 04:38 Reason #1: The Vibe of Carl 11:15 Reason #2: Unhinged Chaos 17:38 Reason #3: Keeping Up with the Kardashians 21:25 The Two Kinds of Humor 23:18 Reason 4: Viscera 28:57 Absorb For +1 to Humor. Don't Sell Your Day Job. 37:52 Reason #5: They Call Them "Novels" 45:33 Short Readings 49:23 Reason #6: Can You Go Wrong With a Talking Cat? (Yes) 56:57 Reason 7: The Payoff Paradox 01:00:48 Summary and Final Thoughts Date Record: Mar 28, 2026 Date Publish: Apr 4, 2026 Edited by Cullen McHael Produced by Cullen McHael Hosts: Stuart J. Tanner, Cullen McHael Follow us! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InkingNeon Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories/id1838329557 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qSplbBX4oYmd2pYoSAzOF Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c7826f91-085a-4509-9c69-d90fef1bdb5b/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-inking-neon-light-up-your-294206954 PodBean: https://inkingneon.podbean.com/ Cullen McHael: https://cullenmchael.com Stuart J. Tanner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XW3G4WG/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Art-of-Story/dp/B08JL6GJBR/
March 3, 2026
How to Sustain a Long-Running Series with J.A. Merkel
In episode 7 of Inking Neon we sit down with author J.A. Merkel to discuss sustaining energy in a long running series, and techniques for building emotional realism. J.A. Merkel is the author of The Fall Gauntlet, a gladiatorial science-fantasy series. Pick up your copy of Bear by J.A. Merkel here: https://store.jamerkel.com/products/the-fall-gauntlet-book-1-bear-ebook 00:00 Introduction to JA Merkel 03:01 Reading from Bear - Book 1 of The Fall Gauntlet 16:59 Short Stories As Strategy for Finding a Market 21:41 Turning a Short Story Into a Series 24:50 Planning for a Long Series 31:35 Merging Old and New: The Deeper Themes of Science-Fantasy 46:40 Writing Emotional Realism 53:34 Game Design Informing Fiction 57:55 Final Thoughts on Writing and Market Awareness Follow us! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InkingNeon Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories/id1838329557 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qSplbBX4oYmd2pYoSAzOF Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/c7826f91-085a-4509-9c69-d90fef1bdb5b/inking-neon-light-up-your-stories iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-inking-neon-light-up-your-294206954 PodBean: https://inkingneon.podbean.com/ Cullen McHael: https://cullenmchael.com Stuart J. Tanner: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08XW3G4WG/ https://www.amazon.com.au/Art-of-Story/dp/B08JL6GJBR/ J.A. Merkel: https://jamerkel.com
9 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Inking Neon: Light Up Your Stories?
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Inking Neon</span><span style="font-weight:400;"> blends readings, author interviews, and book recs with the hard-earned insight of two writers who’ve spent decades teaching and creating. It’s where the craft of writing gets electrified and ideas shine brighter. If you’re chasing inspiration, this is your sign in lights.</span></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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