Miles Beyond the Page | Christopher Choate
In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews retired Air Force officer and author Christopher Choate about his satirical military sci-fi space opera, Apollo Wept.
Christopher shares how his writing began with entertaining Christmas newsletters and how events in 2020 inspired him to imagine a dystopian America in 2104, where the Constitution has been ruled unconstitutional, the country is broke, history has been erased, and identity politics dominate public life.
Michelle and Christopher discuss the book’s central mission: launching the USS Despair to intercept Voyager and replace its original plaque with one reflecting the altered values of his fictional future. They also explore the novel’s pop-culture references, including Star Trek and Groundhog Day, as well as an AI character tied closely to the protagonist’s family.
The conversation also covers Christopher’s writing process, hybrid publishing with Defiance Press, the challenges of marketing and reviews, his long-distance running, and his upcoming illustrated Christmas ghost story, Christmas Above the Clouds.
🎧 Join Michelle and Christopher for a wide-ranging conversation about satire, science fiction, military experience, and writing stories that ask bold questions about where society might be headed.
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ABOUT CHRISTOPHER CHOATE:
Coyote is a decorated retired U.S. Air Force Colonel with an extraordinary career spanning four decades of military and civilian federal service with a distinguished background in military aviation and strategic planning. A seasoned Weapon Systems Officer, he flew both the legendary F-4 Phantom and the advanced F-15E Strike Eagle, embodying the precision and expertise that define the tactical air forces of the United States.
As an author, Coyote brings his wealth of military and strategic experience to his current literary pursuits. His writing is characterized by a direct, incisive style punctuated with dry humor and satirical wit. With a passionate commitment to critiquing contemporary social dynamics, he writes with the goal of challenging what he perceives as ideological trends threatening Western cultural foundations. His work is marked by a provocative examination of societal shifts, delivering commentary with the same strategic precision he once applied to military operations.
WHERE TO FIND HIM:
Website | Newsletter Signup | Facebook | X | Instagram
WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:
Amazon
Author, Narrator, Podcaster
MICHELLE MILES is the host of Miles Beyond the Page, a podcast that celebrates the magical, messy, and inspiring journey of storytelling.
As an author of fantasy, urban fantasy, and paranormal romance, Michelle brings her passion for writing and publishing to every episode—whether she's interviewing debut authors, bestselling giants, or industry pros. With her warm, down-to-earth style and curiosity for all things creative, she dives deep into the heart of the writer’s process, from first drafts to final edits, rejections to rave reviews.
When she’s not behind the mic or crafting enchanting worlds on the page, Michelle can be found wrangling her to-be-read pile, sipping wine, or plotting her next story twist. Miles Beyond the Page is her love letter to authors, readers, and the stories that connect us all.
Miles Beyond the Page | Brad Elder
