Episodes

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with bestselling author, playwright, and television writer Matt Witten to discuss his latest thriller, 51 Percent, and his remarkable career spanning novels, television, and the stage. Matt shares the inspiration behind 51 Percent, a dystopian murder mystery set twenty years in the future where powerful corporations control public infrastructure, privatize law enforcement, and even own people through "51%" contracts. A...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes science fiction author Steve Southard to discuss his unique brand of ocean-based science fiction and his latest collection, The Seastead Chronicles. Drawing inspiration from his service in the U.S. Navy submarine force, Steve imagines a future where humanity colonizes Earth's oceans, creating floating "aqua states" complete with their own cultures, conflicts, governments, and histories. Steve shares the inspiration behind Th...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes romance author Christina Braver to discuss her contemporary romance Hawaii for Two and how her background in clinical psychology shapes the stories she tells. Christina shares how the novel combines beloved romance tropes—including forced proximity, fake dating, and only one bed—with thoughtful conversations about intimacy, communication, and personal growth. Christina explains the inspiration behind Hawaii for Two, explorin...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes romance author Mary Karlik back to the show to celebrate her latest Tule Publishing release, Lasso My Heart. Set in the fictional Texas town of Spring Creek, the novel blends heartfelt romance with familiar connections to her updated indie YA series through subtle Easter eggs that longtime readers will enjoy discovering. Mary shares the real-life breakup that inspired the novel’s opening, her first experience writing a ...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes author A.M. Geever to discuss her post-apocalyptic fiction, her latest novel Darkest Light, and the unique experience of writing in a shared-world series. A.M. shares the inspiration behind Darkest Light, her contribution to the 13-author Fire in the Sky/Ravaged Skies shared universe, where a Carrington Event–style solar flare devastates the world's power grid. She explains how the authors collaborated within a common framew...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with audiobook narrator Liza Jacob to explore the art, craft, and business of bringing stories to life through audio. Liza shares her journey from graphic design and illustration into audiobook narration, landing her first six-book series before she even had a home studio, and the acting and narration training that helped shape her career. Michelle and Liza discuss how audiobook performance has evolved, the importance of mi...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with author and former Doubleday editor Laura Van Wormer to discuss her remarkable journey through publishing, fiction writing, and creative reinvention. Laura shares how an unexpected opportunity led her to write a biography-style book about the fictional Carrington family from Dynasty, which opened the door to official tie-in novels for Dallas and Knots Landing. Those experiences helped shape her unique storytelling appro...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles breaks down how to write morally gray anti-heroes who feel dangerous, compelling, and emotionally safe for readers. Using what she calls a “relationship engine,” Michelle explores why morally gray characters aren’t defined by attitude or aesthetics—but by their personal code, the lines they refuse to cross, and the repeated choices that build reader trust over time. She discusses how to create anti-heroes whose devotion feels earned,...

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. Mic...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with author and real estate attorney Brad Elder to discuss his debut thriller, Recoil of Justice. The novel follows Houston lawyer Ryan Wolf as a seemingly straightforward case involving stolen software code spirals into a dangerous world of corporate espionage, cartels, human trafficking, and corruption. Blending legal thriller elements with high-stakes action, the story asks a compelling question: can Ryan pursue justice ...

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 beh...

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 l...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews author C.D. Bennett about her award-winning romantic suspense novel, No Good Deed. Set against the rugged beauty of Colorado, the story was inspired by C.D.’s love of the outdoors and follows a loner facing impossible odds who unexpectedly discovers the power of found family. Michelle and C.D. talk about the emotional layers of romantic suspense, reader reactions to the book, and the way genre labels can shift depending on...

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 dis...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews author, reseller, and entrepreneur Kira Hartley-Klinger about her fascinating journey from aspiring fiction writer to nonfiction storyteller and indie publisher. After a life-changing divorce, Kira transformed an eBay side hustle into a thriving resale business and later expanded into Etsy, specializing in vintage fabrics, antique textiles, and rare finds. Michelle and Kira dive into the world of estate and farm auctions, ...

“How do you write so fast?” I get that question all the time—and today, I’m answering it honestly. Not with hustle culture advice. Not with unrealistic expectations. And definitely not with some secret shortcut. In this From the Author’s Desk episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I’m breaking down what my writing process actually looks like—and why “fast” isn’t really the goal. Because the truth is, I don’t write fast because I’m special. I write fast because I’ve built a process that’s consi...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews author and former inner-city teacher Jill G. Hall about her writing journey, her award-winning fiction, and the inspiration behind her latest release, On a Sundown Sea. Jill is the author of the acclaimed Ann McFarland dual-timeline trilogy—The Black Silver Coat, The Silver Shoes, and The Green Lake Corset—stories centered on a San Francisco artist who discovers vintage clothing connected to women from the past. In th...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Richard Sparks, author of the New Rock fantasy series, to discuss his creative journey from British television sketch writing to novel writing. An England-to-Los Angeles transplant, Richard shares stories from his early career—including writing a sketch that helped launch Rowan Atkinson’s stage career—and his current work developing new material for a potential project. The conversation also dives into his New Roc...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews T.D. Severin, a practicing glaucoma surgeon turned medical thriller author, whose debut novel Deadly Vision blends cutting-edge science with high-stakes suspense. With over 30 years in medicine, Severin draws from real-world hospital politics, ethical dilemmas, and emerging “flashpoint” healthcare technologies to craft gripping fiction. At the heart of Deadly Vision is a chilling concept—virtual-reality heart surgery ...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles interviews bestselling author Michelle Pillow, who has written over 100 books across genres, with a focus on sci-fi and paranormal romance. Michelle Pillow shares exciting news about her seven-book deal with Tor Bramble (Pan Macmillan), which brings new audiobook editions of her beloved backlist series—Tribes of the Vampire and Realm Immortal—along with new hardback and print releases. She also discusses her hands-on role in sel...

A lot of people think worldbuilding is about maps, made-up languages, or giant lore documents. But when I’m building a long series, worldbuilding isn’t decoration. It’s infrastructure. In this From the Author’s Desk episode of Miles Beyond the Page, I’m sharing how I build fictional worlds that can support 10+ books, spinoffs, evolving lore, and major plot twists—without collapsing under the weight of their own complexity. For me, strong worldbuilding isn’t about creating...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Ryan Consell, a writer, educator, and internationally acclaimed theorist on the science of fiction. Born near Toronto and having lived and worked in Tokyo and Vancouver, Ryan brings a global perspective to his creative work. As a teacher of science and mathematics, stage actor, armorer, and passionate advocate for nerd culture, he blends analytical thinking with storytelling in fascinating ways. Michelle and...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Richard H. Moon, an award-winning writer, producer, and all-around creative whose passions range from science and storytelling to music, history, and beyond. With a debut novel releasing in November 2025, Richard brings a deep love of speculative fiction, character-driven storytelling, and big thematic questions to his work—alongside a healthy appreciation for cool robots and imaginative worlds. His background in ...

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Kyle Shoop, an author whose storytelling spans romance, fantasy, and heartfelt contemporary fiction. Kyle is the author of eight novels across two distinct series. His romance series features five standalone love stories inspired by the five senses, including titles like The Touch of Love. He has also written a fast-paced fantasy trilogy beginning with Acea and the Animal Kingdom, filled with magic, adventure, and...