Fantasy lovers, this one’s for you! Jo sits down with indie author Jaxon Schelhaas to talk worldbuilding, language creation, and the journey from handwritten notebooks to 600-page epics. Jaxon shares how Tolkien’s Silmarillion sparked his creative fire, the process behind his five-book fantasy series Lands of Ordia, and how he invented a full fictional language—complete with its own alphabet. It’s an inspiring deep-dive into creativity, consistency, and why you just need to keep writing.
🎧 More interviews and chaos at: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
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⏰ Key Moments:

• 00:20 – Tolkien shirt? Confirmed.
• 01:10 – Jaxon discovers fantasy via The Silmarillion
• 04:00 – Writing three novels in spiral notebooks at age 13
• 06:30 – How Lands of Ordia got its name and scope
• 10:50 – From Iowa forests to 600-page tomes
• 13:00 – Building lore, cities, characters—and a magic system
• 15:00 – Creating an original language (symbols and all)
• 18:00 – Writing advice for younger self: “Just keep going”
• 22:00 – How moving from Iowa to Chicago shaped his storytelling
• 26:00 – Where to find Jaxon online + future book and language plans

Ready for a fang-tastic journey through Dracula’s homeland, Universal Monsters nostalgia, and real-life haunted events? Jo sits down with Charles Rosenay of DracTours—the original vampire vacation master—for a wild ride through horror travel, celebrity top-10 horror booklists, and convention chaos. From Romanian castles to Connecticut’s Paracon and Salem Horror Con, this ep is packed with spooky insight and behind-the-scenes tales from one of horror’s friendliest promoters.

🦇 Planning your next creepy vacation? Curious how celebrities rank their scariest flicks? This episode slaps harder than a coffin lid in a thunderstorm.

👻 More at dractours.com, ghosttour.com, and paraconn.org
📲 Link up at https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

• 00:00 – Charles’s horror book & love for Universal Monsters
• 06:40 – Vampire trivia on the tour bus!?
• 12:30 – The horror book born from celebrity “Top 10” lists
• 17:20 – Lists from Boris Karloff’s daughter, John Lennon’s sister, & more
• 18:20 – Paranormal + True Crime Con sneak peek (CT, July 12–13)
• 28:30 – How he designs vendor-first, fan-friendly cons
• 37:00 – Life tips from a decades-long horror fan’s journey

What do Victorian tea parties, buried skeletons under Philly sidewalks, and kosher cheesesteaks have in common? Public historian and founder of Offbeat Philly, Fayge, joins Jo to talk about the quirky, hidden, and jaw-dropping side of Philadelphia’s history. From guiding ghost-curious tourists past forgotten graves to designing historical adult coloring books (yes, really), this episode is a deep dive into the fun, freaky, and fascinating world of Offbeat Philly.

🎨 Learn how Fayge crafts tours that balance fact and flair, why graveyards are everywhere, and which Philly cheesesteak actually counts.

👟 Whether you're into dead presidents or vegan cheesesteaks, this one’s a walk through time—with laughs, drama, and sandwiches.

🔗 Find Fayge at OffbeatPhilly.com and the full pod at https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell

🧨 KEY MOMENTS:

• 2:00 — What makes Offbeat Philly... offbeat?
• 3:45 — Dead bodies under the sidewalks of Old City
• 5:50 — The mystery of the missing container of bones
• 10:00 — Arlington Cemetery’s hidden origin story
• 14:00 — The most unusual tour request ever
• 17:00 — The truth about Philly cheesesteaks (and sesame seed rolls?!)
• 22:30 — “Phillies Forgotten Dead” tour breakdown
• 30:00 — Why tour guides are really storytellers
• 34:30 — Fayge’s dream: coloring books for history nerds
• 36:20 — Where to find Offbeat Philly and get weird

Join Jo for a fascinating conversation with author Jack LaFountain about his latest book "Return to Deadwood" - a collection of paranormal Western short stories rooted in South Dakota folklore and history. Jack shares his unique approach to blending historical accuracy with supernatural elements, his annual pilgrimage to Wild Deadwood Reads festival, and how he creates authentic characters that wake him up at night with story ideas. From the mysterious Miniwashitu cryptid to unsolved World War II murders, Jack's work brings Native American legends and real historical events to life through a paranormal lens. Plus, discover how his grandson's third-grade story helped unlock a fantasy trilogy that had been stuck for years!

## Episode Highlights
- Jack's annual tradition of writing a new book for Wild Deadwood Reads festival during Wild Bill Hickok weekend
- The "unnamed author" character who dies in every Deadwood book but keeps coming back
- Discovery of the Miniwashitu- a spine-covered Missouri River cryptid that drives people insane if seen in daylight
- How Jack incorporates real unsolved crimes, including South Dakota's oldest unsolved murder from WWII
- Writing from Bigfoot's perspective and flipping the monster narrative
- Characters that literally wake him up at night with story ideas
- The difference between his fast-paced novels and tight short story collections
- Transitioning from pen and paper to digital writing (and why Grammarly hates dialogue)
- Publishing his first book at 50 and going full-time at 65 - proving it's never too late
- How his grandson's story provided the missing piece for a fantasy trilogy
- The challenge of editing other authors while maintaining his own voice
- "Return to Deadwood" launching as an e-book the morning of this interview

## Guest Information
**Jack LaFountain** - Paranormal Western Author
- Author of 17 novels and 5-6 short story collections
- Specializes in supernatural Western stories with historical elements
- Partner in publishing company, does first edits for other authors
- Writes three blogs on a weekly schedule
- Annual attendee of Wild Deadwood Reads festival in South Dakota

## Book Information
**Return to Deadwood** - Available now on Amazon (e-book launched day of interview)
- Collection of dozen short stories based on South Dakota folklore and history
- Features Native American legends, actual locations, and true crime elements
- Part of Jack's annual tradition of writing for Wild Deadwood Reads festival

## Key Advice
"If you want to write, write, do it, and don't give up, no matter what. I didn't publish my first book until I was in my fifties and didn't start writing full time until I was 65."

Join Jo on What's Kraken as we dive deep with award-winning paranormal mystery author Phil Giunta, who made the fascinating journey from Star Trek fan fiction to publishing acclaimed novels like "Testing the Prisoner" and "By Your Side." Discover how Phil writes across multiple genres including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and detective fiction, following in the footsteps of literary giants like Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison. Phil shares insights on the paranormal mystery genre, his self-publishing journey, and the crucial importance of reading your work aloud. Learn about his protagonist Daniel's haunting by angelic and demonic entities, psychic medium Miranda's story of self-forgiveness, and Phil's evolution from a young writer influenced by critique partners to a confident author who knows when to hold the line on creative decisions. Whether you're an aspiring writer or paranormal fiction fan, this conversation is packed with practical advice.

• Phil's journey from fan fiction to award-winning original novels
• Paranormal mystery genre explained and explored
• Writing across multiple genres vs. specialization debate
• Self-publishing journey and re-editing older works
• The importance of reading your work aloud for flow
• Dealing with critique partners and beta readers effectively
• "Testing the Prisoner" - supernatural haunting story
• "By Your Side" - psychic medium redemption tale
• Building confidence as a writer and handling rejection

Phil Giunta - Award-Winning Paranormal Mystery Author

• Website: philgiunta.com
• Books: "Testing the Prisoner," "By Your Side," "Like Mother, Like Daughters"
• Awards: 8 combined awards for his paranormal mystery novels
• Published: 32 short stories across various anthologies and magazines
• Available on: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and major retailers

Host: Jo Szewczyk
All Empty Hell Links: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
What's Kraken Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon

Join Jo on What's Kraken as we dive deep with thriller author John Bukowski, who made the fascinating transition from veterinarian to bestselling writer. Discover how his medical background fuels his techno-thrillers, including "Project Suicide" - a gripping tale about an Alzheimer's cure turned assassination weapon. John shares invaluable insights about the publishing world, from navigating traditional publishers to avoiding vanity presses, plus the brutal reality of rejection in the writing industry. We explore his research process, the importance of professional editing, and why starting your writing career at any age is possible. Whether you're an aspiring author or thriller fan, this conversation is packed with practical advice about contracts, beta readers, and building a sustainable writing career. John's latest releases include "The Peeper" and upcoming "Bad Pennies.

• John's transition from veterinarian to thriller writer
• How medical training enhances thriller writing authenticity
• "Project Suicide" - Medical techno-thriller about weaponized Alzheimer's cure
• Publishing industry realities: rejection, contracts, and publisher relationships
• The importance of professional editing and beta readers
• Research balance in fiction writing
• Starting a writing career at any age
• Current and upcoming book releases

John Bukowski - Thriller Author

• Website: thrillerjohnb.net
• Amazon Author Page: jbukowskiauthor.com
• Latest Release: "The Peeper" (May 2025)
• Upcoming: "Bad Pennies" sequel

Host: Jo Szewczyk
All Empty Hell Links: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
What's Kraken Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon

Join Jo as he sits down with Dan Henk, tattoo artist, author, and creator of the upcoming anthology "The Joke is on Mankind." Dan shares his incredible journey from being a blue mohawk punk rocker getting beaten up by nazi skinheads in 1980s Virginia to becoming a successful tattoo shop owner in Long Beach, New York.

We dive deep into Dan's unique approach to his anthology - offering original illustrations worth $300-500 to every contributor instead of payment, his experiences interviewing with DC Comics and Penguin Books, and wild stories from the punk scene including nights at CBGB's and the 930 Club. Dan also discusses the evolution of tattoo culture from counterculture to mainstream, shares advice about persistence in creative fields, and reveals why "no" doesn't always mean never.

Whether you're interested in horror anthologies, tattoo artistry, punk rock history, or the creative process, this episode delivers authentic stories and hard-earned wisdom from someone who's lived it all.

Jo interviews comedian Shawn Wickens about his upcoming performance at the Atlanta Fringe Festival (May 30-June 7, 2025). Shawn shares his journey from improv to stand-up, and how a stoned revelation led to his unique show "Secret Time Travel Meeting." Discover how Fringe Festivals have taken Shawn from New York to international stages. Learn about the lottery system for festival selection, audience interaction techniques, and how Shawn created merchandise before developing his show. This conversation offers insights into live theater, comedy development, and the spontaneity that makes performances special.

00:01 - Introduction and Atlanta Fringe Festival announcement 00:36 - Explanation of Fringe Festivals worldwide 01:50 - Shawn's journey from improv to theater 03:32 - Experiences at Regina Fringe Festival 04:59 - "Secret Time Travel Meeting" show concept 05:37 - International Fringe Festival experiences 07:45 - First joke development story 10:04 - Performing for different audience types 12:48 - Story about a challenging private show 15:13 - Value of improv training for live performance 16:35 - Audience interaction techniques 17:32 - Origin of Time Machine Blueprints 19:09 - Creating merchandise before the show 21:27 - Philosophy on performing and travel 23:53 - Interactive elements (costumes, NDAs) 25:37 - Game shows as performance inspiration 28:30 - Advice: "Fear less, enjoy more" 30:26 - Upcoming shows and future plans

• Shawn performs "Secret Time Travel Meeting" at Atlanta Fringe Festival (May 30-June 7)
• Show combines comedy with time travel discussions from a stoner's perspective
• Fringe Festivals use lottery systems, making them accessible to performers
• Shawn has performed internationally in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia
• Show encourages audience participation and costume-wearing
• Created timemachineblueprints.com and published a book before developing the show
• Improv background helped develop resilience in live performance

Shawn Wickens began with improv in New York (2004) before transitioning to stand-up. Creator of "Secret Time Travel Meeting" performed at Fringe Festivals worldwide. Owner of timemachineblueprints.com and author of the same-named book.

• Atlanta Fringe Festival (May 30-June 7, 2025)
• Time Machine Blueprints book on Amazon
• Instagram: @timemachinestoned
• Upcoming shows in New York, Rochester, Harrisburg, and potentially Estonia