In this compelling episode of Ink Blots, we sit down with the brilliantly unconventional Cevin Soling — an award-winning filmmaker, author, academic, artist, and musician whose work relentlessly challenges societal norms and exposes the absurdities embedded in modern institutions.

Soling is best known for his groundbreaking documentary The War on Kids, the first theatrically released film to confront the prison-like nature of American schools. The documentary earned widespread critical acclaim from The New York Times, Variety, and The Huffington Post, and solidified Soling as one of the most fearless cultural critics of our time.

Across nearly 20 films aired on HBO, PBS, the BBC, and more, as well as books, essays, lectures, and music projects like The Love Kills Theory and The Rumpleville Chronicles, Soling uses satire, scholarship, and art to interrogate the systems we take for granted.

A graduate of Harvard University with four master's degrees, Soling has presented his research and ideas at Harvard, Yale, SXSW, and TEDx, continuing to challenge the boundaries of authority, education, conformity, and human freedom.

This episode explores:

• The making and impact of The War on Kids

• Why American institutions often resemble the very problems they claim to solve

• Soling's unique multidisciplinary approach to activism and art

• How satire and storytelling can expose uncomfortable truths

• The cultural, educational, and philosophical themes driving his work

• What his new and upcoming projects reveal about society today

If you're fascinated by cultural discourse, documentary filmmaking, education reform, or subversive art, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

✅ Official Website:
https://www.cevinsoling.com

✅ Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/cevinsoling

✅ Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/cevinsoling

✅ Linktree (additional links):
https://linktr.ee/cevinsoling

#CevinSoling #TheWarOnKids #DocumentaryFilmmaker #CulturalCriticism #EducationReform #InkBlotsPodcast #IndependentFilm #SocialCommentary #SatireAndArt #InstitutionalCritique

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Ink Blots: Author Interviews to help more readers and writers discover these amazing conversations.

Are you a creative over 40 who's amazing at your craft—but totally overwhelmed by marketing? You're not alone. I help passionate, purpose-driven creatives like you overcome fear, get clear on your message, and build a marketing strategy that actually works. It's not too late to grow the business you've dreamed of. Let's take your work to the next level—together. Visit southgatesmallbusiness.com and let's get started today.

In this atmospheric episode of Ink Blots, we welcome Aleco Julius, author of Weird Tales of the Great Lakes and Endless Depths: Cosmic Themes, Weird Lore, & Hidden Knowledge. Blending cosmic horror, folklore, and strange tales rooted in the mysteries of the Midwest, Julius brings a unique voice to modern weird fiction.

His stories have appeared in Dark Matter Magazine, Red Line: Chicago Horror Stories, Dolls in the Attic, and Always Night, and his nonfiction writings appear in Fiddler's Green, Hellebore, Myth & Lore, and others. As a member of the Chicagoland Horror Writers Association, Julius continues to contribute to the resurgence of regional horror and mythic storytelling.

In this episode, we explore:

• The inspiration behind Weird Tales of the Great Lakes

• Why the Great Lakes remain a hotbed for horror, folklore, and cosmic mystery

• Julius's fascination with hidden knowledge, ancient forces, and eerie encounters

• The blend of regional history and supernatural imagination in his work

• What readers can expect from Endless Depths and his upcoming projects

• How environment, mythology, and strange phenomena shape his fiction

From ancient deities beneath the waves to the uncanny patterns etched into seashells, Julius's stories evoke a haunting, poetic vision of the waters that define the Midwest. Tune in for an unforgettable conversation about lore, landscape, and the enduring power of the weird.

📚 Order Weird Tales of the Great Lakes on Bookshop.org
👉 bookshop.org/a/10588/9798218416966

✅ Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Aleco-Julius/author/B0CBTK4VRN

✅ Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dagger_of_the_mind

✅ Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/dagger_of_the_mind

#AlecoJulius #WeirdTalesOfTheGreatLakes #CosmicHorror #GreatLakesLore #WeirdFiction #HorrorAuthors #InkBlotsPodcast #FolkloreFiction #RegionalHorror #HiddenKnowledge

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Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Ink Blots: Author Interviews to help more readers and writers discover these amazing conversations.

Are you a creative over 40 who's amazing at your craft—but totally overwhelmed by marketing? You're not alone. I help passionate, purpose-driven creatives like you overcome fear, get clear on your message, and build a marketing strategy that actually works. It's not too late to grow the business you've dreamed of. Let's take your work to the next level—together. Visit southgatesmallbusiness.com and let's get started today.

In this powerful episode of Ink Blots, we sit down with Mark Robinson, award-winning author and advertising industry veteran with over 40 years at the most prestigious agencies on Madison Avenue. Featured in Fortune, Black Enterprise, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and hand-selected by Spike Lee to co-found Spike/DDB, Mark brings shocking, eye-opening, and often unbelievable stories from inside one of America's least diverse white-collar professions.

His groundbreaking book, Black on Madison Avenue, reveals the explosive reality behind the ad world's polished façade. Mark shares gripping and often humorous tales from his decades in the industry—including confrontations with military officials during a Venezuelan coup, clashes with international dignitaries, the kidnapping of an ad legend, and the creation of the first multicultural marketing holding company.

This episode dives deep into:

• How Mark broke into the Madison Avenue elite

• Why the advertising industry remains one of the least diverse in America

• Behind-the-scenes stories Madison Avenue would rather keep hidden

• The personal experiences that shaped Black on Madison Avenue

• What real diversity and inclusion in advertising should look like

• How storytelling can disrupt an entire industry

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in advertising, cultural commentary, media history, or the lived experiences of Black professionals in corporate America.

📚 Order Black on Madison Avenue on Bookshop.org
👉 https://bookshop.org/a/10588/9781736621530

✅ Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mark-Robinson/author/B0CSWJ7Q29

✅ Black on Madison Avenue — Official Website:
https://blackonmadisonavenue.com

✅ Author Website:
https://markrobinson-writing.com/

✅ Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mark_robinson.author/

✅ Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091754917832

#MarkRobinson #BlackOnMadisonAvenue #AdvertisingIndustry #MadisonAvenue #DiversityInAdvertising #InkBlotsPodcast #AuthorInterview #PublishingCommunity #AdvertisingStories #MulticulturalMarketing

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Ink Blots: Author Interviews to help more readers and writers discover these amazing conversations.

Are you a creative over 40 who's amazing at your craft—but totally overwhelmed by marketing? You're not alone. I help passionate, purpose-driven creatives like you overcome fear, get clear on your message, and build a marketing strategy that actually works. It's not too late to grow the business you've dreamed of. Let's take your work to the next level—together. Visit southgatesmallbusiness.com and let's get started today.

In this inspiring episode of Ink Blots, we welcome children's author J.B. Moonstar, whose enchanting stories blend fantasy, wildlife education, and heartfelt adventure. Her newest book, Roselia and the Ancient Warriors, follows mermaid Roselia as she races to rescue stolen horseshoe crabs from a protected wildlife area.

With help from a mighty dragon and a trusted human friend, Roselia sets off on a dangerous journey to save the captured creatures and return them safely to the ocean. But when the poacher appears at the finish line, the stakes become higher than ever. Will they make it home—or fall back into the wrong hands?

J.B. shares how her Florida upbringing, wildlife experiences (including raising orphaned squirrels!), and passion for protecting Earth's creatures inspire her magical stories. Her mission is clear: to help kids fall in love with nature and understand their role in protecting it.

This episode is perfect for children's lit fans, educators, parents, and young readers who love adventure, imagination, and stories with heart.

📚 Find Lawrence C. Connolly's books on Bookshop.org:
👉 bookshop.org/a/10588/9798823201995

📚Buy JB Moonstar's books at 4 Horsemen Publications

📚 Amazon Author Page → Amazon.com: J.B. Moonstar
📸 Instagram → @j.b.moonstar
📘 Facebook → @J.B.Moonstar

1. JB Moonstar interview

2. Roselia and the Ancient Warriors

3. Children's fantasy adventure

4. Mermaid chapter book

5. Wildlife conservation for kids

6. Horseshoe crab story

7. Environmental children's books

8. Florida children's author

9. Fantasy books for young readers

10. Nature-inspired storytelling

#JBMoonstar #ChildrensBooks #FantasyForKids #MermaidAdventure #WildlifeEducation #KidLit #YoungReaders #EnvironmentalStories #AuthorInterview #InkBlotsPodcast

Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review Ink Blots: Author Interviews to help more readers and writers discover these amazing conversations.

Are you a creative over 40 who's amazing at your craft—but totally overwhelmed by marketing? You're not alone. I help passionate, purpose-driven creatives like you overcome fear, get clear on your message, and build a marketing strategy that actually works. It's not too late to grow the business you've dreamed of. Let's take your work to the next level—together. Visit southgatesmallbusiness.com and let's get started today.

In this episode of Ink Blots, we sit down with author and performer Zach Ellenberger to discuss his haunting psychological horror novel, Past Lives.

When Kevin Philips moves to the quiet town of Deerview, he hopes to escape his past — but the town has secrets of its own. A centuries-old entity demands absolute truth, and those who lie face terrifying consequences. As Kevin's deceit unravels, he must confront his deepest guilt and a supernatural force that thrives on it.

Zach shares the inspiration behind Past Lives, his evolution from musician to author, and how his love of storytelling, music, and history intertwine to create emotionally charged horror fiction.

Whether you're a fan of eerie small-town horror or stories that explore the darker side of human nature, this episode will keep you hooked until the final word.

📚 Amazon Author Page → https://www.amazon.com/stores/Zach-Ellenberger/author/B0C5Y3YR8M
📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/share/1CqmQnYhaJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr
📸 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/words_of_the_bergermeister
🎵 TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@zak4prez911

#ZachEllenberger #PastLives #HorrorBooks #PsychologicalThriller #DarkFiction #SupernaturalHorror #IndieAuthor #HorrorPodcast #WritersOfHorror #BookTokHorror

This week on Ink Blots, we dive into the twisted, terrifying world of J.R. Blanes, the Chicago-based horror author behind the chilling novel Portraits of Decay from Ruadan Books.

We explore the creation of Jefferson Fontenot — a rising New Orleans artist whose life spirals into a rotting nightmare after a toxic betrayal by art influencer Gemma Landry. Cursed by swamp witchcraft, Jefferson battles against a zombifying transformation while his true love Nevaeh races to save him. Dark magic, obsession, and revenge collide in a story steeped in Southern Gothic terror.

Blanes also shares his journey into horror fiction, his contributions to top audio fiction platforms like Tales to Terrify, The NoSleep Podcast, and Creepy, and how the eerie streets of Chicago and New Orleans inspire his storytelling.

If you crave horror driven by atmosphere, psychological dread, and unforgettable characters — this is one episode you don't want to miss.

Order Portraits of Decay at Bookshop.org

bookshop.org/a/10588/9798991258760

Website: https://jrblanes.com

Publisher: https://ruadanbook.com

Linktr.ee: linktr.ee/jrblanes76

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jrblanes76/

1. J.R. Blanes

2. Portraits of Decay

3. Horror fiction author interview

4. Psychological horror

5. Indie horror books

6. Chicago horror writer

7. Ruadan Books

8. Tales to Terrify

9. NoSleep Podcast author

10. Scary storytelling

#HorrorAuthor #PortraitsOfDecay #HorrorCommunity #IndieAuthor #DarkFiction #ChicagoAuthors #ScaryStories #HorrorPodcast #WritersOfInstagram #BookRecommendations

🎙️ Alley Chats – Episode: 60 Seconds to Save the World with Lawrence C. Connolly

In this episode of Alley Chats, Rob sits down with award-winning author Lawrence C. Connolly to discuss his thrilling new novel, Minute-Men: Execute & Run, a pulse-pounding fusion of military sci-fi, superhero action, and medical suspense.

Known for his genre-spanning storytelling, Connolly's work has appeared in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Twilight Zone, and Year's Best Horror. His story "This Way to Egress" was adapted for Mick Garris's film Nightmare Cinema, and his short fiction collections Voices and Visions have earned critical acclaim.

Now, with Minute Men: Execute & Run, Connolly reinvents the superhero genre. Imagine Mission Impossible meets X-Men—but you've only got 60 seconds to save the day.

📚 Find Lawrence C. Connolly's books on Bookshop.org:
👉 bookshop.org/a/10588/9781647101855

🧬 About Minute Men: Execute & Run
U.S. Marine Daniel Hayes, scientist Dr. Christian Chase, Ukrainian fighter Zoya Zynchenko, and bounty hunter Max "Jaxx" Jaquez have all been broken by trauma. When reclusive biotech genius Norman Blackwell offers them a chance to become something extraordinary, they gain superhuman abilities—but only for a minute at a time. Their mission: stop a ruthless corporate warlord from weaponizing life-saving nanotech.

It's a story of redemption, resilience, and the human spirit under pressure. And it's already being considered for a major Hollywood production.

We talk about:

• The origins of Minute Men and its cinematic influences

• Balancing character-driven drama with sci-fi action

• Writing across genres: from horror to speculative fiction

• The evolution of storytelling from page to stage and screen

• His collaboration on the Mystery Theatre Podcast and upcoming Edgar Allan Poe stage production

If you love high-stakes thrillers, cinematic storytelling, and thought-provoking speculative fiction, this episode is a must-listen.

🌐 Website: lawrencecconnolly.com
📘 Facebook: Lawrence C. Connolly
📷 Instagram: @lawrence_c_connolly
🐦 Twitter: @lawrencecconnolly

Lawrence C. Connolly, Minute Men Execute and Run, military science fiction, superhero thriller, speculative fiction, Mick Garris, Nightmare Cinema, eco-thriller, Caezik Science Fiction, Mystery Theatre Podcast

#LawrenceCConnolly #MinuteMenExecuteAndRun #SciFiThriller #MilitaryScienceFiction #SuperheroFiction #SpeculativeFiction #NightmareCinema #MickGarris #AlleyChatsPodcast #BookToFilm

In this episode of Ink Blots, we sit down with PC Nottingham, a sci-fi and fantasy author from the Great Lakes whose work blends fast-paced action, heartfelt characters, and humor—with just the right amount of darkness when you least expect it.

PC's stories bring readers everything from sword-swinging rodent ninjas and knights to gun-slinging aliens and intergalactic adventures. We dive into his creative process, inspirations, and how he balances storytelling with everyday life—whether it's taking his kids to the zoo or enjoying tacos and sushi nights with his wife.

If you're a fan of imaginative sci-fi, quirky fantasy, or indie authors who write with heart, you won't want to miss this conversation.

• Sci-Fi & Fantasy Author blending adventure, heart, humor, and occasional horror

• Works include stories published by 4 Horsemen Publications

• Known for creating bold, action-packed worlds with unique characters

🌐 Connect with PC Nottingham
📚 Books: PC Nottingham – 4 Horsemen Publications
📖 Amazon Author Page: PC Nottingham on Amazon (replace with live link)
📸 Instagram: instagram.com/pcnottingham
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/pcnottingham
🌌 Bluesky: pcnottingham.bsky.social

PC Nottingham, sci-fi author, fantasy author, 4 Horsemen Publications, indie author spotlight, action fantasy, sci-fi adventure books, fantasy with humor, indie sci-fi, indie fantasy, Alley Chats Podcast, Ink Blots Podcast, rodent ninjas, gun-slinging aliens, indie publishing, Great Lakes author, imaginative worlds, creative storytelling

#PCNottingham, #SciFiAuthor, #FantasyAuthor, #IndieFantasy, #IndieSciFi, #4HorsemenPublications, #FantasyBooks, #SciFiBooks, #IndieAuthors, #InkBlotsPodcast, #AuthorInterview, #BookCommunity, #ReadersOfInstagram