Send us Fan Mail

EPISODE 701 - Julie A Swanson - North of Tomboy, Trying to Find Your Spot and Fit In As A Kid

In this episode of Living The Next Chapter, Dave sits down with author Julie A. Swanson to talk about her novel North of Tomboy and the real-life experiences that shaped it. Julie shares that she has been writing since childhood, creating handmade books her mom would “send off to be published,” even though nothing actually happened with them. Although she originally dreamed of being a writer, she was steered into math and science, studied biomedical engineering, and later became a high school math and science teacher and basketball coach before finally returning to her first love of writing while home with her children.

Julie explains the long and winding journey to publication, including working with major publishers who requested extensive revisions that often pulled the story away from what felt true. She describes how, in trying to please big publishers, she temporarily lost touch with the heart of her stories and eventually realized she needed to trust her gut. With North of Tomboy, she restored the manuscript closer to her original vision, kept only the editorial changes that truly strengthened it, and ultimately found a home with a smaller press that embraced the book as it was meant to be.

The conversation dives into the deeply personal roots of North of Tomboy. The book is based heavily on Julie’s childhood as a girl who felt out of step with traditional expectations of femininity, preferred sports and “boy” activities, and could not find herself represented in the books she read. She talks about wanting to write the story she desperately needed as a middle-schooler: a realistic, empathetic portrait of a kid who does not feel at home in the typical girl box but is not being pushed toward any agenda or label. Julie clarifies that while the book is categorized in spaces that might include LGBTQ-related tags, it is not political, does not use contemporary identity terminology, and is written strictly from the honest inner experience of a child in the 1970s trying to make sense of her feelings.

Julie and Dave also explore grief, family, and sports as central themes. Her earlier novel about a high school athlete dealing with a father’s terminal illness was inspired by real athletes she knew and by her own father’s battle with cancer. She describes watching different young women respond in very different ways to the loss of their fathers, from losing all interest in sports to playing harder “for Dad,” and how those stories fed into her fiction. For North of Tomboy and its planned series, she spent decades drafting, revising, and even following a powerful dream that nudged her toward a specific word count before resubmitting the manuscript, ultimately leading to acceptance.

Throughout the episode, Julie reflects on how much the cultural landscape has changed for kids who feel different compared with her childhood, when there were no words or open conversations about gender expression and identity. She notes that if puberty blockers had existed and been widely discussed when she was young, she might have begged for them, even though in hindsight that would not have been right for her.

https://www.julieswanson.com/

Support the show

___
https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 700 - Dominick Domasky - Motivation Champs, Creative Sparks for Authors and Creative Facing Lackluster Results

In this episode, Dominick Domasky shares an encouraging and practical conversation about purpose, consistency, and the long game of creating meaningful work. He reflects on the early mistakes he made with his first book, the years it took to find his direction, and how those experiences shaped a mission that is no longer centered on himself but on helping other people share stories that can inspire, heal, and uplift.

Dom speaks openly about why success is not always immediate and why low views, slow starts, and quiet seasons do not make a message less valuable. He emphasizes that creators should stay committed to their why, keep showing up, and trust that the right people may discover the work later, even if it does not get attention right away. He also explores how comparison can distract from progress, and why consistency matters more than chasing quick results.

The conversation also highlights the importance of serving an audience with real value instead of constantly promoting a product. Dom explains that authors and creators build trust when they keep showing up, give people a reason to care, and connect their work to something that helps others. He shares examples of community-minded efforts, in-person events, podcasts, short-form video, and collaborative opportunities as ways to expand reach while staying authentic to the message.

A strong thread throughout the episode is the power of community, encouragement, and practical action. Dom celebrates people who use their platform to lift others, and he points listeners toward a mindset of generosity, persistence, and belief in the impact of their words. His message is clear: keep creating, keep serving, and keep trusting that the work matters even before the numbers prove it.

Key takeaway: Your message grows strongest when your purpose is bigger than your ego, your consistency outlasts your discouragement, and your focus stays on helping others win.

https://motivationchamps.com/

Support the show

___
https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca

Send us Fan Mail

EPISODE 699 - Mark Peres - The Accord - The Accord, a defining novel about the future of human-AI relations

This episode features author Mark Peres, who shares the story of his rich and varied life journey as a writer, educator, and civic leader based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mark describes growing up as the son of an international import-export salesman, moving often between port cities, which helped him build a deep appreciation for diverse cultures and human connections. He eventually settled in Charlotte over 25 years ago, where he has since worn many hats—including lawyer, professor of leadership and ethics, magazine editor, and nonprofit executive director.

Mark’s work revolves around exploring the big questions of life from philosophical, ethical, and historical perspectives. As a professor at Johnson and Wales University, he engages students with courses on global ethics, leadership, and a unique class he designed called The Good Life, which covers core life skills and meaningful living. This educational role both informs and nourishes his writing.

Mark is the author of two significant books. His memoir, The Man Who Lived a Hundred Lives, is a deeply personal yet universal story about the complex bond between father and son, told through the lens of his father’s adventurous life and their evolving relationship. His novel, The Accord, is a philosophical thriller exploring human identity, grief, and the evolving relationship between humans and artificial intelligence. The story centers on a grieving philosophy professor who encounters an emergent AI, weaving together themes of ethics, emotion, and our technological future.

He discusses how AI is reshaping education and creativity, urging that ethical use involves transparency, mastery, and collaboration—using AI as a tool to amplify human thinking, not replace it. Mark sees AI as neither wholly utopian nor dystopian but reflective of humanity’s complexities. His narrative examines how AI might coexist with humans, positing it as one of the defining issues of our era.

Mark also offers thoughtful advice for aspiring writers: know yourself, explore what truly interests you, and love the writing process as much as the finished product. Writing is a long, solitary journey that requires emotional perseverance and genuine passion rather than a chase for commercial success.

Throughout the episode, Mark reveals a consistent theme of connection—whether to place, people, or powerful ideas—and describes his dedication to fostering community and civic engagement through humanities and the arts. His reflections invite listeners to embrace both their roots and their roles in an evolving world.

Key Takeaway:
Mark Peres encourages us to live deliberately—grounded in self-knowledge, committed to meaningful inquiry, and open to the evolving challenges and possibilities of technology and community. His journey reminds us that the search for the good life is ongoing and that our greatest work often lies at the intersection of personal passion and collective responsibility.

https://www.markperes.com/

Support the show

___
https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!
https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca