Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:53:21 +0000Castopod - https://castopod.org/https://cyber.harvard.edu/rss/rss.htmlf1db2c43-6691-5a62-834a-07443b894f88Keep WritingKeep Writing is a podcast and YouTube Channel by James S. Aaron, author of the Aeon 14: Sentience Wars and Galactic Law series. Book reviews, notes on a writing career, work on the craft, interviews, publishing, well-being, mindset, and anything else that seems tough but important.

]]>podcastennoArtsBooksEducationHow ToFictionScience FictionfalseJames S. Aaronhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaronJames S. Aaronepisodichttps://pod.j6j.xyz/media/podcasts/authorjamesaaron/cover_feed.jpgKeep Writinghttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaronHow I'm Using Social Media in 2026https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/how-im-using-social-media-in-2026Wed, 25 Mar 2026 23:10:36 +0000My disillusionment with social media and how I’ve been using it in 2026, trying to create more than I consume.

]]>2520https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/how-im-using-social-media-in-2026271full127Review - Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinnimanhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-operation-bounce-house-by-matt-dinnimanFri, 13 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000Operation Bounce House is here to hold over fans of Dungeon Crawler Carl!

Operation Bounce House: https://amzn.to/4s7IoD1 Gamer (2009): https://youtu.be/z88gktIxS-I

]]>1200https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-operation-bounce-house-by-matt-dinniman261full126Review: A Fiction Writer's Guide to Peace by Gabriel Ertsgaardhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-a-fiction-writers-guide-to-peace-by-gabriel-ertsgaardSun, 08 Feb 2026 20:00:00 +0000This book may surprise you.

It isn’t saying characters can’t fight. It expands what it can mean to fight.

Ertsgaard makes strong arguments for incorporating nonviolence into characters and story, using examples from across media. Discussion of character arcs, plots and world-building, with exercise throughout to test the ideas yourself. I found it an excellent source of ideas on subverting reader expectations. Mentioned: A Writer’s Guide to Peace: https://amzn.to/4017irz Nonviolence and the Hero’s Duel: https://www.sfwa.org/2021/06/29/nonviolence-and-the-heros-duel/ Solarpunk and Peace Poetics: https://www.peacejusticestudies.org/chronicle/solarpunk-and-peace-poetics/ Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/4akQS2k The Weight of Light: A Collection of Solar Punk Futures: https://csi.asu.edu/books/weight/ Fantasy Scroll Magazine: https://iulianionescu.com/fantasy-scroll-magazine/ __ Follow me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4nfbmxK

]]>2136https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-a-fiction-writers-guide-to-peace-by-gabriel-ertsgaard251full125What Happened to January?https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/what-happened-to-januaryWed, 04 Feb 2026 13:58:18 +0000Author Update, Challenges, and I got accepted into an MFA Program.

]]>1817https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/what-happened-to-january241full124What Makes Dungeon Crawler Carl So Awesome?https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/what-makes-dungeon-crawler-carl-so-awesomeWed, 28 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000Matt Dinniman’s Dungeon Crawler Carl is one of the best first books in a series I’ve read in a while. Let’s explore all the elements that make this book work so well.

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman: https://amzn.to/3M4rLIR

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman - https://amzn.to/4r8J9uW

]]>3676https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/what-makes-dungeon-crawler-carl-so-awesome231full123Early Hard SF: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seahttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/early-hard-sf-twenty-thousand-leagues-under-the-seaFri, 16 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000I found Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne much more interesting than I expected. I talk about what I think science fiction writers can learn from this early “hard” science fiction and what probably doesn’t work for modern readers.

William Butcher Translation: https://amzn.to/3NvilGy

The Adventures of Lumen N: https://amzn.to/49Uggwx

]]>2511https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/early-hard-sf-twenty-thousand-leagues-under-the-sea221full122Has AI Joined Your Writer's Group?https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/has-ai-joined-your-writers-groupTue, 13 Jan 2026 18:00:56 +0000Some quick thoughts on considerations about generative AI and writing groups, “vibe-writing” and other ways your group should be talking about these things now before something blows up.

]]>463https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/has-ai-joined-your-writers-group211full121Aspirations, Intentions and Reality 2026https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/aspirations-intentions-and-reality-2026Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:00:00 +0000A starting point for what I plan to get done in 2026.

4 Novels: Grimm’s War 2: Advance By Fire Grimm’s War 3: ? Lyssa’s Betrayal ??

Libertycon

Organizing all the stuff Spending none of the money

Books mentioned: Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman https://amzn.to/4ppkZej

]]>2097https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/aspirations-intentions-and-reality-2026201full1202025 Makes Me Stranger (But Doesn't Kill Me)https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/2025-makes-me-stranger-but-doesnt-kill-meSat, 03 Jan 2026 01:56:05 +0000A recap on what I accomplished in 2025, what went wrong, where I traveled (and didn’t travel), what was important and what I probably should have ignored, the importance of showing up every day, calling friends, and generally reaching out to people.

]]>4034https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/2025-makes-me-stranger-but-doesnt-kill-me191full119Obstacles and Obstacleshttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/obstacles-and-obstaclesTue, 23 Dec 2025 16:00:00 +0000It’s been a rough week. Spoiler alert: I didn’t get as much done as I’d hoped. Here are a few reasons why.

Books mentioned Quantum Supremacy by Michio Kaku https://amzn.to/3MNSpFU

]]>1710https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/obstacles-and-obstacles181full118Rejectedhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/rejectedTue, 16 Dec 2025 14:11:42 +0000Journal for 12-16-25. Changing my plan for short stories this year, how I’m outlining for Advance by Fire, thoughts on Kindle “Ask This Book” feature, and what I’ve been reading.

What’s the Kindle Ask This Book feature? https://www.makeuseof.com/controversial-new-ai-feature-launches-kindle/

]]>1430https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/rejected171full117Lyssa's Vengeance is FINISHED - Author Journal 12-5-25https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/lyssas-vengeance-is-finished-author-journal-12-5-25Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:32:46 +0000After five years, Lyssa’s Vengeance is finished. Also editing Retreat Hell. On trying to make a story prompt work and giving up. Outlining, Outlining, Outlining Changing up video to maintain my writing time.

Books mentioned: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne Article Mentioned: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-destroying-the-university-and-learning-itself

]]>1231https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/lyssas-vengeance-is-finished-author-journal-12-5-25161full116Author Journal 12-1-25https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-12-1-25Sat, 06 Dec 2025 22:20:36 +0000Author Journal for 12-1-25

]]>2040https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-12-1-25151full115Author Journal, 11-25-25https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-11-25-25Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:41:22 +0000Author Journal, 11-25-25

]]>3194https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-11-25-25141full114Author Journal, 11-17-25https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-11-17-25Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:39:02 +0000Author Journal, 11-17-25

]]>1503https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-11-17-25131full113Review of Four Minutes by Andrews & Wilsonhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-of-four-minutes-by-andrews-and-wilsonThu, 27 Nov 2025 20:36:24 +0000Review of Four Minutes by Andrews & Wilson

]]>1169https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-of-four-minutes-by-andrews-and-wilson121full112Review of Holy Fire by Bruce Sterlinghttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-of-holy-fire-by-bruce-sterlingThu, 27 Nov 2025 20:15:28 +0000Review of Holy Fire by Bruce Sterling

]]>2103https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-of-holy-fire-by-bruce-sterling111full111Review of Lexicon by Max Barryhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-of-lexicon-by-max-barryThu, 27 Nov 2025 20:12:28 +0000Review of Lexicon by Max Barry

]]>1681https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/review-of-lexicon-by-max-barry101full110Finding Writers Groups in 2025https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/finding-writers-groups-in-2025Thu, 27 Nov 2025 20:11:32 +0000Some thoughts on how to find writers communities in 2025

]]>1926https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/finding-writers-groups-in-202591full19How to Get Started with a Story Prompthttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/how-to-get-started-with-a-story-promptThu, 13 Nov 2025 12:51:12 +0000How to get started with a story prompt

]]>1372https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/how-to-get-started-with-a-story-prompt81full18Book Review of Dust by Hugh Howeyhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/book-review-of-dust-by-hugh-howeyThu, 13 Nov 2025 12:50:17 +0000Book review (spoilers!) of Dust by Hugh Howey

]]>1283https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/book-review-of-dust-by-hugh-howey71full17Author's Journal, November 3, 2025https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/authors-journal-november-3-2025Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:49:14 +0000Author’s Journal, November 5, 2025

]]>634https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/authors-journal-november-3-202561full16Book Review of Shift by Hugh Howeyhttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/book-review-of-shift-by-hugh-howeyThu, 13 Nov 2025 04:23:08 +0000A book review (spoilers!) of Shift, book 2 in the Silo series, by Hugh Howey

]]>1613https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/book-review-of-shift-by-hugh-howey51full15Manufacturing Disciplinehttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/manufacturing-disciplineThu, 13 Nov 2025 04:21:58 +0000Creating your own discipline is also hard, but here are some ways to make it easier.

]]>1224https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/manufacturing-discipline41full14Reflecting on Creative Disciplinehttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/reflecting-on-creative-disciplineThu, 13 Nov 2025 04:20:54 +0000Reflecting on Creative Discipline

]]>1026https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/reflecting-on-creative-discipline31full13Author Journal, October 27, 2025https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-october-27-2025Thu, 13 Nov 2025 04:19:53 +0000Author Journal for October 27, 2025

]]>750https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/author-journal-october-27-202521full12Orycon 45 Thoughtshttps://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/orycon-45-thoughtsWed, 12 Nov 2025 17:05:48 +0000I just attended OryCon 45 in Portland Oregon, the last event of the long-running PNW science fiction convention. Why is OryCon ending?

As a creator, if you aren’t on any panels, should you volunteer with a convention?

Check out my work: https://jamesaaron.net/books

]]>888https://pod.j6j.xyz/@authorjamesaaron/episodes/orycon-45-thoughts11full11