In this episode of Spotlight Chewing, we return to what we love most, shining a light on indie creators pushing boundaries across books, games, and music.

Joined by authors Thomas J. Devens (The Scroungers) and Alex (Carpentry in the Elven Forest), we dive into a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from gritty fantasy and cosmic horror to lighthearted comedy adventures and sci-fi found-family stories.

We highlight a massive list of indie reads including:

• Time travel thrillers like One Way
• Dark dystopian standouts like Birthday Treat
• Brutal fantasy epics like Kings of Paradise
• Space-faring adventures like Residuum
• And unforgettable indie horror like Negative Space

Along the way, we talk about:

• Writing vs. reading as indie authors
• The evolution of fantasy trends (grimdark vs. cozy vs. romantasy)
• DIY publishing, zines, and cassette audiobooks
• Indie bands, games, and creative passion projects

This is a celebration of creators doing things their own way, raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable.

If you're looking for your next read, your next obsession, or just want to explore the indie creative scene, this episode is packed with recommendations you won’t want to miss.

Blog post with links: https://pagechewing.com/spotlight-chewing-indie-books-music-games-you-need-to-discover/

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Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

This week on Friday Conversation, we sit down with legendary fantasy author Tad Williams, the mind behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Otherland, Shadowmarch, and more.

From Shakespeare to Tolkien, from tropes to subversion, this conversation dives deep into the craft of storytelling and what it means to write in a genre where readers already know the rules.

We explore:

• Tad’s relationship with Shakespeare and The Tempest
• The origin of Caliban’s Hour and re-framing classic stories
• Writing in a post-Tolkien fantasy landscape
• The challenge of tropes—and how to break them
• The difference between “architect” and “pantser” writers
• Why fantasy readers are harder to surprise than ever
• The hidden mechanics behind Memory, Sorrow and Thorn
• And what it really means to keep readers off balance

This is more than an interview, it’s a masterclass in storytelling from one of the most influential voices in modern fantasy.

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Page Chewing Blog

Page Chewing Forum

Film Chewing Podcast

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Support the podcast via PayPal

Support the show by using our Amazon Affiliate link

Join Riverside.fm

Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)

This week on Panel Chewing, we’re back in the saddle with a stacked lineup of comics, breaking down the best reads, biggest disappointments, and everything in between.

From indie standouts to superhero staples, we dig into what worked, what didn’t, and what’s worth adding to your pull list.

💥 This Week’s Highlights:

• American Caper #5 – Still wild, still fun… but not its strongest issue
• Dead Teenagers #1 – A 90s-inspired time loop horror with potential
• Deathstroke #1 – A decent entry point, but does it deliver?
• Battle Beast #7 – A welcome breather from nonstop chaos
• A couple of books we’re officially dropping this week 👀

🔥 Pick of the Week:

• Knight City #2 – A fresh take on superhero burnout and the cost of always being “on”

📚 Group Read (Join Us!):
We continue our read-through of Batman and Son by Grant Morrison, diving into:

• The Clown at Midnight (a bold prose-style issue)
• The Three Ghosts of Batman

If you’ve ever wanted to explore Morrison’s Batman run, now’s the perfect time—read along with us using Libby or Hoopla (free with a library card).

🎧 Tune in, join the discussion, and let us know: what was your pick of the week?

Send us a message (I'm not able to reply)

Support the show

Page Chewing Blog

Page Chewing Forum

Film Chewing Podcast

Speculative Speculations Podcast

Support the podcast via PayPal

Support the show by using our Amazon Affiliate link

Join Riverside.fm

Co-Hosts:

Jarrod

Varsha

Chris

Jose

Carl D. Albert (author)

Thomas J. Devens (author)

Alex French (author)

Intro and Outro Music by Michael R. Fletcher (2024-Current)