In this celebratory 200th episode of The Thriller Zone, host David Temple engages in a lively conversation with Ryan Steck, widely known as the Real Book Spy. They reflect on the evolution of the thriller genre, the impact of influential authors like Ted Bell, and the challenges of navigating the publishing landscape.
The discussion also highlights the importance of passion in writing, the reality of author marketing, and the emergence of new talent in the thriller space. With a mix of humor and insight, David & Ryan share personal anecdotes and book recommendations, emphasizing the hard work behind the scenes of creating a successful podcast and writing career.
It’s a long and enjoyable show full of rich conversation. Learn more at TheRealBookSpy.com and as always, be sure to CONNECT with us at TheThrillerZone.com.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Celebrating 200 Episodes of The Thriller Zone
02:51 The Evolution of the Thriller Genre
06:09 The Journey of a Book Spy
08:54 The Impact of Ted Bell
12:02 Navigating the Publishing Landscape
14:57 The Challenges of Writing and Authorship
18:13 Spotlight on Emerging Authors
21:05 Reflections on the Industry and Future Trends
23:51 The Importance of Passion in Writing
27:10 The Reality of Author Marketing
29:55 The Next Wave of Thriller Writers
33:11 Book Recommendations and Highlights
35:56 The Work Behind the Show
39:11 The Balance of Passion and Reality
42:02 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations
48:35 Navigating Challenges in the Literary World
51:58 The Art of Book Reviews and Author Support
55:46 The Importance of Technical Quality in Interviews
01:00:52 Dream Guests and Influential Authors
01:05:42 Personal Reflections on Health and Writing Goals
01:10:29 The Journey of Collaboration in Writing
01:19:09 Future Aspirations and New Projects
TAKEAWAYS:
The podcast has reached a significant milestone with 200 episodes.
The thriller genre has evolved significantly over the years.
Ryan Steck's journey as a book spy has been transformative.
Ted Bell's mentorship was crucial for Ryan's career.
The publishing landscape is increasingly challenging for new authors.
Emerging authors need more support and runway to succeed.
Passion for writing is essential, but the industry is tough.
Marketing and social media responsibilities often fall on authors now.
New talent in the thriller genre is promising but faces hurdles.
The behind-the-scenes work of podcasting is extensive and often overlooked.
SOUNDBITE HIGHLIGHTS:
RYAN: "200 episodes, it's a lot."
DAVID: "I love this writing community; the way we all help one another in such a tough business."
RYAN: "You are the voice of all things thriller."
DAVID: "I LOVE what I do, and I hope it shows."
RYAN: "There would be no book spy without Ted Bell."
DAVID: "You can never read enough thrillers."
RYAN: "I only review books that I love."
