Want to write villains so believable they jump off the page? In this episode of "In The Writer's Chair," host Lana McAra sits down with author and criminal behavior expert Merle Davenport to uncover the dark and fascinating reality of the criminal mindset.

Merle brings 25 years of experience teaching inside prisons in Oklahoma and Michigan, backed by his Master's and PhD studies in criminal thinking and recidivism. As the author of Echoes of the Criminal Mind, Merle breaks down why the "bad guy in a black hat" trope isn't enough for today's sophisticated readers and how understanding real-world psychology is the key to writing unforgettable antagonists.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Villain's Perspective: Why most criminals don't believe they are doing anything wrong and continually justify their actions.
• Villain Archetypes: The difference between "flat" villains like the Big Bad Wolf, fully realized antagonists like Darth Vader, and "rogue heroes" like James Bond and Han Solo.
• The Double Life: The terrifying reality of criminals who seamlessly blend into society as perfect spouses, parents, or church members while hiding deep, dark secrets.
• Complicating Factors: How the volatile mix of mental illness, alcohol, and drugs drastically alters thought patterns and behaviors.
• A Pivot to Romance: An exclusive look at Merle's newest project, Lady Jane, a historical romance set in 1830s England. Co-written with his wife Karen under the pen name M.K. Davenport, the story is inspired by his great-grandfather, a stable boy who defied strict social classes to marry an aristocrat.

Be sure to check out Merle Davenport’s Echoes of the Criminal Mind and Lady Jane (by M.K. Davenport) available on Amazon.

Brought to you by Vella Publishing: A traditional publisher with an untraditional model that builds career authors without taking royalties or holding rights. Visit Vella at VDELPublishing.com.

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Welcome to "In the Writer's Chair," where host Lana McAra sits down with USA Today, Amazon, and New York Times bestselling author Joanna Campbell Slan to tackle one of the toughest challenges of the writing life: handling criticism.

Joanna is a powerhouse in the publishing world, boasting over 80 published books across fiction and nonfiction, alongside contributions to the original Chicken Soup for the Soul and a college-level textbook on storytelling. As an Agatha Award finalist, Daphne du Maurier Award winner, and former motivational speaker who now writes from a nearly deserted island off the coast of Florida, Joanna brings decades of invaluable experience to the table.

In this episode, Lana and Joanna explore:

• The Fear of Criticism: Why writers subconsciously avoid feedback and struggle with the false belief that they must be perfect to be loved.
• Navigating Subjective Feedback: How to separate helpful insights from unqualified or cruel reviews, and why art's goal of evoking emotion makes it inherently subjective.
• Taking Back Your Power: Why you must never hand your future over to someone else to decide, a powerful lesson Joanna learned early in life.
• Turning Pain into Prose: How to use the emotional sting of harsh critiques and negative experiences as method-acting material to deepen your fictional characters.
• Community Kindness: The critical importance of graciousness at writing conferences, treating fellow authors and readers with respect, and avoiding unforced errors in professional relationships.

Joanna also reveals what is next on her writing desk, including a new Kiki mystery titled "Gingerbread Dead Man," a Golden Retriever and Great Dane crossover collaboration with Neil Plaquey called "Death Under the Dogwoods," and another Jane Eyre book.

Connect with Joanna Campbell Slan:

• Links: Explore her work at linktr.ee/jcslan.
• Books: Find her extensive catalog on Amazon or by searching her name on Google.

In this episode of In the Writer's Chair, host Lana McAra sits down with John Winn Miller, an award-winning investigative reporter, Pulitzer finalist, foreign correspondent, and screenwriter turned historical novelist.

John discusses his unconventional journey into writing fiction and the release of his latest book, Miriam in the Shadows, the third standalone thriller in his Peggy C. series. Listeners will hear the fascinating story of how a vivid dream sparked his first novel, The Hunt for the Peggy C., and how his years reporting from conflict zones taught him to capture the vivid, five-sense details that make a story come alive.

We also dive deep into the craft of historical fiction. John shares his meticulous research process—from using Google Earth and the Imperial War Museum to recreate authentic 1940s settings, to weaving real-life historical figures like Ian Fleming into his plots with absolute accuracy.

As a self-described "pantser," John offers an honest look at his writing routine, the danger of falling down research rabbit holes, and the importance of silencing your inner perfectionist to keep the words flowing.

In this episode, we cover:

• How John transitioned from the Associated Press and screenwriting into writing complex historical novels.
• The real-life spy history and moral ambiguity behind his latest heroine in Miriam in the Shadows.
• Tips for researching historical periods, understanding 1940s slang, and making your characters act and sound authentic to their time.
• The difference between "plotters" and "pantsers," and why you should always quit writing for the day when you know exactly what happens next.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with John Winn Miller and explore his Peggy C. series at johnwinnmiller.com.

This episode is sponsored by Vendela Publishing. Learn more about their traditional publishing model at vendelapublishing.com.