#JimArnosky #VermontAuthor #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #NatureBooks #WildlifeBooks #AuthorIllustrator #DrawingFromNature #VermontBooks #ScienceBooksForKids #OutdoorLearning #ReadAloud #NatureWriting #WeMakeChildrensBooks #Storycomic

On this episode, I’m honored to speak with Vermont author, illustrator, artist, and naturalist Jim Arnosky.

Jim has written and illustrated more than 100 books for young readers, many of them focused on wildlife, nature, observation, drawing, and the outdoors. His books have introduced children to bears, birds, fish, reptiles, tracks, fields, ponds, and forests — always with a sense of curiosity and respect.

This conversation is less about one specific title and more about a lifetime of creative work. We talk gently about what it means to notice the natural world, why children are such good observers, how drawing can help us understand what we see, and why books about nature remain so important.

Jim’s work carries the patience of someone who has spent a life watching, sketching, listening, and learning from the land around him. As a local Vermont creator, his books also reflect the seasons, wildlife, and quiet beauty of this region.

If you grew up with Jim Arnosky’s books, shared them with your children, used them in a classroom, or simply love children’s books that help kids connect with nature, this is a conversation to treasure.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

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For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

On this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author Maggie Tokuda-Hall to talk about her new picture book Bathtime for Snow Monkeys, illustrated by Yas Imamura and published by Candlewick.

_ Bathtime for Snow Monkeys_ is a serene and playful picture book written entirely in haiku form. Set at the Jigokudani monkey park in Nagano, Japan, the story introduces young readers to the nihonzaru, or Japanese macaques, who gather in their own onsen — a hot spring “spa” — to keep warm, relax, snack, and huddle together in the snow.

When a playful baby monkey starts splashing, the other monkeys are not so sure they want to join in. But as the baby’s antics wind down, the story becomes a soothing invitation for parents and little ones to snuggle together like the macaques: warm, safe, and close.

Maggie and Yas previously collaborated on Love in the Library, and this new book pairs Maggie’s haiku narration with Yas Imamura’s illustrations. We talk about poetry for young readers, writing quiet books, Japanese macaques, nature, cultural specificity, and how picture books can help families slow down.

#MaggieTokudaHall #BathtimeForSnowMonkeys #YasImamura #Candlewick #PictureBooks #KidsBooks #Haiku #SnowMonkeys #JapaneseMacaques #Onsen #ReadAloud #ChildrensBooks #WeMakeChildrensBooks #Storycomic #AuthorInterview

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

#BillLutz #BillLutzDesigns #VermontArtist #VermontComics #Illustration #Cartooning #GraphicDesign #PathwaysBeforeTheReturn #TheFrontiersmen #SciFiComics #GraphicNovel #ComicCreator #VisualStorytelling #Storycomic #ArtistInterview

Bill Lutz returns to the show for a conversation about illustration, comics, graphic design, sci-fi, and the creative life.

Bill is a Vermont-based illustrator, cartoonist, graphic designer, video editor, IT technician, and multimedia instructor whose career has moved across both art and technology. His website describes more than three decades of work in illustration, cartooning, graphic design, and video editing, along with a lifelong love of comic books and science fiction.

One of Bill’s major personal projects is Pathways: Before the Return, a giant graphic novel that is part of a larger three-part saga called The Frontiersmen. The project mixes superheroes, romance, politics, intergalactic empires, oppressive religions, and family — which sounds like exactly the kind of ambitious, genre-rich project Bill would build.

We also talk about Bill’s recent local attention after Seven Days profiled him as a South Burlington Staples employee and illustrator who keeps his sketchbook close at hand. That makes this a great catch-up conversation about persistence, creative identity, working artists, and the everyday discipline of keeping the pencil moving.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

#IsaiahRatliff #TheWaterbat #Waterbat #MurkyWaters #IndieComics #ShortComics #Webcomics #ComicCreator #ComicsInterview #VisualStorytelling #CreativeProcess #Storytelling #Absurdity #Storycomic #IndieCreators

On this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Isaiah Ratliff of The Waterbat, a site devoted to comics, writing, blog essays, and “stories and other little things.”

Isaiah’s work blends humor, reflection, absurdity, and a real curiosity about how stories help us think. On the Waterbat blog, he writes about language, short story structure, etymology, overthinking, connection, loneliness, and why art can create space for deeper conversation. In his post “What is Waterbat?” he describes the project as “absurdity, overthinking, good conversation, loneliness, connection and understandings” shaped into words and pictures.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

We talk about his latest comic work, including Murky Waters, which follows a raccoon with big ambitions testing an idea with help from a goose, as well as other comics listed on the site such as SKP, The Dowser, and Plain Unknown.

This conversation is a great fit for anyone who loves indie comics, reflective storytelling, creative process, short-form comics, and creators who are willing to follow strange ideas until they become something meaningful.

On this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined again by Vermont author Dan Durick to talk about The Mechanism of Collapse, Book Two of The Tetrad Cycle.

Dan’s series began with The Dark Matter, a science-fiction, supernatural horror, and conspiracy thriller about secret research, terrifying encounters, and forces that do not want to be understood. The book asks what might happen if the darkness between the stars reached down to touch us.

Now Dan continues the story with The Mechanism of Collapse, the second book in a four-book cycle. His website lists Book Three, Reflection, as also arriving summer 2026, with a fourth concluding volume still to come.

We talk about what changes in Book Two, how to escalate a conspiracy without losing the human stakes, and why cosmic horror works best when it feels grounded in a reality we recognize. Dan’s work draws on philosophy, unexplained experiences, and the deep human need to ask what is really behind the visible world.

If you like science fiction, supernatural horror, conspiracy thrillers, dark matter, cosmic mystery, and Vermont authors building big genre worlds, this is a conversation worth checking out.

#DanDurick #TheMechanismOfCollapse #TheTetradCycle #TheDarkMatter #VermontAuthor #ScienceFiction #SupernaturalHorror #CosmicHorror #ConspiracyThriller #IndieAuthor #HorrorBooks #SciFiBooks #AuthorInterview #Storycomic #VermontBooks

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

#IanLemke #NevermoreRPG #NepentheGames #TabletopRPG #TTRPG #AmericanGothic #GothicHorror #HorrorRPG #GameDesign #RoleplayingGames #IndieRPG #Poe #TabletopGames #Storycomic #RPGInterview

On this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined again by Ian Lemke of Nepenthe Games to talk about Nevermore: A Roleplaying Game of American Gothic Horror.

Nevermore is a tabletop roleplaying game rooted in American Gothic horror, inspired by authors such as Poe, Melville, Gilman, Wharton, James, Bierce, and more. It uses an original card-based system with standard playing cards, giving the game a different feel from more familiar dice-driven RPGs.

The game is set in the later 1800s, a period full of tension, reinvention, superstition, social change, and shadows just beyond the gaslight. But Ian’s approach to horror is not just about creatures in the dark. As he has explained elsewhere, even when a story has “just a monster,” the deeper question is often why that monster exists.

We talk about building a gothic roleplaying game, designing horror mechanics, using cards instead of dice, turning American literature and folklore into playable stories, and what it means to make horror that is emotional, atmospheric, and character-driven.

If you love tabletop RPGs, gothic fiction, American folklore, or game design, this is a great conversation.

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

On this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Johnell DeWitt, Michelle Lin, Patrick Williams, and Abigale Lyn to talk about the newest developments at KidLitGN.

KidLitGN is a free annual pitch event for creators of children’s and YA graphic novels, including comics-style picture books, early/chapter books, middle grade, and young adult projects. The pitch event is hosted through the KidLitGN website and gives creators a chance to put their work in front of agents, editors, and publishers.

This year, KidLitGN is expanding through new partnerships and student involvement. Patrick Williams, from Orange County School of the Arts, joins the conversation to talk about how OCSA students are supporting KidLitGN’s media, communication, and event efforts. Abigale Lyn, one of the OCSA student interns, brings the perspective of a young creator and reader who grew up with children’s and YA graphic novels and now has the chance to help support the community behind them.

We also talk with Johnell DeWitt about the mission and growth of KidLitGN, and Michelle Lin about storytelling, graphic novel pitching, and why creators should take advantage of open-access opportunities like this.

If you write, draw, teach, publish, or love children’s graphic novels, this is a conversation worth hearing.

#KidLitGN #JohnellDeWitt #MichelleLin #PatrickWilliams #AbigaleLyn #OCSA #GraphicNovels #KidLitGraphicNovels #ChildrensBooks #YAGraphicNovels #MiddleGradeGraphicNovels #ComicsCreators #PitchEvent #Storycomic #ComicsInterview

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/

On this episode, I’m joined by debut YA author Jasmine Smith to talk about her dark contemporary fantasy Death Card, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers and on sale August 11, 2026.

Death Card follows Mikaela Broussard, an eighteen-year-old witch in New Orleans who is expected to become the next Witch Queen of her coven. While doing a tarot reading in her family’s occult shop, Mikaela pulls the Death card and sees a vision of herself being murdered by a beautiful stranger named Joelle. Instead of staying away from Joelle, Mikaela keeps her close to learn why she would want to kill her — only to find herself falling for the very girl from her vision.

As witches begin losing their magic, Mikaela has to unravel the mystery, face the politics of her coven, and decide whether fate is something she must accept or something she can fight.

We talk about tarot, witchcraft, New Orleans atmosphere, sapphic romance, Black girls in YA fantasy, and writing a debut novel about power, fear, love, and choosing your own future.

#JasmineSmith #DeathCard #DeathCardBook #YAFantasy #ContemporaryFantasy #BlackGirlMagic #BlackGirlsInFantasy #Tarot #WitchBooks #NewOrleansMagic #SapphicYA #QueerYA #DebutAuthor #WeMakeChildrensBooks #Storycomic

The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.

See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/

Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano

See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/

Want to start your own podcast? Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic

Follow us:

Are you curious to see the video version of this interview? It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com

www.patreon.com/storycomic

www.facebook.com/storycomic1

https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/

For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com

Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons,

Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devline, Benjamin Hunting, Samantha Kolber, Frank Walk, Mark Bell, Alexis E. Fajardo, and Matt & Therese.

Check out their fantastic work at:

https://marekbennett.com/

https://www.hexapus-ink.com/

https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/

https://www.vonallan.com/

https://higgins802.com/

https://shewstone.com/

https://www.simkikuznick.com/

https://www.dieboldcomics.com/

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/

https://benjaminhunting.com/

https://www.rootstockpublishing.com/

https://www.pigmacast.com/

https://plaguedoctorpress.com/

https://kidbeowulf.com/