This week, Andrew sits down with comic book writer and filmmaker George Michail (90’s horror kid, cinematic obsessive, and co-writer of the Knight Terror script) to trace the origin story behind the storyteller. George shares how a steady diet of slasher films, comics, and late-night movie marathons shaped his creative instincts, and why growing up in the shadow of practical effects and VHS-era horror left a permanent mark on his imagination.

The conversation dives into the evolution of Knight Terror, from concept to screenplay to feature film. George pulls back the curtain on adapting a dark, stylized idea into a cinematic narrative, including the creative and financial risks, the structural challenges, and the practical realities of moving from page to production. It’s an honest look at what it actually takes to shepherd a genre project forward in today’s film landscape.

Learn More About George Michail

Learn More About Andrew Buckley

Join Andrew’s Patreon

On this episode of StoryCentric, Andrew sits down with Charles Melcher, founder of Future of StoryTelling, to explore how technology, neuroscience, and human biology are reshaping the way stories work. From immersive theatre and LARPing to AI characters and virtual worlds, Charlie explains why the future of storytelling is participatory and deeply community-oriented.

They dig into the idea of “actience” (the audience as co-creator), why storytelling is hardwired into our evolution, and how new tools are democratizing narrative creation for everyone, not just studios and publishers. Along the way, Charlie unpacks the ethical challenges of AI-driven stories, the power of multi-sensory experiences to boost memory and empathy, and why immersive storytelling may be a surprising antidote to social disconnection.

Learn More About Charles and Future of Storytelling

Learn More About Andrew Buckley

Join Andrew’s Patreon

Join Andrew Buckley for a conversation with Special Effects Makeup Artist Lanny Brown, whose work spans projects like Lucifer, Knight Terror, and Alien Earth. From a small-town Ontario childhood fuelled by curiosity, imagination, and a love of horror, Lanny carved a path into the film industry.

In this episode, Lanny breaks down the real difference between special effects and special makeup effects (spoiler alert, it’s ‘dirt, blood, and glue’), how indie projects help shape better artists, and why relationships matter as much as raw talent in the film world. Along the way, he opens up about authenticity, creative resilience, and what it means to build a career out of making the unreal feel disturbingly real.

If you’re fascinated by film, practical effects, or the strange alchemy where fear turns into art, this episode will be worth your time.

Learn More about Lanny Brown

Learn More About Andrew Buckley

Join Andrew’s Patreon

In this special New Year’s episode of the StoryCentric Podcast, hosts Andrew Buckley and Finnian Burnett look back on the wins, lessons, and plot twists of the past year, and cast an excited eye toward what’s coming in 2026. From upcoming events like the Kamloops Young Authors Conference and the BC Federation of Writers Conference to tantalizing secret projects and personal writing goals, this conversation is packed with anticipation, reflection, and creative fuel. Along the way, Andrew and Finn unpack the realities of the writing life, the power of perseverance, and why saying yes to new challenges is often where the best stories begin.

New year. New goals. Same love of story.

Happy New Year from StoryCentric!

Recorded somewhere between Kelowna and Calgary (mostly while stuck behind a very confused pickup truck), this special holiday road-trip episode wraps up our wild ride of a year.

Join Andrew and Finnian as they look back at 2025’s biggest career highs, the occasional lows, and the deliciously messy middle bits of being working authors. We revisit the conferences we spoke at, highlight the moments that made us proud, and, because it’s basically tradition at this point, name-drop Miranda Krogstad more than once.

Finnian even breaks into song, which we’re counting as both a gift and a warning.

It’s unfiltered, heartfelt, a little chaotic, and very us. Hop in, buckle up, and spend the holidays on the road with your favourite author BFFs.

For the special 100th episode of StoryCentric, we sit down with Scott Lynch (The Lies of Locke Lamora) to unravel the winding, gloriously chaotic path that led him to become one of fantasy’s most beloved storytellers. Scott opens up about his Minnesota roots, his lifelong obsession with books, and the spark that eventually ignited the Gentleman Bastards Sequence. Along the way, he digs into the authors and genres that shaped his imagination and the sheer stubborn joy of building worlds full of thieves, charmers, and delightful scoundrels. We also get a juicy update on the upcoming release of The Thorn of Emberlain. Expect plenty of sharp wit, candid insights, and some minor threats. Truly a conversation worthy of the Bastards themselves.

**Includes minor spoilers for The Lies or Locke Lamora

Learn more about Scott Lynch

Become a Member of Andrew Buckley’s Patreon

I sat down with Wakefield Brewster, one of Canada’s most dynamic spoken word poets, to explore the story behind the voice that moves audiences from classrooms to concert halls. From his roots in Toronto to his rise as a celebrated performer and community builder, Wakefield shares how rhythm, melody, and rap fused to create his unmistakable poetic style.

He opens up about his creative journey, the mentors who shaped him, and the moments of doubt and triumph that defined his path. Through candid reflection and trademark wit, Wakefield offers hard-earned wisdom for artists striving to find their own voice and courage in an often unpredictable creative world. Whether you’re a poet, performer, or simply someone moved by words that hit like music, this conversation celebrates the transformative power of rhythmic art.

Learn more about Wakefield Brewster

Become a Member of Andrew Buckley’s Patreon

Recorded live at When Words Collide 2025, this heartwarming and hilarious episode features Kelly Siskind, a romance author whose creative path winds from visual arts to cheese mongering to bestselling romantic comedies. From her early days in Toronto to running a cheese shop in Collingwood, Ontario, Kelly’s story is as unpredictable and charming, just like her novels.

We explore how she channels her artistic eye and entrepreneurial spirit into storytelling, striking the perfect balance between humour, heart, and heat. Kelly opens up about her experiences in the hybrid publishing world, the art of writing authentic, emotionally resonant romance, and the importance of perseverance in a creative career.

Learn more about Kelly Siskind

Get Your Tickets for When Words Collide 2026

Become a Member of Andrew Buckley’s Patreon