Welcome to the new and improved Unwritten Paths, where today we’re deploying some serious storytelling strategy. My guest is author Nick Nethery, who brings his military background into fiction with precision, honesty, and a healthy respect for what’s still classified. We’ll talk about building believable teams, writing from real relationships, and why research doesn’t stop just because you already know the terrain. Consider this your briefing on authentic military storytelling—no clearance required.

Follow Nick Nethery on his website: https://www.nicknethery.com/ or his substack: https://nicknethery.substack.com/

Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths

Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semchyshyn

Today’s guest is Maria Shield, a romance author from Omaha who’s bringing Greek mythology into the modern age. She blends timeless myths with heartfelt romance, creating stories that feel both ancient and new. We’re talking about what makes mythology retellings so compelling—why they matter, how they connect with readers today, and what draws her personally to these legendary tales.

Maria talks about the draw of Greek mythology retelling; combating and rewriting the misogynist aspect of Greek mythology; choosing the right character to focus on; adding happy endings to what is normally a tragedy; and her answers to some reader habits including one dicey item she admits to researching for one of her books.

Find Maria online at her website: https://www.mariashieldauthor.com/ or on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariashield.author.

Find ALL the ways to follow Unwritten Paths in my linktree: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths

Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semchyshyn

#independentauthor #romanceauthor #greekmythology #bookpodcast #combatingmisogyny #authorpodcast #meettheauthor

This week, I sit down with Damien Thompson, whose 20-year journey to writing his memoir …And Then I Would Fly is nothing short of extraordinary.

We dive into: Growing up in a dysfunctional family and breaking the creative cycle started by his father; the messy, beautiful process of “vomiting words” and shaping them into story; the legal & emotional hurdles of publishing a memoir (including family green lights); the cathartic release of finally sharing his truth; his grassroots marketing hustle and a teaser about a new project as well as a new poetry release available now.

Later, check out Damien's website (https://damienthompsonauthor.com/) as well as his Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/damienthompson_author) and BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/damien-author.bsky.social) to follow him and learn more.

Follow Unwritten Paths here: https://linktr.ee/unwrittenpaths

Music/podcast theme song by Yurii Semchyshyn