All fiction requires you to suspect disbelief and accept a premise you might find unlikely. In her upcoming new novel, TERROR , espionage author P. A. Duncan wants you to accept that a Directorate operative can successfully go under cover in the CIA. It's her world, and welcome to it. Look for the TERROR cover reveal on June 4 on Duncan's social media. In the meantime, you can preorder TERROR at amazon.com/dp/B09WZ7HRWS and purchase its reader magnet for 99 cents at amazon.com/dp/B0B1F64YLQ ....
Jun 02, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 22
We celebrate the 100th episode of the "Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast." We learn something about why the right book cover is important, and we have a reading from Terror, book one of Meeting the Enemy . Other authors interested in excellent quality pre-made book covers, take a look at www.SelfPubBookCovers.com . The TERROR preorder is at amazon.com/dp/B09WZ7HRWS . Get an eBook or a paperback of PROLOGUE TO TERROR at amazon.com/dp/B0B1F64YLQ ....
May 26, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Duncan talks about the pitfalls and joys of writing serial fiction, and we get a couple of brief reviews of the spy movies, All the Old Knives and Operation: Mincemeat . Plus, a reading from Terror , book one of the new series Meeting the Enemy . Preorder Terror at amazon.com/dp/B09WZ7HRWS .
May 19, 2022•35 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Writing historical fiction means dealing with public figures, living and dead. Duncan defines public figures and talks about the unique challenges of incorporating them into fiction. Plus a reading from her new novel, Terror , book one of the upcoming new series, Meeting the Enemy . Preorder Terror here: amazon.com/dp/B09WZ7HRWS . In celebration of Duncan's debut novel's fifth birthday, you can order the eBook of A War of Deception for only 99 cents for the whole month of May. Find A War of Dece...
May 12, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 19
A potential reader asked P. A. Duncan how could she tell the history from the fiction in one of Duncan's books. Today's podcast is the answer. Terror , book one of Meeting the Enemy is now available for PREORDER here: amazon.com/dp/B09WZ7HRWS . "Out of the Ordinary," the reader magnet for Terror, is still FREE to download here: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc . If your book club reads one of Duncan's works, she'll be happy to join you virtually via ZOOM or FaceTime. Email [email protected]...
May 05, 2022•43 min•Season 3Ep. 18
Duncan talks about the struggle to bring her ground-breaking series A Perfect Hatred to its logical conclusion. Turns out she had to wait for justice to take its course. Today is the last day you can download to your Kindle or Kindle app all four books of A Perfect Hatred for FREE . Go to amazon.com/dp/B09WZ7HRWS . Quintet , the eBook-only compilation of reader magnets associated with A Perfect Hatred is also available at a reduced price at amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ and books2read.com/u/3R6d6x . ...
Apr 28, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 17
Duncan discusses a webinar from the International Spy Museum she recently watched and describes how real women spies who were not femme fatales inspired her woman spy, Mai Fisher. There's also a reading from Descending Spiral , book 3 of A Perfect Hatred . You can purchase QUINTET at books2read.com/u/3R6d6x and at amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ . Download for FREE the reader magnet, "Out of the Ordinary," which serves as the prologue to book 1 of an upcoming, new series, Meeting the Enemy : dl.bookfun...
Apr 21, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Duncan explains how book 2 of A Perfect Hatred ( Bad Company ) came by its title, and she describes the pitfalls of conducing research into people and groups whose philosophy and politics she vehemently opposes. Links to purchase the eBook only box set Quintet : books2read.com/u/3R6d6x and amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ . Link to the FREE download of the reader magnet for the upcoming new series, Meeting the Enemy: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc . Find all of Duncan's work at amazon.com/author/phyllisdu...
Apr 14, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Duncan gives us some background on the history that inspired the series A Perfect Hatred , and in a reading from book 1, End Times , she shows us the lengths Mai Fisher will go to in profiling a subject to plan her approach and her cover story. You can purchase Quintet , the compilation of A Perfect Hatred reader magnets (plus a bonus story) at books2read.com/u/3R6d6x (non-Kindle ereaders) or amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ (for Kindle). The reader magnet "Out of the Ordinary" for the upcoming series M...
Apr 07, 2022•40 min•Season 3Ep. 14
This episodes winds up the month-long look into the author brand of P. A. Duncan, and, as a prelude to her upcoming series, Meeting the Enemy , she also talks about the difficulty as a writer of historical fiction and an historian in staying authentic to the history knowing that some might find it painful. To download the FREE reader magnet for book one of Meeting the Enemy , go here: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc . To celebrate the fourth anniversary of Duncan's first series, A Perfect Hatred , ...
Mar 31, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 13
The importance of keeping a low profile and blending in for spies and their families. What on earth is a blood cover? And some teaser readings from my upcoming book Terror, due out on June 25, 2022. Quintet preorder links: For Kindle, amazon.com/dp/B09VFQ4SXZ . For other e-Readers, https://books2read.com/u/3R6d6x . Terror Reader Magnet Free Download: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc . Upcoming in-person author events: https://unexpectedpaths.com/about-the-author/events/...
Mar 24, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 12
It does, but not how you've been conditioned to think of it. Some fans do go for exploitation of either sex, but mostly it's women being exploited, but some fans and some espionage writers think romance, or at least a hint of it, has a place among the spies. Find out how I balance a hint of romance against the action in any of my books at my Amazon Author Page . (amazon.com/author/phyllisduncan). My reader magnet for the upcoming series, Meeting the Enemy , is available to download for FREE . Fi...
Mar 17, 2022•38 min•Season 3Ep. 11
What is a spy's life really like? Well, I found out, from a reliable source. Reader Magnet Giveaway: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc Find out more about my upcoming in-person book events: unexpectedpaths.com/about-the-author/events
Mar 10, 2022•41 min
Like Apple, McDonalds, or Nike, authors have brands that identify the author and what he or she writes for marketing purposes. This week we delve into how I developed my brand, "Real spies, real lives, a hint of romance." And a reading from an upcoming novel that shows what real spies are like. To see examples of my authorship brand, visit my Facebook Author Page at www.facebook.com/unspywriter or my website , www.unexpectedpaths.com . And don't forget my reader magnet giveaway for my upcoming n...
Mar 03, 2022•36 min•Season 3Ep. 9
What does it mean to be an Indie author? A lot of non-writing related "stuff." Plus closing out a month of celebrating Love Death 's book birthday. Love Death sale: amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS Reader Magnet giveaway: dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc Phyllis A. Duncan, Author : www.facebook.com/unspywriter Instagram : www.instagram.com/paduncan1 Twitter : www.twitter.com/unspywriter Website/Blog : www.unexpectedpaths.com Newsletter Sign-up : https://unexpectedpaths.com/contact-the-author-2/...
Feb 24, 2022•42 min•Season 3Ep. 8
A bit about what inspired me to write Love Death and some readings from the novel. Love Death is free for your Kindle or Kindle App through Saturday February 19, and you can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS . Don't forget my other, ongoing giveaway of a short story reader magnet for my upcoming new series, Meeting the Enemy. You can download the story, "Out of the Ordinary," at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc ....
Feb 17, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 7
If you're not a believer in teaching a country's accurate history, you might want to fast forward to 18:53 because this week I was in a mood to rant about book banning and book burning. Here. In the United States of America. Starting on 2/12/22, Love Death will be free right on time for Valentine's Day. You can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS . And my short story reader magnet giveaway is still ongoing (and will be for a while). You can find "Out of the Ordinary" at dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayast...
Feb 10, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Writers use symbolism, but so do spies, so why not symbolism while writing about spies? Plus some readings from this month's featured book, LOVE DEATH, which is 40% off (eBook only). Find LOVE DEATH at amazon.com/gp/B08QDLXBCS. And don't forget about my short story reader magnet giveaway. "Out of the Ordinary" introduces my upcoming new series, MEETING THE ENEMY. You can read for FREE at dl.bookfunnel.com/vpayastekc. Episode WARNING: Sexual innuendo and sexual banter between a married coup...
Feb 03, 2022•34 min•Season 3Ep. 5
I'm coming off my social media break soon, so if you haven't already, follow my Facebook Author Page , join my Facebook Readers Group , or follow me on Instagram and Twitter . Don't forget the FREE short story reader magnet, "Out of the Ordinary," available HERE ....
Jan 27, 2022•37 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Some other espionage podcasts you might be interested in, an excerpt from Meeting the Enemy: Terror, and all about the FREE reader magnet you can download and/or read. To read "Out of the Ordinary," go to Book Funnel HERE . Find my other works HERE .
Jan 20, 2022•44 min•Season 3Ep. 3
When to use dramatic license in writing historical fiction, and a reading from a new reader magnet.
Jan 13, 2022•41 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Happy New Year! Get the down-low on what P. A. Duncan will have published this year and a reading from a brand new, upcoming reader magnet.
Jan 06, 2022•30 min•Season 3Ep. 1
The only reading is my 2017 holiday story, "A Visit from Grandfather Frost." Enjoy, and my heartfelt wishes for a happy holiday season. See you next year! Starting today, And Justice for All is free through 12/27. Find it HERE . Don't forget, time is running out to enter the And Justice for All Hardcover Giveaway. It ends on December 31, so enter HERE ....
Dec 23, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Just when Mai Fisher and Alexei Bukharin think their Belgrade mission is wrapped up, something else pops up. Starting December 23, And Justice for All will be free--right on time for last minute shopping. Get this end of year deal HERE . And. . . You can still enter to contend for a signed, hardcover edition of And Justice for All , as long as you enter before December 31. Enter the giveaway HERE ....
Dec 16, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Would you let yourself get captured in order to close out a mission? Not me, but, then, I have Mai Fisher to live vicariously through. Don't forget book 3, And Justice for All , along with books 1 and 2 of the Self-Inflicted Wounds trilogy, are on sale for the rest of the year for 99 cents each. A whole trilogy under $3.00. Find this bargain HERE . Also, you can enter to win a signed, hardcover edition of And Justice for All by clicking THIS LINK . The giveaway is open for entries through Decemb...
Dec 09, 2021•43 min•Season 2Ep. 50
We're ending season two of the podcast with the conclusion of the Self-Inflicted Wounds trilogy, book 3, And Justice for All . And because December is And Justice for All 's book birthday, I have another giveaway--a signed hardcover edition of And Justice for All . The giveaway is easy to enter. Click HERE (https://bit.ly/AJfAHCGiveaway ) to enter. You can add to your entries by following my Facebook Author Page, my Insta account, or sign up for my newsletter. The giveaway runs through December ...
Dec 02, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 48
No podcast today because the host is celebrating Thanksgiving with her family. But. . . You can still enter to possibly win a signed, hardcover edition of Dangerous Truths . All you have to do is click (or copy and paste) https://hingsumo.com/g/owor4j/dangerous-truths-hardcover-edition . Better hurry. The giveaway ends on November 30.
Nov 25, 2021•31 sec
Winding up our celebration of Dangerous Truths, Thanksgiving wishes, a holiday special with Dangerous Truths being free, and don't forget the hardcover edition of Dangerous Truths giveaway, which you can enter HERE (kingsumo.com/g/owor4j/dangerous-truths-hardcover-edition). The podcast takes a break next week for Thanksgiving. Have a great turkey day, and we'll be back on December 2.
Nov 18, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Alexei is alive, but some disturbing news about his family dampens his relief. And there's the matter of his connection to Irina Pishkatova and the fact Mai wants to get on with her mission. Don't forget the book birthday giveaway of a signed, hardcover edition of Dangerous Truths , which you can enter HERE (kingsumo.com/gp/owor4j/dangerous-truths-hardcover-edition).
Nov 11, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Yes, another book birthday for book 2 of Self-Inflicted Wounds, Dangerous Truths. A mini-review of the new animated series Star Trek: Prodigy and a mini-book review of Say Nothing by Patrick Keefe. To enter a drawing for a signed hardcover of Dangerous Truths, go to https://kingsumo.com/g/owor4j/dangerous-truths-hardcover-edition, fill out the form, and your name is entered. The site I'm using, King Sumo, will randomly select a winner on December 1. Good luck!
Nov 04, 2021•30 min•Season 2Ep. 44
