Everyone’s the hero of their own story, but what makes a truly great fictional hero? Better yet, what makes an exceptional Sigler hero? We deep dive into what attributes make Scott’s protagonists truly compelling and memorable. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Forget the hero, I’m holding out for GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG, so I can save 99% on my new .com domain regist...
Aug 19, 2025•46 min
Dante Oganov, the Adidas tracksuit-wearing goblin drug lord, is closer than ever to getting the goods on Callista. He’s about to learn why no one has ever before penetrated her booby-trapped catacombs located deep beneath the Anwick Poison Gardens. With Cray-Cray Bray still in a coma, the gang heads toward the next trap—the gravity chamber. Linc needs to keep his mind on the job, yet his thoughts drift toward his son, trapped on the Shelf, and the dressing down he got from Faceless in the last e...
Aug 17, 2025•37 min•Season 5Ep. 108
Every great hero needs a villain. Even more essential? For every protagonist to have a compelling antagonist. What does it take to have an antagonist that readers hate, but also hate to love? Scott & A talk compelling villains and why we love them. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment All I wanna do is love to hate the bad guy, and if I want to blog about it all day I’d u...
Aug 12, 2025•37 min
The bounty hunter known as Icepick—one word, thank you very much—is hoping to track down the Cursed Armor of Sir Arnault the Pure, and thereby locate Callista’s boytoy Mercutio. Icepick’s research set him on a path to find someone from the “verdant” school of magic. He thinks he has just such a candidate. Now, to pay a little visit. Meanwhile, Lincoln, Dante, Billy, Mercutio, Faceless—who is the spitting image of Callista—and Magda—who controls the Cursed Armor and carries the unconscious bioarc...
Aug 10, 2025•36 min•Season 5Ep. 107
Some audiobook narrators do a straight read, while others choose unique voices for each character. Scott is among the latter—how does he decide what voice a character should have? What goes into that selection process? Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment The best narration comes courtesy of the GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG, which trims the price of a new dot-com registration...
Aug 05, 2025•33 min
Icepick continues his research in “The Dex,” the sprawling library located in and below Cords in the Patchwork. Meanwhile, Lincoln and the others were almost out of the woods, fooling the Matron of the Poison Pool that Faceless was the real Callista. The Matron lowered the pool’s level, exposing a stone path that led safely across. Then Mercutio woke up—his cries for help alerted the Matron to the charade. She flipped the lever to raise the pool and submerged the path, the path all but Magda wer...
Aug 03, 2025•45 min•Season 5Ep. 106
Sometimes, it takes a series to tell your story. Sometimes, it takes just one stand-alone book. And it’s always a struggle to figure out what’s currently best for the marketplace! Scott and A discuss! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Is this the start of a year’s long journey, or just a one off? Hard to say until you think it through! Using our sweet GoDaddy Promo Code CJ...
Jul 30, 2025•41 min
Now they face the first of six obstacles that must be overcome if they are to capture a piece of Callista’s soul—and a whole helluva lot of gold in the process. Linc, Billy, Dante, Cray-Cray Bray, Faceless—who is the spitting image of Calista herself—and the cursed armor controlled by Magda are about to get a lesson in botany they won’t soon forget. Created by Scott Sigler and Rob Otto Written and performed by Scott Sigler Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertai...
Jul 27, 2025•43 min•Season 5Ep. 105
Conventions are always a great way to meet fans and make new ones, but the post-pandemic world of pop culture conventions is a little different. As we head out to San Diego Comic Con, where Scott is a Special Guest, we discuss the pros and cons of attending conventions as a creative. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Cosplay, science, movies, comic books, television and al...
Jul 24, 2025•44 min
Creative collaborations work in lots of ways. All remote, all writers in the same room together and everything in between. On this episode, recorded live from Memphis, TN, Rob & Scott discuss their collaboration on SLAY and more. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Some writers start by blogging their books. Worked for the Martian! You can snag ninety-nine percent off yo...
Jul 22, 2025•39 min
Lincoln, Billy, and the armor controlled by Magda are ready to go. Dante, Cray-Cray Bray, and Faceless—all of whom know Billy only as “Walt”—are ready as well. They begin the trials needed to penetrate deep into Callista’s secret catacombs, where she keeps both an anemone polyp nursery and a piece of her soul that connects her to that nursery, which bolsters her magical power. Meanwhile, the bounty hunter known as Icepick continues to hunt for both Dante and for Mercutio’s kidnappers. He suspect...
Jul 20, 2025•38 min•Season 5Ep. 104
Linc, Billy, and the huge suit of black armor controlled by Magda and holding the unconscious Mercutio are in transit, heading to Alnwick, England, where they will meet Dante Oganov, Faceless, and Cray-Cray Bray—let the heist begin. Meanwhile, Gary Satyr is faced with two critical tasks — acquiring Mercutio’s ransom money and tracking down Lincoln Franks so Lincoln can report to Callista. Created by Scott Sigler and Rob Otto Written and performed by Scott Sigler Production Assistance by Allie Pr...
Jul 13, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 103
Is Audible creating a healthy marketplace or a monopoly where indie authors struggle to make a living? CD Reiss, an independent author, sued Audible last year, saying it violated antitrust law by charging higher distribution fees for independent and self-published writers who do not choose Audible-exclusive distribution. Last month, a federal judge ruled that the suit would move forward and awarded it class status. Scott & A discuss the class action, the current state of things, and what thi...
Jul 08, 2025•42 min
It’s time for Linc, Billy, and the huge suit of armor controlled by Magda and containing a drugged-up Mercutio to transit to Alnwick, England, for their caper to retrieve a piece of Calista’s soul. The other members of the team—Dante Oganov, Cray-Cray Bray, and the shapeshifter known as “Faceless” await. Meanwhile, the bounty hunter Icepick, who was hired by Vestinian to find Dante, is searching for clues to track the goblin down. Callista called Icepick to her club, thinking he might have been ...
Jul 06, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 102
Lincoln’s leg wound hasn’t healed, yet he’s gunning for the gang to head for the Alnwick Poison Gardens before Callista realizes the reason for Mercutio’s abduction. Will he push too hard, too soon? As for Callista, she wants answers. She thinks Icepick might be the culprit. She demanded the bounty hunter’s presence at her club – how will his second visit to the place turn out? Created by Scott Sigler and Rob Otto Written and performed by Scott Sigler Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyrig...
Jun 29, 2025•40 min•Season 5Ep. 101
SLAY started as a Scott Sigler joint. A dozen episodes in Scott called in reinforcements, in the form of one Rob Otto. This episode, they celebrate the touchstone of 100 episodes with us! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Rob absolutely made SLAY sing, and I want ninety nine percent off the 1st year of my three-year domain talking all about it! So Imma use GoDaddy Promo Co...
Jun 27, 2025•27 min
This year’s StokerCon was in Stamford, Connecticut, which is just up the road from where A grew up! A’s brother Jude joined us for the livestream. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Guys, my brother Jude is the best. We should blog about our lives, and if I used GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG, I would even save 99% off the first year of my three-year domain! Learn more about ...
Jun 25, 2025•32 min
The aftermath of the attack on Callista’s club leaves a bullet-ridden Lincoln scrambling to heal in time for Phase II of Dante’s plan. Icepick is about to hear from a very unhappy employer. And through it all, the ticking time bomb that is Lincoln’s family finally goes “boom.” Created by Scott Sigler and Rob Otto Written and performed by Scott Sigler Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Theme music is the song “They’re Watching Me” by SUPERWEAPON . Famil...
Jun 22, 2025•42 min•Season 5Ep. 100
While at this year’s StokerCon, Scott sat down with Nathaniel Darkish and N.J. Gallegos, two hosts of the Scream Kings podcast . Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Ghosts, ghouls and dark horror always leaves me with something to say. Going to get me a three year domain and save 99% off my first year using GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Jun 18, 2025•30 min
The gang is after Callista’s lover, Mercutio, who has a magical key embedded in his heart. They need that key to get into a vault hidden away in Alnwick, England. Magda’s pitch-black, cursed armor attacked Callista in her club and threw Mercutio into a wall of liquor bottles behind one of the club’s three bars. Is he hurt? Is he dying? Lincoln, Gary Satyr, and Bobby the Brahma bull minotaur lined up to protect Callista from the armor. The fight is about to get nasty. Meanwhile, Billy is waiting ...
Jun 15, 2025•45 min•Season 5Ep. 99
This summer has so many movies we want to see, we just had to talk about it. There’s going to be so much popcorn, you guys. So much popcorn. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Goodness gracious, I’m so excited about this summer’s movies, I might just gotta blog about it. I’ll even save ninety-nine percent off my first year of my 3-year domain by using GoDaddy Promo Code CJC...
Jun 10, 2025•38 min
Linc and the gang had weeks of prep planned for their raid on Callista’s subterranean lair in England, but Icepick’s hunt for Dante — and his rousting Dillon Cantrell for information on the goblin’s whereabouts — meant the gang had to move up the schedule dramatically. To break into Callista’s anemone-chamber vault, where she keeps a piece of her soul, the gang needs Mercutio, who has a key to that vault embedded in his heart. They know Mercutio is in Callista’s club, along with the fire-witch h...
Jun 08, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 98
A company called “Spines” is publishing 8,000 AI-assisted books this year. How does that work? What does this mean for the industry? It’s money-grabbing vanity press again, but now “assisted” by AI. We cover the Spines offerings, price points, and debate if this is good for authors. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment No matter how you publish your book, you need a website. ...
Jun 03, 2025•42 min
Icepick is at Callista’s, hoping for an audience with her so he can ask about the tracksuit-wearing goblin Dante Oganov, who tried to have Callista killed back in SLAY Season One. But before Icepick can talk to the Queen of Fire, he'll have to get through her first line of defense — Gariginald “Gary” Satyr, the club’s highly efficient, slightly judgmental, and altogether snooty club manager. Created by Scott Sigler and Rob Otto Written and performed by Scott Sigler Production Assistance by Allie...
Jun 01, 2025•29 min•Season 5Ep. 97
Memorial Day in the US is to honor the men and women who died serving in the armed forces. This episode, Scott & A reflect on several authors who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment While you’re enjoying hot dogs and watermelon this weekend, remember that GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG gets you 99% discounted from yo...
May 26, 2025•33 min
Lincoln and Dante have put together a team that can break into the underground fortress at Alnwick, where Callista keeps a piece of her soul and uses it to channel magical energy from a hideous anemone polyp farm. Dante is on the run from both Callista and the powerful mage Vestinian. Vestinian hired Icepick to see if Dante is in Lumencia, and to kill him if he’s there. Following a hunch, Icepick went to Cordis and confronted Dillon Cantrell, who brought Lincoln and Dante together for this objec...
May 25, 2025•47 min•Season 5Ep. 96
Lots of folks have creative hobbies that help them relax and blow off steam. But what if you’re a creator by trade? What if you are paid for your creativity? Scott and A chat hobbies, downtime, and the importance of having a hobby, no matter how much you like your job. Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment Thinking of community blogging as your new hobby? Get yer 1st year for ...
May 20, 2025•39 min
At Ariella’s behest, Lincoln and Billy traveled to Israel, to the Hospitaller Commandery of Saint-Jean-d'Acre, and acquired the Cursed Armor of Sir Arnault the Pure. Magda can control the armor as if she were inside of it through the ear cuff Lincoln took after killing the Lich from Lynchburg. An agoraphobic trapped inside the Old Stone Church for years, can Magda possess the suit and make it walk out the front door? Dante Oganov has a plan to acquire a shard of Callista’s soul and use it to tak...
May 18, 2025•45 min•Season 5Ep. 95
After 50 episodes, Scott and A chat about the last five years of livestreaming and the evolution to DEEP CUTS. A look back, a look ahead, and a great big thank you for joining us! Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs Produced by Steve Riekeberg Production Assistance by Allie Press Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment We couldn’t have done it without y’all, but if we did, we’d start with a gosh darn brand new three-year domain using GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG so the first ye...
May 13, 2025•41 min
Lincoln needs to acquire assets for the great caper of stealing a piece of Callista’s soul. But before he and the Old Stone Church crew assemble the pieces of that puzzle, Aunty Juanita told him that his bounty hunting days are over, and she tasked him with sharing that information with another legendary bounty hunter. Speaking of bounty hunters, Icepick is obsessed with his mission of finding Dante Oganov for the secretive and powerful mage Vestinian, who wants Oganov — and Billy Middleton — de...
May 11, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 94
