Writing can heal wounds, whether you're a soldier with PTSD or a citizen who was traumatized by the 2016 election. The author discusses the origins of the novella she wrote about that election's results. The featured August promotion is A Change for the Better , and the eBook is only 99¢ for the entire month. Find it at amazon.com/dp/B08376X37B . Note: Some rather salty language....
A couple of mini-reviews of the movie, Oppenheimer , and the TV series, Slow Horses . Plus, the four volumes of A Perfect Hatred and the reader magnet compilation Quintet are free to download through July 29, 2023. You can find them at amazon.com/dp/B07QNMHPBT . Quintet is under the "Related Material" tab. Act now. The free days end on Saturday. Next month's promo: the novella A Change for the Better ....
Duncan delves more into the writing life with some advice on how not to let a timeline bog down your historical fiction. The four volumes of A Perfect Hatred plus the reader magnet compilation Quintet are 99¢ each, and you can find them at amazon.com/dp/B07QNMHPBT. Look for some free days starting on 7/25/2023.
Duncan talks about reviews and how to cope with the bad ones, plus a documentary that validates how she presented her story in A Perfect Hatred . The four eBooks in A Perfect Hatred , plus the reader magnet compilation, Quintet , are on sale this month for 99¢ each. Find them at amazon.com/dp/B07QNMHPBT .
The author talks about how she merges her spy fiction with history and how cathartic writing historical espionage fiction can be. To learn more about this month's featured sales books, books 1-4 of A Perfect Hatred (plus Quintet ), go to amazon.com/dp/B07QNMHPBT .
Thoughts from a writer of espionage fiction about the alleged, almost, maybe coup attempt in Russia last week. Today, 6/29, is the last day to download free eBooks of A War of Deception ( amazon.com/dp/B06Y5ZZ7FQ ) and its mini-sequel A Face in the Crowd ( amazon.com/dp/B01N2WCHMM ). Today, 6/29, and tomorrow 6/30, are the final two days to enter to win a copy of a Meeting the Enemy short story, "It's in the Blood." Enter here: kingsumo.com/g/nua7uq/its-in-the-blood ....
As of this broadcast, we're two days away from the launch of P. A. Duncan's latest novel, TREACHERY , book 3 of her 9/11 series MEETING THE ENEMY . To celebrate the launch, the two books that were on sale for June will be FREE from 6/25/23 to 6/29/23. Also, you can enter to win one of five copies of a MEETING THE ENEMY related short story, "It's in the Blood." Starting June 25 , you can download free copies of A WAR OF DECEPTION at amazon.com/dp/B06Y5ZZ7FQ and A FACE IN THE...
The author talks about how to improve your fiction with "quotidian details" -- look it up. This week we have a longer reading from TREACHERY because next week, June 15, there will be NO podcast while the author is at a writing workshop. TREACHERY , book 3 of MEETING THE ENEMY , is still available for preorder at amazon.com/dp/B0C55ZXWYT . June Sales: A WAR OF DECEPTION - eBook on sale for $1.99 at amazon.com/dp/B06Y5ZZ7FQ . A FACE IN THE CROWD - eBook on sale for 99¢ at amazon.com/dp/B...
The author philosophizes a bit about bringing her characters to an appropriate end and whether a second retirement is in her future. Bonus - a reading from book 3 of Meeting the Enemy -- TREACHERY . Preorder TREACHERY for $1.99 at amazon.com/dp/B0C55ZXWYT . June featured sales books: 1. A War of Deception (2017 debut novel) -- $1.99 at amazon.com/dp/B06Y5ZZ7FQ 2. A Face in the Crowd (mini-sequel to A War of Deception) -- 99¢ at amazon.com/dp/B01N2WCHMM...
The author talks about her favorite spy movies and television series compared to the top 5s from IMDb. Plus, a reading from TREACHERY , book 3 of the series Meeting the Enemy . From 5/27 - 5/31, the author's 2016 short story collection SPY FLASH II , will be FREE to download at amazon.com/dp/B01N5D7GEP . TREACHERY can still be preordered at a special, low price at amazon.com/dp/B0C55ZXWYT . TREACHERY launches on 6/24....
The author discusses the feasibility of the premise that a counterintelligence officer from one spy shop could go undercover inside the CIA. We get a brief history of one traitor in the CIA who might be considered an "undercover agent." Plus, you'll get a reading from the author's upcoming novel, TREACHERY , book 3 of the series Meeting the Enemy . The featured May sales book is SPY FLASH II , on sale this month for $1.99. Find it at amazon.com/dp/B01N5D7GEP . PROLOGUE TO TREAC...
Because the host is out of town, there will be no podcast episode this week. The podcast will return on 5/18/23. Thank you!
Duncan explains how Spy Flash II came about and what inspired the writing of each of the four stories in the collection. Duncan also reads from the first story in the collection, "Spymaster." Spy Flash II the eBook is on sale the month of May for only $1.99 at amazon.com/dp/B01N5D6GEP . NOTE: THERE WILL NOT BE AN EPISODE ON MAY 11 BECAUSE THE HOST IS OUT OF TOWN. The podcast will resume on May 18....
Duncan talks about the background of her series MEETING THE ENEMY , specifically the upcoming book 3, TREACHERY . Two of Duncan's novellas will be free today (4/27/23) and tomorrow (4/28/23) only, and you can find them here: THE YELLOW SCARF amazon.com/dp/B018R55P2W and MY NOBLE ENEMY amazon.com/dp/B00y40IN7E . If you preordered PROLOGUE TO TREACHERY , you'll find it in your Kindle Library, and it can still be ordered at the preorder price at amazon.com/dp/B0BZZNFPZH . Don't forget t...
A traitor is a traitor. Duncan offers her take on a U.S. Airman accused of stealing classified material and posting it on Discord, allegedly to impress people. And learn about an audiobook hack that allows Alexa to read an eBook to you. For the week of April 24 - 28, 2023, both of Duncan's novellas, The Yellow Scarf and My Noble Enemy , will be free to download (eBooks only). For her birthday week, she's giving presents to her readers. You can find The Yellow Scarf at amazon.com/dp/B018R...
Duncan explains the tagline for her novella My Noble Enemy -- "There are old spies and bold spies, but no old, bold spies." Also, some chat about The Man from U.N.C.L.E .'s various iterations. My Noble Enemy April eBook sale: amazon.com/dp/B00Y40IN7E . The Yellow Scarf April eBook sale: amazon.com/dp/B018R55P2W . Follow Duncan's Amazon Author Page : amazon.com/author/phyllisduncan ....
P. A. Duncan talks about why her books are often on sale and how she uses "organic" marketing to increase her audience. The reader magnet/prequel, Prologue to Treachery , is now available for preorder at amazon.com/dp/BoBZZNFPZH . Special preorder price -- 99¢. On sale for 99¢ each, Duncan's 2015 novellas, The Yellow Scarf and My Noble Enemy . (The latter ties into Prologue to Treachery .) Find The Yellow Scarf at amazon.com/dp/B018R55P2W and My Noble Enemy at amazon.com/dp/B00Y40I...
Because it's tax season, the podcast is on hiatus this week and will be back on April 6, 2023. Catch you then!
Duncan talks about the importance of research when writing historical or any genre of fiction and gives some researching tips. Duncan is also conducting a workshop on researching historical fiction as part of the Author Transformation Alliance 2023 Virtual Spring Writing Retreat. For more information on that retreat, which starts at 0900 on Friday, March 24, go HERE . Here are other links mentioned in this episode: Link to the blog post "When Is Something Considered History?" Link to t...
Duncan explores the ethics of espionage, i.e., is it a black and white issue, or are the ethics of espionage dependent upon perspective, what side you're on? And we have a reading from Duncan's debut mystery novel, Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season . Preorder Supreme Madness of Carnival Season (only two more days) at amazon.com/dp/B0BTTR97KQ . Get The Better Spy , Duncan's novel in stories, for free (also only two more days) at amazon.com/dp/B0112R8I8A . Also, consider following P. A. Dunca...
P. A. Duncan talks in-depth about the plot, characters, and setting for her debut mystery novel, Supreme Madness of the Carnival season and reads an excerpt from it. You have 8 more days to preorder Supreme Madness at amazon.com/dp/B0BTTR97KQ . Don't forget this month's special eBook sale for The Better Spy at amazon.com/dp/B0112R8I8A . The Better Spy will be free to download 3/13 - 3/17 at the same link....
Duncan compares and contrasts the mystery and espionage genres and find some commonalities you might not realize. We conclude with a reading from Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season . The March book sale is for The Better Spy , Duncan's novel in stories. The eBook is only 99¢ all month. Find it at amazon.com/dp/B0112R8I8A . The preorder is still on for Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season . Find it at amazon.com/dp/B0BTTR97KQ for the special preorder price of $1.99....
After experimenting with AI for a podcast outline, author P.A. Duncan talks about why spies and espionage is so appealing to the average person. It's all about the fantasy for us Walter Mittys. Also, listen to a new excerpt from the upcoming Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season , Duncan's debut mystery novel as read by the author. Preorder Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season at amazon.com/dp/B0BTTR97KQ . This month's featured sale, Spy Flash , can be found at amazon.com/dp/B00AKEX062 . (c) ...
Some more observations on Chinese spy balloons and a discussion about how the author couldn't ignore the thread about racial relations in her novel set in a rural southern town. To preorder Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season , go to amazon.com/dp/B0BTTR97KQ . Don't forget this month's feature ebook sale - Spy Flash for only 99¢. Go to amazon.com/dp/B00AKEX062 ....
Some thoughts on the Chinese spy satellite saga, a history lesson on balloons used in spying, and a reading from the soon-to-be-released mystery novel, Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season. Buy link for the featured, February 99¢ sale of Spy Flash : amazon.com/dp/B00AKEX062 . The preorder period for Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season starts on 2/11/23, but here's the preorder link: amazon.com/dp/B0BTTR97KQ ....
Duncan talks about some spy movies to brighten a dreary day and about her upcoming new book, a mystery, which is a genre change for her. Also explained is the connection of the new book, Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season , to an Edgar Allan Poe short story, "The Cask of Amontillado." To comment on this episode, go to the podcast's Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/RealSpiesRealLives . This month's promotion is Duncan's second collection of espionage short fiction, Spy Flash , 25 flash fiction...
Duncan winds up her promotion of her first collection of espionage short stories, Blood Vengeance , with a bit of Balkan history and a reading of the award-winning title story. You have until January 31 to get the eBook of Blood Vengeance for only 99¢. Go to amazon.com/dp/B007WWBX14 and grab it now.
What happens when your parents are spies but your teacher insists they come to career day? The second story in Blood Vengeance is "Career Day," and Natalia Bukharin has a lot of questions for Mai and Alexei about what they really do. The answers, however, are not forthcoming. Blood Vengeance is FREE January 19 and 20 then after that 99¢ for the remainder of January. You can download it at amazon.com/dp/B007WWBX14 ....
Time to give some love to P. A. Duncan's first collection of espionage short stories, Blood Vengeance . Published in 2012, these stories are the earliest ones featuring U.N. spies Mai Fisher and Alexei Bukharin, and they delve, of course, into history. Blood Vengeance is on sale for 99¢ for all this month. Go to amazon.com/dp/B007WWBX14 .
It's Season 4, Episode 1 of the podcast where we talk about writing, spies, and writing about spies. Today, though, we're talking more about writing and the writing life, especially when a spy writer decides to try writing a mystery. While you're waiting for Supreme Madness of the Carnival Season -- the mystery -- to be ready for preorder, check out P. A. Duncan's spy writing. All reasonably priced whether eBook, paperback, or hard cover. Go to amazon.com/author/phyllisduncan and see for yoursel...
