Spoiler Sessions Archives -

Episode 282- Spoiler Sessions: Rachel A. Cooper & Aoife Wai

Webmaster — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:40:07 +0000

Join us as we sit down with LitRPG authors R.A. Cooper and Aoife Wai, who also collaborate under the shared pen name Cooper Wai. We explore the stories behind A Titan’s Core, Battle Bard, Bone Queen, and the Uncharted Bloodlines Universe, diving into unwritten lore, deleted scenes, and the unexpected side characters who became reader favorites. We also discuss Hunter Origins, their cultivation tower-climbing story currently on Royal Road, the hidden library of exclusive stories on their website, and the editorial challenge of replacing A Titan’s Core’s original Ascender number system with a credit-based progression mechanic. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes looks at worldbuilding, character creation, and the writing process, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Episode 281- Spoiler Sessions: Dakota Krout

Webmaster — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:38:04 +0000

This week on Spoiler Sessions, I sat down with Dakota Krout alongside his longtime audiobook collaborator Christian J. Gilliland for a wide-ranging conversation covering the past, present, and future of Dakota’s ever-expanding universe of stories. We explored fan-favorite series including The Completionist Chronicles, Full Murderhobo, The Divine Dungeon, and the upcoming Chance Encounter, diving into lore mysteries like the origins of Cookie, Luke’s mysterious sponsor, the fate of Murder World’s earlier visitors, and the enigmatic force watching Joe in The Completionist Chronicles. Dakota also discusses how he creates so many wildly different systems and premises, shares stories about LitRPG Con traditions, and reveals a few personal favorites along the way. Christian gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at narrating more than 260 audiobooks, how his partnership with Dakota began, and whose idea those beloved audiobook bloopers really were. If you’re a fan of Dakota’s worlds—or just want to hear two creators clearly having a great time together—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Episode 280- Spoiler Sessions: Shirtaloon w/ Heath Miller

Webmaster — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:55:36 +0000

In this Spoiler Session, we sit down with author Travis Deverell (Shirtaloon) and narrator Heath Miller just four weeks before LitRPG Con to dissect the massive thirteen-book journey of Jason Asano. Travis reflects on the evolution of his non-traditional hero, speculating on whether current-book Jason would win an argument against his Book 1 self, while discussing the difficulty of keeping curse-based combat interesting as the stakes escalate. We explore the emotional fallout of character death, the strategic use of epilogue chapters to flesh out the world, and the challenges of balancing LitRPG elements during the series’ transitions between worlds. Finally, Heath Miller provides a behind-the-scenes look at how he has evolved Jason’s voice through the various ranks and which characters from the hundreds in the series have been the most difficult to maintain over the years.

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Episode 279- Spoiler Sessions: Reck Well

Webmaster — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:36:06 +0000

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, I sit down with author Reck Well to dive deep into their LitRPG series Stumbling Up. We explore some of the story’s biggest mysteries, including whether the System is truly neutral, the possibility of more off-worlders arriving from Earth, Meredeath’s missing sister, and the truth behind Richard the banana slug’s immortality and origins. We also discuss one of the series’ most debated questions: did Richard secretly save Leo’s life? As a special surprise, narrator Jeremy Frazier joins the conversation to talk about bringing Richard’s unforgettable voice to life, recording a dual-narrator production, and how regional character backgrounds influenced his performance. If you’re a fan of dungeon crawls, lovable slugs, mysterious Systems, and behind-the-scenes audiobook insights, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Episode 278- Spoiler Sessions: Luke Chmilenko

Webmaster — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:32:37 +0000

This week on Spoiler Sessions, I sat down with LitRPG pioneer Luke Chmilenko, joined by special guest narrator Neil Hellegers, to talk about everything from the upcoming traditional hardcover release of Ascend Online through Aethon to Luke’s future projects, Requiem and The Last Sovereign. We discussed how LitRPG has evolved since the genre’s early days, which trends Luke was excited about. Luke also shared some early hints about the themes and magic systems behind his upcoming series, while Neil offered a fascinating look at the challenges of bringing characters like Sylvas and Mira to life in Starbreaker. Whether you’re a longtime Ascend Online fan or curious about what’s next from one of the genre’s most influential authors, this episode was packed with behind-the-scenes insights and plenty of spoilers.

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Episode 277- Spoiler Sessions: Ryan Tang

Webmaster — Tue, 26 May 2026 13:30:54 +0000

LitRPG author Ryan Tang joins the podcast for a deep dive into Mimic & Me, Second Chance Circus, and the challenges of building long-running progression fantasy worlds. Joined by guest co-host Dakota from the UpperPen Podcast, we talk about Chester’s hidden past, foreshadowing demons and Calamities, balancing planning versus letting a story “breathe,” and how Ryan completely reworked characters, cities, and story structure after lessons learned from Royal Road serialization. We also get into co-author collaboration with Cassius Lange, the future of the Calamity Arc, and the differences between writing chaotic comedic moments and building a cohesive narrative readers can invest in for the long haul.

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EPISODE 276- Spoiler Sessions: John Stovall

Webmaster — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:48:39 +0000

In this Spoiler Session, I’m joined by Jason Downs from DownstoRead as we sit down with John Stovall to dig deep into the world behind Demon Card Enforcer. We talk about the design philosophy behind new cards and expansions, the gods and factions driving the Great Game, and how future series like Card Apocalypse fit into the larger setting he’s building. If you enjoy deep worldbuilding, card mechanics, multiverse theories, and behind-the-scenes LitRPG discussion, this episode has a lot to unpack.

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Episode 275- Spoiler Sessions: Harmon Cooper w/ Andrea Parsneau

Webmaster — Mon, 11 May 2026 12:21:15 +0000

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, The Longwinded One sits down with LitRPG veteran Harmon Cooper and special guest Andrea Parsneau for a conversation about the evolution of the genre, the rise of audiobook-first audiences, and how author and narrator collaborations can shape a series for years. Harmon and Andrea talk about how they first started working together back in 2018, what they think LitRPG has managed to preserve as it exploded into the mainstream, and whether the massive growth of Audible has changed the way stories are written and paced. The discussion also dives into Harmon’s upcoming LitRPG, I Can’t Believe I Have to Defeat the Demon Lord to Pay Off My Student Loans, including the absolutely ridiculous inspiration behind the title and premise, along with a look at his upcoming collaboration with Luke Chmilenko. If you’ve ever wondered how much the genre has changed, how audio has transformed storytelling, or what happens when experienced creators stop pretending they have every answer planned out in advance, this is a great conversation to jump into.

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Episode 274- Spoiler Sessions: Haylock Jobson

Webmaster — Tue, 05 May 2026 20:27:09 +0000

In this episode, I’m joined by Dennis from Dennis Reads LitRPG as we sit down with Haylock Jobson to dive into the world of Heretical Fishing. We explore why fishing is treated as heresy in the setting and whether that taboo has real roots or is just a lingering belief no one questions anymore. We also get into the turning point in Book 2 where food becomes a pathway to cultivation and how that idea evolved into such a core part of the story. Haylock shares his thoughts on letting the animal companions completely run wild in scenes, often stealing the spotlight in the best ways, and talks about his approach to keeping the magic system intentionally loose so it doesn’t box in the story.

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Episode 273- Spoiler Sessions: RinoZ w/ Jeff Hays

Webmaster — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 16:52:19 +0000

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, we sit down with RinoZ and special guest Jeff Hays to dig into Chrysalis from the inside out. We explore big “what if” moments like whether Anthony could ever replace or rebuild the Queen and what that would mean for the colony’s identity, break down the comedic (and maybe not-so-comedic) dynamic between Isaac Bird and Morrelia, and talk about how characters like Michaelangelant helped the colony evolve from a hive into a full cast with personality. We also get into Travelling Tolly and the sense that there’s always more happening off-screen in the world than we see. We even touch briefly on Book of the Dead, contrasting its darker system-driven storytelling with the humor and progression of Chrysalis, making this a must-listen for LitRPG fans who want a behind-the-scenes look at both the writing and performance sides of the series.

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Episode 272- Spoiler Sessions: Stuart Grosse

Webmaster — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:43:38 +0000

In this Spoiler Session, we sit down with Stuart Grosse and go straight into specific moments across his series. We dig into Memoirs of a Supervillain, breaking down Iceblade’s own villain categories and how his identity shifts over time, along with the darker early scenes that may not have made the cut. In Dark Fate, we talk about whether the MC ever had a more heroic path (he didn’t). We also get into the core concept behind Lewd Dungeon and whether the dungeon core start was always the plan, and wrap with Reborn as the First Boss, focusing on the goblin sections and how item and ability design had to be adjusted to keep fights from becoming trivial.

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Episode 271- Spoiler Sessions: Facebook Moderator Panel

Webmaster — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:08:41 +0000

Four of the voices helping shape the LitRPG community sit down for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about what really keeps the genre thriving. Evan Durham and Jay Taylor from the LitRPG Group, Sean Hall from LitRPG Books, and Stephen Landry from Club Kaiju break down how they became moderators, what separates a great community from a chaotic one, and why they keep coming back day after day. The discussion dives into the debates that never seem to die, the trends defining today’s readers, and the surprising reasons LitRPG communities stay so active and engaged compared to other genres. Most importantly, they tackle the big question: can LitRPG hold onto its tight-knit, grassroots identity as it continues to explode in popularity, or is that sense of community something that inevitably changes as the genre grows?

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Episode 270- Spoiler Sessions: Michael Chatfield

Webmaster — Sun, 05 Apr 2026 18:59:15 +0000

Michael Chatfield joins me and special co-host Jess from In Other Worlds Podcast for a deep dive into Restarting the Apocalypse, Ten Realms, and Emerilia. We talk about the original version of RTA, where Len and Rick were first meant to build up a refuge in Eskon City before the apocalypse, how the series is evolving as characters begin to feel like legends in their own worlds, and how long Michael thinks the series might ultimately run as Book 4 releases May 4th. We also get into Ten Realms ahead of Book 1 hitting bookstores and the May 19 book tour, including the lingering fan curiosity around Kun Lun’s granddaughter and one of those smaller healing-related threads readers still remember. And for Emerilia, Michael shares how Dave was originally just supposed to be the guy who wanted to build a home, drink beer, and have a good time, before the series expanded into something much bigger, plus how he decided where to draw the line so it wouldn’t lose the fantasy, party-based feel that made readers fall in love with it in the first place.

https://michaelchatfield.com/pages/book-tour

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Episode 269- Spoiler Sessions: JD Glasscock

Webmaster — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:48:57 +0000

JD Glasscock stopped by to talk about some of the most emotionally charged parts of his work, including why Shira’s “The Leap” from Nocturne remains the single best scene he feels he’s ever written and why Jebediah’s PTSD was such an essential part of shaping Warborn. We also got into what trauma, sacrifice, and survival mean across his stories, while special guest Michael Norman Johnson, narrator of Warborn (alongside Sarah Puckett), joined the conversation to bring in the audiobook side of things. To top it off, JD also shared updates on the multiple music albums he has coming out over the next few months and teased a brand-new Wonderland-inspired Steampunk Grimdark LitRPG project currently in the works.

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Episode 268- Spoiler Sessions: JL Mullins

Webmaster — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 16:25:57 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with J.L. Mullins to dig into both Millennial Mage and Choose Your Apocalypse, starting with a fan theory that might sound wild but raises real questions about the deeper structure of his world—is Millennial Mage secretly compatible with something like Warhammer 40k? From there, we get into the future of the series, what almost happened behind the scenes with characters who were originally meant to die, and one of the biggest questions readers have right now: what actually happened to Kit during the Reforging. We also shift over to Choose Your Apocalypse to talk about the intent behind the “Apology Tutorial,” what it says about the System itself, and whether romance is even on the table for Alex. It’s a mix of theory, author insight, and just enough behind-the-scenes detail to give longtime readers something new to chew on.

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Episode 267- Spoiler Sessions: Casualfarmer

Webmaster — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:09:42 +0000

In this episode, Casualfarmer joins The Longwinded One and guest host Samantha Boyd for a deep dive into the lore and development of Beware of Chicken. The conversation explores the origins of Xiulan’s character, as well as the mysterious backstory of her mother and the circumstances that brought her to Azure Hills. We also unpack the controversial betrayal of the Verdant Blade Sect, discuss how power actually works among cultivation sects in the series, and explore some of the deeper political and historical layers shaping the world of Beware of Chicken. It’s a fun mix of behind-the-scenes writing insight and cultivation lore for fans of the series.

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Episode 266- Spoiler Sessions: Aaron Michael Ritchey

Webmaster — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 16:54:53 +0000

In this episode, I’m joined by author Aaron Michael Ritchey, creator of Shadowcroft Academy for Dungeons and the Dungeon Accountant series, to talk about the strange and hilarious worlds of LitRPG authors. We dig into fan questions about why Logan begins Shadowcroft as a fungaloid, the chaos of Marko the goatman, and how something as bizarre as a professor specializing in silverware studies became part of the academy’s lore. We also explore the wider universe that links Shadowcroft and Dungeon Accountant, including themed worlds like the infamous puppy planet plus, and a visit from the narrator, Henry Kramer, that adds a little extra chaos to the episode (in the best possible way).

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Episode 265- Spoiler Sessions: AlwaysRollsAOne

Webmaster — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 18:51:37 +0000

In this episode, I’m joined by Royal Road author AlwaysRollsAOne, along with special guest Camadt (aka Alex Hancock), to dig into the deeper layers of his universe, including the worlds of A Soldier’s Life and A Gladiator’s Life. We talk about what older societies like the elves might really know about the demon war, whether cyclical threats like the shadow clouds are meant to return, and how long-running plot threads evolve over nearly a decade of storytelling. We also discuss how POV chapters come together and how perspective shapes what readers see versus what stays behind the scenes, and take questions from the fans in chat.

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Episode 264- Spoiler Sessions: Troy Osgood

Webmaster — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 16:54:19 +0000

In this episode, I take a deep dive into the worlds of Troy Osgood with special guest Richey Stephens of Richey’s Players Guild, exploring the ideas and creative decisions that shaped some of his biggest series. We discuss the original direction of Tales of a Far Rider, the ambitious 20+ book concept behind Sky Realms Online, and how the time jumps in The Connected System help tell a larger story of survival and civilization-building. We also talk about living and writing in New England, the collaborative process behind co-authored projects like the Jeff the Gamemaster series, and the community that makes LitRPG Con such a blast.

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Episode 263- Spoiler Sessions: Hunter Mythos

Webmaster — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 15:11:01 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with #litrpg author Hunter Mythos to explore the surprising connections between his series and the characters that define them. From apocalypse survival and overpowered mastery to violence-driven progression and dungeon conquest, Hunter breaks down how each of his main characters represents a different path to strength and how they all trace back to his very first protagonist. We also dive into the possibility of a future regressor story, the chances of one of his works becoming a Webtoon, and the ultimate showdown question: in a fair fight, who wins between Joey Eclipse, Jay Luckrun, Arden the Nomad, and Zarian Darkrun? Joining the conversation is special guest Daryl Mayfield, narrator of Path of the Slayer.

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Episode 262- Spoiler Sessions: Shami Stovall

Webmaster — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:28:14 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with fantasy author Shami Stovall for a deep dive into the worlds behind her stories — from the creatures that never made it into The Frith Chronicles to hidden secrets in Words of Power, including the mystery surrounding the Warden and some of the most popular fan theories about their identity. We also shine a spotlight on beloved side characters like Fain, Adelgis, Karna, and Sorin, exploring why they’ve resonated so strongly with readers. Joining the conversation is special guest Erebus Espirit, narrator of The Crown Tournament (co-written by Shami Stovall and Ryan Tang), for a behind-the-scenes look at bringing these characters to life in audio.

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Episode 261- Spoiler Sessions: Plum Parrot

Webmaster — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 14:38:59 +0000

In this episode, Plum Parrot is joined by special guest Robb Moreira for a wide-ranging conversation driven by reader questions and behind-the-scenes craft talk. We tackle the long-running fan question of when Hector might finally become a berserking werewolf, dig into what “end game” really means for Victor as Victor of Tucson pushes deeper into its later stages, and explore whether there’s any universe overlap between Plum Parrot’s different series beyond the known Victor / Falling with Folded Wings connection. The discussion also covers Plum Parrot’s approach to worldbuilding, character creation, and outlining when launching a brand-new series, with Robb adding perspective from his own work on Victor of Tucson, Vainglory, and Neon Dust.

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Episode 260- Spoiler Sessions: David North

Webmaster — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:20:16 +0000

In this episode, I sit down with LitRPG author David North to dig deep into the world behind Guardian of Aster Fall, River of Fate, and Wild Era. We talk about what Sam is really doing after the end of Aster Fall, why a 5,000-year time jump in Wild Era isn’t as long as it sounds, and the role of Astral Titans and Sovereigns. Joining us is author Aaron Renfroe, who tells us why David “saved his life,” and lets us in on his own spoiler- an upcoming collaboration with David!

Guardian of Aster Fall 1-2: Deluxe Edition Hardcovers:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/139503319

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Episode 259- Spoiler Sessions: JJ Thorn

Webmaster — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:03:05 +0000

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, I sit down with LitRPG author J.J. Thorn to dig into unused and abandoned lore from The Weight of It All. Thorn also shares what System Orphans: Claire was originally meant to become, why Claire wasn’t intended to be the only orphan, plus we get into a fan theory about a key character in the series. We also chat about his book club, the behind-the-scenes numbers and logistics of the annual massive LitRPG summer sale (including the traffic it pulls), and his webcomic Don’t Combust. We round things out with a look at audiobook adaptations and working with narrator Gabriel Vaughan.

Next Release:
Reaper’s Madness Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSYXKFV2

Books on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.J.-Thorn/author/B08RSMG2Z1

Website:
https://www.jjthornbooks.com

Webcomic:
Webtoon Canvas Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/dont-combust/list?title_no=1110445
Tapas Link: https://tapas.io/episode/3762308
Globalcomix: https://globalcomix.com/c/don-t-combust

Socials: @jjthornbooks

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Episode 258- Spoiler Sessions: Erin Ampersand

Webmaster — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:43:33 +0000

In this episode, Erin Ampersand joins me to talk about Apocalypse Parenting and the ideas driving the series, including why she chose to center the story on parents and kids and how community becomes the real survival mechanic. We touch on the shared universe between Apocalypse Parenting and Engineer’s Odyssey, explore reader interest in what comes after the series, and dig into characters like Pointy and Fluffy. The conversation turned a bit to Erin’s new book, Measureless Magic, and we got a special guest in the form of Laurie Catherine Winkel, narrator extraordinaire.

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Episode 257- Spoiler Sessions: Tommy Kerper and Jay Krauss

Webmaster — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:23:24 +0000

On this episode of Spoiler Sessions, Jared hangs out with LitRPG authors J. Krauss (Will of the Immortals, The Immortals Mask, and the new VRMMO Lighting the Forge) and Tommy Kerper aka Sourpatch Hero (I’m Not the Hero) for a conversation about the stuff readers actually obsess over: side characters, cut lore, and the worldbuilding that never makes it on-page. They talk about Tommy’s unused locations like Veskar (and why authors suffer when their characters refuse to go where you want them to), the “dragon arc”, and Jay’s new VRMMO setting, complete with Jade, an AI who’s basically the game’s goddess. If you love craft talk, fan theories, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape a series, you’re going to love this one!

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Episode 256- Spoiler Sessions: Sean Oswald

Webmaster — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 14:30:24 +0000

In this episode, we sit down with Sean Oswald to dig into the craft and business of writing LitRPG at scale. We talk about writing to audio and why audiobooks make up such a significant portion of his readership, the future of Life in Exile as it heads toward book seven, and how four of his series coexist within a shared multiverse while still standing on their own. Peter Berkrot, narrator of Life in Exile, joined us for this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about storytelling.

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Episode 255- Spoiler Sessions: Tao Wong

Webmaster — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:17:26 +0000

This week on the show, I’m joined by Tao Wong, author of The System Apocalypse and A Thousand Li. We dig into both series, including unused scenes, unwritten lore, and choices that shaped their endings—like new material added to the print editions of A Thousand Li and the never-written “Book 5.5” of The System Apocalypse. We also tackle long-running fan questions: Master Cheng’s fate, and what ultimately happened to Ali and Mikito. It’s a spoiler-aware conversation about progression fantasy, wuxia, xianxia, and why not every story is meant to close every door.

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Episode 254- Spoiler Sessions: Dawn Chapman

Webmaster — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 17:13:45 +0000

This week on Spoiler Sessions, I’m joined by sci-fi and LitRPG author Dawn Chapman to talk about her interconnected universe spanning Razor’s Edge and Through Steel and Stars. We dig into Pops’ origin story and the creation of the Razor’s Edge. Dawn shares insight into unwritten lore, character dynamics (including the much-talked-about Mal and Rus pairing). We are joined by Dawn’s long-time friend and litRPG narrator, Wayne Mitchell. If you’re interested in how progression sci-fi is built from the ground up—both technically and emotionally—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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Episode 253- Spoiler Sessions: J.D. Mullenary Sr.

Webmaster — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 04:20:28 +0000

JD Mullenary Sr. joins the show to talk about QuestWright and the Symphony series (formerly Creation), including how he builds his systems from scratch and what drives his worldbuilding approach. We get into Gatekeeper Jim’s unwritten backstory, Johnny’s role in Cassio’s arc, and how “negative space” can make a world feel bigger without overexplaining.

Partway through the conversation, Johnathan McClain, narrator of the Symphony audiobooks, joins in to talk about performing the series, working with dense lore, and why characters like Dionysus are such a blast to voice.

The episode stays spoiler-aware while still digging into craft, planning, and what’s coming next for both universes.

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Episode 252- Spoiler Sessions: TJ Lombardi

Webmaster — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:20:16 +0000

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, I sit down with TJ Lombardi, author of Golem Master, for a deep-dive conversation that goes well beyond surface-level book talk. We focus on two things fans rarely get to hear about: unused scenes and side characters.

Along the way, the episode turns into a full community hangout, with surprise appearances from Eric Ugland, Bosloe, Jess from the In Other Worlds Podcast, and Jay Beraz (some of whom appear in both the books and in real life).

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Episode 251- Spoiler Sessions: Ryan Maxwell

Webmaster — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 02:54:14 +0000

In the Season Six premiere of Spoiler Sessions, we kick things off with LitRPG standout Ryan Maxwell, author of the Grand System Vending series. In this post-apocalyptic, system-integration survival story, the world ends, and the System arrives.

Ryan (dog lover, father of three, Texan, and EdTech/IT professional) joins us to dig into: How Grand System Vending works under the hood: magic rules, spell creation, and the role of patrons, gods, deities, and fan theories about the mysterious dragon teased in book three.

We’re also joined by surprise guest Steve Campbell, the narrator behind GSV, who talks about what makes Tom, Derrick, and James’ banter and loyalty hit so hard—both in combat and when the emotional bottom drops out.

This episode was recorded live with an audience and plenty of chaos—exactly what Season Six is all about.

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