"Are You Sure?" now out for Kindle

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I have just published my first eBook: Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty. It is available for the Kindle now, and will be out for iBooks and Nook shortly. This is based on two of my favorite episodoes of the Brain Science Podcast.

A free PDF version is available to anyone who sends me a copy of their Amazon receipt.

This is Volume 1 of a new series called Brain Talk: Conversations with Neuroscientists, which I hope will bring the content of the Brain Science Podcast to a broader audience.

I have also started a newsletter for people who only want news about my writing, but who don't want to get podcast announcements.

Novelists Christiana Ellis and Skyler White (B&I 38)

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Books and Ideas Episode 38 was recorded live at Dragon*Con 2010, and it is an interview with novelists Skyler White (and Falling, Fly) and Christiana Ellis (Nina Kimberly the Merciless). Ellis and White talk about their work, and share lessons they have learned. This episode will be of particular interest to aspiring writers.

 Listen to Episode 38 of Books and Ideas

Episode Transcript (Download PDF)

Subscribe to Books and Ideas Podcast: itunes-badge-30 feed-icon32x32 zunelogo-70 mail-sticker-tiny

Show Notes and Links:

Books by Skyler White and Christiana Ellis:

Other Books and Resources:

Special Thanks To:

 Announcements:

  • Get a discount on Scott Sigler's new book The Starter by using the code GINGER
  • I have an essay in the revised and expanded edition of The Myth of Free Will by Chris Evatt
  • Books and Ideas is moving to a bi-monthly schedule, so the next episode should be out in mid-December.

Please send your comments and feedback to gincampbell at mac dot com.

 

Scott Sigler on Incorporating Science into Horror Writing (B&I 35)

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Episode 35 of the Books and Ideas podcast is an interview with best-selling horror writer, Scott Sigler. Scott is widely admired for pioneering the use of podcasting to promote his fiction writing, but so far hasn't gotten the recognition I think he deserves for incorporating hard science into his unique blend of horror and science fiction. This interview gave me the opportunity to talk with Scott about how he meets the challenge of incorporating accurate science without sacrificing storytelling. I think this is an excellent follow-up to the interview I did with Sheril Kirshenbaum (co-author of Unscientific America) back in Episode 32.

listen-to-audio-20 Listen to Episode 35 of Books and Ideas

Episode Transcript (Download PDF)

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Recommended Reading: Useful Links: Announcements:
  • Don't forget to check out the Books and Ideas application for the iPhone and iPod Touch.
  • Books and Ideas will be on hiatus for the next few months while I work on producing and promoting the new premium versions of the Brain Science Podcast.
  • You can get updates by joining our Facebook Fan page or my subscribing to my newsletter.
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Jennifer Michael Hecht: Historian & Poet (B&I 27)

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jmhecht Episode 27 of Books and Ideas is an interview with Jennifer Michael Hecht, author of Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson and The Happiness Myth. As a poet and historian Hecht brings a unique perspective to her examination of the role of science in modern society. She also shares how writing Doubt changed her attitude toward religion. I have wanted to interview Jennifer for several years so I was very grateful that my recent appearance on Point of Inquiry led to this conversation. Hecht earned her PhD in the History of Science and while Doubt was an examination of the history of belief (and non-belief), she said that The Happiness Myth shares  key ideas from the history of science. Hecht argues convincingly that the arrogance of modern science can not be justified,  because history shows how much science, despite its best efforts, is always influenced by the cultural fads of its time. She feels that this knowledge could free us from unnecessary guilt, but that it should also motivate us to question our priorities (such as placing so much emphasis on long life instead of the quality of life). You won't want to miss this thought-provoking conversation.

listen-to-audio-20 Listen to Episode 27

Episode Transcript (Download PDF)

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Links:
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Tabitha Grace Smith from "Buffy Between the Lines" (B&I 18)

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tabz-small.jpgTabitha Grace Smith Episode 18 of Books and Ideas is an interview with writer and podcaster Tabitha Grace Smith. Tabitha is the creator of Buffy Between the Lines, an award-winning podcast set in the universe of my favorite TV show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She is also a writer and works on several other podcasts. In her interview we talk about writing, podcasting, and why we love the work of Joss Whedon. Included in this episode is the Valentine episode of Buffy Between the Lines, which is the episode in which I had my voice-acting "debut." Listen to Episode 18 Now. Download Episode Transcript Links: Tabitha Grace Smith Buffy Between the Lines Jane Espenson's blog: (Jane is one of our favorite TV writers) goaskmalice.jpgGo Ask Malice: A Slayer's Diary (2006) by Robert Joseph Levy The Myth of Free Will: Revised & Expanded Edition (2008) by Cris Evatt (I have a short chapter in this edition.) Listen to Episode 18 Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Subscribe by email Subscribe to Books and Ideas Blog Leave comments at the Discussion Forum
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Mur Lafferty: writer and podcasting pioneer (B&I 17)

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mur-gin-07.jpgGinger and Mur Episode 17 of Books and Ideas is an interview with writer Mur Lafferty. Mur's podcasts I Should Be Writing and Geek Fu Action Grip helped inspire me to start podcasting, so I was excited to get a chance to talk with her about her new novel, Playing for Keeps. We also talk a little about the challenges of podcasting. Listen to episode 17 Download Episode Transcript pfk_icon.jpgPart 1 of the audio version of Playing for Keeps is included in this episode. It starts at 30:48. You can find the novel at http://playingforkeepsnovel.com or at http://podiobooks.com. Mur emphasized that her "street team" has done a lot to promote Playing for Keeps. Special thanks go to Natalie Metzger and Jarod Axelrod for artwork, and to Chris Miller for the companion video podcast, which is available on youtube. tricksofthepodcastingmasters.jpg Mur co-wrote Tricks of the Podcasting Masters with Rob Walch. She has also had several great stories on Escape Pod. My favorite is "I look Forward to Remembering You," which is scheduled to become a video on http://strangerthings.tv. To find more of Mur's work go to http://murlafferty.com. Listen to Episode 17 of Books and Ideas Download Episode Transcript Subscribe to this podcast Subscribe via iTunes™ Subscribe by email Subscribe to Books and Ideas Blog Leave comments at the Discussion Forum
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