Join Jo on What's Kraken as we dive deep with thriller author John Bukowski, who made the fascinating transition from veterinarian to bestselling writer. Discover how his medical background fuels his techno-thrillers, including "Project Suicide" - a gripping tale about an Alzheimer's cure turned assassination weapon. John shares invaluable insights about the publishing world, from navigating traditional publishers to avoiding vanity presses, plus the brutal reality of rejection in the writing industry. We explore his research process, the importance of professional editing, and why starting your writing career at any age is possible. Whether you're an aspiring author or thriller fan, this conversation is packed with practical advice about contracts, beta readers, and building a sustainable writing career. John's latest releases include "The Peeper" and upcoming "Bad Pennies.

Key Topics Covered

 * John's transition from veterinarian to thriller writer
 * How medical training enhances thriller writing authenticity
 * "Project Suicide" - Medical techno-thriller about weaponized Alzheimer's cure
 * Publishing industry realities: rejection, contracts, and publisher relationships
 * The importance of professional editing and beta readers
 * Research balance in fiction writing
 * Starting a writing career at any age
 * Current and upcoming book releases

Guest Information & Links

John Bukowski - Thriller Author

 * Website: thrillerjohnb.net
 * Amazon Author Page: jbukowskiauthor.com
 * Latest Release: "The Peeper" (May 2025)
 * Upcoming: "Bad Pennies" sequel

Connect with Empty Hell

Host: Jo Szewczyk
All Empty Hell Links: https://linktr.ee/Emptyhell
What's Kraken Podcast: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Amazon

From Veterinarian to Thriller Writer: John Bukowski's Journey from Science to Suspense

Join Jo as he sits down with Dan Henk, tattoo artist, author, and creator of the upcoming anthology "The Joke is on Mankind." Dan shares his incredible journey from being a blue mohawk punk rocker getting beaten up by nazi skinheads in 1980s Virginia to becoming a successful tattoo shop owner in Long Beach, New York.

We dive deep into Dan's unique approach to his anthology - offering original illustrations worth $300-500 to every contributor instead of payment, his experiences interviewing with DC Comics and Penguin Books, and wild stories from the punk scene including nights at CBGB's and the 930 Club. Dan also discusses the evolution of tattoo culture from counterculture to mainstream, shares advice about persistence in creative fields, and reveals why "no" doesn't always mean never.

Whether you're interested in horror anthologies, tattoo artistry, punk rock history, or the creative process, this episode delivers authentic stories and hard-earned wisdom from someone who's lived it all.

Dan Henk: From Punk Rock Beatdowns to Tattoo Artistry and 'The Joke is on Mankind' Anthology

Jo interviews comedian Shawn Wickens about his upcoming performance at the Atlanta Fringe Festival (May 30-June 7, 2025). Shawn shares his journey from improv to stand-up, and how a stoned revelation led to his unique show "Secret Time Travel Meeting." Discover how Fringe Festivals have taken Shawn from New York to international stages. Learn about the lottery system for festival selection, audience interaction techniques, and how Shawn created merchandise before developing his show. This conversation offers insights into live theater, comedy development, and the spontaneity that makes performances special.

Timestamps:

00:01 - Introduction and Atlanta Fringe Festival announcement 00:36 - Explanation of Fringe Festivals worldwide 01:50 - Shawn's journey from improv to theater 03:32 - Experiences at Regina Fringe Festival 04:59 - "Secret Time Travel Meeting" show concept 05:37 - International Fringe Festival experiences 07:45 - First joke development story 10:04 - Performing for different audience types 12:48 - Story about a challenging private show 15:13 - Value of improv training for live performance 16:35 - Audience interaction techniques 17:32 - Origin of Time Machine Blueprints 19:09 - Creating merchandise before the show 21:27 - Philosophy on performing and travel 23:53 - Interactive elements (costumes, NDAs) 25:37 - Game shows as performance inspiration 28:30 - Advice: "Fear less, enjoy more" 30:26 - Upcoming shows and future plans

Key Points:

 * Shawn performs "Secret Time Travel Meeting" at Atlanta Fringe Festival (May 30-June 7)
 * Show combines comedy with time travel discussions from a stoner's perspective
 * Fringe Festivals use lottery systems, making them accessible to performers
 * Shawn has performed internationally in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia
 * Show encourages audience participation and costume-wearing
 * Created timemachineblueprints.com and published a book before developing the show
 * Improv background helped develop resilience in live performance

Guest Information:

Shawn Wickens began with improv in New York (2004) before transitioning to stand-up. Creator of "Secret Time Travel Meeting" performed at Fringe Festivals worldwide. Owner of timemachineblueprints.com and author of the same-named book.

Resources:

 * Atlanta Fringe Festival (May 30-June 7, 2025)
 * Time Machine Blueprints book on Amazon
 * Instagram: @timemachinestoned
 * Upcoming shows in New York, Rochester, Harrisburg, and potentially Estonia

Time Travel Comedy & Fringe Festivals: Shawn Wickens Brings "Secret Time Travel Meeting" to Atlanta

Episode Description:

On this episode of What's Kraken?, Jo talks with prolific author Armand Rosamilia who has published over 100 books. Armand shares how a childhood punishment introduced him to Dean Koontz and launched his writing career. Learn why crime thrillers earn him "10 times more" than horror, how he writes 400,000+ words annually using just two fingers, and the story behind his hit "Dirty Deeds" series. Armand also discusses his Twitch writing sessions and annual "MondoCon" writer's retreat.

Key Timestamps:

 * 01:21 - Dean Koontz and the summer punishment that created a writer
 * 05:31 - Transitioning from horror to crime thrillers
 * 08:58 - The birth of "Dirty Deeds" series
 * 11:19 - Writing 400,000 words annually with two fingers
 * 20:43 - Using Twitch for live writing sessions
 * 24:11 - MondoCon writer's retreat
 * 27:05 - Current project: "Down and Dirty 5"

Key Points:

 * Armand has published over 180 books and has been a full-time writer for 14 years
 * Crime thrillers earn him 10 times more revenue than horror fiction
 * Writes 1,096 words daily to reach 400,000+ words annually using just two fingers
 * Created the "Dirty Deeds" series (12 books) about a hitman who rescues children
 * Uses Twitch for live writing sessions three times weekly
 * Hosts an annual writer's retreat called "MondoCon"

Resources:

 * Website: ArmandRosamilia.com
 * Twitch: Armand_Rosamilia (Mon/Wed/Fri at 1PM EST)
 * YouTube: Armand Rosamilia

Writing Machine: Armand Rosamilia Talks Horror, Crime, and Cranking Out 400,000 Words a Year 

In this engaging episode of What's Kraken?, host Jo Szewczyk sits down with Charlie Hall, a multi-talented creative force in the horror and paranormal world. Charlie discusses her journey from being the bassist of the all girl rock band The Suffrajets to her current work in horror films, including her role in "Party Politics" and being a PA in Director Jem Karto's "Lake on the Cabin." She shares fascinating insights about her lifelong experiences as a medium, starting from age three, and her family's spiritual legacy. The conversation delves into her recent zombie film experience, complete with memorable makeup mishaps, and her upcoming screening at HorrorCon UK. Charlie also opens up about her evolution as an artist, writer for Haunted Magazine, and her perspectives on the paranormal world, offering valuable advice about pursuing creative passions at any age.

Key Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and zombie film discussion 02:30 - Charlie's experience with zombie makeup in "Party Politics" 03:42 - Discussion of Jem Karto's "Lake on the Cabin" and HorrorCon UK 08:03 - Charlie's artistic journey and background 09:42 - Early spiritual experiences and family background 14:43 - Intense paranormal experience at Crumlin Road Jail 20:18 - Career advice and future projects

Key Points:

 * Charlie Hall's transition from signed musician (The Suffrajets) to horror film creator and writer
 * Recent crew work in Director Jem Karto's "Lake on the Cabin" (screening at HorrorCon UK on May 18th at 4:30)
 * Family background in spirituality (father is a druid, mother is a medium)
 * Experience as a medium since age three
 * Writing contributions to Haunted Magazine
 * Upcoming projects including potential book and TV show about Northern Ireland's paranormal locations

Guest Information: Charlie Hall is a multi-faceted creative professional with experience in music, acting, writing, and the paranormal field. She's a brand ambassador for Haunted Magazine and has recently ventured into horror filmmaking. Her latest work in Jem Karto's "Lake on the Cabin" has already won three awards and will be screened at HorrorCon UK's 10th anniversary.

Resources:

 * Find Charlie Hall on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HauntedCharlieHall
 * Haunted Magazine website: https://www.hauntedmagazineprintshop.com/
 * Independent Horror Society
 * HorrorCon UK (May 18th screening)

From Rock Star to Horror Films: Charlie Hall on Mediumship, Movies, and Creative Evolution

In this episode of What's Kraken, host Jim Phoenix sits down with horror author Edward J. Cembal to dive deep into his creative process, the inspiration behind his acclaimed novel "The Monsters in Our Shadows," and his plans for future dark and macabre tales. Cembal shares insights on the importance of reading, the role of editors, and the challenges of balancing genre conventions with personal artistic vision. This captivating discussion offers a glimpse into the mind of a rising star in the horror fiction genre.

You can buy Cembal's book here [https://amzn.to/4gozbQJ]. (Note Amazon Affiliate Link)

Unlocking the Dark Imagination: A Conversation with Horror Author Edward J. Cembal

Dive into the mystical world of exorcism with expert Sadhu Dah. Explore East-West spiritualism, real occult cases, and magical amulets. Uncover the truth behind exorcisms!

For more of Sadhu check out his site: https://www.thesadhudah.com/

Exorcist Sadhu Dah: East Meets West in Occult Podcast

Dive into the chilling world of horror author and screenwriter Anthony M Carro. Uncover the secrets behind "Dreaded Invocations" and get exclusive writing tips from this master of terror.

Horror Meets Hollywood: Anthony M Carro on What's Kraken with Jim Phoenix

Join Jim Phoenix on What's Kraken as he delves into the fascinating career of award-winning writer, producer, and voice actor Wren Valentino. Discover Wren's evolution from penning short stories to crafting compelling screenplays and movies. Learn about his breakthrough projects, the impact of industry icon Felissa Rose, and Wren's transition into voice acting. This episode offers a captivating look at the creative process and career development in the entertainment industry. Don't miss this inspiring conversation with one of the most versatile talents in the business! #WrenValentinoCareer #ScreenwritingAndVoiceActing

From Short Stories to Screenplays: Wren Valentino's Creative Journey

Prepare for a spine-tingling journey into the heart of small town America's darkest secrets! 🏚👻 On this episode of What's Kraken, host Jim Phoenix welcomes writer and investigator Dominique Mann, who shares bone-chilling personal encounters with local ghosts and historical hauntings. From abandoned schools to eerie hotels in the middle of nowhere, we'll explore the supernatural phenomena that make small towns a hotbed for ghostly activity.

Dominique's firsthand experiences will leave you questioning the line between reality and the supernatural. Dominique's firsthand experiences will leave you questioning the shadows in your own backyard. Don't miss this haunting exploration of things that go bump in the night – and don't forget to share your own ghost stories in the comments! #SmallTownHauntings #GhostStories

Small Town Hauntings: Unmasking Local Monsters with Dominique Mann

Join bestselling author Jo Szewczyk in What’s Kraken?, Empty Hell’s signature interview series where raw, unfiltered conversations cut through the noise. In just 20 minutes, Jo—known for his dark narrative hit Surviving Gen X—dives deep with creators, artists, and the voices shaping culture, politics, and entertainment today.

From filmmakers to musicians, writers to activists, comedians to elected officials—What’s Kraken? brings you the stories, struggles, and process behind the people changing the world around us. No scripts. No pretense. Just real talk with real people.

Subscribe now and join our growing community of entertainment enthusiasts. New episodes drop regularly on our YouTube channel and everywhere you get your podcasts!

What's Kraken with Jo Szewczyk