Storycomic Presents: Interviews with Amazing Storytellers and Artists

#MeganCarolHaas #WizardAquarius #TheAdventuresOfTheWizardAquarius #MiddleGradeFantasy #ChildrensBooks #BedtimeStories #KidsLit #NatureMagic #EmotionalResilience #GriefAndHealing #Utilikilts #Kinnected #MadronaVillageSchool #StorycomicPresents #AuthorInterview
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m talking with creator, entrepreneur, and storyteller Megan Carol Haas, author of the middle grade fantasy collection The Adventures of the Wizard Aquarius. Megan’s work spans business, music, and writing—she co-founded the pioneering Utilikilts Company, helped start alternative schools like Front Porch School and Madrona Village School, and built Kinnected.org, a global social health platform focused on connection and peer support.
As a mother, Megan began spinning bedtime tales about a young wizard named Aquarius for her daughter, blending myth, animals, and life lessons. Those stories grew into The Adventures of the Wizard Aquarius, eight interlinked tales where Aquarius transforms into a bird at night to help animals, children, and anyone in trouble. Magic is woven into nature, friendships bridge humans and animals, and readers are gently guided toward resilience, courage, and emotional resourcefulness.
We dig into how her background in social entrepreneurship and community-building shaped these stories, why she wanted a gentle fantasy that speaks to grief and healing, and how Aquarius invites kids into a world of wonder, care, and curiosity. Learn more at MeganCarolHaas.com and find the book wherever you buy children’s books.
 
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
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Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
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For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!
 

#MillicentEidson #MayaMaguire #MicrobialMysteries #MayaVerse #MedicalMystery #Zoonoses #PublicHealthFiction #Epidemiology #ClimateChangeFiction #Anthracis #Borrelia #Corona #Dengue #StorycomicPresents #IndieAuthor
 
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by veterinary epidemiologist–turned–mystery author Dr. Millicent Eidson, creator of the alphabetical Maya Maguire Microbial Mystery series. Drawing on decades of work at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health departments in New Mexico and New York, she’s built the “MayaVerse,” where a veterinary medical detective chases real-life zoonotic diseases—microbes that jump from animals to people.
We dig into Maya’s world, starting with Anthracis: A Microbial Mystery, and moving through Borrelia, Corona, and Dengue, now collected in the new MayaVerse A–D Book Collection. The series blends medical thriller, mystery, and climate fiction as Maya and her colleagues confront anthrax outbreaks, tick-borne relapsing fever, COVID-19, and dengue in places like Arizona, New Mexico, and Hawai‘i.
We also talk about why Dr. Eidson believes fiction is a powerful way to help readers understand pandemics, climate-driven disease, and public health work; how her adopted Chinese American heroine Maya reflects both her own family and the people she’s worked with; and how her teaching at the University at Albany and University of Vermont shaped these stories.
Learn more and find all the books at DrMayaMaguire.com and via the MayaVerse A–D Book Collection
 
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#AndrewGronosky #Drintera #TabletopRPG #TTRPGWorldbuilding #FantasySetting #IndieRPG #GameDesign #CampaignSetting #DungeonMasterLife #GMTools #StoryDrivenGames #HomebrewWorld #RoleplayingGames #StorycomicPresents #CreatorInterview
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined once again by game designer and storyteller Andrew Gronosky to dive deep into Drintera, his original fantasy world and tabletop campaign setting. This time, we’re stepping right into the world itself—its history, magic, cultures, and the kinds of adventures that only really make sense in Drintera.
We talk about how Drintera began as a homebrew campaign and slowly grew into a fully fleshed-out setting with its own lore, factions, and long-running mysteries. Andrew walks through the core ideas that define the world—how magic works, what everyday life looks like for the people who live there, and why this setting rewards character-driven stories and thoughtful choices at the table.
We also dig into how he’s packaging Drintera for other game masters and players, from maps and lore to adventure hooks and tools that let you drop the setting into your favorite system. If you love worldbuilding, crunchy details that still feel human, and fantasy that runs a bit off the beaten path, this conversation is for you.
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#MelissaPerley #TheViolinFamily #ChildrensBooks #MusicForKids #StringInstruments #PictureBook #ReadAloud #KidsAndMusic #VermontAuthor #CellistAuthor #MusicEducation #ViolinFamilyPlaysNewMusic #ClarenceClarinet #StorycomicPresents #RootstockPublishing
 
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Vermont author and professional cellist Melissa Perley, creator of the award-winning picture book The Violin Family. This musical story introduces young readers to Basil the Bass, Celia the Violoncello, “Bizzy” the Viola, and Val and Violet the Violins—a loving family of string instruments who play together and then share pancake breakfasts with real Vermont maple syrup.
When Violet takes a tumble and must visit the luthier, kids learn not only about how instruments are built and repaired, but also about care, patience, and the importance of every “voice” in the family ensemble. The Violin Family blends fun fiction with gentle factual details about string anatomy, sound, and musical roles, making it a great read-aloud for families, music teachers, and school libraries.
We talk about Melissa’s life in Vermont as a performing and teaching cellist, farmer, and author; the inspiration behind Violet’s accident and trip to the luthier; and how her follow-up book, The Violin Family Plays New Music, expands the world with themes of inclusion and friendship through Clarence the Clarinet.
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!
 

#LynBixby #ThePacifist #RootstockPublishing #VietnamWarFiction #HistoricalThriller #AntiWarNovel #WomenInFiction #VermontAuthor #PulitzerPrizeJournalist #PoliticalSuspense #1968History #CivilRightsEra #BookInterview #StorycomicPresents #ReadingCommunity
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Lyn Bixby, a Pulitzer Prize–winning investigative journalist and Vermont author whose debut novel The Pacifist drops readers into the most violent year of the Vietnam War.
Set in the fall of 1968, The Pacifist follows Lisa Thompson, a back-to-the-land Vermonter whose anti-war activist brother Chris dies under suspicious circumstances at an Army base after refusing induction. When the Army calls it an accident, Lisa doesn’t buy it. She heads to Boston and ends up taking on two of the most powerful institutions in the country: the U.S. Army and the FBI.
Drawing on his own experiences—drafted soon after graduating from Colby College, serving in the Army, then spending decades exposing corruption as a reporter at papers like The Hartford Courant—Bixby turns that history into a historical suspense thriller about government power, protest, and moral courage.
We talk about the real stories behind the novel, how journalism shaped his fiction, and why the questions raised in The Pacifist feel especially sharp today. Learn more at LynBixby.com and find the book wherever you buy your reads.
 
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#LyndonRadchenka #InfiniteStudio #TheLaundrymen #ThereWasAnotherLife #HeroMan #InfiniteUniverse #IndieComics #ComicsLettering #CanadianComics #MonsterHunters #SupernaturalMysteries #ComicKickstarter #SequentialMagazineAwards #StorycomicPresents #CreatorInterview
 
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by writer, award-winning letterer, and “sometimes, but not-right-now” lawyer Lyndon Radchenka, co-founder of Infinite Studio. From Winnipeg to the wider comics world, Lyndon has built a catalog that includes Infinite Universe, Hero-Man, What Will Not Last, There Was Another Life, and the horror-comedy series The Laundrymen.
We dig into The Laundrymen, Infinite Studio’s flagship series about two mercenary monster hunters who solve supernatural mysteries out of a laundromat—a book described as perfect for fans of Ghostbusters, The X-Files, and Supernatural, and praised by creators like Scott Snyder, Ramón Pérez, Matthew Rosenberg, GMB Chomichuk, and Mitch Gerads.
We also talk about There Was Another Life, Lyndon’s monster-filled sci-fi series following Sterling Harcourt, the only known survivor of a world-shattering blast, and how that book moved from indie roots to Source Point Press.
Along the way, Lyndon shares how Infinite Studio began as an art collective with illustrator Steven Kaul, what it means to be a two-time Sequential Magazine Award winner for Favourite Letterer, and why he loves bouncing between writing scripts, lettering other people’s books, and talking to readers at Canadian cons.
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#SimonBirks #TheThingOnTheDoorstep #HPLovecraft #TopCow #ImageComics #CosmicHorror #Arkham #WilliRoberts #RobJones #BlueFoxComics #AntarcticaComic #LovecraftianHorror #IndieComics #ComicAdaptation #StorycomicPresents
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I welcome Simon Birks back to the show to dig into his latest cosmic horror project for Top Cow/Image, The Thing on the Doorstep. This five-issue mini-series adapts H.P. Lovecraft’s classic story into a modern comics thriller, with art by longtime collaborator Willi Roberts and letters by Rob Jones.
The series follows Daniel Upton and his lifelong friend Edward Derby—right up to the moment Daniel shoots Edward dead in Arkham Sanitarium, a crime he insists he didn’t commit. Across the mini-series, Simon and Willi trace the beginnings of that friendship, Edward’s slow slide into madness, and the strange forces that twist their lives into something both intimate and deeply unsettling.
We talk about adapting Lovecraft for a new audience, working with Top Cow/Image, and how this book builds on Simon’s previous Lovecraftian work like The Shadow Over Innsmouth—plus his ongoing adventures as co-founder of Blue Fox Comics, which has now delivered more than 80 crowdfunding campaigns from their base in Scotland.
Issue #1 hits shops February 11, 2026, with the full story collected in trade paperback later that summer.
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#AmyHawk #TheTalesOfRumpus #PrincessCaitlin #KidsFantasyBooks #ChildrensBooks #ReadAloud #FamilyReading #MiddleGradeAdventure #PrincessAdventure #PagePublishing #KidsBookAuthor #FantasyForKids #EmpoweringStories #StorycomicPresents #BookInterview
 
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by Amy Hawk, family nurse practitioner turned children’s author of The Tales of Rumpus—a magical adventure about Princess Caitlin, a young royal determined to prove she’s ready to rule her kingdom.
As Caitlin ventures beyond the palace walls, she meets new friends, faces unexpected challenges, and discovers that leadership is about much more than crowns and titles. From breathtaking kingdoms to whimsical creatures, The Tales of Rumpus invites families into a story full of wonder, courage, and heart, perfect for read-aloud time with kids roughly ages 2–10.
We talk about what inspired Amy to write this story while running her own medical practice, how Princess Caitlin’s journey reflects real questions kids have about responsibility and identity, and why she wanted to create a fantasy that feels fun first but still leaves young readers thinking about bravery, curiosity, and what it really means to be ready.
You can find The Tales of Rumpus wherever books are sold, including Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Apple Books, and more.
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#JohnRMiles #YouMatterLuma #Matteringverse #ChildrensBook #PictureBook #KidsMentalHealth #EmotionalLiteracy #YouMatter #SelfWorthForKids #KidsBooks #ReadAloud #SocialEmotionalLearning #ParentingTools #ClassroomReads #StorycomicPresents
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by John R. Miles to talk about his debut children’s book, You Matter, Luma—a heart-centered story set in the magical Passion Struck Forest about a quiet little bunny who discovers that her small voice can create big ripples.
Drawing from his own childhood experiences with emotional adversity and his work on “mattering,” John created You Matter, Luma to help kids feel seen, valued, and connected. The book is the first in the You Matter series, part of his larger Matteringverse™, and is designed for ages 4–8 as a gentle introduction to self-worth, courage, and kindness.
We talk about why emotional education for kids can’t be an afterthought, how stories shape a child’s inner voice, and practical ways parents, teachers, and caregivers can use Luma’s journey to spark conversations about feelings, inclusion, and belonging. If you care about raising kids who know they matter, this is an episode you’ll want to share.
Grab the book at YouMatterLuma.com or via retailers like IndiePubs and Booktopia
 
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

#JamesKochalka #AmericanElf #JohnnyBoo #DragonPuncher #CartoonistLaureate #VermontComics #IndieComics #DiaryComics #JamesKochalkaSuperstar #GlorkianWarrior #KidsComics #GraphicNovels #CartoonistLife #ComicsProcess #StorycomicPresents
 
In this episode of Storycomic Presents, I’m joined by James Kochalka—Eisner, Ignatz, and Harvey Award–winning cartoonist, rock musician, and the very first Cartoonist Laureate of Vermont.
James’ work ranges from his long-running daily diary strip American Elf to beloved kids’ series like Johnny Boo and Dragon Puncher, to wildly catchy punk-pop as James Kochalka Superstar, and even video games like Glorkian Warrior. 
We’re not here to promote one new thing—we’re here to have a real conversation. We talk about drawing your life every day, why he once declared that “craft is the enemy,” how simplicity and sincerity can carry more power than polish, and what he’s learned from a lifetime of making songs, comics, games, and art out of whatever is in front of him. 
If you care about creativity itself—how to stay playful, stay honest, and keep going over decades—this is one you’ll want to hear.
The Title sequence was designed and created by Morgan Quaid.
See more of Morgan’s Work at: https://morganquaid.com/
 
Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano
See more of Greg’s work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/
 
Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started:https://www.podbean.com/storycomic
 
Follow us:
Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com
www.patreon.com/storycomic
www.facebook.com/storycomic1
https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/
https://twitter.com/storycomic1
For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com
 
Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at:
https://marekbennett.com/
https://www.hexapus-ink.com/
https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/
https://www.vonallan.com/
https://higgins802.com/
https://shewstone.com/
https://www.simkikuznick.com/
Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!