In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with author and real estate attorney Brad Elder to discuss his debut thriller, Recoil of Justice.

The novel follows Houston lawyer Ryan Wolf as a seemingly straightforward case involving stolen software code spirals into a dangerous world of corporate espionage, cartels, human trafficking, and corruption. Blending legal thriller elements with high-stakes action, the story asks a compelling question: can Ryan pursue justice without losing himself in the process?

Michelle and Brad discuss the authors who inspired his writing journey, including John Grisham, Harlan Coben, and Jack Carr, as well as his pantser-style approach to storytelling. They also dive into the realities of indie publishing, covering editing, cover design, blurbs, newsletters, reader engagement, and the lessons Brad learned while bringing his first novel to market.

The conversation also explores marketing challenges, the role of AI as a writing and business tool, and Brad’s upcoming sequel, Core of Truth, which continues Ryan Wolf’s story.

🎧 Join Michelle and Brad for an engaging conversation about thrillers, publishing, and the journey from reader to author.

ABOUT BRAD ELDER:

Brad Elder is an award-winning, best-selling thriller author and a licensed attorney in the state of Texas.

He is an avid golfer (read: mediocre) and enjoys playing racquetball, hunting, fishing, and a beer or two (not all at the same time). Though a sub .500 Little League baseball coach, he is expecting a call from an MLB team any day now.

Prior to publishing his best-selling debut thriller, Recoil of Justice, his writing credits included millions of emails and text messages, a couple of dozen witty social media posts, and one “for a good time call” message in the bathroom stall at a roadside truck stop.

When not poking fun at himself, Brad spends his days in Lubbock, TX, with his wife, Ashton, and two children, Lauren, 22, and Jake, 12. Their golden doodles, Chili and Frito, are usually hanging around, too.

WHERE TO FIND HIM:

Website | Facebook | Instagram

WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:

Amazon

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles sits down with Pennsylvania author and creative director Christian Hurst to discuss his YA sci-fi/fantasy series, Lily Starling.

Beginning with Lily Starling and the Voyage of the Salamander, the series follows a memory-loss protagonist who discovers her place in the universe alongside a found family of starship crew members in a coming-of-age space opera filled with adventure, mystery, and heart. Christian shares the inspiration behind the series, his long-term vision for the five-book story arc, and the progress of the books released so far.

Michelle and Christian also explore his journey from a career in advertising, film, and games to becoming a published novelist. They discuss his writing process—from blocking major story beats and drafting linearly to revising aloud—and what he learned from producing an audiobook version of his work.

The conversation goes beyond writing craft into the business side of publishing, covering self-publishing, partnering with Outpost Books, audience targeting, comp titles, funnels, newsletters, social media, and practical marketing strategies that help authors reach the right readers without burning themselves out.

🎧 Join Michelle and Christian for an insightful conversation about storytelling, publishing, and building a sustainable creative career.

ABOUT CHRISTIAN HURST:

Christian Hurst is an American author and creative director whose work blends epic science fiction adventure with emotional depth. Born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and raised in the LDS church (1), he often speaks about growing up feeling like an outsider—an experience that shaped the empathy and curiosity at the heart of his writing. After leaving the church as a young adult, he now identifies as an atheist (2).

He began his creative career as a teenage graphic design intern for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and later studied Graphic Design at Harrisburg Area Community College. After more than fifteen years in advertising and brand strategy, including major rebranding initiatives for Marriott International, he is now an Executive Creative Director at AARP (3).

A lifelong fan of science fiction, Hurst is known for The Lily Starling Series, which explores identity, connection, and belonging (4). He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, their son, and three dogs (5).

WHERE TO FIND HIM:

Website | X | Instagram | TikTok

WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:

Website

In this episode of Miles Beyond the Page, host Michelle Miles welcomes London-based speculative fiction author Stephen Oram, whose work sits at the fascinating intersection of storytelling, science, and emerging technology.

Stephen discusses his latest work, Brain Fruit, a futuristic fable exploring trust, symbiosis, and finding common ground through the unlikely combination of a bee, a bug, a brain fruit, and a group of droids. He shares why he enjoys writing shorter, fable-like stories that leave room for reader interpretation and imagination in ways that novels often cannot.

Michelle and Stephen also dive into his work in applied science fiction, where he collaborates with scientists and technologists to spark conversations about real-world research and its potential impact on society. From artificial intelligence and biotechnology to the ethical questions raised by emerging innovations, they explore science fiction’s unique role in asking “what if?” and helping readers think through possible futures.

The conversation also covers Stephen's research process, working with experts and beta readers, his hybrid publishing approach, idea-capture habits, and his flexible, discovery-driven writing style.

🎧 Join Michelle and Stephen for a thought-provoking discussion about speculative fiction, technology, creativity, and the stories that help us imagine tomorrow.

ABOUT STEPHEN ORAM:

Stephen Oram writes social science fiction, often exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. Described by Linux User & Developer Magazine as, "A soothsayer for this century’s relationship with technology,” he is published in many anthologies, including the award-winning Best of British Science Fiction 2022 (Newcon Press).

He has three novels: We Are Not Anonymous, 2025; Fluence, 2015; and Quantum Confessions, 2014. And three short story collections: Extracting Humanity, 2023; Biohacked & Begging, 2019; and Eating Robots, 2017.

He has co-edited four anthologies: Virtual Futures, 2019; Vital Signals, 2022; 22 Ideas About the Future, 2022; and All Tomorrow’s Futures, 2024. The Financial Times said that his work, “Should set the rest of us thinking about science and its possible repercussions.”

He is also a leading proponent of applied science fiction, working with scientists and technologists to explore possible outcomes of their research through short stories. He has been a writer for the Sci-Fi prototypers- SciFutures, was author in residence at Virtual Futures and one of the masterminds behind their new Near-Future Fiction series. He is also a member of the Clockhouse London Writers and the Spectrum Writers.

Stephen is based in the heart of central London and attributes much of the urban grittiness and the optimism about humanity in his writing to the noise, the bustle, and the diverse community of where he lives.

Previously, he was Head of Policy for post-16 Strategic Development and Innovation at the Department for Education.

You can read more about his work in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and at https://stephenoram.net

WHERE TO FIND HIM:

Website | X | Instagram | LinkedIn

WHERE TO FIND HIS BOOKS:

Amazon