In this episode, we sit down with fantasy author and publisher David F. Balog to trace his creative journey from lifelong fantasy fan to co-founding Owl Talyn Press.

David dives into the craft behind The Necromancer’s Lament, exploring the tension of an underdog blacksmith’s son thrust into an elitist wizarding society and how to balance dark, soul-gathering lore with humor and character heart. We also pull back the curtain on the business side of writing: why authors can pants their prose but must never pants their business, what it takes to coordinate collaborative anthologies, and the rewards of connecting with readers out on the convention trail.

Topics Covered:

• Childhood influences that sparked a passion for expansive world-building.
• The transition from being a fantasy fan to finishing a full-length manuscript.
• Writing dynamic character friction and unlikely partnerships.
• Balancing lighthearted moments inside atmospheric, darker fantasy settings.

• Launching Owl Talyn Press alongside Haley Kilgour and supporting fellow indie voices.

Connect with David F. Balog & Owl Talyn Press:

• Website / Books: https://davidfbalog.com/
• Owl Talyn Press: https://owltalynpress.com/
• Social Media:
  • David – Facebook
  • David – Twitter
  • Owl Talyn – Instagram

Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a quick rating or review to help more readers discover great indie stories!

Welcome to The Yellowstone Podcast: Dutton Ranch! Join Caroline and Mike each week as they discuss Dutton Ranch, the newest show in the Yellowstone Universe of Shows, streaming on Paramount+ and airing weekly on Paramount Network!

This week on The Yellowstone Podcast: Dutton Ranch, Caroline and Mike (finally) discuss the Season 1 Finale of Dutton Ranch, Episode 9, “El Padrino”!

Join in the conversation on X (f/k/a Twitter) at @podclubhouse and at our Facebook Group!

Listen, rate, review, and subscribe to The Yellowstone Podcast: Dutton Ranch on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, or wherever you listen! Please leave a 5-Star Rating! Also, write in and leave us comments on PodClubhouse.com, we’d love to hear from you!

Season 1: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

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Caroline | Mike

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Credits:

Music:
“Muddy Road Underscore” by Evgeny Kiselevich, licensed by Pod Clubhouse.

The Yellowstone Podcast: Dutton Ranch is a Pod Clubhouse original production, recorded and produced at Pod Clubhouse studios. This episode was edited by Caroline Daley and assembled by Michael Caputo.

In this episode, we sit down with independent author and librarian Amy Campbell to explore her fantastic “Weird Western” epic fantasy series, Tales of the Outlaw Mages, her Airship Dragons series, as well as her new Gilded Prince series.

Amy shares her journey from creating characters and stories as a kid to balancing a busy life as a former librarian, mother, and author of sweeping fantasy worlds. Paul and Amy dive deep into the mechanics of her world-building—from pairing gritty frontier shootouts with volatile magic to creating unforgettable characters like the reluctant, baking hero Blaise Hawthorne.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The origins of Amy’s interest in the “Weird Western” sub-genre.
• Balancing fast Western pacing with epic fantasy scale.
• Writing the “found family” dynamic and reluctant heroes.
• Jumping genres from high magic outlaws to steampunk airships.

Connect with Amy:

• Website / Books: amycampbell.info
• Social Media:
  • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/authoramycampbell)
  • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/authoramycampbell)
  • TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@amycampbellauthor)

Subscribe & Follow: If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to the channel and leave us a review!