Every author has a story to tell—not just within the pages of their work, but about the journey of bringing that book to life. In today’s episode, I’m exploring the evolution of my newest thriller, The Wolves, which is officially scheduled for release on May 1, 2026.

To give you a look at how this book's creation began, I’m sharing a deep dive into the original character arc of David Keller, which sets the stage for the events that unfold throughout the book.

Visit https://keithmleonard.com for more information.

Chris Ryan was raised in Bay Bulls, one of Newfoundland’s oldest fishing communities, after being born in St. John's. From January 1969 to January 2024, his family ran Ryan's Funeral Home, which served the Southern Shore. As a result, community service was an ongoing part of his life. His most recent psychological thriller, The Birder and the Undertaker, uses both this past and his passion for bird watching to help set the scene.

Chris dropped out of school in grade seven after repeating the year twice. In 2001, he was diagnosed with severe ADHD and bipolar disorder. Despite these obstacles, he started writing in 2013 and published his first book in November 2014. Since then, he has released a total of seven novels.

From the first moment we spoke, it was clear that he loves writing and telling stories, and you can hear this excitement in the upcoming episode.

K.D. Kulpa is a Canadian horror author and paranormal investigator who has turned a lifelong fascination with the supernatural into a thriving creative career. Growing up in a haunted house in Saskatchewan, she was shaped by the 'bumps in the night' and spent her youth devouring the works of the likes of Stephen King and Anne Rice.

She is the author of the supernatural horror novel COMA and the host of the ParaGhoul Paranormal podcast, where she explores the eerie history and urban legends of Western Canada.

In Season 2 Episode 1 of the Brewing Fiction Podcast, host Keith Leonard (a Deer Lake native) sits down with investigative reporter Grace Wight to uncover the chilling hidden history behind the Main Dam near Deer Lake, Newfoundland.

What began as research into the dam's 1920s construction—a massive hydroelectric project that transformed the area—reveals a darker tale.

Grace shares firsthand accounts of the infamous "Ghost Light" still burning in an abandoned building and hints at her own eerie encounters there, suggesting a lingering spirit.

This episode teases a deeper collaboration: the full fictional story "Ghost Light," coming in January to Keith's Substack keithleonardauthor.substack.com.

A must-listen for fans of Newfoundland history with a supernatural twist!*** This episode is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and supernatural occurrences depicted in this episode are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or historical events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Today I’m chatting with Jennifer M.D. Cox, the author of 'Getting to Know You.' Jennifer has a background in creative writing, having minored in it at Alfred University back in 2016. It's fascinating how she now uses those skills as a mental health counselor. We'll be diving into her work with narrative therapy – essentially helping people reframe their personal stories – and how she uses targeted stories in trauma processing. We'll also be touching on the ever-present challenge of social media for authors and the real value of having a strong writing community in your corner.More about Jennifer: https://ninestarpress.com/product/getting-to-know-you/Podcast Homepage: https://brewingfictionpodcast.com

Today, we look deeper into Livia's creative journey, tracing the origins of her current work in progress, To Live This Life, which is now in the editing phase. Join us as we explore an excerpt from her novel, discuss the significant role music plays within its pages, examine how life stages have influenced her writing, and uncover some of the tools and processes that shape her craft.

https://brewingfictionpodcast.com

Natalie Carter-Giles, is known in Deer Lake, NL, for her cheerful floral arrangements at a local grocery store. But she harbours a compelling duality. By day, she crafts beauty and joy with flowers; but away from work, she dives into the shadows, crafting dark thrillers that are anything but joyful. On today’s episode, Natalie shares her unique creative process, discussing her writing as her personal passion. She will discuss writing in the thriller genre, share a little about her writing habits and talk about her experience with traditional publishing, and a whole lot more. We'll also feature an exclusive excerpt from her upcoming release “Some Else’s Secret”, slated for May, offering a glimpse into her gripping narrative style.

More about Natalie: https://flankerpress.com/author/natalie-carter-giles

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Today I am joined by award-winning Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy author, screenwriter and actor J.M. Frey. On this episode, J.M. and I discuss her journey from writing fan fiction to becoming a published author, the importance of character in writing, her experiences writing under a pseudonym, and details about and an excerpt from Time and Tide, nominated the New York Times Best Romances of the Year.

Learn more about J.M. Frey: https://jmfrey.net

Podcast homepage: https://brewingfictionpodcast.com