Demond Does

This week our guest is author and podcaster, C M Lockhart. We chop it up about the importance of community, cultures and celebrating everyday black people.   Where would you like to be found on the internet? IG @CLockhartWrite  Threads @CLockhartWrite, @melaninlibrary Tiktok @CLockhartWrite Blusky https://bsky.app/profile/clockhartwrite.bsky.social 3:15 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Keeping Promises We are the Origin and Death Among the Stars 15:33 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Marketing as important as Writing Community Melanin Library 22:32 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Food from the Cookout 25:25 What are you curious about? How did we get here? Infrastructure 31:02 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Cultures Anime Recs 36:28 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Celebrating Everyday Black People 40:30 Why Create? No other choice

This week our guest is Army Vet, Martina Sneed, here to talk about her new novel The Inkslinger. We also  talk about legacy, how community and art interact and the focus on the journey. Where would you like to be found on the internet? IG @official_MMSneed  Tiktok @official_MMSneed 2:00 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Legacy  5:10 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Focus on the Journey Mentors in the Indie space  8:49 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Home cooking  10:05 What are you curious about? How community and art connect 11:30 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Learning about yourself as an author Healing through art  13:15 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Day of Reading w/paid time off 14:28 Why Create? To be of service

This week we have a conversation with Malcolm McFadden, the creator and writer of SixFifteen Comics. We talk about how his experiences inform his writing, the importance of patience and leaving your mark on the world.  All that and more so stick around and see what else Demond Does.   Where would you like to be found on the internet? Instagram @sixfifteencomics.  Website: sixfifteencomics.com 2:09 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? How his experience informs his writing   4:41 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Patience 5:36 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Hometown favorite and heartbreak 7:11 What are you curious about? People watching “Friendly” Social Experiments 11:11 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Malcolm’s 5 Favorite Movies Fun fact 13:35 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Black Man Day 15:51 Why Create? Legacy

This week we sit down with GE Moore, author of Bealz Prince of the South Side.  We chop it up about how he created the mythology of the book, how an unusual teaching strategy got him writing AND Black Men Read.   Where he wants found on the Internet www.gemoorethewriter.com Bealz Prince of the Southside https://a.co/d/3a1m6lF The Wayward Home For Retired Superheroes: Updated Edition https://a.co/d/j8oQmOV I Used to be a Superhero  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/gemoore/i-used-to-be-a-superhero 2:00 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Teachers are important 4:36 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Being a Professional 8:09 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Hometown Heartbreak 9:50 What are you curious about? Love of Language Evolving Language 12:01 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Musical Background 14:12 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Black Men Read 16:05 Why Create? No alternative Final Thoughts

This week we get to hear from Michael Driver, author of the King of the Block book series. We talk about his current curiosity rabbit hole, his unique writing process and just how vast the Indie Writing Community is.  Stick around and find out more of what Demond Does.   Where he wants to be found on the internet Instagram @mikedriverauthor Threads @mikedriverauthor Twitter @MikeGDriver  TikTok @mikedriverauthor 1:57 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Reading was 1st love The Difference Between Urban Fiction and Street Literature From the Godfather to the King of the Block 6:28 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? The Indie Writing Community Toni Morrison as inspiration 10:04 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Mike’s Sam’s Pizza Order 12:00 What are you curious about? Current Rabbit Hole 14:34 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Mike’s writing process 17:51 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? National Day Off 18:57 Why Create? The Love of Game 21:15 Final thoughts

This week’s guest is a perfect example of what I’d like to show to be.  I met Tatiana Obey (pronounced oh-bi’) at Gen Con and bought a couple of her Champloo Mix books and now my new friend is here to talk about her journey to courage, the upfront costs of indie publishing, and acts of resistance.  Where she would like to be found on the Internet?  Website: tatianaobey.com 2:56 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Unique early writing references Bucket List Item  Upfront Costs of Indie Publishing 6:56 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? The Journey to More Courage 8:54 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Dallas Food Scene Struggle meals 10:37 What are you curious about? Combining disparate ideas Christmas songs in Japan 16:08 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? We actually talk about her books! 18:41 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Free Slurpee Day Akira Toriyama 21:34 Why Create? Acts of resistance 22:23 Final Thoughts

This week we have a conversation with creative, Gary Jones, the creator of Divergent Comics. We talk about his relatively late start into the fandom AND the business of comics. We also talk about vetting artists and the upcoming football season. Where would you like to be found on the Internet?  Threads https://www.threads.com/@gmtj2k Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GMTJ4g IG https://www.instagram.com/gmtj2k/ Divergent Comics IG https://www.instagram.com/divergent_comics Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ComicsDivergent Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@divergentcomics 2:50 When did you know you wanted to get into comics? Late to the comic space Origin of a Name 6:54 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Vetting Artists 8:52 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Japanese Fusion 10:31 What are you curious about? Psychology and Sociology for writing 14:59 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Football Nerd too?! 18:59 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? A Celebration of Black Love 21:09 Why Create? The Love of Family Tradition

This week we have a conversation with creative, Dre Fire.  We talk about his new comic, Black Son, which feels like Quantum Leap with the added seasoning of beating up Nazis, Hollywood’s broken promises and Black People superpowers. Where he wants found on the Internet Prophecy comics in twitter or my page on Threads Webpage: https://prophecy-comics.jimdosite.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/Prophecy_Comics Threads: https://www.threads.com/@drefir3 3:42 When did you know you wanted to become a writer? Hollywood’s broken promises 8:52 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Reading to write 11:04 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? A Waffle House Favorite 12:07 What are you curious about? The Profound Black People Superpowers 15:25 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Kickstarter Courage Support Indie Comics  20:26 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Afrofuturism 23:26 Why Create? You’ll like it eventually

This week we have a rapper go from being highjacked by his musical family to currently experiencing a Rebirth, to The most controversial  new holiday in this show's history with rapper/producer Action Jack. We also have a new segment! Stick around and see what Demond Does: Conversations with Creatives. Where he can be found on the Internet:  X/Twitter: @Action_Jack8 YouTube:  Action Jack https://youtube.com/@action_jack8  Master Sword Music: https://www.youtube.com/@MasterSwordMusic Album:  The Rebirth Oct 2nd   3:21 When did you know you wanted to get into music?  Musical family  From making beats to rhyming over them  Origin of his name  Influences 7:39 What do you wish you had known when you had started out?  Rap Addict  It’s ok to be different 11:16 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant?  Down home cookin’ 13:27 What are you curious about?  Album Reception 17:45 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask?  How Action Jack met TeeJaytheGamer  21:20 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate?  Most Controversial holiday to date 24:37 Why create? Final thoughts  

My next guest began making music at 5 years old and is now the leader of Master Sword Music, a collective of creatives with a shared love of video games.  Coming in live from TX, ladies, gentlemen or wherever you fit on the binary spectrum, give it up for The ½ Nigerian prince, TeeJay!!! When did you know you wanted to get into creating music?  Family of musicians Video game music inspiration Sonically underrated  What do you wish you had known when you had started out? Expectation  Building community What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? Some Texas staples What are you curious about? Learning from Collaboration  What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? What’s coming this year in  Master Sword Music If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Video Game Music Appreciation Day 

This week we have the author of the UrbanKnights crime action thriller series, James H Roby. Not only do we get into his 7 book series, we also talk about the difference between a writer and an author, The Nature of Hate AND how to keep your peace. Where he would like to be found:  Website: authorjameshroby.com Instagram: @urbanknight Threads: @urbanknight68  We have a quick conversation for the crime thriller First Rodeo! 3:54 When did you know you wanted to get into writing?  2 movies and an anime 6:50 What do you wish you had known when you had started out?  Difference between a writer and an author 8:53 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant?  A Detroit Favorite 10:51 What are you curious about?  The Nature of Hate and Keeping Your Peace 16:28 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask?  We talk a little Urban Knights and genre 20:11 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate?  Free Space Day

Harold Phifer is a perfect example of why I started this show. His life has taken him from MS to being an air traffic controller to spending time in Iraq and Afghanistan now he's with us as an accomplished author, and you would believe how he got there. Where he’d like to be found: Website: https://riseandread.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HaroldPhifer2024 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haroldphifer2024/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hephifer6 Origin of Pen Name Q1 When did you know you wanted to be a writer?   Knew at 14 acted decades later Q2 What do you wish you had known when you first started out?  Business, Marketing Scam Alert Q3 What’s your goto order at your favorite hometown restaurant?  Favorite Burger and Fries Q4 What are you curious about?  Towns and people “Propelling” people Q5 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask?  Original way of breaking writer’s block  What’s urban fiction? Q6 If you could create a new holiday, what would it commemorate? The Greatest Muhammad Ali 

Last time we talked to my next guest, he told us how he got his start writing  by making comic books as a kid and is back to complete the circle with his upcoming book Going Knowhere currently in Kickstarter Ladies, gentlemen or wherever you fit in the non binary spectrum please welcome back. Keith Gaston  Where does he want to be found? Facebook, Instagram, Threads Website: https://www.threatlevelcomics.com/ Going Knowhere Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keith-gaston/going-knowhere What's happened since we last talked Feeling better about being Indie 3:00 If you had unlimited funds, what would you create? A special Indie theater 8:51 What’s your favorite thing about yourself? Imagination 11:43 What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you? Becoming a Buffalo Soldier 18:00 What is something you’re really bad at? Math 18:45 What’s something you’re proud of but never get to brag about? Connection to Inner Child 20:35 What’s the one thing that you’d be disappointed if you never get to experience? Own characters on screen (shares some progress) Keith Gaston 1st 6 Questions: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b36c07d7

My next guest is from Philly and speaks Mandarin.  Chinese, y’all, self-published her 1st poetry book this year and is live or die for Jamiroquai Give it up for Jay Friday Where she would like to be found on the internet:  Instagram and TikTok @tjif_artistry For jewelry Instagram @jemsbyfriday  website: thisjawnisfriday.com Q1 When did you know you wanted to be a poet?  Love of Storytelling  Floral Friday Q2 What do you wish you had known when you first started out?  Not all poetry is dark  Reverse Poetry Q3 What’s your goto order at your favorite hometown restaurant?  Banana Leaf Foodie Talk Q4 What are you curious about?  Language including Mandarin   Funny example of Jay’s expertise Q5 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask?  Religion and hope Q6 If you could create a new holiday, what would it commemorate?  Blue Drink Summer

Welcome to Demond Does, your nerd space safe place, I am Demond, father of 2, husband of one and leader of this here Demodcast.  Before we get started, go ahead and Like, Share and Subscribe.  Also leave a review on your favorite podcast app, so more can join the conversation. This Week in Geek: Spoiler free thoughts on Sinners Still enjoying A Blade So Black Bad Mutha Movie Club This week's entry on the coolest club in the world is Soul Men (2008).  Highlights include: Strangling a racist with a phone cord Road-tripping through Klan Kountry, Amarillo antics and bad decisions A new record!  So, many MFers!

WrestleMania 41, early impressions of Sinners, and a review of Blood at the Root. Then, I sit down with cosplayer and nerd culture connoisseur DarthShadowFire to talk cosplay origins, favorite eats, music tastes, and why Field Day deserves a comeback. I hope you're ready because this is what Demond Does This week's guest has quite the nerd trifecta. Supernatural superfan, sorted into the Ravenclaw at Hogwarts and as we tape this has to be gearing up for the biggest wrestling event of the year WrestleMania aka Rasslin’ Christmas. Give it up for Brandon aka Captain Awesome aka DarthShadowFire    Where do you want to be found on the Internet Instagram and Threads @darthshadowfire   Sith Ichigo 10:25 When did you know you wanted to get into cosplay? Origin stories, full commitments and crowning achievements 24:24 What do you wish you had known when you had started out? No Limits 29:35 What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant? A Tasty Burger 32:46 What are you curious about? The Bigger Picture Origin of DarthShadowFire name 38:35 What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask? Expansive music taste 49:15 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate? Bringing back Field Day in a big way Bonus:  Why create?

This week, I'm diving into fresh reads and animated adventures. (1:03) I just wrapped Blood at the Root—not flawless, but compelling enough that I’m on board for the sequel later this year. I’ve also started A Blade So Black by LL McKinney, described as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Alice in Wonderland—and yes, it’s as intriguing as it sounds. On the screen side, Iyanu is the new animated superhero series to keep an eye on. Set in the richly imagined Yorubaland, it blends Nigerian culture, mythology, and music with an Avatar: The Last Airbender vibe.  (4:58) To round things out, I sit down with spoken word artist and activist Lindo for “6 Questions.” Known for performances at Bucknell University and Def Poetry Jam, Lindo’s fusion of poetry and visual storytelling continues with his upcoming graphic novel Pawn Shop, now available for pre-order. Where would you like to be found on the Internet?  Website: https://lindoyes.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindoyes/ 7:35     When did you know you wanted to be a poet?             How a learning disability turned into a superpower             From poetry to manga 11: 14   What do you wish you would know when you first started out?             The end goal will look different than you think              Perfect commercial example 15:40   What's your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant?              Chicken Cheesesteak and Mango Smoothie 16:27   What are you curious about              Pawn Shop reaction 17:53   What should I ask you that I didn't know enough to ask?              Poetry and Magic: The Perfect Combo 20:46  If you could create a new holiday, what would it commemorate?             Day of Rest!!!! 20:34 Why Create?

This Week in Geek we have a quick review of the newest Hunger Games novel, Sunrise on the Reaping.  Also, a quick preview of what I'm reading next, my favorite dessert AND featuring a trailer from an excellent podcast: Total Conundrum.

This week’s geekdom is filled with a new Hunger Games novel.  Then we got something new as in a more proper review of a new manga and then something old with the six questions w/Enoch creator of the manga Immortal Dark and more of what Demond Does My guest, Enoch  has published 3 poetry collections, been annoyed by Hollywood remakes, and is living an anime lifestyle.  Ladies, gentlemen and all along the spectrum, give it up for Enoch! Where to find Enoch: Website: https://linktr.ee/enochthepoet Socials Personal: Instagram Manga: Immortal Dark Manga 6:04 When did you know you wanted to be a manga author?  Drawing from an early age 13:15 What do you wish you had known when you first started out?  There is no “blueprint”  Inverting archetypes 19:53 What is your go-to order at your favorite hometown restaurant?  Where to go with a special diet in Philly  Criteria for Enoch’s recommendations 23:26 What are you curious about?  The Human Condition and how it helps with writing 28:29 What should I ask you that I don’t know enough to ask?  How entrepreneurship and artistry combine 34:41 If you could create a new holiday what would it commemorate?  Contributions of the Harlem Renaissance

This week is a quick one about the amazing Mace Windu novel by Steven Barnes, my thoughts on Invincible Season 3 and I talk about my first job's pros and cons