Sean Stokes is the author of 2 novels, The Red Notebook, and The Ghost of Vimy Ridge. Today we are talking predominantly on The Red Notebook. I met Sean this summer, and he told me that this book was based on a true story of his time working at a sex shop. It is a string of ridiculous encounters, one after the other, but is also surprisingly heartfelt, a roman a clef, a sort of autofiction very much in the style of someone like Charles Bukowski, who I absolutely love. We chat about that, our shared admiration of Bukowski, the vulnerability of writing in this style, and more.

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on mywebsite store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. His seventh novel, Tiger Blues, is available now: “A plucky crew of mercenaries must keep a doomsday weapon from the Maoists in alt-history 1948 Tibet.”

Upcoming shows:

Meaford Comiccon Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon Nov 16

Smiths Falls Comiccon Nov 29

Brockville Comiccon Nov 30

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Follow my social media @harujinshounds

Join my mailing list for news and special offers. Link on my website

This week I'm chatting with Marie Barros, author of Ghostlife: the Underworld.

Ghostlife on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Ghostlife-Underworld-Marie-Barros/dp/1777865700/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1629820621&sr=1-1&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadlbhElvZT4jtYMJApzFVbAP3Im85kuTJCAjj-lfOHxYAPmj7x26a--epzBZA_aem_1b8WzVLkVaMYOxD5rtxMCQ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21767362.Marie_Barros

Marie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariebarros93/

Jan Jongstra: https://www.janjongstrabooks.com/about-the-author

The Reluctant Criminal: https://www.audible.ca/pd/The-Reluctant-Criminal-Audiobook/B0FTZXXVXP?qid=1760265574&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=b278ed0a-c3b2-4491-808c-7cb2190a487c&pf_rd_r=ERCG6N5G9KJHNHRWCCWY&plink=wq5zTtGH4o0Vreu2&pageLoadId=EL7n7eKRd8wx3pgY&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on mywebsite store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. His seventh novel, Tiger Blues, is available now: “A plucky crew of mercenaries must keep a doomsday weapon from the Maoists in alt-history 1948 Tibet.”

Upcoming shows:

Meaford Comiccon Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon Nov 16

Smiths Falls Comiccon Nov 29

Brockville Comiccon Nov 30

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Book 2 in the Serenity Acres sequence, Shafted, is launching today, October 15th

Crystal is the author of 2 books of domestic suspense/suburban satire, set in the fictional community of Serenity Acres. Book 1: Dinked, and Book 2: Shafted

We do a reading from Shafted at timestamp 58:30

Crystal's website: http://serenityacressecrets.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55082710.Crystal_Quast

Shafted on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shafted-Serenity-Secrets-Barely-Hidden-ebook/dp/B0FHGCKCWD/ref=sr_1_9?crid=3HUDEULZYZNTI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ACJySmpqGD26XKoYxSEk36Y_CEFUEn6eag7gkeQ4DfIvTYQxuJS-QMtQudmoDEyr1xpJqANX1MQDTYohLdSknDm9JSfu6l8nX3Ws9itlpXw.nD-OntvyW9L8JUOMbfz7Fq5u3IXRiKd0qKOEJIOlvbo&dib_tag=se&keywords=crystal+quest&qid=1760132359&sprefix=shafted+crystal+quast%2Caps%2C372&sr=8-9

Crystal's upcoming events:

Stratford Book Fair, Oct 6

Guelph Christmas Book Fair, Nov 29

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on mywebsite store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. His seventh novel, Tiger Blues, is available now: “A plucky crew of mercenaries must keep a doomsday weapon from the Maoists in alt-history 1948 Tibet.”

Upcoming shows:

Meaford Comiccon Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon Nov 16

Smiths Falls Comiccon Nov 29

Brockville Comiccon Nov 30

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Follow my social media @harujinshounds

Tiger Blues launched in September 2025. Join me as I discuss the book from the initial idea, up through its writing and the Kickstarter campaign, to its premiere, and the future of the Yang-Yoshiko series.

Upcoming shows:

Meaford Comiccon, Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon, Nov 16

Smiths Falls Comiccon, Nov 29

Brockville Comiccon, Nov 30

PL Stuart: www.plstuart.com

RW Duder: www.rwduder.com

MJ Moores: www.mjmoores.com

Christian Jerry Marchioni: https://www.instagram.com/christianjerrymarchioni/

YM Pang: www.ympang.com

James Downe: www.jamesdowne.com

Jesse McMinn: www.jessemcminn.com

Colin Searle: www.colinsearle.com

Andrew Rathwell: https://www.instagram.com/rathwell.books/

Sources/pieces of media mentioned:

Opium Queen by Gabrielle Paluch

Manchu Princess, Japanese Spy by Phyllis Birnbaum

The Last Princess of Manchuria by Lilian Lee

Opium Venture by Gerald Sparrow

The Beauty in Men's Clothing by Muramatsu Shofu

The Private Papers of Eastern Jewel by Maureen Lindley

The Golden Triangle (1975, Thailand)

The Last Princess of Manchuria/Yoshiko Kawashima (1990, Hong Kong)

Lady Karate (1976, Taiwan)

The Underworld Podcast - Kokang Cowboys: Burma's Transgender Narco Royalty, a Secret Army, and a "Special Belt" - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0afBYnX6mW3DpkQV3ufn60

“Tiger Blues” is a pro-LGBT alt-history, following a plucky crew of mercenaries on a mission to steal of Buddhist amulet in 1948 Tibet before the Maoists can get to it. The book is launching September 26th, but you can get your copy now!

This week, we’re previewing chapters 3 and 4. Go back to Episode 38 to listen to chapters 1 and 2.

Pick up the entire Mongolian Book of the Sky box set, signed and personalized here: https://www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use code “wyldlands” at checkout to get 50% off the audiobook for The Rise and Fall of Chaz Oregano

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on my website store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. Hehas published 6 novels - The Zimmer Insurgency, The Hounds ofHarujin, The Moon Panther, Rain's Agenda, The Rise and Fall of ChazOregano, and Attila the Valley Girl - as well as several shortstories. Visit www.jasonmshannon.com to read the short stories, aswell as novel excerpts, or for links to download/buy. All novels areavailable in print and ebook. Chaz, Zimmer, Attila, and One Night inIkh Khulan are available in audiobook.

Buy my ebooks/audiobooks www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Upcoming shows:

Garden of Vendors Whitby – Sept 6

Eden Mills Publisher’s Way – Sept 7

Word on the Street Sept 27/28

Cobourg Comiccon Oct 4

Meaford Comiccon Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon Nov 16

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Follow my social media @harujinshounds

The Utopia is a gripping tale of of what could happen when we surrender our political control to the algorithm. Christian Jerry Marchioni and I discuss his debut novel, its political implications, and its place in the pantheon of dystopian novels.

This episode is divided into 3 parts:

General discussion ~ 0:00:00

Reading from chapter 1 ~ 1:06:00

Spoiler discussion ~ 1:17:00

Christian's links:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/christianjerrymarchioni/?igsh=anE5cGNqNno5OHdu&utm_source=qr#

FB: https://www.facebook.com/christian.marchioni.5

Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Utopia-Christian-Jerry-Marchioni/dp/1038317320Christian's next show:

Word on the Street - David Pecault Square, Toronto, Sept 27/28

__

Pick up the entire Mongolian Book of the Sky box set, signed and personalized here: https://www.jasonmshannon.com/storeUse code “wyldlands” at checkout to get 50% off the audiobook for The Rise and Fall of Chaz Oregano

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on mywebsite store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. He has published 6 novels - The Zimmer Insurgency, The Hounds of Harujin, The Moon Panther, Rain's Agenda, The Rise and Fall of Chaz Oregano, and Attila the Valley Girl - as well as several short stories. Visit www.jasonmshannon.com to read the short stories, as well as novel excerpts, or for links to download/buy. All novels are available in print and ebook. Chaz, Zimmer, Attila, and One Night in Ikh Khulan are available in audiobook.

Buy my ebooks/audiobooks www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Upcoming shows:

Garden of Vendors Whitby – Sept 6

Eden Mills Publisher’s Way – Sept 7

Word on the Street Sept 27/28

Cobourg Comiccon Oct 4

Meaford Comiccon Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon Nov 16

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Tiger Blues releasing September 2025

Follow my social media @harujinshounds

Pick up the entire Mongolian Book of the Sky box set, signed andpersonalized here: https://www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use code “wyldlands” at checkout to get 50% off the audiobook for TheRise and Fall of Chaz Oregano

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Use coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on my website store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. Hehas published 6 novels - The Zimmer Insurgency, The Hounds ofHarujin, The Moon Panther, Rain's Agenda, The Rise and Fall of ChazOregano, and Attila the Valley Girl - as well as several shortstories. Visit www.jasonmshannon.com to read the short stories, aswell as novel excerpts, or for links to download/buy. All novels areavailable in print and ebook. Chaz, Zimmer, Attila, and One Night inIkh Khulan are available in audiobook.

Buy my ebooks/audiobooks www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Upcoming shows:

Garden of Vendors Whitby – Sept 6

Eden Mills Publisher’s Way – Sept 7

Word on the Street Sept 27/28

Cobourg Comiccon Oct 4

Meaford Comiccon Nov 15

Orillia Comiccon Nov 16

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Tiger Blues releasing September 2025

Follow my social media @harujinshounds

Synopsis for the Rise and Fall of Chaz Oregano:

Tasmania - rightwing thugs are spouting nonsense, riling up crowds, and provoking violence in the streets.
Eilex Turen, student radical and would-be anarchist, comes out to confront them. To her, it's not just militia thugs who are the problem, but everything from patriarchy to capital to the state itself, and she veers deeper into criminality pursuing her vision of justice. Chaz Oregano, rogue anarchist from Hobart, fleeing police goons, arrives in her city, and becomes a part of Eilex's group. The two soon begin falling for each other, crafting a revolutionary relationship.
The prince, meanwhile, has established a special deputy to investigate street brawls and property crimes, and his unit turns the full might of the state against Public Enemy Number 1: Chaz Oregano. With the situation spiralling out of control, has Eilex bitten off more than she cam chew?

Anil Serpin is an American fantasy/steampunk author and creator of the graphic novel Nandi and the Castle in the Sea.

Anil's website: https://slowcomics.com/

Instagram: @slowcomics

"Rain's Agenda" audiobook

Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rains-Agenda-Audiobook/B0FBX7D9XZ?qid=1752796329&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=N53ETGPPACFK7RKVZ89K&plink=04t91JqMi9XDly0w&pageLoadId=V8sM4LqiJsr49GNR&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1

Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/5zf20xK14TpEuLUeb0BCmq

Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/rain-s-agenda-1

Nook:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rains-agenda-jason-shannon/1132904061?ean=2940193858485

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Jason_Shannon_Rain_s_Agenda?id=AQAAAECKMDRwrM

Audiobooksdotcom:https://www.audiobooks.com/audiobook/rains-agenda/881711?qId=0866012804c7714d42b4b06c757a30d0&pos=1

Website store: www.jasonmshannon.com/storeUse coupon code "PADREZUL" for 50% off the list price on mywebsite store

Jason Shannon is an indie Canadian author of science fiction and more. He has published 6 novels - The Zimmer Insurgency, The Hounds of Harujin, The Moon Panther, Rain's Agenda, The Rise and Fall of Chaz Oregano, and Attila the Valley Girl - as well as several short stories. Visit www.jasonmshannon.com to read the short stories, as well as novel excerpts, or for links to download/buy. All novels are available in print and ebook. Chaz, Zimmer, Attila, and One Night in Ikh Khulan are available in audiobook.

Buy my ebooks/audiobooks www.jasonmshannon.com/store

Upcoming shows:

Garden of Vendors Whitby – Sept 6Word on the Street Sept 27/28

Audiobook for The Moon Panther coming soon

Tiger Blues releasing September 2025

Follow my social media @harujinshounds