<description>Christina Hess is the Department Head of Illustration at Ringling College of Art &amp; Design. In this interview, we discuss the value of art school and the impact of AI on art.

Christina is an illustrator known for blending historical and natural themes across a wide range of projects. Her portfolio includes everything from numismatic designs (the study of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money) to illustrated cookbooks, rendered in various media such as graphite, watercolor, oil, and digital.

Two 2026 United States coins will feature designs by Christina. The new quarter showcases scientist Dr. Vera Rubin. She also designed a new $1 coin depicting Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui as part of the Native American $1 Coin Program.

Christina’s illustrations have been featured in publications such as the Society of Illustrators West, Spectrum Fantastic Art, ImagineFX, and 3x3 Magazine.

And if that’s not enough, she is a wonderful person, and her students at Ringling are extremely fortunate to have her!

Learn more at www.christinahess.com/about
</description>

Christina Hess is the Department Head of Illustra…

Christina Hess is the Department Head of Illustration at Ringling College of Art & Design. In this interview, we discuss the value of art school and the impact of AI on art.

Christina is an illustrator known for blending historical and natural themes across a wide range of projects. Her portfolio includes everything from numismatic designs (the study of coins, tokens, medals, and paper money) to illustrated cookbooks, rendered in various media such as graphite, watercolor, oil, and digital.

Two 2026 United States coins will feature designs by Christina. The new quarter showcases scientist Dr. Vera Rubin. She also designed a new $1 coin depicting Native Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pukui as part of the Native American $1 Coin Program.

Christina’s illustrations have been featured in publications such as the Society of Illustrators West, Spectrum Fantastic Art, ImagineFX, and 3x3 Magazine.

And if that’s not enough, she is a wonderful person, and her students at Ringling are extremely fortunate to have her!

Learn more at www.christinahess.com/about


359. Christina Hess, Head of Illustration at Ringling College, Exploring the Value of Art School and AI's Impact on Illustration

<description>In the beginning, there was no punctuation. 

Texts were written so that their letters ran together withnospacesorpunctuation and without any distinction between lowercase and capitals. It was up to the reader to discover where each word or sentence ended and the next began. Then, through orators and actors, marks were made to show pauses and stops and emphasis, and thus punctuation was born.

Ian Randal Strock is the perfect guest for this topic. As a successful editor, author, and publisher, he has taken it upon himself to thoroughly research the history of punctuation and why it is so important to literature. In this interview, Ian discusses his book “Punctilious Punctuation,” and how bad punctuation is an immediate turn-off for an editor or reader. This leads to the importance of knowing the rules before breaking them.

What is the solution for the current wave of language devaluing…especially as we witness on social media texting?

The back cover copy says you will laugh and you will cringe, and this is certainly true. So, enjoy this very fun episode.

BTW, ever wonder why commas and periods always must be inside quotation marks?

Learn more at https://ianrandalstrock.com/</description>

In the beginning, there was no punctuation. 

Tex…

In the beginning, there was no punctuation. 

Texts were written so that their letters ran together withnospacesorpunctuation and without any distinction between lowercase and capitals. It was up to the reader to discover where each word or sentence ended and the next began. Then, through orators and actors, marks were made to show pauses and stops and emphasis, and thus punctuation was born.

Ian Randal Strock is the perfect guest for this topic. As a successful editor, author, and publisher, he has taken it upon himself to thoroughly research the history of punctuation and why it is so important to literature. In this interview, Ian discusses his book “Punctilious Punctuation,” and how bad punctuation is an immediate turn-off for an editor or reader. This leads to the importance of knowing the rules before breaking them.

What is the solution for the current wave of language devaluing…especially as we witness on social media texting?

The back cover copy says you will laugh and you will cringe, and this is certainly true. So, enjoy this very fun episode.

BTW, ever wonder why commas and periods always must be inside quotation marks?

Learn more at https://ianrandalstrock.com/

358. Ian Randal Strock Talks the Amazing History of Punctuation

<description>Ruby Lovell is an award-winning journalist, dynamic show host, and accomplished author whose career bridges the worlds of entertainment, media, and storytelling—making her the perfect guest for this podcast. Born in Sri Lanka, she has lived in the UK and the US and has traveled the world.

We originally met at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where Ruby was a media attendee. Ruby next attended and brilliantly covered that year's Writers of the Future Awards gala, creating a wonderful video segment on the event with her acclaimed series Right On LA! with Ruby Lovell.

In this interview, we discuss her career as a journalist for the BBC and NTD News, her creation of a travel show sponsored by the BBC, and her transition into children’s book authorship.

</description>

Ruby Lovell is an award-winning journalist, dynam…

Ruby Lovell is an award-winning journalist, dynamic show host, and accomplished author whose career bridges the worlds of entertainment, media, and storytelling—making her the perfect guest for this podcast. Born in Sri Lanka, she has lived in the UK and the US and has traveled the world.

We originally met at the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where Ruby was a media attendee. Ruby next attended and brilliantly covered that year's Writers of the Future Awards gala, creating a wonderful video segment on the event with her acclaimed series Right On LA! with Ruby Lovell.

In this interview, we discuss her career as a journalist for the BBC and NTD News, her creation of a travel show sponsored by the BBC, and her transition into children’s book authorship.



357. Ruby Lovell Award Winning Journalist and International Bestselling Children's Book Author

<description>Megan O'Russell is a YA author who transitioned from a successful career in theater to writing. We met on a panel at Dragon Con and agreed to do this podcast. We discuss her journey, the importance of storytelling, and the differences between traditional and indie publishing. Megan shares insights on empowering authors, navigating the editing process, and the significance of world-building in fantasy literature. We also explore the handling of romance and sexuality in YA, the supportive nature of the indie author community, and provide valuable advice for aspiring writers.

Megan discusses her YA novel, “Ember and Stone,” which is a compelling example of YA romance and empowerment. Great examples of dealing with profanity without using profanity.

Megan has set up a code to allow listeners to discover her fantastical worlds. All you need to do is go to https://meganorussell.com/discount/FUTURE50, add any ebook to your cart (no complete collections as they're already sold at a discount), and the code will be applied to each single ebook at checkout.</description>

Megan O'Russell is a YA author who transitioned f…

Megan O'Russell is a YA author who transitioned from a successful career in theater to writing. We met on a panel at Dragon Con and agreed to do this podcast. We discuss her journey, the importance of storytelling, and the differences between traditional and indie publishing. Megan shares insights on empowering authors, navigating the editing process, and the significance of world-building in fantasy literature. We also explore the handling of romance and sexuality in YA, the supportive nature of the indie author community, and provide valuable advice for aspiring writers.

Megan discusses her YA novel, “Ember and Stone,” which is a compelling example of YA romance and empowerment. Great examples of dealing with profanity without using profanity.

Megan has set up a code to allow listeners to discover her fantastical worlds. All you need to do is go to https://meganorussell.com/discount/FUTURE50, add any ebook to your cart (no complete collections as they're already sold at a discount), and the code will be applied to each single ebook at checkout.

356. Megan O’Russell Exploring Themes of Empowerment and Romance in a YA Context

<description>Jim Nettles is a well-established author of science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. However, in this interview, we delve into another aspect of Jim, as the founder of Author Essentials and Author Essentials Workshops.

In this interview, we discuss his book, “Business Essentials for Writers”, and he shares his unique perspective on failure, emphasizing that not trying is the true failure.

Additional topics include:

- To be successful, though, you’ve got to understand how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
- The “myth of the starving artist.”  
- Four focuses: Mindset; strategy; Tactical Actions; Operational Actions
- We discuss the various types of editors and why you might need them. We also clarify editors vs. beta readers
- In the new world of self-publishing, why are editors still important
- Publicity: obscurity is the enemy of the author

Learn more at https://jamespnettles.com/
</description>

Jim Nettles is a well-established author of scien…

Jim Nettles is a well-established author of science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary fiction. However, in this interview, we delve into another aspect of Jim, as the founder of Author Essentials and Author Essentials Workshops.

In this interview, we discuss his book, “Business Essentials for Writers”, and he shares his unique perspective on failure, emphasizing that not trying is the true failure.

Additional topics include:

- To be successful, though, you’ve got to understand how all of the pieces of the puzzle fit together.
- The “myth of the starving artist.”  
- Four focuses: Mindset; strategy; Tactical Actions; Operational Actions
- We discuss the various types of editors and why you might need them. We also clarify editors vs. beta readers
- In the new world of self-publishing, why are editors still important
- Publicity: obscurity is the enemy of the author

Learn more at https://jamespnettles.com/


355. James P. Nettles: Not Trying Is the True Failure

Providing writing and illustrating tips and advice from Contest Judges, Winners and industry professionals for writers and artists, along with needed inspiration to keep on going! Based on the world-famous Writers of the Future Contest created in 1983 by L. Ron Hubbard.

Writers of the Future Podcast

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