Two Hearts and One Braincell: Cassidy Carson & JT Hume Amateur Hour

For this episode of the "CC & JT Amateur Hour," we discuss the tools of the writing trade. During our professional experience as authors, we've seen a few things, as the saying goes. CC and I took typing classes back in the day, and we've seen and used all flavors of PC word processors up to and including the most recent version of Microsoft Word.We had the recent privilege of interviewing two writers who, in their own ways, represent the yin and yang of the modern set of writing tools and technology. Arnie Bernstein uses typewriters to create his manuscripts, and Kendall Brown uses virtual reality and ChatCGT to support her creative process.CC and I discuss these methodologies and technologies, noting that each has their strengths and weaknesses. We also make clear we do not advocate the illegal use of AI to infringe on the literary artist's creative works. We do try to predict the future which may include platforms like Amazon and Google imposing their technologies and policies on self-published writers.It's a complex issue, and we encourage you to check out Arnie's, Kendall's, and this podcast before flaming us. 😄 Upcoming book releases, all in 2026. These are working titles:March: “Finding Salvation the Book.” This is the compilation of the novellas outlining what happened on Earth when the Salvation departed the solar system. The first novella in on Amazon for 99 cents.April: “Restless Spirits Book 2.” The sequel to #passionrestored, this book will involve new characters in the same setting as Book 1.June: “Restless Spirits Book 3.” More details to follow.July: The next “Finding Salvation” book. What happened to the people who were left behind on Earth?October: Two books will be released on Nevada Day (October 31) because they are both set in Nevada. CC will release “Battle Born Bride” and I will release the fourth book in the “A Sheriff in Nevada” series. More details to follow.We hope that you enjoy these and other podcasts, and we thank you for following along. LYL!+++Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.⁠please buy us coffee!

We’ve been blessed to interview authors around the world, and it was a double pleasure for us to interview a Windy City writer. Chicago’s very own Arnie Bernstein shares his journey as a writer, delving into the emotional weight of writing historical narratives, particularly focusing on the “Bath Massacre: America's First School Bombing” and “Swastika Nation: Fritz Kuhn and the Rise and Fall of the German-American Bund”.Arnie reflects on the importance of character-driven storytelling and the influence of history on his work. He also offers insights into the challenges of the writing life, the significance of independent bookstores, and the joy of immersing oneself in the creative process. He discusses his unique writing process that involves using typewriters for first drafts.You can learn more about Arnie and his books at his website https://www.arniebernstein.comArnie endorses bookshop.org because it directly supports independent writers.You can also find him at LinkedIn, Facebook, and BlueSky.+++Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.New and current newsletter subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information. You can also read our books for free through your local library.Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.⁠please buy us coffee!

We welcome author Kendall Brown back to the Amateur Hour to discuss the challenges and joys of writing, particularly in the context of dog training. They explore the creative drain and decision fatigue that writers often face, the signs of burnout, and the importance of finding an escape from the pressures of writing.Kendall shares her own innovative tools for inspiration, including the use of AI and immersive environments, while also addressing the role of technology in writing, dog training, and marketing. The discussion emphasizes the value of human creativity and the need for balance in a technology-driven world.Kendall’s books have been recognized with awards and numerous positive reviews, and she was a finalist in the 2025 International Book Awards, one of the world’s most extensive and prestigious international book awards for mainstream, indie, and self-published titles.Her books, "10 Secrets of a Lazy Dog Trainer" and "Let's Get A Dog!" are available on Amazon. You can learn more about her business is customk9servicedogs.com+++Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.New and current subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of “Finding Salvation Part One” by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information.Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.⁠please buy us coffee!

It's time to drop another writer's podcast on you and drop some names, too: Alane, Chaz, Jennifer, Cheryl, Jacci, and Teri. (Those links are our fellow authors. Please click and give them your love.)Welcome back to the podcast that "helps writers write," and 2026 is shaping up to be another fun and busy year.Much of our time is chatting about fans, the ones we see at book signings and the ones who reach out over the internet. CC and I are gratified by how passionate people are about their own writing and about our books, and we learn something new every single time we come in contact with everyone. As we say in the podcast, they keep us energized about writing and they help keep us honest, too. We also chat about Chicago sports and jumping on/off bandwagons. That's why you see Pope Leo XIV.We would like to thank James Raquepau and Kendall Brown for appearing on the podcast. Kendall's episode will be posted on Wednesday, January 14th.Upcoming book releases, all in 2026. These are working titles:March: "Finding Salvation the Book." This is the compilation of the novellas outlining what happened on Earth when the Salvation departed the solar system. The first novella in on Amazon for 99 cents.April: "Restless Spirits Book 2." The sequel to #passionrestored, this book will involve new characters in the same setting as Book 1.June: "Restless Spirits Book 3." More details to follow.July: The next "Finding Salvation" book. What happened to the people who were left behind on Earth?October: Two books will be released on Nevada Day (October 31) because they are both set in Nevada. CC will release "Battle Born Bride" and I will release the fourth book in the "A Sheriff in Nevada" series. More details to follow.Do you want to receive a free e-copy of "Finding Salvation Part One"? New and current subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of "Finding Salvation Part One" by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information.We hope that you enjoy these and other podcasts, and we thank you for following along. LYL!+++Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.New and current subscribers can receive a free epub or PDF of "Finding Salvation Part One" by subscribing to our newsletter! Reach out to us via our Contact Page for more information.Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.⁠please buy us coffee!Photo credit: Pope Leo XIV. Ann Muñoz via Chicago Sun-Times July 2025

James Raquepau shares insights into his writing journey, focusing on his semi-historical fantasy series, the Destiny Cycle. He discusses the challenges and joys of revisiting and expanding his work, the unique appeal of blending history with fantasy, and the intricate process of audiobook production and marketing.His books are inspired by Celtic history and legends, and he pays special attention to incorporating personal family elements into his characters. James also reflects on his own writing philosophy, the importance of character development, and offers valuable advice for aspiring authors.You can learn more about James at his website https://www.destinycycle.com/His books are available on Amazon, Apple, B&N, Kobo, Google, Smashwords, and IngramSpark. His social media includes Facebook and Instagram.+++Cassidy Carson and JT Hume (“CC & JT”) are independent writers, publishers, and co-owners of Two Moore Books, LLC out of Carson City, Nevada, USA. Our human-authored book catalog can be found on our bookstore and the major platforms. Our podcast, “The CC and JT Amateur Hour,” has recorded hundreds of episodes, and our mission is to “help writers write.”Two of our books were “Finalists” in the 2025 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Awards. We received the 2024 Women in Podcasting Award in the “Best Authors and Books Podcast” category from the Women Podcasters Network. We support the Nevada Author Network with the Sierra Arts Foundation out of Reno, Nevada.Our Website: ⁠www.carsonhume.com⁠Who We are: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/about/⁠Our Books: ⁠https://carsonhume.com/books-2/⁠Our bookstore: https://carsonhume.square.site/Our Business: ⁠https://twomoorebooks.com/⁠For those who listen on their way to work, we are on these fine podcast platforms: ⁠Spotify⁠, ⁠Apple⁠, ⁠Pocket Casts⁠, and ⁠Radio Public⁠.Note: Two Moore Books, LLC does not receive financial compensation for promoting third-party businesses and websites. We are speaking to our specific experiences. Your mileage may vary.⁠please buy us coffee!