Page Chewing
Page Chewing is where books, comics, and conversations collide. From in-depth chats with authors and artists to lively discussions with fellow readers, we explore the craft of storytelling, the worlds we love, and the ideas that stay with us long after the last page.
Beyond the Page: Can Science Prove Life After Death? | Don Schechter on Ascendants
In this episode of Beyond the Page, Steve sits down with filmmaker, professor, TEDx director, and author Don Schechter to discuss his science fiction techno thriller Ascendants.
Don shares the remarkable 20 year journey that took Ascendants from an idea for a film to a series of short films and eventually a novel. They explore the book's collision of science and belief, what happens when technology divides society into those who can "ascend" and those who cannot, and why the story feels particularly timely in the age of AI and enormously powerful technology companies.
The conversation...
Blood Meridian Chapter 17 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 17 may be the most revealing Judge Holden chapter of Blood Meridian so far.
The Judge lays out his philosophy of war, games, morality, chance, agency, and the human desire to impose order on a universe that may have none. His argument that war exists independently of human judgment gives us one of the clearest glimpses yet into the worldview behind this mysterious character.
But then McCarthy complicates things even further.
Around the fire, the Judge performs an apparently impossible trick with a coin, leaving us once again wondering whether we're witnessing something...
This Comic Feels Like a Nightmare | Panel Chewing #148
This week on Panel Chewing, we're talking Batman, dropping comics from our pull lists, discovering some unexpected favorites and reading a comic that feels like an actual nightmare.
We kick things off with a list of the Top 10 standalone Batman stories, including The Long Halloween, Hush, The Court of Owls, The Killing Joke, Year One, and The Dark Knight Returns. Some placements make sense. Others? We're not so sure. We also discover a couple of Batman stories we somehow haven't read yet.
Then we dig into this week's comics, including Cruel Kingdom Vol. 2 #1, Fury of...
Blood Meridian Chapter 16 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 16 returns us to Glanton's gang as they continue moving across the landscape and leaving death behind them.
This isn't one of the most character-heavy chapters of Blood Meridian, but it reinforces just how completely violence has become the gang's normal way of interacting with the world. Murder barely requires justification anymore, and consequences seem almost irrelevant.
In this episode, I look at the horrifying fate of the Delaware scouts, the killing of Owens and the gang's apparent lack of concern about accountability, another disturbing disappearance, and the cruelty surrounding two brothers separated by violence.<...
Beyond the Page: Samurai in Space, Character-Driven Sci-Fi & Starfire Dragons with Dawn Ross
On this episode of Beyond the Page, I’m joined by science-fiction author Dawn Ross, creator of the seven-book Starfire Dragons series.
Dawn explains how the “dragons” of Starfire Dragons aren't literal creatures, but symbolic of a futuristic warrior culture. At the center of the story are characters dealing with loyalty, family, morality, and the difficult choices that arise when doing the “right” thing isn't always clear.
We also talk about Dawn's lifelong love of character-driven storytelling, how being bullied as a child led her to create heroes and adventures in her imagination, and what it was lik...
Blood Meridian Chapter 15 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 15 shifts the focus back toward the kid as Glanton's gang is scattered, exhausted, starving, and on the run.
In this episode, I look at the kid's encounter with the wounded Shelby and his refusal to kill him, raising a difficult question we've encountered before: is refusing to kill an act of mercy when it leaves someone behind to suffer?
We also get one of the most striking scenes in the novel so far as the kid encounters a burning tree in the desert surrounded by animals. For a brief moment, he seems to enter...
Blood Meridian Chapter 14 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 14 pushes Glanton's gang even further into violence that seems increasingly disconnected from profit, survival, or any practical purpose.
After wondering last chapter whether these men kill for profit or pleasure, I'm beginning to lean toward an answer. The scalp trade may finance their reign of terror, but much of what they're doing now seems to exist simply because they want to inflict violence.
In this episode, I look at that escalation, one particularly disturbing act involving two puppies, the return of buzzards and blood soaked landscape imagery, and Judge Holden's increasingly revealing worldview.
<...The Warrior Prophet Chapters 22–25: The Circumfix
Our full-series reread of R. Scott Bakker’s The Warrior Prophet reaches its conclusion with Chapters 22–25.
We also look back at The Warrior Prophet as a whole and ask a question that surprised all three of us: Is this book actually better on a reread than we remembered? Both Shawn and Shobz found the battles and desert journey much less overwhelming this time, while I found myself appreciating the Esmenet and Serwë material more than I remembered.
⚠️ FULL SERIES SPOILERS: This discussion contains spoilers for all seven books of The Second Apocalypse.
Next time, the...
Blood Meridian Chapter 13 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 13 continues one of the darkest stretches of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian as Glanton's gang moves from place to place leaving bodies behind them.
At this point, one question is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: are these men still killing for money, or do they simply enjoy killing?
In this episode, I explore the gang's increasingly indiscriminate violence, the kid's growing boldness, Glanton's apparent abandonment of the life he once had, and Judge Holden's remarkable ability to move between murderer, strategist, intellectual, and political operator.
We also return to the contrast that has...
Page Burners: The Bonehunters Ch. 19–21 | When the Heavens Fall
In this episode of Page Burners, we enter the penultimate stretch of Steven Erikson's The Bonehunters with a full-spoiler discussion of Chapters 19–21—and one of the strangest convergences we've encountered in Malazan so far.
As always, this is a full-spoiler discussion for everything we've read so far in Malazan Book of the Fallen and the connected Ian C. Esslemont novels.
Only Chapter 22 remains.
The pieces have converged. The heavens have fallen. Now it's time to see how The Bonehunters ends.
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Blood Meridian Chapter 12 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 12 is one of the most disturbing chapters of our Blood Meridian read-along so far.
Next up: Chapter 13.
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Blood Meridian Chapter 11 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 11 might be the most difficult and revealing chapter of our Blood Meridian read-along so far.
I'm not pretending I have Chapter 11 figured out. This is one we're putting a big mark beside so we can return to it later.
Next up: Chapter 12.
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Beyond the Page: If Not Now, When? | Ray Hartjen on Cancer, Storytelling & Living with Purpose
What happens when life suddenly reminds you that time isn't guaranteed?
On this episode of Beyond the Page, I’m joined by author, musician, and storyteller Ray Hartjen for a conversation about creativity, resilience, and learning to live with greater intention.
It’s a conversation about making something meaningful out of difficult experiences and remembering to actually live while we have the opportunity.
Find Ray: https://rayhartjen.com/
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Blood Meridian Chapter 10 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 10 of Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian gives us our deepest look at Judge Holden yet.
Next up: Chapter 11.
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Too Many #1s, Too Many Good Comics | Panel Chewing #147
This week on Panel Chewing, we have the opposite of a bad comics problem: there were almost too many good books to choose from.
Join us for a great week of comics, some unexpected favorites, and another journey down the assassin's road.
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Blood Meridian Chapter 9 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 9.
This isn't a definitive guide to Blood Meridian. We're reading one chapter per day, recording immediate reactions and watching our interpretations change along the way.
Next up: Chapter 10.
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Blood Meridian Chapter 8 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 8.
This isn't intended as a definitive explanation of Blood Meridian. We're reading one chapter at a time and keeping a running notebook of our observations as they develop.
Next up: Chapter 9.
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Blood Meridian Chapter 7 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 7.
Next up: Chapter 8.
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The Warrior Prophet Chapters 18–21: There Will Be Fire
The Slog continues as our full-series reread of R. Scott Bakker’s The Warrior Prophet reaches Chapters 18–21.
The Holy War enters one of the most brutal stretches of its journey. Water disappears, the desert becomes an enemy of its own, and the enormous scale of death becomes almost impossible to comprehend. Even when salvation seems to appear, it brings new horrors with it.
As always, we're rereading with knowledge of the entire series, so later events are constantly informing how we interpret these early chapters.
⚠️ FULL SERIES SPOILERS: This discussion contains spoilers for all seve...
Blood Meridian Chapter 6 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Chapter 6 is a short but important transitional chapter in our journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian.
It's a brief stop in the read along, but it feels like we're crossing a threshold.
Next up: Chapter 7.
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<...Blood Meridian Chapter 5 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 5.
This isn't intended as a definitive explanation of Blood Meridian. We're reading one chapter at a time, recording observations, asking questions, and building a notebook that we'll revisit as the novel develops.
Next up: Chapter 6.
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We Actually Picked the Same Comic?! | Panel Chewing #146
This week on Panel Chewing, Steve and Jarrod do something that almost never happens: they choose the same Pick of the Week.
But first, why are there so many #1 issues? We talk about the appeal of jumping into a brand-new comic from the beginning, whether publishers are leaning too heavily on #1s to boost sales, and why more comics might benefit from starting as limited series instead of promising an ongoing that could be cancelled before the story has a chance to finish.
Then we dig into this week's stack, including American Caper #10, Powers 25 #12, Denver #1...
Blood Meridian Chapter 4 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 4.
This isn't intended as a definitive explanation of Blood Meridian. We're reading one chapter at a time, recording what stands out and building a running notebook as the novel develops.
Next up: Chapter 5.
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Beyond the Page: Matt Witten on 51%, Dystopia & Writing for TV
What happens when corporations don’t just control the things you buy, but begin to own pieces of your life?
It’s a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, creativity, television, books, and writing something you genuinely care about.
Find Matt: https://mattwittenwriter.com/
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Blood Meridian Chapter 3 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 3.
This isn't a definitive explanation of Blood Meridian. We're reading one chapter at a time, recording observations, asking questions, and seeing how those ideas change as the novel develops.
Next up: Chapter 4.
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Blood Meridian Chapter 2 | Chapter by Chapter Read Along
The journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian continues with Chapter 2.
This isn't intended as a definitive explanation of Blood Meridian. We're reading one chapter at a time, recording observations, asking questions, and seeing where those questions take us.
Next up: Chapter 3.
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Beyond the Page #24 | Science, Human Rights & Peace with Zafra Lerman
In Episode 24 of Beyond the Page, I’m joined by scientist, educator, human rights advocate, and author Zafra Lerman for a remarkable conversation about a life devoted to education, freedom, and peace.
This is a conversation about science, courage, human rights, diplomacy, education, and what one person can accomplish by refusing to believe that division has to be permanent.
Find Zafra: https://zafralerman.com/
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Blood Meridian Chapter 1 | A Chapter by Chapter Read Along
We're beginning a chapter-by-chapter journey through Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, reading and discussing one chapter every day.
Read Chapter 1, listen along, and join me tomorrow for Chapter 2.
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<...The Warrior Prophet Chapters 14–17: Becoming the Warrior Prophet
Our full-spoiler reread of R. Scott Bakker's The Warrior Prophet continues with Chapters 14–17, bringing us to the end of Part Two.
⚠️ FULL SERIES SPOILERS: This discussion contains spoilers for all seven books of The Second Apocalypse.
Welcome back to the Slog.
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Beyond the Page #23 | Lost Treasure & Family Secrets with Brigid Kennedy
In this episode of Beyond the Page, I’m joined by author and professional violinist Brigid Kennedy for an incredible conversation about family history, lost treasure, Irish roots, the Amazon, and the unusual experience that led her to become a novelist.
It’s a conversation about much more than writing a novel. It’s about preserving the stories that might otherwise disappear—and sometimes creating the ending your family never received.
Find Brigid: https://brigidkennedybooks.com/
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Good Comics, Bad Comics & a $15 Conan | Panel Chewing #145
This week on Panel Chewing, Steve and Jarrod are back with another stack of new comics, some winners, some disappointments—and one comic carrying a whopping $15 price tag.
Join us for comic reviews, industry talk, our Picks of the Week, and another journey down the assassin's road.
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Beyond the Page #22 | Fantasy, Romance & the Promise of a Happy Ending with Michelle Miles
In Episode 22 of Beyond the Page, I sit down with author and fellow podcaster Michelle Miles to talk about fantasy romance, fairy-tale retellings, dark paranormal romance, worldbuilding, and the enduring appeal of the happily-ever-after.
Michelle has written more than 45 books across fantasy, paranormal romance, and fairy-tale retellings. We discuss how the recent rise of romantasy has brought fantasy romance back into the spotlight and why Michelle was drawn to combining magic, adventure, and worldbuilding with slow-burn romance long before the genre's current boom.
We also dig into her approach to worldbuilding as a discovery writer...
The Warrior Prophet Chapters 9–13: The Making of a Prophet
Our full-spoiler reread of R. Scott Bakker’s The Warrior Prophet continues with Chapters 9–13, as Kellhus’s influence over the Holy War begins to grow at an astonishing pace.
⚠️ Full-series spoilers: This discussion assumes you have finished The Second Apocalypse. Nothing is off limits.
Welcome back to the Slog.
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Beyond the Page #21: The AI Tsunami: Are We Ready for What’s Coming? | Guy Morris
In Episode 21 of Beyond the Page, I sit down with author Guy Morris to discuss his new nonfiction book, The AI Tsunami, and the rapidly changing world of artificial intelligence.
It's a fascinating conversation about technology, power, creativity, risk, and what individuals can do as AI becomes an increasingly important part of everyday life.
Find Guy Morris: https://www.guymorrisbooks.com/
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Is the Cub Becoming the Wolf? | Panel Chewing #144
Panel Chewing #144 talks Marvel vs. DC, reviews this week’s comics, reveals our Picks of the Week, and discusses Lone Wolf and Cub Vol. 12.
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Beyond the Page #20 | Sasquatch, Storytelling & What Makes Us Human with Maxim Langstaff
In Episode 20 of Beyond the Page, I’m joined by author Maxim Langstaff to discuss his novel SASQ’ET and the fascinating research that took him far beyond the popular image of Bigfoot.
It’s a wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, technology, nature, creativity, and the strange things that make us human.
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Found Family & Moving Forward | Carpentry in the Elven Forest Finale
We've reached the end of our Carpentry in the Elven Forest by Alex French readalong!
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One Read Ends, Another Begins | Weekly Update
This week on the Page Chewing Weekly Update, I'm catching up on what I've been reading, what's happening across the podcasts, and what I'm getting ready to tackle next.
Question of the Week:
Do you start a fantasy series when it hasn't been completed yet, or do you wait until the entire series is finished?
Thanks for listening, and let me know what you're reading this week!
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<...The Warrior Prophet Part I: The Dead Remember | The Second Apocalypse Reread
Our Second Apocalypse reread continues as we begin The Warrior Prophet by R. Scott Bakker and it doesn't take long for the questions to start piling up.
And, because this is a reread, we inevitably end up asking questions that take us all the way to The Unholy Consult.
⚠️ FULL SERIES SPOILERS: This discussion assumes you have finished all seven books of The Second Apocalypse. Nothing is off limits.
Welcome back to the Slog.
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Page Burners: The Bonehunters by Steven Erikson Ch. 17–18 | A Year of Lies
In this episode of Page Burners, we continue our journey through Steven Erikson’s The Bonehunters with a full-spoiler discussion of Chapters 17 and 18, as storylines from across the Malazan world begin to collide.
As always, this is a full-spoiler discussion for everything we've read so far in Malazan Book of the Fallen and the connected Ian C. Esslemont novels.
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