Citywide Blackout

Novelist, actor, professor, and popular podcast host Jaime Parker Stickle’s new novel “Take Hart” continues her "Corey in Los Angeles" crime series. Here’s a look at what’s in store:

Corey Tracey-Lieberman is a former television journalist who’s determined to bring justice to her corner of Los Angeles, while balancing an increasingly challenging modem day-to-day reality: consulting for the LAPD; coping with the anxiety of parenthood; filing stories for an indie news blog; processing the failures of her marriage; meeting with her therapist; and navigating the romantic feelings for her crime-fighting partner, all while solving the mystery of yet another missing woman in the city of angels. Reader, it’s a lot.      

Corey is barely keeping it together. And then a mother named Sonja Hart vanishes in her neighborhood, and the case is all but ignored. Sparked by maternal fury, Corey’s investigative instincts come roaring back to life in the second "Corey in Los Angeles" series, following the release of the series debut, Vicious Cycle. 

In order to see the truth clearly, Corey must stop taking the meds that keep her anxiety at bay. Strapping her 14-month-old son Jacob to her chest, she follows a trail that leads from a suspicious house fire to the furtive activities of new neighbors. The more Corey digs, the more she uncovers about the secret toll of gentrification—and the closer she comes to the verge of a breakdown. And the horror dawns that the killer she’s been chasing has been watching her all along . . .

Jaime and I go back to the beginning when this series got its start and talk about the creation of Corey’s character. She shares her process for crafting her mysteries and how her protagonist handles the investigative part of the job. She also shares some tips for those new to writing and how to break into the mystery genre.

Want more? Then head to https://www.jaimeparkerstickle.com.

After finding film censorship notecards among a deceased relative’s belongings, award-winning author and TV producer Glenn R. Miller knew he had a story on his hands. The author of “Doorman Wanted” (2026 Plymouth Reads Book of the Year) is now preparing to release a new satirical novel on censorship in the arts: “Rough Cuts” (Koehler Books, Sept. 29, 2026).

It’s 1926 and the world of film is about to change forever. On the cusp of “talkies,” directors and actors fear their greatest days might soon be behind them. Patrick J. Shepard, a director at the end of his career, has just completed his masterpiece, his vehicle for eternal fame. But there’s one problem: Ohio.

Harold Dawdry, the young, second-string minister at a small church in a corner of Ohio, has been appointed to the State Film Censorship Board. He regards this appointment as his ticket to the power and relevance he desperately craves. There is one director who has particularly rankled his delicate sensibilities: Patrick J. Shepard. The minister feels Ohio is best served if Shepard makes drastic cuts to his final film.

In this interview, Glenn talks about the notes he found and what it taught him about film censorship in the 1920s. He goes into his own research and what was learned and how all this shaped the story. Glenn also talks about his two main characters Shepard and Dawdry, how they were made and their interactions in the book.

Glenn also talks about the different ways he connects with his readers and offers some tips on how to bridge that gap. We go into the different ways of learning the craft of writing, as well as how to take that first step as a writer.

Want to know more? Visit https://glenn-r-miller.com.

For this episode, I’m chatting with Jane Brookwood about her new cozy mystery, “The Hanged Man” (Brookwood Publishing, September 15, 2026). Here’s a look at what’s in store:

In small-town Pineridge Hollow, Fiona Miller runs a metaphysical gift shop where she reads tarot, sells crystals, mixes tea, and generally minds her own business alongside her cat and familiar Rosie. But when she pulls The Hanged Man tarot card moments before learning her long-lost friend’s son has turned up dead, she vows to uncover the truth. 

The town has already decided, but Fiona's tarot deck isn't so sure. She follows the cards into buried grudges, old money, and secrets the town spent decades hiding. On top of everything, The Hanged Man keeps making himself known.

We’ll be talking about the creation of Pineridge Hollow and what’s in store for this small town in future books. Jane talks about the crafting of Fiona’s character and how she pivots from small-town business owner to investigator. Tarot plays a strong role in the story and Jane gives us an opener into what it’s all about and how it factors into the book.

Be sure to get your copy of “The Hanged Man” and visit https://ravenversebooks.com/ for more!

Rising country-pop artist Sofia Renee has a new single out, “Stuff About You,” and that’s just the tip of the iceberg in this this episode.

Sofia talks all about her beginnings as a musician and the journey to find her sound as an artist. We talk about the many different shows (and why she’s banned from booking any!) and some of her favorite times on stage.

Social media is a tricky beast, but Sofia shares some of her tactics for posts that will generate real interest. She also gives some ‘first step’ advice and the opportunities down the road.

Closing out this episode is “Stuff About You.” Be sure to visit http://www.sofiareneemusic.com/ for more!

Texas musician Randy C. Mooore has worked with some of the legends of country music scene, played shows all over the world, and been inducted into the European Country Music Hall of Fame….so it’s safe to say that he’s done a lot in his lengthy career.

Randy joined me to talk about what got a guitar into his hands at the age of 15, and how he has stuck with it all these years. He goes into teaming up with rockabilly legend Carl Perkins for the song “Big Bertha,” and the interesting story behind the tune.

Randy has done shows from Mexico to Singapore and offers his advice for other artists about to hope on a plane to play in a new country for the first time. He also shares his advice on what’s a good place to kick off your own music career.

Wrapping up this episode is Randy’s recent single, “High Cost of Low Living.” Check out https://randycmoore.com.

It was 2024 when songwriter Drew Lawrence connected with drummer/producer Like Adams to form the band seeTrees. We talk all about those early days and the release of their debut album, “Greater than the Past,” including the story behind some of the songs.

Drew also shares his ongoing summer tour and opines on the memorable venues. Later this year he’ll be at the Troubadour in Los Angeles and you can bet we dive into that one!

Over the years Drew has had the chance to share his skills to other prospective musicians and offers his thoughts on the best places to begin your career and how to find your inner musician. He also gives his take on music in 2026 and how it can still become a career.

Wrapping this up is the single “All These Things.”

Like what you heard? Visit http://seetreesband.com/ for more.

Dr. Candicee (pronounced Can-dee-see) Childs joins us to talk about her newest children’s book, “Cece's Sour & Sweet Journey to Medical School,” which encourages young readers to embrace perseverance, dream boldly, and see themselves in STEM and medicine.

We talk about the unexpected origin of this book and the lengthy process as she shaped the story. The book is a children’s version of her Christian memoir “Lemons, Lemonade, and the Lemonade Stand: My Bittersweet Journey to Medical School,” and she shares how she adapted the tale for younger readers. We also learn about how she met the artist Setiawan and their collaborated for the illustrations.

Dr. Childs also shares some advice for those looking to write their own children’s books and some of the guidance she received along the way.

Like what you saw? Then check out https://www.candicee-childs.com.

Since I heard their recent single “Spirits of the Dead,” I have become a huge fan of Sisters of Black Mountain, so of course we had to have the band on the show. Cecilia Enriquez joins us to share how this amazing musical project got its start and the story of the aforementioned single and it’s amazing music video.

Cecilia also talks about the perils of AI in music and offers her thoughts on the best ways to kick off a music project, grow it and make your mark.

Wrapping up this episode is “Spirits of the Dead,” and you should definitely check out the music video.

Like what you heard? Then head to https://linktr.ee/sistersofblackmountain for more!

DB Stewart has been songwriting since he got his first guitar at age 12, started volunteering at local shows at 14 and started his first band at 15. Today, he’s got a new single called “Love is Funny,” and the story behind it is amazing!

We talk all about this, the folks he worked with and some unexpected surprises that happened. Back in April, DB released, “Take to the Streets,” a call to action inspired by the events of 2024. He also shares his take on the role that artists can play when it comes to speaking out about what matters to them.

Closing out this interview is “Take to the Streets,” and the message is a powerful one.

Like what you heard? Check out more at https://www.dbstewart.com.

In the third part of our interview series with Mikel Wisler, we dive into the business of writing books and making movies. Mikel’s been doing this for awhile and there’s a lot to learn, especially for those just jumping in.

Mikel and Max talk first steps for film and books, going from the idea stage to seeing your concept come to life. Mikel shares some mistakes to avoid and gives his take on the indie film industry in 2026. We also go over some insights into the many ways you can take your passion project and make it your new job.

Visit http://www.mikelwisler.com/ for more.

Episode 1– https://citywideblackout.podbean.com/e/mikel-wisler-returns-ai-and-human-trafficking-combine-in-proxy/

Episode 2– https://citywideblackout.podbean.com/e/mikel-wisler-talks-time-travel-thrillers-in-stop/