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I got the chance to interview the award-winning podcaster of Just Joshing. He happens to have a book coming out tomorrow called Cloud Diver. I welcome to the website Joshua Pantalleresco. Armed with a some questions. I asked him about podcasting, what fuels him, how he handles aspects of being an author, and more. I gained an insight into how his world.

Let’s begin with the writing side of your career. How did you get into the writing career?

By accident. I had an assignment in my 8th grade class. At the time I was in London, Ontario, Canada and there was this contest called the Lawson Literary Contest. I finished third writing that story and fell in love with the process. I’ve been making stuff up ever since.

Was writing a book something you always wanted to do or something that just began for you?

I wanted to be sure i could write a book, so that’s what I focused on in high school. I finished my first novel at 17.

As a published author, how do you handle reviews and criticism?

I cry in the corner at first. I mean, sometimes reviews hurt, especially if they are truth filled. Sometimes the criticism is constructive and brutal, and you have to take it in the chest.  When it’s not constructive I just ignore it.  I mean, if they care enough to try and tear you down, I kind of feel you already won.

Being that you’re a freelancer, is there any company or writer that you have wanted to work with, but haven’t gotten the chance yet?

In the world of comics I want to work with Beth Wagner on something someday.  It almost happened.  K. Lynn Smith, Colette Turner, Justin Shauf and Riley Rossmo are on my list too.
Writing wise? Adam Dreece. I think we could create beautiful chaos together.

To you, want makes for a pleasant story?

When I’m invested in the characters. You can write about anything you want, but unless there is that connection to the story and the character, it doesn’t work. Once I buy in to the characters, I’m in for the long haul.

Is there anything you can share with us about your upcoming book?

I had a blast doing it. I’m writing about unicorns that fart rainbows and zombie monsters. I write about serious stuff too, but it’s an adventure.  And Johnny, my main character, doesn’t like adventure one bit. 

What helped keep you motivated throughout the creation of this story?

I had so much fun writing Johnny and Gunblade.  Gunblade was a perfect straight woman for Johnny to roll off of.  He’s such a coward that I just enjoyed figuring out what kind of trouble I could get him into.

Was the book inspired by anything?

Another accident. My life is filled with them.  I was part of this writing group in Calgary called IFWA.  IFWA does a monthly critique and I volunteered…without a story.  So I wrote the first chapter in two days.  Beyond that, I’m fascinated that we record absolutely everything to share to the world.  It will paint a different history than the one we know.  We suspect Tutankhamen was who he said he was.  We don’t know for sure.  With us it will be different.  How will we be judged going forward?

You’re not only a writer but also a podcaster. When did podcasting enter your life?

By accident. I have been doing interviews for over twenty years. I had the pleasure of interviewing Robert J. Sawyer. Rob and I had a pretty good conversation that I was recording on the phone. When it was over, someone came up to Rob and asked what he was doing.  He replied, “That he was being interviewed for my podcast.” I didn’t have a podcast at the time, but something clicked. I just shrugged and said why not, and started interviewing people for the podcast.  I’m in my fifth year and just came out with my 363rd episode.

Between writing and podcasting, you must be a very busy person. What’s a typical day look like for you?

Depends. Right now my days are about working on material because my book is about to be launched.  I usually wake up and look for things to pitch to. Once that is done, I write something. A column for First Comics, an assignment, or maybe another bit of my novel. In my evenings I’ll interview people for the podcast. Every other night, I work on the podcast for release. That’s pretty much my routine. 

The Cloud Diver Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.ca/Cloud-Diver-Level-1-ebook/dp/B0881HR54T
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/7d0583a98ffc/dangerousjustjoshing
Podcast: https://jpantalleresco.podomatic.com
Twitter/IG: @jpantalleresco

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It was clear to me that this is a moral tale of being careful as Dr. Moreau is basically playing God in his own universe with the main character falling into it. Prendick, the main character, is how many would be, shocked and disturbed by the details of the world he has been thrust into. He is in a literal Hell-scape full of the horrors that a ‘mad scientist’ has created.

This is one of those horror books, for me, that I couldn’t put down. I was aware of the movie and enjoyed it, but as it has said many times before in this series of reviews I wanted to see what was different from the movie and the book.

It follows, of course, the same storytelling, but like good horror it allowed me often to use my imagination and thus scare myself. My heart broke for many of the characters. It’s easy to feel for many of the characters. It’s intriguing and well-written giving prove of Wells’ great writing and why he’s considered a legend.

I don’t recommend this book to anyone that may be a sensitive reader. This is not a book for the faint. Some of the details can be gruesome, shocking, and overwhelming. Wells writes some parts of this story in a raw unabashed detail that could take a less seasoned horror reader off guard. Even though I enjoyed this book I admit time to time there were parts that I was surprised by, but I’m a seasoned reader and writer of horror. I found it refreshing to see an author creating some of the lines of literature that are in this story.

This review is a part of my 2020 yearlong self-challenge to read and review. I have reread some books for the purpose of reviewing them on my website whereas I have read others for the first time. Check out Book Reviews and Recommendations to find other book reviews, book recommendations, and more information about the books I’m reading, have read, or are sharing.

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts? Do you agree with me? Do you disagree? Let’s have a conversation about it.