Author Archives: Alex Simmons Says

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About Alex Simmons Says

Alex Simmons is an award-winning freelance writer, comic book creator, playwright, teaching artist, and educational consultant. He’s written for Disney Books, Penguin Press, Simon and Schuster, Marvel, DC, and Archie Comics. Simmons is the creator of the acclaimed adventure comic book series, Blackjack. As a teaching artist, Simmons has created and taught creative arts workshops for students and educators in the US, Europe, West Indies, and Africa. Simmons has served on panels and delivered lectures on children’s entertainment mediums, as well as empowering young people through the arts. Simmons founded the annual family event, Kids Comic Con, as well as three comic arts exhibits, which have traveled abroad. He is currently developing a comics and creative arts program for children all over the world. During the past 35 years, Simmons has participated as a member of arts and education boards for several New York State nonprofit organizations, as well as one in Nigeria. As a teaching artist Simmons has worked with youth through the Bronx Community College, the Christopher Barron Live Life Foundation, Apollo Theater In-School Arts Program, Henkel McCoy, Upward Bound, New York Council on the Arts, Children’s Art Carnival, Wings Academy, and NYU Creative Arts Team, to name a few. He has been a panelist at many literacy and arts events, and he has been a guest speaker at numerous colleges and educational institutions here and abroad.

Tell The Damn Story 141: HOW CREATIVES HAVE AN HONEST DISCUSSION OF RACISM IN AMERICA

What does that have to do with writing and creative art? Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #140: Is All Art Political & All Artists Merely The Voice?

This week Alex and Chris explore a multitude of answers to the question, Is All Art Political? And, Are All Artist Obligated to Create Political Art? Using examples from the #MCU #MarkTwain, #DCComics, #AynRand, #GeorgeOrwell and many other works (including … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story 139: Raiding Our Creative Energies, A Childhood Blessing

Today Alex and Chris celebrate creativity long past and brand new!  We discuss the documentary “Raiders” (NetFlix) which is all about a group of 11-year-olds who decided to re-create “Raiders of the Lost Ark” shot for shot,  the seven years … Continue reading

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Simmons Talks Creativity On International Podcast

Hey Folks: Talk about Social Distancing! This morning (5/14/20) I was interviewed on the program, THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE, out of Yekaterinburg, Russia! Once again, it was a challenge to hold back my usual super energetic storytelling, so the interpreter could … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #138: TTDS, FAMILY REUNION

And it is a Family Reunion when Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan catch up with TTDS co-founder Tim Fielder.  Alex, Chris and Tim created this show 138 episodes ago to discuss the wide range of media they called home.  Tim’s … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story 137: Pandemic, To Write or Not To Write? That Is The Question.

This week Alex and Chris go against the collective wisdom of writers and authors everywhere!  Many creatives have suggested people not to write about the Covid “because everybody’s going to be writing about the pandemic.”   Well Alex and I … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #136: Kids Comic Con 2020, The Con That Never Ends

Chris and Alex tackle a different story this time — a kids story.   Chris interviews Alex about his efforts to keep COVID-19 from completely canceling the 14th annual Kids Comic Con.  When social distancing prevents families from going to … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story 135: The Healing. What Happens After Corona Time.

This week Alex and Chris talk about coronavirus head on; what’s happening to us, the effect all aspects of this disease are having on us, and how too many creators are struggling to create in its shadow. We talk about … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #134: Watching While Living … In The Twilight Zone

Submitted for your approval — three men racing though an twisted maze of time, taste, societal and media tropes.  Enthusiastically trying to make sense of a world of stories told by a master, an apprentice, and a committee comprised of … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #133: In Creating Characters It’s Hard To Get Better Than Olmos

Today, Alex and Chris turn to veteran actor Edward James Olmos for wisdom and guidance when it comes to contributing to story. At least they do in the second half of this episode. In Part One, they talk about what … Continue reading

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