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 132: Turn Left At “The Grind!”

And BATTLING THE GRIND This week Alex and Chris dive deep into the struggle that we’re all facing; the war against boredom. While outlining some of the challenges they suggest ways to keep yourself occupied and your spirits up, inside … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #130: How Do You Tell This Story? Dance, Sing, Draw, Write!

We’re two days early! Yes we are! In light of the quickly escalating coronavirus, Alex and Chris discuss social distancing and the hardships and blessings that presents to creatives. Ideas and opinions abound and we are interested in what you … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #129: WITH SUSPECTS AND RED HERRINGS, WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE? IT’S A MYSTERY!

This week Alex and Chris sing the coronavirus blues, absolutely diss Agatha Christie, and discuss structuring a mystery, the value of red herrings, and why we need suspects, all accomplished between our usual chuckles. Click here to hear. We know … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #128: How To Face The Fears of Telling A Damn Story

Go in deep with Alex and Chris as they embrace the pain.   This week they’re talking about the times when writing caused them pain or was painful or was inspired by pain of some kind – emotional spiritual, sleep … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #127: A Story By Any Other Name. Or Finding Yourself, Your Voice, And Your Genre.

Alex and Chris talk about, well, almost everything in an attempt to explain the chicken-or-egg maze run of a creative finding voice and proper genre. From Chris’ ongoing transitioning from pure Indie writer to traditionally published, to expectations for editors, … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #126: Are ReWrites An Author’s Path To Heaven or Hell?

In this episode, Chris and Alex explore the next segment of their GET YOUR WRITE ON series. Rewriting — how to seed what you need in your stories so  the climax to pays off. They talk almost exclusively about the … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story # 125: VICTOR, A PAUSE TO PAY TRIBUTE

This week, Alex and Chris pay tribute to Archie Comics legend Victor Gorelick, the oldest editor in comics, who has died this week. He was a sweet guy, a major fount of comic industry knowledge, and a good friend to … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #124: A WRITER’S SUPER BRAWL – HOW TO PLAY IN THE BIG GAME OF GETTING YOUR STORY RIGHT

It might be Super Bowl Sunday for everyone else, but for Alex Simmons and Christopher Ryan, it is time to Tell The Damn Story. Today we talk about many topics including Morning Meditations by Alex “guru” Simmons, and, in our … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #123: HOW TO GET YOUR WRITE ON #3 – READY, SETTING, GO!

It’s Where, When, and How Much do you need to decide before writing a good story! This week Alex and Chris discuss Rod Serling, tease an upcoming Twilight Zone TTDS episode,  a black out in the subway, and setting, setting, setting! … Continue reading

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Tell The Damn Story #122: What Is A Writers’ Toughest Challenge? Or Tales From The Comments

This week Alex and I catch up on our separate creative projects, give a huge shout out to a truly fun podcast (besides this one, of course), and we use our “Get Your Write On” segment to respond to your … Continue reading

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