Tell The Damn Story Episode #83: From Russia to the U.S. And Back. Telling The Story Through Comics

Posted on April 28, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

art by Nastia

They came to the U.S. to see how we tell stories about social justice through comics.

In this episode Alex and Chris interview several artists (Anastasia, Alexey, and Mitia) from Russia.  For a little over a week they toured the country meeting independent  and main stream comic artists and publishers.  That in itself is quite a story.  But even more amazing is their efforts to reflect through their comics, some of the same issues we face all over the world, even here at home.
Art truly is the bridge.

Click here to hear.

(* This was not recorded in a studio, but from several different locations.  Also, since english is not the first language for all the participants  (plus Chris and Alex are not bi-lingual), so you’ll have to listen more closely.)
Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?
Post them in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story: What’s Behind 13 Years of Producing the Kids Comic Con?

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says
Movies based on comics are a billion dollar business.
Comics are a million dollar business, especially with racy adult material.
And many comic conventions bring in thousands of dollars, catering to a pop culture fan base.
So how does a little con in the Bronx, with almost no budget, catering just to kids and families, survive for 13 years?
On this episode Chris interviews KIDS COMIC CON co-founder, Alex Simmons, and this year’s KCC’s Events Manager, Maureen Britt. The goal? To learn how to Alex the team of volunteers have managed to produce these shows that draw over 700 children and their families — with no serious funding.
Listen and learn.
Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?
Post them in the comments section below …
Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com
For info on the KIDS COMIC CON:
Alex@KidsComicCon.com
http://www.KIDSCOMICCON. COM

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story: From “What if” to 13 Years: Getting to “Yes” with You Creative Endeavors

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Never Give Up

Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan discuss how to keep going when there are roadblocks thrown in front of your creativity. They speak of pop culture phenomena and their own projects, from brand new ideas to works in progress to 13 years of the Kids Comic Con!

Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?
Post them in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com
For info on The Mary Day Chronicles:

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story #80: What Do Avenger: Endgame and Kids Comic Con Have In Common? Marketing!

Posted on April 7, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Comparing a multi-billion dollar property (with a multi-million dollar promotion budget), with a grassroots kids comic convention in the Bronx?! Yes. Alex Simmons and Chris Ryan discuss both and more in this episode of Tell The Damn Story.

Click here to hear.

Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?

Post them in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

For further information on KCC go to:
www.KIDSCOMICCON.COM

 

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story-Unplugged #79: How Do You Face Creative Depression?

Posted on March 31, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Alex and Chris discuss numerous aspects of creative depression from “The Mean Editor” interior voice to worrying about aging, to time, to dealing with collaborators and publishers who do not share your vision. And they suggest ways to deal with each in what threatens to become “a very special episode” of Tell the Damn Story.

Click here to hear.

Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?  Post them in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story-Unplugged #78: How Hard Is It To Give Credit Where Credit Is Due?

Posted on March 24, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says
Being a freelance artists (writer, illustrator, dancer, etc.) can be a hard road to travel. It’s not just about the quality of your craft. It’s also about the level of your business skills, and the ethics of the business world. In this episode Alex and Chris reflect on that and the hard times many comic artists have faced over the past 80 years.
The financial worth of comics have grown from five cent newspapers fillers, to multi-billion dollar intellectual properties. Where did and do the creators fit  in that whirl-wind of wealth?
Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do?
Post in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story-Unplugged #77: Choosing To Write Outside Life Experience (Race, Religion, and More)

Posted on March 17, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says
In this episode Alex and Chris verbally cruise the choppy waters of the right to write debate.  Should writers tell stories about life experiences (race, religion, etc.) that they haven’t lived.  If so, what are their responsibilities? What harm can come out of it?  What good?
Will Chris and Alex have the answers, or just raise more questions?
Click here to hear.
Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you do? Post in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story-Unplugged #76: Chris Ryan Interviews Mystery Author & Ex-Journalist, R.G. Belsky

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says
A little while back, Chris attended the Deadly Ink Writer’s Conference in central New Jersey.
There he met and interviewed several other talented authors to get a glimpse of their process for telling the damn story. So listen up as he shares some process and experiences of mystery writer and ex-journalist R.G. BELSKY.
Have questions or comments for us, and I hope you will? Post in the comments section below … Or write: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story-Unplugged #75: An Interview With Black Lightening Creator, Tony Isabella

Posted on March 3, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says
In this episode, Alex has to roll solo as he sits down with one of the comic industries best talents, writer/creator Tony Isabella. Tony worked for both Marvel and DC Comics starting back in the seventies, and is best known as the creator of the popular character, Black Lightning. But there’s more to his long and formidable history.  And there’s a lot more to the story behind those years, and the other characters he’s written or created.
So sit back, listen, laugh and learn about his creative path from Cleveland to Hollywood.
Post your comments or questions in the comments section below … Or write to us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com.

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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Tell The Damn Story-Unplugged #74: Meet Don McGregor, Writer of The Black Panther & 200 Other Tales

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Alex Simmons Says

Co Hosts Alex and Chris thought they were prepared to interview storyteller extraordinaire DON McGREGOR.  

Alex had known him since the 70s.  Chris had read this books almost as long, and researched like crazy for the interview.  They thought they were ready for anything. They weren’t even close.  Listen as Don candidly speaks about his creative, professional, and personal life — good, bad and amazing!

Post your comments or questions in the comments section below … Or write to us at: TTDSOnAir@gmail.com.

Alex Simmons, Alex Simmons, writer/speaker, consultant with his InkPot Award.
Chris Ryan,
Author of mysteries, children’s books, screenplays and novels

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