apollo – FULL CONTACT NERD

Mary-Robinette Kowal interview – Science Fiction novel – “The Relentless Moon” (Tor Books, 2020)

Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2CHOJ4j

Mary-Robinette Kowal has worked [as a] in puppetry for 25 years and has written science fiction for over 10 years. She recently published the third book in her lady astronaut series, [The restless Sun] The Relentless Moon, and we spoke about the book, writing, science, and puppetry.

0:30 – Mary-Robinette talks about why she wrote the series. She talks about how she tends to write historical based novels.

2:20 – Mary-Robinette talks about the background of the series.

3:27 – Mary-Robinette talks about the setting of the first two books and then the third.

4:43 – Mary-Robinette talks about the political setting of the third book.

8:30 – Mary-Robinette talks about how the series is hard science fiction and how she spoke with scientists and professionals about the science in the novels.

9:36 – Mary-Robinette talks about how much the books are in space versus on the Earth.

10:57 – Mary-Robinette talks about how she dealt with gender inequality in the books.

13:12 – Mary-Robinette talks about the science research she did for the book including trying on parts of spacesuits.

14:49 – Mary-Robinette talks about her access to science resources.

16:11 – Mary-Robinette talks about the entertainment that inspires her.

19:29 – Mary-Robinette talks about lateral impacts to spacecraft.

21:57 – Mary-Robinette talks about the aesthetic of the book being sort of a spy thriller.

23:15 – Mary-Robinette talks about whether the novel wraps up the series.

23:47 – Mary-Robinette talks about her writing process and how it’s changed over time.

28:30 – Mary-Robinette talks more about acting as a puppeteer.

30:59 – Mary-Robinette talks about having been an art major.

33:17 – Mary-Robinette talks about how she got into writing and her approach.

34:59 – Mary-Robinette talks about the change in lifestyle from puppetry to writing.

36:36 – Mary-Robinette talks about editing the book down from 180,000 words.

39:28 – Mary-Robinette talks about having loved Battlestar Galactica and the Deryni books.

41:42 – Mary-Robinette talks about difficulties in getting the book finished.

46:30 – Mary-Robinette talks about writing a sci-fi locked room mystery.

48:26 – Mary-Robinette can be found at maryrobinettekowal.com and ladyastronautclub.com.

Links of interest

https://amzn.to/2CHOJ4j

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250236968

http://maryrobinettekowal.com/

For more “Full Contact Nerd” please follow me at crisalvarez.com, on Facebook at CrisAlvarezFCN, on youtube at Cris Alvarez on twitter @CrisAlvarezFCN, on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi, and on Apple Podcasts / Google Podcasts / Stitcher / Spotify for the podcast

Guests: Mary-Robinette Kowal

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science fiction, fantasy, art, artist, writer, novel, novelist, fiction, astronauts, moon, science fiction, fantasy, computers, Apollo, steampunk, punchcardpunk, punch card, the relentless moon, mars, fated sky, calculating stars, meteroite, SFWA, politics, crisis, gender inequality, sexism, NASA, Andy Weir, Artemis, spy thriller, captain marvel, live theater, puppet, writing, writing tips, Battlestar Galactica, magic, Starbuck, depression, Thin Man, mystery

Check the book out here https://amzn.to/2CHOJ4j

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Science Fiction Replicas – Master Replicas Group interview

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Master Replicas Group is a producer of museum quality replicas from science fiction, science and other popular entertainment. I spoke with two of their senior members, Steve and Karl, at the GPCC 2019.

0:38 – Steve and Karl talk about what the Master replica Group does.

1:08 – Karl talks about how one becomes a professional replica maker. He talks about 2001, fossils and 3-D replicas.

3:06 – Karl talks about how model makers connect and get into licensed projects. Steve talks about the actual business side of the work.

6:15 – They discuss what technology advancements have changed the business.

8:20 – They talk about quality control of the [models] replicas.

10:36 – They talk about applying artistic design to their replicas.

15:43 – They talk about what sci-fi and fantasy works have inspired them.

19:35 – They talk about whether space exploration is inspiring people currently.

21:19 – Steve talks about the moon landing and people who don’t believe it.

22:10 – They talk about how they are able to work with people who work remotely for the company.

23:12 – They talk about how people joined their company.

24:50 – Steve talks about cash flow management.

28:55 – They can be found at masterreplicasgroup.com. They’re on facebook and twitter and have links all over google.

Links of interest

https://www.masterreplicasgroup.com/

For more of “Science Fiction and the Fantastic Inside Out” please follow me on Facebook at crisalvarezwlc, on youtube at Cris Alvarez and on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi

Guests: Master Replicas Group

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science fiction, fantasy, art, artist , Warner brothers, dinosaurs, fossils, 2001, smithsonian, apollo, hal-9000, 3-D, white light scan, star wars, star trek, marvel

NASA history book – “The Space-Age Presidency of John F. Kennedy” (University of New Mexico Press, 2019) – John Bisney interview

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John Bisney has worked as a reporter, on news radio, in public relations and is a NASA enthusiast. We talked about the latest book he has co-authored “The Space’Age presidency of John F. Kennedy” which is a photographic history of NASA’s work during JFK’s presidency.

0:41 – John talks about how he got into studying and writing on this subject.

7:13 – John talks briefly about NASA illustration art.

7:46 – John talks about how they lay out the book.

11:01 – John talks about doing research at the Kennedy library.

13:12 – John talks about his favorite photos in the collection. He touches on Alan Shepherd in the White House Rose Garden.

15:02 – John talks about how he chose the pictures they used.

17:41 – John talks about the companies that worked on the space program.

21:59 – John talks about other important people found in the photos.

23:21 – John talks about interesting people who also show up in the pictures.

36:32 – John talks about video of JFK’s travels.

43:13 – The other co-author of the book has a website Retrospaceimages.com

Links of interest

https://unmpress.com/books/space-age-presidency-john-f-kennedy/9780826358097

https://retrospaceimages.com/

For more of “The Art and Design of Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Mystery and Horror” please follow me on Facebook at crisalvarezwlc, on youtube at Cris Alvarez and on Instagram @crisalvarezscifi

Guests: John Bisney

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: science, NASA, gemini, apollo, cape canaveral, jfk, space program,

LBJ, congress, john glenn, white house, spaceship