Épisodes

  • Uvalde’s Darkest Hour By Craig Garnett

    Uvalde’s Darkest Hour By Craig Garnett
    Feb 4 2025
    Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits Craig Garnett, publisher of the Uvalde Leader-New and author of the book Uvalde’s Darkest Hour, about the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and its fallout, which continues to resonate today. This episode explores a perplexing case regarding active shooter preparedness and failures. The discussion centers around a specific school district that conducted active shooter training for law enforcement officers just two months before an event. Despite this, the response on the event day did not follow the trained protocols after the initial minutes. The Department of Justice issued a scathing report highlighting the unpreparedness of the district, which included issues such as non-locking doors, inadequate fencing, and the absence of a patrolling officer at the elementary school on the day of the incident. Critically, the active shooter protocol was not effectively implemented despite being documented by the school police department. But more than simply a recitation of the failures of law enforcement, Garnett looks at the continued impact of the shooting on the survivors, the families of the victims, and, indeed, the entire community of Uvalde. Key highlights: Active Shooter Training and Preparedness Failures on the Day of the Event School District’s Shortcomings Police Force and Protocol Issues Gun Rights and Controls Uvalde Today Resources Craig Garnett on LinkedIn Uvalde’s Darkest Hour on Amazon.com Uvalde Leader-News Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    24 min
  • Exploring Heritage and Storytelling: Kimberly Garza on The Last Karankawas

    Exploring Heritage and Storytelling: Kimberly Garza on The Last Karankawas
    Jan 28 2025
    Welcome to a new season of the award-winning The Hill Country Authors Podcast, sponsored by Stoney Creek Publishing. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits Kimberly Garza, a leading author in Texas, to delve into her journey as a writer and educator. Kimberly shares her experiences growing up in Galveston, her educational background, and her career in writing and teaching creative writing at UT San Antonio. They discuss her debut novel, The Last Karankawas, which explores themes of heritage, identity, and the indigenous history of Texas. Kimberly provides insight into her writing process, how she weaves her cultural background into her work, and the challenges and joys of storytelling. The conversation also touches on the significance of place in Kimberly’s writing, the evolving history of Galveston, and the complex narratives surrounding Tejano and Latinx identities in Texas. Kimberly emphasizes the importance of persistence and passion in writing, advising aspiring writers on balancing creative pursuits with professional responsibilities. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersections of culture, history, and literature. Key highlights: Early Writing Journey Educational Background and Career Path The Last Karankawas: Inspiration and Themes Latina Perspective and Cultural Identity Galveston’s Rich History Writing Process and Advice for Aspiring Writers Resources: The Last Karankawas website Kimberly Garza at UTSA The Last Karankawas on Amazon.com Stoney Creek Publishing Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    25 min
  • Conrad Bibens on the Life and Times of General George Thomas

    Conrad Bibens on the Life and Times of General George Thomas
    Jan 8 2025
    Welcome to a new season of the award-winning Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write about the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with author Conrad Bibens, whose book The Best General of the Civil War was recently published by the Wimberly-based Stoney Creek Publishing. In the inaugural episode of 2025, Tom and Conrad Bibens discuss his new book focusing on Union Army George Thomas. Conrad shares insights about his 40-year journalism career and his deep dive into the life of Thomas, a Southern-born general who fought for the North despite his Virginian roots and upbringing in a slaveholding family. They discuss Thomas’s remarkable military career, his unwavering integrity, and the various influences that shaped his legacy during and after the Civil War. Key themes include Thomas’s strategic prowess, his controversial position in Northern and Southern narratives, and the modern-day leadership lessons that can be drawn from his life. Key highlights: Why George Thomas? Nat Turner’s Rebellion and Its Impact George Thomas in the Mexican War Artillery Expertise in the Civil War Comparing Civil War Generals Career and Legacy of George Thomas Leadership Lessons from George Thomas Resources: Conrad Bibens on Stoney Creek Publishing The Best General of the Civil War on Amazon The Best General of the Civil War on Texas A&M Press Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    25 min
  • Larry Morris on Writing and Publishing Science Fiction

    Larry Morris on Writing and Publishing Science Fiction
    Dec 20 2023
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country.  In this episode, Tom visits with author Larry Morris, a science fiction writer from Wimberly, TX. Larry Morris, a former software architect with over two decades of experience in data processing at BMC Software in Houston, found a new passion in writing science fiction as he approached retirement. After a successful career in the tech industry, Larry transitioned into a successful career as a science fiction author, publishing his first book in 2011. His perspective on writing is shaped by his preference for working with small groups of potential writers with established authors rather than larger organizations focused on critiquing each other's work. Larry's passion for science fiction, combined with his unique approach to writing and collaboration, has led to the creation of his popular Salvage series and a fulfilling second career. Join Tom Fox and Larry Morris on this episode of the Hill Country Authors Podcast to learn more about Larry's successful transition from software architect to sci-fi author. Key Highlights: Larry Morris' Captivating Salvage Series in Science Fiction Cosmic Adventures: Space Junk and Alien Threats Larry's Successful Self-Publishing Seminars Where to Find Larry Morris' Captivating Science Fiction Novels Resources Larry Morris on Linkedin Larry Morris Author Page on Amazon   Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    20 min
  • Kimberly Fish – The Town of Comfort as a Character

    Kimberly Fish – The Town of Comfort as a Character
    Aug 9 2023
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with author Kimberly Fish who features Comfort in many of her books. This podcast episode explores how the history of the Texas Hill Country has impacted two authors' writing careers. Tom Fox and Kimberly Fish discuss how German immigration to the region in the mid-1800s left a lasting impact on the state. As a result of this influence, Comfort, Texas was founded by German immigrants and has its language, customs, and monument. Tom Fox and Kimberly Fish bring the Hill Country to life through their work, with Tom Fox incorporating Comfort, Texas as a character in his stories and Kimberly Fish creating a fictionalized version of the town to introduce readers to the nuances of the Hill Country of Texas. Key Highlights ·       Texas Hill Country ·       German Immigration to Texas ·       Comfort's History ·      Creating a Character Town Resources Kimberly Fish Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    29 min
  • Peggy Sundberg – Cowgirl Peg & Crooze on Croozer: Blind Inspiration

    Peggy Sundberg – Cowgirl Peg & Crooze on Croozer: Blind Inspiration
    Jul 12 2023
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, Tom visits with children’s book author Peggy Sundberg, Cowgirl Peg. Peggy has achieved inspiring success stories through her love of writing and animals. Peggy, born and raised in Alvin, Texas, developed a love of writing and horses from a young age and had a lifelong dream of rescuing ancient horses that nobody wanted anymore. She was able to pursue her dream when she was 50, and her lifestyle changed, living in a horse trailer and a barn on a small ranch in western Colorado. Peggy had four horses and five fosters residing on the ranch and worked with a group out of Denver to foster horses. She also had a lifelong dream of writing children’s books with meaningful messages and could do this after rescuing a little horse and hearing his story. The book was about friendship and tolerance of differences in a happy way. Peggy’s latest book, Crooze on Croozer, was not planned and was inspired by a woman who asked her to write a book about her dog. The book is about a blind blue healer dog and is told from the dog’s perspective. Peggy did research with the Texas School for the Blind to ensure she was getting the story right, and the book is meant to be a feel-good story and to inspire those with disabilities to do great things. The book is a truly Texan product, and I hope it will make kids think about what it would be like to be blind and appreciate what they can see. Key Highlights: ·      Cowgirl Peg Adventures ·      Love of Horses ·      Crooze on Croozer ·      Rescuing Horses ·      Cowgirl Peg  Resources: Peggy Sundberg Cowgirl Peg Crooze on Croozer Tom Fox Instagram Facebook YouTube Twitter LinkedIn
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    28 min
  • Julia Daily – “No Names to be Given”: An Author’s Journey Through Adoption

    Julia Daily – “No Names to be Given”: An Author’s Journey Through Adoption
    Apr 27 2023
    Welcome to the award-winning The Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, I visit Julia Daily, our first Fredericksburg author on the show. She shares her diverse professional background in public relations, teaching, and being the executive director of Craftsman’s Guild of Mississippi. Julia gets personal and talks about her experience writing her recent book, “No Names To Be Given,” based on her own adoption story. Tom and Julia then delve into the shame and secrecy surrounding pregnancy out of wedlock in the 1900s. Julia shares her adoption story and how it inspired her to write about three women forced to give up their children for adoption. She also discusses her second book, The First Daughter of Thorn Ranch. The podcast is thrilling and explores family dynamics, conflict, and conservation. The lively conversation includes Julia’s writing process, how she researches, and her upcoming projects, including a possible third book in her series. Additionally, the podcast discusses Julia’s interesting podcast that celebrates the success of authors who publish their first book after the age of 50. This episode is sure to keep you engaged and wanting more. Key Takeaways: ·      The Shameful Treatment of Unwed Pregnant Women ·      Women in Texas Ranching ·      Preserving Generational Ranches in Texas ·      Julia’s Writing Process and Research Methods ·      Julia on script writing and podcast promotion  Resources Julia Daily Purchase No Names to Be Given Purchase The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch
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    23 min
  • Skye Alexander-Writing in the Jazz Age

    Skye Alexander-Writing in the Jazz Age
    Mar 22 2023
    Welcome to award-winning The Hill Country Authors Podcast. In this podcast, Hill Country resident Tom Fox visits with authors who live in and write up the Texas Hill Country. In this episode, I visit with author Skye Alexander, a prolific author whose most recent series features protagonist Lizzie Crane and is set in the Jazz Age in New England and New York.   Alexander is the author of a mystery series set in New York City in the mid-1920s. Her main character, Lizzie Crane, is an Irish immigrant striving to rise above her working-class background. Alexander has heavily researched her series, setting the first four books in New England and the fifth and sixth books in New York City. Skye has written nearly 50 books and many more magazine articles. She does extensive research for her books and considers herself "not a morning person." She is heavily involved with the Friends of Kerrville Library. Her third book in the Lizzie Crane series will be released in August. Tune in to the Hill Country Authors Podcast for a full exploration of these and other authors' works. Key Takeaways: ·      Class Struggles in Jazz-Era New York City: A Discussion with Sky Alexander ·      Research Process for Setting Novels in New England and New York City ·      Writing Process of K.C. Jones ·      Writing Professionally at a Young Age ·      The Benefits of Volunteering at the Friends of the Library Book Store  Notable Quotes 1.     "It's a really fun way to make a living. I'm very fortunate."  2.     "My protagonist, her name is Lizzie Crane, and she is from a poor Irish immigrant family in New York City in the mid-1920s when the stories take place." 3.     "Lots of books have atmosphere, many of us read a book or a specific author for atmosphere. But you had, in my mind, an incredibly unique atmosphere. The best way I can describe it is, I do not want to say, class conflict, but you were able to emphasize class as opposed to race or other issue in America in a way I have rarely seemed done in a mystery." 4.     "It was actually the first wave of feminism and the first wave of the women's movement. I wanted to make sure that I was able to bring that into the story and show how women were really struggling to find their place in the world." Resources Skye Alexander Purchase Try to Catch a Falling Knife Purchase What The Walls Know
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    19 min