Unstable Table Talks Debut Episode featuring Brian McAuley

Let's talk about it ...

Welcome my unstable pretties. I am finally ready to let y’all in on what I have been up to the last few weeks. Short story long, I wanted to do more on my platforms and in the book community. But, I knew I wanted to do it in my own way. In a unique and fun and accessible form. I decided to reach out to all members of the book community. A screech, if you will indulge me. Don’t ask me to do it please.

I have reached out to authors, influencers, podcasters, booksellers, etc. I want to hear from the heart of the book community and showcase the delight that exists in this corner of the internet. In addition, each Q&A is curated and unique to my guest. Thus, Unstable Table Talks was born.

My first 10 or so guests are the stuff of dreams and I am forever grateful to have these opportunities. Who could I have asked to be on my first episode other than Mr. Brian McAuley? No one, that’s who. A teacher by day, an author by night (unless its after midnight, when he may be a Gremlin?), Brian is a man of endless talents and his books are simply *chef’s kiss*.

This “show” is designed to be a more relaxed and sometimes a little unhinged so, let’s talk about it … (anything in parenthesis is my own live reaction to the responses).

Abby Wolf: Do you have any writing superstitions?

Brian McAuley: Write to the end of a first draft as fast as possible without looking back or editing.

Abby: If you had to write an entire novel without action or dialogue, where do you think you would go with these parameters?

Brian: I would go insane. This just sounds like my diary. Which is insane.

(I’d pay good money to see this diary).

Abby: Do you believe in ghosts?

Brian: Lingering energies, yes. Sentient specters, no.

Abby: If Candy Cain was going to make you dinner, what would she make? Do not say beans LOL.

Brian: Baked beans & brains, baby!

(He said beans! There is a very specific scene in Candy Cain Kills Again that I had in mind).

Abby: Do you believe in the old writing trope "kill your darlings"? And how do you pick the darlings you decide to kill off?

Brian: That’s my secret, Captain. I kill them all.

Abby: Do you read in the bath?

Brian: I used to when I had a bath, but reading in the shower has proven difficult.

Abby: What do you like on your hot dogs?

Brian: I like my hot dog with a side of cheeseburger, hold the hot dog.

(I feel like my answer is the same?)

Abby: If you could rewrite the screenplay for any installment of Friday the 13th, which one would it be?

Brian: I would get Jason off that cruise ship and taking Manhattan a whole lot sooner.

(But what would Howard Browning do?)

Abby: As the certified king of puns, what is one pun from a book or movie that you love to quote?

Brian: Liver alone!

(I donkey laughed at this one).

Abby: They say, "write what you know". Setting aside that this is terrible advice … what do YOU know?

Brian: I know what I love, so I write what I love. Murder most foul!

I cannot say thank you enough Brian for being my test subject, I mean guest, on the first episode of Unstable Table Talks. Your support is so appreciated.

Brian has an upcoming novel, Breathe In, Bleed Out from Poisoned Pen Press. It publishes September 02, 2025 and is described as “Scream meets Midsommar”. I have never seen Midsommar (yeah, yeah) but I can tell you I fully understand the comparson. It’s unsettling and atmospheric and a great bloody time so keep your eye out for it coming up here soon wherever you buy your books!

Thank you also, my dear reader. I hope to see you when I post future episodes. Every guest is a surprise and I cannot wait to share what we have in store. If you have read this far and are interested in being a future guest, please reach out to me on Instagram (unstable.books) or via email at unstable_books@yahoo.com <3