A Podcast for Creative People

Ep.88 | Working GalaxyCon Richmond with the Pop-Up BookShoppe

The GalaxyCon in Richmond, Virginia, was a ton of fun. I carpooled with Rich Hosek, and together we drove through the night—taking shifts at the wheel—until we arrived in Richmond, Virginia, at day one of this four-day event to sell books with the Pop-Up BookShoppe for the first time.

The Pop-Up BookShoppe is run by an author I first met at the GalaxyCon in Columbus in 2024—C.R. Rice, who was a guest on episode 86. We talked about the Pop-Up BookShoppe then, and this time I went and worked it. In short, it's like an author co-op: we work the table together and try to sell the books that might connect most with the readers' interests, rather than only pitching our own books.

I spoke with the other authors who came out to sell books. In order of Pop-Up BookShoppe seniority, the authors (with their links) are:

C.R. Rice - YA Fantasy (Pop-Up BookShoppe Bosslady)

Scott Clark - Sci-fi, Action Adventure

Heidi Nickerson - Horror

KN Timofeev - New Adult Fantasy, Romance

Benjamin Kamphuis - YA Fantasy

Rich Hosek - Suspense

Christopher Tallon - Horror, Thriller

There were a couple authors who were there but had to leave early so they weren't interviewed (but you should totally check them out, their books look really cool):

Leslie and Janice Sommers - YA Fantasy, Celtic Mythology

Ashley Grant - Mystery, Thriller

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Thanks for checking this episode and supporting creative people!

Follow Christopher Tallon on IG, FB, and/or Threads. And sign up for the newsletter for author news, podcast updates, and other cool stuff.

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Thanks to any and all attendees of the con who caught this episode. You rock.

Ep.87 | Carlos "Los the Artist" Sampson - painting and tattoos

I sat down with Carlos Sampson--also known on social media as Los the Artist--at the tattoo shop he works at, Cielo Ink in Jenison, Michigan. We were joined by our good friend (and Carlos' old neighbor) Mike Logan (comedian, actor, producer, and VO artist).

We chatted about Carlos' journey as an artist, including winning Art Battle, live painting in front of the Grand Rapids Symphony, and how he got into tattooing. It's a fun story that will give you tips and encouragement in your own endeavors. And he gives some insider knowledge on tattoos, like ideas, placement, and how to get started in the biz.

You're gonna love his story and his energy. It'll make you want to paint, learn new skills, and maybe get a tattoo.

Shout out to JP Cielo for letting us use his shop for the recording!

 

If you need a tattoo, check out Cielo Ink.

You can see some of their work here:

IG | FB | YT | TT

 

Ep.86 | Chelsea Rice aka C.R. Rice - author and founder of the Popup Book Shoppe

Chelsea Rice, known professionally as C.R. Rice, is a fantasy/sci-fi writer, currently immersing you in the Realm Series.

She also founded the Pop-Up BookShoppe, which helps authors sell book (and make money doing it!) at GalaxyCons across the country.

If you're an author looking to expand your audience, this might be the best way to do it. If you're a Con-goer and book lover--keep an eye out for the Pop-Up BookShoppe at a GalaxyCon near you!

Also, shout out to Has Heart coffee shop for letting me record in their space, and allowing me to have events and sell books there. You guys rock!

Final shout out to Sonny Ski and Gwopped Up $peedy from the clip of the song "Grand Rapids, Michigan"

Ep.85 | Sonny Ski - Artist of the Year Nominee ('25 Jammie Awards)

Sonny Ski met me at HAS HEART coffee shop downtown Grand Rapids to talk creativity. Sonny Ski's album, States of Mind, features a song called "Grand Rapids, Michigan" (that I refer to as Welcome to GR to avoid confusion) that is the new anthem for the city.

Sonny Ski has been nominated for the Jammie Awards best album and artist of the year. Help him out and vote here!

We talked about creativity, songwriting, getting yourself out there, and more. Great insights for all creatives looking for opportunities and/or trying to create their own.

Shout out to HAS HEART coffee shop for letting us record inside. Shout out to Gwopped Up $peedy and Ja'Leeyna (from the track "Grand Rapids, Michigan"), and also to SCOOB for putting together the Trauma Project that Sonny and I were proud to be a part of. And shout out to WYCE for recognizing local artists.   

Follow Sonny Ski on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, and YouTube.

Ep.84 | Tylor Paige — author of the whorror novel Slash Or Pass

That's right, I said whorror. It's a term one of her fans came up with to describe the blending of the romance and horror genres in Tylor's books.Now she uses it to lovingly address her fans as her Whorror Babies.

Her most recent novel, Slash Or Pass, has sold a ton of copies, forcing/allowing her to build a small team of professionals to help her with many of the non-writing elements of being a full-time professional novelist.

Listen while Tylor and Tallon discuss (among other things):

• creative beginnings
• creative process
• putting yourself out there
• finding out who your friends are
• going viral on social media
• cool marketing stuff
• making money
• the idea of putting real people from our lives in a book
• tattoos

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About Tylor Paige:

After watching Heathers and listening to My Chemical Romance one too many times in her teens, Chicana author, Tylor Paige, was drawn to the darkness where the villains were still villains, but deserved love stories too.

Shifting her focus to Horror Romance, Tylor writes snarky, psycho vampires, troubled but beautiful Goblin Kings, and slashers so sexy you’ll be begging your partner to buy a mask.

When she’s not writing about women railing the villains, she enjoys watching horror films, sewing, comic books, and performing with her local community theatre. At the time of this podcast Tylor has now written and published eleven full length novels.

Visit www.tylorpaige.com, and check her out on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Buy her latest book Slash Or Pass now!

 

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About the host:

Christopher Tallon mainly writes and has two dark, fast-paced books available at www.christophertallon.com.

Tallon produced two comedy tracks on the ArtPrize winning Trauma Project. In addition to making the music for this podcast, he has also made and contributed to music for other podcasts, YouTube channels, and television shows.

Tallon performs all the hosting/production duties at A Podcast for Creative People as a passion project. It's done with the intention of getting more people to explore their creativity and/or help creatives with anecdotes and advice from people in cool spaces doing cool things.

Find Tallon on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Threads: @tallonwrites

Ep.83 | Jody J. Sperling on Becoming a Household Name

Jody J. Sperling is an author (the Luke in Time Series (and others)) and podcast host (Becoming a Household Name). Together we've traveled around the country a bit going to Comic-Cons and Galaxy-Cons to sell books.

This is a great episode for authors trying to find ways to get their books out to more people, but also for anyone interested in marketing, promotions, and live selling (whether it be books or something else).

Check out Jody J. Sperling, read his books, listen to his podcast (start with one of my episodes!), and send him fan mail telling him how great he is. Do it.

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For more info on the show, its host, and/or the host's books, go to www.christophertallon.com. Thanks. You rock. Like...so hard. People are starting to complain.

Ep.82 | Alex Anest - Music, Connection, & Creativity

Alex Anest is a guitar player based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Currently touring with his jazz trio, Alex is a skilled musician in many genres, a band leader, and a music teacher.

Through our discussions--favorite bands, musical influences, legendary musicians, and the creative process--you'll learn a bit about music history (like who influenced Paul McCartney's bass playing the most), and how important connection is, both with your collaborators and your audience.

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FOLLOW ALEX!

Look for Alex on Instagram, check out the tour dates on his website, and check out some of his music on YouTube.

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FOLLOW ME!

Christopher Tallon is on most social media: @tallonwrites

www.christophertallon.com

 

 

Ep.81 | Marcel Fable Price - Life, Being a Creative, & His Book "NEW AMERICAN MONARCH"

Marcel Fable Price (former poet laureate of Grand Rapids, Michigan) is the author of the book "New American Monarch". This is his third time on the podcast. This time he's here to promote "New American Monarch", but this is a great episode with insights for being the best version of yourself, how to be the best creative (including the "non-creative" parts of being a modern day creative) you can be, and how simply creating can bring all those things together. And towards the end you can hear him read a poem from "New American Monarch"!

Get the Book

PRE-ORDER MARCEL'S BOOK "New American Monarch" NOW!

Follow Marcel:

Instagram | Facebook | Threads | YouTube

Ep.80 | Michelle Dunaway

Michelle Dunaway is her station's Community Relationship Manager, host of the FOX 17 Morning Mix, and an Emmy-award winning storyteller. 

Michelle has worked in television journalism since her internship where she logged VHS tapes. We talk about her journey from intern to hosting the Fox17 Morning Mix, which is on weekdays in the greater Grand Rapids, MI, area on Fox17 at 9am. (Not 10am (to 11PM, which I mistakenly said at the end of the podcast).)

In this episode Michelle details traveling the country, flying with the Blue Angels, and gives insights and advice to people thinking about going into television, which crosses over to most creative people, I think.

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• Follow Michelle Dunaway on Instagram and Facebook.
• Follow Fox17 Morning Mix on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Ep.79 | Alfie DaGreat - Rapping, Writing, & Creativity

Hear the full song "Different Clout" by Alfie DaGreat at the end of the episode!

Alfie DaGreat is one of the most powerful voices to come out of the Grand Rapids music scene. Strong lyrics and an amazing voice make his music stand out above the rest.

Listen in as we talk about his history with music, his writing process, how he got involved in The Trauma Project, The Black Rose Society, and much much more.

Follow Alfie DaGreat Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, & Threads. You can also find a few of his videos on YouTube. 

Get some ADG merch at www.uplifenation.com.

S/o to Pharmhouse Wellness for helping create the vibe in the studio. If you're in Grand Rapids and looking for cannabis, there is no other.

Thanks for listening!

-CT

ps: all music in this episode is either owned by Christopher Tallon, or used with explicit permission from Alfie DaGreat. So there.