Author: michaelkilman

Resistance Reads Podcast: Episode 12 Heavenly Tyrant

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https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-a86nt-19f35f9

In this episode of Resistance Reads, we dive deep into Heavenly Tyrant, the highly anticipated sequel to Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao. This is not just a book review. It is a critical conversation about power, resistance, feminism, and the political structures that shape both dystopian fiction and the real world.

We explore the novel’s political themes, pacing, and character dynamics, with particular attention to women-led resistance movements, the costs of revolution, and the myth of the benevolent dictator. Along the way, we connect Heavenly Tyrant to broader conversations in anthropology, intersectional feminism, and cultural critique, questioning popular narratives around power, violence, and social control.

This episode also tackles:

  • Colonial feminism and Western intervention narratives

  • Misconceptions in popular anthropology, including critiques of Jared Diamond and Steven Pinker

  • Police, state violence, and the role of force in maintaining social order

  • How contemporary science fiction and fantasy reflect real-world political anxieties

  • Character consistency and ideological tension in modern speculative fiction

If you are interested in political science fiction, feminist literature, dystopian novels, cultural criticism, or leftist media analysis, this conversation goes beyond surface-level fandom and asks harder questions about what resistance really looks like and who pays the price.

Resistance Reads Podcast Episode 11: Babel by R.F. Kuang

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https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-7prkp-19d35a2

In Episode 11 we discuss the powerful themes in R.F. Kuang’s Babel and share our critique of Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein. We explore Babel’s unique magic system rooted in language and translation, the complex relationships between its characters, and the book’s sharp examination of colonialism, resistance, and identity.

We also reflect on the novel’s portrayal of betrayal, moral dilemmas, and the costs of fighting oppressive systems—considering how privilege, dignity, and collective action shape the story’s impact. Finally, we talk about why Babel resonates so strongly with modern readers and why it has the potential to be remembered as a contemporary classic.

Resistance Reads Episode 10: Frankenstein by Mary Shelly (1818 edition)

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https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zy5de-19a93bf

In their 10th epsiodes, Michael and Matt take a fresh look at Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (the 1818 edition) and why this classic story still matters today. They explore the novel’s powerful themes of creation, ambition, and isolation while connecting them to modern life, the industrial revolution, AI, the Tech industry, and capitalism. They also compare the 1818 edition to the 1831 edition and how Mary Shelly’s life experiences changed some of the themes of freewill and destiny in the later version. 

I’m Teaching at the Creative Colorado Writer’s Retreat (And Other Updates)

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It’s been a minute, so I have a few pieces of news and they kind of involve most areas of my creative work, as well as a book chapter I wrote in an Anthropology book.

First up is that for the second year in a row, I will be teaching a session at the Creative Colorado Writer’s Retreat run by the incredible small press, Twenty Bellows. I have to say, I think this year has some of the most talented teachers of both poetry and prose in their line up. You can find out more about it here.

For my part, I’ll be teaching a session titled: Worldbuilding Without Info Dumping: How to Master Reader Immersion in Your Writing. My session will be on Saturday September 20th starting at 2:40 Pm.

The goal of the workshop will be to explore worldbuilding without exposition and instead looking how to build through dialogue and action so that your reader connects more deeply to your characters in the middle of the flow of the story.

But wait! There’s more!

At 11am on the second day of the writer retreat, we’re having a book fair. The book fair runs 11 am to 1 pm. I’ll have a table there if you want me to sign your books or pick up a copy of one of my 7 books. Again, there are many very talented authors at the book fair and It’s gonna be a ton of fun!

In other news, Resistances Reads Episode 8 goes live Monday September 15th at 7pm over on YouTube. And if you haven’t seen yet, we’re now on all the major podcast services. Episode 8 will cover the book, Black Empire by George S. Schuyler originally serialized in the 1930s, and is an early example of Afrofuturism. Literatura Obscura will air it’s 3rd episode this week as we discuss the book Ishamel by Daniel Quinn. It’s a novel about a telepathic gorilla who teaches a man the secrets to saving the world.

In terms of book updates, I have something to admit… I’ve been working on a secret project and it’s been distracting me from other things. But, I’m not quite ready to discuss that 8th and decidedly stand alone novel just yet. I am also working at building some of the lore right now for Shades & Shapes in the Dark universe. For those of you who read the first book that came out last may, you might suspect that it’s not really just a horror novel, but also edging into something more. In Through and Endless Darkness Dreaming (Book 2) Clarissa will discover that there’s more creatures out there, than just her own tormenter, Demon and that the world of magic is so much bigger than she realizes.

I am, also, slowly spending time in the world of The Chronicles of the Great Migration. I promise, I am still working on The Children of AEIS, and the final two other books of the series. They will get done.

One final announcement. This one is in the world of Anthropology. I recently published a chapter in the book, Exploring Digital Ethnography: From Principles to Practice. My chapter is titled: Worldbuilding as Pedagogy: Teaching Anthropology and Diversity in Contentious Classrooms. Now this is an academic volume, so while it’s not cheap, you absolutely can purchase it here. There are some great chapters in this book covering a variety of digital and interactive approaches to anthropology.

But if you just want to read my chapter… well… if you contact me, we might be able to find a way…

Until Next Time.

Resistance Reads and Literatura Obscura

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Greetings all,

I’ve been a bit silent since I launched Shades & Shapes in the Dark. That’s largely because I’m busy working on both the Audiobook edition (it’s an enormous amount of work but about 3/4ths done) and the sequel Through and Endless Darkness Gleaming!

But there’s something else I’ve been working on. Some of you may already know about my podcast with Matt Wellstrom, Resistance Reads (the link will take you to past episodes on all your favorite services) but, at a party recently I was asked to do another book based podcast. The name that Athena Huff-Sandstrom and I came up with was Literatura Obscura. This podcast focuses on strange, unusual, or lesser known fiction.

We will be launching the first episode live on YouTube on July 9th with the book, The House of Leaves, an horror novel about… well… it’s a bit difficult to describe but it’s definitely unusual.


Episode 5 of Resistance Reads airs live on YouTube on July 6th and will cover the classic John Steinbeck novel, The Grapes of Wrath. We love it when people join us for the live stream.

Tomorrow, The Shadow Wakes!!! (Shades & Shape in the Dark Arrives)

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I’m so excited to announce, that tomorrow, my dark fantasy horror novel, Shades & Shapes in the Dark launches!

You can find Shades & Shapes in the Dark in paperback and ebook here!

The Audiobook is still finishing up production but will follow close behind in the next week or two. I will announce when that arrives.

To celebrate the release, me and several of my amazing author friends are gathering at Prodigy Coffee where we will be sharing some of our work. I’m so very fortunate to have such talented author friends. Check out their bios and links in the slides below!

If you’re in the Denver area tomorrow, you should join us from 1pm-3pm at Prodigy Coffee!

You can also check out the first and second chapters of Shades & Shapes in the Dark over on YouTube if you’re curious but aren’t sure if it’s for you.

Author Copies Have Arrived and Resistance Reads Episode 2 Goes Live May 4th

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There really is nothing quite like holding something that you spent many hours on in your hands. Shades & Shapes in the Dark has arrived and I’m so excited. The cover, the formatting, the content all came out even better than I hoped. You can preorder the book from all your favorite stores https://books2read.com/u/4NEqGo

Not only that, this weekend our second episode of Resistance Reads goes live on May 4th at 10am Denver time. Matt Wellstrom and I will be discussing V for Vendetta. If you like this book, or have even seen the movie we’d love to answer your questions and engage in dialogue through our livestream comment section on YouTube.

I’m giving away 100 copies of Shades & Shapes in the Dark!

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In celebration of the release of Shades and Shapes in the Dark, I’m running a Goodreads giveaway! What does this mean? It means I’m giving away 100 ebook copies of Shades in Shapes in the Dark. And the best part? If you win one of these copies, you get the book a week before it’s release and get to be among the first people to read my new dark fantasy horror novel.

The giveaway will run from April 26th to May 10th and if you win, you will get your copy immediately at the conclusion of the giveaway. All I ask is that if you get a copy, you give me an honest review (yes even if you hate the book).

Head over to this link to sign up for the giveaway. It’s totally free. All you need is a goodreads profile (you can create one pretty easily if you don’t have one) and that’s it. Since it’s an ebook, all you need is a valid email address to sign up.

A New Podcast and Preorder for Shades & Shapes in the Dark!

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Hey everybody,

I have two pieces of news for you. The first is that the preorder for Shades & Shapes in the Dark has launched! You can preorder the ebook version from your favorite online store or you can preorder the paperback from Barnes & Noble at this link.

Want to get the book early and for free? I’m looking for 17 more Advanced Review Copy (ARC) readers. Basically, you let me know you want a copy by commenting below or shooting me an email and I’ll send you a copy in exchange for an honest review (yes even if you hate it).

The second piece of news is that me and my good friend Matt Wellstrom are launching a brand new podcast called, Resistance Reads. The podcast will explore the concepts of power and resistances through literature. Our inaugural episode will cover George Orwell’s classic novel 1984.

You can join us at the livestream here on April 19th at 11am MDT out of Denver. https://youtube.com/live/AqlLzQvCBBU?feature=share You can also watch the replay at the same link. Come join our discussion and ask your questions!