Lex Out Loud: Writing Science Fiction

Hosted by Lex Starwalker

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Episodes

103

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

Lex Out Loud is a podcast for writers, readers and all lovers of speculative fiction. I’m writing my third novel, and I’m taking you along for the journey. Whether you’re a writer or game master, or you’re just curious about the creative writing process, this show is for you! I discuss my writing process, and I share the insights I learn, as my experience grows.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 6, 2026Episode 10324 min

Comparing the Culture's Contact with the Prime Directive from Star Trek | LOL 103

In this episode I compare and contrast the Culture’s Contact organization with the Federation from Star Trek. Specifically, I look at how Contact approaches other, less advanced civilizations and compare that to the Prime Directive. Spoiler: It’s almost completely the opposite approach. I’ll tell you why, as we explore this topic together.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Subscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.I’m looking for alpha & beta readers for my next novel.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series with Excession.

April 28, 2026Episode 10249 min

I Finished the First Draft! | LOL 102

It’s been a while since the last episode, so I bring you up to speed on what’s going in my life. I’m moving, and it sucks. I’m living in an Airbnb, which also sucks. But good news, I finished my novel, Citizen Zero. I talk a bit about how some genres, like sci-fi and fantasy, are more about the story’s setting, while other genres, like thrillers, mysteries, and horror, are more about the story’s plot. As a reader and a writer, I especially like stories that combine a “setting” genre with a “plot” genre.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Subscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.I’m looking for alpha & beta readers for my next novel.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series with Excession.Check out episode 98 for my discussion of Martha Wells’s lecture on AI characters in stories.

November 19, 2025Episode 10145 min

Technology of The Culture | LOL 101

Today we explore the technology of the Culture, especially its sentient AIs. We examine the reasons true AI might not be possible and decide whether those ideas seem likely to be true. We also look at how humanity will become a more complex and diverse species and civilization not only through our own genetic manipulation of our biology, but also by the inclusion of the AI lifeforms we create.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Subscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.I’m looking for alpha & beta readers for my next novel.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series with Excession.Check out episode 98 for my discussion of Martha Wells’s lecture on AI characters in stories.

October 21, 2025Episode 10042 min

Economics of The Culture | LOL 100

I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture’s economic systems. This leads to a discussion of our current day economics systems and government corruption. How do we move our current corrupt systems to one like The Culture’s where there is true democracy and equality?LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.LinksSubscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series withConsider Phlebas or The Player of Games

September 30, 2025Episode 9955 min

The Culture's Origins & Government | LOL 099

I return to my discussion of The Culture setting and explore the Culture’s origins and its structure of government, such as it is. I also touch on why galactic empires are impractical, unlikely, and probably a silly idea. We’ll also explore why rebellion against controlling powers is much easier in a space-living civilization than one limited to a single planet.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.LinksSubscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series withConsider Phlebas or The Player of Games

September 22, 2025Episode 9852 min

AI Characters & Their Role in Science Fiction | LOL 098

This week I share an amazing lecture Martha Wells gave on AI characters in science fiction stories. Quite often these stories involve the enslavement of sentient beings. She gives us a lot of food for thought and shares a little about the origins of her beloved character, Murderbot. I also talk (very) briefly about the heroine’s journey.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.LinksSubscribe via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.Support the show on Patreon.Donate to the show.Follow me on Bluesky.Join my Discord server.Email me.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391Check out my YouTube channel.Join my Book Club, now on Discord.A Few Notes on the Culture by Iain M. BanksStart The Culture series with Consider Phlebas or The Player of GamesStart The Murderbot Diaries with All Systems RedMurderbot showAncillary Justice by Anne LeckieThe Heroine’s Journey by Gail Carriger

August 11, 2025Episode 9751 min

A New Voyage Begins | LOL 097

This week I talk a bit about the Foundation and Murderbot TV adaptations. I give a quick update on my novel, Critical Balance, which is coming out. I also explain why I haven’t been able to share the beautiful cover art for Critical Balance until the book is released. I talk a bit about the upcoming Worldcon in Seattle. Then I begin my multi-episode series on exploring the setting of The Culture series by Iain M. Banks. Topics include how 9,000 years is a really long time and convergent human evolution across the galaxy. How “alien” will alien life really be? If you love sci-fi, worldbuilding, and/or The Culture, you won’t want to miss this series!LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.Join my Book Club.How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.J.J. Ackernecht Book of the New SunCulture SeriesMurderbot showThe Murderbot DiariesStorygraphSupport the show.Join my Discord server.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391

July 9, 2025Episode 9658 min

Publishing Your Novel on Amazon with Kindle Direct | LOL 096

Today I discuss why I decided to publish my book on Amazon through Kindle Direct Publishing. I share how the whole process works and what I’ve learned so far. I also talk about why I finally decided to do a paperback and e-book, and why I’ve decided to enroll my novel in Kindle Unlimited.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.Join my Book Club.How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.J.J. Ackernecht Book of the New SunCulture SeriesMurderbot showThe Murderbot DiariesStorygraphSupport the show.Join my Discord server.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391

April 30, 2025Episode 951 hr 2 min

Self-Publishing Your Novel | LOL 095

Today I discuss some of how independently publishing works and compare and contrast to the discussion on traditional publishing from the last episode. I share why I think independently publishing these days is almost a no-brainer.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.Join my Book Club.How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.Support the show.Join my Discord server.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391

February 5, 2025Episode 9453 min

Independent Versus Traditional Publishing | LOL 094

I’ve started a few different novels, and I’ve hit some snags. I’ve had a couple new novel ideas as well. I share the ideas with you, my progress, and my thoughts about which of these books I’m going to write next. I also share some musings on the future trajectory of our society and how it’s affecting my worldbuilding. Finally I consider whether courier ships in space make sense.LinksCheck out my novel, Critical Balance.Have you read Critical Balance? Please leave a review on Amazon.Lex Out Loud is now on Spotify.Check out my Guide to Novel Formatting in Word.Join my Book Club.How to get free ebooks & audiobooks from your library.Support the show.Join my Discord server.Call My Voicemail: 951-465-5391

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