In this episode, we welcome special guest Michael Jan Friedman! He is the author of over 50 novels that cover the Star Trek Franchise, the Marvel Universe, Aliens, Predator, Universal Monsters and more. In addition he has written comics for the Star Trek Universe and the DC Universe, including creating his own characters Darkstars. He is currently promoting his newest creative collaboration Phenomenons: Season of Darkness.
If you enjoyed this episode with Michael please check and support his Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1881107045/phenomenons-season-of-darkness
If you’re interested in checking out the other podcast Michael has been a guest on that we mention on the show, use the links below:
As Told To: The Ghostwriting Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-10-michael-jan-friedman/id1582626137?i=1000546851125
Russ’s Rockin Rollercoaster on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A_YUjpXbcPo
00:00 We kick off this episode by getting into Michael’s Secret Origin about what got him into superhero’s, science fiction and pop culture in general. We also get into his love of the NY Yankee’s over the Mets.
10:10 We talk about Mike’s memories of Mint Condition.
15:10 We ask Michael how he has managed to be so successful and prolific in his career. This goes into a larger conversation about his writing and creative process.
22:18 Michael talks about how kept to enthusiasm to write on a project when he couldn’t write what he wanted to write, when ideas were changed or rejected. Talking about a cancelled Star Wars series, Star Trek plots he couldn’t do, and his own personal projects that publishers wouldn’t take. This also leads to him talking about writing an episode of Star Trek Voyager.
31:54 We talk about how being a parent influenced his art.
37:48 We ask Michael about the creation of his comic Darkstars. How he pitched it, the creation of the characters and the design of the costumes.
47:35 Michael talks about the history and creation of Crazy 8 Press. How it gave an avenue for writers like Peter David to publish books that were rejected by the main stream publishing companies.
53:00 Michael talks about the creation of the superhero universe Phenomenon’s and the current Kickstarter that is a sequel to the first book.
1:06:10 We end talking about other works available at Crazy 8 Press and Michael gives some recommendations of books people should check out there.
