Storycomic Weekly Newsletter: November 22nd
ALWAYS POSTED A WEEK EARLIER ON PATREON
When Science Meets Story: Mark J. Wilson on Full of Beans
This week on Storycomic Presents, we spoke with Mark J. Wilson — a PhD‑holding gene therapy scientist who decided to channel his curiosity into fiction writing. His debut novel Full of Beans takes readers on a time‑traveling detective adventure, set in the English Cotswolds and driven by wit, science, and heart.
Mark shared how his scientific background didn’t hinder his creative impulse—instead, it enriched his storytelling with detail, curiosity, and the kind of “what if” thinking that makes fiction compelling. We talked about the transition from lab work to writing, how he built his first novel over weekends and vacations, and why science and story‑craft are two sides of the same coin.
Whether you’re fascinated by genre mash‑ups, interested in how creative careers emerge from unlikely places, or simply love a good detective + time‑travel romp, this episode delivers. Visit his website markjwilson.com to learn more about his work, and tune in to hear how a scientist becomes a novelist—and why your next favorite story might come from the lab.
Project Update: Back to Work on Appliance
This week we’ve been slowly but surely trudging our way back into Appliance. It’s not a sprint by any means, but the gears are turning again as I ease back into the world, the mechanics, and all the quirky details that make the project fun.
Most of the progress right now is rereading, tightening up earlier notes, and getting myself reacquainted with where I left off. It’s the kind of steady, behind-the-scenes work that doesn’t look flashy, but it’s necessary to get the momentum going again.
Bit by bit, we’re getting back into it—and it feels good to return to the project with fresh eyes.
Book Review: The Greatest Joke Book Ever – Laughter Packed in 350 Pages
If you’re on the hunt for a book that can trigger groans, giggles, and genuine belly laughs all in one sitting, The Greatest Joke Book Ever by Mel Greene hits the mark. From its very upbeat tagline—“Hundreds of jokes, stories, and other tomfoolery on every subject from cars to kids, from sports to business, from politics to the Pearly Gates.”—you know you’re in for a good time.
What I appreciated most is how the book doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It’s pure humor, no apologies. Whether it’s a joke about golf or a punchline about kids, the tone is light, accessible, and designed for sharing—either with friends or keeping to yourself for a private chuckle. As a guy who lives in the world of dad-jokes and pun hunts, I found this book to be a perfect companion.
The structure is straightforward: quick jokes, lots of topics, and enough variety to always find something that fits the mood. One moment you’re reading about car jokes, then you’re flipping to lawyers, or politics, or “the Pearly Gates.” It’s like a humor buffet—pick what you like, return for seconds later.
Even if you’re someone who’s written hundreds of jokes yourself (ahem), there’s still something freeing in picking up a collection like this—fun, no strings attached, and pure entertainment. It reminded me that laughter often comes from the simple things, and sometimes you just need a good joke book. For anyone who needs a mood booster, a quick grin, or some new material to trot out at family gatherings—this book is a win.
Personal Update: Busy Days, Big Fixes, and a Gala to Top It Off
This past week has been delightfully busy in the way late fall often is. We hit a bit of a snafu with last week’s paper printing—about a third of the mailed copies were missing eight pages. Not ideal, to say the least. Thankfully, the printer owned up to it and gave us a credit toward our next print run, so we were able to move forward without too much disruption.
On the radio side, we wrapped up our holiday greetings just in time for Thanksgiving. We usually start them a week early, and this year we’re closing things out stronger than last year, which feels good. A nice little reminder that all the steady work throughout the year pays off.
I also spent some time uploading our Friday morning show to YouTube—something we’ve never done before. Folks can now listen on demand, which is a fun milestone considering the show has been running for close to fifty years. It’s neat seeing a long-running tradition step into a new era.
And to round things out, Saturday was the annual VAB Gala. This was my third year attending, and it was one of the fullest crowds yet. The whole staff came along, and it was a real treat getting to spend time with everyone outside the usual work setting. Good food, good conversation, and a great way to cap off a packed week.
My Friday Lunch buddy
My beautiful dinner date at the VAB Gala
🎙️ Been Here. Still Awesome. Still Limited. 🎨📚🎲
For a while now, we’ve been offering a tried-and-true promotional opportunity through the Storycomic Patreon—and if you’re an independent creative, it’s still one of the best ways to sustainably share your work and grow your audience.
Here’s what our Patreon members have been benefiting from:
✅ Permanent Promotion
Your website or project link is featured in the show notes of all podcast episodes for as long as you're a patron. That’s long-term visibility across every platform where our show is streamed.
🏆 Founders Club Access
The Founders Club remains limited to just 15 spots. No expansions, no waiting list—once it’s full, that’s it. These early supporters have their names (and links) locked into the Storycomic platform.
📢 Monthly Promotion at the Super Club Level
At the Super Club tier, members receive a minimum of one promotional post per month—whether it's a new release, project update, or spotlight on their creative work.
Founders Club patrons include amazing creators like:
Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, and Matt & Therese.
Explore their work:
🎯 If you're a creator—author, game designer, comic artist—this is your signal. This system is working. Don't wait until the last spot is gone.
Let’s keep building the kind of community that lifts each other up.
—Barney Smith