The Big Four, Plots That Is – Part 1

We’ve talked about the archetypes in spy novels, now let’s talk about The Big Four — the plots for spy novels. First up, The Mission.

Book 2 in my mystery series, The Ewington Mysteries, is ready to preorder (the eBook). You can preorder Mournful Influence of the Unperceived Shadow for only 99¢ at ⁠amazon.com/dp/B0DYJYWXYN⁠.

Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast No. 6-5 3/6/2025

Protecting Covert Operatives

Why it’s important not to reveal the identity of covert operatives, the laws ensuring protection, and more.

The Cold War novel LOVE DEATH is still on sale for 99¢ through the end of this month. You can find it at amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS.

Coming in March, a new mystery in the Ewington Mysteries Series.

Real Spies Real Lives Podcast 6-4 2/20/25

Plot vs Character

A writing talk about plot vs character and which drives a story.

The 2021 standalone espionage novel LOVE DEATH is the featured sale book for February 2025. The eBook version of the novel is only 99¢. You can find it at ⁠amazon.com/dp/B08QDLXBCS

Real Spies Real Lives Podcast Season 6, Ep. 3, 2/6/25

Back to Spy-Writing Basics – Archetypes

Learn all about the archetypes that should appear in spy fiction, courtesy of author Graeme Shimmin.

P. A. Duncan’s new novella, Every Day is a Test, is FREE to download through 1/19/25. amazon.com/dp/B0DRPNH4VS

Unexpected Paths Publishing announces its first publication by an author other than P. A. Duncan: Secondhand Hugs, a chapbook of poetry by Mel Jones. amazon.com/dp/DRTGZKL7

Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast Season 6, Ep. 2 1/16/25

Annus Horribilis

Hiatus is over, and the Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast is back.

One major change: Episodes will be uploaded twice a month instead of every week–quality over quantity.

Apologies for no music. Technical difficulties or operator error, take your pick.

And a new novella by P. A. Duncan debuted on 1/1/25, and you can find it as an eBook or Paperback here: amazon.com/dp/B0DRPNH4VS

Look for a new episode in two weeks.

The Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast, Season 6, Episode 1 1/2/2025

No 10/31/24 Podcast

Apologies for no podcast today. My flu shot kicked my butt.

I’ll be back next week, but in the meantime, keep an eye out . . . for spies!

The Writing Life

Fifteen years of the writing life, and what do I have to show for it?

Everything I ever dreamed of.

The three novels and the reader magnet for Self-Inflicted Wounds are FREE to download through Sunday, October 20. amazon.com/dp/B08L3886FP

Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast 10/17/24, Ep. No. 5-38/201

It’s the 200th Episode!

To celebrate the 200th episode of the Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast, here is a history of how the podcast got started and some stats on how it’s fared up to the 5th season so far.

And the October eBooks sale is still on. The three novels and the reader magnet for SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS are 99¢ each, and you can find them HERE.

Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast 10/10/24 Ep. 5-37, overall episode 200