During the recent StokerCon in Las Vegas, I did what I always do during conventions—slip away as often as possible to chow down and catch up with friends. One of those meals took place in old-timey ice cream parlor Serendipity 3, and was recorded (as so many convention meals will be from now on) as an episode of Eating the Fantastic.

My dinner companion this time around was Maria Alexander, whose debut novel, Mr. Wicker, won the 2014 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel. But in addition to being a novelist, Maria’s also a poet, screenwriter, games writer, swordswoman, and so much more—and I attempted to explore all those facets in this episode.

So join us as we discuss Mr. Wicker‘s transformation from a short story to a screenplay to a Stoker Award-winning novel, how she convinced Clive Barker to be her mentor, what’s wrong with most of the swordswomen we see on book covers and TV, and much more.

Here’s how you can pull up a seat to the table—

1) Subscribe at the iTunes store. (And if you’re so inclined, download a few of the older episodes while you’re at it.)

2) Use the RSS feed of http://eatingthefantastic.libsyn.com/rss to snag episodes on whatever device you use to cast your pods.

3) Or … simply listen below.

And here are some food pics so you can follow along and see what you could have eaten had you been there.

Ahi Tuna Salad

Sesame Togorashi Seared Ahi Tuna, Mesulin Greens, Candied Almonds, Avocado, Naval Orange, Pear Tomatoes, Fresh Corn & Asian Dressing.

Crunch Dog Chicago Style

Served on a Poppy Seed Bun Topped with Neon Relish, Diced Onion, Tomato Wedges, Pickle Spears, Sport Peppers, Spicy Brown Mustard & Celery Salt.

Heavenly Carrot Cake Sundae

Vanilla & Butter Pecan Ice Cream, Heavenly Carrot Cake, Maple Walnut & Butterscotch, Topped with Whipped Cream.

And as for what Maria’s peering through in her photo at the top, that’s a Peanut Butter Frrrozen Hot Chocolate.

The next episode of Eating the Fantastic will go live in approximately two weeks, and will feature Nebula Award-winning science fiction writer Mary Turzillo. And in the weeks after that, two further episodes recorded at StokerCon will follow, with Linda Addison and Gene O’Neill.

As for the future, the 50th anniversary Balticon start tomorrow in Baltimore, and while there, I hope to snag episodes with Fran Wilde, Cecilia Tan, and Brian Keene.

I hope you’ll return to give a listen to some or all of these.