The following is an interview with writer, editor, and podcaster Andrew Weber regarding his work across various entertainment mediums. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Weber about his approach to storytelling, the Lies and Half Truths podcast which ventures into original fiction through an auditory medium, the webcomic Ion Grip, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: First and foremost, it’s always wonderful to meet a creator working in so many different mediums! What inspired you to become a creator and a writer?
Andrew Weber: It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. If I’m reading Alan Moore correctly, the man literally believes the act of writing is magic. I can see why he’d come to the conclusion. Crafting a story feels like magic. You’re calling something beautiful and meaningful into existence. It’s pretty great.
BD: Your entertainment content has been released in many forms, including a unique podcast called Lies and Half Truths which focuses on original fiction. How would you describe the format of each show, and who are some of the creators that you have featured?
AW: Lies and Half Truths is a dark, atmospheric speculative fiction podcast. Typically, it’s short stories written and performed by me, but I’ve featured other writers and performers, as well––and hope to do more of that kind of thing in the future!
Collaboration is a big part of the show, actually. For example, last fall I produced a show based on the first chapter of Cidney Swanson’s sci-fi novel, Saving Mars. The entire soundtrack for the episode was specially created by electronic composer Josiah Martens. (Martens also wrote the Lies and Half Truths opening theme.) I featured “The Great American Afterlife” which was a collaboration between writer Peter Hoffmeister and a post-rock trio called Mankind. As an indie creator, I spend so much time working alone, I relish any chance I get to collaborate.
Music is an important part of the show, too. I’m lucky to be friends with a great Hollywood composer named McKenzie Stubbert––excuse me, Emmy-nominated Hollywood composer McKenzie Stubbert. He’s contributed a great deal of music to the show, and it honestly wouldn’t be as good without him. Basically, he and Josiah are the secret to why Lies and Half Truths always sounds amazing.
BD: You have also ventured into the webcomic medium with the sci-fi tale, Ion Grip, which is illustrated by John Gajowski. How would you describe the story’s premise, as well as your creative process in working with Gajowski?
AW: We call Ion Grip “galactic espionage.” It’s cold war era themes in a space opera setting. The concept really stemmed from John’s art style. He’s good at bold, almost cartoony, retro-futuristic set designs and kinetic action scenes. He drew a picture of a guy in a well-tailored suit holding a goofy-looking ray gun, and I spun our first story arc from there.
We’re putting Ion Grip out a page at a time on iongrip.com, but you can buy digital copies of issue 1 and 2 if you don’t want to wait. ComiXology just picked us up for distribution, as well––we’re pretty excited about that.
BD: As if that were not enough, you have also written a YA adventure story called The Adventures of Woodrow the Wicked which is now available on Amazon. How do you feel that long-form storytelling differed from the other creative mediums in which you have worked?
AW: Writing a novel is lonely. Really, really lonely. It takes so long, and there’s no guarantee anyone is going to read it. Ever. It’s the hardest work I’ve ever done. And now I’ve committed to doing a series, so…what was the question?
BD: Are there any upcoming projects on which you are currently working that you would like to share with our readers?
AW: I’ve got a lot of stuff in the works. Some of it is too early in development to really talk about just yet. But let’s see…
I’m putting together an anthology of the Lies and Half Truths stories from seasons 1 and 2 and making an audio book version available. I’m toying with the idea of making season 3 of the podcast an audio book of Woodrow the Wicked. I think that would be a lot of fun.
I’m currently hammering away at a sequel to Woodrow the Wicked…that’s a ways off though.
I’ve got another comic project in development with a great illustrator named Douglas Sirois. It doesn’t have a name or a publisher yet, but it’s moving along nicely and I hope to show it to people soon.
Keep an eye on the podcast and Ion Grip for forthcoming work.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about your work?
AW: Go to my website, apweber.com! It links to all my personal creative work. If you’re just interested in the comic, go to iongrip.com.
