Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Joshua Blum is joining me to talk about his book, Empty Hands.
What’s it about?
- Empty Hands is a blissfully self-aware martial arts fantasy that weaves elements of Saturday morning cartoons, Hong Kong kung fu cinema, Dungeons and Dragons, and 80s action films.
- In a world where the elite Imperial Rangers receive magically assigned sidearms during the Drawing, Logan, the youngest and seemingly least capable Ranger, faces the challenges of training alongside seven others.
- As they work through differences, the Rangers-in-training must learn to come together as a unit and take their place among the revered Rangers of old.
What’s in this episode:
- Joshua Blum will take us into the world of Empty Hands with an excerpt from the novella, exploring themes of martial arts, teamwork, and the unique 80s-inspired setting.
- We'll discuss the self-awareness woven into the story, drawing inspiration from various nostalgic sources.
- The episode will also highlight the novella's standalone expansion to The Thirteenth Hour and the embedded links to the retro 80s concept EP that accompanies the text.
- Where to get the book: amazon.com/Empty-Hands-Thirteenth-Interlude-Martial-ebook/dp/B07V1R4CDX
Where to find our guest:
- Instagram: @the13thhr.ost and @the13thhr
- Facebook: facebook.com/joshua.blum.714?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: @13thhr
- Podcast: thirteenthhourpodcast.com
- Book Soundtracks: joshuablum.bandcamp.com
- Website: 13thhr.wordpress.com
- Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/stores/Joshua-Blum
- Newsletter signup: wordpress.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3ca280fd186ff5792e73845e5&id=fab0d4c78a
- Wattpad: wattpad.com/user/joshuablum
Where to find your host, Melinda Kucsera:
- Website: melindakucsera.com/
- Start the Curse Breaker Series now: melindakucsera.com/the-curse-breaker-saga
- Sign up for my newsletter: mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters
- Read fun fantasy adventures MONTHS before anyone else on Patreon: patreon.com/melindakucsera
About Curse Breaker Enchanted
Help me give away 3650 copies of Curse Breaker Enchanted by Feb. 22, 2024, one for every day since we lost our first fan 10 years ago. Download a copy now: melindakucsera.com/the-more-epic-version
About Kickstarter
The Kickstarter to fund special editions of Curse Breaker Books 1-3, Curse Breaker Books 4-6, and Curse Breaker Books 7-9 ended, but you can still order copies: melindakucsera.com/special-edition-boxed-sets
- And follow the Rogue Gods Kickstarter Campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/melindakucsera/rogue-gods-a-trilogy-of-epic-fantasy-books
Get the Limited Edition Christmas Epic Fantasy Adventure: A family searches for the true meaning of Christmas, then must save it in an epic fantasy adventure told through poems: melindakucsera.com/stars-angels-sing-limited-edition-christmas-epic-fantasy-adventure
Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Joshua Blum is joining me to talk about his book, Empty Hands.
What’s it about?
- Empty Hands is a blissfully self-aware martial arts fantasy that weaves elements of Saturday morning cartoons, Hong Kong kung fu cinema, Dungeons and Dragons, and 80s action films.
- In a world where the elite Imperial Rangers receive magically assigned sidearms during the Drawing, Logan, the youngest and seemingly least capable Ranger, faces the challenges of training alongside seven others.
- As they work through differences, the Rangers-in-training must learn to come together as a unit and take their place among the revered Rangers of old.
What’s in this episode:
- Joshua Blum will take us into the world of Empty Hands with an excerpt from the novella, exploring themes of martial arts, teamwork, and the unique 80s-inspired setting.
- We'll discuss the self-awareness woven into the story, drawing inspiration from various nostalgic sources.
- The episode will also highlight the novella's standalone expansion to The Thirteenth Hour and the embedded links to the retro 80s concept EP that accompanies the text.
- Where to get the book: amazon.com/Empty-Hands-Thirteenth-Interlude-Martial-ebook/dp/B07V1R4CDX
Where to find our guest:
- Instagram: @the13thhr.ost and @the13thhr
- Facebook: facebook.com/joshua.blum.714?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: @13thhr
- Podcast: thirteenthhourpodcast.com
- Book Soundtracks: joshuablum.bandcamp.com
- Website: 13thhr.wordpress.com
- Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/stores/Joshua-Blum
- Newsletter signup: wordpress.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3ca280fd186ff5792e73845e5&id=fab0d4c78a
- Wattpad: wattpad.com/user/joshuablum
Where to find your host, Melinda Kucsera:
- Website: melindakucsera.com/
- Start the Curse Breaker Series now: melindakucsera.com/the-curse-breaker-saga
- Sign up for my newsletter: mkucsera.com/welcomecharacters
- Read fun fantasy adventures MONTHS before anyone else on Patreon: patreon.com/melindakucsera
About Curse Breaker Enchanted
Help me give away 3650 copies of Curse Breaker Enchanted by Feb. 22, 2024, one for every day since we lost our first fan 10 years ago. Download a copy now: melindakucsera.com/the-more-epic-version
About Kickstarter
The Kickstarter to fund special editions of Curse Breaker Books 1-3, Curse Breaker Books 4-6, and Curse Breaker Books 7-9 ended, but you can still order copies: melindakucsera.com/special-edition-boxed-sets
- And follow the Rogue Gods Kickstarter Campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/melindakucsera/rogue-gods-a-trilogy-of-epic-fantasy-books
Get the Limited Edition Christmas Epic Fantasy Adventure: A family searches for the true meaning of Christmas, then must save it in an epic fantasy adventure told through poems: melindakucsera.com/stars-angels-sing-limited-edition-christmas-epic-fantasy-adventure
