Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode, I chat with Zac Cannon about his new speculative thriller Stillwater Trace!
Listen to hear about:
How a "dad action movie" premise transformed into a layered thriller exploring faith, power, surveillance, and belonging—and why Zac let the story evolve far beyond his original concept.
The real-world inspirations behind Stillwater Trace, from corporate master-planned communities and culture wars to religious deconstruction, and how current events shaped the novel without making it feel tied to one moment in time.
The craft of writing cinematic suspense, including how Zac's screenwriting background influences his novels, why he physically acts out action scenes, and how character—not spectacle—ultimately drives the story.
#booktube #bookwild #speculativefiction #writertube
In this episode, I chat with Zac Cannon about his new speculative thriller Stillwater Trace!
Listen to hear about:
How a "dad action movie" premise transformed into a layered thriller exploring faith, power, surveillance, and belonging—and why Zac let the story evolve far beyond his original concept.
The real-world inspirations behind Stillwater Trace, from corporate master-planned communities and culture wars to religious deconstruction, and how current events shaped the novel without making it feel tied to one moment in time.
The craft of writing cinematic suspense, including how Zac's screenwriting background influences his novels, why he physically acts out action scenes, and how character—not spectacle—ultimately drives the story.
#booktube #bookwild #speculativefiction #writertube
