Real Spies, Real Lives

Real Spies, Real Lives

P. A. Duncan

Episodes 222
Avg. Duration 35m
Activity Dormant
Since Jun 2020
Latest Episode Mar 2025

Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Hosting
anchor.fm

Contact & Outreach

About This Podcast

Where we talk about writing, spies, and writing about spies.

Explore Statistics

Recent Episodes

S6E2 The Big Four, Plots That Is - Part 1

Mar 06, 2025 23m

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…

S6E4 Protecting Covert Operatives

Feb 20, 2025 25m

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…

S6E3 Plot vs Character

Feb 06, 2025 24m

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…

Back to Spy-Writing Basics - Archetypes

Jan 16, 2025 27m

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.…

S6E1 Annus Horribilis

Jan 02, 2025 20m

Apologies for no music. Technical difficulties or operator error, take your pick. In this first episode of 2025, we learn that the podcast will now be twice a month, not weekly as it was…

The Real Spies, Real Lives Podcast is on Indefinite Hiatus

Nov 07, 2024 2m

Play the recording. It explains it all.

No 10/31/24 Podcast

Oct 31, 2024 0m

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!

S5E38 What Could Possibly Go Wrong with a Writer's Browser History?

Oct 24, 2024 32m

You've seen the memes: "Don't mind my browser history; I'm a writer." But is there anything to worry about? Maybe. Maybe not. We're in the final few days of the October promo: the 3 novels and the…

S15E38 The Writing Life

Oct 17, 2024 30m

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…

S5E37 It's the 200th Episode

Oct 10, 2024 26m

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…

S5E36 Open Channel D

Oct 03, 2024 35m

Some insight into how the 1960s TV series The Man from U.N.C.L.E. inspired the author's fiction and an homage to the ground-breaking television spy series. The sale books for October are the books in…

S5E35 Sun Tzu Says . . .

Sep 26, 2024 26m

Sun Tzu's THE ART OF WAR and its take on espionage. Five days left to score all four ebooks in the series, A PERFECT HATRED for 99¢ each. Find them HERE.

S5E33 Inside the Heads of Spies - Part 2

Sep 19, 2024 21m

A spy's training enhances skills they already have, but what are the effects of information overload, AI, and ethical quandaries. All 4 eBooks in A PERFECT HATRED are free starting today, Sep. 19,…

No 9/12/24 Episode

Sep 12, 2024 0m

I've run out of time while preparing for the convention I'm going to this weekend, so Part II of getting inside a spy's head will be next week. Sorry for the inconvenience, but adulting . . .

S5E32 Inside the Heads of Spies - Part 1

Sep 05, 2024 30m

What are the characteristics of a good spy and how do spies use them for a successful operation? The September sale eBooks--all four books in the series, A PERFECT HATRED--are 99¢ each this month,…

S5E31 The 5 Most Realistic Spy Movies -- IMHO

Aug 29, 2024 27m

How does my Top 5 list of realistic spy movies compare to The Google's? Listen and find out. Note: If you haven't watched any of these, you need to. Also, three days left to download the eBook of THE…

No Podcast for 8/15/24

Aug 22, 2024 0m

P. A. Duncan is on a writer's retreat where she's writing, not podcasting, so a new episode will drop next week on 8/29/24. See you then!

S5E30 Celebrity Spies?

Aug 15, 2024 26m

What about a celebrity could possibly make them a good spy? Listen and find out. The paperback edition of TAKING HER BOWS dropped earlier than expected, so you can find a copy HERE. The August sale…

S5E29 Why Do Writers Write?

Aug 08, 2024 24m

An answer to a question writers always get--why did you become a writer. The August sale book The Better Spy is 99¢ HERE. The paperback edition of Taking Her Bows will be available to order on…

S15E28 Who Won the Cold War? - Part Two

Aug 01, 2024 24m

Computer issues made this late yet again. Many apologies. This episode concludes the answer to the reader question "Who won the Cold War?" The August sale book is the novel in stories THE BETTER SPY,…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Real Spies, Real Lives have?

Real Spies, Real Lives has published 222 episodes since June 2020, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is Real Spies, Real Lives still active?

Real Spies, Real Lives is currently dormant with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 35m.

How do I contact Real Spies, Real Lives for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Real Spies, Real Lives, including email and social media links.

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