Scott Sigler Slices
Scott Sigler Slices is a podcast co-hosted by bestselling author Scott Sigler and audiobook narrator AB Kovacs. The show offers fun, high-level explanations of sports and sports entertainment, treating athletic events as dramatic storylines. It also features serialized fiction seasons, including works like Slay, Blood is Red, and Death is Black.
Episodes
SLICES: New Study on CTE in NFL Players
How common is CTE among NFL players overall?
We have never had a good answer.
A new study published this week in The BMJ gives us the best attempt yet.
Ninety-three percent of the former NFL players whose brains were examined in a major new study had CTE.
That means at least one in four players. At least.
Scott & A discuss.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
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SLICES: Double-Ended Book Birthday!
“Book Birthday” is a term authors use for the day their book is released. A rarified celebration took place on September 22, 2026, when Scott had two hardcover releases on the same day. This episode is a massive party for this double-ended birthday, recorded live during the Scott Sigler Slices livestream.
BIG BAD BOOK OF KAIJU
A hardcover anthology containing twenty-five original tales of city
SLICES: An interview with scifi author Chris Grall
Chris Grall, author of TRIGGER GUARD, A WRITER’S GUIDE TO FIREARMS, just released his first fiction novel. He joins us to discuss his scifi-thriller SCHRÖDINGER’S GLASS.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Put this in your glass and drink it!
Our piqua
SLICES: BEASTS BEYOND THE RIVER Audiobook Preview
We wheeled and dealed and got permission to share the first 35 minutes of Beasts Beyond the River, Scott’s intense new horror novel, read by none other than Ray Porter (narrator of PROJECT HAIL MARY, EARTHCORE, MOUNT FITZROY, THE BOBBIVERSE, JOE LEDGER, and more).
SYNOPSIS:
Amidst the brutality of the French and Indian War, an officer in the legendary Rogers’ Rangers is thrust into a nightmare
SLICES: Fantasy Football
Today, we’re talking about the game people play on top of the game.
What fantasy football is.
Why people love it.
Why it makes otherwise rational human beings completely insane.
And why it can make watching the NFL even more fun.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainm
SLICES: Football 101: Our Team, Part 2
We’ve introduced the team. The coach. The General Manager.
Now we gotta talk grit. And destiny. But not “the C word,” even for a second.
Sports fans, let’s finish this discussion about the Detroit Football Lions.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainme
SLICES: Football 101: Our Team
We’ve spent three episodes getting the sports girlies ready for football season.
We learned the game.
We learned about the NFL.
We’re about to learn fantasy football.
But for this episode and the next?
We’re talking about our team.
The Detroit Lions.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
SLICES: The 2026 NFL Season Preview
The NFL is basically the greatest reality show in sports.
Thirty-two teams. Two conferences. Eight divisions. Seventeen games each.
And eventually, one Super Bowl champion.
Today, we’re giving you enough NFL knowledge to understand why certain games matter more than others.
Why teams can go from terrible to great surprisingly fast.
What’s different about the NFL in 2026?
And the big stories
SLICES: Football 101
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Football season is finally here.
You might be watching and thinking, ”I basically understand what’s happening, but I would like to understand just a little bit more.”
We’re going to get you geared up for the gridiron action about to start!
You don’t need to know everything, but knowing a little bit more does make watching more fun.
— Sli
SLICES: NFL Players Going Back to College?
Before 2026, college players normally had four seasons of competition within a five-year eligibility window.
An underclassman who still had NCAA eligibility could declare early for the NFL Draft after being out of high school for at least three years.
Once he gave up his remaining college eligibility and entered the NFL Draft, that decision was effectively permanent.
If he was drafted, signed a
SLICES: NFL Jerseys - Pick a Number!
Look, I can’t tell you WHY it matters, but I can tell you SOMETIMES it matters what number a player is wearing on his chest. It just does.
Could be the same number as someone the player admires. Could be a number they’ve always worn. Could be their “favorite” number, whatever that means.
What I know is that sometimes, the number is the most important thing.
And when that happens? Lawd, th
SLICES: Jayden Daniels Beefs with LSU Over Number
Jayden Daniels graduated from LSU in 2023. Currently a Washington Commander, he sent a cease & desist letter to his alma mater this month, possibly as a protest since the football program gave a new player “his” jersey number.
Did LSU fail to keep its promise to Jayden Daniels? Does LSU have an obligation to keep its promise to DJ Pickett, current cornerback and wearer of jersey number 5?
SLICES: Cheboygan High School Cancels Football
Scott hosts guest Scott Christian, former Cheboygan High School football teammate and current LaCrosse coach at Culver Academy, to discuss the cancellation of this season’s varsity football at their alma mater.
Scott & A will be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA this year! Come out and see us over Labor Day Weekend!
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve
SLICES: So You Wanna Narrate Audiobooks?
Let’s talk audiobook narration!
Scott learned voice acting as he went, as a means to get his fiction out into the world.
ARealGirl Herself learned in acting school and as a professional actor, and recently has been learning to direct herself as she records.
Quite a bit goes into narrating an audiobook. It requires acting skills, professional recording equipment, vocal stamina, and audio e
SLICES: JJ Watt’s a Nice Guy!
Douglas Sandstorm, a football fan, posted on social media about eating breakfast next to JJ Watt in a Greenwich Village diner, saying he chose to give the footballer his privacy.
Watt ended up seeing that tweet and replying with “Are you still in the area?” and showed up to share a beer with Sandstorm.
Such a graceful nod to his fans, which is no surprise from Watt, is known for being a nice guy
SLICES: Horror Writers of America AI Controversy
This week, the Horror Writers Association, of which Scott is a member, published a pro-AI screed from one of their then-current Trustees.
It instantly generated reactions from writers of all sorts and also resulted in almost immediate disciplinary action from HWA.
Scott & A discuss the instant feedback from writers, as well as the HWA.
Scott & A will be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, as well thi
SLICES: Summer Convention Recap
Summertime, and the living is … well, if you’re at a convention, it’s probably sweaty. Fun, but sweaty.
Scott and A chat about Scott’s participation in Imaginarium in Louisville, KY earlier in July, and also the big daddy of them all, San Diego Comic Con, which just wrapped last Sunday.
Scott & A will be at Dragon*Con in Atlanta, GA, as well this year! Come out and see us over Labor Day We
SLICES: Author Gets Rights Back with Nicholas Sansbury Smith
Prolific action bestseller Nicholas Sansbury Smith recently reclaimed the rights to his Extinction Cycle series. With new covers and new content, he’s ready to relaunch the property.
But what is the story behind those rights? Who had them? Why did NSS want to move on, and how did he get those rights back?
As indie writers sell their properties to bigger houses, this issue will pop up more and mo
SLICES: GFL VII News!
Scott’s Galactic Football League series has expanded from five books to nine books, but that’s old news.
What’s the new news? GFL Book VII, currently untitled, has been completed! Scott submitted the final draft last week, and it’s currently in production.
First step is a copy edit, and the whole process can take up to six more months, but we’re this much closer to the next installment for
SLICES: The Book Tour That Went Horribly Wrong
When Random House published Infected back in 2007, Scott’s lifelong dreams of being published by one of the big-time publishing houses came true.
But on the very first day of the book tour, the radio tour? Disaster strikes in the form of … checks notes … cookies?
One never knows how their dreams come true, or even if they do. But one also never expects puke buckets to be involved.&nb
SLICES: Football & Neurodegenerative Death
Researchers from Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical School published what is now the largest study of former NFL players ever conducted.
They looked at nearly twenty thousand players who appeared in at least one NFL game between 1960 and 2019.
The data is sobering: former NFL players were about four times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population.
And
SLICES: Did World Cup Expansion Bring Home the Bacon?
The World Cup already felt like the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Then this year, they expanded from 32 teams to 48. More countries involved, sixty percent bigger than the last tournament, and the advertising budget to go with it.
If it wasn’t broken, why did they meddle with success?
Scott and A take a look at the pros and cons of this expansion.
— Slices is created by Scott S
SLICES: WNBA Bad Girls
The WNBA is trying to crack down on excessive physical play. And somehow, everyone is upset about it.
So has the WNBA actually changed the rules? Nope, The league simply told officials to enforce certain rules more consistently, especially around excessive contact and freedom of movement.
We chat about the rule, the problem, and why everyone’s still upset.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler
SLICES: Why Sports Fans Hate Change
The 2026 World Cup in North America introduced mandatory Hydration Breaks every 20-ish minutes.
Fans are big mad that soccer is now “played in quarters,” and the players get a chance to be coached during these mandatory breaks.
But … the field of play is much more humid and also hotter than these players (and their fans) are used to, so FIFA stepped in to protect the players.&nb
SLICES: AI Invades the World Cup
The 2026 World Cup features Virtual Assistant Referees, or “VAR.”
Some fans love it, some fans hate it. Sometimes based on whether their team benefits from the call.
We do a deeper dive specifically into how the computer-assisted officiating has changed the 2026 World Cup, and how folks feel about it.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— P
SLICES: The Dawn of AI Refs
The 2026 World Cup features Virtual Assistant Referees, or “VAR.”
Some fans love it, some fans hate it. Sometimes based on whether their team benefits from the call.
So “AI Refs” also raise the ire of sports fans around the world, just like their human counterparts.
Scott and A dive into “computer-assisted refereeing” and what it means for sports and sports fans around the world.
— Slices
SLICES: The GIRTHifcation of SLAY
When Aethon Books bought SLAY Book I, they wanted more story.
More story!
Well, they got a couple of girthons put right in their eye. How y’all like me now!
SLAY co-author Rob Otto joins us to talk about the process of taking a 108,000-word podcast novel to 160,000 words for the full book release.
What did we add? What did we cut? How did we do it?
We'll answer those questions and more, alo
SLICES: When Your Childhood Team Wins It All
The New York Knickerbockers just won the NBA championship for the first time in 53 years. We talk about how the city came together for a joyous celebration.
And one co-host of this cast followed the Knicks as a kid but fell off her fandom due to life and stuff. What’s it like when the team you knew in your youth wins it all? We discuss!
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Pro
SLICES: The Great Soccer Sleepover
Scott and A celebrate what fans are calling “The Great Soccer Sleepover”—millions of visitors sharing songs, stories, and unforgettable adventures across the continent.
Social media is overflowing with visitors marveling at Waffle House at 2 a.m., Buc-ee’s the size of a small nation, free drink refills, and the sheer wonder of American tailgating. There are tales of Scots descending on Boston in
SLICES: Computer Crash At Deadline — How Do Creatives Manage?
Accidents happen. Some are worse than others. For a creative, a total computer crash is not great—especially when under a heavy deadline.
Scott & A talk about how we dealt with it during the final weeks of Scott’s active deadline for SLAY. What plans and procedures did we already have in place that let us keep writing? What did we miss that hurt us? What should you do to protect your priceless wo
SLICES: More Siglerverse Q&A
In-depth questions about Sigler books, favorite character, hardest character to write, and some thoughts on my reading likes as a reader rather than as a writer.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Questions that matter
As in, how does the GoDaddy Promo Code CJ
SLICES: Shitbird Visits Empty Set!
This week Empty Set had a quite unexpected visitor. Even more strange? He didn’t even ask for a cracker.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
A cracker, a cracker, a cracker!The GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG3 gets you 99% off your first year of a 3-year domain. D
SLICES: Siglerverse Q & A!
Scott and A chat about the evolution of the podcast, and Scott answers a batch of Siglerverse questions.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Let’s talk about blogging, shall we?
We’ve been happily blogging for years now, but if you have not and want to start, c
SLICES: Big News About Scott’s Books!
This episode provides updates about two of Scott’s books coming out this year, WARPATH and SLAY.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Wait until you see the beasts by the river!
Man-o-man, the things you’ll do when you use the GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG3. Not
SLICES: An interview with author Andrew Givler
Andrew Givler is a YouTube sensation and the author of the progression fantasy novel IRONBOUND, which Scott recently read. Awesome story. With the second book in the series out now, Scott had Andrew on for a chit-chat about his work.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie Press
— Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainm
SLICES: Golf Civil War!
When the new golf start-up LIV appeared on the scene in 2022, it really upended the very polished and traditional golf world. A smaller course, teams, and even theme music.
This is really a story about what happens when a hundred-year-old institution collides with unlimited money. At least for a while.
Scott & A chat about the changes and what’s next.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler a
SLICES: NFL Collusion!
On this episode, we look at the recent NFL Collusion scandal, where the NFL Players Association filed a grievance, basically saying:
“Hey, we think owners are quietly working together to limit guaranteed contracts.”
So did NFL owners secretly agree not to pay players?
The careful answer is:
The arbitrator reportedly found the league encouraged owners to reduce guaranteed contracts…
…but ruled
SLICES: A Second Slice of the Kentucky Derby!
Forty-four years into her life, twenty-two years into horse training, eight years after going out on her own, and 152 years in the making, Cherie DeVaux became the first female trainer to win the Kentucky Derby!
Scott & A chat about this year’s historic race at Churchill Downs.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Allie
SLICES: The 2026 Miami Grand Prix!
The Miami Grand Prix comes to Dolphin Stadium this weekend. More correctly, to the Grand Prix course built in the stadium’s parking lot.
Joining the ranks of the great F1 race cities, Miami is growing F1 fandom in the United States, and no better way to learn than watching!
Star-studded parties, speeds up to 230 miles per hour, and all the glamour of Miami. What’s not to like?
— Slices is c
SLICES: The Kentucky Derby
This weekend, high stakes, big money & hundreds of race fans descend on Churchill Downs in Louisville for the 2026 Kentucky Derby.
So much surrounding a two-minute race: high society rubbing elbows with professional gamblers. Twenty young horses racing to win, jockeys and teams hoping for a shot at immortality.
And that’s to say nothing of the hats.
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B
SLICES: The 2026 NFL Draft Recap!
The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone.
We discussed Chaos Night and the Draft itself in the last episode. Today, we recap a few highlights for us.
Draft Night is a culmination of a lifetime’s worth of work, and the start of the rest of it.
Congrats to the 2026 NFL Rookie Class!
— Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
— Produced by Steve Riekeberg
— Production Assistance by Alli
SLICES: The Changes to This Feed
We’ve been getting feedback asking about our shift in content for this feed. As in: “Hey! Where’s my damn stories?” In this episode, I give answers.
You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth! The truth is, I have so many books due in 2026, 2027, and even 2028 that weekly storytelling is off the table for now.
Listen in, folks! There’s so much info in this twenty-minute episode. By the end
SLICES: How Does the NFL Draft Actually Work?
Join hosts Scott and ARealGirl Herself as they pull back the curtain on one of the most theatrical nights in television: the NFL Draft. If you’ve ever felt like the draft was a "members-only" club where you didn't know the password, this episode is for you. We’re stripping away the jargon to explain the fundamental mechanics of how teams actually select players and why a bunch of people in suits m
SLICES: NFL Draft’s “Chaos Night”
The term "Chaos Night" isn't just hyperbole—it’s the moment months of mock drafts collide with the cold, unpredictable reality of NFL war rooms. With Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza locked in at No. 1, the calm ends the second his name is called. Because there is only one "sure-thing" QB this year, the desperation in Pittsburgh is reaching a boiling point.
Whether you've been following every trade or
SLICES: Bipedal Robots Beat Humans in Half-Marathon
Is anyone else terrified? We are.
For the first time ever, autonomous robots beat humans at humanity’s signature ability—long-distance endurance running. Bi-pedal buckets of bolts bested people at the Beijing E-Town Robot Half Marathon.
Can the robopocalypse be far behind?
Listen in to see why this milestone is far more than the sum of the robotic parts.
Slices is created by Scott Sigler
SLICES: Detroit Pistons' Storybook Turnaround
The turnaround story of the Detroit Pistons is epic. From losing over sixty games two years and sitting in last place to becoming the No. 1 seed in the East playoffs this year.
Scott & A chat about what changed for the Pistons, and where they go from here.
And A shares her favorite underdog-to-top-dog movie while we celebrate this glow up!
Slices is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
SLICES: What the heck is a “mock draft” in the NFL?
Every year, before the actual draft, sports pundits and fans engage in “mock drafts,” where they envision where 260-ish players might land on any of the NFL’s 32 teams. The American Football tradition is fun—and a little bit weird.
Okay… It’s a lot weird.
Who will be joining Taylor’s fiancé’s team this year? Listen in, even if you think you know All Too Well.😉
Scott Sigler Slices is created
SLICES: What the heck is the NBA’s “play-in tournament?”
The NBA Play-In Tournament begins today, April 14, 2026. Scott and ARealGirl Herself explain this confusing event that has added even more drama to the already dramatic NBA playoffs.
And hey, what is “tanking?” Why are NBA franchises accused of intentionally sabotaging their seasons? We strive to explain!
And we share an awesome movie that combines basketball, playoffs, and tanking.
Slice
SLICES: A slice of the Masters!
The PGA Masters Tournament is this weekend, and we have things to say about golf and entertainment! If you’re not in Augusta for the Masters, let us entertain you!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
The green jacket of discounts is GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFO
DEEP CUTS Episode 92: Sigler Ascension Day~
Nineteen years ago, on April 1st, Scott took the Amazon charts by storm and never looked back.
Almost two decades of making cool stuff for cool people.
Come celebrate with us!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Time to celebrate with the GoDaddy
DEEP CUTS Episode 91: 21st Anniversary of this Podcast!
Yes, the Scott Sigler podcast might be the world’s longest-running consistently weekly podcast.
You wanna get nuts? Let's get nuts! Recaps, reflections, reverberations, and even a couple of regrets from two decades of hotness. Get yer drank on, Junkies, because it's time for Tuaca!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistan
DEEP CUTS Episode 90: A SLICE of an NFL Mullet on Any Given Sunday in the First Four!
Scott and A admire Gennings Dunker’s glorious red mane before A dips out, and Scott schools us on the First Four, and everyone enjoys Any Given Sunday as is ordained!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Gracious goodness, what’s happening? I can, ri
MIX TAPE Track 15: “Behind Blue Eyes, Pt. 4”
In the black of a rainy night, the Stonehewer and an army of hungry day diggers attack Stonehold, retaliating against Lord Hilantra’s troops.
He breached the walls, commanded the night-stalking diggers to kill everyone inside save for one man in particular—Warden Bismarten, who ordered the Stonehewer’s family murdered.
Dovokar and two other soldiers are all who remain to fight with Bismarten in
DEEP CUTS Episode 89: A Slice of Heated Rivalry!
Scott and A take a look at how hockey, romance books, and cable TV collide to create Heated Rivalry. (Mild spoilers for general concepts of the show and the books, and for Season 1, Episode 1 of the Crave TV show.)
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
MIX TAPE Track 14: “Behind Blue Eyes, Pt. 3”
Lord Hilentra is expanding his territory into the foothills of the Broken Spine mountains. His garrison at the new village of Stonehold has laid waste to villages populated by Tandrites, a culture that has mined these foothills for generations.
Hilentra relies on Bismarten, the Warden of Stonehold, to lead his troops against these small villages. One of Bismarten’s men, Dovokar, was unable to fol
DEEP CUTS Episode 88: Where Do We Go From Here?
The Scott Sigler Slices livestream turns six this year, and it’s high time we make some adjustments to give Scott time to do his actual job of writing stories we all crave. Find out what changes are afoot and what you can expect from Empty Set!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026
DEEP CUTS Episode 87: How Much Backstory Do Authors Need?
Backstory—the story stuff happens before the stuff that happens in the story. How much do authors need to make a great tale? Do you need a fully fleshed-out world before you write the first sentence, or can you wing it? Scott Sigler and ARealGirl Herself discuss.
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
MIX TAPE Track 13: “Behind Blue Eyes, Pt. 2”
Lord Hilentra’s frontier garrison at Stonehold had already earned its reputation. But the peaceful Tandrites would not just roll over and die. A dark figure known as the Stonehewer has fought back, attacking Cayoncrest, one of Hilentra’s new settlements, slaughtering most of its population.
The Stonehewer attacked, climbing over the wall and opening the gate. Dozens of day diggers rushed in, at
DEEP CUTS Episode 86: How Scott Chooses Locations
As the saying goes, it’s all about location, location, location. So how does an author pick the perfect location for the tale being told? Dunno, but we ask Scott how he picks his locations!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Got a shiny new idea an
MIX TAPE Track 12: “Behind Blue Eyes, Pt. 1”
In a dark place on a medieval frontier, the powers that be are displacing those who have lived there for centuries. Brutal expansion that fuels an inevitable resistance.
Payback delivered in the cold and wet, so far from help it might as well be an island surrounded by an impassible ocean.
Because justice is variable, depending on when you live, how you live, and how others may or may not judg
DEEP CUTS Episode 85: Siglerverse Valentines!
The Siglerverse is full of terrific twosomes, and this week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, we talk about a few of them!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
I missed half-price candy day, but did save ninety-nine percent off the first year of a three
MIX TAPE Track 11: “I Put A Spell on You, Pt. 2”
Simon Gardner’s life has collapsed into two obsessions: Patty, the woman who left him. And Jack, the musician he’s spent a decade researching. That research went into Simon’s book, Spellbound, about the life, times, and legend of Wailin’ Jack Laurent, the shock-rock pioneer whose song “You’re Under My Spell” made him infamous—and whose rumored voodoo past refuses to stay buried.
After acquiring t
DEEP CUTS Episode 84: CRYPT VOIDSTRIKE Reading Early Reviews, plus giveaway!
CRYPT: VOIDSTRIKE has been out a week! Let’s give away CRYPT merch and read early reviews! Ain’t no party like a Warthogs party in its second week!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
I got ninety-nine percent off my 1st year of a three year domain,
MIX TAPE Track 10: “I Put A Spell on You, Pt. 1”
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins released “I Put a Spell on You” in 1956 on Okeh Records. Elvis Presley released “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog,” transforming popular music—and youth culture—almost overnight.
The song that would define him was never meant to be a novelty. Hawkins later claimed he recorded it while blackout drunk, so intoxicated that he remembered nothing of the session. The record failed
DEEP CUTS Episode 83: CRYPT: VOIDSTRIKE Launch Party!
CRYPT: VOIDSTRIKE published on January 27th, and we’re celebrating! Listen as Scott & ARealGirl Herself celebrate the newest Sigler book released into the wild!
Plus, Junkie’s most fave parts of the series thus far, and where to snag autographed hardcovers if you want ‘em!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by All
DEEP CUTS Episode 82: Viral Drama Over Explaining NFL Rules
Scott made a social media post about the ruling on the field during the Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos NFL Playoff game, and it went a bit viral.
It was a quick, normal-people-language explanation of the controversial interception call from that game. Scott explained what the call on the field was and why it was called. Folks had a LOT to say about it.
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler
MIX TAPE Track 9: “Blinding Lights, Pt. 3”
Johan replaced Renay with Cherry, a newer Trophinae designed to be smoother, smarter, and more intuitive.
Renay, demoted but still devoted, found buried evidence that jealousy and replacement fear had led to violence in earlier models.
Believing she was helping, Renay quietly manipulated systems and language by using the malfunctioning dishwashing machine to introduce replacement_risk into Cher
DEEP CUTS Episode 81: THE CRYPT’s Most-Highlighted Sections
With THE CRYPT: VOIDSTRIKE out on Jan 27, 2026, we turn our attention to this horror/scifi series. Thousands of Kindle readers highlighted sections of THE CRYPT: SHAKEDOWN that spoke to them. Which sections were highlighted the most?
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Se
MIX TAPE Track 8: “Blinding Lights, Pt. 2”
Renay had been demoted. Cherry now serves “the Man” on those cold, lonely nights. But when advanced chips are made with human brain cells, the math doesn’t always add up. Emotions are unquantifiable—and they can be deadly.
Written and performed by Scott Sigler
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Theme music is the song “Dark Wave”
DEEP CUTS Episode 80: What GFL novellas should you read?
As GFL VII gets closer to final draft status, we chat about the expansive Galactic Football League series and how to best enjoy the unique world Scott has created.
Do you need to read all the novellas? Would you better understand or enjoy the novels if you did? How many novels remain in the series? We talk about all this and more!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
P
MIX TAPE Track 7: “Blinding Lights, Pt. 1”
In the near future, cyborg companion units are the ideal life partners—at least until a newer model emerges. Obsession. Partners as possessions. Rage.
A horror short story inspired by The Weeknd's massive hit, the biggest single of all time.
Written and performed by Scott Sigler
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2026 by Empty Set Entertainment
Theme music is t
DEEP CUTS Episode 79: Holiday Chit-Chat
It’s the holidays, y’all! Grab a beverage and chill with the Future Dark Øverlord and ARealGirl Herself. All chat, no serious stuff.
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment
Get yourself a present this Christmas and save 99% by using the GoDaddy Promo Co
MIX TAPE Track 6: “Hurt, Pt. 3
Inspired by Nine Inch Nails “Hurt” as performed by the Man in Black, Mr. Johnny Cash.
Averra has lived longer than any person ever. Is the human mind made to last this long? She’s having trouble finding the answer because everything breaks down eventually.
Everything.
Written and performed by Scott Sigler
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Enterta
DEEP CUTS Episode 78: GFL Analogs in the 2025 NFL Season, Pt. 2
Every NFL season, some players, as well as some folks surrounding the league, are very GFL-coded. We thought we’d share another round of similarities between the NFL in 2025 and the GFL!
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment
Who doesn’t love saving mo
MIX TAPE Track 5: “Hurt, Pt. 2”
Inspired by Nine Inch Nails “Hurt” as performed by the Man in Black, Mr. Johnny Cash.
Someday, we all face the end of us. The end of everything. But these women, these Mothers, are actively going through it. Do they need to? Does anyone deserve to curate the end of humanity?
Written and performed by Scott Sigler
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set En
DEEP CUTS Episode 77: GFL analogs in the 2025 NFL Season, Pt. 1
Every NFL season, some players are so very GFL-coded that we thought we should share which fielding players in the NFL in 2025 feel like they belong in the GFL, and why.
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment
You know I love a good life imitating art m
MIX TAPE Track 4: “Hurt, Pt. 1”
Inspired by Nine Inch Nails “Hurt” as performed by the Man in Black, Mr. Johnny Cash.
Someday, we all face the end of us. The end of everything. But these women, these Mothers, truly face what we’ve never had to consider. Are we ready to face humanity’s future? Are they?
Written and performed by Scott Sigler
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entert
DEEP CUTS Episode 76: More Meltowns Meeting Famous People
We’ve been lucky enough to run into some very cool peeps. Here are four more stories of us being decidedly not cool meeting them.
Deep Cuts is created by Scott Sigler and A B Kovacs
Produced by Steve Riekeberg
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment
That GoDaddy Promo Code CJCFOSSIG doesn’t shy away from meet-and-greets. Why would
MIX TAPE Track 3: “Mr. Sandman, Pt. 2”
The second half of a grim #horror #shortstory. Can Felix "bring her a dream?" He better, or Helen will not be happy. And in the basement of a secret morgue, she's the last person you want to disappoint.
Written and performed by Scott Sigler
Production Assistance by Allie Press
Copyright 2025 by Empty Set Entertainment
Theme music is the song “Dark Wave” by Roman Rumyantsev
MIX TAPE Track 2: “Mr. Sandman, Pt. 1”
A horror short story inspired by “Mr. Sandman,” a disturbing tune by The Chordettes.
Mr. Sandman… bring me a dream… make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen…
In 1954, the Soviet Union was a constant threat. Defense budgets surged, as did secret installations. If the Ruskies think they can reanimate the dead? Well, son, America can do that bigger and better.
Written and performed by Scott Sig
