Michael R. Mennenga
Encyclopedia
Michael R. Mennenga founded FarPoint Media in early 2006 and currently serves as its President, COO, and primary audio engineer. In addition, Michael is a co-host of the “Slice of SciFi
” and “The Dragon Page Cover to Cover” podcasts, and contributor to many other Farpoint Programs.
Michael’s beginnings lay in the corn-filled fields of Nebraska, where farming was much of his life. During those years, he was working with friends and relatives within the farming industry and explored many other interests. He provided labor for many and learned a vast amount, particularly expanding his electronic, electrical and wiring skills.
Michael has over 17 years of experience in the Broadcast Industry, but specializes in audio production. He is a certified electronic technician, receiving his technical certifications from Wichita State University
, Central Community College, and California Institute of Technology
.
Eventually, Michael redirected his life to focus and foster creativity through reading and writing. Thanks to writers like Anne McCaffrey
, he developed a fond affinity for dragons. Michael found his own creative voice and began writing several books, three of which were published—Zac and the Valley of the Dragons published by Xlibris Press in 1999, Mistress of the Dragon through Publish America in 2001, and Dragon Moon Press
released The Valley of the Dragons: Dragon’s Fire & Wizard’s Flame in mid 2002.
Michael combined his two passions of creative expression and electronics in a new endeavor—Internet Audio. In February of 2002, he created “The Dragon Page” which aired on the internet radio station Book Crazy Radio and in syndication on AM/FM radio stations throughout the US. “The Dragon Page” was one of a handful of shows that began podcasting since the word was spoken. Together with Evo Terra, “The Dragon Page” bought the best in sci-fi and fantasy content with two weekly talk shows and in-depth coverage of the best in today’s literature and media. At well over 7 years and nearing 500 episodes, “The Dragon Page” is now one of the oldest running programs online.
In 2006, Michael teamed up with Mur Lafferty
and Tracy Hickman
(under the banner of FarPoint Media) to create the Parsec Awards
. Presented each year at Dragon*Con, the Parsec Awards celebrate speculative fiction podcasting and are dedicated to recognizing excellence within the field.
Michael has been a member of The Arizona Authors Association, Toastmasters Int., and a Book Crazy Author.
Slice of SciFi
Slice of SciFi is a podcast and website and part of the FarPoint Media Network that looks into the world of science fiction, fantasy and horror...
” and “The Dragon Page Cover to Cover” podcasts, and contributor to many other Farpoint Programs.
Michael’s beginnings lay in the corn-filled fields of Nebraska, where farming was much of his life. During those years, he was working with friends and relatives within the farming industry and explored many other interests. He provided labor for many and learned a vast amount, particularly expanding his electronic, electrical and wiring skills.
Michael has over 17 years of experience in the Broadcast Industry, but specializes in audio production. He is a certified electronic technician, receiving his technical certifications from Wichita State University
Wichita State University
Wichita State University is a NCAA Division I public university in Wichita, Kansas with selective admissions. WSU is one of six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The current president is Dr. Donald Beggs....
, Central Community College, and California Institute of Technology
California Institute of Technology
The California Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Pasadena, California, United States. Caltech has six academic divisions with strong emphases on science and engineering...
.
Eventually, Michael redirected his life to focus and foster creativity through reading and writing. Thanks to writers like Anne McCaffrey
Anne McCaffrey
Anne Inez McCaffrey was an American-born Irish writer, best known for her Dragonriders of Pern series. Over the course of her 46 year career she won a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award...
, he developed a fond affinity for dragons. Michael found his own creative voice and began writing several books, three of which were published—Zac and the Valley of the Dragons published by Xlibris Press in 1999, Mistress of the Dragon through Publish America in 2001, and Dragon Moon Press
Dragon Moon Press
Dragon Moon Press is an independent publishing company, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy and cross-genre novels. It was founded in 1993 by Gwen Gades, and released its first book in 1998....
released The Valley of the Dragons: Dragon’s Fire & Wizard’s Flame in mid 2002.
Michael combined his two passions of creative expression and electronics in a new endeavor—Internet Audio. In February of 2002, he created “The Dragon Page” which aired on the internet radio station Book Crazy Radio and in syndication on AM/FM radio stations throughout the US. “The Dragon Page” was one of a handful of shows that began podcasting since the word was spoken. Together with Evo Terra, “The Dragon Page” bought the best in sci-fi and fantasy content with two weekly talk shows and in-depth coverage of the best in today’s literature and media. At well over 7 years and nearing 500 episodes, “The Dragon Page” is now one of the oldest running programs online.
In 2006, Michael teamed up with Mur Lafferty
Mur Lafferty
Mur Lafferty is an American podcaster and writer based in Durham, North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a degree in English. She is the editor and host of Escape Pod since 2010, when she took over from Steve Eley...
and Tracy Hickman
Tracy Hickman
Tracy Raye Hickman is a best-selling fantasy author, best known for his work on Dragonlance as a game designer and co-author with Margaret Weis, while he worked for TSR...
(under the banner of FarPoint Media) to create the Parsec Awards
Parsec Awards
The Parsec Awards are a set of annual awards created to recognize excellence in science fiction podcasts and podcast novels. The awards were created by Mur Lafferty, Tracy Hickman and Michael R. Mennenga and awarded by FarPoint Media...
. Presented each year at Dragon*Con, the Parsec Awards celebrate speculative fiction podcasting and are dedicated to recognizing excellence within the field.
Michael has been a member of The Arizona Authors Association, Toastmasters Int., and a Book Crazy Author.
Books
- The Valley of the Dragons: Dragon's Fire & Wizard's Flame, Dragon Moon PressDragon Moon PressDragon Moon Press is an independent publishing company, specializing in science fiction, fantasy, dark fantasy and cross-genre novels. It was founded in 1993 by Gwen Gades, and released its first book in 1998....
, 2003, ISBN 1-89694-413-2 - Mistress of the Dragon, Publish America, 2002, ISBN 1-59286-217-9
- Zac and the Valley of the Dragons, Xlibris Corporation, 2000, ISBN 0-73881-853-4