In this conversation, Aaron Courts shares his journey from being a Marine to becoming a writer, discussing his love for audiobooks, the impact of literature on his life, and his upcoming historical fiction novel centered around the Sand Creek Massacre. He reflects on the significance of ‘Lonesome Dove’ and ‘North and South’ in his childhood, the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life, and the importance of character development in storytelling. Sam and Aaron delve into the intersections of literature, history, and personal growth. They explore how literature can reshape our understanding of American history, the journey of writing and publishing, and the challenges of self-publishing. The discussion also touches on the influence of historical fiction, the role of reading in personal development, and the art of adapting books into films. Throughout, they reflect on their own experiences with literature and the impact of family and legacy on their writing journeys.