The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed: Recent Episodes
thefantasywriterstoolshed
The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is dedicated to all things fantasy, creative writing, and book marketing. It's created by fantasy writers, for fantasy writers with the purpose of helping you overcome the obstacles and challenges that crop up on your journey.
Expect general writing tips as well as discussions on the fantasy genre, such as on worldbuilding, fantasy tropes and fantasy names. And with regular guests including historians, folklorists, mythologists and book bloggers, you'll be sure to find plenty of inspiration and knowledge to use in your fantasy novels and stories.
Hosted by Richie Billing (https://richiebilling.com).
Write to us at any time with your comments, questions or queries at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com.
And please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
How do you write characters that leap off the page—and keep readers hooked for 40 years? New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz joins The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed for a career-spanning masterclass in writing romance, suspense, and gothic fiction.
With over 200 books published under three names—Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, and Jayne Castle—and more than 30 million copies in print, Jayne reveals the "core story" approach behind her extraordinary longevity, and the single best piece of advice she'd give any writer.
We dig into character creation, worldbuilding readers can't resist returning to (yes, we talk dust bunnies—Harmony fans, you know), and the mechanics of romantic suspense, where every twist in the romance drives a twist in the suspense, and vice versa.
Jayne also breaks down what defines gothic fiction, how publishing has transformed across her career, and where the industry is heading next.
Plus: her brand-new novel Enter the Nightmare (written as Jayne Castle), the latest in the Harmony series—out now.
In this episode: the core story method • creating unforgettable characters • worldbuilding • how to write romantic suspense • writing gothic novels • the future of publishing • advice for new and aspiring writers
🔗 JAYNE ANN KRENTZ
Website > https://jayneannkrentz.com/ Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz/ Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/jayneannkrentzauthor/ Enter the Nightmare > https://jayneannkrentz.com/book/enter-the-nightmare/ UK readers > https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/jayne-castle/enter-the-nightmare/9780349449456/
✍️ THE TOOLSHED
Enjoying the show? Follow so you never miss an episode—new episodes on the 14th of each month. Join our writing community on Patreon > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed More writing tips and classes > https://richiebilling.com Get free dark fantasy books > https://richiebilling.com/get-dark-fantasy-books
Want to get your short stories published? In this episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, host Richie Billing sits down with Benjamin Davis, co-founder of Chill Subs, for a comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to submitting short fiction to literary magazines, navigating the submissions process, and using it as a genuine route toward landing a literary agent.
Chill Subs is the platform 50,000+ writers use to discover, track and submit to literary magazines, contests and agents — so Ben sees the short-fiction publishing world from the inside. He shares the latest shifts and trends in the literary magazine market, then gives honest, insider answers to the questions writers agonise over most:
- Do cover letters actually matter — and what should (and shouldn't) go in them?
- How should you format a short story submission?
- Are simultaneous submissions acceptable, and how do you keep track of them?
- Can you submit reprints, and where will editors accept them?
- How do short story credits actually help you get a literary agent?
- Where are the best places to submit right now, and how do you find them?
Whether you're submitting your first short story or trying to build a publication history that opens doors to agents and book deals, this is a practical, market-leader's view of how short fiction publishing really works in 2026.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to find the right literary magazines for your work using Chill Subs
- What editors really think about cover letters and formatting
- The rules (and etiquette) around simultaneous submissions and reprints
- How short-story publication credits feed into querying literary agents
- The current trends reshaping the literary magazine and submissions market
About Benjamin Davis: Benjamin Davis is a writer and the co-founder of Chill Subs, a submissions platform used by over 50,000 writers to discover and track literary magazines, contests and agents. He also runs Sub Club, a top-selling Substack newsletter on literary publishing opportunities, and is connected with Write or Die Magazine. His own fiction and poetry have appeared in journals including Booth, Hobart and Maudlin House, and he's the author of The King of FU and Things We Do While Waiting to Die.
🔗 Chill Subs: https://www.chillsubs.com
✍️ Join our writing community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
📚 More writing tips and classes: https://richiebilling.com
New episodes of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed release on the 14th of each month.
In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, host Richie Billing interviews bestselling author Michael Chatfield about the writing process, indie publishing, Patreon, audience growth, character creation and building a sustainable author business. Learn practical ways to generate story ideas, develop compelling characters, engage readers, grow a subscription community and think more commercially about a long-term writing career.
In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling indie author Michael Chatfield for a practical and revealing conversation about what it really takes to build a successful writing career.
Michael is the author of major fantasy, science fiction and LitRPG series, including The Ten Realms, Emerilia, Harmony War and Restarting the Apocalypse.
He's also built an engaged reader community through subscription platforms like Patreon, where fans can access early chapters, exclusive material, behind-the-scenes updates and opportunities to become more involved in the creative process.
This episode explores Michael’s writing process, from finding inspiration and developing ideas to creating characters that feel active, motivated and memorable.
We also discuss the business side of being an indie author, including how Michael has grown beyond writing alone and developed a publishing operation that employs multiple people.
For fantasy writers, LitRPG authors, self-published novelists and anyone interested in author entrepreneurship, this interview offers a valuable look at the link between craft, consistency, reader engagement and commercial sustainability.
ABOUT MICHAEL CHATFIELD
https://michaelchatfield.com/
https://www.patreon.com/c/authormichaelchatfield/
https://www.facebook.com/authormichaelchatfield/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14055550.Michael_Chatfield
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
For the full video experience, please watch on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@fixingbadwriting
Welcome to Fixing Bad Writing, a new series within The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, where I take a rubbish story generated by AI and try to make it good, or at least less crappy.
In Episode 1, I tackle the "High Fantasy" genre.
Walk through the story's analysis with me, watch as I edit, before seeing whether or not I can save this terrible story.
If you’re looking for a creative writing challenge or a unique writing exercise, you’re in the right place. This series acts as a writing guide for anyone trying to spot common mistakes and improve their craft.
Whether you are looking for writing exercises for beginners or more advanced story writing exercises, hopefully, this live rewrite will teach you new skills!
🏆 TAKE THE WRITING CHALLENGE
Think you can do better? (You probably can). I want to see your version! And then why not join our Discord community and share it?
Join The Community > https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
Here's the original story:
In the kingdom of Eldoria there was a man called Brin who was a knight but not a very good one, and one day he was told by the king to go and stop a dark wizard named Maldrake who lived in a tower that was quite far away and also spooky, so Brin said yes even though he was a bit tired and hadn’t eaten much, and he got on his horse which didn’t like him very much and set off slowly while thinking about how dangerous it all sounded. On the way he met a strange old woman who may have been magical but it was not very clear, and she gave him a sword that looked important but also a bit rusty, and told him something vague like “you will need this probably,” which Brin thought was helpful enough. When he got to the tower it was taller than expected and had a door that was already open which seemed suspicious, but he went in anyway and shouted for Maldrake who appeared almost immediately which saved time, and they had a fight that was not very graceful but still quite serious, and Brin mostly waved the sword around until something worked and the wizard fell over in a way that suggested he was defeated. After that Brin felt proud but also confused about how easy it was, and he went back to the kingdom where the king thanked him a lot and there was a feast, although Brin kept wondering if the wizard might not actually be fully gone which made the ending feel a bit unsure.
Learn how to write a query letter for literary agents, including the correct structure, paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown, submission strategy, and proven techniques to increase your chances of getting representation.
Writing a query letter is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—steps in the traditional publishing process. It’s your first impression with a literary agent, and it determines whether your manuscript gets read or rejected.
In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Stephen Aryan, who secured representation with literary agent Juliet Mushens, to break down exactly how to write a query letter that stands out in a competitive submissions inbox.
This is a detailed, practical deconstruction of query letters, designed to give you a clear, repeatable framework.
We cover every stage of the query process, including:
- What a query letter is and how literary agents evaluate submissions
- The standard query letter structure (opening hook, synopsis paragraph, author bio, closing)
- A step-by-step walkthrough of how to write each paragraph
- Key query letter terminology and industry expectations
- How many agents to query before revising your approach
- Whether you should follow up with agents—and how to do it professionally
- How to get feedback on your query letter (including services like Stephen’s Write Advice)
- Real-world insights from Stephen Aryan’s successful query letter
This episode combines craft, strategy, and industry knowledge to give you a complete understanding of how querying works.
If you’re preparing to submit to literary agents and want to improve your chances of securing representation, this episode provides a clear, actionable guide to writing a query letter that gets results.
ABOUT STEPHEN ARYAN
https://stephen-aryan.com/
https://stephen-aryan.com/2014/07/31/how-i-found-an-agent-part-2/
https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2024/06/the-write-advice-4-common-mistakes-in-query-packages/
https://www.mushens-entertainment.com/blog/the-perfect-cover-letter
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
What makes the fae such enduring figures in fantasy? How do you write in the present tense without it feeling awkward? And can a fantasy story work in a confined setting instead of a vast world?
In this episode, I’m joined by author Rym Kechacha to talk about her new novel The Apple and the Pearl. We dive into the strange allure of the fae in fantasy fiction, explore the craft of writing in the present tense, and discuss how powerful stories can unfold in smaller, more contained settings.
Rym shares insights into her writing process, including the idea of “vibe writing” — letting the tone and atmosphere of a story guide you as you discover the narrative. We also talk about taking inspiration from artwork and paintings, and how visual sources can shape characters, mood and worldbuilding.
One of the most interesting aspects of The Apple and the Pearl is its setting. Rather than a sprawling epic landscape, much of the story unfolds within the confined environment of a train. We discuss how limitations like this can actually strengthen tension, character development and narrative focus.
If you’re a fantasy writer or reader, this conversation offers a fascinating look at craft, inspiration and the creative decisions behind a unique fantasy novel.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How writing in the present tense can make a story feel immediate and active
- Why the fae remain one of the most compelling forces in fantasy fiction
- How to create characters readers genuinely care about
- The idea behind “vibe writing” and discovering your story as you write
- How artwork and paintings can inspire story ideas and atmosphere
- Why confined settings can create powerful fantasy stories
About The Apple and the Pearl
The Apple and the Pearl blends myth, atmosphere and character-driven storytelling, drawing on fae folklore and rich visual inspiration to create a unique fantasy experience.
Whether you’re interested in folklore-inspired fantasy, writing craft, or the creative process behind a novel, this episode offers plenty of insight.
Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations with fantasy authors, writing advice and behind-the-scenes discussions about storytelling.
Get it here > https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800526/the-apple-and-the-pearl-by-rym-kechacha/
About Rym Kechacha
Rym Kechacha is a fantasy author and teacher whose work blends folklore, art, and literary fantasy. She is the author of Dark River, To Catch a Moon, and the new novel The Apple and the Pearl. Her debut novel Dark River was shortlisted for the British Fantasy Awards for both Best Novel and Best Newcomer.
Website https://rymkechacha.squarespace.com
X / Twitter https://x.com/rymkechacha
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rymkechacha/
This episode explains how to build a sustainable and profitable author business, focusing on mindset, income streams, and long-term strategy. You’ll learn how to transition from hobbyist to professional writer, market your books effectively, use AI tools to grow your income, and build a direct relationship with your readers. Ideal for fantasy writers and authors who want to turn their writing into a reliable income without burnout.
What does it really mean to treat your writing as a business?
In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author and entrepreneur Joanna Penn to explore how writers can build a sustainable writing business without losing their creative spark.
If you want to move from hobbyist to professional author, this conversation breaks down what a real author business looks like — from mindset shifts to practical systems.
We cover:
- What a writing business actually is (and why most authors get this wrong)
- How to balance writing as a business without burnout or overwhelm
- How to get inside your reader’s head and clearly define your target audience
- The essential steps to kickstart your author business today
- Direct book selling, special editions, and owning your customer relationship
- Book marketing methods that still work — email marketing, paid advertising, and author networking
- How to use AI in your writing business (marketing content, concept images, Amazon ads optimisation, book descriptions and more)
- How Joanna Penn uses AI herself to support her fiction and non-fiction author income
- Time management strategies for writers building a business while improving craft
If you’re serious about turning your writing into income, this episode will help you think strategically, act intentionally, and build long-term author resilience.
About Joanna Penn
Non-fiction for authors: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/books-for-authors/
Fiction (J.F. Penn): https://jfpennauthor.com/books/
The Creative Penn Podcast: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/podcasts/
Socials: Website: https://www.thecreativepenn.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jfpennauthor/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCreativePenn X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecreativepenn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheCreativePenn
✍️ Join Our Community and Access Writing Tools:
Join The Discord Community: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Richie's Patreon for free stories: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RichieBilling
✍️ Access The Free Class Here: Email Marketing For Writers and Authors
This episode explains how email marketing works for authors in 2026, focusing on audience growth, engagement, and book sales. You’ll learn how to build an email list, improve open and click rates, create effective welcome sequences, and use AI to personalise and scale your emails. Ideal for writers and indie authors who want to grow a loyal readership, increase book sales, and take full control of their audience beyond social media.
Email marketing remains one of the most powerful tools available to writers and authors — and it’s about to change.
In this podcast episode, we break down how email marketing works for writers right now, and where it’s heading in 2026. Using real data, platform insights, and author-specific examples, we explore why email still outperforms social media, how writers use it to sell books and grow Patreon memberships, and what separates emails that get ignored from emails that drive real engagement.
We cover the fundamentals every writer needs to understand: choosing the right email platform, setting clear goals, building welcome sequences, improving open and click rates, and creating sustainable email routines. You’ll learn how subject lines, preview text, timing, frequency, and structure directly affect performance — and how to build genuine reader relationships rather than sending forgettable broadcasts.
Crucially, we also look ahead to email marketing trends in 2026, including:
- How inbox providers are prioritising engagement quality over volume
- Why generic drip sequences are losing effectiveness
- The rise of interactive emails, surveys, and community-driven content
- How AI is shaping email creation, analysis, and personalisation
- Why newsletters are becoming a primary publishing platform for writers
This episode isn’t about spam tactics or quick wins. It’s about future-proofing your email strategy, owning your audience, and using email as the central hub of your writing career — not just a promotional afterthought.
Ideal for:
- Writers and authors at any stage
- Indie authors selling ebooks, paperbacks, audiobooks, or subscriptions
- Creators who want clarity, consistency, and long-term audience control
✍️ Join Our Community and Access Writing Tools:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Richie's Patreon for free stories: https://www.patreon.com/cw/RichieBilling
Website and writing classes: https://richiebilling.com/online-writing-classes
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fantasywriterstoolshed/
This episode explains how to improve your fantasy writing using proven techniques for character development, worldbuilding, and the writing process, based on insights from bestselling author RJ Barker. You’ll learn how to create deeper characters, build immersive fantasy worlds, develop your unique writing voice, and overcome common creative challenges. Ideal for fantasy writers who want to strengthen their storytelling and write more compelling, publishable fiction.
What can writers learn from one of the most distinctive voices in modern fantasy?
In this episode, I’m joined by RJ Barker, author of the Wounded Kingdom and Tide Child trilogies, to explore his approach to storytelling and the fantasy writing process.
We dive into both craft and mindset, including:
- RJ's new book: Mortedant's Peril, book #1 in The Trials of Irody Hasp series
- RJ Barker’s fantasy writing process from idea to finished novel
- How to create deep, memorable characters
- Building unique and immersive fantasy worlds
- Overcoming psychological challenges in writing
- Developing your voice and honing your craft
- Practical advice for writers looking to improve
This is an in-depth, honest conversation packed with insights from a top-tier fantasy author.
If you want to strengthen your storytelling and better understand the fantasy writing process, this episode offers clear, actionable guidance you can apply straight away.
ABOUT RJ BARKER
Website: https://www.rjbarker.com/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rjbarker.bsky.social
Books: https://store.orbit-books.co.uk/collections/author-rj-barker
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Are you repeating the same writing mistakes without realising it? In this episode, writing coach and author Suzy Vadori reveals the biggest errors she sees in authors, and how to avoid them.
Join Richie Billing and Suzy Vadori as they explore Suzy’s journey from businesswoman to bestselling YA fantasy author and coach.
We dive into her unique approach to character creation, immersive world-building, and the crucial missteps that hold writers back.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why so many authors struggle with character arcs and how to fix them.
- Practical world-building strategies that bring your setting to life without slowing the story.
- The top three mistakes authors make when switching from business mindset to creative craft.
- How Suzy’s coaching practice and author experience provide clarity, structure and growth.
- How to build your author brand and writing career from the ground up.
Whether you’re working on your first novel or deep into your series, you’ll walk away with actionable advice.
✍️ More from Suzy Vadori:
Website: https://suzyvadori.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyvadori/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzyvadoriauthor/
✍️ Join our community & writing tools:
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Website and writing classes: https://richiebilling.com/
This episode explains how to write a successful book series and build an author brand that drives consistent book sales. You’ll learn how to structure multi-book story arcs, create reader loyalty, plan effective book launches, and develop a recognisable author brand using proven strategies from bestselling authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett. Ideal for fantasy writers and indie authors who want to grow a loyal audience, sell more books, and build a sustainable writing career.
What separates authors who build loyal readerships from those who struggle to gain traction? The answer often lies in series writing, branding, and smart book marketing.
In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett to break down the strategies behind their success—and what every writer can learn from romance and cozy mystery.
We explore both craft and career-building, including:
- How to write a book series that keeps readers coming back
- Structuring character arcs and emotional payoffs across multiple books
- What romance and cozy mystery teach us about reader expectations
- Building consistency in worldbuilding and continuity
- How to plan and execute a successful book launch
- Creating an author brand that readers recognise and trust
- Book marketing strategies that actually drive sales
- Productivity and mindset tips for long-term writing success
This episode goes beyond genre to deliver practical, proven strategies you can apply to your own writing—whether you’re working on a fantasy epic or your first novel.
If you want to build a loyal audience, sell more books, and create a sustainable writing career, this episode shows you how to do it.
ABOUT JAMI ALBRIGHT
https://wishidknownforwriters.com/
https://www.jamialbright.com/
ABOUT SARA ROSETT
https://www.sararosett.com/
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
I'm delighted to be joined by bestselling fantasy authors Lucy Holland and Dan Coxon for an all-encompassing discussion on writing fantasy.
Dan has curated and co-edited a brilliant new craft book called Writing The Magic, published by Dead Ink, and Lucy has contributed an excellent chapter on Ursula Le Guin's magic system in Earthsea.
We delve into worldbuilding, creating magic systems, explore Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series and Michael Moorcock's stories, and discuss why we all love the genre so much.
You're bound to learn something new!
FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
BUY WRITING THE MAGIC
https://deadinkbooks.com/product/writing-the-magic/
ABOUT DAN COXON
https://www.dancoxon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dan.coxon.author/
ABOUT LUCY HOLLAND
https://lucyhounsom.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/silvanhistorian/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, I'm delighted to be joined by Professor Charles Li, author of the brilliant new historical fiction novel, Lord Guan.
We chat all about Professor Li's expertise in languages and linguistics, and I pick his brain for worldbuilding tips and advice to help you craft your own languages for your fantasy stories.
We also dive into Chinese history and culture, looking specifically at the life story of Lord Guan and the legend surrounding him, before diving into the writing and researching of the book.
And at 90 years old, Professor Li shares lots of brilliant pieces of wisdom we can all benefit and learn from.
FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
ABOUT PROFESSOR CHARLES LI
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lord-Guan/Charles-N-Li/9781682452325
https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Charles-N-Li/185995596
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
I'm thrilled to be joined by bestselling fantasy author, Jim C. Hines for an extended interview about his two new books, Kitemaster and the relaunch of the beloved classic, Goblin Quest.
Jim opens up about his writing journey, what it's like to be a writer—even down to the earnings—and shares some of his best advice for writing short stories, crafting lovable characters, and writing stories that you're passionate about.
It's fantastic to learn from such a seasoned and decorated pro. I learned an awful lot, and I hope you do too!
FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
ABOUT JIM C. HINES
https://www.jimchines.com/
Goblin Quest (direct from author) - https://payhip.com/b/XBK0D
Kitemaster - https://bookshop.org/p/books/kitemaster/21588658?aid=25009
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, I’m joined by New York Times Best Selling fantasy author, Kel Kade.
Kel’s new book, Sanctum of the Soul, was published by Tor in February 2025 and completes her brilliant new trilogy. As well as discussing the new book, we also dive into the character creation process and how to create fantasy worlds, discussing techniques and methods to ensure we don’t info dump!
Kel also shares her favourite and least favourite fantasy tropes, and we discuss some newer and more shocking tropes that writers should think about before including.
And Kel also discusses her amazing journey through the world of writing, starting out as a popular indie author with The King's Dark Tidings, before getting snapped up by Tor.
FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT KEL CADE
https://torpublishinggroup.com/sanctum-of-the-soul/?isbn=9781250293893&format=hardback
https://kelkade.com/books/
https://www.goodreads.com/series/172856-king-s-dark-tidings
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
Award-winning YA author Sarah Arthur returns to the Toolshed to discuss her brilliant new book, Once A Castle.
Sarah also shares her experiences following the release of her debut YA novel (Once A Queen), what it was like writing book two, and how theme has played such an important role in the writing of both.
We also discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) creeping into the writing world, and Sarah provides her expert insights into what 2025 holds for the world of Young Adult fantasy fiction.
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT SARAH ARTHUR
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2216828/sarah-arthur/
www.saraharthur.com
ONCE A CASTLE
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213618161-once-a-castle
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707441/once-a-castle-by-sarah-arthur/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author and ER doctor, HB Reneau.
HB talks all about injuries we commonly see in fantasy worlds--usually inflicted by swords and magic, and explains how we can best portray things like wounds and infections.
We also talk about the impact of injuries and trauma and mental health too.
HB also tells us all about her new book, The Revenant, and how she's used Kickstarter to fund a pretty awesome project. You can find out more here - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theremnant/the-remnant-ya-fantasy-adventure-collectors-edition
GET BOOKS AND CLASSES ON WRITING FANTASY
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
ABOUT HB RENEAU
https://hbreneau.com/
GET IN TOUCH
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here -https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here -https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/adjectives-that-start-with-th
In this episode, I'm joined by Brianna Summers, literary agent assistant with Holloway Literary. Brianna also works as an editor with Of Metal and Magic Publishing.
Brianna shares her wisdom after spending several years working in the literary agency field. She tells us what it's like for agents on a day-to-day basis and the main reasons she rejects submissions.
We also take a deep dive into query letters and Brianna shares her ideal structure for what a query letter should contain.
If you're thinking about querying literary agents or want to learn more about it, this episode is a must-listen!
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JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT BRIANNA SUMMERS
https://www.instagram.com/brianna.summers.338/
https://hollowayliterary.com/
https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/
GET IN TOUCH
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here -https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here -https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/adjectives-that-start-with-th
In this episode, award-winning short story writer and editor Dan Coxon joins me for an in-depth chat about writing short fiction.
We look at the definition of a short story, the different structures they can have, the pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for editing.
Dan also shares his best tips on getting short stories published, sharing vital insights on what it's like to be an editor with a publisher. You can also find a very helpful explanation for writing cover letters.
It's a must-listen for anyone keen to learn more about writing short stories and getting them published.
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT DAN COXON
https://www.dancoxon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/dan.coxon.author/
GET DAN'S BOOKS
Writing The Uncanny -https://deadinkbooks.com/product/writing-the-uncanny/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0034PDEYM
GET IN TOUCH
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here -https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here -https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/adjectives-that-start-with-th
In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by the Queen of Grimdark, Anna Smith Spark!
Anna joins me for a deep dive into all things writing. We look at Anna’s process, how she wrote her brilliant books, A Court of Broken Knives, A Woman Of The Sword, and A Sword Of Bronze and Ashes, and how she approaches pantsing.
Anna also shares her fantastic wisdom on Grimdark, explaining what it is and what the key features are for writers.
We also discuss character creation, worldbuilding, and dealing with writing challenges. You’re bound to learn something new!
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT ANNA SMITH SPARK
https://britishfantasysociety.org/meet-anna-smith-spark/
https://www.instagram.com/annasmithspark/
https://www.facebook.com/queenofgrimdark/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15935255.Anna_Smith_Spark
GET A SWORD OF BRONZE AND ASHES
https://www.flametreepublishing.com/a-sword-of-bronze-and-ashes-isbn-9781787588400.html
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
In this final episode of 2024, I discuss all of the best writing tips I've come across in the past year, as well as the most helpful things I've learned.
In particular, I dive into writing short stories and getting them published, amazing pieces of wisdom from legendary author Ian Rankin, and the most important thing I learned over the past 12 months.
Here are some useful links I referred to in the ep.
https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/
https://duotrope.com/
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-magazines
Thank you as always for listening and for your fantastic support. I sincerely appreciate it and can't wait to create more helpful things for you in 2025!
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/adjectives-that-start-with-th
In this episode, I'm joined by voice over artist and audiobook producer, Ethan Fifield, for an explainer on how to make an audiobook.
Ethan offers a fantastic insight into the process of making audiobooks, explaining what it's like to be a producer and what it's like to work with publishers and authors.
Ethan also offers practical advice on how to make an audiobook, using platforms like ACX to create projects that narrators can pitch for. He also explains how different contracts can be arranged, like royalty splits, meaning you can make an audiobook with the help of a narrator today without paying a penny!
If you're keen to learn more about audiobooks, this episode is guaranteed to help.
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT ETHAN FIFIELD
https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Ethan+Fifield
GET THE PARIAH'S LAMENT
https://mybook.to/PariahsLament
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
In this episode, award-nominated author Ciel Pierlot joins me in the Toolshed for a fascinating chat about writing fantasy and writing queer fiction.
Ciel's new book, The Hunter's Gambit, was published by Angry Robot earlier this year. We chat all about the writing of the story, Ciel's writing process as a whole, and crafting characters who are interesting and engaging.
Ciel also discusses her experience of the query trenches and how she found a literary agent.
As always, you're bound to learn something new!
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT CIEL PIERLOT
https://cielpierlot.com/
GET THE HUNTER'S GAMBIT
https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-hunters-gambit/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
https://richiebilling.com/
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
In this special episode, I'm delighted to be joined by returning guest and bestselling author, Stephen Aryan.
Stephen has just released his latest fantasy novel, The Blood Dimmed Tide, and on 1st October, he's releasing his first-ever crime novella, New York Minute.
We chat all about New York Minute, writing novellas, mixing fantasy and other genres together, crafting characters readers love, and navigating the world of self-publishing.
It's an interview packed with advice and insights—you're bound to learn something new. And if you enjoy it, why not check out Stephen's awesome new novella? You can find the link below.
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ABOUT STEPHEN ARYAN
https://stephen-aryan.com/
GET NEW YORK MINUTE
https://stephen-aryan.com/2024/08/01/new-york-minute/
https://amzn.to/3zjiTc8
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
And learn more about writing fantasy here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/
In this episode I'm delighted to be joined by fantasy author, Kate J. Armstrong. Kate's new book Fyrebirds recently hit the shelves and in this episode we talk all about it.
We also dive into Kate's journey through the world of writing, how she found inspiration when it left her, and the crafty questions we love so much, such as how to create characters, magic systems readers love, and worlds people want to escape into.
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT KATE J. ARMSTRONG
https://www.katejarmstrong.com/
https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/pub-dates/id1589892622
https://www.theexploresspodcast.com/
GET FYREBIRDS
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/697069/fyrebirds-by-kate-j-armstrong/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of the biggest authors in the world right now. A #1 NYT Bestseller, as well as a #1 International Bestseller, Jennifer has penned over 70 books in a range of genres and for all different audiences.
In this episode, we talk all about Jennifer's journey into writing and how it all led to the release of her brand new book, Born Of Blood And Ash, which hit the shelves on 13.08.2024 (link below).
We take a deep dive into Born Of Blood And Ash, exploring the writing side and how it felt to bring together the final book in the Flesh And Fire series.
We also dive into worldbuilding, character creation, and plotting, and Jennifer shares her best tips for writers.
It's truly an insightful interview with one of the best writers in the world. You're bound to learn something new.
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ABOUT JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/
GET BORN OF BLOOD AND ASH
Get exlusive editions and signed copies here - https://jenniferlarmentrout.com/books/born-of-blood-and-ash/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, I'm delighted to welcome bestselling author, Sarah Arthur.
Sarah's debut YA fantasy novel, Once A Queen has recently hit the shelves courtesy of Penguin Random House.
We chat all about writing a YA fantasy novel, creating characters, transitioning from writing non-fiction to fiction, creating a magic portal-based system, and building a fantasy world within our real world.
We also explore writing Young Adult fiction (YA) and how it's become its own genre that deals with issue-driven stories. Sarah shares some brilliant insights into how to connect with and reach a younger audience here.
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT SARAH ARTHUR
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2216828/sarah-arthur/
www.saraharthur.com
ONCE A QUEEN
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707440/once-a-queen-by-sarah-arthur/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
RESOURCES
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, we welcome the Kindlepreneur himself, Dave Chesson for a chat about selling books on Amazon and Kindle Direct Publishing.
Dave has devoted huge amounts of time and effort into helping authors sell books and reach readers. We chat about the latest changes Amazon has made to its book category system, how selling books on Amazon works, how you can use Amazon ads to great effect, and what best practices authors can follow (like using keywords) to find more success.
The book marketing advice you'll find here will help you sell both fantasy fiction books, non-fiction books, and books of all genres. Dave reveals all about how Amazon works for selling books here.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or requests, please email us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN THE COMMUNITY
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GET FANTASY WRITING CLASSES AND BOOKS
https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT OUR GUEST
Learn more about Dave Chesson: https://kindlepreneur.com/
Get Dave's free Amazon Ads course: www.amscourse.com
ABOUT RICHIE BILLING
www.richiebilling.com
In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Sunday Times Bestselling author, Manda Scott. Manda is well known for her historical fiction series, Boudica. And in June, her new novel, Any Human Power is hitting the shelves.
Any Human Power is a fantasy story of a family at the centre of a global uprising. A band of young tech-visionaries in the real world are guided from the afterlife by their anthropologist grandmother Lan, as they find themselves at the heart of a terrifying, worldwide media storm. It offers a critique of aspects of our current society, social media culture in particular, and we chat all about it here.
We also dive into the writing process and Manda’s style of storytelling, which is known as Thrutopian.
Thrutopia is the art of writing engaging route-maps through to a world we’d all be proud to leave to future generations. The current global crisis is so overwhelming that, it’s tempting for writers to stick with what we know: dystopias, because it’s easy to imagine how bad things could be, or utopias, because we can leap forward and imagine something better as long as it’s somewhere distant.
We talk all about Thrutopian writing, how writers can incorporate it into their storytelling, and how it has the potential to change our culture and hopefully the worst parts of our world.
As always, you're bound to learn something new!
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
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ABOUT MANDA SCOTT
https://mandascott.co.uk/
ANY HUMAN POWER
https://septemberpublishing.org/product/any-human-power-hb/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Sunday Times Bestselling author, Manda Scott. Manda is well known for her historical fiction series, Boudica. And in June, her new novel, Any Human Power is hitting the shelves.
Any Human Power is a fantasy story of a family at the centre of a global uprising. A band of young tech-visionaries in the real world are guided from the afterlife by their anthropologist grandmother Lan, as they find themselves at the heart of a terrifying, worldwide media storm. It offers a critique of aspects of our current society, social media culture in particular, and we chat all about it here.
We also dive into the writing process and Manda’s style of storytelling, which is known as Thrutopian.
Thrutopia is the art of writing engaging route-maps through to a world we’d all be proud to leave to future generations. The current global crisis is so overwhelming that, it’s tempting for writers to stick with what we know: dystopias, because it’s easy to imagine how bad things could be, or utopias, because we can leap forward and imagine something better as long as it’s somewhere distant.
We talk all about Thrutopian writing, how writers can incorporate it into their storytelling, and how it has the potential to change our culture and hopefully the worst parts of our world.
As always, you're bound to learn something new!
JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
ABOUT MANDA SCOTT
https://mandascott.co.uk/
ANY HUMAN POWER
https://septemberpublishing.org/product/any-human-power-hb/
GET IN TOUCH
thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
www.richiebilling.com
Discover more writing tips and guides here
And learn more about writing fantasy here
In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author Gabriela Houston for an honest chat about writing and publishing.
Gabriela has developed a reputation for writing brilliant, Slavic-inspired tales. The Bone Roots, published by Angry Robot, is her latest book.
We talk all about it, as well as Gabriela's journey through writing, what it's like to be traditionally published versus self-publishing, and more than a few honest assessments about the publishing process as a whole.
Join Our Discord Community
Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation - https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
Resources
Creative Writing Tips For Beginners - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
Advice On Writing Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing
About The Guest
Gabriela Houston - https://www.gabrielahouston.com/
Buy The Bone Roots - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-bone-roots/
Richie Billing: https://richiebilling.com
I'm joined by author Salinee Goldenberg for a brilliantly honest chat about writing her debut novel, The Last Phi Hunter, getting published, and dealing with challenges like Imposter Syndrome.
The Last Phi Hunter is a fantasy book unlike any other, with strong inspiration taken from Thai demon folklore. Sal tells us all about the process of writing the novel, creating the amazing setting and characters, and navigating the plot as a pantser.
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Join Our Discord Community
Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation - https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
Resources
Creative Writing Tips For Beginners - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
Advice On Writing Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing
About The Guest
Salinee Goldenberg - https://twitter.com/salgo | https://www.instagram.com/gosalgo/
Buy The Last Phi Hunter - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-last-phi-hunter/
Richie Billing: https://richiebilling.com
In this episode, award-winning author and leader in the world of children's literature and children's books, Meredith Davis, shares many a pearl of wisdom.
Not only is Meredith a leading author of children's books, she's the founder of the Austin Chapter of the Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators, and also has an MFA in writing for children and young adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. A specialist if ever there was one.
We talk all about Meredith's new book, The Minor Miracle (Waterbrook/Penguin Random House), how to write a children's fantasy book, and advice for authors navigating the world of querying agents and submitting to publishers.
Join Our Discord Community
Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation
Head here to join us on Discord - https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
Resources
Creative Writing Tips For Beginners - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
Advice On Writing Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing
About The Guests
Meredith Davis - https://meredithldavis.com/books/
Buy The Minor Miracle - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721051/the-minor-miracle-by-meredith-davis-illustrated-by-billy-yong/
Richie Billing: www.richiebilling.com
In this episode, we cover a very hot topic right now (in more ways than one)—romantasy.
With the help of editor Jennia D'Lima and author Lara Buckheit, we look at what romantasy is, its surge in popularity, the reasons behind why, and how you can write your own fantastically romantic stories.
What do you think of the romantasy phenomenon?
Do you write/read in this genre or are you thinking of giving it a go?
Join our Discord community and get involved in the conversation!
Join Our Discord CommunityHead here to join us on Discord - https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersResources
Creative Writing Tips For Beginners - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/
Advice On Writing Romance Scenes - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/how-to-write-romance-scenes
About The GuestsJennia D'Lima: www.jenniaedits.com
Lara Buckheit: www.larabuckheit.com
Richie Billing: www.richiebilling.com
In this episode of the podcast, we take a comprehensive look at fantasy maps: how to make them, tips on designs and how to draw them both freehand and with the help of digital tools and websites.Helping me do that are two of the best cartographers around, Tyndall Doodle and Dread Maps. Both are talented artists and inspirational users of the fantasy map making website, Inkarnate. We enjoy a comprehensive chat about the magic of maps and cartography, best practices for creating your own world maps and battle maps for DnD and tabletop campaigns, and how you can use Inkarnate to bring your imaginings to life. It's a brilliant discussion featuring two passionate and talented individuals, and with the beauty of video, you can see examples of their work throughout. And that's not all. If you head over to Patreon and sign up for a free or paid account, you will qualify for the draw for a year's subscription to Inkarnate Premium. Head here to enter today - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Join The Community!
Head here to join us on Discord - https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
Resources
A Complete Guide On How To Make A Fantasy Map - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-map
About The GuestsTyndall Doodle: https://twitter.com/tyndalldoodle | https://www.instagram.com/tyndall_doodleDread Maps: https://www.patreon.com/dreadmaps | https://twitter.com/dreadmaps
About InkarnateInkarnate is a free digital mapmaking platform that's designed to make cartography easy and fun. You can check it out here - https://inkarnate.com/
About Richie BillingRichie Billing writes all kinds of stories, but mostly fantasy fiction. His tales tend to explore real-world issues, zooming in on the characters, their troubles and their efforts to overcome them. You can check out his acclaimed book on writing fantasy fiction, A Fantasy Writers' Handbook, here - https://mybook.to/AFWHAnd head here to check out his debut epic fantasy novel, Pariah's Lament - https://mybook.to/PariahsLament. And you can learn more at www.richiebilling.com#podcast #fantasywriter #writingtips
With Halloween just around the corner we wanted to tackle something spooky. In this episode—our last in series 2—we're diving into all things monstrous.
I’m joined by writer, actor and producer Meghan Martin who’s a native of the monster-filled state of West Virginia.
In our chat, we dive into Bigfoot, the mothman and more monsters that are said to stalk the forests of Appalachia.
We examine the folklore, the surge in recent reports and explore the reasons why people are so fascinated by these tales—all to give you ideas and inspiration for when it comes to creating your own.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
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JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT MEGHAN MARTIN
https://www.instagram.com/hellomeghanmartin/
ABOUT RICHIE BILLING
www.richiebilling.com
Michael R Miller is an indie author who's forged a tremendously successful career in the world of writing.
Off the back of the launch of his new book, DEFIANT, Michael and Richie talk all about writing, the process, and how Michael's found success as an indie author.
It's essential listening for anyone who wants to go down the indie route.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT MICHAEL R MILLER
https://www.michaelrmiller.co.uk/
As you may have heard, I have an audiobook coming out soon—in a few weeks in fact (called Pariah's Lament for anyone interested)
I don't know much about audiobooks, so I decided to speak to someone who does—professional voice-over artist for movies, TV and audiobooks, Rachanee Lumayno.
In our chat, we talk all about why audiobooks are so popular and why they're worth exploring as authors, how you can go about it, where to find narrators, how to do it yourself, the costs involved and much, much more.
You're guaranteed to learn something new!
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT RACHANEE LUMAYNO
https://www.rachanee.net/
Book marketing is a thorn in many a writer's side, but here with a fine set ot tweezers is marketing whiz, Nicky Pecone.
Nicky is the founder of Iron Age Marketing, a marketing agency that specialises in helping writers promote their books and build their brand.
In our chat, we talk about the fundamentals of book marketing—what it is, what it involves, and what writers can do to start building their name and selling books.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT NICKY AND IRON AGE MARKETING
https://nickpecone.com/iron-age-media-marketing/
For our latest community panel, we had the pleasure of welcoming award-winning literary fantasy author Karen Healuer as our special guest.
The topic centred all on characters—creating them, getting to know them, and how to grow them.
We looked at specific strategies for character creation, discussed ways to understand what our characters want, the role of side characters in stories, and looked at different approaches for growing and developing our fictional people.
A big thank you to our community members Joshua Parker and Isa Ottoni too!
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Karen Heuler - The Splendid City - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-splendid-city/ | More about Karen - https://www.karenheuler.com/
Isa Ottoni - https://www.instagram.com/isa.ottoni.writes/
Joshua Parker - https://ontheedgebusiness.wordpress.com/
RESOURCES
https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterization
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-plotting
https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-development
Editing is tough. There's so much to think about, so much to keep an eye out for, the whole process can just be exhausting.
As a writer, it's probably the most important part of the writing process, yet so many of us despair at the thought.
When it comes to enlisting the help of editors to make our lives that bit easier, there can be even more hurdles to overcome.
Where do we look? How much is a fair price? And what type of editing do we need help with, because there's a bit of a range?
It's for all of these reasons I was excited to take a deep dive into the topic with professional book editor Jennia D'Lima.
In our chat, we explore the different types of editing, how to sharpen your editing skills, where to find trusted editors, and what price is fair to pay, plus much, much more.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT JENNIA D'LIMA
https://jenniaedits.com/
Religion, belief systems and spirituality are huge topics in the fantasy genre. When we create our fictional worlds, so often they feature gods and goddesses or some kind of faith system.
And in many tales, there are characters who are devout or devote themselves to their faith.
Recreating these things in our fantasy worlds isn't easy. The religions we know are powerfully compelling and rich in detail and history.
And honing in on the thoughts and feelings of someone so devout can be tough to achieve.
That's why I'm delighted to welcome to the show Mark Weisman. A former Christian pastor turned Celtic and Norse shaman, Mark's life has been a spiritual journey and his insights into faith and belief and second-to-none.
In our chat, we discuss everything from the philosophical side of faith to how we can create these powerful elements in our stories.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT MARK WEISMAN
https://akulfhednar.com/
Daniel Polansky is a Hugo-nominated author and writer of scores of acclaimed books, including his most recent: March's End (Angry Robot).
In this jovial interview, Daniel tells us how he wrote March's End, how he crafted its unique world and the gripping conflict between his characters.
And we discuss Daniel's writing journey and processes—how he comes up with ideas and how he handles the endless challenges, before finishing with some terrific advice and tips for writers.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT
https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT DANIEL POLANSKY
Website: http://www.danielpolansky.com/
March's End: https://amzn.to/3D9n4VU
RESOURCES
Try our passive voice converter tool - https://richiebilling.com/passive-voice-checker
Download a free worldbuilding template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding
Learn how to create a fantasy map here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-map
We're thrilled to welcome Laura Bennett as a special guest for our latest community panel discussion on working with literary agents and navigating the world of traditional publishing.
With scores of questions asked and informatively answered, you're bound to learn something new about writing query letters, perfecting a blurb and synopsis, how to find a literary agent, and things to look out for.
To keep up to date with our live community events, to join a critique group, to get help with beta reads and much more, just click below.
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY (DISCORD) https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
FOLLOW LAURA https://twitter.com/Losbennett
ABOUT THE LIVERPOOL LITERARY AGENCY https://www.liverpool-literary.agency/
RESOURCES ON FINDING LITERARY AGENTS Cover letters - https://www.liverpool-literary.agency/news/guide-to-query-letters / https://www.mushens-entertainment.com/blog/the-perfect-cover-letter Publisher's Marketplace: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ The Bookseller: https://www.thebookseller.com/home R/Pubtips: https://www.reddit.com/r/PubTips/ Jericho Writers: https://jerichowriters.com/ I AM in Print: https://www.iaminprint.co.uk/
Award-winning literary fantasy author Karen Heuler stops by the Toolshed to talk about pantsing and writing in the literary style.
Karen's new book, The Splendid City, published by Angry Robot, offers a fantastic example of the style and approach, and we dive into it to understand how to write literary fantasy fiction.
Karen is also a massive pantser and we discuss the benefits of taking this approach and how you can give pantsing a go yourself.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Karen Heuler - The Splendid City - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-splendid-city/ | More about Karen - https://www.karenheuler.com/
Sounds and editing by 3D Sound Studio - https://www.youtube.com/@3DSoundStudio
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Over in our Discord community, we were thrilled to host our very first panel discussion with the brilliant bestselling author, Stephen Aryan.
Also joining me on the panel were three great writers from our community, Isa Ottoni, Joshua Parker and Jonny Altair.
Our chat focused all on worldbuilding. We discussed our challenges and headaches, took questions from our community and tackled some of the biggest issues and talking points.
Stephen also tells us all about his approach to building worlds and how he crafted the incredible setting for his brilliant new book, The Judas Blossom (out in July).
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
ABOUT ANGRY ROBOT BOOKS
This episode is sponsored by the award-winning publisher, Angry Robot Books. You can learn more about them by clicking the link below:
https://angryrobotbooks.com/
THE JUDAS BLOSSOM
https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/judas-blossom/
OUR GUESTS
Stephen Aryan - https://stephen-aryan.com/ | Stephen's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZlaVQ9rks4GaN-x3Jkos0A
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/@3DSoundStudio
RESOURCES
Get a free worldbuilding template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding
Learn how to start worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/how-to-start-worldbuilding
Check out the best books on worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/books-on-worldbuilding
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, I welcome three members from our writing community, Isa, Josh and Jonny, for a chat about our community writing groups.
Not so long ago, Josh approached me about setting up some writing groups through our Discord community.
These small groups of around 5 or 6 people meet regularly and are matched by genre, time zone and how regularly you can meet.
We have about 6 or 7 groups running at present and you can join one too. Just click below to join our Discord community and head to #writing-groups.
In this episode, we discuss the benefits being in a group has given us. We explain how they work, how to join one, and how to approach editing and taking feedback.
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY (DISCORD)
https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers
LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Jonny Altair - Twitter - @JonnyLeeAltair
Isa Ottoni - https://www.instagram.com/isa.ottoni.writes/
Josh Parker - Ontheedgebusiness.wordpress.com
Sounds and editing by 3D Sound Studio (ASMR Specialists) - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
NEW RESOURCES
Worldbuilding tips and advice - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding
Sensory language examples - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/sensory-language-examples
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the second episode of our mini-series on magic systems, Janina and Lucy from The Fey Fellows Podcast rejoin me for a deeper look at two big examples of magic systems: witchcraft and the systems found in Dungeons and Dragons.
We look at their origins and how they've evolved over time to help spark some new ideas.
And we also take a look at some key bits of advice for making your own magic system from scratch.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcast
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
RESOURCES
UPDATED - Passive Voice Detector And Converter - https://richiebilling.com/passive-voice-checker
NEW - Wizards In Fantasy, With A Name Generator Tool - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-name-generator/wizard-name-generator
NEW - Tips On Creating A Fantasy Castle - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/fantasy-castle
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
One thing that I haven't covered an awful lot of, both in blogging form and on the podcast, is magic systems.
I'll admit, I'm not a massive user of magic in stories (my current work in progress aside). However, I do love a good magic wielder with Pug from The Riftwar Cycle my all-time favourite.
So given this lack of coverage, I decided to tackle things in earnest, starting with a duology on The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast.
To help me, I'm joined by Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellowes Podcast and in this first instalment we talk all about hard and soft magic systems—the two main types that people often discuss.
We look at examples of these different magic systems as well as the space in between where writers can find unique and original angles.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcast
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
LEARN MORE
UPDATED - List Of Fantasy Publishers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-publishers
UPDATED - List Of Fantasy Short Story Publishers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-magazines
NEW - How To Create A Literary Theme - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/how-to-create-literary-theme
NEW - How To Write Dialogue - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/how-to-write-dialogue
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I'm delighted to share with you an insightful interview with legendary fantasy author, Juliet E. McKenna
In our chat, we discuss Juliet's new book, The Cleaving, which is a retelling of the Arthurian legend from the female perspective.
We chat all about character creation, worldbuilding, plotting, theme and the writing process as a whole.
Juliet is also a font of knowledge when it comes to the publishing industry and explains here how it's changed in the 20+ years she's been writing.
You're bound to learn something new that hopefully will help you on your own writing journey.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Juliet E. McKenna - https://www.julietemckenna.com/ | Buy The Cleaving - https://amzn.to/3FWVCgd
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome one of the world's top-selling fantasy authors, Amish Tripathi.
The BBC has described Amish as "India's JRR Tolkien and Asia's Paulo Coelho" and, for the first time, the books of India's fastest-selling author have been translated into English.
We have a very open and honest chat about writing, discussing everything from tackling challenging topics and how to imbue our stories with philosophies and ideas, to creating memorable characters that readers love.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Amish Tripathi - https://www.authoramish.com/ | The War Of Lanka - https://amzn.to/3TaCyQW
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're absolutely thrilled to bring you a very special interview with bestselling author and former FBI special agent, Joe Navarro.
Joe is a world-leading expert on body language. In his career, he conducted over 13,000 interviews and oozes a passion for the subject that you can't help but admire.
Body language plays such a huge role in storytelling, from written fiction to that found on-screen. But it can be underused and ill-understood. To help us better our understanding and appreciation, there's no better person to ask than Joe.
In this deeply insightful interview, packed with examples, Joe provides vital guidance and advice for writers to help master this form of communication that's arguably more important than dialogue.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OUR GUESTS
Joe Navarro - https://www.jnforensics.com/ | Buy The Dictionary Of Body Language - https://amzn.to/3Y2VNMZ
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I've had a lot of specialists on the podcast in recent months but it occurred to me that I've never really reflected on my own experiences as a lawyer and how that can be applied to writing.
When I got to pondering I realised I draw upon these experiences an awful lot. And it was then I began to appreciate just how much scope there is to inject your stories and worlds with conflict.
So in this episode, I reflect upon my time working as an accident and injury lawyer. I discuss the impact that injuries can have on a person, from minor ones to major ones, and how you can utilise these ill-used details in your stories, both from a character creation perspective and a worldbuilding one.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I'm always keen to chat with book bloggers to get an insight into the latest trends in reading. Fantasy romances, for example, are particularly in demand right now.
But as well as that, I'm always keen to chat with reviewers to learn more about their experiences. Above all, I want to know how I, and other writers like you, can forge better partnerships with them.
I was delighted then to chat with Blaise Ancona from Under The Radar SFF Books about these very things. Blaise runs both a podcast and a website devoted to highlighting fantasy and sci-fi novels that haven't got the credit they deserve.
What began as a lockdown hobby has grown into something quite remarkable. We talk about how it happened and his experiences as a book blogger.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
OUR GUESTS
Blaise Ancona of Under The Radar SFF Books - https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/ | https://twitter.com/undertheradarb2
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're delighted to welcome to the Writers' Toolshed bestselling fantasy author, Stephen Aryan.
Stephen has published eight novels to date with both Orbit and Angry Robot. This year sees the release of the first in a new trilogy: The Judas Blossom. He's an author at the top of the game and has some wonderful insights to share.
We have a grand old natter about writing, editing, the publishing industry, working with agents, and ways to improve your writing.
It's a very open and honest interview packed with insights and advice on specific topics ranging from creating memorable characters to building immersive fantasy worlds.
You're guaranteed to learn something new.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
ABOUT ANGRY ROBOT BOOKS
This episode is sponsored by the award-winning publisher, Angry Robot Books. You can learn more about them by clicking the link below:
https://angryrobotbooks.com/
THE JUDAS BLOSSOM
https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/judas-blossom/
OUR GUESTS
Stephen Aryan - https://stephen-aryan.com/ | Stephen's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZlaVQ9rks4GaN-x3Jkos0A
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
To join our writing group as well as access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
OTHER RESOURCES
How to write a villain
How to write a battle scene in a book
The many races found in the fantasy genre
What is a creative writing class?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the final episode of 2023, we welcome Vickie Lan to the Toolshed, host of the Speculative Sandbox Podcast.
Vickie is a specialist in deconstructing fantasy tropes. Her show sees her joined by top authors to discuss everything from The Chosen One to beardy wizard mentor figures.
In our chat, we cover the epic fantasy quest—its classic features and how you can spin them.
We also discuss tropes around resurrections and mentor figures, as well as tropes generally.
And Vickie shares some fantastic examples of books and writers who have spun things to create something brilliant and original.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/online-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Vickie Lan - https://vickielan.com/podcast | https://www.instagram.com/speculativesandbox
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
OTHER RESOURCES
Character Plotting
Avoiding Tropes And Cliches When Writing Fantasy
How To Write A Battle Scene In A Book
Men Writing Women Characters - Things To Watch Out For
Examples Of Sensory Language
Free Worldbuilding Template And Guide
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Award-winning journalist and Afrofuturist author Denise Crittendon stops by the Toolshed to discuss her debut science fantasy novel, Where It Rains In Color, published by Angry Robot Books on 6th December 2022.
Denise tells us about the new book, how she created her unique and incredible worlds and characters, and reveals some of her favourite writing tips.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
BUY WHERE IT RAINS IN COLOR - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/where-it-rains-in-color/
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Denise Crittendon - https://denisecrittendon.blog/ | https://twitter.com/denicrittendon
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
OTHER RESOURCES
The Best Podcasts About Writing - https://richiebilling.com/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast/best-podcasts-about-writing
A Free Name Generator Tool For Knights - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-name-generator/knight-name-generator
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We're both thrilled and honoured to welcome to the Toolshed for the first time the New York Times Bestselling author Mary E Pearson.
Mary is the mastermind behind the Remnant Universe, a fantasy world that she explores through her hugely popular YA novels and novellas.
A talented storyteller, Mary tells us all about her latest book, Morrighan, her writing life and her best tips for writers.
We cover everything from character creation to worldbuilding so it's a comprehensive chat packed with tips, advice and inspiration for writers at every stage of their careers.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Mary E. Pearson - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250868350/morrighan | https://www.marypearson.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/maryepearson/
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, I welcome author Nandi Taylor who's achieved remarkable things on Wattpad.
As someone who's never used the platform before, I invited Nandi along to tell us how she managed to accrue nearly 2 million reads of her novel, Given.
Nandi explains her methods, how Wattpad works, and the opportunities that are out there for other writers.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
REGISTER FOR THE EMAIL MARKETING CLASS
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/email-marketing-for-authors-tickets-428073548507
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Nandi Taylor - https://twitter.com/nandi_taylor
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, I welcome author Nandi Taylor who's achieved remarkable things on Wattpad.
As someone who's never used the platform before, I invited Nandi along to tell us how she managed to accrue nearly 2 million reads of her novel, Given.
Nandi explains her methods, how Wattpad works, and the opportunities that are out there for other writers.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
REGISTER FOR THE EMAIL MARKETING CLASS
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/email-marketing-for-authors-tickets-428073548507
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Nandi Taylor - https://twitter.com/nandi_taylor
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, I welcome author Nandi Taylor who's achieved remarkable things on Wattpad.
As someone who's never used the platform before, I invited Nandi along to tell us how she managed to accrue nearly 2 million reads of her novel, Given.
Nandi explains her methods, how Wattpad works, and the opportunities that are out there for other writers.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
REGISTER FOR THE EMAIL MARKETING CLASS
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/email-marketing-for-authors-tickets-428073548507
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Nandi Taylor - https://twitter.com/nandi_taylor
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, I welcome author Nandi Taylor who's achieved remarkable things on Wattpad.
As someone who's never used the platform before, I invited Nandi along to tell us how she managed to accrue nearly 2 million reads of her novel, Given.
Nandi explains her methods, how Wattpad works, and the opportunities that are out there for other writers.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
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Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
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In this instalment, Janina and Lucy from The Fey Fellowes podcast return for a chat about the age-old tales of Beowulf and King Arthur.
We look at the story behind these two tales and how they've endured for so long. We also explore the influence that they've had on the founders of the fantasy genre, such as Tolkien and CS Lewis. And we consider what writers can learn from these classic epics.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
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Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcast
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, I'm joined by science fiction and fantasy literary agent Laura Bennett of the Liverpool Literary Agency. Laura talks us through what it's like to be an agent, telling us about reviewing queries, signing writers, contracts, pitching to publishers and editors, and current market trends (you'll never guess what's making a comeback).
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
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In this episode, we look at four of the most essential worldbuilding tips, but ones that you may not have heard before.
These tips have been learned through hard experiences and some come from the best fantasy authors and worldbuilders currently around (some of whom have been on this show).
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
Worldbuilding Resources - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-resources
Worldbuilding Template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding
The Best Books On Worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/books-on-worldbuilding
r/Worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/r-worldbuilding
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In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Enn Burke for a fascinating discussion about sociology and villainous and deviant characters.
We discuss how societal influences like upbringing, peer groups, and oppressive policies like the drug war can impact and shape society. And ultimately, how that influences your characters.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
Tips On Writing A Villain - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/thebadguys
What Is Characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterization
Michel Foucault - Discipline & Punish
The House I Live In - Film
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If you like to write fantasy or perhaps historical fiction, then you may have encountered the idea of the medieval knight.
They were walking tanks back in their day and held a significant amount of societal influence.
But being so powerful, they were also prone to corruptive behaviours, particularly seen in the Hundred Year War between England and France.
In this latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, our oracle of history, Aidan Mattis of The Lore Lodge podcast, joins me for a chat about knights of the middle ages.
We look at how they developed, their roles and lives, the code of chivalry that was designed to help keep them in check, and how writers can apply all of this to their stories.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
FANTASY WRITING RESOURCES
- Medieval Armor and Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armor
- Medieval Weapons and Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponry
- Worldbuilding and Religion - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-religion
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
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OUR GUESTS
Aidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge Podcast - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/thelorelodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode, we march forth with our series on creating three-dimensional characters.
Political psychologist and YouTuber Abby returns to discuss the psychology of villains and heroes.
We dive into the types of psychological traits that villains and heroes have, how they develop those traits and how we can use this psychological insight to create and get into the minds of our protagonists and antagonists.
This is just the first episode of a duology on villains and heroes; in an episode to come soon, sociologist Dr Enn Burke returns to look at the sociological considerations behind our villainous and heroic characters.
Be sure to subscribe or follow us on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and the like so you don't miss an episode!
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
FANTASY WRITING RESOURCES
- How To Write Bad Guys And Villains - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/thebadguys
- The Ultimate List Of Worldbuilding Resources - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-resources
- A Guide To Character Development - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-development
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
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OUR GUESTS
Abby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbby / Latest ep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_O1reY3qc
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
We're both thrilled and honoured to welcome to the Toolshed award-winning author of many incredible Science Fiction and Fantasy books, Adrian Tchaikovsky.
In this special episode, we discuss how to come up with ideas and develop them into stories. We dive into worldbuilding, character creation, plotting and theme. And we go beyond the writing process to discuss the publishing industry and working with the likes of editors and agents.
It's an episode packed with insights and writing advice and guidance, provided by one of the genre's leaders and a master of the craft.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
FANTASY WRITING RESOURCES
- A guide to fantasy armor - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armor
- Examples of the 5 senses in writing - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/using-the-5-senses-in-writing
- Demon name generator tool - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator/demon-name-generator-female-male
- Download a free worldbuilding template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
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OUR GUESTS
Adrian Tchaikovsky - https://adriantchaikovsky.com/books.html / https://amzn.to/3z2B2HT
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we reveal publishing insights and tips on making successful submissions for short stories and novels.
We also take a look at the methods people have used to secure funding for their book projects on Kickstarter.
I welcome Willow Becker and Christi Nogel from Weird Little Worlds Press who have had tremendous success with Kickstarter—their last campaign hit its fundraising target in just 36 hours!
We discuss fantasy author Brandon Sanderson's Kickstarter campaign too, and we go over some do's and don'ts when it comes to submitting stories to publishers.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
FANTASY WRITING RESOURCES
- Worldbuilding Template and Guide - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding
- Free Book Description Generator For Amazon And Goodreads - https://richiebilling.com/amazon-goodreads-book-description-generator
- How To Find Podcasts For Writers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast/how-to-find-podcasts-for-writers
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Willow Becker and Christi Nogel - Weird Little Worlds Press - https://weirdlittleworlds.com/
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Entertainment in the Middle Ages was very important in many people's lives. From lords to peasants, everyone needed a bit of downtime and fun and, as we'll hear, not much has changed in the hundreds of years that's passed since.
We'll take a look at medieval entertainers like bards and troubadours. We'll look at banquets, games, alcohol and taverns, other pastimes and hobbies like fishing, and other types of medieval entertainment.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
FANTASY WRITING RESOURCES
- Lives of medieval lords - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lord
- Worldbuilding in fantasy - the complete guide - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/a-complete-guide-to-fantasy-worldbuilding
- Diseases of the Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/killer-diseases-of-the-middle-ages
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Aidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge Podcast - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/thelorelodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellows podcast return for a chat about ghost stories.
We discuss what ghost stories are, their core features and how to write them. We also look at a few of our favourite examples and explore the influence they've had on the fantasy genre.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
FANTASY WRITING RESOURCES
- 6 Cool Notebooks For Writers - https://richiebilling.com/best-notebooks-for-writers
- Religion In Fantasy Fiction - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/religion-in-fantasy
- How To Make A Fantasy Map - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-map
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcast
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we take a look at the jobs and occupations we often see in the fantasy genre.
From bards to blacksmiths, a lot of these roles take inspiration from those carried out by people in the medieval period.
So to enlighten us on the subject, history whizz Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast joins me for an in-depth chat on the subject.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
RESOURCES
The Life Of A Medival Lord - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lord
The Pesky Peasantry Of The Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/lives-of-medieval-peasants
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Aidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In part three of our series on creating lifelike characters, we welcome political psychologist, Abby, back to the Toolshed for a discussion on moral psychology.
We discuss human morality, specifically looking at what makes people tick, how people justify their actions, and how we decide what’s right and what’s wrong.
If you're looking for writing advice on creating villains of all types—from the morally grey to the downright evil—as well as heroes driven by moral motivations, then this episode is for you.
Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
RESOURCES
A guide to character development - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-development
How to carry out character plotting - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-plotting
What is characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterization
Fantasy name generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Abby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbby / Latest ep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_O1reY3qc
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we discuss the incredible influence that Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) has had on the fantasy genre. From inspiring people to write their own stories to influencing and developing fantasy tropes, DnD's contribution cannot be denied. And Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from The Fey Fellows podcast are here to explain it all.
Has Dungeons and Dragons inspired your own writing? If so, write in and tell us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com.
HOW TO EDIT A NOVEL WORKSHOP
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To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
How To Avoid Fantasy Tropes and Cliches - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-avoid-fantasy-tropes-cliches
Overused Cliches In Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/poll-overused-character-tropes-in-fantasy
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
You can find all manner of weapons in the fantasy genre. From giant swords to magical axes, writers have conjured all manner of deadly devices over the years. In this episode, we take a look at the inspiration for fantasy weapons, exploring their medieval roots.
We discuss the practicalities of using weapons--how heavy are swords and how to pierce plate armour--to the reasons why they were designed. You'll be sure to find lots of inspiration for your own writing along the way.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
RESOURCES
Fantasy Weapons Guide - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponry
Fantasy Armor Guide - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armor
Check out our fantasy name generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Aidan Mattis of The Lore Lodge Podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
We're continuing our series on creating lifelike characters with a look at sociology. I welcome sociologist and fantasy lover Dr Enn Burke to the Toolshed to teach us how sociological factors can help shape our characters.
You can also find the latest calls for submissions, an update on my lists of fantasy publishers, and our community announcements.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the fantasy writing podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
Download the list of fantasy novel publishers - https://bit.ly/list-of-publishers
View the list of fantasy novel publishers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-publishers
Check out my list of fantasy short story magazines - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-magazines
What Is Characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterization
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-group
OUR GUESTS
Enn Burke of Ripped From The Headlines - rippedheadlinespod.com
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this edition, I'm joined by our oracle of medieval history, Aidan Mattis, for a chat about the food and cuisines of the Middle Ages—something I think is definitely skipped by writers.
Folklorists Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson also join me for an in-depth chat about fairytales—what are they, what can we learn from them, and how to write your own.
You can also find a bunch of calls for submissions and all of the latest writing news, such as the takeover of Smashwords by Draft2Digital.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
The Life Of A Medieval Lord - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lord
The Knight Of Chivalry - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/knight-of-chivalry
How To Make A Fantasy Map - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-map
The Different Subgenres Of Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-many-sub-genres-of-fantasy
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/
Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we dive into the process of creating lifelike characters by examining psychology—what makes people who they are? What drives them and why? Political psychologist and YouTuber Abby explains all in our illuminating discussion that's bound to inspire some ideas for your fantasy characters.
I also share a very simple yet very effective method of creating suspense. And there are some interesting calls for submissions, as well as a mixed bag of news, but things I think you need to know about.
If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
To access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
Tools Writes Can Use To Build Suspense - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/tools-writers-can-use-to-build-suspense
A Guide To Writing Prose - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/what-is-prose-writing
Fantasy Names Generator - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator/human
Foreshadowing In A Story - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/what-is-foreshadowing-in-a-story-definition-examples
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Abby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbby
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In our first episode of the new year, I explore evolution and worldbuilding in the fantasy genre with author and YouTuber, Rachel Emma Shaw. We look at how playing around with this particular element can lead to original and exciting ideas.
Lucy Atkinson and Janina Arndt from The Fey Fellowes Podcast also join me for a chat about Greek Mythology and how writers can find inspiration in exploring it.
And I share the results of my little short story experiment which you can try too.
As always, you can listen on every major streaming platform. And if you listen on Spotify, I'd be ever so grateful if you could kindly give the show a rating. It's a new feature and your honest opinion would mean a lot.
Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
Support us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing classes, workshops and courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
How To Build A Fantasy World - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/natural-worldbuilding-guide
WOMBO Dream - https://www.wombo.art/
A Guide To StoryOrigin - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/5-reasons-why-every-writer-should-use-storyorigin
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e
Rachel Emma Shaw - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we're donning our helmets and hefting our axes and shields before diving headfirst into battle with a look at medieval warfare. We'll tell you everything you need to know about making your fantasy battles as realistic and gritty as possible, as well as giving you a few neat ideas to use.
We're also looking at folklore, one of the main inspirations for the fantasy genre. We share our favourite folkloric tales and discuss how you can use these as inspiration for your own fantasy stories and worldbuilding.
And we've also got the latest calls for submissions, community announcements, and some very interesting news on creating book covers using artificial intelligence.
Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
Support us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing classes, workshops and courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
A Guide To Writing Fight and Battle Scenes - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/how-to-write-fight-scenes
Fantasy Writing Classes - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classes
WOMBO Dream - https://www.wombo.art/
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e
Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Learn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we take a look at the interesting relationship between magic systems and science with fantasy author Rachel Emma Shaw.
We also take a look at day to day life in the medieval period to provide you with ideas and inspiration for your worldbuilding and fantasy stories.
And I reveal the early results from my Book Blogger Survey, essential listening for anyone pitching to book reviewers and book bloggers right now.
Plus, I also have some news from the world of writing and our community announcements.
The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly fantasy writing podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create a show that’s as helpful, interesting and entertaining for fantasy writers as possible.
Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
Support us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
The Lives Of Medieval Lords - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lord
The Pesky Peasantry Of The Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/lives-of-medieval-peasants
The Lives Of Medieval Women - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/maidens-wives-and-widows-the-lives-of-women-during-the-middle-ages
The Book Blogger Survey - https://forms.gle/TC59tvLFEMXTJT776
Article - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/feb/27/a-dirty-secret-you-can-only-be-a-writer-if-you-can-afford-it
List of 250+ Book Reviewers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/writing-tools/list-of-book-reviewers
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Rachel Emma Shaw from the Science In Fantasy YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelEmmaShaw
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we take a look at worldbuilding, specifically the scientific side, and how writers can make use of the likes of biology to create unique and interesting worlds.
We also take an in-depth look at archery, particularly from the medieval period.
And we also explore Norse mythology, something that's grown in popularity over recent years.
We also share the latest calls for submissions and our community announcements.
The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly fantasy writing podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create a show that’s as helpful, interesting and entertaining for fantasy writers as possible.
Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
Support us on Patreon and get fantasy writing books and writing courses - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
Natural Worldbuilding - Richie's comprehensive guide to building a fantasy world - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/natural-worldbuilding-guide
Fantasy and Archery - The Ultimate Guide - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/archery-and-fantasy-a-complete-guide
JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY
Join our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e
Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Rachel Emma Shaw from the Science In Fantasy YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/RachelEmmaShaw and check out Rachel's latest book, Sacara Nights - https://amzn.to/3F9eLIJ
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Learn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we look at how to edit a novel, the mythologies and folkloric tales that have inspired the fantasy genre, and we take a look at the diseases that ravaged the medieval era.
We also share the latest calls for submissions and our community announcements.
The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create a show that’s as helpful, interesting and entertaining for fantasy writers as possible.
Write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com
Please consider supporting us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed
Learn more about the podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
RESOURCES
[Download] - Step by step guide on how to edit a novel - https://bit.ly/how-to-edit-a-novel
Killer Diseases Of The Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/killer-diseases-of-the-middle-ages
How To Edit A Novel - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/how-to-edit-novel
JOIN OUR WRITING GROUP
Join our community - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed
OUR GUESTS
Janina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson from the Fey Fellows podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/3fZb25t8f4KdW6x7y5zv6v?si=e74e177759d3422e
Aidan Mattis from The Lore Lodge podcast - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLoreLodge
Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx
Learn more about Richie Billing - http://richiebilling.com/
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Today, we're delighted to welcome Evan Gow to the Writer's Toolshed for a very special chat about Story Origin, the book marketing platform Evan's created by hand.
Story Origin brings together a host of different book marketing services, such as group promotions, newsletter swaps, advanced reader copy distribution and book reviews.
Evan has built this all with user feedback and continues to add new features, as well as develop existing ones. He and Richie chat about the creation process, Story Origin's key features, and Richie explains how he utilises its features to grow his mailing list each month.
To learn more about Story Origin head here - https://storyoriginapp.com/
Or to read Richie's guide on 5 reasons why every writer should use Story Origin, go here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/5-reasons-why-every-writer-should-use-story-origin
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this mini-episode, JM gives his editor’s perspective on submissions and short stories in particular.
He provides some quick tips on manuscript format and cover letters, and then he identifies some of the recurring issues he sees in the short fiction submissions he’s been receiving, namely point of view, character arcs, and length.
JM’s tips on short stories: https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/2021/05/30/on-writing-short-fiction-writing-in-short/
Tips on cover letters (for short fiction): https://www.janefriedman.com/perfect-cover-letter-advice-lit-mag-editor/
Richie's tips on writing cover letters: https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/a-quick-guide-to-cover-letters
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
If you've ever struggled with coming up with names for your fantasy characters, fantasy worlds and towns and cities within those worlds, you can find some answers here. JM Williams and Richie Billing discuss the do's and don't's of names in the fantasy genre, covering everything from overly complex names (including them damn apostrophes!) to good principles and guidelines to keep in mind.
As always, get in touch with us by heading here to share your questions, comments and curses - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast
If you'd like to check out Richie's very own fantasy name generator, head here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator
And to read Richie's guide on creating names in the fantasy genre, click here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/creating-names-for-fantasy-characters
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Richie is joined by PR guru and award-winning writer, Alex Greenwood, who shares some fantastic marketing tips that writers can utilise as lockdown begins to ease. From book launches to signings, we cover it all.
As well as chatting about marketing, Alex also shares lots of great insights on writing mystery and thriller novels, two genres quite similar to the fantasy genre in some respects.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
Links:
Alex Greenwood's website > http://alexgpr.com/
PR After Hours podcast > https://prafterhours.com/
Mysterious Goings On podcast > https://mgopod.com/
Learn more about the John Pilate Mysteries > https://www.amazon.com/gp/kindle/series/B07PQM8HVM/
Richie's guide to growing a mailing list > https://richiebilling.com/book-marketing/fast-way-to-grow-your-mailing-list
Of Metal and Magic Publishing > https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Richie welcomes fantasy author and real-life world builder, John Tarrow, to the Writer’s Toolshed.
Over the past 25 years, John has converted his 3 bedroom home into a magical fantasy world. We chat about the building of Talliston House and Gardens, how it’s influenced John’s worldbuilding approach when it comes to writing, and John shares his top tips on how to build a fantasy world—in reality and on the page.
Find out more about Talliston House > https://www.talliston.com/
Learn more about John > https://www.tarrow.co.uk/
Check out Richie’s latest worldbuilding guide, Natural Worldbuilding > https://richiebilling.com/welcome/thewriterstoolshed/fantasy-writing/natural-worldbuilding-guide
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
In this episode, JM reflects on the first few months in his role as editor-in-chief for Of Metal and Magic Publishing. He discusses upcoming releases, including Pariah's Lament and Call of the Guardian, and provides some crucial tips and advice on when it comes to submitting stories to publishers.
As always, get in touch if you have a question or query by clicking here.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
In this episode, we're picking up on fantasy weapons and armour and exploring how writers can employ them in fight and battle scenes. We cover some good rules to follow when writing fight scenes, tips on making the most of battle scenes, ways to maintain clarity amid the chaos, and the importance of doing your research.
For more tips and advice on writing battle scenes, check out the guides we referred to in the episode below:
-
How to write fight scenes > https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/how-to-write-fight-scenes/
-
A guide to sieges for fantasy writers > https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-siege
To join our virtual party on Saturday 20th February to celebrate the launch of Call of the Guardian, head here > https://fb.me/e/52VuZYect
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
Audio Attribution Notes
All audio effect used with open attribution license.
Sound Effects from Freesound.org:
“Ambient battle noise: swords and shouting”, by Pfranzen, https://freesound.org/s/192072/
“Unsheathing the sword”, by Ihitokage, https://freesound.org/s/395364/
“Laugh 1 pun dad joke”, by Jayfrosting, https://freesound.org/s/333403/
Music from YouTube Audio Library:
“Chariots of War”, by Aakash Gandhi
“Yonder Hill and Dale”, by Aaron Kenny
“Lord Of The Dawn”, by Jesse Gallagher
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Richie is talking all things conflict. What is conflict? Why is it important? How do you create it? And he discusses its close relationship with characterisation.
To hammer home everything covered, we're finishing up with a writing exercise. And we're turning it into a competition.
Submit your conflict-filled short stories to us and the winner will be published on the Of Metal and Magic Publishing website, plus they'll receive a bunch of free books! Closing date is Saturday 26th February, and submissions should be emailed to ofmetalandmagicpublishing@gmail.com. We'll announce the winner next month.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Giveaways
OMAM's LOTR giveaway - https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/2021/01/06/announcing-our-first-giveaway/
Richie Billing's sword & sorcery giveaway - https://richiebilling.com/free-book-competitions-contests-and-giveaways/
Links
Richie's guide on conflict - https://richiebilling.com/2018/09/03/plotting-the-crucible/
Background music and sound effects by BBilling
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In our first episode of 2021, we're diving into fantasy armor and fantasy weapons. We examine why the medieval period is so popular in the fantasy genre. And we look at what that means for writers when it comes to including the likes of swords, bows and plated armor in stories.
We explore medieval history, looking at the development of weapons and armor, discussing insights into their crafting, use and practical applications throughout time. And we discuss a few weapons that you may not have heard of before.
As always, get in touch with your comments, queries and curses by clicking here (https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/get-in-touch/).
To enter our current competitions, just enter your details here (https://mailchi.mp/555959f846a1/join-the-community)
And to check out Richie's guides mentioned in the episode, just click below:
A Fantasy Writer's Guide to Armor (https://richiebilling.com/2017/09/19/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armor/)
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
Fantasy and Archery - A Guide (https://richiebilling.com/archery-and-fantasy-a-complete-guide/)
A Fantasy Writer's Guide to Medieval Weapons (https://richiebilling.com/2020/09/16/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponry/)
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In our first-ever Christmas special, we welcome two guests to the Writers' Toolshed - EA Robins and Douglas WT Smith, two fantastic writers who make up the rest of the Of Metal and Magic Publishing Team.
We reflect on what's been a challenging year for a lot of us, as well as our writing journeys up to this point. And we take a look at what 2021 holds, including the release of JM William's novel, Call Of The Guardian, and Richie Billing's debut epic fantasy, Pariah's Lament.
We also discuss opportunities that OMAM Publishing will have for writers like you!
As always, if you have any questions, queries or curses, please head over to ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/podcast.
And to get some free fantasy books to keep you entertained during the cold winter months, just head here > https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/free-reads/
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we're wading into the deep and murky waters of author and book marketing. We tackle every writer's least favourite job—marketing. And in this particular episode, we're dealing with setting yourself up for success—building a website and the debate around doing so, putting content on your website, SEO and blogging, creating and growing a mailing list, and making money from your writing, so you can spend more time doing the thing you love!
We'll return to marketing in later episodes, so if you have any questions at all, please get in touch by clicking here.
Links mentioned in the episode:
Of Metal and Magic Publishing - don't forget to join our reading group to get a free book, Ancient Heritage! > https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/
Richie's Privacy Policy > https://richiebilling.com/privacy-policy/
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this instalment, we're departing from our fantasy focus and getting down and dirty with dialogue—one of the key components of any great story.
We tackle the do's and don't's of dialogue, ways you can write effective dialogue, saidisms, and answer the most common formatting questions, such as should you use speech marks or not.
As always, we want to hear from you! Drop us an email by clicking here.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
In our ninth episode, we're taking a look at TIME magazine's recently published list of the top 100 fantasy books of all time. Click here to see the list.
We take a look at the books on the list, discuss our favourite books, some of our least favourite, the influence some books have had on the genre, and the direction that fantasy is moving toward in the years to come.
As always, we'd love to hear from you. What are your favourite fantasy books? Do you agree with the list, or perhaps you disagree? Write to us and tell us by clicking here.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
Anthology: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music.
In this not-so-mini episode, JM interviews the editors of Transmundane Press, who have made a name for themselves by publishing sci-fi and fantasy anthologies. Their current project is ON TIME, which JM was fortunate enough to get a story in.
Here we discuss the appeal of the anthology, the benefit of writing and reading short stories, and the editors provide their tips for submitting your work to anthology calls.
You can find Transmundane here: https://www.transmundanepress.com/
And you can read one of JM's flash fiction pieces on the Transmundane blog, here: https://transmundanepressblog.wordpre...
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Magic systems play an important role in fantasy. Many people associate wizards, witches, magical weapons, creatures and worlds with the genre.
In this episode, we look at what magic systems are and how you can build them and utilise them in your own stories. We look at ways to introduce the background detail for your magic system, the extent to which it's necessary to do so, and also explore magic's relationship with religion, the latter also playing a major role in many fantasy systems. We look at a range of examples of different magic systems found in fantasy too, and debate whether your story needs one at all.
What are your thoughts on magic systems? Drop us an email or a comment. And if you enjoyed this episode, why not follow and subscribe for more?
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy.
In this episode, we're thrilled to have Chris Herron from Tall Tale TV in the Shed! And we're talking all things audiobooks - trends, how to make your own, how to convert your novels, plus an exclusive audio snippet of Richie's upcoming novel, Pariah's Lament.
There's been massive growth in the audiobook market. Last year they turned over money money than eBooks. We chat about what that could mean for writers, and how you could take advantage of this new lucrative market.
Chris tells us all about making your own audiobooks. He talks us through ways to get your novels turned into audiobooks, discussing prices and all the different ways you could potentially fund a project. Chris also tells us all about Tall Tale TV and what the future has in store for this thriving audiobook platform.
And as a little bonus, Richie previews his exclusive audiobook snippet of the first chapter of Pariah's Lament.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
Start listening to Tall Tale TViTunes - http://bit.ly/TTTV_iTunes
Podcast - http://talltaletv.com/subscribe/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TallTaleTV
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/c/talltaletv
Website - http://talltaletv.com
Watch the YouTube video of Pariah's Lament, Chapter Onehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDydWpyw3fI&t=84s
Listen to some of Richie's and JM's stories narrated by ChrisNoodlin - Richie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htu-Q9wNnic&feature=emb_title
The Adventures of Jaron and Bren - JM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3v19jC-YyY
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Richie is joined by the hilarious Scouse comedian, Ant Campbell. Ant has developed a significant following on social media over the past few years, at one point having more followers on Twitter than a small town, and that was all down to his ability to write great content.
Richie and Ant discuss writing humorous stories, scenarios, dialogue and jokes, as well as their experiences of writing their sitcom, "Stalled". Ant also shares some priceless insights into how he built up such an enviable following and how you can do the same.
As always, get in touch with us on Facebook, or drop us an email at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
So-called writing rules have been a touchy subject in the writing world of late. It all exploded after a list of rules by Jonathan Franzen re-surfaced, provoking a wave of ire not just against Franzen, but against so-called writing 'rules', the do's and don't's of the craft.
Around the same time, Richie conducted some research on the rules that writers hate most of all, and in this episode, we chat about some of them, namely passive voice, showing instead of telling and using adjectives and adverbs.
This is a topic in which people aren't short of an opinion, and as always we want to hear from you. Get in touch by emailing thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
JM goes solo in this episode, which is a continuation of our previous topic: book covers. JM interviews a couple of artists to ask them why they think covers are important, and how to develop a good working relationship with your artist.
Niels can be found here: https://www.ncartbox.net/?fbclid=IwAR...
If you'd like a sample of his work, he did the cover for my short-story-novel, In the Valley of Magic, which is available here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07G9ZPXMR/
E. Rachael Hardcastle has a website for her book label: https://www.curiouscatbooks.co.uk/
A massive thank you to both Niels and Rachael for visiting the Toolshed! It was lovely to have you on and we hope you all enjoyed it too.
In our next episode, we'll be looking at writing 'rules'. Should you really never use the passive voice? Must you always show instead of tell? Is there even such a thing as a writing 'rule'? What so-called rules do you hate most?
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this instalment we're tackling book covers. We delve into everything you need to know, from the science behind typography and imagery to artist fees and designing them for free!
Links to some of the resources mentioned:
www.canva.com
How cover design can increase book visibility by 50% (or more)
Revealed: The Real Marketing Value of a Professional Book Cover
Book Smugglers - COVER MATTERS: THE SURVEY RESULTS
Data Analytics and Practical Theory for Books
Holly Rollins - A Conjoint Analysis of the Value of Book Covers in E-Book Buying Decisions
Both Richie and JM have just gone through the process of designing book covers in recent weeks. Richie's new book, Thoughts On Writing, is available to purchase by clicking here. All of the money raised from book sales is being used to help those impacted by Covid-19, from food banks to care homes.
As always we'd love to hear from you with your comments and requests. Drop us an email at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
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Writer and editor Charles Remington joins Richie in the Writers' Toolshed to talk about nano fiction, a niche of flash fiction.
How do you write nano fiction? Where do you find ideas? Why should you try it? Uncover the answers to all in this episode. Plus, we discuss marketing books, and Richie tells us about his meeting with Raymond E. Feist.
The book, Nano Nightmares, edited by Charles and featuring stories by Richie, is available now on Amazon. You can get it by clicking here.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
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Coronavirus craziness has gripped the globe. How can writers make the most of all this free time?
In this episode, Richie discusses a few ways writers can help people in this time of great need, as well as a few ways you can make the most of this abundance of time.
Richie mentions a few books you may find helpful, which are:
The Art of Dramatic Writing - Lajos Egri
Stein on Writing - Sol Stein
The Art of Fiction - John Gardner
Letters to a Young Writer - Colum McCann
The First Five Pages - Noah Lukeman
On Writing - Stephen King
A Fantasy Writers' Handbook - Richie Billing
As always, we want to hear from you! If you have any topics or questions you want us to tackle, drop us an email at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com.
Stay safe everyone!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Richie struggles to say hello, JM’s cats make a few guest appearances, and somewhere in between, we talk about short stories—why you should write them, how to write them, and how to get them published.
As always, we want to hear from you! Drop us an email at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com, or message us on Facebook.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
In this episode, JM interviews historical fiction author Paul Cunningham. Paul is the author of the book "Contention," which details "the most chaotic year in Roman history" following the death of Nero. Following our previous episode on fantasy world-building, it seemed a good idea to talk to someone who has to deal with the same issue in a different way. Paul is a master at rolling back time, bringing the reader right into a foreign world from our shared past.
As always, leave your comments and questions below or look us up on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/fantasywrite...
And you can grab a copy of Paul's last book at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O6URLUW/
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, Richie and JM tackle a source of joy and frustration for perhaps every fantasy writer: world-building.
They discuss their favourite bits of advice on introducing those juicy world-building details into the story, the best times to introduce those details, and the most effective means of doing so.
As always, if you have comments, queries or questions, get in touch at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
A few weeks back, Richie carried out a bit of research inspired by the comments of a professional book reviewer named Damien Walter. Walter argued that the novel is dead, that the decline in quality and the saturation of the market has strangled the enjoyment out of it, and as a result, fewer people are reading. Richie explores whether or not this is the case, before considering whether or not reading as a whole is facing an existential crisis.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, we tackle fantasy tropes. How can writers twist conventional fantasy ideas to create unique and interesting angles? We look at a few examples and discuss some ways of finding originality. Plus, the results of our competition!
Drop us an email with your questions for episode three or leave us a comment!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
In this shorter episode, JM and Richie discuss a cliche they didn't get round to discussing in episode one: medieval settings in the fantasy genre. It's a hot topic amongst readers and writers at the moment. What are your views? Are you sick and tired of muddy villages and wooden houses, stone castles, swords, shields and all the rest? Drop us an email and tell us (thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com, or leave us a comment!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
In our very first episode, we're looking at fantasy clichés. What are they? Why are they bad? How can you avoid them? How can you use them? We tackle the chosen one, wise old mentors, fantasy races, and evil villains for evil's sake. Plus, we've got a few freebies to give away!
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy
A brand new monthly podcast looking at all things writing, fantasy fiction, and building your author platform. Hosted by Richie Billing (https://richiebilling.com) and JM Williams (https://jmwilliams.home.blog).
Please consider supporting us on Patreon! (https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed). You can join our community of writers, get access to exclusive fantasy writing workshops, and copies of acclaimed books on how to write fantasy