The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

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.comOUR GUESTSBlaise Ancona of Under The Radar SFF Books - https://undertheradarsffbooks.com/ | https://twitter.com/undertheradarb2Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYTo 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 

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.comABOUT ANGRY ROBOT BOOKSThis 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 BLOSSOMhttps://angryrobotbooks.com/books/judas-blossom/OUR GUESTSStephen Aryan - https://stephen-aryan.com/ | Stephen's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZlaVQ9rks4GaN-x3Jkos0ASounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYTo 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 RESOURCESHow to write a villainHow to write a battle scene in a bookThe many races found in the fantasy genreWhat is a creative writing class?

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.comTo 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-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSVickie Lan - https://vickielan.com/podcast | https://www.instagram.com/speculativesandboxSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxOTHER RESOURCESCharacter PlottingAvoiding Tropes And Cliches When Writing FantasyHow To Write A Battle Scene In A BookMen Writing Women Characters - Things To Watch Out ForExamples Of Sensory LanguageFree Worldbuilding Template And Guide

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.comTo 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-classesLearn 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 COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSDenise Crittendon - https://denisecrittendon.blog/ | https://twitter.com/denicrittendonSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxOTHER RESOURCESThe Best Podcasts About Writing - https://richiebilling.com/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast/best-podcasts-about-writingA Free Name Generator Tool For Knights - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-name-generator/knight-name-generator

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.comTo 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-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSMary 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

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.comTo 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-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast REGISTER FOR THE EMAIL MARKETING CLASShttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/email-marketing-for-authors-tickets-428073548507JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSNandi Taylor - https://twitter.com/nandi_taylorSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.comTo 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-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast REGISTER FOR THE EMAIL MARKETING CLASShttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/email-marketing-for-authors-tickets-428073548507JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcastSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.comTo 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-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSLaura Bennett - https://twitter.com/LosbennettThe Liverpool Literary Agency - https://www.liverpool-literary.agency/Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.comTo 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-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESWorldbuilding Resources - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-resourcesWorldbuilding Template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuildingThe Best Books On Worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/books-on-worldbuildingr/Worldbuilding - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/r-worldbuildingJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx