The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

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

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.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 RESOURCESTips On Writing A Villain - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/thebadguysWhat Is Characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterizationMichel Foucault - Discipline & PunishThe House I Live In - Film JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSEnn Burke of Ripped From The Headlines - rippedheadlinespod.comSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.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-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESMedieval Armor and Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armorMedieval Weapons and Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponryWorldbuilding and Religion - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-religionJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge Podcast - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/thelorelodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.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-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESHow To Write Bad Guys And Villains - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/thebadguysThe Ultimate List Of Worldbuilding Resources - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-resourcesA Guide To Character Development - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-developmentJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAbby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbby / Latest ep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_O1reY3qcSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.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-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESA guide to fantasy armor - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armorExamples of the 5 senses in writing - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/using-the-5-senses-in-writingDemon name generator tool - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator/demon-name-generator-female-maleDownload a free worldbuilding template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuildingJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAdrian Tchaikovsky - https://adriantchaikovsky.com/books.html / https://amzn.to/3z2B2HTSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.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-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESWorldbuilding Template and Guide - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuildingFree Book Description Generator For Amazon And Goodreads - https://richiebilling.com/amazon-goodreads-book-description-generatorHow To Find Podcasts For Writers - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast/how-to-find-podcasts-for-writersJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSWillow Becker and Christi Nogel - Weird Little Worlds Press - https://weirdlittleworlds.com/Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.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-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESLives of medieval lords - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/the-life-of-the-medieval-lordWorldbuilding in fantasy - the complete guide - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/a-complete-guide-to-fantasy-worldbuildingDiseases of the Middle Ages - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/killer-diseases-of-the-middle-agesJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge Podcast - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/thelorelodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx

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.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-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCES6 Cool Notebooks For Writers - https://richiebilling.com/best-notebooks-for-writersReligion In Fantasy Fiction - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/religion-in-fantasyHow To Make A Fantasy Map - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/how-to-make-a-fantasy-mapJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR 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