Authors' Alcove for Fantasy Writers

Feeling tangled in too many storylines? Wondering if your subplot is helping—or hurting—your novel? You’re not alone. Want to know what makes a good writer great? Tune into our writing podcast for authors, where we explore plot structure tips, how to structure a story plot, and book editing hacks. This week’s focus: plot threads and subplots. In this week’s episode of the Story Savvy series, devel...

Do you ever wonder what makes a good writer great? In this week’s writing podcast for authors, we dig into one of the most overlooked tools in self-editing: consequences and emotional processing. Whether you’re looking for book editing hacks, story pacing strategies, or help with editing fantasy novels, Episode 24 of the Story Savvy Series tackles it all. In this episode, we’re diving into one of...

Do you want to know what makes a good writer great ? Today in our writing podcast for authors , we discuss how to write a great plot twist and how to spot plot twist mistakes .  In episode 23 of the Story Savvy Series, we explore how to masterfully build and edit plot twists that hook your readers and shift your story’s path. So, let’s join together as we unravel the secrets of twisty storytelling...

Let’s talk about mental health for writers, author support system, and writer self-care. In this week's Story Savvy Series episode, we take a thoughtful detour from structure and craft to focus on mental health in the writing journey. Developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and author Agnes Wolfe [authorsalcove.com] dive deep into the emotional realities behind the editing...

Feeling tangled in too many storylines? Wondering if your subplot is helping—or hurting—your novel? You’re not alone. Want to know what makes a good writer great? Tune into our writing podcast for authors, where we explore plot structure tips, how to structure a story plot, and book editing hacks. This week’s focus: plot threads and subplots. In this week’s episode of the Story Savvy series, devel...

Rebecca Hartwell, developmental editor, continues with the story savvy series as she tackles how to spot plot holes and character inconsistencies. To help you turn your good story into a great one, learn about editing fantasy novels through writing strong plots and fixing story problems in this week’s episode, Episode 19 of 52-Week Story Savvy. In this episode, editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartbounded...

Want plot development tips such as how to build tension in a scene, conflict escalation in stories, and how to build character-driven conflict? Listen as Rebecca Hartwell, developmental editor of Hartbound Editing, shares exactly what you need to make your good story into a great one in episode 18 of 52-Week Story Savvy Self-Editing Series This week, editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com]...

Ever wonder what are stakes in fiction and how to build tension in a scene? Rebecca discusses things like character-driven conflict, high-stakes storytelling and much more as us writers learn how to edit our book ourselves. In this high-impact episode of 52-Week Story Savvy , editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and guest host standing in for Christine Nicholas aspiring author Agnes Wolf...

Curious about first person point of view versus third? Wondering how to self-edit your novel or take your writing to the next level? In this full episode of 52-Week Story Savvy, developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell (hartboundediting.com) and Isla Elrick guest host and award winning author steps in for aspiring fantasy author Agnes Wolfe (authorsalcove.com) dig into how narrative choices shape you...

Struggling with first person POV versus third person POV? Wondering what makes a good writer great or how to improve story writing skills? In this advice-packed episode of 52-Week Story Savvy , editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] teams up with aspiring author Agnes Wolfe [authorsalcove.com] to help you master your narrative voice. Together, they explore the pros and cons of different PO...

Looking for writer improvement and want to know what makes a good writer great ? In this episode, Rebecca shares how to edit your book yourself and offers practical fantasy book blurb advice . Unlike typical writing tutorials, she explores how your blurb can actually shape and strengthen your story while you revise. In this newest installment of 52-Week Story Savvy , editor Rebecca Hartwell ( hart...

Curious about how to structure a story plot to create great pacing? Rebecca reveals what makes a good writer great as she dives into what are some good storytelling techniques, explores how to write a good plot for a story , and offers tips on how to improve story writing skills.  Today, in this newest episode of 52-Week Story Savvy , Rebecca Hartwell (Hart Bound Editing) and aspiring author Agnes...

What haunts us—and why do we return to those shadows in fiction? Listen to our interview with Beth Castrodale about horror writing craft and writing supernatural suspense  In this episode of Authors’ Alcove: For Fantasy Writers , I sit down with award-winning author Beth Castrodale to discuss her chilling and emotionally resonant gothic horror novel, The Inhabitants . We explore the art of writing...

Step into the world of Tarot and Fiction, as we discuss writing about Real Figures with Spark Press author Susand Wands. This historical fantasy author , creator of the Arcana Oracle Series . In this episode of Authors’ Alcove: For Fantasy Writers , we explore how Susan mastered the art of writing about real figures —specifically Pamela Colman Smith , the visionary artist behind the modern tarot d...

Today, Rebecca teaches us how to write a fantasy novel for beginners, how to strengthen your plot, and how to edit your book yourself as we explore the importance of research in fiction writing in this latest episode of the 52-Week Story Savvy series. Rebecca Hartwell, founder of Hart Bound Editing ( hartboundediting.com ), joins aspiring author Agnes Wolfe from Authors’ Alcove ( authorsalcove.com...

Today, Rebecca teaches us how to write compelling villains , how to write character arcs , and how to make your character strong as we explore crafting compelling antagonists in this latest episode of the 52-Week Story Savvy series. Rebecca Hartwell, founder of Hart Bound Editing [ http://hartboundediting.com ], joins aspiring author Agnes Wolfe from Authors’ Alcove [ http://authorsalcove.com ] to...

I had so much fun talking with AnnMarie about her fantasy story inspiration and fantasy realm building, as well as how to co write a book. Discussing fantasy world-building is always such a joy, especially as we discussed how to get traditionally published with a small press. In this episode of Authors' Alcove: For Fantasy Writers, host Agnes Wolfe sits down with AnnMarie Knorr Fischer, co-aut...

Author Chelle Cypress returns to the podcast to talk about her romantasy series, Unmasking the Curse, her emotional journey through writing, and the upcoming sequel in the Aralian Series. We explore how writing helped her through sobriety, how she balances fantasy and romance, and what it’s really like marketing your book as an indie author. Chelle is the creator of the 50 Must-Read Indie Romantas...

Today, we explore how to write a fantasy novel for beginners , Protagonist growth , and how to write character arcs in this episode of the 52-Week Story Savvy series. Host Rebecca Hartwell—founder of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]—joins aspiring author Agnes Wolfe from Authors’ Alcove [ http://authorsalcove.com ] to discuss how to write good character development , what makes a g...

In this fantasy writing podcast, we discuss his Dissonance series while we talk about his book adaptation process and world building tips. It was fun as we dove into post-apocalyptic storytelling, dystopian world-building, and alien invasion fiction with Aaron Ryan, bestselling author of the Dissonance series and The End: Alpha. Aaron shares his process for crafting suspenseful survival narratives...

In this fantasy writing podcast, we dive into fantasy world-building, time travel fiction, and historical fantasy writing with Jennifer Marchman, author of The Mender Trilogy. Jennifer shares her process for fantasy novel research, balancing historical accuracy with speculative elements, and crafting alternative timelines that feel both immersive and real. We also discuss how her horse archery ski...

Agnes uncovers how to write a great climax, how to strengthen your plot, and how to write good character development in this ninth episode of the 52-Week Story Savvy series. Developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell —founder of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]—joins aspiring author Agnes Wolfe from Authors’ Alcove [ http://authorsalcove.com ] to explore how to build suspense in a story...

Want to know how to strengthen your plot with a powerful pivotal choice. Agnes Wolfe asks advice from a developmental editor on how to structure a story plot, strengthen your plot, and craft good character development in fiction.  In this eighth episode of the 52-week Story Savvy series , Rebecca—founder and host of Hart Bound Editing [http://hartboundediting.com]—shares in-depth insights alongsid...

Agnes Wolfe asks advice from a developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell on how to structure a novel plot, strengthen your plot, and edit your book yourself. In this seventh episode of the 52-week Story Savvy series, Rebecca, founder and host of Hart Bound Editing [ http://hartboundediting.com ], shares expert insights alongside Agnes Wolfe, host of Authors’ Alcove [ http://authorsalcove.com ]. This e...

In this fantasy writing podcast, we had the opportunity to talk about mythology in fiction in this dark fantasy author interview with our incredible guest: Spencer Hixon, author of A Sinister Love , a dark fantasy novel with unique psychological twists and deeply human themes. We’ll dive into how he balances writing, fatherhood, and ADHD—and how his experiences shape his stories. Plus, he has a ne...