Epic Fantasy Adventures, Books, Lore, and More!

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Helen Garraway is joining me to talk about her book, Sentinals Awaken . What's it about? When evidence of corruption surfaces, loyal soldier Jerrol is attacked after a sacred tree awakens the spirit of an ancient protector within him. Accused of treason and ordered executed, Jerrol flees. The goddess appoints him captain t...

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, #TheBreakIns are joining me. Who are the #TheBreakIns? #TheBreakIns is an all-new collective of independent sci-fi & fantasy authors, podcasters, and content creators that have recently, or are just about to, publish their debut novels. We began in late 2023 as a way to band together and “break in” to the indie publishing...

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Louise Holland is joining me to talk about her book, Spark of the Divine . What's it about? As a mercenary Divine wielding strange gifts, Mae uncovers a plot to steal divinity from the gods themselves. When the god she serves is attacked, Mae must restore their power before the seven realms descend into chaos. Embarking wi...

Hi, I'm your indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, I wanted to do something fun and cool. Joshua Blum from the episode entitled, Fantasy, Lore, & More: Empty Hands is also a podcaster. So I thought it would be cool to have him talk about his podcast and play a clip of the show we did on his podcast. I was a guest on episode #451. Where to listen to The Thirteenth Hour...

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Kristin Ardis is joining me to talk about her book, Smoke and Light . What's it about? In a kingdom torn by war, Khara desperately seeks to restore memories lost in a rebel attack - a quest made more urgent by her duties as the future Sovereigna ruler. Haunted by dreams of a mysterious grove that may hold the key, she risk...

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Jonathan Weiss is joining me to talk about his book, Blazing Flux . What's it about? Three months after a devastating mutiny destroyed Revance, Ryza and surviving conscripts clear molten flux from the walking fortress' wreckage. But the situation grows desperate as supplies dwindle, conscripts desert, and the flux beha...

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Jan Foster is joining me to talk about her book, Destiny Arising . What's it about? Five Queens will die… bringing chaos to the Naturae realm. Aioffe and Joshua return to Tudor England seeking a safe haven for their family, yet celestial portents predict disaster. Under Queen Mary I’s rule, the Catholic church has gripped...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Beka Gremikova is joining me to talk about her book, Unexpected Encounters of a Draconic Kind and Other Stories. What’s it about? This speculative fiction collection features 22 tales across fantasy, sci-fi, humor, and spooky genres. The stories follow characters encountering magic, monsters, and the unexpected - including a drago...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Astrid V.J. is joining me to talk about her book, The Apprentice Storyteller . What’s it about? In this imaginative blend of fantasy and sci-fi, renowned storyteller Viola reluctantly takes on an apprentice boy with mysterious powers. As they travel the land sharing folktales, Viola realizes she has as much to learn from the boy a...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Claudia Klein is joining me to talk about her book, The Heir. What’s it about?   In this epic fantasy, royal sisters are separated by war as hatred divides two princes. To stop darkness from destroying their world, they must find a way to unite. Disguised as a boy, Kat is captured by the Erlingue crown prince. They form an unlikel...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Kel E Fox is joining me to talk about her book, Darkhaven .  What’s it about? In this contemporary fantasy, Gabby is facing the question of what to do after high school when she uncovers a magical conspiracy. She meets a mysterious boy and discovers magic just might be real, but it comes at a cost. Now Gabby faces a choice more di...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, I talk about my book, Hunter’s Night . What’s it about?  They took her daughter. Now she’s hunting them. They kidnapped her baby and vanished without a trace. With no clues to follow and an injured companion to save, Robin must undertake a difficult journey to get help. But a wintry wonderland fraught with dangers lies between her...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode Andrew Claydon is joining me to talk about his book, The Simple Delivery .  What’s it about? A reluctant village man finds himself on an extraordinary quest in this humorous fantasy adventure. The Simple Delivery is a lighthearted, character-driven fantasy. When ordinary Nicolas is chosen to deliver a message, he's thrown into...

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Celine Jeanjean is joining me to talk about her book, Once Upon Thyme . What's it about? In this quirky fairytale retelling, nothing goes as expected for Princess Adrianna. Her evil stepmother is obsessed with gardening, her stepsister is adorable, and her fairy godmother drinks and flirts with the gardener. When Prince Ch...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode of Fantasy, Lore, & More, Glen Dahlgren is joining me to talk about his newly completed series, The Chronicles of Chaos, including the  The Game of War, The Child of Chaos, The House of Prophecy , and the soon-to-be-released  The Realm of Gods . What’s the series about?  The ninety-nine gods of Order—Good, Evil, Law, War, and m...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Kimberly Grymes is joining me to talk about her book, Shade of Light . What’s it about? A mind-infiltrating monster escapes captivity to uncover the mysteries of her past and purpose in this YA dark fantasy adventure. Shade of Light kicks off the character-driven Three Shades Trilogy.  Believing herself a monster, Adele escapes th...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Hannah Steenbock is joining me to talk about her book, Sky Falls . What’s it about? In this epic fantasy, a Pillar named Sky Falcon destined for ritual sacrifice daringly escapes using his magic and flees with his love. They plan to reunite after escaping through separate routes, but Sky makes a mistake leading him into danger. Ca...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Kristin Ward is joining me to talk about her book, Dark is the Wood . What’s it about? A young woman searching for her captured brother gets caught up with forbidden dragon lords in this heated fantasy romance. Dark is the Wood is a character-driven fantasy romance, a mix of Beauty and the Beast and Red Riding Hood with dragons. W...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Joshua Blum is joining me to talk about his book, Empty Hands . What’s it about? Empty Hands is a blissfully self-aware martial arts fantasy that weaves elements of Saturday morning cartoons, Hong Kong kung fu cinema, Dungeons and Dragons, and 80s action films. In a world where the elite Imperial Rangers receive magically assigned...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Christopher D. Schmitz is joining me to talk about his book, A Kiss of Daggers . What’s it about? A Kiss of Daggers is an action-packed, character-driven fantasy adventure set in the mystic land of honor, intrigue, and spellpunk arcana called Arcadeax. The protagonist, Remy Keaton, trapped in the fey world by a childhood tragedy,...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Cady Hammer is joining me to talk about her book, Chasing Fae . What’s it about? A mortal woman disguises herself as fae to uncover the truth about her brother's death in their world. Chasing Fae is a character-driven fantasy novel. When Grace's brother dies mysteriously in the fae realm, she sneaks in disguised as fae to...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, I read three issues of my weekly fantasy newsletter: Jan 8, Jan 15, and Jan 22, and give you the behind the scenes inside scoop on what the characters really doing when I’m not writing about them. About your host, Melinda Kucsera: I am Melinda Kucsera, an indie fantasy author who wrote and published 20+ books since 2016 across 6 s...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Geneva Price is joining me to talk about her book, The Guild Master's Daughter . What’s it about?  A gifted artist in 1816 New York discovers a magical ink that blurs the line between imagination and reality. The Guild Master’s Daughter is a character-driven historical fantasy.  Gifted artist Faith must hide her talents in 181...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Jonathan Weiss is joining me to talk about his book, The Hytharo Redux . What’s it about? A boy with mysterious powers searches for his past in a desert world where magic is tied to water. The Hytharo Redux is a character-driven science fantasy novel. Spiric journeys across a post-apocalyptic desert to uncover his origins and role...

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Ligia de Wit is joining me to talk about her book, Touch of Faete . What’s it about? A seer and an immortal warrior get caught up in an ancient battle between the fae and their mortal enemies.  Touch of Faete is a character-driven urban fantasy romance. When seer Ryanne meets Titus, she doesn’t get a fatal vision of their future t...