The Fantasy Grimoire

This week, we are sitting down with the incredible Paige to tackle some of the biggest ethical conversations swirling around the bookish community right now—from copyright drama to the reality of making a living in this space. Paige has transitioned from an avid reader into providing author services. She joins the podcast to share her perspective on how indie authors can navigate massive release w...

Tatum reminds us that so many of us aren’t a fan of our first draft manuscript. It doesn’t mean you should give us. She joins us to talk about the birth of her debut novel, The Starlight Saviour, and why pushing through the awkward stages of writing is the only way to find the magic. From fangirling over the authors who raised us to taking the leap into indie publishing, this episode is a love let...

What if the fae aren't the sparkling, helpful creatures we were promised in fairytales? This week, we are sitting down with the brilliant Evelyn to dissect her stunning debut novel, which pulls back the curtain on the darker side of folklore. As a fellow South African author, it was an absolute joy to connect with Evelyn over our shared roots, the calling of gothic romance, and the deeply pers...

This week, we are sitting down with R. Lynn Hanks to discuss her debut novel, Gamma Raids, a friends-to-lovers romance set at a high-stakes space academy. If you think sci-fi is all cold tech and complex physics, think again. R. Lynn Hanks is here to introduce us to a whole new world of fiction, and remind us that Sci-fi can be sexy too. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Rise of "RomantiSCI&qu...

What happens when the characters you created start making their own decisions? According to Kara, you basically just have to buckle up and enjoy the ride. She gets real about the "learn as you go" approach to publishing. Whether you’re an unpublished author or a dedicated reader, this conversation is a refreshing reminder that there is no single "right" way to build a creative...

If you live for deep lore, ancient mythology, and a heavy side of romance, you’ve likely already found a home in Nicole’s work. Nicole isn’t just writing books—she’s building an entire interconnected universe. In this episode, we chat about the heavy lifting required to construct a fantasy realm and how to protect your creativity in a world of instant feedback. Key Discussion Points: The Architect...

For so many of us, books have changed our life, and for Sam it’s no different. She spotted a unique oppurtunity and was able to bridge the gap between physical movement and the literary world. She didn’t just want to stay active; she wanted to make it fun. So, she took her passion for books and turned it into a business that keeps readers moving. From Black Belts to Bookish Business: How Sam appli...

If you’ve ever wondered why this podcast features more than just authors, this conversation with Sarah is the perfect answer. She’s convinced that every book has it’s reader and she’s made it her mission to help authors bridge that gap. From building a brand to the nitty-gritty of indie marketing, Sarah joins me to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry. We discuss: The Leap from Hobby t...

In this week’s episode we discuss Ema’s latest release and the emotional alchemy of turning fear into art. The Smog Cursed Kingdom will mark a shift in her career, and we dive into how she leveraged her industry experience to navigate a new genre while staying true to her own voice. The Birth of "Traumantasy": We explore this emerging subgenre and what it means to weave deep emotional he...

Elva’s entry into book conventions began when she started tattooing at them, and it’s safe to say she’s been deeply embedded in the book community ever since. One thing that stands out immediately about her is how committed she is to giving back. She’s passionate about helping readers and authors connect with stories—and with each other—which is exactly why the welcome packets for Spellbound Book...

It’s always a treat to find a fellow millenial who has similar tastes in media to you, so we shall dub this, the millenial episode. An ARC reader brough Stevie and I together, and I’m so grateful for the oppurtunity to get to follow Steview and her journey. In this episode, we chat about writing layered characters that reflect our real-life experiences, and how Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Friends...

I’ve been on a kick of reading authors who are new to me, falling headfirst into their books, and then immediately tracking them down on social media so I can have them on the podcast, which sounds way creepier than I mean it to. But Sheila is a perfect example of this. ⚠️ Spoiler warning: We discuss The Poison Daughter throughout this episode. Sheila talks about using writing to process intense e...

Spoiler Warnings: The Kindred Curse Saga There’s something magical about getting a front-row seat to your favourite author’s mind. Penn is genuinely one of the kindest people in this industry — thoughtful, generous, and the kind of storyteller you could listen to for hours. She reminds us that being a full-time author is possible, and she walks us through the realities of creative life, including...

When I struggled to find a designer to interview, Nikkita didn’t hesitate to step in. To those that have been around for a while, you know she holds a special place in my heart: her first episode is what kickstarted this entire podcast journey, and she’s a very dear friend of mine too. Coming back this time, she shares everything from a designer’s perspective—and truly, no topic is off limits. We...

Spoiler Warnings: Their Series, The Sundered Realms Universe & The Kindred Curse Saga Meeting Parker and Bree was genuinely one of the coolest moments of my podcasting journey — and a powerful reminder of what true creative friendship can accomplish. Inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, these two co-authors have an effortless way of building a shared vision and finding compromise whe...

Shari joins me to unpack the journey of creating her first fantasy series—how the story refused to let her go even when life got messy, and how the worlds we build can evolve right alongside us. We dive into her world-building philosophy, the unexpected challenges that come with it, and why reading remains one of the most powerful tools an author has to level up their craft. We talk about staying...

When Ruth’s publishing plans didn’t go as expected, she decided to bet on herself—and it changed everything. Instead of querying, she pivoted to self-publishing, proving that sometimes the indie route isn’t a fallback, it’s creative freedom. It gave her the chance to tell her story her way, without fitting into traditional molds. Ruth gives us a peek into her intricate world and magic system, and...

AI might be shaking up the creative world—but not always for the better. But thankfully, it seems like protections are starting to be put in place to guard human creativity. Megan joins me to share her journey into audiobook narration—a dream that didn’t come easy. She failed the first time, tried again, and made it happen. Her story is the perfect reminder that failure isn’t the end—it’s where th...

Spoiler Warning: Manacled Cat is an unpublished fantasy author whose debut series began with a dream and turned into something much bigger. We chat about treating characters like real people, turning trauma into stories of healing, and navigating the wild world of writing your first book. She shares her thoughts on when to start building your author platform, the importance of community, and findi...

I don’t know nearly enough horror fantasy authors, but Rachel is here to change that—one conversation at a time. She kicks things off by explaining what readers can expect from the genre and gives us a peek into her own growing horror fantasy multiverse. We talk about her love for 80’s-inspired fantasy (a huge influence on her books), how she names her series, and the shock I felt discovering that...

While the pandemic was a difficult time for many, it reignited Ali’s passion for reading—and eventually, her own writing. She and I bonded over our mutual dislike of a certain MMC, and from there our Instagram friendship grew. We discuss how no one really has their 20s figured out, and how making mistakes, learning from them, and taking accountability is part of the process. Ali has such a detaile...

AJ’s debut novel Oblivion’s Hymn launches next week, and she’s giving female friendships the spotlight they deserve. But her story goes deeper—what happens when life doesn’t follow the plan you thought it would? Spoiler: very few of us have it all together. In this episode, we chat about: ✨ The “supportive partners” era and why it matters. ✨ AJ’s experience living with endometriosis and how it’s...

Vanessa has been such an inspiration to me in the author space, and in this episode she’s as authentic as ever. We chat about tackling creative burnout, battling the comparison game, and the surprising moment she made me realize I actually do edit as I go. Most authors won’t change their book covers mid series, but Vanessa had a very good reason for doing this, and she talks us through it. But als...

If there’s one thing you’ll take away from this episode, it’s Kristen’s fearlessness. She’s not afraid to put herself out there, challenge the norm, and even write something as a joke—only to have it take off in the best way possible. We dive into her debut Alex Bain series, her worldbuilding process, and the question every author faces: how do you put your own stamp on a story when nothing is tru...

Catie is a multi-genre author who’s carving out her own path in the indie space. We chat about everything from the challenges of getting podcast spots if you’re not writing romantasy, to why she started interviewing indie authors on her own page. She pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of book events, how to decide whether a pen name makes sense, and just how far in advance authors c...