The Fantasy Grimoire

Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including child abuse, trauma in the medical field, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse. Maddie is proof of the magic that happens when you put yourself out there and take a chance on the unknown. Her fascination with gothic literature opened the door to her interest in psychiatric medicine—something she taught me a lot about in this ep...

Loving the story you’re writing matters—especially when you're living with it for months (or years!). AJ’s debut was inspired by the fun of zodiac signs, which she knew would translate perfectly into a rich, character-driven story. We chat about why more authors are leaning toward standalones and duologies, and AJ walks us through her decision to debut with a standalone. She shares her approach to...

Podcasts may be trendy—but they’re here to stay, especially with creators like Kara leading the charge. Kara’s all about building genuine community, and our own connection is proof of that. She’s a huge inspiration to my podcasting career. In this episode, she shares how her journey into podcasting began, how being a military spouse shaped her path, and how daring to dream helped her build a life—...

We dive into the Ali Hazelwood situation and the lessons it left behind—yes, it’s been resolved, but it’s a powerful reminder: authors are human, and if something doesn’t serve you, it’s okay to walk away without cruelty. We’re all here because we love stories, even if we don’t all love the same ones. Jen shares her journey writing The Veiled God series—spoiler: it’s not a pirate book, no matter w...

In 2023, Shelby launched a powerful growth strategy for her Bookstagram—and discovered a talent for video content and community building along the way. Passionate about uplifting BIPOC and queer authors, she’s used her platform to amplify diverse voices and push herself in experimenting and trialling new forms of bookish content. But Shelby’s story doesn’t start there. From her roots in cosplay (y...

What started as a competition brought us together—but it was the shared love of books (and some serious FOMO) that made Danni’s Bookstagram journey take off. Like so many of us, she just wanted to find people who got the stories she loved. Cue lifelong friendships, never-ending TBRs, and deep dives into theory threads. Fun fact that totally threw me? Danni was in the army—and yes, we talk about it...

Sam’s got an impressive backlist, a passion for storytelling, and a big heart for the indie author community. In this episode, we talk about what it’s like to shift from writing under a pen name to owning your voice with your real name. Her advice? If you’re scared, do it anyway. Sam doesn’t believe in failure—only learning. She follows her passion, writes what she loves, and has built a recogniza...

If you’ve followed Ve for any length of time, you’ve seen the real-life romance unfolding between her and Tony—it’s a love story worthy of its own novel. Like many of us, Ve joined the community because her friends didn’t share her reading tastes—and what she found was a space full of connection, authenticity, and lifelong friendships. In this episode, we talk about how Ve sets bold goals, pushes...

Romantasy rekindled Evelyn’s love for reading, but after making her way through the typical Romantasy books, they decided to create the stories they wanted to see more of. Enter: feminine rage, morally complex characters, and fierce independence. It’s a brand they wear proudly. After getting some interest while querying, Evelyn chose to go indie for one major reason: retaining control of their sto...

Let’s be honest—we could’ve just called this the Bonnie Bennett Appreciation Episode . Sim and I go full fangirl over The Vampire Diaries (Damon + Bonnie forever, IYKYK), and we dig into how more urban fantasy authors are using iconic TV shows as comps for their books. Warning: spoilers ahead for The Vampire Diaries , The Originals , and Legendborn ! Sim shares how embracing his love for TVD helpe...

Aileen is a bit of a rockstar in my eyes. She went indie back in 2012—before it was cool—and never looked back. In this episode, we talk about why she chose the indie route over traditional publishing, why she’s sticking with it, and how her research and backlist-building helped her create a sustainable full-time author career (AKA the dream for most indies!). I was a huge fan before I ever hit “r...

Gretchen’s got Swiftie energy, purple hair, and a passion for storytelling—and in this episode, we get into all of it. We chat about how her dual heritage influences her writing and why authentic representation in fantasy matters to her. After publishing her debut in 2012, life happened: marriage, kids, an ADHD diagnosis (not necessarily in that order); and this led to an unexpected hiatus from bo...

If there’s one thing I took away from my conversation with Jordan, it’s just how much attention to detail goes into the worldbuilding of epic fantasy—often long before a single word is written. What began as inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons Campaign has grown into the immersive world of her Nightmare Novellas. Like many of us, Jordan started writing because she had a story to tell. But she...

If there’s one thing I learned from this conversation with Kate, it’s that allowing yourself to dream is something we should all do more often—because when we do, we’re able to achieve incredible things. When I first started working with Kate, it was under stressful circumstances, but now, a year later, she’s one of the best things to happen to me in my author journey. And I know I’m not the only...

Relationships formed on Bookstagram aren’t always linear—just like life itself. That’s especially true for Rebecca and me, but that hasn’t stopped her from being one of the most fascinating people I know. In this episode, she breaks down what makes a beta reader stand out and why critical feedback is an important part in creating our manuscripts. We also dive into representation in female main cha...

Britt is the perfect example of how authors and readers can become the best of friends. In this episode, we chat about everything from chronic illness—her journey with diabetes and mine with thyroid disease—to the friendships that keep her on Bookstagram. We dive into the world of book reviewing, why some reviewers are moving away from Goodreads, and why StoryGraph is winning readers over. Britt s...

Fantasy author Elle Kaelee joins us to talk about the unpredictable journey of writing—both on the page and in real life. As a working mom, she knows all about adapting, like the time she was ready to send her debut novel to an editor… only to realize she had lost everything. But when a story demands to be told, the rest—like trends—can come later. Elle shares how she crafts multi-POV fantasy stor...

Ever thought about creating your own language for your fictional world? Monty K. Rue breaks down the fascinating theory and application of Conlang—because yes, it’s totally possible! Though her debut novel The Last Dragon is set to release this spring, Monty has been writing for as long as she can remember. Inspired by Skyrim and Eragon , she built an epic fantasy world—but first, she had to break...

Imagine turning your love for books into a thriving career—Jourdan did just that. During the pandemic, she discovered a way to blend her passion for books, launching multiple ventures, including a book mentorship that helps indie authors strategize, value their time, and see ROI—all while keeping it affordable. Best of all? Her businesses give her the flexibility to be present for her family while...

I first heard about  When the Stars Entwine with Flames  from a friend, and I was instantly hooked on the concept—so having Alex on the podcast was simply meant to be.  In this episode, we dive into the magic of Romantasy—why readers can’t get enough of it and how it’s shaping the genre. Alex shares her writing journey, the challenges she’s faced, and why diversity in storytelling is more importan...

What kind of legacy does a writer leave behind? It’s not something we talk about often, but for Nikkita, it’s been something she's been confronted with the past year. In this episode, we dive into  The Bombshell Devil’s Advocate  (TBDA) and the inspiration behind it, exploring why urban fantasy—despite hits like  Charmed  and  Buffy the Vampire Slayer —still feels underrated. Nikkita is living pro...