The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

In our first episode of the new year, I explore evolution and worldbuilding in the fantasy genre with author and YouTuber, Rachel Emma Shaw. We look at how playing around with this particular element can lead to original and exciting ideas. Lucy Atkinson and Janina Arndt from The Fey Fellowes Podcast also join me for a chat about Greek Mythology and how writers can find inspiration in exploring it...

In this episode, we're donning our helmets and hefting our axes and shields before diving headfirst into battle with a look at medieval warfare. We'll tell you everything you need to know about making your fantasy battles as realistic and gritty as possible, as well as giving you a few neat ideas to use. We're also looking at folklore, one of the main inspirations for the fantasy genre. We share o...

In this episode, we take a look at the interesting relationship between magic systems and science with fantasy author Rachel Emma Shaw. We also take a look at day to day life in the medieval period to provide you with ideas and inspiration for your worldbuilding and fantasy stories. And I reveal the early results from my Book Blogger Survey, essential listening for anyone pitching to book reviewer...

In this episode, we take a look at worldbuilding, specifically the scientific side, and how writers can make use of the likes of biology to create unique and interesting worlds. We also take an in-depth look at archery, particularly from the medieval period. And we also explore Norse mythology, something that's grown in popularity over recent years. We also share the latest calls for submissions a...

In this episode, we look at how to edit a novel, the mythologies and folkloric tales that have inspired the fantasy genre, and we take a look at the diseases that ravaged the medieval era. We also share the latest calls for submissions and our community announcements. The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a bi-weekly podcast with new episodes out on 14th and 28th of each month. Our purpose is to create...

Today, we're delighted to welcome Evan Gow to the Writer's Toolshed for a very special chat about Story Origin , the book marketing platform Evan's created by hand. Story Origin brings together a host of different book marketing services, such as group promotions, newsletter swaps, advanced reader copy distribution and book reviews. Evan has built this all with user feedback and continues to add n...

In this mini-episode, JM gives his editor’s perspective on submissions and short stories in particular. He provides some quick tips on manuscript format and cover letters, and then he identifies some of the recurring issues he sees in the short fiction submissions he’s been receiving, namely point of view, character arcs, and length. JM’s tips on short stories: https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wo...

Learn how to create memorable fantasy names for characters, cities, and worlds, with practical rules to avoid confusion and improve readability. Naming is one of the trickiest parts of fantasy writing. A great name can bring a world to life—while a bad one can confuse readers and pull them out of the story. In this episode, I’m joined by J.M. Williams to break down how to create fantasy names that...

In this episode, Richie is joined by PR guru and award-winning writer, Alex Greenwood, who shares some fantastic marketing tips that writers can utilise as lockdown begins to ease. From book launches to signings, we cover it all. As well as chatting about marketing, Alex also shares lots of great insights on writing mystery and thriller novels, two genres quite similar to the fantasy genre in some...

Learn how to build immersive fantasy worlds with practical techniques from a real-life worldbuilder who transformed his home into a living fantasy setting. Worldbuilding is at the heart of great fantasy—but how do you create a world that truly feels real, lived-in, and immersive? In this episode, I’m joined by John Tarrow , a fantasy author and real-life worldbuilder who has spent over 25 years tr...

In this episode, JM reflects on the first few months in his role as editor-in-chief for Of Metal and Magic Publishing. He discusses upcoming releases, including Pariah's Lament and Call of the Guardian , and provides some crucial tips and advice on when it comes to submitting stories to publishers. As always, get in touch if you have a question or query by clicking here. Please consider supporting...

In this episode, we're picking up on fantasy weapons and armour and exploring how writers can employ them in fight and battle scenes. We cover some good rules to follow when writing fight scenes, tips on making the most of battle scenes, ways to maintain clarity amid the chaos, and the importance of doing your research. For more tips and advice on writing battle scenes, check out the guides we ref...

In this episode, Richie is talking all things conflict. What is conflict? Why is it important? How do you create it? And he discusses its close relationship with characterisation. To hammer home everything covered, we're finishing up with a writing exercise. And we're turning it into a competition. Submit your conflict-filled short stories to us and the winner will be published on the Of Metal and...

In our first episode of 2021, we're diving into fantasy armor and fantasy weapons. We examine why the medieval period is so popular in the fantasy genre. And we look at what that means for writers when it comes to including the likes of swords, bows and plated armor in stories. We explore medieval history, looking at the development of weapons and armor, discussing insights into their crafting, us...

In our first-ever Christmas special, we welcome two guests to the Writers' Toolshed - EA Robins and Douglas WT Smith, two fantastic writers who make up the rest of the Of Metal and Magic Publishing Team. We reflect on what's been a challenging year for a lot of us, as well as our writing journeys up to this point. And we take a look at what 2021 holds, including the release of JM William's novel,...

Learn how to build an author website, use SEO and email marketing, and create a long-term strategy to grow your audience and sell more books. Book marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—but without the right foundations, it’s easy to waste time on strategies that don’t deliver. In this episode, we break down the essential building blocks of effective author and book marketing, focusing on how...

Learn how to write natural, engaging dialogue with practical techniques, common mistakes to avoid, and formatting tips used by professional writers. Dialogue can make or break a story. When it works, it pulls readers straight into the scene. When it doesn’t, it feels forced, unnatural, and flat. In this episode, we break down exactly how to write dialogue that sounds real, reveals character, and d...

In our ninth episode, we're taking a look at TIME magazine's recently published list of the top 100 fantasy books of all time. Click here to see the list. We take a look at the books on the list, discuss our favourite books, some of our least favourite, the influence some books have had on the genre, and the direction that fantasy is moving toward in the years to come. As always, we'd love to hear...

Anthology: a collection of selected literary pieces or passages or works of art or music. In this not-so-mini episode, JM interviews the editors of Transmundane Press, who have made a name for themselves by publishing sci-fi and fantasy anthologies. Their current project is ON TIME, which JM was fortunate enough to get a story in. Here we discuss the appeal of the anthology, the benefit of writing...

Magic systems play an important role in fantasy. Many people associate wizards, witches, magical weapons, creatures and worlds with the genre. In this episode, we look at what magic systems are and how you can build them and utilise them in your own stories. We look at ways to introduce the background detail for your magic system, the extent to which it's necessary to do so, and also explore magic...

Learn how to create and profit from audiobooks, including production options, costs, and strategies to turn your novel into a successful audio release. Audiobooks are one of the fastest-growing markets in publishing—but how do you actually turn your book into an audiobook, and is it worth it? In this episode, I’m joined by Chris Herron from Tall Tale TV to break down the opportunities in the audio...

In this episode, Richie is joined by the hilarious Scouse comedian, Ant Campbell . Ant has developed a significant following on social media over the past few years, at one point having more followers on Twitter than a small town, and that was all down to his ability to write great content. Richie and Ant discuss writing humorous stories, scenarios, dialogue and jokes, as well as their experiences...

So-called writing rules have been a touchy subject in the writing world of late. It all exploded after a list of rules by Jonathan Franzen re-surfaced, provoking a wave of ire not just against Franzen, but against so-called writing 'rules', the do's and don't's of the craft. Around the same time, Richie conducted some research on the rules that writers hate most of all , and in this episode, we ch...

JM goes solo in this episode, which is a continuation of our previous topic: book covers . JM interviews a couple of artists to ask them why they think covers are important, and how to develop a good working relationship with your artist. Niels can be found here: https://www.ncartbox.net/?fbclid=IwAR... If you'd like a sample of his work, he did the cover for my short-story-novel, In the Valley of...

In this instalment we're tackling book covers. We delve into everything you need to know, from the science behind typography and imagery to artist fees and designing them for free! Links to some of the resources mentioned: www.canva.com How cover design can increase book visibility by 50% (or more) Revealed: The Real Marketing Value of a Professional Book Cover Book Smugglers - COVER MATTERS: THE...