The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed - Fantasy Writing Craft Advice & Author Interviews

Award-winning journalist and Afrofuturist author Denise Crittendon stops by the Toolshed to discuss her debut science fantasy novel, Where It Rains In Color, published by Angry Robot Books on 6th December 2022. Denise tells us about the new book, how she created her unique and incredible worlds and characters, and reveals some of her favourite writing tips. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed OUR GUESTSDenise Crittendon - https://denisecrittendon.blog/ | https://twitter.com/denicrittendonSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/OdysyxOTHER RESOURCESThe Best Podcasts About Writing - https://richiebilling.com/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast/best-podcasts-about-writingA Free Name Generator Tool For Knights - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-name-generator/knight-name-generator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn the fantasy writing process from bestselling author Mary E. Pearson, including character creation, worldbuilding, and how she crafts her YA novels.What can writers learn from one of the most successful voices in YA fantasy?In this episode, I’m joined by Mary E. Pearson, New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Remnant Universe, to explore her approach to storytelling and the fantasy writing process.We dive into both craft and career, including:Mary E. Pearson’s fantasy writing process from idea to finished bookHow she builds immersive worlds within the Remnant UniverseTechniques for creating compelling, memorable charactersInsights into writing YA fantasy that resonates with readersLessons from her latest book MorrighanPractical writing advice for authors at every stageThis is an in-depth, honest conversation packed with insights from a top-tier fantasy author.If you’re a fan of Mary E. Pearson or want to improve your own fantasy writing, this episode offers a masterclass in storytelling, worldbuilding, and craft.OUR GUESTMary E. Pearson - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250868350/morrighan | https://www.marypearson.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/maryepearson/JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

In the latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, I welcome author Nandi Taylor who's achieved remarkable things on Wattpad.As someone who's never used the platform before, I invited Nandi along to tell us how she managed to accrue nearly 2 million reads of her novel, Given.Nandi explains her methods, how Wattpad works, and the opportunities that are out there for other writers.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYhttps://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writersLEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITINGTo join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed OUR GUESTSNandi Taylor - https://twitter.com/nandi_taylorSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this instalment, Janina and Lucy from The Fey Fellowes podcast return for a chat about the age-old tales of Beowulf and King Arthur. We look at the story behind these two tales and how they've endured for so long. We also explore the influence that they've had on the founders of the fantasy genre, such as Tolkien and CS Lewis. And we consider what writers can learn from these classic epics. If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast REGISTER FOR THE EMAIL MARKETING CLASShttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/email-marketing-for-authors-tickets-428073548507JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSJanina Arndt and Lucy Atkinson - The Fey Fellows Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/feyfellowspodcast/ / https://anchor.fm/fey-fellows-podcastSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I'm joined by science fiction and fantasy literary agent Laura Bennett of the Liverpool Literary Agency. Laura talks us through what it's like to be an agent, telling us about reviewing queries, signing writers, contracts, pitching to publishers and editors, and current market trends (you'll never guess what's making a comeback).If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast here - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSLaura Bennett - https://twitter.com/LosbennettThe Liverpool Literary Agency - https://www.liverpool-literary.agency/Sounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ready to take your worldbuilding to the next level? Discover four powerful techniques used by today’s top fantasy authors to create worlds that feel alive.In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, Richie Billing shares four essential worldbuilding tips that go far beyond the basics. These lessons come from years of trial and error, personal experience, and insights from some of the best fantasy writers and worldbuilders in the industry — many of whom have appeared on this very podcast.Worldbuilding can be both exhilarating and overwhelming. You’ve got maps, histories, religions, languages, and politics to think about — but which details truly matter? Richie distils the chaos into four clear, actionable principles that help writers focus on what really brings a fictional world to life.In this episode, you’ll learn:The most overlooked rule of effective worldbuilding — and how it transforms your storytelling.How to balance imagination and realism so readers never feel lost.Why purposeful detail beats encyclopaedic exposition every time.How to connect your setting directly to plot and character motivation.Ways to use sensory description and emotion to make worlds feel tangible and lived in.Why consistency is the secret weapon of great fantasy settings.Richie also reveals his favourite fantasy worldbuilding resources, including templates, reading lists, and examples of how top authors structure their fictional worlds. You’ll find links to free tools, worldbuilding exercises, and inspiration from across the fantasy community.Key takeaways:Learn 4 essential worldbuilding tips that save time and strengthen your story.Understand how to weave culture, conflict, and geography seamlessly into your plot.Discover what separates a good fantasy world from an unforgettable one.Get fantasy writing advice that helps you plan, write, and refine more confidently.Whether you’re creating a sprawling epic world or a single village setting, this episode will give you the tools and mindset to make your fictional universe feel authentic and compelling.RESOURCESDownload A Free Worldbuilding Template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuildingFANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed ⁠⁠⁠JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Enn Burke for a fascinating discussion about sociology and villainous and deviant characters. We discuss how societal influences like upbringing, peer groups, and oppressive policies like the drug war can impact and shape society. And ultimately, how that influences your characters.If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesLearn more about the fantasy writing podcast - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-fantasy-writers-toolshed-podcast RESOURCESTips On Writing A Villain - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/thebadguysWhat Is Characterization? - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/writing-tips/what-is-characterizationMichel Foucault - Discipline & PunishThe House I Live In - Film JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://bit.ly/join-our-writing-groupOUR GUESTSEnn Burke of Ripped From The Headlines - rippedheadlinespod.comSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you like to write fantasy or perhaps historical fiction, then you may have encountered the idea of the medieval knight. They were walking tanks back in their day and held a significant amount of societal influence. But being so powerful, they were also prone to corruptive behaviours, particularly seen in the Hundred Year War between England and France. In this latest episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, our oracle of history, Aidan Mattis of The Lore Lodge podcast, joins me for a chat about knights of the middle ages.We look at how they developed, their roles and lives, the code of chivalry that was designed to help keep them in check, and how writers can apply all of this to their stories. Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESMedieval Armor and Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armorMedieval Weapons and Fantasy - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-weaponryWorldbuilding and Religion - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-religionJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAidan Mattis - The Lore Lodge Podcast - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/thelorelodgeSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we march forth with our series on creating three-dimensional characters.Political psychologist and YouTuber Abby returns to discuss the psychology of villains and heroes.We dive into the types of psychological traits that villains and heroes have, how they develop those traits and how we can use this psychological insight to create and get into the minds of our protagonists and antagonists. This is just the first episode of a duology on villains and heroes; in an episode to come soon, sociologist Dr Enn Burke returns to look at the sociological considerations behind our villainous and heroic characters. Be sure to subscribe or follow us on Spotify, iTunes, YouTube and the like so you don't miss an episode!Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESHow To Write Bad Guys And Villains - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/thebadguysThe Ultimate List Of Worldbuilding Resources - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuilding/worldbuilding-resourcesA Guide To Character Development - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/character-developmentJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAbby from Political Psych With Abby - https://www.youtube.com/c/PoliticalPsychwithAbby / Latest ep - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8_O1reY3qcSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're both thrilled and honoured to welcome to the Toolshed award-winning author of many incredible Science Fiction and Fantasy books, Adrian Tchaikovsky.In this special episode, we discuss how to come up with ideas and develop them into stories. We dive into worldbuilding, character creation, plotting and theme. And we go beyond the writing process to discuss the publishing industry and working with the likes of editors and agents. It's an episode packed with insights and writing advice and guidance, provided by one of the genre's leaders and a master of the craft. Get in touch: thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.comTo access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed If you're interested in some of my quick, easy-to-understand fantasy writing classes, head here - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing-classesFANTASY WRITING RESOURCESA guide to fantasy armor - https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/a-fantasy-writers-guide-to-armorExamples of the 5 senses in writing - https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/using-the-5-senses-in-writingDemon name generator tool - https://richiebilling.com/welcome/the-writers-toolshed/fantasy-writing/fantasy-name-generator/demon-name-generator-female-maleDownload a free worldbuilding template - https://richiebilling.com/worldbuildingJOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITYJoin our community here - https://mailchi.mp/be6082d43b39/the-writers-toolshed OUR GUESTSAdrian Tchaikovsky - https://adriantchaikovsky.com/books.html / https://amzn.to/3z2B2HTSounds and editing by Odysy - https://www.youtube.com/c/Odysyx Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.