Demons, Dynasties, and 24 Books: Inside the Stone Slayer Epic with Candace Lynn Talmadge

What this episode covers

What does it look like when a story finds you — and won’t let go for decades? In this episode of the Fresh Fiction Video Book Club, host Samantha Tennant sits down with Candace Lynn Talmadge, a former business journalist who has become one of the most singularly driven voices in dark high fantasy. Candace is the author of the Stone Slayer series — an epic saga set on the island nation of Asgard, following four generations of powerful women across at least 24 planned books. Candace shares the remarkable origin of her series: a childhood obsession rooted in what she believes are past-life memories, years of emotional and spiritual healing, and a literal reckoning with her own demons before she could fully write the story. She talks about what it means to be a “pantser-outliner hybrid,” why characters from past books keep showing up uninvited, and how she balances writing darkness on the page without carrying it through her daily life. You’ll also hear her take on the Dune legacy, vinyl records, warning labels, and why she thinks the fictional society of Asgard is beginning to look eerily familiar. The Stone Slayer series is available now. Start with Book 1 (Scandal), Book 2 (Fallout), and the latest release, Payback. Find Candace, her fiction, her nonfiction, and her weekly Substack newsletter at candacelynntalmadge.com. Thank you so much for joining us today on the Fresh Fiction Podcast. We hope you found a new author to love — or a new reason to love one you already do. If you’re not already on our newsletter list, we’d love to have you. Fresh Fiction readers get the best new book recommendations, exclusive giveaways, and first looks at upcoming events — all delivered straight to your inbox. You can sign up at freshfiction.com/newsletters.php And if this episode made you want to share it with a reader friend, please do. Word of mouth is how great books find great readers, and we appreciate every share. Until next time — happy reading.

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