EPISODE · May 11, 2026 · 20 MIN
Returning to Fantasy Fiction after 30 Years: Breaking Down the Changes!
from Fantasy for the Ages · host Jim Scriven
If you fell in love with fantasy literature back in the 1980s or 1990s… and then disappeared into adulthood for a few decades… this episode is your survival guide for returning to fantasy in 2026.Because things have CHANGED.In this fun and humorous Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim walks returning fantasy readers through the modern fantasy landscape:⚔️ Grimdark⚔️ Cozy Fantasy⚔️ Romantasy⚔️ LitRPG⚔️ Progression Fantasy⚔️ BookTok⚔️ Self-publishing revolutions⚔️ Modern fandom culture⚔️ “Canceled” fantasy authors⚔️ And yes… A Song of Ice and Fire STILL isn’t finished.Along the way, we discuss the biggest fantasy authors who rose to prominence while you were away, the major themes that dominate fantasy today, what older readers may miss about classic fantasy, and which modern authors still capture that old-school epic fantasy spirit.Whether you grew up on Tolkien, Brooks, Feist, Eddings, Dragonlance, or early Wheel of Time, this episode is designed as a public service announcement for the retired fantasy reader finally returning to the genre they once loved.Welcome back to fantasy. It got weird while you were gone.💬 Join the Conversation:Who were your favorite authors in days gone by? What new things about fantasy fiction interest you most?Drop your thoughts in the comments. I read all of them, and try to reply!⸻👍 If You Enjoyed This Video:Like 👍 | Subscribe 🔔 | Share 📚⸻Want to support Fantasy for the Ages and get extra content, early releases and other perks?Join our Patreon Community: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#Fantasy #FantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #BrandonSanderson #WheelOfTime #ASongOfIceAndFire #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #Grimdark #CozyFantasy #FantasyReaders #ScienceFiction #BookTok #JoeAbercrombie #RobinHobb⸻Ways to connect with us:Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening2:12 - First, Some Reassurance2:51 - Things That Will Shock the Returning Fantasy Reader5:51 - Terms the Returning Reader Must Learn7:10 - Authors Who Became Massive While You Were Gone10:26 - Themes That Became Much More Common11:54 - The Uncomfortable Author Conversation16:50 - Yes, Fandom Itself Changed17:45 - Jim’s Final Thoughts20:13 - Wrap-up & Conclusion————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/
What this episode covers
If you fell in love with fantasy literature back in the 1980s or 1990s… and then disappeared into adulthood for a few decades… this episode is your survival guide for returning to fantasy in 2026.Because things have CHANGED.In this fun and humorous Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim walks returning fantasy readers through the modern fantasy landscape:⚔️ Grimdark⚔️ Cozy Fantasy⚔️ Romantasy⚔️ LitRPG⚔️ Progression Fantasy⚔️ BookTok⚔️ Self-publishing revolutions⚔️ Modern fandom culture⚔️ “Canceled” fantasy authors⚔️ And yes… A Song of Ice and Fire STILL isn’t finished.Along the way, we discuss the biggest fantasy authors who rose to prominence while you were away, the major themes that dominate fantasy today, what older readers may miss about classic fantasy, and which modern authors still capture that old-school epic fantasy spirit.Whether you grew up on Tolkien, Brooks, Feist, Eddings, Dragonlance, or early Wheel of Time, this episode is designed as a public service announcement for the retired fantasy reader finally returning to the genre they once loved.Welcome back to fantasy. It got weird while you were gone.💬 Join the Conversation:Who were your favorite authors in days gone by? What new things about fantasy fiction interest you most?Drop your thoughts in the comments. I read all of them, and try to reply!⸻👍 If You Enjoyed This Video:Like 👍 | Subscribe 🔔 | Share 📚⸻Want to support Fantasy for the Ages and get extra content, early releases and other perks?Join our Patreon Community: patreon.com/FantasyForTheAges#Fantasy #FantasyBooks #EpicFantasy #BrandonSanderson #WheelOfTime #ASongOfIceAndFire #BookTube #FantasyForTheAges #Grimdark #CozyFantasy #FantasyReaders #ScienceFiction #BookTok #JoeAbercrombie #RobinHobb⸻Ways to connect with us:Follow Jim/Father on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/13848336-jim-scriven Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/jMWyVJ6qKk Follow us on "X": @Fantasy4theAges Follow us on Blue Sky: @fantasy4theages.bsky.socialFollow us on Instagram: fantasy_for_the_ages Follow us on Mastodon: @[email protected] Email us: [email protected] Check out our merch: https://www.newcreationsbyjen.com/collections/fantasyfortheagesJim’s Microphone: Blue Yeti https://tinyurl.com/3shpvhb4 Jim’s Camera: Razer Kito Pro https://tinyurl.com/c873tc2n 0:00 - Opening2:12 - First, Some Reassurance2:51 - Things That Will Shock the Returning Fantasy Reader5:51 - Terms the Returning Reader Must Learn7:10 - Authors Who Became Massive While You Were Gone10:26 - Themes That Became Much More Common11:54 - The Uncomfortable Author Conversation16:50 - Yes, Fandom Itself Changed17:45 - Jim’s Final Thoughts20:13 - Wrap-up & Conclusion————————————————————————————Music and video elements licensed under Envato Elements:https://elements.envato.com/
NOW PLAYING
Returning to Fantasy Fiction after 30 Years: Breaking Down the Changes!
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.