S.2 Ep. 1: Kill the Beast: Debut Author Serra Swift on Crafting a Gothic Fairytale

🎙️ Welcome to Season 2 of The Mythic Mic Podcast, where myths intertwine with reality, legends come to life, and fantasy is more than just a story!In this episode, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with debut author Serra Swift, whose gothic fantasy Kill the Beast brings together fairies, found family, and fierce friendships in a lush Victorian-inspired world where love isn’t always romantic, but it’s always powerful.Kill the Beast follows Lyssa, a blacksmith haunted by the past, and Alderic, a melodramatic dandy with a coin purse bigger than his brain. When their paths collide, they’re drawn into a world of broken bargains and monsters that mirror the wounds within. What begins as a tale of survival becomes a story about healing, courage, and the bonds that make us whole.Serra shares how Kill the Beast began with a vivid dream (and one unforgettable scene that refused to let her go), her passion for grounding fantasy worlds in historical realism, and the long, determined road that led to her success. From researching blacksmithing at Renaissance fairs to building a platonic love story that still feels epic, Serra’s journey is a reminder that persistence, creativity, and heart can truly forge magic.🗡️ What if the real monster wasn’t what lived in the shadows, but what we feared within ourselves?🌹 What if friendship was the most revolutionary form of love?🔥 And what if a dream could change the course of your entire creative life?This episode is packed with laughter, heart, and incredible insights into storytelling, worldbuilding, and the realities of a writer’s journey.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Serra’s 15-year road to publication and how Kill the Beast became her “make it or break it” book✨ The vivid dream that sparked Alderic’s character arc and the moment Serra knew the story belonged to Lyssa✨ Researching Victorian London, fairies, and blacksmithing (including a few very patient blacksmiths)✨ Writing platonic love and friendship as powerful, central forces in fantasy✨ How persistence and passion can keep the creative flame alive through rejection✨ Rapid-fire fun: thrift-store hauls with Alderic, therapy sessions with Lyssa, and which character would survive a road trip (spoiler: not all of them)⚔️ CONNECT WITH US:📖 Follow Serra Swift – IG: @SerraSwiftAuthor🎙️ Follow host Bethany Amanda – IG: @BethanyinFantasyland🎙️ Follow host Sara Santillan – IG: @the_Magical_Quill🎧 Follow The Mythic Mic Podcast – IG: @MythicMicPod