S.2 Ep. 48: Ballgowns, Botany, and a Body Count: Thomas Kent West on City of Iron and Ivy

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where elegance meets danger, magic blooms in the shadows, and every secret has roots beneath the surface.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Britt and author Thomas Kent West for a conversation that is equal parts Bridgerton, botanical magic, and murder mystery. Trust us, this one delivers.Thomas takes us inside his stunning debut City of Iron and Ivy, a Victorian-inspired fantasy where high society hides deadly secrets and magic is drawn from the natural world itself. Think debutante balls, but make it lethal. At the heart of this novel is Elswyth, a brilliant but socially out-of-place scholar of botanical magic who is thrust into London’s elite society after her sister’s disappearance. As she navigates glittering ballrooms and dangerous expectations, she realizes something chilling: one of her sister’s suitors may also be her killer. Suddenly, finding a husband becomes a hunt for a murderer.We also dive into Thomas’s journey to publication from writing fanfiction and exploring the wilderness to facing nearly 200 rejections before finally landing his book deal. His story is a powerful reminder that persistence, passion, and a little bit of luck can change everything. 🌹 What happens when you’re forced into a world you don’t belong in?🩸 How far would you go to uncover the truth?🌿 And what if the very magic meant to protect you could also destroy you?This episode blends humor, heart, and fascinating insight into storytelling.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Thomas’s unconventional path to becoming a published author. ✨ Writing through rejection (and why it’s part of the job). ✨ The inspiration behind botanical magic and “floromancy”. ✨ How wilderness guiding and a love of nature shaped the story. ✨ The Bridgerton-inspired setting with a dark, murderous twist. ✨ Balancing romance, mystery, and fantasy in one cohesive story. ✨ Writing a standalone in a world full of series. ✨ The emotional themes of life, death, and what we owe the past. ✨ Crafting an ending that leaves readers texting him in ALL CAPS. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Britt (Mythic Mic Rep) – @BrittBooksIt📚 Thomas Kent West – @ThomasKentWest✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.