Most Writers Are Fans

In this special minisode, a kind of proto-episode of the Ink Over AI series, Terry sits down with Rose Horowitch, staff writer at The Atlantic, to discuss her widely-read article "The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books." What begins as a conversation about struggling college readers quickly opens up into something much larger: a wide-ranging diagnosis of why students across all levels have such a complicated relationship with reading, critical thinking, and the humanities.Rose and Terry trace the roots of the problem from multiple angles. Technology and social media earn their share of the blame, not just because they compete for students' time and attention, but because they've quietly reshaped what students expect from any given moment. When everything in your feed is instantly engaging, sitting with a difficult or slow-moving text starts to feel genuinely unbearable. But Rose is careful to note that anxiety about young people and reading isn't new; she cites someone raising the same concerns back in 1979, and that what makes the current moment distinct is the convergence of several concrete, trackable shifts happening all at once.Among those shifts: the lasting academic fallout of the pandemic, a decades-long pivot in educational policy toward informational texts and standardized testing at the expense of full novels, and a broader cultural devaluation of the humanities in favor of more "marketable" fields like STEM. Terry brings his own perspective as a public school English teacher in rural West Virginia, reflecting on the gap between the populations Rose was reporting on, elite college students, and his own students, and finding more overlap than you might expect. He shares the sobering experience of students telling him that listening to an audiobook in class was the first book they'd ever finished.The conversation also touches on what's actually at stake. Drawing on her reporting, including a conversation with neuroscientist Maryanne Wolf, Rose makes the case that deep reading isn't just a nice habit; it's tied to critical thinking, civic engagement, and the ability to hold complexity in your mind. In an era of eroding institutional trust and easy misinformation, that feels more urgent than it might have in previous generations. The two close on a more personal note, with Rose sharing what got her hooked on reading as a kid, her current attempt to make it through War and Peace, and a brief discussion of diversifying the literary canon as one potential path toward re-engaging students who have historically felt left out of the humanities.Topics Covered:The Atlantic article that sparked the Ink Over AI series and how this interview served as its origin pointHow social media and smartphones are reshaping students' attention and expectationsThe lasting academic impact of pandemic-era schoolingHow No Child Left Behind and Common Core shifted classroom focus away from full novelsThe cultural pressure on students to pursue STEM over the humanitiesWhat deep reading actually does for the brain, per neuroscientist Maryanne WolfThe challenge of motivating students when traditional tools like grades lose their leverageDiversifying the literary canon as a potential re-entry point for disengaged studentsRose's own reading origin story and her current read: War and PeaceGuest Bio: Rose Horowitch is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she covers education and culture. Her article "The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books" sparked widespread conversation among educators, academics, and readers about the state of literacy and the humanities in America.Edited by Nena King.

In this solo minisode of Ink Over AI, Terry starts where a lot of good rabbit holes begin: a personal frustration. While working with Claude to spec out a new gaming PC capable of running Dragon Age: The Veilguard, he noticed that RAM and storage prices were dramatically inflated, a direct consequence of AI companies gobbling up hardware at scale. That observation sent him down a research spiral about the AI bubble, boom-and-bust economics, and whether any of this is actually good for the rest of us.The intellectual core of the episode is a tension between two schools of thought. On one side, venture capitalists like Marc Andreessen and Peter Thiel argue that economic bubbles are a necessary cost of innovation, that the pain of a bust is worth the technological leap that precedes it. On the other hand, Terry draws on Elizabeth Warren's critique of boom-and-bust economics and Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's book Abundance to push back on that framing. His argument: the most transformative technologies of the modern era, the internet, GPS, the touchscreen, the mobile phone, the foundational research behind AI itself, weren't products of VC-fueled risk-taking. They came out of universities, government programs, and publicly funded research during a period of relative economic stability. Venture capital didn't invent any of it. It just monetized it.From there, Terry turns to what he sees as the real cost of the current AI gold rush, not just inflated RAM prices, but something more corrosive. In the classroom, he's watching students outsource their thinking to AI tools, and he worries that a generation raised on frictionless answers will lose the cognitive muscle to generate ideas of their own. He connects this to a broader pattern he's observed in the tech industry: VC money props up a service until it's embedded in people's lives, the cash dries up, and suddenly what used to be affordable becomes essential and expensive. He uses Uber as a case study, a company that disrupted an existing industry, made fares artificially cheap, and then jacked prices once the competition was gone. He doesn't want to see AI follow the same trajectory, especially if the thing people are outsourcing is their own thinking.The episode closes with a challenge to the industry's own promises. If AI is supposed to usher in an era of abundance and ease, Terry asks, where are the measurable, tangible benefits right now? As a teacher who has to set SMART goals every year, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based, he finds it maddening that the tech industry operates almost entirely without accountability to the people absorbing its costs.Topics Covered:How building a gaming PC led to a rabbit hole about AI's impact on hardware pricesMarc Andreessen and Peter Thiel's "good bubbles vs. bad bubbles" theory, and why Terry isn't convincedElizabeth Warren's critique of boom-and-bust economics and what a more stable economy actually producedAbundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson on the pace of innovation then vs. nowThe surprisingly old origins of the internet, GPS, touchscreens, mobile phones, and AI itself — and what that says about who actually drives innovationThe Uber-ification of technology: cheap until it isn't, then too embedded to escapeAI in the classroom and the risk of a generation that can't think without itWhy Terry thinks the tech industry needs to start building real products with measurable value

In this episode of Most Writers Are Fans, Terry sits down with old friend and fellow teacher-author Cody Walker to talk about one of the most practical and often intimidating tools in the indie author's toolkit: crowdfunding.The conversation starts at the beginning, Cody's first campaign for a comic called Noir City, launched in the shadow of the Sullivan Sluggers controversy, an early cautionary tale about the hidden costs of international shipping. From there, Cody walks through his evolution as a crowdfunder: the failed December Everland comic campaign that taught him never to launch during the holidays, the pivot away from comics after realizing he didn't want to depend on outside artists, and the discovery that his prose could carry a story on its own. Terry and Cody dig into the mechanics of sustainable indie publishing. Cody keeps his Kickstarter goals modest (around $1,500, enough to cover a cover artist, editing, printing, and shipping, with a small buffer) and has found that a reliable core of roughly 30 repeat backers provides a meaningful floor for each campaign. On Patreon, he runs a simple, low-pressure operation with a single dollar tier, driven less by audience obligation than by his own need to feel creatively productive.One of the episode's most interesting threads is Cody's relationship to ambition. Terry observes that Cody doesn't seem to be chasing a career pivot; he identifies primarily as a teacher, and yet he has books planned years out and a creative output that would embarrass many full-time authors. Cody traces his philosophy back to his grandfather, a master craftsman who gave his work away freely because the making of it was the point. That ethos shapes everything: Cody crowdfunds to cover costs, not to get rich, and his most fulfilling moments have nothing to do with sales numbers; they're reading aloud to his son at an empty signing and watching him cry with laughter, or hearing his dad call Patchwork the best thing he's ever written.Topics Covered:[0:30] Intro — Terry introduces Cody Walker and his work[1:20] How Cody got into crowdfunding: his first Noir City comic campaign and the Sullivan Sluggers controversy[3:54] The failed December Everland comic campaign and what it taught him[4:46] Pivoting from comics to prose and recognizing his own strengths as a writer[5:29] Building a loyal backer base over time, Patreon, and the value of community support[7:57] Why Cody chose Patreon and how he keeps it simple and sustainable[10:34] Kickstarter goal-setting: why Cody aims for $1,500 and how social media algorithms have changed promotion[12:01] Lessons learned from early campaigns — only promise what you'll actually deliver[14:50] Balancing full-time teaching, adjuncting, and a prolific creative output[16:06] Cody's grandfather's craftsman philosophy and why the making matters more than the money[17:10] The most fulfilling moments: reading to his son at an empty signing, and his dad's reaction to Patchwork[21:52] The weird and specific dynamics of being a teacher who is also a published author[26:43] Final crowdfunding tips for authors thinking about taking the leap[27:45] "What Have You Been a Fan Of Lately?" — Lore Olympus, Vampire Hunter D, Elric, and James Gunn's Superman[38:26] Where to find Cody onlineGuest Bio: Cody Walker is a high school English teacher, poet, and indie author based in Missouri. You can find him and support his work at patreon.com/popgunchaos and on Instagram at @popgunchaos.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2pianos

In this minisode of Most Writers Are Fans, Terry steps back from writing craft to dig into something that's been on his mind as a lifelong comics fan: a phenomenon he's calling the Lost Generation Problem.It starts personally. Terry came to comics in college through Geoff Johns' Teen Titans — Tim Drake, Conner Kent, Cassie Sandsmark — and fell in love with the energy of younger heroes still figuring out who they want to be. But over time, he noticed something troubling: those characters tend to vanish. A creative team wraps up, priorities shift, and a character with real momentum simply stops appearing. When they resurface, it's usually under a new writer with a rebooted status quo, and everything that came before has been quietly erased.Cassie Sandsmark is the episode's through-line. After strong pre-New 52 characterization, she was reimagined under Scott Lobdell's New 52 run as a much darker figure — thorn-covered lasso, a suit that caused her constant pain — then disappeared entirely when Lobdell left. When Bendis brought her back in Young Justice, she was rebooted again, with the prior era treated as though it never happened. Both DC and Marvel repeat this pattern constantly. X-Men titles introduce new classes of young mutants with every creative era; when the run ends, most of them quietly fade. Jenny Hex, introduced in Bendis's Young Justice with genuine promise, hasn't been seen since.The counterexamples are instructive. Miles Morales and Kamala Khan avoided this fate because Marvel decided they were priorities — pushed across games, animation, and team books. Magik has remained relevant since her debut because someone always champions her editorially. The difference isn't which characters are more interesting; it's whether anyone in power keeps fighting for them.This is where the Lost Generation Problem becomes a Lost Generation Opportunity. Terry pitches a 12-issue Cassie Sandsmark miniseries built around her identity as Zeus's daughter: a Hercules-style trials arc culminating in a choice between ascending to godhood or staying on Earth with the life she's built. It's a story that maps directly onto something real for young readers. the pull between an extraordinary opportunity and the roots you've already put down. The episode closes with Terry naming the real emotional cost of the Lost Generation Problem: the anxiety that sets in every time you invest in a new character. He loves what Eve Ewing is doing with young mutants in her X-Men run and is following Gail Simone's Outliers closely, but he's already bracing for the possibility that when those writers move on, those characters disappear too. His ask to Marvel and DC is simple: stop treating the end of a creative run as the end of a character's story.Topics Covered:[0:00] Cold open[0:30] Terry's comics origin story: the Bruce Timm animated universe and Geoff Johns' Teen Titans[1:49] The New 52 and Scott Lobdell's reimagining of Cassie Sandsmark / Wonder Girl[3:08] Brian Michael Bendis's Young Justice and the erasure of prior continuity[4:19] Defining the Lost Generation Problem[5:23] The X-Men's recurring new class problem — and Chamber as a case study[6:26] Miles Morales, Kamala Khan, and Magik as examples of characters who escaped the cycle[8:11] Jaime Reyes / Blue Beetle as a prime Lost Generation example[9:45] The untapped story potential of sidelined characters[10:15] Terry's pitch: a 12-issue Cassie Sandsmark trials miniseries[13:56] The Lost Generation Problem as a Lost Generation Opportunity for publishers[14:45] Current anxiety: Eve Ewing's X-Men and Gail Simone's Outliers[16:01] What Terry actually wants: continuity, not resetsTyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected].

In this episode of Ink Over AI, Terry steps outside the usual solo format to welcome educator and author Patty McGee, whose book Not Your Granny's Grammar connects directly to a theory he's been developing: that teaching students to find and own their individual writing voice is one of the most powerful tools teachers have against AI in the classroom, both as a goal and as a form of inoculation.Patty opens by reframing grammar entirely. Rather than a rulebook to memorize, she thinks of it the way a painter thinks of a paintbrush, a tool for making meaning with intention. Her book is built around four sentence types and a pedagogical model that moves through curiosity, explicit instruction, hands-on play with physical word cards, and reflection. The identification-first approach most of us experienced growing up, she argues, doesn't just fail to teach grammar, it actively gets in the way. Terry connects this to his classroom immediately: students know the rules when standardized tests ask them to identify correct answers.The AI angle comes into focus when Terry describes something he's been noticing in student papers: some read like AI output, but contain small telltale quirks, a phrasing too weird to be generated. The deeper problem is that some students have started to genuinely write like AI, because AI is the writing they consume most. They've absorbed its rhythms and diction, and because they've never been explicitly taught what their own voice sounds like, they don't know the difference. Patty adds an important layer: writing is one of the most vulnerable things students do in school, and a culture still built on a factory model of accuracy pushes students toward the safest possible output. AI feels safe. It produces something that looks complete and correct — even on a two-sentence assignment. Her practical response is elegant: require specific sentence structures as part of the assignment parameters. Ask for one simple sentence and one compound or complex sentence.The conversation broadens into the harder question of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. Students have learned to ask not "what do I think?" but "what does this teacher want?" Patty admits she told her own kids the same thing when grades were suffering. Topics Covered:[0:00] Intro — Terry explains the Ink Over AI format and introduces Patty McGee[1:03] Patty's framework: grammar as paintbrush, not rulebook[1:53] The four sentence types and the Not Your Granny's Grammar approach[3:24] Terry on grammar in the high school classroom — what students know vs. what they apply[4:45] Why engagement matters: creative writing and the limits of essay-only instruction[8:11] Voice as the antidote to AI in the classroom[10:37] How students have started writing like AI — and why they don't know it[12:00] Patty's college writing story and what it means to be a "strong high school writer"[13:24] The three research-backed methods for learning grammar: sentence creation, combining, and expansion[16:53] The vulnerability of writing and the pull toward "correct"[20:45] School as completion activity: the factory model and extrinsic motivation[27:44] Screen time, paper and pencil, and designing novel end products[32:40] Starting on paper to build ownership before turning to AI[33:24] Social media as a parallel: from banned to essential[36:08] Not outsourcing your thinking: Terry's core framework for productive AI use[37:58] How Patty and her co-author documented AI use for their publisher[39:30] Where to find Patty onlineGuest Bio:Patty McGee is an educator, literacy consultant, and author of Not Your Granny's Grammar, a practical guide to teaching grammar through curiosity, play, and intentional sentence-building. She works with teachers and schools on connecting grammar instruction to student voice and engagement. You can find her at pattymcgee.org (that's Patty with a Y).

In this episode of Most Writers Are Fans, Terry sits down with Brent Lambert, Black queer writer, founding member of the Hugo Award-winning FIYAH Literary Magazine, and author of Necessary Chaos, to talk about community building, creative collaboration, and what it actually takes to put a short story collection together when the traditional industry doors aren't opening for you.The episode's central question is deceptively simple: which comes first, community building or collaboration? For Brent, the answer is community, decisively. His reasoning is grounded in a clear-eyed read of the publishing landscape: a lot of writers are genuinely good, which means talent alone isn't a differentiator, and for marginalized writers, the barriers are often not about quality in the first place. When Fireside Magazine published data showing the dismal numbers of Black authors appearing in science fiction and fantasy publications, the industry's response was a string of deflections. Brent and his collaborators found those excuses unconvincing. FIYAH was their answer: build the space yourself, and prove the excuse wrong. The conversation turns practical when Terry asks how writers actually find their way into collections. Brent walks through his early methods, Twitter before its decline, the Submission Grinder website, following editors and publishers on social media, and a tight-knit group of writers who shared open calls and challenged each other to submit. One of the episode's sharpest exchanges is about rejection and feedback. Brent reflects on what made FIYAH different from the start: every submission received some form of feedback. For marginalized writers especially, a rejection without context is particularly cruel, you can never be sure whether the "no" was about the writing or about who you are. Both Terry and Brent push back on the idea that short story collections need to be commercially viable to be worth doing. The real value is exposure: a publication credit gives emerging writers something concrete to point to when querying agents, and short fiction opens doors to award nominations that compound over time. Topics Covered:[0:00] Cold open[0:48] Intro — Terry introduces Brent Lambert and the episode's focus[2:10] Community building vs. collaboration: which comes first?[5:19] The Highlander syndrome and why indie writers tend to avoid it[7:10] Being the only queer person in the room vs. the experience of LavenderCon[9:00] Marginalized perspectives as the new frontier for original storytelling[12:26] How to find open calls: the Submission Grinder, social media, and community networks[15:05] The origin of FIYAH: the Fireside Magazine report and building a response[17:25] P. Djèlí Clark as an early mentor and the importance of putting the ladder back down[25:12] What Brent looks for when curating a collection: representation, variety, and emotional arc[31:25] What to do with good stories that didn't make the cut[33:45] The real value of short fiction collections: credits, awards, and platform-building[38:43] "What Have You Been a Fan Of Lately?" — The Witch Roads by K. Ellt; Giant-Size X-Men with Ms. Marvel[41:22] Where to find Brent onlineGuest Bio:Brent Lambert is a Black queer writer and founding member of FIYAH Literary Magazine, one of the most important platforms for Black voices in speculative fiction and winner of the Hugo Award. He is the author of Necessary Chaos and has contributed short fiction to a wide range of publications and anthologies. You can find him at brentslambertwriter.com, on Bluesky at @brentslambertwriter, and on Instagram at @brentslambertwriter.Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]. Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2pianos

We know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we also know everyone does. Getting a great cover is an important part of the publishing process. Terry shares his experiences getting covers designed, and he also reveals the cover for his newest book, Destined for Greater Things.

I've been having some thoughts about how it often feels difficult to create things when the world is what it is right now. Big line message: Keep creating. We have to tell the story of this world is right now.(00:00) - Intro(00:34) - How do you write with all that's going on in the U.S.?(3:26) - How fiction teaches us about reality(7:12) - Why writing during tough times matters"Cranes in the Sky" by Arisu

Whenever most people dream about being a published author, they don’t often dream about writing tie-in fiction, journalism, or working inside someone else’s world. But for a lot of writers, especially early in their careers, flexibility is what actually keeps the lights on.That’s why I invited YA author and tabletop RPG designer James Sutter to join me on Most Writers Are Fans. James is one of the creators of the Starfinder TTRPG, a former editor in Paizo’s fiction division, and someone who has seen the industry from nearly every angle: as a writer, a collaborator, and a gatekeeper.We talk about what it really means to be a professional writer, why being able to write in different styles and voices matters, and how working in IP-driven or journalistic spaces can sharpen your craft rather than dilute it. James also shares insight into what editors are actually looking for, and how writers can position themselves as reliable, adaptable collaborators.If you’re a writer who loves storytelling but isn’t sure a single lane will ever be enough, or if you’re curious about how people actually make careers work around creative passion, this episode is for you.

In this video, I discuss how I learned about my ADHD diagnosis as an adult and how I have used writing as a way to manage it.Tyranny of the Fey by Terry Bartley is now available for hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to collab or comments about the video to [email protected]

In this episode of Ink Over AI, Terry reflects on a small but unsettling moment: asking AI to polish an email, only to realize the result, while technically “better," no longer sounded like him.That experience opens a deeper conversation about what AI is quietly teaching us about writing, authority, and voice. This isn’t about plagiarism or obvious errors. It’s about sanitization, and what we lose when efficiency replaces humanity.(00:00) AI Rewriting Words and Why It MattersHow a seemingly harmless rewrite reveals a deeper problem with voice and ownership.(3:08) Why It Matters for the Future of WritersWhy AI output quickly becomes “the right way” to write, especially for insecure or developing writers.(5:47) AI SanitizationThe rise of polite, vague, interchangeable language across emails, classrooms, and culture.(7:09) Combating AI Sanitization: How and WhyWhy AI should act like a tutor, not a ghostwriter, and what better design could look like.(9:38) How AI Sanitization Impacts the Art of WritingVoice as trust, ethics, and accountability, and what’s at stake if we lose it.Final question:If good writing sounds like AI, what parts of your voice would you even notice disappearing?

Whenever most people dream about being a published author, they don’t picture constantly posting about their book on social media. But the reality is that whether you’re traditionally published, indie, or self-published, a lot of promotion still falls on you.That’s why I invited YA fantasy author Brooklyn Quintana to join me on Most Writers Are Fans. I met Brooklyn at a bookstore event a couple of years ago, and I’ve been in constant awe of her social media game ever since.Brooklyn excels at producing varied content and, more importantly, being consistent — and that’s the real secret. What you post matters far less than whether you can keep posting without burning out.In this episode, we talk about building a social media following, managing multiple author-related accounts, and promoting yourself in person at events. If you’re an introverted author navigating an extrovert’s world, this episode is for you.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode of Ink Over AI, Terry dives into why serious creatives can’t afford to ignore AI ,even if it feels uncomfortable or unnecessary. If only people looking for shortcuts use AI, developers will optimize it for laziness and outsourcing, not creativity. Terry argues that by using AI as a thoughtful tool, we can shape its development to support real creative work, demonstrate meaningful use cases, and ensure technology amplifies our thinking rather than replaces it.Whether you’re a writer, artist, or creator of any kind, this episode explores why early, intentional engagement with AI matters for the future of creativity.(00:00) - What even is AI these days?(4:25) - Who AI is ACTUALLY developed for(8:15) - The Byproduct of AI: Inability to Think and Replacing Artists(12:40) - What Artists need to do to fight back

At least once a week, I find myself sitting at my desk at work thinking, “Is this my whole life?”The truth is, I love being an English teacher. But it’s exhausting to run an indie press, write a fantasy series, manage multiple social media accounts, produce and host a podcast, and still teach full-time. Sometimes it feels like something has to give, and I don’t want it to be my creative work.But is going full-time as a creative actually realistic?I don’t make a ton of money doing any of this yet. Will there ever be a point where it makes sense to quit my day job and do creative work full-time? Or is that idea itself a myth?That’s the question I put to my guests: empowerment coach Angeline Constantinou and fantasy author Lou Wilham. In this episode, we explore two very different perspectives on what it takes to become a full-time author, and what advice actually holds up for people who aren’t independently wealthy.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

AI doesn’t have to be a shortcut or a threat. In this episode, Terry models how students and writers can responsibly use tools like ChatGPT to jump-start their thinking without outsourcing their creativity. By walking through an actual story brainstorm, he demonstrates how LLMs can prompt deeper analysis, spark unexpected associations, and help you figure out what you truly want to say.

So you want to write a multi-part fantasy series? How do you get started? We hear stories about ideas coming to authors while they're on a train or walking their dog, and we imagine it's fully formed. As authors, we know that's not how it works. In this episode, host Terry Bartley talks to Ryan Gebhart. Ryan wrote the Jewel of Life series that just released the seventh and final novel in the series, Shattered Light. So he's the perfect person to talk to about how to develop and wrap up a series.They talk about planning vs. pantsing, creating characters, and what it is like to follow a protagonist through so many books.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode, Terry shares a moment from a recent grad school meeting that hit a little deeper than expected. When his professor casually said, “Obviously, you’re a good writer,” it sparked an uncomfortable what-if:If AI had written that assignment, who was the compliment actually for?This episode dives into the quiet insecurities indie creatives carry: imposter syndrome, comparison traps, and the constant feeling that we need outside validation to prove we’re “good enough.” Terry talks honestly about why using AI to shortcut creative work can steal the very moments that reassure us of our own talent.What He Talks AboutThe grad school moment that triggered a creative identity checkHow AI-generated work can disrupt your relationship with your own artistryWhy compliments matter—and why you deserve to believe themThe unique pressures of being an indie creatorHow to use AI as a tool without letting it take ownership of your voiceTakeawayIndie creatives already face so many reasons to doubt themselves. Don’t hand AI one more. Your work deserves to sound like you, and the praise you get along the way should belong to you, too.Links & ExtrasFollow the show on social media: https://www.instagram.com/mostwritersarefanshttps://www.tiktok.com/@mostwritersarefansWant to submit a question or topic idea? Email: [email protected]

As a speculative fiction author, it's really easy to fall into the trap that research doesn't apply to me. Obviously, fiction set in our world may require some level of research, but I get to decide what happens in the fantasy world I'm building? Right? Right?When I interviewed this episode's guest, Lee Clark, she reminded me that research is an integral part of any good fiction, even in sci-fi or fantasy. Lee Clark is the author of the seven-book Matthew Paine Mystery series, with the final installment, Killer Convergence, just launching. Her work relies on deep, meticulous research, everything from strange medical conditions to Russian spies posing as pastors in the U.S., from Miami gang slang to monasteries on Mt. Athos.Lee reminded me that there is much more to building a believable world than having a good imagination. It needs to be grounded in something real, and that is what research can do. Listen to today's episode to get some killer (pun only partially intended) tips on research.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode of⁠ Most Writers Are Fans⁠, host ⁠Terry Bartley⁠ interviewed queer YA sci-fi author, ⁠Michael Solís (⁠This is Why They Hate Us⁠). They talked about Michael's journey as an author, the opportunities presented by the expansion of self-publishing, and how to decide what path to take. They also talked about what defines dystopian literature and what makes a good dystopian story.I especially enjoyed this conversation because Michael kept drawing parallels between dystopian fiction and the world we live in today. Authoritarian leaders, violence against innocent people, and the villainization of marginalized communities all feel ripped from the pages of a novel.The thing about dystopian stories that makes moments like these feel slightly more hopeful is the emergence of a leader. The districts were able to place all of their hopes on Katniss because of how she regularly defied the capital. What makes it so hard to live in this environment, is how unclear it is if that hero will ever appear.The truth is, the real world is a lot more complicated than a YA novel, and it takes all of us collectively working together to create real change. But that's so much harder than one person showing up and saving us. And the reality is that many small heroic moments is whats to ultimate triumph over the forces trying to oppress us, and those aren't always easy to recognize. Watching Ayo Edebiri redirect a racist interviewer might not feel like Katniss raising her berries to defy Snow, but moments like that still matter.I don't expect Ayo Edebiri, or AOC, or Hasan Piker to single-handedly lift us out of the current moment we're in, but I do think that thousands of people like them never accepting the way things are as normal can create a better world.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

A Most Writers Are Fans SeriesIn this kickoff episode, Terry Bartley introduces Ink Over AI, a new series about how writers can use AI tools without giving up the craft of writing itself.Terry lays out what this show is (and what it isn’t): not a shortcut for copy-pasting essays or cranking out soulless prose, but a space for exploring how AI can act as a brainstorming partner, an error-spotter, and a thought organizer, while always keeping the human voice at the center.If you’re a student hoping to “humanize” your AI essays, a writer worried about losing your credibility, or just curious about what AI can and can’t do for creativity, this episode is your guide to what’s coming next.What you’ll hear in this episode:Why Ink Over AI puts the writer first.How Terry uses AI as a tool without letting it write for him.The goals (and limits) of the series.A preview of what’s to come in future episodes.Ink Over AI is about proving one thing: humans write here.

In this episode of Most Writers Are Fans, host Terry Bartley interviewed queer YA author, Aaron Aceves (This is Why They Hate Us). They talked about Aaron's journey as an author, finding the right agent, and getting traditionally published. They also talked about bisexual representation, since they are both bi men writing bisexual characters.Representation is something that feels easy. Make sure you include characters from all kinds of backgrounds. If you write a bisexual character, you've gotta make sure that there are plotlines that establish attraction to more than one gender, because how can they be bi otherwise?However, Aaron's book is an example of how you don't have to do this. In the same way that a bisexual person doesn't become magically not bisexual the moment they enter a relationship, the same can be said for characters. You can have a bisexual guy in your book who spends the whole book being obsessed with a guy and maybe only makes a passing remark or two about acknowledging that anyone other than a guy is hot. It's o.k. because that's how a lot of bisexual people live! There are plenty of bisexual people who are only in relationships with one gender for their entire lives, and guess what, that doesn't change their sexuality. Sexuality is a personal thing, and it isn't always reflected in someone's external life. But bi people who live this way still want their experience reflected in the media! Think about that next time you write a book with a certain kind of representation. Does it reflect the life of at least one person whose identity is your writing? Then you wrote the exact book for that person, and that's great.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

Most Writers Are Fans is back! And we are entering a new era. After a conversation with a podcast consultant, we have decided to move towards a new problem-focused format. Intros will be shorter, and conversations with our guests will start sooner. Then we're going to try this new thing where we stay on topic the entire interview (as best my ADHD brain can). I'm so excited to take you all with us into this new era. There will be two remaining legacy episodes with Aaron Aceves and Michael Solís, then we'll be moving into this new format. Thank you to everyone who has been with me. This podcast is only getting better!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

Most Writers Are Fans is Live! This summer, host Terry Bartley went on tour across the country to record the fourth season live at a series of coffee shops and bookstores. In this episode, young adult and children's author ⁠Chris Clarkson⁠ talked to me in ⁠Miel Brewery and Taproom⁠ in New Orleans, with host bookstore ⁠Tubby and Coos Traveling Book Shop⁠. We talked about his debut novel, That Summer Night on Frenchman Street. We also traded stories about writing queer characters as a queer person.Subscribe now to receive new episodes of Most Writers Are Fans. ⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠ by ⁠Terry Bartley⁠ is now available for hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

I'm creating a short story collection through my publishing company, Starlight King Press. I'd love for you to be a part of it. Please send me your stories using the one word prompt: Loss. Send it to [email protected] with your name and contact info.Authors committed: Brent Lambert, Ryan Gebhart, Arden Coutts, Chloe Spencer, Chris Clarkson, AJ Elmore, Amanda Weaver, Kirsha Fox, Cody Walker, Rae Shawn, Julie Pepera, Erin Hoskins, Travis Smith, and Matthew O'Connor

In this ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Terry Bartley is joined by author and journalist, ⁠Dylan Roche (The Tide and the Stars). They discuss his early passion for fiction writing, how it led him to a job as a freelance journalist, and how he reclaimed his passion as a novelist.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, ⁠⁠Terry Bartley discusses the concept of "Death of the Author" and the complicated nature of how we, as fans, should deal with the influx of allegations against creators.⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Terry Bartley is joined by New York Times and international bestselling author, J.D. Barker (⁠⁠The Fourth Monkey, Something I Keep Upstairs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠). They discuss his winding path to publishing, ghostwriting, and the differences between thriller and horror.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, ⁠Terry Bartley⁠ is joined by fellow author Arden Coutts to talk about whether you should watch the 1984 Dune starring Kyle Maclachlan. This was a fun rewatch!⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on⁠terrybartley.com⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠episode⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, is joined by speculative fiction writer, Jen Karner⁠ (⁠Cinders of Yesterday⁠⁠⁠). They discuss Jen's wild journey of working with an unreliable publisher and giving yourself permission to be selfish. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, ⁠⁠Terry Bartley⁠⁠ is joined by fantasy young adult, Ryan Gebhart⁠ (⁠The Jewel of Life series⁠), to talk about their picks for the Top 2 musicals. ⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this ⁠⁠⁠⁠episode⁠⁠⁠⁠, Terry Bartley talks to fantasy author, ⁠Brooklyn Quintana (Nine of Swords⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Blood in the Water⁠⁠). They discuss tips to create an effective elevator pitch for your book and how to best convince people to buy your book. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this New Year's episode, ⁠⁠Terry Bartley⁠⁠ is joined by his friend and pseudo-agent, Dustin Whitman, to make publishing plans for the new year. Be a fly on the wall while they discuss Terry's goals and what steps he'll take to meet them. ⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this ⁠⁠⁠episode⁠⁠⁠, Terry Bartley talks to cozy urban fantasy author, Lou Wilham (Home is Where the Hex Is, ⁠⁠The Hex Next Door⁠). They discuss tips to successfully market indie books and how to consistently produce multiple books a year. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, ⁠Terry Bartley⁠ is joined by young adult and children's author, ⁠Chris Clarkson (That Summer Night on Frenchman Street, Chloe and the Fireflies), to talk about their favorite reads of 2024 ⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠terrybartley.com⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

We've been pretty overwhelmed getting ready for the holidays, but here's a great throwback episode to our live tour! Terry Bartley talked to romance author and bookstore owner, ⁠Angela (Trigg) Quarles⁠ in her shop, ⁠The Haunted Book Shop⁠ in Mobile, AL. They talked about what it's like being an author and a bookstore owner, as well as how indie authors should go about getting their books into bookstores. Tyranny of the Fey is now available for ⁠⁠hardcover⁠⁠, ⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this ⁠⁠episode⁠⁠, Terry Bartley talks to author ⁠Rae Shawn (Uncovering the Passion and ⁠⁠Big City, Small World). They discuss being an independent author, Own Voices, and if anyone can write diverse books. ⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by his best friend and comic book expert, ⁠Dustin Whitman, to talk about the three main books for X-Men: From the Ashes. They also try to decide if these books are worth the fall of Krakoa. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this ⁠episode⁠, Terry Bartley talks to author Arden Coutts (Before We Fall⁠ and ⁠A Nightclub for the Holidays). They discuss writing books that are basically gay 80s movies, how to tell new stories, and how to write trans characters authentically. ⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by indie pop artist ⁠Zach Benson to discuss their Top Five Disney Channel Original Movies. They also discuss queer representation in Disney properties and why DCOMs would be such a good venue for a queer-specific story. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to sci-fi/fantasy author Kit Vincent (⁠⁠Of Feathers and Thorns and ⁠Love Immortal⁠⁠⁠). They discuss our shrinking attention spans, why calling something a middle-grade book is a compliment and the genre of Romantasy. ⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠terrybartley.com⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this minisode, Terry Bartley has an honest and vulnerable conversation with listeners about his feelings on the 2024 Presidential Election and ways he has identified to regain a bit of agency and figure out how to live in this new reality. We'll be back with a fun one in two weeks. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to fantasy author David R. Slayton (⁠Adam Binder Trilogy⁠ and ⁠Dark Moon Shallow Sea⁠⁠). They discuss how to build a career as a traditionally published author and writing about reluctant heroes. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this inaugural minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by fellow fantasy author Kirsha Fox, and they talk about whether or not Sam and Frodo are a couple in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. They also discuss developing character relationships and making characters kiss. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected]

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to writer (How to Piss Off Men: 109 Things to Say to Shatter the Male Ego), content creator, and actor (Rabbit) Kyle Prue. They discuss how to capitalize on viral success and ways to promote your work on social media as an indie creative. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to Fantasy and Young Adult Author (Jewel of Life series) Ryan Gebhart⁠⁠⁠. They discuss how self-pub vs. trad-pub and writing drafts by hand. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to Author (Monstersona, Haunting Melody) and Game Designer, ⁠Chloe Spencer⁠⁠. They discuss how to write characters that are typically considered monstrous as main characters. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to YA Author (Darkhearts, The Ghost of Us) and Game Designer (Pathfinder), James Sutter⁠. They discuss how to authentically network with other creators and just how much of our life working on creative projects should take up. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to singer/songwriter, Zach Benson. They discuss how they create art that is personal and they're proud of. They also talk about how they find inspiration in surprising places. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to singer/songwriter, ⁠Spencer Jordan. They discuss balancing having a job that pays the bills within the industry while creating your own art. They also talk about writing about love and relationships while incorporating your own personal experience. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

Most Writers Are Fans is back for its fifth season! In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to Sci-Fi/Fantasy writer, Brent Lambert (A Necessary Chaos). They discuss trying to make a living as a writer and how to support your own community, as Brent has collectively done with FIYAH Literary Magazine. Tyranny of the Fey is now available for ⁠⁠⁠hardcover⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to [email protected] Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano