The Mythic Mic Podcast

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where love can be dangerous, monsters are never simple, and some inheritances come with blood, thorns, and a legacy you never asked for.This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with author Lindsey A. Hart to discuss her gothic fantasy debut, The Thorns We Inherit, a dark, lyrical story filled with magic, monsters, trauma, devotion, and one girl’s desperate mission to save her brother.Lindsey shares the journey behind writing and self-publishing her debut, from choosing herself creatively after years of writing privately to building a readership, finding early readers, and learning the many moving pieces of indie publishing. She opens up about balancing motherhood, work, writing, and the realities of making time for a dream when life is already full.The conversation also dives into the lush, symbolic world of The Thorns We Inherit, including Lindsey’s love of gothic fantasy, lyrical prose, vampires, dangerous monsters, and stories where love is not limited to romance alone. Lindsey discusses Aurelia’s journey through a dark, magic-ridden city, the deadly legacy tied to her bloodline, and the emotional heart of a trilogy centered on inherited trauma, devotion, power, and survival.🩸 What happens when saving the person you love means risking yourself?🌹 Can a story be romantic even when romance is only one piece of the love story?🖤 And what if the monster is just as beautiful as he is dangerous?Whether you love gothic fantasy, lyrical prose, vampires, dark magic, complicated characters, or heroines who have spent their lives saving everyone else, this episode is for you.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Lindsey’s journey from writing in her notes app to publishing her debut novel.✨ Balancing motherhood, work, creativity, and the dream of becoming an author.✨ The importance of finding early readers and building a supportive book community.✨ Gothic fantasy, symbolism, and the beauty of writing in layers.✨ Why The Thorns We Inherit is a love story in more ways than one.✨ Aurelia’s quest to save her brother and survive the magic tied to her bloodline.✨ Haunted warriors, beautiful monsters, and vampires inspired by mythology.✨ The role of inherited trauma, legacy, devotion, and self-discovery in the series.✨ Indie publishing, agents, creative control, and the possibility of a hybrid author path.✨ Lindsey’s upcoming projects, including dark academia, gothic fantasy, and steampunk-inspired worlds.🦇 Plus: hot vampires, gothic romance, Howl’s Moving Castle vibes, dark academia professors, rapid-fire chaos, and why sometimes a story can become a safe place for readers to process grief.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Lindsay A. Hart – @AuthorLindseyAHart✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where murder can be romantic, gardens may be hiding more than flowers, and sometimes the man who comes to kill you severely underestimates who he's dealing with.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling author Brynne Weaver for a wildly fun conversation about dark comedy, serial killer romance, self-publishing, traditional publishing, adaptation dreams, and her newest dark rom-com, Tourist Season.Brynne shares her journey from forensic archaeology student to hybrid publishing powerhouse. She opens up about writing every day, self-publishing her early books, learning the business side of publishing through data, marketing, algorithms, ARC teams, and social media, and the explosive rise of Butcher & Blackbird after readers on TikTok discovered it and word of mouth took over.The conversation also dives into Brynne’s transition from indie success to traditional publishing, including how foreign rights interest led her to an agent, how Butcher & Blackbird was picked up and reprinted at record speed, and why her self-publishing background gave her the confidence to advocate for herself, ask questions, and think about publishing as both a creative and business endeavor. We also dive into her latest book, Tourist Season. 🪴 What happens when a man comes to a seaside town on vacation to kill the woman he blames for his brother’s death?🖤 Can two murderers find love when they are both keeping very dangerous secrets?🐦 And what if the town’s most chaotic witness is a talking raven raised by a serial killer gardener?Whether you love dark rom-coms, vigilante serial killers, small-town secrets, or revenge plots, this episode is for you.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Brynne’s life outside writing, including horses, motorcycles, lacrosse mom energy, and life outside Chicago.✨ Her background in forensic archaeology and how science, research, and dead body details influence her work.✨ Writing as a lifelong outlet and committing to writing every single day.✨ Why fear should not stop you from putting your work into the world.✨ The power of failure, persistence, and asking how fast you would fail if you knew success was coming.✨ Brynne’s path from self-publishing to becoming a hybrid author.✨ Learning the business of publishing through data, marketing, Amazon algorithms, ARC teams, and reader behavior.✨ How Butcher & Blackbird exploded through BookTok and word of mouth.✨ Foreign rights, agent offers, six-figure deals, and choosing a publisher that could move fast.✨ Why self-publishing can help authors learn to advocate for themselves.✨ A behind-the-scenes look at Tourist Season, including Harper, Nolan, and the seaside town where bad tourists don't always make it home.✨ Serial killers as a lens for morality, tension, secrets, and emotional extremes.✨ The Tourist Season cliffhanger and how it sets up Harvest Season.✨ New characters, sleuth seekers, higher stakes, domestic tension, secrets, consequences, and chaos in book two.✨ Book three, secret upcoming projects, and why Brynne always has more stories in motion.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @The_Magical_Quill📚 Brynne Weaver – @Brynne_Weaver✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where ambition is never a flaw, love triangles are never simple, and sometimes the book that seemed to end your career becomes the story that changes everything.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with author Jennifer Iacopelli for a wildly fun and deeply inspiring conversation about sports romance, publishing perseverance, Netflix adaptations, and her upcoming release, Wildcard, part of the Match Point series.Jennifer shares the long, twisty journey behind her career, from writing fanfiction and publishing with a small digital press to self-publishing, traditional publishing, pen names, pandemic releases, and the surreal experience of seeing Finding Her Edge become a Netflix series. She opens up about the highs, lows, and unexpected second chances of publishing, including how a book she once thought had killed her career became the story that helped revive it.The conversation also dives into Wildcard and the Match Point series, where elite tennis, complicated friendships, ambitious women, and messy romance collide. Jennifer discusses writing three points of view, crafting love stories around Grand Slam tournaments, and why she is so passionate about telling stories where women are allowed to want everything: the trophy, the career, the love story, and the life they refuse to apologize for.🎾 What happens when ambition, romance, and professional stakes collide?🔥 Can a love triangle ever have an obvious answer?✨ And what if the story you thought was over is only just beginning?Whether you love sports romance, Netflix adaptations, publishing comeback stories, D&D chaos, or heroines who refuse to shrink themselves, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and so many reasons to add Wildcard to your TBR.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Jennifer’s journey from fanfiction to publishing.✨ Writing ambitious young women and the people who love them for it.✨ The long road from small press publishing to self-publishing and traditional publishing.✨ How Finding Her Edge became a Netflix series.✨ Why a so-called career setback turned into a career-making moment.✨ What it’s like writing book two while the TV writers’ room works on season two.✨ The Match Point series, Game Set Match, and the release of Wildcard.✨ Tennis romance, Wimbledon, forced proximity, and complicated friend groups.✨ Why ambition should be celebrated, especially in female characters.✨ Writing sports, love triangles, and relationships where career goals are never the problem.✨ Dungeons & Dragons, accidental storytelling magic, and learning to follow where the story wants to go.✨ Jennifer’s publishing advice for aspiring authors who feel discouraged.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jennifer Iacopelli – @JenniferCarolyn✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where special editions fill every shelf, indie authors deserve the spotlight, and sometimes the perfect reading companion has four paws and a wagging tail.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Amara sit down with Barbara, founder and CEO of GildedTail, to discuss the launch of one of the most unique new book boxes coming to the bookish community.Created for readers who love beautiful books and adore their pets, GildedTail combines exclusive special editions from indie authors with themed reader merchandise and pet products inspired by each featured story. Barbara shares the unexpected journey that led her from leaving an unfulfilling career to building a company centered around two of her biggest passions: books and animals.From designing custom special editions and working directly with indie authors to creating pet-themed merchandise and building a thriving waitlist before launch, Barbara gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a book box from dream to reality.📚 What goes into creating a truly unforgettable special edition?🐾 How do you build a book box that includes both readers and their pets?✨ And why are indie authors at the heart of everything GildedTail does?Whether you're a special edition collector, an indie author, a devoted pet parent, or all three, this episode is packed with insight, excitement, and plenty of bookish chaos.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ The story behind the creation of GildedTail.✨ Why Barbara left her previous career to pursue her dream.✨ Combining a love of books and pets into one subscription box.✨ Supporting indie authors through exclusive special editions.✨ What goes into designing custom covers, sprayed edges, and collectible editions.✨ The process of selecting books, artists, and merchandise for each box.✨ How Gilded Tail plans to continue special edition series beyond the subscription.✨ Monthly boxes, pet customization options, and reader merchandise.✨ Building a company with the support of family, friends, and a passionate team.✨ Upcoming launches, convention plans, ambassador opportunities, and an exclusive Mythic Mic giveaway.🐶 Plus: Lord of the Rings obsessions, pet adoption stories, collector struggles, and why every book lover deserves a reading buddy curled up beside them.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife📚 GildedTail – @GildedTail✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where peace treaties never stay intact, first love comes with devastating consequences, and some betrayals change everything.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with fantasy legend Rachel Schneider to discuss all things related to Metal Slinger and Light Wielder! Rachel shares her journey as an indie author, the unexpected success of Metal Slinger, and what it has been like watching readers react to one of the most talked-about endings in recent fantasy romance. Rachel opens up about how she crafted the now-infamous ending of Metal Slinger, carefully balancing foreshadowing, character motivations, and emotional impact to create a twist that completely reshapes how readers view the story. And as we learn, that emotional fallout only grows in Light Wielder, which picks up four years later with war on the horizon and former allies standing on opposite sides.⚡ What happens when the person you love has been keeping secrets all along?🩸 Can a relationship survive when loyalty and duty collide?🔥 And what if the truth changes everything you thought you knew?This is a must-listen for fantasy romance readers, lovers of shocking twists, and anyone still recovering from the ending of Metal Slinger.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ The inspiration behind Metal Slinger and Light Wielder.✨ Writing one of fantasy romance's most talked-about cliffhangers.✨ Why Metal Slinger is ultimately a story about perspective.✨ Reluctant allies, forced proximity, and unforgettable romance tropes.✨ Political unrest, war, and escalating stakes in book two.✨ The challenges of writing sequels after a viral debut.✨ Why readers may want to reread Metal Slinger before Light Wielder.✨ Rachel's writing journey and advice for aspiring authors.✨ Book boyfriends, hockey fandom, and rapid-fire chaos.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Rachel Schneider – @RachelSchneiderAuthor✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where witches don't stay hidden for long, dark magic comes with a price, and sometimes the family that saves you is the one you never expected to find.This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with fantasy romance author A. M. Dunnewin for a magical, emotional, and delightfully witchy conversation about Mirror of Shadows, her contribution to the ambitious multi-author fantasy project, Seven Legends of the Shattered Empire. If you love hidden identities, found family, slow-burn romance, and heroines embracing their power, this episode is for you.A.M. shares her journey as an indie fantasy author and the inspiration behind Lenora Briar, a witch whose life shatters when her fiancé murders her father in an attempt to steal her magic. Forced to flee, Lenora hides among strangers, disguising herself as a human governess while concealing the very thing that could get her killed. We dive into witchcraft, found family, feminine rage, morally gray characters, and the kind of slow-burn romance that keeps readers turning pages long into the night. We also discuss the unique challenge of writing within a shared fantasy world alongside six other authors and what readers can expect from the larger Shattered Empire series.⚡ How long can a witch hide who she really is?🩸 What happens when the family you find becomes more important than the one you lost?🔥 And what if embracing your power is the only way to save the people you love?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, witchy fantasy lovers, and fans of emotional stories filled with magic, healing, and unforgettable characters.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ The inspiration behind Mirror of Shadows.✨ Building Lenora's journey from hunted witch to powerful heroine.✨ Hidden identities, found family, and healing through connection.✨ A magic system where power leaves permanent scars.✨ Writing extreme slow-burn romance.✨ Feminine rage and women reclaiming their power.✨ Creating lovable child characters readers adore.✨ Collaborating in the shared world of Seven Legends of the Shattered Empire.✨ The realities of indie publishing and writing multiple projects.✨ Ashley's upcoming books and future plans for the series.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland📚 A.M. Dunnewin – @AMDunnewin✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where death is rarely the end, healing is never linear, and sometimes the darkest stories carry the most hope.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Megan for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation with fantasy author Shiloh Briar about her novel, Hopeless Necromantic. If you love necromancers, morally gray heroes, found family, devastating emotional damage, and slow burns that move at glacial speed, this episode is for you.Shiloh shares the long journey behind bringing Hopeless Necromantic into the world. What began as a dark fantasy about death magic evolved into something much deeper: a story about grief, depression, healing, and finding hope even when life feels impossible.At the center of the novel is Sikras, a necromancer struggling beneath the weight of profound loss and depression. While the book features plenty of necromancy, monsters, and dark magic, its emotional core lies in watching a character slowly learn how to keep moving forward after unimaginable heartbreak. We dive into the inspirations behind the book, including Shiloh's own experiences with grief and mental health, and discuss the challenge of writing difficult emotional scenes that still leave readers with hope. We also discuss the book's glacially slow-burn romance, fan-favorite side characters, and upcoming books in the series.⚡ What happens when a necromancer can raise the dead but can't heal himself?🩸 How do you write a fantasy about grief without losing hope?🔥 And what if the most powerful magic in the story is learning to keep going?This is a must-listen for dark fantasy readers, necromancer lovers, fans of emotionally devastating character arcs, and anyone who believes even the darkest stories deserve a little hope.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ The inspiration behind Hopeless Necromantic and its deeply personal themes.✨ Writing depression, grief, and healing through the lens of fantasy.✨ Found family, dark humor, and a slow burn that moves at glacial speed.✨ Morally gray MMCs and why readers can't get enough of them.✨ Researching human decomposition, anatomy, and death magic.✨ The emotional scenes that still make Shiloh cry while writing.✨ Fan art, tattoos, and reader reactions that have left a lasting impact.✨ Upcoming books, future romances, and what readers can expect next.✨ Building a fantasy universe that will continue expanding beyond the main trilogy.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Mythic Mic Rep Megan – @Megans.Bookish.Corner📚 Shiloh Briar – @Shiloh.Briar✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where treasure is never just treasure, pirates don't always play by the rules, and the sky is only the beginning of the adventure.This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy romance author Megan Elisabeth for a fun, heartfelt, and surprisingly emotional conversation about her debut novel, Bound by the Sky. If you've ever wished Treasure Planet had more romance, more female characters, and a crew of morally questionable sky pirates, this episode is for you.Megan shares her journey from lifelong writer and accidental screenwriting minor to published author, opening up about everything from battling imposter syndrome to finding readers who connected deeply with her story. We also talk about the realities of indie publishing, protecting your creative joy, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is keep showing up.Then we dive into Bound by the Sky, a fantasy adventure filled with flying pirate ships, floating mountains, legendary treasure, and a romance that develops in the middle of impossible choices. At the center of the story is Amaya, a sheltered socialite whose life is turned upside down when she's abducted by sky pirates because of a mysterious necklace she never realized was important. Soon she finds herself caught between rival pirate factions, a legendary treasure hunt, and a Sky Lord named Will who may be the only person she can trust.⚡ What happens when a treasure hunt could change the fate of an entire world?🩸 How do you fall for a pirate when you're not sure where his moral line is?🔥 And what if the greatest discovery isn't the treasure at all, but who you're capable of becoming?This is a must-listen for fantasy romance readers, Treasure Planet fans, pirate lovers, and anyone who enjoys adventure stories with heart, humor, and just enough emotional damage.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Megan's journey from fanfiction writer to published author.✨ How screenwriting shaped her dialogue and worldbuilding.✨ Battling imposter syndrome and navigating social anxiety as an author.✨ Why Bound by the Sky is "Treasure Planet with romance."✨ Flying pirate ships, floating mountains, and legendary treasure hunts.✨ Building Amaya's character arc from sheltered socialite to heroine.✨ Morally gray pirates and exploring whether violence is ever justified.✨ The "touch her and die" trope and what happens when you take it seriously.✨ Reader reactions to THAT ending.✨ Why readers are already demanding a Mouse spin-off.✨ Megan's plans for future books in the series.✨ The importance of continuing to write, even through difficult seasons.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Megan G Elisabeth – @megwritesalot✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where rage can be a weapon, love can be a rebellion, and stories dare to ask what happens when a woman refuses to stay silent.This week, Host Bethany Amanda is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Britt for a high-energy, laugh-filled, and deeply emotional conversation with Caty Rogan, author of Kissed by the Gods—the viral romantasy sensation blending feminine rage, brutal trials, and a hero who falls first and falls hard. Caty shares how her journey to becoming an author started with a single decision to finally write the story she’d been holding onto, and how that leap turned into a breakout indie success that was ultimately picked up for traditional publishing. We dive into the heart of Kissed by the Gods, a story that follows Leina, a girl from an oppressed class forced into an elite warrior system that was never meant for her. Armed with a scythe—a weapon symbolizing both her oppression and her resistance—Leina must fight to survive, carve out her place, and challenge the very systems that seek to break her. Alongside her is Ryot, a hero who defies expectations by falling fast, hard, and unapologetically. Their dynamic brings a refreshing twist to romantasy tropes, delivering slow-burn tension without relying on traditional enemies-to-lovers conflict.What unfolds is a story fueled by grief, rage, and resilience—one that doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight behind its characters, but instead uses it to drive every choice, every fight, and every moment of growth.🔥 What does it mean to carry rage instead of bury it?⚔️ How do you fight a system that was never built for you to win?🩸 And what happens when grief becomes the very thing that gives you strength?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, fans of powerful female leads, and anyone who wants a story that hits just as hard emotionally as it does on the battlefield.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Caty’s journey from journalism to published fantasy author. ✨ Writing Kissed by the Gods while navigating major life changes. ✨ How real-life grief shaped Leina’s emotional arc. ✨ Feminine rage as a driving force in fantasy. ✨ Building a world inspired by travel, mythology, and Star Wars. ✨ Why Leina’s scythe is more than just a weapon. ✨ The magic system and warrior bonds (including iconic weapons 👀). ✨ Ryot as a “he falls first” love interest (we LOVE to see it). ✨ The power of indie author communities and reader word-of-mouth. ✨ Going from indie success to a traditional publishing deal. ✨ Why small Bookstagram accounts are more powerful than you think. ✨ What to expect from Book 2, including emotional devastation 😭CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Britt (Mythic Mic Rep) – @BrittBooksIt📚 Caty Rogan – @CatyRogan✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where trust is never simple, betrayal always has a story behind it, and sometimes the most dangerous person to face is the one you once loved.This week, Co-Host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy author Tori Bovalino, the mind behind The Second Death of Locke, to dive into her upcoming release, The Thief and the Traitor Bride. This is a high-stakes fantasy filled with espionage, fractured love, and a relationship that’s already broken before the story even begins.Tori reflects on her journey from always knowing she would be a writer to navigating an industry that doesn’t always make that path easy. From querying as a teenager to nearly walking away from writing entirely, she shares the turning points that brought her back to the page and why choosing to keep going changed everything. We dive into the heart of The Thief and the Traitor Bride, a standalone set in the same world as Locke, where every location carries its own magic system and every choice carries consequences. At the center is Eleanor “Nor” Gordon, a respected wine trader and a spy. When her shipments start getting intercepted, what begins as a mission to catch a thief quickly turns into something far more complicated because the thief is her estranged husband and he was banished for treason.As Nor and Caspian are forced back into each other’s orbit, the story unravels into something deeper: questions of loyalty, identity, and what it really means to choose between a person and a place.Along the way, Tori unpacks her love of interconnected standalones, her obsession with building layered magic systems across an entire world, and the sheer chaos of writing a 170,000-word fantasy while trying to make every piece fit together.⚔️ What does betrayal look like when you understand why it happened?🖤 Can trust be rebuilt once it’s been completely broken?🔥 And when forced to choose do you pick love, or loyalty?This is a must-listen for fantasy readers who love political intrigue, emotionally complex relationships, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Tori's writing journey, including querying young and almost giving up entirely. ✨ Why writing is something you don’t walk away from (even when you try). ✨ Building a fantasy world where every place has its own magic system. ✨ Writing interconnected standalones vs traditional series. ✨ The concept behind The Thief and the Traitor Bride. ✨ An estranged marriage at the center of a fantasy story. ✨ Nor as a spy, wine trader, and deeply layered heroine. ✨ Caspian as a banished husband with secrets of his own. ✨ Espionage, political intrigue, and stolen information hidden in plain sight. ✨ The challenge of balancing multiple magic systems in one story. ✨ Why pacing, structure, and emotional payoff matter more than anything. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Tori Bovalino – @ToriBovalino✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where fantasy gets a little dangerous, romance gets a little unhinged, and sometimes one love interest just isn’t enough.This week, Co-Hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan are joined by the wildly fun, bold, and genre-pushing author Jade Presley to talk about The Neverlist and its sequel The King’s List. This is a series that’s redefining romantasy with one of the most talked-about tropes in the space right now: why choose.Jade takes us back to the very beginning of her journey, writing stories in second grade and deciding, with zero backup plan, that she would become an author. And she did. But not without rejection, tough feedback, and years of refining her craft. What makes Jade stand out isn’t just her success—it’s her refusal to let anyone tell her what kind of stories “won’t work.” And that’s exactly what led to The Neverlist.We dive deep into the story of Rylee, a girl from the lower class who sneaks into a royal world she despises only to be chosen as a potential mate for FOUR princes she never wanted. What unfolds is a story packed with tension, emotional growth, power dynamics, and yes, a romance that refuses to make her choose. But this episode isn’t just about the premise. It’s about why this story works. We talk about why the why choose trope is exploding right now and why it still feels  satisfying, the intentionality behind building four distinct love arcs that actually serve the heroine, and breaking away from toxic masculinity and creating emotionally intelligent, supportive love interests. We also get into the sequel, The King’s List, where stakes are higher, trust is fractured, and Riley is forced to step fully into her power after a devastating cliffhanger that changes everything.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Jade’s journey from lifelong writer to bestselling author. ✨ Rejection, resilience, and building confidence in your voice. ✨ Why she chose to write under a pen name. ✨ The rise of the why choose / reverse harem genre. ✨ Writing four distinct romantic arcs (without it feeling chaotic). ✨ Creating emotionally secure, non-toxic male characters. ✨ The shocking ending of The Neverlist and what it sets up. ✨ What to expect in The King’s List: trust, power, and self-worth. ✨ Advice for aspiring authors: don’t let anyone steal your joy. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jade Presley – IG: @JadePresleyAuthor✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where enemies don’t stay enemies for long, power comes with impossible choices, and stories dare to explore what happens when love and identity collide.This week, Host Bethany Amanda sits down with fantasy author Arcadia Rayne, a scientist-by-day, storyteller-by-night whose books are taking over romantasy spaces with unforgettable characters, addictive tropes, and layered emotional depth.Arcadia’s journey to authorship wasn’t linear—it started with a single idea she couldn’t shake, one that lived in her head for years before finally making its way onto the page. What followed was a leap into indie publishing, a deep dive into mastering craft, and the building of a fiercely loyal readership that continues to grow. In this episode, we dive into both of Arcadia’s series: The Fatebreaker Trilogy and The House of Hyrax. While one leans into romance-forward storytelling filled with tension, trials, and enemies-to-lovers dynamics, the other delivers a sweeping, plot-driven epic fantasy layered with political intrigue, identity, and power.At the heart of both stories are characters searching for who they are in worlds that try to define them first. Whether it’s an assassin forced into deadly trials for a prince she was meant to kill, or a girl with no memories navigating a kingdom that expects her to rule, Arcadia’s stories are driven by one powerful question: who do you become when everything is taken from you?⚔️ What happens when your enemy is the only person who truly understands you?👑 How do you define power when you’ve been taught the wrong version of it?🔥 And what does it take to rebuild yourself when you don’t recognize who you’ve become?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, enemies-to-lovers fans, and readers who crave stories that balance emotional depth with high-stakes storytelling.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Being a scientist by day and fantasy author by night. ✨ Writing two books a year while balancing a full-time career. ✨ The origin of Fatebreaker: “What if Cinderella was sent to kill the prince?”✨ The difference between romantasy and fantasy romance (and why it matters). ✨ Building two completely different series for different types of readers. ✨ Indie publishing, creative control, and evolving into a hybrid author. ✨ Why authenticity is the key to building a loyal reader base. ✨ Marketing strategies that actually work (and how to find your hook). ✨ The importance of content warnings and reader trust. ✨ Studying craft: structure, tropes, and leveling up your writing. ✨ The power of enemies-to-lovers (and why it always hits). ✨ Found family, slow burn tension, and emotionally grounded romance. ✨ Writing healthy relationships in romantasy. ✨ Exploring real-life themes like grief, identity, and self-worth through fantasy. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland📚 Arcadia Rayne – @ArcadiaRayne✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where fairy tales are never simple, monsters can still be loved, and stories dare to ask what it truly means to choose someone again and again.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling fantasy author Roshani Chokshi for a whimsical, emotional, and deeply thought-provoking conversation about her stunning fantasy novel The Swan’s Daughter. If you love enchanted castles, strange fairy tale magic, monstrous brides, and stories layered with heartbreak and hope, this episode is for you.Roshani shares how The Swan’s Daughter became a space for her to explore fairy tales in their strangest and most emotional forms—where swans lay eggs, castles breathe, the dead return as trees, and love is never as straightforward as happily ever after. What unfolds is a story that feels both surreal and deeply human, balancing whimsical fantasy with questions about grief, identity, choice, and what we owe the people we love. Roshani also shares how her own experiences with infertility and IVF quietly shaped the emotional core of the story, particularly its fascination with unconventional births, inherited grief, and the many ways people create family.  ⚡ What happens when fairy tales stop protecting their characters from pain?🩸 How do you love someone when love itself becomes complicated and dangerous?🔥 And what if the strangest magic in the world is simply choosing each other anyway?This is a must-listen for readers who love lyrical fantasy, folklore-inspired worlds, emotionally layered fairy tales, and stories that feel both enchanting and unsettling in equal measure.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Reimagining fairy tales through a darker, more emotional lens.✨ Building whimsical fantasy worlds filled with unsettling magic.✨ Why love in The Swan’s Daughter is an active choice, not destiny.✨ Talking castles, swan people, monstrous brides, and living trees.✨ Exploring grief, survival, and inherited pain through fantasy.✨ The emotional inspiration behind unconventional births and family dynamics.✨ How infertility and IVF influenced the deeper themes of the novel.✨ Why open-ended questions can make stories more powerful.✨ Creating immersive worldbuilding that constantly surprises readers.✨ The strange beauty and emotional honesty hidden inside old fairy tales.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @bethanyinfantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Roshani Chokshi – @RoshaniChokshi✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where worlds are built brick by brick, grief can shape entire galaxies, and stories dare to ask what it means to love something you can never hold onto again.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with fantasy romance legend Sarah A. Parker, the brilliant mind behind the Moonfall series, to dive into the phenomenon that is When the Moon Hatched—a story as emotionally devastating as it is breathtakingly immersive.From the very first moment, this conversation pulls you deep into Sarah’s creative mind, where worlds are not just written, but lived in for years before ever making it onto the page. Sarah shares how When the Moon Hatched began not with characters or plot, but with a fully formed world that demanded to exist—a place she wandered through, shaped, and refined long before she felt ready to tell its story. We dive into the heart of When the Moon Hatched, where an assassin with fragmented memories crosses paths with a dragon-riding king grieving a love he cannot let go. What begins as tension and collision evolves into something far deeper—a story rooted in grief, longing, identity, and the quiet, devastating ways love reshapes us.At the center of it all is one of the most unforgettable fantasy concepts in recent memory: dragons who, in death, rise into the sky and become moons. It's a concept born from Sarah’s own experience with loss, and one that gives the story its haunting emotional core.Along the way, Sarah opens up about her writing process, from chaotic, “overly fluffy” first drafts to the meticulous refinement that shapes her signature lyrical prose. She shares why she avoids outside noise while writing, how she protects the integrity of her stories, and what it means to truly write for yourself before anyone else.🌙 What does it mean to carry grief in a world that never stops turning?🐉 How do you hold onto love when all you have left is memory?⚔️ And what happens when two broken people collide in a story neither of them chose?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, lovers of deeply emotional storytelling, and anyone who wants a fantasy world they can truly disappear into.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Building an entire fantasy world over years before writing a single page. ✨ Writing as escape, and why readers feel that on every page. ✨ The origin of dragon moons and the grief behind the magic. ✨ Crafting Raeve and Kaan as opposites shaped by loss. ✨ Why When the Moon Hatched was the story Sarah had to tell. ✨ Taking creative risks (and investing everything into one book). ✨ Writing lyrical prose and learning when to cut it back. ✨ The balance between worldbuilding and character connection. ✨ Why Sarah avoids reading reviews while drafting. ✨ Protecting your story from outside influence. ✨ Book 2 expectations (and why readers need to prepare 👀). ✨ Practical writing advice: beta readers, drafting fast, and trusting the process. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Sarah A. Parker – @Sarah.A.Parker.Author✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where gods fall, kingdoms fracture, and fantasy stories leave emotional wreckage in the very best way.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sarah Santillan sit down with fantasy author Laura A. Blake, author of The Shattered Sky Saga and The Forgotten Dawn, for an immersive, hilarious, and deeply honest conversation about epic fantasy, romantasy, publishing, heartbreak, and the stories that refuse to leave us alone.If you love sprawling fantasy worlds, emotionally grounded characters, glacial slow burns, devastating endings, and lore so layered it feels ancient, this episode is absolutely for you.Laura shares her unconventional journey to becoming an author—from studying religion and classical history, teaching at the university level, and navigating traumatic brain injuries and infertility, to ultimately finding her voice through fantasy romance. What began as fragments of a story inspired by firelight and drumming slowly evolved into The Forgotten Dawn, an epic romantasy that blends myth, mystery, emotional depth, and unforgettable characters.We dive deep into the changing publishing landscape and the rise of indie fantasy authors, including why Laura chose independent publishing over traditional publishing, the realities of marketing as an author, and why indie fantasy is redefining the industry in real time.But at the heart of this conversation is Laura’s storytelling itself: immersive worlds filled with forgotten gods, layered mythology, quiet heroines, emotional realism, and characters readers become fiercely attached to—sometimes at their own peril.⚡ What happens when fantasy romance becomes as emotionally grounded as it is epic?🔥 Why are readers craving quieter, more vulnerable heroines?🩸 And how do you write characters readers love enough to mourn?This episode is a must-listen for epic fantasy lovers, romantasy readers, aspiring authors, and anyone fascinated by the rapidly evolving world of indie publishing.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Laura’s winding journey from academia and teaching to becoming a full-time fantasy author.✨ How traumatic brain injuries and life challenges reshaped her creative path.✨ The moment romantasy “clicked” after reading Fourth Wing and Sarah J. Maas.✨ Writing The Forgotten Dawn in an explosive creative sprint.✨ Why immersive worldbuilding and slow-burn storytelling matter so much to her.✨ Building fantasy worlds layered with forgotten lore, myth, and mystery.✨ Creating quieter, more anxious heroines instead of invincible warriors.✨ Writing emotionally grounded characters readers deeply connect with.✨ Why side characters deserve rich arcs and meaningful relationships too.✨ Multi-POV storytelling and expanding the scope of The Shattered Sky Saga.✨ Breadcrumbs, hidden clues, and long-term planning across a four-book saga.✨ The rise of indie fantasy publishing and how it’s reshaping the industry.✨ The realities of querying, traditional publishing timelines, and indie marketing.✨ Why authors should start marketing their books long before release day.✨ Slow burn romance, fated mates, and Laura’s favorite fantasy tropes.✨ Cliffhangers, emotional damage, and why no character is ever truly safe.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Laura Blake – @LauraBlakeAuthor✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where memories can be stolen, destiny is never what it seems, and stories dare to ask who you really are when everything you thought you knew is a lie.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with breakout romantasy author LJ Claren to dive into her viral debut, The Silversmith, a story that has taken over BookTok with its intense romance, shocking twists, and a heroine whose journey is as emotional as it is unforgettable. LJ shares how she began writing as a teenager—not through journaling, but by channeling her emotions into fantasy worlds—and how The Silversmith has lived with her for years, evolving alongside her own life and experiences. We dive into the heart of The Silversmith, where Ary, a girl alone, starving, and stripped of her memories, is suddenly thrust into a world that claims she is the key to a prophecy. But nothing is simple. Not her past. Not her powers. And definitely not her connection to Smith, the mysterious, obsessive, and deeply conflicted man who seems to know far more about her than he’s willing to say.What unfolds is a story driven by tension, yearning, and discovery. As Ary pieces together who she is, readers are right there with her, questioning everything, trusting nothing, and trying to unravel a truth that refuses to come easily.We also explore LJ's unique publishing journey from indie release to traditional deal after a single post caught the attention of an agent, proving that sometimes the right story finds its way exactly where it’s meant to go.⚔️ What does it mean to find yourself when your past has been taken from you?🖤 How do you trust someone who clearly knows more than they should?🔥 And what happens when the truth changes everything you thought you wanted?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, lovers of emotional slow-burn romance, and anyone who lives for that moment when a twist completely redefines the story.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Writing as emotional release and why fantasy felt more powerful than journaling. ✨ Living with the same story and characters for years before publishing. ✨ The viral rise of The Silversmith and building a reader base from scratch. ✨ Indie publishing → traditional deal: how one post changed everything. ✨ Memory loss as both a plot device and emotional anchor. ✨ The tension and yearning between Ary and Smith✨ Writing intentional twists (and why some are meant to be seen coming 👀). ✨ Found family and expanding worldbuilding in future books. ✨ The emotional escalation coming in Book 2 (prepare yourselves 😭). ✨ Balancing romance-first storytelling with expanding magic systems. ✨ Advice for aspiring authors: don’t give up and don’t wait for perfect. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 LJ Claren – @LJClaren ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where history is never as simple as we’re taught, power is tangled in politics and belief, and stories dare to ask what it really means to belong to a world shaped by conquest.This week, Host Bethany Amanda sits down with bestselling author Shannon Chakraborty, the brilliant mind behind The City of Brass and The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi. Shannon reflects on her unconventional path to authorship—from writing fanfiction and short stories while working a day job to building one of the most celebrated fantasy series of the last decade—all while navigating imposter syndrome that didn’t disappear even after success arrived. We dive into the worlds that have captivated readers everywhere. First, the Daevabad Trilogy, a sweeping, political fantasy rooted in Islamic history and jinn mythology, where a con artist from Cairo is pulled into a hidden world of power, conflict, and centuries-old tensions. Shannon unpacks the heart of the series: how politics, religion, and identity collide, and what it means to inherit systems you didn’t create but are forced to navigate.Then we turn to The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi and its upcoming sequel, The Tapestry of Fate. This is a completely different kind of fantasy series, one that centers a middle-aged mother pulled back into a life of piracy, magic, and impossible choices. Shannon shares how writing Amina during the pandemic reshaped her perspective on storytelling, motherhood, and what it means to balance ambition with responsibility.Along the way, we explore Shannon’s deep commitment to historical accuracy, her belief that writing is inherently political, and why fantasy has the power to challenge the narratives we’ve been taught about the past.⚔️ What happens when history isn’t what you thought it was?🌊 How do you balance who you are with who the world needs you to be?🔥 And what does it mean to challenge a system that was never built for you?This is a must-listen for fantasy readers who want more than escapism, aspiring authors navigating their own creative paths, and anyone who believes stories should make you think just as much as they make you feel.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Shannon’s path from working-class background to bestselling fantasy author.✨ Writing fanfiction, short stories, and discovering her voice.✨ Imposter syndrome even after landing an agent and selling her books. ✨ The inspiration behind the Daevabad Trilogy and jinn mythology. ✨ How politics, religion, and conquest shape fantasy worlds. ✨ Why writing is always a political act. ✨ The importance of historical research and challenging your own assumptions. ✨ The creation of Amina al-Sirafi: a middle-aged mother in fantasy. ✨ The realities of balancing motherhood and creativity. ✨ Why fantasy rarely centers parents and why that needed to change. ✨ The inspiration behind The Tapestry of Fate and what’s next for Amina. ✨ Tackling colonial narratives in adventure stories (yes, even mummies 👀). ✨ Practical advice for aspiring authors: process, boundaries, and persistence. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Shannon Chakraborty – IG: @Sachakrabooks✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where power is stolen, emotions can be weaponized, and stories dare to ask what happens when the one thing that makes you human is the very thing that could destroy you.This week, Host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy romance author Jillian Witt to dive into her Champions of Chaos series, including Jeweler of the Blessed and its sequel Trials of the Cursed. This is a series built on one of the most unique and haunting magic systems we’ve seen in fantasy. Jillian shares how her journey started not at a desk, but on long hikes through national parks—where the isolation, beauty, and sense of “anything could exist here” sparked the earliest ideas for her worlds. We dive into the heart of Jeweler of the Blessed, where magic is tied to emotion—literally. In this world, those with power don’t just wield magic, they take it, siphoning emotions from others through physical touch and channeling them into gemstones that fuel their abilities. It’s a system that feels both fascinating and deeply unsettling. At the center of it all is Amberlyn, a heroine who has spent her entire life hiding a dangerous secret: she is immune to this magic. In a world where emotions can be stolen, her survival depends on staying unnoticed until she’s forced into the very place she’s been trying to escape.What unfolds is a story of identity, trust, and learning how to feel in a world where emotion itself is a liability. Add in a bodyguard she may or may not be able to trust, a missing uncle, and a kingdom built on imbalance, and the stakes quickly spiral.💎 What happens when your emotions are no longer safe to feel?⚔️ How do you trust someone in a world built on taking?🔥 And what if the thing you’ve been hiding is the key to everything?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, fans of unique magic systems, and anyone who loves stories where emotion, power, and identity collide in unforgettable ways.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Building a magic system inspired by (and darker than) mood rings. ✨ What happens when emotions are stolen and used as power. ✨ Amberlyn as a heroine forced to hide who she truly is. ✨ A bodyguard romance filled with tension, distrust, and slow-burn connection. ✨ The emotional and thematic core: identity, agency, and self-discovery. ✨ The balance between fear and vulnerability in a high-stakes world. ✨ Jillian’s writing process: discovery drafting, multiple revisions, and emotional beats. ✨ The realities of indie publishing and wearing every hat. ✨ Why readers are craving unique, high-concept fantasy systems. ✨ Trials of the Cursed and its emotional, character-driven take on trials. ✨ Writing both darker fantasy and cozy romantasy as a creative balance. ✨ Advice for aspiring authors: let the story evolve and give yourself grace. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jillian Witt – @author.Jillianwitt✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where chaos rides alongside loyalty, monsters feel just as deeply as humans, and sometimes the stories that hurt the most are the ones that stay with you.This week, Co-Hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan are joined by returning guest Jackson Ford to talk about Sisters of the Lizard, the brutal, emotional, and relentless sequel to The Bone Raiders. And because Mythic Mic never does anything halfway, we’ve also brought in special guest, author Andy Peloquin, to keep Jackson on his toes and (maybe) make him answer for the pain he’s caused us all.From the very first moment, this episode is exactly what you’d expect from a Jackson Ford return: chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly deep. Jackson opens up about writing Sisters of the Lizard without a strict roadmap, following curiosity wherever it leads, even when that path turns darker than expected. What began as an exploration of a “cool idea” evolved into a story that pushes its characters to their absolute limits emotionally, physically, and psychologically. And that’s exactly what makes this book hit so hard.We dive into the core of the story: a tight-knit crew of raiders riding fire-breathing lizards, forced to survive in an unforgiving world where every decision has consequences. But this isn’t just about action. It’s about what happens after survival. The aftermath. The trauma. The relationships that don’t magically fix themselves just because the first battle is over.This time, everything is messier. Nothing is clean. And the characters you thought you understood ... you don't. Expect emotional damage, expect character arcs that refuse to take the easy way out, and expect a story that keeps you in the mud with them every step of the way. ⚔️ What does growth look like when healing isn’t linear?🖤 How do you move forward when the past is still shaping you?🔥 And what happens when survival is only the beginning?This is a must-listen for fantasy readers who love gritty, character-driven stories, emotionally complex arcs, and worlds that feel as raw as they are immersive.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Jackson’s return to Mythic Mic and what’s changed since book one. ✨ Writing a sequel that’s darker, more emotional, and more character-driven. ✨ Why curiosity, not planning, drives his storytelling. ✨ The evolution of characters from book one to book two. ✨ Trauma, healing, and surviving toxic relationships. ✨ Why growth isn’t clean and shouldn’t be. ✨ The chaotic, found-family dynamic of the raider crew. ✨ Writing morally messy characters you can’t help but love. ✨ The emotional impact of Sisters of the Lizard (and why it hurts so much 😭). ✨ The role of lizards as more than just creatures. ✨ Andy’s take on what makes this series stand out in fantasy. ✨ The realities of writing, deadlines, and just “doing the thing." ✨ Marketing a sequel vs a debut and what authors learn along the way. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill👤 Bethany Amanda – @bethanyinfantasyland👤 Andy Peloquin – @Andypeloquinauthor📚 Jackson Ford – @RealJacksonFord✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where stories evolve, genres collide, and we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build unforgettable worlds.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with returning powerhouse guest Nisha Tuli for a conversation that spans far beyond a single book. We dive  into the realities of a rapidly growing author career, the evolution of storytelling, and what happens when a romantasy powerhouse steps into the world of YA dystopian.If you joined us in Season 1, you’ll remember Nisha from her romantasy series Artefacts of Ouranos and her rom-com Not Safe for Work. But this time, she’s back with something entirely different: Storm Breaker, a high-stakes YA dystopian set in a storm-ravaged future where survival is anything but guaranteed.We get into the heart of Storm Breaker, a post-apocalyptic New Manhattan plagued by deadly storms, rigid class divisions, and a system built to maintain control. At the center is Poet Graves, a girl raised within the elite who begins to question everything she’s been taught when she discovers she has a power that could get her killed. But this episode isn’t just about the book—it’s about the shift.Nisha opens up about what it’s like to pivot genres, sell a book on proposal, and build an entirely new world from scratch. We also go behind the scenes of publishing in a way most authors never get to see: from writing multiple books before they ever hit shelves, to having a project picked up for TV development before it’s even released. And of course, we zoom out into the bigger picture: why dystopian is making a comeback, how today’s world is shaping the stories being told, and what it means to write for a generation navigating truth, power, and information in entirely new ways.⚡ What does it look like to reinvent yourself as a writer?🌩️ Why is dystopian fiction hitting differently right now?🔥 And how do you balance creative instinct with the realities of the publishing industry?This is a must-listen for writers, readers, and anyone curious about what’s really happening behind the scenes of today’s biggest books.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Transitioning from romantasy to YA dystopian. ✨ The world of Storm Breaker: storm systems, class divides, and a dangerous future. ✨ Building a dystopian heroine who starts inside the system—not outside it. ✨ Writing and selling a book on proposal (and why it’s terrifying). ✨ How Nisha’s writing process has evolved with experience and confidence. ✨ Why saying no becomes just as important as saying yes. ✨ The behind-the-scenes timeline of publishing (and why books aren’t written in the order you think). ✨ Developing a TV adaptation before a book is even released. ✨ Why dystopian fiction is making a major comeback right now. ✨ Writing political and social commentary into YA in a way that resonates. ✨ The challenges of worldbuilding a completely new system from the ground up.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Nisha J. Tuli – @NishaJTWrites✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where monsters lurk just beyond the veil, power is earned in blood and steel, and stories dare to ask what happens when the most dangerous secret is the one you carry inside yourself.This week, Co-Host Sara Santillan is joined by Mythic Mic rep Amara for a wildly fun, high-energy, and completely addictive conversation with paranormal romance author Elizabeth Dear, diving into her viral series Shifter Guardians Academy and the first book, Clash of Claws.From the very beginning, this episode is packed with laughter, chaos, and deep dives into one of the most bingeable subgenres in fantasy right now: shifter romance. Elizabeth shares how her journey into writing started with a simple “what if I tried?” during the pandemic, quickly turning into a full-blown career spanning over a dozen books. We dive into the world of Clash of Claws, where humans live unaware of the monsters around them and the shifters who fight to keep them safe. At the center is Avery, a powerful and tightly guarded heroine who enters a brutal Guardian training program hiding one dangerous truth: her beast.What unfolds is a story filled with deadly trials, monstrous wraiths, and a system that was never built for someone like her to succeed. As Avery fights to prove she belongs, she’s forced into close proximity with the most powerful quad in the program—four men who challenge her, underestimate her, and ultimately make a mistake they’ll have to answer for.With a mix of urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and reverse harem dynamics, this series delivers action, tension, and emotional payoff in equal measure with a cliffhanger that has readers demanding the next book.🐺 What happens when your power makes you a threat instead of an asset?⚔️ How do you prove yourself in a system designed to exclude you?🩸 And what if the people you start to trust are the ones who hurt you most?This is a must-listen for fans of shifter romance, academy settings, strong heroines with secrets, and stories that blend action, romance, and just the right amount of chaos.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Writing during the pandemic and turning “what if” into a full author career. ✨ The rise of shifter romance and why it’s dominating Bookstagram. ✨ What defines a shifter story (and why it’s so addictive). ✨ Building a world of “variety shifters,” from wolves to mythics. ✨ Why female shifters are rare and feared in this world. ✨ The Guardian training program and brutal academy dynamics. ✨ A quad of powerful male leads (including a professor 👀). ✨ Reverse harem / why choose dynamics and pack bonding. ✨ THAT cliffhanger ending (and the grovel we’re all waiting for). ✨ Designing obstacle courses and sword combat for realism. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill👤 Amara (Mythic Mic Rep) – @Bored_Military_Wife📚 Elizabeth Dear – @ElizabethDearWrites✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where fate is never simple, power comes at a cost, and stories dare to ask what you’re willing to sacrifice to become who you were meant to be.This week, Host Bethany Amanda sits down with fantasy author Rachel Sandpiper to dive into one of the most buzzed-about indie fantasy books taking over social media: To Touch a Silent Fury. Rachel shares how writing started not as a lifelong dream, but as an escape—a way out of a career that didn’t feel right. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into something much bigger, fueled by persistence, smart strategy, and a deep understanding of the indie publishing space. We dive into the world of To Touch a Silent Fury, an epic fantasy layered with romance, political tension, and one of the most unique magic systems in the genre. The story follows Tani, a moon-touched woman bound to a fate she didn’t choose: marry the victor of a deadly tournament to unlock her magic. Alongside her is Lang, a dragon prince caught between duty and defiance, whose path collides with hers in ways neither of them can control.What unfolds is a story of agency, belonging, and survival where both characters are navigating systems that were never built for them, trying to carve out power in a world determined to limit it.🌙 What happens when your fate is decided for you and you don’t want it?💍 Can a forced bond become something real or something dangerous?🐉 And what if the power you’re meant to claim comes with a cost you’re not ready to pay?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, epic fantasy lovers, and anyone obsessed with slow burn tension, forced proximity, and stories that balance emotional depth with high-stakes worldbuilding.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Writing as an “escape hatch” from a career that didn’t fit. ✨ Why Rachel chose self-publishing and how she made it work. ✨ The reality of indie publishing (and why it’s a marathon, not a sprint). ✨ The power of ARC campaigns and word-of-mouth marketing. ✨ Building a magic system tied to the five senses. ✨ Crafting Tani as a complex, underestimated heroine. ✨ Lang as the dragon prince readers can’t get enough of. ✨ Agency, belonging, and navigating systems stacked against you. ✨ The challenges of control in the self-publishing process. ✨ What’s next: a romantic fantasy murder mystery 👀CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland📚 Rachel Sandpiper – @Rasandpiper✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where gods are not untouchable, love and loss reshape everything, and stories dare to ask what happens when even immortals can fall.This week, Host Bethany Amanda sits down with fantasy author Kate Asher for a wildly fun, fast-paced, and emotionally charged conversation about her Greek mythology–inspired series, Crown of Olympus and Blood of Olympus. If you love deadly trials, complicated gods, and stories that will make you laugh one minute and spiral the next, this episode is for you.Kate shares how her writing journey started with a single, bold New Year’s resolution—write a book—and just four months later, she had a finished manuscript. From there, everything moved fast: self-publishing, building a loyal readership, and creating a world that flips traditional Greek mythology on its head. We dive into the heart of the series, where gods are not distant figures—they are flawed, powerful, and very much involved in the lives of their children. At the center is Nyssa, daughter of Hades and Persephone, who is forced into brutal trials to compete for the crown of Olympus. What begins as survival quickly becomes something deeper: a story about grief, identity, and learning how to live after loss.Kate brings a fresh, modern voice to mythology, blending humor, heartbreak, and high-stakes tension into a story that feels both epic and deeply human. And yes, this is a world where even gods can die, so no one is safe.⚡ What happens when the gods aren’t immortal after all?🩸 How do you keep going after losing someone you love?🔥 And what if the trials meant to crown you are designed to break you instead?This is a must-listen for Greek mythology lovers, romantasy readers, and anyone who craves high-stakes stories with emotional depth and unforgettable characters.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Writing a full fantasy novel in just four months (yes, really). ✨ Choosing self-publishing for creative freedom and control.✨ Reimagining Greek mythology with a modern, irreverent twist. ✨ The inspiration behind deadly trials for the crown of Olympus. ✨ Building Nyssa as a complex, evolving heroine. ✨ Exploring grief, loss, and identity across the series. ✨ Why humor makes the emotional moments hit harder. ✨ Writing dual perspectives and layered character arcs. ✨ Fan-favorite side characters who completely steal the show. ✨ Cliffhangers, emotional damage, and leaving readers wanting more. ✨ Expanding the series into multiple books and spin-offs. ✨ Balancing indie publishing with future traditional opportunities. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland📚 Kate Asher – @KateAsherAuthor✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where magic demands a price, love and loyalty are tested to their limits, and stories dare to ask what you would sacrifice for power and for each other.This week, Host Bethany Amanda sits down with the brilliant writing duo behind Blood Bound, Ellis Hunter, for a wildly fun, emotionally chaotic, and deeply insightful conversation about one of the most anticipated fantasy debuts of the year.From the very first moment, this episode is full of laughter, honesty, and the kind of behind-the-scenes storytelling that makes you fall even more in love with a book. Katie and Becky share how their friendship, built over years in publishing and reignited in Cornwall, turned into a late-night, wine-fueled decision to “just write a dragon book” which quickly spiraled into something much bigger. We dive into the world of Blood Bound, a kingdom of witches and a kingdom of dragon riders bound by a brutal, ancient covenant: once in a generation, two champions must duel to the death for the source of all magic. At the center are two brilliant female main characters: Astrid, a witch destined to die, and Skylar, a fierce, guarded performer searching for the one person she loves most—two women on a collision course neither of them chose.What unfolds is a story built on impossible stakes, layered characters, and one of the most compelling female friendships in fantasy right now. Katie and Becky share how their own bond shaped Astrid and Skylar, why they prioritized platonic love alongside romance, and how they approached writing two distinct perspectives that still feel like one seamless voice.We also get into the magic of collaboration—how they split POVs, merge writing styles, and push each other creatively—and the emotional toll of writing a story that doesn’t hold back. (Yes, we talk about THAT moment. No, they do not apologize.)🔥 What happens when your fate is sealed and there’s no way out?⚔️ How far would you go to save your people or the person you love?🩸 And what if the only way to win is for someone else to lose?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, fans of dragons and deadly trials, and anyone who wants a story that blends epic stakes with deeply personal emotion.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ How Katie and Becky met in publishing and reconnected years later in Cornwall to write a dragon book that turned into Blood Bound. ✨ Building a co-author process (POV splits, shared plotting, and line-by-line edits). ✨ Why their writing voices blend so seamlessly. ✨ The inspiration behind witches vs. dragon riders. ✨ The central duel and why it was the heart of the story from the beginning. ✨ Creating Astrid and Skylar as dual female leads, and why female friendship was just as important as romance. ✨ Subverting tropes while still giving readers what they love. ✨ Designing dragons that don’t breathe fire 👀. ✨ The emotional destruction behind that plot twist (yes, they cried too). ✨ How their publishing backgrounds helped and hurt the process. ✨ Why this book is their “love letter” to fantasy. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland📚 Ellis Hunter – @EllisHunterAuthor✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where magic is written in the stars, heroines are allowed to be messy, and stories dare to remind us that growth isn’t always graceful, but it’s always powerful.This week, Co-Host Sara Santillan is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Britt and author Liv Webster to dive into her addictive Jewel-Light Trilogy, including A Kingdom of Salt and Stone and A Palace of Cosmic Flame. Liv shares her journey from writing short stories as a child (including a very iconic Cinderella-as-a-fish moment 👀) to diving headfirst into indie publishing without a roadmap, without all the answers, and without waiting until she felt “ready.” What followed was a crash course in writing, publishing, marketing, and learning everything the hard way. We dive into the world of the Jewel-Light Trilogy, where magic is embedded into the body through gemstones gifted by gods, activated by a celestial meteor shower, and tied directly to identity, power, and fate. Liv unpacks her unique magic system, the emotional depth behind her characters, and why she intentionally wrote a protagonist who isn’t perfect, polished, or immediately likable. At the heart of the story is Maeve, a heroine navigating anxiety, fear, and overwhelming expectations, all while being thrust into a life she never wanted. Her journey isn’t about instant strength. Instead, it’s about learning to trust, to grow, and to survive even when everything feels like too much.✨ What if your magic made you a target instead of a hero?🩸 What happens when your main character is a little bit of a mess?🔥 And how do you find your strength when you don’t feel ready for any of it?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, indie author hopefuls, and anyone who loves messy heroines, emotional journeys, and magic systems that feel completely fresh.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Liv’s journey from childhood writer to published author. ✨ Writing a book on maternity leave and figuring it out as she went. ✨ Indie publishing without a roadmap (and learning through mistakes). ✨ Why marketing matters more than you think (and what she’d do differently). ✨ The inspiration behind the gemstone-based magic system. ✨ Writing a heroine with anxiety and making that representation intentional. ✨ Why “messy” main characters are more realistic and more meaningful. ✨ Found family, relationships, and rising stakes in book two. ✨ The emotional toll of writing (and reading 👀) stories that hurt. ✨ Teasing book three, including that broken heart emoji 💔CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill👤 Britt (Mythic Mic Rep) – @BrittBooksIt 📚 Liv Webster – @AuthorLivWebster✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ 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.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where power is never given freely, magic hides in the oldest corners of the world, and stories dare to ask what it costs to take back what was never yours to begin with.This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with author Caitlin Breeze for a gripping, thought-provoking conversation about her dark academia debut, The Fox Hunt. Caitlin shares her unconventional path to publishing, from studying at Cambridge and working in creative industries to discovering that she could write something of her own. What followed was years of rewriting, refining, and chasing the version of the story that felt truly alive. We dive into the world of The Fox Hunt, where elite privilege, ancient magic, and dangerous traditions collide. At its core is Emma, a young woman who finds herself pulled into a powerful and secretive circle of students—one built on wealth, legacy, and something far darker beneath the surface. When a seemingly thrilling game turns into something far more sinister, Emma is forced to confront the brutal systems of power surrounding her and decide what she’s willing to become to dismantle them.Caitlin unpacks the real-life inspiration behind the novel’s most shocking element (yes, the fox hunt is disturbingly real), the layered exploration of power and privilege, and the deeply intentional focus on female friendship.🦊 What happens when power is built on something ancient and deeply unjust?⚖️ Can you dismantle a system without becoming part of it?🔥 And what does it mean to reclaim your power in a world designed to take it from you?This is a must-listen for dark academia lovers, fantasy readers who crave depth, and anyone drawn to stories about power, transformation, and the strength of female connection.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Caitlin’s journey from reader to writer and why this was the story that finally “came alive”. ✨ Writing The Fox Hunt over years while working full-time. ✨ The real-life inspiration behind the fox hunt (yes… it’s real 👀). ✨ Crafting a dark academia world rooted in privilege and power. ✨ The role of ancient universities and places that feel magical. ✨ Exploring power, cost, and the idea that nothing comes for free. ✨ Building a heroine who discovers and claims her own strength. ✨ Why female friendship is central to this story (and rarely done this way). ✨ Rejecting toxic female rivalry tropes in dark academia. ✨ The importance of finding the right agent and creative partners. ✨ Why editing strengthens—not weakens—your story. ✨ Writing layered, meaningful secondary characters. ✨ Teasing book two 👀 (and why it might not be who you expect). CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Caitlin Breeze – @CaitlinBreezeWrites✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where stories hold a mirror to humanity, grief has many faces, and fantasy dares to ask what happens when the world stops making sense.This week, co-host Sara Santillan is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Britt and author Ariel Sullivan for a deeply powerful and thought-provoking conversation about her dystopian romance Conform and its highly anticipated prequel, Beneath. Ariel opens up about her writing journey, from discovering her love of storytelling at just eight years old to navigating the challenges of imposter syndrome, rejection, and finding her voice. She shares candidly about how Conform was born during one of the lowest points in her life, becoming both an escape and a lifeline during postpartum depression and the chaos of COVID. We dive into the world of Conform, a dystopian society where your worth is determined by your genetics and humanity is divided into rigid, oppressive classes. Ariel unpacks the layered themes of duality, power, and perspective—and why she intentionally wrote a protagonist who refuses to see the world in black and white. At the center of it all is Emeline, a character who stands in the gray, challenging systems, questioning narratives, and forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about division, control, and what it really means to understand one another.We also explore Beneath, Ariel’s ambitious prequel that takes readers 200 years into the past to uncover the origins of this fractured world. With heavier emotional stakes, found family dynamics, and a raw exploration of grief and survival, Beneath expands the universe in ways that deepen every moment of Conform.🩸 What happens when a society decides your worth before you’re even born?🔥 Can standing in the gray be the most dangerous choice of all?⚔️ And what does it mean to hold onto humanity when everything around you demands conformity?This is a must-listen for dystopian lovers, emotionally driven readers, and anyone who believes stories should challenge, heal, and stay with you.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Ariel’s journey from fanfiction to published author. ✨ Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding confidence as a writer. ✨ Writing Conform during postpartum depression and COVID. ✨ The inspiration behind the dystopian world and its class divisions. ✨ Why Emeline chooses to stand in the gray instead of picking sides. ✨ Exploring duality through character, color, and conflict. ✨ Crafting world-building as a “character” with its own motivations. ✨ The balance between romance, rebellion, and societal commentary. ✨ The emotional depth behind Beneath and its focus on grief. ✨ How different stages of grief are represented through characters. ✨ The decision to write a prequel before continuing the main story. ✨ What readers can expect from the next installment (Core) 👀CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill👤 Britt (Mythic Mic Rep) - @BrittBooksIt📚 Ariel Sullivan – @ArielHSullivan✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where villains get the love story, chaos is part of the charm, and stories dare to prove that sometimes the most dangerous characters are the ones you can’t help but root for.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by fantasy romance author Tiffany Hunt for a wildly fun, laugh-out-loud conversation about her novel, The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating and Other War Crimes. Tiffany shares her journey from teaching high school English to diving headfirst into indie publishing, learning the business of books from the ground up, and navigating everything from rapid release strategies to the ever-evolving world of marketing. She opens up about the realities of writing as both an art and a business—and why finding your audience often means writing the story you actually want to read. We dive into the absolute chaos (and brilliance) of The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating and Other War Crimes, a romantasy that asks one very important question: what happens when a villain decides to skip the courtship and just kidnaps his future wife instead (but then has to date her!)? Tiffany unpacks the hilariously unhinged premise, the balance of humor, spice, and action, and why she wanted to write a villain who doesn’t need redemption and doesn’t want it.🩸 What if the villain never wanted redemption in the first place?🔥 What happens when a heroine refuses to follow the script?⚔️ And can chaos, romance, and ambition somehow coexist in one dangerously addictive (and funny) story?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, fans of morally gray chaos, and anyone who wants a story that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers on every level.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ Tiffany’s journey from teacher to full-time author. ✨ Learning the business side of writing and the reality of marketing as an author. ✨ Finding your audience by writing the book you actually want to read. ✨ The inspiration behind The Dark Lord’s Guide to Dating and Other War Crimes. ✨ Writing a villain who proudly stays the villain and a heroine who refuses to be a damsel in distress. ✨ Building romantic tension through forced proximity and negotiation. ✨ Why authenticity matters more than chasing trends. ✨ What’s next in the trilogy (book two coming soon 👀). CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Tiffany Hunt – @TiffanyHuntRomance✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where power comes with a price, destiny refuses to be simple, and stories dare to ask whether freedom is something you choose or something you have to fight for.This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy author Hope Cole to dive into her epic novel, Daughter of the Void. Hope reflects on a lifelong love of storytelling that began in childhood and how that passion evolved into a career path that wasn’t always linear. From working in veterinary medicine for over a decade to writing health articles and eventually returning to fiction, her journey is a testament to persistence, reinvention, and finding your way back to what you love. We dive into the expansive world of Daughter of the Void, a high fantasy rooted in a unique magic system inspired by theoretical physics, where every tangible thing has an unseen counterpart, and those who can manipulate it wield immense power. Hope unpacks the journey of Raelyn, a heroine caught between destiny and choice, whose greatest desire isn’t power, but freedom.🩸 What does freedom really mean when your fate may already be decided?⚔️ Can power ever truly belong to you—or does it always come with a cost?🔥 And what happens when the line between hero and villain starts to blur?This is a must-listen for high fantasy lovers, romantasy readers, and anyone who craves immersive worlds, layered characters, and stories that make you feel everything at once.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ Transitioning from veterinary medicine to a writing-focused career. ✨ Losing and rediscovering the spark for creative storytelling. ✨ Why community is essential for writers at every stage. ✨ The importance of advocating for your work as an author. ✨ The inspiration behind Daughter of the Void's magic system. ✨ Blending theoretical physics concepts into fantasy worldbuilding. ✨ Creating a world with checks and balances for magic users. ✨ Exploring freedom as a central theme across multiple characters. ✨ Writing a protagonist who makes mistakes and grows from them. ✨ Crafting a sympathetic villain readers might actually root for. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 H.R. Cole – @H.R.Cole_Fantasy_Author✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where magic is forbidden, heroines are far more dangerous than they seem, and stories dare to remind us that softness can be power.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with breakout fantasy author Sasha E. Sloan to celebrate her debut novel, The Ruins Beneath Us. Sasha reflects on her unconventional path to publication—from musical theater and pageantry to building a massive online audience and ultimately landing a publishing deal with Disney. She shares how years of rejection, experimentation, and relentless creativity shaped her journey, and why she believes success is built, piece by piece, with intention and persistence. We dive into the enchanting and dangerous world of The Ruins Beneath Us, a YA fantasy that blends the wonder of classic fairytale worlds with high-stakes tension and emotional depth. Sasha unpacks her vision for the story: a “wonderstruck” fantasy experience inspired by the sweeping magic of 90s classics, where castles loom, forests whisper, and nothing is quite as simple as it seems.At the heart of the story is Lyria—a heroine who challenges the genre itself. Soft, compassionate, and deeply feminine, yet fierce, powerful, and unafraid to fight for what matters. Sasha explores her intentional choice to write a character who embodies both strength and softness, pushing back against the idea that female power must look one specific way.Along the way, we explore Sasha’s philosophy of storytelling: that perfection is the enemy of progress, that creativity requires vulnerability, and that sometimes the most powerful stories come from embracing imperfection and trusting your voice.🩸 What if the most dangerous thing about you is the power you were told to hide?✨ Can softness and strength exist in the same character?🔥 And what happens when a forbidden world begins to feel like home?This is a must-listen for fantasy lovers, aspiring authors, and anyone who believes magic should feel as emotional as it is immersive.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ Sasha’s journey from musical theater and pageantry to published Disney author. ✨ Building a massive audience before publishing and why it mattered. ✨ The unconventional path to landing a Disney publishing deal. ✨ Writing multiple “failed” books before The Ruins Beneath Us. ✨ The inspiration behind the world of The Ruins Beneath Us. ✨ Challenging stereotypes of female strength in fantasy. ✨ Crafting romance and intimacy for a YA audience with intention. ✨ The balance between vulnerability, ambition, and storytelling. ✨ What’s next in the Ruins series and beyond. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Sasha E. Sloan – IG: @sashaesloan and TikTok: @Sashaesloan✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where legends are rewritten, heroines refuse to be tamed, and stories dare to challenge who gets to be the villain.This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy and romance author Jayci Lee to dive into her Realm of Four Kingdoms series, beginning with Nine-Tailed and culminating in the explosive finale, Lightburn. Jayci reflects on her unconventional journey from practicing attorney for 15 years to becoming a full-time author, sharing how burnout ultimately pushed her to pursue the dream she’d held since she was fourteen. She opens up about writing her first book in just two months, balancing motherhood with a demanding career, and the reality that sometimes the only way to make space for your dreams is to fight for them. We dive into the heart of The Realm of Four Kingdoms, a sweeping romantasy rooted in Korean folklore. At its center is a nine-tailed fox spirit, traditionally cast as a villain, reimagined as a powerful, complex heroine. Jayci unpacks her decision to reclaim this narrative, exploring how mythology, culture, and identity shape both the story and the character at its core.🩸 What happens when the villain becomes the hero of her own story?🔥 How do you step into your power when the world fears it?⚔️ And what does it mean to choose love, identity, and purpose in a world that demands sacrifice?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, mythology enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to stories filled with power, emotion, and unapologetic heroines.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ Jayci’s journey from attorney to full-time author. ✨ Balancing motherhood, career, and creative passion. ✨ Fighting imposter syndrome and learning to ignore the inner critic. ✨ Why finishing the book is the most important step for any writer. ✨ The inspiration behind The Realm of Four Kingdoms series. ✨ Reclaiming the nine-tailed fox myth from villain to heroine. ✨ Blending Korean folklore with modern American settings. ✨ Building a dual-world system with gods, mortals, and hidden realms. ✨ Writing a romantasy with equal weight on plot and romance. ✨ Crafting a love triangle with very different dynamics. ✨ Writing emotionally intense, high-stakes finales (Lightburn 👀). ✨ Why readers can expect heartbreak—but ultimately, hope. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jayci Lee – @authorjaycilee and https://www.jaycilee.com/✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where stories don’t just live on the page—they find their readers, build communities, and sometimes, go viral in ways no one expects.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan are joined by Mythic Mic rep Amara for a special resource episode featuring Katelyn Ilkani, the founder of Calli—an innovative platform transforming how authors and influencers connect in the world of book marketing. Katelyn shares how a lifelong love of romance books and a background in tech and marketing led her to build Calli. Calli is a platform designed to solve a problem many readers and authors didn’t even realize they were struggling with: discovery. From the frustration of seeing the same books recommended over and over to recognizing the untapped potential of Bookstagram and BookTok, Calli was born out of a desire to connect the right books with the right audiences in a more meaningful way. We dive into the evolving landscape of book marketing and why influencer marketing isn’t just a trend—it’s becoming the backbone of how books find readers. Katelyn breaks down the concept of “trust transfer,” where influencers lend their credibility to the books they recommend, and explains why this kind of authentic, word-of-mouth marketing outperforms traditional ads.Along the way, we explore what authors are getting wrong about marketing (hint: it’s not just about launch week), how influencers are shaping reader behavior, and why the future of book marketing is rooted in relationships, data, and community-driven discovery.🩸 Why are so many great books still getting lost in the algorithm?📚 What makes readers actually trust a recommendation enough to buy?🔥 And how can authors build momentum that lasts beyond a single launch?This is a must-listen for authors, influencers, and anyone curious about how books actually succeed in today’s digital landscape.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ The origin story behind Calli and the problem it set out to solve. ✨ How influencer marketing works and why it’s so powerful. ✨ The concept of “trust transfer” and why it beats traditional ads. ✨ What authors are getting wrong about marketing (and how to fix it). ✨ Why marketing should be an ongoing strategy, not just a launch event. ✨ The broken state of data in book marketing and what that means for authors. ✨ How Calli creates a safe, structured ecosystem for author–influencer collaborations. ✨ What deliverables authors can expect from influencer partnerships. ✨ How influencers and authors build long-term relationships through campaigns. ✨ The rise of street teams and how Calli is reinventing them (new features coming soon!). ✨ Upcoming features like “Stacks” and curated reader discovery tools. ✨ Where book marketing is headed in the next few years. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Calli – @Meet.Calli and https://meetcalli.com/✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where bargains come with consequences, magic is as dangerous as it is seductive, and stories dare to ask what you’re willing to trade for power.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling author Sasha Peyton Smith, the mind behind The Rose Bargain and its highly anticipated sequel The Thorn Queen. Sasha reflects on her unexpected path to authorship—from studying science and public health to discovering storytelling in her early twenties—and what it took to finally give herself permission to pursue writing. She shares how stubbornness, vulnerability, and a willingness to start before feeling “ready” ultimately shaped her career.We also dive into the lush, dangerous world of The Rose Bargain, a story built on glittering deals, layered ambition, and the irresistible pull of power. Sasha unpacks the heart of the series and how writing for joy, rather than the market, transformed her storytelling.🩸 What are you willing to trade to get everything you’ve ever wanted?🌹 When ambition and desire collide, who do you become?⚔️ And what happens when the most dangerous deals are the ones you choose?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, aspiring authors, and anyone who believes magic should be as indulgent as it is dangerous.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ Sasha’s journey from science and public health to becoming a bestselling fantasy author. ✨ Why it took time to give herself permission to pursue writing. ✨ The role of stubbornness in finishing a first book. ✨ Navigating rejection and being dropped by a publisher. ✨ How Sasha created The Rose Bargain, including the first spark. ✨ Writing for joy instead of chasing market trends. ✨ Why readers can expect from The Thorn Queen. ✨ The evolution from debut author to building a larger fantasy universe. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Sasha Peyton Smith – @SashaPeytonSmith✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where memory is a fragile thing, magic is earned, and stories dare to ask what happens when you’re thrown into the fire with no idea how you got there.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with powerhouse fantasy author Rachel Vincent to dive into her newest release, The Alchemary. With over two decades in publishing, Rachel brings sharp insight, honesty, and a no-nonsense perspective on writing, craft, and the realities of building a long-term career in the industry. Rachel reflects on a lifetime of storytelling, from writing her first story at five years old to becoming both a bestselling author and a professor of writing. She shares what it really means to pursue writing as a career and the constant evolution required to stay in the game.We also dive into the high-stakes world of The Alchemary, where a young woman named Amber wakes up with no memory and is immediately thrown into deadly final exams at an elite alchemy academy. Rachel unpacks the terrifying brilliance of a system where knowledge is power, failure has consequences, and magic isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you have to earn.🩸 What happens when your past holds the key to your survival—but you can’t remember it?⚗️ How do you prove your worth in a world where failure could kill you?🔥 And what does it take to keep going when the industry keeps changing beneath your feet?This is a must-listen for fantasy lovers, aspiring authors, and anyone who wants an unfiltered look at both the magic and the reality of publishing.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT✨ What it really means to build a long-term career in publishing. ✨ Why writing is both an art and a business, and how to navigate both. ✨ Common mistakes new writers make (and how to avoid them). ✨ The constantly evolving nature of the publishing industry. ✨ The inspiration behind The Alchemary and its high-stakes premise. ✨ Building a magic system rooted in science, discipline, and structure. ✨ Creating deadly trials that test both knowledge and survival. ✨ Writing tension through stakes, mystery, and character uncertainty. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Rachel Vincent – @rachelkvincent✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where magic feels like a warm cup of tea, stories wrap around you like a blanket, and sometimes the smallest moments are the ones that save your heart.This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with beloved cozy fantasy author Sarah Beth Durst, the brilliant mind behind The Spellshop and The Enchanted Greenhouse. Sarah is joyful, insightful, and deeply passionate about storytelling, and we dive into the quiet power of cozy fantasy.Sarah reflects on a lifelong love of books that quite literally shaped her identity, sharing how she went from a child hauling stacks of library books home to a writer who sees storytelling as essential as food, water, and shelter. She opens up about writing from joy rather than pressure, the importance of stubbornness over talent, and why the act of writing itself is the most magical part of all. We also dive into the heart of The Spellshop, a cozy fantasy built on comfort, community, and a sentient spider plant who has stolen readers’ hearts. Sarah shares how the story began not with plot, but with a feeling — a desire to create a book that feels like a hug — and how that intention shaped every element of the world, from its gentle pacing to its sensory-rich details.Along the way, we explore Sarah’s philosophy of storytelling: that books should heal, that joy is a powerful creative force, and that cozy fantasy is not about lowering stakes, but about shifting them inward. Instead of saving the world, her stories focus on saving hearts, and in doing so, they offer readers something just as powerful.🩸 What if the most important story isn’t about saving the world, but saving yourself?🌿 Can a quiet, gentle story still carry emotional weight?☕ And what does it mean to create a world where readers can finally rest?This is a must-listen for cozy fantasy lovers, aspiring authors, and anyone who believes stories should comfort as much as they captivate.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Why writing is driven by joy, not just discipline or talent. ✨ The role of stubbornness and consistency in building a writing career. ✨ How cozy fantasy emerged during a time when readers needed comfort most. ✨ The inspiration behind The Spellshop and writing stories that feel like a hug. ✨ Creating Kaz, the iconic sentient spider plant readers adore. ✨ The difference between cozy fantasy and epic fantasy pacing. ✨ The importance of sensory details in creating immersive, comforting worlds. ✨ Worldbuilding through “vibes” while still maintaining structure and rules. ✨ Expanding the Spellshop world with The Enchanted Greenhouse. CONNECT WITH US:🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Sarah Beth Durst – @sarahbethdurst✨ If this episode felt like a warm hug, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where fire bends to fury, power is forged in defiance, and women refuse to be ruled.This week, host Bethany Amanda and bookish influencer @IsidoraReads sit down with Sunday Times bestselling author Hazel McBride to celebrate her explosive debut, A Fate Forged in Fire. Hazel is bold, unfiltered, and fiercely intentional in her storytelling, and this conversation moves between confidence, worldbuilding, and the unapologetic power of female rage.Hazel reflects on her unconventional journey from working as a zookeeper and vet assistant to becoming a traditionally published fantasy author discovered through TikTok. She shares how writing was always a passion rather than a plan, what it took to step into traditional publishing, and why confidence was the foundation of her success. We also dive into the blazing heart of A Fate Forged in Fire, a matriarchal fantasy filled with dragons, political upheaval, and a heroine who embodies everything women are told not to be. Hazel unpacks the story of Aemyra, a hidden heir raised to reclaim her throne, whose carefully laid plans unravel when she collides with a rival dragon rider and a world far more complicated than she expected.🩸 What happens when power is your birthright but the world refuses to hand it over?🔥 Can rage be both destructive and liberating?⚔️ And what does a world ruled by women actually look like?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, dragon enthusiasts, and anyone craving stories that burn as fiercely as they inspire.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Growing up in Scotland and writing stories inspired by worlds like Narnia.✨ Transitioning from animal care to full-time author life. ✨ Being discovered by an agent through TikTok and landing a book deal. ✨ Why confidence, not credentials, made Hazel believe she could succeed. ✨ The realities of self-publishing vs. traditional publishing. ✨ Building a matriarchal fantasy world inspired by real animal hierarchies. ✨ Exploring themes of female rage, body autonomy, and systemic oppression. ✨ Writing morally complex, unapologetic female protagonists. And more! CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Isidora – @IsidoraReads📚 Hazel McBride – @hazelmcbrideauthor✨ If this episode left you ready to burn kingdoms and claim your crown, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where fate is written in blood, love burns through impossible trials, and stories remind us that even in the darkest worlds, hope can still rise.  This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with romantasy sensation Sophia St. Germain, the author behind the viral Compelling Fates saga beginning with A Tongue So Sweet and Deadly. Sophia is warm, candid, and refreshingly honest about the realities of modern publishing, and this conversation moves between craft, career, community, and the emotional heart of storytelling with the depth Mythic Mic listeners live for.Sophia reflects on her journey from a childhood filled with fairy tales and imaginative diary entries in Sweden to building a thriving indie career and transitioning into hybrid publishing after her series exploded in popularity online. She shares what it was like to go from just a handful of preorders to thousands, to take a book viral through a single powerful scene, and to receive a life-changing traditional publishing offer while in the hospital about to give birth.We dive into the world of Compelling Fates, a sweeping romantasy following a half-fae spy bound by blood oath and forced into deadly political trials. Sophia unpacks the emotional core of our main character's journey — the struggle to belong, to claim your voice, and to stand for something larger than yourself in a world that isn’t built to protect you. We also explore the layered dynamics between the characters, and the delicate balance between loyalty, identity, and power.🩸 What does it mean to be bound by blood and still choose your own destiny?🕯️ How do you find your voice in a world that tells you to stay silent?⚔️ And what does it take to rise into power when you were never meant to have it?This is a must-listen for romantasy lovers, indie authors, and anyone chasing a creative dream while navigating the realities of building a career.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Growing up in Sweden surrounded by stories and starting to write as a child.✨ Balancing motherhood, writing, and the demands of social media. ✨ The steep learning curve of indie publishing and finding your brand. ✨ The viral moment that launched Compelling Fates into thousands of readers. ✨ Transitioning from indie to hybrid publishing with Kensington. ✨ Building a multi-series shared fantasy universe with crossover characters. ✨ The core themes of Compelling Fates: belonging, identity, and self-acceptance. ✨ Treating writing as both an art and a business. ✨ Staying authentic online and finding joy in the creative process. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Sophia St. Germain – @sophiastgermain_author✨ If this episode left you spellbound, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where history bleeds into magic, silence can be a form of power, and stories dare you to think as much as they make you feel.  This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling, genre-defying author Ava Reid to celebrate the release of her most ambitious novel yet, Innamorata. Ava is as candid, razor-sharp, and intellectually electric as her books, and this conversation moves between craft, career, controversy, and the philosophy of art with the kind of depth Mythic Mic listeners live for.Ava reflects on her evolution from a fanfiction writer on the early internet to a seasoned author who has weathered public backlash, editorial upheaval, and the emotional whiplash of publishing during COVID. She speaks about what it’s like to survive a deeply contentious book, rebuild her career on her own terms, and develop the “terrier-like” determination that keeps her going.We dive into the beating heart of Innamorata, a gothic, grimdark fantasy set on a conquered island where necromantic traditions have been buried but not forgotten. Ava unpacks the fraught, toxic, and mesmerizing relationship between cousins Agnes and Marozia, the Renaissance revenge epic that inspired the book, and the psychological complexity of selective mutism as both trauma response and source of power.Along the way, we explore Ava’s larger philosophy of storytelling: that art’s only obligation is to make people feel strongly and think interestingly. She challenges the trope-driven, trend-chasing pace of modern publishing, lamenting compressed editing timelines and “amusement park ride” books that vanish from the mind the moment you close them.🩸 What does freedom really mean when your past refuses to release you?🕯️ Can silence be both weapon and refuge?⚔️ And what happens when a gothic story centers two women instead of isolating one?This is a must-listen for dark fantasy lovers, aspiring authors, and anyone who believes books should linger long after the last page.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Growing up writing fanfiction on the early internet. ✨ How Ava’s writing routine shifts between drafting, editing, and “admin life”.✨ Debuting during COVID, and what that meant for her confidence, jadedness, and learning to survive edit letters. ✨ The fallout of Juniper & Thorn and how it reshaped her career. ✨ Dropping an agent, pivoting to YA, and reclaiming creative agency. ✨ Why comparison and jealousy will “rot your soul” in publishing. ✨ Reading widely as the foundation for building a distinct authorial voice. ✨ Ava’s central thematic question across her work: What is freedom?✨ The origins of Innamorata: Renaissance revenge epics, matriarchal houses, and selective mutism. ✨ Why Innamorata is Ava’s most ambitious and best book to date. ✨ Why fantasy can — and should — be studied like “the classics”. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Ava Reid – @avasreid✨ If this episode left you in awe, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where winter bites, monsters are made by fear, and the stories we tell about ourselves can become the truths we live by. In this episode, host Bethany Amanda sits down with indie fantasy author Isabella Stofka to dive into her chilling, atmospheric romantasy The Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death. Equal parts frosted fairytale and Greek myth–infused epic, this is the kind of winter story that creeps under your skin, makes you question who the “real” monsters are, and lingers long after the last page.Isabella opens up about her winding path to writing, from moving across the world to Okinawa to falling in love with fantasy through The Lunar Chronicles, Percy Jackson, and Once Upon a Time. She speaks candidly about being a “disorganized perfectionist,” battling burnout, and building a healthier writing routine after an intense year of back-to-back releases.We explore the heart of The Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death, a story told by three main characters: Wynter, a feared immortal born from a frozen river; Kieran, a mortal rebel whose hatred turns into something far more complicated; and Niav, an exiled assassin whose loyalty and vengeance simmer just beneath the surface. Isabella unpacks how Greek mythology, personal experience, and the haunting sensation of an ice bath shaped Wynter’s origin, and why being called “the Ice Queen” became the spark for an entire series.🧊 What makes someone a monster: their actions, or how others see them?💀 Can fear turn someone into exactly what others believe them to be?🗡️ And what happens when enemies begin to see each other clearly?This is a must-listen for lovers of winter romantasy, Greek myth–tinged fantasy, and anyone curious about the realities of indie publishing.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Books and television series that shaped Isabella as a fantasy reader and writer. ✨ Being a “disorganized perfectionist” and finding a sustainable writing routine.✨ Publishing two books in one year and recovering from burnout.✨ The realities of indie publishing: street teams, marketing, and decision fatigue.✨ Why Isabella chose indie over traditional publishing, and why she doesn’t regret it. ✨ The basis forThe Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death and what inspired this story. ✨ Perception vs. reality and how it shapes heroes, villains, and everyone in between. 🐦 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📦 Isabella Stofka – @Isabellastofka_author✨ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating & review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors discover The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where ancient magic lingers in starlight, dying worlds demand sacrifice, and epic quests are forged from heartbreak, hope, and destiny.  This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with debut author Venetia Constantine to discuss her breathtaking epic fantasy The Last Starborn Seer. Lush, expansive, and deeply emotional, this conversation pulls back the veil on a story that feels at once mythic, intimate, and utterly unforgettable.Venetia takes us through her long, winding path to publication — from growing up in London, falling in love with fantasy as a child, and studying art history, to returning to storytelling later in life as a mother of three. She speaks candidly about imposter syndrome, the persistence required to bring a debut into the world, and the humbling reality of how many people work behind the scenes to bring a book to life.We also dive into the deeply personal origins of The Last Starborn Seer — a world that has lived in Venetia’s imagination since childhood, and a story that ultimately crystallized during one of the darkest moments of her life. Venetia shares how trauma shaped her creative process, how fantasy became a refuge, and how themes of healing, self-acceptance, and environmental collapse came to define her epic tale.And of course, we sink into the dazzling world of Arcelia: a dying realm of  feuding kingdoms, cursed elemental magic, and a heroine burdened with dangerous prophetic power. We explore Leilani Stellarion — shunned princess, reluctant seer, and deeply human heart of the story — alongside Astrophel, her rival and reluctant betrothed, whose perspective reshaped the entire book.🌌 What does it mean to bear the future when it is slowly destroying you?✨ Can a broken world be saved without breaking the people who love it?⚔️ And how do you reconcile wonder and beauty with a society built on darkness?This episode is a must-listen for lovers of immersive, Tolkien-esque epic fantasy, readers who crave lyrical prose and emotional stakes, and aspiring authors dreaming of bringing their own lifelong worlds to the page.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Writing while raising three children and how to carve out time in your busy schedule.✨ Imposter syndrome and why it never truly goes away, even after publication.✨ Why community and support are essential for writers.✨ The beauty and terror of readers finally meeting your book. ✨ Practical querying advice, including agent one-on-ones and Manuscript Academy. ✨ The origins of Arcelia — a world that has lived in Venetia's mind since childhood✨ How a traumatic real-world event catalyzed the writing of this book. ✨ Fantasy as refuge, healing, and meaning-making. ✨ Leilani’s arc from sheltered, self-loathing princess to a heroine forced to confront truth. ✨ Why adding Astrophel’s POV transformed the novel. ✨ Balancing whimsy and darkness in a dying world. ✨ What The Last Starborn Seer represents to Venetia personally. ✨ Hints about Book Two and the true origins of “The Sickening”. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Venetia Constantine – @venetiaconstantine✨ If this episode left you in awe, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where darkness can be healing, stories are forged through survival, and determination turns wounds into wings.  This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with indie fantasy author, mentor, and writing-community pillar Kara M. Zone, author of Ashes Fall at Dawn. This conversation is raw, real, and deeply inspiring with equal parts craft talk, career truth, and mental health advocacy.Kara takes us through her long, nonlinear journey to authorship from writing dark stories as a child (yes, including a second-grade tale about Bambi’s death) to years of self-doubt, trauma, and survival, to finally waking up in her late twenties with characters who would not leave her alone until she wrote them down. She speaks candidly about neurodivergence, therapy, and how mental health has shaped not only her life but the DNA of her stories.We dive into the gritty realities of the indie path: ghostwriting under exploitative conditions, learning the hard way about marketing, losing money with a hybrid publisher, and ultimately choosing to take full creative control over her career. Kara is honest about what worked, what didn’t, and why resilience — not perfection — is what actually builds a sustainable writing life.We also sink into the world of Ashes Fall at Dawn and the larger series she’s building: a prophecy-driven, found-family epic full of magical bonds, morally complex villains, hedge mazes, hidden libraries, explosive power, and characters who refuse to be easy or tidy.🖤 What happens when darkness becomes the very thing that teaches you how to survive?🔥 How do you build confidence after years of being told you weren’t enough?✨ And what does it really mean to choose the indie path on your own terms?This episode is a must-listen for aspiring authors, indie writers, and readers who love messy, powerful, deeply human fantasy.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Kara’s early writing roots — from dark childhood stories to years of creative silence and how growing up in a traumatic environment shaped her art. ✨ CPTSD, neurodivergence, and why mental health representation is central to her work. ✨ Why she ultimately chose indie publishing, including a focus on control, timing, and creative ownership. ✨ Why traditional publishing isn’t the “golden ticket” many people think it is. ✨ How Kara built visibility through Instagram and indie community. ✨ The origin of Ashes Fall at Dawn and how it originally started as “book two”. ✨ The long revision process for Cinders Burn at Midnight before it became book one. ✨ Book Two’s intense, high-stakes weekend structure — gaslighting, stealth, and escape. ✨ Kara’s vision for the series: four interconnected trilogies about hope and growth✨ Why “failure” doesn’t exist — only pivots and persistence. ✨ Advice for aspiring authors, including start now, keep going, and call yourself a writer. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Kara M. Zone – @karamzone_writes✨ If this episode left you in awe, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where craft meets magic, love stories are built with intention, and the stories you dream of writing finally start to take shape. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling author, YouTuber, and writing expert Jenna Moreci to break down one of the most requested topics we’ve ever had on the show: how to actually write a romantasy.Jenna joins us to celebrate her craft guide How to Write Romantasy, a powerhouse resource designed to help writers structure compelling love stories in fantastical worlds—from characters and plot to spice, pacing, and emotional payoff. In this episode, Jenna shares her journey from writing romantasy long before the genre even had a name to becoming one of its leading voices. She talks about the moment a major publisher reached out to her to write this book (which she almost deleted as spam), her lifelong love of fantasy romance, and why romantasy has always been what readers wanted, even before the industry caught up.We dive deep into the rules of romantasy, what separates fantasy romance from romantic fantasy, and why so many writers accidentally write a fantasy with a romantic subplot instead of a true romantasy. Jenna walks us through her step-by-step structure for romantasy storytelling, including meet-cutes, inciting incidents, dark nights of the soul, and the concept that changed our brains: the intimacy destination. Along the way, we get candid about over-saturation fears, the pressure to include spice, the truth about trope trends, and how to build a world that supports your romance instead of overshadowing it. ✨ What makes a romantasy story actually work?💔 How do you keep romantic tension alive across an entire series?🔥 And how do you write spice that’s intentional, varied, and emotionally meaningful?Whether you’re drafting your first romantasy, revising your current manuscript, or just want to understand why your favorite books hit so hard, this episode is a masterclass in both craft and confidence.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Jenna’s journey from lifelong romantasy fan to bestselling author and craft expert.  ✨ What romantasy actually is and why it has exploded in popularity. ✨ Why the genre is not “oversaturated” and why there’s room for every author’s voice. ✨ The core rules of romantasy. ✨ How to tell if your book is romantasy or just a fantasy with a romantic subplot✨ The essential romantasy story structure, from meet-cute to climax to resolution.✨ The concept of an intimacy destination and how it keeps readers hooked across a series. ✨ How to build a fantasy world that supports your romance without falling into worldbuilder’s disease. ✨ Tropes Jenna loves (forbidden love!) and ones she hopes evolve (enemies-to-lovers done right). ✨ How to approach spice, from clean to smut, and why you should only write what fits you and your audience. ✨ What makes a spice scene memorable vs repetitive (yes, we went there). ✨ Why variety, emotional purpose, and character growth matter more than explicitness. 🐦 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jenna Moreci – @JennaMoreci✨ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating & review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors discover The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where magic is born from rage and resilience, power is written in blood and choice, and stories dare you to feel everything at once.  This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with rising romantasy author Jaclyn Rodriguez to celebrate her breakout debut, A Vow in Vengeance, which delivers deadly bargains, tarot magic, forced proximity, and one of the most addictive enemies-to-lovers dynamics we’ve read this year. Jaclyn brings the perfect blend of warmth, humor, and honesty to this conversation as she shares her journey from relentless querying and 100+ rejections to landing her debut in a whirlwind auction. She opens up about the delusion, determination, and deep love of story that carried her through the hardest parts of publishing, and why perseverance is the single most important trait an author can have.We dive deep into the world of A Vow in Vengeance: a brutal selection process that sends mortals into an immortal realm, a heroine fueled by grief and fury, and a prince who is just as dangerous as he is compelling. Jaclyn unpacks the tarot-based magic system, the layered power hierarchies, and the central thematic tension between vengeance and justice that defines Rune’s emotional arc.Along the way, we explore the kind of main character we don’t see enough of—a furious, unyielding FMC who is willing to burn everything down to get what she deserves—and the MMC who meets her fire with strategy, sarcasm, and just enough vulnerability to make it hurt.🔥 What does it mean to want vengeance instead of justice?🗡️ How do power, trauma, and rage shape the choices we make?🃏 And what happens when two people bound by necessity become each other’s greatest weapon—and greatest risk?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, aspiring authors navigating the querying trenches, and anyone who loves morally complex characters, magical systems with bite, and stories that refuse to play it safe.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Jaclyn’s path to publication, including writing 10 books and facing 100+ rejections before her debut.  ✨ How perseverance, “delusion,” and support systems helped her push through imposter syndrome. ✨ he premise of A Vow in Vengeance: a deadly selection, an immortal realm, and a heroine who will burn the world down for her family. ✨ The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Rue and Prince Draven—and why forced proximity makes it even more explosive. ✨ The tarot-based magic system, power hierarchies, and symbolism behind “The World” card. ✨ The thematic core of vengeance vs. justice and how Rune’s perspective evolves across the story. ✨ Writing an unapologetically angry female main character—and why spite queens are unforgettable. ✨ How Draven unexpectedly took over the book and reshaped the story during drafting.✨ Why Jaclyn wants her books to be readers’ comfort worlds—even when they’re dark, violent, and emotionally intense. ✨ What we can expect from Book 2, including higher stakes, bigger twists, and a completed duology arc. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jaclyn Rodriguez – @JaclynRodriguezAuthor✨ If this episode inspired you, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where art becomes story, imagination becomes world, and creativity is as much about community as it is about craft.  This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with artist-turned-author Riley S. Quinn to talk about her stunning self-published romantasy Gold & Gossamer. This is a conversation about visual storytelling, creative obsession, and what happens when a single animation accidentally blooms into an entire epic fantasy world.Riley pulls back the curtain on how her background in film, animation, and storyboarding shaped her prose, her pacing, and the cinematic feel of her writing. We explore the beautiful, porous boundary between art and story, including how some scenes had to be drawn before they could be written, and how switching between mediums kept her creative energy alive over two years of drafting.We dive into the heart of Gold & Gossamer: a mage king trying desperately to appear infallible, a terrifyingly powerful fairy queen who refuses to conform, and a star-crossed dynamic built on yearning, vulnerability, and self-discovery. Riley unpacks the symbolism behind her title — why gold and gossamer perfectly mirror her leads — and how the book is as much about self-love as it is about romance.We also get refreshingly honest about self-publishing: why Riley chose it, how she designs her own covers, why affordability matters to her, and what it’s really like building a story in public with a deeply engaged community watching every step.🌿 What happens when a fairy queen and a human king are forced into an impossible alliance?✨ How can art literally shape a story into existence?💛 And what does it mean to be loved most deeply when you are your truest self?This episode is a must-listen for romantasy readers, aspiring authors, artists who dream in story, and anyone obsessed with beautiful worlds born from pure imagination.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ How art came first for Riley and how her story followed. ✨ The accidental birth of Gold & Gossamer from two TikTok animations. ✨ Why Riley loves self-publishing, including creative control, pricing, and design. ✨ The symbolism of gold (strong, but secretly soft) and gossamer (delicate, but unbreakable) and how that fits into her book. ✨ Why the book is ultimately about self-love more than romance. ✨ Why endings should be hopeful, not cruel. ✨ Building a story alongside her online community. ✨ Marketing by worldbuilding, not sales tactics. ✨ Plans for a sequel and possibly special editions and art prints. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Riley S. Quinn – @RileyQuinnArt✨ If you were inspired by this episode, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where grief meets magic, winter holds its breath, and love asks you to be brave even when it will break you.  This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with New York Times Bestselling author Rachel Griffin to talk about her deeply moving novel, The Sun and the Starmaker. Equal parts luminous and devastating, this conversation weaves together craft, personal resilience, and the kind of love that lingers long after the last page.Rachel takes us from her winding path into writing — from a career in diagnostic ultrasound to rediscovering her voice late at night on an old laptop — to the realities of querying, submission, rejection, and eventual success with The Nature of Witches. She offers honest insight into what persistence really looks like, why “no” is rarely forever, and how working on the next book saved her during long seasons of uncertainty.We also dive into one of the most powerful parts of Rachel’s story: surviving a traumatic brain injury, navigating an often-dismissive medical system, and ultimately finding life-changing treatment. Rachel shares how her recovery reshaped her relationship with storytelling, how The Sun and the Starmaker quite literally helped her relearn how to write, and why she’s now a passionate advocate for concussion research — including donating $1 from every preorder to the Concussion Research Laboratory.And of course, we sink into the icy, whimsical world of The Sun and the Starmaker: a land beyond the reach of sunlight, a weary immortal sorcerer who pulls the sun across the sky, and a love story that asks whether loving someone is worth the inevitable heartbreak.🌙 What does it mean to love fully when you know loss is inevitable?❄️ How can winter be both cruel and strangely tender?✨ And what happens when a book becomes not just a story but a lifeline?This episode is a must-listen for readers who love wintry fairy tales, aspiring authors chasing their own publishing dreams, and anyone who believes stories can heal.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨Rachel’s journey from healthcare to writing and why she returned to storytelling.✨ Querying for over a year and why slow success can still be the right success. ✨ Why your first book doesn’t have to be “the one”. ✨ Surviving a traumatic brain injury and Rachel's advocacy for concussion awareness and better treatment. ✨ How The Sun and the Starmaker became part of Rachel's recovery. ✨ Aurora, the stubborn mortal beyond the sunlight, and her enchanted icebound world. ✨ Why loving someone — knowing you may lose them — is the ultimate act of bravery. ✨ What Rachel is working on next and why it’s a big departure from her prior works. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Rachel Griffin – @timesnewRachel✨ Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review — it helps more fantasy and romantasy readers find The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where epic quests begin childhood notebooks, gods get their love stories, and indie fantasy builds worlds without limits. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan are joined by indie fantasy author Beck Michaels, creator of the sprawling Guardians of the Maiden series and the god-centered romantasy prequels King’s Bride and King’s Kiss. From writing toucan reunion stories in elementary school to building multi-series fantasy lore inspired by forests, rain, and classic epic fantasy, Beck shares the deeply personal creative roots behind her worlds.We dive into her journey from teenage notebook drafts to indie publishing success, why she chose creative control over the traditional path, and how her stories expanded from a quest-driven found-family epic into darker, adult fairy-tale romances centered on gods, monsters, and mythic love. Beck also takes us behind the scenes of indie special editions, painted edges, and character covers, and explains how experimentation helped her stand out early in the indie space.We also talk about writing outside your comfort zone, discovering themes after the story is written, and why some of her most powerful character moments come straight from real-life lines spoken by her husband.🗺️ What happens when a teenage fantasy draft refuses to stay unfinished?🦢 How do epic quests and godly romances grow from the same world?🖤 And why do dark gods deserve their happy endings too?This episode is a must-listen for epic fantasy readers, romantasy lovers, and indie authors building worlds of their own.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Beck’s early writing roots from elementary school storybooks to high school epic fantasy drafts. ✨ How Lord of the Rings, fairy lore, and nature shaped the Guardians world. ✨ Pausing writing to raise a family and returning years later to finish the story. ✨ Choosing indie publishing to keep creative control over story, covers, and direction. ✨ The massive learning curve behind indie publishing success. ✨ The Guardians of the Maiden series — epic quest fantasy, found family, magical relics, and shadow demons. ✨ Expanding the same world into adult god-centered romantasy with King’s Bride and King’s Kiss. ✨ Rune, the god of shadows, and why villains need love stories too. ✨ Building special editions as an indie author, including painted edges, boxes, merch, and production challenges. ✨ Real-life inspiration — how her husband’s words become romantic dialogue✨ Writing themes that appear subconsciously, including forgiveness, self-acceptance, loving the “monstrous” parts. ✨ Advice for aspiring writers. 🐦 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📦 Guest: Beck Michaels – @Beck_Michaels✨ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating & review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors discover The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where beauty and brutality coexist, trauma is treated with reverence, and fantasy becomes a language for healing.  This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with Louve-CH, author of the hauntingly lyrical romantasy Awakening of the Starborne. This conversation explores what it means to write through pain, to build worlds that can hold broken things, and to trust your voice even when it scares you.Louve takes us inside the emotional origin of Awakening of the Starborn, including how big, unmanageable feelings and a season of personal upheaval became the catalyst for a story steeped in trauma, resilience, and transformation. We talk heroines shaped differently by the same wounds, the power of lyrical prose to hold contradiction, and why she intentionally refused non-linear flashbacks in favor of a grounded, linear journey.We dive deep into Savae’s arc: a feral, stubborn, trauma-forged heroine navigating deadly trials, an elite war university, dragons, and a world that is at once breathtakingly beautiful and relentlessly dangerous. Louve unpacks how healing shows up on the page — not as instant transformation, but as repetition, backsliding, and slow, hard-won growth.We also get candid about the realities of indie publishing: seven months of editing, rewriting an entire 196,000-word book into present-tense lyrical prose, the sting of negative reviews for experimental writing styles, and the joy of a street team that feels like found family. This is a conversation about craft, courage, and the radical act of writing the book only you could write.🐺 What happens when a “wolf-raised” inner child finds her way into epic fantasy?✨ How can lyrical prose carry both beauty and devastation at once?🔥 And what does real, messy healing look like when dragons are involved?This episode is a must-listen for readers who love emotionally rich fantasy, aspiring authors wrestling with doubt, and anyone who believes stories can be both ferocious and tender.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Writing through grief, overwhelm, and “big emotions” — and why channeling them into art saved Louve. ✨ The idea of women being shaped differently by the same trauma. ✨ Choosing lyrical prose to hold contradiction, emotion, and atmosphere. ✨ Switching an entire debut novel from first-person past to present tense for immediacy. ✨ Savae as a feral, stubborn, deeply wounded heroine — and why that matters. ✨ Deadly trials, an elite war university, dragons, and the cutthroat worldbuilding of Awakening of the Starborne. ✨ First-person POV as a tool for intentional confusion, immersion, and emotional impact. ✨ Facing criticism of lyrical styles (à la When the Moon Hatched) and choosing her audience anyway. ✨ Writing for her inner child — and for readers who have lived through trauma. ✨ Letting characters (especially Savae) derail the plot — and writing around them. ✨ The secret subplots that will span the trilogy and a future prequel series. ✨ Why debut authors should take their time: “You only publish your debut once.”✨ Comparison, bad reviews, and why you must know who you’re writing for.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Louve-CH – @uniqueradiance✨ Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review — it helps more fantasy and romantasy readers find The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where great books deserve great reach, author dreams meet real-world marketing, and bookish community is built on purpose. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with Rachel Skye, founder of The Nerd Fam — a reader-first book marketing and outreach company connecting authors with the audiences who are most excited to discover them. If you’ve ever wondered how ARC campaigns, reader lists, influencer boxes, and PR outreach actually work behind the scenes, this episode pulls back the curtain.Rachel shares how Nerd Fam grew from BookTok roots into a values-driven author marketing hub, why she focuses on community fit over vanity metrics, and how thoughtful reader matching creates stronger long-term results than flashy one-day buzz. We talk about realistic expectations for review rates, the truth about reach vs. virality, and why gorgeous PR boxes are not always the right first step for a debut author.We also dig into ethical marketing practices, reader privacy, AI concerns in author promotion, and what success really looks like beyond bestseller lists and social media hype.📦 Are PR boxes the best move — or the last move — in an author marketing plan?📊 Why are review expectations so often misunderstood?🎯 And what actually gives authors the highest return on their marketing investment?This episode is essential listening for indie authors, debut writers, and anyone trying to understand how modern book marketing really works.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ How The Nerd Fam started and the gap Rachel saw between indie and traditionally published author support. ✨ What Nerd Fam actually does (and doesn’t do) in the book marketing space. ✨ “Bookish Santa” vs bookish matchmaker — connecting the right books with the right readers. ✨ Building a values-aligned reader community and why cultural fit matters. ✨ AI use in promotion and why Nerd Fam screens for it. ✨ Reader signups, campaigns, and how authors and readers get matched. ✨ What expectations Nerd Fam has for readers and why honesty matters more than hype. ✨ ARC campaigns vs influencer mailings vs PR boxes and when each makes sense. ✨ Why debut authors should focus on review foundations before luxury campaigns. ✨ Vanity metrics vs real success and what actually sustains an author career. ✨ Setting realistic marketing expectations and playing the long game. 🐦 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📦 Guest: The Nerd Fam – @thenerdfam✨ Love these behind-the-scenes publishing conversations? Leave a rating & review — it helps more authors and readers find The Mythic Mic.

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where power is forged in fire, gods are never what they seem, and love can burn as brightly as it saves.  This week, host Sara Santillan is joined by our returning Quicksilver influencer, Jan from @JanBookShelf for a full-spoiler deep dive into Brimstone, the explosive second installment in Callie Hart’s Quicksilver series. If you’ve read Brimstone, buckle in — and if you haven’t, proceed with caution, because we go all the way into the rot, the gods, the fire sprites, and that jaw-dropping ending.Together, Sara and her guest unpack Saeris's transformation from street survivor to Queen of the Blood Court, the evolution of her bond with Kingfisher, and what it truly means to wield power in a world that is literally unraveling. They explore how Saeris's identity as half-fey, half-vampire reshapes not only her sense of self but the political landscape around her, and how her choices are already rippling toward an inevitable war.We dive deep into the nature of the rot, the devastating truth behind brimstone, and the ethical nightmare of what it may cost to stop the decay consuming the realm. They debate whether the rot is divine, magical, or something even more sinister, and what that means for book three.You’ll also hear a heartfelt exploration of Saeris's relationships — her fierce devotion to family, her found family, and her unforgettable bond with Kingfisher. From dream-walking to desperate rescues, Sara and Jan reflect on how their love for the series has deepened, grown, and been tested in ways that feel both epic and intimate.Of course, no Brimstone deep dive would be complete without celebrating Carrion and Onyx — the chaos duo we didn’t know we needed. The pair break down why Carrion’s role feels less like a love triangle and more like a vital, platonic alliance, and why his future could be pivotal to the war ahead.Finally, they wrestle with the gods and the haunting question of who is really pulling the strings in this world. Is anyone truly trustworthy? And what will Saeris have to become to survive what’s coming?🩸 What does it truly mean to rule a kingdom built on blood and fire?🔥 How far is too far when the world itself is rotting?👑 And what will Saeris sacrifice to become the queen she is destined to be?This is a must-listen for Quicksilver fans, dark romantasy lovers, and anyone obsessed with morally complex heroines and world-shaking stakes.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Saeris's evolution from Quicksilver to Brimstone. ✨ Power, identity, and the cost of leadership. ✨ The nature of the rot and the truth of brimstone. ✨ The fire sprites and the moral stakes of magic. ✨ Saeris's and Kingfisher’s bond, and what that means for fate, love, and sacrifice.✨ Carrion, Onyx, and the power of platonic loyalty. ✨ Predictions and theories for Book 3. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Jan – @janbookshelf✨ Loved this deep dive? Leave us a rating and review — it helps more fantasy and romantasy readers find The Mythic Mic.