The Mythic Mic Podcast

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where dragons aren't heroes, kingdoms rise from ashes, and the greatest bond can begin with hatred.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by co-hosts Amara and Britt for an epic conversation with bestselling fantasy author S.M. Gaither about her newest romantasy trilogy, Ashwalker.Stephanie shares her fifteen-year publishing journey, from traditional publishing to becoming one of indie fantasy's biggest success stories, and how persistence, adaptability, and believing in yourself carried her through every twist and turn. We also dive into her lifelong love of video games, why RPGs shaped the way she tells stories, and the inspiration behind one of this year's most unique dragon fantasies.At the heart of Ashwalker is Arowyn, a young woman whose life was destroyed by dragons. She has every reason to hate them, until one impossible encounter leaves her magically bonded to the very creature she wants dead. Forced into the dangerous court of a dragon-controlling king, Arowyn finds herself caught between old hatred, dangerous alliances, and a destiny she never wanted.We also discuss dragon magic, unforgettable side characters, found family, gorgeous special editions, writing emotionally satisfying character arcs, and why Stephanie believes every story deserves exactly the number of books it needs.🐉 What if the dragon you hate refuses to leave your side?⚔️ What happens when your greatest enemy becomes your only chance at survival?🔥 And can a kingdom built on dragons ever escape the fire that created it?This episode is perfect for readers who love dragons, epic romantasy, reluctant magical bonds, unforgettable found family, slow-burn romance, and richly built fantasy worlds.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Stephanie's fifteen-year publishing journey, including both traditional and indie success.✨ How video games inspired her storytelling.✨ The world and magic behind Ashwalker.✨ Writing a heroine who hates dragons.✨ Dragon bonds, kingdoms, and political intrigue.✨ Why Arowyn's scars shape every part of her journey.✨ The terrifying king with surprisingly soft edges.✨ Friendship, found family, and unforgettable side characters.✨ Gorgeous special editions and commissioned artwork.✨ Expanding the trilogy in book two.✨ What readers can expect next from the Ashwalker series.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 S.M. Gaither – @AuthorSMGaither✨ 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 dragon eggs hide in graves, forbidden bonds can get you killed, and love triangles are best when they hurt just a little.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Amara for a fiery conversation with author Courtney Whims about her debut romantasy, Flames and Fallacies, the first book in a dragon rider series filled with forbidden magic, elemental dragons, prophecy, found family, plot twists, cliffhangers, and one very messy love triangle.Courtney shares how her love of dragons began with childhood favorites like Pokémon, Neopets, Eragon, and the dream of one day riding a dragon herself. She opens up about how reading Fourth Wing and Iron Flame sparked her desire for even more dragon rider stories, eventually inspiring her to write the exact book she wanted to read. What started as a “maybe five strangers will read this” dream has grown into a debut readers are discovering, recommending, and going feral over online.The conversation also dives into Courtney’s creative process as both author and artist. Not only did she write Flames and Fallacies, but she also created her own covers, maps, character art, special editions, overlays, sprayed edges, and more, making the series feel completely and unmistakably hers.🐉 What happens when dragons are illegal, dragon riders are dead, and one girl finds an egg buried in her father’s grave?🔥 Can Kat protect a hatchling that could get her executed?💔 And what happens when two very different men pull out completely different sides of her heart?Whether you love dragon rider fantasy, elemental magic, dangerous kingdoms, plot twists, he-trains-her tension, found family, spicy romantasy, or love triangles that make you choose a team and suffer, this episode is packed with magic, chaos, and so many reasons to add Flames and Fallacies to your TBR.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Courtney’s journey from graphic designer and illustrator to self-published author.✨ Writing the dragon rider book she wanted to read.✨ Creating her own covers, maps, character art, overlays, and special editions.✨ Self-publishing, imposter syndrome, and learning as she went.✨ Why aspiring authors should write the book for themselves first.✨ The kitten-sized dragon hatchling who changes everything.✨ Elemental dragons, including fire, earth, air, and water dragons.✨ The larger magic system and hierarchy that unfolds more deeply in books two and three.✨ Plot twists, breadcrumbs, foreshadowing, and Courtney’s love of emotionally damaging cliffhangers.✨ Book two teasers, including more dragons, more answers, and even more questions.✨ Future special editions and the possibility of a completed-series set.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife📚 Courtney Whims – @CourtneyWhims✨ 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 aren't always the villains, rage can become your greatest strength, and ancient mythology hides beneath the surface of the modern world.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down for an unforgettable conversation with fantasy author Crystal Seitz about her YA fantasy thriller, Beast Becomes Her.Crystal shares her decade-long publishing journey, from countless revisions and rejections to finally selling her novels, why timing matters just as much as talent, and how stubbornness became her greatest superpower. We also dive into her lifelong love of Norse mythology, anime, and storytelling, and how those passions shaped one of the most unique fantasy worlds you'll read this year.At the heart of Beast Becomes Her is Edith, a teenage berserker sent to a hidden magical academy to learn how to control her terrifying new powers. But when she witnesses a murder on just her second night, she becomes the prime suspect and must uncover the real killer before she becomes the next victim.We explore the novel's powerful themes of feminine rage, toxic masculinity, identity, and learning to embrace every part of yourself, even the emotions you've been taught to suppress. Crystal also discusses why YA continues to resonate with readers of every age and what makes standalone fantasy novels so satisfying.⚡ What if your greatest strength is the emotion you've spent your entire life hiding?🩸 What happens when a magical academy becomes the scene of a murder?🔥 And what if embracing your rage is the only way to survive?This episode is perfect for readers who love magical schools, murder mysteries, Norse mythology, YA fantasy, emotionally layered characters, and stories that challenge the expectations placed on both girls and boys.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Crystal's ten-year journey to publication.✨ Querying, Pitch Wars, and navigating traditional publishing.✨ Why timing can matter as much as talent.✨ The inspiration behind Beast Becomes Her.✨ Why this book is Wednesday meets Norse mythology.✨ Berserkers, magical academies, and murder mysteries.✨ Exploring feminine rage through fantasy.✨ Challenging toxic masculinity through dual POVs.✨ Why YA continues to resonate with adult readers.✨ Writing emotionally cathartic scenes.✨ Standalone fantasies versus series.✨ Crystal's upcoming dystopian fantasy project.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚Crystal Seitz  – @Crystalswriting✨ 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 demand sacrifice, hunters don't always follow the rules, and sometimes one day's head start changes everything.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Amara for a fun, fast-paced, and tension-filled conversation with romantasy author Elayna R. Gallea about Given and Hunted, the first two books in The Given Chronicles.Elayna shares her journey from indie author to hybrid author, opening up about creative control, author communities, selling two series at the same time, and why she loves writing bingeable romantasy filled with enemies-to-lovers tension, vampires, and strong heroines.We dive into Given, a darkly addictive romantasy where Ren discovers that being gods-blessed is not the honor she was promised. When she learns she is meant to be sacrificed, she runs, and after saving the injured hunter sent to capture her, he grants her one day’s head start before the chase begins.But Given is only the beginning.Elayna teases how Hunted expands the world, deepens the stakes, and turns the chase into a slow-burn love letter to yearning. We talk about forbidden attraction, bonded familiars, touch-her-and-die energy, possessive MMCs, and why Ren and Gabriel’s story only gets more intense as the series continues.⚡ What happens when the girl marked by the gods refuses to be sacrificed?🖤 Can you fall for the hunter sent to drag you back?🔥 And what if one day’s mercy becomes the beginning of everything?This episode is perfect for romantasy readers who love enemies-to-lovers, deadly gods, dangerous hunters, bonded familiars, slow-burn romance, and stories you can devour in one sitting.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Elayna's journey as an indie and hybrid author.✨ Selling two series at the same time and navigating trad publishing.✨ Why author community matters for aspiring writers.✨ The inspiration behind Given and its stunning cover.✨ A Thanksgiving-themed romantasy with human sacrifice.✨ Ren, Gabriel, and the hunter x hunted dynamic.✨ One day's head start and the chase that changes everything.✨ Slow-burn romance, forbidden attraction, and yearning.✨ Bonded familiars, panthers, wolves, eagles, and magical animal companions.✨ Why Hunted turns up the tension and expands the world.✨ Book three, Blessed, and what comes next for The Given Chronicles.✨ Elayna's upcoming post-apocalyptic vampire romantasy, The Marriage Games.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚Elayna Gallea  – @AuthorElaynaRGallea✨ 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 revenge burns bright, monsters wait in the jungle, and some princess stories are made for the girls with jagged edges.This week, host Sara Santillan is joined by Amara for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply emotional conversation with author Nicolette Elzie about We Were Meant to Burn, the first book in the Ashes in Ruin saga, a romantasy inspired by Anastasia, Mexican mythology, betrayal, survival, revenge, and the kind of slow burn romance that loves the heroine in all her sharp, broken, stubborn pieces.Nicolette shares the reality of balancing writing with work, family, motherhood, marketing, social media, and the endless pressure to do more. She opens up about setting big goals, giving yourself grace, finding small pockets of writing time, and learning that sometimes the dream survives because you keep showing up, even if it is in your car during martial arts class with a laptop and a little bit of chaos.The conversation also dives into Nicolette’s journey from writing scary stories as a child to publishing the Ozero Curse series and finally returning to the story that became We Were Meant to Burn, a book she carried with her for nearly ten years. She discusses how horror, dark romance, trauma healing, cultural mythology, and the need to feel seen all shaped the heart of her stories.🔥 What if Anastasia came back stabby, furious, and ready for revenge?🌿 What happens when the jungle is filled with creatures pulled from nightmare and mythology?🖤 And what does it mean to be loved not despite your jagged pieces, but with them?Whether you love revenge fantasy, slow burn romance, dark emotional journeys, mythology-inspired worlds, dangerous jungles, brutal openings, special editions, or heroines who refuse to be controlled, this episode is intimate, funny, and full of heart.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Nicolette’s life as a full-time worker, mom, indie author, and chronic list-maker.✨ Hitting major Kindle Unlimited page-read milestones and the burnout that can follow.✨ Why horror and dark romance can feel cathartic, healing, and strangely safe.✨ Growing up as a military brat and writing her first full-length novel by hand on a cross-country road trip.✨ Starting We Were Meant to Burn in 2014 and carrying the story through years of drafts, healing, and growth.✨ Choosing indie publishing and releasing the Ozero Curse series.✨ Writing stories for readers who want to feel seen, safe, and emotionally understood.✨ We Were Meant to Burn as “Anastasia, but make her stabby and hell-bent on revenge.”✨ Mexican and Japanese cultural influences, family stories, food, mythology, and horror-based folklore.✨ Why food, family gatherings, Tejano music, tacos, rice, beans, and memory matter in Nicolette’s work.✨ The brutal opening scene and why it took more than 50 attempts to find the right beginning.✨ Breaking writing “rules” without carving the heart and soul out of the story.✨ Upcoming book events, indie bookstores, special editions, and the Ozero Curse omnibus announcement.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife📚 Nicolette Elzie – @AuthorNicoletteElzie✨ 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 aren't always the villains, dragons rule hidden realms, and sometimes Beauty is the Beast.This week, host Sara Santillan and Mythic Mic Rep Megan sit down with New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost to celebrate her highly anticipated romantasy, A Curse of Beasts and Magic.Jeaniene takes us behind the scenes of her newest fantasy world, where an ER nurse has spent the last decade hiding the monstrous curse living inside her, until one encounter thrusts her into a secret world of dragons, fae, powerful sorcerers, and a dangerously alluring monster hunter who may be the only person capable of saving her.We discuss why the novel accidentally became a reverse Beauty and the Beast retelling with The Witcher vibes, creating monsters that are both terrifying and sympathetic, building magical worlds beyond our own, and writing the irresistible tension between two people who have every reason to stay apart.Jeaniene also shares her journey from dozens of publishing rejections to becoming a bestselling author, offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers, talks about the importance of human audiobook narrators, and gives listeners an exciting preview of book two, A Storm of Dragons and Sorcery.⚔️ What happens when the monster needs someone even deadlier to protect her?🐉 Why are dragons, fae realms, and cursed magic only the beginning of this story?❤️ And what if Beauty is the one everyone should fear?This episode is a must-listen for romantasy fans who love morally gray heroes, dangerous magic, unforgettable creatures, and epic fantasy romance.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Jeaniene's journey from rejection to bestselling author.✨ Why one "yes" can change your entire career.✨ Building the world of A Curse of Beasts and Magic.✨ Writing monsters, dragons, fae, and magical realms.✨ Creating a heroine with a literal beast inside her.✨ Morally gray heroes and irresistible romantic tension.✨ Why Brendan became an unexpected fan favorite.✨ Writing humor alongside heartbreak and horror.✨ The future of the series and A Storm of Dragons and Sorcery.✨ Audiobooks, AI, and protecting human narrators.✨ Jeaniene's advice for aspiring fantasy authors.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚Jeaniene Frost  – @Jfrostauthor✨ 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 labyrinths hide impossible choices, memories can't be trusted, and kindness may be the greatest weapon of all.This week, hosts Sara Santillan and Amara sit down with fantasy author Frances White to discuss her haunting standalone fantasy horror novel, The Bone Door.Frances shares the inspiration behind her escape-room-inspired fantasy, where seven children awaken inside a mysterious labyrinth with no memories of who they are or how they got there. To escape, they must survive impossible trials, uncover the truth about themselves, and confront horrors far darker than the monsters lurking in the maze.We also dive into writing child protagonists for an adult audience, balancing horror with humor, exploring trauma, identity, and found family, and why kindness—not strength—is the true superpower at the heart of the novel. Along the way, Frances shares her seven-year journey to publication, her love of cosplay and video games, and why stubbornness may be the most important trait an aspiring author can have.⚔️ What if your greatest weapon wasn't magic but kindness?🦴 Who are you when your memories are gone?🖤 And what if escaping the labyrinth means confronting the person you used to be?This episode is perfect for readers who love fantasy horror, dark mysteries, found family, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ The inspiration behind The Bone Door.✨ Fantasy horror through the eyes of children.✨ Escape rooms, labyrinths, and impossible trials.✨ Writing memory loss without confusing readers.✨ Trauma, identity, and choosing who you become.✨ Why kindness is Hop's greatest strength.✨ Creating authentic queer and body-positive representation.✨ Frances' seven-year journey to traditional publishing.✨ The realities of publishing and handling rejection.✨ Cosplay, gaming, and creative inspiration.✨ Why standalones are Frances' favorite stories to write.✨ Her next novel: Gay Bridgerton meets Squid Game.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚Frances White  – @FrancisWhiteAuthor✨ 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 vampires cannot lie, bargains always have teeth, and sometimes the monster you were warned about is the only one willing to save you.This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with romantasy author Vasilisa Drake to discuss A Bargain So Bloody, the first book in the Kingdom of Dark Magic series, a slow-burn vampire romantasy filled with magical prisons, blood bargains, trauma, monstrous devotion, deadly cliffhangers, and one vampire who absolutely falls first.Vasilisa shares her journey from contemporary romance to romantasy, including how she found her true creative home in fated mates, fangs, shifters, vampires, and fantasy worlds where “touch her and die” can be extremely literal. She opens up about starting as an indie author, learning the business side of publishing book by book, launching A Bargain So Bloody with ARC readers and a street team, and eventually becoming a hybrid author after the book was picked up by Scarlett Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.🩸 What happens when a desperate witch frees a chained vampire to escape a magical prison?🗝️ Can a bargain save her life if the vampire never promised to let her go?🔥 And what if the monster killing everyone in her path is somehow still gentler than the people who called themselves good?Whether you love vampires, slow-burn romance, morally gray love interests, magical prisons, enemies-to-allies-to-lovers, trauma healing, blood bargains, or cliffhangers that make readers immediately demand book two, this episode is packed with craft insight, publishing wisdom, and deliciously bloody chaos.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Vasilisa’s path from contemporary romance to romantasy.✨ Why vampires, fated mates, shifters, fangs, and fantasy romance became her creative home.✨ The difference between possessive romance in contemporary settings versus fantasy worlds.✨ Starting as an indie author and learning publishing through trial, error, covers, blurbs, formatting, and Kindle Unlimited.✨ ARC teams, influencer outreach, street teams, and the vulnerability of asking readers for support.✨ The differences between indie and traditional publishing timelines.✨ Advice for authors, including asking for feedback and building a generous creative community.✨ Believing in your book, writing for joy, and letting yourself have fun with the story.✨ Vampires who cannot lie, prison breaks, body counts, and deals with dangerous loopholes.✨ Writing a true slow burn and letting trust build through danger, rescue, and emotional repair.✨ Cliffhangers, reader reactions, and why Vasilisa insists “nothing bad really happened.”✨ A Magic So Deadly, book two teasers, including a carriage scene, a dangerous bet, and an even rougher ending.✨ Writing character goals, balancing romance with external stakes, and letting characters go off the rails.✨ Breadcrumbs, reverse breadcrumbs, mystery reveals, and how reader reactions can shape future payoffs without changing the heart of the story.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚Vasilisa Drake  – @Vasilisadrakebooks✨ 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 dead princesses have dangerous doubles, arranged marriages are never what they seem, and sometimes the girl sent to save the rebellion would rather burn the entire kingdom down.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda, Sara Santillan, and Amara sit down with author Alexis Calder to discuss Silk & Iron, the first book in the Vow of Death series (and its upcoming sequel, Lace & Poison), a romantasy filled with rebellion, royal deception, bodyguard tension, an immortal king, and one heroine with absolutely nothing left to lose.Alexis shares her journey from art teacher and lifelong storyteller to indie author and traditionally published author, including how her upcoming Red Tower release, Six Bullets and a Crown, came to be. She opens up about the differences between indie and traditional publishing, submitting on proposal, switching between wildly different fantasy worlds, deadlines, creative momentum, and why authors need friends who understand the stage of the publishing journey they are in.The conversation also dives into Silk & Iron, where the heroine loses her family to an oppressive regime and is sent undercover to impersonate a dead princess promised to the enemy prince. Her mission is supposed to be gathering intel on how to kill an immortal king, but the heroine has other plans. Angry, grieving, and untrained, she enters a royal court built on secrets while trying to survive a role she was never meant to play.👑 What happens when the princess is dead and the imposter wants revenge?🗡️ Can a girl with no training take down an immortal king?🔥 And what if the person she falls for is not the prince she is supposed to marry, but the bodyguard watching her every move?Whether you love fake princesses, undercover rebellion plots, slow-burn bodyguard romance, dangerous courts, morally complicated choices, or heroines who begin with grief and rage, this episode is full of twists, publishing insight, and bookish chaos.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Alexis’s path from art major and high school art teacher to author.✨ Why you do not need permission or a PhD to write a book.✨ The creative shift from visual art to storytelling.✨ Indie publishing, traditional publishing, and the process behind Six Bullets and a Crown.✨ Working with Red Tower and learning the slower pace of traditional publishing.✨ Submitting on proposal versus submitting a completed manuscript.✨ How traditional publishing contracts can impact indie publishing timelines.✨ Why author friends at the same stage of the journey matter.✨ Finishing the first draft and why you cannot edit a book that does not exist yet.✨ The Vow of Death series and what's coming next.✨ Bodyguard romance, slow burn tension, and a love story that does not follow the expected prince path.✨ Book two teasers, shifting character arcs, a more hopeful emotional journey, and the villain readers have not fully met yet.🗡️ Plus: travel talk, Colorado adventures, reality TV hot messes, writing books that refuse to behave, cliffhanger reactions, author chaos, and the line Alexis would absolutely turn into a tattoo.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Alexis Calder – @AuthorAlexisCalder✨ 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 cursed magic, academic rivalries, and enchanted forests collide in one of the most charming fantasy romances you'll read this year.This week, host Sara Santillan and Mythic Mic Rep Megan sit down with fantasy author Maiga Doocy to discuss her acclaimed debut novel, Sorcery and Small Magics, a whimsical queer fantasy filled with dangerous curses, magical monsters, reluctant allies, and a romance that unfolds one spell at a time.Maiga shares her journey from writing short stories and participating in Pitch Wars to landing a publishing deal and seeing Sorcery and Small Magics become a stunning special edition beloved by fantasy readers. We also dive into her lifelong love of fantasy, growing up dreaming of magical worlds, and how those early inspirations helped shape the enchanting world of Leo and Grimm.For readers new to the series, Sorcery and Small Magics follows Leovander Loveage, a chaotic sorcerer with a knack for small magics, and Sebastian Grimm, his studious academic rival. When a forbidden curse binds them together, the two are forced to journey into the mysterious Unquiet Wood in search of a cure. Along the way, they encounter magical creatures, dangerous secrets, and perhaps something neither of them expected: each other.Maiga also teases what's ahead for Leo and Grimm in the next installment, discusses writing queer fantasy that feels authentic, and shares why writing the story that excites you is always the best path forward.This episode is perfect for fans of cozy fantasy, queer romance, magical academia, enchanted forests, and stories filled with heart, humor, and a little bit of chaos.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Maiga's path from aspiring writer to published author.✨ The impact of Pitch Wars and the writing community.✨ Building the world of Sorcery and Small Magics.✨ Leovander and Sebastian's complicated rivalry.✨ Academic rivals, curses, and reluctant alliances.✨ Writing queer fantasy and authentic representation.✨ Creating a two-part magic system built on collaboration.✨ How Dungeons & Dragons inspired parts of the story.✨ The beautiful FairyLoot edition and special edition publishing.✨ Why personal stakes can be more powerful than world-ending ones.✨ What readers can expect from the next book in the trilogy.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Maiga Doocy – @MaigaDoocy✨ 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 captive brides come with secret agendas, sisters are worth burning kingdoms for, and sometimes the quiet princess is the most dangerous one in the room.This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Mythic Mic team member Amara for a fun, honest, and wildly inspiring conversation with bestselling author Addie Thorley about Burn the Kingdom Down, a YA romantasy murder mystery filled with revenge, sisterhood, plant magic, political tension, enemies-to-lovers banter, feminine rage, and one princess determined to uncover the truth.Addie shares her long and winding path to publication, from writing in a dental office between patient check-ins to surviving years of rejections, multiple agents, unsold books, pandemic delays, motherhood, and the terrifying choice to bet on herself and the stories she believed in. She opens up about writing many books before her debut, leaving an agent who did not share her vision, finding the right creative partner, and the surreal experience of seeing Burn the Kingdom Down become a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.The conversation also dives into Burn the Kingdom Down, where Princess Indira lives in a kingdom of farmers and carries the rare ability to grow a magical plant that sustains her people’s economy. When her older sister is sent to a neighboring kingdom as a captive bride and dies under mysterious circumstances, Indira takes her place, marries the same prince, and enters enemy territory determined to find out who killed her sister.👑 What happens when a princess becomes a bride to investigate a murder?🌿 Can plant magic save a kingdom caught in a political chokehold?🔥 And what if the enemy prince is not nearly as terrible as she expected?Whether you love revenge stories, sister bonds, morally gray love interests, murder mysteries, enemies-to-lovers tension, banter, plant magic, or heroines who learn to stop living in someone else’s shadow, this episode is full of heart, honesty, and so many reasons to add Burn the Kingdom Down to your TBR.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Writing in unexpected places, including a dental office and the LA Fitness parking lot.✨ Why carving out writing time often means getting creative with the margins of real life.✨ Addie’s long path to publication, including Pitch Wars, querying, agents, submission, and the terrifying courage of walking away when a creative relationship is not the right fit.✨ Writing Burn the Kingdom Down during the pandemic and navigating deadlines while raising tiny children.✨ Addie’s advice for aspiring authors, including separating the art of writing from the business of publishing.✨ Getting your butt in the chair and shoveling sand so you can later build castles.✨ Burn the Kingdom Down as a YA romantasy murder mystery mashup.✨ Feminine rage, revenge, sisterhood, political secrets, and a heroine ready to burn the kingdom down.✨ Plant-based magic, pandemic plant obsessions, and building a kingdom of farmers.✨ Writing fantasy for readers who may not think they like fantasy.✨ Layering murder mystery clues, red herrings, twists, and reveals into a romantasy world.✨ Indira’s journey from living in her sister’s shadow to trusting her own voice.✨ The possibility of bonus content, deleted epilogues, and future stories in the Burn the Kingdom Down world.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife📚 Addie Thorley – @AddieThorley✨ 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 get twisted, labyrinths hide more than just monsters, and sometimes the most dangerous thing you can do is discover what you actually want.This week, Co-Host Sara Santillan sits down with author Shaylin Gandhi to talk about her upcoming romantasy Hunted by the Fae King’s Shadow. This is a lush, seductive, and subversive story inspired by Labyrinth, where a proper princess is forced into a world that challenges everything she thought she knew about herself.From the very beginning, this conversation blends honesty, humor, and the reality of building a writing career—from dreaming of being an author at five years old to navigating rejection, losing an agent, and ultimately landing a traditional publishing deal. Shaylin shares what it actually takes to survive the industry and why stubbornness might be one of the most important traits a writer can have. We dive into the heart of Hunted by the Fae King’s Shadow, where a princess is given an impossible choice: marry the fae king or survive his labyrinth. But this isn’t just a story about survival—it’s about transformation. As she navigates the labyrinth, hunted and tested at every turn, she begins to question the life she’s been told to want and whether the version of herself she’s been performing is who she truly is.We also explore Shaylin’s broader work, from emotionally intense romantasy like Once Charmed, Twice Cursed and The Nightmare Bride to her perspective on writing flawed, complex heroines who challenge expectations instead of fitting neatly inside them.🌹 What happens when the life you’ve been taught to want isn’t actually yours?🗝️ What do you do when desire and duty collide?🖤 And who are you when no one is there to tell you who to be?This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, lovers of dark fairytale retellings, and anyone who wants stories that feel as emotionally real as they are magical.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Shaylin’s journey from medicine to full-time author. ✨ Getting dropped by an agent and coming back stronger. ✨ Why rejection eventually stops hurting (and starts helping). ✨ Hunted by the Fae King’s Shadow and its Labyrinth-inspired premise. ✨ The emotional core: identity, desire, and self-permission. ✨ Writing flawed heroines with deeply rooted misbeliefs. ✨ The Immortal Hunters collection and “hunt or be hunted” theme. ✨ Why romantasy is such a powerful space for women’s stories. ✨ Sexy goblins, fan art (!!), and the moment you know a character works. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Shaylin Ghandi – @AuthorShaylinGandhi✨ 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 marriage trials are never simple, shadow daddies come with complications, and sometimes the shadows have a mind of their own.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with writing duo Anna Applegate and Helen Domico to discuss their romantasy series, Blooms of Darkness, a darkly addictive story filled with marriage trials, fae politics, enemies to lovers to enemies, found family, mental health representation, and sentient shadows that may just steal the entire show.Anna and Helen share how they went from college friends to co-authors, reconnecting through the bookish world and eventually deciding to write a series together. They open up about their chaotic co-writing process, how they blend their voices into one seamless story, and why writing with your best friend can bring back the joy, excitement, and creative spark of storytelling.The conversation also dives into Blooms of Darkness, which the authors pitch as ACOTAR meets The Bachelorette, with marriage trials told from the perspective of the woman whose hand is being fought for. Anna and Helen discuss the high-stakes world, the heroine's lack of magic, the darkness spreading through the world, the suitors competing for power, and the found family that becomes just as important as the romance.🌑 What happens when a princess without magic must marry someone powerful enough to protect the throne?🔥 Can a marriage competition survive fae politics, dangerous suitors, and enemies-to-lovers tension?🖤 And what if the shadow daddy’s shadows are just as obsessed as he is?Whether you love romantasy, forced proximity, morally gray love interests, fantasy politics, found family, or shadows that deserve their own point of view, this episode is chaotic, hilarious, and absolutely made for your TBR.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ How Anna and Helen met, reconnected, and became co-authors.✨ Writing a book with your best friend and embracing creative chaos.✨ Their color-coded co-writing process and how they blend two voices into one.✨ The “why not?” mindset that shaped their publishing journey.✨ Building a street team, connecting with Bookstagrammers, and finding community.✨ The business side of indie publishing, contracts, taxes, LLCs, and all the unexpected details.✨ The Everheart Book Box special edition of Blooms of Darkness.✨ How Blooms of Darkness became ACOTAR meets The Bachelorette.✨ Enemies to lovers to enemies, platonic friendships, found family, mental health rep, and morally gray shadow daddies.✨ The sentient shadows in book two and why they became characters of their own.✨ Writing bonus scenes, shadow point of view, and deliciously unhinged romantasy moments.✨ What readers can expect from the full trilogy and the authors’ upcoming work.🌑 Plus: bar brainstorming sessions, criminal justice chaos, special edition book love, shadow play art, magical weapons, rapid-fire madness, and why every author duo needs one cautious planner and one “why not?” friend.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Anna Applegate & Helen Domico – @AuthorAnnaApplegate and @AuthorHelenDomico✨ 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 first loves deserve second chances, high school drama is never truly left behind, and sometimes the greatest adventure begins with a roll of the dice.This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling YA romance author Kristy Boyce for a nostalgic, hilarious, and delightfully nerdy conversation about Rolls and Rivalry, the newest installment in her beloved Quest for Love series. If you love rivals-to-lovers romance, marching band chaos, Dungeons & Dragons, and stories filled with heart, humor, and geeky joy, this episode is for you.Kristy shares her journey from childhood Barbie fanfiction writer to traditionally published author, opening up about the long road to publication, finding the right agent, and building a career writing the kinds of stories she wished she'd had growing up. As a social psychology professor, she also discusses how her fascination with identity, relationships, and personal growth naturally finds its way into her books.We dive into Rolls and Rivalry, a YA rom-com centered on Hazel, a competitive color guard captain determined to make her senior year unforgettable. When her former childhood friend Max joins marching band and immediately turns everything into a competition, old feelings and unresolved tensions quickly resurface. What follows is a rivals-to-lovers story packed with marching band antics, D&D adventures, and plenty of emotional growth.⚡ What happens when your biggest rival is also your first friend?🩸 Can competition bring two people together instead of tearing them apart?🔥 And what if the perfect campaign isn't the one happening at the game table?This is a must-listen for YA romance readers, D&D fans, marching band kids, and anyone who still believes first love stories never go out of style.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ Kristy's journey from aspiring writer to bestselling author.✨ Balancing writing, teaching, and family life.✨ The inspiration behind Rolls and Rivalry.✨ Marching band, color guard, and bringing personal experiences into fiction.✨ Why Dungeons & Dragons continues to connect readers and writers.✨ Rivals-to-lovers romance and childhood friends reconnecting.✨ Writing clean YA romance and slow-burn relationships.✨ The growing popularity of gaming culture in books.✨ Behind-the-scenes realities of traditional publishing.✨ Barnes & Noble exclusives and seeing your books in stores.✨ The Quest for Love series and its interconnected standalones.✨ What's coming next from Kristy.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Kristy Boyce – @Kristylboyce✨ 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 Vikings meet pirates, found family can save you, and some magic systems are stitched together bone by bone.This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with bestselling fantasy romance author LJ Andrews for a conversation about writing, resilience, mythology, special editions, and her dark romantasy duology, Broken Souls and Bones.LJ shares her long road to becoming a full-time author, from writing as a way to escape postpartum depression to publishing her first book in 2016, reaching her first 50 readers, taking a pandemic-era step back, and finally finding the series and strategy that helped her career take off. She opens up about learning reader expectations, studying the market, embracing romantasy, and building the kind of worlds readers now see everywhere from bookstores to BookTok.The conversation also dives into Broken Souls and Bones, LJ’s dark, Norse-inspired romantasy world filled with soul magic, blood magic, bone magic, a hidden Melder, a silent warrior who communicates through sign language, bodyguard tension, found family, and three major twists that readers still have not fully guessed.🦴 What happens when the king wants to use your magic to build an unbeatable army?🖤 Can forced proximity work when the person protecting you is also the one who stole you from your life?⚔️ And what if the magic that makes you powerful also pulls you into the shadow world?Whether you love Norse mythology, morally gray characters, dark magic, bodyguard romance, found family, special editions, or complete duologies with high stakes and no cliffhanger, this episode is packed with inspiration, honesty, and so much bookish chaos.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:✨ LJ’s journey from early writing dreams to becoming a full-time author.✨ Writing through postpartum depression and using stories as an escape.✨ Why LJ was not an overnight success and what changed in her career.✨ Going from 50 readers to bookshelves, special editions, and a thriving reader community.✨ How studying genre, covers, reader expectations, and the market helped shift her author path.✨ Norse mythology, fairy tale inspiration, pirates, Vikings, and the worlds behind LJ’s books.✨ The Broken Kingdoms, The Ever Seas, and the darker magic of Broken Souls and Bones.✨ A mute bodyguard, sign language representation, and writing banter without spoken dialogue.✨ Found family, forced proximity, bodyguard tension, and characters who refuse to stay side characters.✨ The challenge of marketing book two when book one has major spoilers.✨ The completed Broken Souls and Bones duology and the possibility of future spin-offs.✨ Special editions, book boxes, direct stores, warehouses, and the behind-the-scenes side of being an author.✨ LJ’s upcoming dystopian project and why dystopian romance may be making a major comeback.✨ Imposter syndrome, comparison, and why the story inside you may be exactly what someone else needs.🐔 Plus: chickens, warehouses, elder millennial marketing struggles, Holly Black love, spicy book two scenes, and why sometimes the characters start telling the author what the story really is.CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland📚 LJ Andrews – @AuthorLJAndrews✨ 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 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.