Realm Runners

Most authors talk about writing. Jackson Ford (https://www.instagram.com/realjacksonford) proves it’s about living. In this episode, Jackson shares the real story behind his groundbreaking series The Bone Raiders, including how he dove headfirst into Mongolian culture, defying stereotypes to create a richly authentic world, nothing like the typical fantasy setting. You’ll discover the surprising reasons he chose to focus on female characters, why empathy guides his storytelling, and how to craft relationships that don’t just entertain but emotionally wreck your readers in the best way.We break down Jackson’s unconventional approach to world-building, revealing how he uses "what if" questions instead of tropes to naturally develop compelling characters and settings. Plus, how his background in journalism fuels his obsession with getting details right, and why he believes every writer has a responsibility to portray diverse perspectives authentically.Whether you’re an aspiring author or avid reader this episode unlocks the secret to genuine storytelling: one rooted in respect, research, and raw emotion. Perfect for anyone ready to challenge conventions, elevate their craft, or understand the mind of a storyteller who refuses to follow the crowd. =============================Connect with Realm Runners=============================Follow Pete: https://instagram.com/pete_reviews_books_good Follow Devin: https://instagram.com/bromantasySubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/‪@realm_runners‬ 0:00 - Introduction3:18 - Release Day Experience5:19 - The Broken Binding7:13 - Transition to Fantasy13:24 - World-Building Approach20:14 - Writing Female Characters32:15 - Mentorship Program38:08 - The Business of Publishing49:31 - Upcoming Projects54:15 - Personal Stories1:00:04 - Closing Remarks#realmrunners #bookpodcast #indiefantasy #debutauthor #fantasyauthors #writingcommunity

Aaron Hall joins Pete and Devin to close out April, and this conversation goes everywhere. We dig into what makes The Legend of Uh work and hint, it's not just the jokes! We also talk about how a personal pizza video accidentally launched a social media explosion, why parody fantasy fails when it's all gag and no emotional core, and whether Aaron's next project should be a sci-fi parody or a grimdark political epic fantasy. He also teases a caveman cookbook that somehow has a fantasy adventure threaded through it, drops some thoughts on Brandon Sanderson's underground lair, and talks about what it actually feels like to go from nobody to getting recognized at a bookstore.The Second Legend of U is available for preorder and released on 4/27! Check out everything from Aaron at https://aaronnhall.com/ !=============================Connect with Realm Runners=============================Follow Pete: https://instagram.com/pete_reviews_books_good Follow Devin: https://instagram.com/bromantasySubscribe on YouTube: /  @realm_runners  Chapters:(00:00) - Intro and reflections on April’s achievements(01:19) - Aaron’s praise for indie author community and "The Legend of" series(02:37) - Discussing "The Legend of Up" and its humor(04:07) - Brandon Sanderson’s prolific writing and book size(04:58) - Brandon’s resources and underground home tour(05:37) - The wealth of successful authors and their real lives(06:48) - Indie marketing challenges and successes(08:10) - Building an author brand with social content(10:44) - The balancing act of parody and meaningful storytelling(12:19) - Flipping stereotypes for emotional depth(13:55) - The unexpected popularity of side characters(15:47) - Impactful character moments and connection with readers(16:32) - Making audiobooks available for free on YouTube(17:43) - The reasoning behind YouTube audiobook strategy(19:03) - Challenges with Spotify and other platforms(21:07) - The importance of quick editing for social media(32:28) - Insights into attention span and short-form content(33:17) - The value of rapid shifts in social videos(34:37) - Content planning and engagement strategies(39:31) - Future projects including sci-fi, prequels, and series ideas(44:39) - Debating themes of lighthearted versus grimdark stories(45:49) - Creating a trilogy structure with thematic covers(47:03) - The rise of especially popular genres like sci-fi and romance(50:18) - Challenges in genre switching and audience expectations(52:21) - Parodies in romance and sci-fi with humorous concepts(66:31) - Viral videos: the power of one hit to transform an author’s following(67:23) - The thrill and humbling reality of reader recognition(68:04) - Connecting authentically with fans and meeting influential authors(69:03) - Final thoughts and the excitement of future projects#realmrunners #bookpodcast #indiefantasy #debutauthor #fantasyauthors #writingcommunity

Audrey DeBoer has been living with this story since she was a teenager. What started as a school assignment became Vispilio, a Robin Hood reimagining that reads less like a fairy tale and more like Game of Thrones with a bow and arrow. Lost princes, political betrayal, morally complicated characters who never act like you'd expect. This is the kind of indie book that makes you wonder how it doesn't have a hundred thousand readers yet.In this episode, Devin and Pete sit down with Audrey to talk about what it actually takes to carry a story for over a decade and finally put it in the world. The craft decisions, the indie publishing reality, and what's coming next. Militis, book two in the series, is on the horizon, and Audrey gives us a look at where Southborn goes from here.If you've been sleeping on Vispilio, this is your sign to go pick this up!Follow Audrey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audebo96/=============================Connect with Realm Runners=============================Follow Pete: https://instagram.com/pete_reviews_books_good Follow Devin: https://instagram.com/bromantasyTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and episode overview02:40 - Elevator pitch for "Vespiglio" and its thematic influences03:43 - Robin Hood reimagining and political intrigue04:54 - The importance of marketing and audiobooks in indie publishing06:36 - Building complex characters and balancing narration perspectives11:03 - Overcoming unexpected obstacles of indie publishing13:28 - The power of community and IndieBookstagram for promotion16:20 - Local events and creative marketing ideas17:30 - The significance of audiobooks and distribution channels21:12 - How character motivations and backgrounds shape storytelling22:13 - Incorporating subtle twists and maintaining freshness in Robin Hood reinterpretations26:04 - Character analysis: Morally gray and morally complex figures27:24 - Exploring themes of destiny, trauma, and war through main characters33:15 - The role of themes and editor input in character development37:23 - Adelaide's role as a strategic, impactful secondary character41:08 - The choice of using amnesia as a plot device and inspirations from history43:39 - Effectiveness of dream sequences and visceral worldbuilding46:23 - Multiple POV storytelling and balancing action with introspection50:02 - Crafting compelling villains with depth, specifically Tanner53:22 - Sneak peek into "Miletus" and future series plans57:18 - Series scope: trilogy or beyond and world expansion58:51 - Final thoughts, connecting with Audrey, and upcoming releases59:41 - Closing remarks and appreciation for listenersSubscribe on YouTube: ⁨@realm_runners⁩ #realmrunners #bookpodcast #indiefantasy #debutauthor #fantasyauthors #writingcommunity

Miles Lyon wrote his debut novel The Price of Fear without a roadmap, while he somehow landed a Jeff Brown cover along the way. We talk about what it actually takes to get a book finished, why editors matter more than most new authors want to admit, how luck fits into the indie publishing equation, and what Miles has coming next.If you've ever thought about writing a book or you're deep in a debut and wondering if you're doing it right, you're gonna wanna check this out!=============================Connect with Realm Runners=============================Follow Pete: https://instagram.com/pete_reviews_books_good Follow Devin: https://instagram.com/bromantasySubscribe on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@realm_runners #RealmRunners #FantasyBooks #BookPodcast #IndieFantasyChapters00:00 Introduction and Podcast Format05:29 Cover Art and Design16:31 Influences on the Book21:42 The Impact of Timing and Book Releases30:37 Balancing World-Building and Character Focus37:43 The Process of Writing First Drafts47:47 The Magic System55:10 The Journey to Traditional Publishing

No guest this week. Just Pete and Devin.Before Season 2 gets going, they sit down to talk about where Realm Runners is headed: who the first guests are, what the show looks like with Devin as a full co-host, and everything else that makes this feel like a real new chapter.Consider this the introductions before the run begins.=============================Connect with Realm Runners=============================Follow Pete:   / pete_reviews_books_good  Follow Devin:   / bromantasy  Follow Realm Runners:   / realm_runners  Subscribe on YouTube:    / @realm_runners  #RealmRunners #FantasyBooks #BookPodcast #IndieFantasyChapters00:00 Setting Up the Stream06:07 Co-Hosting and Instagram Followers16:26 Michelin Star System and Goodreads Ratings25:52 Book Reviews and Audiobook Experience30:57 Exploring Indie Scene and Book Reviews36:33 Unique Storytelling and Book Descriptions43:28 Reader and Writer Perspectives52:36 Guest Announcement and Podcast Plans

Join Pete with special guest-host Devin (Bromantasy) as they talk with Bill Adams, about his new book Death Show Colossus! The kickstarter for it begins on 2/9/26, and has some incredible cool things to go along with it! Don't miss out on that, and keep an eye out for Realm Runners return in April!

Join Pete as he talks with Rob J Hayes, author of the amazing new book Hammerfall, along with so many others about inspiration behind it, the God Eater Saga, music, martial arts films and more!

Join Pete as he talks with TJ Cooper about his debut novel, A Shadows Vendetta, punk rock, Batman and more!

Join Pete for the first show of 2026, with Thomas Howard Riley!

Join Pete as he talks with Michael Michel about his Dreams of Dust and Steel series, his influences beyond the pages, why The Wire and Dark are two of the best shows ever, and much more!

Join Pete as he talks with Andrew Watson, author of the fantastic Shadowbinders series about his new novella, the other entries in the saga and much more!

Join Pete with N.A. Betts, who's 3rd book releases TODAY! This was a huge chat, about influences, football, his military career, and so much more.

Join Pete as he talks with Thomas J Devens, author of The Scroungers which is now available on audiobook! We talk about influences from other places besides books, the indie writing scene, and how his stories all come together in an incredibly unique way!

Join Pete as he talks with N.C. Scrimgeour about her new book, Tides of Torment, Scottish folklore, what influenced her series and so much more!

Join Pete as talks with Katee Stein about her new book, Skysworn! Along with her influences, what tv shows are the best out, how she created such a unique world and more!

Join Pete as he talks with author Nick Snape, about his new book A Queen in Blood, the influences behind his arcanepunk series, The Prodigy and much more!

On a very special episode, join Pete and guest co-host Bill Adams with Jay Kristoff! The longest talk yet, covering his writing process, influences behind each of his series', the EPIC conclusion in Empire of the Dawn, and what heavy metal band he'd want to see the most! This is an episode you don't want to skip!

Join Pete as he talks with S.A. Klopfenstein about his new book, "Children of the Gods", his influences behind such a unique story, some hobbies we wouldn't expect, and why the Broncos will murder the Jets this week!

Join Pete as he talks with the Queen of Grimdark herself, Anna Smith Spark!

Join Pete as he talks with Cal Logan, author of the incredible book "ShadowBane" about what inspired the background of the book, how to keep characters engaging, what makes the plotlines so challenging to piece together, and what swear word he's happy to reclaim from overseas!

Join Pete as he talks with Mosha Winter, author of the amazing new book "The Winds of War," his influences, what comes next and more!

Join Pete as he talks with R.A. Sandpiper about her new book, To Touch a Silent Fury, the inspirations behind it, some behind the scenes looks into the next steps and more!

Join Pete as he talks with Justin Lee Anderson, fresh off his release of "The Damned King," Book 3 of The Eidyn Saga about how experiences in the real world inspired the stories, which characters are fan favorites, the thematic elements that make the series so deep to dive into and so much more!

Join Pete as he talks with Chance Dillon about his incredible debut, "Mercy: Tears of the Fallen," what comes next, what made him throw readers into the deep end right off the bat, and, as a bonus, what reality shows are worth watching.

Join Pete as he talks with Tim about, in his words, "fantasy, lizards, and quite possibly the meaning of life!" Oh, also his new novella! Whatever happens, it's bound to be fun.

Join Pete as he talks with bestselling author Anthony Ryan, about his new books "The Feeding" and "Born of an Iron Storm," his previous works, the indie/trad publishing routes, history and more!

Join Pete as he speaks with Trinity Cunningham, author of The Guardians of the Weldafire Stone series about her writing process, the next book in the trilogy, favorite movies and more!

Join Pete as talks with Secret Scribes members Bill and Alex about their upcoming anthology, the inspiration behind the stories, how the project got put together and what comes next for this insanely talented group of authors!

Join Pete on this episode of Realm Runners, as he talks with Michael R Fletcher, about writing the most grimdark book of all time, upcoming projects, fantasy hot takes, his favorite concerts and more!

Join Pete on this episode of Realm Runners, as he talks with Dave Lawson about his new novella "Pawns of Havoc," how to create the perfect amount of snark to dark ratio, influences from life that made it to the page, and DRAGON PORN!

Join Pete on this episode of Realm Runners, talking with Kane Williams about his new book "Perils of the Past," the influence of action movies, how to create creatures that are just as dangerous as people and so much more!

G.J. Terral joins Pete to talk Bloodless, the completed Binding Tenets trilogy, video games, the indie community, and whether Sleep Token is worth your time.

Janelle Schiecke joins Pete to talk her horror debut The Clatter Man, favorite scary movies, staying original when everything is a remake, and whether Sleep Token is sad music.

The first one. Pete sits down with Z.B. Steele, author of Whispers of the Storm and Prince of Grimdark, for the episode that started Realm Runners.