The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed
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The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed
The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a podcast for aspiring and experienced fantasy writers who want to master storytelling, creative writing, worldbuilding and character creation. Hosted by author Richie Billing, each episode features practical writing advice and tips, publishing guidance, and inspir...
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100 episodi
Writing Series, Branding, and Book Launch Secrets from Jami Albright & Sara Rosett
Discover what makes romance and cozy mysteries two of the most successful and reader-loved genres in publishing.
In this episode...
Writing The Magic With Lucy Holland and Dan Coxon
I'm delighted to be joined by bestselling fantasy authors Lucy Holland and Dan Coxon for an all-encompassing discussion on writing fantasy.
Linguistics and Historical Fiction with Professor Charles Li
In this episode, I'm delighted to be joined by Professor Charles Li, author of the brilliant new historical fiction novel, Lord Guan.
Writing Fantasy With Jim C. Hines
I'm thrilled to be joined by bestselling fantasy author, Jim C. Hines for an extended interview about his two new books, Kitemaster and the relaunch o...
Writing Fresh Fantasy With Kel Kade
In this episode, I’m joined by New York Times Best Selling fantasy author, Kel Kade.
Kel’s new book, Sanctum of the Soul, was pub...
Theme, Premise and Writing YA In 2025 with Sarah Arthur
Award-winning YA author Sarah Arthur returns to the Toolshed to discuss her brilliant new book, Once A Castle.
Sarah also shares h...
Writing About Injuries and Wounds
In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author and ER doctor, HB Reneau.
HB talks all about injuries we commonly see in fantasy wor...
How To Get A Literary Agent
In this episode, I'm joined by Brianna Summers, literary agent assistant with Holloway Literary. Brianna also works as an editor with Of Metal and Mag...
How To Write Short Stories With Dan Coxon
In this episode, award-winning short story writer and editor Dan Coxon joins me for an in-depth chat about writing short fiction.
...
How To Write Grimdark With Anna Smith Spark
In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by the Queen of Grimdark, Anna Smith Spark!
Anna joins me for a deep dive into all thi...
The Best Writing Tips Of 2024 - Short Stories, Ian Rankin and more
In this final episode of 2024, I discuss all of the best writing tips I've come across in the past year, as well as the most helpful things I've learn...
How To Make An Audiobook
In this episode, I'm joined by voice over artist and audiobook producer, Ethan Fifield, for an explainer on how to make an audiobook.
Ciel Pierlot On Writing Fantasy And Queer Fiction
In this episode, award-nominated author Ciel Pierlot joins me in the Toolshed for a fascinating chat about writing fantasy and writing queer fiction.<...
Special Episode: Stephen Aryan On Writing Novellas And Self Publishing
In this special episode, I'm delighted to be joined by returning guest and bestselling author, Stephen Aryan.
Stephen has just re...
The Writing Process With Kate J. Armstrong
In this episode I'm delighted to be joined by fantasy author, Kate J. Armstrong. Kate's new book Fyrebirds recently hit the shelves and in this episod...
Jennifer L. Armentrout: On Writing And Born Of Blood And Ash
Jennifer L. Armentrout is one of the biggest authors in the world right now. A #1 NYT Bestseller, as well as a #1 International Bestseller, Jennifer h...
How To Write Young Adult Fiction With Sarah Arthur
In this episode, I'm delighted to welcome bestselling author, Sarah Arthur.
Sarah's debut YA fantasy novel, Once A Queen has rece...
How To Sell Books On Amazon With Kindlepreneur's Dave Chesson
In this episode, we welcome the Kindlepreneur himself, Dave Chesson for a chat about selling books on Amazon and Kindle Direct Publishing.
Can We Change The World With Our Writing? An Interview With Manda Scott
In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Sunday Times Bestselling author, Manda Scott. Manda is well known for her historical fiction series, Bo...
The Writing Process With Gabriela Houston
In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author Gabriela Houston for an honest chat about writing and publishing.
Gabriela has devel...
The Writing Process With Salinee Goldenberg
I'm joined by author Salinee Goldenberg for a brilliantly honest chat about writing her debut novel, The Last Phi Hunter, getting published, and deali...
How To Write A Children's Fantasy Book
In this episode, award-winning author and leader in the world of children's literature and children's books, Meredith Davis, shares many a pearl of wi...
How To Write Romantasy
In this episode, we cover a very hot topic right now (in more ways than one)—romantasy.
With the help of editor Jennia D'Lima and author Lara Bu...
How To Make Fantasy Maps | An Interview With Inkarnate's Finest, Dread Maps and Tyndall Doodle
In this episode of the podcast, we take a comprehensive look at fantasy maps: how to make them, tips on designs and how to draw them both freehand and...
Halloween Special - Making Monsters
With Halloween just around the corner we wanted to tackle something spooky. In this episode—our last in series 2—we're diving into all things monstrou...
Indie Publishing Success With Michael R Miller
Michael R Miller is an indie author who's forged a tremendously successful career in the world of writing.
Off the back of the la...
Audiobooks: How To Get Started
As you may have heard, I have an audiobook coming out soon—in a few weeks in fact (called Pariah's Lament for anyone interested)
I don't know mu...
Book Marketing Advice You Need To Hear
Book marketing is a thorn in many a writer's side, but here with a fine set ot tweezers is marketing whiz, Nicky Pecone.
Nicky is the founder of...
[Panel] Creating And Developing Characters With Karen Heuler
For our latest community panel, we had the pleasure of welcoming award-winning literary fantasy author Karen Healuer as our special guest.
The t...
Essential Advice On Editing
Editing is tough. There's so much to think about, so much to keep an eye out for, the whole process can just be exhausting.
As a writer,...
Religion And Belief Systems With Norse Shaman, Mark Weisman
Religion, belief systems and spirituality are huge topics in the fantasy genre. When we create our fictional worlds, so often they feature gods and go...
The Writing Process With Daniel Polansky
Daniel Polansky is a Hugo-nominated author and writer of scores of acclaimed books, including his most recent: March's End (Angry Robot).
In th...
[Panel] Query Letters, Writing A Synopsis, And Finding A Literary Agent
We're thrilled to welcome Laura Bennett as a special guest for our latest community panel discussion on working with literary agents and navigating th...
Writing Literary Fantasy And Pantsing With Karen Heuler
Award-winning literary fantasy author Karen Heuler stops by the Toolshed to talk about pantsing and writing in the literary style.
Karen's new...
Worldbuilding 101 With Stephen Aryan
Over in our Discord community, we were thrilled to host our very first panel discussion with the brilliant bestselling author, Stephen Aryan.
Al...
The Power Of Writing Groups
In this episode, I welcome three members from our writing community, Isa, Josh and Jonny, for a chat about our community writing groups.
...
How To Create Your Own Magic System
In the second episode of our mini-series on magic systems, Janina and Lucy from The Fey Fellows Podcast rejoin me for a deeper look at two big example...
Hard And Soft Magic Systems
One thing that I haven't covered an awful lot of, both in blogging form and on the podcast, is magic systems.
I'll admit, I'm not a massive user...
The Writing Process With Juliet E. McKenna
I'm delighted to share with you an insightful interview with legendary fantasy author, Juliet E. McKenna
In our chat, we discuss Juliet's new bo...
The Writing Process With Amish Tripathi
In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome one of the world's top-selling fantasy authors, Amish Tripathi.
The BBC has described Amish as "Indi...