Podcasts about young adult fantasy

Episode 254 / Samatha Cummings writes YA fantasy chock full of magic, myths, and monsters and also hosts a podcast for writers, Pen to Paycheck. Topics:Samantha's approach to treating NaNoWrMo as a gameWhy Samatha wishes she'd leaned into newsletter marketing earlier in her careerHow even one other person can be a community for youMindset changes Samantha made around imposter syndrome and knowing her true valueStarting a discord community for Young Adult Fantasy authors 

Nick Hennegan is in Wales talking about a new Young Adult Fantasy, George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions, a lovely country, and Dylan Thomas. www.BohemianBritain.com 

Nick Hennegan is in Wales talking about a new Young Adult Fantasy, George Holmes and the 7 Dimensions, a lovely country, and Dylan Thomas. www.BohemianBritain.com

In this episode, we spoke with science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction author Nicki Pau Preto! Nicki is a Sunday Times best-selling author of six books across these genres in both the middle grade and young adult fiction categories. Her latest YA fantasy release is Ghostsmith, the sequel to Bonesmith! These two books make up the House of the Dead duology, a “dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.” We spoke to Nicki about her publishing journey, her writing inspirations, writing YA and middle grade titles, the House of the Dead duology, fantasy world-building, developing the history of a fantasy world, and much more! This interview was full of great advice and inspiration for fantasy writers of all genres and age groups – be sure to listen if you're looking for an illuminating look into the mind and writing process of an amazing fantasy author. To learn more, visit Nicki's website and find her on Instagram.

Have you ever wanted to step into something new in your career? Make a big change? Have you let fear hold you back? In this episode we're talking to Michelle Shanley about stepping into change and saying yes to fear. As Global Head of Strategic and Key Accounts, Michelle Shanley leads a global team of senior account managers for MSCI. Prior to her current role, she served as Head of Americas Strategic Accounts and Asset Owner and Investment Consultant Coverage. Michelle joined MSCI in 2003, bringing over 10 years of institutional sales and trading experience; spanning Bank of America (Merrill Lynch), Citigroup, and Goldman Sachs. Michelle holds an MBA in Finance from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of New Hampshire. She sits on the U.S. board of Women in ETFS and is actively involved in Partners in Development (Haiti), a non-profit organization focused on helping impoverished communities attain independence and whole-life development. Michelle lives with her family in Maine on a beautiful pastoral property. Kristine Delano guides the conversation about how to think practically about fear and when to say yes.  This episode features a special cameo by Diane E. Samson. Diane is the author of the Young Adult Fantasy series, Gems of Fire.  Check out Diane E. Samson's Gems of Fire series. Follow on Instagram kristine.delano.writer  Visit www.womeninetfs.com to find additional support in the ETF industry.  Go to www.kristinedelano.com for your Thrive Guide: a compilation of the most requested and insightful advice from our guests on Leadership and Advancement.

We revisit our episode with Sabaa Tahir.******"This is happening in our world and at the very least you can bear witness to it. That's literally the absolute least you can do. - Sabaa TahirSabaa Tahir's (“All My Rage,” “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet) upbringing in the Mojave desert, isolated nearly 100 miles from the nearest city, exposed her to an unforgiving landscape and also many unforgiving truths of humanity. Within this backdrop, one place held significant importance in shaping her worldview: The Motel, a small business operated by her immigrant parents.  As she notes, “The good is what helps you survive, but the bad is what makes you wary and careful and makes you lonely at times.” Sabaa ventured into the realm of academia and later pursued a career in journalism, where her understanding of the world's imperfections deepened. The essence of Sabaa's stories lies in the raw exploration of sorrow and frustration…and taking action.  In this episode, Sabaa delves into the experiences of her childhood that left an indelible mark on her perspective of the world. From the motel her parents ran, to sonic booms, to wearing (dreaded) dresses on Mondays, Sabaa's youth sounds eerily like a superhero origin story. She also opened up about the “outsized impact” of her time copy editing at The Washington Post and its influence on her writing. Sabaa reveals how she channels her outrage to resonate with her coming-of-age readers, validating their shared frustrations and coming to terms with her own.***Keep up with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Join Sabaa on social @SabaaTahir***For her reading challenge, Authors of the Muslim Diaspora, Sabaa wants readers to open up to other perspectives from Muslim diaspora authors, including their cultures, traditions, mythologies, and humor. She curated a fabulous reading list, and I invite you to check it out. Reading challenges are always available at thereadingculturepod.com.In this episode, we're once again changing things up for our Beanstack featured librarian. Today we give the mic one more time to Lessa Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada, the current American Library Association president, to share more about the upcoming ALA conference and exhibition. Beanstack has proudly participated in ALA exhibitions for the last eight years! ContentsChapter 1 - The Middle of Nowhere (for real)Chapter 2 - The MotelChapter 3 - One ArtChapter 4 - The Eyes of an EditorChapter 5 - Books Like Sad SongsChapter 6 - Back to Fantasy LandChapter 7 - Lego Proof SocksChapter 8 - Muslim DiasporaChapter 9 - Beanstack Featured LibrarianLinksThe Reading CultureSabaa TahirSabaa's Books The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and extra content)Beanstack resources to build your community's reading cultureSabaa Tahir on growing up in a motel - VoxALA Annual ConferenceThe Children's Book PodcastHost: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

In this month's Featured Author Episode, Kaycee is joined by Bethanie Finger to talk about her nautical Young Adult Fantasy novel More Than Life. Discussions of topic include: incorporating grief into storytelling, worldbuilding candle pairings, and The Baby-Sitter's Club spin-off fanfiction. Plus, we talk all about how The Princess Diaries and Meg Cabot shaped us as readers and writers with its realism and honesty. Grab a pint at Anchorage Inn and embark on a journey into Bethanie Finger's More Than Life, perfect for YA Fantasy enthusiasts. Find Bethanie at the links below: https://linktr.ee/bethaniefinger https://www.bethaniefingerauthor.com/  https://wisewolfbooks.com/authors/bethanie-finger You can find episode show notes on our website: kayceeracer.com/toalltheya Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/toalltheya Theme Music “Brat Pack”  https://get.slip.stream/cI6gXL

Young Adult Bestselling author Krystal Sutherland on the reality of hitting the New York Times Bestseller list, how she constructs compelling hooks and endings for each chapter, moving across genres, and her advice for getting your book done and creating a page-turner. *ABOUT KRYSTAL SUTHERLANDKrystal Sutherland is the New York Times and indie bestselling author of House of Hollow, A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares and Our Chemical Hearts, which was adapted into a film by Amazon Studios. Her books have been published in more than twenty countries and nominated for the Carnegie Medal and YA Book Prize, among others. Originally from Australia, she has lived on four continents and currently calls London home.*RESOURCES & LINKS

I had the joy to engage in a heartfelt conversation with my dear friend Kara Swanson, discussing the importance of grace, self-awareness, and the transformative power of storytelling. Through her personal journey and the characters she breathes life into in her fiction books, Kara intricately weaves together themes of resilience, healing, and the significance of self-awareness in shaping our personal narrative towards deeper faith. Her commitment to guiding and empowering young writers also reflects her own journey of finding purpose and connection. Kara beautifully articulates the power of storytelling as a means of finding identity, especially when navigating cultural differences and personal experiences. Growing up as a missionary kid, Kara felt isolated and found solace in the world of fiction. Through her writing, she sought to process her own experiences and bridge cultural divides through the lens of the gospel. Her focus on young adult fiction takes readers on a journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment, inviting both young and seasoned readers to reflect on their own journeys. Kara emphasizes the importance of extending grace to ourselves and others, understanding the impact of cultural influences on one's sense of self-worth and identity. Through her characters in her upcoming book "Ignite," Kara captures the transformative power of self-awareness and the impact of external influences on personal growth. She underlines the significance of surrounding ourselves with healthy relationships and support systems as we navigate our journey for deeper self-awareness, to lead us deeper into God in Christ Jesus through the Holy Spirit. Kara's advocacy through her storytelling encourages readers to embrace their emotions without letting them define their worth. Her commitment to creating characters that embody selflessness and resilience resonates deeply, offering an invitation for healing, growth, and self-acceptance. A few take-aways I will treasure from our conversation: 1.     Self-awareness leads to God-awareness. It takes a lot of accumulated wisdom to know yourself well, which is necessary to enter into deeper intimacy with God in Christ through the Holy Spirit. 2.     Give yourself grace and move forward with care and intention. 3.     Let your journey of God-ward healing reflect in your work and personal growth. 4.     Don't be afraid to address themes of identity and personal responsibility, especially when ministering to young people. 5.     Question the narratives fed to you by the surrounding culture, and discover your true purpose in Christ. 6.     Strive for self-awareness, introspection, and the journey towards an other-centered mindset, in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. 7.     Channel your experiences into creative outlets to process pain and empower others. 8.     Understand that feelings are real but not always true; they don't define your value or worth. 9.     Seek self-awareness and surround yourself with healthy, godly Christ-centered believers for support and growth. 10.  Support and encourage others, despite differences in experiences and self-awareness. CONNECT WITH KARA SWANSON Kara Swanson writes stories about fairy tales and fiery souls. She spent her childhood a little like a Lost Girl, running barefoot through lush green jungles which inspired her award-winning Peter Pan retellings, Dust and Shadow. She is also the cofounder of the Author Conservatory where she has the honor of teaching young writers to craft sustainable author careers. You'll find Kara with her toes in California sand as a SoCal resident, belting Broadway show tunes on weekend drives to Disneyland with her delightfully nerdy husband, or chatting about magic and mayhem on Instagram (@karaswansonauthor). Author Conservatory: https://authorconservatory.com Website: https://www.karaswanson.com/ Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/karaswansonauthor/  https://www.facebook.com/karaswansonauthor  Books: Dust -  http://tinyurl.com/DustbyKaraSwanson https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dust-kara-swanson/1136014686?ean=9781621841265  Shadow -  http://tinyurl.com/ShadowbyKaraSwanson https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-kara-swanson/1136014685?ean=9781621841753  Ignite - http://tinyurl.com/IgnitebyKaraSwanson https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ignite-kara-swanson/1144909279?ean=9798886051346  DISCOVER “IGNITE”  Can Mara survive in a world where the fire in her veins is worth killing for? In a frozen wasteland suffocating beneath a dying sun, Mara is a young phoenix raised by her father to explode at his command. He's the only one who can help her control her fire, and Mara desperately follows his orders to protect their phoenix family from relentless human hunters. Her sheltered existence is shattered when her family mysteriously vanishes, thrusting Mara into a perilous quest to find them. Along the way, she unravels a devastating truth: her people may not be the innocent victims she's been taught to believe. When she comes face-to-face with the kindhearted Eli, she begins to wonder if the humans aren't the monsters she's always feared. What if the greatest danger doesn't lie in the icy world outside—but in the truth of who Mara really is? We invite you to check out the first episode of each of our series, and decide which one you will want to start with. Go to gospelspice.com for more, and go especially to gospelspice.com/podcast to enjoy our guests! Interested in our blog? Click here: gospelspice.com/blog Identity in the battle | Ephesians https://www.podcastics.com/episode/74762/link/ Centering on Christ | The Tabernacle experience https://www.podcastics.com/episode/94182/link/ Shades of Red | Against human oppression https://www.podcastics.com/episode/115017/link/ God's glory, our delight  https://www.podcastics.com/episode/126051/link/   The Ascension is one of Stephanie's all time favorite events, and one that draws her deep into worship. She invites you to the same through her 2024 Ascension episode coming out on May 7, 2024, and more: make sure to be signed up for our newsletter by that date, so that you will receive a gorgeous gift to deepen your experience of the Ascension this year. All you need to do is make sure you are signed up at gospelspice.com/signup today! Support us on Gospel Spice, PayPal and Venmo!

Marissa chats with Makiia Lucier about her new romantic YA fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology, DRAGONFRUIT. Also discussed in this episode: writing by hand in notebooks, what it's like to revise and resubmit to an agent, the advantage of keeping early writing a secret, the joy of research and using it to build lush worlds and believable fantastical creatures, how characters can surprise even the writer, the huge evolution in story and characters from first to final draft, writing standalones versus series, and so much more!The Happy Writer at Bookshop.orgPurchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Writing Mastery AcademyUse the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.Amplify MarketersOur mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Red Herrings SocietyUse the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Welcome back to The Writing Apothecary and to our interview for the topic. Caroline and I dive deep into the all things fight scenes and how to better your writing of them.  In today's chat here are some of the things we covered:What defines a fighting scene?The kinds of fighting scenes.The language of fighting scenes.Caroline's take on all things fighting scenes. About Caroline:Caroline Logan is a writer of Young Adult Fantasy. She is currently working on her Scottish fantasy series: The Four Treasures. The Stone of Destiny, The Cauldron of Life and The Sword of Light are out now, with the final book - The Spear of Life out now.Caroline is a high school biology teacher who lives in the Cairngorms National Park in Scotland, with her husband and dogs, Ranger and Scout. Before moving there, she lived and worked in Spain, Tenerife, Sri Lanka and other places in Scotland. She graduated from The University of Glasgow with a bachelor's degree in Marine and Freshwater Biology. In her spare time she tries to swim, ski and paddleboard, though she is happiest with a good book and a cup of tea.You can find her here: Website, Twitter, InstagramYou can buy her books from here: Amazon, Cranachan PublishingTell me what did you take away from this week's lesson? I'd love to knowAlso, I would really appreciate it if you took the time to rate and review the podcast it helps people find our community and gets the podcast out into the world a little more.Want exclusive behind the scenes and early access to episodes join up to the mailing list over here.If you're looking for a cheerleader for your writing, then head on over to https://dreamingfullyawake.com/work-with-me/ and let's have a chat about how we can work together to get your writing on track. 

In this week's episode Marissa chats with debut author and podcaster Bethanie Finger about her YA historical fantasy, MORE THAN LIFE. Also discussed in this episode: expedited series releases, being a pantser, even when worldbuilding, finding the magic in editing, short chapters, the effectiveness of writing exercises and sprints, the Prince Kai Fan Pod, the importance of setting boundaries, taking breaks, and asking for help, and so much more. Show notes: The Prince Kai Fan Pod: https://princekaifanpod.wixsite.com/website Follow Litjoy for info about The Heartless Annotated Special Edition: https://www.instagram.com/litjoycrateThe Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Amplify Marketers Our mission is to help your message rise above the noise so it can be heard loud & clear.Red Herrings Society Use the code HappyWriter at RedHerringWriters.com to try the first month for free.Writing Mastery Academy Use the code HAPPYWRITER at WritingMastery.com for $20 off your first year of unlimited access.Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this week's episode Marissa chats with Dinesh Thiru about his debut YA fantasy adventure, INTO THE SUNKEN CITY. Also discussed in this episode: how a gag project can inspire a writing career, retelling a literary classic (TREASURE ISLAND) in a postapocalyptic setting, how much of the source material to use, and creating a more modern diverse cast of characters, being conscious about your setting and sensory details, using real maps and biology to make the setting and details feel real, creating the voice of colorful characters, balancing being a stay at home parent with the writing, and so much more! Show notes: The Artists' Way – Julia Cameron https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9780143129257 The official MM merchandise shops: https://www.etsy.com/shop/happywriterstorehttps://thehappywriter.creator-spring.com/ https://www.teepublic.com/user/the-happy-writer The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Amplify Marketers Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice podcast! Today, we're on the road to Wisconsin for a chat with Mike Nelson, a retired physician, Vietnam veteran, and author of the latest book, "The Annie Abbott Series.” Find out more at:   AuthorMikeNelson.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello and welcome to The Relatable Voice podcast! Today, we're on the road to Wisconsin for a chat with Mike Nelson, a retired physician, Vietnam veteran, and author of the latest book, "The Annie Abbott Series.” Find out more at:   AuthorMikeNelson.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Natalia, Brooke, and Shannon are recommending some of their favorite young adult fantasy. Titles mentioned include: Rachel Vincent, My Soul To Take (Soul Screamers #1) Ava Reid, A Study In Drowning J. Elle, House of Marionne (House of Marionne #1) Sarah J. Maas, Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1) Coco Ma, Nightbreaker (Nightbreaker #1) Camila Victoire, Blood Circus Marissa Meyer, Renegades (Renegades #1) Gabi Burton, Sing Me To Sleep (Sing Me To Sleep #1) Kylie Lee Baker, The Keeper of Night (The Keeper of Night #1) Kristin Cashore, Graceling (Graceling Realm #1) Kerri Maniscalco, Throne of the Fallen Kresley Cole, Poison Princess (The Arcana Chronicles #1) You can always contact the Book Bistro team by searching @BookBistroPodcast on facebook, or visiting: https://www.facebook.com/BookBistroPodcast/ You can also send an email to: TheBookBistroPodcast@gmail.com For more information on the podcast and the team behind it, please visit: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/book-bistro

This month we're reading Young Adult Fantasy! and the first book is picked by Cat and it's So This Is Ever After by FT Lukens. We also dive into some pretty controversial booktok opinions and we do another Taylor song draft! Feel free to follow and interact with us on our socials. Beware we discuss spoilers! IG: @whatyoumademeread Twitter: @mademereadpod TikTok: @lookwhatyoumademeread

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with J. Elle about her YA contemporary fantasy, House of Marionne. Also discussed: throwing off the pressure to write what you think you should write and writing books for yourself, expansive worldbuilding with depth and breadth to support a trilogy - even including appendices, creating complicated, flawed love interests, adding an additional POV that shows a different side of the world the main characters live in, and so much more.The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

The writing was beautiful almost poetic, even though the world building wasn't the strongest, it still made you feel like you were there with the characters. The story made your heartache, I definitely shed some tears for what Iris had to go through. The world was definitely not what I was expecting, it was set in almost a 40's setting with typewriters, trains, but had the fantasy aspect of gods and goddesses. I really liked this Young Adult Fantasy!

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with S. Jae-Jones about THE GUARDIANS OF DAWN: ZHARA, her latest young adult fantasy, the first in a new series, pitched as Sailor Moon meets The Lunar Chronicles (!). Also discussed: how marketing can have a huge influence on a book's genre and placement, reminding yourself of why you decided to seek out publication in the first place when publishing gets frustrating, the joy in sharing stories and connecting with readers, writing fairytale retellings within a context of a larger, overarching series, determining magic systems, inserting Easter eggs for fans, and so much more!The Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this episode, Rachel chats about one of her own favorite hobbies, reading. She shares books that speak to creating some breathing room in your life in Mindset, Productivity & Hustle Culture, and Christian Living. There are also a few fun books to read for fun in Memoirs, Young Adult Fantasy, and more!Episode HighlightsA little insight to Rachel's hobby of readingBooks that speak to creating some breathing room in your life in Mindset, Productivity & Hustle Culture, and Christian LivingBooks to read for fun in Memoirs, Young Adult Fantasy, and a few miscellaneous choices to check outHow to continue this conversation with Rachel after listening to the episodeResources MentionedAll It Takes is a Goal podcast with Jon AcuffSoundtracks by Jon AcuffYour New Playlist by Jon, L.E., and McRae AcuffSlow Growth Equals Strong Roots by Mary MarantzBelieve It by Jamie Kern LimaThe Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerHow to Keep House While Drowning by KC DavisHoly Hustle by Crystal StineYou're Already Amazing by Holley GerthFiercehearted by Holley GerthThe Powerful Purpose of Introverts by Holley GerthPresent Over Perfect by Shauna NiequistDaring Greatly by Brene Brown The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene BrownDirt by Mary MarantzThe Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom, Elizabeth & John Sherrill A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald MillerThe Harry Potter series by J.K. RowlingThe Land of Stories series by Chris ColferThe Keeper of the Lost Cities series by Shannon MessengerCapital Gaines: Smart Things I Learned Doing Stupid Stuff by Chip GainesHero on a Mission by Donald MillerHoly Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow by Jamie EricksonRelated Episodes / You Might Also Like

On Today's Show "This is happening in our world and at the very least you can bear witness to it. That's literally the absolute least you can do. - Sabaa Tahir Sabaa Tahir's (“All My Rage,” “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet) upbringing in the Mojave desert, isolated nearly 100 miles from the nearest city, exposed her to an unforgiving landscape and also many unforgiving truths of humanity. Within this backdrop, one place held significant importance in shaping her worldview: The Motel, a small business operated by her immigrant parents.  As she notes, “The good is what helps you survive, but the bad is what makes you wary and careful and makes you lonely at times.” Sabaa ventured into the realm of academia and later pursued a career in journalism, where her understanding of the world's imperfections deepened. The essence of Sabaa's stories lies in the raw exploration of sorrow and frustration…and taking action.  In this episode, Sabaa delves into the experiences of her childhood that left an indelible mark on her perspective of the world. From the motel her parents ran, to sonic booms, to wearing (dreaded) dresses on Mondays, Sabaa's youth sounds eerily like a superhero origin story. She also opened up about the “outsized impact” of her time copy editing at The Washington Post and its influence on her writing. Sabaa reveals how she channels her outrage to resonate with her coming-of-age readers, validating their shared frustrations and coming to terms with her own.***Keep up with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Join Sabaa on social @SabaaTahir***For her reading challenge, Authors of the Muslim Diaspora, Sabaa wants readers to open up to other perspectives from Muslim diaspora authors, including their cultures, traditions, mythologies, and humor. She curated a fabulous reading list, and I invite you to check it out. Reading challenges are always available at thereadingculturepod.com.In this episode, we're once again changing things up for our Beanstack featured librarian. Today we give the mic one more time to Lessa Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada, the current American Library Association president, to share more about the upcoming ALA conference and exhibition. Beanstack has proudly participated in ALA exhibitions for the last eight years! ContentsChapter 1 - The Middle of Nowhere (for real)Chapter 2 - The MotelChapter 3 - One ArtChapter 4 - The Eyes of an EditorChapter 5 - Books Like Sad SongsChapter 6 - Back to Fantasy LandChapter 7 - Lego Proof SocksChapter 8 - Muslim DiasporaChapter 9 - Beanstack Featured LibrarianLinks The Reading Culture Sabaa Tahir Sabaa's Books  The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and extra content) Beanstack resources to build your community's reading culture Sabaa Tahir on growing up in a motel - Vox ALA Annual Conference The Children's Book Podcast Host: Jordan Lloyd BookeyProducer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street MediaScript Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with Melissa Blair about her second book in the Halfling Saga, A SHADOW CROWN, as well as transitioning to being a full-time writer, the editorial process and chasing perfection, difficult second acts, writing expansive timelines and using devices to show the passage of time, writing villains, and so much more!History Nerds UnitedLet's make history fun again! Come listen to interviews with today's best authors.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyThe Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with E.K. Johnston about her latest book, the prequel to Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves – THE DRUID'S CALL. Also discussed: how archaeology and writing can be related, writing IP (intellectual property) projects, the pros and cons of them, and how writing fanfiction can prepare you for the job, the fun and complications of inserting Easter eggs into books, and so much more.Dragon Age (Game): https://www.ea.com/games/dragon-age What is dressage: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/what-is-dressage-olympics-747995  History Nerds UnitedLet's make history fun again! Come listen to interviews with today's best authors.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifyThe Happy Writer at Bookshop.org Purchasing your books through our webstore at Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

The heroic romance is one of the West's most enduring narratives, found everywhere, from religion and myth to blockbuster films and young adult literature. Within this story, adolescent girls are not, and cannot be, the heroes. They are, at best, the hero's bride, a prize he wins for slaying monsters. Crucially, although the girl's exclusion from heroic selfhood affects all girls, it does not do so equally- whiteness and able-bodiedness are taken as markers of heightened, fantasy femininity. Female Heroes in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction: Reframing Myths of Adolescent Girlhood (Bloomsbury, 2023) by Dr. Leah Phillips explores how the young female-heroes of mythopoeic YA, a Tolkienian-inspired genre drawing on myth's world-creating power and YA's liminal potential, disrupt the conventional heroic narrative. These heroes, such as Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, and Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Iko, offer a model of being-hero, an embodied way of living and being in this world that disrupts the typical hero's violent hierarchy, isolating individuality, and erasure of difference. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what it means to be a hero, a girl, and even human. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The heroic romance is one of the West's most enduring narratives, found everywhere, from religion and myth to blockbuster films and young adult literature. Within this story, adolescent girls are not, and cannot be, the heroes. They are, at best, the hero's bride, a prize he wins for slaying monsters. Crucially, although the girl's exclusion from heroic selfhood affects all girls, it does not do so equally- whiteness and able-bodiedness are taken as markers of heightened, fantasy femininity. Female Heroes in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction: Reframing Myths of Adolescent Girlhood (Bloomsbury, 2023) by Dr. Leah Phillips explores how the young female-heroes of mythopoeic YA, a Tolkienian-inspired genre drawing on myth's world-creating power and YA's liminal potential, disrupt the conventional heroic narrative. These heroes, such as Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, and Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Iko, offer a model of being-hero, an embodied way of living and being in this world that disrupts the typical hero's violent hierarchy, isolating individuality, and erasure of difference. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what it means to be a hero, a girl, and even human. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

The heroic romance is one of the West's most enduring narratives, found everywhere, from religion and myth to blockbuster films and young adult literature. Within this story, adolescent girls are not, and cannot be, the heroes. They are, at best, the hero's bride, a prize he wins for slaying monsters. Crucially, although the girl's exclusion from heroic selfhood affects all girls, it does not do so equally- whiteness and able-bodiedness are taken as markers of heightened, fantasy femininity. Female Heroes in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction: Reframing Myths of Adolescent Girlhood (Bloomsbury, 2023) by Dr. Leah Phillips explores how the young female-heroes of mythopoeic YA, a Tolkienian-inspired genre drawing on myth's world-creating power and YA's liminal potential, disrupt the conventional heroic narrative. These heroes, such as Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, and Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Iko, offer a model of being-hero, an embodied way of living and being in this world that disrupts the typical hero's violent hierarchy, isolating individuality, and erasure of difference. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what it means to be a hero, a girl, and even human. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

The heroic romance is one of the West's most enduring narratives, found everywhere, from religion and myth to blockbuster films and young adult literature. Within this story, adolescent girls are not, and cannot be, the heroes. They are, at best, the hero's bride, a prize he wins for slaying monsters. Crucially, although the girl's exclusion from heroic selfhood affects all girls, it does not do so equally- whiteness and able-bodiedness are taken as markers of heightened, fantasy femininity. Female Heroes in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction: Reframing Myths of Adolescent Girlhood (Bloomsbury, 2023) by Dr. Leah Phillips explores how the young female-heroes of mythopoeic YA, a Tolkienian-inspired genre drawing on myth's world-creating power and YA's liminal potential, disrupt the conventional heroic narrative. These heroes, such as Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, and Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Iko, offer a model of being-hero, an embodied way of living and being in this world that disrupts the typical hero's violent hierarchy, isolating individuality, and erasure of difference. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what it means to be a hero, a girl, and even human. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The heroic romance is one of the West's most enduring narratives, found everywhere, from religion and myth to blockbuster films and young adult literature. Within this story, adolescent girls are not, and cannot be, the heroes. They are, at best, the hero's bride, a prize he wins for slaying monsters. Crucially, although the girl's exclusion from heroic selfhood affects all girls, it does not do so equally- whiteness and able-bodiedness are taken as markers of heightened, fantasy femininity. Female Heroes in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction: Reframing Myths of Adolescent Girlhood (Bloomsbury, 2023) by Dr. Leah Phillips explores how the young female-heroes of mythopoeic YA, a Tolkienian-inspired genre drawing on myth's world-creating power and YA's liminal potential, disrupt the conventional heroic narrative. These heroes, such as Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, and Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Iko, offer a model of being-hero, an embodied way of living and being in this world that disrupts the typical hero's violent hierarchy, isolating individuality, and erasure of difference. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what it means to be a hero, a girl, and even human. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/communications

The heroic romance is one of the West's most enduring narratives, found everywhere, from religion and myth to blockbuster films and young adult literature. Within this story, adolescent girls are not, and cannot be, the heroes. They are, at best, the hero's bride, a prize he wins for slaying monsters. Crucially, although the girl's exclusion from heroic selfhood affects all girls, it does not do so equally- whiteness and able-bodiedness are taken as markers of heightened, fantasy femininity. Female Heroes in Young Adult Fantasy Fiction: Reframing Myths of Adolescent Girlhood (Bloomsbury, 2023) by Dr. Leah Phillips explores how the young female-heroes of mythopoeic YA, a Tolkienian-inspired genre drawing on myth's world-creating power and YA's liminal potential, disrupt the conventional heroic narrative. These heroes, such as Tamora Pierce's Alanna the Lioness, Daine the Wildmage, and Marissa Meyer's Cinder and Iko, offer a model of being-hero, an embodied way of living and being in this world that disrupts the typical hero's violent hierarchy, isolating individuality, and erasure of difference. In doing so, they push the boundaries of what it means to be a hero, a girl, and even human. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose doctoral work focused on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

In this episode, Marissa chats with Maurene Goo about her latest YA time-travel, THROWBACK. Also discussed: how writing is both a labor of love and an actual job, how to create boundaries, take breaks, and keep from burning out, managing writing and parenthood, immersing yourself in past culture and the shock of viewing it through modern eyes, and so much more!The Do-It-Yourself Escape Room Book:  https://bookshop.org/a/11756/9781510758803 Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this episode, it was such a treat to interview Stephanie Cotta whose debut Young Adult Fantasy book, The Conjurer's Curse, was recently released!! It was really interesting to hear how real events in her life, and in the world, inspired her fantasy books. So if you are interested in writing fantasy, I think this conversation is going to be especially useful for you.  We chatted about world building as a fantasy author as well as: Where to find inspiration and ideas. How she sets the ambiance for her writing sessions. Her simple advice to people who are wanting to write a book. What she does when she gets writer's block and more! She shared so much good advice! Congratulations to Stephanie on her debut book! About Stephanie: Stephanie Cotta hails from beautiful Southern Oregon and resides in a quaint, historic mining town. Growing up, she spent much of her time delving into every new Star Wars book she could get her hands on, which all began at age nine when she bought The Courtship of Princess Leia by Dave Wolverton at a garage sale for a quarter. Her love of Star Wars and Sci-Fi/fantasy has been undying ever since. A fine arts major in college, she first embarked into the literary world as a children's book illustrator, then leapt over to the realm of storytelling when she could no longer repress the urge to write the fantasy stories running wild in her imagination. When she's not steeped in writing, she's launching arrows at hay bales, drawing with pastels, reading fantasy, playing an immersive RPG, or watching the latest BBC historical drama. You can connect with Stephanie and find her book at https://linktr.ee/StephanieCotta. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dallas-woodburn/support

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with Jenna Voris about her debut YA sci-fi, MADE OF STARS, as well as writing not one, but two romances, creating complex government systems that serve the story and feed the action, the difficulty of writing heists and figuring out what details to include, on becoming an outliner but still creating excitement in the writing, the challenge of cutting unnecessary scenes, and so much more!Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with Lyssa Mia Smith about her debut, the Moulin Rouge-inspired YA romantic historical fantasy, REVELLE, as well some of the research behind the pursuit of happiness and enjoying the writing process, deliberate practice, worldbuilding, prioritizing writing and dealing with guilt, and much more!Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson and Robert PoolThe Happy Writer Listener Survey  - https://forms.gle/NWpEBUEGjUmCJHJJ6Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyerFind out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this week's episode, Marissa chats with M. K. Lobb about her debut YA fantasy murder mystery, SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS, along with second book syndrome, the pressure of reader expectations, cover design, how politics and systems can influence a story and characters, tips for creating atmospheric settings, and so much more! Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyerFind out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Devora's perfect future shatters. Instead of attending Vlacklear Academy, she is sent to the Fortress-a prison holding murderers and thieves that make up the soldiers in His Majesty's Army. She fears it is the end of her. Suppressing her forbidden Seeing abilities, Devora is thrust into the role of soldier, and must learn to defend herself while avoiding Warden Hazor and his ruthless right-hand man, Captain Blake. When Devora's Seeing abilities are exposed, she's thrown into a tournament to win her right to live. She must turn to Captain Blake for help or be slaughtered like all the other Seers before her. Listen in as I chat with Vanessa Romas Burton and her fantastical take on the book of Judges in the story of Debora on Tuesday, February 7th at 7:00 pm Eastern time. Follow PJC Media on podcast platforms everywhere. Or, click on the link here: http://tobtr.com/12195787 .

In this week's bonus episode, Marissa and Joanne (the Happy Writer Social Media Captain and writer of several middle grade books) chat about the topic they most frequently get asked about from authors and aspiring authors: how to be more productive. In this conversation Marissa and Joanne share their best tips on how to be a productive writer, maximize time management, maintain joy in the process, tackle big goals, find the perfect work/life balance, and more.  Some of the methods/suggestions discussed:Alphasmart: https://hackaday.com/2020/11/05/alphasmart-neo-teardown-this-is-the-way-to-write-without-distractions/The Pomodoro Method: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/the-pomodoro-technique-is-it-right-for-you.html NaNoWriMo: https://nanowrimo.org/ Write or Die: https://v2.writeordie.com/ The Ivy Lee Method: https://medium.com/the-ascent/the-ivy-lee-method-a-profoundly-simple-yet-effective-way-to-get-more-out-of-your-to-do-list-71dea851e3cBooks discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Fantasy author shares her secret - how to gamify your life Is your life boring? It won't be after this episode!! Not only will Jodi L. Milner take you away into her Fantasy world, don't worry it is appropriate for the whole family, but you will also learn how to gamify your life and make everything you do more fun! When Jodi L. Milner, a suburban housewife and author of the epic Young Adult Fantasy trilogy 'The Shadow Barrier', finds herself challenged by the 'try fail cycle' of life, she embarks on an adventure to discover a new way of conquering her goals. "I strongly believe that everybody is the hero of their own story and sometimes our heroes have to do things that aren't really fun to do. Even heroes have to do their laundry sometimes." Jodi L. Milner is an author of the Young Adult Fantasy trilogy, Stone Bear's Betrayal, Stone Bear's Apprentice and Stone Bear's Redemption. She is passionate about helping people gamify their lives to make everyday tasks more enjoyable. Jodi L. Milner embarked on a journey of self-discovery, learning to gamify her life in order to make mundane tasks more fun. She realized that by changing her mindset and looking at tasks as challenges, she could bring an element of adventure and excitement to her life. Through her journey she learned that failure is just an opportunity to try again, and that rewards can be found in accomplishing even the smallest of tasks. With her newfound knowledge and a pack of 200 stickers, Jodi was ready to take on the world. In this episode, you will learn the following: 1. Discovering how to create a character by mixing elements from various people and characters. 2. Exploring the "action fantasy" genre and how to create an exciting and engaging story. 3. Learning how to re-frame mundane tasks as exciting side-quests. Thank you for joining me today! I'm having a blast creating Hardy Mom & it would be an honor to have you share it with someone who has a chronic illlness, pain, or disability, or who loves someone with one of those. Thanks! Want more? Go to HardyMom.com and you'll find hacks to simplify this chronic life, and ways to live well and enjoy your life again - with any health challenges. I'd love to hear what you think about this episode! Send me a message at HardyMom.com/contact Have a blessed week, Jen Connect with Jodi:   Links: Website: http://jodilmilner.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/JodiLMilner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JodilMilnerAuthor/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jodi.l.milner/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/11569331.Jodi_L_Milner Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jodi-L.-Milner/e/B00SGCGYHC/ Stonebearer's Betrayal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0838BG2GJ/ Stonebearer's Apprentice on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08954BYTL Stonebearer's Redemption on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stonebearers-Redemption-Shadow-Barrier-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B0BN6XTT9G/ Shadow Barrier Trilogy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B85QQC4    Freebie - Novelette "Of Stone and Spark" A Shadow Barrier Trilogy Prequel https://storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/a3548b04-7984-11ec-afa3-6fdfd6a40df8 Connect with Jen: Send me a message HERE Facebook: @thejenhardy Instagram: @thejenhardy Twitter: @thejenhardy Want a community of moms who understands?  Join us on Facebook! Want to learn more about coping with a new diagnosis as a patient or caregiver? Go to hardymom.com/new-diagnosis for lots of great info! 

Before Brittney was a full-fledged librarian, she was a student in college. When she started her first library job there, she met the amazing Rachel.A library-centric episode today: Join us as we do a short interview with a librarian who primarily works with teens, and works at a much larger library system than we do!Rachel put together a list of Young Adult Fantasy books to check out!Fantastic YA Fantasy Reads | Alameda County Library | BiblioCommonsThings We MentionedAmerican Library Association's Bill of Rights, pertaining to minors: Schools and Minors' Rights | Advocacy, Legislation & Issues (ala.org)A Blade So Black (Nightmare-Verse, #1) by L.L. McKinney (goodreads.com)Find us at:Podcast Website: https://swordsstarships.buzzsprout.comInstagram: Brittney and Joshua (@swordsnstarships) • Instagram photos and videosEmail: Starships@coosbaylibrary.orgOur Library's Facebook Page: Coos Bay Public Library | FacebookCoos Bay Public Library's Instagram: CoosBayLibrary (@coosbaylibrary) • Instagram photos and videos

Marissa chats with Mary E. Pearson about her expanded and illustrated edition of MORRIGHAN: THE BEGINNINGS OF THE REMNANT UNIVERSE - as well as how our writing processes tend to change as each new book presents its own unique challenges; the pros and cons of writing a multi-book series; thinking of your romance storyline as a game the characters are playing, in order to imbue the relationship with loads of chemistry and tension; some insight into the process of writing a prequel to a longer work; how the insecurities we feel tend to be universal and ongoing (regardless of where you are in your career), but how tapping into your love of a story - and focusing on making it better in revisions - can help you push past those doubts.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Marissa chats with Susan Dennard about her new urban fantasy - THE LUMINARIES - as well as enlisting the power of word-of-mouth to build hype around your novel, and create an amazing community in the process; using science and evolution to develop realistically horrific fantasy monsters; how "The Luminaries" began life as a reader-directed story on Twitter, and the challenges that come with writing via "hive mind"; how conflicted emotions in your protagonist can lead to a more interesting character arc, especially over the course of a series; the good that can come from allowing yourself to be vulnerable on social media; and the importance of taking breaks when you need them, putting yourself before your writing, and knowing that missing a deadline is not the end of the world (truly!). Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

In this bonus episode, I get to answer our listener-submitted questions about Gilded, Cursed, and more! Topics include: the inspiration behind this duology; when characters and their fates surprise me; my method for adapting fairy tales into novels; tips for writing believable romance; who were my biggest cheerleaders when I was an aspiring writer; and possible continuations for Renegades and Heartless, along with other plans for future works.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer Find out more and follow The Happy Writer on social media: https://www.marissameyer.com/podcast/

Key-lee's back, alright! That's right folks, Keylee Hargis returns once again. She's the massively talented writer behind the Young Adult Fantasy "Royal Bond" & "War Bond", as well as the bestselling “Sacred Scars”. This amazing writer has garnered 30 MILLION reads across her work and has a rabid fan base to boot. Young Adult/ New Adult lovers out there will find a new author to binge on, and fellow authors out there can learn a thing or two about making it in this business (I know I did). Just like last time, this chat was funny, informative, and raw (don't let the smile fool you, like her characters in Sacred Scars--this woman's an assassin with prose). We talk about her next release, "Sacred Lies" (the sequel to Sacred Scars), and the inspirations she had for making/while making this novel. For more Keylee, check her out on TikTok and make sure to follow her on socials so you can stay up to date on everything this bestseller is up to--you definitely won't regret it. Keylee's Links INSTAGRAM - @keyleehargis_author TWITTER - @keyleehargis WEBSITE - linktr.ee/Keyleehargis For more of A.R. Mirabal, visit "www.Neotino.net". There you'll find galleries of all our art, a store for current and soon-to-be-released merch and books, as well as some free short stories and a contact page for our services. A.R.'s Links: ALL LINKS - linktr.ee/AR_Mirabal INSTAGRAM - @allegoryoftheend TWITTER - @OfficialNeotino REDDIT - u/Official_Neotino PATREON - patreon.com/neotino

Marissa chats with Lyndall Clipstone about her gothic romance duology - LAKESEDGE and FORESTFALL - as well as how the desire to prove oneself can be an excellent motivator; using special rituals in order to separate yourself from the "real world" and immerse yourself in the setting and feel of your novel; reconceptualizing a stand-alone book into a duology by expanding on existing plotlines, while making each book fundamentally different in some way; using oracle cards to set your writing intentions and clue yourself into your own personal needs (they might even inspire some new ideas!); using social media not just to engage with readers, but also as a creative outlet; and some great advice from a former editor - including how to guard your unique writing voice, and why you shouldn't save your best ideas for later. Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at  https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer

Marissa chats with Gina Chen about her debut fantasy - VIOLET MADE OF THORNS - as well as how readers tend to pick up on themes and symbolism that speak to them, regardless of what the writer might have intended; using fun relationship dynamics and internal conflicts (such as clashing personalities and varying moral codes) to enhance an enemies-to-lovers trope; some things to consider when including prophecies as a plot device, and two different methods for writing them (plot first vs. prophecy first); why the "flashlight method" might be right for you, especially if your process falls somewhere in the middle of the plotter/pantser spectrum; and how to overcome some of the challenges specific to fanfiction writers who want to start writing original works.Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at  https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer

Marissa chats with Namina Forna about her new YA fantasy - THE MERCILESS ONES - as well as the deeper meanings that books can have for readers, and why it is so powerful to feel seen in the stories we read; upping the stakes over the course of a series by delving deeper into the world and its various systems with every book; honoring the importance of female friendships in young adult fiction, and how you can use those relationships as various foils for your protagonist; building your fantasy world on a foundation of reality and research (think you don't enjoy research? Namina shares some ideas to make it more fun); and the many differences we writers can have when it comes to our personal writing process - and yet, miraculously, we all somehow end up with a book in the end!Books discussed in this episode can be purchased from your local independent bookstore or buy them online from the Happy Writer bookshop.org store (that benefits indie bookstores) at  https://bookshop.org/shop/marissameyer 

This week, we discuss "The Call" by fantasy author Peadar O' Guilin which we just absolutely loved reading.Amazon: https://amzn.to/38MYzSwStay Prickly~

We've finally done it folks...it's our 100th episode of the podcast, and we could not have a better guest to ring it in with--Keylee Hargis is back! She is the massively talented writer behind the Young Adult Fantasy "Royal Bond", "War Bond", & the rest of the Bond Series that's soon to follow. This amazing writer has garnered 30 MILLION reads across her work and has a rabid fan base to boot. Young Adult/ New Adult lovers out there will find a new author to binge on, and fellow authors out there can learn a thing or two about making it in this business (I know I did). Just like last time, this chat was funny, informative, and raw (don't let the smile fool you, like her characters in Sacred Scars--this woman's an assassin with prose). We talk about her latest debut, "Sacred Scars", and the inspirations she had for making/while making this novel. For more Keylee, check her out on Wattpad and make sure to follow her on socials so you can stay up to date on everything this bestseller is up to--you won't regret it. Keylee's Links INSTAGRAM - @keyleehargis_author TWITTER - @keyleehargis WEBSITE - linktr.ee/Keyleehargis For more of A.R. Mirabal, visit "www.Neotino.net". There you'll find galleries of all our art, a store for current and soon-to-be-released merch and books, as well as some free short stories and a contact page for our services. A.R.'s Links: ALL LINKS - linktr.ee/AR_Mirabal INSTAGRAM - @allegoryoftheend TWITTER - @OfficialNeotino REDDIT - u/Official_Neotino PATREON - patreon.com/neotino

Here is our first interview with Young Adult Fantasy author Michael Webb. Michael just released Rise of the Shadow Book 2 of the Shadow Knights Trilogy. Here we discuss the differences in writing different drafts for each book in a trilogy, new release advertising and schedules, and how to find your audience. Don't forget to check out Michael's socials and author profile:https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Webb/e/B091CYX2MD/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1https://www.amazon.com/Last-Shadow-Knight-Knights-Trilogy/dp/1737578808/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1737578808&psc=1https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Shadow-Michael-Webb/dp/1737578816www.michaelwebbnovels.comInstagram - @michaelwebbnovelsFacebook - @michaelwebbnovels

Bobbye Jo and Lauren discuss the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. The books are Young Adult/Fantasy and we enjoyed them thoroughly. We discuss our first impressions of the series, who the real villain is, and our favorite quotes! Don't forget to rate and subscribe! Stay tuned for Episode Two which will feature the Six of Crows Series, the next duology in the Grishaverse! Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/thenotsosecretsociety. Become a member and join the conversation! Stay for tea, we insist. https://plus.acast.com/s/thenotsosecretsociety. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.