The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed
Channel Details
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 fantasy writing craft advice and tips, publishing guidance,...
Recent Episodes
105 episodes
Writing the Fae, Present Tense Storytelling and Confined Fantasy Worlds | Rym Kechacha on The Apple and the Pearl
What makes the fae such enduring figures in fantasy? How do you write in the present tense without it feeling awkward? And can a fantasy story work in...
Creating A Successful Author Business With Joanna Penn
This episode explains how to build a sustainable and profitable author business, focusing on mindset, income streams, and long-term strategy. You’ll l...
Email Marketing for Writers and Authors In 2026
✍️ Access The Free Class Here: Email Marketing For Writers and Authors
This episode explains how email marketing works for authors in 2026, focu...
RJ Barker On Writing Fantasy
This episode explains how to improve your fantasy writing using proven techniques for character development, worldbuilding, and the writing process, b...
The Biggest Mistakes Authors Make (According to a Writing Coach) | Suzy Vadori on Character Creation, Worldbuilding & Author Growth
Are you repeating the same writing mistakes without realising it? In this episode, writing coach and author Suzy Vadori reveals the biggest errors she...
Writing Series, Branding, and Book Launch Secrets from Jami Albright & Sara Rosett
This episode explains how to write a successful book series and build an author brand that drives consistent book sales. You’ll learn how to structure...
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.
We...
Writing Fantasy With Jim C. Hines
This episode explains how to improve your fantasy writing by focusing on character development, short story craft, and long-term creative growth, with...
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 published...
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 her expe...
Writing About Injuries and Wounds
This episode explains how to write realistic injuries and wounds in fantasy stories, focusing on medical accuracy, trauma, and believable consequences...
How To Get A Literary Agent
This episode explains how to get a literary agent, focusing on query letters, submission strategies, and what agents look for in writers. You’ll learn...
How To Write Short Stories With Dan Coxon
This episode explains how to write and publish fantasy short stories, focusing on structure, editing, and what editors look for in submissions. You’ll...
How To Write Grimdark With Anna Smith Spark
This episode explains how to write grimdark fantasy, focusing on morally complex characters, violence, tone, and emotional depth, with insights from a...
The Best Writing Tips Of 2024 - Short Stories, Ian Rankin and more
Discover the most effective writing tips to improve your craft, get published, and build a successful writing career.
Writing advice is everywhe...
How To Make An Audiobook
This episode explains how to make an audiobook, focusing on production, narration, and distribution using platforms like ACX. You’ll learn how to find...
Ciel Pierlot On Writing Fantasy And Queer Fiction
This episode explains how to write fantasy and queer fiction, focusing on character development, storytelling craft, and the path to publication, with...
Special Episode: Stephen Aryan On Writing Novellas And Self Publishing
This episode explains how to write novellas and succeed in self-publishing, focusing on story structure, genre blending, and building a sustainable au...
The Writing Process With Kate J. Armstrong
This episode explains how to improve your fantasy writing process, focusing on character creation, magic systems, and immersive worldbuilding, with in...
Jennifer L. Armentrout: On Writing And Born Of Blood And Ash
This episode explains how to write compelling fantasy fiction, focusing on worldbuilding, character development, and series storytelling, with insight...
How To Write Young Adult Fiction With Sarah Arthur
This episode explains how to write young adult (YA) fantasy fiction, focusing on character development, themes, and worldbuilding that resonate with y...
How To Sell Books On Amazon With Kindlepreneur's Dave Chesson
This episode explains how to sell books on Amazon using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), keywords, and Amazon Ads, with proven strategies from Dave Che...
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
This episode explains how to write a children’s fantasy book, focusing on character development, age-appropriate storytelling, and worldbuilding, with...
How To Write Romantasy
This episode explains how to write romantasy that resonates with readers and sells, focusing on blending romance and fantasy, crafting compelling char...
How To Make Fantasy Maps | An Interview With Inkarnate's Finest, Dread Maps and Tyndall Doodle
This episode explains how to make fantasy maps, focusing on worldbuilding, map design, and using tools like Inkarnate to create professional-quality m...
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 launch of...
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 much abou...
Book Marketing Advice You Need To Hear
Learn how to market your book effectively, build your author brand, and sell more copies with practical strategies from a professional book marketer.<...
![[Panel] Creating And Developing Characters With Karen Heuler](https://media.rss.com/fantasy-writers-toolshed/cover_6deadd1fa0efd027d1604c2a82f4fc1a.jpeg)
[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 topic ce...
Essential Advice On Editing
Learn how to edit your writing effectively, understand the different types of editing, and work with professional editors to improve your manuscript.<...
Religion And Belief Systems With Norse Shaman, Mark Weisman
Learn how to create realistic fantasy religions with insights from a Norse shaman, covering belief systems, character psychology, and worldbuilding te...
The Writing Process With Daniel Polansky
Learn the fantasy writing process from Daniel Polansky, including how to build unique worlds, craft conflict, and develop compelling characters.
...
![[Panel] Query Letters, Writing A Synopsis, And Finding A Literary Agent](https://media.rss.com/fantasy-writers-toolshed/cover_3ba6469b201c1702938af239eddcebbf.jpeg)
[Panel] Query Letters, Writing A Synopsis, And Finding A Literary Agent
Learn how to write a query letter, craft a strong synopsis, and find a literary agent with practical advice from industry experts.
Getting a lit...
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
Learn how to build rich, immersive fantasy worlds with practical advice, common pitfalls, and expert insights from a bestselling author.
Worldbu...