🎤 Recorded before release day — one of Hazel's first interviews about A Fate Forged in Fire!

In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Karly sit down with Hazel McBride to get the inside scoop on her Celtic-inspired romantic fantasy debut, A Fate Forged in Fire. The story is filled with dragons, slow-burn romance, political intrigue, and a powerful exploration of misogyny, feminine rage, and identity. Think Barbie meets Outlander meets House of the Dragon.

This episode was recorded before the book's official release, making it one of Hazel's first in-depth interviews about the story. As some of the earliest readers to dive into this world, the hosts came armed with questions, theories, and all the romantasy chaos you'd expect from fangirls!

The conversation covers Hazel's inspiration, elemental worldbuilding, character dynamics, her detailed "book bible," and what readers can expect next from the ever-expanding Hazelverse.

Rather than a traditional Q&A, this episode leans into a reader-first perspective. The hosts ask the questions romantasy fans are most eager to know, including the twist ending, publishing journey, and behind-the-scenes lore! Hazel shares exclusive insights throughout, especially in the spoiler-filled segment where she teases upcoming plotlines, character arcs, and details that may change how readers see the story.

Whether you've already read the book or are just romantasy-curious, this conversation is full of insights, laughter, and behind-the-scenes details you won't want to miss!

Segment Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:34 Spoiler-Free Segment

33:13 Spoiler-Filled Segment

40:27 Post-Attempted Sterilization Conversation (skipping it entirely)

01:00:05 The Reader's Letter

01:02:03 About Dear Fantasy Reader

*Please note that ads may affect the timestamps by a few minutes*

Ready to add one more book to your TBR? Order A Fate Forged In Fire:

UK - https://amzn.eu/d/ffna5L1

US - https://amzn.to/4jJDWW5

Follow Hazel McBride's Journey:

Website - https://hazelmcbride035.wixsite.com/hazelmcbride

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hazelmcbrideauthor?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hazelmcbrideauthor?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HazelMcBrideAuthor

Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader?

The DFRP chapters so far:

• Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame

• Season 2: Onyx Storm Prep

• Season 3: Onyx Storm Deep Dive

• Season 4: Dear Fantasy Author — our ongoing author interview series featuring your favorite romantasy writers!

• Follow us on Instagram @dearfantasyreaderpod to see who we're interviewing next!

• Season 5: The Overflowing TBR — our ongoing collection of bonus book chats, reactions, wild theories, and anything that doesn't fit into a formal season but absolutely deserve their moment.

Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: https://www.dearfantasyreader.com

✨ Join our Dear Fantasy Reader Book Club! ✨

Each month, we pick a romantasy read (typically not covered on the pod!) and host a live stream discussion with exclusive chat channels in our Discord. Voting, livestream access, and read-along convos are all available on Patreon. Come read with us!

Upcoming Book Club Livestream: June 25th covering Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry!

BOOK CLUB DETAILS: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dear-fantasy-has-125886283

DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/

SUPPORT US ON PATREON—AD-FREE & FULL VIDEO EPISODES, BOOK CLUB, & MORE: http://patreon.com/dearfantasyreaderpodcast

JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD COMMUNITY: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK

Follow along:

Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod

TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod

YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod

Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod

New regular season episodes drop Thursdays (with early access Wednesdays on Patreon).

Don't forget to share this episode with your bookish friends!