Lit Witches: A Fantasy Book Podcast

On today's Chosen One author interview, we talk to fantasy author and content creator Bronte-Marie Wesson about her traditional publishing debut, The Ascension of Souls - the first book in a new high fantasy series that she describes as her 'dark, queer Zelda book'. Join us as we discuss what shaped Bronte-Marie's love of fantasy, why Tywin Lannister is her favourite fantasy character and how she created an immersive fantasy world inspired by her Irish, anti-colonial heritage. This is a spoiler-free conversation.

Lit Witches is hosted by Adelaide Jensen, and this episode features author Bronte-Marie Wesson.

Produced by Liz Burnett. Video Production by Michael Windle, Isabella Francis and Kate Jacobs. Additional scripting and research by Shané Oosthuizen. Content co-ordination by Tiana Warner. Graphic design by Sally Dunkerley and Olivia Mead. Recording and theme song composition by Ben Cauduro. Powered by Penguin.

0:00 Introduction and Bronte-Marie's introduction to fantasy

04:50 The Ascension of Souls and how it came to be 'The Legend of Zelda but dark, gay and for adults'

07:00 The world-building of an empire and a country at war

09:07 The magic tree and Irish cultural influence on the book

15:16 Fairies and changelings vs fae and sexy elves

16:35 Building the prophecy in The Ascension of Souls

20:46 The characterisation of Luminara and the chosen family trope

23:31 Rianthran and the antidote to brooding dark love interests

27:00 Side characters and the gaming influence on Ascension

28:38 Queer representation in fantasy

32:13 Bronte-Marie's advice for queer writers

36:16 Role play and writing with a partner

40:20 Categorising the Broken Cycle trilogy, tropes and building on The Brass Wyvern

47:17 Final fantasy game and sign off

Join the Lit Witches as they open the portal to fantasy for readers, writers and all things in between. Hosted by Adelaide Jensen, take a seat at The Roundtable and delve into all of your favourite fantasy genres, with a rotating cast of special guests who share an undying passion for all things fantasy. And meet the Chosen Ones, fantasy authors from around the globe who will lift the veil on their latest spellbinding novels. Video and audio episodes out every Tuesday. Powered by Penguin.