If you fell in love with fantasy literature back in the 1980s or 1990s… and then disappeared into adulthood for a few decades… this episode is your survival guide for returning to fantasy in 2026.

Because things have CHANGED.

In this fun and humorous Fantasy for the Ages episode, Jim walks returning fantasy readers through the modern fantasy landscape:

⚔️ Grimdark

⚔️ Cozy Fantasy

⚔️ Romantasy

⚔️ LitRPG

⚔️ Progression Fantasy

⚔️ BookTok

⚔️ Self-publishing revolutions

⚔️ Modern fandom culture

⚔️ “Canceled” fantasy authors

⚔️ And yes… A Song of Ice and Fire STILL isn’t finished.

Along the way, we discuss the biggest fantasy authors who rose to prominence while you were away, the major themes that dominate fantasy today, what older readers may miss about classic fantasy, and which modern authors still capture that old-school epic fantasy spirit.

Whether you grew up on Tolkien, Brooks, Feist, Eddings, Dragonlance, or early Wheel of Time, this episode is designed as a public service announcement for the retired fantasy reader finally returning to the genre they once loved.

Welcome back to fantasy. It got weird while you were gone.

💬 Join the Conversation:

Who were your favorite authors in days gone by? What new things about fantasy fiction interest you most?

Drop your thoughts in the comments. I read all of them, and try to reply!

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0:00 - Opening

2:12 - First, Some Reassurance

2:51 - Things That Will Shock the Returning Fantasy Reader

5:51 - Terms the Returning Reader Must Learn

7:10 - Authors Who Became Massive While You Were Gone

10:26 - Themes That Became Much More Common

11:54 - The Uncomfortable Author Conversation

16:50 - Yes, Fandom Itself Changed

17:45 - Jim’s Final Thoughts

20:13 - Wrap-up & Conclusion

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