In this episode of Storyline Sessions, bestselling author and winner of the Firebird Book Award, Pinnacle Achievement Award, and runner-up Page Turner Award winner Starr Z. Davies talks about the launch of her new book - Stormvalor: A Noblebright Fantasy (Divica Stormborn Chronicles Book 1) that marks her genre shift from dystopian fiction to epic fantasy.

Find Starr Here: https://www.starrzdavies.com/

Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions

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Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:47 - Conversation start

01:20 - How does this release feel different from the others?

02:10 - Marketing vs Writing

02:50 - Beta readers, initial reviews and changing the ending

04:18 - Making the first book feel more than just a setup for sequels

07:00 - Difference in writing and worldbuilding process between genres

08:28 - Deciding to shift genres

10:18 - From YA to adult

12:04 - THE CHARACTER ASSASIN - letting go of your characters

16:24 - Surprising yourself and choosing the POV for your story

18:20 - Organized chaos and worldbuilding

20:40 - MAPS!

23:10 - Naming characters

24:30 - How to be a prolific writer and stick to a schedule?

28:38 - Writing awards

33:22 - Finding the right artrwork

36:34 - Kickstarter process and crowdsourcing

40:55 - Audiobooks

44:32 - Self publishing vs Trad vs AI

48:05 - Building your audience

50:15 - What would you do differently if this was your first series?

53:02 - Future plans

55:16 - Outro

In this solo episode, Storyline Sessions host Marko Bogdanović shares his story about growing up with gaming magazines in the 90s and early 2000s, nostalgia, jorunalism and tries to clean up his apartment.

Game Informer Is Back - https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2025/03/25/game-informer-is-back

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/, https://www.theverge.com/news/635915/game-informer-return-gunzilla-games

Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

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In this episode of Storyline Sessions, Hungarian-born SFF author and the winner of the best Fantasy Choice Award in Hungary Norbert Zsivicz talks about his novel Sealed Empire, experience with translations, mixing genres, building an audience and much more.

Find Norbert here - https://www.sealedbooks.com/en/the-book, https://www.instagram.com/authornorbert/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

01:26 - Conversation start

01:41 - Serbian vs Hungarian

02:22 - Fantasy scenes in Europe

05:44 - Self publishing as an author in Hungary

08:46 - Winning an award as a newcomer

10:02 - English translation and finding an international audience

13:46 - Mixing genres and worldbuilding

17:31 - Using multiple POVs and timelines

19:51 - The cover scene

21:13 - World map

23:20 - Prologues - yay or nay?

25:34 - Comparing original and the translation

27:25 - The setting - medieval fiction and history

30:47 - Planning the end - how to get from A to B?

32:26 - Showing his manuscript to others and trusting yourself

34:21 - Dealing with reviews

36:28 - Using a pseudonym or writing under your name?

38:38 - European SFF

41:00 - Marketing as a self published author - finding your audience

44:20 - The unavoidable AI talk

48:00 - Working on scripts for streaming shows and films

52:33 - Gaming

54:35 - Series timeline and future plans

59:03 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, Nebula award-nominated author R.R. Virdi talks about his upcoming book The Doors of Midnight, a sequel to The First Binding, using myths and legends as inspiration, his experience with trad publishing and many more interesting topics.

Follow R.R. Virdi on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rrvirdi/

Get Grave Tidings for free - https://www.subscribepage.com/graveti...

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Watch Storyline Sessions on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:45 - Conversation start

00:55 - Reactions to The First Binding

03:40 - Working on the sequel

04:52 - Using mythology in writing - South Asia, Silk Road and beyond

12:00 - Meta layer - storytelling in storytelling

14:36 - Clues and breadcrumbs - foreshadowing

16:52 - POVs

18:35 - Mixing multiple timelines

22:20 - Writing with ADHD

22:47 - Surprising yourself

24:25 - Urban fantasy vs epic fantasy - different influences

27:46 - Writing to market and different genres

32:41 - Lengthy books and "purple prose" vs editors

41:09 - Using appendix and how books change on re-reads

43:24 - Creating maps

45:34 - Cover art and different book editions

47:56 - Trad publishing vs indie

51:20 - Getting paid as an artist

57:46 - Advice for younger/starting writers

01:02:00 - Teasing The Doors of Midnight

01:03:32 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, internationally best-selling author and the host of The Greatest Podcast in the Multiverse Herman Herman Steuernagel talks about his 10th novel The Bartender Between Worlds, changing genres in writing, experience with podcasting and much more.

Find Herman here - https://linktr.ee/hermansteuernagel

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Listen to Storyline Sessions on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

01:05 - Conversation start

01:16 - The power of podcasting and building a writing community

05:20 - If he was starting now, what would he do differently

07:27 - Why Sci-Fi?

08:42 - Switching from YA to adult fiction

09:55 - Using tropes in writing

11:12 - Switching genres

14:20 - Why did cozy fantasy get popular?

16:05 - Introducing The Bartender Between Worlds

18:18 - The appeal of standalone novels

20:42 - Herman's writing process

24:16 - (Not) using beta readers

25:31 - Experience with editors

26:55 - Dropping two books at the same time

30:14 - Audience feedback, reviews and getting into libraries

33:44 - Trying Kickstarter and promoting your work

37:31 - Audiobooks

38:47 - Getting the right cover art

41:52 - Authors doing their own marketing

44:09 - Trends in fantasy

46:35 - Exploring the multiverse

48:31 - In a parallel world, how would a different decision affect your life?

52:03 - Cocktail recommendation

53:00 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, writer, director and actor Kelton White talks about his journey from writing a sci-fantasy novel to creating award-winning short films, his experience in the industry so far, screenwriting process, being independent and many more interesting topics.

Watch Kelton's work - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSakHkWrohU&t=2s

Kelton's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kelton423white/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Watch Storyline Sessions on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions/videos

Riverside.fm software for recording podcasts affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:35 - Conversation start

01:25 - Kelton's origin story

04:21 - The Mysterious Files of Mr. Chimes

05:45 - Process of writing prose vs writing scripts

11:36 - Writing for the market

15:04 - Experience with YouTube and connecting with your audience

24:26 - WHAT FOUND ME IN THE WOODS... (short horror film)

36:25 - FOLDING IN (Sci-Fi/Romance short film)

41:06 - ODE FROM MALUM (Dramatic short)

45:04 - Writing roles for yourself as an actor

49:56 - Horror and western

55:42 - Influences and inspirations

58:59 - Gaming

01:01:36 - Collaborative storytelling

01:03:21 - Plans for the future

01:46:01 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, speculative fiction author and the host of SFF Adicts podcast Adrian M. Gibson talks about his upcoming novel Mushroom Blues, blending genres, creating immersive experiences in writing, influences of social and political themes on fiction and many more interesting topics.

Adrian's Website - https://adrianmgibson.com/

Adrian's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/adrianmgibson/

SFF Adicts Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sffaddictspod/

Listen to SFF Adicts Podcast - https://linktr.ee/SFFAddicts

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:52 - Conversation start

01:00 - Why fungi and what is the Fungalverse?

08:24 - Colonialism, Japan and cultural inspirations

13:08 - China Mieville, traveling and modern SFF dealing with politics

19:10 - Cover, map and other visuals

24:21 - Book soundtrack and immersive experiences

30:48 - Juggling podcasting, writing and life changes

35:35 - Learning from mistakes

37:00 - Genre fluidity, Philip K. Dick

42:44 - Disco Elysium love

46:38 - Personal stories, traumas and choosing POVs

52:24 - Making the world feel real

54:20 - Writing process

1:04:12 - Future of the Fungalverse

1:06:55 - One weird random fact

1:09:15 - One piece of writing advice

1:12:11 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, award-winning sci-fi and fantasy author Sam Paisley share his writing journey, talks about how psychology influences his work, dives into symbolism of the magic system in his debut novel and many more exciting topics.

Sam's website - https://elementsoftime.ca/

Sam's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elementsoftimebook/

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:47 - Conversation start

01:04 - Awards

02:34 - Nine years of writing his debut novel

05:02 - Long books - editing and pace

08:14 - Importance of giving your story enough space

09:39 - Writing multiple POVs

14:48 - Film and TV influences

16:34 - Creating his magic system

20:05 - First draft vs final version

22:06 - Plotting process

24:22 - Knowing when a scene/chapter/story is over

25:35 - Getting good feedback and improving

31:10 - Experience with the writing community

35:48 - Book signing in Sam's high school and writing for young people

39:53 - Benefits of reading and understanding psychology

44:16 - Working on other projects and 2024 goals

46:57 - Reading vs listening to books

47:34 - Cover art process

51:34 - The Elements of Time symbolism

56:48 - Creating merch

58:32 - Signed copies and bookmarks

1:00:17 - The most important moments of 2023

1:01:55 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, horror author and Bram Stoker Award nominee Laurel Hightower shares her experience with writing grief and different sensitive topics, being traditionally published, choosing the right cover art and many more interesting subjects.

Laurel's website - https://laurelhightower.com/

Laurel's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurelhightower/

Laurel's Twitter - https://twitter.com/HightowerLaurel

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

Riverside.fm affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

01:04 - Conversation start

01:18 - Silent Key reception

03:25 - Switching up genres and writing strong characters

06:23 - Picking the right cover

08:08 - Traditional vs self-publishing

12:01 - Editing process

14:52 - Co-editing short story anthologies and representing important issues in genre fiction

20:02 - Every Woman Knows This and writing about women issues

26:10 - Diversity in genre writing and biases

28:23 - Grief in horror

32:52 - Audiobooks

36:10 - Short vs long form

39:00 - Below novella and Bram Stoker Award nomination

42:50 - Cryptid horror and other types of horror Laurel enjoys

45:50 - Using pen names

47:55 - Splatterpunk

50:15 - Give Me Your Fingers

51:25 - Piracy

54:25 - Day job impact on writing

57:48 - Day of the Door (new novel)

01:00:42 - Mike Flanagan

01:03:05 - 2023 favorites

01:06:20 - Outro

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, the author of dark fantasy epic Gunmetal Gods and progression sci-fantasy Lightblade Zamil Akhtar shares his experience with the Kickstarter success, talks about his writing process, influences, gives some horror movie recommendations and many more interesting subjects.

Zamil's website - https://zamilakhtar.com/

Zamil's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/zamilakhtarauthor/

Timestamps:

00:00 - Start

00:35 - Conversation start

00:42 - Kickstarter success

05:23 - Growing as an author

07:12 - Building a community

08:42 - Different influences on Gunmetal Gods and its setting

11:53 - Zamil's prose and descriptions in fantasy

14:31 - Writing process

17:51 - Historical fiction

19:26 - Worldbuilding and gaming influences on Lightblade

20:58 - Creating magic systems

23:16 - RPGs

24:08 - Grimdark and horror

26:49 - Lovecraft, Ito and writing a horror novel

28:55 - What Zamil likes in modern fantasy

30:25 - Using tropes vs experimenting

33:14 - Fantasy adaptations

35:16 - Potential Gunmetal Gods adaptation

36:34 - Changing genres and using pen names

38:49 - How he came up with Lightblade

40:32 - Difference between writing Gunmetal Gods and Lightblade

41:40 - Future plans for Lightblade

43:05 - Endpoint for Gunmetal Gods

45:26 - Editing process

48:24 - Traditional publishing vs indie publishing

50:24 - Audience supporting authors directly

54:15 - Reviews

57:18 - Horror movies

58:00 - Hidden gems recommendations

01:01:20 - Future plans

01:02:42

Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/

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