The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

How can science help you create a fantasy world that feels fresh, strange and full of possibilities? Multi-award-winning author and scientist Premee Mohamed joins Richie Billing to explore worldbuilding, character creation and the writing process behind her new novel, Wickhills.

We discuss how bringing science into fantasy can inspire distinctive worlds, where Premee finds her story ideas, and how she develops the characters who inhabit them. Wickhills, a fantasy thriller involving espionage, dangerous magic and a defecting scientist, gives us plenty to dig into.

Premee also draws on her experience working with short fiction publishers and supporting writers as a writer-in-residence. She shares the biggest mistakes she sees writers make, her advice for avoiding them, and how she continues to develop her own craft.

You’ll discover:

• How to combine science and fantasy to create more original worlds.

• How Premee approaches story ideas, worldbuilding and character creation.

• Common writing mistakes she encounters when editing and mentoring.

• How an award-winning author develops her writing process and hones her craft.

Whether you’re working on a short story or building an entire fantasy universe, this conversation offers ideas and practical advice to take back to your own writing.

ABOUT PREMEE MOHAMED

Premee Mohamed is an Indo-Caribbean scientist and speculative fiction author based in Edmonton, Canada. Her work has won Nebula, World Fantasy, Ignyte, Locus and Aurora awards. Her books include Beneath the Rising, The Annual Migration of Clouds, The Butcher of the Forest and Wickhills. She was Edmonton Public Library’s writer-in-residence in 2024 and an assistant editor at Escape Pod from 2020 to 2024. Her short fiction has appeared in publications including Analog, Augur and Nightmare Magazine.

PREMEE’S BOOKS AND LINKS

Visit Premee’s website

Explore Wickhills and find buying options

Browse Premee’s books

MORE FROM THE FANTASY WRITERS’ TOOLSHED

To learn more or get in touch

To find fantasy writing books, classes, guides and courses

Follow The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed for more fantasy writing advice and author interviews.

Over 50% off my class on how to edit a novel > https://richiebilling.com/store/writing-classes/how-to-edit-a-novel-editing-class

How do you know when you’ve taken a manuscript as far as you can, and how can you tell whether an editor is actually right for your book?

Fantasy and cozy mystery editor Richelle Braswell joins Richie Billing to explain when professional editing becomes worthwhile, where to find reputable book editors, and the green and red flags to investigate before trusting someone with your manuscript.

They discuss referrals, professional editing organisations, genre specialisation, discovery calls, sample edits, realistic rates and the importance of finding an editor whose communication style matches what you need.

The conversation also ventures inside the manuscript. Richelle explains how a good editor moves beyond vague reactions such as “this character is boring” to diagnose the actual storytelling problem.

Richie and Richelle explore personal motives and stakes, passive protagonists, character agency, showing emotion through behaviour and the value of constructive editorial feedback.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognise when you need outside editorial help

• The difference between developmental support and copy editing

• Where to find reputable book editors

• How to evaluate an editor’s credentials, specialism and working style

• The green and red flags to look for before hiring

• When a sample edit can help you make the decision

• How editors preserve an author’s voice while strengthening the story

• Why personal stakes and character agency matter

• Which writing and editing craft books Richelle recommends

CHAPTERS

00:00 Why fantasy stories contain elements of mystery

01:05 When can an editor help your manuscript?

04:27 Where to find a professional book editor

08:12 Green flags and the importance of genre specialisation

10:43 Red flags, suspiciously low rates and realistic pricing

12:22 Finding an editor whose working style suits you

14:49 Sample edits and protecting your authorial voice

16:06 Turning gut reactions into constructive feedback

18:55 Making motives and stakes personal

21:39 Character depth, decisions and agency

23:56 Showing emotion through action and body language

25:35 Recommended books on writing and editing

31:06 Where to find Richelle

ABOUT RICHELLE BRASWELL

Richelle is a professional editor specialising in fantasy and cozy mystery. As the self-described “fairy godeditor”, she helps writers strengthen their plots, characters and prose while preserving the voice and vision that make each story distinctive.

Richelle’s website and editing services: https://www.richellebraswell.com/

Richelle’s author resources and recommended craft books: https://www.richellebraswell.com/author-resources

JOIN THE TOOLSHED COMMUNITY

Join our community of writers and get access to fantasy writing classes, books and early podcast episodes: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed

In this episode, I'm delighted to be joined by author, podcaster and anthropologist Michael Kilman.

Michael shares fantastic insights on what anthropology is and how it can be applied to writing fantasy books.

We delve into cause-and-effect, the anthropological roots of monsters, taboos, and cross-cultural myth structures, and discuss why these are goldmines for fantasy writers.

We also look at how worldbuilding through anthropology explores real-world, cross-cultural issues, and we look at a wide range of examples of approaches that humans take to structure their societies.

In short, using anthropology in your world creation process can help to create more nuanced and complex characters and cultures, making tension and conflict feel more impactful, and stories more immersive.

I hope you enjoy it!

More About Michael Kilman

Michael co-wrote Build Better Worlds: An Introduction to Anthropology for Game Designers, Fiction Writers, and Filmmakers with forensic anthropologist Kyra Wellstrom.

He recently published an academic book chapter titled Worldbuilding as Pedagogy: Teaching Anthropology and Diversity in Contentious Times.

He's spent 11 years teaching anthropology at university level, including a course called Anthropology Through Science Fiction, has hosted a TED Talk, and also hosts a live Ask an Anthropologist about Worldbuilding series on YouTube, which you can check out for even more on the topic.

https://loridianslaboratory.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelKilmanAuthor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBC4FaVnOAs - Michael's TED Talk

https://www.instagram.com/loridianslab/

https://loridianslab.medium.com/

https://substack.com/@loridianslaboratory

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

How do you write characters that leap off the page—and keep readers hooked for 40 years? New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz joins The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed for a career-spanning masterclass in writing romance, suspense, and gothic fiction.

With over 200 books published under three names—Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, and Jayne Castle—and more than 30 million copies in print, Jayne reveals the "core story" approach behind her extraordinary longevity, and the single best piece of advice she'd give any writer.

We dig into character creation, worldbuilding readers can't resist returning to (yes, we talk dust bunnies—Harmony fans, you know), and the mechanics of romantic suspense, where every twist in the romance drives a twist in the suspense, and vice versa.

Jayne also breaks down what defines gothic fiction, how publishing has transformed across her career, and where the industry is heading next.

Plus: her brand-new novel Enter the Nightmare (written as Jayne Castle), the latest in the Harmony series—out now.

In this episode: the core story method • creating unforgettable characters • worldbuilding • how to write romantic suspense • writing gothic novels • the future of publishing • advice for new and aspiring writers

🔗 JAYNE ANN KRENTZ

Website > https://jayneannkrentz.com/ Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz/ Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/jayneannkrentzauthor/ Enter the Nightmare > https://jayneannkrentz.com/book/enter-the-nightmare/ UK readers > https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/jayne-castle/enter-the-nightmare/9780349449456/

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

Want to get your short stories published? In this episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, host Richie Billing sits down with Benjamin Davis, co-founder of Chill Subs, for a comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to submitting short fiction to literary magazines, navigating the submissions process, and using it as a genuine route toward landing a literary agent.

Chill Subs is the platform 50,000+ writers use to discover, track and submit to literary magazines, contests and agents — so Ben sees the short-fiction publishing world from the inside. He shares the latest shifts and trends in the literary magazine market, then gives honest, insider answers to the questions writers agonise over most:

• Do cover letters actually matter — and what should (and shouldn't) go in them?
• How should you format a short story submission?
• Are simultaneous submissions acceptable, and how do you keep track of them?
• Can you submit reprints, and where will editors accept them?
• How do short story credits actually help you get a literary agent?
• Where are the best places to submit right now, and how do you find them?

Whether you're submitting your first short story or trying to build a publication history that opens doors to agents and book deals, this is a practical, market-leader's view of how short fiction publishing really works in 2026.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to find the right literary magazines for your work using Chill Subs
• What editors really think about cover letters and formatting
• The rules (and etiquette) around simultaneous submissions and reprints
• How short-story publication credits feed into querying literary agents
• The current trends reshaping the literary magazine and submissions market

About Benjamin Davis: Benjamin Davis is a writer and the co-founder of Chill Subs, a submissions platform used by over 50,000 writers to discover and track literary magazines, contests and agents. He also runs Sub Club, a top-selling Substack newsletter on literary publishing opportunities, and is connected with Write or Die Magazine. His own fiction and poetry have appeared in journals including Booth, Hobart and Maudlin House, and he's the author of The King of FU and Things We Do While Waiting to Die.

🔗 Chill Subs: https://www.chillsubs.com

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

For the full video experience, please watch on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@fixingbadwriting

In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, Richie Billing takes on a terrible enemies-to-lovers romantasy story and tries to fix it in real time. Expect bad fantasy romance, stolen magic swords, awkward romantic tension, a suspiciously convenient dragon and a practical look at how to make popular tropes work on the page.

This is Episode 2 of Fixing Bad Writing, a writing craft series where Richie deconstructs a weak story draft, explains why it fails, edits it live, then presents a stronger redraft.

This time, he steps outside his dark fantasy comfort zone to tackle one of the biggest tropes in romantasy: enemies to lovers.

Romantasy might look simple from the outside. Put two attractive enemies in danger, add forced proximity, give them sharp dialogue and surely the chemistry will take care of itself.

But good fantasy romance needs more than insults, cheekbones and “kissing probably happening soon”. It needs genuine conflict, believable character motivation, emotional friction and a reason for attraction to grow.

Using a deliberately awful AI-generated romantasy draft, Richie breaks down common problems such as rushed attraction, shallow conflict, cliché dialogue, weak worldbuilding and the dreaded trap of insta-love.

He then works through the scene as a creative writing exercise, showing how small editing choices can create stronger romantic tension, clearer character dynamics and a more engaging fantasy story.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

• Build enemies-to-lovers tension that feels earned
• Avoid insta-love and rushed romantic attraction
• Create better conflict between romantic leads
• Use dialogue to reveal character, not just flirtation
• Make romantasy tropes feel more believable
• Turn a weak scene into a stronger redraft
• Keep the fun of a trope while improving the craft

This episode is ideal for romantasy writers, fantasy authors, romance writers, beginner storytellers and anyone looking for practical writing exercises to improve their fiction.

Can you write a better “meet-ugly” than the original draft? Listen to the episode, take the romantasy writing challenge and try your own version.

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, host Richie Billing interviews bestselling author Michael Chatfield about the writing process, indie publishing, Patreon, audience growth, character creation and building a sustainable author business. Learn practical ways to generate story ideas, develop compelling characters, engage readers, grow a subscription community and think more commercially about a long-term writing career.

In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling indie author Michael Chatfield for a practical and revealing conversation about what it really takes to build a successful writing career.

Michael is the author of major fantasy, science fiction and LitRPG series, including The Ten Realms, Emerilia, Harmony War and Restarting the Apocalypse.

He's also built an engaged reader community through subscription platforms like Patreon, where fans can access early chapters, exclusive material, behind-the-scenes updates and opportunities to become more involved in the creative process.

This episode explores Michael’s writing process, from finding inspiration and developing ideas to creating characters that feel active, motivated and memorable.

We also discuss the business side of being an indie author, including how Michael has grown beyond writing alone and developed a publishing operation that employs multiple people.

For fantasy writers, LitRPG authors, self-published novelists and anyone interested in author entrepreneurship, this interview offers a valuable look at the link between craft, consistency, reader engagement and commercial sustainability.

ABOUT MICHAEL CHATFIELD

https://michaelchatfield.com/

https://www.patreon.com/c/authormichaelchatfield/

https://www.facebook.com/authormichaelchatfield/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14055550.Michael_Chatfield

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

For the full video experience, please watch on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@fixingbadwriting

Welcome to Fixing Bad Writing, a new series within The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed podcast, where I take a rubbish story generated by AI and try to make it good, or at least less crappy.

In Episode 1, I tackle the "High Fantasy" genre.

Walk through the story's analysis with me, watch as I edit, before seeing whether or not I can save this terrible story.

If you’re looking for a creative writing challenge or a unique writing exercise, you’re in the right place. This series acts as a writing guide for anyone trying to spot common mistakes and improve their craft.

Whether you are looking for writing exercises for beginners or more advanced story writing exercises, hopefully, this live rewrite will teach you new skills!

🏆 TAKE THE WRITING CHALLENGE

Think you can do better? (You probably can). I want to see your version! And then why not join our Discord community and share it?

Here's the original story:

In the kingdom of Eldoria there was a man called Brin who was a knight but not a very good one, and one day he was told by the king to go and stop a dark wizard named Maldrake who lived in a tower that was quite far away and also spooky, so Brin said yes even though he was a bit tired and hadn’t eaten much, and he got on his horse which didn’t like him very much and set off slowly while thinking about how dangerous it all sounded. On the way he met a strange old woman who may have been magical but it was not very clear, and she gave him a sword that looked important but also a bit rusty, and told him something vague like “you will need this probably,” which Brin thought was helpful enough. When he got to the tower it was taller than expected and had a door that was already open which seemed suspicious, but he went in anyway and shouted for Maldrake who appeared almost immediately which saved time, and they had a fight that was not very graceful but still quite serious, and Brin mostly waved the sword around until something worked and the wizard fell over in a way that suggested he was defeated. After that Brin felt proud but also confused about how easy it was, and he went back to the kingdom where the king thanked him a lot and there was a feast, although Brin kept wondering if the wizard might not actually be fully gone which made the ending feel a bit unsure.

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

Learn how to write a query letter for literary agents, including the correct structure, paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown, submission strategy, and proven techniques to increase your chances of getting representation.

Writing a query letter is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—steps in the traditional publishing process. It’s your first impression with a literary agent, and it determines whether your manuscript gets read or rejected.

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Stephen Aryan, who secured representation with literary agent Juliet Mushens, to break down exactly how to write a query letter that stands out in a competitive submissions inbox.

This is a detailed, practical deconstruction of query letters, designed to give you a clear, repeatable framework.

We cover every stage of the query process, including:

• What a query letter is and how literary agents evaluate submissions
• The standard query letter structure (opening hook, synopsis paragraph, author bio, closing)
• A step-by-step walkthrough of how to write each paragraph
• Key query letter terminology and industry expectations
• How many agents to query before revising your approach
• Whether you should follow up with agents—and how to do it professionally
• How to get feedback on your query letter (including services like Stephen’s Write Advice)
• Real-world insights from Stephen Aryan’s successful query letter

This episode combines craft, strategy, and industry knowledge to give you a complete understanding of how querying works.

If you’re preparing to submit to literary agents and want to improve your chances of securing representation, this episode provides a clear, actionable guide to writing a query letter that gets results.

ABOUT STEPHEN ARYAN

https://stephen-aryan.com/

https://stephen-aryan.com/2014/07/31/how-i-found-an-agent-part-2/

https://fantasy-hive.co.uk/2024/06/the-write-advice-4-common-mistakes-in-query-packages/

https://www.mushens-entertainment.com/blog/the-perfect-cover-letter

More From The Toolshed

Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook

Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/

More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

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 a confined setting instead of a vast world?

In this episode, I’m joined by author Rym Kechacha to talk about her new novel The Apple and the Pearl. We dive into the strange allure of the fae in fantasy fiction, explore the craft of writing in the present tense, and discuss how powerful stories can unfold in smaller, more contained settings.

Rym shares insights into her writing process, including the idea of “vibe writing” — letting the tone and atmosphere of a story guide you as you discover the narrative. We also talk about taking inspiration from artwork and paintings, and how visual sources can shape characters, mood and worldbuilding.

One of the most interesting aspects of The Apple and the Pearl is its setting. Rather than a sprawling epic landscape, much of the story unfolds within the confined environment of a train. We discuss how limitations like this can actually strengthen tension, character development and narrative focus.

If you’re a fantasy writer or reader, this conversation offers a fascinating look at craft, inspiration and the creative decisions behind a unique fantasy novel.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How writing in the present tense can make a story feel immediate and active
• Why the fae remain one of the most compelling forces in fantasy fiction
• How to create characters readers genuinely care about
• The idea behind “vibe writing” and discovering your story as you write
• How artwork and paintings can inspire story ideas and atmosphere
• Why confined settings can create powerful fantasy stories

About The Apple and the Pearl

Get it here > https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/800526/the-apple-and-the-pearl-by-rym-kechacha/

About Rym Kechacha

Rym Kechacha is a fantasy author and teacher whose work blends folklore, art, and literary fantasy. She is the author of Dark River, To Catch a Moon, and the new novel The Apple and the Pearl. Her debut novel Dark River was shortlisted for the British Fantasy Awards for both Best Novel and Best Newcomer.

Website https://rymkechacha.squarespace.com

X / Twitter https://x.com/rymkechacha

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rymkechacha/