The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

This episode explains how to write young adult (YA) fantasy fiction, focusing on character development, themes, and worldbuilding that resonate with younger audiences, with insights from bestselling author Sarah Arthur. You’ll learn how YA differs from adult fantasy, how to create relatable characters, build immersive worlds within real settings, and write issue-driven stories that connect with readers. Ideal for writers who want to craft compelling YA fantasy novels and reach a younger audience.

What makes young adult fantasy so compelling—and how do you write stories that truly connect with younger readers?

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Sarah Arthur to explore the craft of writing YA fantasy. We dive into her debut novel Once A Queen, published by Penguin Random House, and unpack the key elements that make young adult fiction such a powerful and distinct genre.

This conversation covers both the creative and thematic side of YA writing, including how to build emotionally resonant stories, create relatable characters, and explore meaningful themes without losing the sense of adventure and wonder that defines fantasy.

We cover:

• What defines young adult (YA) fiction and how it differs from adult fantasy
• How to create characters that resonate with younger readers
• Writing issue-driven stories with emotional depth and authenticity
• Building fantasy worlds within real-world settings
• Designing portal fantasy and magic systems that feel immersive
• Transitioning from non-fiction to fiction writing
• Sarah Arthur’s writing process and approach to storytelling

We also explore how YA has evolved into a genre that tackles real-world issues while still delivering compelling, escapist narratives.

If you want to write YA fantasy that connects, engages, and resonates with readers, this episode offers clear, practical insights you can apply to your own work.

ABOUT SARAH ARTHUR

⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2216828/sarah-arthur/

www.saraharthur.com

ONCE A QUEEN

⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707440/once-a-queen-by-sarah-arthur/

JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠writing tips⁠ and guides here

And learn more about ⁠writing fantasy⁠ here

This episode explains how to sell books on Amazon using Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), keywords, and Amazon Ads, with proven strategies from Dave Chesson. You’ll learn how Amazon’s algorithm works, how to optimise your book for visibility, choose effective keywords, and run ads that drive sales. Ideal for authors who want to increase book sales, improve rankings, and build a successful self-publishing business.

Selling books on Amazon can feel complex—but with the right strategy, it becomes one of the most powerful tools for reaching readers and growing your author career.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dave Chesson, creator of Kindlepreneur, to break down exactly how Amazon works and how authors can use it to their advantage.

We explore the key elements of Amazon book marketing, including:

• How Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) works
• The latest changes to Amazon’s category system
• How to use keywords to improve visibility and rankings
• Amazon Ads explained—what works and what to avoid
• Best practices for increasing book sales across all genres
• How to position your book for long-term success

This episode is packed with practical, actionable advice from one of the leading experts in book marketing.

If you want to understand how to sell books on Amazon—and do it effectively—this episode gives you the strategies that actually work.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Learn more about Dave Chesson: https://kindlepreneur.com/

Get Dave's free Amazon Ads course: www.amscourse.com

JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by Sunday Times Bestselling author, Manda Scott. Manda is well known for her historical fiction series, Boudica. And in June, her new novel, Any Human Power is hitting the shelves.

Any Human Power is a fantasy story of a family at the centre of a global uprising. A band of young tech-visionaries in the real world are guided from the afterlife by their anthropologist grandmother Lan, as they find themselves at the heart of a terrifying, worldwide media storm. It offers a critique of aspects of our current society, social media culture in particular, and we chat all about it here.

We also dive into the writing process and Manda’s style of storytelling, which is known as Thrutopian.

Thrutopia is the art of writing engaging route-maps through to a world we’d all be proud to leave to future generations. The current global crisis is so overwhelming that, it’s tempting for writers to stick with what we know: dystopias, because it’s easy to imagine how bad things could be, or utopias, because we can leap forward and imagine something better as long as it’s somewhere distant.

We talk all about Thrutopian writing, how writers can incorporate it into their storytelling, and how it has the potential to change our culture and hopefully the worst parts of our world.

As always, you're bound to learn something new!

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers

ABOUT MANDA SCOTT

https://mandascott.co.uk/

ANY HUMAN POWER

https://septemberpublishing.org/product/any-human-power-hb/

GET IN TOUCH

[email protected]

www.richiebilling.com

Discover more writing tips and guides here

And learn more about writing fantasy here

In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author Gabriela Houston for an honest chat about writing and publishing.

Gabriela has developed a reputation for writing brilliant, Slavic-inspired tales. The Bone Roots, published by Angry Robot, is her latest book.

We talk all about it, as well as Gabriela's journey through writing, what it's like to be traditionally published versus self-publishing, and more than a few honest assessments about the publishing process as a whole.

Join Our Discord Community

Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation - ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠

Resources

⁠⁠Creative Writing Tips For Beginners⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠⁠

⁠Advice On Writing Fantasy⁠ - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing⁠

About The Guest

Gabriela Houston - ⁠https://www.gabrielahouston.com/

Buy The Bone Roots - https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-bone-roots/

Richie Billing: ⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com

I'm joined by author Salinee Goldenberg for a brilliantly honest chat about writing her debut novel, The Last Phi Hunter, getting published, and dealing with challenges like Imposter Syndrome.

The Last Phi Hunter is a fantasy book unlike any other, with strong inspiration taken from Thai demon folklore. Sal tells us all about the process of writing the novel, creating the amazing setting and characters, and navigating the plot as a pantser.

Learn More About Our Sponsor, Fictionary

⁠⁠https://fictionary.co/fwt

Join Our Discord Community

Join our writing community on Discord and get involved in the conversation - ⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠

Resources

⁠⁠Creative Writing Tips For Beginners⁠⁠ - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠

⁠Advice On Writing Fantasy⁠ - ⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing

About The Guest

Salinee Goldenberg - https://twitter.com/salgo | https://www.instagram.com/gosalgo/

Buy The Last Phi Hunter - ⁠https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-last-phi-hunter/

Richie Billing: ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com

This episode explains how to write a children’s fantasy book, focusing on character development, age-appropriate storytelling, and worldbuilding, with insights from award-winning author Meredith Davis. You’ll learn how to create engaging stories for younger readers, structure children’s narratives effectively, and navigate the process of querying agents and submitting to publishers. Ideal for writers who want to break into children’s fantasy and create stories that resonate with young audiences.

How do you write a children’s fantasy book that truly captures a young reader’s imagination—and stands out in a competitive market?

In this episode, I’m joined by award-winning author Meredith Davis, a leading voice in children’s literature and founder of the Austin chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. With an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, Meredith brings deep expertise in both the craft and industry side of children’s publishing.

We explore how to write compelling children’s fantasy, using her novel The Minor Miracle as a case study, and break down what makes stories resonate with younger readers.

This episode covers:

• What defines a strong children’s fantasy story
• How to create engaging, age-appropriate characters
• Building magical worlds that spark imagination
• Structuring stories for younger audiences
• Common mistakes to avoid in children’s writing
• How to query agents and submit to publishers
• Insights into the children’s publishing industry

We also discuss how writing for children differs from writing for adults, and what authors need to understand to connect with younger readers while still delivering meaningful, memorable stories.

If you want to write children’s fantasy that captivates, engages, and gets noticed by publishers, this episode offers practical guidance you can apply straight away.

OUR SPONSOR

⁠https://fictionary.co/fwt⁠

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Meredith Davis - https://meredithldavis.com/books/

Buy The Minor Miracle - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/721051/the-minor-miracle-by-meredith-davis-illustrated-by-billy-yong/

JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

This episode explains how to write romantasy that resonates with readers and sells, focusing on blending romance and fantasy, crafting compelling character arcs, and understanding current market trends. You’ll learn how to balance romantic and fantasy elements, use popular tropes effectively, and position your story for success, with insights from editor Jennia D'Lima and author Lara Buckheit. Ideal for fantasy writers who want to write emotionally engaging, commercially viable romantasy novels.

Romantasy is one of the fastest-growing genres in fantasy right now—but writing it well takes more than adding a love story to a magical world.

In this episode, I’m joined by editor Jennia D'Lima and author Lara Buckheit to break down exactly what romantasy is, why it’s exploded in popularity, and how you can write stories that truly resonate with readers.

We go deep into both the craft and commercial side of romantasy, including:

• What romantasy actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Why the genre is booming right now
• How to balance romance and fantasy without weakening either
• Creating compelling romantic arcs within high-stakes worlds
• Tropes readers love—and how to use them effectively
• Common mistakes writers make when approaching romantasy
• How to position your romantasy story for today’s market

If you’re looking to tap into one of the biggest trends in publishing while writing emotionally engaging, character-driven fantasy, this episode will show you how to do it right.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR - FICTIONARY

⁠https://fictionary.co/fwt⁠

OUR ROMANTASY EXPERTS

Jennia D'Lima: www.jenniaedits.com

Lara Buckheit: www.larabuckheit.com

JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

This episode explains how to make fantasy maps, focusing on worldbuilding, map design, and using tools like Inkarnate to create professional-quality maps. You’ll learn how to design world maps and battle maps, draw maps freehand or digitally, and apply cartography principles to bring your fantasy setting to life, with insights from expert mapmakers Tyndall Doodle and Dread Maps. Ideal for fantasy writers, DnD creators, and worldbuilders who want to create immersive, visually compelling maps.

How do you create fantasy maps that feel real, immersive, and visually striking—and actually enhance your worldbuilding?

In this episode, I’m joined by talented fantasy cartographers Tyndall Doodle and Dread Maps to explore the art and craft of map-making in fantasy. Whether you're designing a vast world map or a detailed battle map for a tabletop campaign, this episode breaks down the key principles you need to know.

We cover both traditional and digital approaches to fantasy cartography, including how to draw maps freehand and how to use tools like Inkarnate to create professional-looking designs.

This episode covers:

• How to design compelling fantasy world maps
• Creating battle maps for DnD and tabletop RPGs
• Key principles of realistic and immersive map design
• Freehand vs digital map-making techniques
• How to use Inkarnate to build detailed, high-quality maps
• Common mistakes to avoid when creating fantasy maps
• How maps enhance storytelling and worldbuilding

We also explore the creative side of cartography—how maps can inspire stories, deepen immersion, and bring your fictional worlds to life in a visual way.

If you want to create fantasy maps that look incredible and elevate your storytelling, this episode gives you the tools, techniques, and inspiration to get started.

OUR SPONSOR

https://fictionary.co/fwt

OUR GUESTS

Tyndall Doodle: https://twitter.com/tyndalldoodle | https://www.instagram.com/tyndall_doodle Dread Maps: https://www.patreon.com/dreadmaps | https://twitter.com/dreadmaps

JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more, head over to our ⁠Patreon⁠ page - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

With Halloween just around the corner we wanted to tackle something spooky. In this episode—our last in series 2—we're diving into all things monstrous. I’m joined by writer, actor and producer Meghan Martin who’s a native of the monster-filled state of West Virginia. In our chat, we dive into Bigfoot, the mothman and more monsters that are said to stalk the forests of Appalachia. We examine the folklore, the surge in recent reports and explore the reasons why people are so fascinated by these tales—all to give you ideas and inspiration for when it comes to creating your own.

If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT

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JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

ABOUT MEGHAN MARTIN

https://www.instagram.com/hellomeghanmartin/

ABOUT RICHIE BILLING

www.richiebilling.com

Michael R Miller is an indie author who's forged a tremendously successful career in the world of writing.

Off the back of the launch of his new book, DEFIANT, Michael and Richie talk all about writing, the process, and how Michael's found success as an indie author.

It's essential listening for anyone who wants to go down the indie route.

If you have any questions or requests, please write to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

GET A TOOLSHED TSHIRT

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/ToolshedTshirt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

JOIN OUR WRITING COMMUNITY

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LEARN MORE ABOUT FANTASY WRITING

To join our writing community and access our Panels feature, as well as join a weekly writing group, access exclusive interviews, discussions, fantasy writing classes, books and more head over to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

ABOUT MICHAEL R MILLER

https://www.michaelrmiller.co.uk/