UpperPen Podcast

Mackenzie Reed joins UpperPen to talk about her adult debut I Hope This Email Finds You In Hell. We talk about great titles, Debra from accounting needing to be exorcised, and a less angsty Supernatural roadtrip. The book comes out September 1st, 2026. You can find Mackenzie Reed on Instagram and TikTok @MackenzieMReed and on her website.

Constance Fay is back on UpperPen to talk about her newest book: Havoc, book four in The Uncharted Hearts series. Last time we talked about sci-fi romance and adventure. This time we talked about what you do when there is no "next book deal".

I was so sad when I heard that Bramble wasn't interested in buying the fourth book from Constance. I needed to know what happened with Itzel, what was going to happen with the rest of the crew, and to see if any justice would be served in a world of corporate oligarchs. Lucky for me, Constance took it upon herself to publish Havoc on her own. You can find Constance through her website ConstanceFay.com and on Instagram at constanceefay

Gareth Hanrahan joins UpperPen to discuss The Dungeon Book, a new fantasy novel inspired in part by Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.

You might know Gareth Hanrahan's name from TTRPG games like The One Ring, Adventures in Middle-Earth, Trial of Cthulhu: Cthulhu City, and Arkham Detective Tales. He also has other fantasy books.

His grasp of dungeon mechanics and story are the best I've read. The Dungeon Book has elements of Kipling, D&D, and shenanigans that players get up to. This book was an awesome read!

You can find Gareth Hanrahan at garethhanrahan.com and on Instagram @mytholder2

Author Robert Jackson Bennett joins UpperPen to discuss A Trade of Blood, the newest Ana and Din mystery, and why the series is fundamentally detective fiction set inside an extraordinary fantasy world.

I love mystery stories and these books are that and some! Apparently I am not the only one, Hideo Kojima wrote "[The Tainted Cup] is a masterpiece that deserves to be read. Highly Recommended." Who could need more encouragement?! The world is unique, the characters are well developed, and the stories are INTERESTING! So freaking interesting.

Robert Jackson Bennett's Instagram is @r.jackson.bennett.

Book 3, A Trade of Blood is out August 11th, 2026.

Debut author Grace Viall joins UpperPen to discuss her novel (Mostly) Human Resources, a fantasy adventure that blends cryptids, Appalachian folklore, slow-burn romance, and plenty of workplace humor.I loved this book so much! It has horror vibes, a cocky MMC, jackalopes, and an over responsible FMC that hasn't slept in however long because of her hellish nightmares. The book is fast paced and so fun!You can find Grace Viall on Instagram @GraceViallWrites and through her website GraceViall.com.Preorder a copy of (Mostly) Human Resources at Park Books to get a signed copy and some goodies.

Author David Wellington returns to UpperPen to discuss Erebus 13, the thrilling conclusion to his Red Space trilogy. We explore the challenges of finishing a science fiction horror series, writing deeply flawed characters, and the collaborative process between authors and editors.If you want to see what David is up to, you can find him on Instagram @DavidWellingtonAuthor and on his website, DavidWellington.net.

Bestselling author Sarah Beth Durst joins UpperPen to discuss Sea of Charms, a cozy fantasy novel filled with memorable characters, imaginative magic, and immersive worldbuilding.

I have loved all three of her books in this world and am so excited to pick up The Magical Cheese Emporium in January! 

You can preorder a signed copy of the book at Books of Wonder.

Follow you can find out more about what she has coming up (including tour dates and locations) by going to SarahBethDurst.com or by following her on social media (pretty much all of them) @SarahBethDurst.

Author Chiara Bullen joins UpperPen to discuss her debut novel, The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance, a cozy fantasy filled with scholars, found family, subtle romance, and comforting food. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @ChiaraBullenAuthor.Show her some love by picking up The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance July 7th (in the US)!The image of the Lagangarbh Hut Buachaille Etive Mòr is from Sarah Howard Photography. She has some wonderful photos and you can find the original that I "borrowed" from her website here:

Author Rebecca Thorne joins UpperPen to discuss her newest novel, Moss'd in Space, the first book in a new cozy science fiction trilogy that combines found family, slow-burn romance, and the comforts of cozy storytelling with the wonder of space exploration.We also spent a goodly amount of time chatting about Travis Baldree, Matt Dinniman, and Becky Chambers. I have interviews with all of them here on UpperPen! Although, Becky Chambers' interview doesn't come out until October 3rd, 2026.You can find Rebecca on her website: https://rebeccathorne.net/on Instagram: @rebeccathornewritesand on Tumbler: @rebeccathornewrites

Author Amy Archer joins UpperPen to discuss her debut fantasy novel, Nemesis Mine, a charming story about a villain who isn't particularly villainous and a hero who desperately needs a comeback. We talk about how Cyrus has plant magic and his relationship with Max, a hero who needs a comeback to stay relevant in this fantasy world. The book is out in the US on June 23rd, in the UK it is out on June 18...also I kind of enjoy the UK cover a little more than the US one. Both are good, but the UK one is "striking"... it doesn't capture the comedy of the book as well though. You can follow Amy on Instagram @AmyElizaArcher #romantasy #books #debutnovel #pridemonth