Is your novel idea exciting… but the path from first spark to finished book feels confusing, overwhelming, or totally opaque? Do you daydream about epic worlds, lush magic systems, and big emotions… but worry you’ll never quite figure out how to actually build the story (or the career) you want?

You’re not alone. I’ve worked with so many talented writers whose imaginations are on fire, but who feel stuck between drafting, revising, worldbuilding, and navigating the publishing landscape. The creativity is there. The ambition is there. But the process still feels murky and out of reach.

The missing ingredient is almost always the same: a clear, sustainable way to develop both your novel and your author career, from someone who’s walked the hybrid path.

In this interview, I sit down with award-winning fantasy author Leslye Penelope to talk about how she develops a novel from idea to finished book, how she balances traditional and self-publishing, and how she builds powerful worlds, magic systems, and character arcs without losing creative control.

You’ll learn:

✨ How Leslye went from self-publishing A Song of Blood and Stone to landing a St. Martin’s Press deal (and a spot on Time’s list of the 100 Best Fantasy Novels of All Time)
✨ Why she chose to self-publish first as a Black epic fantasy romance author—and how she protected her vision and her rights
✨ The levels of professional editing she invested in as an indie author
✨ How she structures her writing life as a hybrid author, including her co-writing sessions, fast-drafting process, and multi-draft revision approach
✨ The plotting frameworks she leans on
✨ How she approaches character work using wounds, misbeliefs, Enneagram types, and theme so her protagonists actually arc on the page
✨ Her philosophy of worldbuilding
✨ How she designs magic systems with real limits and costs, drawing on research and lived traditions so the magic feels fresh.

If you’re dreaming of a long-term speculative fiction career but feel overwhelmed by the craft, the worldbuilding, and the business side, this episode will give you a grounded, practical roadmap for developing your next novel (and protecting your creative freedom) from first spark to final draft.

Grab Leslye's FREE worldbuilding checklist right here!

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Is your writing polished but still not hitting with the emotional punch you want? Do your scenes look great on the surface… but readers don’t lean in, don’t feel connected, and don’t feel compelled to turn the page?

You’re not alone. I’ve read thousands of opening pages from talented writers who have gorgeous prose, solid craft, and thoughtful worldbuilding. But something still feels a little flat. Competent, but not electric. Beautiful, but not alive.

The missing ingredient is almost always the same: interiority.

In this solo episode, I break down what interiority actually is, why it is the most important element of your novel, and how to use it to create characters readers feel bonded to from page one.

You’ll learn:

✨ What interiority really is and why it is more essential than plot or character arc
✨ Why readers need both your protagonist’s emotions and their interpretation of events
✨ The difference between dry narration and interiority-rich writing (with examples from Suzanne Collins and Rebecca Yarros)
✨ The first major Pillar of Interiority: Intellectual and Emotional Processing
✨ How to use therapist-style questions to deepen your protagonist’s internal world
✨ A simple technique to place interiority on the page so it feels seamless, natural, and woven directly into the story
✨ How external action and internal processing work together to hook readers and agents from the very first page

If your scenes feel distant, flat, or like something important is missing, this episode will teach you how to bring your protagonist’s mind onto the page in a way that feels organic, alive, and completely unputdownable.

Grab the free Interiority Workbook (examples, graphics, and guiding questions) in the show notes.

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Self-publishing can feel overwhelming, confusing, and expensive… but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

In this episode, I sit down with publisher, book coach, and summit host Alexa Bigwarfe (founder and CEO of Write|Publish|Sell and the Women in Publishing Summit) to break down your publishing options and demystify what it really takes to self-publish like a pro. You’ll learn how to choose the right path for your book, where to invest your money, and how to start thinking like an author–entrepreneur instead of “just” a writer with a dream.

We’ll talk about:
✨ The real differences between traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing (and who each path serves best)
✨ Why self-publishing is not the “free” option and the core investments you need to plan for
✨ The non-negotiables for a professional book: editing, cover design, formatting, and more
✨ How knowing your genre (and your reader) shapes everything from your story beats to your marketing
✨ What “author platform” actually means and why your email list matters more than any social feed
✨ Simple ways to start building an audience before your book is finished, even if you feel “brand new”
✨ How to approach self-publishing like a long game, including realistic timelines and expectations
✨ When a pen name or hybrid press might make sense for your goals and how to avoid predatory vanity presses

By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of your publishing options and a practical roadmap for treating your book like the powerful, long-term asset it can be, instead of a one-and-done passion project.

Grab Alexa’s free Publishing Pathways & Distribution Guide HERE.

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Writing with ADHD can feel like chaos — but it doesn’t have to.

In this episode, I sit down with book coach and author Nicole Bross to explore brain-friendly strategies that help neurodiverse writers focus, follow through, and finally finish their drafts. You’ll learn how to design a writing process that fits your brain instead of fighting against it.

We’ll talk about:
✨ Why persistence matters more than consistency for ADHD writers
✨ How to outline without killing your creativity
✨ Simple ways to handle distractions and idea overwhelm
✨ What to do when perfectionism or fear of failure creeps in
✨ How to embrace messy first drafts and make revision the fun part
✨ Nicole’s free writing habit tracker that turns progress into motivation

By the end, you’ll have a gentler, more sustainable way to write — one that honors how your brain actually works and helps you bring your stories to life with less struggle and more joy.

Grab Nicole’s Writing Habit Tracker — a spreadsheet that tracks your daily word count, changes color when you hit your target, and turns habit-building into a visual game.

Pick up a copy of Nicole's bestselling book A Novel Approach: Strategies for ADHD Writers HERE.

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Feedback can transform your writing — or completely derail your confidence — depending on how you understand it.

In this episode, Heather breaks down the four types of writing feedback every author needs to know (and only one that truly helps you improve). You’ll learn how to tell the difference between feedback that leaves you spinning your wheels and feedback that actually moves your story — and your skills — forward.

We’ll talk about:
✨ Why “positive” and “negative” feedback aren’t helpful labels
✨ The difference between praise, growth, general, and specific feedback
✨ The single quadrant of feedback that will supercharge your development as a writer
✨ How to stop fearing critique and start using it to become a stronger storyteller

By the end, you’ll know exactly what kind of feedback to ask for (and give!) so you can connect more deeply with your story — and your readers.

💌 Want a visual of the four feedback types? Grab the feedback graphic HERE!

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

🌻 Sign Up For This Class Before Dec 14th for Early Bird Pricing of $67 🌻

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Is your story built on a rock-solid foundation—or is it wobbling under the weight of weak structure, thin characters, or unclear purpose? In this episode of Speculative Fiction Made Simple, I break down the four essential elements every novel must have to truly resonate with readers, hook agents, and stand out in today’s crowded market.

💡 Spoiler: These are totally learnable skills you can start applying right now.

You will learn:

• Why clarifying your novel’s point is the single most important step in your storytelling process
• How to design a protagonist with depth, conflict, and a powerful character arc
• What kind of worldbuilding actually matters (and what you can safely skip)
• How to structure your plot so every beat drives transformation and delivers on your story’s promise

If your novel feels shaky or stuck, this episode will give you the blueprint to shore it up and move forward with confidence.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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👉 Click here to grab your free ticket to the WorldShift: Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit and hear Lisa Cron’s summit presentation—plus 30+ other craft-deep sessions from top speculative fiction coaches, authors, and industry pros.

Most of what you’ve been taught about writing is wrong. At least, that’s what bestselling author and story coach Lisa Cron (📚 Wired for Story, Story Genius, Story or Die) believes—and she’s here to prove it.

In this deep, no-fluff conversation, Lisa and I dismantle some of the most damaging writing myths that keep authors stuck—like “backstory should be used sparingly,” “don’t tell us what your character’s thinking,” and “hold back information for a big reveal.” We dig into why these “rules” are not only misguided but can actually drain the emotional power from your story.

You’ll learn:

• Why emotion—not plot—is the true driver of story
• How to build a novel from the inside out (and why starting with plot is a trap)
• The truth about backstory (and why it belongs on every page)
• How to craft characters whose internal struggles keep readers hooked
• The one question you must answer before you write a single scene

If you’ve ever felt confused, stuck, or frustrated by conflicting writing advice, this episode will give you clarity, permission, and a fresh, brain-science-backed approach to storytelling that works.

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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👉 Click here to grab your free ticket to the WorldShift: Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit and hear Alex Temblador’s summit presentation—plus 30+ other craft-deep sessions from top speculative fiction coaches, authors, and industry pros.

Worried you’ll get it wrong when writing a character whose identity isn’t your own—and that you’ll hurt someone, face backlash, or be told you shouldn’t even try? But at the same time, you know that leaving out marginalized identities doesn’t feel right either—especially when you’re building entire worlds from scratch?

You’re not alone. And this episode is for you.

In this powerful, honest conversation, I sit down with the brilliant Alex Temblador—award-winning author of Writing an Identity Not Your Own, Half Outlaw, and Secrets of the Casa Rosada—to talk about how speculative fiction writers can represent identities outside their own with more care, confidence, and nuance.

We get into:

• What most writers get wrong (even with good intentions)
• The difference between writing and editing identities
• How to spot unconscious bias and avoid coded stereotypes
• Why worldbuilding always reflects our world—and what to do about it
• Plus: her haunted house story (yes, really)

If you’ve ever wondered how to get representation right without falling into fear, tokenism, or tired tropes, this episode will change the way you write—and revise—forever.

Spoiler: You can do this. And Alex shows you how.

$40 off "Writing An Identity Not Your Own: For Fantasy & Sci-Fi Writers" with promo code SPECFIC

Sign up here 👉 https://www.alextemblador.com/courses

Ask Me Anything Thursdays👋 Send me your writing question! I'll answer it in an upcoming episode. Include your name if you want a shout out! 🤗

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