The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Penn Cole

Spoiler Warnings: The Kindred Curse Saga

There’s something magical about getting a front-row seat to your favourite author’s mind. Penn is genuinely one of the kindest people in this industry — thoughtful, generous, and the kind of storyteller you could listen to for hours.

She reminds us that being a full-time author is possible, and she walks us through the realities of creative life, including the Dunning–Kruger effect and why so many of us struggle to trust our own art. In a world obsessed with chasing the next viral hit, she’s encouraging us to focus on craft first and trust that the marketing will follow.

I also introduce her to what I’m calling the “Penn Cole Effect,” and she breaks down the thinking behind her hybrid publishing deal — including why she refused to settle for anything less than what she knew she deserved, even when her dream felt far-fetched. This episode is an absolute must for any indie author!