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!

When I struggled to find a designer to interview, Nikkita didn’t hesitate to step in. To those that have been around for a while, you know she holds a special place in my heart: her first episode is what kickstarted this entire podcast journey, and she’s a very dear friend of mine too. Coming back this time, she shares everything from a designer’s perspective—and truly, no topic is off limits.

We talk about hated characters in literature, the key differences artists consider when creating book covers versus character art, and the fantasy sub-genre cover trends we’re seeing right now. Nikkita breaks down how talent, experience, and instinct guide her creative process, and we even get candid about bodies, anatomy, nipples (yes, really), and what it’s like living with breast implants.

We also dive into taking familiar urban fantasy tropes and making them uniquely our own, researching experiences you haven’t personally lived so you can still write them authentically, and the often-misunderstood difference between commercial and usage rights. Also, why pre-made covers and character art are becoming increasingly appealing for artists.

Most importantly, we talk about trust—what she hopes authors keep in mind when working with artists, and why a strong, respectful author–artist relationship is essential to creating something truly special.

You can find Nikkita on Instagram here.

Spoiler Warnings: Their Series, The Sundered Realms Universe & The Kindred Curse Saga

Meeting Parker and Bree was genuinely one of the coolest moments of my podcasting journey — and a powerful reminder of what true creative friendship can accomplish. Inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, these two co-authors have an effortless way of building a shared vision and finding compromise when the story demands it.

They talk about the power readers hold — especially how word of mouth can change an author’s entire trajectory — and Parker gives us a glimpse into her author-artist perspective. We also get the official pronunciations for some of their character and series names, and they even confirm a few of my theories about the Ascended.

We dive into why they took a different approach to crafting their trials when writing The Ascended, how that choice shaped the uniqueness of the story, and if their readers have caught all the Easter Eggs they’ve left throughout the books…which now means I need to reread the entire series.

You can find Parker on Instagram here and Bree on Instagram here.

Shari joins me to unpack the journey of creating her first fantasy series—how the story refused to let her go even when life got messy, and how the worlds we build can evolve right alongside us. We dive into her world-building philosophy, the unexpected challenges that come with it, and why reading remains one of the most powerful tools an author has to level up their craft.

We talk about staying open to inspiration at any moment (and actually writing it down), whether pronunciation guides are a must in high fantasy, and why readers crave real stakes and real consequences. Shari also shares how she decides which ideas deserve a full investment of time, money, and creative energy, the power of writing the book you want to read, and her take on whether authors should include series recaps.

You can find her instagram here.

When Ruth’s publishing plans didn’t go as expected, she decided to bet on herself—and it changed everything. Instead of querying, she pivoted to self-publishing, proving that sometimes the indie route isn’t a fallback, it’s creative freedom. It gave her the chance to tell her story her way, without fitting into traditional molds.

Ruth gives us a peek into her intricate world and magic system, and we talk about her friends genius idea of using book clubs as beta readers—petition to make that a thing! We also chat about the constant tug-of-war with perfectionism as indie authors and learning when to finally hit “publish.”

She shares her thoughts on what makes an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers story, the double standards that still exist in publishing, and how she’s layered her Latina heritage and complex relationship with religion into her work. Through it all, Ruth’s journey is a reminder that trusting yourself as an author can be the most powerful decision you make.

You can find Ruth's Instagram here.

AI might be shaking up the creative world—but not always for the better. But thankfully, it seems like protections are starting to be put in place to guard human creativity.

Megan joins me to share her journey into audiobook narration—a dream that didn’t come easy. She failed the first time, tried again, and made it happen. Her story is the perfect reminder that failure isn’t the end—it’s where the learning begins.

We talk about intimacy coordinators and why they’re more vital than ever, plus what it really means to set boundaries in an industry that thrives on saying yes. From scarcity mindsets to self-worth, Megan keeps it refreshingly real.

She also pulls back the curtain on audiobook production—from choosing which stories to narrate to the surprising costs behind every finished product.

A must-listen for anyone chasing their creative dream (and needing a reminder that it’s okay to try again).

Content/Spoiler Warnings: It Ends With Us, Reign (TV Series)

You can find Megan on Instagram here.

Spoiler Warning: Manacled

Cat is an unpublished fantasy author whose debut series began with a dream and turned into something much bigger. We chat about treating characters like real people, turning trauma into stories of healing, and navigating the wild world of writing your first book.

She shares her thoughts on when to start building your author platform, the importance of community, and finding balance between writing, marketing, and actually living. Imposter syndrome? We’ve all been there—and we talk about how we try to move through it.

As the host of the Storytelling Sirens Podcast, she’s all about keeping creativity alive and giving authors a voice. We also get into industry double standards, fan fiction ethics (and why you can’t profit off it!), and why she chose self-publishing over traditional.

You can find Cat's Instagram page here.

I don’t know nearly enough horror fantasy authors, but Rachel is here to change that—one conversation at a time. She kicks things off by explaining what readers can expect from the genre and gives us a peek into her own growing horror fantasy multiverse.

We talk about her love for 80’s-inspired fantasy (a huge influence on her books), how she names her series, and the shock I felt discovering that Jurassic Park was a book first—who knew? Rachel shares how authors like Mary Shelley paved the way for writers like us, and how her own stories have evolved alongside her. Writing, for Rachel, has become a kind of therapy—an honest reflection of growth and imagination.

She also opens up about commissioning character art—when it’s worth it, how to approach it, and whether authors truly need it. A self-proclaimed enemies-to-lovers and found family purist, Rachel believes in writing from a place of truth, especially when exploring mental health and neurodivergence.

Since recording, her latest release has officially launched, and we couldn’t be more excited! We wrap up by talking about the many ways to approach writing—and why there’s never just one right way to tell your story.

You can find Rachel's instagram here.