Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, I talk about what’s been happening behind the scenes (updates on life, my job, and my family, as well as the situation with Amazon), what I’ve been writing, and what’s coming next.

New Books Out Now:

• Tales of the Curse Breaker in NY Trilogy: https://melindakucsera.com/tales-of-the-curse-breaker-in-ny/

• the last two books in the Curse Breaker’s Companion Series: https://melindakucsera.com/curse-breakers-companion/

What I’m writing now:

• Curse Breaker Jousts, book 12 of the Curse Breaker Series. I talk about the story behind it in this episode.

What I’m writing next:

• Chaos Reigns, the next book in the Riders of the Apocalypse series.

Where to get Curse Breaker Jousts:

Follow the kickstarter campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/melindakucsera/two-riders-of-the-apocalypse-illustrated-epic-fantasy-quests

Where to find your host:

• Newsletter: https://www.melinda-kucsera.com/embed

• website: https://melindakucsera.com/

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Joshua Olivieri is joining me to talk about his debut book, The Fifth Commander.

What’s it about?

When the hero chosen by the divine becomes a tyrant, who is strong enough to kill him?

The Alkatharos, Valazar’s prophesied savior, has ruled for five centuries. However, peace is but a memory for its people. A rebellion gnaws at the borders of His Lordship, and whispers of a traitor within His walls turn fear into panic.

Gallen Tramore, the feared Fifth Commander of the Alkatharos, is sent to expose and slay the traitor. What he uncovers instead is a betrayal that shatters his faith in his master, his home, and his comrades.

To discover the truth, Gallen commits a crime worthy of death: abandoning his post. Now declared a traitor, Gallen is hunted by those he once bled alongside. Caught between centuries-old vendettas and a forbidden power that should’ve stayed buried, Gallen must decide where his loyalties lie and if he is strong enough to defy an immortal legend.

Where to get the book: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/joshuaolivieri/the-fifth-commander

Where to find our guest:

• Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587664119664

• LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-olivieri-555760bb/

• Website: https://joshuaolivieriauthor.com/

Where to find your host:

Melinda’s website: https://melindakucsera.com/

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Riley S. Quinn is joining me to talk about her book, Gold and Gossamer.

What’s it about?

The Mage King of Avonbend is meant to be untouchable, but Dante cannot help feeling that the formidable Fairy Queen who lurks beyond the ruins and rivers of Avonbend’s borderlands is not truly the threat that human legends describe her to be. When he finds himself in need of a favor to save his people from a mysterious blight, he dares to ask for her generosity. The Fairy Queen offers up a different path: one that leads to a truth that Dante is not yet prepared to unveil, with webs of secrets, oaths, and intrigue all at her fingertips.

Gold and Gossamer is a character-driven fantasy romance with cinematic storytelling.

Set in the world of Talamherra created by Riley S. Quinn, Gold and Gossamer is fantasy with fae elements and political intrigue.

What’s in this episode:

Riley S. Quinn will take us into a world of fairy courts, magical kingdoms, and dangerous alliances with an excerpt from Gold and Gossamer, and we’ll explore aspects of that world, like the balance between the human and fairy realms, the mysterious blight threatening Avonbend, and the intricate politics between rulers.

We’ll find out what to expect from this standalone fantasy and maybe get some spoiler-free highlights of the rivalry and unexpected connection between the Mage King and Fairy Queen.

We’ll discuss Dante’s journey from isolated Mage King to being drawn into the shadows of the Fairy Queen’s dominion, and discover the worldbuilding details, the cinematic techniques Riley uses to bring scenes to life, and how her background in animation and storyboarding shapes her fantasy writing.

Join us in a place where the human and fairy worlds balance on a precipice, and two rulers find their fates more intertwined than they ever dared to imagine.

Where to get the book: https://linktr.ee/goldandgossamer (Releases November 8, 2025)

Where to find our guest:

• Website: https://www.rileyquinnart.com/

• Instagram: rileyquinnart

• TikTok: rileyquinnartofficial

Hi, I’m indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, E.K. Wise is joining me to talk about her book, Keepers of the Rock: The Debilis Rising.

What’s it about?

Tessa Horton always suspected there was more to life than what meets the eye—her unique ability is proof. Tú Chen carries the weight of his secret power, hiding it from his family to protect them. Their lives change forever when they are accepted into the College of Geological Evolution, an exclusive international school with a hidden purpose run by the ancient secret society known as the Keepers of the Rock, which trains those with supernatural connections to the Earth.

Keepers of the Rock: The Debilis Rising is an action-packed, character-driven young adult fantasy full of secrets, crystals, history, and science.

Set in the Keepers of the Rock series created by E.K. Wise, Keepers of the Rock: The Debilis Rising is young adult magical realism and earthbound fantasy.

What’s in this episode:

E.K. Wise will take us into a world of ancient secret societies, supernatural Earth connections, and monstrous enemies with an excerpt from Keepers of the Rock: The Debilis Rising, and we’ll explore aspects of that world, like the magic system connected to geology, the College of Geological Evolution, and The Debilis.

We’ll find out what to expect from the Keepers of the Rock series and maybe get some spoiler-free highlights of what’s to come in this thrilling new young adult series.

We’ll discuss Tessa and Tú’s journey from students with hidden abilities to Keepers training to protect the Earth, and discover the worldbuilding details, the rules that govern the Keepers, and the ancient evil threatening humanity.

Join us in a place where gifted students with supernatural connections to the Earth must protect the planet from shadowy forces, and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Where to get the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXLDGDMW (Available in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook formats)

Where to find our guest:

• Website: ekwise.com

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@e.k.wise

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e.k.wise/

• Book Trailer: https://www.tiktok.com/@e.k.wise/video/7556385741589204255

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Zack Schoppen is joining me to talk about his book, The Midwizard of Cosconia.

What's it about?

In a land where Maternal Magic once protected every mother and child, birth has become deadly. Fresh out of midwizardry school, Izzie is determined to use her blood magic to save the lives of every mom and baby she can, but Maternal Magic is waning each year and no one knows why. When Cosconia's twelve races vie for the formerly uninhabitable Wasteland, war threatens to consume the continent—and somehow Izzie ends up in the middle of the conflict.

The Midwizard of Cosconia is a character-driven fantasy that explores pregnancy, childbirth, and maternal health in a magical world.

Set in the world of Cosconia created by Zack Schoppen, The Midwizard of Cosconia is fantasy with medical themes.

What's in this episode:

Zack Schoppen will take us into a world of midwizardry, maternal magic, and warring races with an excerpt from The Midwizard of Cosconia, and we'll explore aspects of that world, like the magic system, the twelve races, and the unique approach to pregnancy and childbirth in fantasy.

We'll find out what to expect from this standalone fantasy and maybe get some spoiler-free highlights of Izzie's journey and the mysteries behind the failing Maternal Magic.

We'll discuss Izzie's journey from midwizardry school graduate to being caught in the middle of a continental conflict, and discover the worldbuilding details, magic systems, and the real-world inspiration behind this groundbreaking fantasy approach to maternal health.

Join us in a place where Maternal Magic once protected every mother and child, and one midwizard fights to save lives in a world where birth has become deadly.

Where to get the book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FG49B8TM

Where to find our guest:

• Website: https://themidwizard.com/

• Instagram: themidwizard

• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237653571-the-midwizard-of-cosconia

I'm back with good news, book news, and an update about my job situation.

New Books!

The Riders of the Apocalypse Series:

• Chaos Rises (book 1) is coming out soon on retailers

Tales of A Curse Breaker in NY Series:

• Catch the Scribe - done
• Book Battles - done
• Rogue Characters - done!

Where to get the brand trilogy: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/melindakucsera/catch-the-scribe-and-battle-for-the-fate-of-you-book-and-world

What I'm writing now:

• Storm Spells - book 3 of the Curse Breaker 's Companion series

What's next?

Watch to find out!

• Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.melinda-kucsera.com/embed
• Join my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/melindakucsera

Hi, I'm indie fantasy author, Melinda Kucsera, and in this episode, Richie Billing is joining me to talk about his book, Together We Rise.

What's it about?

In the crumbling city of Pietalos, where corruption and poverty reign, the fires of revolution burn hotter each day. Eight lives—each scarred by loss, betrayal, and violence—intertwine as they fight for their futures and that of the city. As Pietalos teeters on the edge of a new era, these eight individuals must fight for justice, revenge, and redemption.

Together We Rise is a political, character-driven grimdark fantasy.

Set in the world created by Richie Billing, Together We Rise is political fantasy with grimdark and urban fantasy elements.

What's in this episode:

Richie Billing will take us into a world of revolution, corruption, and hope with an excerpt from Together We Rise, and we'll explore aspects of that world, like the political systems, class struggles, and the unique soundtrack that accompanies each character.

We'll find out what to expect from this standalone political fantasy and maybe get some spoiler-free highlights of the themes and character arcs.

We'll discuss the eight interconnected characters' journeys from oppression to revolution and discover the worldbuilding details, political corruption, and the inspiration behind this timely story.

Join us in a place where corruption and poverty reign in the crumbling city of Pietalos, and eight scarred souls fight for justice and redemption.

Where to get the book: https://storyoriginapp.com/universalbooklinks/77eda302-db1e-11ef-b002-cb1cf70e8ca3

Where to find our guest:

• Website: www.richiebilling.com

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/richiebilling/

• Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223253386-together-we-rise

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/X08RWhjSasM

A quick chat about books coming soon and what I'm up to. BOOKS COMING SOON:

- Chaos Rises (book 1 of the Riders of the Apocalypse Series)- Catch the Scribe (book 1 of Tales of Curse Breaker in NY)- Book Battles (book 2 of Tales of Curse Breaker in NY)- Rogue Characters (book 3 of Tales of Curse Breaker in NY)- Storm Spells (book 3 of the Curse Breaker's Companion Series)- A possible litRPG book?- Mage Hunter & Demon Hunter? (sequels to Relic Hunter)Sign up for my newsletter so the characters can talk to you: https://www.melinda-kucsera.com/embed