In this episode of Epic Realms Podcast, I sit down with Toni Winslow-Brill, an accomplished RPG writer, editor, and project manager whose work spans multiple tabletop roleplaying game companies, including Dungeons and Dragons and the Adventurers League.

Toni shares her origin story, from discovering a Monster Manual at a garage sale at age nine to attending her first Gen Con just a year later. She reflects on growing up during the Satanic Panic and how that era shaped her relationship with tabletop gaming and creativity. We also explore how her passion for writing influenced her educational path and early career choices.

Our conversation dives into Toni’s professional journey, including her work outside the gaming industry and how reputation, networking, and consistent delivery opened doors to new opportunities. She offers a candid look at how connections and trust fuel long term success in the RPG space.

We spend time unpacking the often unseen side of RPG production. Toni breaks down the full lifecycle of creating a tabletop book, from writing and editing to layout, art coordination, and managing timelines across large creative teams. She gives insight into the realities of project management and what it takes to keep complex projects on track.

We also discuss storytelling in adventure design, along with Toni’s personal strengths and challenges as both a writer and designer. This episode is a thoughtful and behind the scenes look at the craft, discipline, and passion that drive the tabletop RPG industry. https://www.toniwinslowbrill.com/ Use Our DM's Guild Link - https://www.dmsguild.com/en/?affiliate_id=1089765 Use our Drive thru RPG Link - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=1089765

Also Check out our Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@epic_realms

In this episode of the Epic Realms Podcast, we sit down with author Justin Rose to talk about the journey of becoming a writer.

Justin shares what it was like growing up homeschooled and how that experience compares with traditional public school education. He explains how those early experiences shaped his creativity and influenced his path toward writing.

The conversation also explores lessons from college and the advice he received during that time that helped guide his early writing career. Justin reflects on the evolution of his storytelling, including the challenges he faced and the lessons he learned along the way.

A major theme in the discussion is the role emotion plays in his stories. Justin talks about how emotional authenticity drives his characters and why fantasy and science fiction allow him to explore those themes in powerful ways.

We also discuss the authors who inspired him, including legendary science fiction writer Ray Bradbury, and how those influences helped shape his creative voice.

If you enjoy conversations about writing, storytelling, and the creative process, this episode offers insight and inspiration for readers and aspiring writers alike. Kickstarter Link - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/justinrose/magic-and-majesty-a-midwest-fantasy-sampler Justin Rose Amazon Page - https://amzn.to/4s9h47D

In this episode, we sit down with Duncan Rhodes, the main voice behind the D&D blog Hipsters & Dragons, to explore the journey that led to his latest book, The Creative Game Master's Guide to Extraordinary Locations, also known as Extraordinary Locations.

Duncan shares how his real world travel experiences and detailed travel guides have shaped the immersive settings he creates for tabletop roleplaying games. We discuss his decision to step away from Dungeons & Dragons during college and how returning to it later reignited his creativity and inspired this new project. He also explains how his original creations on the Dungeon Masters Guild helped lay the foundation for the book, combining practical design tools with imaginative storytelling.

It is a conversation about creativity, rediscovery, and transforming real life adventure into unforgettable locations at the game table. Check out the new book - Here - Or Visit. https://www.hipstersanddragons.com/