S.2 Ep. 62: Living Castles, Swan Brides, and Love as an Active Choice: Roshani Chokshi on The Swan's Daughter

S.2 Ep. 74: A Gothic Fantasy for the Girls Who Always Save Everyone Else: Lindsey A. Hart on The Thorns We Inherit

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where love can be dangerous, monsters are never simple, and some inheritances come with blood, thorns, and a legacy you never asked for. This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with author Lindsey A. Hart to discuss her gothic fantasy debut, The Thorns We Inherit, a dark, lyrical story filled with magic, monsters, trauma, devotion, and one girl’s desperate mission to save her brother. Lindsey shares the journey behind writing and self-publishing her debut, from choosing herself creatively after years of writing privately to building a readership, finding early readers, and learning the many moving pieces of indie publishing. She opens up about balancing motherhood, work, writing, and the realities of making time for a dream when life is already full. The conversation also dives into the lush, symbolic world of The Thorns We Inherit, including Lindsey’s love of gothic fantasy, lyrical prose, vampires, dangerous monsters, and stories where love is not limited to romance alone. Lindsey discusses Aurelia’s journey through a dark, magic-ridden city, the deadly legacy tied to her bloodline, and the emotional heart of a trilogy centered on inherited trauma, devotion, power, and survival. 🩸 What happens when saving the person you love means risking yourself? 🌹 Can a story be romantic even when romance is only one piece of the love story? 🖤 And what if the monster is just as beautiful as he is dangerous? Whether you love gothic fantasy, lyrical prose, vampires, dark magic, complicated characters, or heroines who have spent their lives saving everyone else, this episode is for you. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Lindsey’s journey from writing in her notes app to publishing her debut novel. ✨ Balancing motherhood, work, creativity, and the dream of becoming an author. ✨ The importance of finding early readers and building a supportive book community. ✨ Gothic fantasy, symbolism, and the beauty of writing in layers. ✨ Why The Thorns We Inherit is a love story in more ways than one. ✨ Aurelia’s quest to save her brother and survive the magic tied to her bloodline. ✨ Haunted warriors, beautiful monsters, and vampires inspired by mythology. ✨ The role of inherited trauma, legacy, devotion, and self-discovery in the series. ✨ Indie publishing, agents, creative control, and the possibility of a hybrid author path. ✨ Lindsey’s upcoming projects, including dark academia, gothic fantasy, and steampunk-inspired worlds. 🦇 Plus: hot vampires, gothic romance, Howl’s Moving Castle vibes, dark academia professors, rapid-fire chaos, and why sometimes a story can become a safe place for readers to process grief. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill [https://www.instagram.com/the_magical_quill/] 📚 Lindsay A. Hart – @AuthorLindseyAHart [https://www.instagram.com/authorlindseyahart/] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

S.2 Ep. 73: He Came to Kill Her. She Was Already Burying Bodies in the Garden: Brynne Weaver on Tourist Season

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where murder can be romantic, gardens may be hiding more than flowers, and sometimes the man who comes to kill you severely underestimates who he's dealing with. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling author Brynne Weaver for a wildly fun conversation about dark comedy, serial killer romance, self-publishing, traditional publishing, adaptation dreams, and her newest dark rom-com, Tourist Season. Brynne shares her journey from forensic archaeology student to hybrid publishing powerhouse. She opens up about writing every day, self-publishing her early books, learning the business side of publishing through data, marketing, algorithms, ARC teams, and social media, and the explosive rise of Butcher & Blackbird after readers on TikTok discovered it and word of mouth took over. The conversation also dives into Brynne’s transition from indie success to traditional publishing, including how foreign rights interest led her to an agent, how Butcher & Blackbird was picked up and reprinted at record speed, and why her self-publishing background gave her the confidence to advocate for herself, ask questions, and think about publishing as both a creative and business endeavor. We also dive into her latest book, Tourist Season.  🪴 What happens when a man comes to a seaside town on vacation to kill the woman he blames for his brother’s death? 🖤 Can two murderers find love when they are both keeping very dangerous secrets? 🐦 And what if the town’s most chaotic witness is a talking raven raised by a serial killer gardener? Whether you love dark rom-coms, vigilante serial killers, small-town secrets, or revenge plots, this episode is for you. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Brynne’s life outside writing, including horses, motorcycles, lacrosse mom energy, and life outside Chicago. ✨ Her background in forensic archaeology and how science, research, and dead body details influence her work. ✨ Writing as a lifelong outlet and committing to writing every single day. ✨ Why fear should not stop you from putting your work into the world. ✨ The power of failure, persistence, and asking how fast you would fail if you knew success was coming. ✨ Brynne’s path from self-publishing to becoming a hybrid author. ✨ Learning the business of publishing through data, marketing, Amazon algorithms, ARC teams, and reader behavior. ✨ How Butcher & Blackbird exploded through BookTok and word of mouth. ✨ Foreign rights, agent offers, six-figure deals, and choosing a publisher that could move fast. ✨ Why self-publishing can help authors learn to advocate for themselves. ✨ A behind-the-scenes look at Tourist Season, including Harper, Nolan, and the seaside town where bad tourists don't always make it home. ✨ Serial killers as a lens for morality, tension, secrets, and emotional extremes. ✨ The Tourist Season cliffhanger and how it sets up Harvest Season. ✨ New characters, sleuth seekers, higher stakes, domestic tension, secrets, consequences, and chaos in book two. ✨ Book three, secret upcoming projects, and why Brynne always has more stories in motion. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 👤 Sara Santillan – @The_Magical_Quill [https://www.instagram.com/the_magical_quill] 📚 Brynne Weaver – @Brynne_Weaver [https://www.instagram.com/brynne_weaver/] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

S.2 Ep. 72: From Netflix Ice Drama to Wimbledon Romance: Jennifer Iacopelli on Wildcard

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where ambition is never a flaw, love triangles are never simple, and sometimes the book that seemed to end your career becomes the story that changes everything. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with author Jennifer Iacopelli for a wildly fun and deeply inspiring conversation about sports romance, publishing perseverance, Netflix adaptations, and her upcoming release, Wildcard, part of the Match Point series. Jennifer shares the long, twisty journey behind her career, from writing fanfiction and publishing with a small digital press to self-publishing, traditional publishing, pen names, pandemic releases, and the surreal experience of seeing Finding Her Edge become a Netflix series. She opens up about the highs, lows, and unexpected second chances of publishing, including how a book she once thought had killed her career became the story that helped revive it. The conversation also dives into Wildcard and the Match Point series, where elite tennis, complicated friendships, ambitious women, and messy romance collide. Jennifer discusses writing three points of view, crafting love stories around Grand Slam tournaments, and why she is so passionate about telling stories where women are allowed to want everything: the trophy, the career, the love story, and the life they refuse to apologize for. 🎾 What happens when ambition, romance, and professional stakes collide? 🔥 Can a love triangle ever have an obvious answer? ✨ And what if the story you thought was over is only just beginning? Whether you love sports romance, Netflix adaptations, publishing comeback stories, D&D chaos, or heroines who refuse to shrink themselves, this episode is packed with heart, humor, and so many reasons to add Wildcard to your TBR. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Jennifer’s journey from fanfiction to publishing. ✨ Writing ambitious young women and the people who love them for it. ✨ The long road from small press publishing to self-publishing and traditional publishing. ✨ How Finding Her Edge became a Netflix series. ✨ Why a so-called career setback turned into a career-making moment. ✨ What it’s like writing book two while the TV writers’ room works on season two. ✨ The Match Point series, Game Set Match, and the release of Wildcard. ✨ Tennis romance, Wimbledon, forced proximity, and complicated friend groups. ✨ Why ambition should be celebrated, especially in female characters. ✨ Writing sports, love triangles, and relationships where career goals are never the problem. ✨ Dungeons & Dragons, accidental storytelling magic, and learning to follow where the story wants to go. ✨ Jennifer’s publishing advice for aspiring authors who feel discouraged. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill [https://www.instagram.com/the_magical_quill/] 📚 Jennifer Iacopelli – @JenniferCarolyn [https://www.instagram.com/jennifercarolyn/?hl=en] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

S.2 Ep. 71: The Book Box Your Dog Has Been Waiting For: Barbara on GildedTail

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where special editions fill every shelf, indie authors deserve the spotlight, and sometimes the perfect reading companion has four paws and a wagging tail. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Amara sit down with Barbara, founder and CEO of GildedTail, to discuss the launch of one of the most unique new book boxes coming to the bookish community. Created for readers who love beautiful books and adore their pets, GildedTail combines exclusive special editions from indie authors with themed reader merchandise and pet products inspired by each featured story. Barbara shares the unexpected journey that led her from leaving an unfulfilling career to building a company centered around two of her biggest passions: books and animals. From designing custom special editions and working directly with indie authors to creating pet-themed merchandise and building a thriving waitlist before launch, Barbara gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a book box from dream to reality. 📚 What goes into creating a truly unforgettable special edition? 🐾 How do you build a book box that includes both readers and their pets? ✨ And why are indie authors at the heart of everything GildedTail does? Whether you're a special edition collector, an indie author, a devoted pet parent, or all three, this episode is packed with insight, excitement, and plenty of bookish chaos. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ The story behind the creation of GildedTail. ✨ Why Barbara left her previous career to pursue her dream. ✨ Combining a love of books and pets into one subscription box. ✨ Supporting indie authors through exclusive special editions. ✨ What goes into designing custom covers, sprayed edges, and collectible editions. ✨ The process of selecting books, artists, and merchandise for each box. ✨ How Gilded Tail plans to continue special edition series beyond the subscription. ✨ Monthly boxes, pet customization options, and reader merchandise. ✨ Building a company with the support of family, friends, and a passionate team. ✨ Upcoming launches, convention plans, ambassador opportunities, and an exclusive Mythic Mic giveaway. 🐶 Plus: Lord of the Rings obsessions, pet adoption stories, collector struggles, and why every book lover deserves a reading buddy curled up beside them. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife [https://www.instagram.com/bored_military_wife/] 📚 GildedTail – @GildedTail [https://www.instagram.com/gildedtail/] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

S.2 Ep. 70: The Fantasy Romance Cliffhanger Everyone Is Still Recovering From: Rachel Schneider on Metal Slinger and Light Wielder

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where peace treaties never stay intact, first love comes with devastating consequences, and some betrayals change everything. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with fantasy legend Rachel Schneider to discuss all things related to Metal Slinger and Light Wielder!  Rachel shares her journey as an indie author, the unexpected success of Metal Slinger, and what it has been like watching readers react to one of the most talked-about endings in recent fantasy romance. Rachel opens up about how she crafted the now-infamous ending of Metal Slinger, carefully balancing foreshadowing, character motivations, and emotional impact to create a twist that completely reshapes how readers view the story. And as we learn, that emotional fallout only grows in Light Wielder, which picks up four years later with war on the horizon and former allies standing on opposite sides. ⚡ What happens when the person you love has been keeping secrets all along? 🩸 Can a relationship survive when loyalty and duty collide? 🔥 And what if the truth changes everything you thought you knew? This is a must-listen for fantasy romance readers, lovers of shocking twists, and anyone still recovering from the ending of Metal Slinger. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ The inspiration behind Metal Slinger and Light Wielder. ✨ Writing one of fantasy romance's most talked-about cliffhangers. ✨ Why Metal Slinger is ultimately a story about perspective. ✨ Reluctant allies, forced proximity, and unforgettable romance tropes. ✨ Political unrest, war, and escalating stakes in book two. ✨ The challenges of writing sequels after a viral debut. ✨ Why readers may want to reread Metal Slinger before Light Wielder. ✨ Rachel's writing journey and advice for aspiring authors. ✨ Book boyfriends, hockey fandom, and rapid-fire chaos. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill [https://www.instagram.com/the_magical_quill/] 📚 Rachel Schneider – @RachelSchneiderAuthor [https://www.instagram.com/rachelschneiderauthor/?hl=en] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.