Storyline Sessions

What Makes Nobledark Fantasy Different? | Michael Vadney | Crownfall

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, author and podcast host Michael Vadney talks about his debut nobledark fantasy novel Crownfall, writing multiple POVs, politics in fantasy, magic systems, his writing method and much more. Find Michael here - https://michaelvadney.com/ [https://michaelvadney.com/] Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/ [https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/] Listen to Storyline Sessions on other streaming platforms - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions [https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions] Support Storyline Sessions on Ko-Fi - Ko-fi.com/storylinesessions [http://Ko-fi.com/storylinesessions] Riverside.fm [http://Riverside.fm] affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko] Timestamps: 00:00 - Start 00:51 - Conversation start 01:04 - What is nobledark - talking about genre 05:26 - Political fantasy 09:02 - Scope, perspective and single location stories 10:55 - Plotting stories and authors as D&D DMs 15:12 - Setting writing goals for yourself 17:54 - Staying confident and motivated 19:13 - Initial vision for Crownfall vs the final draft 22:10 - A system for writing multiple POVs 24:45 - Beta readers, writing groups and feedback 30:50 - Genre homework 34:14 - Project Arcanist 35:43 - Standalone vs series 38:31 - Writing to market 41:41 - How do you know when you're done? 45:39 - Key takeaways after writing the debut 47:53 - Podcasting and importance of community 54:35 - Dealing with reading goals 58:02 - What does a magical engineer do? 01:02:05 - Two important things for a good magic system 01:06:05 - Influences that aren't Sanderson, spice and old school fantasy 01:12:03 - Getting the right cover art 01:16:11 - Advice for other debut authors 01:17:54 - Outro

Exploring the Human Side of Cyberpunk | Adam Bassett

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, author and illustrator Adam Basset talks about his short story collection Digital Extremities, worldbuilding, the art of making maps and much more. Find Adam here - https://www.adamcbassett.com/ [https://www.adamcbassett.com/] Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/ [https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/] Listen to Storyline Sessions on other streaming platforms - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions [https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions] Support Storyline Sessions on Ko-Fi - Ko-fi.com/storylinesessions [http://Ko-fi.com/storylinesessions] Riverside.fm [http://Riverside.fm] affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko] Timestamps: 00:00 - Start & disclaimer 01:03 - Conversation start 01:42 - Reacting to readers' comments 03:35 - Short vs long form writing 10:35 - Connected world building through separate stories 12:20 - Adam's writing process 14:56 - Black Mirror Comparison and character-focused Sci-Fi 18:25 - The future is now - the cyberpunk of today 21:57 - Choosing story locations 25:30 - How do you know when you're ready to publish? 29:40 - Working with beta readers and editors 31:27 - Campfire and getting into fantasy 36:20 - Making maps, the science behind it and current trends 47:05 - Book cover design 49:36 - Best medium for Digital Extremities to be adapted 51:35 - Writing for games 54:00 - Outro

How to Write Successful Character Driven Fantasy | Starr Z. Davies | Stormvalor

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, bestselling author and winner of the Firebird Book Award, Pinnacle Achievement Award, and runner-up Page Turner Award winner Starr Z. Davies talks about the launch of her new book - Stormvalor: A Noblebright Fantasy (Divica Stormborn Chronicles Book 1) that marks her genre shift from dystopian fiction to epic fantasy. Find Starr Here: https://www.starrzdavies.com/ [https://www.starrzdavies.com/] Watch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions [https://www.youtube.com/@StorylineSessions] Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/ [https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/] Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions [https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions] Riverside.fm [http://Riverside.fm] affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko] Timestamps: 00:00 - Start 00:47 - Conversation start 01:20 - How does this release feel different from the others? 02:10 - Marketing vs Writing 02:50 - Beta readers, initial reviews and changing the ending 04:18 - Making the first book feel more than just a setup for sequels 07:00 - Difference in writing and worldbuilding process between genres 08:28 - Deciding to shift genres 10:18 - From YA to adult 12:04 - THE CHARACTER ASSASIN - letting go of your characters 16:24 - Surprising yourself and choosing the POV for your story 18:20 - Organized chaos and worldbuilding 20:40 - MAPS! 23:10 - Naming characters 24:30 - How to be a prolific writer and stick to a schedule? 28:38 - Writing awards 33:22 - Finding the right artrwork 36:34 - Kickstarter process and crowdsourcing 40:55 - Audiobooks 44:32 - Self publishing vs Trad vs AI 48:05 - Building your audience 50:15 - What would you do differently if this was your first series? 53:02 - Future plans 55:16 - Outro

Why Do Gaming Magazines Matter? | Storyline Sessions

In this solo episode, Storyline Sessions host Marko Bogdanović shares his story about growing up with gaming magazines in the 90s and early 2000s, nostalgia, jorunalism and tries to clean up his apartment. Game Informer Is Back - https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2025/03/25/game-informer-is-back [https://www.gameinformer.com/letter-from-the-editor/2025/03/25/game-informer-is-back] Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/ [https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/], https://www.theverge.com/news/635915/game-informer-return-gunzilla-games [https://www.theverge.com/news/635915/game-informer-return-gunzilla-games] Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions [https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions] Riverside.fm [http://Riverside.fm] affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko]

A New Wave of European SFF - Mixing Genres and Creating Fresh Stories | Norbert Zsivicz

In this episode of Storyline Sessions, Hungarian-born SFF author and the winner of the best Fantasy Choice Award in Hungary Norbert Zsivicz talks about his novel Sealed Empire, experience with translations, mixing genres, building an audience and much more. Find Norbert here - https://www.sealedbooks.com/en/the-book [https://www.sealedbooks.com/en/the-book], https://www.instagram.com/authornorbert/ [https://www.instagram.com/authornorbert/] Follow Storyline Sessions Podcast on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/ [https://www.instagram.com/storyline.sessions/] Listen to Storyline Sessions on Spotify or Deezer - https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions [https://taplink.cc/storyline.sessions] Riverside.fm [http://Riverside.fm] affiliate link (I receive a recurring commission with no additional cost to you): https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko [https://www.riverside.fm/?via=marko] Timestamps: 00:00 - Start 01:26 - Conversation start 01:41 - Serbian vs Hungarian 02:22 - Fantasy scenes in Europe 05:44 - Self publishing as an author in Hungary 08:46 - Winning an award as a newcomer 10:02 - English translation and finding an international audience 13:46 - Mixing genres and worldbuilding 17:31 - Using multiple POVs and timelines 19:51 - The cover scene 21:13 - World map 23:20 - Prologues - yay or nay? 25:34 - Comparing original and the translation 27:25 - The setting - medieval fiction and history 30:47 - Planning the end - how to get from A to B? 32:26 - Showing his manuscript to others and trusting yourself 34:21 - Dealing with reviews 36:28 - Using a pseudonym or writing under your name? 38:38 - European SFF 41:00 - Marketing as a self published author - finding your audience 44:20 - The unavoidable AI talk 48:00 - Working on scripts for streaming shows and films 52:33 - Gaming 54:35 - Series timeline and future plans 59:03 - Outro