S.2 Ep. 85: Anastasia, But Make Her Stabby and Hell-Bent on Revenge: Nicolette Elzie on We Were Meant to Burn

S.2 Ep. 85: Anastasia, But Make Her Stabby and Hell-Bent on Revenge: Nicolette Elzie on We Were Meant to Burn

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where revenge burns bright, monsters wait in the jungle, and some princess stories are made for the girls with jagged edges. This week, host Sara Santillan is joined by Amara for a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply emotional conversation with author Nicolette Elzie about We Were Meant to Burn, the first book in the Ashes in Ruin saga, a romantasy inspired by Anastasia, Mexican mythology, betrayal, survival, revenge, and the kind of slow burn romance that loves the heroine in all her sharp, broken, stubborn pieces. Nicolette shares the reality of balancing writing with work, family, motherhood, marketing, social media, and the endless pressure to do more. She opens up about setting big goals, giving yourself grace, finding small pockets of writing time, and learning that sometimes the dream survives because you keep showing up, even if it is in your car during martial arts class with a laptop and a little bit of chaos. The conversation also dives into Nicolette’s journey from writing scary stories as a child to publishing the Ozero Curse series and finally returning to the story that became We Were Meant to Burn, a book she carried with her for nearly ten years. She discusses how horror, dark romance, trauma healing, cultural mythology, and the need to feel seen all shaped the heart of her stories. 🔥 What if Anastasia came back stabby, furious, and ready for revenge? 🌿 What happens when the jungle is filled with creatures pulled from nightmare and mythology? 🖤 And what does it mean to be loved not despite your jagged pieces, but with them? Whether you love revenge fantasy, slow burn romance, dark emotional journeys, mythology-inspired worlds, dangerous jungles, brutal openings, special editions, or heroines who refuse to be controlled, this episode is intimate, funny, and full of heart. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Nicolette’s life as a full-time worker, mom, indie author, and chronic list-maker. ✨ Hitting major Kindle Unlimited page-read milestones and the burnout that can follow. ✨ Why horror and dark romance can feel cathartic, healing, and strangely safe. ✨ Growing up as a military brat and writing her first full-length novel by hand on a cross-country road trip. ✨ Starting We Were Meant to Burn in 2014 and carrying the story through years of drafts, healing, and growth. ✨ Choosing indie publishing and releasing the Ozero Curse series. ✨ Writing stories for readers who want to feel seen, safe, and emotionally understood. ✨ We Were Meant to Burn as “Anastasia, but make her stabby and hell-bent on revenge.” ✨ Mexican and Japanese cultural influences, family stories, food, mythology, and horror-based folklore. ✨ Why food, family gatherings, Tejano music, tacos, rice, beans, and memory matter in Nicolette’s work. ✨ The brutal opening scene and why it took more than 50 attempts to find the right beginning. ✨ Breaking writing “rules” without carving the heart and soul out of the story. ✨ Upcoming book events, indie bookstores, special editions, and the Ozero Curse omnibus announcement. 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/] 👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife [https://www.instagram.com/bored_military_wife/] 📚 Nicolette Elzie – @AuthorNicoletteElzie [https://www.instagram.com/authornicoletteelzie/] ✨ 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. 84: Reverse Beauty and the Beast Meets The Witcher: Jeaniene Frost on A Curse of Beasts and Magic

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where monsters aren't always the villains, dragons rule hidden realms, and sometimes Beauty is the Beast. This week, host Sara Santillan and Mythic Mic Rep Megan sit down with New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost to celebrate her highly anticipated romantasy, A Curse of Beasts and Magic. Jeaniene takes us behind the scenes of her newest fantasy world, where an ER nurse has spent the last decade hiding the monstrous curse living inside her, until one encounter thrusts her into a secret world of dragons, fae, powerful sorcerers, and a dangerously alluring monster hunter who may be the only person capable of saving her. We discuss why the novel accidentally became a reverse Beauty and the Beast retelling with The Witcher vibes, creating monsters that are both terrifying and sympathetic, building magical worlds beyond our own, and writing the irresistible tension between two people who have every reason to stay apart. Jeaniene also shares her journey from dozens of publishing rejections to becoming a bestselling author, offers invaluable advice for aspiring writers, talks about the importance of human audiobook narrators, and gives listeners an exciting preview of book two, A Storm of Dragons and Sorcery. ⚔️ What happens when the monster needs someone even deadlier to protect her? 🐉 Why are dragons, fae realms, and cursed magic only the beginning of this story? ❤️ And what if Beauty is the one everyone should fear? This episode is a must-listen for romantasy fans who love morally gray heroes, dangerous magic, unforgettable creatures, and epic fantasy romance. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Jeaniene's journey from rejection to bestselling author. ✨ Why one "yes" can change your entire career. ✨ Building the world of A Curse of Beasts and Magic. ✨ Writing monsters, dragons, fae, and magical realms. ✨ Creating a heroine with a literal beast inside her. ✨ Morally gray heroes and irresistible romantic tension. ✨ Why Brendan became an unexpected fan favorite. ✨ Writing humor alongside heartbreak and horror. ✨ The future of the series and A Storm of Dragons and Sorcery. ✨ Audiobooks, AI, and protecting human narrators. ✨ Jeaniene's advice for aspiring fantasy authors. 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/] 📚Jeaniene Frost  – @Jfrostauthor [https://www.instagram.com/jfrostauthor/?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. 83: Seven Children, No Memories, and a Deadly Labyrinth: Frances White on The Bone Door

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where labyrinths hide impossible choices, memories can't be trusted, and kindness may be the greatest weapon of all. This week, hosts Sara Santillan and Amara sit down with fantasy author Frances White to discuss her haunting standalone fantasy horror novel, The Bone Door. Frances shares the inspiration behind her escape-room-inspired fantasy, where seven children awaken inside a mysterious labyrinth with no memories of who they are or how they got there. To escape, they must survive impossible trials, uncover the truth about themselves, and confront horrors far darker than the monsters lurking in the maze. We also dive into writing child protagonists for an adult audience, balancing horror with humor, exploring trauma, identity, and found family, and why kindness—not strength—is the true superpower at the heart of the novel. Along the way, Frances shares her seven-year journey to publication, her love of cosplay and video games, and why stubbornness may be the most important trait an aspiring author can have. ⚔️ What if your greatest weapon wasn't magic but kindness? 🦴 Who are you when your memories are gone? 🖤 And what if escaping the labyrinth means confronting the person you used to be? This episode is perfect for readers who love fantasy horror, dark mysteries, found family, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ The inspiration behind The Bone Door. ✨ Fantasy horror through the eyes of children. ✨ Escape rooms, labyrinths, and impossible trials. ✨ Writing memory loss without confusing readers. ✨ Trauma, identity, and choosing who you become. ✨ Why kindness is Hop's greatest strength. ✨ Creating authentic queer and body-positive representation. ✨ Frances' seven-year journey to traditional publishing. ✨ The realities of publishing and handling rejection. ✨ Cosplay, gaming, and creative inspiration. ✨ Why standalones are Frances' favorite stories to write. ✨ Her next novel: Gay Bridgerton meets Squid Game. 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/] 📚Frances White  – @FrancisWhiteAuthor [https://www.instagram.com/franceswhiteauthor/?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. 82: The Vampire Romantasy With Blood Bargains, Prison Breaks, and a Body Count: Vasilisa Drake on A Bargain So Bloody

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where vampires cannot lie, bargains always have teeth, and sometimes the monster you were warned about is the only one willing to save you. This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with romantasy author Vasilisa Drake to discuss A Bargain So Bloody, the first book in the Kingdom of Dark Magic series, a slow-burn vampire romantasy filled with magical prisons, blood bargains, trauma, monstrous devotion, deadly cliffhangers, and one vampire who absolutely falls first. Vasilisa shares her journey from contemporary romance to romantasy, including how she found her true creative home in fated mates, fangs, shifters, vampires, and fantasy worlds where “touch her and die” can be extremely literal. She opens up about starting as an indie author, learning the business side of publishing book by book, launching A Bargain So Bloody with ARC readers and a street team, and eventually becoming a hybrid author after the book was picked up by Scarlett Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. 🩸 What happens when a desperate witch frees a chained vampire to escape a magical prison? 🗝️ Can a bargain save her life if the vampire never promised to let her go? 🔥 And what if the monster killing everyone in her path is somehow still gentler than the people who called themselves good? Whether you love vampires, slow-burn romance, morally gray love interests, magical prisons, enemies-to-allies-to-lovers, trauma healing, blood bargains, or cliffhangers that make readers immediately demand book two, this episode is packed with craft insight, publishing wisdom, and deliciously bloody chaos. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Vasilisa’s path from contemporary romance to romantasy. ✨ Why vampires, fated mates, shifters, fangs, and fantasy romance became her creative home. ✨ The difference between possessive romance in contemporary settings versus fantasy worlds. ✨ Starting as an indie author and learning publishing through trial, error, covers, blurbs, formatting, and Kindle Unlimited. ✨ ARC teams, influencer outreach, street teams, and the vulnerability of asking readers for support. ✨ The differences between indie and traditional publishing timelines. ✨ Advice for authors, including asking for feedback and building a generous creative community. ✨ Believing in your book, writing for joy, and letting yourself have fun with the story. ✨ Vampires who cannot lie, prison breaks, body counts, and deals with dangerous loopholes. ✨ Writing a true slow burn and letting trust build through danger, rescue, and emotional repair. ✨ Cliffhangers, reader reactions, and why Vasilisa insists “nothing bad really happened.” ✨ A Magic So Deadly, book two teasers, including a carriage scene, a dangerous bet, and an even rougher ending. ✨ Writing character goals, balancing romance with external stakes, and letting characters go off the rails. ✨ Breadcrumbs, reverse breadcrumbs, mystery reveals, and how reader reactions can shape future payoffs without changing the heart of the story. 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/] 📚Vasilisa Drake  – @Vasilisadrakebooks [https://www.instagram.com/vasilisadrakebooks/?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. 81: The Fake Princess Romantasy With Revenge, Betrayal, and Bodyguard Tension: Alexis Calder on Silk and Iron

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where dead princesses have dangerous doubles, arranged marriages are never what they seem, and sometimes the girl sent to save the rebellion would rather burn the entire kingdom down. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda, Sara Santillan, and Amara sit down with author Alexis Calder to discuss Silk & Iron, the first book in the Vow of Death series (and its upcoming sequel, Lace & Poison), a romantasy filled with rebellion, royal deception, bodyguard tension, an immortal king, and one heroine with absolutely nothing left to lose. Alexis shares her journey from art teacher and lifelong storyteller to indie author and traditionally published author, including how her upcoming Red Tower release, Six Bullets and a Crown, came to be. She opens up about the differences between indie and traditional publishing, submitting on proposal, switching between wildly different fantasy worlds, deadlines, creative momentum, and why authors need friends who understand the stage of the publishing journey they are in. The conversation also dives into Silk & Iron, where the heroine loses her family to an oppressive regime and is sent undercover to impersonate a dead princess promised to the enemy prince. Her mission is supposed to be gathering intel on how to kill an immortal king, but the heroine has other plans. Angry, grieving, and untrained, she enters a royal court built on secrets while trying to survive a role she was never meant to play. 👑 What happens when the princess is dead and the imposter wants revenge? 🗡️ Can a girl with no training take down an immortal king? 🔥 And what if the person she falls for is not the prince she is supposed to marry, but the bodyguard watching her every move? Whether you love fake princesses, undercover rebellion plots, slow-burn bodyguard romance, dangerous courts, morally complicated choices, or heroines who begin with grief and rage, this episode is full of twists, publishing insight, and bookish chaos. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Alexis’s path from art major and high school art teacher to author. ✨ Why you do not need permission or a PhD to write a book. ✨ The creative shift from visual art to storytelling. ✨ Indie publishing, traditional publishing, and the process behind Six Bullets and a Crown. ✨ Working with Red Tower and learning the slower pace of traditional publishing. ✨ Submitting on proposal versus submitting a completed manuscript. ✨ How traditional publishing contracts can impact indie publishing timelines. ✨ Why author friends at the same stage of the journey matter. ✨ Finishing the first draft and why you cannot edit a book that does not exist yet. ✨ The Vow of Death series and what's coming next. ✨ Bodyguard romance, slow burn tension, and a love story that does not follow the expected prince path. ✨ Book two teasers, shifting character arcs, a more hopeful emotional journey, and the villain readers have not fully met yet. 🗡️ Plus: travel talk, Colorado adventures, reality TV hot messes, writing books that refuse to behave, cliffhanger reactions, author chaos, and the line Alexis would absolutely turn into a tattoo. 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/] 📚 Alexis Calder – @AuthorAlexisCalder [https://www.instagram.com/authoralexiscalder/] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.