The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: R.Lynn Hanks

The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: R.Lynn Hanks

This week, we are sitting down with R. Lynn Hanks to discuss her debut novel, Gamma Raids, a friends-to-lovers romance set at a high-stakes space academy. If you think sci-fi is all cold tech and complex physics, think again. R. Lynn Hanks is here to introduce us to a whole new world of fiction, and remind us that Sci-fi can be sexy too. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The Rise of "RomantiSCI": She breaks down this exciting subgenre and explains why sci-fi doesn't have to be intimidating. (Pro-tip: If you can understand a magical fantasy system, you can easily understand a sci-fi world!) * Defending the Friends-to-Lovers Trope: Why has this classic trope faced a surge of hate recently? We unpack the awkward, high-stakes reality of risking a lifelong friendship for a shot at love, and why that emotional foundation is actually the ultimate relationship goal. * The Romance Spectrum: From the modern spicy pages of RomantiSCI back to the Jane Austen era—where a single, bare-handed touch was enough to cause a scandal. * Trope Fatigue vs. Real Connection: A much-needed reminder for authors to go back to creating content that helps readers connect with the heart of the story, rather than just listing marketing checkboxes. * Navigating the Industry: R. Lynn shares her brief stint with the querying trenches, how she realized the indie path was the perfect fit, and how she decided between the YA (Young Adult) and NA (New Adult) categories. * The Brutal Reality of Reviews: Managing expectations in the reader review space. While reader feedback is always valid, we discuss the reality that an author isn't going to rewrite a book that is already out in the world. * Crafting the Best Manuscript: The invaluable role of a trusted publishing team, how to work with sensitivity readers when resources seem scarce, and why finding your unique author community is the ultimate lifeline.

The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Kara Reynolds

What happens when the characters you created start making their own decisions? According to Kara, you basically just have to buckle up and enjoy the ride. She gets real about the "learn as you go" approach to publishing. Whether you’re an unpublished author or a dedicated reader, this conversation is a refreshing reminder that there is no single "right" way to build a creative life. Highlights from the Episode: * The "No Plan" Plan: We bond over our shared experience of jumping into the publishing world without a map and learning the hard way that sometimes, "doing" is the best form of research. * Reclaiming Your Journey: Breaking the unspoken rules of the industry. Kara reminds us that as authors, we hold the reins—you don’t have to follow a traditional path if it doesn't serve you. * Battling the Algorithm: Why it might be time to stop trying to "crack the code" and just start having fun again. * The "Romantasy" vs. "Romantic Fantasy" Debate: Kara explains why she’s careful with her marketing and the importance of being honest with readers about what’s actually between the covers. * The Road to Audio: Kara talks us through her journey into audiobook production and reveals a few "wishlist" narrators we’re all crossing our fingers for. * The Era of Delusion: Why we’re both leaning into big, "delusional" goals and reframing what success looks like outside of normal conventions.

The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Nicole Platania

If you live for deep lore, ancient mythology, and a heavy side of romance, you’ve likely already found a home in Nicole’s work. Nicole isn’t just writing books—she’s building an entire interconnected universe. In this episode, we chat about the heavy lifting required to construct a fantasy realm and how to protect your creativity in a world of instant feedback. Key Discussion Points: * The Architecture of Myth: Nicole shares her obsession with mythology and the intricate process of building a world where every series is interconnected. * Why "Romantasy"?: We dive into why Nicole chooses the romantic fantasy subgenre as her primary vehicle for storytelling. * The "Book Two" Pressure: The psychological hurdle of writing sequels when readers have already built their own theories. How do you stay true to your vision without psyching yourself out? * The Shadowhunter Influence: We nerd out over Cassandra Clare and how the Shadowhunters universe set the gold standard for expansive, interconnected series for both of us. * The Negativity Bias: Why the human brain is hardwired to fixate on one scathing review while ignoring fifty five-star ratings, and how Nicole manages the noise. * Sustainability & Boundaries: In an era of unprecedented author accessibility, Nicole explains why setting hard boundaries isn't just a choice—it's a requirement for mental health and a long-term writing career.

The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Bodysamantix

For so many of us, books have changed our life, and for Sam it’s no different. She spotted a unique oppurtunity and was able to bridge the gap between physical movement and the literary world. She didn’t just want to stay active; she wanted to make it fun. So, she took her passion for books and turned it into a business that keeps readers moving. * From Black Belts to Bookish Business: How Sam applies the discipline and "never-quit" mindset from her Karate days to the world of entrepreneurship. * The ACOTAR Effect: We discuss how Sarah J. Maas’s series serves as a gateway for so many of us, and briefly touch on that iconic Call Her Daddy interview. * Books as Connection: Reflecting on how 2020 shifted our worldview and why we are all still searching for the community and connection that only a good book can provide. * The Magic of Audiobooks: A look behind the curtain at the production process and the talented narrators who bring our favorite characters to life. * Mindf*cks and Superheroes: Why we both share a deep love for the Mindfck* series and the surprising parallels we found in The Boys TV series. * Content Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of eating disorders (ED). * Spoiler Alert: We discuss plot points for The Boys TV series. Listen with caution if you aren't caught up! In This Episode, We Explore:⚠️ Content & Spoiler Warnings

The Fantasy Grimoire presents: Sarah's Starlit Shelf

If you’ve ever wondered why this podcast features more than just authors, this conversation with Sarah is the perfect answer. She’s convinced that every book has it’s reader and she’s made it her mission to help authors bridge that gap. From building a brand to the nitty-gritty of indie marketing, Sarah joins me to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry. We discuss: * The Leap from Hobby to Business: Sarah walks us through her progression from casual posting to being fully booked through the end of 2026. * Monetizing Your Passion: The importance of building awareness before you start charging for your work, and how to overcome the nerves of valuing your time. * The Indie Author’s Greatest Challenge: Why marketing is the #1 hurdle for indie writers today and how Sarah helps authors find that perfect "blend" to reach their ideal audience. * "Getting Paid to Read": How Sarah’s husband explains her "dream job" to their kids, and the reality of what it actually takes to maintain it. * The Subjectivity of Story: Why reading is so deeply tied to our identities and why Sarah is determined to help every book find its reader—even if it wasn't the right fit for her personally. [SPOILER ALERT] We discuss the Zodiac Academy series and if you have not read it yet, there are some things in our discussion that may be considered a spoiler.