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

S.2 Ep. 69: Her Fiancé Killed Her Father. Now She's Falling for a Witch Hunter: A.M. Dunnewin on Mirror of Shadows

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where witches don't stay hidden for long, dark magic comes with a price, and sometimes the family that saves you is the one you never expected to find. This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with fantasy romance author A. M. Dunnewin for a magical, emotional, and delightfully witchy conversation about Mirror of Shadows, her contribution to the ambitious multi-author fantasy project, Seven Legends of the Shattered Empire. If you love hidden identities, found family, slow-burn romance, and heroines embracing their power, this episode is for you. A.M. shares her journey as an indie fantasy author and the inspiration behind Lenora Briar, a witch whose life shatters when her fiancé murders her father in an attempt to steal her magic. Forced to flee, Lenora hides among strangers, disguising herself as a human governess while concealing the very thing that could get her killed. We dive into witchcraft, found family, feminine rage, morally gray characters, and the kind of slow-burn romance that keeps readers turning pages long into the night. We also discuss the unique challenge of writing within a shared fantasy world alongside six other authors and what readers can expect from the larger Shattered Empire series. ⚡ How long can a witch hide who she really is? 🩸 What happens when the family you find becomes more important than the one you lost? 🔥 And what if embracing your power is the only way to save the people you love? This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, witchy fantasy lovers, and fans of emotional stories filled with magic, healing, and unforgettable characters. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ The inspiration behind Mirror of Shadows. ✨ Building Lenora's journey from hunted witch to powerful heroine. ✨ Hidden identities, found family, and healing through connection. ✨ A magic system where power leaves permanent scars. ✨ Writing extreme slow-burn romance. ✨ Feminine rage and women reclaiming their power. ✨ Creating lovable child characters readers adore. ✨ Collaborating in the shared world of Seven Legends of the Shattered Empire. ✨ The realities of indie publishing and writing multiple projects. ✨ Ashley's upcoming books and future plans for the series. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 📚 A.M. Dunnewin – @AMDunnewin [https://www.instagram.com/amdunnewin/] ✨ 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. 68: Grief, Necromancy, and the Fantasy Everyone Is Crying Over: Shiloh Briar on Hopeless Necromantic

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where death is rarely the end, healing is never linear, and sometimes the darkest stories carry the most hope. This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Megan for a hilarious and heartfelt conversation with fantasy author Shiloh Briar about her novel, Hopeless Necromantic. If you love necromancers, morally gray heroes, found family, devastating emotional damage, and slow burns that move at glacial speed, this episode is for you. Shiloh shares the long journey behind bringing Hopeless Necromantic into the world. What began as a dark fantasy about death magic evolved into something much deeper: a story about grief, depression, healing, and finding hope even when life feels impossible. At the center of the novel is Sikras, a necromancer struggling beneath the weight of profound loss and depression. While the book features plenty of necromancy, monsters, and dark magic, its emotional core lies in watching a character slowly learn how to keep moving forward after unimaginable heartbreak. We dive into the inspirations behind the book, including Shiloh's own experiences with grief and mental health, and discuss the challenge of writing difficult emotional scenes that still leave readers with hope. We also discuss the book's glacially slow-burn romance, fan-favorite side characters, and upcoming books in the series. ⚡ What happens when a necromancer can raise the dead but can't heal himself? 🩸 How do you write a fantasy about grief without losing hope? 🔥 And what if the most powerful magic in the story is learning to keep going? This is a must-listen for dark fantasy readers, necromancer lovers, fans of emotionally devastating character arcs, and anyone who believes even the darkest stories deserve a little hope. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ The inspiration behind Hopeless Necromantic and its deeply personal themes. ✨ Writing depression, grief, and healing through the lens of fantasy. ✨ Found family, dark humor, and a slow burn that moves at glacial speed. ✨ Morally gray MMCs and why readers can't get enough of them. ✨ Researching human decomposition, anatomy, and death magic. ✨ The emotional scenes that still make Shiloh cry while writing. ✨ Fan art, tattoos, and reader reactions that have left a lasting impact. ✨ Upcoming books, future romances, and what readers can expect next. ✨ Building a fantasy universe that will continue expanding beyond the main trilogy. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 👤 Mythic Mic Rep Megan – @Megans.Bookish.Corner [https://www.instagram.com/megans.bookish.corner/] 📚 Shiloh Briar – @Shiloh.Briar [https://www.instagram.com/shiloh.briar/?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. 67: Sky Pirates, Legendary Treasure, and a Necklace Worth Killing For: Megan Elisabeth on Bound by the Sky

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where treasure is never just treasure, pirates don't always play by the rules, and the sky is only the beginning of the adventure. This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy romance author Megan Elisabeth for a fun, heartfelt, and surprisingly emotional conversation about her debut novel, Bound by the Sky. If you've ever wished Treasure Planet had more romance, more female characters, and a crew of morally questionable sky pirates, this episode is for you. Megan shares her journey from lifelong writer and accidental screenwriting minor to published author, opening up about everything from battling imposter syndrome to finding readers who connected deeply with her story. We also talk about the realities of indie publishing, protecting your creative joy, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is keep showing up. Then we dive into Bound by the Sky, a fantasy adventure filled with flying pirate ships, floating mountains, legendary treasure, and a romance that develops in the middle of impossible choices. At the center of the story is Amaya, a sheltered socialite whose life is turned upside down when she's abducted by sky pirates because of a mysterious necklace she never realized was important. Soon she finds herself caught between rival pirate factions, a legendary treasure hunt, and a Sky Lord named Will who may be the only person she can trust. ⚡ What happens when a treasure hunt could change the fate of an entire world? 🩸 How do you fall for a pirate when you're not sure where his moral line is? 🔥 And what if the greatest discovery isn't the treasure at all, but who you're capable of becoming? This is a must-listen for fantasy romance readers, Treasure Planet fans, pirate lovers, and anyone who enjoys adventure stories with heart, humor, and just enough emotional damage. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Megan's journey from fanfiction writer to published author. ✨ How screenwriting shaped her dialogue and worldbuilding. ✨ Battling imposter syndrome and navigating social anxiety as an author. ✨ Why Bound by the Sky is "Treasure Planet with romance." ✨ Flying pirate ships, floating mountains, and legendary treasure hunts. ✨ Building Amaya's character arc from sheltered socialite to heroine. ✨ Morally gray pirates and exploring whether violence is ever justified. ✨ The "touch her and die" trope and what happens when you take it seriously. ✨ Reader reactions to THAT ending. ✨ Why readers are already demanding a Mouse spin-off. ✨ Megan's plans for future books in the series. ✨ The importance of continuing to write, even through difficult seasons. 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/] 📚 Megan G Elisabeth – @megwritesalot [https://www.instagram.com/megwritesalot/] ✨ 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. 66: The Feminine Rage Fantasy Everyone's Talking About: Caty Rogan on Kissed by the Gods

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where rage can be a weapon, love can be a rebellion, and stories dare to ask what happens when a woman refuses to stay silent. This week, Host Bethany Amanda is joined by Mythic Mic Rep Britt for a high-energy, laugh-filled, and deeply emotional conversation with Caty Rogan, author of Kissed by the Gods—the viral romantasy sensation blending feminine rage, brutal trials, and a hero who falls first and falls hard. Caty shares how her journey to becoming an author started with a single decision to finally write the story she’d been holding onto, and how that leap turned into a breakout indie success that was ultimately picked up for traditional publishing.  We dive into the heart of Kissed by the Gods, a story that follows Leina, a girl from an oppressed class forced into an elite warrior system that was never meant for her. Armed with a scythe—a weapon symbolizing both her oppression and her resistance—Leina must fight to survive, carve out her place, and challenge the very systems that seek to break her. Alongside her is Ryot, a hero who defies expectations by falling fast, hard, and unapologetically. Their dynamic brings a refreshing twist to romantasy tropes, delivering slow-burn tension without relying on traditional enemies-to-lovers conflict. What unfolds is a story fueled by grief, rage, and resilience—one that doesn’t shy away from the emotional weight behind its characters, but instead uses it to drive every choice, every fight, and every moment of growth. 🔥 What does it mean to carry rage instead of bury it? ⚔️ How do you fight a system that was never built for you to win? 🩸 And what happens when grief becomes the very thing that gives you strength? This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, fans of powerful female leads, and anyone who wants a story that hits just as hard emotionally as it does on the battlefield. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:  ✨ Caty’s journey from journalism to published fantasy author. ✨ Writing Kissed by the Gods while navigating major life changes.  ✨ How real-life grief shaped Leina’s emotional arc.  ✨ Feminine rage as a driving force in fantasy.  ✨ Building a world inspired by travel, mythology, and Star Wars.  ✨ Why Leina’s scythe is more than just a weapon.  ✨ The magic system and warrior bonds (including iconic weapons 👀).  ✨ Ryot as a “he falls first” love interest (we LOVE to see it).  ✨ The power of indie author communities and reader word-of-mouth.  ✨ Going from indie success to a traditional publishing deal.  ✨ Why small Bookstagram accounts are more powerful than you think.  ✨ What to expect from Book 2, including emotional devastation 😭 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic [https://www.instagram.com/mythicmic/] 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland [https://www.instagram.com/bethanyinfantasyland/] 👤 Britt (Mythic Mic Rep) – @BrittBooksIt [https://www.instagram.com/brittbooksit/] 📚 Caty Rogan – @CatyRogan [https://www.instagram.com/catyrogan/] ✨ 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. 65: The Man She Loved is the Traitor She's Hunting: Tori Bovalino on The Thief and The Traitor Bride

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where trust is never simple, betrayal always has a story behind it, and sometimes the most dangerous person to face is the one you once loved. This week, Co-Host Sara Santillan sits down with fantasy author Tori Bovalino, the mind behind The Second Death of Locke, to dive into her upcoming release, The Thief and the Traitor Bride. This is a high-stakes fantasy filled with espionage, fractured love, and a relationship that’s already broken before the story even begins. Tori reflects on her journey from always knowing she would be a writer to navigating an industry that doesn’t always make that path easy. From querying as a teenager to nearly walking away from writing entirely, she shares the turning points that brought her back to the page and why choosing to keep going changed everything.  We dive into the heart of The Thief and the Traitor Bride, a standalone set in the same world as Locke, where every location carries its own magic system and every choice carries consequences. At the center is Eleanor “Nor” Gordon, a respected wine trader and a spy. When her shipments start getting intercepted, what begins as a mission to catch a thief quickly turns into something far more complicated because the thief is her estranged husband and he was banished for treason. As Nor and Caspian are forced back into each other’s orbit, the story unravels into something deeper: questions of loyalty, identity, and what it really means to choose between a person and a place. Along the way, Tori unpacks her love of interconnected standalones, her obsession with building layered magic systems across an entire world, and the sheer chaos of writing a 170,000-word fantasy while trying to make every piece fit together. ⚔️ What does betrayal look like when you understand why it happened? 🖤 Can trust be rebuilt once it’s been completely broken? 🔥 And when forced to choose do you pick love, or loyalty? This is a must-listen for fantasy readers who love political intrigue, emotionally complex relationships, and stories where the past refuses to stay buried. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ Tori's writing journey, including querying young and almost giving up entirely. ✨ Why writing is something you don’t walk away from (even when you try). ✨ Building a fantasy world where every place has its own magic system. ✨ Writing interconnected standalones vs traditional series. ✨ The concept behind The Thief and the Traitor Bride. ✨ An estranged marriage at the center of a fantasy story.  ✨ Nor as a spy, wine trader, and deeply layered heroine.  ✨ Caspian as a banished husband with secrets of his own.  ✨ Espionage, political intrigue, and stolen information hidden in plain sight.  ✨ The challenge of balancing multiple magic systems in one story.  ✨ Why pacing, structure, and emotional payoff matter more than anything.  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/] 📚 Tori Bovalino – @ToriBovalino [https://www.instagram.com/toribovalino/] ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.