S.2 Ep. 89: The Dragon Bond Fantasy Everyone Is Talking About: S.M. Gaither on Ashwalker

S.2 Ep. 91: The Secret Life of Special Editions: Inside Faentasy Designs

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where beautiful books become works of art, fandom turns into careers, and every special edition tells a story long before you open the first page. This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by co-host Amara for a behind-the-scenes conversation with Max, co-founder of Faentasy Designs, to uncover how some of the most stunning special edition books come to life. Max shares how a lifelong love of fandom, fantasy, and commissioned artwork evolved into one of the fastest-growing special edition companies in the book community. We dive into everything from choosing the right books and collaborating with authors to working with artists, designing covers filled with hidden Easter eggs, and why passion for the source material matters more than following trends. We also discuss the realities of running a special edition business, why Faentasy Designs chose a non-subscription model, the explosion of Bookstagram and BookTok, the future of collector editions, and why supporting human artists will always be at the heart of everything they create. 📚 What does it actually take to create a special edition book? 🎨 How do artists hide story clues inside every design? ✨ And why are special editions becoming just as collectible as the stories themselves? This episode is perfect for readers who love special editions, sprayed edges, book art, collecting, fantasy, and getting an exclusive look behind the curtain of the publishing world. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ How Faentasy Designs got its start. ✨ Turning fandom into a business. ✨ Choosing which books become special editions. ✨ Working directly with authors and artists. ✨ Designing covers filled with hidden Easter eggs. ✨ The complete special edition production process. ✨ Why Faentasy Designs refuses to use generative AI. ✨ The rise of BookTok, Bookstagram, and collector culture. ✨ Why non-subscription models benefit readers. ✨ Plushies, standees, and bookish merchandise. ✨ Upcoming special editions and future projects. ✨ Advice for aspiring creatives and entrepreneurs. 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/] 📚Faentasy Designs  – @Faentasydesigns [https://www.instagram.com/faentasydesigns/] ✨ 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. 90: The Dragon Romantasy That Reimagines Ancient Rome: Juliette Cross on Firebird and Bloodsinger

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where dragon empires rule, ancient Rome burns, and love is powerful enough to change history. This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by co-host Amara for an unforgettable conversation with New York Times bestselling author Juliette Cross about Firebird, the first novel in her epic Fire That Binds trilogy. Juliette shares her remarkable publishing journey from balancing twenty-nine years as a teacher while writing at night, to building a devoted indie readership, to becoming a New York Times bestseller after one email changed everything. We also discuss the evolution of romantasy, why she believes indie publishing has transformed the industry, and how readers have shaped her career. Then we dive into Firebird and Bloodsinger, a breathtaking romantasy that reimagines Ancient Rome as an empire ruled by dragon shifters. Juliette reveals the inspiration behind the series, why each Bahari sister gets her own love story, the themes of freedom, resistance, feminine rage, and forbidden love woven throughout the trilogy, and what readers can expect from the explosive finale. We also chat about gorgeous special editions, dragons, found family, whiskey, pets, writing unforgettable romances, and Juliette's inspiring initiative to bring romance novels to women in correctional facilities. 🐉 What if Ancient Rome had been ruled by dragon shifters? 🔥 What happens when forbidden love threatens an empire built on fear? ⚔️ And can love truly become the spark that brings down a kingdom? This episode is perfect for readers who love dragon romantasy, fated mates, forbidden romance, powerful heroines, historical fantasy, political intrigue, and richly imagined worlds. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Juliette's journey from teacher to New York Times bestselling author. ✨ Building a readership through indie publishing. ✨ Why hybrid publishing changed her career. ✨ The inspiration behind Firebird. ✨ Dragons, Ancient Rome, and epic worldbuilding. ✨ Forbidden romance and fated mates. ✨ Why each sister has her own story. ✨ Feminine rage, rebellion, and freedom. ✨ Gorgeous special editions and cover design. ✨ The changing landscape of romantasy. ✨ Supporting women through the power of books. ✨ What's coming next in the Fire That Binds trilogy. 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/] 📚 Juliette Cross – @JulietteCrossAuthor [https://www.instagram.com/juliettecrossauthor/] ✨ 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. 89: The Dragon Bond Fantasy Everyone Is Talking About: S.M. Gaither on Ashwalker

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where dragons aren't heroes, kingdoms rise from ashes, and the greatest bond can begin with hatred. This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by co-hosts Amara and Britt for an epic conversation with bestselling fantasy author S.M. Gaither about her newest romantasy trilogy, Ashwalker. Stephanie shares her fifteen-year publishing journey, from traditional publishing to becoming one of indie fantasy's biggest success stories, and how persistence, adaptability, and believing in yourself carried her through every twist and turn. We also dive into her lifelong love of video games, why RPGs shaped the way she tells stories, and the inspiration behind one of this year's most unique dragon fantasies. At the heart of Ashwalker is Arowyn, a young woman whose life was destroyed by dragons. She has every reason to hate them, until one impossible encounter leaves her magically bonded to the very creature she wants dead. Forced into the dangerous court of a dragon-controlling king, Arowyn finds herself caught between old hatred, dangerous alliances, and a destiny she never wanted. We also discuss dragon magic, unforgettable side characters, found family, gorgeous special editions, writing emotionally satisfying character arcs, and why Stephanie believes every story deserves exactly the number of books it needs. 🐉 What if the dragon you hate refuses to leave your side? ⚔️ What happens when your greatest enemy becomes your only chance at survival? 🔥 And can a kingdom built on dragons ever escape the fire that created it? This episode is perfect for readers who love dragons, epic romantasy, reluctant magical bonds, unforgettable found family, slow-burn romance, and richly built fantasy worlds. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Stephanie's fifteen-year publishing journey, including both traditional and indie success. ✨ How video games inspired her storytelling. ✨ The world and magic behind Ashwalker. ✨ Writing a heroine who hates dragons. ✨ Dragon bonds, kingdoms, and political intrigue. ✨ Why Arowyn's scars shape every part of her journey. ✨ The terrifying king with surprisingly soft edges. ✨ Friendship, found family, and unforgettable side characters. ✨ Gorgeous special editions and commissioned artwork. ✨ Expanding the trilogy in book two. ✨ What readers can expect next from the Ashwalker series. 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/] 📚 S.M. Gaither – @AuthorSMGaither [https://www.instagram.com/authorsmgaither/?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. 88: The Dragon Rider Romantasy With Forbidden Magic, Plot Twists, and a Kitten-Sized Dragon: Courtney Whims on Flames and Fallacies

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where dragon eggs hide in graves, forbidden bonds can get you killed, and love triangles are best when they hurt just a little. This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by Amara for a fiery conversation with author Courtney Whims about her debut romantasy, Flames and Fallacies, the first book in a dragon rider series filled with forbidden magic, elemental dragons, prophecy, found family, plot twists, cliffhangers, and one very messy love triangle. Courtney shares how her love of dragons began with childhood favorites like Pokémon, Neopets, Eragon, and the dream of one day riding a dragon herself. She opens up about how reading Fourth Wing and Iron Flame sparked her desire for even more dragon rider stories, eventually inspiring her to write the exact book she wanted to read. What started as a “maybe five strangers will read this” dream has grown into a debut readers are discovering, recommending, and going feral over online. The conversation also dives into Courtney’s creative process as both author and artist. Not only did she write Flames and Fallacies, but she also created her own covers, maps, character art, special editions, overlays, sprayed edges, and more, making the series feel completely and unmistakably hers. 🐉 What happens when dragons are illegal, dragon riders are dead, and one girl finds an egg buried in her father’s grave? 🔥 Can Kat protect a hatchling that could get her executed? 💔 And what happens when two very different men pull out completely different sides of her heart? Whether you love dragon rider fantasy, elemental magic, dangerous kingdoms, plot twists, he-trains-her tension, found family, spicy romantasy, or love triangles that make you choose a team and suffer, this episode is packed with magic, chaos, and so many reasons to add Flames and Fallacies to your TBR. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Courtney’s journey from graphic designer and illustrator to self-published author. ✨ Writing the dragon rider book she wanted to read. ✨ Creating her own covers, maps, character art, overlays, and special editions. ✨ Self-publishing, imposter syndrome, and learning as she went. ✨ Why aspiring authors should write the book for themselves first. ✨ The kitten-sized dragon hatchling who changes everything. ✨ Elemental dragons, including fire, earth, air, and water dragons. ✨ The larger magic system and hierarchy that unfolds more deeply in books two and three. ✨ Plot twists, breadcrumbs, foreshadowing, and Courtney’s love of emotionally damaging cliffhangers. ✨ Book two teasers, including more dragons, more answers, and even more questions. ✨ Future special editions and the possibility of a completed-series set. 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/] 📚 Courtney Whims – @CourtneyWhims [https://www.instagram.com/courtneywhims/?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. 87: Wednesday Meets Norse Mythology with Feminine Rage: Crystal Seitz on Beast Becomes Her

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where monsters aren't always the villains, rage can become your greatest strength, and ancient mythology hides beneath the surface of the modern world. This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down for an unforgettable conversation with fantasy author Crystal Seitz about her YA fantasy thriller, Beast Becomes Her. Crystal shares her decade-long publishing journey, from countless revisions and rejections to finally selling her novels, why timing matters just as much as talent, and how stubbornness became her greatest superpower. We also dive into her lifelong love of Norse mythology, anime, and storytelling, and how those passions shaped one of the most unique fantasy worlds you'll read this year. At the heart of Beast Becomes Her is Edith, a teenage berserker sent to a hidden magical academy to learn how to control her terrifying new powers. But when she witnesses a murder on just her second night, she becomes the prime suspect and must uncover the real killer before she becomes the next victim. We explore the novel's powerful themes of feminine rage, toxic masculinity, identity, and learning to embrace every part of yourself, even the emotions you've been taught to suppress. Crystal also discusses why YA continues to resonate with readers of every age and what makes standalone fantasy novels so satisfying. ⚡ What if your greatest strength is the emotion you've spent your entire life hiding? 🩸 What happens when a magical academy becomes the scene of a murder? 🔥 And what if embracing your rage is the only way to survive? This episode is perfect for readers who love magical schools, murder mysteries, Norse mythology, YA fantasy, emotionally layered characters, and stories that challenge the expectations placed on both girls and boys. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ Crystal's ten-year journey to publication. ✨ Querying, Pitch Wars, and navigating traditional publishing. ✨ Why timing can matter as much as talent. ✨ The inspiration behind Beast Becomes Her. ✨ Why this book is Wednesday meets Norse mythology. ✨ Berserkers, magical academies, and murder mysteries. ✨ Exploring feminine rage through fantasy. ✨ Challenging toxic masculinity through dual POVs. ✨ Why YA continues to resonate with adult readers. ✨ Writing emotionally cathartic scenes. ✨ Standalone fantasies versus series. ✨ Crystal's upcoming dystopian fantasy project. 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/] 📚Crystal Seitz  – @Crystalswriting [https://www.instagram.com/crystalswriting/?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.