The Fantasy Grimoire

Join your host, Stephanie Storm as she interviews fantasy authors, debut novelists, editors, and Bookstagrammers and we dive into the genre we’ve all come to love. Nothing is off limits as we chat editing, marketing, ethics, bookish hot takes and how to navigate both traditional and self-publishing. Whether you’re penning your debut novel, editing bestsellers, or championing books online, you’ll find relatable discussions with us, and something to appeal to every fantasy reader. Here’s to a refreshingly different take on a fantasy podcast, and helping you find your new favourite author.

The Fantasy Grimoire is a arts podcast hosted by Stephanie Storm, with 47 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Stephanie Storm hosts The Fantasy Grimoire, a arts show with 47 episodes published.

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  Episode #13

  The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Alexis Rune & Jeanette Rose

  Sep 7, 202652 minS3

  Calling all eldest daughters and millennials—this episode is tailored specifically for you. This week, we are sitting down with Alexis and Jeanette to talk about their transition from indie darlings to traditionally published powerhouses. If you've ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a traditional publishing deal, Alexis and Jeanette are breaking down the myth that going trad means losing your creative control or corporate censorship. Highlights From the Episode: Eldest Daughter & Millennial Energy: We dive straight into the shared chaos, perfectionism, and "emotional damage" that binds our demographic together—and how it fuels our creative work. Indie to Trad (Without Losing the Spark): Why traditional publishing still holds the crown for physical distribution, and how Alexis and Jeanette maintained their unhinged, high-energy marketing style through the transition. Debunking Trad Myths: A candid look at the assumption that authors have to just "do what they're told" in traditional publishing, and how they managed to keep their process moving fast in an industry known for slow timelines. The PR Box Playbook: How curated PR boxes were instrumental in launching their first book and building massive, sustained pre-release hype. The "Overnight" Myth: Why going viral was actually the result of years of behind-the-scenes hustle, consistency, and hard work, not just a stroke of random luck. What Made Avalon Different: Alexis and Jeanette break down what set the Avalon series apart from their previous work and why it struck such a deep chord with readers. Insufferable FMCs vs. MCs: The striking double standard in how readers react to flawed Female Main Characters versus male leads who get a free pass for the exact same behavior. Editor Attachment Issues: Why we develop bizarrely deep emotional bonds with our editors (the ultimate literary safe havens). Flipping the Script on Launch Day: Moving away from dreading big release dates and embracing community over competition when launching alongside other authors.

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  Episode #12

  The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Whatpaigeyreads

  Jul 8, 202656 minS3

  This week, we are sitting down with the incredible Paige to tackle some of the biggest ethical conversations swirling around the bookish community right now—from copyright drama to the reality of making a living in this space. Paige has transitioned from an avid reader into providing author services. She joins the podcast to share her perspective on how indie authors can navigate massive release weeks, value their time, and build a career with kindness. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Trademark Drama: We unpack the recent community drama surrounding authors trying to trademark phrases that aren't actually their intellectual property, the ethics of the indie space, and why we cannot allow double standards to exist. The Bravery of Indie Fiction: Where Paige's love for indie books first started, and why indie authors are consistently the bravest storytellers in the market. Doing Hard Things (Even When Scared): Paige shares her journey of expanding into author services, learning to recognize her own worth, and overcoming the fear of charging appropriately for her time. Reviewing with Kindness: Why Paige chooses to lead with kindness when reviewing books on her own platform, proving you can be honest without being destructive. Releasing Alongside Giants: Paige drops invaluable advice for indie authors launching their books at the same time as massive industry names like Rebecca Yarros or Sarah J. Maas. Rethinking ARC Deadlines: Why strict deadlines for Advance Reader Copies might actually be hurting your book. We discuss how staggering your reviews can keep the post-launch hype train rolling much longer. The Power of Off-Campus : How Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series beautifully illustrates what "hope" looks like in fiction, and how that same feeling is alive and well in the indie scene. Paige is currently juggling an array of exciting new projects, and her passion for lifting up authors shines through every single one of them.

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  Episode #11

  The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Tatum Jayme

  Jul 1, 202644 minS3

  Tatum reminds us that so many of us aren’t a fan of our first draft manuscript. It doesn’t mean you should give us. She joins us to talk about the birth of her debut novel, The Starlight Saviour, and why pushing through the awkward stages of writing is the only way to find the magic. From fangirling over the authors who raised us to taking the leap into indie publishing, this episode is a love letter to the books—and the boundaries—that shape us. In This Episode, We Discuss: Surviving the First Draft: Tatum shares how she navigated the messy beginnings of The Starlight Saviour and why a bad first draft is just raw material, not a sign to give up. The Richelle Mead Fan Club: We fully embrace our fan-girl status and talk about how the legends of 2010s paranormal romance inspired our own creative paths. The Power of New Adult: Why the NA category is such a sweet spot for readers who grew up on Vampire Academy and Shadowhunters —allowing the characters to finally age up and mature right alongside us. Choosing Romance Over "Romantasy": Why Tatum decided to buck the current trend and steer clear of heavy romantasy for her debut, opting instead to write a story she personally wanted to read as a hopeless romantic. The Freedom of Self-Publishing: Tatum talks through her pivot away from the traditional querying trenches and how retaining total control over her creative vision brought her a new sense of freedom. The Subjectivity of Reading: I share my thoughts on Direbound and Furybound , leading into a larger discussion on why art will always be entirely subjective. Hunting for the Ideal Reader: The eternal struggle of book marketing and why ARC (Advance Reader Copy) teams are still one of the absolute best resources for building an audience. Character Connection: A vital reminder that if readers don't care about the souls of your characters, they have no reason to keep turning the pages.

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  Episode #10

  The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: Evelyn Ash

  Jun 24, 202637 minS3

  What if the fae aren't the sparkling, helpful creatures we were promised in fairytales? This week, we are sitting down with the brilliant Evelyn to dissect her stunning debut novel, which pulls back the curtain on the darker side of folklore. As a fellow South African author, it was an absolute joy to connect with Evelyn over our shared roots, the calling of gothic romance, and the deeply personal pieces of ourselves we leave on the page. In This Episode, We Explore: The Call of the Gothic Romance: Why Evelyn was drawn to the moody, atmospheric, and romantic world of gothic fiction for her very first book. Mental Health & the Manuscript: A vulnerable conversation about how Evelyn’s personal mental health journey is reflected in her characters and narrative arcs. Separating Faith from Fiction: How Evelyn navigates the boundary between her personal religious beliefs and the dark, magical stories she chooses to tell. Empowered Women in Dark Places: A look at Evelyn's dedication to centering female empowerment within her storytelling, even when the world around her characters is grim. The "Parents Don't Need to Know" Club: A relatable laugh about the things we write as adults that we still hope our parents never read. Paving the Way with Content Warnings: Why content warnings are essential tools for managing reader expectations, not spoilers. We discuss how indie authors are leading the charge on this while traditional publishing lags behind. The AI Threat to Creativity: A serious discussion on why artificial intelligence doesn't belong in creative spaces and the very real concerns indie authors face regarding the future of the industry. Content Warnings: This episode includes minor discussions about grief, loss, the loss of a child, and suicide. Spoiler Alert: We discuss major plot points for Verity by Colleen Hoover. Skip ahead if you haven't read it yet!

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  Episode #9

  The Fantasy Grimoire Presents: R.Lynn Hanks

  Jun 17, 202638 minS3

  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.

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