The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed is a podcast for aspiring and experienced fantasy writers who want to master storytelling, creative writing, worldbuilding and character creation. Hosted by author Richie Billing , each episode features practical fantasy writing craft advice as well as fiction writing advice generally, publishing tips and guidance, and inspiring author interviews with bestsellers, editors, historians, literary agents, psychologists and even an FBI Special Agent. Learn how to write, edit and market your fantasy stories with confidence. New episodes are released on the 14th of each month. Join our Discord community of hundreds of writers and gain early access to each episode: www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed Get free dark fantasy books by Richie here: https://richiebilling.com/get-dark-fantasy-books

The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed is a arts podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a arts show with 0 episodes published.

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  Episode #35

  Anthropology and Worldbuilding with Michael Kilman - A Goldmine For Writers

  Aug 13, 20261h 16mS3

  In this episode, I'm delighted to be joined by author, podcaster and anthropologist Michael Kilman. Michael shares fantastic insights on what anthropology is and how it can be applied to writing fantasy books. We delve into cause-and-effect, the anthropological roots of monsters, taboos, and cross-cultural myth structures, and discuss why these are goldmines for fantasy writers. We also look at how worldbuilding through anthropology explores real-world, cross-cultural issues, and we look at a wide range of examples of approaches that humans take to structure their societies. In short, using anthropology in your world creation process can help to create more nuanced and complex characters and cultures, making tension and conflict feel more impactful, and stories more immersive. I hope you enjoy it! More About Michael Kilman Michael co-wrote Build Better Worlds: An Introduction to Anthropology for Game Designers, Fiction Writers, and Filmmakers with forensic anthropologist Kyra Wellstrom. He recently published an academic book chapter titled Worldbuilding as Pedagogy: Teaching Anthropology and Diversity in Contentious Times. He's spent 11 years teaching anthropology at university level, including a course called Anthropology Through Science Fiction, has hosted a TED Talk, and also hosts a live Ask an Anthropologist about Worldbuilding series on YouTube, which you can check out for even more on the topic. https://loridianslaboratory.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/MichaelKilmanAuthor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBC4FaVnOAs - Michael's TED Talk https://www.instagram.com/loridianslab/ https://loridianslab.medium.com/ https://substack.com/@loridianslaboratory More From The Toolshed Get my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebook Get courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/ More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/

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  Episode #34

  Jayne Ann Krentz on Core Story, Character Craft & 40+ Years of Bestsellers

  Jul 13, 202638 minS3

  How do you write characters that leap off the page—and keep readers hooked for 40 years? New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz joins The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed for a career-spanning masterclass in writing romance, suspense, and gothic fiction. With over 200 books published under three names—Jayne Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, and Jayne Castle—and more than 30 million copies in print, Jayne reveals the "core story" approach behind her extraordinary longevity, and the single best piece of advice she'd give any writer. We dig into character creation, worldbuilding readers can't resist returning to (yes, we talk dust bunnies—Harmony fans, you know), and the mechanics of romantic suspense, where every twist in the romance drives a twist in the suspense, and vice versa. Jayne also breaks down what defines gothic fiction, how publishing has transformed across her career, and where the industry is heading next. Plus: her brand-new novel Enter the Nightmare (written as Jayne Castle), the latest in the Harmony series—out now. In this episode: the core story method • creating unforgettable characters • worldbuilding • how to write romantic suspense • writing gothic novels • the future of publishing • advice for new and aspiring writers 🔗 JAYNE ANN KRENTZ Website > https://jayneannkrentz.com/ Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/JayneAnnKrentz/ Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/jayneannkrentzauthor/ Enter the Nightmare > https://jayneannkrentz.com/book/enter-the-nightmare/ UK readers > https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/jayne-castle/enter-the-nightmare/9780349449456/ ✍️ THE TOOLSHED Enjoying the show? Follow so you never miss an episode—new episodes on the 14th of each month. Join our writing community on Patreon > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed More writing tips and classes > https://richiebilling.com Get free dark fantasy books > https://richiebilling.com/get-dark-fantasy-books

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  Episode #33

  How to Get Your Short Stories Published & Find a Literary Agent | Benjamin Davis (Chill Subs)

  Jun 13, 20261h 5mS3

  Want to get your short stories published? In this episode of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, host Richie Billing sits down with Benjamin Davis , co-founder of Chill Subs , for a comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to submitting short fiction to literary magazines, navigating the submissions process, and using it as a genuine route toward landing a literary agent. Chill Subs is the platform 50,000+ writers use to discover, track and submit to literary magazines, contests and agents — so Ben sees the short-fiction publishing world from the inside. He shares the latest shifts and trends in the literary magazine market, then gives honest, insider answers to the questions writers agonise over most: Do cover letters actually matter — and what should (and shouldn't) go in them? How should you format a short story submission? Are simultaneous submissions acceptable, and how do you keep track of them? Can you submit reprints, and where will editors accept them? How do short story credits actually help you get a literary agent? Where are the best places to submit right now, and how do you find them? Whether you're submitting your first short story or trying to build a publication history that opens doors to agents and book deals, this is a practical, market-leader's view of how short fiction publishing really works in 2026. In this episode, you'll learn: How to find the right literary magazines for your work using Chill Subs What editors really think about cover letters and formatting The rules (and etiquette) around simultaneous submissions and reprints How short-story publication credits feed into querying literary agents The current trends reshaping the literary magazine and submissions market About Benjamin Davis: Benjamin Davis is a writer and the co-founder of Chill Subs, a submissions platform used by over 50,000 writers to discover and track literary magazines, contests and agents. He also runs Sub Club, a top-selling Substack newsletter on literary publishing opportunities, and is connected with Write or Die Magazine. His own fiction and poetry have appeared in journals including Booth, Hobart and Maudlin House, and he's the author of The King of FU and Things We Do While Waiting to Die . 🔗 Chill Subs: https://www.chillsubs.com ✍️ Join our writing community on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed 📚 More writing tips and classes: https://richiebilling.com New episodes of The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed release on the 14th of each month.

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  The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

  Fixing Bad Romantasy Writing: Enemies to Lovers Edition | Fixing Bad Writing

  May 26, 202629 minS3

  <p>For the full video experience, please watch on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@fixingbadwriting</p><p>In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, Richie Billing takes on a terrible enemies-to-lovers romantasy story and tries to fix it in real time. Expect bad fantasy romance, stolen magic swords, awkward romantic tension, a suspiciously convenient dragon and a practical look at how to make popular tropes work on the page.</p><p>This is Episode 2 of Fixing Bad Writing, a writing craft series where Richie deconstructs a weak story draft, explains why it fails, edits it live, then presents a st...

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  Episode #32

  How Michael Chatfield Built a Bestselling Author Business | Writing Process, Patreon & Reader Growth

  May 13, 202647 minS3

  <p>In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, host Richie Billing interviews bestselling author Michael Chatfield about the writing process, indie publishing, Patreon, audience growth, character creation and building a sustainable author business. Learn practical ways to generate story ideas, develop compelling characters, engage readers, grow a subscription community and think more commercially about a long-term writing career.</p><p>In this episode, I'm joined by bestselling indie author Michael Chatfield for a practical and revealing conversation about what it really takes to build a successful writing career.</p><p>Michael is the author of major fantasy, science fiction an...

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