Award-winning YA author Sarah Arthur returns to the Toolshed to discuss her brilliant new book, Once A Castle.

Sarah also shares her experiences following the release of her debut YA novel (Once A Queen), what it was like writing book two, and how theme has played such an important role in the writing of both.

We also discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI) creeping into the writing world, and Sarah provides her expert insights into what 2025 holds for the world of Young Adult fantasy fiction.

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ABOUT SARAH ARTHUR

⁠⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2216828/sarah-arthur/ ⁠

⁠www.saraharthur.com ⁠

ONCE A CASTLE

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213618161-once-a-castle

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707441/once-a-castle-by-sarah-arthur/

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thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠⁠www.richiebilling.com⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠ here

And learn more about ⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠ here

In this episode, I'm joined by fantasy author and ER doctor, HB Reneau.

HB talks all about injuries we commonly see in fantasy worlds--usually inflicted by swords and magic, and explains how we can best portray things like wounds and infections.

We also talk about the impact of injuries and trauma and mental health too.

HB also tells us all about her new book, The Revenant, and how she's used Kickstarter to fund a pretty awesome project. You can find out more here - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theremnant/the-remnant-ya-fantasy-adventure-collectors-edition

GET BOOKS AND CLASSES ON WRITING FANTASY

⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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ABOUT HB RENEAU

https://hbreneau.com/

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⁠⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/adjectives-that-start-with-th⁠

In this episode, I'm joined by Brianna Summers, literary agent assistant with Holloway Literary. Brianna also works as an editor with Of Metal and Magic Publishing.

Brianna shares her wisdom after spending several years working in the literary agency field. She tells us what it's like for agents on a day-to-day basis and the main reasons she rejects submissions.

We also take a deep dive into query letters and Brianna shares her ideal structure for what a query letter should contain.

If you're thinking about querying literary agents or want to learn more about it, this episode is a must-listen!

GET BOOKS AND CLASSES ON WRITING FANTASY

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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ABOUT BRIANNA SUMMERS

https://www.instagram.com/brianna.summers.338/

https://hollowayliterary.com/

https://ofmetalandmagicpublishing.wordpress.com/

GET IN TOUCH

⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠⁠⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here -⁠⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/adjectives-that-start-with-th

In this episode, award-winning short story writer and editor Dan Coxon joins me for an in-depth chat about writing short fiction.

We look at the definition of a short story, the different structures they can have, the pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for editing.

Dan also shares his best tips on getting short stories published, sharing vital insights on what it's like to be an editor with a publisher. You can also find a very helpful explanation for writing cover letters.

It's a must-listen for anyone keen to learn more about writing short stories and getting them published.

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ABOUT DAN COXON

https://www.dancoxon.com/

https://www.instagram.com/dan.coxon.author/

GET DAN'S BOOKS

Writing The Uncanny -https://deadinkbooks.com/product/writing-the-uncanny/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B0034PDEYM

GET IN TOUCH

⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here -⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here -⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/⁠

In this episode, I’m delighted to be joined by the Queen of Grimdark, Anna Smith Spark!

Anna joins me for a deep dive into all things writing. We look at Anna’s process, how she wrote her brilliant books, A Court of Broken Knives, A Woman Of The Sword, and A Sword Of Bronze and Ashes, and how she approaches pantsing.

Anna also shares her fantastic wisdom on Grimdark, explaining what it is and what the key features are for writers.

We also discuss character creation, worldbuilding, and dealing with writing challenges. You’re bound to learn something new!

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ABOUT ANNA SMITH SPARK

https://britishfantasysociety.org/meet-anna-smith-spark/

https://www.instagram.com/annasmithspark/

https://www.facebook.com/queenofgrimdark/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15935255.Anna_Smith_Spark

GET A SWORD OF BRONZE AND ASHES

https://www.flametreepublishing.com/a-sword-of-bronze-and-ashes-isbn-9781787588400.html

GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠https://richiebilling.com/⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/⁠

In this final episode of 2024, I discuss all of the best writing tips I've come across in the past year, as well as the most helpful things I've learned.

In particular, I dive into writing short stories and getting them published, amazing pieces of wisdom from legendary author Ian Rankin, and the most important thing I learned over the past 12 months.

Here are some useful links I referred to in the ep.

https://thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com/

https://duotrope.com/

https://richiebilling.com/writing-tools/list-of-fantasy-magazines

Thank you as always for listening and for your fantastic support. I sincerely appreciate it and can't wait to create more helpful things for you in 2025!

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/

In this episode, I'm joined by voice over artist and audiobook producer, Ethan Fifield, for an explainer on how to make an audiobook.

Ethan offers a fantastic insight into the process of making audiobooks, explaining what it's like to be a producer and what it's like to work with publishers and authors.

Ethan also offers practical advice on how to make an audiobook, using platforms like ACX to create projects that narrators can pitch for. He also explains how different contracts can be arranged, like royalty splits, meaning you can make an audiobook with the help of a narrator today without paying a penny!

If you're keen to learn more about audiobooks, this episode is guaranteed to help.

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ABOUT ETHAN FIFIELD

https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Ethan+Fifield

GET THE PARIAH'S LAMENT

https://mybook.to/PariahsLament

GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠https://richiebilling.com/⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/

In this episode, award-nominated author Ciel Pierlot joins me in the Toolshed for a fascinating chat about writing fantasy and writing queer fiction.

Ciel's new book, The Hunter's Gambit, was published by Angry Robot earlier this year. We chat all about the writing of the story, Ciel's writing process as a whole, and crafting characters who are interesting and engaging.

Ciel also discusses her experience of the query trenches and how she found a literary agent.

As always, you're bound to learn something new!

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

https://mailchi.mp/395aa89d6ec0/join-richie-billings-community-of-writers

ABOUT CIEL PIERLOT

https://cielpierlot.com/

GET THE HUNTER'S GAMBIT

https://angryrobotbooks.com/books/the-hunters-gambit/

GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

https://richiebilling.com/

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠https://richiebilling.com/writing-tips/⁠

And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠ here - ⁠https://richiebilling.com/fantasy-writing/