I'm thrilled to be joined by bestselling fantasy author, Jim C. Hines for an extended interview about his two new books, Kitemaster and the relaunch of the beloved classic, Goblin Quest.

Jim opens up about his writing journey, what it's like to be a writer—even down to the earnings—and shares some of his best advice for writing short stories, crafting lovable characters, and writing stories that you're passionate about.

It's fantastic to learn from such a seasoned and decorated pro. I learned an awful lot, and I hope you do too!

FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS

⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed ⁠

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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

ABOUT JIM C. HINES

https://www.jimchines.com/

Goblin Quest (direct from author) - https://payhip.com/b/XBK0D

Kitemaster - https://bookshop.org/p/books/kitemaster/21588658?aid=25009

GET IN TOUCH

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 New York Times Best Selling fantasy author, Kel Kade.

Kel’s new book, Sanctum of the Soul, was published by Tor in February 2025 and completes her brilliant new trilogy. As well as discussing the new book, we also dive into the character creation process and how to create fantasy worlds, discussing techniques and methods to ensure we don’t info dump!

Kel also shares her favourite and least favourite fantasy tropes, and we discuss some newer and more shocking tropes that writers should think about before including.

And Kel also discusses her amazing journey through the world of writing, starting out as a popular indie author with The King's Dark Tidings, before getting snapped up by Tor.

FANTASY WRITING BOOKS, CLASSES AND TOOLS

https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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

ABOUT KEL CADE

https://torpublishinggroup.com/sanctum-of-the-soul/?isbn=9781250293893&format=hardback

https://kelkade.com/books/ ⁠⁠

https://www.goodreads.com/series/172856-king-s-dark-tidings

GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠www.richiebilling.com⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠ here
And learn more about ⁠⁠⁠writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠ here

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.

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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

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/

GET IN TOUCH

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

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

ABOUT HB RENEAU

https://hbreneau.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, 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

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

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.

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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

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/⁠

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

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!

JOIN OUR DISCORD COMMUNITY

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

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

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

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/

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