Dear Fantasy Reader

In this Dear Fantasy Author episode, host Hannah Michelle and guest co-host, Mary Cross, sit down with Sunday Times bestselling author, Hazel McBride, to discuss book two in the Bonded to Beasts universe, A Queen Crowned In Flames. This duology is filled with dragons, slow-burn romance, political intrigue, and a powerful exploration of misogyny, feminine rage, and identity. Think Barbie meets House of the Dragon! Please note that this episode is a continuation of DFR's first interview with Hazel for book one, A Fate Forged and Fire. The first interview contains a spoiler-free section where you can get to know more about Hazel and book one, then a spoiler section discussing book one only. You can find that first interview here: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/36930820 *This episode includes spoilers for both A Fate Forged In Fire and A Queen Crowned in Flames in their entirety.*   Key Topics: Hazel reflects on the rapid pace of her authorial career, balancing book tours and editing demands Excitement in achieving a Sunday Times bestseller status The process of crafting complex characters like Aemyra, Fiorian, and Thear World-building tips, particularly for enriching Scottish atmosphere Adding last-minute characters to enhance plots Her approach to plot twists, red herrings, and maintaining reader engagement Personal reflections on writing characters through her own experiences with anxiety and grief A sneak peek into her future creative endeavors, including a prequel about a certain character and a new series WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/8cQoxXZsoVk   Segment Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:51 Spoiler-Filled Segment 56:47 About Dear Fantasy Reader *Please note that ads may affect the timestamps by a few minutes*   Ready to add one more book to your TBR? Order here: A Fate Forged in Fire UK - https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/hazel-mcbride-2/a-fate-forged-in-fire/9781408749081/ US - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/769489/a-fate-forged-in-fire-by-hazel-mcbride/ A Queen Crowned In Flames UK - https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/hazel-mcbride-2/a-queen-crowned-in-flames/9781408749128/ US - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/769490/a-queen-crowned-in-flames-by-hazel-mcbride/   Follow Hazel McBride's Journey: Website - https://hazelmcbride035.wixsite.com/hazelmcbride TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hazelmcbrideauthor?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hazelmcbrideauthor?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HazelMcBrideAuthor   Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader? The DFRP chapters so far: Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame Season 2: Dear Fantasy Author — our ongoing author interview series featuring your favorite romantasy writers! Follow us on Instagram @dearfantasyreaderpod to see who we're interviewing next! Season 3: Dear Fantasy Community — our UPCOMING & ongoing series with industry experts where we pull the curtain back on different aspects of the book community learning what all goes into getting these books to our hands!   Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: https://www.dearfantasyreader.com   DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/   JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD COMMUNITY: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK   Follow along: Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod   Don't forget to share this episode with your bookish friends!

Join host Hannah Michelle and guest co-host, Mary Cross, as they sit down with New York Times bestselling author, Penn Cole, for an in-depth discussion on the highly anticipated conclusion of her romantic fantasy series, The Kindred's Curse Saga: Burn of the Everflame! This episode serves as PART TWO of their three hour long interview (!!!), where Penn shares insights into her writing journey, character development, thematic depth, and the emotional rollercoaster awaiting readers in Burn. The entirety of this interview episode contains spoilers for the first three books in The Kindred's Curse Saga (Spark, Glow, & Heat) and many, MANY hints for Burn of The Everflame. If you are looking for spoiler-free, or more on Penn Cole's writing process, check out Part One of the interview here: https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/42158685    Key Topics: Penn's evolution as a writer across four books, highlighting her plotting process and handling series burnout Deep dive into character arcs, specifically Luther's journey of self-discovery and devotion to Diem (& Penn's love for Henry!) Exploration of themes such as hope amidst chaos and the complexity of morally gray characters The crafting of multiple POVs, including controversial choices and their impact on storytelling Easter eggs, foreshadowing, and hidden clues in earlier books that connect to Burn Insights into the Burn's emotional weight, including tears, trauma, and moments of joy to come Behind-the-scenes on the adaptation process and the challenges of working with Hollywood Penn's reflections on the future of the series and potential spin-offs or continuations   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TPjxGytRXQ8    Segment Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:40 Spoiler-Filled Segment (ENTIRE EPISODE) 01:24:25 About Dear Fantasy Reader *Please note that ads may affect the timestamps by a few minutes*   Ready to add one (or three) more books to your TBR? Order The Kindred's Curse Saga: https://www.penncole.com/shop#books   Follow Penn Cole's Journey: Website: https://www.penncole.com/ Upcoming Appearances: https://www.penncole.com/appearances Reader Discord: https://discord.com/invite/pennspals Newsletter: https://www.penncole.com/newsletter Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuthorPennCole Threads: https://www.threads.com/@authorpenncole TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@AuthorPennCole Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpenncole/   Author bio: Penn Cole is the New York Times bestselling author of the international romantasy hit, Spark of the Everflame. Her debut series, The Kindred's Curse Saga, has been published in 18 languages and has sold over 3 million copies. Before becoming an author, Penn was a small business owner and an attorney. A Texas native, she now lives in Paris, France with her husband and their cat, Cardboard. When Penn isn't writing epic slow-burn romantasy, she can be found eating far too many French pastries and trolling her readers on Discord.   Series Name: The Kindred's Curse Saga Spark of the Everflame Originally self-published June 1, 2023 Traditional publication re-release October 8, 2024 Glow of the Everflame Originally self-published July 18, 2023 Traditional publication re-release December 3, 2024 Heat of the Everflame Originally self-published September 12, 2023 Traditional publication re-release March 11, 2025 Burn of the Everflame Releasing September 8, 2026   Tropes and traits: Enemies to lovers, chosen one, elemental magic, political intrigue, dragons/animal sidekick, fight against injustice, banter, found family, prophecies, slow burn romance, shadow daddy, feisty healer FMC, brooding dark prince MMC   Synopsis: When her mother suddenly vanishes, healer Diem Bellator's search for answers forces her out of her poor mortal village and into the dark world of the cruel demigods known as the Descended. Bloodthirsty rebels are recruiting her to join the civil war, but the King's handsome, mysterious heir is watching her every move. Diem must navigate a dangerous game of love, power, and politics to save her mother—and all of mortalkind.   Background/Pronunciation Guide: A general overview of the world and a pronunciation guide for the locations and characters is available on Penn's website at https://www.penncole.com/enter-emarion   Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader? The DFRP chapters so far: Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame Season 2: Dear Fantasy Author — our ongoing author interview series featuring your favorite romantasy writers! Follow us on Instagram @dearfantasyreaderpod to see who we're interviewing next! Season 3: Dear Fantasy Community — our UPCOMING & ongoing series with industry experts where we pull the curtain back on different aspects of the book community learning what all goes into getting these books to our hands!   Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: https://www.dearfantasyreader.com   DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/   JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD COMMUNITY: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK   Follow along: Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod   Don't forget to share this episode with your bookish friends!

In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, host Hannah Michelle and guest co-host, Mary Cross, sit down with New York Times bestselling romantic fantasy author, Penn Cole, to discuss The Kindred's Curse Saga in preparation of book four's release, Burn of the Everflame! This episode serves as PART ONE of two, exploring Penn's intricate world-building, slow-burn romance, and the nuanced social themes woven into her storytelling, as well as insights on the craft of writing and activism. The first portion of the episode is completely spoiler-free, while the second portion dives into spoilers for all three released books in The Kindred's Curse Saga.   Key Topics: Penn Cole's inspiration and creative process behind The Kindred's Curse Saga World-building and magic system intricacies Themes of social injustice, empathy, and activism embedded in her series Writing advice for debut authors and insights on overcoming imposter syndrome The role of media, social commentary, and activism in storytelling Penn's unique writing rituals and environment The evolution of the Guardians and their moral complexities Handling sensitive topics with nuance and intentionality in fantasy worlds The importance of diverse voices and sensitivity readers in fiction   Stay tuned for PART 2 (releasing 07/30/2026) where the hosts ask Penn all of their burning questions about the highly anticipated Burn of the Everflame!   Segment Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 02:27 Spoiler-Free Segment 31:50 Spoiler-Filled Segment 01:09:07 About Dear Fantasy Reader *Please note that ads may affect the timestamps by a few minutes*   Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pIie08iT-m8    Ready to add one (or three) more books to your TBR? Order The Kindred's Curse Saga: https://www.penncole.com/shop#books   Follow Penn Cole's Journey: Website: https://www.penncole.com/ Upcoming Appearances: https://www.penncole.com/appearances Reader Discord: https://discord.com/invite/pennspals Newsletter: https://www.penncole.com/newsletter Socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuthorPennCole Threads: https://www.threads.com/@authorpenncole TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@AuthorPennCole Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorpenncole/   Author bio: Penn Cole is the New York Times bestselling author of the international romantasy hit, Spark of the Everflame. Her debut series, The Kindred's Curse Saga, has been published in 18 languages and has sold over 3 million copies. Before becoming an author, Penn was a small business owner and an attorney. A Texas native, she now lives in Paris, France with her husband and their cat, Cardboard. When Penn isn't writing epic slow-burn romantasy, she can be found eating far too many French pastries and trolling her readers on Discord.   Series Name: The Kindred's Curse Saga Spark of the Everflame Originally self-published June 1, 2023 Traditional publication re-release October 8, 2024 Glow of the Everflame Originally self-published July 18, 2023 Traditional publication re-release December 3, 2024 Heat of the Everflame Originally self-published September 12, 2023 Traditional publication re-release March 11, 2025 Burn of the Everflame Releasing September 8, 2026   Tropes and traits: Enemies to lovers, chosen one, elemental magic, political intrigue, dragons/animal sidekick, fight against injustice, banter, found family, prophecies, slow burn romance, shadow daddy, feisty healer FMC, brooding dark prince MMC   Synopsis: When her mother suddenly vanishes, healer Diem Bellator's search for answers forces her out of her poor mortal village and into the dark world of the cruel demigods known as the Descended. Bloodthirsty rebels are recruiting her to join the civil war, but the King's handsome, mysterious heir is watching her every move. Diem must navigate a dangerous game of love, power, and politics to save her mother—and all of mortalkind.   Background/Pronunciation Guide: A general overview of the world and a pronunciation guide for the locations and characters is available on Penn's website at https://www.penncole.com/enter-emarion   Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader? The DFRP chapters so far: Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame Season 2: Dear Fantasy Author — our ongoing author interview series featuring your favorite romantasy writers! Follow us on Instagram @dearfantasyreaderpod to see who we're interviewing next! Season 3: Dear Fantasy Community — our UPCOMING & ongoing series with industry experts where we pull the curtain back on different aspects of the book community learning what all goes into getting these books to our hands!   Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: https://www.dearfantasyreader.com   DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/   JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD COMMUNITY: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK   Follow along: Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod   Don't forget to share this episode with your bookish friends!

Welcome to Dear Fantasy Reader! If you're new here, this is the perfect place to start. And if you've been here for a while, welcome to the next chapter! Dear Fantasy Reader began as a space for deep dives, theories, and fully immersive discussions around the books we love. As the podcast has grown, so has its perspective—expanding beyond the page to include conversations with authors, creators, and voices across the book community. 🎙️ What to expect: • Fourth Wing deep dives, lore breakdowns, and theory spirals • Romantasy & Fantasy author interviews through Dear Fantasy Author • Upcoming conversations across the book world in Dear Fantasy Community • Guest hosts joining depending on the conversation Whether you're here to revisit your favorite stories, hear from the people behind them, or explore the world of fantasy on a deeper level, you're in the right place! ✨ Start listening: • Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame • Season 2: Dear Fantasy Author (ongoing) • Season 3: Dear Fantasy Community (coming soon)   Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: www.dearfantasyreader.com   DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/   JOIN OUR DISCORD: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK   Follow along: Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod   Email us your thoughts & theories: [email protected]   Don't forget to share this podcast with all of your bookish friends!

🎤 Recorded before release day — one of Hannah Nicole Maehrer's first interviews about Accomplice to the Villain!   In this special Dear Fantasy Author episode, host Hannah Michelle sits down with Hannah Nicole Maehrer to get the inside scoop on Accomplice to the Villain! This episode was recorded before the book's official release, making it one of Hannah Nicole Maehrer's first in-depth interviews about the story. As one of the earliest readers to dive into this world, Hannah came armed with questions, theories, and all the romantasy chaos you'd expect from a fangirl! The conversation covers Hannah Nicole's inspiration, elemental worldbuilding, character dynamics, and what readers can expect next in the Assistant and the Villain series! Rather than a traditional Q&A, this episode leans into a reader-first perspective. Hannah asks the questions romantasy fans are most eager to know, including the twist ending, her publishing journey, and behind-the-scenes lore! Hannah Nicole shares exclusive insights throughout, especially in the spoiler-filled segment where she teases upcoming plotlines, character arcs, and details that may change how readers see the story. Whether you've already read the book or are just villain-curious, this conversation is full of insights, laughter, and behind-the-scenes details you won't want to miss!   Segment Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 00:46 Spoiler-Free Segment 28:30 Spoiler-Filled Segment 01:03:25 Swiftie Mania: Applying Taylor Swift Songs to Assistant to The Villain Series 01:23:45 About Dear Fantasy Reader *Please note that ads may affect the timestamps by a few minutes*   Ready to add one more book to your TBR? Order Accomplice To The Villain: https://amzn.to/4orvz56   Follow Hannah Nicole Maehrer's Journey: Website - https://hannahnicolemae.com/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hannahnicolemae Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hannahnicolemae YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdUn_76iC7p6MZh2hmOgwAg   Want more from Dear Fantasy Reader? The DFRP chapters so far: Season 1: Fourth Wing Deep Dive Through the Lens of Iron Flame Season 2: Dear Fantasy Author — our ongoing author interview series featuring your favorite romantasy writers! Follow us on Instagram @dearfantasyreaderpod to see who we're interviewing next! Season 3: Dear Fantasy Community — our UPCOMING & ongoing series with industry experts where we pull the curtain back on different aspects of the book community learning what all goes into getting these books to our hands!   Visit the Dear Fantasy Reader website for more info: https://www.dearfantasyreader.com   DEAR FANTASY READER POD MERCH: https://dear-fantasy-reader-podcast.printify.me/   JOIN OUR FREE DISCORD COMMUNITY: https://discord.gg/9pcd3jBTVK   Follow along: Instagram: @dearfantasyreaderpod TikTok: @dearfantasyreaderpod YouTube: @dearfantasyreaderpod Threads: @dearfantasyreaderpod   Don't forget to share this episode with your bookish friends!