The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed

Over 50% off my class on how to edit a novel > https://richiebilling.com/store/writing-classes/how-to-edit-a-novel-editing-classHow do you know when you’ve taken a manuscript as far as you can, and how can you tell whether an editor is actually right for your book?Fantasy and cozy mystery editor Richelle Braswell joins Richie Billing to explain when professional editing becomes worthwhile, where to find reputable book editors, and the green and red flags to investigate before trusting someone with your manuscript.They discuss referrals, professional editing organisations, genre specialisation, discovery calls, sample edits, realistic rates and the importance of finding an editor whose communication style matches what you need.The conversation also ventures inside the manuscript. Richelle explains how a good editor moves beyond vague reactions such as “this character is boring” to diagnose the actual storytelling problem.Richie and Richelle explore personal motives and stakes, passive protagonists, character agency, showing emotion through behaviour and the value of constructive editorial feedback.In this episode, you’ll learn:• How to recognise when you need outside editorial help• The difference between developmental support and copy editing• Where to find reputable book editors• How to evaluate an editor’s credentials, specialism and working style• The green and red flags to look for before hiring• When a sample edit can help you make the decision• How editors preserve an author’s voice while strengthening the story• Why personal stakes and character agency matter• Which writing and editing craft books Richelle recommendsCHAPTERS00:00 Why fantasy stories contain elements of mystery01:05 When can an editor help your manuscript?04:27 Where to find a professional book editor08:12 Green flags and the importance of genre specialisation10:43 Red flags, suspiciously low rates and realistic pricing12:22 Finding an editor whose working style suits you14:49 Sample edits and protecting your authorial voice16:06 Turning gut reactions into constructive feedback18:55 Making motives and stakes personal21:39 Character depth, decisions and agency23:56 Showing emotion through action and body language25:35 Recommended books on writing and editing31:06 Where to find RichelleABOUT RICHELLE BRASWELLRichelle is a professional editor specialising in fantasy and cozy mystery. As the self-described “fairy godeditor”, she helps writers strengthen their plots, characters and prose while preserving the voice and vision that make each story distinctive.Richelle’s website and editing services: https://www.richellebraswell.com/Richelle’s author resources and recommended craft books: https://www.richellebraswell.com/author-resourcesJOIN THE TOOLSHED COMMUNITYJoin our community of writers and get access to fantasy writing classes, books and early podcast episodes: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed

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 KilmanMichael 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/MichaelKilmanAuthorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBC4FaVnOAs - Michael's TED Talkhttps://www.instagram.com/loridianslab/https://loridianslab.medium.com/https://substack.com/@loridianslaboratoryMore 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/

More From The ToolshedGet my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebookGet courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/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 KRENTZWebsite > 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/

More From The ToolshedGet my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebookGet courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/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 SubsWhat editors really think about cover letters and formattingThe rules (and etiquette) around simultaneous submissions and reprintsHow short-story publication credits feed into querying literary agentsThe current trends reshaping the literary magazine and submissions marketAbout 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

More From The ToolshedGet my handbook on writing fantasy > https://richiebilling.com/store/books/a-fantasy-writers-handbook-ebookGet courses and classes on creating fantasy stories, plus early access to episodes > https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed/More resources and contact > https://richiebilling.com/For the full video experience, please watch on YouTube > https://www.youtube.com/@fixingbadwritingIn 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.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 stronger redraft.This time, he steps outside his dark fantasy comfort zone to tackle one of the biggest tropes in romantasy: enemies to lovers.Romantasy might look simple from the outside. Put two attractive enemies in danger, add forced proximity, give them sharp dialogue and surely the chemistry will take care of itself.But good fantasy romance needs more than insults, cheekbones and “kissing probably happening soon”. It needs genuine conflict, believable character motivation, emotional friction and a reason for attraction to grow.Using a deliberately awful AI-generated romantasy draft, Richie breaks down common problems such as rushed attraction, shallow conflict, cliché dialogue, weak worldbuilding and the dreaded trap of insta-love.He then works through the scene as a creative writing exercise, showing how small editing choices can create stronger romantic tension, clearer character dynamics and a more engaging fantasy story.In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Build enemies-to-lovers tension that feels earnedAvoid insta-love and rushed romantic attractionCreate better conflict between romantic leadsUse dialogue to reveal character, not just flirtationMake romantasy tropes feel more believableTurn a weak scene into a stronger redraftKeep the fun of a trope while improving the craftThis episode is ideal for romantasy writers, fantasy authors, romance writers, beginner storytellers and anyone looking for practical writing exercises to improve their fiction.Can you write a better “meet-ugly” than the original draft? Listen to the episode, take the romantasy writing challenge and try your own version.