RJ Barker is a critically acclaimed and award-winning fantasy author of the Wounded Kingdom and Tide Child trilogies, and certainly one of the best writers around right now.

In this in-depth interview, RJ shares his story of getting into writing, honing his craft, and the process of creating his brilliant stories.

We delve into creating characters and worldbuilding, psychological challenges and how to overcome them, and RJ shares his best pieces of advice for all writers out there looking to learn something new.

✍️ More from RJ Barker:

Website: ⁠https://www.rjbarker.com/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/rjbarker.bsky.social

Books: https://store.orbit-books.co.uk/collections/author-rj-barker

✍️ Join our community & writing tools:

Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed⁠

Website and writing classes: ⁠https://richiebilling.com/

Are you repeating the same writing mistakes without realising it? In this episode, writing coach and author Suzy Vadori reveals the biggest errors she sees in authors, and how to avoid them.

Join Richie Billing and Suzy Vadori as they explore Suzy’s journey from businesswoman to bestselling YA fantasy author and coach.

We dive into her unique approach to character creation, immersive world-building, and the crucial missteps that hold writers back.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why so many authors struggle with character arcs and how to fix them.

• Practical world-building strategies that bring your setting to life without slowing the story.

• The top three mistakes authors make when switching from business mindset to creative craft.

• How Suzy’s coaching practice and author experience provide clarity, structure and growth.

• How to build your author brand and writing career from the ground up.

  
  

Whether you’re working on your first novel or deep into your series, you’ll walk away with actionable advice.

✍️ More from Suzy Vadori:

Website: https://suzyvadori.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyvadori/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/suzyvadoriauthor/

✍️ Join our community & writing tools:

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheFantasyWritersToolshed

Website and writing classes: https://richiebilling.com/

Discover what makes romance and cozy mysteries two of the most successful and reader-loved genres in publishing.

In this episode of The Fantasy Writers’ Toolshed, host Richie Billing sits down with bestselling authors Jami Albright and Sara Rosett to uncover what all writers can learn from these powerfully engaging genres.

Jami Albright is an acclaimed romance author known for her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies and bestselling indie success stories. Sara Rosett is a prolific cozy mystery writer whose books are filled with charm, suspense, and unforgettable characters.

Together, they share a wealth of knowledge on writing craft, book marketing, and building a long-term career as an independent author.

We explore:

• How to write a book series that keeps readers coming back — from character arcs to emotional payoffs.

• The secrets of romance and cozy mystery writing, including reader expectations, tone, pacing, and genre tropes that build loyal audiences.

• Worldbuilding techniques that keep continuity consistent across multiple novels.

• How to plan a successful book launch and make your release stand out in a crowded market.

• Developing an author brand that feels authentic and memorable.

• Book marketing strategies that actually work — from mailing lists and newsletters to podcast appearances, social media engagement, and creative promotions.

• Writing productivity and mindset tips to help authors finish series and sustain momentum.

This conversation goes beyond genre to deliver universal lessons for storytellers. Whether you write fantasy, science fiction, romance, or thrillers, you’ll gain actionable advice on how to design stories that hook readers, market your books effectively, and build a lasting author career.

Key takeaways:

• Learn how romance and cozy mystery writers use structure, reader satisfaction, and emotional beats to keep fans invested.

• Understand why character-driven plots and series planning can transform your writing into a sustainable career.

• Discover how to create a strong author identity that readers instantly recognise.

• Find out how Jami and Sara approach marketing, launches, and branding from a professional and personal perspective.

If you’ve ever wondered how to write a romance novel, how to start a cozy mystery series, or simply how to build a loyal readership, this episode is packed with real-world experience and practical strategies.

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 JAMI ALBRIGHT

https://wishidknownforwriters.com/

https://www.jamialbright.com/

ABOUT SARA ROSETT

https://www.sararosett.com/

GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.richiebilling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here

And learn more about⁠⁠⁠ writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here

I'm delighted to be joined by bestselling fantasy authors Lucy Holland and Dan Coxon for an all-encompassing discussion on writing fantasy.

Dan has curated and co-edited a brilliant new craft book called Writing The Magic, published by Dead Ink, and Lucy has contributed an excellent chapter on Ursula Le Guin's magic system in Earthsea.

We delve into worldbuilding, creating magic systems, explore Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea series and Michael Moorcock's stories, and discuss why we all love the genre so much.

You're bound to learn something new!

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 ⁠⁠

BUY WRITING THE MAGIC

https://deadinkbooks.com/product/writing-the-magic/

ABOUT DAN COXON

https://www.dancoxon.com/⁠

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

ABOUT LUCY HOLLAND

https://lucyhounsom.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/silvanhistorian/

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 delighted to be joined by Professor Charles Li, author of the brilliant new historical fiction novel, Lord Guan.

We chat all about Professor Li's expertise in languages and linguistics, and I pick his brain for worldbuilding tips and advice to help you craft your own languages for your fantasy stories.

We also dive into Chinese history and culture, looking specifically at the life story of Lord Guan and the legend surrounding him, before diving into the writing and researching of the book.

And at 90 years old, Professor Li shares lots of brilliant pieces of wisdom we can all benefit and learn from.

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 PROFESSOR CHARLES LI

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lord-Guan/Charles-N-Li/9781682452325

https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Charles-N-Li/185995596

GET IN TOUCH

thefantasywriterstoolshed@gmail.com

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.richiebilling.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

RESOURCES

Discover more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠writing tips⁠ and guides⁠⁠⁠⁠ here

And learn more about⁠⁠ writing fantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here

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