Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

Have you ever had a story idea you love —a vivid world, compelling characters, big themes—but every time you sit down to write, something just… isn’t working? If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place. Welcome to Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple . In each episode, I tackle one specific problem standing between you and a cohesive, compelling book—whether that’s character arc, plot structure, backstory, worldbuilding, magic systems, genre clarity, revision, or the publishing path. Some episodes are focused teaching sessions where I break down craft and process step by step, and others feature in-depth conversations with industry experts—authors, editors, agents, and publishing professionals—who share real-world insight into what actually works. No vague advice. No craft mysticism. Just concrete, actionable strategies you can apply immediately (often with free companion workbooks linked right in the show notes). This podcast is here to help you stop spinning your wheels and start making confident, intentional story choices—so your novel feels grounded, emotionally powerful, and readable all the way through. I’m your host, Heather Davis —Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, developmental editor, host of the WorldShift Writing Summit , podcaster, and fellow speculative fiction writer. I’ve spent over a decade helping writers untangle messy drafts, fix stories that almost work, and build novels from the ground up in a way that’s sustainable and actually makes sense. And let’s be honest: writing a good novel—the kind readers want to finish, recommend, and come back to—is hard. This podcast doesn’t promise shortcuts or overnight success. Instead, it embraces the real, messy, challenging work of storytelling—and gives you the tools to do it well. If you’ve ever found yourself typing questions like these into Google, this show is for you: What is show don't tell? What's the difference between scenes and chapters? How do I use Save the Cat to structure my novel without it feeling formulaic? How do I include backstory without info-dumping? Why isn’t my magic system working in my story? How do I revise a novel without getting overwhelmed? How do I write character driven stories? How do I develop my author Voice? How do I write fantasy, romantasy, dystopian, science fiction, magical realism, paranormal, horror, or other speculative genres? How do I develop my protagonist? What is interiority? How do I determine the these and Point of my novel? How do I create a character arc for my protagonist? etc. So if you’re ready to write a novel you’re proud of—one that holds together, makes readers think, and earns their trust—go ahead and follow or subscribe. It’s the easiest way to support the show and make sure you don’t miss what’s coming next. Next steps: If you want to go deeper, get on my email list so you don’t miss my free and paid classes, workshops, and free writing sprints: 👉 https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO Have a question or want to reach out directly? You can email me anytime at heather@manyworldswriting.com Until next time, keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember: the world needs your stories right now. Don’t give up on your novel—or yourself.

Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel is an arts show with 56 episodes published.

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  Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

  Writing Your Breakthrough Novel with Charlotte B. Plumb | Episode 55

  Oct 6, 20261h 7m

  In this episode, I sit down with fantasy author Charlotte B. Plumb to talk about writing Reap & Sow , her Gothic romantasy debut, and the craft lessons that helped her go from querying a novel that didn’t sell to...

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  Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

  Writing Emotional Scenes That Feel Real, Not Melodramatic

  Aug 3, 202617 min

  Most writers think writing an emotional scene means telling readers what the protagonist is feeling. But if readers only recognize the emotion instead of experiencing it themselves, the scene falls flat. In this...

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  Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

  The Hidden Psychology Behind Great World-Building with Gabriela Pereira

  Jul 1, 202618 min

  Writers often think world-building starts with maps, magic systems, political structures, or pages of lore. But what if it actually starts with your protagonist? In this excerpt from my conversation with Gabriela...

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  Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

  Writing Age Category: Fix This Before You Query (with Ben Grange) | Episode 52

  Apr 1, 20261h 1m

  Age category feels straightforward… until it really, really isn’t. In this episode, I sit down with Ben Grange to unpack one of the most confusing (and important) decisions a writer can make: how to position your book...

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  Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel

  Writing Scenes: How to Build Mini Stories That Work | Episode 51

  Mar 25, 202621 min

  Struggling to write scenes that actually work —the kind that keep readers turning pages instead of skimming or putting your book down? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down what a scene really is (and...

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