Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple

About Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple

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 (https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO)Have a question or want to reach out directly? You can email me anytime at heather@manyworldswriting.comUntil next time, keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember: the world needs your stories right now. Don’t give up on your novel—or yourself.

Publisher

Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor, Many Worlds Writing

Category

arts · education · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Nov 2023

Latest episode

3 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 87 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   3 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Writing Emotional Scenes That Feel Real, Not Melodramatic

   Author Jane Doe shares three practical techniques for writing emotional scenes that resonate deeply with readers, transforming melodrama into genuine feeling.

2. 

   1 Jul 2026

   The Hidden Psychology Behind Great World-Building with Gabriela Pereira

   Host [Host Name] interviews world-building expert Gabriela Pereira about the psychology behind creating compelling fictional worlds, revealing how protagonist focus drives effective storytelling.

3. 

   1 Apr 2026

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

   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 in the market—and what “age category” actually means behind the scenes. We break down the real differences between middle grade, YA, new adult, and adult fiction… and why those lines are far blurrier (and more business-driven) than most writers realize. We talk candidly about ma...

Inside a recent episode

Writing Emotional Scenes That Feel Real, Not Melodramatic

Published 3 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] That's why two people can read the exact same novel and have completely different emotional experiences. One reader might finish in tears and the other might close the book feeling hopeful. Someone else might be furious and none of them are actually wrong. They simply co-created slightly different stories with the same words. Once I really understood that, it completely changed the way I approached emotional scenes. I stopped asking myself, how do I communicate my protagonist's emotions more effectively? And instead, I started asking, how do I create the conditions for readers to experience those emotions for themselves? […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

54 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

30 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

64

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

Pitching Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.

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Questions about Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple