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.
Episodes
53 episodes
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...
Writing Scenes: How to Build Mini Stories That Work | Episode 51
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...
Writing Your Novel Your Way: The Hybrid Publishing Option (with Megan Sells, Atmosphere Press) | Episode 50
Hybrid publishing gets talked about a lot… and misunderstood even more.In this episode, I sit down with Megan Sells (Acquisitions Manager and Developmental Editor at Atmosphere Press) to unpack what hybrid publishing actually is—h...
Do You Need an MFA to Succeed in Writing? | Episode 49
Think you need an MFA or a creative writing degree to become great at writing? Don't be so sure. In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many aspiring authors believe formal education is the key to success, what MFA program...
Writing Strong Pitches for Querying Success (with Julie Artz) | Episode 48
Feeling overwhelmed by querying—or stuck in the rejection cycle with no clue what’s “wrong”? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Julie Artz (author, editor, book coach, and dragon 🐉) to demystify what agents actually want—...
Stop Playing Nice: The Secret to Writing a Great Scene Is Conflict | Episode 47
Struggling to make your scenes feel tense, gripping, and impossible to look away from? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down why so many scenes feel flat even when the stakes seem high, what writers often get wrong about c...
The Secret to Powerful Writing: Three-Act Structure Demystified with Gabriela Pereira | Episode 46
Struggling to make sense of story structure—or wondering if you’re doing it “wrong”? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Gabriela Pereira, founder of DIY MFA, to talk about story structure in a way that feels empowering in...
The Art of Writing Irresistible First Lines | Episode 45
Struggling to craft that perfect first sentence? You're not alone. In this episode, I'm sharing why your novel’s opening line matters more than ever in today’s distracted world, how to avoid the most common first-line pitfalls, and three...
Writing That Sells: What New York Times Bestseller J.D. Barker Did Differently | Episode 44
In this episode, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker to talk about writing that sells—without sacrificing craft, creativity, or your sanity. J.D. shares his unconventional journey from ghostwr...
Writing Backstory That Actually Works (5 Guidelines You Must Know!) | Episode 43
Do you know your story needs backstory… but every time you try to include it, it just feels wrong? Clunky. Awkward. Like the story suddenly stumbles instead of flowing forward.Or maybe you’ve...
Writing Fantasy, Building Worlds, and Navigating the Publishing World with Leslye Penelope | Episode 42
Is your novel idea exciting… but the path from first spark to finished book feels confusing, overwhelming, or totally opaque? Do you daydream about epic worlds, lush magic systems, and big emotions… but worry you’ll never quite figure...
Make Your Writing Unputdownable Through Interiority | Episode 41
Is your writing polished but still not hitting with the emotional punch you want? Do your scenes look great on the surface… but readers don’t lean in, don’t feel connected, and don’t feel compelled to turn the page?You’re not alon...
Writing as a Business: Self-Publishing Like a Pro (with Alexa Bigwarfe) | Episode 40
Self-publishing can feel overwhelming, confusing, and expensive… but it doesn’t have to stay that way.In this episode, I sit down with publisher, book coach, and summit host Alexa Bigwarfe (founder and CEO of Write|Publish|Sell an...
Brain-Friendly Writing Strategies for Writers with ADHD (with Nicole Bross) | Episode 39
Writing with ADHD can feel like chaos — but it doesn’t have to.In this episode, I sit down with book coach and author Nicole Bross to explore brain-friendly strategies that help neurodiverse writers focus, follow through, a...
4 Types of Writing Feedback Every Author Must Understand | Episode 38
Feedback can transform your writing — or completely derail your confidence — depending on how you understand it.In this episode, Heather breaks down the four types of writing feedback every author needs to know (and only on...
The 4 Non-Negotiable Writing Foundations Every Novel Needs | Episode 37
Is your story built on a rock-solid foundation—or is it wobbling under the weight of weak structure, thin characters, or unclear purpose? In this episode of Speculative Fiction Made Simple, I break down the four essential elemen...
Debunking Harmful Writing Myths With Lisa Cron | Episode 36
👉 Click here to grab your free ticket to the WorldShift: Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit and hear Lisa Cron’s summit presentation—plus 30+ other craft-deep sessions ...
Writing An Identity Not Your Own With Alex Temblador | Episode 35
👉 Click here to grab your free ticket to the WorldShift: Speculative Fiction Writers’ Summit and hear Alex Temblador’s summit presentation—plus 30+ other craft-deep ses...
Writing with Publishing in Mind: The Traditional Publishing Pathway Explained | Episode 34
So many writers dream of getting a traditional book deal—but the process to get there can feel confusing, overwhelming, and totally out of reach.In this episode, I’m giving you a bird’s-eye view of the entire traditiona...
Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 3) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 33
How do you write an ending so compelling that readers not only finish your book but immediately tell their friends, “You HAVE to read this”?Well, that’s a big question—but one thing’s for sure: a strong story structure is essen...
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Why are agents rejecting my novel? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 32
Are you sending out queries but only getting form rejections—or worse, no responses at all? Maybe you're receiving personalized rejections that praise your concept but still pass on your book? If you’re struggling to understand wh...
Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 2) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 31
Does your novel feel have a saggy middle? Does it just meander around without a lot of momentum? In this episode, I’ll walk you through Act 2 of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story r...
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Can I write a dual Point of View novel using a mixed POV structure? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 30
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Can I Mix POV Styles in a Dual POV Novel?Have you ever wondered if you can write a dual POV novel where one protagonist is in first person and the other is in third? In this episode, I answer this quest...
Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 1) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 29
Does your novel feel like it’s wandering aimlessly, struggling to find direction? In this episode, I’ll walk you through the first five beats of the Save the Cat story structure—a simple, effective tool to shape your novel into a story r...
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: How Do I Make Readers Love My Protagonist? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 28
Ask Me Anything Thursdays answering the podcasting question "How do I make sure my protagonist is lovable?"Are you struggling to create a protagonist readers truly care about? In this episode, I share four actionable strategies t...