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
Writing Your Breakthrough Novel with Charlotte B. Plumb | Episode 55
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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 landing nine offers of representation. Charlotte shares how she changed her writing process, strengthened her craft, and learned to build stories with compelling characters, immersive interiority, and the kind of structure that keeps readers turning pages.
You’ll learn:
✨ How experimenting with your writing process can help you find what actually works for you
✨ Why strong character development starts with making things harder for your protagonist, not easier
✨ How to use plotting and story structure without sacrificing creativity or spontaneity
✨ How interiority transforms a scene from something readers simply watch into something they actually feel
✨ What Charlotte learned from writing and querying a novel that didn’t sell, and how those lessons helped her approach her next book differently
✨ Why persistence, timing, craft, and marketability all play a role in the path to publication
If you’re working toward publication, struggling with a draft that isn’t quite clicking, or wondering whether all the writing and rewriting is actually making you better, this episode is a wonderful reminder that no book is wasted. Every story you write teaches you something, and sometimes the novel that doesn’t work out is exactly what prepares you to write the one that does.
Pre-order Reap & Sow by Charlotte B. Plumb:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/824804/reap-and-sow-by-charlotte-b-plumb/
🌻🌻Find out more about the Many Worlds Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻
🌻🌻Schedule a quick chat with Heather to sign up to be a founding member of the MW Drafting Club HERE!🌻🌻
