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, Querying & Publishing: Insider Secrets with Literary Agent Sam Farkas | Episode 56
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In this episode, I sit down with literary agent Sam Farkas of Jill Grinberg Literary Management to pull back the curtain on traditional publishing and answer the questions writers really want to ask literary agents. From what makes an agent fall in love with a manuscript to the word counts that can make or break a publishing deal, Sam shares an insider's perspective on querying, finding representation, navigating the publishing industry, and what it actually takes to sell a novel. We also dive into what's happening in the speculative fiction market, the growing importance of author platforms, and the controversial role of AI in creative writing.
You'll learn:
✨ What literary agents are really looking for in a manuscript—and why voice, originality, and strong writing matter more than a perfect query letter
✨ The word count limits for adult, YA, and middle grade fiction, and why exceeding them can hurt your chances of publication
✨ Why character agency, pacing, and plot holes are some of the biggest issues agents address before submitting a novel to publishers
✨ What makes a great literary agent-author partnership, and what you should look for beyond simply finding someone willing to represent you
✨ Which speculative fiction subgenres are gaining momentum, which are struggling, and what agents are seeing behind the scenes
✨ Why even excellent manuscripts get rejected, and what actually happens after an agent signs you
✨ How publishers and agents are approaching AI-generated writing, editing, and brainstorming—and why Sam urges writers to steer clear
✨ Why reading widely in your genre, especially recently published books, is one of the most important things you can do to improve your craft and publishing prospects
If you're preparing to query, wondering whether your manuscript is ready for representation, or trying to understand what publishers actually want from debut authors, this episode is packed with practical advice and eye-opening insights. And perhaps most importantly, it's a reminder that rejection doesn't necessarily mean your novel isn't good enough. Publishing is a complicated business, and finding success often comes down to the right combination of strong craft, marketability, timing, and finding someone who genuinely loves your story.
🌻🌻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!🌻🌻
