Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

InBetweenDrafts

Episodes 66
Avg. Duration 32m
Activity Sporadic
Apple Rating 5.0 (9)
Since Oct 2024
Latest Episode Jan 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Every 2 Weeks
Format
Episodic
Consistency
41%
Hosting
www.omnycontent.com

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About This Podcast

Whether you're a beginner fantasy writer or maybe even a barbarian, Fantasy Writing for Barbarians can help take your story to some exciting new worlds. Hosted by Jon Negroni and produced by Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock.

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Recent Episodes

How to Hook Readers in the First Page of Your Fantasy Novel

Jan 29, 2026 25m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re breaking down a first‑page excerpt from the fantasy writing subreddit and asking a deceptively simple question: what actually makes an opening work? Jon…

How to Write Humorous Dark Fantasy (Like Terry Pratchett!)

Jan 16, 2026 16m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're responding to an email from a listener who wants to know how they can incorporate humor and levity in their dark fantasy novel. They specifically…

How to Write Fantasy in the Age of Short Attention Spans

Jan 05, 2026 27m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re digging into a question a lot of fantasy writers are quietly wrestling with: has modern fantasy been reshaped by short attention spans? Using Ursula K.…

How to Know if Your Fantasy is Young Adult, Adult, or New Adult

Dec 23, 2025 28m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we're answering a pretty thorny question. When it comes to young adult and adult fantasy, what are the real differences? There are a lot of rules and…

How to Know When Horror Counts as Fantasy

Nov 22, 2025 19m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a spooky-good question! Does horror count as fantasy? Jon dives into how genres overlap, why dark fantasy works best when it steals from…

How to Avoid Chapters Where Characters Just Talk

Nov 13, 2025 25m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a hot-button question from the fantasy writing subreddit: is it bad if most of your novel is just people talking? Jon digs into why…

How to Reveal Backstories without Boring Flashbacks

Sep 22, 2025 20m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling a listener email about how writers can unfold a character’s past without overwhelming the reader. Jon breaks down when to use flashbacks…

How to Write Travel Montages

Aug 15, 2025 19m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a listener email about one of the trickiest parts of writing epic fantasy: the dreaded travel montage. How do you keep the story moving when…

When to Give Up on Your Fantasy Novel and When to Start Over

Aug 04, 2025 23m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt listener email about knowing when to walk away from a draft and when to double down. If you’ve ever felt stuck between revising an…

10 Things Fantasy Writers Can Learn From James Gunn's 'Superman'

Jul 15, 2025 28m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re looking at what fantasy writers can learn from James Gunn’s Superman. Yes, really. Turns out, this big-hearted, punch-heavy superhero flick has a lot to…

How to Write Time Magic Without Breaking Your Story

Jul 11, 2025 21m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener wrestling with the cosmic chaos of time magic. They're drafting a novel with temporal twists (bending, looping, and…

How to Edit Your Own Work (and Someone Else's)

Jul 02, 2025 25m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener looking to break into the world of editing. Put simply, how do you do it without getting overwhelmed, underpaid, or…

How to Write Dark Fantasy that Doesn't Feel Hopeless

Jun 19, 2025 16m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering an email from a listener deep in the weeds of writing their dark, grimdark high fantasy series. It’s got all the makings of a brutal, layered…

3 Signs You Wrote an Unlikable Character – Fantasy Edition

Jun 04, 2025 20m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to Carl Duncan’s video, “5 Signs You Wrote an Unlikable Character” through the lens of writing unforgettable characters in fantasy (and we're…

How to Plot Fantasy Heists Readers Will Obsess Over

May 26, 2025 26m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re pulling off a full breakdown of how to write a fantasy heist (Victorian steampunk edition). One of our listeners wrote in with a killer manuscript…

Oblivion Is a Masterclass in Fantasy Writing. Here's Why.

May 23, 2025 20m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something a little unorthodox: I’m diving into what The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion—yes, the 2006 RPG recently remastered—can teach us about…

I Break Down the First Lines of My Own Fantasy Story (Here’s What Worked and What Didn’t)

May 20, 2025 31m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re doing something different: I'm breaking down the opening lines of my own fantasy short story, “Songs for the Dead and Drowning”, to show exactly what…

How to Write Slow Burn Romances

May 16, 2025 38m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re answering a heartfelt question from a fantasy author: how do you write a slow-burn romance in fantasy that keeps readers hooked instead of tuning out?…

The WORST Writing Advice on the Internet – Fantasy Edition

May 12, 2025 34m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re reacting to video from popular YouTuber Alyssa Matesic about the worst writing advice on the internet, but my commentary will be through the lens of the…

How to Create Your Own Mythologies

May 08, 2025 27m

Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re diving into the timeless question at the heart of all epic fantasy: how do you create your own mythology? Inspired by a Reddit post from Lexi, a…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Fantasy Writing for Barbarians have?

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians has published 66 episodes since October 2024, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is Fantasy Writing for Barbarians still active?

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians is currently sporadic with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 32m.

How do I contact Fantasy Writing for Barbarians for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, including email and social media links.

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