
Wizards, Warriors, & Words: A Fantasy Writing Advice Podcast
A fantasy writing advice podcast, hosted by Jed Herne, Rob J. Hayes, Michael R. Fletcher, and Dyrk Ashton. Past guests include: Will Wight, Anthony Ryan, John Gwynne, Adrian Tchaikovsky, Anna Smith Spark, Gareth Hanrahan, Brian Staveley, R. J. Barker, and more. Each episode, we discuss a topic related to writing, editing, publishing, or marketing. With over 30 books published by our hosts - through traditional and self-published routes - you're bound to find new insights. Or at least hear some quality authorial banter. Subscribe for new episodes every Monday. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Feb 28, 2022 • 29min
3.09 We critique your covers & blurbs - part 1
Following up from a previous episode (3.06 Making covers & blurbs that sell your book), we had several brave listeners send in their books. In this episode, we critique them! Stay tuned for part 2 next week.Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/KcNSxOXhrSsIf you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 2022 • 29min
3.08 TV Adaptations with Peter McClean
Peter McClean's 'Priest of Bones' (billed as Peaky Blinders with swords) is getting adapted for TV! In this episode, Peter joins us to discuss the process, along with a host of other topics. If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 2022 • 30min
3.07 Fantasy Pet Peeves Gameshow
We run through a list of fantasy pet peeves (thanks for sending in so many!) and confess our writing sins. Featuring Peter McClean! (Author of Priest of Bones, Priest of Lies, Priest of Gallows, and Priest of Crowns). If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 7, 2022 • 39min
3.06 Making covers & blurbs that sell your book
Jed Herne, Rob J. Hayes, and Dyrk Ashton discuss how to create effective covers and blurbs. Improving your cover and blurb is critical when it comes to marketing your book - and there's quite a few mistakes you should watch out for. (We know, because we've made them!). Enjoy!Resources mentioned:Writing Killer Cover Copy by Elana Johnson: https://amzn.to/3KUSyBN (affiliate link)Kindlepreneur Bestseller Rank Calculator: https://kindlepreneur.com/amazon-kdp-sales-rank-calculator/If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2022 • 2min
What are your fantasy pet peeves?
Send us an email at wizardswarriorswords@gmail.com and let us know about your fantasy pet peeves! We're going to take these answers and use them in a future game show episode, so stay tuned :)--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 31, 2022 • 28min
3.05 How to get reviews before your book is published
We answer a listener question about getting reviews.Resources mentioned:Reedsy book review blog list: https://blog.reedsy.com/book-review-blogs/Booksirens: https://booksirens.com/Self-Published Fantasy Book-Off (SPFBO)If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 24, 2022 • 41min
3.04 (Listener Questions) Writing long series, disabled characters, and point of view
We answer listener questions from our wonderful patrons! If you want priority Q&A access (like these patrons enjoyed in this episode), please consider joining our patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsIf you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingJoin Jed Herne's Writing Advice Wednesday newsletter: jedherne.com/wednesdayEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 17, 2022 • 27min
3.03 How to avoid scams as a writer
There's a ton of predatory 'marketers' and 'publishers' looking to manipulate authors. In this episode, we share our experiences, discuss red flags, and explain how to avoid these scams.PS: If you're listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, please be sure to leave us a review!If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsJoin Jed Herne's Writing Advice Wednesday newsletter: jedherne.com/wednesdayEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 10, 2022 • 53min
3.02 Our fave books we read in 2021
The Wizards, Warriors, & Words crew discuss the best books (and movies!) we read/saw last year. Also, Jed posted a more detailed list of his top reads on his website: Click here to check it out.If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsJoin Jed Herne's Writing Advice Wednesday newsletter: jedherne.com/wednesdayEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 4, 2022 • 33min
3.01 What writing lessons did we learn in 2021?
We review the previous year, and explore some of the fantasy writing lessons we learned (and re-learned) in 2021.If you're interested in having Jed Herne edit your book, he'd love to work with you. Apply for book editing here: https://www.jedherne.com/editingSupport Wizards, Warriors, & Words on Patreon for bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/wizardswarriorswordsJoin Jed Herne's Writing Advice Wednesday newsletter: jedherne.com/wednesdayEmail us your questions: wizardswarriorswords@gmail.comFor more about our hosts and our books:Dyrk Ashton: paternusbooks.comMichael R. Fletcher: michaelrfletcher.comRob J. Hayes: robjhayes.co.ukJed Herne: jedherne.com--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.