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Welcome to the Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple Podcast! The show that’s all about how to brainstorm, write, edit, publish, and sell a powerful speculative fiction novel… and maybe just change the world too.
I'm your host, Heather Davis. I’m a seasoned book coach, developmental editor, and fellow storyteller. In my work with writers, I always see the same problems and roadblocks standing in their way and preventing them from achieving their dream of becoming a published author. So it’s my mission to be 100% real about what it takes to craft a cohesive and unforgettable speculative fiction novel. I’ll share the same tips, tricks, and techniques that I use with my own clients in order to help you write the best novel you’re capable of writing.
In my under-30-minute episodes, I’ll get right to the heart of the problem without wasting your valuable time. I’ll give concrete, actionable ways to address that problem that won’t leave you feeling overwhelmed or ready to give up. (That means that most of my episodes come with handy workbooks that you can grab for free right in my show notes!) But let’s be clear on one thing. Writing a good speculative fiction novel—you know, one that other people actually want to read it—is probably that hardest personal project you’ll ever willingly undertake. So this podcast doesn't downplay that hard work and promise that you’ll write a bestseller in 30 days or 6 months. (I personally don’t believe that good novels are written that way.)
Instead, this podcast embraces the hard, messy, and frustrating work that goes in to writing a great novel. My goal is to help you write a novel that you're proud of—one that holds together, one that makes people think, and one that makes readers want to read your work and buy your books again and again. From character arc to plot structure, from deep level worldbuilding to developing a kick-ass magic system, from honing your authorly voice to identifying your genre, from building an email list to hiring an editor, we’re gonna to cover it all.
So if that sounds like something that would be helpful to you in your writing journey, please take a second to follow or subscribe to the show. It would mean the world to me and it’s a really easy way to show your support and to make sure there are many more episodes to come!
Until next time, keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember: the world needs your stories right now, so don't you dare give up on your novel or yourself! See ya soon!
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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Writing Fantasy, Building Worlds, and Navigating the Publishing World with Leslye Penelope | Episode 42
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Dec 10, 2025 |
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Make Your Writing Unputdownable Through Interiority | Episode 41
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Dec 03, 2025 |
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Writing as a Business: Self-Publishing Like a Pro (with Alexa Bigwarfe) | Episode 40
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Nov 19, 2025 |
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Brain-Friendly Writing Strategies for Writers with ADHD (with Nicole Bross) | Episode 39
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Oct 22, 2025 |
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4 Types of Writing Feedback Every Author Must Understand | Episode 38
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Oct 08, 2025 |
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The 4 Non-Negotiable Writing Foundations Every Novel Needs | Episode 37
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Sep 25, 2025 |
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Debunking Harmful Writing Myths With Lisa Cron | Episode 36
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Aug 13, 2025 |
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Writing An Identity Not Your Own With Alex Temblador | Episode 35
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Jul 30, 2025 |
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Writing with Publishing in Mind: The Traditional Publishing Pathway Explained | Episode 34
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Apr 24, 2025 |
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Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 3) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 33
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Feb 26, 2025 |
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Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Why are agents rejecting my novel? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 32
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Feb 20, 2025 |
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Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 2) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 31
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Feb 13, 2025 |
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Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Can I write a dual Point of View novel using a mixed POV structure? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 30
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Jan 31, 2025 |
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Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 1) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 29
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Jan 23, 2025 |
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Ask Me Anything Thursdays: How Do I Make Readers Love My Protagonist? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 28
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Jan 16, 2025 |
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3 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Writing in 2025 | Episode 27
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Jan 09, 2025 |
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6 Key Steps to Finding Perfect-Fit Comp Titles for Your Novel (While You’re Still Writing) | Episode 26
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Aug 22, 2024 |
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5 Essential Questions You MUST Answer When Writing Your Opening Scene | Episode 25
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Aug 08, 2024 |
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9 Tricks to Overcome Writer's Block and Keep Your Writing on Track | Episode 24
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Aug 01, 2024 |
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4 Steps to Writing a Flawed Protagonist Who Readers Love | Episode 23
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Jul 25, 2024 |
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Quick Tip: 6 Steps to Establish a Writing Habit So You Can Finish Your Novel | Episode 22
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Jul 18, 2024 |
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The Timeline for Crafting a Solid Debut Novel: Writing Tips for Your First Book! | Episode 21
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Jul 10, 2024 |
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How to Write LGBTQ+ Characters with Confidence and Care: Special Guest Sam Cameron | Episode 20
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Jun 20, 2024 |
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The Goal, Motivation, Stakes, and Conflict Chain: How to Write with Narrative Drive | Episode 19
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Jun 13, 2024 |
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Exploring The Benefits and Dangers of AI Use in Writing | Episode 18
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May 09, 2024 |
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8 Essential Hacks for Writing and Self-Editing Your Manuscript to Perfection | Episode 17
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May 02, 2024 |
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Unlock the 7 Subtle Truths About Writing (That Will Make Your Story Better) | Episode 16
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Apr 25, 2024 |
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7 Crucial Steps to Creating and Writing a Captivating Magic System For Your Novel | Episode 15
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Mar 28, 2024 |
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9 Key Elements of Character Interiority: Writing Reality | Episode 14
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Mar 21, 2024 |
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7 Key Facts You MUST Know About Your Protagonist (Before Writing Another Word) | Episode 13
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Mar 07, 2024 |
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Show and Tell: The Secret to Writing Better Scenes | Episode 12
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Feb 29, 2024 |
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How to Turn a Narrative Summary into a Full Scene: Expanding Your Writing | Episode 11
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Feb 22, 2024 |
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The 10 Key Components of Writing a Great Scene | Episode 10
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Feb 08, 2024 |
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Writing Backstory without Info Dumping | Episode 9
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Jan 25, 2024 |
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7 Key Understandings to Help You Reframe Criticism of Your Writing | Episode 8
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Jan 18, 2024 |
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The 7 Golden Rules of Writing Great Dialogue | Episode 7
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Jan 10, 2024 |
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Master the 4 Essential Layers of Writing POV | Episode 6
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Jan 03, 2024 |
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How to Become a Better Writer | Episode 5
|
Dec 27, 2023 |
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The 7 Principles of Simple Worldbuilding in Fantasy and Science Fiction | Episode 4
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Dec 20, 2023 |
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The Surprising Key to Making Any Protagonist "Likable" | Episode 3
|
Dec 10, 2023 |
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Use This Simple Technique to Write Your First Novel | Episode 2
|
Dec 10, 2023 |
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The Most Important Part of Writing Your Novel (That You're Probably Missing) | Episode 1
|
Dec 10, 2023 |
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The Many Worlds Writing Podcast Trailer
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Nov 25, 2023 |