Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian No

By Heather Davis, Writing Coach, Book Coach, and Developmental Editor, Many Worlds Writing

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Description

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.


Episode Date
Writing Age Category: Fix This Before You Query (with Ben Grange) | Episode 52
Apr 01, 2026
Writing Scenes: How to Build Mini Stories That Work | Episode 51
Mar 25, 2026
Writing Your Novel Your Way: The Hybrid Publishing Option (with Megan Sells, Atmosphere Press) | Episode 50
Mar 04, 2026
Do You Need an MFA to Succeed in Writing? | Episode 49
Feb 25, 2026
Writing Strong Pitches for Querying Success (with Julie Artz) | Episode 48
Feb 18, 2026
Stop Playing Nice: The Secret to Writing a Great Scene Is Conflict | Episode 47
Feb 11, 2026
The Secret to Powerful Writing: Three-Act Structure Demystified with Gabriela Pereira | Episode 46
Feb 04, 2026
The Art of Writing Irresistible First Lines | Episode 45
Jan 28, 2026
Writing That Sells: What New York Times Bestseller J.D. Barker Did Differently | Episode 44
Jan 21, 2026
Writing Backstory That Actually Works (5 Guidelines You Must Know!) | Episode 43
Jan 14, 2026
Writing Fantasy, Building Worlds, and Navigating the Publishing World with Leslye Penelope | Episode 42
Dec 10, 2025
Make Your Writing Unputdownable Through Interiority | Episode 41
Dec 03, 2025
Writing as a Business: Self-Publishing Like a Pro (with Alexa Bigwarfe) | Episode 40
Nov 19, 2025
Brain-Friendly Writing Strategies for Writers with ADHD (with Nicole Bross) | Episode 39
Oct 22, 2025
4 Types of Writing Feedback Every Author Must Understand | Episode 38
Oct 08, 2025
The 4 Non-Negotiable Writing Foundations Every Novel Needs | Episode 37
Sep 25, 2025
Debunking Harmful Writing Myths With Lisa Cron | Episode 36
Aug 13, 2025
Writing An Identity Not Your Own With Alex Temblador | Episode 35
Jul 30, 2025
Writing with Publishing in Mind: The Traditional Publishing Pathway Explained | Episode 34
Apr 24, 2025
Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 3) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 33
Feb 26, 2025
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Why are agents rejecting my novel? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 32
Feb 20, 2025
Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 2) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 31
Feb 13, 2025
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: Can I write a dual Point of View novel using a mixed POV structure? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 30
Jan 31, 2025
Fix Your Novel with the Save the Cat Blueprint (Act 1) | Writing Tips & Techniques | Episode 29
Jan 23, 2025
Ask Me Anything Thursdays: How Do I Make Readers Love My Protagonist? | Writing Techniques & Tips | Episode 28
Jan 16, 2025
3 Simple Ways to Supercharge Your Writing in 2025 | Episode 27
Jan 09, 2025
6 Key Steps to Finding Perfect-Fit Comp Titles for Your Novel (While You’re Still Writing) | Episode 26
Aug 22, 2024
5 Essential Questions You MUST Answer When Writing Your Opening Scene | Episode 25
Aug 08, 2024
9 Tricks to Overcome Writer's Block and Keep Your Writing on Track | Episode 24
Aug 01, 2024
4 Steps to Writing a Flawed Protagonist Who Readers Love | Episode 23
Jul 25, 2024
Quick Tip: 6 Steps to Establish a Writing Habit So You Can Finish Your Novel | Episode 22
Jul 18, 2024
The Timeline for Crafting a Solid Debut Novel: Writing Tips for Your First Book! | Episode 21
Jul 10, 2024
How to Write LGBTQ+ Characters with Confidence and Care: Special Guest Sam Cameron | Episode 20
Jun 20, 2024
The Goal, Motivation, Stakes, and Conflict Chain: How to Write with Narrative Drive | Episode 19
Jun 13, 2024
Exploring The Benefits and Dangers of AI Use in Writing | Episode 18
May 09, 2024
8 Essential Hacks for Writing and Self-Editing Your Manuscript to Perfection | Episode 17
May 02, 2024
Unlock the 7 Subtle Truths About Writing (That Will Make Your Story Better) | Episode 16
Apr 25, 2024
7 Crucial Steps to Creating and Writing a Captivating Magic System For Your Novel | Episode 15
Mar 28, 2024
9 Key Elements of Character Interiority: Writing Reality | Episode 14
Mar 21, 2024
7 Key Facts You MUST Know About Your Protagonist (Before Writing Another Word) | Episode 13
Mar 07, 2024
Show and Tell: The Secret to Writing Better Scenes | Episode 12
Feb 29, 2024
How to Turn a Narrative Summary into a Full Scene: Expanding Your Writing | Episode 11
Feb 22, 2024
The 10 Key Components of Writing a Great Scene | Episode 10
Feb 08, 2024
Writing Backstory without Info Dumping | Episode 9
Jan 25, 2024
7 Key Understandings to Help You Reframe Criticism of Your Writing | Episode 8
Jan 18, 2024
The 7 Golden Rules of Writing Great Dialogue | Episode 7
Jan 10, 2024
Master the 4 Essential Layers of Writing POV | Episode 6
Jan 03, 2024
How to Become a Better Writer | Episode 5
Dec 27, 2023
The 7 Principles of Simple Worldbuilding in Fantasy and Science Fiction | Episode 4
Dec 20, 2023
The Surprising Key to Making Any Protagonist "Likable" | Episode 3
Dec 10, 2023
Use This Simple Technique to Write Your First Novel | Episode 2
Dec 10, 2023
The Most Important Part of Writing Your Novel (That You're Probably Missing) | Episode 1
Dec 10, 2023
The Many Worlds Writing Podcast Trailer
Nov 25, 2023