Herman Steuernagel's Blog

In this episode of The Greatest Podcast in the Multiverse, I sit down with bestselling fantasy author Andrea Stewart, known for her incredible Drowning Empire trilogy that begins with The Bone Shard Daughter. Now, Andrea is back with her brand-new epic fantasy series starting with The Gods Below. We dive into her unique storytelling, how she builds intricate magic systems, and the journey that brought her to where she is today.

Andrea shares her inspiring (and sometimes nerve-wracking) path to publication, from years of rejection to finally landing her dream deal. Her persistence, creativity, and advice on analyzing what readers love about stories will motivate writers and readers alike.

We also chat about her creative process, the challenges of writing multiple points of view, and how she balances the demands of worldbuilding with character-driven storytelling. Plus, Andrea reveals how her love of scuba diving and science fiction inspired the magic system in The Gods Below.

Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fan of fantasy, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes process of crafting epic stories, this episode is packed with insights and fun moments. Stick around to learn more about Andrea’s journey, her upcoming projects, and what keeps her motivated to create worlds readers can’t put down!

Sarah Beth Durst is the New York Times Bestselling Author of 28 fantasy books. From Middle Grade to Adult, Sarah has written a lot of words in the fantasy genre.

Her latest smash hit, The Spellshop, is her entry into the Cozy Fantasy space, and as she discusses, came about because she wanted to write a story that was like a warm hug while drinking a cup of hot chocolate while curled under a blanket. 

We talk all about her book, the importance of developing well-rounded side characters, and how she comes up with her story ideas. 

This is truly a delightful conversation, thank you for joining us.

Be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodcastinthemultiverse?sub_confirmation=1

Grab a copy of The Spellshop: https://books2read.com/u/m2nZqj 

Check out Sarah’s website: http://www.sarahbethdurst.com/  

And her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarabethdurst  

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You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiverse 

*** 

Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop 

Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ 

Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpodcastinthemultiverse and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodcastinthemultiverse 

Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcast

Chimera - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractured-orbit 

And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fractured-orbit 

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Episode recorded using RiversideFM -  Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-steuernagel

**The links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week! 

What does it take to write believable and relatable characters?Zamil Akhtar joins me for a second interview, where we take a deep dive on how he’s crafted his characters for Gunmetal Gods, crafting realistic motivations and ensuring readers stay invested in unlikable protagonists. We do a deep dive on character development. If you’ve ever wondered how you can make your characters deeper and more believable, stick around, Zamil’s got some great tips. We also chat about the latest book in the series, Dark Drinker, and how it differs from the rest of the series.Thanks for joining us,Be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... a copy of Gun Metal Gods: https://books2read.com/u/bayoLQ Conqueror’s Blood: https://books2read.com/u/38lVQO Elder Epoch: https://books2read.com/u/mdaj7w Dark Drinker: https://books2read.com/u/3nPD79 Check out his website: https://zamilakhtar.com/ And his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zamilakhtar... * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

SummaryHave you wondered if you should self-publish or seek the traditional route? Stephen Aryan offers a unique perspective after a decade in the traditional publishing arena having several works published with Orbit Books.For his latest book, New York Minute, Stephen decided to take a different approach and self-publish. Find out why in this conversation. Stephen also shares his extensive journey as a writer, detailing the challenges and triumphs he faced in the traditional publishing landscape. He discusses the evolution of his writing process, the motivation behind his storytelling, and the influences that shaped his career. Aryan also introduces his latest work, 'New York Minute,' a cross-genre novella, and reflects on the shift towards self-publishing in today's market. We also chat about the importance of understanding the publishing landscape, the necessity of being business-minded as an author, and the joy of storytelling.We cover a lot of ground, but I’m sure you’ll learn something new.Thanks for joining us,If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... a copy of New York Minute: https://books2read.com/u/3JBJ8A Check out his website: https://stephen-aryan.com/ And YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@StephenAryan44 Follow Stephen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephenarya... And on X/Twitter: https://x.com/SteveAryan * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

What if it’s not too late to write that book? My guest today is Adam Bassett. He first published an anthology in 2015, which received little attention.He set writing aside, thinking his dreams were done. Since then he started working for the writing software company, Campfire. Which reignited that passion.Now Adam is publishing his newest short story anthology, called Digital Extremities. A different look at the cyberpunk landscape, following a series of characters outside of the typical narrative, in a slice of life fashion.We talk about his upcoming books, cyberpunk as a whole, as well as his work at Campfire, discussing how writers can use the tool for writing and publishing. We explore a lot of ground in this interview. I hope you enjoy the conversation.If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... a copy of Digital Extremities: https://books2read.com/u/3JBJ8A Follow Adam on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamcbassett/ And on X/Twitter: https://x.com/adamcbassett And be sure to check out Campfire here: https://www.campfirewriting.com * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

How do you build a decades-long writing career? For Liz Delton it’s meant working in a variety of fantasy subgenres over the 20 books she has under her belt.From cozy fantasy to her upcoming epic fantasy series, Liz often finds she’s got something for every fantasy lover. We cover the advice that she has for authors who want to write in a variety of genres, as well as why she has catered her marketing toward in person events. We chat about a lot in this interview, so like her books, there’s likely something here for everyone.If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... to Liz’s website - https://www.lizdelton.com/ Don’t miss her book Flames of Gold: https://books2read.com/u/3kNEqn Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizdeltonwr... * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

How do you build a decades-long writing career? For Liz Delton it’s meant working in a variety of fantasy subgenres over the 20 books she has under her belt.From cozy fantasy to her upcoming epic fantasy series, Liz often finds she’s got something for every fantasy lover. We cover the advice that she has for authors who want to write in a variety of genres, as well as why she has catered her marketing toward in person events. We chat about a lot in this interview, so like her books, there’s likely something here for everyone.If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... to Liz’s website - https://www.lizdelton.com/ Don’t miss her book Flames of Gold: https://books2read.com/u/3kNEqn Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lizdeltonwr... * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

Are you a plotter, a pantser, or something in between.Most writers think of themselves as an outliner of stories, or a discovery writer– figuring their stories out along the way. But what if there’s an easier way?Kimberly Grymes didn’t realize how much planning would help her writing, but then she discovered planning as a way forward.It has been so instrumental to her stories, that she’s crafted an entire workbook to help writers.No matter if you prep your story, or write by the seat of your pants. There’s something here for everyone. We chat about Kimberly’s Kickstarter for the workbook, but we also chat about her YA Fantasy books, and of course what she’s learned over the course of her writing career.There’s something here for everyone, I hope you’ll join us. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... out her Kickstarter campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... to Kimberly’s website - https://kimberlygrymes.com/ Don’t miss Kimberly’s podcast: From Ideas to Pages to Publishing: https://open.spotify.com/show/1niqakc... * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

Are you a plotter, a pantser, or something in between.Most writers think of themselves as an outliner of stories, or a discovery writer– figuring their stories out along the way. But what if there’s an easier way?Kimberly Grymes didn’t realize how much planning would help her writing, but then she discovered planning as a way forward.It has been so instrumental to her stories, that she’s crafted an entire workbook to help writers.No matter if you prep your story, or write by the seat of your pants. There’s something here for everyone. We chat about Kimberly’s Kickstarter for the workbook, but we also chat about her YA Fantasy books, and of course what she’s learned over the course of her writing career.There’s something here for everyone, I hope you’ll join us. If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodc... out her Kickstarter campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/... to Kimberly’s website - https://kimberlygrymes.com/ Don’t miss Kimberly’s podcast: From Ideas to Pages to Publishing: https://open.spotify.com/show/1niqakc... * * * You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiv... *** Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpod... and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodc... Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcas... - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractu... And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fra... * * *Episode recorded using RiversideFM - Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-... links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

Does writing need to be a lonely journey?

Today my guest is Joshua Walker. He’s an epic fantasy writer, but he’s one of the founding members of the Break-ins writing group. You’ve listened to interviews with some of my past guests who were also members. But now we get to hear how the group came to be. 

Joshua has also been writing his entire life, and in his works he seeks to explore themes of balance within nature, as well as colonialism. 

The Rest to the Gods was his debut novella, and An Exile of Water & Gold releases on September 3.

If you’re a fantasy fan, or have ever felt lonely on your writing journey, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

If you enjoy the episode, be sure to like, subscribe on YouTube, or leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice.

Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@greatestpodcastinthemultiverse?sub_confirmation=1

Head to Joshua’s website - https://joshuawalkerauthor.com/ to grab your free copy of The Rest to the Gods

And be sure to preorder or pick up An Exile of Water and Gold - https://books2read.com/u/3kNBpR 

Also find him on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jlw.author/ 

* * * 

You can check out this episode on all major streaming platforms & YouTube - https://linktr.ee/greatestinthemultiverse 

*** 

Get The Bartender Between Worlds on my website - https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/shop 

Or on other platforms - https://books2read.com/u/b5Y6jA/ 

Find the podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greatestpodcastinthemultiverse and on Facebook:: https://www.facebook.com/greatestpodcastinthemultiverse 

Also, be sure to check out my Science Fiction books, Eclipse, https://books2read.com/eclipse-podcast

Chimera - https://books2read.com/chimera-fractured-orbit 

And Resurgence - https://books2read.com/resurgence-fractured-orbit 

* * *

Episode recorded using RiversideFM -  Sign up today for access to premium recordings. - https://www.riverside.fm/?via=herman-steuernagel

**The links in the show notes may contain affiliate links - There is no additional charge to you, but it helps me continue to create and put out more content. Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!