The Novel Analyst Podcast: Creative Writing Advice & Author Interviews

Hey there! I'm stoked to finally reveal my latest podcast: Wizards, Warriors, & Words. Jointly hosted by myself, Michael R. Fletcher, Dyrk Ashton, and Rob J. Hayes, each episode we explore an element of writing, editing, publishing, and marketing, with a focus on fantasy stories. Between us, we've published around 25 books - in both the traditional and self-published worlds. The first 3rd episodes are available to listen to for FREE right now. New episodes every week. In this particular Novel Analyst episode, I share episode 1 of the WWW podcast, where we discuss our best tips for writing great characters. Enjoy! Subscribe to the Wizards, Warriors, & Words podcast now: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/wizards-warriors-words-a-fantasy-writing-advice-podcast/id1526146915 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/48tHxinnYSUTm8Z1rCIONf Anchor: https://anchor.fm/wizardswarriorswords YouTube: http://youtube.com/channel/UCVjB-qFoNxNbQq0S3boWxIA Join Jed Herne's email newsletter for a free short story & behind-the-scenes updates: https://jedherne.com/lies --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My in-depth thoughts on Shadows of Self (Mistborn, #5) by Brandon Sanderson. Email: jed@jedherne.com Booknest Reviews: https://booknest.eu/review-2/jed --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was recently interviewed by Lavender Lass Books about Across the Broken Stars - my entry into this year's Self-Published Fantasy Book-Off, run by Mark Lawrence. This episode is the audio version of that interview. Enjoy! Twitter: @JedHerne Email: jed(at)jedherne.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gabriel Bergmoser and I sat down to discuss The Hunted (his latest thriller novel) in depth. This is the third time I've interviewed him, and somehow he keeps getting better. The Hunted is my favourite book of his and it was enthralling to dive into the mind of its creator. Enjoy! Buy The Hunted here: https://www.gabrielbergmoser.com/novels.html @gobergmoser www.gabrielbergmoser.com ------------------------------ Let me know what you thought on twitter: @jedherne ------------------------------ And if you'd like to try my own books, check out Fires of the Dead - a fast-paced fantasy novella, perfect for fans of The Hunted: https://jedherne.com/firesofthedead/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I recently did a live video in the Grimdark Fantasy Readers & Writers group, answering Qs about my writing. It was a lot of fun! Here's the audio replay - enjoy! novelanalyst.com And if you have any other questions, I love talking with you listeners - email me at: jed(at)jedherne.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I chat with Rob for the second time to discuss his latest grimdark fantasy trilogy, The War Eternal. The trilogy follows Eska, a young magician struggling to reconcile her urges for revenge with her longing for human connection. The books include: Along the Razor’s EdgeThe Lessons Never LearnedFrom Cold Ashes RisenWe also talk about overcoming doubts, Rob’s techniques for building captivating fantasy worlds, and which of his characters he’d share isolation with. Enjoy! Show Notes: My BookNest review of The Lessons Never Learned: https://bit.ly/jedreviews Rob’s twitter: @RoboftheHayes Rob’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHeresyWithin Rob’s blog: http://www.robjhayes.co.uk/ *** My twitter: @JedHerne --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

S. Andrew Swann is the pen name of Steven Swiniarski. He has published over 26 novels since 1993. His recent works include Sword of the Slayer – an interactive fiction story from Choice of Games. Show Notes: Steven's website: sandrewswann.com Twitter: @SAndrewSwann Facebook: facebook.com/sandrewswann Sword of the Slayer: choiceofgames.com/sword-of-the-slayer Steven's favorite books: - American Gods - Jim Butcher's Dresden Files - Peter F. Hamilton's books - Hyperion - The Fireman by Joe Hill --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Red Country is an innovative and captivating work, merging the fantasy and western genres into something new and fresh. A big part of its success are Abercrombie's vivid and immersive descriptive language. This episode dissects how to write setting descriptions that make readers feel like they're part of your story's world. Show Notes: My fantasy book, Across the Broken Stars, is free on Amazon until 01/05/2020! Get it here: https://amzn.to/2Ya3WEf Previous episodes on Joe Abercrombie's books: Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - A Simple Way to Craft Compelling CharactersThe Heroes by Joe Abercrombie - Exploring ThemeThe Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie - Characterisation through Contradiction --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Use this technique to generate compelling, flawed, three-dimensional characters. Show Notes: Fires of the Dead - available in audiobook, ebook, & paperback. Link to all formats here: jedherne.com/firesofthedead Link to the audiobook deal: bit.ly/FOTDchirp Episode 2 - The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie - Characterisation through Contradiction: bit.ly/bladeitselfNA 7 - The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie - Exploring Theme: bit.ly/theheroesNA --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to write stories where readers' decisions affect the outcome? Kate Heartfield is an author of several historical fantasy and interactive fiction stories, including The Road to Canterbury, and The Magician’s Workshop, published by Choice of Games. Her fiction has won or been shortlisted for the Nebula, Locus, Aurora and Crawford awards. Twitter: @kateheartfield Website: heartfieldfiction.com Show Notes: The Magician's Workshop - her interactive fiction story set in Renaissance Florence. Jed's twitter: @jedherne Jed's email: jed.herne1(at)gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I normally analyse novels. On this episode, I'm pulling lessons from another storytelling form to see how it can improve our writing. Enjoy! Show Notes: My email - send me your comments/questions/queries - I respond to every message -> jed.herne1(at)gmail.com Twitter: @jedherne Fires of the Dead - just $0.99 on Amazon for a limited time: https://amzn.to/39W9Xaq The Magician's Workshop: https://www.choiceofgames.com/magicians-workshop/ Sky Pirates of Actorious: https://www.choiceofgames.com/sky-pirates-of-actorius/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob J. Hayes is the author of the Amazon Best Selling The Heresy Within, the SPFBO-winning piratical swashbuckler Where Loyalties Lie, and the critically acclaimed Never Die. Website: www.robjhayes.co.uk Twitter: @RoboftheHayes Show Notes: Fires of the Deadhttps://jedherne.com/firesofthedeadhttps://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/46--Never-Die-by-Rob-J--Hayes---Choreographing-Excellent-Ensemble-Casts-easrkohttps://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/41--The-Ember-Blade-by-Chris-Wooding---Nailing-the-Opening-48-Pages-e96cua--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My fantasy novella, Fires of the Dead, is free on Amazon for the next 4 days! Check it out here: https://amzn.to/32BIwjC During its free period, it's reached: It's only free in eBook form, but you can download the free Kindle app to read it on any device or computer. Enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I analyse the brilliant dynamics behind Rob J. Hayes' eclectic crew in his wonderful grimdark fantasy book, Never Die. Enjoy! Show Notes: Listen to me read chapter 1 of my latest fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/episodes/Sneak-Peek---Chapter-1-of-Across-the-Broken-Stars---My-Upcoming-Space-Fantasy-Novel-ea9cnk/a-a1b1bre (Or just scroll down in this podcast feed to find it manually). --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buy Across the Broken Stars here: jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars Today's episode features the audio recording from my latest book launch. Enjoy! 00:00 - 10:20 - Jed's thoughts on how to become more creature 10:20 - 21:12 - Jed reads scene 1 from Across the Broken Stars 21:12 - onwards - Q & A from the audience. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buy a copy here: https://jedherne.com/broken And if you buy a copy before midnight Feb 9th, email your receipt to jed.herne1@gmail.com to receive free bonuses, including: Enjoy! Full Blurb: Leon has a secret. He was once an angel – a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space. He failed. Now, Leon’s a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks he’s the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leon’s doorstep. She’s an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim… Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation? Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed man’s search for forgiveness. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Left Hand of Darkness is a visionary sci-fi story about a lone human ambassador to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants’ biology allows them to choose—and change—their gender. His goal is to facilitate Winter's inclusion in a growing intergalactic civilization. But to do so he must bridge the gulf between his own views and those of the completely different culture that he encounters. Exploring psychology, society, and human emotion on an alien world, The Left Hand of Darkness is as a landmark achievement - especially considering that it came out in 1969! In this episode, I examined how despite being very slow-paced (or, perhaps, because of this), Le Guin's novel is incredibly engaging. Enjoy! Show Notes: Read my latest space fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars (out today!): https://jedherne.com/broken Got thoughts? Email me at jed.herne1 (at) gmail.com - I love hearing from you and I respond to as many messages as I can. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An in-depth look at creating interesting, cohesive magic that improves your story in meaningful ways. Show Notes: My interview with Justin, author of Master of Sorrows: https://novelanalyst.com/2020/01/07/justin-call-interview/ My upcoming space fantasy book, Across the Broken Stars: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49125250-across-the-broken-stars --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the upcoming release of my epic space fantasy novel, Across the Broken Stars, I'm sharing chapter 1 of the book. The actual book releases on Feb 3rd, 2020. Click here to learn more: jedherne.com/acrossthebrokenstars Leon has a secret. He was once an angel – a winged warrior sworn to protect Paya, a realm where people live on discs that float in space. He failed. Now Leon’s a broken man, trying to forget the past. He thinks he’s the last angel. But then a young fugitive stumbles onto Leon’s doorstep. She’s an angel, too. And she has a riddle leading to a place where angels still live. Or so the stories claim… Desperate for redemption, Leon begins a perilous quest through myth and folklore. But will Leon and the fugitive find their legendary destination? Or will Leon lose his last chance for salvation? Brutal and gripping, this is a story about a flawed man’s search for forgiveness. “If you are looking for an epic fantasy that has a unique setting, this is it.” – Kate Valent, Reedsy Discovery. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Justin Call graduated from Harvard University in 2012 with a Master's in Literature and Creative Writing. He has studied fantasy literature for almost two decades and is the author of Master of Sorrows, Book 1 of The Silent Gods tetralogy. Justin is also the CEO of Broomstick Monkey Games and co-designer of the games Imperial Harvest, Royal Strawberries, Royal Scum, and 8 Kingdoms. He currently lives in Park City, Utah with his wife, his two sons, his Great Dane (Pippa) and his St. Bernard-Mastiff (Herbie). Show Notes: https://justintcall.com/ https://twitter.com/Justin_T_Call https://justintcall.com/master-of-sorrows/ Justin's top writing-advice books/resources: - Save the Cat by Blake Snyder - The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell - The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell - The Writing Excuses podcast - 101 Habits of Highly Effective Writers - 101 Habits of Highly Effective Screenwriters Justin's top books/authors: - 'Crowfall' by Ed McDonald - Book of the Ancestor Series by Mark Lawrence - Anything by Brandon Sanderson (I second this suggestion). My notes: Half-Baked Stories podcast @jedherne (Twitter, Instagram) jedherne.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelanalyst/message Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.