Explore every episode of the podcast Longwinded One: The Podcast

Join us as we sit down with LitRPG authors R.A. Cooper and Aoife Wai, who also collaborate under the shared pen name Cooper Wai. We explore the stories behind A Titan's Core, Battle Bard, Bone Queen, and the Uncharted Bloodlines Universe, diving into unwritten lore, deleted scenes, and the unexpected side characters who became reader favorites. We also discuss Hunter Origins, their cultivation tower-climbing story currently on Royal Road, the hidden library of exclusive stories on their website, and the editorial challenge of replacing A Titan's Core's original Ascender number system with a credit-based progression mechanic. If you enjoy behind-the-scenes looks at worldbuilding, character creation, and the writing process, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

This week on Spoiler Sessions, I sat down with Dakota Krout alongside his longtime audiobook collaborator Christian J. Gilliland for a wide-ranging conversation covering the past, present, and future of Dakota's ever-expanding universe of stories. We explored fan-favorite series including The Completionist Chronicles, Full Murderhobo, The Divine Dungeon, and the upcoming Chance Encounter, diving into lore mysteries like the origins of Cookie, Luke's mysterious sponsor, the fate of Murder World's earlier visitors, and the enigmatic force watching Joe in The Completionist Chronicles. Dakota also discusses how he creates so many wildly different systems and premises, shares stories about LitRPG Con traditions, and reveals a few personal favorites along the way. Christian gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at narrating more than 260 audiobooks, how his partnership with Dakota began, and whose idea those beloved audiobook bloopers really were. If you're a fan of Dakota's worlds—or just want to hear two creators clearly having a great time together—this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In this Spoiler Session, we sit down with author Travis Deverell (Shirtaloon) and narrator Heath Miller just four weeks before LitRPG Con to dissect the massive thirteen-book journey of Jason Asano. Travis reflects on the evolution of his non-traditional hero, speculating on whether current-book Jason would win an argument against his Book 1 self, while discussing the difficulty of keeping curse-based combat interesting as the stakes escalate. We explore the emotional fallout of character death, the strategic use of epilogue chapters to flesh out the world, and the challenges of balancing LitRPG elements during the series' transitions between worlds. Finally, Heath Miller provides a behind-the-scenes look at how he has evolved Jason’s voice through the various ranks and which characters from the hundreds in the series have been the most difficult to maintain over the years.

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, I sit down with author Reck Well to dive deep into their LitRPG series *Stumbling Up*. We explore some of the story's biggest mysteries, including whether the System is truly neutral, the possibility of more off-worlders arriving from Earth, Meredeath's missing sister, and the truth behind Richard the banana slug's immortality and origins. We also discuss one of the series' most debated questions: did Richard secretly save Leo's life? As a special surprise, narrator Jeremy Frazier joins the conversation to talk about bringing Richard's unforgettable voice to life, recording a dual-narrator production, and how regional character backgrounds influenced his performance. If you're a fan of dungeon crawls, lovable slugs, mysterious Systems, and behind-the-scenes audiobook insights, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

This week on Spoiler Sessions, I sat down with LitRPG pioneer Luke Chmilenko, joined by special guest narrator Neil Hellegers, to talk about everything from the upcoming traditional hardcover release of Ascend Online through Aethon to Luke's future projects, Requiem and The Last Sovereign. We discussed how LitRPG has evolved since the genre's early days, which trends Luke was excited about. Luke also shared some early hints about the themes and magic systems behind his upcoming series, while Neil offered a fascinating look at the challenges of bringing characters like Sylvas and Mira to life in Starbreaker. Whether you're a longtime Ascend Online fan or curious about what's next from one of the genre's most influential authors, this episode was packed with behind-the-scenes insights and plenty of spoilers.

LitRPG author Ryan Tang joins the podcast for a deep dive into Mimic & Me, Second Chance Circus, and the challenges of building long-running progression fantasy worlds. Joined by guest co-host Dakota from the UpperPen Podcast, we talk about Chester’s hidden past, foreshadowing demons and Calamities, balancing planning versus letting a story “breathe,” and how Ryan completely reworked characters, cities, and story structure after lessons learned from Royal Road serialization. We also get into co-author collaboration with Cassius Lange, the future of the Calamity Arc, and the differences between writing chaotic comedic moments and building a cohesive narrative readers can invest in for the long haul.

In this Spoiler Session, I’m joined by Jason Downs from DownstoRead as we sit down with John Stovall to dig deep into the world behind Demon Card Enforcer. We talk about the design philosophy behind new cards and expansions, the gods and factions driving the Great Game, and how future series like Card Apocalypse fit into the larger setting he’s building. If you enjoy deep worldbuilding, card mechanics, multiverse theories, and behind-the-scenes LitRPG discussion, this episode has a lot to unpack.

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, The Longwinded One sits down with LitRPG veteran Harmon Cooper and special guest Andrea Parsneau for a conversation about the evolution of the genre, the rise of audiobook-first audiences, and how author and narrator collaborations can shape a series for years. Harmon and Andrea talk about how they first started working together back in 2018, what they think LitRPG has managed to preserve as it exploded into the mainstream, and whether the massive growth of Audible has changed the way stories are written and paced. The discussion also dives into Harmon’s upcoming LitRPG, I Can’t Believe I Have to Defeat the Demon Lord to Pay Off My Student Loans, including the absolutely ridiculous inspiration behind the title and premise, along with a look at his upcoming collaboration with Luke Chmilenko. If you’ve ever wondered how much the genre has changed, how audio has transformed storytelling, or what happens when experienced creators stop pretending they have every answer planned out in advance, this is a great conversation to jump into.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dennis from Dennis Reads LitRPG as we sit down with Haylock Jobson to dive into the world of Heretical Fishing. We explore why fishing is treated as heresy in the setting and whether that taboo has real roots or is just a lingering belief no one questions anymore. We also get into the turning point in Book 2 where food becomes a pathway to cultivation and how that idea evolved into such a core part of the story. Haylock shares his thoughts on letting the animal companions completely run wild in scenes, often stealing the spotlight in the best ways, and talks about his approach to keeping the magic system intentionally loose so it doesn’t box in the story.

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, we sit down with RinoZ and special guest Jeff Hays to dig into Chrysalis from the inside out. We explore big “what if” moments like whether Anthony could ever replace or rebuild the Queen and what that would mean for the colony’s identity, break down the comedic (and maybe not-so-comedic) dynamic between Isaac Bird and Morrelia, and talk about how characters like Michaelangelant helped the colony evolve from a hive into a full cast with personality. We also get into Travelling Tolly and the sense that there’s always more happening off-screen in the world than we see. We even touch briefly on Book of the Dead, contrasting its darker system-driven storytelling with the humor and progression of Chrysalis, making this a must-listen for LitRPG fans who want a behind-the-scenes look at both the writing and performance sides of the series.

In this Spoiler Session, we sit down with Stuart Grosse and go straight into specific moments across his series. We dig into Memoirs of a Supervillain, breaking down Iceblade’s own villain categories and how his identity shifts over time, along with the darker early scenes that may not have made the cut. In Dark Fate, we talk about whether the MC ever had a more heroic path (he didn't). We also get into the core concept behind Lewd Dungeon and whether the dungeon core start was always the plan, and wrap with Reborn as the First Boss, focusing on the goblin sections and how item and ability design had to be adjusted to keep fights from becoming trivial.

Four of the voices helping shape the LitRPG community sit down for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about what really keeps the genre thriving. Evan Durham and Jay Taylor from the LitRPG Group, Sean Hall from LitRPG Books, and Stephen Landry from Club Kaiju break down how they became moderators, what separates a great community from a chaotic one, and why they keep coming back day after day. The discussion dives into the debates that never seem to die, the trends defining today’s readers, and the surprising reasons LitRPG communities stay so active and engaged compared to other genres. Most importantly, they tackle the big question: can LitRPG hold onto its tight-knit, grassroots identity as it continues to explode in popularity, or is that sense of community something that inevitably changes as the genre grows?

Michael Chatfield joins me and special co-host Jess from In Other Worlds Podcast for a deep dive into Restarting the Apocalypse, Ten Realms, and Emerilia. We talk about the original version of RTA, where Len and Rick were first meant to build up a refuge in Eskon City before the apocalypse, how the series is evolving as characters begin to feel like legends in their own worlds, and how long Michael thinks the series might ultimately run as Book 4 releases May 4th. We also get into Ten Realms ahead of Book 1 hitting bookstores and the May 18 book tour, including the lingering fan curiosity around Kun Lun’s granddaughter and one of those smaller healing-related threads readers still remember. And for Emerilia, Michael shares how Dave was originally just supposed to be the guy who wanted to build a home, drink beer, and have a good time, before the series expanded into something much bigger, plus how he decided where to draw the line so it wouldn’t lose the fantasy, party-based feel that made readers fall in love with it in the first place.

JD Glasscock stopped by to talk about some of the most emotionally charged parts of his work, including why Shira’s “The Leap” from Nocturne remains the single best scene he feels he’s ever written and why Jebediah’s PTSD was such an essential part of shaping Warborn. We also got into what trauma, sacrifice, and survival mean across his stories, while special guest Michael Norman Johnson, narrator of Warborn (alongside Sarah Puckett), joined the conversation to bring in the audiobook side of things. To top it off, JD also shared updates on the multiple music albums he has coming out over the next few months and teased a brand-new Wonderland-inspired Steampunk Grimdark LitRPG project currently in the works.

In this episode, we sit down with J.L. Mullins to dig into both Millennial Mage and Choose Your Apocalypse, starting with a fan theory that might sound wild but raises real questions about the deeper structure of his world—is Millennial Mage secretly compatible with something like Warhammer 40k? From there, we get into the future of the series, what almost happened behind the scenes with characters who were originally meant to die, and one of the biggest questions readers have right now: what actually happened to Kit during the Reforging. We also shift over to Choose Your Apocalypse to talk about the intent behind the “Apology Tutorial,” what it says about the System itself, and whether romance is even on the table for Alex. It’s a mix of theory, author insight, and just enough behind-the-scenes detail to give longtime readers something new to chew on.

In this episode, Casualfarmer joins The Longwinded One and guest host Samantha Boyd for a deep dive into the lore and development of Beware of Chicken. The conversation explores the origins of Xiulan’s character, as well as the mysterious backstory of her mother and the circumstances that brought her to Azure Hills. We also unpack the controversial betrayal of the Verdant Blade Sect, discuss how power actually works among cultivation sects in the series, and explore some of the deeper political and historical layers shaping the world of Beware of Chicken. It’s a fun mix of behind-the-scenes writing insight and cultivation lore for fans of the series.

In this episode, I’m joined by author Aaron Michael Ritchey, creator of Shadowcroft Academy for Dungeons and the Dungeon Accountant series, to talk about the strange and hilarious worlds of LitRPG authors. We dig into fan questions about why Logan begins Shadowcroft as a fungaloid, the chaos of Marko the goatman, and how something as bizarre as a professor specializing in silverware studies became part of the academy’s lore. We also explore the wider universe that links Shadowcroft and Dungeon Accountant, including themed worlds like the infamous puppy planet plus, and a visit from the narrator, Henry Kramer, that adds a little extra chaos to the episode (in the best possible way).

In this episode, I’m joined by Royal Road author AlwaysRollsAOne, along with special guest Camadt (aka Alex Hancock), to dig into the deeper layers of his universe, including the worlds of A Soldier’s Life and A Gladiator’s Life. We talk about what older societies like the elves might really know about the demon war, whether cyclical threats like the shadow clouds are meant to return, and how long-running plot threads evolve over nearly a decade of storytelling. We also discuss how POV chapters come together and how perspective shapes what readers see versus what stays behind the scenes, and take questions from the fans in chat.

In this episode, I take a deep dive into the worlds of Troy Osgood with special guest Richey Stephens of Richey’s Players Guild, exploring the ideas and creative decisions that shaped some of his biggest series. We discuss the original direction of Tales of a Far Rider, the ambitious 20+ book concept behind Sky Realms Online, and how the time jumps in The Connected System help tell a larger story of survival and civilization-building. We also talk about living and writing in New England, the collaborative process behind co-authored projects like the Jeff the Gamemaster series, and the community that makes LitRPG Con such a blast.

In this episode, we sit down with litrpg author Hunter Mythos to explore the surprising connections between his series and the characters that define them. From apocalypse survival and overpowered mastery to violence-driven progression and dungeon conquest, Hunter breaks down how each of his main characters represents a different path to strength and how they all trace back to his very first protagonist. We also dive into the possibility of a future regressor story, the chances of one of his works becoming a Webtoon, and the ultimate showdown question: in a fair fight, who wins between Joey Eclipse, Jay Luckrun, Arden the Nomad, and Zarian Darkrun? Joining the conversation is special guest Daryl Mayfield, narrator of Path of the Slayer.

In this episode, we sit down with fantasy author Shami Stovall for a deep dive into the worlds behind her stories — from the creatures that never made it into The Frith Chronicles to hidden secrets in Words of Power, including the mystery surrounding the Warden and some of the most popular fan theories about their identity. We also shine a spotlight on beloved side characters like Fain, Adelgis, Karna, and Sorin, exploring why they’ve resonated so strongly with readers. Joining the conversation is special guest Erebus Espirit, narrator of The Crown Tournament (co-written by Shami Stovall and Ryan Tang), for a behind-the-scenes look at bringing these characters to life in audio.

In this episode, Plum Parrot is joined by special guest Robb Moreira for a wide-ranging conversation driven by reader questions and behind-the-scenes craft talk. We tackle the long-running fan question of when Hector might finally become a berserking werewolf, dig into what “end game” really means for Victor as Victor of Tucson pushes deeper into its later stages, and explore whether there’s any universe overlap between Plum Parrot’s different series beyond the known Victor / Falling with Folded Wings connection. The discussion also covers Plum Parrot’s approach to worldbuilding, character creation, and outlining when launching a brand-new series, with Robb adding perspective from his own work on Victor of Tucson, Vainglory, and Neon Dust.

In this episode, I sit down with LitRPG author David North to dig deep into the world behind Guardian of Aster Fall, River of Fate, and Wild Era. We talk about what Sam is really doing after the end of Aster Fall, why a 5,000-year time jump in Wild Era isn’t as long as it sounds, and the role of Astral Titans and Sovereigns. Joining us is author Aaron Renfroe, who tells us why David "saved his life," and lets us in on his own spoiler- an upcoming collaboration with David!

Guardian of Aster Fall 1-2: Deluxe Edition Hardcovers:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/139503319

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, I sit down with LitRPG author J.J. Thorn to dig into unused and abandoned lore from The Weight of It All. Thorn also shares what System Orphans: Claire was originally meant to become, why Claire wasn’t intended to be the only orphan, plus we get into a fan theory about a key character in the series. We also chat about his book club, the behind-the-scenes numbers and logistics of the annual massive LitRPG summer sale (including the traffic it pulls), and his webcomic Don’t Combust. We round things out with a look at audiobook adaptations and working with narrator Gabriel Vaughan.

Next Release:

Reaper's Madness Pre-Order: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSYXKFV2

Books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/J.J.-Thorn/author/B08RSMG2Z1

Website:

www.jjthornbooks.com

Webcomic:

Webtoon Canvas Link: https://www.webtoons.com/en/canvas/dont-combust/list?title_no=1110445 

Tapas Link:  https://tapas.io/episode/3762308

Globalcomix: https://globalcomix.com/c/don-t-combust

Socials: @jjthornbooks

In this episode, Erin Ampersand joins me to talk about Apocalypse Parenting and the ideas driving the series, including why she chose to center the story on parents and kids and how community becomes the real survival mechanic. We touch on the shared universe between Apocalypse Parenting and Engineer’s Odyssey, explore reader interest in what comes after the series, and dig into characters like Pointy and Fluffy. The conversation turned a bit to Erin's new book, Measureless Magic, and we got a special guest in the form of Laurie Catherine Winkel, narrator extraordinaire.

On this episode of Spoiler Sessions, Jared hangs out with LitRPG authors J. Krauss (Will of the Immortals, The Immortals Mask, and the new VRMMO Lighting the Forge) and Tommy Kerper aka Sourpatch Hero (I’m Not the Hero) for a conversation about the stuff readers actually obsess over: side characters, cut lore, and the worldbuilding that never makes it on-page. They talk about Tommy’s unused locations like Veskar (and why authors suffer when their characters refuse to go where you want them to), the "dragon arc", and Jay’s new VRMMO setting, complete with Jade, an AI who’s basically the game’s goddess. If you love craft talk, fan theories, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape a series, you’re going to love this one!

In this episode, we sit down with Sean Oswald to dig into the craft and business of writing LitRPG at scale. We talk about writing to audio and why audiobooks make up such a significant portion of his readership, the future of Life in Exile as it heads toward book seven, and how four of his series coexist within a shared multiverse while still standing on their own. Peter Berkrot, narrator of Life in Exile, joined us for this candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about storytelling.

This week on the show, I’m joined by Tao Wong, author of The System Apocalypse and A Thousand Li. We dig into both series, including unused scenes, unwritten lore, and choices that shaped their endings—like new material added to the print editions of A Thousand Li and the never-written “Book 5.5” of The System Apocalypse. We also tackle long-running fan questions: Master Cheng’s fate, and what ultimately happened to Ali and Mikito. It’s a spoiler-aware conversation about progression fantasy, wuxia, xianxia, and why not every story is meant to close every door.

This week on Spoiler Sessions, I’m joined by sci-fi and LitRPG author Dawn Chapman to talk about her interconnected universe spanning Razor’s Edge and Through Steel and Stars. We dig into Pops’ origin story and the creation of the Razor’s Edge. Dawn shares insight into unwritten lore, character dynamics (including the much-talked-about Mal and Rus pairing). We are joined by Dawn's long-time friend and litRPG narrator, Wayne Mitchell. If you’re interested in how progression sci-fi is built from the ground up—both technically and emotionally—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

JD Mullenary Sr. joins the show to talk about QuestWright and the Symphony series (formerly Creation), including how he builds his systems from scratch and what drives his worldbuilding approach. We get into Gatekeeper Jim’s unwritten backstory, Johnny’s role in Cassio’s arc, and how “negative space” can make a world feel bigger without overexplaining.

Partway through the conversation, Johnathan McClain, narrator of the Symphony audiobooks, joins in to talk about performing the series, working with dense lore, and why characters like Dionysus are such a blast to voice.

The episode stays spoiler-aware while still digging into craft, planning, and what’s coming next for both universes.

In this episode of Spoiler Sessions, I sit down with TJ Lombardi, author of Golem Master, for a deep-dive conversation that goes well beyond surface-level book talk. We focus on two things fans rarely get to hear about: unused scenes and side characters.

Along the way, the episode turns into a full community hangout, with surprise appearances from Eric Ugland, Bosloe, Jess from the In Other Worlds Podcast, and Jay Beraz (some of whom appear in both the books and in real life).

In the Season Six premiere of Spoiler Sessions, we kick things off with LitRPG standout Ryan Maxwell, author of the Grand System Vending series. In this post-apocalyptic, system-integration survival story, the world ends, and the System arrives.

Ryan (dog lover, father of three, Texan, and EdTech/IT professional) joins us to dig into: How Grand System Vending works under the hood: magic rules, spell creation, and the role of patrons, gods, deities, and fan theories about the mysterious dragon teased in book three.

We’re also joined by surprise guest Steve Campbell, the narrator behind GSV, who talks about what makes Tom, Derrick, and James’ banter and loyalty hit so hard—both in combat and when the emotional bottom drops out.

This episode was recorded live with an audience and plenty of chaos—exactly what Season Six is all about.

https://longwinded.one/episode-251-spoiler-sessions-ryan-maxwell/

In this episode, Jared (the author) and Chris (the narrator) of Children of the Cold Moon talk about the story and the process of making the book. They introduce the last four chapters of Part 1 of the book. You get to listen to chapter 2. We hope you enjoy.

We hope you enjoy chapter one of our audiobook. Meet Bren and Tathan/Morias.

Read more on Royal Road:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/88011/children-of-the-cold-moon-the-four-treasures-saga⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Reader Compendium:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.longwinded.one/season-5-the-children-of-the-cold-moon/⁠

Book1:

Amos got in a car accident, and he didn't get isekaied, reincarnated or transmigrated! That happened five years later when his transplanted heart failed. But why would the Endless One grab an artist and animator to run a barony? What would the knowledge of thousands of hours of watching YouTube videos do to help a struggling barony prosper? Could it help shield the barony from the coming civil war of the kingdom of Falmoren?

Chosen of the Endless One

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/70775/chosen-of-the-endless-one-kingdom-building

Ben Kramer

https://benkramervo.com

Carson Spencer, author of Chosen of the Endless One, reflects on his progression from avid reader to Isekai writer. Growing up in the Chicago suburbs, Carson was drawn to the imagination of books and video games. Inspired by Russian litRPG classics like Way of the Shaman and the kingdom-building elements of Destiny’s Crucible, Carson shares how he created his unique world. This interview captures the essence of creativity and community within the Royal Road platform and the broader progression fantasy genre.

Survival Quest: Way of the Shaman

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CRD2FXM

All the Skills

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM51RQR8

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/55687/all-the-skills-a-deckbuilding-litrpg

Chosen of the Endless One

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/70775/chosen-of-the-endless-one-kingdom-building

Join us as we talk to the author/narrator team of the Noobtown and Fifth Era Apocalypse series. We cover topics from the pop culture references in Noobtown to what the working title of book eight is. We even play a little game about the characters of Noobtown to see if the dynamic duo view the characters in the same light. Lastly, we learn about why there was a slight delay in Ryan's prolific publication schedule AND about Johnathan's new projects.

Note:

Since the recording of this podcast, our prediction about LitRPG has come true.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/RyanTRimmel/

https://www.patreon.com/Noobtown

https://www.johnathanmcclain.com

https://www.meetyourmaker.world

Fiona Swiftheart was the hero of Fiefdala. She banished the evil dragon lord to the swampy wastelands, and returned to the capital of the kingdom she saved--and then got taxed for the loot she took from the oversized lizard?! Too bad that no one told her the King went on a long-term vacation, before she got back. He put his scummy son on the throne, who decided cuteness and heroics weren't cool! Faced with either jail or paying up, Fiona traded in huge swords, armor, and the adventuring life to don a business suit and opened a merchant store, to try to sell off stuff that no one could possibly afford to buy! Except when she got her merchant license, she signed up for more than she bargained for! At least her business degree from her previous life wouldn’t be wasted. Join Fiona as she pursues a smaller life, builds hobbies, and makes friends who aren't dead set on fighting the next great villain at the drop of a hat! And pays taxes. She hates taxes. More than lawyers or lawmen.

Newly Broke Heroine!

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95161/newly-broke-heroine-slice-of-life-fantasy-adventure

Gwen Leitner

https://gwenleitner.com

Magius Swiftscale, author of The Newly Broke Heroine, shares how his love for reading Michael Crichton and Dragonlance novels shaped his passion for storytelling. A lifelong reader turned engineer, Magius reveals how modern technology helped him balance writing with his busy life. He discusses his journey into the litRPG space through Royal Road and emphasizes the importance of character-driven narratives in creating compelling stories. This interview highlights the blend of nostalgia and innovation in Magius’s work.

Newly Broke Heroine!

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95161/newly-broke-heroine-slice-of-life-fantasy-adventure

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/Magius_Swiftscale

Bluesky

https://bsky.app/profile/magius-swiftscale.bsky.social

What happens when King Arthur is gone, and Camelot has an empty throne?

The answer: When legends die, new legends must be born.

Gawain, Knight of the Round Table, and the powerful witch Nimue, successor of Merlin, are faced with a kingdom in chaos after King Arthur's apparent death. In response, they form an alliance to take the throne of Camelot and restore the peace that King Arthur brought. But standing in their way are rebel factions, contenders and pretenders for the throne, enemy mages, and mysterious forces that seem to come from a Darkness beyond this world. So in order to bring peace, Gawain draws his sword, Nimue unleashes her magic, and together they prepare for...The War of Camelot.

The Book of Avalon Eternal

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93279/the-book-of-avalon-eternal

X/Twitter

https://x.com/AustenKeats

John Kennard

https://voiceactor.com/site/johnkennard

https://x.com/JK__VA

In this episode we talked with two podcasters: Max Heiliger of the CritRPG Podcast and Dakota VanLinden of the UpperPen Podcast. These two were inspiration to me, as I began season 5 and decided to switch to LitRPG authors and narrators. Come and listen as we talk about our favorite genres, and the secrets of what goes on behind the scene of a podcast.

Links:

https://linktr.ee/madix3

https://upperpen.com/

In this interview, Austen Keats, author of The Book of Avalon Eternal, shares his deep love for Arthurian legend, tracing his inspirations back to classic fantasy works like The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. He discusses the impact of Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur on his storytelling and reveals how speculative fiction shaped his writing journey. Austen also dives into his fascination with tabletop-inspired epics, such as the Malazan Book of the Fallen, which expanded his creative horizons. Fans of literary lore and Arthurian tales will find this conversation enchanting and insightful.

The Book of Avalon Eternal

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93279/the-book-of-avalon-eternal

X/Twitter

https://x.com/AustenKeats

Malazan Encyclopedia – An online resource for The Malazan Book of the Fallen series.

https://malazan.fandom.com/wiki/Malazan_Wiki

YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@AustenKeats

Royal Road Profile – Austen Keats' work on Royal Road.

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93279/the-book-of-avalon-eternal

Le Morte d’Arthur – By Sir Thomas Malory.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/672875.Le_Morte_d_Arthur?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=6nb4wAiIN5&rank=1

The Once and Future King – By T.H. White (and its subset The Sword in the Stone and The Book of Merlin).

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43545.The_Once_and_Future_King?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=zTnMj8AMnK&rank=1

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48044.The_Book_of_Merlyn?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=XmGx9PKnYO&rank=3

The Book of the New Sun – By Gene Wolfe.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/968868.The_Book_of_the_New_Sun?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=2gCQXJT4cA&rank=3

The Malazan Book of the Fallen – By Steven Erikson and Ian C. Esselmont.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20345548-the-complete-malazan-book-of-the-fallen?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=NPTdF8ZELC&rank=11

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft – By Stephen King.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10569.On_Writing?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_16

The world is dying, and everyone knows it. But is the alternative worse? In rust-choked streets and hollowed-out cities, there is only one way out—Terra Mythica, a virtual world so immersive that time warps, hunger vanishes, and even the most broken can live like kings. Jace wasn’t supposed to make it in. He cheated death, and now it’s catching up to him. As the reluctant protégé of Hades, Jace finds himself thrust into Mount Olympus University, where gods manipulate Travelers, and the line between real and digital blurs with every step. Here, survival is about more than just staying alive—it’s about clinging to your mind before it slips away, lost in this strange never-never land. In this mythological LitRPG, follow Jace as he battles deadly trials, navigates treacherous alliances, and uncovers shocking secrets. His fight isn’t just for glory—it’s for his soul. If you crave epic tales of battling impossible odds and finding light in the darkness, Terra Mythica will pull you in and never let go.

Shadow Light Press

https://shadowlightpress.com/

Terra Mythica: A LitRPG Adventure - Volumes 1 and 2

https://mybook.to/qhJCr

Mark Garkusha

https:/x.com/markdmitri

Dungeon Lord is coming back on August 28, 2024! In this interview we get to talk with the creator, Hugo Huesca, and the narrator, Jeff Hays (of Soundbooth Theater fame). We talk about where Hugo has been the last five years, we learn that both of these creators are also into MMA, and we learn that Soundbooth Theater will be hosting their own conference next summer!

Links:

https://hugohuesca.com

https://soundbooththeater.com

https://litrpgcon.com

John, known by his pen name Fobywoby, author of Terra Mythica, offers a heartwarming take on how storytelling helped him overcome childhood dyslexia. Reflecting on the emotional power of literature, he describes the impact of works by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett. He shares his vision of a Blade Runner-esque world that merges futuristic and retro aesthetics in Terra Mythica. John’s reflections on escapism, creativity, and the evolving litRPG genre make this episode a must-listen for sci-fi and fantasy fans.

Shadow Light Press

https://shadowlightpress.com/

Amazon Links:

Terra Mythica: A LitRPG Adventure - Volumes 1 and 2

https://mybook.to/qhJCr

Endless Worlds Online: Elsewhere - Name of the Game

https://www.amazon.com/Endless-Worlds-Online-Elsewhere-GameLitRPG-ebook/dp/B0DL3G3LX2/

Royal Road Links:

Fobywoby: Terra Mythica: A LitRPG Adventure

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/89308/terra-mythica-a-litrpg-adventure

Mostly Dead: A Paranormal Urban Fantasy

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95671/mostly-dead-a-paranormal-urban-fantasy

Declan Darkmor: Endless Worlds Online: Elsewhere - Name of the Game

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93761/endless-worlds-online-elsewhere-name-of-the-game

Declan Darkmor: Dungeon Ex-Master: A Reverse Isekai Dungeon Apocalypse

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/97407/dungeon-ex-master-a-reverse-isekei-dungeon-apocalypse

Declan Darkmor: DNA: The Awakened - A Slice of Life Academy Apocalypse

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/97340/dna-the-awakened-a-slice-of-life-academy-apocalypse

Declan Darkmor: Declan Dark: Dark Daze - A Game/LitRPG Vampire Detective

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/97340/dna-the-awakened-a-slice-of-life-academy-apocalypse

EmrysAmbrosius: Rise of the Infernal Paladin: A System Apocalypse

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/91573/rise-of-the-infernal-paladin-a-system-apocalypse

Domr: Return of the Wind Mage

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/87802/return-of-the-wind-mage-check-out-my-new-novel

Fiddlesoup: Penance: Prison of the Gods

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/88661/penance-prison-of-the-gods-check-out-my-new-story

PolinkaP: Into the Deep Wood

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/90105/into-the-deep-wood

D.M. Rook: Hounds of Orion

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/95393/hounds-of-orion

Luke J. Anthony: Devil Kissed: Paranormal Romance

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/93915/devil-kissed

Immersive Ink

https://discord.gg/eYKUctqs8y

In a High Fantasy world where Kings and crime lords run rampant due to a miscalculation made by the Adventurer’s Guild long ago, Karsten falls head-first into a fantastically strange forest with only the clothes on his person to his name. He is saved by the Ranger, Medoly, who shows him to the Adventurer’s Guild - unintentionally setting her new friend upon a path of harsh realities, full of fighting, fleeing and navigating his way through the power plays of people far above him. In this world, Karsten meets the cold reality of the inherent chaos of a continent at war, the push-back of the greedy aristocracy and the violent nature of the way-too-organized crime syndicates - all while leveling up in dungeons that seem hell-bent on killing him and his friends with the never-before-seen Abnormals. Even in the midsts of all this chaos, Karsten has one core goal: Getting back to his homeworld. Follow Karsten on his journey to become the most OP Bard this world has ever seen!

EBJ:

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73069/enigmatic-bards-journey

Julie, writing under the pen name B3AM, joins the podcast to discuss her writing journey, from dabbling in light novels to exploring the vibrant Royal Road community. Author of An Enigmatic Bard's Journey, Julie describes how she transitioned from being a manga fan to a litRPG enthusiast. With her signature humor and down-to-earth approach, she talks about embracing her creative side, building connections within the writing community, and navigating her inspirations, including popular titles like He Who Fights With Monsters and Heretical Fishing.

EBJ:

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/73069/enigmatic-bards-journey

Blaire The Human:

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/98047/blaire-the-human

Dark Matter Ascension is a litRPG novel centered around Jace Seren, a character navigating the complexities of a world undergoing a cosmic event known as cosmogenic merging. Jace faces a critical choice: to remain a civilian or take the risk of becoming an aspirant, a path with a low chance of survival but the promise of immense cosmic power. The story blends elements of fantasy and science fiction to create a science-fantasy setting. During Jace’s aspirant trial, he performs an extraordinary feat that catches the attention of an influential figure, resulting in him being granted access to a rare and powerful ability—control over dark matter. The narrative follows his journey across different worlds, tackling unique challenges and confronting powerful factions such as the Star Council, Black Hole Conclave, and Nebula Alliance. The story features evolving skills, classes, and equipment but maintains a focus on character-driven storytelling rather than intricate statistical details.

Linktree

https://linktr.ee/serasstreams

In this episode, we interview Alex Econome, known by his pen name SerasStreams, who is an author and high school English teacher. Alex shares his journey from a childhood filled with reading and fantasy influences to becoming an active member and mentor in the Royal Road writing community. He discusses how influential authors like Raymond E. Feist and Tolkien shaped his storytelling, and explains his involvement in LitRPG and GameLit genres, highlighting his upcoming work "Dark Matter Ascension." Alex also delves into the process of writing for web serials, offering advice for aspiring authors, and explains the importance of platforms like Patreon and Royal Road for new writers seeking growth and recognition.

Linktree

https://linktr.ee/serasstreams

Mentor Program

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s42g0g4QHIWp3O_U6ZJWleivNA3Q8dDHd1YwVnA-QUg/edit?usp=sharing

Echo's Evolution on Royal Road

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/82445/echos-evolution-grimdark-isekai-litrpg-stub

Ruinous Return

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/89228/ruinous-return-fantasy-drama-isekai

Versewalker

https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/84435/versewalker-multiverse-litrpg

How to Self Publish (by MelasDelta)

https://www.reddit.com/r/ProgressionFantasy/comments/1cdejeu/how_to_selfpublish_101_publishing_an_ebook_in_5/

Atlas Zeb has lived his entire life in poverty. It's hard for an orphan to make ends meet, but his one out is the Mantle Trial where he could be bestowed with the power to become an Adventurer and fight the monsters in the dungeon instead of just picking up the crystals left behind for others. But the world of Adventurers is not the easy life that he'd thought it was. Can he navigate this new world or will he be another casualty for history to forget?

Royal Road

https://www.royalroad.com/profile/398754/fictions

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/c/EarthsExiles