Hugo Award-winning fantasy author Alix E. Harrow joins us this week to chat about her novel, The Everlasting, coming out in paperback on October 8th. Alix talks about how she taught herself to write through short fiction, which lead to landing a two-book deal after one of her short stories caught the eye of an editor, and why authors need to recognise how much luck is involved with publishing.

Whether you are an aspiring writer trying to navigate the submission process or a devoted reader curious about how your favourite fantasy books hit the shelves, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights.

• How Alix uses short stories as "training wheels" to experiment with different tones, perspectives, and concepts before committing to a full-length novel.
• The psychological realities of writing, including why first drafts are genuinely bad and how commercial success can actually tighten the internal pressure to perform.
• The incredible luck and timing of getting direct messages from an agent and an editor on Twitter that led to her first book deal.
• Actionable advice for writers looking to get published, including why you must prioritise improving your craft and forming sincere friendships with fellow authors.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction & Deconstructing Knighthood in The Everlasting

04:10 - Navigating Author Anxiety and the Writing Process

13:24 - The Freedom and Experimentation of Short Fiction

24:14 - Finding Ambition and Early Sci-Fi Influences

30:35 - Submitting to Magazines and Landing an Agent

52:33 - Final Advice for Writers and Navigating the Industry

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