In this episode of Most Writers Are Fans, host Terry Bartley interviewed queer YA sci-fi author, Michael Solís (This is Why They Hate Us). They talked about Michael's journey as an author, the opportunities presented by the expansion of self-publishing, and how to decide what path to take. They also talked about what defines dystopian literature and what makes a good dystopian story.
I especially enjoyed this conversation because Michael kept drawing parallels between dystopian fiction and the world we live in today. Authoritarian leaders, violence against innocent people, and the villainization of marginalized communities all feel ripped from the pages of a novel.
The thing about dystopian stories that makes moments like these feel slightly more hopeful is the emergence of a leader. The districts were able to place all of their hopes on Katniss because of how she regularly defied the capital. What makes it so hard to live in this environment, is how unclear it is if that hero will ever appear.
The truth is, the real world is a lot more complicated than a YA novel, and it takes all of us collectively working together to create real change. But that's so much harder than one person showing up and saving us. And the reality is that many small heroic moments is whats to ultimate triumph over the forces trying to oppress us, and those aren't always easy to recognize.
Watching Ayo Edebiri redirect a racist interviewer might not feel like Katniss raising her berries to defy Snow, but moments like that still matter.I don't expect Ayo Edebiri, or AOC, or Hasan Piker to single-handedly lift us out of the current moment we're in, but I do think that thousands of people like them never accepting the way things are as normal can create a better world.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
A Most Writers Are Fans Series
In this kickoff episode, Terry Bartley introduces Ink Over AI, a new series about how writers can use AI tools without giving up the craft of writing itself.
Terry lays out what this show is (and what it isn’t): not a shortcut for copy-pasting essays or cranking out soulless prose, but a space for exploring how AI can act as a brainstorming partner, an error-spotter, and a thought organizer, while always keeping the human voice at the center.
If you’re a student hoping to “humanize” your AI essays, a writer worried about losing your credibility, or just curious about what AI can and can’t do for creativity, this episode is your guide to what’s coming next.
What you’ll hear in this episode:
Why Ink Over AI puts the writer first.
How Terry uses AI as a tool without letting it write for him.
The goals (and limits) of the series.
A preview of what’s to come in future episodes.
Ink Over AI is about proving one thing: humans write here.
In this episode of Most Writers Are Fans, host Terry Bartley interviewed queer YA author, Aaron Aceves (This is Why They Hate Us). They talked about Aaron's journey as an author, finding the right agent, and getting traditionally published. They also talked about bisexual representation, since they are both bi men writing bisexual characters.
Representation is something that feels easy. Make sure you include characters from all kinds of backgrounds. If you write a bisexual character, you've gotta make sure that there are plotlines that establish attraction to more than one gender, because how can they be bi otherwise?
However, Aaron's book is an example of how you don't have to do this. In the same way that a bisexual person doesn't become magically not bisexual the moment they enter a relationship, the same can be said for characters. You can have a bisexual guy in your book who spends the whole book being obsessed with a guy and maybe only makes a passing remark or two about acknowledging that anyone other than a guy is hot. It's o.k. because that's how a lot of bisexual people live! There are plenty of bisexual people who are only in relationships with one gender for their entire lives, and guess what, that doesn't change their sexuality.
Sexuality is a personal thing, and it isn't always reflected in someone's external life. But bi people who live this way still want their experience reflected in the media!
Think about that next time you write a book with a certain kind of representation. Does it reflect the life of at least one person whose identity is your writing? Then you wrote the exact book for that person, and that's great.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
Most Writers Are Fans is back! And we are entering a new era. After a conversation with a podcast consultant, we have decided to move towards a new problem-focused format. Intros will be shorter, and conversations with our guests will start sooner. Then we're going to try this new thing where we stay on topic the entire interview (as best my ADHD brain can). I'm so excited to take you all with us into this new era. There will be two remaining legacy episodes with Aaron Aceves and Michael Solís, then we'll be moving into this new format. Thank you to everyone who has been with me. This podcast is only getting better!
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
Most Writers Are Fans is Live! This summer, host Terry Bartley went on tour across the country to record the fourth season live at a series of coffee shops and bookstores. In this episode, young adult and children's author Chris Clarkson talked to me in Miel Brewery and Taproom in New Orleans, with host bookstore Tubby and Coos Traveling Book Shop. We talked about his debut novel, That Summer Night on Frenchman Street. We also traded stories about writing queer characters as a queer person.Subscribe now to receive new episodes of Most Writers Are Fans. Tyranny of the Fey by Terry Bartley is now available for hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to contact@starlightkingpress.com
I'm creating a short story collection through my publishing company, Starlight King Press. I'd love for you to be a part of it. Please send me your stories using the one word prompt: Loss. Send it to press@stalightkingpress.com with your name and contact info.Authors committed: Brent Lambert, Ryan Gebhart, Arden Coutts, Chloe Spencer, Chris Clarkson, AJ Elmore, Amanda Weaver, Kirsha Fox, Cody Walker, Rae Shawn, Julie Pepera, Erin Hoskins, Travis Smith, and Matthew O'Connor
In this episode, Terry Bartley is joined by author and journalist, Dylan Roche (The Tide and the Stars). They discuss his early passion for fiction writing, how it led him to a job as a freelance journalist, and how he reclaimed his passion as a novelist.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this minisode, Terry Bartley discusses the concept of "Death of the Author" and the complicated nature of how we, as fans, should deal with the influx of allegations against creators.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now onterrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com
In this episode, Terry Bartley is joined by New York Times and international bestselling author, J.D. Barker (The Fourth Monkey, Something I Keep Upstairs). They discuss his winding path to publishing, ghostwriting, and the differences between thriller and horror.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by fellow author Arden Coutts to talk about whether you should watch the 1984 Dune starring Kyle Maclachlan. This was a fun rewatch!
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now onterrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com
In this episode, is joined by speculative fiction writer, Jen Karner (Cinders of Yesterday). They discuss Jen's wild journey of working with an unreliable publisher and giving yourself permission to be selfish.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by fantasy young adult, Ryan Gebhart (The Jewel of Life series), to talk about their picks for the Top 2 musicals. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com
In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to fantasy author, Brooklyn Quintana (Nine of Swords, Blood in the Water). They discuss tips to create an effective elevator pitch for your book and how to best convince people to buy your book.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this New Year's episode, Terry Bartley is joined by his friend and pseudo-agent, Dustin Whitman, to make publishing plans for the new year. Be a fly on the wall while they discuss Terry's goals and what steps he'll take to meet them. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com
In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to cozy urban fantasy author, Lou Wilham (Home is Where the Hex Is, The Hex Next Door). They discuss tips to successfully market indie books and how to consistently produce multiple books a year. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by young adult and children's author, Chris Clarkson (That Summer Night on Frenchman Street, Chloe and the Fireflies), to talk about their favorite reads of 2024 Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com
We've been pretty overwhelmed getting ready for the holidays, but here's a great throwback episode to our live tour! Terry Bartley talked to romance author and bookstore owner, Angela (Trigg) Quarles in her shop, The Haunted Book Shop in Mobile, AL. They talked about what it's like being an author and a bookstore owner, as well as how indie authors should go about getting their books into bookstores.
Tyranny of the Fey is now available for hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to author Rae Shawn (Uncovering the Passion and Big City, Small World). They discuss being an independent author, Own Voices, and if anyone can write diverse books. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano
In this minisode, Terry Bartley is joined by his best friend and comic book expert, Dustin Whitman, to talk about the three main books for X-Men: From the Ashes. They also try to decide if these books are worth the fall of Krakoa. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com
In this episode, Terry Bartley talks to author Arden Coutts (Before We Fall and A Nightclub for the Holidays). They discuss writing books that are basically gay 80s movies, how to tell new stories, and how to write trans characters authentically. Tyranny of the Fey is now available in hardcover and paperback, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano