Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel
Have you ever had a story idea you love—a vivid world, compelling characters, big themes—but every time you sit down to write, something just… isn’t working?
If that sounds familiar, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple.
In each episode, I tackle one specific problem standing between you and a cohesive, compelling book—whether that’s character arc, plot structure, backstory, worldbuilding, magic systems, genre clarity, revision, or the publishing path. Some episodes are focused teaching sessions where I break down craft and process step by step, and others feature in-depth conversations with industry experts—authors, editors, agents, and publishing professionals—who share real-world insight into what actually works.
No vague advice. No craft mysticism. Just concrete, actionable strategies you can apply immediately (often with free companion workbooks linked right in the show notes).
This podcast is here to help you stop spinning your wheels and start making confident, intentional story choices—so your novel feels grounded, emotionally powerful, and readable all the way through.
I’m your host, Heather Davis—Author Accelerator Certified Book Coach, developmental editor, host of the WorldShift Writing Summit, podcaster, and fellow speculative fiction writer. I’ve spent over a decade helping writers untangle messy drafts, fix stories that almost work, and build novels from the ground up in a way that’s sustainable and actually makes sense.
And let’s be honest: writing a good novel—the kind readers want to finish, recommend, and come back to—is hard. This podcast doesn’t promise shortcuts or overnight success. Instead, it embraces the real, messy, challenging work of storytelling—and gives you the tools to do it well.
If you’ve ever found yourself typing questions like these into Google, this show is for you:
- What is show don't tell?
- What's the difference between scenes and chapters?
- How do I use Save the Cat to structure my novel without it feeling formulaic?
- How do I include backstory without info-dumping?
- Why isn’t my magic system working in my story?
- How do I revise a novel without getting overwhelmed?
- How do I write character driven stories?
- How do I develop my author Voice?
- How do I write fantasy, romantasy, dystopian, science fiction, magical realism, paranormal, horror, or other speculative genres?
- How do I develop my protagonist?
- What is interiority?
- How do I determine the these and Point of my novel?
- How do I create a character arc for my protagonist?
- etc.
So if you’re ready to write a novel you’re proud of—one that holds together, makes readers think, and earns their trust—go ahead and follow or subscribe. It’s the easiest way to support the show and make sure you don’t miss what’s coming next.
Next steps:
If you want to go deeper, get on my email list so you don’t miss my free and paid classes, workshops, and free writing sprints:
👉 https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO
Have a question or want to reach out directly? You can email me anytime at heather@manyworldswriting.com
Until next time, keep writing, keep dreaming, and remember: the world needs your stories right now. Don’t give up on your novel—or yourself.
Speculative Fiction Writing Made Simple: How to Write, Edit, and Publish Your Debut Fantasy, Science Fiction, or Dystopian Novel
Writing Backstory That Actually Works (5 Guidelines You Must Know!) | Episode 43
Do you know your story needs backstory… but every time you try to include it, it just feels wrong?
Clunky. Awkward. Like the story suddenly stumbles instead of flowing forward.
Or maybe you’ve gone the opposite direction—cutting nearly all the backstory out because you’ve been warned about info dumping—only to realize your scenes now feel thin, confusing, or emotionally flat.
You’re not doing anything wrong.
Backstory is one of the most misunderstood elements of writing a novel.
In this solo episode, I break down how to write backstory that actually works—backstory that deepens character, clarifies motivation, and pulls readers closer instead of pushing them away.
This episode pairs closely with Episode 41 on Interiority, and together they form a powerful foundation for writing scenes that feel emotionally alive and fully grounded.
You’ll learn:
✨ Why backstory is non-negotiable—and why the real problem isn’t having backstory, but how it’s used
✨ The five core guidelines that make backstory feel seamless instead of disruptive
✨ How framing backstory through interiority transforms it from explanation into emotional experience
✨ The difference between vague, abstract backstory and specific, concrete details readers can visualize
✨ How to place backstory inside a scene so it feels triggered, relevant, and purposeful
✨ Why “less backstory” isn’t always the answer—and how to find the right dosage
✨ How to use backstory to illuminate the present moment without stopping the story cold
If your backstory feels clunky, misplaced, or never quite right—and you’re tired of guessing what to cut or keep—this episode will give you a clear, practical framework for using backstory with confidence.
By the end, backstory won’t feel like a liability. It’ll feel like one of your strongest storytelling tools.
Join my email list for FREE and paid writerly goodies! https://resources.manyworldswriting.com/U2F1zO
