🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where humans dare to cross into the fae realm, ancient gods shape the fate of kingdoms, and epic fantasy reminds us why we fell in love with the genre in the first place. This week, host Bethany Amanda sits down with fantasy author Malarie Weber to discuss her sweeping romantasy series, The Lies of Mortals and its highly anticipated sequel, The Edge of Darkness. Malarie shares how a vivid dream sparked the opening scene of her debut novel, why becoming a Bookstagram influencer unexpectedly prepared her for self-publishing, and how she built a thriving author career by writing the kind of epic fantasy she always wished she could find on bookstore shelves. We also discuss indie publishing, designing gorgeous special editions, writing massive fantasy novels, and why helping aspiring authors has become one of her greatest passions. Then we dive into The Lies of Mortals, where twenty-nine-year-old warrior Auren finds herself hunted by a prince and forced to flee into the fae realm, a place no human has entered in a thousand years. There she comes face-to-face with Niall, the ruthless High Lord of Shadows, ancient gods, witches, wraiths, and a world filled with dangerous magic, political intrigue, and unforgettable found family. We also preview The Edge of Darkness, where the story expands into five points of view, multiple romances, devastating revelations, and an all-out war that changes everything readers thought they knew about this world. ⚔️ What happens when the only way to survive is crossing into the realm you've feared your entire life? 🖤 Can a human warrior trust the ruthless High Lord sworn to protect his people? ✨ And what secrets are waiting beneath the shadows of an ancient fae kingdom? If you love epic fantasy, mature protagonists, sprawling worlds, unforgettable side characters, political intrigue, and romantasy with serious Lord of the Rings vibes, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: ✨ How a single dream became the foundation for The Lies of Mortals and eventually grew into an epic fantasy trilogy. ✨ Malarie's transition from Bookstagram influencer to bestselling indie fantasy author, and how building an online community helped launch her writing career. ✨ The realities of self-publishing. ✨ Why she intentionally wrote mature protagonists in their late twenties and thirties instead of following the typical YA romantasy formula. ✨ Creating Niall, the mysterious Shadow High Lord, and the supporting characters readers have completely fallen in love with. ✨ Why epic fantasy deserves room to breathe, and why she embraced writing 700- and 800-page novels instead of cutting the story short. ✨ What readers can expect from The Edge of Darkness, including five POVs, three romances, massive character reveals, heartbreaking twists, and war on an epic scale. ✨ Balancing multiple projects, planning long fantasy series, and knowing the ending years before writing the final pages. ✨ Practical advice for aspiring indie authors on building confidence, finding supportive communities, and creating stories they'll be proud of for years to come. ✨ Why writing the book you desperately want to read is still the best creative advice she can give. CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 📚 Malarie Weber – @ABookshelfofMagic ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.
