How To Write The Future

Beth Barany
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The How to Write The Future Podcast offers fiction writing tips for science fiction and fantasy authors who want to create optimistic stories because when we vision what is possible, we help make it so. By science fiction and fantasy author and fiction writing coach, Beth Barany.

  1. 1D AGO

    206. AI Content Licensing for Authors: Julie Trelstad

    “Amlet AI creates a tool that allows authors to make it known to machine to developers that their work can be licensed and is available and that they expect to be compensated.” - Julie Trelstad In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “AI Content Licensing for Authors: Julie Trelstad,” host Beth Barany interviews publishing professional, Julie Trelstad. Julie shares her publishing journey, what AI content licensing is, and how authors and publishers can protect themselves against copyright or AI theft by using the newly created Amlet AI. Amlet AI is a platform where authors can register books with machine‑readable metadata to enable licensing, compensation, and control over AI training use; it covers European deadlines, opt‑out options, ISCC standards, metadata enrichment. ABOUT JULIE TRELSTAD Julie Trelstad is the founder of Paperbacks & Pixels, where she coaches authors on building publishing platforms with AI as a collaborator. She has been in publishing since 1989. Originally trained as an architect at Columbia and Parsons, she ran the Architectural Graphic Standards franchise at John Wiley & Sons, acquired Sarah Susanka's The Not-So-Big House at The Taunton Press, served as Director of Digital Rights at Writers House, and led US Publishing at StreetLib. She is also Head of US Publishing at Amlet AI, an AI rights registry helping authors and publishers participate in AI licensing on fair terms. https://paperbacksandpixels.com Run a free AI-driven autopsy on your book description with resuscitation instructions. paperbacksandpixels.com/book-description-autopsy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperbacksnpixels LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julietrelstad ABOUT THE HOW TO WRITE THE FUTURE PODCAST The How To Write The Future podcast is for science fiction and fantasy writers who want to write positive futures and successfully bring those stories out into the marketplace. Hosted by Beth Barany, science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. We cover tips for fiction writers and get curious about the future of humanity. ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany is an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist and creativity coach for writers. They help novelists write, revise, and publish stories that matter—blending practical craft guidance with a big-picture commitment to imagination, meaning, and possibility. SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    14 min

  2. MAY 18

    205. Goal-Based Sci-Fi Research With Sue Burke

    “One thing I recommend is that if you're really sure about something look it up cause you're probably wrong.” - Sue Burke In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled, “Goal-Based Sci-Fi Research With Sue Burke,” host Beth Barany talks to author and translator Sue Burke on the importance of goal-based research and how it can help generate conflict in your stories and avoid clichés. ABOUT SUE BURKE Sue Burke is an author and translator. Her novel Semiosis was nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, John W. Campbell Memorial Award, and the Locus Best First Novel Award. Its sequels are Interference and Usurpation. She has also written the novels Immunity Index and Dual Memory, short stories, poetry, journalism, and essays, and she won the 2016 Alicia Gordon Award for Word Artistry in Translation from the American Translators Association. She was born in the Milwaukee, lived in Texas and Spain, and is now in Chicago. Website: https://sueburke.site/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/burke.sue X: https://x.com/SueBurkeSpain LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/sueburke/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sueburkespain/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sueburke.bsky.social RESOURCES FOR CREATIVE WRITING PROFESSIONALS - BUILD YOUR BUSINESS SERVING WRITERS Sign up to be notified when our training opens and get a short Creative Business Style Quiz to help you create success. https://bethbarany.com/apprenticeship/ Support our work for creatives! Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany GET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HERE Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/ SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    14 min

  3. MAY 11

    204. Alex Kingsley: Writing Speculative Futures

    “Fiction is a wonderful arena for dealing with some really complex topics and some difficult issues in a safe space.” - Alex Kingsley In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode titled, “Alex Kingsley: Writing Speculative Futures,” host Beth Barany chats with Alex Kingsley, a science fiction writer, playwright, game designer, and more exciting roles that inform their fiction writing. Together they talk about AI cognition, the importance of human intelligence in creating for the future, how speculative fiction can help readers cope with complex issues, and why compassion matters in sci-fi. ABOUT ALEX KINGSLEY Alex Kingsley (they/them) is a writer, comedian, game designer, and playwright. They are a co-founder of the new media company Strong Branch Productions. They are the author of Empress of Dust, Relic of Haven and The Strange Garden and Other Weird Tales, as well as short fiction appearing in Translunar Travelers Lounge, Radon Journal, Sci-Fi Lampoon, and more. Alex’s sci-fi plays have been produced in LA, Philadelphia, and Chicago. Alex’s SFF-related non-fiction has appeared in Interstellar Flight Magazine and Ancillary Review of Books. Their games can be downloaded pay-what-you-will at alexyquest.itch.io. Alex is currently a graduate student studying speculative fiction at the University of Illinois, Chicago. Website: http://alexkingsley.org Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hitchhikersguidetothealexy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-kingsley-56342a139/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexyquest Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alexyquest.bsky.social Newsletter: Newsletter: https://alexkingsley.substack.com SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    25 min

  4. MAY 4

    203. Hip Hop for the Future

    “I'm trying to make sure we have artists, the next generation people who can get to the open mic for the first time and learn how to hold a microphone.” - Khafre Jay In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “Hip Hop for the Future” host Beth Barany interviews hip hop organizer Khafre Jay where they discuss the importance of hip hop as a culture within the San Francisco Bay Area and his plans for the future to get more community members involved. From his business creating slogan clothing, to building local creative spaces to his beliefs on public health and the impact live music can have on an audience, this episode is sure to broaden your horizons on the entire hip hop culture. ABOUT KHAFRE JAY Hailing from Hunters Point, San Francisco—a city with the highest income inequality in the nation—Khafre Jay has dedicated his life to fighting for socioeconomic justice and empowering his community through Hip Hop organizing. Now leading Hip Hop For The Future SPC, Khafre is pioneering the use of Hip Hop to reimagine public healthcare, aiming to increase Black life expectancy and bring transformative resources to marginalized populations. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hiphopforthefuturespc Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/khafrej/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khafrejay/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khafrejay/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theunapologeticblackguy Album: https://music.apple.com/us/album/critical-race-hip-hop/1757033018 Website: http://www.hiphopforthefuture.org SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    19 min

  5. APR 27

    202. Read, Write, Repeat with David D. Levine

    “I was a science fiction reader from the beginning, and I continued to identify myself as a science fiction writer. However, a lot of my stuff would have to be classified as fantasy.”  - David D. Levine  In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “Read, Write, Repeat with David D. Levine” host Beth Barany talks to science fiction author David D. Levine about his career path, the challenges of history research, and how he uses it in his novels, including gender throughout the ages. ABOUT DAVID D. LEVINE David D. Levine is the author of Andre Norton Nebula Award winning novel Arabella of Mars, sequels Arabella and the Battle of Venus and Arabella the Traitor of Mars, space-opera caper novel The Kuiper Belt Job, and over sixty SF and fantasy stories. His story “Tk’Tk’Tk” won the Hugo, and he has been shortlisted for awards including the Hugo, Nebula, Campbell, and Sturgeon. Stories have appeared in Asimov’s, Analog, Clarkesworld, F&SF, Tor.com, numerous Year’s Best anthologies, and his award-winning collection Space Magic. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/david.d.levine.sf Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daviddlevine/ Website: https://daviddlevine.com Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/daviddlevine.com RESOURCES GET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HERE Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/ SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    16 min

  6. APR 20

    201. 5 Upcoming Inspiring Interviews

    “Oh my goodness. Sue has so much to say about research and how to use research strategically about finding conflicts and problems and learning as much as you need to know to be able to move forward. So be sure to listen to our conversation. It was really fun talking with her. I so admire her.” - Beth Barany In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, “5 Upcoming Inspiring Interviews“ host Beth Barany shares with listeners upcoming interviews for the podcast including with a fellow science fiction and fantasy author, hip hop organizer, novelist and Masters student, award-winning science fiction novelist, creative nonfiction author, and a long-time publishing professional.  You’re also invited to be interviewed on the podcast which Beth explains how to do. RESOURCES Podcast presskit: https://bethbarany.com/podcastpresskit FOR CREATIVE WRITING PROFESSIONALS - BUILD YOUR BUSINESS SERVING WRITERS Sign up to be notified when our training opens and get a short Creative Business Style Quiz to help you create success. https://bethbarany.com/apprenticeship/ GET SOME FREE WRITING COACHING LIVE ON THE PODCAST Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/ GET SUPPORT FOR YOUR FICTION WRITING BY A NOVELIST AND WRITING TEACHER AND COACH Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/ SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    8 min

  7. APR 13

    200. Uncertain Times: Five Creative Superpowers

    “What is creativity? Here's the short of it. For me, creativity is about combining disparate elements, elements we might not even think of putting together. For us, for us as science fiction and fantasy writers, what might this look like? Well, this will be a fusion of tropes and genres and settings and your own personal spin.” - Beth Barany In the latest How To Write the Future podcast episode titled “Uncertain Times: Five Creative Superpowers” host, Beth Barany shares what creativity means to her and what the five “superpowers” are that writers can use to enhance their writing.  RESOURCES EDIT YOUR NOVEL CHECKLIST http://edityournovelchecklist.com FOR CREATIVE WRITING PROFESSIONALS - BUILD YOUR BUSINESS SERVING WRITERS Sign up to be notified when our training opens and get a short Creative Business Style Quiz to help you create success. https://bethbarany.com/apprenticeship/ GET SUPPORT FOR YOUR FICTION WRITING BY A NOVELIST AND WRITING TEACHER AND COACH Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/ SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    11 min

  8. APR 6

    199. Use Divination Cards to Spark Stories

    “If you need help with ideas, if you want to play with randomness, to inspire you, to jumpstart your creativity, to come up with new ideas that you wouldn't have ordinarily thought of.” - Beth Barany *** In this How To Write the Future podcast episode, titled “Use Divination Cards to Spark Stories,” host Beth Barany shares her personal journey with Tarot, plus how you can use Tarot and the Mythulu Desk for your science fiction and fantasy stories.  Discover practical tips for writers, including how to develop your characters using these decks.  RESOURCES Books and products mentioned in this episode: Mythulu deck: https://mythulu.com/pack-a-intro/Crowley Thoth deck by Aleister Crowley and painted by Lady Frieda HarrisMirrors of the Soul: Handbook for the Aleister Crowley Tarot Paperback by Gerd ZieglerWriter’s Adventure Guide by Beth BaranyStory Grid by Shawn CoyneShop here: https://bookshop.org/lists/writing-resources-mentioned-on-how-to-write-the-future-podcast *** SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDadeEDITORIAL SUPPORT by Iman Llompartc. 2026 BETH BARANY https://bethbarany.com/ Questions? Comments? Send us a text! Support the show --- ♦︎ JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP: For fiction writers! You've finished your first draft! Congrats! Now what? Join the Edit the Future: Sci‑Fi/Fantasy Revision Lab. Get premium weekly lessons and a monthly Q&A on Zoom. Subscribe: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2012061/subscribe ♥︎ FREE: Sign up here for the Edit Your Novel Checklist Helps writers revise faster with less overwhelm by focusing first on diagnosis, not fixing.  Get yours at http://edityournovelchecklist.com. ♡ SHOP: Sci‑Fi & Fantasy 24 Writing Prompts: https://ko-fi.com/s/4ac9160a74 ❤️ Want to be interviewed on the podcast? => Email us! CONNECT WITH BETH via emailvia LinkedIn CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT (Affiliate link) MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465

    6 min
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About

The How to Write The Future Podcast offers fiction writing tips for science fiction and fantasy authors who want to create optimistic stories because when we vision what is possible, we help make it so. By science fiction and fantasy author and fiction writing coach, Beth Barany.

Information

  • Creator
    Beth Barany
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    206
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beth Barany
  • Show Website
    How To Write The Future

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