The Mythic Mic Podcast

Bethany Amanda
  • 5.0 (37)
  • BOOKS

Welcome to The Mythic Mic Podcast - a home for readers who dream in magic! Dive into the world of fantasy and romantasy with hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan, writers, storytellers, and book collectors obsessed with epic tales, swoon-worthy tropes, and magical worlds. Join us for deep dives into fantasy books, exclusive author interviews, monthly giveaways, and bookish discussions that will add endless reads to your TBR. Plus, don't miss our "Author's Version" episodes, where we share insider tips and advice to help aspiring authors write their first books! Whether you're a seasoned fantasy reader, a writer dreaming of publishing your own novel, or just discovering the magic, you belong here. Subscribe now and step into the adventure!  Follow us on Instagram @MythicMicPod, @BethanyInFantasyland, and @the_magical_quill. Learn more about the podcast and sign up for our exclusive newsletter at https://mythicmic.com 

  1. 10H AGO

    S.2 Ep.25: Blood, Brimstone, and Broken Gods: A Brimstone Deep Dive

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where power is forged in fire, gods are never what they seem, and love can burn as brightly as it saves.   This week, host Sara Santillan is joined by our returning Quicksilver influencer, Jan from @JanBookShelf for a full-spoiler deep dive into Brimstone, the explosive second installment in Callie Hart’s Quicksilver series. If you’ve read Brimstone, buckle in — and if you haven’t, proceed with caution, because we go all the way into the rot, the gods, the fire sprites, and that jaw-dropping ending. Together, Sara and her guest unpack Saeris's transformation from street survivor to Queen of the Blood Court, the evolution of her bond with Kingfisher, and what it truly means to wield power in a world that is literally unraveling. They explore how Saeris's identity as half-fey, half-vampire reshapes not only her sense of self but the political landscape around her, and how her choices are already rippling toward an inevitable war. We dive deep into the nature of the rot, the devastating truth behind brimstone, and the ethical nightmare of what it may cost to stop the decay consuming the realm. They debate whether the rot is divine, magical, or something even more sinister, and what that means for book three. You’ll also hear a heartfelt exploration of Saeris's relationships — her fierce devotion to family, her found family, and her unforgettable bond with Kingfisher. From dream-walking to desperate rescues, Sara and Jan reflect on how their love for the series has deepened, grown, and been tested in ways that feel both epic and intimate. Of course, no Brimstone deep dive would be complete without celebrating Carrion and Onyx — the chaos duo we didn’t know we needed. The pair break down why Carrion’s role feels less like a love triangle and more like a vital, platonic alliance, and why his future could be pivotal to the war ahead. Finally, they wrestle with the gods and the haunting question of who is really pulling the strings in this world. Is anyone truly trustworthy? And what will Saeris have to become to survive what’s coming? 🩸 What does it truly mean to rule a kingdom built on blood and fire? 🔥 How far is too far when the world itself is rotting? 👑 And what will Saeris sacrifice to become the queen she is destined to be? This is a must-listen for Quicksilver fans, dark romantasy lovers, and anyone obsessed with morally complex heroines and world-shaking stakes. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ Saeris's evolution from Quicksilver to Brimstone.  ✨ Power, identity, and the cost of leadership.  ✨ The nature of the rot and the truth of brimstone.  ✨ The fire sprites and the moral stakes of magic.  ✨ Saeris's and Kingfisher’s bond, and what that means for fate, love, and sacrifice. ✨ Carrion, Onyx, and the power of platonic loyalty.  ✨ Predictions and theories for Book 3.  CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 📚 Jan – @janbookshelf ✨ Loved this deep dive? Leave us a rating and review — it helps more fantasy and romantasy readers find The Mythic Mic.

    1h 10m

  2. 2D AGO

    S.2 Ep.24 Invisibility, Lies, and Lethal Love: Madeline Taylor on Heir of Illusion

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where ambition becomes art, illusions blur morality, and a failed acting career might just be the best writing origin story.   This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with debut romantasy author Madeline Taylor, whose book Heir of Illusion is already taking the genre by storm. Equal parts hilarious, unfiltered and deeply insightful, Madeline walks us through her winding path from unsuccessful actress, to  English degree, to self-publishing, to a whirlwind traditional publishing deal in a matter of months. We talk about what it really looks like to write a book during grief, burnout, and mental health struggles, and how spite, therapy, and sheer determination helped her push through anyway. Madeline is refreshingly candid about money stress, timing, and the emotional whiplash of being courted by agents and editors while still trying to pay for wisdom teeth surgery. Then we dive into the deliciously dark world of Heir of Illusion: a female assassin bound to a ruthless king, a mysterious Shadow Reaper, and illusion magic that is as morally tricky as it is powerful. Madeline unpacks Ivy’s journey from self-punishment to self-worth, the seductive danger of invisibility, and why she loves writing razor-sharp banter more than anything. 🗡️ What happens when spite becomes your greatest creative fuel? 🖤 How do illusions blur the line between survival and morality? 🔥 And what does it really take to go from indie debut to trad deal in record time? This is a must-listen for romantasy readers, aspiring authors, and anyone who loves messy heroines, shadow daddies, and brutally good cliffhangers. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ Madeline’s unlikely journey from failed acting to published author. ✨ How spite — and someone underestimating her — became a powerful motivator. ✨ The reality of self-publishing on a shoestring budget. ✨ Auctions, foreign rights, and the surreal speed of her trad deal. ✨ Why writing is a business — and how she treated it like one. ✨ Illusion magic, invisibility, and moral grayness in Heir of Illusion. ✨ Banter as Madeline’s favorite thing to write and why scripts helped her master dialogue.  ✨ Her favorite and hardest chapters to write.  ✨ That evil cliffhanger and why Madeline stands by it.  CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 📚 Madeline Taylor – @madelinetaylorauthor ✨ Loved this episode? Leave us a rating and review — it helps more fantasy and romantasy readers find The Mythic Mic.

    47 min

  3. 2D AGO

    S.2 Ep.23 Wings, Whispers, and War: Braidee Otto's Songbird of the Sorrows Takes Flight

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where spite can birth stories, birds carry omens, and every book has a secret behind its wings.   This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with Braidee Otto, author of Songbird of the Sorrows, for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply inspiring for aspiring authors. Braidee takes us from her childhood struggles with reading (and a very memorable moment of classroom humiliation) to the exact moment a holographic Del Toro Quest cover rewired her brain and set her on a lifelong path as a ferocious reader and writer. We talk hyperfocus, ADHD, all-or-nothing creativity, and what four straight months of writing actually look like. We also dive into Braidee’s wild publishing journey from indie release, to shock translation and audio offers before her book even hit shelves, to signing with an agent just weeks later, and eventually landing a traditional deal. Along the way, she shares refreshingly honest insights about fear, self-doubt, relinquishing control, and why gorgeous covers really do matter. And of course, we sink our teeth into Songbird of the Sorrows — a princess-turned-spy competing in deadly bridal trials, caught between duty, desire, and a former flame who is now her handler. 🕊️ What happens when spite turns into a lifelong love of stories? 🗡️ What if your biggest writing breakthrough came before you even realized you were being watched? 🔥 And what does it really take to move from indie to trad without losing your creative soul? This episode is a must-listen for romantasy readers, epic fantasy lovers, and any aspiring author wondering what the publishing journey actually looks like. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ Braidee’s unforgettable childhood reading story and how spite became her superpower. ✨ Four-month hyperfocus writing sprints and what her real writing days look like. ✨ The ADHD conversation and “all-or-nothing” creative brains. ✨ Writing through self-doubt and why the fear hit hardest after finishing the book. ✨ Navigating indie to trad in record time. ✨ Why investing in your cover can literally change your career. ✨ A deep dive into Songbird of the Sorrows: deadly bridal trials, spies, and second chances. ✨ Why Braidee wants readers to remember how the book made them feel.  CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 📚 Braidee Otto – @braideeottobooks ✨ If you loved this episode, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

    38 min

  4. 6D AGO

    S.2 Ep.22 Invisible Errors, Visible Impact: Cultural Accuracy and Sensitivity Editing with Hannah Gomez

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where great stories deserve great craft, world building goes beyond imagination, and the details you don't see can matter the most.  This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with Hannah Gomez, Senior Editor and Director of Cultural Accuracy and Sensitivity Editorial Services at Kevin Anderson & Associates, for one of the most eye-opening craft conversations we’ve had yet — especially for aspiring authors. We dive into what cultural accuracy and sensitivity editing actually means (and what it doesn’t), why fantasy and invented worlds are never as disconnected from real history as we think, and how small overlooked details can quietly break reader trust. Hannah shares how her work helps authors strengthen their stories, avoid unintentional harm, and build more immersive, believable worlds — not by policing creativity, but by sharpening it. From goblin stereotypes with real historical roots to cookbook naming pitfalls to fantasy races that accidentally mirror real-world bias, this episode pulls back the curtain on blind spots most writers never realize they have until someone shows them. 📚 What if your “made-up” fantasy race isn’t actually neutral? 🔍 What tiny detail can break reader trust instantly? 🧠 And how can curiosity — not fear — make your writing stronger? If you’re an aspiring author, fantasy writer, or worldbuilder, this episode is a must-listen craft masterclass. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ What cultural accuracy and sensitivity editing actually is and why the name evolved.  ✨ The difference between “sensitivity” and simple factual or cultural accuracy.  ✨ Why fantasy worlds are never truly disconnected from real cultures and history.  ✨ Hidden historical roots behind common fantasy tropes (including goblins and witches).  ✨ The “IMDb goof” effect — how one wrong detail can pull readers out of a story.  ✨ Blind spots authors commonly have in both fiction and nonfiction.  ✨ Writing outside your lived experience and best practices that actually help.  ✨ Three essential self-check questions every author should ask while drafting.  ✨ How cultural accuracy edits work behind the scenes.  ✨ Budgeting for cultural accuracy edits as part of your publishing plan.  🐦 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 📖 Guest: Hannah Gomez, Cultural Accuracy & Sensitivity Editor at Kevin Anderson & Associates: @KaWriting ✨ Mention this episode when reaching out to Kevin Anderson & Associates and Hannah will extend a listener discount on her services.

    50 min

  5. FEB 2

    S.2 Ep.21: When Beauty Summons Beasts: Tessonja Odette on The Lies That Summon the Night

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where fantasy romance spans every mood, tropes are meant to be devoured, and writing careers are built one brave decision at a time.  In this episode, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with bestselling romantasy author Tessonja Odette to talk about her genre-spanning catalog, her indie-to-traditional publishing journey, and her upcoming dark fantasy romance, The Lies That Summon The Night. From cozy fae rom-coms to shadowy, art-forbidden worlds filled with monsters and hunters, Tessonja shares how experimentation, persistence, and reader awareness shaped her career. We dive into Tessonja's 15-year road to publishing her first book, why “failing forward” in indie publishing helped her find her true voice, and how paying attention to reader behavior and market shifts led her to pursue a traditional deal. We also explore her creative process, how she pushes through self-doubt and writer’s block, and why finding your writing crew might be the single most important step for aspiring authors. Then we step into the dark, dangerous world of her newest release, where art is illegal, artists are fugitives, shadow monsters are drawn to creativity, and survival may depend on an uneasy alliance with a deadly hunter. 🎨 What if creating art could get you hunted? 🩸 What if your only protection came from the one man who could turn you in? 🕯️ And what happens when dark fantasy, romance, and rebellion collide? This episode is a must-listen for romantasy readers, trope lovers, and aspiring authors navigating their own publishing path. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ Tessonja’s creative roots in art, music, and punk bands, and why she ultimately chose writing. ✨ The 15-year journey behind her first novel and the reality of rewriting, doubt, and persistence. ✨ Imposter syndrome, research overwhelm, and pushing through creative paralysis. ✨ Why publishing her early work — even when it didn’t succeed — helped her grow faster. ✨ Experimenting across fae fantasy, fairy tale retellings, cozy rom-coms, and dark fantasy romance. ✨ The shift in indie vs. traditional fantasy romance audiences and what changed. ✨ How watching reader behavior helped guide her publishing strategy. ✨ Why genre-shifting is becoming more accepted for authors. ✨ The importance of finding your writing crew and peer support circle. ✨ Recurring themes in her books: found family and romance as emotional healing. ✨ Inside The Lies That Summon the Night: forbidden art, outlaw storytellers, shadow monsters, and a half-vampire hunter hero.  ✨ Why emotional damage is basically her brand promise to readers.  ✨ Teasing book two (already written) and what’s next in the trilogy.  CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 📚 Tessonja Odette – @tessonja ✨ Don’t forget to rate & review! If you loved this episode, leave us a review — it helps more fantasy and romantasy readers discover The Mythic Mic.

    43 min

  6. JAN 20

    S.2 Ep. 20: Of Swans, Shadows, and Stolen Princesses: Inside Lyra Selene's Fair Folk Trilogy

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast — where old stories are reborn, fairy tales grow teeth, and fantasy dares to ask harder questions about love, identity, and choice. This week, host Bethany Amanda is joined by bestselling author Lyra Selene, the mind behind The Fair Folk Trilogy — A Feather So Black, A Crown So Silver, and the just-released finale, A Heart So Green. If you love Celtic folklore, mythic romance, morally complex characters, and fairy tales that refuse to stay simple, this conversation is for you. Lyra takes us deep into the origins of The Fair Folk Trilogy, from living in rural Ireland as a child to falling in love with Irish mythology, wild landscapes, and the question of why we keep returning to the same stories over and over again. We talk about her lifelong relationship with storytelling, the winding road to publication, and why perseverance — not talent — is often the deciding factor in an author’s career. We also dive into what makes this trilogy so emotionally resonant: a changeling heroine caught between worlds, a Swan Princess story turned inside out, and relationships built on tension between what a character wants and what they truly need. Lyra opens up about writing complicated heroines, controversial love triangles, and villains who genuinely believe they’re doing the right thing — even when they’re not. 🦢 What happens when the Swan Princess isn’t the hero? 🌿 How do myth, landscape, and folklore shape a fantasy world from the inside out? 💔 And why are the most devastating endings often the most honest? This episode is a love letter to mythic fantasy, character-driven storytelling, and the beauty of bittersweet endings that linger long after the final page. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT… ✨ Lyra’s childhood spent moving between countries, including a formative year in Ireland, and how that shaped her imagination. ✨ The Fair Folk Trilogy as a Celtic-inspired reimagining of Swan Lake and The Swan Princess. ✨ Writing fantasy that feels mythic, lyrical, deeply romantic, and grounded. ✨ Why Lyra considers herself a character-first writer and how internal vs. external wants drive story tension. ✨ Love triangles, banter, and relationships that force characters to confront who they really are. ✨ Turning the Swan Princess into the villain, and why Lyra believes great villains never think they’re the villain. ✨ The theme of self-acceptance and choosing yourself over romance. ✨ The realities of publishing: multiple books that didn’t sell, switching agents, and learning to keep your eyes on your own paper. ✨ What to expect from A Heart So Green, including new POVs, higher stakes, and an ending that is earned, bittersweet, and unforgettable.  ✨ What Lyra is working on next, including a Roaring Twenties–inspired adult fantasy standalone.  🐦 CONNECT WITH US 🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Guest Author: Lyra Selene – @lyraselene ✨ Loved this episode? Leaving a rating or review helps more fantasy readers discover The Mythic Mic.

    41 min

  7. 12/05/2025

    S.2 Ep. 19: Rewriting the Writer's Mind: Rachel Giffin on Confidence, Craft & the Creative Journey

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast where creativity meets courage, stories are shaped long before they're written, and finishing a book starts with believing.  This week, host Sara Santillan sits down with writing coach Rachel Giffin, whose blend of mindset work, emotional intelligence, structure, and tough love has helped countless writers finally finish the book they’ve been dreaming of. Rachel brings an authenticity and clarity to the writing process that is rare — one that cuts through fear, perfectionism, and overwhelm to get to the truth: you can do this, even when it feels impossible. Rachel shares her path from film school to writing to coaching, how she discovered her gift for guiding writers through resistance, and why she believes emotional regulation is just as important as craft. We unpack what really stops writers from completing their books, the questions she uses to break through mental blocks, and how to show up for your writing even when motivation disappears. 🔥 What happens when you stop waiting to “feel ready”? 📝 Why the stories we write are often the ones we’re scared to face 💪 And how a writing coach can help you build not just a book but a writing identity Whether you’re drafting your first novel or revisiting a project you’ve abandoned 10 times, this conversation will leave you feeling seen, strengthened, and ready to return to the page. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ How Rachel became a writing coach and why confidence, not talent, is often the missing piece ✨ The mindset patterns she sees most often in writers and how to break them ✨ Why open-mindedness matters more than experience when working with a coach ✨ The real role of a writing coach vs. what people think coaches do ✨ Why perfectionism, fear, and emotional overwhelm stop writers more than craft issues ✨ Rachel’s signature question-based coaching method and how it rewires resistance ✨ How to build a writing habit even on days when motivation evaporates ✨ The importance of separating facts from feelings ✨ Her favorite client success stories — and the moment she knew she was meant to do this work 🐦 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic 👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland 👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill 👤 Guest: Rachel Giffin – @rachel_giffin_writes ✨ If this episode gave you the push you needed to return to your book, leave us a rating & review — it helps more writers find their way to The Mythic Mic.

    42 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    S.2 Ep.18: Faith, Fury, and the Firebird: Inside Sarah Mughal Rana’s Fantasy Debut, Dawn of the Firebird

    🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast — where fantasy blends craft and culture, heroines rise from discipline and conviction, and every story has a fire at its core. In this episode, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with debut author Sarah Mughal Rana, whose upcoming fantasy novel Dawn of the Firebird is already one of the most anticipated releases of the year. Rooted in Sarah’s lifelong martial arts practice, her cultural heritage, and years of deep historical and philosophical study, this book delivers the kind of character-first, world-rich epic fantasy we can’t stop thinking about. Sarah takes us behind the curtain of her writing journey — from drafting the earliest version of this book in high school, to joining Pitch Wars, to working with an agent who encouraged her to strip away the very cultural heart that made her story whole. She talks openly about walking away, finding an agent who championed the book as it truly is, and the long road from deal announcement to publication date. We also dive into the intense physicality of her heroine, the discipline and spirituality embedded in the world, and the way Sarah’s love of anime, history, and myth wove themselves together to shape an epic that feels as intimate as it is cinematic. 🔥 What does it take to write a heroine forged in discipline rather than destiny? 🕊️ How does a story evolve when an author refuses to compromise what matters? ⚔️ And how do martial arts, culture, and philosophy become the backbone of an entire fantasy trilogy? This is a powerful conversation about resilience, creativity, and honoring the story only you can tell. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ How real martial arts training shaped Khamilla's movement, mindset, and emotional arc. ✨ The cultural influences behind the Firebird and why the book draws on ancient mythology without replicating Western fantasy traditions. ✨ The role of discipline, faith, and philosophy in building a world and a heroine. ✨ Sarah’s Pitch Wars experience and what she learned about standing firm in her creative identity. ✨ Navigating agents, bad advice, and finding the right advocate for your work. ✨ The long acquisition-to-publication timeline and how it changed her writing. ✨ Why anime became a structural and emotional influence for the trilogy. ✨ What Sarah is working on next, including a chess-inspired fantasy. 💫 CONNECT WITH US 📖 Follow Sarah Mughal Rana – IG: @sarahmughal769 🎙️ Bethany Amanda – IG: @BethanyinFantasyland 🎙️Sara Santillan – IG: @The_Magical_Quill 🎧 Follow The Mythic Mic Podcast – IG: @MythicMic ✨ Don’t forget to rate & review! If you loved this episode, please leave us a review — it helps more listeners find their way to The Mythic Mic.

    47 min
See All (39)

5
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Mythic Mic Podcast - a home for readers who dream in magic! Dive into the world of fantasy and romantasy with hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan, writers, storytellers, and book collectors obsessed with epic tales, swoon-worthy tropes, and magical worlds. Join us for deep dives into fantasy books, exclusive author interviews, monthly giveaways, and bookish discussions that will add endless reads to your TBR. Plus, don't miss our "Author's Version" episodes, where we share insider tips and advice to help aspiring authors write their first books! Whether you're a seasoned fantasy reader, a writer dreaming of publishing your own novel, or just discovering the magic, you belong here. Subscribe now and step into the adventure!  Follow us on Instagram @MythicMicPod, @BethanyInFantasyland, and @the_magical_quill. Learn more about the podcast and sign up for our exclusive newsletter at https://mythicmic.com 

Information

  • Creator
    Bethany Amanda
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mythic Mic Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Mythic Mic Podcast

You Might Also Like