Mother Trees and Forest Magic: When Fantasy Roots into Science
Discover the real-world science behind mother trees and how forests heal us—plus how these ideas inspired the magical woodlands in Roots of the Storm and beyond.
Fantasy Is Booming—But What Does That Mean for Readers?
Fantasy is booming—and not just for Gen Z. Whether you’re swooning over dragon-riding romantasy or savoring the quiet charm of a magical coffee shop, the genre is exploding with new titles. But with the tidal wave of new releases comes reader overwhelm, quality dilution, and trend fatigue. How do you navigate the boom without burning out? By refining your taste, following trusted curators, and embracing the magic that speaks to you.
Inbox Reboot – Part 7: Taming the Monster Inbox
You know the feeling: you open your email and the unread counter just says “999+” because the program can’t count any higher. You scroll—and scroll—and scroll—only to see repeat subject lines from people who’ve pinged you three times because you never answered the first one. Maybe you’ve just come back from holiday, maybe a life-event set the world texting and emailing you, or maybe you simply haven’t wrangled your inbox in a while. Whatever the cause, you’ve got a big, sick-making inbox on your hands.
When “The Last of Us” Kills Off Your Soul
I adored Season 1 of The Last of Us—not because it echoed the game (I’ve never dared touch the game), but because it gave us that rare, aching dynamic: a broken man given one last chance to do right, and a broken girl who just might live through it. Then Season 2 came along and killed Joel with a golf club. In Episode 2. And just like that, the show lost its soul.
The Streaming No: Why Epic Fantasy Shows Are Dying Mid-Quest (And Why Books Still Win)
Ah, “high production costs.” The new “it’s not you, it’s me” of the streaming world.
First it was Andor, quietly sliced from five seasons to two. Now it’s The Wheel of Time, which spun valiantly for three seasons on Prime Video before the thread was abruptly severed—despite critical acclaim and a devout fanbase. “Too expensive,” they say. “Too complex.” As if they didn’t know, going in, that adapting a sprawling 14-book fantasy epic might require some…commitment?
Which Futurist Are You? Doom Prepper, Tech Worshipper, or Somewhere in the Murky Middle?
So, I’ve been in a bit of a spiral lately. You know how it goes. You start off with “What happens if the economy tanks?” and four hours later, you’re elbow-deep in a John Michael Greer blog post about catabolic collapse and wondering if it’s time to start hoarding seeds.
Welcome to the Villains’ Support Group
Where ancient evils, dark sorcerers, and disgruntled viziers gather to vent, plot, and maybe—just maybe—heal.
Inbox Reboot – Part 6: Managing Multiple Email Addresses
The Many-Headed Beast: Juggling Multiple Email Accounts
In a world where nearly everything we do—work, shopping, social media, hobbies, subscriptions—requires an email address, it’s no surprise that many of us are managing multiple inboxes.
“No Fantasy for Men?” — Or, How to Find the Books You’re Actually Looking For
From SRP Author Taylen Carver: I spotted this on X recently: Happened to be in Target again and decided to
I Solemnly Swear I Will Not Write That Trope Again… (Until I Do)
We all have our limits. Some writers say they’ll never write a love triangle. Others swear off the “Chosen One.” Me? I have declared, with great solemnity (and perhaps a touch of arrogance), that I will not fall into certain well-worn fantasy tropes.