Editor Kristy Gibbs joins us in the Lab to walk us through what’s causing your readers to say “I don’t know, something was off.” How can you fix it? Kristy tells us!

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Kristy: https://deadtreesandink.net/

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Music: Cool and Crisp featuring OMB by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Author and veteran G.C. Byrne joins us in the Lab to talk about the often-overlooked parts of writing combat in fiction: preparation, decision-making, and aftermath. We dig into what should realistically happen before a fight breaks out and what absolutely can’t be ignored once the adrenaline wears off.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with G.C. Byrne: https://www.instagram.com/gcbyrneauthor/

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Music: Cool and Crisp featuring OMB by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Editor Kristy Gibbs joins us in the Lab to walk us through when to know if you’re suffering from writer’s block or burnout.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Kristy: https://deadtreesandink.net/

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Music: Cool and Crisp featuring OMB by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Author marketing expert Ashley Werner-Sithonnorath walks us through the psychology of self-promotion and what we can do to break through our own barriers.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Ashley Werner-Sithonnorath: https://www.thatdigitalrush.com/

Subscribe to her Substack & get author marketing tips: https://authormarketing.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Buy Villain Era Goddess: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=CKCCZ9dmC9KiTz98PmboBMvzIpv42UmPq1FF0yuvOtT

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Watch the Jim Butcher interview: https://youtu.be/F1NWO00SUns?si=-npOE25qXAK7ildB

Music: Cool and Crisp featuring OMB by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Author marketing expert Ashley Werner-Sithonnorath walks us through the psychology of self-promotion and what we can do to break through our own barriers.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Ashley Werner-Sithonnorath: https://www.thatdigitalrush.com/

Subscribe to her Substack & get author marketing tips: https://authormarketing.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

Buy Villain Era Goddess: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=CKCCZ9dmC9KiTz98PmboBMvzIpv42UmPq1FF0yuvOtT

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Watch the Jim Butcher interview: https://youtu.be/F1NWO00SUns?si=-npOE25qXAK7ildB

Music: Cool and Crisp featuring OMB by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Author and YouTuber Seth Ring joins us once again to walk us through his ideal writing workflow and what writing tools he uses the most.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Seth: www.sethring.com

Register for Seth’s upcoming webinar: https://bit.ly/4pYor0U

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Music: “Cool and Crisp featuring OMB” by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

The Fiction Lab is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Rebecca Demarest returns to The Fiction Lab for a thoughtful, candid conversation on writing disability in speculative fiction. As an award-winning author, educator, and writing instructor—and a disabled writer herself—Rebecca brings both craft expertise and lived experience to the table. We dig into common pitfalls, meaningful representation, and how speculative worlds can offer space for richer, more authentic depictions of disability. Whether you’re worldbuilding, shaping characters, or rethinking your own assumptions, this episode offers insight that will elevate your storytelling.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Rebecca

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Music: “Cool and Crisp featuring OMB” by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY

Author and troublemaker Rachel A. Rosen joins us for a candid discussion on where activism meets imagination. We dig into how fiction can challenge systems, spark dialogue, and reflect the world we’re fighting to change. From the craft behind politically charged storytelling to the responsibility (and limits) of art, this conversation pulls back the curtain on writing with purpose. Without losing the magic of story.

Learn the story elements with The Fiction Lab.

Connect with Rachel

Join the Discord: https://bit.ly/fictionlabdiscord

Learn More: www.thefictionlab.com

Music: “Cool and Crisp featuring OMB” by Ketsa, Free Music Archive, CC BY