Today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, we’re tackling the age-old question: Should you write for the market or write what you love? A listener asks if quirky, unconventional story ideas can actually find an audience, or if sticking to what’s popular is the only way to succeed. We’re breaking down the balance between originality and marketability, why chasing trends is a losing game, and how fresh twists on familiar ideas are the secret to standing out. Plus, we’ll explore why experimental concepts often work best as short stories, how the publishing industry’s tastes change faster than you think, and when self-publishing might be your best bet.
Email your own advice prompt to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord and let us know what's on your mind. You can find the discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is Jon Negroni, author of The Pixar Theory, Killerjoy, and more. Our producers are Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock. You can find all our episodes and various podcast app options here.
Intro music: "Adventures in Adventureland" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
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