Our special guest today is Brenna English-Loeb, a literary agent for Transatlantic Literary Agency and the founder of BEL Tower Editorial, a developmental editing business where she helps authors craft rich, compelling stories across multiple genres, including of course fantasy.

Brenna English-Loeb was kind enough to answer a bunch of questions from our community and beyond, like how to know when it's time to do a developmental edit, if TikTok is "ruining" books, and how to set your query up for success. She also gives helpful advice on book titles, magic systems, dealing with criticism, and examples of genres/pitches she would like to see more of from fantasy authors.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord. 

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.

Our special guest today is Brenna English-Loeb, a literary agent for Transatlantic Literary Agency and the founder of <a href="https://beltowereditorial.com/">BEL Tower Editorial</a>, a developmental editing business where she helps authors craft rich, compelling stories across multiple genres, including of course fantasy.
Brenna English-Loeb was kind enough to answer a bunch of questions from our community and beyond, like how to know when it's time to do a developmental edit, if TikTok is "ruining" books, and how to set your query up for success. She also gives helpful advice on book titles, magic systems, dealing with criticism, and examples of genres/pitches she would like to see more of from fantasy authors.
Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>. 
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, 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 <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.

Whether you're a beginner fantasy writer or maybe even a barbarian, Fantasy Writing for Barbarians can help take your story to some exciting new worlds. Hosted by Jon Negroni and produced by Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock.

Whether you're a beginner fantasy writer or maybe even a barbarian, Fantasy Writing for Barbarians can help take your story to some exciting new worlds. Hosted by Jon Negroni and produced by Natalia Emmons and Bridget Serdock.

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

InBetweenDrafts is a new destination for the endlessly curious. Founded by the former editors at The Young Folks, we cover the latest news and entertainment across film, books, television, games, music, and more.

InBetweenDrafts is a new destination for the endlessly curious. Founded by the former editors at The Young Folks, we cover the latest news and entertainment across film, books, television, games, music, and more.

InBetweenDrafts

Writing Advice from Literary Agent/Editor Brenna English-Loeb

If your main character is "overpowered," that's not necessarily a bad thing. The key is to make sure you find weaknesses that complement both the character and the story they're driving. So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at a prompt asking for feedback on a particularly overpowered protagonist. I use plenty of familiar examples of "op" characters done well and discuss the beauty of adding "contradictions" to powerful characters in order to make them more compelling and intriguing to readers.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here, as well as the second prompt 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.

If your main character is "overpowered," that's not necessarily a bad thing. The key is to make sure you find weaknesses that complement both the character and the story they're driving. So today on Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I take a look at a prompt asking for feedback on a particularly overpowered protagonist. I use plenty of familiar examples of "op" characters done well and discuss the beauty of adding "contradictions" to powerful characters in order to make them more compelling and intriguing to readers.
Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gvs62a/feedback_for_my_character_idea_science_fiction/">right here</a>, as well as the second prompt <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gqzc1s/they_make_it_look_harder_than_it_really_is/">here</a>.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, 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 <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.

How to write overpowered protagonists

Let's be real. A lot of authors (especially men like me) tend to fall short when writing female characters, let alone protagonists. There are all kinds of stereotypes, cliches, and blindspots that we're told to avoid. But at a certain point, it can all start to feel like we're fulfilling a checklist. When really, our goal should be to write complex characters that resonate with readers across the gender spectrum.

So today on a special extended episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I don't just give my own advice on writing female protagonists. I bring in some other perspectives too, including an extra prompt and of course some notes from one of our very own producers.

Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or join our Discord. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show right here, as well as the second prompt 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.

Let's be real. A lot of authors (especially men like me) tend to fall short when writing female characters, let alone protagonists. There are all kinds of stereotypes, cliches, and blindspots that we're told to avoid. But at a certain point, it can all start to feel like we're fulfilling a checklist. When really, our goal should be to write complex characters that resonate with readers across the gender spectrum.
So today on a special extended episode of Fantasy Writing for Barbarians, I don't just give my own advice on writing female protagonists. I bring in some other perspectives too, including an extra prompt and of course some notes from one of our very own producers.
Email your show feedback and/or advice prompts to fantasywritingforbarbarians@gmail.com or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>. You can find the first discussion prompt we referenced on the show <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gqxs8a/what_do_you_want_more_or_less_of_in_female/">right here</a>, as well as the second prompt <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/fantasywriters/comments/1gqzc1s/they_make_it_look_harder_than_it_really_is/">here</a>.
Fantasy Writing for Barbarians‘ host is <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a>, 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 <a href="https://omny.fm/shows/in-between-drafts/playlists/fantasy-writing-for-barbarians">here</a>.

How to write female protagonists

This week, Jon Negroni and Travis Hymas discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Loki in the Underworld.” One Piece 1131 is currently available to read for free on Viz.

We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, you can either email us (rookiepirateradio@gmail.com) or join our Discord, where we have a special channel devoted to all things One Piece spoilers. 

Extra Credits:

Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime & Manga editor of InBetweenDrafts, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1131 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

This week, <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/jonnegroni/">Jon Negroni</a> and <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/author/hymastravis/">Travis Hymas</a> discuss the latest chapter of the One Piece manga, titled “Loki in the Underworld.” One Piece 1131 is currently available to read for free on <a href="https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/one-piece?locale=en">Viz</a>.
We want your feedback! If you have any questions, corrections, or your own theories and speculation, you can either email us (rookiepirateradio@gmail.com) or <a href="https://discord.gg/wG5g8RR4m2">join our Discord</a>, where we have a special channel devoted to all things One Piece spoilers. 
Extra Credits:
Our intro music is a remix version of “Overtaken” from the One Piece anime, cut together by Jon Negroni. Our podcast artwork is by Jon Negroni. Travis Hymas is the Anime &amp; Manga editor of <a href="https://inbetweendrafts.com/our-origin-story/">InBetweenDrafts</a>, and Jon Negroni is the Film Editor of InBetweenDrafts. Our recap of One Piece 1131 is based on the English translation of the manga, courtesy of Viz. In case you didn’t know already, Eiichiro Oda is the creator of One Piece. Plus, we’re not just a One Piece podcast by the way! If you have a manga or anime you’d like us to cover or mention on the show, definitely reach out.

Writing Advice from Literary Agent/Editor Brenna English-Loeb

Fantasy Writing for Barbarians

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