Research for Worldbuilding with Kate J. Armstrong

We're back after a long break with a new episode -- maybe the most useful one yet -- and an update on future plans. If you want to stay in the loop re future opportunities to learn from Amie, make sure you're on the mailing list, which you can join at amiekaufman.substack.com

We’ll be back in a couple of months with the second half of Season 4, and in the meantime, I have a couple of fantastic bonus episodes for you. When I got a question about how to turn a character idea into a story idea, I knew Lili was the person to answer it. Listeners, you can find Lili on Instagram at @liliwilkinson, or online at her website, where you can learn more about her new book, A Hunger of Thorns - a sapphic, witchy, botanical book about lost girls, and an adventure into an abandoned power plant that’s built on the remains of a magical forest - and her many other works.  Don't forget that my newest book, The Isles of the Gods, is out now! I hope you love it. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.

We’ll be back in a couple of months with the second half of Season 4, and in the meantime, I have a couple of fantastic bonus episodes for you. First up, we're going to hear from James Sutter. James is the co-creator of the Pathfinder and Starfinder roleplaying games—if you’re not a tabletop gamer, they’re similar to games like D&D. He’s also an author, and his latest novel, Darkhearts, came out on June 6th.  Listeners, you can find James on Twitter at @jameslsutter and Instagram at james_l_sutter, or online at jameslsutter.com, where you can learn more about Darkhearts and his other work.  Don't forget that my newest book, The Isles of the Gods, is out now! I hope you love it. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.

Creating a magic system that really works takes effort. Every time you think you’ve got it working, someone points out some what-if hypothetical, and you’re back to the drawing board, trying to plug more leaks in your logic bucket. When it does work, though – well, all of us have been swept away at one point or another by the feeling we’re truly in another world, and a story full of magic you can believe in is really special. I’m going to give you three questions I ask myself when I’m creating a magic system, using one of my own as a case study.  My new book, The Isles of the Gods, is officially out! The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance,  slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, who has to save him, if she wants to save the world. I think you're going to love it. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.    

I started writing an episode to answer a question about worldbuilding and research—and then I realised that I already have the perfect resource for you. All of you know by now that my lovely producer Kate is also Kate J. Armstrong, author of Nightbirds, a brilliant book about girls who can gift magic to you with a kiss. Kate and I host the Pub Dates podcast, where we take listeners behind the scenes as we follow our books through the publication process. We’ve discussed this exact topic – so today, I’m going to share an excerpt from that episode. It’s a little longer than the average Amie Kaufman on Writing episode, but I promise you won’t get bored. If you're listening to this in real time, then tomorrow my new book, The Isles of the Gods, will be out. The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance,  slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, who has to save him, if she wants to save the world. If you’re listening on release (May 2, 2023), you have a couple of days left to claim the many preorder goodies on offer. If you’re going to read it, then make sure you lodge your receipt and get the goods as well. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.  

The way a character narrating a book—or even just a character whose point of view we share—is going to describe someone they see every day is going to be really different to the way they describe a newcomer. Let's break down some of techniques you can use to describe a familiar character in a way that serves the story and feel true to the person describing them. If you're listening to this in real time, then tomorrow my new book, The Isles of the Gods, will be out. The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance,  slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, who has to save him, if she wants to save the world. If you’re listening on release (May 2, 2023), you have a couple of days left to claim the many preorder goodies on offer. If you’re going to read it, then make sure you lodge your receipt and get the goods as well. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.  

I LOVE maps: I think they really add something to a world—when done well, everything from the style in which the map is drawn, to what’s included can contribute to the story. Today I'm going to give you my three best tips for creating one for your story. I have a new book out in a week! The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, and has to save him if she wants to save the world. It’s my favourite thing I’ve ever written, and I’m beyond excited that it’s finally going to be out in the world. I particularly want you to know it’s coming because if you preorder it, you can head to amiekaufman.com/preorder and claim a variety of thank you gifts that range from character art to signed bookplates to invitations to a virtual Q&A. There’s also an annotated first chapter, which will be of particular interest to the writers among you. If you’re going to read it, then make sure you lodge your receipt and get the goods as well. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.

All my books are romances. I love them: the yearning, the will-they-won’t-they, and sometimes just the how-on-earth-can-they of it. Whether it’s a tortured, star-crossed love affair or a cosy romance set somewhere sweet, I’m here for it. Today I’m going to give you three tips I keep in mind when writing my own romances. I have a new book out in just a couple of weeks! The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, and has to save him if she wants to save the world. It’s my favourite thing I’ve ever written, and I’m beyond excited that it’s finally going to be out in the world—I first started work on this one ten years ago! I particularly want you to know it’s coming because if you preorder it, you can head to amiekaufman.com/preorder and claim a variety of thank you gifts that range from character art to signed bookplates to invitations to a virtual Q&A. There’s also an annotated first chapter, which will be of particular interest to the writers among you. If you’re going to read it, then make sure you lodge your receipt and get the goods as well. You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.

When I got a question about writing apocalyptic worlds, I knew that London should be the one to answer it. She has so much wisdom on this subject to share. Find out more about London at her website. You will find a transcript of this episode on my website, which is also where you can sign up for my new newsletter and find out about my other podcast, Pub Dates, which is taking you behind the scenes on my upcoming novel The Isles of the Gods (you can pre-order it right now).

When I recieved a question on how to create a compelling cast of characters, I knew M.K. England was the person to answer it. M.K. is a pro at building a dynamic ensemble cast, and this episode is jam-packed with their practical advice on how to make sure your cast of characters are all distinct, unique, and play well off each other. Find out more about M.K. at their website. You will find a transcript of this episode on my website , which is also where you can sign up for my new newsletter and find out about my other podcast, Pub Dates, which is taking you behind the scenes on my upcoming novel The Isles of the Gods (you can pre-order it right now).