Jess Galaxie (they/them) chats with Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about fantastical inspiration and the joy of collaborating with human artists.

Jess Galaxie (they/them) is the author of the cozy fantasy duology The Graveyard Trees (beginning with Feathers of Dawn) and the forthcoming sapphic ren faire romance How to Juggle Ballads and Blades. You can connect with them on instagram @galaxiebot

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of the Victorian romantasy Oak King Holly King and the fantasy-of-manners romance Fiorenzo, amongst other titles. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

The hour has arrived for a big apology to slake the reader’s thirst for justice. Indie authors Tess Carletta (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss the groveling trope in romance and genre fiction, why it’s so difficult to get right, and what can be done to make it truly satisfying.

Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy fantasy romance, its sequel collection Patchwork, and the forthcoming fantasy novel Goldheart. You can connect with her at her website: tesscarletta.com

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of the Victorian romantasy Oak King Holly King, its sequel Tales from Blackthorn Briar, and the fantasy-of-manners romance Fiorenzo, amongst other titles. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

Authors RK Ashwick (she/her) and Noah Hawthorne (they/them) discuss why so many cozy fantasy stories feature coffeeshops and bookshops, how to break out of the mold, and where the genre’s economic models may go in the future.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit, as well as the cozy fantasy series Sidequest Row beginning with A Rival Most Vial. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Noah Hawthorne (they/them), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook, and the solarpunk novel The Rebel Foxes, amongst other titles. You can connect with them at their website: neshamapublishing.com