Authors In The Media With Edward Willett

Mickey Mikkelson has reconnected me with fantasy and sci-fi author Edward Willett, though this time we are going to discuss The Worldshapers Podcast! 

Q: Edward, welcome back to Book Notions! What drew you into podcasting and what is your advice for anyone wanting to start a podcast? 

A: I began my career as a newspaper reporter and editor, so interviewing was something I did very early on. As time went on, I also hosted a radio show and a TV show, as well as being a regular guest on both radio and TV for many years. When podcasting began to be a thing, I always thought it was something I’d like to try, but the real impetus for it was the launch of my Worldshapers series from DAW Books in 2018. The novels are about worlds that were created and shaped by creators who then live within them, and there are obvious parallels to what writers do in creating their fictional worlds. I thought it would be interesting to talk to other science fiction and fantasy writers about their creative process, and so The Worldshapers podcast was born, launching at the same time as the first book in what is thus far a three-book series (Worldshapers, Master of the World, and The Moonlit World). I also saw it as a marketing opportunity for my own books, as well as something that could help other authors publicize their work.

My only advice for podcasters is to do your research. There’s a lot to learn when you’re starting out! And think long and hard about exactly what you want the podcast to be about. Have a clear image before you begin.

Q: Have you interviewed sci-fi and fantasy authors on your podcast or plan on doing it in the future? 

A: Yes, as I noted above, originally I only interviewed science fiction authors. That changed in 2024, largely because I wanted to interview some of the authors I publish through Shadowpaw Press, and many of them are not science fiction and fantasy authors. 

Because the first five years of the podcast focused only on science fiction and fantasy authors, it also became the springboard for original science fiction and fantasy anthologies featuring authors who were guests on the show. The first one, Shapers of Worlds, was Kickstarted and published in 2019, with a new volume following each year until last year, when the final one, Shapers of Worlds Volume V, came out. They’re great showcases of the work of some of the authors I interviewed.

Q: Would you please provide a link to your podcast? My readers and I love them! 

A: The podcast has its own website, at https://theworldshapers.com. All past episodes are archived there, and each new episode gets its own page, with links to the audio version and (for the last two years) the YouTube version.

You can subscribe to it anywhere you listen to podcasts, such as Apple or Spotify. You can also watch the YouTube version on my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/edwardwillett.

(The more complicated URL for The Worldshapers playlist specifically is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLseCx9-RbQj5GlRLN9WvJaZVbKh2RBzrj)