161. Interview with Kathryn Nelson, Fantasy Novelist

“So you see that the main characters’ relationship develop. You see how their country"s changing, their themes of mental health and women"s rights, social justice, there"s magical gems. There"s Ice Giants, elves, yeah, all of the good things.“ - Kathryn Nelson From Ice-giants, fantasy worlds, to the power of fantasy in addressing real-life issues. In this How To Write the Future episode, host Beth Barany talks to fellow fantasy Novelist Kathryn Nelson, where they discuss writing about matriarchal societies within their novels, including why there is a need for strong character role models. Plus, Beth and Kathryn explore positive futures through storytelling.  ABOUT KATHRYN NELSON Kathryn Nelson is a writer of honest fantasy, genuine heroines, and wellness wisdom. She lives in Northern Ireland with her husband and Irish red setter and spends her time sitting at a sunny desk overlooking her wild garden when writing every day. She enjoys long walks in the hills and by the coast, whilst conjuring dragons from the sky, questing for selkie in the sea, and conversing with fairies in the woods. Website: https://www.kathrynnelsonwriter.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KathrynNelsonWriterFB Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kathrynnelsonwriter TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@kathrynnelsonwriter YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@kathrynnelsonwriter Newsletter Sign-up for free ebook: https://www.kathrynnelsonwriter.com/gifts ABOUT BETH BARANY Beth Barany, an award-winning fantasy and science fiction novelist, teaches novelists how to write, edit, and publish their books as a coach, teacher, consultant, and developmental editor. RESOURCES Support our work for creatives! Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/bethbarany GET HELP WITH YOUR WORLD BUILDING - START HERE Free World Building Workbook for Fiction Writers: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/world-building-resources/ Sign up for the 30-minute Story Success Clinic with Beth Barany: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/story-success-clinic/ Get support for your fiction writing by a novelist and writing teacher and coach. Schedule an exploratory call here and see if Beth can support you today: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/discovery-call/ SHOW PRODUCTION BY Beth BaranySHOW CO-PRODUCTION + NOTES by Kerry-Ann McDade c. 2025 BETH BARANY https://b Questions? Comments? Send us a text! -- CONNECT Contact Beth: https://writersfunzone.com/blog/podcast/#tve-jump-185b4422580 Email: beth@bethbarany.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/ CREDITS EDITED WITH DESCRIPT: https://get.descript.com/0clwwvlf6e3j MUSIC: Uppbeat.io DISTRIBUTED BY BUZZSPROUT: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1994465