You know we LOVE The Poet Empress, and we had the best time chatting with Shen Tao about her book, early inspiration (warrior cats, anyone?) and how fonts might speak in different ways!
Shen Tao:
https://www.instagram.com/storygoose
Books Discussed:
The Poet Empress - Shen Tao
Immaculate Deception - Isabela Livino
The Ballad of Falling Dragons - Sarah A Parker
The Beauty of Darkness - Mary E Pearson
Long Distance Book Club:
https://www.patreon.com/OnceUponaTimeZone
Follow us on Instagram: @onceuponatimezonepod
Watch our video podcasts on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OnceUponaTimeZonePodcast
Jaime's socials:
https://www.youtube.com/@jaimefok
Instagram: @jaimefok
Tiktok: @jaime.fok
Freya's socials:
https://www.youtube.com/@freyvalerio
Instagram: @freyv_reads
Tiktok: @freyvalerio
(00:00) intro & current reads
(04:35) where did @storygoose come from?
(07:23) Shen's journey to becoming a published author
(10:22) Influences on Shen's writing style
(13:54) warrior cats fanfiction to fantasy pipeline
(15:38) life as a debut author
(19:10) what is The Poet Empress about?
(20:30) is the protagonist really the main focus?
(23:24) Shen's favourite character to write?
(25:03) the influence of siblings
(26:09) publishing fantasy with a romantasy imprint
(28:55) developing a magic system based in poetry
(31:03) Shen's favourite moment in the book
(32:28) the font challenge
(36:09) Shen's next novel reveal!
(39:03) listener questions
(39:12) a song to describe the characters?
(40:16) how to manage emotions while writing
(41:58) The Poet Empress in three words
(42:51) favourite edition of The Poet Empress
(44:18) how does it feel to have rocketed to success?
(49:00) this or that
