Morning Edit is your weekly peek behind the curtain of independent publishing. Host James D. Mills — editor, writer, and small press founder — shares candid updates from his publishing journey, insights on the writing life, and tips on submitting work, navigating the book business, and living creatively. Along the way, James answers listener questions and talks about the books shaping his thinking.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/16/11/24e7757d-71fa-4754-bec4-086c5ba495ff_2025-11-11_18-05-30.mp3

Check out my kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawnIt&#39;s November, which means that it&#39;s time for writers to overwork themselves and insight premature burnout! Yes, its time for NaNoWriMo. Today I&#39;m discussing my earnest effort to achieve 50,000 words in one month. It&#39;s November 11th, and I haven&#39;t even start yet.

Check out my kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

It&#39;s November, which means that it&#39;s time for writers to overwork themselves and insight premature burnout! Yes, its time for NaNoWriMo. Today I&#39;m discussing my earnest effort to achieve 50,000 words in one month. It&#39;s November 11th, and I haven&#39;t even start yet.

How I'm Handling NaNoWriMo

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/11/8/13/4cc12ab2-2970-4f8b-b593-630e9c1c106a_lp_interview.mp3

Check out A Valley of Shadow: https://thearcanist.net/novels/avos.htmlFantasy authors feel obligated to write giant books in never ending series. Trilogies composed of 800-page tomes litter store shelves. In the days of yore, this was a good thing. Now, with attention spans dwindling, authors are failing to meet the needs of their readers. Lee Patton seeks to impact fantasy by returning to the serial and standalone models that drove 20th century pulp fiction. His debut novella, A Valley of Shadow, is a searing introduction into the realm of short books. In this talk, he enlightens us on how he did it. Lee&#39;s website: https://deathlessrealms.comFollow my Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Check out A Valley of Shadow: https://thearcanist.net/novels/avos.html

Fantasy authors feel obligated to write giant books in never ending series. Trilogies composed of 800-page tomes litter store shelves. In the days of yore, this was a good thing. Now, with attention spans dwindling, authors are failing to meet the needs of their readers. Lee Patton seeks to impact fantasy by returning to the serial and standalone models that drove 20th century pulp fiction. His debut novella, A Valley of Shadow, is a searing introduction into the realm of short books. In this talk, he enlightens us on how he did it. 

Lee&#39;s website: https://deathlessrealms.com

Follow my Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Short Books are the Future — Featuring Lee Patton

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/30/14/edf5334b-6047-430a-b49e-48429931f3d0_aug9_2025_1.mp3

Win free copies of Jensen&#39;s books: https://kingsumo.com/g/1j2v5k3/fantasy-book-giveaway-the-crown-and-the-caged-god-by-cd-jensen All too often we get caught up in the idea perfection. Oh no! My first draft is riddled with errors, I need to go back and... we&#39;ve all been there. Sometimes the pursuit of perfection is a worthy goal, other times it stands in the way of finishing your project. In this episode of the Morning Edit, author C.D. Jensen and I discuss the role of perfectionism in our creative lives and how we can use it and when to let it go.

https://kingsumo.com/g/1j2v5k3/fantasy-book-giveaway-the-crown-and-the-caged-god-by-cd-jensen

Win free copies of Jensen&#39;s books: https://kingsumo.com/g/1j2v5k3/fantasy-book-giveaway-the-crown-and-the-caged-god-by-cd-jensen

All too often we get caught up in the idea perfection. Oh no! My first draft is riddled with errors, I need to go back and... we&#39;ve all been there. Sometimes the pursuit of perfection is a worthy goal, other times it stands in the way of finishing your project. In this episode of the Morning Edit, author C.D. Jensen and I discuss the role of perfectionism in our creative lives and how we can use it and when to let it go. 



Perfection vs. Creativity — When to let go (featuring C.D. Jensen)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/17/18/b1749532-98a8-41f5-b2dc-7ed2573c6a67_2510_crop_audio.mp3

Good morning fellow writers and welcome to the Morning Edit. Today we discuss my version of the Crop Rotation method of writing project management. If you are overwhelmed by myriad ideas, have a hard time staying motivated, and want to make progress on multiple projects—this is the method for you. Follow my kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Good morning fellow writers and welcome to the Morning Edit. Today we discuss my version of the Crop Rotation method of writing project management. If you are overwhelmed by myriad ideas, have a hard time staying motivated, and want to make progress on multiple projects—this is the method for you. 

Follow my kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Crop Rotation — Write More and Stay Motivated

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/10/1/14/776bac4d-2e4d-4db1-8079-f635dfa25bfa_250929_edit.mp3

Good morning fellow writers and welcome to the Morning Edit. Today we are discussing the merits of journaling your novel project and how doing so can help keep you motivated while you write, and allows you to solve major narrative issues as your write the first draft. To read my own production journal, visit my portfolio: https://portfolio.jamesdmills.com/posts/pr/

Journaling the Production of Your Novel

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/7/10/3a35dc8e-67d8-4d9d-83bb-13254fb69829_250908_swordsorcery_audio.mp3

Good morning and welcome to The Morning Edit. Today I’m joined by Lee Patton, fiction editor at The Arcanist and author of A Valley of Shadow, a modern reimagining of classic sword and sorcery.We dive into the heart of the sword and sorcery genre and ask: does it have literary value beyond swords, violence, and adventure? How can internal struggle enhance the external narrative often found in these stories? And how can the genre be modernized for today’s readers?As an avid student of sword and sorcery, Lee Patton shares why this genre still matters in 2025 and how authors can revive it for a new generation.If you’re a fan of Robert E. Howard, Conan the Barbarian, Fritz Leiber, or Michael Moorcock, you won’t want to miss this conversation.Pre-Order &#34;A Valley of Shadow&#34; by Lee Patton: https://thearcanist.net/novels/avos.htmlFollow my Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Good morning and welcome to The Morning Edit. Today I’m joined by Lee Patton, fiction editor at The Arcanist and author of A Valley of Shadow, a modern reimagining of classic sword and sorcery.

We dive into the heart of the sword and sorcery genre and ask: does it have literary value beyond swords, violence, and adventure? How can internal struggle enhance the external narrative often found in these stories? And how can the genre be modernized for today’s readers?

As an avid student of sword and sorcery, Lee Patton shares why this genre still matters in 2025 and how authors can revive it for a new generation.

If you’re a fan of Robert E. Howard, Conan the Barbarian, Fritz Leiber, or Michael Moorcock, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

Pre-Order &#34;A Valley of Shadow&#34; by Lee Patton: https://thearcanist.net/novels/avos.html

Follow my Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Sword & Sorcery in the 21st Century — Featuring Lee Patton

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/9/4/12/c4007052-0470-45aa-9217-5e2f1dcca71b_250903.mp3

Pre-Order A Valley of Shadow: https://store.thearcanist.netGood morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. This week I&#39;m joined by fantasy author, Lee Patton (A Valley of Shadow). Today we&#39;re talking about of our shared experiences studying Literary Theories, such as Formalism, New Historicism, Psychoanalysis, and Post-Modernism and how these things inform our understanding of story as writers.

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. This week I&#39;m joined by fantasy author, Lee Patton (A Valley of Shadow). Today we&#39;re talking about of our shared experiences studying Literary Theories, such as Formalism, New Historicism, Psychoanalysis, and Post-Modernism and how these things inform our understanding of story as writers.

Using Literary Theory to Improve Editorial Skills — Featuring Lee Patton

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/27/11/feb2292d-1e1d-4931-b649-bcccaa543bf1_2025-08-25.mp3

Follow Novels of Dusk and Dawn on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawnGood morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. Today, I&#39;m discussing my thoughts about finishing Ashen Rider, the third novel I&#39;ve written and the first I&#39;ll be publishing. I discuss the novel&#39;s themes and their relation to my life as well as the state of the publishing industry, and why indie was the clear path for a book like this.

Follow Novels of Dusk and Dawn on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thearcanistsrefuge/novels-of-dusk-and-dawn

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. Today, I&#39;m discussing my thoughts about finishing Ashen Rider, the third novel I&#39;ve written and the first I&#39;ll be publishing. I discuss the novel&#39;s themes and their relation to my life as well as the state of the publishing industry, and why indie was the clear path for a book like this.

I Finished My Third Book — Novel Production Post Mortem

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/22/15/6d3a5fc9-5f2f-44f9-9811-9bec7119c974_intro_1.mp3

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. This week I&#39;m joined by professor and author, C.D. Jensen (The Crown and the Caged God) talking about why he isn&#39;t interested in writing for a living. Passion cannot bear the weight of our finances. Read The Crown and the Caged God: https://amzn.to/45KRgVd

Writing SHOULD NOT Pay the Bills — Featuring C.D. Jensen

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/13/14/d34da75e-583e-4280-b8d0-0e69cc041995_250813_audio.mp3

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. This week I&#39;m joined by professor and author, C.D. Jensen (The Crown and the Caged God) talking about our need for artistic communities and why they&#39;re so integral to the craft of fantasy writing. Thumbnail art by Joyce Maureira, used with permission.

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. This week I&#39;m joined by professor and author, C.D. Jensen (The Crown and the Caged God) talking about our need for artistic communities and why they&#39;re so integral to the craft of fantasy writing.  

Thumbnail art by Joyce Maureira, used with permission.

Why Fantasy Writers NEED a Community — Featuring C.D. Jensen

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/12/12/f0e2aafa-1dc0-484c-b1a2-37cd270d9fb9_250808_audio.mp3

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. The show where we can have a casual chat about writing and some coffee. This week I dive into my recent experiences networking and the frustrations I&#39;ve experienced by depending on Amazon for book fulfillment.Subscribe to my Substack: https://jdmauthor.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile&amp;utm_medium=profile-pageCheck out the Arcanist: https://magazine.thearcanist.netPurchase The Literary Fantasy Magazine: https://store.thearcanist.net/subscribe

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. The show where we can have a casual chat about writing and some coffee. This week I dive into my recent experiences networking and the frustrations I&#39;ve experienced by depending on Amazon for book fulfillment. 

Subscribe to my Substack: https://jdmauthor.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile&amp;utm_medium=profile-page

Check out the Arcanist: https://magazine.thearcanist.net

Purchase The Literary Fantasy Magazine: https://store.thearcanist.net/subscribe

You Need to Network With Other Authors

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2025/8/12/12/2f7ad75b-c5bc-47df-92e0-cd1b7fc4399d_250728_audio.mp3

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. The show where we can have a casual chat about writing and some coffee. This week, I introduce the show, review my submission grind and some recent successes. I also discuss why splitting my massive Fantasy book is beneficial for the current indie market. Matias Trevieso-Diaz Interview: https://magazine.thearcanist.net/the-writing-life-an-interview-with-matias-travieso-diazSubscribe to my Substack: https://jdmauthor.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile&amp;utm_medium=profile-pageCheck out the Arcanist: https://magazine.thearcanist.netPurchase The Literary Fantasy Magazine: https://store.thearcanist.net/subscribe

Good morning, and welcome to the Morning Edit. The show where we can have a casual chat about writing and some coffee. This week, I introduce the show, review my submission grind and some recent successes. I also discuss why splitting my massive Fantasy book is beneficial for the current indie market.



Matias Trevieso-Diaz Interview: https://magazine.thearcanist.net/the-writing-life-an-interview-with-matias-travieso-diaz

Subscribe to my Substack: https://jdmauthor.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile&amp;utm_medium=profile-page

Check out the Arcanist: https://magazine.thearcanist.net

Purchase The Literary Fantasy Magazine: https://store.thearcanist.net/subscribe

Small Books are the Future

Fantasy Indie Publishing with James D. Mills

Morning Edit is your weekly peek behind the curtain of independent publishing. Host James D. Mills — editor, writer, and small press founder — shares candid updates from his publishing journey, insights on the writing life, and tips on submitting work, navigating the book business, and living creatively. Along the way, James answers listener questions and talks about the books shaping his thinking.