Episode Details

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where labyrinths hide impossible choices, memories can't be trusted, and kindness may be the greatest weapon of all.

This week, hosts Sara Santillan and Amara sit down with fantasy author Frances White to discuss her haunting standalone fantasy horror novel, The Bone Door.

Frances shares the inspiration behind her escape-room-inspired fantasy, where seven children awaken inside a mysterious labyrinth with no memories of who they are or how they got there. To escape, they must survive impossible trials, uncover the truth about themselves, and confront horrors far darker than the monsters lurking in the maze.

We also dive into writing child protagonists for an adult audience, balancing horror with humor, exploring trauma, identity, and found family, and why kindness—not strength—is the true superpower at the heart of the novel. Along the way, Frances shares her seven-year journey to publication, her love of cosplay and video games, and why stubbornness may be the most important trait an aspiring author can have.

⚔️ What if your greatest weapon wasn't magic but kindness?
🦴 Who are you when your memories are gone?
🖤 And what if escaping the labyrinth means confronting the person you used to be?

This episode is perfect for readers who love fantasy horror, dark mysteries, found family, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:

✨ The inspiration behind The Bone Door.
✨ Fantasy horror through the eyes of children.
✨ Escape rooms, labyrinths, and impossible trials.
✨ Writing memory loss without confusing readers.
✨ Trauma, identity, and choosing who you become.
✨ Why kindness is Hop's greatest strength.
✨ Creating authentic queer and body-positive representation.
✨ Frances' seven-year journey to traditional publishing.
✨ The realities of publishing and handling rejection.
✨ Cosplay, gaming, and creative inspiration.
✨ Why standalones are Frances' favorite stories to write.
✨ Her next novel: Gay Bridgerton meets Squid Game.

CONNECT WITH US

🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic
👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland
👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill
📚Frances White  – @FrancisWhiteAuthor

✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.