Episode 32: Worldbuilding That Works: Self-Editing Strategies for Immersive Fantasy Worlds

In this podcast for fantasy authors, we explore self-editing strategies for writers with a focus on writing believable fantasy worlds through strong story world development. Episode 32 of the Story Savvy series dives deep into writing societal norms in fiction, helping authors enhance their worldbuilding during the editing process. If you're working on a draft and want your world to feel immersive and intentional, this episode is packed with insights on fantasy novel editing and the nuances of culture, religion, and worldview that shape unforgettable stories.

Join developmental editor Rebecca Hartwell [hartboundediting.com] and guest co-host Addy DuLac, stepping in for Agnes Wolfe of Authors’ Alcove [authorsalcove.com], as they dig into how to evaluate your worldbuilding for immersion, clarity, and internal logic. Addy DuLac is a published author of interracial historical romance, known for One Season with the Duke and the Troublemakers Trilogy, a series that blends heart, humor, and heat with a deep respect for cultural nuance and historical weight.

Whether you're writing fantasy, historical fiction, or anything in between, this episode offers actionable strategies for ensuring your world’s values, speech patterns, and beliefs serve the story—and never pull your readers out of it.

You’ll learn:
-How to define your world’s mindset through character behavior and voice
-What “reader dissonance” is—and how to avoid it
-When (and how) to explain culturally unique elements
-Why consistency is more important than realism
-How to track intangible worldbuilding details across drafts
-Tools for keeping invented cultures authentic and immersive

Recommended Resources
-Need a Developmental Editor? hartboundediting.com