Episode Summary: “What’s Next for Dear Fantasy Reader: New Formats, New Books, Same Fangirl Energy”

Podcast: Dear Fantasy Reader
Host/Author: Dear Fantasy Reader
Episode Title: What’s Next for Dear Fantasy Reader: New Formats, New Books, Same Fangirl Energy
Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction: Transitioning to New Horizons

In the episode titled “What’s Next for Dear Fantasy Reader: New Formats, New Books, Same Fangirl Energy,” hosts Hannah, Kinsey, and Carly announce significant changes to the podcast’s structure and content as they conclude their current season on Rebecca Yarros' Onyx Storm. The trio emphasizes their commitment to evolving the podcast to better serve their growing audience of fantasy enthusiasts.

Hannah opens the discussion by welcoming listeners and introducing the topic of the episode:

“Dearest Fantasy Readers, welcome to the Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast where we travel through the pages of our favorite Romantasy novels.” (00:05)

Format Changes: Embracing Flexibility and Depth

As Season 3, centered on Onyx Storm, wraps up, the hosts reveal a shift away from their traditional chapter-by-chapter analysis. Recognizing the increasing number of anticipated releases and the limited time of their audience, they are introducing a more flexible and comprehensive format.

Carly addresses the need for a new approach:

“We also know not everyone has time to reread three books before the next release, and even if you do, you might not have the time to binge over a dozen two-hour long episodes before the sequel drops.” (00:42)

To accommodate this, they are implementing “prep and recovery seasons,” designed to streamline the listening experience while maintaining in-depth analysis.

Introducing Prep and Recovery Seasons

The new structure consists of two main components:

1. Prep Seasons:

   • Content: Fast-paced recaps, lore refreshers, character breakdowns, plot thread analyses, world-building insights, and their signature theory spirals.
   • Purpose: To prepare listeners emotionally and mentally for upcoming book releases.

   Kinsey elaborates on the prep phase:

   “Each prep season will include fast-paced recap, refreshers, breakdowns of characters, lore, plot threads, world building, and our signature theory spirals, all designed to get you emotionally and mentally ready before release day.” (01:04)

2. Recovery Seasons:

   • Content: Initial thoughts and reactions, explanations of unclear elements, answers to top reader questions, theories for subsequent books, and potentially exclusive author interviews.
   • Purpose: To help listeners process and engage with the book immediately after its release.

   Kinsey continues:

   “Once the book releases, we will complete the recovery portion of the season with an initial thoughts and reactions episode, breaking down and explaining anything that may be unclear, and answering top reader questions, theories for the next book if it has one, and possibly even author interviews.” (01:04)

Seasonal Structure: Organized by Book

Each book in the Empyrean series will become the focal point of its own season, allowing the hosts to delve deeply without overwhelming their listeners. This organization ensures that each release is given ample attention and that listeners can easily follow along with their reading schedules.

Hannah outlines the upcoming seasons:

“Our next official season number six will be Drum roll Burn of the Everflame we sat down and organized the next year of our seasons and tentatively based on book releases, and we want to make sure you're prepared before the book drops, not after.” (01:56)

Future Plans: Upcoming Seasons and Content

The hosts provide a roadmap for future content, highlighting ongoing and upcoming seasons:

• Season 4: Continued author interviews, offering deeper insights directly from Rebecca Yarros and other fantasy authors.
• Season 5: Dedicated to book reactions and standalone coverage, ensuring comprehensive post-release discussions.
• Season 6: Focused on Burn of the Everflame, including both prep and recovery phases, alongside preparation for Brimstone and other early 2026 releases.

Carly adds humorously:

“Yes, Understatement.” (03:13)

Kinsey reinforces the continuity of the podcast’s essence:

“This is still the same Dear Fantasy Reader podcast you know and love, just in a format that lets us cover more books, serve more readers, and spiral even harder.” (03:16)

Hannah affectionately sums it up:

“Or as we like to call it, fangirl multitasking.” (03:26)

Enhancing the Listener Experience: Building a Community

The revamped format aims to create the ultimate romantasy resource, catering to diverse reader needs—from those seeking crash courses before a new release to fans wanting to delve into complex plot twists post-release.

Kinsey emphasizes their mission:

“We're building the ultimate romantasy resource for readers who want to feel prepared, connected, and completely immersed in the stories they love.” (03:31)

Carly highlights their comprehensive coverage:

“From lore and world building to character arcs and sequel theories we reread so you don't have to. We recap, process and fangirl right alongside you.” (03:48)

Host Updates: Changes Behind the Scenes

The episode also touches on personal updates affecting the hosts. Kinsey is relocating for the summer, which will result in Hannah and Carly taking the lead during the Burn of the Everflame season. Despite this change, they assure listeners of continued activity and engagement on their social platforms.

Hannah provides reassurance:

“Kinsey is moving this summer so you may see more of Carly and I throughout our Burn season. No need to fret, we will still be active over on our socials and we'll have a season schedule releasing soon.” (04:06)

Conclusion: Looking Ahead to the Kindred Curse Saga

Wrapping up the episode, Hannah and Carly express excitement for future adventures, particularly the upcoming Kindred Curse saga, promising even more engaging content and community interaction.

Hannah signs off:

“Dearest fantasy readers, prepare yourselves for our journey into the Kindred Curse saga.” (04:44)

Carly echoes the enthusiasm:

“Can't wait.” (04:44)

Key Takeaways

• Format Evolution: Transitioning from chapter-by-chapter analyses to prep and recovery seasons to better accommodate listeners’ schedules and the increasing number of book releases.
• Seasonal Focus: Each book in the Empyrean series will have its dedicated season, allowing for in-depth exploration and timely preparation.
• Enhanced Content: Introduction of fast-paced recaps, lore refreshers, character breakdowns, and post-release reactions, along with ongoing author interviews.
• Community Building: Creating a comprehensive resource for romantasy fans to stay connected, informed, and immersed in their favorite stories.
• Host Dynamics: Kinsey’s temporary relocation will shift hosting duties to Hannah and Carly, ensuring the podcast remains active and engaging.

This episode marks a significant milestone for Dear Fantasy Reader, promising listeners a more structured and enriched experience as they continue their literary journeys through Rebecca Yarros’ captivating Empyrean series and beyond.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Hannah (00:05): “Dearest Fantasy Readers, welcome to the Dear Fantasy Reader Podcast where we travel through the pages of our favorite Romantasy novels.”
• Carly (00:42): “We also know not everyone has time to reread three books before the next release, and even if you do, you might not have the time to binge over a dozen two-hour long episodes before the sequel drops.”
• Kinsey (01:04): “Each prep season will include fast-paced recap, refreshers, breakdowns of characters, lore, plot threads, world building, and our signature theory spirals, all designed to get you emotionally and mentally ready before release day.”
• Hannah (01:56): “Our next official season number six will be Drum roll Burn of the Everflame we sat down and organized the next year of our seasons and tentatively based on book releases, and we want to make sure you're prepared before the book drops, not after.”
• Carly (03:13): “Yes, Understatement.”
• Kinsey (03:16): “This is still the same Dear Fantasy Reader podcast you know and love, just in a format that lets us cover more books, serve more readers, and spiral even harder.”
• Hannah (03:26): “Or as we like to call it, fangirl multitasking.”
• Kinsey (03:31): “We're building the ultimate romantasy resource for readers who want to feel prepared, connected, and completely immersed in the stories they love.”
• Carly (03:48): “From lore and world building to character arcs and sequel theories we reread so you don't have to. We recap, process and fangirl right alongside you.”
• Hannah (04:06): “Kinsey is moving this summer so you may see more of Carly and I throughout our Burn season. No need to fret, we will still be active over on our socials and we'll have a season schedule releasing soon.”
• Hannah (04:44): “Dearest fantasy readers, prepare yourselves for our journey into the Kindred Curse saga.”
• Carly (04:44): “Can't wait.”

Final Thoughts

This episode serves as a roadmap for the future of Dear Fantasy Reader, showcasing the hosts' dedication to enhancing the listener experience through thoughtful format changes and expanded content offerings. By embracing new structures and continuing their passionate engagement with the Empyrean series and beyond, Hannah, Kinsey, and Carly reaffirm their position as essential companions for fantasy enthusiasts navigating the rich worlds crafted by Rebecca Yarros and other beloved authors.