Hey! Hi! Hello!
In this spellbinding episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re diving into the glittering, dagger-filled world of romantasy, that utterly addictive blend of romance and fantasy that’s taken over bookshelves, BookTok, and probably your entire weekend.

From ancient curses and brooding fae princes to forbidden kisses under blood moons, we’re unpacking why this genre has us all so deliciously bewitched. We’ll explore the long, dramatic history of romantasy (spoiler: it didn’t start with ACOTAR), chat about why it speaks to our biggest daydreams, and shower your TBR with epic new reads. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the enchanted party, this episode’s got something magical just for you.

So pour a cozy drink (or summon something a little witchy) and let’s swoon our way through the stories where love might save the world.

👇 Don’t forget to hit follow, subscribe, or leave a review! It helps our little storytelling coven grow. And check out the link in the episode description for all things romantasy, Courtney’s socials, and her upcoming paranormal mystery debut, The Missing Reflection, out September 2nd!

⏰ Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome: The Spell of Romantasy – Why We're All Swooning Over Magic & Love
02:36 – Romantasy: A Brief History05:49 – Enter the Modern Era: From Fae Courts to TikTok Edits09:16 – Filling Our TBR (and TBW): Book & Movie Recs11:59 – Storyteller Tips: Writing Epic Love in Magical Worlds14:44 – Closing the Book & Many Thanks

✨ Comment Magic Moment: If you made it to the end, drop a 🗡️❤️ in the reviews or on social to let me know your favorite romantasy trope—dagger-to-throat tension? Soulbonded lovers? Enemies-to-lovers with magical curses? I wanna know!

📚 Pre-order The Missing Reflection (coming Sept 2!) and find all my links & bookish haunts here: linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles

Hey! Hi! Hello!

In this episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re diving headfirst into the gloriously messy side of writing a novel... aka the part no one brags about on Pinterest. From plot spirals that laugh at your outline, to building worlds that are basically fueled by caffeine and low-grade existential dread, we’re breaking down all the weird in-betweens that make storytelling so delightfully chaotic (and occasionally terrifying).

So whether you’re outlining your first fantasy epic, wrestling your tenth thriller, or just daydreaming about writing “someday,” come hang out. You’re not alone in this wonderfully weird, creative adventure.

👇 Hit follow, subscribe, or leave a review! It helps me keep sharing these chaotic writerly confessions with you. Also use my linktree to come haunt me on my socials or check out my debut novel.

⏰ Chapters & Timestamps

• 00:00 – Introduction to the Chaos of Writing
• 01:35 – The Plot Spiral Strikes
• 04:24 – Worlds Built on Coffee and Existential Screaming
• 08:01 – When Your Side Characters Demand Attention
• 10:30 – The Cult of Chaotic Writing Processes
• 12:39 – Survival Tips from the Drafting Trenches
• 14:20 – The Epilogue of Imperfect Brilliance

Hey! Hi! Hello! In this episode of Chickling Chronicles, we’re heading straight back into the reaping bowls of Panem long before Katniss ever volunteered as tribute. I (Courtney, your paranormal mystery author bestie) am diving into Suzanne Collins’ newest prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, which spotlights the 50th Hunger Games, aka the trauma stew that made Haymitch Abernathy your favorite grumpy mentor.

I’ll break down why I was highly skeptical about this book (because seriously, how many prequels do we need?), how Collins absolutely proved me wrong, and what both readers and writers can learn from her razor-sharp style. We’re talking pacing that cuts like a scythe, worldbuilding through whispers, not lectures, and characters whose flaws make them unforgettable.

Plus, we’ll nerd out over Collins’ surprising background, the fandom wildfire she sparked with The Hunger Games, and why dystopia still matters so much today.

So grab your mockingjay pins and emotionally prepare yourselves! We’re heading back into the arena. 🎯

Chapter Sections:

• 00:00 - Welcome & why my side-eye was strong for this prequel

• 02:28 - The Set-up: Is this story actually needed?

• 03:37 - A quick tour of Suzanne Collins’ career (spoiler: it’s wilder than you think)

• 05:51 - Into the 50th Hunger Games

• 08:09 - How Collins built a multi-generational fandom

• 10:28 - Evaluating Sunrise on the Reaping

• • 13:08 Until the Next Chapter...

  💌 Links & Extras📚 Check out linktr.ee/chicklingchronicles to explore my own paranormal mystery, The Missing Reflection + all my socials are in the episode description.

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• 🎧 Want to scream your book opinions at me (lovingly)? DM me on Instagram or comment on YouTube.

• 📚 Sources I Used & Further Reading

• • The Guardian: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins review – second Hunger Games prequel is not for the faint-hearted

  • Polygon: The legacy characters in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping are so much more than fan service

  • People: "Sunrise on the Reaping" Review: Return to Panem for Haymitch Abernathy's Quarter Quell

  • Suzanne Collins’ Official Bio: suzannecollinsbooks.com

  • Wikipedia (Suzanne Collins): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Collins

  • Wikipedia (The Underland Chronicles): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Underland_Chronicles

  • Wikipedia (Sunrise on the Reaping): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunrise_on_the_Reaping