In this episode of Beyond the Page, I had the pleasure of speaking with fantasy author Robert Riley, whose debut novel Blood of Tomorrow combines military fantasy, deep worldbuilding, and characters forced to make difficult decisions in impossible circumstances.

Rather than focusing solely on heroes and villains, he explores the weight of leadership and the consequences every decision creates.

We also discussed:

• Creating believable fantasy worlds without overwhelming readers
• The balance between planning and discovery while writing
• Low magic versus high magic storytelling
• The challenges of self-publishing and book marketing
• Building long-term trust with readers
• Why authentic marketing matters more than chasing trends
• The transition from corporate leadership to becoming an author

Robert also shares the story behind Blood of Tomorrow, a novel that had been living in his imagination for decades before finally making it onto the page.

If you enjoy epic fantasy, conversations about writing craft, or hearing how authors bring massive fictional worlds to life, I think you’ll really enjoy this episode.

🎧 Listen now and don’t forget to check out Robert’s work if you’re looking for your next fantasy read.