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On the Write Track PodcastAuthor: Sarah Mughal Rana, Emily Varga
On the Write Track is a podcast from debut authors Sarah Mughal Rana and Emily Varga that address the little known secrets of traditional publishing and behind the scenes, from guests in different stages in the industry, to provide our listeners an insider's look. Guests include New York Times, International bestselling, and critically acclaimed authors, agents, Big 4 publishing editors, successful Tik Tok book influencers, marketers, and everything in between. Follow our socials and subscribe for the latest updates. Consider signing up to our Patreon page, even a small help goes a long way, to support the podcast, receive unique perks, and get exclusive Q&A access and writing advice from us! Language: en Genres: Arts, Books, Business, Marketing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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46: Ken Liu: Imagination, Invention, and the Future of Fantasy
Episode 46
Thursday, 5 February, 2026
Join Emily and Sarah for a conversation with award-winning author Ken Liu — the Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award–winning writer behind The Paper Menagerie and The Grace of Kings, whose work include both riveting short stories and novels. In this episode we dive into his journey, from making the leap to full-time writing, to navigating film and book industry opportunities, and explore how he builds stories that operate not just as narratives but as metaphors for identity, culture, and technology.Ken discusses his newest novel, All That We See or Seem, a near-future thriller where art, AI, and human yearning intersect, and the conversations talks about the evolving fantasy and sci-fi market. We cover, the moment he decided to write full time, and how that opened doors beyond publishing. His method of embedding metaphor in every short story from a craft angle to ground it in deeper themes. His take on fantasy and science fiction today: how the genre is changing in a bigger romantasy market, what readers are looking for, and where he sees it headed. And a thoughtful discussion on AI and art: what it means for creators, for originality, for the future of storytelling.Whether you’re a writer, a sci-fi fan, or simply curious about how an author thinks about art in tech-driven times, this episode offers a thoughtful, dive into the craft and the future from one of the best and celebrated writers of our generation. Ken LiuWebsiteBooks Mentioned - We strongly encourage that listeners purchase these titles from their favorite indie bookstoreAll That We See or Seem by Ken LiuThe Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken LiuThe Grace of Kings by Ken LiuParadise Lost by John MiltonPercy Jackson seriesEmily Varga's booksSarah Mughal Rana's books Come back on the first Thursday of every month for a brand new episode of On the Write Track Pod. Make sure you hit the follow button to get notified, and like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen! Sign up to our Patreon where you can receive exclusive perks, some for as little as the cost of a coffee! Did you enjoy the episode? Please leave us a review! Follow the podcast @OntheWriteTrackPodcast on Instagram. Also connect with Sarah and Emily on Instagram or TikTok!
