Kris and Mads

In this episode, we sit down with New York Times Bestselling author Olivie Blake, the mastermind behind The Atlas Six, Masters of Death, Alone With You in the Ether, and more. We discuss everything from her transition from indie to traditional publishing, her signature writing style, and the complex psychology woven into her characters. She shares her thoughts on the power of storytelling, why she loves writing about messy yet hopeful characters, and gives us an exclusive sneak peek at her upcoming books: Gifted and Talented (April 2025) and Girl Dinner (October 2025). Plus, find out two truths and a lie about Olivie! Find Olivie online: https://www.olivieblake.com/ Join our patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/KrisandMadsSisterhood Follow us on IG https://instagram.com/krisandmads Follow us on TikTok https://tiktok.com/@kris.and.mads Email: [email protected] Everything else here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to Olivie Blake: New York Times Bestselling Author 01:05 – Two Truths and a Lie: Fun Facts About Olivie Blake 03:19 – What Makes a Perfect Book? Olivie Blake's 5-Star Reads 06:14 – From Indie Publishing to Traditional Publishing: Olivie Blake’s Journey 09:16 – How Olivie Blake Developed Her Signature Writing Style 13:12 – Creative Story Structures in Olivie Blake’s Books 17:07 – Exploring Power and Nihilism in The Atlas Six with Olivie Blake 21:13 – Art and Illustration in Olivie Blake's Brand 24:29 – Behind the Scenes of Audiobook Production for Januaries 31:28 – Writing as an Art Form: Olivie Blake on Creative Liberation 35:40 – Vulnerability and Mental Health in Alone With You in the Ether 44:34 – Why Success Doesn’t Make Olivie Blake Feel Safe—Choosing to Be Brave 51:04 – What’s Next for Olivie Blake: Gifted and Talented (April 2025) and Girl Dinner (October 2025) #OlivieBlake#TheAtlasSix#MastersOfDeath#AloneWithYouInTheEther#OneForMyEnemy#DarkAcademiaBooks#FantasyAuthor#BestsellingAuthor#BookTube#BookishContent#AuthorInterview#PodcastEpisode#BookClubPodcast#WritingPodcast#BookishChat#AuthorChat#WritingTips#IndieAuthorToTradPub#PsychologicalFiction#FantasyBooks#RomanticFantasy#DarkAcademiaVibes#CreativeWritingTips#StorytellingSecrets#YouTubePodcast#BookTubeCommunity#TrendingBooks#ReadersOfYouTube#2025BookReleases

Looking for your next favorite book? 📚 Join us and fellow content creator  @Smitty1423  as we recommend 9 incredible books and dive into our top secret priority TBR lists! From epic fantasy and sci-fi adventures to thought-provoking reads, this episode has something for everyone. Plus, don’t miss the Q&A we did with our live audience at the end of the episode where share even more bookish insights, including cosmere reading orders, audiobook tips, horror recs, and more! 🔥 Let us know which of these you're adding to your TBR! Smitty's links: https://www.tiktok.com/@vinopapi23 Our links: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads Creators Mentioned: Sloan: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsmesloaner Margaret: https://www.tiktok.com/@mm.stormblessed Kiara:  @Kiarasbookobsession  Austin and Richard:  @2ToRamble  Ed and Will:  @thebrothersgwynne  Allie: https://www.tiktok.com/@allisonsaplusreads Gina:  @geenahreads  Indiana Bookstore Mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/sunboundbooks/ Beverage Mentioned:  @OLIPOP  All Other Books Mentioned: Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown The Gael Song Trilogy by Shauna Lawless Scythe by Neal Shusterman Wool by Hugh Howey Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo Anathema by Keri Lake The Strength of the Few by James Islington The Lord of Demons by Evan Winter Shadows Upon Time by Christopher Ruocchio A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin He Who Fights With Monsters by Shirtaloon and Travis Deverell The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan Ascension by Nicholas Binge Daughters of the Empire by Janny Wurts & Raymond E. Feist Jade War by Fonda Lee Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb The Bound and the Broken Series by Ryan Cahill The Way of Eden by Philip Chase The Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Recursion by Blake Crouch Wayward Pines Trilogy by Blake Crouch Vicious by V.E. Schwab Smitty's Soft DNFs: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie Brandon Sanderson Stuff Mentioned: Coppermind: https://coppermind.net Mistborn Era 2 by Brandon Sanderson Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson Sunlit Man by Brandon Sanderson Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson Yumi and the Nightmare Painter by Brandon Sanderson Elantris by Brandon Sanderson Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson White Sand by Brandon Sanderson Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson Skyward by Brandon Sanderson Audiobook Recs: Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter Red Rising by Pierce Brown Liveship Traders by Robin Hobb Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 11/22/63 by Stephen King The Shining by Stephen King Horror Books Mentioned: Between Two Fires Lost Gods The Willows The Fisherman #BookRecommendations #FantasyBooks #SciFiReads #TBRList #PodcastEpisode #LiveQA #BookTube #ContentCreators

In this episode, we’re sharing our mindful reading goals for 2025 and why we’re embracing a slower, more intentional approach to our TBRs. Maddie is setting a 100-book reading limit to focus on quality over quantity, while Kristen is incorporating cozy fantasy, nostalgic rereads, and expanding her home library. From rating systems to physical TBRs, we’re breaking down how we plan to read more thoughtfully, track our progress, and enjoy the journey. Plus, we’re diving into the impact of audiobooks vs. physical books, finding our own influences, and prioritizing movies and TV. Tune in for all the details and get inspired to set your own 2025 reading goals! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro: Kicking Off Our 2025 Reading Goals 06:23 - Kristen’s Plan: Reading Fewer Series & Focusing on Standalones 10:02 - Maddie’s Rating System Overhaul 15:01 - Why Maddie Is Setting a 100-Book Limit for 2025 16:54 - Kristen’s Cozy Fantasy Picks and Slow Reading Rituals 17:35 - Tracking Our Reading in 2025: Reviews, Journals, etc 19:39 - Kristen’s Reading Journal: Keeping Track of Progress 22:08 - Nostalgia Reads & Rereads: Kristen’s 2025 Priority 22:55 - Maddie’s Focus on Classics: A New Direction for 2025 25:00 - The Four Series Maddie Plans to Tackle in 2025 27:03 - Maddie’s Physical TBR Goal: Under 10 Books 28:20 - Kristen’s Shift to Standalones & Building a Home Library 30:55 - Prioritizing Romance: Kristen’s 2025 Genre Spotlight 34:18 - Diversifying Recommendations: Plan for Variety 38:20 - Being Your Own Tastemaker: Avoiding Reading FOMO 39:25 - Our New Twist: Giving Each Other 3 Passes for the Year 42:27 - Choosing Physical Books Over Audiobooks in 2025 45:47 - Audiobooks vs. Physical Books: Balancing Time & Value 48:13 - Making Time for More Movies & TV in 2025 Join our Patreon: patreon.com/KrisandMadsSisterhood Find us everywhere: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads Biz inquiries: [email protected]

What do you get when you mix a shocking (and oddly funny) kidnapping story with insights on becoming a full-time content creator? This episode with Michael Kist! 🎉 Join us as Michael hilariously recounts being literally kidnapped at 11 years old (yes, really) and how his love for books, history, and fantasy shaped his path to success. Whether you’re a fan of epic reads, deep dives into creative careers, or just love hearing creators overshare, this episode has it all! 🎙️ What We Cover: Timestamps 00:00 Intro 15:19 📚 How Childhood Stories Inspire Reading & Content Creation 21:07 ⚠️ The Weird, Wild Risks of Being a Creator 24:53 🔥 Juggling Passion, Burnout, and Everything in Between 27:51 🎯 Why Success Isn’t Just About the Views 32:44 📏 From Short-Form to Long-Form Content: The Big Transition 37:39 💬 Handling Critics & Keeping Fans Happy (or Not) 42:06 🤝 Engaging with Communities Like a Pro 49:12 💡 Negotiation 101: Knowing Your Worth as a Creator 56:00 🌟 What’s Next? Michael’s Personal & Professional Aspirations If you’re into books, reading, history, or fantasy—or want to master the art of content creation—this episode is a must-listen. 📖 Love storytelling? Michael drops gems on how his love for epic tales influences his creative process. 🎥 Thinking of going full-time? Hear tips on navigating audience expectations, burnout, and the ever-evolving creator economy. 🛠️ Bonus laughs included. Tune in for inspiration, laughs, and the most unexpected kidnapping story ever. You can find Michael's content here:  @KistReadsBooks  and around the web: https://linktr.ee/michaelkist biz inquiries: [email protected] Patreon, Tiktok, Instagram, merch, and more here: https://linktr.ee/kris.and.mads