Fantasy begins with a simple invitation: What if?
What if magic were real? What if the world we know existed alongside another filled with powers, mysteries, ancient secrets, and possibilities beyond the boundaries of everyday life?
At The RV Book Fair 2026, our Writing Fantasy panel brought together J.M. Shaw, S.A. Sizemore, and Simon Rose, three authors who demonstrate just how expansive the fantasy genre can be. Their stories take readers into very different worlds, yet each begins with that same extraordinary act of imagination—creating something that did not exist before and making readers believe, at least for a while, that it could.
J.M. Shaw brings readers into the world of The Call of Magic, the first book in her The Call of Magic series. Her fantasy storytelling combines magic, adventure, danger, relationships, and self-discovery as her characters are drawn into circumstances much larger than themselves.
Through her world-building, J.M. explores not only the excitement of magic but also the choices and responsibilities that come with discovering one’s own power. Her characters must navigate relationships, challenges, and unexpected truths while learning where they belong in a world where nothing is quite as simple as it first appears.
S.A. Sizemore introduces readers to a world of witches, secrets, and supernatural forces in Whispers of the Pale Witch, the first novel in the Beckett Coven series.
The book launches readers into the mysterious world of the Beckett Coven, where family, magic, identity, and hidden histories intersect. S.A.’s background as a playwright and themed-entertainment professional brings another dimension to her storytelling. Creating an immersive experience requires more than describing a magical place—it means thinking about atmosphere, character, tension, and the details that allow an audience to step inside a world and experience it.
With Whispers of the Pale Witch, she invites readers into a story where discovering the truth can be every bit as dangerous as the magic itself.
Simon Rose, meanwhile, has spent years taking young readers through time, alternate realities, magical worlds, historical mysteries, and extraordinary adventures.
His extensive collection of fantasy and science-fiction books includes The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, The Emerald Curse, The Heretic’s Tomb, The Doomsday Mask, The Sphere of Septimus and many more, as well as series such as Shadowzone, Stone of the Seer, The Order of Excalibur, and The Memory Bank.
Across these stories, Simon plays with some of fantasy’s most irresistible possibilities: mysterious objects, journeys through time, ancient powers, altered realities, and ordinary young people suddenly confronted with extraordinary circumstances.
His work also demonstrates how fantasy can introduce younger readers to history, choices, consequences, courage, and complex ideas while never losing the sense of adventure that makes them want to turn the next page.
Together, J.M. Shaw, S.A. Sizemore, and Simon Rose show that there is no single formula for creating fantasy.
One author may begin with magic and a character discovering her power. Another may build a mysterious world around witches, family, and secrets. Another may open a door into the past, an alternate reality, or a place governed by entirely different rules.
But creating those worlds requires more than imagination.
Fantasy writers must decide how magic works, what their worlds look and feel like, what rules govern them, and—perhaps most importantly—how the characters living inside those worlds will make readers care about what happens next.
That was at the heart of our Writing Fantasy conversation: world-building, character development, inspiration, magic, and the process of turning an idea into a believable fictional universe.
Because even in a world filled with witches, magical powers, time travel, and impossible places, readers still need something deeply human to hold on to.
The worlds may be imaginary.
The emotions, choices, fears, hopes, and dreams that bring them to life are very real.
Watch the video here:
Hosts
Hosts – Lucia Matuonto – www.luciamatuonto.com and Pat Backley – www.patbackley.com
Speaker – Gary Morgenstein – Instagram @garymorgenstein
Guests
S.A.Sizemore – www.beckettcoven.com
J.M.Shaw – jmshawauthor.com
Simon Rose – simon-rose.com