Fantasy Fangirls August Newsletter

Author

Lexi Ayala
August 29, 2024

Welcome welcome welcome

… to the Fantasy Fangirls August newsletter!

Exactly one year ago, we came up with the idea to start Fantasy Fangirls ❤️ And so this wild journey began — a week later we had a name (did you know it was originally “Fantasy Fanatics” but then we worried it was too fantasy football-y?), social handles, a Canva-made logo, and podcast description. We even recorded two ACOTAR episodes before we made the last-minute switch to a Fourth Wing deep dive, which may have been the best business decision we’ve ever made because WOW our Fourth Wing content immediately went viral.

Our one year anniversary is officially on September 10, when we released our Introduction episode. And ohhhh, what a life-changing year it’s been! We never imagined so many of you would resonate with our deep dives and to this day, we are incredibly grateful that you choose to bring Fantasy Fangirls into your life. This community has grown into something so special, so much more than “just a podcast,” and it means the world to us to see how these books, this podcast, and the friendships that have blossomed positively impact your lives, too. We can’t believe FFG is only one year old and are so excited for what the future has in store — this is only the beginning!

Celebrate FFG turning one all week from September 9-15 on social media! Especially keep an eye out for details about our virtual birthday party on September 10 and week-long giveaway.

We hope you’ve had an amazing summer and are just as excited as we are for cooler weather, cozy vibes, and all things Fall. We recently returned from the best time at the Dragon Gauntlet in Boyne City, MI (which, btw, is beautiful) and now Nicole is off on her European honeymoon! So you’re all stuck with Lexi for the next few weeks, bwhaha.

September Schedule

  • Sept 2: NO NEW EPISODE

  • Sept 9: ACOWAR Episode 9, Chapters 62-68

  • Sept 10 @ 7:30pm ET: Fantasy Fangirls’ Virtual 1st Birthday Party! 🥳

  • Sept 14 @ 3pm ET: Fantasy Fangirls Live Q&A *Patreon

  • Sept 16: ACOWAR Episode 10, Chapters 69-74

  • Sept 20 @ 7pm ET: Book Club for Bonded by Thorns *Patreon

  • Sept 22: Lexi Guests on Side Part Podcast

  • Sept 23: ACOWAR Episode 11, Chapters 75-82

  • Sept 28 @ 3pm ET: ACOWAR Trivia! *Patreon

  • Sept 30: ACOFAS Episode 1, Chapters 1-14

Upcoming Live Events

  • Oct 20, 2024: 🎉🎉 FANTASY FANGIRLS LIVE SHOW! 🎉🎉 Join us at Comedy Works South in Denver, CO! Get your tickets here.

  • Nov 23, 2024: Influencer partner at Swords & Shadows Masquerade in Highlands Ranch, CO. Get your tickets here and use FFG5 for $5 off! (Patreon, you have a special promo here!)

  • Dec 31, 2024: Influencer partner at The Drop NYE Party in Denver, CO. Get tickets here!

  • Feb 20-22, 2025: Media & podcast partner for Romantasy BookCon in Los Angeles, CA, including an FFG live show. Get tickets here!

  • Aug 15-17, 2025: Featured guests at EnchantiCon in St. Louise, MO! Get earlybird tickets here!

What We’re Up To

LEXI Currently….

Reading: A Promise of Peridot by Kate Golden because our book club for Dawn of Onyx convinced me to read Book 2. And I’m almost done with Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer!

Theorizing: More like detangling how the Cauldron magic works as we head into the final stretch of ACOWAR.

Drinking: Jake surprised me with a few bottles of Pliny the Elder when I returned from Dragon Gauntlet, it’s my favorite beer ever and such a rarity here!

Listening to: “Pink Pony Club” by Chappell Roan has been on repeat over here.

Watching: The last episode of Alone airs tonight! Who’s going to win!? Also, Barbecue Showdown. Fun fact, I LOVE smoking meats and am thiiiis close to getting my own smoker because I don’t have my dad’s to use all the time anymore.

Celebrating: My daughter’s 2nd birthday is this weekend! My in-laws are coming into town and we’re throwing her a Pink Princess Dinosaur party.

Looking forward to: The longest recording break we’ve ever taken on FFG - two whole weeks! I love what we do so much *and* a little break to catch up on other things/rest is nice.

NICOLE Currently….

Reading: Just started Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (yes, I’m a little behind but I’m so excited to get into it!)

Theorizing: After Rebecca Yarros’s interview at the Library of Congress - Who the heck is going to be a distant wielder!?! (*Lexi note: AARIC!*)

Drinking: Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew

Listening to: “Twice Above the Atlantic” album - it’s all I’ve been outlining to recently!

Watching: I haven’t started it yet, but I am looking forward to starting Emily in Paris’s new season!

Celebrating: I’M TAKING A VACATION! By the time you read this, I will be 2 days into my honeymoon in Europe ❤️ 

Looking forward to: Honeymoon! Specifically laying on a beach in the south of France!

Small Business Spotlight

Shining the spotlight on a bookish small business every month!

Heritage Candles LLC

Heritage Candles LLC is a small business who has a passion for making clean-burning, bookish candles.

Use discount code FFG10 for 10% off your entire order!

Lexi and Nicole’s candles from this shop are our favorites, they smell so amazing! Lexi has Cassian and Nesta, Nicole has Rhysand and Rowan.

Fantasy Books to Read

Looking for your next fantasy book to read? Step away from the mainstream and check out these books written or submitted by FFG community members. Nicole and Lexi cannot promise we’ve personally read these books (yet).

More Than Life

By Bethanie Finger

After the untimely death of her father, 19 year old Lady Cordelia Kimbal inherits the family secret; but what happens when Cordelia learns that she is the key to unlocking that which has been lost for centuries?

Of Stars and Lightning

By Melanie Mar

She was a marionette tethered to the fear of failing someone else she loved.

Compass Points

By Jillian Witt

A magical weapons master might be the key to saving the continent; if only she didn’t have to fake date a dangerous fae leader to do it.

Control My Night

By Sarah L Richhelm

In this paranormal standalone, Keanna is a banshee with a unique deadly wail she wishes she didn't have, and when she is abducted by a mob boss to be exploited as a supernatural weapon in his quest for power, she falls in forbidden love with one of the henchmen she's forced to work alongside.

Recent Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors for helping us bring these episodes to you! Click the link for Fantasy Fangirls discount access.

  • AG1: Get a free year of Vitamin D3K2 plus 5 AG1 packs

  • Apostrophe: First visit for $5 with code FF

  • BetterHelp: 10% off your first month

  • Beam: Use code FANTASY for 40% off Dream Powder

  • Bookshop.org: Support local bookstores and use code FF for 10% off

  • Chime: Open a Chime credit card

  • Factor: 50% off first box plus 20% off next month with code fantasyfangirl50

  • HelloFresh: Get a free kids’ meal for two months

  • Hiya: 50% off your first order of kids’ multivitamins

  • LMNT: Free sample pack with any purchase 

  • Miracle Made: Extra 20% off and 3 free towels with code FF

  • Quince: Free shipping and 365-day returns

  • Prose: 50% off your one-of-a-kind hair formula

  • Ritual: 25% off your first month

  • Shopify: Sign up for $1 month trial

  • ZocDoc: Download the app for FREE to find and book a doctor

Trivia Time!

What is the name of the mirror Feyre has to look into?

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Talk to you soon!

Nicole and Lexi