S.2 Ep.35: (Indie Spotlight) They Thought Her a Monster: Isabella Stofka on The Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death
Podcast: The Mythic Mic PodcastPublished On: Mon Mar 09 2026
Description: 🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where winter bites, monsters are made by fear, and the stories we tell about ourselves can become the truths we live by. In this episode, host Bethany Amanda sits down with indie fantasy author Isabella Stofka to dive into her chilling, atmospheric romantasy The Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death. Equal parts frosted fairytale and Greek myth–infused epic, this is the kind of winter story that creeps under your skin, makes you question who the “real” monsters are, and lingers long after the last page.Isabella opens up about her winding path to writing, from moving across the world to Okinawa to falling in love with fantasy through The Lunar Chronicles, Percy Jackson, and Once Upon a Time. She speaks candidly about being a “disorganized perfectionist,” battling burnout, and building a healthier writing routine after an intense year of back-to-back releases.We explore the heart of The Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death, a story told by three main characters: Wynter, a feared immortal born from a frozen river; Kieran, a mortal rebel whose hatred turns into something far more complicated; and Niav, an exiled assassin whose loyalty and vengeance simmer just beneath the surface. Isabella unpacks how Greek mythology, personal experience, and the haunting sensation of an ice bath shaped Wynter’s origin, and why being called “the Ice Queen” became the spark for an entire series.🧊 What makes someone a monster: their actions, or how others see them?💀 Can fear turn someone into exactly what others believe them to be?🗡️ And what happens when enemies begin to see each other clearly?This is a must-listen for lovers of winter romantasy, Greek myth–tinged fantasy, and anyone curious about the realities of indie publishing.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Books and television series that shaped Isabella as a fantasy reader and writer. ✨ Being a “disorganized perfectionist” and finding a sustainable writing routine.✨ Publishing two books in one year and recovering from burnout.✨ The realities of indie publishing: street teams, marketing, and decision fatigue.✨ Why Isabella chose indie over traditional publishing, and why she doesn’t regret it. ✨ The basis forThe Ice Queen and the Keeper of Death and what inspired this story. ✨ Perception vs. reality and how it shapes heroes, villains, and everyone in between. 🐦 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📦 Isabella Stofka – @Isabellastofka_author✨ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a rating & review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors discover The Mythic Mic.
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