S.2 Ep.23 Wings, Whispers, and War: Braidee Otto's Songbird of the Sorrows Takes Flight
S.2 Ep.23 Wings, Whispers, and War: Braidee Otto's Songbird of the Sorrows Takes Flight  
Podcast: The Mythic Mic Podcast
Published On: Mon Feb 09 2026
Description: 🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where spite can birth stories, birds carry omens, and every book has a secret behind its wings.  This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with Braidee Otto, author of Songbird of the Sorrows, for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply inspiring for aspiring authors.Braidee takes us from her childhood struggles with reading (and a very memorable moment of classroom humiliation) to the exact moment a holographic Del Toro Quest cover rewired her brain and set her on a lifelong path as a ferocious reader and writer. We talk hyperfocus, ADHD, all-or-nothing creativity, and what four straight months of writing actually look like.We also dive into Braidee’s wild publishing journey from indie release, to shock translation and audio offers before her book even hit shelves, to signing with an agent just weeks later, and eventually landing a traditional deal. Along the way, she shares refreshingly honest insights about fear, self-doubt, relinquishing control, and why gorgeous covers really do matter.And of course, we sink our teeth into Songbird of the Sorrows — a princess-turned-spy competing in deadly bridal trials, caught between duty, desire, and a former flame who is now her handler.🕊️ What happens when spite turns into a lifelong love of stories?🗡️ What if your biggest writing breakthrough came before you even realized you were being watched?🔥 And what does it really take to move from indie to trad without losing your creative soul?This episode is a must-listen for romantasy readers, epic fantasy lovers, and any aspiring author wondering what the publishing journey actually looks like.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…✨ Braidee’s unforgettable childhood reading story and how spite became her superpower.✨ Four-month hyperfocus writing sprints and what her real writing days look like.✨ The ADHD conversation and “all-or-nothing” creative brains.✨ Writing through self-doubt and why the fear hit hardest after finishing the book.✨ Navigating indie to trad in record time. ✨ Why investing in your cover can literally change your career. ✨ A deep dive into Songbird of the Sorrows: deadly bridal trials, spies, and second chances. ✨ Why Braidee wants readers to remember how the book made them feel. CONNECT WITH US🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland👤 Sara Santillan – @the_magical_quill📚 Braidee Otto – @braideeottobooks✨ If you loved this episode, please rate and review — it helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.