Alumni All Access: A celebration of storytelling
By Leigh Patrick, November 20 2025—
The energy was electric at UCalgary’s Alumni All Access: Let’s talk fantasy romance event on October 24th — a night where literary sparks flew and storytelling took centre stage. The celebration hosted alums whose creative achievements are full of inspiration.
The panel
The panel’s moderator, Heather Clitheroe, is a magazine editor, author and PhD student in English, who guided the evening’s conversations. Joining her were alumna Shannon MacNaughton, co-owner of Slow Burn Books — Canada’s first brick-and-mortar romance bookstore — and alumna Danielle L. Jensen, best-selling fantasy romance author.
The publishing journey: From fired to fantasy fame
Jensen transitioned from corporate finance to pursuing her creative dreams after being laid off. She began studying English, waitressing and writing her novel full-time. Her business skills guided her publishing journey: initially, she was traditionally published, then regained her rights and became indie, noting pros and cons of each path — her advice: write while working, build community and avoid vanity presses.
A genre deep dive
The panel explored the development of fantasy romance, tracing its roots in the young adult market. Jensen’s novel The Bridge Kingdom was initially rejected for being too mature; publishers wanted it to appeal more to teenagers by removing erotic scenes and making characters seem younger. The shift in reader preferences from teen fantasy romance to more mature themes and relatable characters was driven by the large teenage audience that publishers initially targeted.
The rise of “Romantasy,” a term from social media, describing stories in which romance is central to a fantasy world. In contrast, fantasy romance features a fantasy narrative with elements of romance. Jensen noted that ”Romantasy” serves as a catchall, which can mislead readers about content expectations, as it encompasses a range from adventure with romantic subplots to romances that dominate the story.
The writer’s world
Worldbuilding is key to any good fantasy novel. Jensen shared that her world acts as a character, shaping interactions with the plot. When determining how much to include, consider your reader; there is no clear limit, as readers differ. Jensen writes to love her work and balances pacing with details, describing her process as a mood-driven road trip with planned stops, but character-guided routes. Central to her writing routine are peppermint tea, silence and finding a balance between family and fiction.
Marketing and the author
The discussion turned to how social media platforms like BookTok and Instagram shape what and how you write. Jensen shared her struggles with writing for herself versus writing for the market. She found herself internalizing readers’ online critiques and started thinking about what she needed to write for her audience. Jensen recounted a story where she began trying to include more erotic scenes to satisfy the market, only to find herself becoming frustrated and unhappy with her writing. Her assistant mentioned she was doing a disservice to her characters and herself, as these new scenes didn’t sound like her. Jensen reminded the audience that you succeed because people love what you’ve written. Write for your five-star readers, never for your haters.
AI in the arts
MacNaughton expressed concern about AI’s encroachment into creative spaces, highlighting reader resistance and the significance of artistic originality. Jensen noted that the arts serve as the canary in the coal mine — the first to be impacted — but warned that other sectors are likely to follow. The panel argued that authenticity must remain sacred, with hopes that resistance will continue.
Creative nourishment
Jensen shared her antidotes to creative blocks, expressing that it also comes from trying to take the story in the wrong direction. A shower, long walks, switching to writing by hand and talking with her assistant tend to break through the blockage. Clitheroe added that journaling and engaging with creation outside your usual medium nourish the imagination and move through tough spots.
Closing thoughts
The panel wrapped up by emphasizing that it’s about being part of the university community — a vast network of people who share a love of storytelling. Many stories start here at the university, and they continue beyond.