Zen Cho discusses her latest book, BLACK WATER SISTER, an urban fantasy of ghosts, grandmas, and gangsters set in Malaysia. We talk about crafting authentic regional dialects, writing "fantasy" using real world religious lore, and exploring cultural idiom in world-building.
THE UNBROKEN author C.L. Clark discusses her brutal and complex military fantasy debut about a conscripted soldier returned to her homeland, and a princess in search of a turncoat. We talk about the novel's examination of colonialism, and the power imbalance at the heart of the story's romance.
A SONG WITH TEETH author T. Frohock discusses writing her long-running Los Nefilim dark fantasy series, which features 3 novellas and 3 full-length novels. We talk about the intricate world-building for the action-packed saga that sees angels and daimons as 1930s gangsters.
ESCAPING EXODUS: SYMBIOSIS author Nicky Drayden talks about her Afrofuturist sci-if/space opera duology that started with ESCAPING EXODUS. We discuss the novels' extraordinary—and squelchy—world-building, the layered social caste and plural family dynamics, and environmentalism themes.
THE MASK OF MIRRORS author M.A. Carrick—co-writing team Marie Brennan & Alyc Helms—talk about their twisty, intricate Fantasy novel. We explore their collaboration creative process, the impact of their anthropology backgrounds on the world-building, and their setting's casual queerness.
THE RUTHLESS LADY'S GUIDE TO WIZARDRY author C.M. Waggoner talks about creating the whimsical prose style of her latest Fantasy novel. We discuss her character-first approach to story, what elements didn't make the final cut, and a unique approach to magic.
Author Alina Boyden breaks down her writing process for the historically-inspired Fantasy debut, STEALING THUNDER (ACE Books), which she describes as 'trans-girl Pretty Woman with dragons in the Mughal Empire'.
Author K.B. Wagers talks about their new military science fiction novel, A PALE LIGHT IN THE BLACK (HarperVoyager). Learn about their creative process for this action-packed adventure featuring the NeoG.
THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE (Tor Books) author Annalee Newitz talks about their creative process for the feminist time travel novel, and balancing complicated science fiction world-building with pacing and exposition.
FICTITIOUS is a YouTube show and podcast that delves into the craft of Science Fiction & Fantasy storytelling through interviews with authors and other professional writers. Hosted & produced by Adron Buske.
