A writer’s guide to creative courage

So last Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of interviewing Australian children's and YA fantasy author Garth Nix for an event at Manchester's Waterstones bookstore. Which, I'll be honest, was a lot of fun. Nix is one of the most celebrated and prolific authors of the last 30 years — he's written over 40 books,… Continue reading A writer’s guide to creative courage

Horror, hope and humanity

I was invited, this past month, to reflect upon my writing influences, and in so doing share insights on how horror, as a genre, has shaped elements of my storytelling. And I won't lie, I had a fair bit of fun contemplating this. Horror is a style of storytelling I've always had a love-hate relationship… Continue reading Horror, hope and humanity

What an evening with Yaa Gyasi taught me about inspiration

I first came across the incredible stillness and power of Yaa Gyasi's writing some years ago when reading a short story penned by the Ghanaian-born author in Guernica Magazine. Inscape, narrated from a daughter's perspective, told the tale of a woman and her Ghanaian mother, weaving between themes of religion, culture and mental illness with… Continue reading What an evening with Yaa Gyasi taught me about inspiration

Feature: In conversation with Sanjida O’Connell

Thoroughly enjoyed being interviewed by the ever eloquent Dr Sanjida O'Connell and featured at Writersmosaic this past month. Sanjida, along with her PhDs in zoology and psychology, is an award-winning novelist and a gorgeous non-fiction writer. Which is partly why I was so excited about the opportunity to talk shop and dive into the nuts and… Continue reading Feature: In conversation with Sanjida O’Connell

Life, Learning & The Secrets of the Universe

Probably the most fun I’ve had being interviewed to date. I had the very rich and real pleasure of chatting with Rachael Kearney of the Call on Courage podcast (highly recommend). In short, we take in everything from Thundercats to the education system to philosophical ruminations on the creative process, on the way to talking through my… Continue reading Life, Learning & The Secrets of the Universe

The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy

So the plan today was to fly out to Dublin, around about 3.15 this afternoon for Worldcon - a plan that has been scuppered by illness, rendering me duvet-bound within the cosy confines of my home, gazing at the grey drizzly skies outside. On the one hand, I'm gutted to be missing out on what… Continue reading The Beautiful Lady Without Mercy

Betrayal, Blood & Gods

So a cool thing that happened recently was I got to speak with the very lovely folks over at The Nerd Daily about writing and my upcoming release, Pale Kings. It was a very fun and lighthearted chat, and one in which I shared a few things about my writing process and what readers can expect to… Continue reading Betrayal, Blood & Gods