Author: Angelique Fawns

Akis Linardos: A Genre Writer Trapped in the Body of an AI Scientist 

By Angelique Fawns

 

Akis Linardos comes at speculative fiction from a unique angle. Many of us fear the advent of Artificial Intelligence and there is a slew of dystopian fiction to prove it. Akis embraces it, and some of his research explores how artificial intelligence can help with human health. You can find his dark musings in several pro magazines, including Apex Magazine, Maul Magazine and Abyss & Apex.

I met Akis through my Wulf Pack writing group, and I sat down with him to get into the weed about his writing and the future of AI. 

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Brian Rosten: Dip Your Toe into Horror with The Maul

By Angelique Fawns

 

As a child, I loved to be scared. I read Stephen King under the covers after stealing it from my mother’s bedside table. Tales from the Crypt was my favorite television show. Learning to love and appreciate horror is an acquired taste. How does one drive our young folk safely into the world of horror these days? Brian Rosten has created a magazine to do just that. 

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Wulf Moon and his Howling Good Kickstarter!

By Angelique Fawns

I joined Wulf Moon’s Wulf Pack writing group just over a year ago. My understanding of story structure –and how to craft a saleable short story –has skyrocketed since becoming a member. Not only does Moon give personal advice to his group, but every writer in the Pack is a talented author willing to help others improve with kind, helpful critiques. You can be invited to the Wulf Pack Discord if you purchase one of Wulf Moon’s writing seminars, and they are worth every penny. Moon recently released his “Super Secrets Illustrated Volume 1” in a limited printing. (I have a signed copy and love it.) He is in the middle of his Kickstarter for his next book, “How to Write a Howling Good Story.” Read on to learn more!

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Julie E. Czerneda & Finding Inspiration in Biology

By Angelique Fawns

 

Julie E. Czerneda is a Canadian author with prolific story-telling skills, an impressive background in science, and a passion for life. She was inducted this year into the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association Hall of Fame (CSFFA). I met Julie when I took her Creature Features Master Class at Fyrecon this October. She taught me how to take a tomato and turn it into a speculative hero. My writing will never be the same.

She’s written twenty-three novels and is currently on tour promoting her anthology of short stories, Imaginings, and science fiction novel To Each This World. I wanted to learn more about this exceptional Canadian author, so she graciously agreed to answer a few of my questions:

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S.A. Bradley discusses why we love horror

BONUS: His list of best Christmas horror movies 

By Angelique Fawns

 

What is beneath the chills and thrills? Why do we love horror? I attended a Fyrecon writing class this October with S.A. Bradley called How Horror Performs “Cultural Shadow Work” and he had me enthralled. The presentation focused on how allegory and metaphor in our favorite horror movies and books help a society heal. Bradley is also the brain child behind Hellbent for Horror, an award-winning podcast where he discusses everything horror. He’s in high demand for his live shows and book readings, but he took the time to sit down and discuss our favorite subject with us here at Horrortree. Of course…. horror.

 

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Catherine Weaver: Weaving tales of magic for young and old alike.

By Angelique Fawns

 

Writing is in Catherine Weaver’s blood. From a grandmother who interviewed Amelia Earhart to a mother who taught and created poetry, Weaver continues the family tradition. She’s published several books for children and is currently focusing on winning Writers of the Future. I met this remarkable wordsmith through the DreamForge Magazine DreamCaster’s writing group and Wulf Moon’s Wulf Pack. Curious about her literary journey, I asked her a few questions.

 

AF: When did you first decide that you wanted to become a writer?  What was your inspiration?

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Bruce McAllister & his new anthology “Stealing God”

By Angelique Fawns

 

It’s rare I “hero-worship” another writer, but it when it comes to Bruce McAllister, I am definitely star-struck. McAllister is a Hugo and Nebula nominated science fiction and fantasy writer. My first taste of his genius was the imaginative telling of an alien assassin “Kin” on actor Levar Burton’s podcast Levar Burton Reads.

Issac Asimov himself says, “Bruce McAllister is one of the greatest talents working in the science fiction field today.”

He was the guest speaker at my January 9th, 2022 DreamCasters’ writing meeting and he shared the secrets of good writing with us. In my opinion, every word that dropped from his mouth was a nugget of pure gold. 

McAllister has recently released a short story collection, Stealing God and Other Stories. Each tale is touched with magic, love, and drew me in completely. 

He kindly agreed to chat with me about his anthology, writing process, and career. He even drops a few priceless pieces of advice for authors. 

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