Fairy tales were dark long before modern fantasy came along. Behind the witches, wolves and enchanted forests were very real dangers—and some surprisingly practical survival advice. Perhaps the woods had teeth for a reason.
The Woods Have Teeth Read More »
Why do we believe a prophecy? The best ones don’t simply predict the future. They arrive carrying centuries of history, belief, argument—and consequences.
The Weight of Prophecy Read More »
My newest contemporary fantasy story, “Sigils in Snow,” is out now in Street Magic IV. This time, I brought the magic home—to the snowy streets and ordinary neighbourhoods of Edmonton.
Sigils in Snow Is Out in Street Magic IV! Read More »
I thought I wrote urban fantasy—until readers pointed out that the Alberta foothills aren’t terribly urban. So what *is* the difference between urban and contemporary fantasy? And just how far can contemporary fantasy stretch when the impossible collides with the world we know?
Once Upon A Time, I Thought I Was Writing Urban Fantasy Read More »
How many books is too many for a fantasy series? From ACOTAR’s hefty volumes to Pern, Discworld, and the long wait for George R.R. Martin, perhaps the real question isn’t how long a series gets—but whether the story ever actually ends.
How Many Books Is Too Many for a Fantasy Series? Read More »
Today is International Cat Day, which seems the perfect excuse to talk about one of fantasy’s most enduring companions: the cat. From mysterious familiars and talking felines to shape-shifters and ghost-watchers, cats have always belonged in fantasy. Join me as I celebrate nineteen-year-old Strider—our gloriously opinionated Norwegian Forest Cat—and explore why cats may have been magical long before fantasy writers ever noticed.
International Cat Day: Why Fantasy Needs Cats Read More »
Sometimes publishing throws you a delightful curveball.
A few weeks ago I mentioned that my new fantasy short story, “Sigils in Snow,” had been accepted for the Street Magic IV anthology. I expected to tell you about it later this summer.
Instead…it’s available today!
Surprise! “Sigils in Snow” Is Out Today! Read More »
Most people know about the Dark Ages that followed the fall of Rome. Far fewer realise there was another, even earlier collapse that wiped out kingdoms, shattered civilizations, and left historians scratching their heads three thousand years later. Discover how the mysterious Bronze Age Collapse—and the equally mysterious Sea Peoples—inspired the hidden history behind the Magorian & Jones series.
Not One, But Two Dark Ages Read More »
Fantasy readers often say they want “simpler” worlds, but is that really what they’re asking for? Maybe the problem isn’t complexity at all—it’s the steep learning curve many modern fantasy novels demand before the story can truly begin. A look at why great fantasy invites readers into its world instead of handing them an owner’s manual on page one.
Do Fantasy Readers Actually Want Simpler Worlds Again? Read More »
Most stories don’t arrive fully formed. They begin as a name, a setting, or the faintest glimmer of an idea, then grow one decision at a time. But every so often, a story appears almost complete. Rainmaker was one of those rare exceptions. Here’s how it came to life—and why, years later, I finally gave it the cover I’d always imagined.
When a Story Arrives All at Once Read More »