When Does Halloween Begin?
When does Halloween really begin? An old Celtic way of measuring the day offers a wonderfully strange answer—and some irresistible possibilities for fantasy writers.
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Urban Fantasy
Sigils in Snow Is Out in Street Magic IV!
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.
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Once Upon A Time, I Thought I Was Writing Urban Fantasy
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?
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Surprise! “Sigils in Snow” Is Out Today!
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!
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When a Story Arrives All at Once
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.
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Why Do Characters in Fantasy Fiction Keep Trusting the Fae?
Why do fantasy characters keep trusting the fae when centuries of stories warn them not to? The answer isn’t stupidity—it’s hope. The fae offer solutions when no one else can, promise the impossible, and often appear as beautiful, fascinating beings who seem to understand exactly what a person needs. In this post, we’ll explore the surprisingly human reasons characters continue to trust the fae, despite all the risks.
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After the Quieting Is Now Available for Pre-Order
The veil is thinning again. After the Quieting, the first main story in The Veilwarden Chronicles by Taylen Carver, is now available for pre-order. Hidden portals. Unstable magic. A world built on dangerous balance—and the first signs that balance may be failing.
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The Fire Before Summer: Beltane in History and Fantasy
Beltane, the ancient Celtic fire festival marking the beginning of summer, once stood as a powerful turning point in the year—a night of bonfires, fertility rites, and thinning veils between worlds. Though largely forgotten today outside neo-pagan circles, Beltane still echoes through Celtic-inspired fantasy, where it often serves as a moment of magic, transformation, and looming consequence. In this post, we explore the origins of Beltane, how it was celebrated, and why it continues to shape modern fantasy storytelling—including its pivotal role in The Rivers Ran Red and other Celtic-influenced works.
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More About the Urban Fantasy Genre, from Carrie Vaughn — NYT Best-Selling Urban Fantasy Author.
I’ve posted a couple of posts lately about urban fantasy versus contemporary fantasy (here and here) and got a ton of emails and messages from all of you, discussing how you see the genres, and what you think they are. All very interesting. I’m a member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association), and
Urban Fantasy? Or Contemporary Fantasy? You Tell Me.
Among writers, the shades of genre can be passionately argued discussed, as we try to figure out what readers expect from their fiction. And recently, I had one of those discussions about urban fantasy. Actually, it was my fault the discussion took place at all. I asked the fatal question; What IS urban fantasy? I
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