Inverted Tropes

These days, the term trope is often used as a sign of derision, but not all tropes are bad! There … More

Black Speculative Poetry

Poetry hasn’t always been my thing. Then, I spent a year and a half reading slush for an online Americana … More

Reaching Past Riordan

Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series has led to an explosion of YA speculative fiction that explores mythology and folktales through the adventures of modern-day characters. What made this subgenre so popular? And who are some authors to pick up after Percy Jackson? And how has the genre expanded to feature non-Western mythologies?

Science Fiction & Reproductive Rights

I believe strongly in reproductive rights and bodily autonomy. Many of these beliefs were encouraged through the science fiction & … More

Let Me Tell You About The Very Alien: They Are Different From You and Me

Whether you’re writing from a cat’s perspective or a being from Chiron Beta Prime, it’s easy to fall into the trap of giving the non-human very human motivations.

What is “alien”, what considerations do you need to create a well-rounded species, and what authors do it well?

Decolonizing SFF

While most of us know the bloody tales of how the European powers colonized much of the globe, fewer are … More

Fairytales & Folklore in Urban Fantasy

As humans, we look for patterns everywhere. So, when we see a new story, draped in the shape of a well-known fairytale, the vibrant mix of the familiar with the new and strange can be irresistible to many of us as readers.

Sustainable Series Strategies

For those of us who like to write genre fiction — the cozy mysteries, the thrillers, the science fiction horror, the fantasy — our books often have the funny habit of turning into series.

Trilogies, and longer series, seem to dominate the market regardless of genre. From a craft perspective, how do you set up a successful series from the start, with characters that continue to be interesting five books in, and plots that are sustainable across hundreds of thousands of words? At what point in your career does it make sense to pitch a series? What are readers hoping to get out of series work, and how long will they wait between installments? Series writers share tips and tricks gained from going through the process.

We’re #2, So We Try Harder

Backups, Sidekicks, & Henchfolk Heroes and villains step aside: We’re here to talk about your lieutenants, your seconds in command, … More